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Get an overview of this hotelRiverwalk Toledo hotel in Toledo City Centre, walk to Synagogue of Saint Mary the White
Popular property highlights
Located in Toledo City Centre, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Cortes de Castilla-La Mancha Building and Synagogue of Saint Mary the White. Toledo Cathedral and San Juan de los Reyes Monastery are also within 15 minutes.
Hotel Features
Along with a bar/lounge, this hotel has self parking and meeting rooms. WiFi in public areas is free. Additionally, concierge services, laundry facilities, and a 24-hour front desk are onsite.
Room Amenities
All 25 rooms boast deep soaking tubs and offer free WiFi and flat-screen TVs. Guests will also find minibars, hair dryers, and safes.Information missing or incorrect? Tell us!Opens in a new window
Hotel Casona de la Reyna
Hotel Amenities
Hotel Amenities
Hotel Casona de la Reyna features a library, a terrace, and tour/ticket assistance. A computer station is located on site and wireless Internet access is complimentary. A bar/lounge is on site where guests can unwind with a drink. This business-friendly hotel also offers multilingual staff, concierge services, and complimentary newspapers in the lobby. Parking is available onsite for a surcharge.
Hotel Casona de la Reyna has designated areas for smoking.
- Total number of rooms - 25
- Number of floors - 3
- Number of buildings/towers - 1
- Breakfast available (surcharge)
- Meeting rooms
- 24-hour front desk
- Laundry facilities
- Elevator/lift
- Bar/lounge
- Free newspapers in lobby
- Concierge services
- Designated smoking areas
- Tours/ticket assistance
- Computer station
- Library
- Multilingual staff
- Terrace
- Luggage storage
- Self parking (surcharge)
- Year Built 2002
- Free WiFi
Family Friendly Amenities
- Family Hotel
- Free Wi-Fi
- Laundry facilities
- Refrigerator (on request)
- Cribs/infant beds (complimentary)
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Self parking (surcharge)
Room Amenities
- Free cribs/infant beds
- In-room climate control (air conditioning)
- Air conditioning
- Phone
- Minibar
- Refrigerator (on request)
- Daily housekeeping
- Private bathroom
- Free toiletries
- Hair dryer
- Bidet
- Shower/tub combination
- Deep soaking bathtub
- Desk
- In-room safe
- Digital TV service
- Flat-panel TV
- Free WiFi
Where to Eat
Buffet breakfasts are available for a surcharge and are served each morning.
Hotel Policies
Check-in time starts at 2 PM
Check-in time ends at 5 AM
Minimum check-in age is 18
Special check-in instructions:
Check-out time is noon
Payment types
Children and extra beds
- Children are welcome.
- Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
- Free cribs (infant beds)!
- No pets or service animals allowed
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy.
- Resort fee
Optional extras
- Fee for buffet breakfast: EUR 6.5 for adults and EUR 3.50 for children (approximately)
- Self parking fee: EUR 12 per day
Hotel Name
- Sercotel Casona Reyna
- Sercotel Casona Reyna Hotel
- Sercotel Casona Reyna Hotel Toledo
- Sercotel Casona Reyna Toledo
- Hotel Casona Reyna Toledo
- Hotel Casona Reyna
- Casona Reyna Toledo
- Casona Reyna
We should mention
Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed EUR 2500, due to national regulations. For further details, please contact the property using information in the booking confirmation. A resort fee is included in the total price displayed. No pets and no service animals are allowed at this property.


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Athens County Gets New Extension Educator< < Back to
A new face and new hours for the Athens County Extension Office.
The new person coming on board in January is Hal Kneen.
Kneen will take the position currently held by Rory Lewandowski — Extension Educator.
But Kneen will only be working here half time, retaining his half time position in Meigs County.
Lewandowski cut his own job to 50% because of reduced funding.
That and other cuts, he says, will cause a reduction in services. "There will be less overall programming with a 50% position."
Also starting with the new year — the Athens Extension Office will be open four days a week, not five.
It will have four employees, just one of them full time.
Lewandowski is leaving, going to the Extension Service in Wayne County.

subset: commoncrawl


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kitchen cabinets doors
Complaint Rating:
Contact information:
elmira street
Sayre, Pennsylvania
United States
Phone: 570-731-2000
I finally got thee money to do a makeover in my kitchen, i went to are near by Lowe's store#2385, my son worked there at mills pride in sayre pa wilawana rd sayre pa, my brother has worked their, since they put the plant in, and still works their, I took my brother with me to help pick out the best I could get for my money, i placed my order on may the 13the 2012, so happy my order got here at my house at the end of June, in the middle of July we started to tear out the old and get ready for my new kraftmaid kitchen cabinets, gentry cherry roman, with my son, brother and contractor, everything went together great, the first thing we notice, was 6 of the top doors, the most noticeable, the doors were put together back wards, if u opened thee doors, they matched, shut them and they had witch I called saw cut marks, for the first two weeks people came in, and looked at my new kitchen and asked what was wrong with them doors, I did not point them out, you could see it so plane to see, I called Lowe's, I took them 6 doors down, took one down to Lowe's went back to kitchen cabinets, shown the door to the one of the two girls their my door, she said ohh I see what u mean, they were put on backwards, she said she would get the manager and show him, a few weeks went by, then a few more, I called them again, first she could see it, then she can"t, thIs went back and fourth, then they send me 2 doors, I could not believe, they sent me the same doors that were backwards, and these ones had glue around the corners, back to Lowe's I go, no one their to help me, so some guy from a other department, took my complaint, door had saw cut marks and these one have glue on them, Lowe's call we are so sorry WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE ONES I TOOK BACK, I COULD NOT BELIEAVE ITmonths have gone by MONTHS, kraftmaid in Ohio send me my 6 doors, so happy I can"t wait to get my doors up, first one I opened, SAME THING SAW CUT MARKS DO NOT MATCH MY OTHER DOORS, I CALL LOWES AGAIN, I WAS TOLD I WAS SENT 6 DOORS AND I SHOULD BE HAPPY I asked did they think I was collecting them, they were junk, PISSED TOTALLY, I take all 6 doors back to Lowe's, I put them on a dolly wheel them in, no one again in that department, two guys, I kick off the top one shown him the saw cut marks, well a couple of weeks go buy, I wanted to take them back, I was so mad, people came and went at my house, 6 doors missing from thee top they could not believe it either? so next thing I know my brother tells me were he works will be calling to have me go over there, to pick out the wood grain and they would send it cut back to Ohio and they will but them back together, and I will either get them from Ohio fedx orI might have to go back to Lowe's to get them, , WELL OVER A YEAR HAS GONE BY, I NEED AND WANT ONE MORE CABINET, 34 AND HALF HIGH BY 42IN LONG ONE SLIDE OUT DRAWER WITH TWO PWTER 7054 HANDLES AND TWO OPEN DOORS WITH SLIDE OUT SHELF WITH TWO DOOR KNOBS PWTER 7053, AFTER EVERYTHING I HAVE GONE THOUGH I WANTED A GREAT DEAL, AND I SHOULD BE GIVING ONE, THEY SAID NO, WANTED ALMOST 600.00 DOLLARS FOR THAT ONE ENDED CABINET, REALLY, THATS the best you can do for waiting almost 17 MONTHS, THIS JOKE JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER, I WANT A HUGH DISCOUNT, AND YOU SHOULD GIVE IT TO ME, THE OPEN END WOULD BE ON THE LEFT SIDE, LOOKING AT IT, WELL IS IT THE BEST, YOU HAVE TO OFFER, AFTER EVERYTHING, WELL THEY STILL ARE NOT HERE YET, AND PLEASE KEEP MY BROTHER OUT OF THIS, THIS IS MY HOUSE NOT HIS, TAMMY BARRY STORE 2385 327 RIVER RD WAVERLY NEW YORK 14892 EMAIL email@example.com phone 6075652470 afternoon evenings, P.S. WHAT IS RIGHT, IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO, don"t you think. HAVE A NICE DAY
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For The Reporter's 34th Survey of Top Public Servants' Pay, public agencies in Solano County and regional agencies that Solano agencies take part in were asked to provide a snapshot of salaries and benefits provided to top managers, board members and elected officials, as of March 31, 2012.
Manager Shaun Pritchard: Compensation package of $160,952 includes $110,816 base salary, $2,770 longevity pay, $1,100 education incentive, $25,306 retirement contribution to CalPERS, $6,826 Social Security/Medicare contribution, $6,000 health benefits, $1,284 dental benefits, $78 vision benefits, up to $4,262 contribution to retirement health savings plan, $1,243 longterm disability insurance premium, $1,137 life insurance premium and $130 contribution to deferred compensation plans. Also receives 10 days sick leave, 20 days vacation and 10 days administrative leave.
Chairman John Saunderson, Vice Chairman Harry Price, Commissioners James Spering, John Vasquez and Jack Batchelor and Alternate Commissioners Jan Vick, Linda Seifert and Nancy Shopay: $50 per meeting attended. (The commission typically meets six times per year.)


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Don't Try This at Home [VIDEO]
Subscribe to KIKN-FM / Kickin' 100.5 on
At Friday nights Sioux Falls Skyforce game I realized that I had my video camera in my coat pocket. We were right in the middle of the halftime entertainment so I thought I might as well get a shot of the action. As you can tell when they set the bar down, there wasn't much for the lady to land on!
Oh, yeah…like the title says, don't try this at home. After all these are trained professionals!


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RB FA 5 years ago
Bernard Pierce has recovered from the knee injury that bothered him during the postseason.
Pierce had a bone bruise, but it didn't stop him from racking up 202 yards on 39 carries (5.2 YPC) during the Ravens' run to the Super Bowl. The 6-foot-0 bruiser also says he's bulked up from 218 pounds to 228. "The stats will speak for themselves at the end of the day," Pierce forecasted for 2013. The sophomore will be one of the preeminent handcuffs in fantasy football.


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Hey! This thing is still a Work in Progress. Files, instructions, and other stuff might change!
Lotus Europa Instrument Pod
by LeftAngle, published
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An instrument pod to replace the original vacuum formed part that's probably well past it's life time.
I've added a 4th position for the 3 lamps in the middle for the trip odometer reset knob... Sometimes, classic automobiles can be improved upon:)
The parts can be cemented together using a mixture of scrap plastic and acetone.
This is a better, 5 Piece unit that will fit tighter into the wooden dash than the original single piece unit done in 2012. I've experimented with various printings from .010mm at 100% fill to .020mm at 30% with 1 shell for the instrument bucket. The latter seems to produce the most consistent surface for the bucket while the light bar in the center looks great printed face down on the surface at .010 mm. It comes up glossy which offsets the receding linear surfaces surrounding the instruments. On mine (photo), I stopped the light bar print before the last layer was started. The cross pattern looked good to me. It loosely matches the pattern of the interior leather.
There's also a template that fits my dash opening. If it's not the correct size on yours, adjust the print size accordingly.
The instrument bucket is half of the pod so it will need to be printed twice. The mounting brackets are handed so there are 2 of them. The center portion is printed separately. Mixing up a small bottle of ABS scraps with acetone makes an excellent adhesive to put the parts together. After 2 years of heavy customization, I hope my car will be done by fall.
The "Patch" file is used to reinforce the 2 halves of the bucket. Cement them (with the mixture of ABS & Acetone) to the sides of the bucket underneath the ridge used to fix the supports.
Before wasting ABS and finding out ti doesn't fit your dashboard cutout, print the template to check if this will fit your car. If yours varies by more than .062", modify the print accordingly.
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Hi, the instrument pod looks really neat. Unfortunately I downloaded the files and when I open then in my printer driver, V3 or into Sketchup all the drawings are microscopic. I measured the centre light fitting and it was 2mm x 4mm. Can you give me any advice about re-scaling?
Cool! I had a 73 Europa in the mid to late 70s, amazing car, s/n 3191R. Mine was a twin cam Ford; is yours an S1 with the Renault engine?
Mine's an S2 which I'm in the process of customizing.  The engine's a re-built 821-30/1527  with Weber dcoe 45s.  The registry lists your car as black.  Mine is red. Â
What year Eurpoa do you have? Â My dad has a '74, that thing is a blast.
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تحديد و تعديل خطة السفر
حدَث التاريخ ،و عدد الغرف، و عدد الضيوف
حدَث التاريخ ،و عدد الغرف، و عدد الضيوف
Townhome 2 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms Sleeps 6\n1 Double, 2 Single and 1 Sofa Bed\n3-room 2 bedroom apartment 80 m2, beautiful and cosy furnishings: living/dining room with 1 double sofabed and cable TV. Exit to the terrace. 1 room with 1 double bed 180 cm, shower/WC. 1 room with 2 beds. Open kitchen oven, dishwasher, microwave, freezer. Bath/WC. Air-conditioning. View of the garden. Facilities: washing machine, dryer, telephone, iron, hair dryer.\nLocal nearby attractions include swim with the dolphins, John Pennekamp Underwater State Park, Theater of the Sea Marine Park and Rain Barrel Artists Colony. Fishing, boating, diving, snorkeling, wind surfing and jet ski facilities as well as fine restaurants and shopping just minutes away. Wild bird sanctuary free entrance within short distance. Large, child friendly, modern holiday development "Mangroves". In the district of Tavernier, 7 km from the centre of Key Largo, in a quiet, sunny position, at the seaside.\nFor shared use: swimming pool heated 01.01.-31.12. with internal staircase. Private beach, tennis 2 x hard court, floodlit, barbecue, children's playground. In the complex: reception, restaurant, whirlpool, lift. Linen change weekly. Room cleaning on request extra. Parking. Supermarket 3 km. Please note: car recommended. Baby equipment extra. The complex has night security. The photograph shows a typical example. There are more similar properties for rent in this same residence. The residence is wheelchair accessible.\nBaby crib available for USD 5/day. Wifi available throughout property for 9.95 USD plus tax per day. ***To be paid at arrival Breakage deposit 200.00 USD The deposit is a security retainer and will be refunded upon proper return of the rental property.\nSecurity Deposit: 200\nRefundable - payable on arrival\n** Important **\nTo complete your booking, you MUST register at https://www.homescheckin.com to complete your reservation and access your check-in instructions. Property ID: 20004\nWhen signing in, use the Property ID above, your Check-in Date and your Last Name.\n


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By NCGlockin
On Friday September 18, something happened that changed my life forever. It was payday, so I decided to run to the ATM and get some cash. I work from home, so normally I don't go out during the day unless I need something. I live about two minutes from the shopping center where the ATM is located, so I was expecting it to be a short trip . . .
I was on a conference call for my job that started at 10 AM, so I was very conscious of the time.
10:33 AM – I switched over to my cell phone, so I could stay on the call while I went to the ATM. It took me a few minutes even after I switched over to actually walk out the door, so I'm guessing it was around 10:37 when I left home. I talked to my neighbor for a minute who was outside taking a smoke, and then left to go to the ATM.
I got to the ATM, and made my withdrawal with no problem. I drove my wife's van which needed gas. I decided to drive to a station that was a little further away than the closest one because it has much cheaper gas, and that's when everything started to happen.
10:48 AM – My wife called me on my cell phone. She told me that someone is ringing the doorbell and knocking on the door. She was home alone with our 9-month old daughter. My other three kids were at school.
She called me because she didn't recognize the car, and asked if I am expecting anyone. I tell her no. She was upstairs in our bedroom and able to look out the window and see the car, but couldn't see the person ringing the doorbell. She described the car, and told me the car had backed into the driveway.
She then told me she thought they were leaving and she walked out of the bedroom and into the loft. Then I heard a crash through the phone and my wife yelling "GET OUT, GET OUT!"
10:49 AM – I hang up, dial 911 and turn around immediately. I got a message asking me to please hold. I'm thinking, "hold?, this can't be happening." The operator came on the line after what seemed like 20 seconds (I'm guessing it was half that), and I gave her my address and told her what I just heard. I was trying to stay calm and speak clearly, but it wasn't easy.
The van was pushing 110 and the governor keeps kicking in and throttling the engine back down, so I tried to hold it at 100 until I got to the turn just before my neighborhood. Two minutes later I'm home and I pull up just as the first police car does. I identify myself to the officer as the homeowner, and he tells me to stay back as he starts to walk around the back of the house. My wife saw me pull up, and opened the door.
She was on the phone with 911, and I was still on the phone with the 911 operator I'd called. We both told the operators that the police were there, that we're OK, and we hang up.
The police thought it was someone trying to rob us who thought no one was home. I live in a nice middle class neighborhood and I realize that criminals will go where they think people have something of value. Unfortunately, that time they chose my home.
10:55 AM – My next door neighbor called to make sure everything is OK because he saw the police cars outside. I'd been home for a few minutes by that time.
Now I'm a gun owner and here are the reasons I bought it:
1) Everything you just read
2) If it had not been my house, it would have been (and has been) one of my neighbors'. This was not the 1st time a house in our neighborhood has been broken into in broad daylight. I was looking at the times on my cell phone, and I realized just how fast everything happened, and it seems that this person was probably watching the street, waiting for someone to leave.
3) The next time, the burglar may not stop just because someone yells at him.
4) I can't always be at home and I want my wife to have the ability to fend for herself if necessary.
5) Even if I had been at home, I would not have had more than a baseball bat. These days that's not enough.
1) I'm pissed off that someone would even try to come in my home whether I'm there or not. The fact that a person was able to kick the front door in so easily has made me reassess the security of my home. We've come to realize that there are certain things that we can't do anything about, but we have made changes to how we secure our home.
2) The police said the burglar wasn't looking for a confrontation. While I understand that was probably the case, there are too many instances of home invasions where the intruder doesn't stop when someone yells at them. It seems that in the Charlotte area, this is becoming more and more of a daily occurrence. There's at least one, and sometimes more, news story describing an attempted home invasion in the area every day.
3) I've never had a problem with guns, and it wasn't something I was planning to do. I have since attended a safety class, and I had a chance to shoot some. I enjoyed it, and I will probably be going to the range quite a bit. The plan is for my wife and me to attend some additional classes.
4) Could I shoot actually someone? If it was between my family and them, YES!
5) My car was parked in the garage and my wife's car was parked outside, so I guess it looked as if no one was at home (again, I took her car to the ATM). I have mixed feelings about this, and how I will operate going forward. Now my wife asks that I leave a car in the driveway whenever I leave without her.
Yes, she's still upset from the incident, and I'm sure it will take some time for her to become comfortable again in her own home. So until she says otherwise, that's what I'll do. When she leaves, she wants me to make sure my car is in the driveway. I don't care if it looks like I'm home or not. The next person that comes through the front door (or the back) uninvited will have one chance to do the right thing, or they get to say hello to my little friend.
6) I found out the reason the police arrived so quickly is because they were at a traffic stop at the same shopping center where I went to the ATM. I was very surprised to see them there so fast.
69 Responses to Why I'm Now a Gun Owner
Last saturday night, the houses on either side of mine were broken into. The burlar fled when my neighbor came home. Why my house wasn't chosen is unknown to me.
Might be the spent 12 gauge hull wind chimes?
My wind chimes are made from non reloadable .45acp, .270 and .308 casings in that order from top to bottom.
Has such a pleasant sound to it. The main line from the hook to the chimes runs through some old 7.62x54R casings!!
Be careful you don't advertise owning guns…or you could paint a target on your house…
Taco, did you forget the /sarc tag? Or do you really believe a burglar is more likely to target a home when he knows the homeowners are gun owners?
@Splashman: Why not target a home that likely contains guns… as long as no one is home? Easily resellable merchandise. Last time I looked I think the US hot burglary rate is ~10% (likely) due to the chance of an armed occupant. Doesn't help deter a burglar when no one's home.
Same thing happened to me 10 years ago with my appartment. Could have been the NRA sticker on the welcome sign.
Big Bad Brown dog (Bullmastiff). We have been left notes by the phone company and the power company. Big dog said "no", please call us so we can set up an appointment.
What your wife needs is a double-barrel shotgun. Two blasts from your balcony and that burglar problem's solved.
Or she could just shoot through the door, irrespective of what is on the otherside.
Nicely done.
I'm always one to poke fun at the idiot that is Biden, but I don't think it's funny in this case. A guy fearing for his wife's and newborn's life as he's racing home.
The humor regards Biden, not the author's story, and I dare say that fact is entirely obvious to everyone but you. Chill out.
Welcome to the real world.
While I'm partially protected fom burglary and robbery by living in a shotgun shack in a rural area known for back yard shooting ranges and not much in the way of liquid assets – other than guns and tools – my li'l helper is always handy.
You just never know.
I wonder how many people who don't own a gun and plan on using something like a baseball bat to defend themselves / their family have actually thought through what that would actually take, even if the invader was unarmed.
An anti-gunner brought this up a while back, and I asked them why they would be willing to bludgeon someone at extremely close range, probably break their bones, possibly get covered in their blood, and most likely take injuries themselves in the process… yet shooting them from a safe distance is some how immoral?
Let me guess: no coherent answer was offered.
I know the answer, "But it's a gun, and those are bad and only bad guys use them. Those things kill!"
you guessed it… silence
I am sorry to hear that you had to endure such a terrifying event NCGlockin. I am thrilled to hear that no one inflicted any physical injuries on your family. Of course it will take time to heal from the fact that someone with unknown intentions violated your home.
That said, welcome to the ranks of armed citizens. Make sure you advocate for our right to bear arms to as many family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers as possible.
And please consider getting your concealed carry license so that you have a firearm on you at all possible times. Imagine if you were unarmed and had to confront the intruder yourself? Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
Oh, and please encourage your wife to get her concealed carry license as well so that she can have a firearm at all possible times. If there is a next time, you might not be able to intervene.
I've been burglarized while away from home three times in my life. On the first occasion, a neighbor tried to intervene and got beaten up for his effort. No injuries on the other two occasions although I came home on one occasion and scared them away before they could load up all the loot.
As if those events are not enough to justify being armed, the same week of the Newtown school shooting, a fugitive trying to escape from local authorities tried to force his way into the rural residence of relatives. Both relatives were armed and they held him until the police came to take him away.
Good for you, sir. You are now among the ranks of those who "get it." I had an equivalent experience years ago, catching a burglar inside my home and holding him until the police arrived. It changed my life.
At the time, I was armed with nothing. Now, it's a different story. As Nietzche said, that which does not destroy us makes us stronger.
Interesting story. It made me think about my normal practices. If someone knocks on my door that I don't recognize (I live in a 65% occupancy apartment complex in a not-great area), I routinely don't answer the door. But in all honesty, after looking through the peephole and "not answering the door," I usually just walk away. I never really gave a thought to what I'd do if they tried to get in after I didn't answer. Food for thought.
You mean you don't fire two rounds of buck through the door before checking who it is? You're doing it wrong!
Doors are spendy. I only made that mistake once, and it put a hole in the 2 liter of Pepsi that the Pizza Hut guy was bringing me.
Matt in FL, You said, "I never really gave a thought to what I'd do if they tried to get in after I didn't answer. Food for thought."
You read and write on this blog, yet you made that amazing declaration. Would you mind clarifying please?
I'm not sure what's so amazing about it, but I'll play.
I have thought about other situations, parking lots and such, and I have given thought to "the gun beside the bed." But everyone has a blind spot, and when I read the story, I realized that despite other forethought and mental preparation in other areas, the thought that the guy knocking on the door might kick it in (or try) immediately after knocking had somehow not occurred to me, or at least not in that exact circumstance.
Maybe I'm phrasing it badly. I don't home carry all the time. It really depends on if I've been "out" that day or not. Usually once I "strap up" it stays on my hip until I undress. So when someone knocks on my door, I don't necessarily have a gun in my hand when I go to the door. Sometimes it's on me, sometimes it's "nearby." If I open the door to someone I don't know, it's either in my hand or my hand is on it in the holster. As I said, my neighborhood is not great, and there have been burglaries, both of the "unoccupied" and "push-in" variety.
But the point of my comment was that after I've looked to see who it is and decided if I'm going to answer the door or not, I hadn't thought much beyond that. If I'm not going to open the door, I just let the dog bark without shushing her (she sounds evil and that sound would make me think twice) and I go back to what I was doing. If one of those people had elected to force their way in (in spite of the dog), I hadn't thought about my reaction. Perhaps that's because although there have been people I haven't opened the door for, there haven't been any that I recall that looked "sketchy" and made my spidey-sense tingle. They were simply people I didn't want to talk to. If there had been sketchy folks, I presume I would have thought more about it before now.
Thus, my "food for thought" comment. That story made me think about something I hadn't considered previously. Does that necessarily mean I will always have a gun in my hand when I answer the door from now on? No. Does it mean I'll give a little more thought to the whole situation? Definitely.
Does that adequately clarify my statement?
I'm glad you've cleared up that dangerous blind spot, Matt. Be ever vigilant, man, like our blog host or like the Rabbi. Do you think the Rabbi carries two or three guns at all times for nothing? Of course in residential New England were these guys live the chances of needing the gun are near zero, but there's no excuse for those blind spots. I'm glad you're finally on the beam.
Would you consider Cheshire, Connecticut to be "residential New England?" I'll wait while you look it up…
So, yes, right? Most people would.
That's where the Petit family lived, before they were murdered.
I cannot speak for Matt in Fl for certain. I believe he means that most people (himself included) have never thought about the fact that someone knocking on their door could be a violent criminal who will suddenly break down the door 60 seconds later.
If someone knocks on my door, I see if I recognize them before opening the door. If they are a stranger, I am very wary. I look to see if they have anything in their hands or any obvious bulges in their clothing that could be a hidden weapon. I also look for other people standing around (not necessarily on the porch, either), what kind of vehicle they drove, its position in my driveway or on the street, and if other people are in the vehicle.
If the situation is highly questionable and you home carry, you can hold your handgun discreetly at your side — along your leg, pointing down, and out of view as you answer your main door with your other hand. You should also have a storm door (an additional barrier) and keep that closed as you talk to the person. Short of the stranger suddenly leveling a gun at you and shooting through the storm door (which will not slow a bullet but will slow a human), the chances of a criminal overtaking you at that point are slim to none. Those are the kind of odds that I like.
Burglars masquerading as moving people in an unmarked beat up old van knocked on our door once. I was 16 and stupidly answered it, but I had my father's 1911 behind my back.
They saw my hand behind my back, apologized, and left the neighborhood. 😐
" I believe he means that most people (himself included) have never thought about the fact that someone knocking on their door could be a violent criminal who will suddenly break down the door 60 seconds later."
What the hell? Isn't that one of the main things we talk about around here?
Mikeyb#'s, the main line of your discussions isn't about self defense or gun rights. It's to ridicule those of us that believe in the same. What's this "We" tripe. When did you become one of us?
I wish I had a can of TrollBeGone.
Glad everyone is ok!! Welcome to the ranks of the self reliant!! Get all the range time you can, get some extra classes and have faith!!
You DO know talking on the phone at an ATM is a terrible idea, RIGHT? When you're at an ATM, you need all your senses on the alert. Just sayin'.
Perhaps it was the drive-through.
In his defense listening to a conference call is one of the least engaged activities he can perform with his phone. I constantly post on this very blog while doing the same.
I too live in the Charlotte area and have had some of the same issues in my own neighborhood. The only difference was the woman was home and the intruder beat her up and put her in the hospital. We live in an upscale development that up the last year has never had anything like this happen. Now it seems to be happening on a much greater frequency. I have since made my wife take a gun safety and a shooting classes. She will also be taking her concealed to carry class this Saturday. Glad NC is a gun friendly state and the county I live in is really gun friendly.
Home carry… few defenses are better than chosing to do so.
Glad to hear things didn't go further south than that, and thanks for sharing your experience. Out of curiosity, what part of Charlotte do you call home? Working in Uptown, CLT I can say that you really do need to be prepared and expect the unexpected in this city. I live in a pretty secure apartment complex so home defense isn't so much of an issue for me, but outside of that little bubble the streets can get pretty shady real quick. Getting gas, working late, etc. always make me thankful God gave us 115 grain +P's to pair with our Glocks.
It only takes one incident for an anti-gunner to do a 180. Anyone ever been victimized yet remained anti-gun? Way too many people take for granted the fact they haven't been victimized yet.
Surprised nobody's said it yet.
A conservative is a liberal who got mugged the night before.
Frank Rizzo
Be smart about this decision and make sure you make the complete investment. That means obtaining a firearm you can handle and being able to store it properly.
First time buyers tend to go high and right with the gun, buying too much gun for the job. They go low and left with the safety and get the wrong safe or none at all. Trigger locks are not the way to go in an emergency. You'll fumble with it and it will fail you.
Then practice at the range at least once a quarter (preferable more). Make sure your wife is proficient too. Consider getting a CCW. Practice with your family at home about where to go and what to do. Have a plan. Have a back up plan. Then make a contingency back up plan.
A guy I work with a few months ago had a similar incident. In the middle of the night (with everyone home) a guy broke in and took some stuff from his den and his daughter's car. He owned no guns at the time. He now owns several and has taken classes.
In Charlotte the Police will not disclose what crimes happen and the Newspaper will not report what does happen.
That works every time
It's a 'man-stopper'. Until it isn't.
If you are not a wolf you can choose to be a sheep or a sheep dog. Gun Control regulations are the same as forced removal of a sheep dog's teeth. Funny yet sad that the gun grabbers would never allow such a cruel thing to be done to real dogs which they do to humans.
Reasoning by analogy gets one nowhere. The gungrabbers are imbeciles, whether by choice or by training.
I hate that analogy. Here's why:
Sheepdogs protect sheep not for their own benefit, but for the benefit of the shepherd. When the shepherd decides it's time to slaughter the sheep, the sheepdog will happily stand by while he does so.
So you're saying that sheepdogs are the police and the government is the shepherd? I wonder who the sheep are?
I get it. We were burglarized last July. The only reason that my wife did not drive up on the burglars is that we decided to go to lunch at a local restaurant instead of going home to eat. They were in and out in 9 minutes and the police never found them, or even so much as a fingerprint.
Within a few months we became firearm owners. Would it have helped against a daylight burglary with no one home? Nope. But I now make certain that if something happens when I am home that I will stand between my family and the world with more at hand then just harsh language.
Slowly filling up the battery. Each weapon is a tool with a most effective range, just like a golf club. Got a "pitching wedge" and an "8 Iron", just need to decide on a "putter" or a "driver" next. Of course, I'll trust my 00 and .45 carbine more than a Titleist or a Ping anyday.
It's my understanding that day time burglars will quite often knock on the door. If they get no response they assume the house is empty and commence to burgle. I always answer any knock on my door. Not in condition white, but I always answer. I have my snubby on me and at front and back doors I have pepper spray.
I'm making a big mental leap on your comment here. I have a 6 foot privacy fence in my back yard and the gates are all locked. If someone knocked on my back door I may end up answering it Biden style.
Brock, i live in California. I have a fence and locked access to my back yard as well. But Biden's advice would get me locked up for a long time.
Agreed, a bad move, I just had never thought about what I would do if someone knocked on my back door. I Probably wouldn't put any 00 buck through the door though.
Brock, should have related this earlier. I live in a sketchy neighberhood. I've actually watched the cops chase people over the fences and thru the backyards in my area. Anybody knocking on my back door and I'll probably put 911 on standby before I answer it.
First off. You and you're family are ok; if not shaken.
Second. You have taken a giant step in defending them, and your self.
Welcome to the real world.
If ANY legislation passes, hopefully congress will be smart enough to at least have it expire when Obama leaves office. If not, hopefully the next president will be a Republican and NOT of the muslim faith and will seek to 'undo' any gun legislation that passes. Let's HOPE!…
And this occured during broad daylight in mid morning! The private citizen must
be alert, vigilant, and on guard 24/7! Fortunatly the home owners's family survived
this home invasion. It would be redundant here to list all the pro-gun sites. However don't forget "Dial 911 and Die!" at http://www.jpfo.org. Each individual must
decide for him/herself what firearm, if they choose to purchase such, best fits
their needs. Being a revolver person I would naturally embrace the classic .38
caliber revolver: Smith and Wesson Model 10 (K-Frame) .38 Special Military and
Police with 4″, 5″, or 6″ barrel afterfitted with Pachmayr or Uncle Mikes combat
(hard rubber) grips ,and loaded with modern .38 Special ammo. But those are
my sentiments. Be sure to google and read: "A Guns Autobiography: Smith and
Wesson Military and Police Revolver" by Jack Burton.
Smith and Wesson Model 67, 4.5″ barrel, stainless, Hogue rubber grips, Winchester PDX1's in cylinder and two speedloaders of PDX 1's right beside it!!!
This is the reason my wife started shooting with me at the range.
This is why I will never give up my guns.


text: I do like the HTC hardware and more importantly hoping for a better camera experience. I had the Nexus when it launched and wasn't totally impressed so that the camera. I may still get the HTC on Tuesday if it is available for AT&T somehow, but want to know the Nexus will be here if I can't get it. I use a Moto X mostly now but want a little bigger and a little more power.


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Today the Canadian government released their plan to legalize marijuana by July, 2018. How does this plan compare to Uruguay and the states in the U.S. that have already legalized? In the U.S., eight states have legalized marijuana for recreational purposes. Uruguay, which legalized cannabis in 2013, remains the only country to legalize the plant …
About Anthony Martinelli
Anthony, co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of TheJointBlog, has worked closely with numerous elected officials who support cannabis law reform, including as the former Campaign Manager for Washington State Representative Dave Upthegrove. He has also been published by multiple media outlets, including the Seattle Times. He can be reached at email@example.com.
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Peg Spradlin is responsible for making many of the quilts you see in QM's pages. Peg has sewn for us and our sister publications for many years. She's a master.
Peg was responsible for making Quiltmaker's Garden, an anniversary quilt we designed with elements from our patterns over the past 30 years. Peg shares some thoughts on bias edges below.
* * * * *
I have a real prejudice against bias edges, especially when two bias edges come together to form a seam, as they do with patches C/C and D/D in Part 5 of Quiltmaker's Garden in the Nov/Dec issue of Quiltmaker.
The following steps illustrate how I dealt with the bias edges for the C and D patches which form the gazebo's roofline.
I always heavily starch any fabrics that I know are going to be cut on the bias. This helps keep the edges from stretching when they are joined into a seam.
Referring to Part 5 and the C/D patch cutting diagram on page 65 in Nov/Dec, cut the heavily starched light blue tone-on-tone and medium tan tone-on-tone fabrics into strips 4 1/2″ wide by the length needed (80″ in this case). Sew these strips together along the 80″ length using a 1/4″ seam allowance.
Make a 4″ x 8″ template from transparent plastic and mark a diagonal line from corner to corner as shown below.
Lay the marked diagonal line of the template along the seam line of the pieced strips of fabric as shown below.
Trace around the outside of the template.
Add a 1/4″ seam allowance and then cut out the patch.
Repeat to cut out 8 rectangles total: 4 C/C and 4 D/D, as shown below.
This method doesn't eliminate the bias edges altogether, but the bias edges that remain are paired with and sewn to a straight edge, thus minimizing the stretch.


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A dancer, a choreographer, an administrator and a mother, Laurence Lemieux never has enough time.
But she believes so strongly in the power of dance that that's OK.
The native of Quebec City, who runs Coleman Lemieux & Compagnie with her husband Bill Coleman in Toronto, is coming to Halifax tonight with the company's much-toured program, In Paradisum, a trio of dances by top Canadian choreographer James Kudelka.
The program, first set in 2007, has taken the company to Mongolia, China, the United States and other parts of Canada and was about to be retired but, as Lemieux puts it during a quick phone interview, "We had some presenters out East who said, 'Please come.' "
Lemieux, who used to dance with Toronto Dance Theatre, has been to Halifax many times and performed here with TDT and Fondation Jean-Pierre Perreault.
She had never been to Mongolia.
"It was completely wild. We were there in the winter; it was freezing. It was eye-opening, a lot of poverty, a lot of kids on the road living in manholes because of the cold. A lot of wind.
"The theatres were not equipped at all. They loved it. It was pretty amazing to do it there."
She and her husband commissioned work from Kudelka in 2005 and brought him in as resident choreographer for CLC in 2008.
A Canadian dance icon for three decades, Kudelka is the former artistic director of the National Ballet of Canada (1996 to 2005) and choreographs both ballet and contemporary works. CLC only performs his contemporary pieces.
"He's great," says Lemieux.
"His work has the capacity to speak to very broad audiences but is also sophisticated work. It's very physical. It's very passionate in a way; it has humour and it's very smart work."
This program starts out with Fifteen Heterosexual Duets, a Dora Mavor Moore Award-winner originally commissioned by David Earle for Toronto Dance Theatre. It's a suite of 15 duets between a man and a woman set to Beethoven's Kreutzer Sonata.
"The metaphor he uses a lot is the sharing of the weight of your partner as a metaphor for trusting and sharing," says Lemieux. "The work is very complicated technically and there are lots of lifts. It's quite beautiful."
The second piece, Soudain l'hiver dernier, premiered by Montréal Danse in 1987 and set to the music of Gavin Bryars, is a male duet.
"That one is more pedestrian, less technical, more like ordinary people. It portrays a friendship between two men. They're helping one another; it's camaraderie, friendship and support. It's very moving."
Considered a landmark in Kudelka's career, In Paradisum was created for Les Grands Ballets Canadiens in 1983 "when James was 28 years old," says Lemieux.
"His mother was ill with cancer at the time. It's about trying to cope with death and trying to deal with someone being sick. There are six kids in his family. You see the family trying to deal with the tragedy but in movement.
"The music is composed by Michael Baker, whose mother was also dying of cancer. It's very moving."
Lemieux is bringing 11 dancers to Halifax and dances herself in Fifteen Heterosexual Duets and In Paradisum. Her husband is not on this tour.


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Rio Nuevo has been asked to provide the final piece of financing necessary to pull off a $22 million downtown hotel.
The 135-room, six-story hotel would be the centerpiece of developer Scott Stiteler's ambitious plan to create a downtown entertainment district around the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Congress Street.
Stiteler, manager of Tucson Urban LLC, asked the Rio Nuevo board at Monday afternoon's meeting to kick in $2.5 million to cover the funding gap left after $15 million in conventional loans and about $5 million in private money are factored into hotel financing.
Stiteler presented the request as a $2.5 million loan at 4 percent interest. But he wants most of the money used to repay the loan to be taken from taxes that would otherwise be owed to Rio Nuevo rather than from hotel profits.
According to repayment documents, Stiteler anticipates owing Rio Nuevo $388,476 from the sales/bed tax in the first year the hotel is in operation. He wants to apply half of that amount, $194,237, toward the interest and the principal on his loan.
That repayment pattern repeats until 2024, when there will be $974,230 left on the loan. Rio Nuevo's authorization expires in 2025.
Even with tax money going toward the loan, Stiteler still anticipates Rio Nuevo will net $3.3 million over 10 years from the hotel.
Board members were receptive to the idea that would finally bring a hotel downtown, but they wanted more time to consider the legal implications, such as whether giving money to the project would violate state law.
"I think I'm ready (to move forward)," said board member Mark Irvin, who said he needed a bit more time to study the issue.
The board voted to table the issue Monday and work with Stiteler and the board legal team. The board hopes to have an answer within the next 30 days.
Stiteler turned to Rio Nuevo after he came to an impasse with the city over some federal Housing and Urban Development loans.
The city wasn't clear on how to proceed with the loans after six months of discussions with Stiteler. He said he didn't want his project bogged down for months, or possibly years, while the city debated the next steps, so he decided to stop seeking the approximately $8 million in federal loans altogether.
Stiteler is also still seeking an eight-year property tax exemption from the city.
Stiteler said there are many roadblocks involved with putting up a hotel, and developers need the general assistance. He stressed that private money would still be taking the biggest risk in the deal, and in the end Tucsonans would win out with a revitalized downtown.
Other Rio Nuevo News
Rio Nuevo Chief Financial Officer Bill Allen informed the board that the district hadn't paid its sales taxes since August 2011. The district was required to pay 2.5 percent on the taxable rent it receives from its various properties. But it failed to do so to the tune of $96,000 in back taxes. The district owes the city $77,000 and the state $19,000. Allen said the money doesn't include interest or penalties. The board voted to have Allen negotiate with the city to see if there's any way the city could waive the penalties, interest or even the back taxes.
Chairman Fletcher McCusker said that's all in the past, and now the staff and procedures are in place to prevent this sort of thing from happening again.
Contact reporter Darren DaRonco at 573-4243 or email@example.com. On Twitter @DarrenDaRonco.


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Milos Stehlik on Gay themes as taboo in Russian cinema
In the history of gay, lesbian, or queer cinema, you'll be hard-pressed to find the name of legendary filmmaker, Sergei Eisenstein. Yet, Eisenstein, unquestionably one of the most influential filmmakers who ever lived, and the director of such classics as Battleship Potemkin, Alexander Nevsky and Ivan the Terrible, was indeed, gay.
The powerful Orthodox Church and the moral conformity of the Tsarist regime before the Bolshevik revolution forced 19th century laws which criminalized homosexuality. In practice, these laws were rarely enforced. Prince Felix Yosoupoff, for example, a member of the Imperial Family and future assassin of Rasputin, lived an openly gay lifestyle. The historical paradox is that the Bolsheviks preached openness and the Bolshevik Revolution actually promised a change to sexual openness. But in practice, however, homophobia became rampant. A notorious article, 121.1 — punished gay men with up to five years of imprisonment. Women accused lesbianism could be held in a psychiatric clinic for up to three months, where they were subjected to mind-bending drug treatments. And homosexuals were deported to camps or psychiatric clinics, often never heard from again.
Eisenstein's homoerotic drawings and sketches are on vivid display in the film I am Brezhnev's Queen, a cinematic look at gay life under the Soviet regime. The film is directed by Frederic Mitterand — nephew of Francois Mitterand, the late prime minister of France. Frederic Mitterand is a veteran television producer and popular TV show host, as well as a former French Minister of Culture. The documentary, produced in 2001, focuses on the difficulties faced by homosexuals in Russia and the former Soviet Union, but the film also looks at these attitudes historically.
In I am Brezhnev's Queen, Mitterand points out that communist propaganda depended on the intense eroticization of young proletarians – both men and women. This led to quite sexually ambiguous images that nonetheless represented the Communist ideal, in posters, photographs, statues and films. The emphasis on a young, virile culture of the body – exemplified in athletic exhibitions, a sports and military cult, ran parallel to Stalinist homophobia. In Mitterand's view, the Soviet Union's attitude towards homosexuality was – plain and simply – schizophrenic.
I am Brezhnev's Queen follows some famous Russian and Soviet celebrities – Tchaikovsky, the ballet impresario Diaghilev, the ballet dancer Vaslav Nijinsky, the poet Sergei Yesenin and two famous Soviet filmmakers –Sergei Paradjanov and the aforementioned Sergei Eisenstein.
The speculation of Eisenstein's homosexuality – whether latent or practiced – is fostered by his interest in puns with gay inflections, and the graphic eroticism of his drawings which leaned toward the pornographic. His marriage was, by all accounts, Platonic, and his wife didn't rate even a mention in his memoirs. When Eisenstein's mother died, he wrote in his memoirs, "A small, ridiculous woman died today."Eisenstein admired Judy Garland, and could be hypocritical about his own homosexuality, saying "I've never felt any such desire," though he later admitted to bisexual tendencies. At odds with Stalin over his depiction of Ivan in his film, Ivan the Terrible, Eisenstein proved to be a survivor and bent to Stalin's will, though many think the pressure killed him not long after he finished Part two of Ivan. Far From Sunset Boulevard, a 2006 film directed by Igor Minaev, suggests a love triangle between Eisenstein, his frequent collaborator Grigori Aleksandrov and Aleksanrov's wife, the star Lyubov Orlovam. The film remains unreleased in Russia.
Contemporary Russian films on gay or lesbian themes are sparse at best and certainly Russia still awaits its equivalent of Brokeback Mountain. A rare exception is You I Love, directed by Olga Stolpovskaya and Dmitry Troitsky. The characters Tim and Vera are a successful young couple whose life changes when one night, Tim accidentally hits Uloomji, a young Kalmyk day worker in a car accident. Their torrid affair becomes a bizarre love triangle when Vera gets dragged into the relationship. In spite of this homosexuality is still portrayed as an illness which is also un-Russian and unpatriotic.
Russia's major gay and lesbian film festival, the Side by Side Lesbian and Gay Film Festival in St. Petersburg, was banned in its first year, and had to be low-key. Last year, the local government apparently put pressure on businesses thought to be Festival sponsors, and soon the support vanished. The Siberian Gay Film Festival in Tomsk was deemed a success in its first year, though attendance was often sparse, and screenings were sometimes cancelled due to low audience. A Christian group calling itself Pillar of Truth picketed nightly with signs that screamed, "Homosexuality is a sin," and "Confess, sinners!" The Festival, said the organizers, "helped Siberian gay men and lesbians empower their community and educated thousands that homosexuality is not a sickness or "influence of the West," but an ordinary phenomenon that exists next door to them."
Worldview film contributor Milos Stehlik is the director of Facets Multimedia.


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© Jeffery Deaver; (P) Clipper Audio
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"I loved this book!"
But then again, I have loved all the books in the Lincoln Rhyme series.
This story has so many twists and turns, I found myself having to go back over bits to make sure I listened carefully. Really likeable characters that I am hoping to meet again in future books.
Unfortunately the next book, "The Cold Moon", is only available in an abridged version, so Audible have really let me down (and others determined to listen to the whole series).
"Typical Linc Rhyme"
As with all Linc Rhyme books this is very involved but holds your attention. Every twist and turn has a reason to it. It kept us entertained for long hours on car journeys.
This book deserves an award, there are sub plots and twists that keep you guessing till the end and I defy anyone to work out the plot. Even tho' there are several sub-plots, they all knot together and yet it is easy to follow each one and the narrator makes it interesting bringing each person to life. Cannot praise enough - I stumbled on this writer by chance and am working through all his novels and have not been disappointed by any. Keep them coming please....
"Not my favourite rhyme book"
I have read others in this series and loved them. This was not one of my favourites. I listened all the way through but wasn't as gripped by thus one as others.
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Sloganeering leads to arrest of TDP MLA Revanth Reddy - Tv9
Thu, Aug 20, 2015, 10:53 AM
Police arrested TDP MLA Revanth Reddy, who came to participate in a stone laying programme of godown at a market yard in Kodangal mandal headquarters on Thursday. Initially, police arrested Revanth Reddy's followers for raising slogans. Even, they lathi-charged some party workers, who resisted arrest. When Revanth Reddy objected, police also took the MLA into custody and shifted him to the police station. Apart from Revanth Reddy, Minister Jupally Krishna Rao was also invited for the stone laying function.


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The INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center Orthopedic Center in Oklahoma City was ranked high-performing in U.S. News & World Report Annual Hospital Ranking for 2012.
For most people, having a joint replacement (orthopedic) operation is a scary ordeal and means an extended stay in the hospital. At the INTEGRIS Joint Replacement Center in Oklahoma City we've kept pace with the great strides being made in joint replacement surgery, enabling us to reduce bone and joint hospital stays.
Living with a worn or injured hip bone or knee joint can be painful and frustrating. You may find yourself doing less and less. In time, even simple things - like walking through a grocery store or getting up from a chair - may cause you pain. In many cases, an orthopedic surgeon can replace your problem joint and improve bone-related discomfort. For most people, having a total joint replacement means a return to pain-free movement.
The INTEGRIS Joint Replacement Center at Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City has a special unit dedicated to knee and hip replacement patients. Our bone and joint team includes physicians, nurses, orthopedic technicians, and physical and occupational therapists specializing in total joint care. Every detail, from pre-operative teaching to post-operative exercising, is considered and reviewed with you.
We know you have concerns when it comes to joint pain and the potential for surgery. You probably have questions on joint pain or how to handle pain management. Visit the following links for information.
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Learn more about the what having a joint replacement means and what services we offer.
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I just posted this on my weight loss blog, Roni's Weigh but I had to post here as this IS my food blog! :~)
I hate to ask a favor but please, PLEASE check out the video and if you feel so inclined leave a comment on their site (there's an area under the video). Maybe I can get their attention if it's viewed a lot?? Right? I figure it's worth a shot! RIGHT? :~)
I tend to use Roni's Weigh for personal news and stuff like this as I like to keep GreenLiteBites mostly about food. To me it's my recipe archive. But I had to post this here for all my friends that may not read Roni's Weigh.
ok, end shameless plug. :~P


text: does soapstone retain heat like they say it does? and if so, can you buy a slab or bricks to place on top of a stove to help distribute heat? i've heard good things but wanted to ask first before i jump into anything. as a side note, my firewood guy brought me more wood today. got a full cord and half of it was hedge apple. he's got 4 more cords just like it. gonna be a warm winter. woo hoo!


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Mark Hassall
Location: Auckland, North Island, New Zealand
Member since 5/21/2008
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Hi. Accent is a Radio Frequency (RF) device and Titan is a light based device, in my clinic we chose Accent. The laws of physics only allow light to effectively penetrate a small depth into skin, if your skin is darker then light has... READ COMMENT


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If the 2009 Moravian Honors candidates are an indication, we have much to look forward to when the next generation of scholars and leaders enters the workforce. A cure for Parkinson's Disease, better understanding of drug addiction, more ethical and effective business methods—these and many other advancements are well within reach, judging by the candidates' impressive research.
Several candidates presented posters at the H. Paty Eiffe Gallery on February 26. Projects ranged from the use of dietary selenium to protect dopamine levels, with potential impact on Parkinson's Disease (Tyler McCambridge; advisor Cecilia Fox, associate professor of biology) to the role archetypes play in marketing (Amanda King; advisor Gary Kaskowitz, associate professor of economics and business).
Honors is a year-long research experience for seniors that concludes with the submission of a thesis, which the candidate defends in an oral examination. Seventeen students are candidates in the Fall 2008 - Spring 2009 Honors Program. The Honors Committee is chaired by Dennis Glew, professor of classics and history. Next year, 2010, marks the program's fiftieth anniversary. Click here for a list of the 2008-09 Honors Program candidates and their projects.
InCommon is Moravian's internal newsletter, produced every two weeks during the academic year by the public relations office.
Vicki Bingham


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China axe seven after Hamburg thrashing
BEIJING, Jan 16 (Reuters) - China coach Vladimir Petrovic has axed seven players from his squad in the wake of a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of German Bundesliga side SV Hamburg over the weekend.
The dramatic cleanout comes three weeks before China plays Iraq in their first qualifier for the 2010 World Cup and includes regular defenders Du Wei and Zhang Yaokun.
Lu Bofei, Li Jianhua, Sun Ji, Wang Wanpeng and Yang Lin were also cut after 'serious consideration by the coaching staff', according to a statement posted on the Web site of the Chinese Football Association.
'If we're not strict, not ruthless at this stage, how will we be able to take on the World Cup and qualify?' CFA official Wei Shaohui said on the Web site.
China had already brought in Dalian Shide keeper Chen Dong and Shandong Luneng striker Han Peng to bolster the squad, Wednesday's Beijing News said.
Local media questioned China's ability to find replacements and gel as a team ahead of the Iraq qualifier, with several international starting players, including Charlton midfielder Zheng Zhi, unable to join training until days before the fixture.
'It's unknown whether this is to dupe the opposition or just to fool ourselves,' a commentary in the Beijing News said.
China play Asian Cup champions Iraq on Feb. 6. Their qualifying group also includes Australia and Qatar.


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Job Type: Full Time
Compensation: Salary $13.00 per hour plus benefits.
Job Description: Performs a variety of animal control functions; responds to public complaints regarding animal issues; assists in enforcing animal control ordinances and regulations; participates in staffing and maintaining the City's Animal Shelter facility; provides for the care of sheltered animals; and performs other related duties as assigned.
Job Requirements: High School diploma or equivalent. Prefer one year demonstrated experience working with animals, OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. Basic Animal Control Officer and Euthanasia Technician certifications or the ability to obtain within 120 days after appointment. Ability to deal with the public tactfully and courteously and to work harmoniously with other employees. Ability to humanely handle animals under various circumstances. Be able to lift medium and large size dogs. Be able to pass a background check, pass a medical/physical and pass a drug test. Must possess a valid Texas Driver's License.


text: This will allow for a finished handle of 416 inches and still allow room for placing a compass in the butt. The stock should fit the individual and the forearm should be contoured for comfort and ease of handling. Prada Small Pleated Hobo. A slot is cut to accept the upper part of the trigger assembly, allowing it to engage the sear bar of the lock freely. While some have the ability to properly polish all metal parts for bluing, it isn't practical for the sportsman-rifle builder to be equipped with a complete bluing tank set-up necessary for a perfect job. Prada Small Pleated Hobo. The handle then is epoxied onto the tang in lieu of the threaded nut, as on the ivory-handled Little Bear. As stated, some of these have been handed down through the years; others have been lost with the passing of their inventors. Prada Small Pleated Hobo.


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Lotus in Van
- 24 total posts
- 20 comments
- 4 questions
Questions from Lotus in Van
Will Breast Reduction Surgery Help Treat Mammary Gland Hyperplasia?
I have suffered from years of mammary gland hyperplasia ( at least 20 years) as well as excessively big breasts (for about 30 years . 70G) Now I need to make a decision to get... READ MORE
What Does Post-operation Bra Do to the New Breasts?
Providing support or compression? I'm asking the question because my current one (sports bra) is a bit too tight on me, and I'm worried about the blood circulation of my new... READ MORE
How Long Does an Average Breast Reduction Surgery Take?
My sister had a breast reduction several years ago in another city, and her operation took 3-4 hours with two surgeons working at the same time. I had a BR surgery recently, I... READ MORE
Nipples to Feel Pain After 4 Months of Breast Reduction Surgery?
My nipple areas are the hardest to heal after the breast reduction surgery in early July. They are sore and painful. When I pinch the pain area, it makes me feel nausea. Is the... READ MORE
Recent comments from Lotus in Van
A normal dress. or a shirt without extremely long sleeves. READ COMMENT
Anyone using Triumph sport bra? READ COMMENT
It turned out the issue is not as serious as I thought. I just didn't tape it properly. .. Thank you for all your support! Happy healing everyone! READ COMMENT
Thank you Chipmunk! My next doctor's appointment is the end of the month, so it doesn't really help much. I just hope that they won't stay like this for the rest of my life....Maybe the nipple areas are the hardest to heal because of... READ COMMENT
Ladies, I was wondering whether any of you has an issue the the healing of nipples? I'm 5 weeks post-op but the nipples still seem to give me most of the pain....They face sideways and seem to be really tender. When I tried to put... READ COMMENT


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Get 360's Wireless "N" Adapter for $90
Just this week, gamers who are still looking for a wireless solution on their XBOX 360 via the new "N" wireless adapter can get this nice peripheral for $89.99, a $10 off from the MSRP, from Best Buy. It sure is expensive buying the official ones but you will get better quality since you know it's from Microsoft.
If you think $90 is still expensive, why not get the MadCatz one that is both compatible on the XBOX 360 and PlayStation 3. Sure, it's not licensed by Microsoft or Sony but it works and saves you money!Get 360's Wireless "N" Adapter for $90,
2 Comments
You can get the PS3's wireless adapter for free with the purchase of a PS3, so why bother shopping for the best price on an overpriced peripheral?GD Star Rating
And why the hell do you need wireless-N in the US anyways, there's almost no bandwidth available that is higher than can be transmitted over wireless-G? Why "future-proof" a system that will be obsolete and unsupported in 2 years anyways?GD Star Rating


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Flow Chart Symbols
ConceptDraw PRO
Discover the World of Visual Communication
ConceptDraw PRO software extended with Flowcharts Solution from the "What is a Diagram" Area is a powerful software that will help you design the flowcharts for any business and technical processes, and software algorithms thanks to the predesigned flow chart symbols.
Example 1. Flow Chart Symbols - Flowchart Library Design Elements
Set of flowchart symbols such as: terminator, process, decision, delay, data, document, multiple documents, subroutine, preparation, display,manual input, manual loop, loop limit, stored data,connectors and suming junctions, sort and merge operations, symbols of database and internal storage.
Flowcharts Solution offers 2 libraries with large collection of vector flow chart symbols:
that you can use to create your flowcharts quick and easy.
Example 2. Flowcharts Rapid Draw Library Design Elements - Shapes
Simply drag the predesigned flow chart symbols from the libraries to your document, arrange them, highlight with color the elements or background, type the text and flowchart title to get the excellent result – your own flowchart in minutes.
Example 3. Flowcharts Rapid Draw Library Design Elements - Swimlanes
Use of predesigned symbols from the Flowcharts Solution is very fast and easy way of flowchart drawing, and the most important – you don't need to be the painter for this.
Example 4. Flowchart - Invoice Payment Process
This sample was created in ConceptDraw PRO using the flow chart symbols from the Flowcharts solution libraries. It shows the flowchart which visualizes the invoice payment process. An experienced user spent 10 minutes creating this sample.
Use the flow chart symbols from the libraries of Flowcharts Solution for ConceptDraw PRO software to create your own professional looking flowcharts of any complexity quick, easy and effective, and then successfully use them.
All source documents are vector graphic documents. They are available for reviewing, modifying, or converting to a variety of formats (PDF file, MS PowerPoint, MS Visio, and many other graphic formats) from the ConceptDraw STORE. The Flowcharts Solution is available for all ConceptDraw PRO v9.5 or later users.
Apple® OS X 10.10 or later
Microsoft® Windows® 7/8.1/10
|ConceptDraw PRO


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Student count, free meal percentage, down in D51
While statewide enrollment increased this fall compared with last fall, School District 51 lost 174 preschool through 12th-grade students.
Districts across Colorado take a head count of all students on one day on or near Oct. 1 each year. That number is used to calculate how much money each school district will receive from the state funding formula.
This fall, District 51 counted 21,294 kindergarten through 12th-graders and 623 preschool students. The loss of students amounted to a state-funding decrease of more than $900,000 for the district year over year.
The district anticipated a drop of 165 full-time students when it was creating its budget for 2011–12 and made only minor adjustments and no program cuts when the School Board readopted the current year's budget earlier this month.
The district gained 61 students in 2010 compared with the previous year. District 51 spokesman Jeff Kirtland said it is too early to say whether the district will anticipate another enrollment decrease for the 2012–13 budget.
"We've been a growing district up until the last two years," Kirtland said.
Colorado's total public school enrollment increased year over year by 1.3 percent to 854,265 in 2011.
Student count data released Friday by the Colorado Department of Education also showed 40.85 percent of public school students in the state applied for free or reduced-price meals. Students whose family income is 130 percent of the poverty level qualify for free meals, and students whose family income is 185 percent of the poverty level qualify for reduced-price meals. The federal government reimburses school districts for those meals.
The percentage of District 51 students receiving free or reduced meals jumped from 38.83 percent in 2008 to 44.97 percent in 2009 and hasn't moved much since then. The rate dropped slightly from 45.5 percent in 2010 to 45.13 percent of kindergarten through 12th-grade students in 2011, which did not surprise District 51 Nutrition Services Director Dan Sharp.
"It correlates to existing unemployment challenges and flat salaries," Sharp said.
Sharp said he believes more people qualify for free or reduced-price meals but are not applying because they fear a stigma will be attached to receiving the meals. Sharp said confidentiality laws keep most people in a school, including, teachers, lunchroom workers and other students, from knowing which students receive the reduced-price or free meals.
Sharp said the number of students who are buying school lunch dropped 4 percent year over year. Sharp said most of the students who stopped buying lunch were paying full price, and he believes some could benefit from applying for free or reduced lunches.
"When I'm in the schools, a lot of kids are packing cup-of-soups or leftovers," he said.
Clifton, Nisley, Dos Rios and Rocky Mountain elementary schools continue to have 75 percent or more of their students receive free or reduced-price meals.
One school, Chipeta Elementary, rose into that category this year. Mesa Valley Vision Home and Community Program and Glade Park School again had the lowest rates in the district this fall at 1.62 percent and 0 percent, respectively.


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Seeking a used Mazda in Blainville? What about in surrounding areas like Terrebonne, Ste-Therese, Rosemere, and Lorraine? Go to HGregoire to find a selection of Mazda cars in all colours, prices, sizes, and body types. Mazda is the fusion of innovative design and technology and is one of the world's premium auto brands that will refine your driving experience.
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West Nile Virus: Large Outbreaks Follow Warm Winters
Unusually warm winters are one reason for larger-than-average outbreaks of West Nile virus in the following summers, a new study finds. Full story
Unusually warm winters are one reason for larger-than-average outbreaks of West Nile virus in the following summers, a new study finds. Full story
West Nile cases in the U.S. continue to climb, jumping 25 percent in a week, with 1,993 cases nationwide and 87 deaths in the country's worst outbreak for this time of year since the virus was detected here in 1999. NBC's Brian Williams reports.
Clinton: Obama 'should be reelected'; Obama acceptance speech moved indoors; DNC's big opening night; Obama needs Clinton's support; Leslie becomes sixth hurricane of season; West Nile cases continue to climb; Researchers: 'Junk' DNA plays critical role; Kidnappers attach device to woman in robbery
Parents are surprised to learn their toddler was suffering from the West Nile Virus. KXAS reporter Ray Villeda has the story.
Barbs exchanged as campaigns heat up; Obama must drive up support; Evacuations possible even as storm cleanup underway; West Nile cases skyrocket; Explosions rattle Syrian capital; Sun Myung Moon, founder of Unification Church, dies at 92; After summer of violence in Chicago, hope for cool and calm;
As fear of the West Nile virus spreads, one Texas woman dialed 911 after a mosquito bit her one-year-old nephew. KXAS's Scott Gordon reports.
MSNBC's Thomas Roberts talks to Dr. Frank Esper of University Hospital's Case Medical Center in Cleveland about the West Nile outbreak reported in 38 states.
This undated photo provided by the Northwest Mosquito Abatement District shows a Culex pipiens, left, the primary mosquito that can transmit West Nile virus to humans, birds and other animals. It is produced from stagnant water. The bite of this mosquito is very gentle and usually unnoticed by peop


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D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier to appear at oversight hearing
WASHINGTON (AP) - An advocate for transgender people is criticizing the District of Columbia police department for failing to protect the community.
Jason Terry of the DC Trans Coalition testified Wednesday at a D.C. Council oversight hearing on the department's performance.
Terry says the department hasn't adequately addressed a spike in violence against transgender people in the city in the past year. He says he doesn't think enough resources are being devoted to the problem.
He says "it's amateur hour" for the department each time a transgender person is killed.
Chief Cathy Lanier is among the witnesses scheduled to testify at the hearing.
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Vacuum cleaners sure are handy for cleaning up the floor but who knew that you could use them to style your hair?!
This dad put a ponytail holder on the end of the vacuum hose, sucked up all of his daughters hair and made the perfect ponytail!
Check out the crazy viral video:


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GC Appointments
Adam Kokas, senior vice president, general counsel, chief human resources officer and secretary of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings Inc., was named chairman of the board of directors of the Cargo Airline Association.
Heather Spring was named senior vice president and general counsel for Norfolk, Va.-based CMA CGM (America). She will manage all aspects of legal and regulatory affairs for the group and its U.S. affiliates. Spring previously worked at Cozen O'Connor for more than 12 years.
Viridian Energy appointed Jan Fox as the company's general counsel. Fox joins Viridian with experience in energy regulatory affairs, and she will be responsible for strategic oversight and the development and management of legal, regulatory and compliance affairs.
Sterling Financial Corp. and its subsidiary Sterling Savings Bank named Andrew J. Schultheis general counsel and executive vice president. Schultheis comes to Sterling from Witherspoon Kelley in Spokane, Wash., where he worked with a range of public and private companies.
Cummins & White announced that partner Michael R.W. Houston was named general counsel for the Association of California Cities–Orange County, a newly formed non-profit group established to advocate on behalf of, and provide critical resources to, elected city officials and municipal staff within Orange County.
Outland Energy Services promoted Cam Winton to vice president and general counsel. Prior to joining Outland in 2009, Winton represented Fortune 100 companies as an attorney in Minneapolis.
The New Jersey Hospital Association (NJHA) hired Sarah Lechner as general counsel. In her new role, Lechner will provide direction on all legal matters to NJHA and its affiliates, including matters of corporate law, health law and litigation. Lechner comes to NJHA from the New Jersey Senate Democratic Office where she served as deputy general counsel. Previously, Lechner was an associate in the litigation department at Lum, Drasco & Positan.
Subsentio retained Erik Cecil as its general counsel. Cecil's background includes serving as an associate at Cole, Raywid & Braverman, regulatory counsel at Teligent Inc. and most recently as regulatory counsel handling carrier relations on a national basis for Level 3 Communications.
Sypris Solutions Inc. announced that John R. McGeeney, the company's general counsel and secretary, was named to the additional post of vice president. Prior to joining Sypris in 2003, McGeeney served as general counsel for Inviva Inc., general counsel and secretary for ARM Financial Group, and as counsel and assistant general counsel for Capital Holding Corp.
B. Curtis Westen, HealthMarkets Inc.'s executive vice president and general counsel, resigned as an officer of the company and its subsidiaries in August. HealthMarkets will engage Westen on a consulting basis through Dec. 31.
Ingalls & Snyder named J. Richard Popp as its general counsel. Popp joined Ingalls & Snyder after serving as general counsel and chief compliance officer of Schultze Asset Management, where he was responsible for ensuring the firm's compliance with all regulatory requirements as well as completing general legal work for the firm.
Global Capacity added M. Gavin McCarty as general counsel. McCarty joins Global Capacity from Shefsky & Froelich where he was senior counsel in the general corporate law group, focusing on technology, Internet, regulatory, telecommunications and energy law.
Kevin L. Ridley was appointed general counsel of Johnson Publishing Co. He comes to Johnson from Exelon Corp., where he served as assistant general counsel from 2002 to 2011.
Other In-house Moves
Former Obama policy adviser and attorney Andrew Kline joined Go Daddy as deputy general counsel for global policy. Kline will help Go Daddy expand internationally and fight against illegal online activities such as rogue Internet pharmacies and copyright infringement.
Kathleen Bragg-Pebley joined Momentous Insurance Brokerage as in-house counsel. She was previously a senior associate at Wilson Elser. At Momentous, Bragg-Pebley will aid in compliance matters and monitor day-to-day legal affairs, including real estate, intellectual property, contract negotiation and insurance claims.
Please send all promotions, career changes, hires and awards to firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Voorheesville football thirsty for victory
The Enterprise — Jordan J. Michael
Quick escape: Junior running back Matt Feller evades a diving Voorheesville defender last Friday during the team's practice. Feller, in his third year on varsity, is an experienced back, looking fast and tough on Friday. Head Coach Joe Sapienza considers Feller one of the best athletes for the Blackbirds, which open the 2013 season at Fonda on Sept. 7.
VOORHEESVILLE — The last two seasons for Voorheesville football have been easy to forget.
After two downtrodden years, Voorheesville is excited to once again become a winning team. However, the current Birds' players haven't won much, so it won't be easy.
"I do think we have to learn how to win again, you know?" Head Coach Joe Sapienza said last Friday as the high-noon sun beat down from the sky. "You have to learn how to win again. It's a different mindset."
Sapienza knew something was unique about the 2013 team when all 23 players showed up dressed and ready to go at 7:59 a.m. on Aug. 19. "It was like clockwork," he said last Friday. "They knew the drill, and I feel so positive about this group of kids."
The Blackbirds are three years removed from its last "great" season, Sapienza said. In 2010, Voorheesville played a televised Class C playoff game against Greenwich, losing after a touchdown play failed to connect on the final drive.
Since then, Voorheesville has found itself on the wrong end of some lopsided scores.
"I don't like to compare teams from season to season, it's not fair to the kids that aren't here anymore, but we do have to learn how to win again," Sapienza reiterated. "There's a confidence you get from winning, and this team hasn't really experienced that yet."
Seniors Slater Nolan and Jared Paigo, and junior Matt Feller, all agreed that Voorheesville has brought more energy and intensity to the preseason this year. The Birds are working harder than before.
"It's a different vibe," said Nolan. "We know what we need to work on, and it's those minute details. We need to tune it up."
Feller said that the team needs to significantly cut down on the dropped passes, fumbled balls, and missed blocks from the recent past. "We just need to get everything perfected, no mistakes," he said. "That's just how it is supposed to be. We need to be prepared."
Voorheesville has an optimistic attitude to go with its new thought process.
"A major goal for us is to not get down on each other when things don't go our way," Paigo said. "We did that a lot last year, and it caused problems."
The Blackbirds were 2-7 in 2012, making the Class C playoffs because its division was missing a team (Cairo-Durham) and not very talented. Voorheesville ended up getting stomped by Hoosick Falls.
"We had high expectations, so it was disappointing for all of us," Sapienza said of 2012. "There's no other way to put it; we expect better. Two wins aren't enough."
No matter the structure of the team, Sapienza always feels like Voorheesville is good enough to make the playoffs. "It's just how I think," he said. "We always have a shot at winning against anyone. It's a genuine feeling, and it's important to feel that way."
Where does that overall attitude of feeling like a winner come from?
"The coaching staff needs to have confidence in the players, and then the players need to start believing in themselves," said Sapienza. "Then, you go out and do positive things."
With a small roster of 23 players, Sapeinza is confident that each kid can give him something.
"Each player is going to see a pivotal situation," he said. "That's why small-school football is so unique — every player can be optimistic about getting on the field, having a shot, and it creates a better climate for the team."
Balanced offense
The Blackbirds once again have a new starting quarterback under center. The last two quarterbacks (Mike Chiseri and Mike Young) were seniors when they took the job. Robert Denman, a junior, will have more time to develop in the position.
Denman started the last two games of 2012, and was very vocal last Friday, rushing his teammates into the huddle. He threw some deep passes, and also ran with the ball.
"Robert is a very good athlete," Sapienza said. "He's totally taken charge of the offense. He's advanced enough where I can be out of the huddle and still know what he needs to tell the team."
Taller than the previous two quarterbacks, Denman should have decent vision in the pocket.
Voorheesville will run its share of the option package, which has become a trend at all levels of football. The option offense is characterized by the predominance of option running plays, where the quarterback receives the ball and runs either right or left with a running back or fullback accompanying him. As the defense closes in, the quarterback can try for a lateral pass, throw downfield, or tuck and run.
There are many different plays in an option package, and it's an effective way of using the game clock.
"People are faster and more athletic these days," said Sapienza. "If our players want to play at the next level, I want them to have some stuff under their belts. In Robert's case, he can run the whole package."
In his third season with the varsity team, Feller will be the leader of Voorheesville's rushing attack. Last Friday, Feller ran with toughness and speed. He was rarely touched before the whistle blew.
"He worked very, very hard to make himself better," Sapienza said of Feller. "I consider him one of our best, and he's been working on his ability to catch balls out of the backfield. He totally sets an example."
Feller should be able to find holes to run through; Sapienza said that a "bad" running play for the Birds will be four yards. However, Voorheesville won't be able to barrel over other teams due to the lack of size and experience on the offensive line; most of the starters graduated.
"We're experienced at the skill positions, but the line is going to need some work," said Sapienza. "We have a few kids who played at different positions before, but now they're learning the line. We're sort of in the process of making an offensive line."
The Blackbirds no longer have tall, burly linemen, so the offensive playbook will be different. "Last year, we wanted to pound with runs on the ground," Sapienza said. "The playbook has to fit with the personnel that you have."
Voorheesville has six wide receivers who, Sapienza says, are outstanding — Nolan, Paigo, Jeff Mauro, Sam Weiss, Mickey Knight, and Austin Zielinski. The team also has two tight ends, Alex Minnick and Michael McGinnis, who are capable of making plays.
"Every one of our receivers can run patterns and catch the ball," said Sapienza. "That's not traditional for small-school football."
Nolan and Feller went to a football camp in Rhode Island earlier this summer, and both players won a Most Valuable Player award. The other Voorheesville players have fed off their energy this preseason.
"We want to be one big group that works hard together," Feller said. "Nothing or no one is going to feel separated."
"They're upbeat and excited," Sapienza said of his players. "Things are coming together pretty well."
Voorheesville's schedule is front-end loaded with away games at Fonda (Sept. 7, 1 p.m.), at Watervliet in Week 3, and at Chatham in Week 4. The Blackbirds host Cairo-Durham, which cancelled its 2012 season due to low numbers, on Sept. 14.
Sapienza didn't know the current state of Cairo-Durham's team, but he hopes it will be able to play in 2013. This week, a secretary at Cairo-Durham said that the football team plans to play an entire season schedule.
The Blackbirds were supposed to face Cairo-Durham to open the 2012 season, but the game was cancelled, and Sapienza didn't have enough time to find another opponent. "So, that caused us to get off on the completely wrong foot," he said. "It was deflating."
Opening at Fonda this year, Voorheesville feels confident because it beat the Braves in a 7-versus-7 passing tournament earlier this summer. Fonda is one of the better Class C teams.
"The kids got together and said, 'We got this,' and then they put Fonda away," Sapienza said. "If, in our first game, we come out and have a big play, we're going to be a different team. We'll see that we can play."
Every Voorheesville player came to preseason camp in shape, Sapienza said. The team is excited.
"They think this year can be special," he said.
Paigo said that Sapienza approached the players with a positive attitude.
"If we work hard," Paigo said, "we can get better and win games."


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MT. LEBO – Maybe you've erased it from your memory, but try remembering back to the 1994 strike that wiped out the first World Series since 1904 and perhaps an Expos' world championship run. It was perhaps the most damaging work stoppage in the sport's history, and one of the primary points of contention was the owners' demand for a salary cap, a position they did not move from until early in 1995.
The owners claimed to save small-market clubs it needed revenue sharing – which it received in limited form – and a salary cap, which it did not.
Many fans wanted a salary cap for the sake of competitive balance, though small-market clubs have become more competitive over the last decade due to a variety of factors.
In a few years might we see a sort of bizarro work stoppage because of players, not owners, desire a salary cap?
Of course it turns out baseball owners didn't need a salary cap to prosper from east to west, north to south, from large-market to small.
In 1994 baseball had revenues of $1.2 billion.
In 2013 baseball enjoyed revenues of $8 billion.
In 20 years since the strike, baseball has seen its revenues increase by 567 percent. Values of franchises have skyrocketed. Owners crying poor 20 years ago are now richer than ever before.
The revenue explosion is the confluence of trends that began around the time of the 1994-95 strike:
*The opening of Baltimore's Camden Yards in 1992, baseball's first "retro" park, revolutionized the fan experience and increased owners ability to generate revenue through added premium seats and better ballpark experiences which drew more customers to games. Twenty-three clubs have opened new stadiums since 1994.
*The Web was in its infancy in 1994 but in 2000 Major League Baseball launched MLB Advanced Media, which all 30 clubs have an equal stake in. MLB Advanced Media controls the game's online and mobile enterprises. It generated $600 million in revenue in 2012 – split equally – and each team's stake in the business is worth $110 million, according to Forbes.
*Like in all sports, television rights fees have exploded. As DVR devices came into existence, as cable added hundreds of new channels, it became more difficult for advertisers to find large, live audiences. Sports is still largely DVR-proof, still drives audiences, driving up demand for advertising. Also, over the last decade regional sports networks have also proliferated and 13 major league teams have ownership or stakes in such networks.
In short, there's never been more revenue in the game. And while revenues have exploded over the last 20 years, players' share of revenues have declined by 20 percent.
Players received 63 percent of revenues in 2003, a high in recent history according to the Sports Business Journal (and players received 60 percent of revenue in 1994). But players' percentage share has decreased by 20 percent in a decade. Players' share of revenues dipped below 50 percent in 2010, and according to Tribune-Review calculations, it reached 42 percent in 2013.
That's a remarkable drop that's not received much media attention.
In speaking with superagent Scott Boras for Sunday's story on the changing landscape of free agency Boras sounded dangerously close to being in favor of something that was an anathema to him just a decade ago: a salary cap.
"You have owners' revenues that are skyrocketing. It's not 50-50 anymore. It's well below that," Boras said. "I think the union has to take great notice of that. That's something we got away from in the last agreement. I think in the upcoming collective bargaining process that really has to be paid attention to."
The decline is in part tied to teams signing young stars to cost-controlled deals that buy out arbitration and some free agency years. As we noted in the story, 108 players on 2013 rosters have never tested free agency because clubs of multi-year extensions.
Also, in a post-PEDs era, production of players 30 and older has drastically declined removing hundreds of expensive free agency seasons.
Teams might have also become more cautious in how they approach the free labor market and they have become more concerned with developing their own talent, which is cheaper and more productive.
Raymond Sauer, a writer for The Sports Economist and an economics professor at Clemson, notes that a productivity shift from older to younger players means there are fewer "market wage" contracts and more "restricted, less-than-market-wage" deals.
Said Sauer: "(It's) a recipe for owner profits."
The bottom line is this: the three other major sports in North America – NFL, NBA and NHL – have salary caps that guarantee players a certain percentage of revenues, roughly around 50 percent. Baseball does guarantee players a percentage of revenue.
Moreover, baseball has further limited spending by creating caps in both the amateur draft and international free agent market. While these might be well-intentioned vehicles to level the playing field, they also further limit spending on players.
Because baseball does not have a salary cap their are no ceilings on salaries, but there is also no floor. There is no requirement for an owner to spend X dollars. The Houston Astros spent $26 million on their entire team this season.
While the 1 percenters have become incredibly rich in the game, the vast majority of players might be better off with a system that guaranteed the players something close to a 50-50 split of revenues.
Also, it's fair to question how much revenue sharing has helped the game the Atlantic has:
Oddly enough, a salary cap might help push up baseball salaries. More specifically, it would push up the salaries for players on the Padres, Pirates and other small-market teams. While behemoths like the Yankees and Red Sox spend huge chunks of their revenue, small-market teams spend far less as a percentage. They leach off by the big clubs by spending next to nothing on players and relying on revenue-sharing to make money. This is sports' version of an income-redistribution scheme gone wrong.
So if Boras is thinking about ways to level revenue shares in the game you can be certain players and the MLBPA is, too.
And while the game has entered an era of parity, a salary cap – and salary floor – is still the best long-term vehicle to promote parity. Although, if small-market owners are forced to pay more on major league payroll they may pull back on spending on amateur talent acquisition.
Baseball's revenue pie has grown at an incredible rate. But the players' slice has been reduced and I doubt they will be quiet about it during the next round of collective bargaining.