text:
In August of 1992, he slipped along the shoreline of Idaho's Redfish Lake toward home. He was well hidden from view by the water and the night. Anyone along the shores would have seen only wet stones and ripplings of rain-pocked water snapping into focus with an electric flash from the storm that banged along the crest of the Sawtooth Mountains. He didn't need the light; he knew he was close, and by the unmistakable scent and feel of it, he would soon sense that he had arrived. Accustomed to a crowd, he had lost his company some hundreds of miles back.
Come morning, when they found him, he touched the heart of a nation. "Lonesome Larry," reporters called him: maybe the last of the Snake River sockeye salmon. Over the gravel of a lake that had once blushed from shore to shore every autumn with the green and scarlet bodies of tens of thousands of Oncorhynchus nerka, now only one finned in the shallows.
But in some ways, a name like "S.O.S. Stanley" might have been more appropriate for Larry. For one thing, a handful of other sockeyes, cycling back in other years' migrations, do still reach Redfish Lake. And chinook salmon are still holding on in the thousands (though coho, one of the region's three historical species, are extinct here). More to the point, Larry's case brought home to the nation the sad condition of salmon stocks in most of the hundreds of westerly waterways that drain the mountain ranges of the Pacific Northwest. And it gave force to efforts throughout the region to reverse the fish's decline, from starting new stock with Larry's very own sperm to planning controversial spills of water over major dams.
Solutions to the fish's plight are as difficult as any in wildlife conservation. "There's no silver bullet for this thing," says Ted Bottiger, chairman of the Northwest Power Council, an organization created by Congress in 1981 as an official forum for the Northwest's disparate water interests and to develop long-range plans for power-facility development and related wildlife management. "It's a crisis full of raging questions."
The most visible step has been to curb fishing. This spring, the Pacific Fishery Management Council banned salmon fishing off the coast of Washington for the first time, again bringing national attention to the woes of the region's migrating fish. The council, which directs the West Coast fishing industry, also put strict limits on commercial and recreational fishing off Oregon and California. The Clinton Administration called the situation a "fishing disaster" and announced plans to aid fishing-dependent communities with $15.7 million.
But limits on fishing, which is only a small part of the problem, will not solve the woes of Pacific salmon. Rather, the solutions depend on a network of water, habitat and fishery user groups that include hydroelectric systems, public-utility districts, farming and fishing industries, freight-barging operations, a timber industry and the recreational wants of 20 million outdoorsy Northwesterners-as well as Native Americans whose cultures have depended on the annual salmon harvest for thousands of years.
"The whole of the Northwest is involved in this giant social problem," says John R. Donaldson, executive director of the Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Authority. "Everyone wants to blame the other guy. But unless we can agree and cooperate, we're in court; and there are lawyers who will make careers out of fiddling while Rome burns."
A century ago along the West Coast, an estimated 30 million salmon and sea-run trout migrated as spawning adults from the Pacific Ocean to rivers and lakes they had left some years before. Today, the annual return is at best about a tenth that large, with salmon and sea-run trout extinct in a quarter of their former range and at risk in another half. Although a few of the remaining runs consist of mostly wild fish, hatchery-bred salmon make up 60 to 91 percent of the returns to the majority of western spawning streams.
Though there are only five species of Pacific salmon-chinook (king), coho (silver), sockeye (red), chum and pink-there are hundreds of separate stocks or runs. And each comes from its own freshwater spawning grounds. More than 100 Pacific salmon stocks have already gone extinct. If a stock is defined as the fish that return to a specific small creek, probably somewhere between 600 and 1,000 stocks still exist. So far, only a few broadly defined runs are federally listed as threatened or endangered, including three in the Snake River: sockeye (endangered), spring/summer chinook (threatened) and fall chinook (threatened). In part, the effort to bring back salmon is a race to prevent more listing under the Endangered Species Act. That step would have such broad implications for the Northwest that it could make the controversy over saving old-growth spotted owl habitat in the region look mild.
The crisis also reaches into the lives of vast numbers of other fish-eating species, ranging from the obvious bears and gulls through smaller predators including other fish, amphibians and insects. In spawning rivers, as much as 25 to 40 percent of the body weight of aquatic insects and small fish consists of protein from salmon carcasses.
"The problem becomes extremely complex," says Chuck Cederholm, a Washington Department of Natural Resources scientist who, while studying coho salmon in Washington spawning streams, discovered that 22 species of mammals and birds depend on the decaying carcasses for food. Even salmon need salmon: Their carcasses deliver a nutrient-rich soup to ocean estuaries, nourishing plankton that in turn becomes food for outmigrating salmon smolts. "So you have all this interdependency," Cederholm says.
The five species of Pacific salmon, along with their close cousins the sea-run salmonid rainbow (or steelhead) and cutthroat trout, have long been recognized by environmental scientists as indicator species, particularly sensitive to contamination of the waters upon which they depend.
The fish start out by hatching from eggs among clean gravel in clear, well-aerated headwater streams. The fingerlings mature for their first one, two or three years (depending on the species), and then over a period of months undergo the internal chemical and organic changes, called smoltification, that trigger their urge to migrate as many as 1,000 miles to salt water. There they feed as adults for one to three years until they return to the gravels of their origins to spawn and die.
Salmonids are particularly sensitive to heat, turbidity, silt and pollution. When temperatures rise in water held back by dams, lethal fungus invades the bodies of spawning salmon. Suctioning of river bottoms by gold-dredging operationssmothers eggs and clouds the water column. And the clearcutting of forests on watersheds often triggers erosion that pours silt into headwater streams, clogging gravel and suffocating eggs.
By the late 1980s, Pacific Coast commercial fishermen reported that their $1.2 billion annual industry had declined by 85 percent because of dwindling salmon stocks. Biologists who had spent the previous decade researching endangered stocks suddenly, in the 1990s, found themselves studying extinctions.
If the remaining fish stocks are to be saved, three main solutions are at the tops of various interests' salmon-restoration lists. The first is to address problems created by the hydroelectric dams of the Columbia-Snake river system, site of the Northwest's largest and longest salmon runs outside of Alaska. Smolts once migrated the 900 miles from Idaho's Stanley Basin to the Pacific in about 10 days, during which they underwent the body changes that enabled them to survive in the ocean. That process involves the regulation of the amount of salt in body fluids. But dams now slow the Columbia's former seven-knot currents to about one knot, and the trip can take smolts as long as two months. In that time, they can essentially become freshwater fish, unable to adapt to salt water.
Vast numbers also die when sucked into turbines at the hydroelectric plants. The dams' toll on adult salmon has been high too; various studies hold the structures responsible for killing between 34 and 57 percent of salmon trying to return upriver to spawn.
One possible dam solution involves releasing water from reservoirs behind at least some dams to create a flow through which spawning adult salmon can navigate more easily upstream and to help push outmigrating smolts away from dam turbines and move them more quickly toward the sea. But that option would decrease hydroelectric-power generating potential, and it increases the amount of dissolved nitrogen in the water, which can kill the fish. Still, conservationists
and many scientists think the nitrogen hazard is minor compared to the alternatives.
The other main dam-related action is smolt barging by the Army Corps of Engineers, which advocates capturing and hauling the young fish seaward. Conservationists oppose the barging, which they point out has been in effect for the past 15 years of rapid salmon declines. Barging, which mixes wild and hatchery fish, can spread disease among populations and affect the imprinting that helps fish find their way back as adults. "And they are subjected to the tremendous stress of being sucked and blown through pipes, held in crowded tanks and physically handled," says Mike Rossotto, executive director of Save Our Wild Salmon, a coalition of concerned groups.
Another remedy is to "stormproof" logging roads above spawning habitat. According to David Bayles, public lands director of The Pacific Rivers Council of Eugene, Oregon, research has shown that massive sections of the Northwest's 250,000-mile network of dirt logging roads break down each winter, smothering streams with silt. Obliteration of many of the old roads, along with storm-proofing those that remain would, says Bayles, cost about $700 million.
Then there are community habitat-restoration programs, large-scale versions of volunteer restoration projects sponsored for years by environmental groups. Oregon's legislature seeded such an effort last fall with $10 million. State fisheries biologist Jerry MacLeod, on loan to the project, says he's getting enthusiastic response. "These people don't want more bureaucracy," he says. "They want to roll up their sleeves."
Resource economists have estimated that altogether, modifying dams in ways that would better allow fish movement and restoring the millions of acres of damaged northwestern watershed would cost about $2 billion and two decades of hard work.
If all this takes place, maybe Lonesome Larry could thrive again-in the form of his progeny. Says Idaho Department of Fish and Game pathologist Keith Johnson, who is in charge of Larry's frozen sperm, "My responsibility to the Snake River strain of sockeye is to try to maintain the genetic diversity without which they are doomed as a species. I see it as a matter of having to make the best possible play with the hand we're dealt." In addition to Larry's sperm, Johnson's "hand" includes sperm and eggs from a total of 12 other fish that returned to Redfish Lake in 1993 and 1991.
Says Rossotto of Save Our Wild Salmon, "The fixes so far address a woefully small percent of the problem." Still, the salmon do have a chance. Optimists point to recent habitat-restoration projects launched cooperatively among sport fishermen, irrigators, cattlemen, environmental groups and in some cases the timber industry. Says the Northwest Power Council's Bottiger, "On the one hand, it all seems to be going horrendously slow, and it's frustrating because you don't know what more you could do other than blow up all the dams, and then you have biologists tell you that because of all the massive siltification that would result, you can't do that either."
He adds, "But it's going to work. There is more than hope in this movement. There is real substance, and the high value of a large body of people learning that the power of cooperation beats the heck out of the power of compliance."
His optimism is enough to make a person dream that one day Redfish Lake could again be as homesteader W.C. Jennings described it late last century, with spawning sockeye "so thick at the ford that I have been compelled to get off and drive them away before my horse would go across."
Writer Grant Sims reported this story from the salmon front lines in Oregon, where he lives and writes.
Death Traps of the Columbia-Snake River System
Once the site of the largest salmon run in the world, the Columbia-Snake river system is now an obstacle course for migrating fish. Idaho salmon face eight federal hydroelectric dams, as well as other dams on spawning tributaries. The dams kill between 85_and 95 percent of migrating smolts on their way to the sea and between 34 and 57 percent of adults returning to spawn.
The dams not only kill fish outright in their turbines, but also stress them in warm reservoir water, where fungus can sicken the fish. Migration delays can also disrupt smolts' physiological changes for adapting to the ocean's salt water. Other factors in the fish's decline include logging, grazing and mining that silt and pollute streams; predation; and fishing.
Historically, more than 30 million smolts journeyed from Idaho to the Pacific, and 5 percent (1.5 million) returned. Several stocks of chinook, coho and sockeye salmon traveled 400 to 900 miles inland to reach spawning grounds. Now coho salmon have been extinct in the Snake River since 1986, and only a handful of sockeye remain (between 1 and 7 adults successfully make the trip back to Idaho). As for chinook, as few as an estimated 225,000 wild smolts now leave Idaho in the spring (by far the largest run); about half of one percent (1,425) return. And the numbers continue to decrease.
Federation Tackles Salmon Problems
Saving salmon is a priority of the NWF Western Natural Resource Center in Oregon, one of eight NWF regional offices. "We're trying to work with federal land managers toward decisions that will save salmon," says center director Jacquelyn Bonomo. "But when that doesn't work, we will seek protections for at-risk salmonids under the Endangered Species Act." Among recent center actions:

subset: commoncrawl


text:
User summary, some info from Wikipedia's Alligata entry:
Information about this company is weak. Please help flesh it out.
Alternative Software was a UK based software publisher, founded in 1986 by former Alligata employee Dave Palmer. They published games during the late 80s and onwards, for Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Commodore Amiga, and Atari ST.
First established in 1985, Alternative Software is now celebrating its 28th Anniversary and is considered one of the major companies in the UK computer industry. The company already has over 300 titles to its name and is still a growing global success.
Alternative Software originally created games for the then major computer platforms; Atari, Spectrum, Commodore and Amstrad in the mid to late 80's, with titles including Soccer Boss, Skool Daze, and BMX Ninja. Other successful titles released included the children's character games, Thomas The Tank Engine, Sooty and Sweep, Trapdoor, Yogi Bear, Popeye, Fireman Sam, and the best-selling award winner Postman Pat.
In the early 90's the company introduced the Premier Sports range. Alternative Software was the first company to produce games of this type and the Premier range soon grew to be the No.1 product in official football club software, covering nearly all the Premiership teams. Tracksuit Manager was deemed to be the best football management game of its time.
During the late 90's, Alternative Software decided to progress into software production instead of focusing purely on video games. The company began to produce paint studios and these then developed further into print studios, activity studios and creative studios.
The success of these studios led to Alternative Software obtaining licenses with major film companies. Through these licenses they gained the rights to produce software for big films such as the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, Shrek 2, Madagascar, Wallace & Gromit, and Transformers, which were hugely successful.
The company has also returned to original territory and released several "Top Forty" video games on Playstation 2, Playstation 3, Xbox, Xbox 360, Sony PSP as well as on PC. In association with Australian company, HES (Home Entertainment Supplies) Alternative has recently launched Jonah Lomu Rugby Challenge, Rugby League Live 2 and most recently Rugby Challenge 2 Lions Tour Edition to tremendous consumer and critical reception.
Source: The Developer Website.


text:
Fiscal 2013 was a record year for Henry Schein: sales hit $9.6 billion. Since the company went public in 1995, sales have grown at a compound average rate of 16%.
Analysts see Henry Schein posting earnings of $5.38 per share in fiscal 2014. Revenue is expected to grow 7% to $10.2 billion during the current fiscal year. Original estimates of $5.96 in earnings per share and $10.8 billion in revenue for fiscal 2015 could rise with the latest round of deals. Henry Schein expects earnings per share to come in a range of $5.29 to $5.39 for the current fiscal year.
Since the company's 1995 initial public offering, shares are up over 800%. These giant returns are giving patient shareholders a chance to sit back and say "Ahh."
At the time of publication, the author held no positions in any of the stocks mentioned.
This article represents the opinion of a contributor and not necessarily that of TheStreet or its editorial staff.


text:
A fish has turned one of New Mexico's lakes into a major national story. Bluewater Lake State Park, located about thirty miles west of Grants, has become a prime fishing ground for the huge tiger muskie. These fish are so large that the average tiger muskie being caught there is 30 inches long. That length is not a "keeper" however. You have to throw those 30 inchers back. A keeper is a whopping 40 inches! The muskie in the picture above being held by fishing guide Matt Pelletier measures 48 inches. There are big wooden fishes on signs to bring the size limits to the attention of anglers.
A tiger muskie is a hybrid--a cross between a male northern pike and a female muskellunge, two of the largest and most sought-after game fish in the country. But like the mule, tiger muskies are not capable of reproduction. They were introduced to New Mexico's Bluewater Lake in 2003 as an excellent way to control an overabundance of white suckers and goldfish.
I'm not sure how the suckers got into Bluewater Lake, but I was told the goldfish were from people using them as bait and dumping their extras into the lake at the end of the trip. Eventually there were so many goldfish that the lake had a permanent golden glow. Those introduced tiger muskies stepped right up to the buffet.
At any rate, over 350,000 tiger muskie fry have been added to Bluewater over the last ten years. Goldfish and white suckers are still fairly abundant, and make up the bulk of the tiger muskie diet.
Meanwhile Bluewater Lake State Park has made several "best-of" lists for fishing tiger muskies in North America. It does take special fishing gear. Check out newmexicomuskiesinc.org for information and catch & release procedures.
The best seasons for fishing for tiger muskies are spring and summer. The lake and campground gets pretty crowded during the hot weather months. However Bluewater Lake State Park's campground is less crowded in September and October. Campsite reservations are available.
The campground consists of rolling hills set in a Juniper and Piñon forest. Many of the sites have some shade and most have a view of the lake. There are 149 developed campsites, 14 with electricity. It is at an elevation of 7,400 feet so expect cool nights.
Bluewater Lake is only one example of New Mexico's wonderful state parks. There are 33 of them in every corner of the state. The campground facilities usually include flush toilets and showers. Prices vary from $10 to $14 depending on whether you need electricity and a water hook-up. Half a dozen state parks even have wi-fi! So let's get out there and enjoy the autumn weather.
Views: 3536
Great photo and story. I've sent it to my three kids, all fisherpersons. They've been addicted to Navajo Lake and the San Juan River for decades, got their learner's permits at Fenton and Monastery Lakes and along the Pecos near Pecos. .Bluewater Lake just never seemed appealing, constantly being re-stocked with fingerling trout and once cleaned out completely with Rotonone to eliminate so-called trash fish. So maybe here's a new adventure, maybe.


text:
Originally Posted by OnlyGod: Is tie a shootout or overtime in old Ontario.
Proline as usual wants it all their way and you have to get to a shootout before its a tie. Can't understand why in NFL betting on Proline the game is a tie at the end of regulation no matter what happens in OT.
Originally Posted by malkin: I WON 3 TICKETS OF SHOOTOUTS LAST YEAR $1500 - I SPREAD THE GAMES OUT OVER TWO DAY I THINK IT WAS A WEDNESDAY-THURSDAY OR A THURSDAY/FRIDAY NIGHT COMBO - BUT I WON ON ALL 3 GAMES WITH A BOSTON /BUFFALO TIE GAME AS THE LAST GAME. ALSO I WON ANOTHER 3 SHOOTOUT TICKETS WITH WISCONSIN/OHIO STATE TIE GAME - WAS A $2 WAGER x 600 = $1200 - I ALSO WON THE COLLEGE BASKETBALL POOL THAT NIGHT AND HAD THE OHIOSTATE/WISCONSIN GAME CORRECT ON THE POOL I HAD ONE GAME WRONG BUT LUCKED OUT WITH 9 OUT OF 10 RIGHT PAYING $980 EACH. I WILL BE ON SHOOTOUTS SATURDAY - YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT!. I HAVE ALREADY BEEN THINKING ABOUT IT BEFORE READING YOUR THREAD.
Congrats on all those wins that was quite a run.
Originally Posted by shimmersun: Which teams are you leaning for shootouts? Dallas/Phoenix on my radar. Rangers/Bruins and Carolina/Florida are enticing too.
Right now before odds are posted i'm leaning Pens/Flyers, Wings/Blues, Canes/Florida, Sens/Jets possibly Rangers/Bruins but Rangers will be real strong and not sure about Bruins goaltending without Thomas????? But the Bruins are at home.
Good Luck at the Fallswview. Look forward to your posts.
That explains why there are no rooms available at the Fallsview Sat Speaking of "pro"line ..
i like
leafs habs tie
pens flyers tie
rangers bruins tie
MIN vs COL tie
MIN 20 SO games last season (most in NHL)
COL 11 SO games last season
PHX vs DAL tie
PHX 16 SO games
DAL 11 SO games
DET vs STL tie
DET 12 SO games
STL 14 SO games
Those would be my top 3 based on last season.
I hear ya thats why i hate playing it but every once in a blue moon i see a chance to hit a long shot on Proline and i take it. Saturday and Sunday i will pick 5 ties and roll them in three games or take 4 ties and roll them with a couple of half decent payout win games and roll the dice. Usually only play the Greek were i can get puck lines or buy points in other sports at least its not all one sided like Proline.
Crooks is the ultimate understatement. But we all take the bait.


text:
WASHINGTON (Jan. 10)
The Soviet Union infused massive arms supplies to Syria by air and by sea weeks before the outbreak of the latest air clashes with Israel, according to diplomatic sources here. During Nov. and Dec. 40 medium and long-range Soviet transport planes were delivered in Russia's biggest arms airlift to Syria.
The airlift included Antonov-22 planes, each capable of carrying 220,000 pound pay loads-it was reported here. Western sources reportedly speculated that the latest delivery might also have included some low altitude SAM-3 missiles for defense against major Israeli strikes.
Last month Soviet cargo ships delivered 16 MIG-21 jet fighters to Syria. The MIG-21s are considered the best interceptors which Russia provides to its allies. The latest cargo shipment brings to 35 the number of MIG-21s the Soviets have sent to Syria since last year. A Soviet airlift in Sept. and Oct. provided Syria with 150 new Soviet advisors and an estimated 20 medium-range Antonov-12 transport planes, according to U.S. intelligence sources.


text:
I've been very lucky in the music business to never have to get a "day job". Making music is my day job. So what do others do? About two months ago my friend John told me he got a job at Guitar Center in New Jersey. I've always been curious how much the sales people make and with John's permission here is the run down.
5:08:27 PM John: so here's the skinny on the pay at guitar center
5:08:31 PM Oliver Chesler: do tell
5:08:35 PM John: it's a commission draw
5:08:36 PM John: I get a base.. 7.15 an hour.. for 40 hours per week..
5:09:37 PM Oliver Chesler: what is commision draw?
5:09:39 PM John: if my commissions are greater than the amount I would get for 40 hours a week @ 7.15 per hour.. then I get paid the commission amount, and don't get paid the $7.15 per hour
5:09:44 PM Oliver Chesler: hmm
5:09:55 PM John: the commission rate is 2% of gross sales, plus 10% of net sales
5:10:07 PM Oliver Chesler: ok
5:10:10 PM John: so, if I sold 1,000 dollars in gear I would get roughly about 45 dollars.. maybe more, maybe less
5:10:23 PM Oliver Chesler: $286 per week is your base
5:10:26 PM Oliver Chesler: $1144 per month
5:10:28 PM Oliver Chesler: are there any benifits?
5:10:31 PM Oliver Chesler: health?
5:10:38 PM John: yes, full benefits after 90 days
5:10:44 PM Oliver Chesler: ok well thats a big plus
5:10:46 PM John: heatlh, dental 401k
5:10:56 PM Oliver Chesler: I wonder how much they take out for taxes
5:11:58 PM John: well.. at 7.15 per hour, the tax % isnt that much
5:11:59 PM John: given that standard markup in retail is around 25%, if I sold 20,000 dollars in gear, in a week it would be roughly about 950 per week
5:11:59 PM Oliver Chesler: I guess really it depends a lot on if you sell a lot
5:12:01 PM Oliver Chesler: because if you dont beat the base your going to feel poor
5:12:09 PM John: yes I know
5:13:09 PM Oliver Chesler: Im really curious how you will do
5:16:08 PM Oliver Chesler: so the most important thing… how much discount do you get on gear?
5:19:12 PM John: my discount is 10% above cost
5:19:21 PM John: I don't get the discount for 30 days
5:28:11 PM John: I was looking at the battleboard there, the post it board that they use to keep track of everyones sales.. there are 3 or 4 guys in pro audio who have over 50,000 in sales for the week
5:28:23 PM John: so the potential to make money is there
5:28:41 PM John: 50,000 k per week is like 2500 in commissions roughly
5:28:58 PM Oliver Chesler: wow! I wonder if its competitive…
5:29:15 PM Oliver Chesler: That could be kinda bad
5:29:19 PM John: yes..its very competitive
5:29:23 PM Oliver Chesler: like oh new guy coming in, dont let him take my sales, etc..
Personally I'm not taking a stand here for or against Guitar Center. I think they get a lot of unfair treatment on forums. I think the major downside would be if traffic in the store is light. Nothing is worse than hanging around bored. So would you work at Guitar Center?


text:
….when he appears on Larry Kudlow's CNBC show tonight. The Business Insider says they'll be watching.
After leaving CNN the first time in 1999, there was talk the former "Moneyline" host would join NBC and appear primarily on CNBC. That never panned out, and Dobbs returned to CNN 2001.
Dobbs departed CNN a second time last Wednesday.


text:
Written on: 18/12/2013 by Nicholsr (1 review written)
I bought my mountain bike from their chichester store some years ago and have always had it serviced at the Winchester branch but recently their service has gone downhill. They used to service bikes themselves but now they seem to subcontract it out to a workshop in Southampton, ferrying the bikes back and forth a few times per week. I booked my bike in to have a snapped chain replaced an whilst they had it they said they would check anything else that needed doing and give me a call. The booking slip clearly said any further work would be authorised. I was surprised to receive a call saying the bike was ready but I assumed this meant it didn't need anything else done. When I showed up they presented me with a huge bill for a load of extra work that I didn't authorise. On complaining I was told that the engineer in Southampton was moving on at the end of the week and thus had no incentive to give good customer service. I think they thought that this would somehow make me feel better about their service. I had no option but to pay up. The work had been done. Needless to say I won't be going back.
As rated by our community of reviewers
" Swift service " Read More
" Wheelster Hoover boards " Read More
" Prompt, efficient service from start to finish " Read More
Written by SaraofKent
" Excellent Customer Service " Read More
" Wide choice of bikes, components and accessories. Express order pro... " Read More
Written by rauer


text:
Medela Symphony® Double Breast Pump Kit
Item #: 67099
Moms will be ready to double or single pump any time with the Symphony® breast pump.
Moms will be ready to double or single pump any time with the Symphony® breast pump.
Important: Plastic bottles and component parts become brittle when frozen and may break when dropped. Also, bottles and component parts may become damaged if mishandled, e.g. dropped, over-tightened, or knocked over. Take appropriate care in handling bottles and components. Do not use the breastmilk if bottles or components become damaged.
Medela accessories + your lifestyle = successful breastfeeding.
Yes! Let's accessorize
All testimonials
" My daughter was born 2 1/2 weeks early and with a cleft palate. The nurses in the NICU told me that I would not be able to breastfeed my baby due to the cleft, and pumping alone would not be... " More


text:
- News
- Sports
- Obituaries
- Community
- Religion
- Legal Notices
- Classifieds
- E-Edition
- Subscription Rates
- Auctions
- Editorials
- Photo Gallery
- Hall of Fame
- Auctions
- Upickem Contest!
Notice is hereby given that the annual stockholders meeting of the Bank of Orrick will be held at its banking house in the City of Orrick, MO, on the 11th day of January, 2012.
Said meeting will be convened at 1:00 p.m. and continued during at least three hours unless the object for which said meeting is called be accomplished sooner.
The purpose for which this meeting is called is to elect five directors for the said bank, to serve during the ensuing year and for the transaction of any other business which may come properly before the meeting.
Richard Goode
Scott Clark
Published: Richmond News: December 15, 22, 29, 2011 & January 5, 2012
You must be logged in to post a comment Login


text:
20.03.2017 •
Celebrity NEWS
"I work in the only industry in which women are paid more than men," says Toni Garrn during her interview with ICON. Photographer Kristian Schuller portrayed actor Karoline Herfurth and Matthias Schweighöfer together with top model Toni Garrn for ICON (February issue). Hair & make-up artist GABRIELLE Theurer c/o BASICS was in charge of make-up. The three of them were photographed in fashion from German designers. A selection of the works were on display during the Fashion Week at the Berlin Fashion Salon. The interview is on ICON, and several more works by GABRIELLE – including Georgia May Jagger & Grumpycat for OPEL, photographed by Ellen von Unwerth – are available directly via BASICS.
"Perfection down to the smallest detail, whether it be a natural or flamboyant beauty look – that is Gabrielle's trademark. She is a master of every make-up style. Enthusiasm and empathy are only two of the personal qualities people prize in her. Her winning way and vast experience have already brought her international success: with customers, advertising agents, models, actors and everyone else who has worked with her. Gabrielle has always felt that international flair is important: originally from southern Germany, she was trained in Paris. Today, she either lives in Berlin or Paris. Gabrielle fluently speaks English, French and some Spanish."


text:
How to Get From RSW Airport to Naples, Florida
With it's scenic shoreline, rich history and abundance of activities, Naples is one of the most popular destinations in Florida. One would think that such a hotspot would have copious transportation options for visitors flying in. Unfortunately, there are no buses or trains that operate between Southwest Florida International Airport in Ft. Myers (RSW) and Naples. Travelers have only three options: rent a car, take a taxi, or reserve a shared ride shuttle.
Step 1
Rent a car from one of nine rental companies that serve Southwest Florida International airport, and drive 45 minutes south to Naples. You have two routes to choose from. For a no frills drive, take I-75 south to exit 105. Continue down Golden Gate Parkway into Naples. For a more scenic route take I-75 about five miles to exit 123. Continue on Corkscrew Road and go south on Tamiami Trail. Take Tamiami Trail all the way to Naples. Tamiami, which is also known as US-41, has plenty of places to stop for food or shopping along the way.
Step 2
Hire a taxi from airport contractor MBA Airport Transportation and know just what your fare will be before you leave the curb. Fares are regulated by the Port Authority and rather than being metered, they're set according to zones. Prices are subject to change, so check airport website's Taxi Service page for the most current zone fares.
Step 3
Save the planet, and save some dollars, by reserving a shared ride or limo. Dozens of shuttle operators ferry passengers between Naples and Ft. Myers every day for less than the cost of a taxi. A link to a list of shuttle operators serving Southwest Florida International can be found on the airport's website. .
Photo Credits
Slider images:
- Attribution: Whoisjohngalt; License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license
- Attribution: Whoisjohngalt; License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license


text:
Windsor woman hospitalized after being struck by car
A Windsor woman remains in hospital after she was struck by a car Saturday morning while walking, according to police.
Staff Sgt. Todd Cox, of the Windsor Police Service, said the 48-year-old was hit around 9:50 a.m. while attempting to cross Ottawa Street on Lincoln Road.
The woman fell and hit her head off the ground.
She was unconscious and bleeding when officers arrived, said Cox.
She was transported to Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital where she was treated for non-life threatening injuries.
The driver was a 53-year-old woman in a white vehicle, Cox said.
Police closed Ottawa Street from Gladstone Avenue to Lincoln Road for investigation until around 3 p.m.
Cox said the investigation is ongoing and charges may be pending.


text:
Tampa (Fla.) Chamberlin wide receiver Edner Alcin began to pick up offers after a solid performance at the Tallahassee NIKE camp. Since then he's picked up more offers and interest from a number of other schools.
"Iowa State, Central Florida, South Florida, Rutgers, Pittsburgh, Akron, Missouri and Minnesota have all been calling me this month," Alcin said. "I have picked up offers from Central Florida, Missouri and Minnesota recently as well. Pittsburgh has not offered but they are basically just waiting for me to take my SAT."
Alcin attended the NIKE camp in Tallahassee in May where he ran the second fastest 40-yard dash time among wide receivers at 4.44 seconds.
"Florida is probably my top school right now," Alcin said. "I also like Miami, South Florida, Pittsburgh, Central Florida and some others. I would really like to stay in the state of Florida if I can. Staying close to home would be cool and I love the weather down here."
So far this season Alcin has caught 19 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns.
"I'm getting double teamed a lot," Alcin said. "One game I even got triple teamed. They had a corner on me head up, a safety playing me off the ball and a linebacker spying on me. We're trying to figure out ways around it to get me the ball more though."
Alcin is scheduled to the SAT for the first time on November 5th.


text:
All Android applications categories
Growing up in the 50's and 60's was a great experience and left me with memories galore.
I listened to music almost the entire day if I wasn't outside doing something with my twin brother. Music was a big part of my life as it was to most baby boomers back then. We had our favorites on the radio that kept us entertained as they played the countdown each day.
Included in some of these countdowns as a special treat were novelty or parody songs. I have put together some of my memories to share with you. I hope it takes you back to a time when things where a lot more simple than today!
All of the music and video I have added can be found on the internet. I do not own anything I placed on here... I only complied what brings back memories I have growing up in the 50's and 60's and I hope it brings back the great memories in you as well!
Download Remember When
Free - 0.90 - 240K
Sorry ...
This app is no longer available.Explore Android
Share this app


text:
Steve Cooper
The Conservative Monster
Lenin, once said "The goal of Socialism is Communism".
I dare Rand Paul and Ted Cruz to explain to the American people about how Obamacare will lead the US down the slippery, Socialist slope. They are only ALLOWED to use the words 'Big Government', because the censorship of Communism is already here.
I like Ted Cruz way more than Rand Paul, but maybe it is due to his closet Leftist father Ron. If they want to prove me wrong…they have to speak about the Communist threat coming from a smashed economy and Obamacare.
I am willing to bet that they won't, because the topics of Socialism and Communism are not allowed to be spoken publicly. They are really 'controlled opposition'. Notice that Obama, Reid and Pelosi are allowed to label the Tea Party as Anarchists on the record, but nobody is allowed to bring up the Democrat Marxist Utopian agenda. This means that tyranny is already here. There is a false freedom right now. You can rant all you want on your Facebook Page, because it will never see the daylight of 'controlled' mainstream media. That is what they really don't want.
The goal is to have the American people blindsided when it does come. Communism will be disguised as the new 'Great Depression'.
Donate to The Conservative Monster via Paypal.com
Please SHARE this post on Facebook and Twitter…THANKS


text:
Magnum Hunter Resources Announces New Shale Play Entry
Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation (NYSE: MHR) announced today that the Company has closed on the acquisition of 1,885 net mineral acres located in Atascosa County, Texas for approximately $2.35 million, implying a net per acre cost of $1,246. With this acquisition, the Company now has approximately 7,278 gross acres and 5,212 net acres located in Atascosa County, Texas.
The acquired acreage has both Eagle Ford Shale and Pearsall Shale potential and gives the Company approximately 10 additional net drilling locations in the Pearsall Shale and 10 - 13 additional net drilling locations in the Eagle Ford Shale. This now gives the Company approximately 40 net Pearsall locations assuming 750' spacing within its Atascosa core area. The Company spud its first well on the acquired acreage on August 4, 2012 and will drill vertically to the run logs and cores for a full formation evaluation on the Pearsall Shale. This well will then be drilled horizontally and completed in the Eagle Ford Shale.
Posted-In: News
© 2017 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.


text:
New members - please introduce yourselves here
View Single Post
May 1, 2011, 02:58 PM
Junior Member
Join Date: April 29, 2011
Location: Near Sydney NSW Australia
Posts: 3
Good day from Australia
Well I'm not the first Aussie on this forum and will not be the last.
Have been a hunter with rifles/bows for more than 30 years. Did give it away when my hunting partner died in 1995. This was my father and had hunted with him since I can remember.
Game we chased in those years,wild goats,wild pigs,foxes and rabbits. Have had many rifles in those years and in 1996 when the powers that be decided to bring in gun licences I desposed of 35 rifles and ammo. Could not be bothered with all the hassles at that time. Had not be hunting in any form since my father died but fast forward to this year and the old feel came back.
Ran into an old mate and he invited me to a deer hunt. Well now I'm in the throws of getting my licence (takes up to 10 weeks ) then I can apply for a permit to buy ( takes 4-6 weeks). Then of to the gun shop and pick up my Howa 308. This is already waiting to be picked up but need all the above first.
Well I should have my new rifle in hand by mid August that how I figure it will take. First hunt will be in October when we have a long weekend,but will be at the range getting some long awaited practise. Well thats a little about me and the hoops we have to jump through in Australia to get a licence.
This is for a rifle/shot gun/ only licence!!!!!!
Bye all till next time
View Public Profile
Find More Posts by Stumpy
Page generated in
seconds with


text:
In Albert Square this week David is stepping on Masood's toes with Carol, Phil gives Jay a talk about family loyalties, Joey and Abi worry that Lauren is drinking again and Dexter remains firm on going ahead with the kidney operation.
David is turning heads as he returns to the square with people wondering why he's back. Carol lets him stay the night in her home after he is beaten up but she asks Tiffany and Morgan to keep it a secret from Bianca as Carol fears she would be on the first train home if she knew.
Masood is put out by David's presence and while Carol assures him it's a temporary situation, David enjoys Carol's attention and tries to make her see what could have been had they worked out. He tries to put a divide between Carol and Masood but will it work?
Poppy announces to Fatboy that she's been looking at houses for them closer to her parent's house outside London. He has reservations about her idealistic views of their future in the suburbs and eventually explodes which leaves Poppy upset. Will they sort through their differences?
Phil is suffering a crisis of confidence over the accident and he confronts Carl about hanging around. Carl claims to be looking out for Phil but when Phil hears Jay is planning on going to Carol's birthday party he gives him a talk about family loyalty and tells him to choose between his family and Max's family.
When Ronnie hears about Phil's ultimatum she challenges him but he won't back down.
Roxy feels guilty for hiding things from Alfie and they have a near miss with Ronnie having to hide in Roxy and Alfie's bedroom when he comes home unexpectedly. Michael see's Ronnie sneaking out of the Vic but when Roxy questions him he gives nothing away.
Eslewhere, Jack asks Ronnie to move in with him but she's hesitant, Liam has a crush on someone so David gives him advice in an attempt to bond with his grandson and Abi and Joey notice Lauren has a spring in her step and think she might be drinking again but it's really because she's been texting Jake.


text:
When you join the Dashing Dish Membership, you get access to our full catalog of over 40 workouts—plus over 700 healthy, delicious recipes, a meal planner, a grocery list builder, and your own personal recipe box to save save all your favorite recipes in. It's all the essential resources you need to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Join Today
Learn More
Already a member? Click here to log in.


text:
Results 6 to 10 of 11
Thread: Daisy?
June 22nd, 2013 04:26 PM #6
I know two people with the name Daisy, one is about 7 and the other is 17. Despite knowing the older one I still can't see this name on anyone older than 10. I think it's a lovely name, very sweet, and for a short while it was on my list. However in the end I had to admit defeat because I can not, and will not ever, be able to see this name on a fully grown woman.Britberry * Trainee Teacher
Octavia ~ James-Joseph~ Sapphire~ Clark
June 22nd, 2013 08:50 PM #8
I like Daisy. I find it hard to see it aging well, as do a lot of people, but I still think it's sweet. Daisies are some of my favorite flowers. I really like it as a MN. I've considered Adeline Daisy in the past, and I am sort of liking (okay, really liking!) Eleanor Daisy atm. I think Daisy could be a cute nn for Adelaide or Margaret, though...Ashley | namenerd | Christian | storyteller
princesinhas e príncipes:
Isabelle Aurora Grace ▪ Adele Sofia Eloise ▪ Everett Joshua Charles ▪ Casper Nathaniel Eden
thinking about today:
Violet Fiala Elisabeth ▪ Daniel Torin Elijah ▪ Evangeline Dagny Hope ▪ Hugo Emerson Jack
Claire Everly ▪ Jack Jasper ▪ Delphina Lily "Della" ▪ Thomas Brynjar ▪ Hazel Isabella
Sebastian Malachi ▪ Katherine Aurora ▪ Grayson Amory ▪ Grace Amélie ▪ Reuben Sebastian
June 22nd, 2013 08:58 PM #10
June 22nd, 2013 09:03 PM #12Senior Member
- Join Date
- Jun 2013
- Posts
- 5,194
I'm not especially fond of flower names for girls, but aside from that, no major objections. If I had to choose a flower name...Iris.
June 22nd, 2013 09:46 PM #14Senior Member
...dreaming of naming my future first cat.
- Join Date
- Jun 2011
- Posts
- 1,092
today's favorites: Howl, Sherlock, Scheherazade
(and favorites of the non-pet names: Celia Hermione, Odette, Inigo, Arthur Rooney)


text:
Snacks should generally be thought of as small meals. If you take out something for a snack, you should ask yourself if you would eat that for a meal. For example, if you grab a bag of chips and a soda for an afternoon snack, ask yourself: Would you ever serve chips and soda for dinner?! The same goes for chocolate, animal crackers, coffee, muffins, pastries, candy and doughnuts.
Snacks have a very important role in our diet because they bridge us between meals. Ideally you should not go longer than 4 hours or so without eating because at that point your body has to start working hard to keep your brain fueled and this can cause you to feel tired and distracted. Snacks put a little gas in the tank so that you can run efficiently until your next meal.
Snacks should generally be around 150-200 calories if you are eating an 1,800-2,000 calorie diet. If you need 2,200-2,400 calories, you should eat two snacks a day, each around 150-200 calories.
Snacks, like meals, should be built with a combination of fiber and protein foods so that they digest slowly and provide you with energy over a couple of hours time. You don't have a ton of calories to work with when planning snacks so ideally there should be two food groups and the portion size from each should be small.
The #1 rule with snacks is to avoid simple sugars. If you take in 100+ calories of refined grains or other simple sugars you are setting yourself up for a snacking binge. Simple sugars don't keep you feeling full, in fact they'll make you feel hungry again shortly after you eat them because you have sent your blood sugar and insulin into a rollercoaster race– straight up, then plummeting down! This means no soda, no juice, no cookies or fiberless grains. The only exception is if you eat a small portion of refined grains with a hefty portion of protein to blunt the response.
Reduced Fat Cheese Stick and Kashi Crackers
Almonds, Raisins and Cheerios
Greek Yogurt and Granola
Nonfat Latte and Kashi Granola Bar
1% Cottage Cheese and Fresh Fruit
Deli Turkey & Cheese with Avocado Roll-ups
Cereal & Milk
Edamame & Popcorn
Get More From SELF!
The new SELF Challenge Drop 10 program is here! Join us in dropping the winter weight and you'll feel great for summer. Plus, this year we will email you the menu and workout plan free, every day.
For daily healthy eating tips follow SELF on Facebook and Twitter.
Get SELF on your iPad!


text:
Banger Lee welcomes you to the Lee Temple! However, it requires a pass: D'Kings Men album. Have you bought it yet? No? Ok stay outside or come back later. 🙂
The Eja Nla is at his hilarious best in this "My Music & I" special on Soundcity TV. Gotta love D'Banj's personality.


text:
We have several classic ASP sites that we must continue to maintain as such until we can figure out how to migrate them over. No one here knows .NET and there hasn't been an effort to change that. We lost our old MSDN that contained Visual Studio 6.0 and
are pretty much in a panic because we now use Windows 7 on new machines. We installed Visual Studio Express and tried to view one of the .asp pages in the browser. The message was got was: "The
type of page you have requested is not served because it has been explicitly forbidden" Why is it forbidden?
All we want to do is maintain our pages until we can figure out when to upgrade. How can we continue classic asp development for a while?
Hi Bfreed01,
Welcome to the MSDN forum.
I am sorry that this queue is about Installing and Registering Visual Studio Express Editions. In my opinion, your problem is related to ASP.NET, so
I recommend you go to the ASP.NET forum to ask for helps. Sorry for any inconvenience.
ASP.NET forum:
Best Regards,
Microsoft está realizando una encuesta en línea para comprender su opinión del sitio web de Msdn. Si decide participar, se le presentará la encuesta en línea cuando abandone el sitio web de Msdn.
¿Desea participar?


text:
Sub Categories: » HOMEPAGE / SPORTS/ FOOTBALL/ TURKEY
Tuesday, September 13 2011 , Your time is 15:58:00
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News
Former Istanbul BB forward İbrahim Akın's playing career might be over with a two-year ban. Ekşioğlu and Karan are also hit with bans while Kulbilge's ban was reduced to three games. Hürriyet photo


text:
Internet starting at
ONLY $19.99/mo
$19.99/mo. for year 1, $34.99/mo.
for year 2 with 2-yr. agmt
starting at only
starting at only
DISH Satellite TV service requires a 24-month commitment, credit qualification, and eAutopay.
See if Frontier is available in your area.
Do you want an Internet provider that won't arbitrarily increase the price of your Internet plan? Frontier Communications in Fowlerton is different from other Internet providers. With Frontier in Fowlerton, you don't have to sign a contract. You can also take advantage of Frontier High-Speed Internet's 2-Year Price Guarantee, which guarantees that your package's price will stay the same for three years. Even better, you'll get 24/7 technical support from Frontier included with your Frontier broadband service at no additional cost. No phone line is required to get fast, affordable Internet access from Frontier, your alternative to Comcast in Fowlerton. So, learn more about available Frontier Internet bundles and start saving by calling now.
Nothing beats bundling! When you combine Frontier Internet with Frontier Home Phone, you'll enjoy the convenience of a single bill for your home services each month. And you don't have to sign a contract, either, to enjoy a lower price for each service. You can also lock in your monthly rate for three years, thanks to Frontier's 2-Year Price Guarantee. It doesn't get any better than the Frontier deals in Fowlerton, so call today to start saving with a Frontier Bundle!
Frontier Home Phone packages offer the freedom to stop counting cell phone minutes. With Unlimited Local and Long-Distance calling, Frontier Home Phone lets customers conserve their cell phone minutes for when they need them. And because landlines usually continue to function during a power outage, you can relax, knowing you'll be able to reach help if there's an emergency or natural disaster. When it comes to your phone, reliability is key. That's why you'll love the relatively low number of dropped calls you get when you sign up for a home phone plan with Frontier in Fowlerton.


text:
Pawan Kalyan's Jana Sena officially a party ! - Tv9
Wed, Oct 28, 2015, 06:02 PM
The State Election Commission of Telangana has registered Telugu actor-politician Pawan Kalyan's Jana Sena as a political party. With this Jana Sena party has become a political party in a full pledged manner. It is to be seen how Pawan Kalyan will respond to the media and explain the party's future plan of action. It is to be mentioned here that Pawan Kalyan has floated Jana Sena party in the month of March in the year 2014.


text:
BERKELEY -- The California baseball team, fresh from its fifth place finish at the 2011 College World Series, will be honored at the Coliseum Wednesday night (June 29) by the Oakland A's prior to the their interleague game against the Florida Marlins at 7:05 p.m.
Head coach Dave Esquer, recently named the 2011 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Coach of the Year, will join his players on the field for introductions and the Golden Bears' coach will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. In one of the more remarkable seasons in college baseball history, Cal battled back from a potential final season due to budget cuts and six elimination games in the postseason to qualify for the school's first College World Series appearance since 1992.
Beyond featuring their normal BART $2 Wednesday promotion -- seats in the Plaza Level, Plaza Outfield and Plaza Reserved sections are priced at $2 while supply lasts -- the A's will be making a special offer to Cal fans Wednesday night. Field level tickets, normally priced at $26, will be available at half price ($13). Tickets can be purchased on line by going to this link, selecting the June 29 game and entering the coupon code "Cal" and then clicking "apply."
The Oakland A's feature many players and staff with Cal ties, including manager Bob Melvin, who was a catcher on the 1980 Bears team that placed third at the College World Series in Omaha, Neb.
Other Athletics affiliated with Cal include outfielder-first baseman Conor Jackson (2001-03) and right-hander Tyson Ross (2006-08), Scouting Director Eric Kubota and Assistant Athletic Trainer Brian Schulman.
Cal was the only Pac-10 team to advance to the CWS this year, finishing with a 38-23 overall record. Sophomore first baseman Devon Rodriquez was named the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Houston Regional and sophomore second baseman Tony Renda was named the 2011 Pac-10 Player of the Year.
The Bears, who captured the NCAA Houston Regional at Rice's Reckling Park and defeated Dallas Baptist in two games (7-0, 6-2) in the Santa Clara Super Regional, went 1-2 at the CWS in the brand new TD Ameritrade Park. Cal fell to top-seed Virginia, 4-1, June 19; defeated Texas A&M, 7-3, June 21; and lost to Virginia, 8-1, June 23 to conclude one of the finest seasons in school history.


text:
By Chris McGuinness
Killeen Daily Herald
Killeen residents were invited to share their questions and concerns about the city's 2012-13 budget at a public forum Wednesday night.
About 18 people attended the forum, including four members of the City Council and Mayor Dan Corbin. Those in attendance received an overview of the city's previous budget, as well as plans and priorities for the next one from Glenn Morrison, the interim city manager.
"We are in the very infant stages of budget development," said Morrison, who will likely be hired as Killeen's next city manager.
Morrison reviewed the 2011-12 budget, which featured $189 million in revenues, and $258 million in budgeted expenditures, with the bulk of those funds being used for personnel costs and capital improvement projects.
Moving forward, Morrison said, the city has laid out goals and guidelines for developing the new budget, which will help the city continue to offer services, efficiently manage expenses and plan for the demands of a growing city.
"These are parameters we think are important as we prepare to deliver (the budget) July 10," said Morrison.
One of the goals is maintaining the city's current property tax rate, which is 74.28 cents per $100 of property value.
"We want to try and maintain and improve services within that same tax rate," said Morrison.
During the public input portion of the meeting, some residents asked for more city funding, and others cautioned the council against spending too much.
Wallace Vernon attended the meeting as a representative of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas, and asked the city to consider contributing $140,000 to help run the club's programs at seven middle schools within the city.
"We got an $80,000 grant from the city in 2008," said Vernon, whose organization served an average of 739 kids each day through the programs. "Since then, we haven't gotten anything from the city."
Other residents, like Dan Kott, implored the city to watch its spending and consider ending unnecessary programs.
"Look at the things you are spending money on," said Kott, who suggested ending programs such as the city's "movie in the park" events to save money. "If you need to cut the budget, you have to cut somewhere."
James Ralston's comments echoed Kott's. He pointed to the possibility of cuts to troop levels at Fort Hood as a potential economic blow to the city, and asked that the budget be prepared with such possibilities in mind.
"We need to make sure we can pay our own way," said Ralston. "We need to be careful how we spend our money or we're going to end up like Greece."
Jose Segarra, a newly elected council member who attended the forum, said he understood the public's calls to spend cautiously.
"I think people felt that the previous council was spending too much money," said Segarra. "We have to make sure we are acting responsibly with the city's money, and that's something that will be very high on the totem pole as (the council) considers this budget."
Wednesday's meeting was the second budget forum the city has held this year. Morrison is expected to deliver a budget to the council July 10, and the council is set to vote on that budget Sept. 11, after a series of meetings and public hearings.
Contact Chris McGuinness at email@example.com or (254) 501-7568. Follow him on Twitter at ChrismKDH.
More information
Those interested in providing feedback, questions and comments about the city's 2012-13 budget can call (254) 501-7600, or email firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
What is a Core Deposit?
A core is the defective part in your car which you are fixing by purchasing a replacement from us. Many of our parts have core deposits. This means that we require your old part back.
In order to ensure that we get your old part back, we charge a temporary deposit which you see on our website as "Core Deposit." Once you have removed the defective part and replaced it with the part you purchased from us, ship the original core back to us. You may add a $12 return shipping label to your order at the time of purchase. This label is good for use only in the contiguous 48 states.
When we get your rebuildable part back, we promptly refund the deposit to your credit card you used to make the purchase. Core deposit refunds are automatic, they don't require follow-up phone calls, and they're completed within two weeks (usually faster) of us receiving the core.
If you have any questions about core deposits, please feel free to give us a call at (888)-907-7225 and we will be happy to assist you.


text:
Complaint 203278 Details
- Date Occurred: 01/22/2013
- Reported Damages: $8.90
- Location: Unknown
- !
The complaint is against an online dating profile
The complaint is a listing fraud posted on public forums or sites against an anonymous entity
The complaint is mobile text spam or smishing related against an anonymous entity
The company or person contact no longer exists
International boundaries
n 1/22/2013 there was an unauthorized online debit from my bank account for $8.90. I have never done business with this company and believe it to be a SCAM operation which I have reported.
- Anonymous SBID #01e89e5edb
- Posted 01/23/2013
Do You Have a Complaint?Submit a Complaint ►
There are no comments posted. Be the first to comment on this complaint
Do You Have a Complaint?
Add a complaint and spread the word. High volume complaints have a better chance to get their money back. Submit a report and join forces with others like you!Submit a Complaint Now
Business Profile Summary
Company Statistics
- Complaint Against SportActGoods.com
- Complaints Filed: 99
- Reported Damages: $1,983.07
What is SBID?
SBID is a unique id code that identifies the user's computer and location. SBID is used to prevent fraudulent postings and help our community find users who create duplicate user accounts.


text:
Picture: Irv Gotti and Christopher Gotti Sean John Women's launch party at Sean John Flagship store on 5th Avenue New York City, USA - 19.10.07
Lawyers for IRVING 'IRV GOTTI' LORENZO are seeking to have the rap mogul's federal money laundering case severed from the murder and racketeering charges surrounding other defendants.
Yesterday (18MAR05), defense attorney GERALD LeFCOURT was given the greenlight by Brooklyn, New York, federal Judge EDWARD KORMAN to ask for Lorenzo's case to be separated from that of accused murderer KENNETH 'SUPREME' McGRIFF.
Federal prosecutors say they are considering whether to ask for the death penalty in the case against McGriff and two associates, Nicole Brown and DENNIS CROSBY. If that happens Korman says he will sever the non-racketeering defendants.
A January (05) indictment accused McGriff of engineering the 2001 murder of ERIC 'E MONEY BAGS' SMITH in New York.
Lorenzo, 34, was accused in the indictment with laundering $1 million (GBP526,315) in drug proceeds through his record company Murder Inc, home to such stars as Ashanti and Ja Rule.
Prosecutors accuse Lorenzo of helping to launder some of the drug funds through the film CRIME PARTNERS with which McGriff was involved. But Lefcourt denies the claim.
Lorenzo's brother CHRISTOPHER, 37, is also charged in the money laundering case.19/03/2005 02:28


text:
Pure - Incredible
Pure's been conspicuously absent from the Booth since April, when he expressed his longing for a special female on Girl 4 Me. That's not to say he hasn't been spending his time wisely, though – what could be more productive than going out there and winning over the girl of your dreams? On his latest single, the Jersey crooner updates us on just how Incredible his life's been since they've been together. Over the Venture Brothaz' slow-rolling, reggae-infused beat, Pure explains that, once, he thought that love was just a fairy tale, meant for someone else but not for him. Love was out to get him – that was the way it seemed, anyway – and disappointment haunted all his dreams. As soon as he saw her face, however, he became a believer, without a trace… you know, I should probably stop paraphrasing Monkees lyrics before I overstep the line between homage and plagiarism. You get the picture. While the project that will feature this lovestruck banger has yet to be determined, those who like what they're hearing should keep it locked for all the latest news and tunes.


text:
Strap On Couple: Black Babe Balls A Beefy White Bear With Jo (1)
Secretly, many women fantasize about doing their men with a strap on. Many men also fantasize about having their women do them with a strap on. Beefy bear stud John X and hot ebony princess Samone Beautiful decided to realize this fantasy together and record it for all to see. The uninhibited John X makes Samone cum really hard with his great sensual and sexual skills and then he takes the big strap on deep in his ass and sucks the strap on right out of his ass (ATM) over and over again. You can expect to see lots of vaginal intercourse, anal intercourse (for both), hot fellatio, expertly performed cunnilingus, orgasm inducing toying, and fun and playful hardcore sexual experimentation with the passion, affection and sensuality you have come to expect from John X. This is a great choice for couples, women, and straight, bisexual, and gay men. You REALLY have to see this video!Price: $2.00 Full Price: $4.76


text:
About See That Again Productions
Looking for a videographer? See It Again Productions will turn Birthday Party's and other events into a lasting memory f... Read MoreRead More or friends and family's to enjoy for generations to come. Don't juggle cakes and cameras. Leave it to a professional.Request A Quote


text:
Saudi police kill two ''terrorists'' in Mecca shootout
Two Saudi men were killed Monday in a shootout with police in the holy city of Mecca, the official Saudi Press Agency reported.
"Security forces foiled a terrorist operation by elements that did not respect the sanctity of holy places and the month of Ramadan," SPA quoted an unnamed Interior Ministry official as saying.
The shootout occurred after police surrounded two buildings in Mecca's al-Share'a neighborhood at 8 a.m., the agency added.
"The terrorists started shooting heavily at security forces, using automatic rifles and hand grenades," the agency quoted the official as saying.
Police fired back at the "terrorists" as they were attempting to flee the area in two cars, hitting one of the vehicles and killing two of its occupants. A cache of weapons and bombs were found inside the car, the official said.
Security also seized fire arms including Kalashnikov rifles, hand grenades, rocket-propelled grenades, and material to make explosives in the raided premise. Passports, identification cards, and flyers were also found. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
Top Headlines
- Two Islamists blow selves up in Mecca; Gunman killed, eight Saudi policemen injured in Riyadh shootout
- Following Monday shootout, Saudi security forces look for additional nine ''terrorists''
- Violence begets violence: The ins and outs of the Jerusalem synagogue attack
- At least 10 people killed in clashes between Saudi police and ''terrorists''


text:
Loading Prices..
Civil court practice
Publisher: Butterworths
Includes index. "Rules of the Supreme Court, county court rules, practice directions and guides"--T.-p.
Book Details
- Language: eng
- Physical Description: xix, I/46, 1372 p. ; 25 cm.
- Great Britain -- Supreme Court of Judicature -- Rules and practice
- County courts -- Great Britain
- Court rules -- Great Britain
- Civil procedure -- Great Britain
Buying This Book
We query many merchants so that you can instantly compare prices and availability. You can even check historic prices and subscribe for notifications. For a manual check, clicking on a link will open a new window with a search for this book on the merchant's site of your choice.
- Amazon.com by title or by ISBN - widest selection, reliable service, good prices
- Abebooks.com by title or by ISBN - good source for rare and out-of-print books
- Textbooks.com by title or by ISBN - large inventory of new & used textbooks
- Alibris.com by title or by ISBN - their slogan is "books you thought you'd never find"
- eCampus.com by title or by ISBN - they specialize in textbooks, used and new
- BN.com by title or by ISBN - Barnes & Noble has a wide selection of new and used books


text:
Updated to include Barclays comments on management change. NEW YORK ( TheStreet) -- General Electric ( GE) is restructuring its energy business as three standalone operations, in a move to unlock value and simplify the unit, which earns $50 billion in annual revenue. In a statement released separate from Friday morning's second quarter earnings, GE said that it would reorganize GE Energy Infrastructure in the fourth quarter of 2012, in a move to speed up decision making, decrease operational costs and reduce management layers. Starting in 2013, each unit will report segmented earnings. The Fairfield, Conn-based conglomerate said that its energy unit, which has approximately 100,000 employees, will be split into divisions focused on power and water, oil and gas, and energy management. The power and water unit that manufactures solutions for power and water processing plants will be the largest of the newly separated energy divisions. "Big companies are always fighting organizational complexity. We are taking action at a time when the energy business is doing well," said GE CEO Jeffrey Immelt in a statement. "Removing layers is one way to reduce costs and increase our speed, focus and agility in the marketplace so we serve customers better," he added. By splitting its disparate energy businesses, which serve operations ranging from shale drilling to offshore wind farms and power grids, GE is hoping to make the earnings of its businesses more apparent to investors. "This move will greatly simplify the way we communicate to investors and customers," Immelt said. In the past few years, GE gas made a string of acquisitions in the oil service sector totaling approximately $11 billion. Within GE's mix of energy, transportation, aviation, finance and healthcare businesses, Morgan Stanley analyst Nigel Coe noted that it was the company's soon-to-be realigned energy unit -- excluding wind turbines -- which was among the strongest performers in the second quarter. Other positive surprises came from GE's transportation unit, while aviation and healthcare earnings were lower than expected, Coe wrote in a note to clients. In second quarter earnings, GE's combined energy businesses earned $11.9 billion in revenue, a near 15% increase from this time last year and a small increase from the first quarter. The unit also reported a second-quarter profit of $1.76 billion, an increase from the $1.52 billion it earned in the first quarter, and $1.55 billion a year earlier. Those results beat estimates from Barclays analyst Scott Davis, who projected that GE's energy unit would earn $11.5 billion in revenue and turn a $1.7 billion profit. Within GE's energy unit, its power and water business earns roughly $28 billion in annual revenue and is headquartered in Schenectady, NY, while its oil and gas unit, which manufactures key equipment for land and offshore drillers, is headquartered in Florence, Italy and earns roughly $15 billion in annual revenue. GE's energy management unit is headquartered in Atlanta and it delivers conversion and optimization technologies to power grids and energy-intensive industrial companies. It earned $7 billion in 2012. GE vice chairman John Krenicki, who is president and CEO of GE Energy, will leave the company at the end of 2012 and each of the three new energy division heads will report directly to Immelt. Davis of Barclays said that the departure of Krenicki is puzzling given his strong reputation on Wall Street, but also wrote in a note to clients that the energy unit reorganization makes sense given the diversity of its operations and customer base. "Segment re-org into three pieces makes sense given complexity of business and diversity of customer base within sub-segments; experienced segment heads provide continuity. The exit of a key leader near a cycle upturn will be questioned by many," wrote Davis.
- Log In
- Newsletters
Access insights and guidance from our Wall Street pros. Find the product that's right for you.
- Action Alerts PLUS
- Daily Swing Trade
- Income Seeker
- Quant Ratings
- Real Money
- Real Money Pro
- Stocks Under $10
- Top Stocks
- Trifecta Stocks
- Real Money Pro Portfolio
- Chairman's Club
- Compare All


text:
One Direction Hershey Tickets
Subscribe for Alerts!
Oops! The tickets that you are looking for are all sold out. However, we would like to keep you in the loop as soon as more tickets and latest information about the event are available. For that, please provide us with your name and email address.
One Direction
|Sorry, No tickets available for "One Direction".
|Would you like to try some other Similar Events.
Details of One Direction Hershey Tickets and the Ticket Luck value
The band known as the sparking rebirth of the boy band concept in the music industry, One Direction is coming up with a live concert following the release of their second album, 'Take Me Home'. The group has been admired for its super hot singles like 'Up All Night' and 'What Makes You Beautiful' in the past and now their brand new song 'Live While We Are Young' is the talk of the town. The fans can listen to the single live at the One Direction Hershey PA concert.
The five band members who form One Direction showed up as solo contestants on the third series of The X Factor but fate put them together, making them an incredible find. Since the release of their first album, their singles have gone viral and their success according to the critics lies in their musical style that is 'full of easy rock inflected pop'. A popular music magazine commended them with words, "One Direction melodies are like a collection of pg pop rock with killer choruses". They have also been appreciated with a number of awards, like BRIT Awards and MTV Video Music Video Awards. With the release of their latest album, the excitement level of the 'Directioners' is at its peak, making One Direction Hershey PA tickets a hot selling item. Book your share fast.


text: I know how much my readers love giveaways so I wanted to introduce you to Sweepstakes Advantage, one of the largest online sweepstakes directories around! I list my own giveaways there and tons of other bloggers and companies do as well. Check it out to find giveaways that you're interested in entering. Right now they are even running their own giveaway — you can win an iPad2 just by entering a valid email address! Good luck!Powered by Sidelines


text:
Don't miss out on a lower price on this hotel
Get an overview of this hotel5-star resort with pools, private beach, full-service spa
Popular property highlights
Located in Yasmine, this beachfront resort is next to a golf course and within a 10-minute walk of Carthage Land and Casino La Medina. Yasmine Beach and Port Yasmine are also within 1 mi (2 km).
Resort Features
Catch some rays on El Mouradi Hammamet's private white sand beach or spend the day relaxing at the full-service spa. Then enjoy a meal at one of the resort's 3 restaurants.
Room Amenities
All 377 rooms boast deep soaking tubs and offer free WiFi and balconies. Free wired Internet and 24-hour room service are standard, as are TVs with satellite channels.Information missing or incorrect? Tell us!Opens in a new window
El Mouradi Hammamet
Hotel Amenities
All-Inclusive Details
All-inclusive room rates at El Mouradi Hammamet are available. These rates are higher because they include onsite food and beverages in the room rate (some restrictions may apply).
Hotel Amenities
Some rates at El Mouradi Hammamet are all-inclusive. These rates include onsite meals and beverages, and may include taxes and gratuities. Additional charges may apply for meals at some restaurants, special dinners and dishes, certain beverages, and other amenities.
Step outside to unwind on the white sand beach. Lie back and work on your tan with relaxing beach amenities like umbrellas and sun loungers. At El Mouradi Hammamet you can cool off in one of the 5 outdoor swimming pools and indulge in a pampering afternoon at the full-service spa.
Guests can enjoy a complimentary breakfast. Dining is available at one of the resort's 3 restaurants and guests can grab coffee at the coffee shop/café. The property also has a snack bar/deli. Guests can unwind with a drink at one of the resort's bars, which include a poolside bar and a bar/lounge. Public areas are equipped with complimentary wired and wireless Internet access. This Art Deco resort also offers a complimentary children's club, a children's pool, and a health club. Complimentary self parking is available on site.
- 24-hour front desk
- Babysitting or childcare (surcharge)
- Children's club (free)
- Supervised childcare/activities (surcharge)
- Airport transportation (surcharge)
- Total number of rooms - 377
- Number of floors - 5
- Babysitting or childcare
- Bar/lounge
- Business center
- Coffee/tea in common areas
- Coffee shop or café
- Free breakfast
- Concierge services
- Conference space
- Dry cleaning/laundry service
- Elevator/lift
- Full-service spa
- Turkish bath/Hammam
- Gift shops or newsstand
- Hair salon
- Health club
- Waterslide
- Number of outdoor pools - 5
- Pool umbrellas
- Billiards or pool table
- Free WiFi
- Free wired Internet
- Children's club
- Laundry facilities
- Marina on site
- Meeting rooms 2
- Multilingual staff
- Nightclub
- Poolside bar
- Porter/bellhop
- On private beach
- Safe-deposit box at front desk
- Year Built 2000
- Area shuttle (surcharge)
- Number of restaurants - 3
- Conference space size (feet) - 5597
- Conference space size (meters) - 520
- Number of meeting rooms - 3
- Beach umbrellas
- Beach sun loungers
- Pool sun loungers
- Beach towels
- Snack bar/deli
- Free self parking
- Sauna
- Shopping on site
- Number of buildings/towers - 1
- Supervised childcare/activities
- Children's pool
- Indoor pool
Family Friendly Amenities
- On private beach
- Outdoor pools
- Indoor pool
- Children's pool
- Waterslide
- Free Wi-Fi
- Children's club (free)
- Snack bar/deli
- Laundry facilities
- Babysitting or childcare (surcharge)
- Playground on site
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi , Free wired Internet
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi , Free wired Internet
Free self parking
Room Amenities
- Balcony
- Blackout drapes/curtains
- Air conditioning
- Phone
- Minibar
- Daily housekeeping
- Private bathroom
- Free toiletries
- Hair dryer
- Bathtub only
- Bidet
- Deep soaking bathtub
- Iron/ironing board (on request)
- Satellite TV service
- In-room safe
- Television
- Free WiFi
- Free wired Internet
- Room service (24 hours)
- Connecting/adjoining rooms available
Where to Eat
A complimentary breakfast is offered. An additional breakfast (subject to charges) is served daily.
Nisrine - This buffet restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
MiskEllil - This theme restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Reservations are required.
24-hour room service is available.
Nearby Things to Do
A private beach, a marina, and a health club are featured at the resort. 5 outdoor swimming pools are on site along with an indoor pool. In addition to a children's pool, other recreational amenities include a waterslide and a sauna.
The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.
- Golfing nearby
- Windsurfing nearby
- Water skiing nearby
- Scooter/moped rentals nearby
- Bicycle rentals nearby
- Skydiving nearby
- Fitness classes on site
- Kayaking on site
- Playground on site
- Beach volleyball on site
Spa Services
Guests can indulge in a pampering treatment at the resort's full-service spa, thalasso. Services include massages, facials, body wraps, and body scrubs. A variety of treatment therapies are provided, including aromatherapy, Ayurvedic, and hydrotherapy. The spa is equipped with a sauna and Turkish bath/hammam.
Children under 16 years old are not allowed in the spa without adult supervision.
- Sauna in spa
- Massages
- Manicures and pedicures
- Body wraps
- Body scrubs
- Aromatherapy treatments
- Thalassotherapy treatments
- Hydrotherapy treatments
- Ayurvedic treatments
- Body treatments
- Facial treatments
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please note them at check-out when you book your room.
- Accessible bathroom
- In-room accessibility
- Roll-in shower
Hotel Policies
Check-in time starts at 2 PM
Minimum check-in age is 18
Check-in time ends at midnight
Special check-in instructions:
Check-out time is noon
Payment types
Children and extra beds
- Children are welcome.
- Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
- No pets or service animals allowed
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy.
- Christmas Eve (24 December) Gala Dinner per adult: TND 62.50
- Christmas Eve (24 December) Gala Dinner per child: TND 31.25 (from 2 to 11 years old)
- New Year's Eve (31 December) Gala Dinner per child: TND 56.5 (from 2 to 11 years old)
- New Year's Eve gala dinner fee
Hotel Name
- El Hammamet
- El Mouradi Hammamet
- El Mouradi
- El Mouradi Hotel Hammamet
- Hammamet El Mouradi
- Hammamet Mouradi
- Mouradi
- Mouradi El Hammamet
- Mouradi Hammamet
- El Mouradi Hammamet Hotel Hammamet
- Hammamet El Mouradi Hotel
- Hotel El Mouradi Hammamet
- El Mouradi Hammamet Hotel
We should mention
This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply). Guests must contact the property with arrival details before travel, using the contact information on the booking confirmation. A fee for a mandatory New Year's Eve gala dinner is included in the total price displayed for stays on 31 December. The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation. No pets and no service animals are allowed at this property.


text: The power seat on my gf 2000 just stopped working. When i bought the car it would only go back and forth the other controls did not work. I had to take the car and put the seat all the way back and it has not worked since. Does anyone know of a way to check the switch to see if that is bad of if it is the motor? Any help would be appriciated


text:
Blandford Fair
Massachusetts State Fairs, County Fairs, Field Days, Festivals and Expositions
Blandford Fair, in Blandford, Massachusetts, is held on Labor Day weekend each year in the Berkshires. Events and activities include agricultural exhibits, cattle, goat, sheep, rabbits, horse-oxen-pony draws, horse show, entertainment, truck pulls, and much more. Admission is charged for this family-friendly event.
Back to Massachusetts Fairs
Inns | Hotels | Resorts | Vacation Rentals | Real Estate | Events | Classifieds
Dining | Attractions | Business | History | Weather | Beaches
Fishing | Golfing | Photos | Art Galleries | Massachusetts Shopping
New England Fairs
VT Fairs | NH Fairs| Maine Fairs | CT Fair
Search MA Living


text:
At long last famed Halo developer Bungie has unveiled their bold, ambitious, decade-long plan beginning with Destiny. Since Destiny was officially announced and detailed there has been little insight or further explanation of characters or the game's plot. Thanks to GDC 2013, that's beginning to change.
It may be a long time before Bungie talks at length about the story or scale of their "mythic science fiction" adventure, but at least fans now have more details about the playable races and classes at their disposal. And unsurprisingly, they offer a sign of something both familiar and new to fans of Bungie's last franchise.
Anyone familiar with Bungie knows that cinematic storytelling and directed narrative is sort of 'their thing,' so making the move to a varied, open-ended and non-linear experience is a major change of pace. Creating a hero or heroine that is strong enough to carry a story for the ages is a key ingredient, but Bungie fans were expecting a strong and compelling story long before the studio revealed the mysterious figures and fiction at work in Destiny.
According to studio writer Joseph Staten, the inspiration for the newest adventure comes from the same place as their previous projects, and walks hand in hand with the bigger, more inviting, and player-focused strategy being taken in every aspect of the game. Staten explains in an interview with Eurogamer that writing this type of game may not be as easy as a Halo project, but the philosophy is still 'gameplay first':
"As long as you as a writer remain flexible and don't try to put too many rules on the process up front, your really fun job is to make everything possible. So if Chris comes to me with an image of the Traveller, or if he comes to me with an image of a guy with a soul ripping out of his head, or space zombies or robots, it's been a real pleasure just to assimilate all of those ideas loosely and try to create a world where it's less about the constraints and the rules and more about, what's possible?
"If I were writing a Halo game, what I would do is, typically, I would sit down and write a linear script that looked a lot like a film. I would just bang it out. Here's what the story is going to be. Here's what the characters are. We'd make a story. We'd talk about backstory. In this world, we spent a lot more time just doing what I think people would do in a television show, which is, we've got this plot card, and that is, like, space zombies invade the moon, or whatever it is, and that's an awesome idea. Let's just put that there. And then let's come up with other ones. And then let's start moving them around and stay flexible and then f***ing play the game so we know it's going to be fun, and then, let's finally tighten the screws and shoot it."
How that approach to creating story and plot translates to the player's experience isn't clear just yet, but the idea has been seen in series like The Elder Scrolls, The Witcher, and any number of open-world RPGs over the past few years. How well is Bungie going to fare in that same genre? As Staten sees it, they've managed to find a happy medium thus far:
"The simple answer is, we still believe in a great narrative cinematic story. We want your character, whatever character you are, a female robot warlock or a male human titan, whoever you are, you're going to be the star of that cinematic story.
"But there are many many other activities that cross the divide between story and multiplayer in this world of Destiny, and your character is going to go through all of them. So, whatever character you are in story is the same character you are in all these other activities, including competitive multiplayer.
"And so, our hope is that it will feel like a consistent experience. Your legend will take you through all these different activities. Some are more narrative driven. Some aren't. Some are just more emergent. But you're a consistent character across all of those. That's the key. That's where that consistent experience comes from."
Creating an epic adventure story begins and ends with the proper hero, and unsurprisingly, Bungie is doing their best to give players the tools to make any hero they see fit. From race to clothing, tattoos and hairstyles, customization is the key. The studio detailed their starting character classes at GDC 2013, a first sign of how science-fiction and fantasy will be blended in Destiny's universe.
Players will first have the chance to choose their playable race: Human, as one of the remnants of humanity surviving under the shadow of the massive 'Traveler'; Awoken, a mystical, ethereal take on humanity that Staten refers to as a type of "space elf"; and finally, one of the Exo, a savage, vicious fighter that lives for battle (with shades of Master Chief and the Terminator).
Once race is chosen, one of the three character classes of Titan, Hunter or Warlock must also be decided upon. Calling on tropes of the 'space marine,' gunslinger and wizard, respectively, each represents a very different approach to both gameplay and art design. A fact made exceedingly clear by the variety of armor plating, cloth, and weaponry visible in the latest concept artwork.
The emphasis and ambition in customization and player choice is surprising, as the studio's previous hero, Halo's Master Chief was a straightforward space marine limiting player control to weaponry and combat strategy; also providing a baseline from which all players had to specialize. In singleplayer that meant an easier task of balancing difficulty, and in multiplayer, removed perks and over-powered veterans.
That's clearly not the case given Destiny's player classes, but the developer isn't going to be adopting every pillar of role-playing games. As Bungie art director Chris Barrett explains, choosing a hero, race, and character class at the game's outset was the team's first chance to remove obstacles from the player's path:
"When we were talking about how that process would work and the choices the players would have, we knew if we gave somebody a choice and then betrayed that choice later down the road, that would be bad. We wanted players to just go on gut. What do they like the look of? What sounds cool to them? And not betray that in any way. We don't want to make something where a character plays very differently, or isn't what they thought what they were getting. That tied in to that process. We want to give people whatever they want to play in that world and not have any negative side effects."
Staten explains further:
"Making it up front and quick and largely emotional, and nothing that's going to, later down the line, make you feel like you made the wrong choice. You're going to make this gut emotional choice: 'I'm going to look at that robot and I'm going to look at that more exotic space elf and I'm going to look at that human and I like… robot.' It's like, bam. I'm going to be a robot. And there's nothing about being a robot that's going to play any different from the other two."
Removing perks or hindrances from each race is a decision that may disappoint hardcore RPG fans, but it's not hard to understand the decision. Developers are constantly criticizing the old strategy of funneling a player down a single path, only to restart the game when they realize they've made the wrong choice, and Bungie's mass market appeal requires even more drastic methods of prevention.
For now, it would seem the developer has their hands full delivering on Destiny's potential on both current and next-gen consoles, not to mention completing what looks to be the studio's largest franchise in their history. Just to give themselves a challenge, they've also charged themselves with delivering an experience that makes an always-on internet connection worthwhile to consumers.
We've still got our own questions about Destiny that likely won't be put to rest until release, but for now, there's more than enough reason to be excited for what Bungie has in store. What do you think of the decision to remove perks based on race? Is it a shift away from older RPGs that you're happy to see the team make, or a cause for concern? Leave your thoughts in the comments.
Destiny is without a launch date, but expected to release on the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 (so far).
Follow Andrew on Twitter @andrew_dyce.
Source: Eurogamer


text:
Amherst County's Current Treasurer Saw 'Several Red Flags'
Amherst, VA - Officials have released new details in the case of the former Amherst County treasurer, Evelyn Martin, charged with embezzling public funds and money-laundering.
The current treasurer says he alerted authorities soon after taking office, one he describes as being in total disarray.
Garry Friend says Tuesday's arrest marks the end of an 18-month-long journey. He says he and staffers have been working 12 hours a day, six days a week, but the paperwork and checking accounts just never seemed to add up.
"I was totally surprised," Garry Friend recalled of the first time he walked into the Amherst County Treasurer's Office.
He says important financial documents on Evelyn Martin's desk had never been opened, never been read.
Friend won't say how much, but claims some of the $35 million Martin was responsible for managing every year, was unaccounted for.
"She had total control over everything," Friend explained.
A year and a half later Evelyn Martin, his former political rival, was arrested and released on $2,500 bond.
ABC 13 went to Martin's home looking for comment. An unidentified man in the front yard asked our crew to leave, demanded they give him their video footage, and escorted them back to the news car. He said Martin would have no comment on her recent arrest.
When Friend took over in January 2012, he says they added a book keeper whose sole job is to balance the checking accounts. Then, another set of eyes will make sure those numbers are accurate. He's also added surveillance cameras to the office, just in case.
He also has a daily reminder hanging in his office.
"It's the code of professional ethics," Friend said, of the framed piece of paper.
"It tells you these are the things that we swear to. They hold you accountable for that," he added.