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Morandi's Last Prophecy and the End of Renaissance Politics
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OF MEDIUM HEIGHT, perhaps fifty-five years old. Nut-brown beard, with flecks of white. Dressed in a simple monk's robe with a black hood over the head." The corpse that lay across a straw mat in a small cell of the Tor di Nona prison in Rome was nothing special. Nor was the manner of death, if we are to trust in the candor of the physician writing the death certificate. "I do not suspect nor do I see signs of poisoning," he protested, perhaps too emphatically.1 No, he continued, Orazio Morandi died of a simple malignant fever of unknown origin, which began twelve days before. Fra Michelangelo Soderini confirmed the doctor's opinion. "I know he died a natural death," he specifies, "because I always assisted him while he was in solitary confinement and during the whole time of his illness, of which he died at around twelve hours of the clock today"--November 7, 1630.
The Roman rumor mill was not quite so prudent. "It is believed without a doubt that [Morandi] was killed by poison administered through his food," Giacinto Gigli, a historian, wrote in his diary.2 At least among those who paid attention to city gossip, Orazio Morandi, the abbot of Santa Prassede, one-time general of the Vallombrosa Order, was a victim of foul play. A quick dispatch of the suspect had obviously been ordered to protect the honor of the high officials in Rome, more and more of whose names had begun to come up during the trial proceedings because of their connections with what went on at the monastery. It was not the first time a judicious cover-up had taken the form of a murder. Nor, in the violent world of seventeenth-century Italian politics, would it be the last.
For Morandi's fellow Romans, once the initial suspicions about papal mischief hardened into convictions, the moral of the story had to do with the ignominious end of one who had risen so high. And indeed, only four months before, Morandi was the most honored astrologer in town. Galileo Galilei and members of the Roman aristocracy attended his elegant soirées. Among the visitors to his library were the greatest cultural figures in Rome, from Gian Lorenzo Bernini to Cassiano Dal Pozzo, and the highest prelates in the ecclesiastical hierarchy--including the cardinals sitting on the Congregation of the Index of Forbidden Books. To many of these Morandi offered advice on astrology and other aspects of the occult, which they gratefully acknowledged in the form of protection and favors. And his renown reached outside of Rome to wherever his vast correspondence carried his counsels and opinions to legions of admirers. If anyone in Rome was safe from the vicissitudes of fortune, it should have been Morandi.
Then in May 1630, Morandi delivered what he evidently intended to be his masterstroke, the gesture that would win him a place in modern history: a prediction about Pope Urban VIII's imminent death due to the nefarious influence of a solar eclipse on the pope's horoscope. But the effect was far different from Morandi's intention. In the rumor-saturated world of early modern Europe, the prediction rapidly slid out of its author's control. It was quickly taken up by the writers of the clandestine manuscript newsletters, who peddled their malicious gossip throughout the Roman streets and squares. News of it reached as far as Spain, urging the Spanish cardinals to rush to Rome to be on hand for what they and everyone else believed would be the next conclave. In France, it excited the curiosity of none other than Cardinal Richelieu. All for nothing. The prescribed date passed; the pope lived on. No conclave was held, and speculation about Urban's successor, at least for now, ground to a halt.
Urban VIII's reaction was predictable. Political astrology has always been risky, even in ages when astrology was a dominant intellectual category. The Roman emperors in antiquity forbade predictions about themselves. In Morandi's time, so did most rulers. The popes, concerned as much with their own vulnerability as with the theological implications, condemned all sorts of judicial astrology without exception. So Urban was fully within the law when he personally ordered Morandi to be brought into custody. When evidence of other activities at the monastery came to light, these were merely added to a list that was to include astrology along with the circulation of prohibited books and political chicanery among the heinous crimes for which the pope ordered the governor of Rome to seek a condemnation.
The consequences of the case were enormous. Astrology itself was hurt by the growing impression that predictions were mere merchandise in the game of political and social favors. Soon after the trial, Urban VIII came out with some of the severest anti-astrology legislation ever written. And this legislation, as well as Morandi's crimes, deeply affected the outcome of the Galileo affair, which began the following year. For this alone, Morandi deserves more than an antiquary's footnote in the annals of scientific curiosities. But his real importance lies elsewhere.
For contemporaries, the death and the definitive official explanation effectively put an end to the story, at least so far as it regarded Morandi himself. For us, the story has just begun. Why would a man of Morandi's intelligence put at risk the distinguished position he had striven for a lifetime to attain? What in the Roman environment convinced him he could get away with it? And how, in the end, could he have been so tragically deceived? The mystery of Morandi concerns the basic compulsions of advancement in a status-drenched society, and the very nature of knowledge at the origins of science.
Part of the answer lies buried in the documents before us. We are in the State Archives in Rome, along bustling Corso del Rinascimento in the center of the city, where government records are kept, as distinguished from the ecclesiastical records across the river at the Vatican. By a stroke of luck, or, we might say, an exceptional moment of premodern bureaucratic efficiency, Morandi's trial record, all 2,800 pages of it, has been preserved here. Urban took the unusual step of ordering all the imputations in the trial, political and criminal as well as theological, to be tried under a single trial judge rather than divided between the governor's court and the Inquisition. For this reason, at the time of writing, the records that are the basis of this book were in the public archive instead of hidden away, along with many other equally interesting documents, behind ecclesiastical discretion.
Surprisingly informative about some aspects of his life, the documents seem strangely mute about others. We know what Morandi read, who his friends were, how he spent much of his time. But what were his thoughts, his desires, his passions--who, indeed, was Morandi? This book responds by recounting the story of one man's search for esteem, revealing the dark secret concealed behind the monastery walls.
Several months in Morandi's life stand out in sharp relief: those leading up to the trial and during the trial itself. The rest of the months, years, decades, fade off into more or less obscurity. How far back must we go to discover the springs of his desire? How much information can we urge forth without asking leading questions, without organizing the inquiry so as to produce a spurious result, without torturing the subject into giving up a false confession? Simplicity is the enemy of accuracy, we can imagine the Baroque lawyers whispering in our ears. While we must surely take care to separate fact from opinion, we are as much concerned with what the principals in our case said and thought as with what actually happened.3
Our attentions as modern-day investigators are focused less on a physical person than on a tiny sampling of material from Morandi's life. A probate inventory, a library catalogue, a book of secrets, a collection of horoscopes, a scrap of poetry, a suspect's defense. These are the elements from which Morandi's accusers sought to build their case. From the same elements we must build our own. Each one leads out in new directions, beyond the courtroom, beyond the criminal, beyond the crime. Possessions accumulated during a lifetime shed light on a person's behavior. They also illuminate a time when objects tied individuals to their reality in a way no longer possible in our own commodity-filled, disposable environment. Books, about which notices are scattered thickly through our evidence, tell much about the bibliophile; they also tell about a world in which books were points of contact between one person and another, between societies and their cultures. And secrets, sharing the heart of our story along with prophecies, express the wishes of the seeker; they also express the longings, the aspirations, and at times the fears and loathings of an entire neighborhood, an entire community. The resonance of Morandi's story reaches the farthest corners of the civilization of his time, and our own.
As the story ventures out along these forgotten byways, the period and place seem more and more remote. Astrology here is not simply an intellectual curiosity; it is present in varying degrees nearly everywhere we look.4 It is only one of many traditional cultural patterns that seem to exist side by side with revolutionary ones. Thinkers of every sort--innovative and not--partake of an atmosphere of libertinism and free thinking that is impossible to dispel. And if the monarchs of Rome, or anywhere else, with all their new mechanisms of surveillance and control, never manage either to destroy the old culture or hasten the advent of the new, perhaps their authority is not as absolute as we once thought.5
And yet, some aspects of Morandi's world seem uncomfortably familiar. We should not be too surprised that even Galileo, the precursor of modern science, occasionally believed what he could not prove--and not just concerning the influence of the planets, the corpuscular theory of matter, and the origin of meteors. Nor should we be too surprised that many of his followers accepted his postulates on faith alone. After all, modern researchers on complex projects involving, say, cosmology and nuclear physics, or even history and anthropology, occasionally accept the affirmations of their colleagues in other specializations without testing for reliability.6 Perhaps blind belief and reasonable persuasion can occasionally coexist. Whether science be science or pseudoscience surely makes a difference, especially in matters of life and death. But the attitude of mind of those who put their faith in a scientific discipline beyond their comprehension might not always be so far removed as we would like to think from that of those who believe in forms of knowledge unapproved by the laboratory or by academe. We must imagine that the physicians who abandon the postulates of their training to recommend homeopathy or acupuncture or Zen meditation are just the more newsworthy examples. Our protagonist is not the only one whose mentality is attuned to myth in an age more and more preoccupied with facts.7
Real or imaginary, the natural knowledge bought and sold by our astrologers contributed to a market, a new set of commodities, that was to have a decisive influence on science. Astrology, along with the other branches of the occult, not only contributed to science a fascination for nature.8 It also contributed an entrepreneurial point of view.9 In the new environment, preeminence in astrology belonged to the successful bearer of a spectacular prediction. Similarly, natural philosophers competed for the attention of powerful patrons and their reading audiences by spectacular performances, like Galileo's discovery of the moons of Jupiter for the Medici dukes.10 However, the transformation of astrology into an exclusively commercial enterprise eventually had the opposite effect. The competition of disciplines that could deliver more certainty, perhaps for less expense, helped finally to resolve the centuries-long debate about its credibility. By then, the marginalization of astrological knowledge from the mainstream of intellectual life was only a matter of time. Morandi, relentless in his search for new experiences and new advancement strategies, was the last great Roman astrologer of a dying age.
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Being a successful player in the global marketplace calls for continuous improvement in productivity, energy efficiency and profitability. We help our customers to maintain their competitive edge with latest technologies and optimized process concepts.
An innovative system for recovery of train braking energy produced at ABB in Aleksandrów Łódzki, Poland, has been operating for a few months at the Metro in Istanbul. This solution produces significant savings on a daily basis.

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Sprint finish of the Men's Pro Category 1/2 race at William Land Park in Sacramento, CA on March 15, 2014. Taken with a Canon 7D, 70-200 L-series lens at 200mm. ISO 320, f 5.0, 1/500. Adjustments in Lightroom 4 included a boost in the shadows to +79, slight exposure increase (+.6), boost in contrast (+10)reduction in the whites (-26) and highlights (-40), boost in clarity to +21, vibrance and saturation were increased to +10. Slight boost in the saturation and luminance of greens. Graduated filter applied in Lightoom across the bottom 20% of the image. The late afternoon sun put the riders in the shadows right at the finish line, so I had to get them in the sun immediately before the line for the best exposure. -Brian Phillips, Folsom, CA.


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Originally Posted by Lady's Human
(Sen. Wilkerson, please, it's not racism YOU WERE CAUGHT STUFFING AN EVELOPE FULL OF BRIBE MONEY INTO YOUR BRA!!!)
I wonder if she went from an A cup to a C Note?
Show me an ethical politician and I'll counter with an wimpy one term flash in the pan.
Everyone knows the worst politicians end up at the top of the totem pole.
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The Joy Luck Club
Which daughters seem to understand or have empathy for their mothers? Which daughters or mothers, if any, have changed? how do their situations look different from the beginning of the noveL?
the joy luck club
the joy luck club
The novel, Joy Luck Club, by Amy Tan focuses on the complex relationships between Asian mothers and daughters. There are several daughters that are able to develop a type of empathy with and for their mothers. Most notably is Rose Hsu Jordan, who is Ted's wife and An-mei Hsu's daughter. At the beginning she is miserable and is a victim to both her husband and her own belief that she caused her brother's death. However, she later learns that her mother only wants for her to be happy and strong. This leads to a great deal of understanding about her mother and she is able to find her own voice and stand up to Ted. This brings she and her mother closer. Lena st. Clair (daugher of Ying-ying) often says that she and her mother have the same 'spirit' and though she doesn't always understand her mother, she does empathize with her. Her mother helps her to realize that using her as as role model is damaging and not the way to live happily.
Both Lena, Rose, and to some extent Jing=mei, change over the course of the novel. It is suggested and most likely that Waverly also changes, but it is not as evident as it is with the other girls. Jing-mei realizes how extraordinary her mother really was after her mother's death, unfortunately. But, learning the truth about her trials did change her and give her a new found strength and resolve that she hadn't had before.
All of the daughters at the end of the book have moved away from a place of disharmony and unhappiness to some semblance of personal peace. All of them have to face the question of how to be true to their culture while embracing the ways of the new culture they find themselves assimilating into. In the end, each in their own way, make their peace with being Asian as well as American. Most have come to terms with their mothers and the way they view themselves, and most have found a small amount of peace.


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At Gemvara, we believe that the jewelry you wear should be one of a kind, like you. That's why we make each piece to order, one at a time, just the way you want it. Choose aquamarine and palladium or sapphire and rose gold: it's your choice. Mix and match gems and precious metals for a look that's exactly you. It's jewelry for all life's occasions, from an anniversary or engagement to your own personal milestones and celebrations. Gemvara uses only the highest quality materials to craft your yellow gold april birthstone antique-inspired jewelry design with meticulous attention to detail. Our precious metals are recycled or responsibly mined. April's birthstone is diamond, the enduring symbol of forever and the most dazzling of gems. Yellow gold glows with a rich buttery golden color. Gemvara offers a choice of 14k yellow gold, the most popular gold alloy, or 18k yellow gold, a premium gold with a deeper color and higher gold content. Our wide selection of yellow gold april birthstone antique-inspired jewelry by Randy Dixon, Ji Hwang, Ruzanna Davtian, and other talented designers means you can find jewelry that's exactly your style. You can also shop by style, choosing our Curated by Gemvara, Mothers, or Twists & Curves Collections. Because antique jewelry is used, it may not fit you or your modern lifestyle. Gemvara's antique inspired collection has the look you love with modern wearability and craftsmanship. Gemvara's fine quality yellow gold april birthstone antique-inspired jewelry is designed to be passed down for generations to come, crafted by hand in the United States.
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WITTON are confident they can host tomorrow's Cheshire FA Senior Cup clash with Runcorn Town, but still need help to clear snow from the pitch.
Volunteers, including manager Brian Pritchard, have been busy at Wincham Park this afternoon preparing the playing surface to host the twice-postponed second round tie.
The club has asked for assistance in the morning, from 10am.
Runcorn had been handed home advantage in the original draw, but the weather has twice prevented the North West Counties League outfit from making the most of it.
Kick off tomorrow is scheduled for 7.45pm.


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Set in tropical gardens, the Anchor Motel Noosa offers affordable, clean and comfortable 4 star Noosa Hotel accommodation in the heart of Noosa on Queensland's Sunshine Coast. The Anchor Motel Noosa caters for holiday or corporate stays and welcomes over-night or longer stays. The rooms are spacious, airy and clean.
The Motel accommodation features at least one queen size bed suitable for couples and the larger rooms can accommodate extra guests. Overlooking Lake Weyba the Anchor Motel Noosa is conveniently located only a short stroll to restaurants, cafes and convenience store. Gympie Terrace in Noosaville is a flat 10 minute walk and caters for a wide range of cuisines to suit any taste, along with specialty shopping and pleasant walkways along the edge of the Noosa River. Relax in the riverside parks or try any of the many water sports available. The Anchor Motel Noosa is the perfect place to stay and enjoy the popular Noosa Produce Markets, on every Sunday, just a short stroll (500mtrs) away. Beautiful coffee and tempting international breakfast choices are available, not to mention the fresh fruit and vegetables, plants and other items of interest. LONELY PLANET: Nominated "our favourite place to stay" in Noosa by Lonely Planet Australia Travel Guide, your hosts Camilla & Brian welcome you to the Anchor Motel Noosa Australia.
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text: It's-back to-school season and that means a whole list of new expenses for mom and dad. It truly doesn't matter the age of your child, as long as their in school this time of year is expensive! My daughter Ava, who attends pre-school three days a week even needs to bring certain … [Read more...]


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Administration Assistant
- Recruiter
- Location
- Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
- Salary
- £18,213
- Posted
- 02 May 2017
- Expires
- 17 May 2017
- Sector
- Administration & Office
- Contract Type
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- Hours
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Part-time • Ref: SV/A1183
NIAB is a leading UK centre for plant science, crop evaluation and agronomy, delivering work from its regional network and headquarters in Cambridge. Our field crop research and impartial information is widely utilised by the agricultural community.
Based in our Cambridge Farm team, you will provide administrative support covering purchase orders, stocktaking on a monthly basis, updating farm and lorry records along with other admin support throughout the year.
As you will be expected to travel to our remote farm sites to collect data for stock taking and record logging purposes, a full driving licence will be required. To be successful, you will need to be self-motivated and adaptable.
For the right person we would be willing to accommodate your working week requirements.
Starting salary is in the range of £18,213 to £20,237 pro rata, dependent on skills, experience and qualifications.
Further details and an application form are available via the apply button
Please quote the job reference on your application.
Closing date: 17 May 2017.


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Former Spice Girls singer Mel C will team up with Joss Stone and a host of female singers for a charity concert in celebration of breast cancer research.
Mel C will collaborate with Joss Stone for a breast cancer charity.
The former Spice Girl and the 'You Had Me' hitmaker will join forces to perform Hard Rock's PINKTOBER Presents: Women of Rock charity concert in alongside 80s girl group Bananarama, 'Superstar' singer Jamelia and Bonnie Tyler.
The show - in celebration of ten years of breast cancer research - will be held at London's Royal Albert Hall on November 1.
Mel - full name Melanie Chisholm - said: "I'm really happy to take part in another fundraising event for the Caron Keating Foundation following my PINKTOBER show at Hard Rock Cafe Manchester last year.
"Hard Rock organise their events so well and I am delighted that this show at the Royal Albert Hall is donating profits to such a wonderful charity."
The British songstresses will be joined on stage by Escala, Sharon Corr and N-Dubz's Tulisa.
Joss added: "I always try and support as many charities as I can and Breast Cancer is extra important to me, being a Woman. I hope to make a small difference."
In the first few minutes of the shrewdly named Your Mommy Kills Animals, we're told...


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Rabbit Nose (clip-on)
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I made up this little "clip-on" rabbit nose for fun with the kids this year. Print and enjoy! This was inspired to some goofy glasses I saw.
Printed on my ToM w/ a 0.35mm layer height and 25% infill.
There are two versions, one with little "ears" at the ends of the whiskers that can easily be cut off with a hobby knife when finished (the one with raft in the name) and one without. If you have problems with the whiskers curling during the print try the one with the "raft".
After printing color the nose with a pink sharpie.
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Please remove this listing if it is yours. This design is Creative-Commons Non-Commercial (i.e. Not for sale). Also the listing contains a photo of my daughter which I did not give you permission to use. If you would like to sell it and use the image of my daughter I'd be happy to license them to you for a fee.
I'm the messenger, I have nothing to do with this "@JPI" theft. It's all kicking off - complain to eBay.
I do not condone this in the slightest, I'm informing you of it.
There's a user on Thingiverse @JPI - Just Parasites Inc. who have put no content up and claim it'll cost users $40k to remove the pirated materials from eBay.
You can see @JPI 's lasse-faire attitude in their comments on Loubie's thread.
Please make it clear to eBay that you still own copyright for the image, and IP for the parts, that the photos are not of the parts people will receive and you are not happy (if this is the case).
Sorry to have to tell you this.
Thank you for pointing it out to me it's appreciated. I did file a DCMA take-down notice as well...since well this is licensed as Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial.
No attribution was given and he's selling it. I'll gladly license him the design...but stealing is wrong.
Worked well.. printed one for a work mate whose daughter is going in the easter parade.. in her first year of primary school.. to bad it wont be dark.. printed in glowing pla :D
this is a great easter mass gift idea!!!!! you should add "easter bunny" to your tags to get a bunch of prints next
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Ali Shuffle Run/Walk
Greater City of Louisville
Sat 04/13/2013
500 Participants
In addition to raising funds for the Muhammad Ali Scholars peace, justice, and community involvement program at UofL— the run will also provide opportunities for other groups to raise money through sponsored participation in the event. The Ali Scholars will spend learn about peace building, social justice, and sustainable community development. They will travel abroad and use their insights and knowledge they have gained through the Ali Scholars Program to implement a project of their own to benefit the Greater Louisville community. We encourage and welcome individuals, organizations, schools, businesses and all people of good will in the Louisville community to join us in this effort. For more information, please contact the Muhammad Ali Institute at 502-852-6372. We need your participation to ensure that the Ali Shuffle Walk-Run inspires and benefits as many people as possible, making it truly in the spirit of "The Greatest!"
- Address:3628 Virginia Avenue
Louisville, KY 40211


text:
(New York, 19 August 2016): On World Humanitarian Day, UN Deputy Secretary-General, Jan Eliasson, is calling for increased global leadership to address humanitarian crises.
"Today, the scale of human suffering is greater than at any time since the United Nations was founded. A record 130 million people are now dependent on the United Nations and our many partners for protection and survival because of conflict, disaster or acute vulnerability. On World Humanitarian Day, let us all recommit to humanity and ask what we can each do to make a difference," he said.
People around the world, be they individuals, or well-known public figures like actress Rosario Dawson, entrepreneur Richard Branson, and Chobani CEO Hamdi Ulukaya, will amplify this call for change through the World Humanitarian Day digital campaign, "The World You'd Rather." The online experience gives people the opportunity to use their social voice to demand a world in which they'd rather live. At www.worldhumanitarianday.org, users can take a short quiz – a humanitarian edition of the popular 'would you rather' game – that puts them in the shoes of a person coping with humanitarian crisis.
"In crises around the world, from Syria to South Sudan, people are forced to make impossible choices – risking violence for food or risking drowning in search of a safe haven – choices that most of us can barely imagine," warned UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Stephen O'Brien. "We call on all global citizens to show solidarity, use their voice and demand that world leaders take action."
Joining the call for action in person are renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, "Game of Thrones" actress Natalie Dormer, "Arab Idol" winner Mohammed Assaf, Tony Award winner and former "Hamilton" star Leslie Odom Jr., "Quantico" actress Yasmine Al Massri and "The Voice" Season 10 winner Alisan Porter, who will attend a commemorative event at the United Nations Headquarters in New York tonight.
Also speaking at the event is Syrian refugee Hala Kamil, who fled Aleppo with her four children to find safety in Germany. Their story is the subject of the film "Watani, My Homeland" by director Marcel Mettelsiefen, which is now streaming on PBS as the documentary "Children of Syria." Addressing an audience in the iconic General Assembly Hall just one month ahead of the UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants, Kamil will call on world leaders to uphold their responsibilities to help the women, men and children who are forced to flee their homes due to conflict.
The call to action follows on the heels of the first-ever World Humanitarian Summit, which took place in May this year in Istanbul. At the Summit, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on global leaders to support his Agenda for Humanity: a five-point plan that outlines the changes that are needed to alleviate suffering, reduce risk and lessen vulnerability on a global scale.
Governments, humanitarian organizations, businesses and other stakeholders responded by making over 3,000 commitments to action to achieve the Agenda.
Around the world, humanitarian needs have reached record levels and are growing each year. In 2016, 130 million women, men and children in 40 countries are in need of urgent assistance and protection: the highest number since the end of World War II. Yet massive funding shortages and a lack of long-term solutions are threatening life-saving humanitarian operations in some of the world's most severe crises. More than halfway through the year, the United Nations and its partners have received less than a third of the US$21.6 billion required to meet the most urgent humanitarian needs in 2016.
August 19 marks the anniversary of the 2003 bombing of the United Nations in Baghdad where 22 people lost their lives. In 2008, the date was designated by the UN General Assembly as World Humanitarian Day to raise awareness of humanitarian assistance worldwide and of the people who risk their lives to provide it. "At the heart of World Humanitarian Day are the selfless aid workers and volunteers who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty," noted ERC O'Brien. "We thank and pray tribute to them, for their bravery, their commitment and their conviction."
Watch the World Humanitarian Day event live at: webtv.un.org from 7-9pm EST or contact us for an embed code. For more information and to join the campaign, please visit www.worldhumanitarianday.org.


text:
Science in Christian Perspective
Walter R. Hearn, Ph.D.
From: JASA 11 (September 1959): 10-12.
Probably many A.S.A. members were attracted to George Wald's article in Science, 128, 1481 (12 December, 1958), "The Significance of Vertebrate Metamorphosis," by its unusual introduction-a quotation f rom the third chapter of the Gospel of John! The author used Nicodemus' question about the nature of a second birth to draw attention to the fact that all living things have a life cycle, beginning with birth and ending with preparation for a second physical birth, this time of their offspring. Wald makes a convincing case for "metamorphosis" as a phenomenon common to the whole vertebrate stock including man, a process by which the animal is prepared to leave its natal environment; in order to reproduce, the animal must eventually return, thus completing its life cycle. To return, a second metamorphosis may be necessary which may be almost a direct reversal of the first one. In his closing paragraph, Wald says:
"Our history as vertebrates is not dust to dust but water to water. From this point of view Nicodemus' great question can be given a broad and positive biological answer. Every animal can and must return to the 'womb'-not, indeed, to be born again; but to bear the next generation. For a catadromous fish, the 'womb' is the sea; for anadromous fishes and amphibia, a pond or stream; for land vertebrates, a uterus or egg."Professor Wald, eminent biologist of Harvard and Woods Hole, is best known for his work on the visual systems of vertebrates (which he says led him to this thesis), but he presents evidence for changes in many other biochemical systems during vertebrate metamorphosis. His paper amounts to a reaffirmation of the principle of "recapitulation"-but this time on a biochemical basis. For instance, he points out that the eye pigment of certain eurylialine fishes (those which can live in water of widely varying salt concentration) changes during their life cycle: If the fish lives in salt water but goes upstream to spawn, as in the case of salmon, the adult pigment will be the "salt-water type" based on retinene (from vitamin A,), but before the adult returns to its natal environment the pigment changes to the "fresh-water type" based on dehydroretinene (from vitamin A2). The reverse situation applies to certain fresh-water eels which spawn in salt water. In the familiar metamorphosis of tadpoles, the change from a fresh-water environment to a dryland environment is accompanied by changes in the type of visual pigment, the type of hemoglobin in the erythrocytes, the nature of the plasma proteins, and the mechanism of excretion of nitrogenous compounds.
Of course, as in the case of anatomical "recapitulation" these observations in themselves do not necessarily strengthen the case for phylogenetic evolution' but Wald interprets them in this way, postulating that the ancestral vertebrates arose in fresh water and possessed visual systems based on vitamin A2. The most speculative part of his thesis is probably the suggestion that puberty represents the vestigial remains of the second or reverse metamorphosis in the case of the land vertebrates. "To be sure, this does not prepare a land vertebrate to migrate, for the natal environment is now segregated, and puberty prepares the animal only to mate. Here only one representative cell-the spermatozoan-completes the return to the natal environment; and this, of course, undergoes a profound metamorphosis before being launched upon a migration as formidable, relative to its size, as that of any salmon." It is well established that the human fetus manufactures a different molecular species of hemoglobin from that of the adult and that the shift to the adult type comes after birth, so the term metamorphosis can legitimately be applied to the human species. Webster gives the zoological definition of metamorphosis as "a marked and more or less abrupt change in the form or structure of an animal during postembryonic development."Here of course we are dealing with changes in structure at the molecular level, changes in metabolism rather than in gross porphology. As I have pointed out ("Biochemical Complexity and its Significance in Evolution," JASA, June, 1955), this will surely be the predominant theme in future considera tions of the extent and precise mechanisms of evolution. The evidence from comparative biochemistry and chemical embryology presented in Wald's article certainly does not "prove" that biochemical evolution has occurred, any more than Darwin's assembled evidence "proved" that morphological evolution had occurred. However, in reading this paper I think I felt the kind of excitement that some of Darwin's contemporaries must have felt over his writings: here is a theory that suggests new things to look for and brings together many kinds of evidence into a unified concept! The theory may not be true, of course, but meanwhile it is useful because it is exciting and challenging. And some day, if biochemists are sufficiently clever and diligent, we may be able to find out if the theory is true.
In subsequent issues of Science a number of correspondents complained that Wald's poetic imagination had carried him too f ar, which may be true. There was also a letter complaining that "twisting" the passage froill John to make it refer to physical rebirth was inexcusable, and suggesting that the editors consult theologians as referees to prevent such misuse of Biblical quotations. On thinking back over many sermons I have heard, I decided that Wald's use of this verse out of context was no more serious than much of the "poetic license" with Scripture so common in Christian preaching. And usually my objection to it there is not that it is done, but that it is disguised as logic and not honestly presented as poetic illustration. To go back to the ideas presented in this column last time, I think a Christian who does scientific work (or one who preaches!) should be able to look at what he is doing poetically as well as logically, if his life in Christ is to be really "abundant." Darwin, many of you will recall, complained eventually of losing his taste for beauty in literature, music, and art because of his engrossment in mechanistic thought. Should not those of us who have been born again spiritually have a richer life than that"
A third area of significance in evolutionary considerations to which I called attention in my 1955 paper (besides comparative biochemistry and biochemical embryology) is that of biochemical genetics. An excellent review of the status of human biochemical genetics is provided by Laurence H. Snyder in "Fifty Years of Medical Genetics," Science, 129, 7 (2 January, 1959). This paper, Dr. Snyder's 1958 AAAS Presidential Address, is as exciting and challenging as the one by Wald referred to above. There are now inany well established cases in which inherited diseases, known to be controlled by a single gene, can be pinned down to a single abnormality in a specific metabelie pathway. For example, Vernon Ingram of Cambridge (Nature, 180, 326 (1957).) showed that in the pathological hemoglobin of sickle cell anemia, only one of the nearly 300 amino acids of the protein's structure differs from that of normal hemoglobin, a glutamic acid being replaced by a valine; it is remarkable that such a slight alteration in a single macromolecule in the body should prove fatal to individuals with only the sickle hemoglobin- (The disease gets its name from the fact that at low oxygen tension the abnormal hemoglobin crystallizes from solution and the erythrocyte membrane then collapses to a shape resembling a sickle under the microscope.)
Here again we are getting down to the level of molecular morphology, but it is also possible in at least one case to relate a gross structural anomaly to a specific metabolic disfunction. This is the case of hereditary spherocytosis, in which the erythrocytes develop as spheres rather than as biconcave disks. If you have seen the Moody Science Film, "Red River of Life," you will remember the sequence showing that the biconcave disk gives the theoretically optimum combination of rapid diffusion and mechanical strength. In the presence of a specific dominant gene possessed by those suffering from spherocytosis, apparently one of the enzymes of glycolysis, enolase, is inhibited or for some other reason fails to function properly. Glycolysis is the pathway by which carbohydrate is anaerobically converted to lactic acid; enolase catalyzes the specific step in which 2-phosphoglyceric acid is converted to 2-phosphoenolpyruvic acid. This latter compound ordinarily loses its phosphate in the next step to a molecule of adenosine diphosphate (ADP), producing a molecule of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) which can provide energy to drive a variety of biochemical reactions. The erythrocytes, having no mitochondrial enzymes for oxidative metabolism, are more dependent on glycolysis for energy than are other cells of the body, and in the diseased condition have insufficient ATP to maintain the normal cell shape. The cell membrane is mechanically weaker and ruptured erythrocytes accumulate in the spleen in the disease.
There is also much interest at present in relating mental disorders to specific biochemical abnormalities, and in several cases a single gene-enzyme disfunction has been implicated. In one severe type of mental disease the amino acid phenylalanine cannot be oxidized to tyrosine because the enzyme catalyzing this step is missing or not functioning properly; as a result the phenylalanine accumulates and is de-aminated via an alternate pathway to phenylpyruvic acid, excretion of which in the urine is characteristic of the disease (oligophrenia phenylpyruvica). Greatly reduced pigmentation is also noticed in individuals suffering from this disease; the excess phenylalanine apparently inhibits the enzyme tyrosinase and thus diminishes the conversion of tyrosine to melanin. But perhaps the most fascinating, and most hopeful, fact about this disease is that it has been found possible to identify by a chemical test those apparently normal persons who are heterozygous carriers of the recessive gene for the disease: phenylalanine tolerance tests show that carriers of the gene have only about half as much active phenylalanine-oxidizing enzyme as persons- who do not possess the gene.


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Definitive Technology ProCinema 800 Home Theater Speaker System Page 2
MUSIC PERFORMANCE A brief session with the ProMonitors playing full-range alone confirmed that they don't produce enough bass for satisfying sound on their own - but that nonetheless they play amazingly loud without obvious distress. These are strictly satellite speakers, but they do go lower and louder than I'd have guessed on sight.
With the system tweaked and tailored, I started as usual with stereo listening, finding a generally neutral, open sound with a slightly warm cast to male vocals and a pleasant, easy-to-listen-to treble that was open and fairly airy without any excess bite or sizzle. Clean, well-recorded CDs like Ani DiFranco's Reprieve were very pleasing and surprisingly high-end-sounding, with modest depth, some genuine transparency, and considerably more weight and impact from the below-50-Hz region than I'd expected. The solo acoustic bass that opens the disc ("Hypnotized") was tight and realistically woody but still had plenty of heft for its occasional ventures below 60 Hz or so. The Definitive system also displayed arresting clarity on stuff like the explosively compressed, crystalline Dobro (or whatever that is) that enters, startlingly, a bit later.
The ProMonitors (and ProCenter, for that matter) could play cleanly far louder than I expected - about as loud as plenty of much larger small-bookshelf speakers I've heard. In fact, their tweeters ran out of headroom (resulting in hardness and "shriekiness") at about the same time as at their woofers (flatulating, and "tup-tupping" on transients), which is quite rare among mini-sats of this size. And since the Definitives' tweeter is no slouch, this was rather loud indeed.
MOVIE PERFORMANCE The little Definitives' performance on even demanding movie soundtracks was, if anything, even more pleasing. Collateral may be no Citizen Kane, but it's an expertly made movie in technical terms, and the ProMonitors handled it with relative ease. From moderate to fairly loud volume - say, about 6 dB below commercial-cinema reference level - I never once came out of the story because of a sonic shortcoming.


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[Sprawl of Sound] Mike Conley, 1959-2008
Mike Conley, 1959-2008
In memory of the M.I.A. vocalist and owner of Avalon Bar
On very short notice Sunday evening, close to 200 people came through Costa Mesa's Avalon Bar to pay their respects to its late owner, Mike Conley, and to lend financial and emotional support to his family.
The former vocalist with the beloved Orange County punk group M.I.A. was found unconscious in the early-morning hours of Feb. 28 outside a hotel in Leyden Township, a neighborhood in Chicago. He was pronounced dead at 6:25 p.m. at a nearby hospital. Coroners attribute the cause of death to head trauma consistent with injuries due to falls, but an initial autopsy proved inconclusive, and police are awaiting the results of toxicology tests. Conley, 48, had been working on a construction project in downtown Chicago. He is survived by his girlfriend, Shelly "Syd" Leonard, and three daughters: Alex, 18; Zoe, 9; and Ava, 5.
Adrienne Castaneda, a 34-year-old Leyden Township woman who had been "partying" with Conley at the hotel on his final night in Illinois, allegedly stole a cell phone and two credit cards from him and has been arrested, according to Cook County Sheriff spokeswoman Penny Mateck.
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Conley had a large circle of friends and was considered by many to be a charismatic champion of underground-DJ culture, especially for Costa Mesa's artistically thriving west side. Below, some of Conley's friends and beneficiaries of his entrepreneurial largesse pay tribute to the man.
Taylor Smith (co-host of 41Dub, the dubstep biweekly): "I wish I had known Mike longer. His love and passion for music was refreshing, and his ability to express that love was so warm and welcomed. When I first met Mike, what I really identified with was his drive to turn the west side of Costa Mesa into a little cultural haven. His idea to cultivate a place, or places, where people could really feel comfortable and call home were so unique in this day and age of profiteering, and I really respected him for that. He welcomed us, our new sounds and our friends into his bar with open arms.
"I will never forget some of our conversations about music and 'the scene,' shared over a Stella at the Avalon. This is a tragedy that will be felt for years to come and one that has impacted many people in many ways. He played a key role in propagating a message of love and family in the area, and it is a message and a warm feeling we will all miss dearly. I still can't believe it."
Robert Acosta (DJ Thunder Villain at the B-Sides night): "Mike was a friend to all. He really seemed to believe in people, and a lot of people were attracted to him for that reason. He cared a lot about his friends and family and really seemed to foster a family-like environment for us all at Avalon.
"I'll miss his stories about M.I.A. and the hardcore scene of the early '80s. He had some great ones and survived long enough to tell about it. Those were crazy times, and his stories made him seem almost indestructible.
"Lastly, Mike Conley was an all-around great guy. Always quick with a handshake and a 'good to see you, Rob.' I'll probably miss that the most. He was the genuine article."
Jack Flynn (owner of Kitsch Bar and J Flynn Gallery, motorcycle-riding friend): "To put it as simply as possible: Mike Conley was a stand-up guy. Rest in peace, my friend."
Carey Call (friend): "Mike was very intuitive and generous with his spirit. If you were down on your luck or needed anything, he [would help you] out all the time."
Shima Soffer (restaurateur, friend): "Mike Conley was a visionary of [Costa Mesa's] west side. He believed in the 19th Street Movement and what was going on here. As a lifelong resident of the west side, I believe in him and his vision of the west side. I will do all that I can to pick up the torch and continue to fulfill his vision—which is all of ours' vision, which was my father's vision—and to make this happen."
Bb Guns (DJ at Dirty Money): "I haven't known Mike for as many years as all the other guys doing nights at the [Avalon] and working there, but for the amount of time I did, [Mike] was good enough for me to embrace how genuine and great of a guy he really was. [I], along with everyone else who have been hanging at his bar, lost such a great friend so suddenly and tragically.
"He wasn't just a bar owner. He was a good friend to all, a stand-up, respectful guy. Always had time to listen and take everyone's views on whatever issues you felt like discussing with him.
"As our nights continue on at his bar, there is one thing that will always be in our thoughts and never be forgotten—the owner/friend of Avalon Bar, Mike Conley."
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Question for anyone with input on food issues, and adoption
We have been blessed with the opportunity to grow our family and last year we got two amazeing little girls. Our girls were 2, and 4 and so adorable. My family has embraced them with open arms and through therapy, patience and love they are thriving. The only issue and one that I am having a hard time with is my now 5 year old steals and sneaks food, snacks, candy. We have given her concenquesces, and rewords when she does not sneak them but anytime there is any candy, or snacks anywhere she has to take them. Its gotten to the point where our oldest (7) was upset because her sister steals from her. She has a special box where she puts things and had been saving M&Ms for her sisters and told her sister "please dont take my candy, so I can share with you in our girls club". Well as soon as the box was set down she eats the candy. So we are thinking of getting the other girls a safe, so that they can lock up the things that are spcial to them, but I am at a loss with how to fix this issues? We have tried everything, and it seems like nothing is working. Thanks!
Quoting MamaBearEH:
Why don't you just remove the candy from the home period?
I guess that might help but its snacks, food also. plus the candy is helping with the potty training for our three year olds.
You need to address this with her therapist. My parents took in foster children and many had food hoarding issues - they had come from homes, many of them, where "enough" food wasn't given, treats had to be stolen to be had, and their wants/needs were either ignored or not a priority. Your daughter isn't doing this to make you angry - she is doing this because it is likely an ingrained habit, and like any habit, it needs patience, understanding, and time.
I wouldn't punish over it - ever. Every time you discover she "steals", I would gently take it from her, remind her that in this house we needn't steal - we can ask. When she does ask, praise her. If you can't/shouldn't give it to her at that moment, tell her why and remind her that she can have it at x time (say, after dinner). Remind her that in this house, when the food is gone, more will be bought - things won't just disappear, food isn't scarce, and a trip to the grocery store will replenish what IS gone.
FWIW, my just turned 5 year old does NOT understand the concept of "stealing" yet. This varies by child.
I am a Home Schooling, Vaccinating, Non spanking, Nightmare Cuddling, Dessert Giving, Bedtime Kissing, Book Reading, Stay at Home Mom. I believe in the benefit of organized after school activities and nosy, involved parents. I believe in spoiling my children. I believe that I have seen the village and I do not want it anywhere near my children. Now for the controversial stuff: we're Catholic, we're conservative, and we own guns (now there's no need to ask, lol). Aimee


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Cyprus 1-0 Wales: Terrible for Tosh
Abject Wales produced by far their worst performance in John Toshack's first year as manager.
Toshack was hardly able to celebrate 12 months in charge as his side looked ordinary and almost disinterested in this friendly.
The winner came from the spot just before half-time when Chrysis Michael fired home a penalty after Danny Collins tripped Konstantinos Makridis.
From then on Wales barely managed a whimper of opposition and only managed one decent chance through substitute Robert Earnshaw in the final minutes.
Had it not been for an outstanding display from goalkeeper Lewis Price on his debut, this could have been a very embarrassing scoreline to match a dreadful performance.
Danny Gabbidon captained Wales for the first time in the absence of Ryan Giggs and after Mark Delaney dropped out at the last minute with a stomach upset.
Toshack made four changes from the side which beat Azerbaijan last month. Giggs, James Collins and Simon Davies were all injured while veteran goalkeeper Paul Jones stepped down to allow 21-year-old Price to make his full international debut.
Craig Bellamy returned to the team for the first time since he played against Austria in Vienna last March, while Sam Ricketts and Robert Page also returned in front of a poor crowd in the Tsirion Stadium.
Israeli referee Heim Jacov, who had been brought in at late notice after requests from the Welsh for a neutral official, stamped his authority on the game immediately with some fussy decisions.
Ipswich keeper Price was soon in action with a fine far-post block to keep out of a close-range volley from Constantinos Charalambidis.
Three minutes later Ioannis Okkas, who plays for Greek giants Olympiacos, raced away after a Carl Robinson error to blaze over from 15 yards.
Bellamy's pace was beginning to worry the Cypriots and twice the Blackburn striker raced away only to see his crosses wasted.
Price again came to Wales' rescue when he beat away a fierce shot from Lambros Lambrou in a packed area.
He was coping well until he spilled a fierce 30-yard shot from Okkas, and when Charalambidis forced the ball goalwards it was Bellamy who cleared off the line.
Carl Fletcher was booked on 34 minutes for a foul on Makridis with Wales' midfield looking ragged.
The hosts' pace was bothering Wales all over the pitch and it cost them a penalty two minutes from the break from which Cyprus took a deserved lead.
Danny Collins stuck out a foot as Makridis surged past him and the midfielder crashed to the ground. Referee Jacov had no option but to point to the spot, and Michael drove home the spot-kick.
Toshack took off Danny Collins at the break and sent on Gavin Williams to play wide on the right.
Bellamy scampered away on 46 minutes but with Hartson having got himself free of his marker the poor cross was clutched by Michael Morphis.
Two minutes later, David Vaughan fired over a cross from the left and got his head to the ball but could not direct it goalwards. Then Asimakis Krassas set up Yiasemakis Yiasoumi for a 15-yard shot which flashed just wide.
After 67 minutes, Wales sent on Earnshaw in place of Vaughan, with Wales playing with three strikers in an attempt to get back into the game.
Price again saved Wales when he blocked a close-range effort from Okkas as Cyprus threatened to extend their lead.
Wolves defender Rob Edwards took over from Richard Duffy on 77 minutes, but it needed Price again to turn over Charalambidis' volley before Gareth Roberts came on for Ricketts a minute later.
Wales' first real effort came after 85 minutes when Williams and Earnshaw combined well on the left before the West Brom striker cut inside to drive a low shot just wide of the far post.


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Dance cards are very small booklets used by women at formal dances in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Most were decorative and had long strings so women could wear them on their wrists or attach them to their gowns.
Dance cards were used to record women's dance partners. Inside the card were pages listing the names of the dances, with a blank line after each. A man would ask a woman for a particular dance, and his name would be penciled in on that line. Some dance cards had tiny pencils attached to the string, but men usually carried pencils with them. According to etiquette, if a man introduced himself and asked properly for a dance, the woman really could not refuse.
Dance cards are wonderful pieces of social history. They were popular first in Vienna and then in Europe and the United States in the nineteenth century up until the early twentieth century, no later than the 1930s. The cards are often designed delightfully and sometimes made of unusual materials, such as metal, leather or wood.
But they also provide useful historical information, such as the date, location, and sponsors of the dance, as well as the popular dances and songs of the time. If the dances in the card were filled, then one can even find out who attended-or at least which men attended!
Dance cards lost their popularity before the middle of the twentieth century due to less rigid gender and etiquette practices. But the social significance of the dance card still lingers today. Now and then, one may hear phrases such as, "My dance card is full," "Pencil me in," or "Save the last dance for me."


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In these Terms of Engagement ("Terms") Keystone Law is referred to as "we/our/us" and the clients of Keystone Law are referred to as "you/your". Keystone Law is the practising and trading name of Keystone Law (Isle of Man) Limited, a limited liability company incorporated in the Isle of Man. We are an international law firm and trade overseas as Keystone Law through different entities (our "Overseas Branches").
1. Introduction
We are an incorporated legal practice regulated by the Isle of Man Law Society (the "Society").
2. Basis of charging
2.1 We charge for our services on a bespoke basis. On request and where appropriate, we offer fixed, capped and abortive fees as well as value billing. In the absence of such a request, we calculate our charges by reference to our relevant hourly rates and to the time recorded on the matter. Time is recorded to the nearest minute. We reserve the right to change our hourly rates on one month's written notice.
2.2 Where our fees or estimates are made subject to one or more conditions or provided on the basis of one or more assumptions, then, where any assumption proves to be incorrect or where any condition is breached, we reserve the right to charge instead according to our hourly rates.
2.3 In support of our legal work we offer a range of client services. These are either offered as fixed fees as set out in the attached Rate Card or on a bespoke basis. We update our Rate Card annually. The up-to-date Rate Card is available on request.
2.4 We may incur expenses ("disbursements") on your behalf in relation to the services we provide to you. These disbursements may include charges in respect of court fees, search fees, counsel, expert witnesses, accommodation, travel and other third-party charges.
2.5 We are entitled to invoice you for the cost of disbursements incurred by us on your behalf and may ask you to provide us in advance with sufficient funds to cover such disbursements or arrange for the person providing the services to invoice you directly. We will not incur an individual expense in excess of £250 without your prior authorisation.
2.6 We will invoice you for the provision of our legal services on a monthly basis or at such other times as are appropriate. Our invoice will contain a description of the work undertaken, any disbursements and the amount of fees due. All our invoices are statutory invoices (i.e. self-contained and including all the work done in that period) unless expressly marked 'Interim Invoice'. You agree we may send you our invoices electronically.
2.7 Disbursements-only invoices are payable on receipt. Interest of 4% above the NatWest base rate will become payable on all overdue amounts. We trust not, but should it ever become necessary for us to incur costs in recovering unpaid amounts, you agree that you shall be liable to pay such costs in full.
2.8 We shall apply any amounts that we hold on your behalf to effect payment of such of your outstanding invoices as we deem appropriate, notwithstanding instructions issued by you to the contrary at any time.
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2.10 When we are instructed by two or more clients to act on the same matter, each client will be jointly and severally liable to pay the full amount of our fees, disbursements and VAT, and each client irrevocably consents to information provided by it being shared with the other client(s) instructing us on the matter.
2.11 We shall use our bankers' standard currency exchange rates to convert any sums to be used in settlement of our invoices which are not already denominated in the currency of the relevant invoice. You shall be responsible for any shortfall.
2.12 The monetary values referred to in the Engagement Letter and these Terms are exclusive of VAT.
2.13 We are only able to address an invoice to you even if it is to be paid by a third party.
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In appropriate cases we may need to ask you for a payment on account of costs, disbursements and VAT. The amount that we will require will depend on the circumstances and will be notified to you once we have assessed your requirements. These monies will be retained by us in our client account. From time to time, we may ask you to replenish the client account so that it does not fall below a level we set. Any funds in excess of our charges will be returned to you after the completion or termination of our services. If costs on account are required, we reserve the right not to commence or continue work for you until they have been received.
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4.1 In accordance with the Anti Money Laundering and Counter Financing of Terrorism Code 2015, we require documentary proof as to your identity, and, where relevant that of your beneficial owner(s), before we can represent you. This information must be renewed every three years. We may verify your identity by searching third-party database. This may leave a footprint on your credit file, but it will not affect your credit rating. We may ask you to produce certain original documents or ask you to supply us with copies of the same suitably certified by another advocate, solicitor or other regulated professional.
4.2 We are professionally and legally obliged to keep your affairs confidential. However, we may be required by statute to make a disclosure to the authorities where we know or suspect a transaction may involve money laundering or terrorist financing. If we are required to make a disclosure in relation to your matter, we may need to cease work and may not be able to tell you that a disclosure has been made.
4.3 We are further required to carry out due diligence checks on third parties remitting funds to us. You agree to notify us in advance of any third party intending to transfer funds to us, including funds in settlement of our invoices. Without the necessary identification documents we and you may not be able to utilise such funds received. Where you instruct and to the extent possible, we will use public databases to obtain the necessary identification documents. We charge for this service at our normal rates.
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5.1 We operate a client account where money belonging to you may be held in a legal trust. If you wish to deposit funds in our client account, please let us know in writing in advance and we shall provide you with a reference number which must accompany such funds. Failure to provide our reference when remitting funds may lead to a delay in the processing or onward remittance of those monies, for which we will not be responsible. Save in relation to settling your liability in respect of our fees and disbursements, or pursuant to a court order, monies will only be released from our client account in accordance with your instructions.
5.2 All monies held in our client account will accrue interest in accordance with our Client Account Interest Policy, which is available on request.
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5.4 We shall have no liability to you for loss or damage caused by the subsequent insolvency of our bank or the refusal of or inability of our bank to action the instructions that we give them.
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6.1 The services that we provide are solely for you and (except with our express written agreement) no other person shall be entitled to receive copies of or to rely on our advice for any purpose and we shall have no duties to any third party.
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6.3 Our total liability, whether in contract, tort or otherwise, for all loss or damage arising from or in connection with your instructions, is limited to £5,000,000. This limit applies to all causes of action against us in respect of, or arising from, or in any way connected with, the work we undertake for you. Where we act for more than one client in a matter, this £5,000,000 limitation applies to our aggregate liability to all of them.
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13.2 Save where such is not permitted by the Laws of the Isle of Man, the parties irrevocably agree that the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute or claim that arises out of or in connection with this agreement or its subject matter or formation (including non-contractual disputes or claims).


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SHERRILLS FORD— When campers come to Camp Dogwood, they can expect to leave with not just a relaxing vacation, but with lifelong friendships.
The camp for visually-impaired people, located on Lake Norman and sponsored by the North Carolina Lions Foundation, runs from May 29 to Aug. 27 with a week off from July 10 to July 16.
"They have a blast while they are here,†said Sandy Lazenby, camp director. "For some of our people, it's the only vacation they get.â€
The camp has 12 six-day sessions for visually-impaired adults from ages 18 – 90. Campers arrive on Sunday afternoon and leave the following Saturday morning.
Camp Dogwood also offers a week for visually-impaired youth from July 17 to July 23.
There is never a dull moment for the campers. Activities run constantly, morning, noon and evening.
Each morning starts with the raising of the flag and devotional time.
Waterfront activities include tubing, skiing, fishing, swimming and pontoon boat rides.
Campers participate in crafts and off-campus trips to Wal-Mart, horseback riding, bowling and putt-putt golf.
The camp also has a nature center, with donated taxidermy.
There is no slowing down at night, as there is bingo, Camp Dogwood trivia, dances and evening cruises on Lake Norman.
The counselors give out awards on Friday nights to each camper at the end of each week's session.
"I like making friends and seeing people,†said Doug Rowland, a camper for 10 years. "There's always something to do.â€
The camp, established in 1967 by the Lions Foundation after some visually impaired people came looking for a place to go on vacation, cultivates lifelong friendships; many campers come back and meet friends each summer.
"The fellowship they get from each other and being with people who understand them is so important,†said Lazenby. "It's a week where they can let their hair down and have fun. We really pamper them and spoil them while they are here.â€
Of the 646 campers in 2004, only 79 were first-timers.
"I first came here a long time ago,†said camper James M. Roberson. "They have good food and good people.
"Everything with the Lions Club is real good,†he said. "I came back because I missed it and now I'm back for good.â€
The unique atmosphere of being with people with the same lifestyle creates a connection between the campers.
"They all share that common bond of being visually-impaired,†Lazenby said. "They learn a lot just by being with each other.â€
Even if they are new to Camp Dogwood, campers find they fit in almost immediately.
"I always tell them that even if they don't know anyone, they will be leaving with 70 some new friends,†Lazenby said.
The camp employs 16 staff members, including some who are visually-impaired. The majority are from North Carolina and the U.S., but others hail from outside the country. The camp also has many volunteers.
Although each staff member is trained at orientation to assist campers, they are not caretakers.
Campers needing a caretaker, such as a spouse, can accompany them for an extra charge of $125.
The cost for a week is $475. With the help of the Lions Foundation, North Carolina campers go for $85.
Out-of-state campers are accepted on a space available basis at the regular price.
Lazenby has hopes for adding a outdoor cement bowling alley and possibly a putt-putt course in the future.
The camp staff gives out surveys to campers asking for feedback to make Camp Dogwood the best it can be.
Right now, the camp is updating its dormitories to make sure campers enjoy themselves to the fullest.
"It is their camp. It's for them and their enjoyment,†Lazenby said.
For more information about Camp Dogwood call (828) 478-2155, or write to P.O. Box 39, Sherrills Ford, N.C. 28673.
To find out more about the Lions Foundation call (1-800) – 662-7401, or visit www.nclf.org.
by Mary Williams
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Players Now Able to Register for an Early Visit to Steampunk Fantasy MMO ARGO Online.
MUNICH - December 6, 2010 burda:ic, a leading publisher of online games worldwide, today announced the start of registration for the Closed Beta Test of highly-anticipated Steampunk Fantasy MMORPG ARGO Online. Players interested in being among the first to visit the post-apocalyptic world of ARGO Online can get full registration details from the official site at: argo.alaplaya.net/closedbeta
ARGO Online throws players into a war-torn, futuristic world where two factions—the tech-savvy Noblians and the nature-inspired Floresslah—are trapped in a longstanding struggle for control of the mysterious and powerful resource known as Earthdium. Players in the world of ARGO Online will have to carefully choose which faction they want to support as they take on thousands of quests, participate in epic battles spanning hundreds of players at a time, and learn various trades to contribute to their race's success.
For more information about ARGO Online, visit the teaser site at http://www.argo.alaplaya.net.
ARGO Online is coming to Europe and North America in early 2011.
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Congressman Ted Yoho (FL-03) said the following after the Supreme Court's decision to strike down Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act:
"The Supreme Court's decision to strike down Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act rightly places the responsibility for clear and constitutional legislation back where it belongs, with Congress. Moving forward, it is my goal to make sure that only legal U.S. citizens, verified at the local level, ever exercise the privilege that is the right to vote. In this country, the people govern. It is our responsibility to speak and work together on their behalf."
Source: http://yoho.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-yoho-comments-on-supreme-court-voting-rights-act-decision


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5400 East Williams Boulevard
Tucson, Arizona, 85711
Commute to Downtown Tucson
Some errands can be accomplished on foot.
A few nearby public transportation options.
Flat as a pancake, excellent bike lanes.
About your score
5400 East Williams Boulevard has a Walk Score of 60 out of 100. This location is Somewhat Walkable so some errands can be accomplished on foot.
This location is in Tucson. Nearby parks include Desert Aire Park, Wilshire Heights Park and Mesa Village Park.
Explore how far you can travel by car, bus, bike and foot from 5400 East Williams Boulevard.
5400 East Williams Boulevard has some transit which means a few nearby public transportation options.
Bus lines:
34 Craycroft/Ft. Lowell
0.1 mi
8 Broadway
0.4 mi
7 22nd St.
0.6 mi
View all Tucson apartments on a map.
Popular apartment searches include pool, fireplace and fitness.
Search for homes in Tucson or find a Tucson real estate agent who knows walkable neighborhoods. Links will open on our partner site Redfin.com.
This location is in the city of Tucson, AZ. Tucson has an average Walk Score of 42 and has 520,116 residents.


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NEW YORK (Sep. 11)
The Henry Ford 11 Fund for Research in Transportation has been established by the American Technion Society (ATS), it was announced by Alexander Hassan of Washington, D.C. ATS president. The United States-based fund will focus on transportation and related problems common to all countries of the Middle East.
Simultaneously, it was announced by Max Fisher of Detroit, that Ford would be the recipient of the first Technology for Peace Award at a dinner sponsored by the ATS Sept. 26 at the Waldorf-Astoria. Fisher is honorary chairman of the dinner committee with Evelyn de Rothschild of England, chairman of the International Board of Governors of the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology at Haifa. Henry Taub, of New Jersey, is dinner chairman.
The fund, at the outset, will employ the multidisciplinary skills in the Technion departments of civil engineering, chemical engineering, architecture and town planning, and industrial and management engineering. The input of scientists in related fields at other institutions, in industry and in other countries will be solicited.
It was noted further by the Fund's originators that transportation problems, which will be under study, deal not only with improving communication in developing areas, but in combatting congestion, pollution and threats to personal safety in centuries-old urban sites. One matter of concern is planned transportation for workers in new industries.
The development of modern transportation systems in the Middle East is seen by the Fund originators as one instance of the need for technological development which could improve the standard of living and hopefully provide a cooling influence on the area's volatility, Supporters of the Technion on this country, who see this in the context of the accord reached at Camp David between Israel and Egypt and as a means of building permanent peace, created the award which Ford will receive.


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- Announcements & Calendar
- Liturgy and Worship
- Prayer and Spirituality
- Maxis-Gillet Service Scholars
- Thanksgiving Adopt-A-Family
- Community Service & Social Justice
- Alternative Break Service Trips Program
- Service-Learning
- Forms
- Contact Us
- Long-term Service Opportunities
- Fair Trade Pre-Sale
St. Joseph's Center Maternity & Family Services
Time Commitment: Flexible Hours
Translators, Pantry Assistants, Mother Infant Program Volunteers needed.
Volunteers are needed to translate for families who come for items and services at the Baby Pantry. Spanish speaking volunteers needed to assist with baby pantry item distribution at Scranton Primary Healthcare Center.
Pantry Assistant
Volunteers needed to assist with various aspects of the operation of St. Joseph's Baby Pantry (i.e sorting donations, distribution and recording of donations etc.)
Mother Infant Program
Volunteers needed to babysit infants & toddlers while mothers attend weekly house meeting, Southside location. 1-1+1/2 hours (usually Thursday nights)


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SPJ member in critical condition
We're sad to report that SPJ member Alana Rocha, a reporter for KWCH, Ch. 12 in Wichita, Kan., is in critical condition following a traffic accident early Saturday morning.
A man suspected of driving while intoxicated crashed into a car driven by Rocha, 24. Police say the man was trying to elude patrol officers when he blew through a stoplight and struck Rocha's car. The man was treated for minor injuries at a local hospital and released.
Rocha had entertained a job candidate for an opening at KWCH and was driving home when the accident happened.
SPJ Region 7 Director Ron Sylvester, a staff writer at The Wichita Eagle, is keeping us posted. If you'd like to offer support or assistance for Alana Rocha, please contact him at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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09-27-2008 11:06 AM - edited 09-27-2008 11:12 AM
Hi people,
I bought a T400 a month ago. I'm in the process of returning the machine. This post is meant as more of an informational post and nothing more. If you wish to reply then please keep in mind that I'm no dumb enduser. I'm a highly techie so I *know* what I'm talking about. Dont want to come off as a smart ass but I'm a responsible user and wont bother anybody until I feel its absolutely needed.
I spent approximately $1100 on this machine. Some of you may argue its not a big deal but yes it is for me since this is money I've been saving up for a long time. Anyway, the machine came with a bad screen. It had a clump of dead pixels. Someone in their QA department must be surely sleeping. So I promptly called lenovo informed them about it. They sent me a box, the depot repaired and I got it back. I appreciate the quick turn around time.
Now the replaced screen has one or two dead pixels smack in the middle of the screen. This is completely unacceptable to me since I've had many and by that I mean not less that 20 - 25 LCD screens in the past few years and none of them had a dead / hot / stuck pixel.
When I complained to the customer service, they said they'll replace it. Then someone informed me that the depot will simply send back my machine without even replacing the LCD and that I may lose the opportunity to return my system. So I called back Lenovo CS to confirm since I didnt want to depend on the hearsay. The CS confirmed it and they suggested rather than escalating the issue I should just return the product if I'm not happy with it.
So I called up sales and they took down my request and I got a call back from them in a few hours time telling me that they were dispatching the RMA and UPS labels etc...
My question to you i.e. Lenovo is that doesn't the little guy matter to you anymore? Is $1100 too little in this slumping US economy? ( If I were a businessman I'd try to get and KEEP every little bit of business ). How many people out there can spend $1100 on a laptop? I'm a happy camper with a Dell laptop for the past 3 years. My screen has had no dead pixels and the hardware is rock solid. Its just aging thats all.
The only reason I went in to purchase a Lenovo is because of the quality. Now I can see the lack of it. Guess for Lenovo quality and happy customers mean nothing. Not a single customer care rep I spoke to told me that they'll ensure that I get a good quality screen. That would've truly exceeded my expectations.
I love the T400 and wished that I was shipped a notebook with a good screen. But now I have no respect for Lenovo and I am sure to tell my friends about my bad experience with you guys.
P.S.: For all T400 owners with LED screens do check the part number that you have for the LED display. There are two 42T0503 which is a samsung and it looks horrible with washed out colors and terrible viewing angles and the other one is the 42T0497. This is an LG panel and it looks much better than the samsung panel.
09-27-2008 02:02 PM - last edited on 09-27-2008 07:07 PM by JaneL
On one hand you are saying that Lenovo don't care about small customers, which is not the case here from what you are describing... as all your enquiries and services/repair are handled with fast turn around time, did Lenovo keep you waiting for days and not call you back or left in the dark about some processes that they didn't tell you about???
If Lenovo give you a shrug off or someway misinforming you then that would be the case of bad PR and bad customer services, however, this is not the case, and from what i am reading Lenovo have treated you with respect and dignity.
Also when you accuse Lenovo of not caring about the small guys, are you implying that Lenovo has treated you unfairly compared to the large corporation and business customers???? So if the business user or corporate user got a laptop from Lenovo, would they get a faultless laptop and nothing in the way of dead pixels???? Is that what you are trying to suggest here???
If QA is the problem, then every customer from the poorest to the richest will suffer the same problem of low quality laptop. Lenovo won't be specifically picking on the size of your bank account.
If you are a computer technie, then you would know that there are no LCD production process yet that have completely eliminated dead pixel in their fabrication process. Obviously when you purchase a laptop then you should do a bit of research especially for a professional computer user like you, one or two dead pixels are within allowable limit for Lenovo's LCD. Also when you ask a customer rep to guarantee something that they have no control over??? It is like you asking a company whether their share are definitely going to give you 10% return on your investment.
I can't verify the truth when you say none of your large LCD screen collection is without dead pixels/hot/stuck pixels or the like, but this is not the case for many users, i have far less LCD monitors then you and every one of them have a hot/dead pixel, whether they are LG, Samsung, Dell or NEC.
How many people spend $1100 for a laptop??? well i guess anyone whom wants a decent laptop would at least pay that amount. So how many people buy MacBook Pro laptop, Macbook Air, T61p, W500, X61, x61t, X200, X300, X301, Alienware, Dell XPS, HP business line, etc. I am sure there is enough customers for mid end to high end laptop to keep these respective laptop companies afloat. You and i may not have the money to buy a Ferrari F430, but that doesn't mean there is no demand for it.
If you think the screen you got is bad then lets keep it to that, but you extropolate that to Lenovo not caring about you as a personal computer user, then you are stretching the truth a bit too far.
09-27-2008 03:04 PM - edited 09-27-2008 03:07 PM
well you got me wrong here. I did appreciate that they repaired my machine but when I told them that I didnt want an LCD which had a dead pixel werent ready to do anything about it. Thats the point. Some customers can live with dead pixels, others cant. I'm one of the others.
The only reason I wrote what I wrote was because in my experience I've never had a faulty screen. I did plenty of research before I purchased the machine and Lenovo fit the bill. But what irritated me the most is that they'd rather turn me away than to perform a repair to my satisfaction. With bigger customers they'll jump through the hoop to please them. I'm not even expecting unreasonable things from them. Just give me a machine which has a LCD which is to my satisfaction. Thats all.
I can sypmathize with you, with regard to spending $1100 only to get a machine that has dead pixels. I would be protesting, EVEN THOUGH, it is technically within QC. Now, a used machine, where I am not shelling out that kind of money, i can live with it. I don't do any kind of photoshop work, or other imaging, where it would affect my abilities.
As you can tell from my signature, I have and have had MANY thinkpads throughout my life. I have only seen LCDs with dead pixels on about 3 machines... So, for you to get 2 back-to-back would be rare, IMHO. Unless there is something that I am not aware of with the new LED LCDs.
My suggestion to you is to return it as planned, and then try again, with a new machine. If you got a third bad screen, I would be MORE than suprised....stunned would be more like it.
Lenovo don't undertake the repair it is Solectron the largest OEM repairer in the world, they will fix it as they fit with the parts they got, Lenovo just contracts out the repair. If you think you got a bad repair (which i am not surprised with Solectron) then the only thing that the Lenovo/IBM warranty support can only resend them out to Solectron for to repair again. There is nothing Lenovo can do, which is one reason why people purchase on site warranty, so you as the customer can watch them undertake the warranty repair and fit to tell them where you think isn't right.
Just return the laptop, and start the purchase process again with whatever brands, spec and price that suits you.
Do you guys think it is sane for me to retry with another T400? I really like the machine and I'm backing up my stuff as I write this post. Would love to have this machine without defects.
With regards to machine repair. Well whoever repairs the machine, its fine but its Lenovo's brand name that is at stake here. Shouldn't they be seeing to it that solectron should satisfy the customers?
just get another one if you want, but i will tell you this Lenovo have treated you in a very professional manner, there are only few cases where Staff have been so candid with all the information and all your repair was done in a swift manner. You treatment by Lenovo's are second to none, this sort of turn around rate with phone calls response can only be expected for multinational company managers in Australia, many people only get called one or two days later.
I think Lenovo is well aware with some of the problems posed by certain repairers, this battle of David versus the Goliath. Haven't seen many people complained about screen of T400 yet. Don't know the process to be honest, but since the Lenovo release the x number of dead pixel policy, some company probably are pushing the acceptable boundary.
here is an article that took about dead pixel on people's new laptops.
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