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JOE Carlisle says he's ready to step into the ten jersey full time after leaving behind a shaky start to his Wasps career with his best game for the black and golds last weekend.
The 26-year-old was drafted into the front line after Andy Goode pulled up with a knee injury the day before the match, and after going toe to toe with Harlequins' Nick Evans Carlisle believes he's now ready to pull the strings for Wasps full time.
He said: "It was my best performance for Wasps against a decent side, no offence to a couple of European teams. But Harlequins are a very good side and it was a step in the right direction.
"There are still plenty and plenty of things to work on and it's always difficult to look at your own performance when you don't win as a team, but a few things went my way. I managed to play in the right areas for the majority of the game and personally, I was reasonably happy.
"It was good to get the chance to put a small marker down and show what I can do."
The match was Carlisle's fourth start in a row and there is no doubt he has taken his opportunity during the past month, with his performances improving almost week on week after admitting his Wasps career got off to a less than auspicious start.
He said: "It took me a while to find my feet when I arrived. I was pretty frustrated that I wasn't training or playing as well as I'd have liked. I'm not sure what the difficulty was and it still frustrates me now looking back.
"But it's behind me now and the last month or so I seem to have really found my feet. As a ten, the more you play the more you build confidence within the team.
"It really is just a case of being as consistent as I can throughout the 80 minutes. It builds your confidence when you know you're going to get a game at the weekend and the one after. I've been lucky that they've kept coming in the last few weeks.
"I've enjoyed putting on the shirt regularly and hopefully I can keep doing that until the end of the season and hopefully I can keep improving."
Goode will take some shifting, however. He's second in the all-time list of Premiership points scorers and there aren't many situations on a rugby field that he hasn't seen before.
Carlisle said: "He's a great friend of mine and I've learnt a lot from over the last few years. I've always preferred to run with it than kick it, but watching Andy week in, week out and seeing how he controls a game has been great for me and hopefully the more I play the more my game management will get better, which I think it has in the last month.
"I support him when he's playing and likewise when I'm playing. It works well. But I'm trying to pinch the ten shirt off him.
"He is a great player, but I do think I can offer a lot as well. You've got to back yourself. If you don't then you're in the wrong job and I do think I'm ready to take his shirt."


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WEST BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. - West Bloomfield Township's board voted Monday night to ask the governor to get rid of its elected treasurer for incompetence.
"This is difficult. I don't want to be here. The board doesn't want to be here. The treasurer doesn't want to be here. Nobody wants to be here. Characterizing this as a witch hunt, however, is inappropriate," said board trustee Dr. Howard Rosenberg.
After a month-long investigation into how business is being done in the treasurer's office, the law firm hired to investigate found serious issues including a $2 million investment deemed inappropriate -- which did not meet state of Michigan standards -- and daily duties not being adequately performed.
"In my opinion, the treasurer might consider that this is not the right position for her, and she might consider stepping down," said Supervisor Michelle Economou Ureste.
The concerns over how Treasurer Teri Weingarden is or is not doing her job reached critical mass Monday night. Weingarden said she wouldn't go over each point in the 80-page report but made it clear she feels this is political.
"We all make mistakes, and they make mistakes, too. But I guess playing nice and being fair hasn't been serving me well on this very malicious board. So going forward at meetings I'm going to start bringing up some of the concerns I have with the finance department, not by name, and the clerk's department, not by name, because I think those employees are fabulous, but they do make mistakes, too," said Wiengarden.
She has no plan to step down. She is asking the board to pay for an attorney to help her fight the removal proceedings.
Copyright 2013 by ClickOnDetroit.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
The April 2013 issue of Ultimate MMA published an in depth interview with owner and president of Revgear Paul Reavlin, UFC fighter Ed "Short Fuse"
The Revgear Gel Hand Wrap was featured in the May 2013 issue of Ultimate MMA Magazine. Our gel wraps are made with Anti-Shock Rev-Tech Gel™
Revgear fighter Rich Knox as seen in the March 2013 issue MMA Uncaged.
Revgear Samurai Series as featured in the January 2013 issue of Ultimate MMA Magazine. This State-of-the-art gear is made for the modern warrior and modeled
Jeremy Williams, the former heavyweight boxing champion and light heavyweight MMA fighter, uses the new Combat Series Hand Wraps to provide a complete breakdown on
If you want to be the best, you have to train with the best. Andre Berto, #2 ranked welterweight boxer in the world, does his
Revgear welcomes new Ambassador Zach Ostergren, from Redding, CA. Zach has taken first place in 11 out of 16 competitions in the last two years,
Revgear welcomes one of its newest Ambassadors, Trent Svingala, 11, to the Revgear family. Svingala trains at American Martial Arts in Valatie, New York.
How about women and kids? No, they are not! But this is only a recent development in the last few years. These days you can buy
How about women and kids? No, they are not! But this is only a recent development in the last few years. These days you can buy


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Support for Sub-National Councils
- Details
- Published on Tuesday, 22 January 2013 16:14
Phnom Penh, 22 January 2013: Sub-national councils in the Capital, Provinces, Municipalities, Districts and Khans were elected and took up office in mid-2009. In order to ensure that these councils have adequate capacity to fulfill their roles and responsibilities, Secretariat of National Committee for Sub-National Democratic Development (NCDD) developed council capacity development systems and mechanisms.
Council facilitators were recruited and are in place at sub-national level, trainings for councils were conducted and Technical Documents as supporting documents for councils to perform their roles and responsibilities were introduced.
Recently, NCDD Secretariat with technical support of the EU Program for Strengthening Performance, Accountability and Civic Engagement (EU SPACE) developed Technical Documents on Council Meetings and Dissemination and Consultative Forums for sub-national Councils. Both documents were launched in order for them to be used by the councils in the Capital, Provinces, Municipalities, Districts and Khans (in accordance with the Organic Law and other legal framework documents). Before the official approval, both Technical Documents were tested with Provincial, Municipal and District Councils in the EU SPACE target provinces. The results of this modeling period served as a very significant input to the review and finalization of both Technical Documents.
During the Launching Ceremony, Mr. Sok Sothy, Deputy Head of the NCDD Secretariat's Policy Analysis and Development Division (PADD), said that although the Technical Documents were field-tested extensively, they should be regarded as "living documents" which can be further improved over time. Mr. Sok Sothy added that the Technical Documents are not intended to serve as an instruction or guideline for the councils. The councils shall rather use the documents as a resource – meaning that the councils themselves decide whether to follow the options provided in the Technical Documents or not.
Mr. Gereon Kaus, EU SPACE Strengthening Councils Advisor, said that the capacity development for sub-national councils was very important and he welcomed the recent approval of both Technical Documents by H.E Sar Kheng, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior, and Head of NCDD. He hoped that that the documents would help the councils to improve the efficiency of their monthly council meetings and support them to be well-prepared for organizing dissemination and consultative forums.
As representative of the target councilors in Battambang, H.E E Sarom, Provincial Councilor, said that council meetings improved remarkably over time with the help of the Technical Document. In this regard, he welcomed the coaching support provided by the EU SPACE Program in supporting the councils preparing for their meetings.
H.E Men Thoeun, Chairman of Council in Kampong Chhnang province, requested continued capacity development from NCDD Secretariat, specifically mentioning the coaching approach, tested with EU SPACE support, to achieve better performances of all councils.


text:
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Playwright, Matthew J. Edwards, Speaks with Audience After Performance of WRITTEN IN TIME, June 1
Dallas playwright, Matthew J. Edwards, will talk with audience members in a post-show Q&A session after the Friday, June 1, 2012 performance of his play, Written in Time, produced by Rover Dramawerks. Plano's The Auto Shop will sponsor this special evening.
The World War II-era story makes its world premiere at the Cox Building Playhouse (next to the Courtyard Theater), 1517 Avenue H, in Plano, Texas on May 17, 2012 and will run until June 9 with shows starting at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday through Saturday evenings, and a matinee at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 26. Tickets are available at the box office one hour prior to performances, or in advance by purchase online at http://www.roverdramawerks.com. Ticket prices range from $16.00 for Thursday nights and matinees, to $20.00 on Friday and Saturday nights.


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TIM Aker, UKIP's Thurrock MP candidate for the next general election, believes illegal immigrants should not be given asylum as this sends out a "soft touch message".
The UKIP candidates comments come as 35 Afghani Sikh's were discovered in a container passing through the Port of Tilbury ten days ago.
One, Meet Singh Kapoor, 40, died. The 15 families had been couped up in the container - that arrived at the port from the Port of Zeebrugge, Belgium - for hours after fleeing religious persecution in their native Afghanistan.
All were treated for dehydration and hypothermia but have since been discharged from the South Essex region's hospitals.
But Mr Aker, who is also one of the Eastern region's UKIP MEPs, doesn't think the families should be allowed to stay, saying any immigrants coming to Britain illegally should be refused asylum and returned to the "first safe country". He added that this "firm but fair" message would also prevent further tragedies.
He said: "Thousands and thousands of migrants try and come to Britain in the legal and proper manner. We must not send a soft-touch message to the rest of the world that those who come here illegally will be allowed to stay.
"Doing so simply encourages more people to risk their lives resulting in fatalities as we have recently seen and encourages people traffickers.
"People in Thurrock and right across the country are sick and tired of illegal immigrants coming here and being allowed to stay.
"I'm absolutely certain that the best way to stop further such tragedies is to send a firm but fair message: that Britain is a place only those who play by the rules are welcome to come to, in a controlled and safe way. Illegal immigrants who attempt to smuggle themselves into our country should be returned to the first safe country."


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In middle school, Lauren Parsekian, who had once run with the in-crowd, was ostracized and bullied by her group of "friends," making life unbearable. She was afraid to go to school, became depressed, and even attempted suicide in the 7th grade. It's funny how our greatest hurdles in life can morph into our greatest gifts to the world. Fast forward to 2009. Lauren and her friend Molly Thompson set out to create a documentary about girl-against-girl bullying. This evolved into the abundantly successful Kind Campaign. Their documentary Finding Kind premiered in theaters in New York City and Los Angeles and was accepted and awarded in over 20 film festivals (you can view the trailer at the bottom of this post). The women spoke in over 400 schools across the United States and completed four international anti-bullying school tours. (Check out a hysterical video of Lauren and Molly at the bottom of this post.)
While Lauren is still young, her crystal clear sense of purpose is set firmly in place and so obviously informs every move she makes. It fuels the widespread success of her nonprofit, it inspires girls around the world to speak out against girl-against-girl bullying, and it's why I wanted to feature Lauren for the Talking GOOD spot this week.
Thank you Lauren (and Molly) for your commitment to the cause, and thanks for sharing your thoughts on our blog!
1. IN JUST ONE SENTENCE, WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE IN LIFE? To use my passion and creativity to give girls who feel alone a voice, and to be a kind and compassionate wife, daughter, sister, friend, acquaintance, and stranger.
2. WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH BEFORE YOU "EXPIRE?" I want to pioneer or take part in a movement that requires schools by law to share an anti-bullying curriculum with their students within the first week of school. I also hope to direct and complete at least two more documentaries. A food tour of the world would be pretty nice too...
3. IF YOU COULD MEET WITH ANYONE (ALIVE), WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHAT WOULD YOU ASK THEM? I know this isn't humanly possible, but I would meet every young girl and boy thinking of taking their life due to bullying, and I would ask them if they know how precious they are. I would listen to their story and offer the best advice I could give them.
4. WHAT WOULD THE TITLE OF YOUR BOOK BE? Be KIND...It's So Much Easier.
5. WHO WOULD PLAY YOU, IN A MOVIE ABOUT YOUR LIFE? Maybe Blake Lively? I have always had a lot of respect for the way she tends to stay out of a lot of the tabloids. She seems to be a really down-to-earth and classy girl with a joy for life and her craft. I see her as a good role model for young girls.
6. WHAT IS A BELIEF THAT IS CORE TO YOUR BEING? I think of a few quotes that I have written all over my life:
- "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."
- "Give to humanity like the Autumn gives leaves."
- "What was said to the rose to make it open, was said to me, here in my chest."
- "I will not die an unlived life. I will not live in fear of falling or catching fire. I choose to inhabit my days, to allow my living to open me, to make me less afraid, more accessible, to loosen my heart until it becomes a wing, a torch, a promise. I choose to risk my significance; to live so that which comes to me as seed goes to the next as blossom and that which comes to me as blossom, goes on as fruit."
7. WHO ARE YOUR HEROES? Every girl that I have watched apologize to another girl in one of our assemblies or screenings. Every time I see a girl own up to their mistakes and mend another girl's broken heart, I feel this sense of pride and joy that is unmatched by any other experience I have had in my life. I have this incredible opportunity to watch teens break down their social barricades and be real and honest with each other and it's an opportunity that has changed my life completely.
8. IF YOU WEREN'T DOING THIS, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING? I would most likely be working on another documentary or writing books for teen girls. For a while I had an obsession with producing and staring in my own food network show. I am quite the foodie.
9. TELL US SOMETHING SURPRISING ABOUT YOURSELF. I was a nationally-ranked, competitive tennis player from my childhood through high school.
10. WHAT QUESTION DO YOU WISH I HAD ASKED? What are some things outside of your job that give you joy? Running around music festivals with my fiancé and pretty much everything I do with him, good food and good wine, traveling to new places, the holidays with my family, rainy days, snowboarding, Disneyland, and road trips.
ORGANIZATIONAL LINKS: Kind Campaign main site, Facebook page, Twitter feed, YouTube page


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Relatives just arrived in Disney today, and MK was crazy! He said Small World was even 40 min wait.
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Dad knows Disney World Crowds
Dad knows Disney World Crowds!
I know some of you out there wonder …
Does Dad really know what he's talking about?
You read all these other sites that say things that Dad doesn't entirely agree with. In fact some of you have sent in questions all panicy asking about this week or that because you just read somewhere that a billion Chinese come to Disney World every year on the sixth week of Juvebember or something.
I keep saying, trust me … Dad knows Disney World crowds.
Several weeks ago, Dad got a question about Jersey Week at Disney World. The nice person, who didn't leave their name, asked nicely if Dad knew what he was talking about because this nice person had been reading on all the Disney sites about the hoards that descend on Disney World the first week of November. Dad's great crowd calendars proudly proclaimed the crowds as light the first week of November. Surely Dad had it wrong, or just forgot, or even worse, didn't know about Jersey week.
Read the question and Dad's answer about Jersey Week at Disney World
So hey, last week was the first week in November, the infamous "Jersey Week", how did Dad do? Let's find out.
Dad got a note today from a loyal fan named Ashley (seems like there are more and more of those every day, thank you). Here's what she said …
I just got back from New Jersey Week at Disney World and I can report that you and you alone, were absolutely correct in predicting low crowd levels for that entire week. My son and I were able to ride Expedition Everest 24 times, Mission to Mars 10 times, Splash Mountain 20 times and Twilight Zone Tower of Terror upwards of 10 times (those were our favorites but we also rode almost everything else in all four parks) with virtually no waiting. The hysteria over New Jersey Week and the prediction of hour long waits and other assorted doom and gloom on other websites seems downright ridiculous at this point. It makes me wonder if any of those people have actually ever even been to Disney World during that week.
Keep up the good work, Dad, and take a bow and give yourself a big pat on the back because YOU WERE RIGHT AND THEY WERE WRONG.
Thanks again for all of the advice,
Pardon me while I fire off a short note to Ashley,
First let me say thank you for the feedback. Confirmation is always a good thing. I'm glad you had a wonderful time and happy that I could play a small role in it. I'm a bit jealous you got to ride all those rides so many times (not really, because most of those rides make Dad sick). Keep in touch. I'd love to hear your stories.
Thanks again,
Like I keep telling you …
Trust me
13 Comments
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So glad to read this. Was just speaking to husband about possibly cancelling / rescheduling our trip due to "Jersey" week … I now have hope. We always travel in September & hit Halloween Party with the Kiddos… with great success & NO LINES!!!! but we wanted to catch Christmas shows this trip … Will let you know – we arrive 11/2/12 & come back 11/10/12…
Hopeful in Louisiana,
Powell Family
I found your website and level-headed advice while planning for this November's trip. Yes, I'd heard about Jersey week and, yes, there was some initial panic. But coming here was like breathing into a paper bag. All will be well; Dad says. Thanks.
As frequent Disney-goers, we actually experienced Jersey Week in 2003 and 2005. Once we were right in the middle of it, and once it was starting up on our final weekend. I realize that was pretty long ago, and things may have changed.
Here is our experience:
The first time we experienced "Jersey week," we had no idea that it was happening. All we knew was that crowd levels were suddenly higher than we had experienced in the few days prior, and it seemed very loud. (We have children with autism, who are sensitive to noise.) Where we'd been able to have 20 minute waits on most rides, it was suddenly up to 40, and we were having to use our Guest Assistance Card more. When we got home was when I first heard of Jersey Week and we realized that our trip had overlapped with that week.
On the second trip, we purposely went early, but our last weekend there was the start of Jersey Week. I noticed the difference when I took the boys the pool at Boardwalk–all of a sudden, the volume level was way higher. Lots of moms yelling, sounding like Fran Drescher.
IMO for some reason people from New York and New Jersey tend to talk/yell louder than people from other areas. Maybe it is the culture.
I suppose things might be different now BECAUSE there are enough people that do avoid Jersey week that it keeps the crowds low. At any rate, if you're sensitive to noise, you might want to still avoid this week. This year it is the first week of November. Sometimes it is the first full week which almost seems like the 2nd week.
The NJ "culture"? Really Margo? I happen to be a soft spoken teacher from NJ with 2 very well behaved children and think your comment was ridiculous. Crowds create noise levels not moms from a certain region.
We have attended WDW every November for over ten years and yes, it has gotten more crowded, but them again, so has every week. There simply is no "off" season anymore due to all the websites that eagerly gave away the best times to visit. Therefore, crowds are to be expected.
However, there is no NJ culture for visitors to be fearful of!
Um Linda I too am from Jersey then moved to florida. We have caught some of Jersey week and I agree with Margo. It IS louder. It IS our culture. Don't be offended if you are not part of the noise. She was not insulting just acknowledging. Jersey week is the sound of home for me lol. And there IS a difference. My husband noticed immediately. We find it comical but as you say no one should fear it. Disney is not that quite but jersey week kicks it up a notch 🙂
We just got back from Disney and were there during Jersey Week. We visited 4 parks and MK was the busiest but most places were only about 5-10 minutes behind the fast pass lines. We defiantly couldn't walk on any ride multiple times but it was manageable. As for the noise?? No different from any crowded theme park…we have 4 kids so we're used to noisy. I felt like it was a combo of jersey week and the fact that most schools have election say off and parents used this week because it was one less day of missed school. We would like to go again in 2 years but I'd only like to go during free dining. Anyone know how long that go through winter? We wouldn't be going during Christmas.
I was there this past Nov from the 1st to the 10th. It was alot busier then past years from the feedback I got from cast members and other visitors that regularly visit during that time. The extended Food and Wine festival and the free dining on top of it being Jersey, Plus the race weekend for the end of the food and wine festival played alot into extra crowds.
Pingback: Ask Dad - Jersey Week Confusion
There is not a DVC studio available November 9 2017. And barley anything the whole week. So you can't tell me Jersey week doesn't exist. Avoid !!!!!
Going for the first time for " Jersey Week" this year. I am from NJ so I guess we will feel right at home. I will say I have been to Disney several times each at different times of the year and I have experienced rude pushy people FROM ALL OVER not just from Jersey! Why do people act like all the rude people in the world only come from NJ? I get that we may talk louder but does that make us God aweful people to be fearful of?


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Kevin Patrick
Sadness = Happines :)) : - Poem by Kevin Patrick
Frowns are just grimace sitting upside down
Angst an erotic name for boredom in motion
The abyss is the cabin were the soul will conspire
To rave in a daze, of dance of misfit rage.
You scream in your mind for someone to hear
but all you get back is static feedback
Your internally bursting, on a private frequency
That Nobody pays to witness your seething.
Slave to fear and master of deceit
Enchanted to the chains of your own misanthropy
Hopeless romantic for cynical deprivations
You know only pleasure of self-abnegation
Van goh is your idle but you lack his impression
Nietzsche is your god, and your just his ghost
Sartre you devour as an idol to rule your apathy
You like to have the lead to the role of self-defeat
But you're an amateur nihilist
without motive to nothingness.
Sadness equals Happiness Shakespeare wrote it best
He stole it from Euripides who got it from Babylon
The first scribes of Egypt probably need good valium
Suffering's professional but life is full of character
Comments about Sadness = Happines :)) : by Kevin Patrick
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Caged Bird
Maya Angelou
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Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening
Robert Frost
I Do Not Love You Except Because I Love You
Pablo Neruda


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I UNDERSTAND that Prince William has indicated that he would like all the ivory in the royal collection removed and destroyed as part of transforming the debate on the killing of elephants for their tusks.
I applaud him for this and his support for efforts to end the illegal trade in wild animals.
As an artist myself, I understand the value of art and the effort that goes into producing works of art, but the threat to the fauna of our planet is such that we must act, or face the greatest wave of extinctions in history.
What is the better legacy for our age: a world that still contains tigers, elephants, sharks, rhinos, seahorses, coral reefs and all the other species under threat, or private and public art collections of wild animals' body parts turned into trinkets and baubles? I think the answer is obvious.
The trade in wild animals and their body parts should be consigned to history. It would show real leadership for the royal family to put the protection of our planet's biodiversity above the retention of objects that contribute to the acceptability of this trade.
Christian Vassie, Blake Court, Wheldrake, York.


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A ROYAL Marine enjoying his first weekend home for more than two months was wrongly arrested after police mistook him for a burglary getaway driver.
Kayle Stannard, 21, was enjoying a rare weekend back home in York and was returning from a night out, when officers stopped him in the street. Marine Stannard, who serves with 45 Regiment in the Response Force Task Group, said: "They just came out of nowhere, told me to get on the floor."I was telling them I had receipts and my entire route home was on CCTV.
"They started reading out all these charges at me, suggesting I was a getaway driver.
"I was in light clothes, white trainers, and a grey top, it was very specific what I was wearing, so I can't imagine anyone would give that description of a burglar."
Marine Stannard, who lives in Fifth Avenue but is now back with his regiment in Arbroath, said: "The next day, about 2pm, they released me and couldn't apologise enough, but it's no consolation.
"They raided my house as well, while I was in the cells, at about 10am, and took all my trainers for some reason. They gave me them all straight back, but my nieces were in the house and were very scared."
Police arrested three men in the early hours of Sunday, December 9, following burglaries at commercial premises across York. In a separate incident officers followed a Volkswagen Lupo from the scene of the burglary to where it was abandoned in Buttercrambe Road. A 17-year-old was arrested and later released on bail for driving offences, and Marine Stannard said he was arrested simply because he was in the area.
Marine Stannard said: "They said 'wrong place at the wrong time', but then said I was garden hopping. At that time in the weather conditions, I had white trainers on and would be covered in mud, but I didn't know where they got that from.
"I had white shoes on and not a speck of mud on them. It's just bizarre. It shouldn't affect my work, but it doesn't look good when getting arrested for nothing. I'm consulting with a solicitor at the moment. I don't feel an apology is enough from the police."
Paula Shepherd, Kayle's mother, said: "He didn't know anything about it, he'd just been out with friends.
"I feel really sorry for him, that the first weekend leave in two-and-a-half months was spent in a Fulford Road prison cell. I'm absolutely furious about it."
A North Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said: "We understand that a formal complaint will be made in the coming days and it will be dealt with appropriately by the Professional Standards Unit. It would not be appropriate to comment further at this time."


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Americans United for Separation of Church and State has a great article about the freedom to marry on their blog. The thesis of the article, "The Source of U.S. Law: Leviticus or the Constitution," is that efforts by Christian extremists to deprive Americans of the freedom to marry persons of their choosing is a church-state issue. Drawing on recent articles from two prominent American newspapers, this article makes a solid case for marriage bans being a violation of church-state separation. I admit that I hadn't really thought about the issue this way, focusing more on the expression of religious intolerance.
It is a good read, so check it out.
Tags: church and state, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, gay marriage, marriage
November 27, 2006
Marital Freedom: A Church-State Issue
Labels: Church and State
Marital Freedom: A Church-State Issue
Church and State |


text: The Dealer ManagerBarclays Capital Inc.745 Seventh AvenueNew York, New York 10019United StatesTelephone: +1 (212) 528-7581US Toll Free Number: +1 (800) 438-3242Attention: Liability Management GroupEmail: firstname.lastname@example.com The Tender Agent Global Bondholder Services Corporation65 Broadway – Suite 404New York, New York 10006United StatesBanks and Brokers Call: +1 (212) 430-3774Toll Free Number: +1 (866) 470-4200Facsimile: +1 (212) 430-3775/3779Attention: Corporate ActionsEmail: firstname.lastname@example.com A copy of the Offer to Purchase is available to eligible persons upon request from the Tender Agent. Analyst and Investor Information Further information for analysts and investors can be obtained from the following contacts at Barclays: Investor RelationsCharlie RozesTel: +44 (0) 20 7116 5752 Barclays TreasurySteven PenkethTel: +44 (0) 20 7773 0125 Media RelationsGiles CrootTel: +44 (0) 20 7116 6132 DISCLAIMER This announcement must be read in conjunction with the Offer to Purchase. No offer or invitation to acquire or exchange any securities is being made pursuant to this announcement. This announcement and the Offer to Purchase contain important information, which must be read carefully before any decision is made with respect to the Tender Offer. If any holder is in any doubt as to the action it should take, it is recommended to seek its own legal, tax and financial advice, including as to any tax consequences, from its stockbroker, bank manager, lawyer, accountant or other independent financial adviser. Any individual or company whose Notes are held on its behalf by a broker, dealer, bank, custodian, trust company or other nominee must contact such entity if it wishes to participate in the Tender Offer. None of the Issuer, the Dealer Manager or the Tender Agent (or any person who controls, or is a director, officer, employee or agent of such persons, or any affiliate of such persons) makes any recommendation as to whether holders should participate in the Tender Offer.


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Superman The New 52
This is what we've seen so far.
This is what we've seen so far.
Superman becomes one of Earth first superheroes and runs around in a t-shirt and jeans in Action Comics #1. Superman becomes a founding member of the Justice League starting in Justice League #1.
Wonder Woman becomes Superman's new girlfriend in Justice League #12.
Krypto, Superman's family pet is freed from the phantom zone in Action Comics #13
Lex Luthor becomes the first man to take down Superman with a trap in Action Comics #1.
John Henry Irons is inspired by Superman to become a hero in Action Comics #4
Superboy is the second clone made from Superman's DNA and the first Kryptonian Human hybrid in Superboy #1
Supergirl, Superman's long lost cousin arrives on Earth and meets him in Supergirl #1.
Superman faces Brainiac also known as the Collector in Action Comics #8
Superman battles John Corbin in Action Comics #8
Helspont abducts Superman and tries to recruit him for his cause in Superman #7 and #8. Helspont later shows Superman what a threat he can be in Superman Annual #1.
Superman faces the Kryptonite Man in Action Comics Annual #1.
Superman takes on Captain Comet in Action Comics #12
Superman faces Xa-Du in Action Comics #13
Jimmy becomes Clark's roommate in Superman #7.
Clark Kent takes Lucy Lane on a bungee jumping date in Superman #12.
H'el, observes a confrontation between Superman and Supergirl in Superman #13.
Lois Lane is promoted to head of Galaxy Communications media division in Superman #1.
Superman and Batman's friendship begins in Action Comics #11.
Superman tracks down Alec Holland to try to convince him to become Swamp Thing once again in Swamp Thing #1.
Superman confronts Starfire about Helspont in Red Hood and The Outlaws #14.
Lana went to prom with Clark Kent as seen in Action Comics #15.
One of the most brilliant minds in the New 52 and ally to Superman. She is first seen in Superman #13.
The Atomic Skull is born in Action Comics Annual #1.
Nimrod is hired to kill Superman in Action Comics #8.
Morgan Edge is the President and CEO of Galaxy Communications and is the owner of the Daily Planet in Superman #1
Power Girl is the cousin of a Superman from another dimension who arrives on Earth Prime in Worlds Finest #1.
Vyndktvx is a powerful imp from the 5th Dimension and the mastermind behind the creation of the Anti-Superman Army. He is first seen in Action Comics #1.
Glenmorgan is the first man taken down by Clark Kent's writing. He first appears in Action Comics #1.
Erik Faces Superman in Action Comics #6.
Seen in the 5th dimension in Action Comics #15
Clark Kent's landlord and secret wife of Mxyzptlk. She is shot and killed in Action Comics #15.
Faces Superman in Superman #10.
Superdoom, really?
The Oracle first appears in Supergirl #16 and goes on to do nothing.
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State treasurers will this week consider calls to cut the GST-free threshold for goods bought from overseas online stores, in an attempt to bolster flagging revenues from the tax.
Under current rules, products costing less than $1000 that are privately purchased from overseas are not subject to GST, sparking complaints domestic retailers face an uneven playing field.
State governments – which receive the revenue raised by the GST – also miss out on about $600 million a year due to the threshold, and this foregone revenue is projected to rise as online shopping takes off.
In a meeting of state Treasurers on Thursday, NSW, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia are expected to make the case for Australia's threshold being lowered so that it is brought into line with other countries.
NSW Treasurer Mike Baird, who wants the GST-free threshold to $30, will raise the issue as a "key consideration" at the meeting, a spokeswoman for Mr Baird said.
Victoria's Treasurer, Kim Wells, has also supported a lower threshold if Canberra can devise a cost-effective way of collecting the extra tax.
Any move to cut the threshold would require backing from all states and the federal government – and the Gillard government has so far played down the likelihood of a change to the threshold.
However, it is likely to come under renewed pressure to consider the issue from a high-level panel looking at how tens of billions in GST is shared between the states each year.
In a final report handed to the government last week, former premiers Nick Greiner and John Brumby and businessman Bruce Carter are expected to recommend that changes to the threshold to be considered.
A 2011 review by the Productivity Commission found the administrative costs of cutting the threshold were too high, but other experts dispute this analysis.
A Professor of Taxation at the University of NSW, Neil Warren, said the current situation was ''unsustainable'' because it was not a level playing field for local retailers.
''At the present moment it's small beer, but the thing is it's a problem you need to address so you might as well address it,'' Professor Warren said.
The simplest way to resolve the situation was to require foreign retailers selling into Australia to charge GST, he said.
Mr Greiner has also called for a debate on raising the GST's rate from 10 per cent or broadening its base, but this was ruled out on Monday by the Treasurer, Wayne Swan.
''We believe that the GST, by lifting it or broadening the base, would really hit people, particularly battlers, really hard. And that's not a priority of this government,'' Mr Swan said on Monday.


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The Book of ME
The First 70 Years
door Santi Acosta / Lee Stump
Over het boek
The First 70 Years? I have wended my way through
them, wanting to know everything, working hard, crying,
laughing. I have held hands with the dying and danced
elaborately, baked fabulous cakes and needlepointed
handsome men and beautiful women. I have honed my
senses and made the best use of them I could.
Mind, body, and soul. A united goal. Of equal weight.
I do not always manage to balance them, but the effort
continues. Friends help me with this. They are here for
me, as I am here for them.
Friends. This comes way at the top of my list of
what has kept me going all these years—especially
necessary for someone who loves being alone.
Right along with that is Honesty. When someone asks
me a question, asks for an opinion, reaches out, I have
no trouble saying what I believe directly without coloring
my response. This sometimes offends, sometimes
is welcomed. No matter. Those seekers always know
they can count on my response as from the heart.
Love? Without doubt, also right up there. Do I need to
say anything about Love? I believe, deep down, almost
everyone knows what Love is.
It's a mutual-admiration society, my friends and I.
I thank you all—current, disappeared, and to come.
kenmerken / functionaliteiten & details
- Categorie Kunst en fotografie
Standaard liggend, 25×20 cm
110 Pagina's
- Datum publiceren nov 12, 2011
- Labels Mr. Adams, New York City, country life, vintage photography, old family photos, Street scenes, NYC, bio, Virginia, Pulaski, youth
Over de maker
Capturing the essence of a scene in a single instant, that which emerges @ the moment of conception, is what I find most rewarding. The challenge is not in depicting the forms but in recognizing the totality of the image. Magically infusing power into small incidents. Transforming everyday objects and moments into memorable icons. My interests are in exposing the inner-city spaces we inhabit. These Urban Landscape images transform into opportunities for formal, aesthetic, and social invention, blurring the sharp contours of fact and fiction, image and reality. To unite, when possible, the compositional rigor of documentary photography with the magic of Romanticism. Lee and I have been working together for many years, not only as a creative partnership, but a life-long one as well. We invite you to examine our books, write opinions, and appreciatively purchase a few. We will be uploading new titles of our artography as time goes on. Please come back and visit us again.
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News By Tag
Industry News
News By Location
Industry News
Ridgeway Studios Becomes Certified Partner With Kentico
Ridgeway Studios today became a Certified Partner with Kentico Software, the web content management system vendor.
Ridgeway Studios is known for providing effective web-based business solutions, with clients including Rotary Watches, Kemp & Kemp and the British Medical Journal Group. Ridgeway Studios has been recommending Kentico CMS as a platform for their clients' web sites for due to the all round capabilities of the solution and its suitability for both small and large businesses alike.
Simon Lassam, Managing Director at Ridgeway Studios said: "Reaching Certified Partner status with Kentico is a tremendous step forwards for Ridgeway. Kentico is a fantastic product – affordable, easy-to-use and customise and suited to both small and large businesses alike – and we're delighted that our work with it has been recognised by Kentico."
"Choosing the right platform for a web project is only a part of its way to success. The skills and expertise of the company that delivers it make the rest," said Lenka Navratilova, Partner Manager at Kentico. "Through our partnership with Ridgeway Studios, we are sure that the end users of our product will be provided with top-level professional services."
About Ridgeway Studios
Ridgeway Studios delivers business solutions through creative web site design, print design and marketing services. From our studio in Witney, Oxfordshire we offer a consultative approach to projects, matching the solutions we recommend to our clients' needs. Led by an experienced team of web professionals, the agency offers a range of services designed to support any business aspiration including marketing and search strategy planning, logo, brand and creative design, content management, e-commerce and bespoke solution development and multimedia content delivery. Ridgeway Studios has a strong track record in helping businesses of all sizes achieve their marketing goals. Further information about Ridgeway Studios' services and client work can be found at http://www.ridgewaystudios.com/
About Kentico CMS
Kentico CMS is an affordable web content management solution providing a complete set of features for building Web sites, community sites, intranets and on-line stores on the Microsoft ASP.NET platform. It supports WYSIWYG editing, workflows, multiple languages, full-text search, SEO, on-line forms, image galleries, forums, groups, blogs, polls, media libraries and is shipped with 200+ configurable Web parts. It's currently used by more than 4,000 websites in 84 countries. The clients include Microsoft, McDonald's, Vodafone, O2, Orange, Brussels Airlines, Mazda, Ford, Subaru, Samsung, Gibson, ESPN, Guinness, DKNY, Abbott Labs, Medibank, Ireland.ie and others. Kentico CMS is available at http://www.kentico.com.
About Kentico Software
Kentico Software (www.kentico.com)
# # #
Ridgeway Studios delivers business solutions through creative web site design, print design and marketing services. Our offices are located in Witney, Oxfordshire and we deliver web site design and marketing services.
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Transparent Screen app for Android is out, bumping into cute girls suddenly becomes lame
The idea is to, of course, avoid tripping, crashing into lamp posts, or falling off a cliff while using your smartphone, unless it's bumping into a cute girl on purpose to make conversation. "Oh, so sorry, my Transparent Screen app force closed!" is as good a convo kickstarter as any when it comes to first contact.
There are apps that do the same while typing text messages, for example, like Walk and Text, but Transparent Screen takes things to a whole new level, and works everywhere, without the requirement that your phone be rooted, for example. The downsides are that some users report lagginess, especially on weaker devices.
You can try and set lower camera stream res to avoid that, and also decrease the transparency ratio. For Transparent Screen to start with an app of your choosing, or to stop when the screen goes off, you'd have to go PRO for a buck.
source: TransparentScreen (Android Market)
14 Comments
1. rendHELL (Posts: 304; Member since: 09 Nov 2011)
Now drivers that are using a phone may say i did not violate anything cause my eyes are still on the road cause my phone is using transparent screen app... XD
but still this is a a great application... safe too...
2. TheLibertine (Posts: 484; Member since: 15 Jan 2012)
This will use a lot of battery, you know?
13. the_s2 (Posts: 239; Member since: 22 Nov 2011)
Tested, and the phone heated up a lot, battery went from full charge to 50% in an hour.
3. Galen20K (Posts: 545; Member since: 26 Dec 2008)
Pretty cool but yea, too ahead of its time. Hardware should catch up soon.
4. remixfa (Posts: 14605; Member since: 19 Dec 2008)
the hardware is there. I think they were talking about single core crapdragons and below lagging. Id be surprised if an Sgs2 or anything with an OMAP lagged much.
5. windowsRocks (Posts: 155; Member since: 28 Oct 2011)
I don't find this application useful in real world
6. Astreo (Posts: 102; Member since: 05 May 2011)
not useful? in some states it is illegal to text while driving, now you eyes dont leave the road and makes it that much safer.
8. PimpStrong (Posts: 310; Member since: 25 Jul 2011)
Uhh no.
9. thephoneguy92 (Posts: 191; Member since: 29 Dec 2011)
Please do not drive if this is a good idea to you...
10. Astreo (Posts: 102; Member since: 05 May 2011)
Please dont drive if you cant do something as simple as text and drive yourself. im just saying this lessens some of the danger because your eyes arent completely off the road.
11. p0rkguy (Posts: 685; Member since: 23 Nov 2010)
Is that seriously going to be your argument when you get pulled over for texting? "My eyes didn't leave the road."?
No. The focus of the driver isn't on the road in the first place, they won't notice what's on the road regardless.
The best available solution right now is to wait until you get to a stop and do what you have to do. Anything else isn't going to work well.
12. thephoneguy92 (Posts: 191; Member since: 29 Dec 2011)
Thank you p0rkguy for having logic. Astreo, using an app like this to justify an illegal action such as texting and driving, one that can kill yourself and others, is just silly. Like p0rkguy said, the only surefire way to stop from having accidents due to texting and driving, is abstinence. Or um, well, yeah..
7. k1ng617 (Posts: 264; Member since: 13 Oct 2009)
Now I can text and text at the same time!
14. mafiaprinc3 (Posts: 580; Member since: 07 May 2012)
now thats a neat app for people who gets caught up in their SMARTphones!!


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Karachi, Apr. 16 (ANI): Pakistan captain Misbah ul Haq has urged the selection committee to test players' fitness before they finalise the squad for the ICC Champions Trophy.
According to an official, Misbah feels that the upcoming Champions Trophy is a tough assignment and only players who are completely fit should be included in the team, reports The Express Tribune.
Misbah also urged the selection on merit irrespective of seniority, the official said.
The selectors have been busy with the task of assessing players' form and fitness at the ongoing President's Cup one-day tournament which has entered the semi-final stage. They are expected to announce the squad after the final of the Present's Cup scheduled for April 19.
Pakistan faced a spate of injury concerns during the tour of South Africa, their last international assignment, where a number of players were sidelined due to fitness issues.
Fast-bowlers Umar Gul, Junaid Khan and Mohammad Irfan, opener Nasir Jamshed amongst others suffered injuries during the course of the tour.
The test, if conducted, will play an important role in gauging players' fitness especially that of fast-bowler Umar Gul who is still recovering from a knee injury acquired during the South Africa tour. The test results may also prove useful for judging fast-bowler Mohammad Irfan, who for many is not fit for a 50-over format. (ANI)


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I've been looking for a rendering technique for Sketchup that's fast without trying to be photo realistic, and is hopefully somewhat stylish. The one below is pretty much what I have in mind, I found it on the website for Twilight Render (never used it before) but I don't see any tutorials or instructions on how to get this effect. Can anyone share with me instructions for how to get this effect and which plugin I should use? It would be very much appreciated!
Also if you have any other examples of stylish renderings effect that would be very much welcome.
In case the image doesn't upload, it can be found through this link
looks to me like a post-processing job; a line rendering and a rendering with materials, overlay them, and have at it in Photoshop. Here's a link to some tutorials on something similar. Check out the first one on there.
Rather than using shaded view however, you'd be using an actual render to get the kind of tonal an textural qualities in the example image you posted.
Mixed variety of rendering tuts here too http://www.sketchupartists.org/ might help...
There are many rendering tools that are interoperable and/or will run native with SKP (via plugins). A few of the major ones I've seen used successfully:
- V-Ray (this is the one I use most, though it's not as good as the 3DS version)
- SU Podium
- Maxwell Render (also excellent)
- LightUp
Also, you may be interested in this: http://lumion3d.com/
Alex's site, above, is excellent.
I will toss this at you:
An excellent book, with a workflow for the style you are after!
I'm a huge fan of SketchUp and my favorite rendering plugin thus far is ShaderLight, found here http://www.artvps.com/. I had absolutely no tutorials and began getting really nice renderings within a couple of hours of playing around with it..
Then it's like Joseph said, that example you gave, as far as I know, can't be done with a single rendering. Most likely a double up on digital rendering and hand drawing. I do like the affect though. Think I might doing something for fun along those lines just because it looks cool.
Perhaps a different 'style' (one of the thin lines styles) in Sketchup could give you the hand rendered look to overlay the photorealistic rendering...?
I like to use Shaderlight for diagrams, Lumion for lots of quick semi-rendered shots / flythroughs, and Max + V-Ray for more serious renders, although it's been a long time since I actually have opened Max... getting a good render out of Max (that's significantly better than the standard sketchup renders + some photoshop) takes time so would rather leave that up to the professionals. Also, I like using Rhino + V-ray and it's pretty easy to get the hang of.
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April 2017 Digital Edition
March 2017 Digital Edition
Feb. 2017 Digital Edition
January 2017 Digital Edition
Nov/Dec 2016 Digital Edition
Oct 2016 Digital Edition
Technology Sectors
Public or private cloud? -- Balancing security, cost savings and efficiencies for government agencies
Paul French
The question of the optimum cloud scenario for use by the U.S. Government -- on-premise, public cloud, private cloud or hybrid architectures -- is becoming increasingly important.
As part of cost saving initiatives, and in accordance with a 25 Point Implementation Plan to Reform Federal Information Technology Management that includes a "Cloud First" policy, all agencies are now mandated to move some applications to the cloud. So, how are government CIOs and IT managers choosing the types of cloud services they will use, and for which pieces of their infrastructure?
Security, of course, is often the central issue in these decisions. It could be that many agencies are playing it safe -- avoiding the cloud at all costs, or building their own cloud so that they can remain in control of their environment and information security. But there are many reasons why this strategy is not the best way forward.
Public or private cloud?
Although the term "private cloud" is relatively new, the concept is not. Organizations have been using private clouds for years, most commonly in the form of computing architectures that provide hosted services. Today, organizations build private clouds in order to utilize the Internet for certain services, without relinquishing control of their infrastructure, data and security.
Public cloud services, on the other hand, are dynamically provisioned on a self-service basis over the Internet using Web services and Web-based applications, with third-party security and storage. Some public cloud services offer multiple levels of control, so that customers can keep a tight rein on their data and who has access to it. In fact, because they service such a wide range of public and private sector organizations, public cloud service providers often have tighter data security and system management capabilities than many enterprises.
Private cloud implementations require expensive in-house infrastructures, management and security measures that the public cloud does not. Agencies that build their own on-premise clouds may be missing out on many benefits of the public cloud, such as cost savings, flexibility and a leaner and more predictable IT profile over time. And in reality, there are massive amounts of data and applications that agencies could safely move to a public cloud in order to leverage these benefits.
Of course, there are also areas of government unsuited to a public cloud environment, such as agencies that create, exchange and/or move data related to:
- National security, such as the Department of Defense;
- The private financial information of citizens, such as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS);
- The personal health information (PHI) of military personnel and Medicare and Medicaid patients.
The problem is that there is so much data generated and/or handled by government agencies that sifting through it line-by-line and determining which data is right for the public cloud is well nigh an impossible task at this point in time.
Because there is so much fluctuation in how data is handled within and between agencies, it makes sense in many cases to err on the side of caution. On the other hand, a lot of the information that agencies store and exchange is already public record -- statistics, historical records, legislation, judicial records, property and financial information, environmental reports, etc. -- and need not be locked into private cloud or on-premise environments. These areas are perfectly suited for the public cloud.
Scalability in the cloud
Government is essentially a very large business, and as such it requires major scalability and flexibility just like any other large enterprise. There are constant ebbs and flows in how information is gathered, disseminated and accessed government-wide. Typically, these ebbs and flows have demanded more servers, more software and more man hours to ensure functionality. But this is no longer the case. The scalability of the cloud is ideal for fluctuating and unpredictable environments, and thus offers the potential to relieve government of the burden of all that excess capacity and added expense.
And the public cloud has advantages that go beyond storage and data exchange -- it is also ideal for secondary and backup infrastructures. For example, municipalities collect property tax information twice a year, causing a temporary information processing glut in the system each time. A secondary infrastructure in the cloud could be used during these peak times to handle the load, rather than having to resort to additional on-premise hardware and software, maintenance and staff.
In addition, with the healthcare industry driving toward a paperless, collaborative environment and giving citizens more control of their own health information, it is sensible that this transpires in the cloud, rather than creating a huge on-premise infrastructure.
Value-added services in the cloud
Government agencies should also consider how the cloud can provide value-added services for the data they already manage. For example, dynamic connections that occur between government and citizens -- such as those between taxpayers and the IRS -- require intensive management. Instead of using standard in-house applications and data storage for this purpose, a public or private cloud can deliver low-risk, high-value services such as validation, integration and data quality assurance, removing the burden from workers and potentially enhancing and extending on-premise applications.


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A gentlemen. A hero. An inspiration.
Fran Crippen leaves behind a legacy. Not only as a world-class athlete, but as someone you would be proud to have as a son, brother, teammate and friend.
He was always there for his very close-knit family. He was always lending an ear and hand to friends. He was always there for his teammates and he always had time for fans and younger swimmers.
Here are just some of the articles that describe episodes and events in the life of Fran Crippen, a young hero whose presence will be sorely missed:
Fran Crippen Wins USA Swimming National Open Water Swimming Championships (see video below)
Fran Crippen Unselfishly Pulling Double-Duty
Fran Crippen talking about the beauty of open water swimming
Fran Crippen, USA Swimming Open Water Swimming of the Year
Fran Crippen Swimming Upstream Without A Paddle
Fran Crippen talks about Germantown Academy and Dick Shoulberg
Fran Crippen, A Tribute by Legendary Coach Dick Shoulberg
Fran Crippen Wins In Argentina
Fran Crippen: Selfless
Fran Crippen With GoSwim
GoSwim With Fran Crippen
New Look For Fran Crippen
Fran Crippen Videos:
- Watch Fran winning spectacularly at the USA Swimming National Open Water Swimming Championships .
- Watch Fran giving a speech at the 2010 World Open Water Swimming Championships.


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For all his power and newfound notoriety, there are only two authenticated photos of
The murkiness of the picture is appropriate. The man who orchestrated the sacking of one of Iraq's most important cities and today controls a nation-size swath of land is a relatively unknown and enigmatic figure.
Much of what is known of Baghdadi's history is unconfirmed, while other information is disputed to such a degree that it's nearly impossible to discern where fact meets Baghdadi's growing myth.
Several facts, however, are clear: Baghdadi leads the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS, also known as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, ISIL), the group that evolved from the al-Qaida in Iraq organisation that US troops once fought. He appears to be a shrewd strategist, a prolific fundraiser and a ruthless killer. The United States has a $US10 million bounty on his head. He has thrown off the yoke of al-Qaida's command and just took his biggest prize yet – Mosul, Iraq, a city that sits at the vital intersection of Iraq, Turkey and Syria. And in just one year of grisly killing, he has in all likelihood surpassed even al-Qaida leader
"The true heir to
"For the last 10 years or more, [Zawahiri] has been holed up in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border area and hasn't really done very much more than issue a few statements and videos,"
Born a Sunni in 1971 in the Iraqi city of Samarra with the name Awwad Ibrahim Ali al-Badri al-Samarrai, he claims to be a direct descendant of the prophet Muhammad. According to a widely cited biography released by jihadists, "he is a man from a religious family. His brothers and uncles include preachers and professors of Arabic language, rhetoric and logic." The biography and Arabic-language accounts claim he obtained a doctorate at the former Islamic University in Baghdad – which is presumably why several of his many aliases include the title "Dr".
He holds degrees in Islamic studies and history and is thought to have been a preacher around the time of the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq. The chaos of those months drove the 30-something into militancy and he formed an armed group in eastern Iraq, one that reportedly never rose out of obscurity.
The opacity of his background, analysts say, suggests a broader truth about rising Islamist militants. "The mystery surrounding Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi – at the level of his personality, his movements, or even his relatives, his family, and those close to him – came as a result of what happened to previous leaders, who were killed after their movements were detected," wrote Mushreq Abbas in al-Monitor. He is the "invisible jihadist," according to Le Monde.
But the narrative solidifies in 2005, when Baghdadi was captured by US forces and spent the next four years as a prisoner in Camp Bucca in southern Iraq. It was from his time there that the first known picture of Baghdadi emerged. And it's also there, reported al-Monitor, that he possibly met and trained with key al-Qaida fighters.
He gained enough respect that by 2010, after several leaders of the insurgent group al-Qaida in Iraq were killed, he assumed control of it. At that time, the power of the Islamist militancy in Iraq was at its lowest ebb.
But then Syria happened. The civil war there, which left a vacuum of authority in large tracts of the country, fuelled a resurgence of the group. The upheaval gave rise to ISIS. Over the following years, as many as 12,000 Islamist extremists – 3,000 of whom were from Western countries – flocked to the region to fight, according to the Soufan Group, an intelligence consultancy.
Even then, Baghdadi, who today is respected among militants as a battlefield tactician, maintained his anonymity. It is said that no one knows where he is. Reports say that in the rare instances that he meets a prisoner, he wears a mask.
The rise of ISIS under his stewardship has been less about a cult of personality than what one expert told Agence France-Presse signalled a "transnational ideology." This became especially clear after Baghdadi cast off al-Qaida's leadership last June. "I chose the command of God over the command that runs against it in the letter," Baghdadi told Zawahiri, who had tried to bring the rogue commander back into line.
Since then, the power of Baghdadi, who some say may soon establish himself as emir of a new Islamic state, has only grown, as has that of ISIS.
Washington Post, Bloomberg


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The ability to force a person to tell the truth. Sub-power of Truth Manipulation. Variation of Mental Inducement. Opposite to Lie Inducement.
Also Called
- Contact Persuasion
- Truth Serum
- Veritas
The user can force/induce others to tell the truth, guaranteeing that the person is telling the truth to the best of their ability.
- Users of Psychic Shield (highly resistant) and Psychic Immunity (impervious).
- May need to know if the person is lying in order to activate this power in the first place.
- Only guarantees the person is telling the truth to their knowledge. If they are misinformed, the truth may be misleading or they may know nothing about the subject at all.
Known Users
- Veritas (Roman Mythology)
- Phoenix Wright (Ace Attourney series); via Megatama
- Witches (Charmed); via Truth Spell
- Alicia (Los Protegidos)
- Wonder Girl (DC Comics)
- April Skouris (The 4400)
- Captain Universe (Marvel Comics); via Uni-Vision
- La Lumière Bleue (Marvel Comics)
- White Pantera (El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera); via Bronze Boots of Truth
- Yorick (The Skull of Truth)
- Veritas (Supernatural)
- Esmeralda (Chica Vampiro)
- Chloe Sullivan (Smallville); temporarily
- Lucifer Morningstar (Lucifer); can make others tell their secret desires
- Lliana (Every Witch Way)
Known Objects
- Mortal Sword (The Shadowhunter Chronicles)
- Veritaserum (Harry Potter)
- Truth Root (Witches of East End)
- Truth Telling Teeth (Gravity Falls)
- Truth Salt (The Replacaments)
- Lasso of Truth (DC Comics)
- Floss Lasso (Fairly Odd Parents)
- Truth Serum (Divergent)
- Truth Spell (Charmed)
- Truth Potion (Charmed)


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BARRY O'FARRELL is relishing the feeling of being politically unassailable.
The NSW Premier's two years in power have not been characterised by intense activity, but neither have they been pockmarked by major controversy.
With Labor now reeling from the Independent Commission Against Corruption inquiry, and with a 45-seat majority, O'Farrell has a freedom to act that few leaders enjoy. Yet he is cash strapped. He needs private investment and private sector expertise to deliver on his promises to lift investment in infrastructure, reform the public service and encourage tourism.
An unsolicited proposal from
"Until Crown raised the issue of a six-star hotel, a high-rollers' facility on steroids, to tap into what is a multi-tens-of-billions of dollars high-roller market in Asia, that had not been put to the government," O'Farrell says. "My goal is to try to get the sorts of tourism facilities in this city that will help us deliver on our commitment to double the overnight visitor spend in Sydney by 2020."
The Premier says Packer's $1 billion hotel and high-roller room proposal on the Barangaroo development site would not require a casino licence when Echo Entertainment's monopoly expires in November 2019. "We're not talking about a casino licence, that's what Echo operates at Pyrmont," he says, apparently pre-empting the findings of an independent review led by former Future Fund chairman and Commonwealth Bank CEO David Murray.
O'Farrell says the invitation-only high-roller "gaming facility" could be implemented through a special act of parliament, specific to Crown. "I've been very clear about this from day one. We will have to legislate when the exclusivity agreement with the current casino ends."
O'Farrell has eschewed a public competitive tender for the casino, despite some disquiet. Murray's appointment to the panel, which includes senior bureaucrats and will assess whether the project would be in the state's interests, was intended to demonstrate the probity of the process.
Unsolicited proposals go through three stages of review, "and at any stage of the process it can be rejected or not approved", O'Farrell says.
"What the Barangaroo proposal from Crown is all about is a six-star hotel to support Asian tourism, which I absolutely would like to have in Sydney, I've made that clear from day one," O'Farrell says.
O'Farrell says Echo Entertainment's The Star casino, across the water from Barangaroo in Pyrmont, is open to the public and has "table games, it's got electronic games, it's got poker machines that anyone in this city can go to and, in fact, they bus people from around this city to go to". In contrast, the Crown facility will target elite, rich, and mostly foreign players: "There will be very few people of the net worth that is required to be in those rooms," says O'Farrell.
"Presumably if you're a local billionaire, I don't know whether Gerry Harvey and Kerry Stokes are gamblers, but I suspect if you're a billionaire, you might get an invitation. But if you're Barry O'Farrell, with a mortgage at Turramurra . . . I doubt that I'd ever be invited and I'm not interested in gambling; I'm interested in the tourist money."
O'Farrell's entrepreneurial approach to private sector deals is smoothing the path for business to negotiate major projects without the scrutiny and expense of a competitive tender process.
"We came to office talking about the need to have a doorway in which people who had unsolicited bids could go," he says.
In August, just before Packer submitted his proposal, a NSW cabinet committee watered down the "Working with Government" guidelines, which had stipulated the government seek "independent evaluations" of a project before deciding it will not go to a competitive tender. The guidelines are an integral part of the "unsolicited proposals" policy.
"The stage one process is relatively simple, [the proposal] has to have a degree of uniqueness and has to look as though there's some benefit to the state," says O'Farrell. "[At] stage two, all of those things are tested in great detail.
"So the stage one trip-wire is relatively easy and that's why . . . those ones got through," he says, referring to Transurban's proposal for the F3-M2 link and the University of Western Sydney's proposal for land at Parramatta.
O'Farrell says the Crown proposal is unique, because Crown has signed exclusive rights with Barangaroo developers Lend Lease. "The uniqueness was the fact that the Barangaroo development was approved with a hotel as part of the concept.
"Crown has the option on the hotel and what's being offered is a six-star hotel which just happens to come with an invitation-only high-rollers room."
Indeed, O'Farrell says the tradition of tapping the private sector to develop infrastructure goes back to the early days of the NSW colony. Packer's hotel and casino pitch is no different he says, from the arrangements made by Governor Lachlan Macquarie to get Sydney Hospital built.
"It's the same sort of thing that Lachlan Macquarie did in 1812 when the officers of the Rum Corps came to him and said we'll build you a hospital [which now houses the NSW Parliament] in exchange for giving us the right to import rum into the colony of NSW. Unsolicited bids have been coming into government ever since there's been government here and the difficulty is always: how do you deal with them?"
[O'Farrell has misremembered his history. Sydney Hospital was not built by the Rum Corps, but Governor Macquarie did grant the three entrepreneurs who built the hospital a monopoly on the import of rum, and prohibited rum being landed anywhere but at the hospital dock. Unfortunately for Macquarie, the hospital was shoddily built and had to be repaired.]
O'Farrell's strong support for Packer's Barangaroo proposal and his views on how it will be implemented, if it passes through stage two and three reviews, could have far-reaching financial implications for Crown, casino competitors and NSW revenue. Competing casino groups would have been expected to submit rival bids to buy a casino licence if the government had conducted a public tender.
Company director and former federal Liberal leader John Hewson and independent NSW MP Clover Moore have questioned the uncompetitive process.
Says Hewson: "There is a fair bit of concern about the development and a lot of concern about the process. Barry O'Farrell has nothing to lose by insisting on a full and open tender.
"It's not clear that Packer would necessarily put up the best case. A lot of international players could be interested."
Star City casino paid $376 million for its licence in 1994 in a competitive tender. The licence was extended in 2007 for 12 years for a payment to the state government of $100 million and an agreement to pay a higher tax rate.
If O'Farrell allows a second gaming facility to operate without a casino licence or competitive tender process, and if no fee is charged, it could potentially cost NSW and save Crown hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue. Subsequent casino licences would be worth less.
The decision to limit the clientele to invitation-only high rollers, in particular wealthy gamblers from China and other Asian countries, could limit the overall tax intake for the government.
The NSW tax rate on international high-roller revenue is currently 10 per cent, compared with up to 50 per cent for domestic high rollers.
Crown's advisers say its proposal would contribute $114 million in extra tax revenue for the state and $300 million in tourism turnover but this is hard to reconcile unless the high-roller tax rate is raised substantially.
O'Farrell is also embracing business expertise to solve state problems. He has engaged senior business people, including businessman Roger Massy-Greene, a donor to Treasurer Mike Baird's election campaign, Kerry Schott, the former investment banker who oversaw the commission of audit into NSW finances and Harvey Norman chief executive Katie Page as a public service commissioner. Massy-Greene, who chairs the state's electricity distribution networks, says O'Farrell and his government are "disciplined and clear about their objectives".
Schott is also a supporter. "I am a bit of a sceptic on these things, but it hasn't been just a window-dressing exercise, they really have taken notice and implemented things," she says of her recommendations to fix lax public sector management. "They are getting criticised a lot for not doing anything but they are quietly doing quite a lot."
Schott, who is also on the board of Infrastructure Australia, says infrastructure assets and public transport are key areas to be fixed. O'Farrell agrees that he will be judged on "our investment in infrastructure and the services they provide".
"Around this town, whilst in boardrooms chief executives and chairmen will at times express the frustration with the pace of change, by and large they give us credit for heading in the right direction; getting things moving."


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Photo Courtesy of FerrariAn online auction held by Ferrari on its Website raised more than €1.8 million for the victims of the two major earthquakes that struck Northern Italy in the Emilia-Romagna region last May. The epicenter was between Finale Emilia and San Felice sul Panaro, which is approximately 22 miles north of Bologna.
The majority of the funds stemmed from the sale of a one-off Ferrari 599XEVO for 1.4 to an unidentified American collector from the Silicon Valley in Northern California. The exclusive luxury sports car will bear a commemorative plaque signed by Ferrari Chairman Luca di Montezemolo. Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa, drivers on the Ferrari Scuderia Formula One driving team, will deliver the 599XEVO to its new owner at the next Grand Prix in Monza.
Other noteworthy items sold include the nose cone and wing of a Ferrari F60 used in five Formula One races was sold to a buyer from Malaysia for 23,000. The driving helmets of Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa's and a racing suit of Scuderia-team driver Giancarlo Fisichella also were among the top sellers.
A pole-position result; I knew I could count on the big-heartedness of the Ferraristi, but they've still managed to surprise me once again," said Mr. Luca di Montezemolo. "I would like to thank all the clients, collectors and enthusiasts that did their bit. Their bids have sent out a message of warmth and solidarity to the people in our region affected by this tragedy."
Additional proceeds from the sales of Scuderia Ferrari watches and a donation of 100,000 from an anonymous Russian client brought the total sum donated by Ferrari to more than 1.8 million. For more information, visit Ferrari.com.


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The Brix Tasting Party Gift Set includes everything you need to enjoy a wine and chocolate tasting party in your home. Everything - except the wine! Includes 3 oz. bars of all 4 Brix varieties (Milk, Smooth Dark, Medium Dark and Extra Dark), cutting board, knife and tasting guide in an attractive gift box.
Suggested Pairings
Milk Chocolate: Port, Sherry, Rose, Burgundy
Smooth Dark: Champagne, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Vintage Port
Medium Dark: Merlot, Shiraz, Zinfandel, Chianti, Rhone
Extra Dark: Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux, Barolo, Malbec.
This Gift Basket is Gift Wrapped in cellophane with a beautiful, handmade bow added. It can be delivered anywhere in Canada or the United States! We will even add a Complimentary, Personalized Greeting Card to your gift!
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Paranormal activity 4
Paranormal activity 4
Place Published:
Hollywood, Calif
Paramount Home Entertainment
Unrated ed
1 videodisc (96 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in.
Based on the film "Paranormal activity" by Oren Peli.
Includes unrated and theatrical versions.
R rated version (87 min.) -- Unrated version (96 min.)
Director of photography, Doug Emmett ; editor, Gregory Plotkin.
When Katie disappeared with her nephew Hunter, there were no survivors. Five years later she's returned with a mysterious boy, ready to target new victims with her demonic rage. Now, a family's young daughter will capture every one of the terrifying occurrences, beginning with her new neighbors' arrival.
Unrated version contains material different from the original R-rated version shown in theaters. Theatrical version rated R for language and some violence/terror.
Subject Headings:
Reviews for Paranormal activity 4


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The Conservative leader admitted that his scheme, which will require target and retirement seats to choose prospective MPs from a centrally created list with roughly equal numbers of men and women, was not guaranteed to work.
"If, after a few selections, we find that an unacceptably low proportion of selected candidates are women, we will take further action," he said. "I will do what is necessary to ensure that the Conservative party will have far more women MPs after the next election."
Mr Cameron added: "What those steps are I have been a little bit coy in explaining. I hope they won't be necessary."
Grassroots Tories are likely to balk at the prospect of more stringent measures. According to the website conservativehome.com, 60% of its readers are opposed to even the priority list, which will apply in up to 150 seats.
Speaking to the Equal Opportunities Commission in London, Mr Cameron said the Tories would have to work hard to overcome their credibility gap with women. Female voters, who previously kept the party in power, have deserted it since the early 90s. Labour would have a 90-seat majority if only women had voted in last year's general election, while if only men had voted there would have been a hung parliament.
Only 8.6% of the parliamentary party is female, compared with 16.1% of Lib Dems and 27.5% of Labour's MPs. Candidates are already being interviewed, but the priority list will not be drawn up until after the local elections in May. Officials will review progress after three months to ensure associations are not only picking men.
But Bernard Jenkin, the MP who is heading the candidate selection process, said yesterday there was no risk of central office imposing candidates. "The constitution provides for constituency autonomy." He pointed out that it was members who had elected Mr Cameron, knowing full well that he wanted to modernise the party and had promised to increase the number of women candidates.
It is hard to see what other action Mr Cameron could take to guarantee a higher representation if the current initiative fails, and one Tory insider said yesterday's warning was a hollow threat.
"After all the fuss last year, when central office tried to take the leadership vote away from members, the last thing they want is another fight," he added.
Mr Cameron also called for clear rights on respite care, pointing out that one in eight Britons is a carer, saving the Treasury £57bn a year. He praised the "fantastic" respite care his family received for his severely disabled son, Ivan.
He also urged employers to introduce greater transparency about pay and to embrace flexible working.
The Fawcett Society, which campaigns on behalf of women, said it welcomed Mr Cameron's words, but added: "He must back policies that will close inequality gaps between women and men. It remains to be seen whether he will - if he does, we'll be ready to applaud him."


text: Well I played four sets of doubs and hit with a friend for 1/2 hr, and came out surprised,as the area I thought I'd struggle with the stick I didn't, but there were other problems. I thought my volley was pretty good but not the power of the 03 red , but still pretty solid, and my serve was really coming around after about a set of play. Where I really struggled was my forehand ( best shot ) and return of serve on both sides. I kept mishitting my forehand and couldn't seem to really stick it, my forehand is my really power shot and I couldn't seem to get any pace on the ball. I have it strung with NXT at 58lbs, so maybe there's better string for more pop. I'm open to any and all suggestions. I will work with the racquet and give it more time, and hopefully I'll come up with the right string/tension combo.


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Ok, what I mean is when a guy says to a girl "You are one of my best friends" or "You're my best friend" Does he actually think more of you? Like when a guy says that does he mean something deeper than what he says? For an example when he says it does he really mean he likes you as a girlfriend? Or is it just merely you're his best friend and nothing more? Just curious, I am not serious about it, I just don't know if guys say these things to almost give the girl the hint that he likes her more than a friend and wants her as a girlfriend? or if he just means you're his best friend?. Please Answer! I am so curious! Thank you! :)
Most Helpful Guy
I think he's playing it neutral... I believe men and women can't be friends unless there's 0 attraction or the guys gay... I'm assuming he liked you awhile ago but you friend zoned him now he's that guy who's cool with just being friends waiting for something more to happen... Classic scenario11|00|0
Funny, cause I think you hit the nail right on the head with that. He always expressed to me how much he liked me, but I told him I just wanted to be friends, and he actually got mad at me like 2 months ago and said "Did you friendzone me? Really? What the hell?" Lol! So I think you're right, sir! Thanks for commenting! :)
But what if its the guy who friend zones the girl and he starts calling her his best friend? Just friends?
The problem is I never friend zoned him, I really like him but he constantly says this is my best friend jen


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Results 1 to 5 of 5
12-22-2009, 02:41 AM #1Member
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My friend is high. Hilarity ensues
This is the text message conversation I just had with my extremely faded friend... lol
Him: whats up
Me: Not much, you?
Him: Nothing man just wanted to see if you found (a gift). I was thinking about you
Me: That's really creepy...
Him: That wasnt as funny as it sounded in my head. Sorry. Im really high
Me: Nice... Dude, we found a giant bobcat in my mom's wizard garden.
Him: oh yea. i think your up to your ears in $#@!
Me: I'm serious. We found it napping on our biggest pumpkin. He was glowing.
Long Pause...
Him: was it hostile?
Me: Extremely. My brother tried to give it a kiss and it attacked him.
Him: what an idiot! I wouldve killed it with my bare hands
Me: No way. It's like 3 feet tall and it's eyes are kinda glowing red. I think I'm going to keep him.
Him: and domesticate it?
Me: Yea. I'm gonna see if he'll sleep peacefully in my brother's room tonight.
Him: that doesnt sound safe. You might be retarded. Can you send me a picture of it.
Me: I will when I get home. I'm at Petsmart buying a muzzle and some bobcat nail clippers.
Him: word. i want to see this $#@!
Several min later...
Me: Ok, you ready?
Him: Yea send it
(scroll down)
Him: JESUS $#@!!
Me: Told you!
Him: dont do it! its gonna maul one of your family members in your sleep. im not coming over till its gone.
12-23-2009, 12:21 AM #3Underage
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Re: My friend is high. Hilarity ensues
thanks a lot Guardian.. thought we agreed we werent going to speak of this :shock:
Re: My friend is high. Hilarity ensues
lmfao335is Coupe Space Gray; ZPP, 609, 2TC, 688, 494 and 6FL.
Matte Black M310 19's | Michelin PSS 235/35F, 265/30R | COBB AccessPORT | Eibach Pro Street S | Painted reflectors | Glossy Black Kidney Grilles
Modding ain't easy


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Health & Wellness Ministry
What is a Health and Wellness Ministry?
There has been a surge of scientific research on the relationship between religious faith and health. Health care professionals and clergy alike are becoming more aware of the significant role religious faith has on a person's physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
In an effort to address these issues in St. Joseph's Parish, we have developed the Health and Wellness Ministry. Our framework is that of health promotion, disease prevention, and response.
Health Promotion
The Health and Wellness Ministry provides resources, education, and ministry opportunities that focus on promoting health and wellness.
Disease Prevention
The Health and Wellness Ministry provides the parish with education and a variety of activities that focus on preventing disease and empowering individuals to be responsible stewards of their body, mind and spirit.
One of the goals of the health and Wellness Ministry is to serve the faith community by responding to actual problems and/or needs that affect health and healing.
Our Activities
Blood Pressure Screenings, Health talks on nutrition, stress, sun protection, ect.
Interested in joining?
The Health and Wellness Ministry is always happy to have new members and suggestions. You do not have to have a medical background to be a part of this group. Please feel free to join us.
334-285-3701 334-365-9454


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- 1 of 1 Photos | View More Photos
Cambridge police officers investigating five separate shoplifting incidents at a pair of Southgate Parkway businesses Wednesday arrested four individuals and continued to search for a fifth suspect who was able to flee prior to the arrival of police.
The value of the merchandise involved in the incidents at Walmart and Kmart exceeded $1,000, according to police reports.
Those arrested by Cambridge police were transported to the Guernsey County Jail and all four face upcoming court hearings to answer to the charges.
According to reports, the first incident at Kmart was reported at 2:14 p.m.
Officers charged Teresa L. Keener, 53, Kimbolton, with theft after she allegedly tried to shoplift items from the store. The exact value of the items was not available as of press time.
Officers next responded to Walmart at 6:26 p.m. after a male was allegedly caught trying to shoplift merchandise valued at $240.63.
Police charged Joseph S. Brownfield, 29, New Concord, with theft and transported him to the county jail.
Officers returned to the Walmart store approximately 30 minutes later after store security reported apprehending a male trying to shoplift $354.91 worth of merchandise. Michael E. Casey, 43, Cambridge, was charged with theft and criminal trespassing for the alleged incident and he was served with an unrelated bench warrant.
Casey also was transported to the county jail.
As officers were en route to the jail, it was reported a female had been detained by police in connection with a separate theft case.
Lisa D. Mead, 48, Cambridge, was charged with criminal trespassing for being inside the store after security officers previously banned her from the business due to previous shoplifting incidents. Mead was also served with two unrelated bench warrants after being transported to the county jail.
In 2012, Mead was banned from entering the Walmart, Dollar General stores or the gift shop at Southeastern Med for three years after being convicted of multiple thefts, according to the Cambridge Municipal Court's website.
The final shoplifting incident was reported at 7:31 p.m. after a male reportedly fled from Walmart with $379.79 worth of merchandise for which he failed to pay. The suspect was last seen fleeing in a dark-colored Jeep Grand Cherokee.
All of the incidents remained under investigation by Cambridge police.


text: The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) a leader in global payment services, today significantly expanded into China's banking channel, paving the way for international direct-to-bank remittances into China from 23 countries while also expanding its international Account-Based Money Transfer service. Western Union customers can send direct-to-bank money transfers to China from 23 countries via select retail locations and www.westernunion.com online money transfer sites 1. This unprecedented agreement with China UnionPay's ChinaPay enables Western Union to reach more than 95 percent of all personal bank accounts in China. In addition, Western Union has launched Account-Based Money Transfers with one of the world's largest banks, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC). The agreement enables more than 400 million ICBC customers to direct Western Union money transfers received from more than 200 countries and territories into their bank accounts via online banking 24 hours a day, seven days a week. "Western Union's unique global retail network and recent investments in technology continue to enable the company to expand and attract global and regional business across the industry, including banks, payments networks and mobile operators," said Hikmet Ersek, President and CEO of Western Union. "Western Union's integration of its global retail network and digital channels, including westernunion.com, with leading financial services providers such as China UnionPay's ChinaPay and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China is innovation at its best – delivering tailored Western Union financial services to meet consumer needs." Western Union President and CEO Hikmet Ersek is in Dalian, China as a lead mentor at the World Economic Forum meeting. He officiated at an event with Guo Rongli, Chief Financial Officer of China UnionPay and Chairwoman of UnionPay Merchant Services today and will participate in an event with Jiang Jianqing, Chairman of ICBC, on Wednesday, Sept. 12. "Western Union, China UnionPay and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China share a common vision: moving money from different parts of the world, giving customers choice and convenience, and helping them grow and achieve their potential," Ersek said.