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Does CBS station's acquisition of Tampa Bay Buccaneers preseason games highlight deflated value?
St. Petersburg CBS station WTSP-Ch. 10 will air three Tampa Bay Buccaneers pre-season games this year, moving the broadcasts from NBC's WFLA-Ch. 8 and officially marking the end of the rival station's "Pewter Partnership" with the football team.
The move also may signal the end of big deals for local broadcast of pre-season football games, in an era of widespread blackouts of home games and sinking media ad revenues.
WTSP and the Buccaneers issued a press release on the new, two-year agreement this morning, amid news that the NFL's lockout was officially over. Under the new deal, WTSP will keep on air partners Chris Myers and John Lynch.
WTSP general manager Ken Tonning said the new agreement with WTSP is not as extensive as WFLA's highly touted Pewter Partnership, where the Media General-owned TV station's logos appeared prominently throughout the stadium and the alliance was highlighted in on air promotions and programming.
The team's Pewter Partnership with Media General's Tampa Tribune newspaper remains in place.
Given the possibility of blackouts -- forcing games to air hours later or even the next day by tape delay -- and the continuing troubles of the the media industry, such blockbuster partnership deals may be a thing of the past. Last year, all the Buccaneers home games were blacked out when the contests failed to sell out.
"I don't know what WFLA's interest level was, but we looked at this as a tremendous opportunity," said Tonning, adding that the deal took four months to pull together. "It's some of the most high profile programming in town."
John Schueler, president of the subsidiary which oversees Media General properties in Florida, said the company suggested a couple of scenarios for airing preseason games on WFLA, but the team eventually decided to seek another TV partner. Considering the blackout threat and rumors that preseason games might be cut or eliminated next season, Schueler said WFLA couldn't present the sort of grand sponsorship it once offered.
"The broadcast rights are very expensive, and if you don't know about blackouts 72 hours before a game, the advertising becomes harder to sell," Schueler said. "Most of these games, they put the starters in for a limited amount of time and everybody esle is slugging it out for aj ob. With the economics of today, it's hard to know if that makes sense."
At Tampa ABC affiliate WFTS-Ch. 28, general manager Rich Pegram said the station did not bid on preseason games, deciding instead to buy rights to broadcast locally the Oct. 3 Monday Night Football game also airing on ESPN that night. "We paid a hefty price for it and we're pre-empting Dancing with the Stars, which is our biggest show," said Pegram of the contest, a home game against the Indianapolis Colts. "If all the (preseason) games were in real time, in primetime, with choice opponents, that might have been attractive. But we chose to put our money elsewhere."
According to the press release, "2011 will mark the first year that WTSP-TV has held the rights to the Buccaneers' preseason slate, and the station will produce three games: at home against New England on Thursday, August 18, at 7:30 p.m.; at home versus Miami on Saturday, August 27, at 7:30 p.m.; and at Washington on September 1 at 7:30 p.m. The Buccaneers' first preseason game at Kansas City will be broadcast on FOX at 8:00 p.m. In the event that the two home games are blacked out, they will be broadcast on tape delay."
Click below to see the official release:
WTSP 10 News will air 2011-12 Bucs Preseason Games
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced today that they have entered into a multi-year agreement with local CBS affiliate WTSP-TV Channel 10 News to provide preseason broadcast rights.
"The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are pleased to introduce WTSP-TV as the new official home of Buccaneers preseason football," said Co-Chairman Bryan Glazer. "Both sides are excited to have this agreement in place to provide top-flight coverage of our emerging young team. We are especially thrilled that we will be continuing our partnership with the exceptional broadcast team of Chris Myers and John Lynch."
"We are very proud of our preseason partnership with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers," Ken Tonning, President and CEO of WTSP-TV said. "The Bucs are a tremendous asset to the communities of Tampa Bay and 10 News is committed to providing fans with the highest quality HD broadcasts of the preseason games. We have climbed on board and encourage fans to do so as well."
2011 will mark the first year that WTSP-TV has held the rights to the Buccaneers' preseason slate, and the station will produce three games: at home against New England on Thursday, August 18, at 7:30 p.m.; at home versus Miami on Saturday, August 27, at 7:30 p.m.; and at Washington on September 1 at 7:30 p.m. The Buccaneers' first preseason game at Kansas City will be broadcast on FOX at 8:00 p.m. In the event that the two home games are blacked out, they will be broadcast on tape delay.


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Sorry for the blurry pics.
I went with 8 lbs of Pork and 2 lbs of Venison. I doubled the recipe, but not the cayenne.
Here we go.
Mixed up nice.
Covered and going into the frig to get happy.
And stuffed.
I used 29-32 hog casings for this.
These were really good even with the reduced cayenne. I like it that way, I prefer the spicy mustard!
Going to try a higher venison ratio the next time, just to see how it comes out.
Thanks for looking...

subset: commoncrawl


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Johannesburg – Moroka Swallows coach Zeca Marques lauded his charges for the character they showed, fighting back from two goals down to beat Orlando Pirates 3-2 in a tightly contested Soweto derby at Dobsonville Stadium on Tuesday night.
Known for taking off his blazer when the Birds score a goal, Marques kept it on as he watched his team bounce back for the win, stretching their unbeaten run to four straight league matches, and climbing to 11th place in the Premiership standings.
He later expressed his pleasure in how the hosts had executed their game plan.
"We have been building for this and the momentum is building from our last four games," Marques said.
"I told the team that if we stop Pirates from playing, we have a chance of winning the match.
"We showed character and great tenacity, and I'm just happy that the fighting spirit is back."
Pirates coach Roger De Sa blamed the loss on complacency and missed chances that could have seen the Buccaneers wrap up the game in the first stanza.
Bucs were coming off a crushing 4-1 defeat to amateur side Maluti FEC College in a Nedbank Cup clash at the weekend, and De Sa was disappointed with another loss, losing ground on table toppers Kaizer chiefs who remained two points ahead in the league table.
"At 2-0 up I really thought we had the game pretty well wrapped but we made some bad mistakes which cost us," he said.
"We made silly mistakes, bad marking, giving the ball away a lot in our own half and they took their chances."
Referee Phillip Tinyane made some questionable decisions that left De Sa incensed after the game.
"If he was a player I would have taken him off in the first 10 minutes," said the Pirates mentor.
"Anybody that saw some of the decisions will know that it wasn't of the greatest standard."
Marques, however, was more lenient on his analysis of the match official.
"Referees make blunders like our players make blunders, maybe because this was a derby and he was under pressure," Marques said. – Sapa


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By PULASKI COUNTY REC DEPARTMENT
The Pulaski County Dixie Boys 13-14 Baseball All-Stars competed last week at the Virginia West State Region Tournament at Independence.
Led by Head Coach Barry Buckner Sr. and assistant coaches Kenneth Harrell and Destry Harding the Cougar All-Stars earned a 2-2 record in the double-elimination format, finishing tied for third place with Radford, also 2-2.
Pulaski County catcher Barry Buckner Jr. was the team's leading hitter with a .667 batting average, going 10-for-15, including a team high five RBI. Shortstop R. J. Blevins (.545) went 6-for-11 with three walks and four runs scored. Pitcher/infielder Joe Blevins (.533) was 8-for-15 with three doubles. Outfielder Austin Harrell (.400) batted 4-for-10 with three walks, and first baseman Houston Webb (.375) was 6-for-16 with three RBI.
Joe Blevins and R. J. Blevins each had one pitching win, while Chandler Dunnigan earned one hold and one save to the pitching success mix.
Below a recap of each game.
GAME 1: Galax 9, Pulaski County 6
Pulaski County led pre-tournament favorite Galax 4-3 after four innings, as Webb, Harrell, Buckner and Joe Blevins delivered run scoring hits in the early going.
A five-run Galax sixth inning spelled doom for the young Cougars. Galax pitching ace Jacob Stuart, a starting high school varsity pitcher, worked a perfect seventh inning to notch the save for winning pitcher, Shane Key. R. J. Blevins and Buckner both batted 3-for-3.
Starting pitcher Joe Blevins worked two scoreless innings, then Dunnigan worked two innings allowing just one earned run. Another pair of Cougar hurlers were not as successful as Galax launched a strong comeback in the sixth frame.
GAME 2: Pulaski County 6, Carroll County 1
Pulaski County got strong pitching from Joe Blevins, who tossed five scoreless innings. Relief help from Dunnigan, who allowed just one run in two innings work proved important as well to secure the Cougars new tournament life.
Joe Blevins (3-for-4), Buckner (3-for-4), Webb (2-for-4) Dunnigan (2-for-2), and Jon Howlett had consecutive hits to highlight a three-run third that provided more than enough offense. Dunnigan had two RBI, knocking home an insurance run in the sixth.
Carroll County pitchers struck out 14, but Cougar batters came through with key hits when needed most.
GAME 3: Pulaski County 12, Giles County 9
This was a different kind of baseball game, because of two highly out of the ordinary highlights, each favoring Pulaski County and leading to a close win.
First, the first 12 Cougars batters reached base, leading to nine runs scored. It took 14 batters before Pulaski County made its first out of the game.
Second, Pulaski County right fielder Trent Mace threw out two batters at first base, one in the third and one in the fifth inning. Both prevented a Giles batter from a base hit single. Veteran Tournament Director Fred Weatherman of Independence and long-time Pulaski County Dixie Baseball League President Eddie Sutphin both believed it was their first time witnessing the same outfielder throwing out two different batters in one game, at first base, preventing two hits.
Austin Harrell, Ryan Saunders and Mason Clark all reached base from the lower half of the Cougars lineup to keep things rolling and put Giles County in a deep hole. Howlett provided a key run producing hit from the middle of the order. R. J. Blevins (4-for-4), Buckner (3-for-4) and Joe Blevins (3-for-5) led the assault from the top of the batting lineup.
Blevins was staked to a comfortable lead, and threw three scoreless frames for the pitching win.
Giles County came storming back, with two runs in the sixth and six runs in the seventh to make it close at the end. A nice diving grab by catcher Buckner of a pop fly ended the contest, as Giles County had the potential tying run at bat.
Game 4: Grayson County 7, Pulaski County 0
Pulaski County's tournament run came to an abrupt halt, running into a superb performance from Shawn Campbell on the bump. Campbell worked all seven frames for Grayson County. He allowed four Cougar base runners the first four innings, but none the final three.
Joe Bevins, Buckner, Webb and Harrell were the only base runners. Only one inning, the fourth, saw Pulaski County have more than one.
The loss eliminated the Cougars at 2-2, tied for third place. Grayson County and Galax played for the West Region Tournament title Monday night, with State Tournament bids at stake.
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Muddy Candy Android game was totally developed using LibGdx platform. The game can be downloaded for free from Google play with no country restrictions.
Why LibGdx?
LibGdx is a cross-platform game development platform. It can be used to develop games for Android, iOS, HTML5, and desktop as target platforms. I have found LibGdx to be a very easy and straight forward platform for everyone who wants to develop android game.
Also, if you have been using other game engines, you will not be disappointed by LibGdx. Another reason why I like LibGdx is, you can develop 2D or 3D games and its ability to integrate with other game physic like Box2D and Scene2D for game user interface.
Other great benefits of using LibGdx platform is its ability to integrate with third party services. Admob, Google Mobile Ads, Swarm and Google Play Game Services integrate seamlessly.
How to Play Muddy Candy Android Game
The idea behind Muddy Candy Android game is to collect candies by tapping it before it is halfway immersed in the mud. There are regular candies that worth 1 point, super sweet candies that worth 2 points, bitter and hot candies that worth -1 and -2 point/s if collected.
Muddy Candy has 4 levels namely Easy, Normal, Hard and Expert. For "Easy" play level, if you miss 10 percent of the candy, you lose the game. In other words, if you successfully earn 11 points and missed 2 points, you lose the game.
Subsequently, for "Normal" play level is 5 percent, "Hard" play level is 1 percent and "Expert" play level is 0 percent. You miss one, you lose. The game also save player's high scores for each level. The scores are saved locally and can be accessed from the game's main menu.
This is my second game released in the last 4 months. In February I released a quiz game, Freeway Quiz that let a player name major freeways/highways that connect cities in USA.
Download Muddy Candy Android game from Google Play today and let me know what you think. I am not LibGdx expert but if you have a question, I can try to help you. I can answer your questions or point you to the resources I have used to develop this game.


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Remember the PS Vita Memory and Game Cards (Don't Forget!)
Sony's already showed off its (apparently) proprietary PS Vita memory cards. At the E3 gaming expo, Sony showed them off again. This time was different.
Sony's already showed off its (apparently) proprietary PS Vita memory cards. At the E3 gaming expo, Sony showed them off again. This time was different.
Region-free gaming is something we should all be behind, whether we're importers or citizens of countries with arcane classification laws. So whether the PlayStation Vita is region-free is, for many, a subject of great importance.
You can never take vague executive statements to the bank, especially during E3, but what EA Games' Frank Gibeau said earlier today about Mirror's Edge is at least cause for cautious optimism.
@V_Jump [Twitpic]
The people who are making the 10th-anniversary Halo remake call Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary a "gift to the fans."
While Nintendo is yet to confirm it as a system-wide feature, at least one developer has been able to kiss friend codes on the new Wii U console goodbye.
We definitely know that Konami and Kojima Productions are bringing PlayStation 2 game Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater to the Nintendo 3DS. And we're sure of a few other things about this stereoscopic 3D remake. But I'm not 100% sure about that Yoshi cameo.
Ubisoft revealed today that it is working on five titles for the Wii U. These games include an Assassin's Creed title, Raving Rabbids, Ghost Recon Online, a new "multi-sport" game and new shooter Killer Freaks from Outerspace.
They're making a portable Silent Hill game for Sony's Vita (you know...Sony's next handheld... the PSP2, the NGP). And it's a multiplayer game.
This evening we're sitting in with Nintendo and its mystery guest, Ubisoft, for a question and answer session regarding . . . something? What could it be? Is this something related to the Wii U? Is it about a special Nintendo-exclusive Ubisoft game? Can you taste the suspense?
Mass Effect 3 is getting Kinect support, letting you issue commands with your voice, letting you play the devil or angel on Shepard's shoulder. If that sounds like a feature you want, note that voice command won't be coming to the PlayStation 3 or PC versions of the game, BioWare says.
With the release of Duke Nukem Forever right around the corner, Gearbox president and CEO Randy Pitchford has no time for weak, watered-down juice bar drinks like the PlayStation Vita.
This is the Wii U console, the part of Nintendo's big new gaming machine that's been getting a lot less attention than its stunning screen-based controller. I got my hands on the console today. Take a video tour with me.
Speaking to Kotaku earlier today, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime revealed that while the Wii U will still be compatible with Wii software, its predecessor's backward compatibility with the GameCube will not be making an appearance.
Respawn Entertainment, the new studio founded by Call of Duty creators Jason West and Vince Zampella following their messy split from Activision, is of course working on a shooter. But what kind of shooter? A future shooter, that's what.
American Wii owners who've looked lustfully at some acclaimed Japanese Wii games will have to lust some more. During a wide-ranging interview with Kotaku, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime said he had "nothing to announce" regarding whether role-playing games Xenoblade and The Last Story as well as action…


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SI.com set off a spirited debate this afternoon when it reported The Who is to play halftime at next year's Super Bowl in South Florida. Not to mention the short item on the Web site provided an opportunity to put up a photo of 2007 SI Swimsuit model Tori Praver, because her body-painted outfit featured a T-shirt with The Who logo. (Right, I'm not the demo).
No, it wouldn't be the first time British Invasion senior citizens rocked the NFL's big party. Paul McCartney did the honors in Jacksonville in 2005. The following year, it was the Rolling Stones in Detroit – a choice criticized for several reasons, including that the performers should have been Motown artists.
But overall, since the Janet Jackson nipple-bearing wardrobe malfunction in 2004 in Houston, Super Bowl halftime acts have tended to be less modern or as I said in a 2006 story "more American oldie than American Idol" although McCartney and the Rolling Stones would be "British oldie." Same for The Who.
The NFL wasn't talking about the choice today. "When we have something to announce, we will announce it," a league spokesman said.
But the Twitterverse was buzzing:
The LA Times' Sam Farmer wrote "SI.com reporting the Super Bowl halftime show is.... The Who. Excellent."
However, John Halpin of FoxSports.com said "A band full of guys in their 60s? NO WAY!"
Or this from Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson: "Honestly, Janet Jackson's bare breast was the best thing that happened 2 bands formed B4 1990. They all became Super Bowl eligible again."
Other tweets on the subject:
" jsquared021: "The Who" is doing the halftime show of Super Bowl 44?...r u serious?...what is the NFL thinking?"
"Soxy_T: I like The Who but playing Super Bowl halftime?! Zzzzzzzzz no wonder they call it the No Fun League"
Don't forget to follow me on Twitter: twitter.com/sarahtalalay


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The Real Monuments MenFebruary 07, 2014
With the arrival of Hollywood's "Monuments Men" movie we were intrigued about this story and did a little digging. Founded in 1943, the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives program under the Civil Affairs and Military Government departments of the Allied forces was established to protect cultural property in war zones during and post World War II. Made up of about 350 service members, their mission was to safeguard historic and cultural monuments from war damage, and Allied, Russian, and Nazi looting.
Under Hitler's authority, the Nazis amassed hundreds of thousands of antiquities from the occupied nations and stored them in key locations, like the Musée Jeu de Paume in Paris and the Nazi headquarters in Munich. As the Allied forces advanced on the Axis power, Germany began storing the artworks in salt mines and caves for protection from bombing raids.
Known as the Kunstschutz, was the Nazi force deemed responsible for the majority of art theft from 1933 until the end of World War II. Items stolen include, gold, currency, paintings, ceramics, books, and religious treasures. Many of these items were recovered by the Allies immediately following the war, but many are still missing, such as Raphael's Portrait of a Young Man.
The second Roberts Commission tasked the Monuments Men to travel to previously Nazi-occupied territories to uncover the art caches. Toward the end of the war the Monuments Men were challenged with keeping Allied and Russian forces from plundering and taking artworks and sending them stateside to family. The Monuments Men even resorted marking artworks with white tape, normally used to mark unexploded land mines. The identifiable works of art were sent back to the countries from which they were taken, where the governments of each nation would assume the responsibility of returning the stolen artworks.
via 607VISUAL


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The Canadian Coast Guard Ship Ann Harvey will be conducting a harbour breakout of Clarenville Harbour Area commencing today, March 7.
The icebreaker will be leaving an open water track in the ice.
Residents of the area who may be wishing to transit this area by snowmobile or all-terrain vehicles are advised to exercise caution.
Ice conditions can vary far away from the location where the icebreaker is working. The public is advised to be aware of the safety risks and act accordingly. i.e. refrain from walking on the ice, remove mobile equipment in advance, and protect non-moveable property.


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EU Member States have missed the opportunity for future-proof broadband, according to the Fibre to the Home Council Europe.
As reported in Broadband TV News Massive cuts in the EU budget have resulted in the obliteration of a €9.2bn fund proposed to help bring faster broadband to the 27 Member States by 2020. Only €1 billion out of the €9.2 billion was agreed, which, as the VP of the European Commission, Neelie Kroes, notes, "still leaves room to invest in service infrastructure… But this funding will have to be exclusively for digital services: because such a smaller sum does not leave room for investing in broadband networks."
Karin Ahl, president of the FTTH Council Europe, expressed her disappointment with the budget cuts. "The FTTH Council Europe is very disappointed that the EU Member States did not agree on the digital part of the Connecting Europe Facility. By reducing the financial envelope down to €1 billion for telecommunications there will be no room for the support of fibre infrastructure investments. The decision shows that there still is a lack of understanding of European Governments on the importance of future-proof broadband networks.
"Governments all over the world increase their efforts to ensure the availability of real broadband connections for their citizens. Therefore the European Union has just missed an important chance to make the right decision, not only for the years to come but also, and more importantly, for the future of a competitive Europe.
"The FTTH Council Europe will continue its efforts to create awareness for the importance of fibre access networks in Europe. We will work on solutions to create a positive environment for fibre investments and to enable investors and FTTH projects to successfully implement future-proof fibre access networks. The 'Investors Day' at the FTTH Conference in London next week will be one of those activities.
"Now that the EU Member States have failed to realise the importance of the digital part of the Connecting Europe Facility, the role of the FTTH Council Europe on the investment and financing side will be even more important – and we are looking forward to face this challenge."


text: It's quite liberating to get to a certain age, 'cos you're not chasing number one hits or trying to be an international superstar. I've done all that. I'm not out to prove much more to anyone but myself really, to be an artist and see if there is a new undiscovered music out there for me to make.


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www.bungie.net | halo.bungie.net | bungiestore.com
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I guarantee you that you have never seen this glitch before.My friend and I were doing co-op, when halo 3 was recently released. when all of the sudden a pelican goes through a bunch of walls, and smashes into me! couldnt put it into clips, so you have to skip to about 9 minutes.
how do i watch it
© 2017 Bungie, Inc. All rights reserved.


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Jos Buttler says his England Test call-up justifies his move to Lancashire
Last Updated: 23/07/14 4:13pm
New England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler says making his Test debut on Sunday will be a "dream come true".
The 23-year-old Lancashire man has played 63 times for his country in limited overs contests and will now earn his first cap in the longer format of the game when England face India in the third Test in Southampton.
Buttler gets his chance because the out-of-form Matt Prior announced on Monday that he was taking an indefinite break from international cricket so that he can recover from Achilles, thigh and hand injuries.
And Buttler thinks his selection shows his decision to leave his home county of Somerset for Lancashire was justified.
Improving fast
"It is a dream come true," he told the Lancashire website. "I'm sure it won't sink in until I meet up with everyone and Sunday morning comes.
"Obviously, I'm really excited and nervous as well, but that's to be expected. I can't wait for it to be Sunday now.
"It's been a long-term goal and ambition and it's probably come sooner than I imagined as well, which is great for me.
"It shows that I've been going in the right direction and improving fast, which I feel I've done this year at Lancashire.
"I still feel like I've got improvements to make, but it's great that I've been named in the squad. I can't wait to get started.
"It was a really tough decision to leave Somerset, who helped me a lot but, with my long-term goal being Test cricket, I knew I had to leave. I guess it's justified it, and it's justified it pretty quickly.
"I didn't expect to be playing Test cricket this quickly, but in sport opportunities come in different ways and at different times, and I'm delighted."


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Archive for July 7th, 2004
Weekend Update
Not really on "the weekend" since it was Monday and Tuesday… Ann took these pictures from our trip.
The foliage in Big Basin Park.
Santa Cruz Boardwalk from the Ferris Wheel
Comments Off on Weekend Update | Catergorized: life photos surf
Surfing in Santa Cruz.


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Vehicle enthusiasts have been showcasing their much-loved motors at a vintage rally.
Colne Valley Railway in Castle Hedingham has been hosting the event this weekend and the show continues today.
Classic car owner Damien Stabler, 29, who organised the event with his mum Alison, said: "People really lavish their attention on these vehicles.
"It's a real labour of love for all of us."
Entrance Price: Adults £9, Seniors £7, Child £5 or Family £28 (2 Adults & up to 3 Children), Dogs £2
Opening Times 9.30am - 5pm (last admission 3.30pm)


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|American Tourister VIVOTEC Hot Pink Case*. Grey Body: Asos*. Pink Maxi Skirt: Asos*. Belt: Vintage. Boots: Asos*. Pink Maxi Dress: Asos*
So when ASOS got in touch with a proposition to collaborate with American Tourister I was hardly going to say no.
I'm a girl and I have to say a pretty unorganised one, at that. I find it near on impossible to go away for a weekend and plan all my outfits, so a suitcase is always a must. I'll throw pretty much my entire wardrobe in so I don't have to stress when I'm there.
A lot of the time I'll be visiting London to attend blogger events, but I'll tie that in with visiting friends and that means more than one outfit, which means? You guessed it, a suitcase.
Now - London is a busy place, dare I say that people don't appreciate someone waddling along slowly with a hefty case whilst they're rushing to get their tube?
That's why this case from American Tourister is so fabulous. Firstly, it's pretty darn bright - I mean, people are gunna see you coming. Secondly, it's super large which not only makes it perfect for your Summer holidays but it also means I can fit all those outfits in without having to sit on top of it to squash it down. Lastly, it's extra lightweight, 100% the lightest case I've ever travelled with (which is great for puny arms like mine!) Oh and it also has a bendy body (I know, right?) which means it's less likely to get damaged on your travels. Winning.
Weekends are the only time I get to dress in my favourite items - so I've put together two similar outfits (get me, colour coordination to the MAX), that I'd typically wear if 'out and about' visiting all those lovely ladies of mine. Comfortable is key when travelling, but I do still like to make an effort where I can. I mean, shoes can be taken off on the train, y'know?
Here's the best bit and where you guys come in...
Want to get your hands on £100 worth of ASOS vouchers and a brand spanking new American Tourister case to boot?
Click here and follow the instructions to enter yourself with a chance to win!
Good luck my lovelies, let me know in the comments below if you entered.
PS. You can shop my look here:


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Comment Highlights for Week of June 26, 2011
As I mentioned in the first post in this series, I want to highlight some of the comments that have been left on my blog posts during the past week. Hopefully, this will give more visibility to some of the reasons that I love blogging – dialog and interaction.
Arthur left this comment on my post "No, we can't just get along":
What is a "false teaching"? There was a time when I would have inclulded "Arminianism", dispensationalism and infant baptism in that category. I still diasgree with all three of those but do they rise to the level of false teaching? I certainly wouldn't let someone baptize my unregenerate child for the sake of unity but I wouldn't see them baptizing their infant children as reason to break fellowship, even if I think they were wrong to do so. I spent the last couple of years in Michigan in a group that held more or less to a dispensational hermeneutic, which I likewise disagree with but we still had wonderful fellowship with them.
So what then? Certainly any teaching that denies the Gospel by either subtracting from it or adding to it rises to the level of false teaching. What about presuming to speak for God where He has not spoken (false prophecy?) This is a tough one.
Andy left this comment on my post "Pooling resources for general church purposes?"
I came across this passage earlier today and have been thinking of it in light of this post. It's from 1 Timothy:
"If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows." (1Ti 5:16 ESV)
It seems to go along with some of what you have been saying – that resources were pooled mainly to help those who were in need. But it seems also that this might have a further nuance: don't make the church (as a collective) meet the needs of your own relatives if you have the means to do so yourself. That seems to be a theme of 1 Tim 5 in general.
I really appreciated this comment by Dave that he left on my post "Four Views: Christians Participating in Horror Genres – Will you help?"
[E]ven though this was my first exposure to your site, this post has actually prompted me to try and get some fellow Christian film geeks together and record a discussion about being a film geek and how that interacts with our faith across multiple genres. I don't even have any idea where I'll post it yet, but thanks for the inspiration sir!
Finally, Art left this comment on my post "Which is important for the church: edification or mission?"
I'm not sure it is possible to do a biblical job of either if we aren't seeing both as inter-related.
Much of our mission is dependent on lives that bespeak of the glory and grace of God. In a sense, we ARE the message, and that message is muddie when we are living in the flesh and for selfish purposes. When we are yielding ourselves more and more to serve God as living sacrifices and withdraw from the course of this world with its self-centered values and goals, His light is shed forth (see I Thess 1).
Our mutual edification prepares us to BE the evident work of God in our neighborhoods and workplaces and in the everydayness of living. And, as Alan aluded, harnessed together in serving one another and in serving those outside the faith is one of the key ways we continue to edify one another in ways that meetings alone cannot.
It is the inworking and outworking of our faith in action, together. I love the phrase, faith which worketh by love -Gal 5:6
I can't wait to read the great comments next week!


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Jazz's Trey Burke Talks Rookie Expectations, Playing With Derrick Favors
With the NBA becoming more of a guard-dominated league, this past off-season the Utah Jazz reloaded their back-court, in hopes of ensuring their franchise a promising future, drafting Michigan Wolverines phenom Trey Burke with the 9th pick in the 2013 Draft.
During the recent NBA rookie photoshoot in NYC, Rise24 caught up with the rookie to discuss his role on the team, his feelings on playing alongside developing star Derrick Favors, and who's he most excited to play against this upcoming season.
On pressure: "I only think it's pressure if I put it on myself. Obviously, I've got big shoes to fill [with] great point guards coming out of the Utah organization -- John Stockton, Deron Williams. If I go in there and play my game, try to make a legacy for myself, I feel like I'll be fine."
On playing with Derrick Favors: "I always loved playing with a really good big man. I could remember watching him in high school when he was one of the top-recruited prospects in the country. I followed him since high school. Now, getting an opportunity to play with him, I'm excited."
On playing against league superstars: "There's a lot of point guards I'm excited to play against -- Kyrie Irving, Chris Paul, Tony Parker... all those guys. The one player I can't wait to play against is LeBron. He's the reigning MVP. I'm just gonna have a good time out there playing against him."


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Puget Ventures Inc. Confirms Shareholder Meeting Date
Puget Ventures Inc. (TSXV:PVS) reports its AGM is confirmed to be held on Thursday, July 21st, 2011 at 700-401 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, at 10 a.m.
The press release is quoted as saying:
Meeting materials and the Information Circular regarding the Pafra Acquisition will be mailed to shareholders in advance of the meeting.
Shareholders are reminded that the meeting materials will also be made available electronically on SEDAR under the Company's profile.
Click here to access the entire news release.
Click here to access Puget Ventures' company profile.(TSXV:PVS)


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|The stupid question is the question not asked
Re^2: parse array to replace specific spaces with pipesby neurotoxx (Novice)
|on Jul 10, 2009 at 16:27 UTC ( #778973=note: print w/replies, xml )
|Need Help??
That is correct. I did some more reading on arrays last night and now I understand how the data structure is different from scalar data. I did use your search expression, and it works great. Thank you very much, -Neurotoxx
In Section Seekers of Perl Wisdom


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While plenty of high-yield opportunities exist, investors must always consider the safety of their dividend and the total return potential of their investment. It is not uncommon for a struggling company to suspend high-yielding dividends and subsequently result in precipitous share price declines.
TheStreet Ratings' stock rating model views dividends favorably, but not so much that other factors are disregarded. Our model gauges the relationship between risk and reward in several ways, including: the pricing drawdown as compared to potential profit volatility, i.e. how much one is willing to risk in order to earn profits?; the level of acceptable volatility for highly performing stocks; the current valuation as compared to projected earnings growth; and the financial strength of the underlying company as compared to its stock's valuation as compared to its stock's performance.
These and many more derived observations are then combined, ranked, weighted, and scenario-tested to create a more complete analysis. The result is a systematic and disciplined method of selecting stocks. As always, stock ratings should not be treated as gospel — rather, use them as a starting point for your own research.
The following pages contain our analysis of 3 stocks with substantial yields, that ultimately, we have rated "Sell."
Life Partners HoldingsDividend Yield: 9.40% Life Partners Holdings (NASDAQ: LPHI) shares currently have a dividend yield of 9.40%. Life Partners Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiary, Life Partners, Inc., operates in the secondary market for life insurance worldwide. It facilitates the sale of life settlements between sellers and purchasers, but does not take possession or control of the policies. The average volume for Life Partners Holdings has been 40,500 shares per day over the past 30 days. Life Partners Holdings has a market cap of $39.5 million and is part of the insurance industry. Shares are down 20.2% year to date as of the close of trading on Friday. TheStreet Ratings rates Life Partners Holdings as a sell. The area that we feel has been the company's primary weakness has been its declining revenues. Highlights from the ratings report include:
- Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues plummeted by 59.2%. The declining revenue has not hurt the company's bottom line, with increasing earnings per share.
- The company's current return on equity has slightly decreased from the same quarter one year prior. This implies a minor weakness in the organization.
- Net operating cash flow has significantly decreased to -$2.87 million or 63.29% when compared to the same quarter last year.
- LIFE PARTNERS HOLDINGS INC reported significant earnings per share improvement in the most recent quarter compared to the same quarter a year ago. Stable Earnings per share over the past year indicate the company has sound management over its earnings and share float. During the past fiscal year, LIFE PARTNERS HOLDINGS INC continued to lose money by earning -$0.16 versus -$0.17 in the prior year.
- LPHI has no debt to speak of therefore resulting in a debt-to-equity ratio of zero, which we consider to be a relatively favorable sign. Along with this, the company maintains a quick ratio of 3.77, which clearly demonstrates the ability to cover short-term cash needs.
- You can view the full Life Partners Holdings Ratings Report.


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Hanging Clown LED EyesItem #: 14590
Hanging Clown LED Eyes
Gruesome Halloween clown hanging decoration with red glowing LED eyes! The evil clown is approx. 100cm long and has a nasty grimace and bendable arms. A super Halloween prop and an impressive horror party decoration! The clown's head and hands are made of robust vinyl, the body is made of cloth. Our Hanging Clown LED Eyes has frequently been seen in the company of the Psycho Monster Clown Hanging Figure and the Hanging Prop 43cm Horror Clown.


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That is an interesting question that needs to be asked as we are two and a half weeks before the primary election...and don't forget that early voting begins on Monday.
Certainly, there may some local or congressional races that will attract attention and interest, but one has to consider that 1) U.S. Senate incumbant Bill Nelson has no credible opposition in the primary before likely facing Katherine Harris in November, 2) the two biggest name gubernatorial candidates on the Democratic side are vitually unknown to voters outside their home areas, and 3) polls have shown a 40-55 percent undecided majority in the the race between Rod Smith and Jim Davis. That likely means either a whole lotta people will make up their minds between now and September 7, or a whole lotta Democratic voters will simply keep away from the polls with no preference between Smith and Davis.
The same scenario works out for the GOP, with Ms. Harris the clear frontrunner in the U.S. Senate race and Charlie Crist with a 20 percent or more lead in the gubernatorial primary. There aren't any really interesting statewide contests for either party looking down the ballot.
Regardless of who you support, one can only hope that doesn't happen. There needs to be a clear mandate by Florida voters as to who will lead their party's ticket for the general election, and that can only be done by a good turnout.


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CHICAGO – This is a live performance of "Closer" by Nine Inch Nails and frontman Trent Reznor at Riot Fest 2017 in Chicago on Sept. 15, 2017. Note: Contains graphic language.
CHICAGO – TV fans know Monica Raymund as paramedic Gabby Dawson on the long-running "Chicago Fire." But the talented actor is expanding her range, debuting her first film as director, "Tanya," at the Midwest Independent Film Festival on Tuesday, August 1st, 2017. The short film – written by Sam Forman – will be part of "Female Filmmakers Night" at the Midwest Indie, and is part of Raymund's involvement with Hidden Tears Project, an organization dedicated to raising consciousness by creating media on gender inequality, sexual abuse and human trafficking.
CHICAGO – During the late disco era of the 1970s, an unusual musical opened on Broadway. Essentially a two person stage play, "They're Playing Our Song" involved a songwriter and a lyricist who develop a stronger connection than just writing partners. The always passionate Brown Paper Box Co. of Chicago has unearthed this chestnut with a bright and fun revival at the Rivendell Theatre through August 20th, 2017.


text: 7 Sam Buchbinder Forum posts: 71 Forum posts: 71 Jul 11, 2011 4:06:26 PM via Website Jul 11, 2011 4:06:26 PM via Website Does anyone know how to create subfolders? I created a folder to locate all of my game shortcuts. I'd like to create a subfolder to organize them. I can't seem to gigure out how to do that, Thanks0 Reply Link to post


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You may have heard or seen the acronym NAHMS at a meeting or in an article and not really known that it stands for the National Animal Health Monitoring System, a part of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). NAHMS is the only USDA organization that routinely collects, evaluates and publishes information on animal health and related practices on U.S. livestock, poultry and aquaculture operations. Much of the information NAHMS publishes is used by extension personnel to educate producers and by animal scientists and veterinarians as a reference for conducting their own research. NAHMS data are also used by the USDA to strengthen government animal-health programs and to predict how diseases newly introduced to the United States might spread.
What is NAHMS?
A non-regulatory program of the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, NAHMS is designed to identify and meet the nation's animal-health information needs, primarily by conducting and publishing nation-wide studies on all major U.S. livestock industries (beef, dairy, equine, sheep and swine) and on the poultry and aquaculture industries. The statistically based results produced by NAHMS have proven to be of considerable value. For instance, the NAHMS Dairy '96 study had a strong focus on Johne's disease, and results from the study sparked an industrywide campaign to more thoroughly evaluate the prevalence of the disease as well as focus research on reducing its transmission. The study not only raised awareness of Johne's at the industry level but also sparked interest from state and federal governments, which invested over $100 million on Johne's disease research, education and animal testing.
When planning and conducting NAHMS studies, we try to balance information needs with available resources. Since NAHMS is a government organization, we are currently faced with shrinking budgets and growing workloads, which limit our ability to collect and report on all the important issues facing a particular industry. Since producers voluntarily participate in NAHMS studies, whenever possible we provide incentives to participate By Jason Lombard, DVM, USDA/ APHIS Veterinary Services, National Animal Health Monitoring System in our studies. These usually take the form of testing the producers' animals for specific diseases or evaluating management practices, at no cost to the producers. For example, during the NAHMS Dairy 2007 study, we tested the calves of participating producers for failure of passive transfer, tested milk and feces for common food-safety pathogens and assessed the prevalence of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis — the causative agent of Johne's Disease. In addition, a cow comfort assessment was conducted, and the results were reported back to producers on facility design, cow behavior and stall use. Disease testing and operational evaluations have proven to be of value to producers participating in NAHMS studies.
Voluntary and confidential
Because NAHMS studies rely on voluntary participation, the privacy of every participant is protected. Only those collecting the data know the identity of the respondent. Reports generated from the studies represent the data only in an aggregate manner.
For more information about NAHMS and a comprehensive collection of NAHMS studies reports, visit nahms.aphis.usda.gov.


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Officials in National City are considering transferring 31 properties owned by the redevelopment agency to the city. The properties have a market value of about $190 million.
San Diego and Poway took similar action earlier this month. Their efforts are aimed at preventing a state takeover of properties if Sacramento succeeds at eliminating redevelopment agencies.
National City leaders are moving more cautiously than some 30 other cities across the state who have already taken comparable precautions, Redevelopment Director Brad Raulston said.
He said that even if redevelopment is eliminated today, there would still be time to make the transfers while legal challenges are considered; and the state assembles new bureaucracies — such as a proposed seven-member oversight board to oversee the assets of redevelopment agencies.
Raulston explained: "The fear is that the state takes over and tries to force us to liquidate those assets."
However, some properties National City may take title to could prove to be liabilities to the city's general fund, which would have to be tapped to maintain the buildings.
Raulston said the council advised the Redevelopment Agency in a closed-session meeting Tuesday to consider each property individually and assess the risks involved with each location.
One building, a playhouse on East Plaza Street, is an asbestos-ridden, crumbling structure that needs about $4 million of work to be brought up to city standards.
Another site, a 1-acre lot that will provide access to a future Lowe's, is high on the city's list to transfer and protect. Market value for the lot is about $830,000, but without that piece of land, and the access it provides, the project may stall.


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New Assignments, Releases in Seventies' Presidency and Quorums
Two members of the First Quorum of the Seventy were called to the Presidency of the Seventy during the Saturday afternoon session of general conference on September 30. Also, eight members of the First Quorum of the Seventy were given Emeritus General Authority status, and eight members of the Second Quorum of the Seventy were released. These changes necessitated the reorganization of the Sunday School and Young Men General Presidencies.
Called to Preside
Elder Rex D. Pinegar and Elder Carlos E. Asay were called to the Presidency of the Seventy, succeeding Elder Wm. Grant Bangerter and Elder Hugh W. Pinnock.
Both Elder Pinegar and Elder Asay have served in Church leadership positions for many years. Elder Pinegar has been a General Authority for seventeen years, and Elder Asay for more than thirteen.
In addition to serving as a counselor in the Young Men General Presidency, Elder Pinegar had been serving as President of the Church's North America Southeast Area. He was called to be a member of the First Council of the Seventy on 6 October 1972, while serving as president of the Virginia-North Carolina Mission.
Elder Asay has served for three years as President of the Church's Europe Area. A member of the First Quorum of the Seventy since 3 April 1976, he served in its Presidency from 1980 to 1986. He is former Executive Director of the Missionary and Curriculum departments.
Sunday School General Presidency
Released as the Sunday School General Presidency were Elder Robert L. Simpson as president and Elder Devere Harris and Elder Derek A. Cuthbert as counselors. Elder Hugh W. Pinnock, the new general president of the Sunday School, previously served in that calling from 1979 to 1986. He was called as a member of the Presidency of the Seventy on 4 October 1986, serving as Executive Director of the Curriculum Department. He has served as a General Authority for twelve years, since 1977.
Elder Derek A. Cuthbert, now first counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency, served in a variety of leadership positions in his native England before being called to the First Quorum of the Seventy on 1 April 1978, more than eleven years ago.
Elder Ted E. Brewerton, second counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency, is a Canadian who has lived a number of years in Central and South America in connection with Church assignments. He was called to the First Quorum of the Seventy on 30 September 1978, eleven years ago.
Young Men General Presidency
Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone of the First Quorum of the Seventy remains as general president of the Young Men, with Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the First Quorum of the Seventy as his new first counselor and Elder Monte J. Brough of the Second Quorum of the Seventy as second counselor. Elder Pinegar and Elder Robert B. Harbertson were released as counselors in the presidency.
Elder Featherstone was called as president of the Young Men in November 1985. Before being called to the First Quorum of the Seventy in 1976, he had served more than four years as a counselor to the Presiding Bishop. He has served more than seventeen years as a General Authority.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, new first counselor in the Young Men General Presidency, is former president of Brigham Young University and a former Church commissioner of education. He was called to the First Quorum of the Seventy in April this year.
Elder Monte J. Brough, second counselor in the Young Men General Presidency, served as a member of the Young Men General Board and as president of the Minnesota Minneapolis Mission before his call as a General Authority in April 1989.
Given Emeritus Status
The emeritus status for General Authorities was first announced in 1978. The First Presidency said then that "this designation will be given from time to time" to General Authorities who "are not being released but will be excused from active service." It was explained that emeritus status would be given in consideration of such factors as age and health.
Eight members of the First Quorum of the Seventy were granted emeritus status at this conference:
—Elder Theodore M. Burton, eighty-two, a General Authority since 8 October 1960. He is a former Managing Director of the Genealogy (now Family History) Department, supervisor of Church programs in Europe, and a former president of the West German and European missions. He has served for twenty-nine years as a General Authority.
—Elder Robert L. Simpson, seventy-four, a General Authority since 30 September 1961, when he was called as a counselor in the Presiding Bishopric. He has served as general Sunday School president and Managing Director of the Temple Department, Pacific Area President, president of the Los Angeles Temple, and president of the New Zealand and East London missions. He has been a General Authority for twenty-eight years.
—Elder Victor L. Brown, seventy-five, a General Authority since 30 September 1961, when he became Second Counselor to the Presiding Bishop. He served as Presiding Bishop for thirteen years until his call to the First Quorum of the Seventy on 6 April 1985. He was a counselor in the Utah North Area Presidency and previously served as president of the Salt Lake Temple. He has been a General Authority for twenty-eight years.
—Elder Paul H. Dunn, sixty-five, a General Authority since 6 April 1964. He was First Counselor in the Utah South Area Presidency and Managing Director of the Priesthood Department (Auxiliaries). Earlier, Elder Dunn served in the Presidency of the Seventy, from 1976 to 1980, and as president of the New England Mission. He has served as a General Authority for twenty-five years.
—Elder J. Thomas Fyans, seventy-one, a General Authority since 6 April 1974. He was President of the Utah Central Area and Managing Director of the Family History Department, former President of the Utah North and South America South areas, a member of the Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy from 1976 to 1985, and former Executive Director of the Correlation and Genealogy departments. He has been a General Authority for more than fifteen years.
—Elder Wm. Grant Bangerter, seventy-one, a General Authority since 4 April 1975. He has been a member of the Presidency of the Seventy since 17 February 1985, a capacity in which he had also served from 1978 to 1980. He was Executive Director of the Temple Department and served as a General Authority for more than fourteen years.
—Royden G. Derrick, seventy-four, a General Authority since 1 October 1976. He was a counselor in the Asia Area Presidency, a member of the Presidency of the Seventy from 1980 to 1984, former Executive Director of the Genealogy Department, and former president of the Seattle Temple. He has served as a General Authority for thirteen years.
—Elder Rex C. Reeve, seventy-four, a General Authority since 1 April 1978. He was President of the North America Northwest Area, Managing Director of the Temple Department, and former President of the North America Northeast Area. He has been a General Authority for more than eleven years.
Given Releases
The eight members of the Second Quorum of the Seventy who were released at the October general conference had all been called as General Authorities in 1984. At the time of their call, the First Presidency announced that they would serve for five years and "then be released with honor and appreciation. This procedure, we feel, will provide a constant infusion of new talent and a much-widened opportunity for men of ability and faith to serve in these offices."
Those released were:
—Elder Russell C. Taylor, sixty-four, counselor in the Utah South Area Presidency, Managing Director of the Missionary Department, and former counselor in the Europe Area Presidency.
—Elder Robert B. Harbertson, fifty-seven, a counselor in the Young Men General Presidency and counselor in the North America Northwest Area Presidency.
—Elder Devere Harris, seventy-three, a counselor in the general Sunday School Presidency and counselor in the North America Southwest Area Presidency.
—Elder Spencer H. Osborn, sixty-eight, a counselor in the North America Southeast Area Presidency, and one of the Managing Directors of the Missionary Department. He previously served as a counselor in the United Kingdom/Ireland/Africa Area Presidency.
—Elder Philip T. Sonntag, sixty-eight, a counselor in the Philippines/Micronesia Area Presidency, former counselor in the North America Central Area Presidency, and former counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency.
—Elder John Sonnenberg, sixty-seven, a counselor in the North America Central Area Presidency and former President of the Pacific Area.
—Elder F. Arthur Kay, seventy-three, President of the Pacific Area. He previously served in the Presidency of the Mexico/Central America Area.
—Elder Keith W. Wilcox, sixty-eight, a counselor in the North America Northeast Area Presidency and a Managing Director of the Church Curriculum Department.
Area Presidency Assignments
The First Presidency has announced Area Presidency assignments for members of the Quorums of the Seventy. The assignments were effective October 1.
Thirty-one members of the quorums (noted with asterisks) are now serving in their new assignments. The others remain in the positions in which they have been serving.
North America Northwest: President—Hugh W. Pinnock*; Counselors—Vaughn J. Featherstone* and Yoshihiko Kikuchi*
North America West: President—Gene R. Cook; Counselors—Ted E. Brewerton and Derek A. Cuthbert
North America Southwest: President—H. Burke Peterson; Counselors—Ronald E. Poelman and Francis M. Gibbons*
Utah North: President—William R. Bradford; Counselors—Richard P. Lindsay* and Malcolm S. Jeppsen*
Utah South: President—L. Aldin Porter*; Counselors—Angel Abrea* and Gerald E. Melchin*
Utah Central: President—John K. Carmack*; Counselors—Monte J. Brough and Marlin K. Jensen*
Mexico/Central America: President—Robert E. Wells; Counselors—Horacio A. Tenorio* and Carlos H. Amado*
Philippines/Micronesia: President—George I. Cannon; Counselors—George R. Hill III and L. Lionel Kendrick*
Pacific: President—Glen L. Rudd*; Counselors—Douglas J. Martin and Ben B. Banks*
North America Central: President—Loren C. Dunn; Counselors—Jacob de Jager and Lloyd P. George*
North America Northeast: President—F. Burton Howard*; Counselors—F. Enzio Busche* and W. Eugene Hansen*
North America Southeast: President—John R. Lasater*; Counselors—Gardner H. Russell* and Jeffrey R. Holland*
South America North: President—Charles Didier; Counselors—Hartman Rector, Jr., and F. Melvin Hammond*
Brazil: President—Helio R. Camargo*; Counselors—Lynn A. Sorensen and Joe J. Christensen*
South America South: President—Waldo P. Call; Counselors—John H. Groberg and H. Verlan Andersen*
United Kingdom/Ireland/Africa: President—Jack H Goaslind; Counselors—Alexander B. Morrison and Robert E. Sackley
Europe: President—Hans B. Ringger*; Counselors—Spencer J. Condie* and Albert Choules, Jr.*
Asia: President—Douglas H. Smith; Counselors—Adney Y. Komatsu and Merlin R. Lybbert*
Portland Temple Dedicated
Nearly forty-one thousand Church members came from throughout Oregon and southwestern Washington to attend the dedication of the Portland Oregon Temple August 19 through 21.
President Ezra Taft Benson; President Gordon B. Hinckley, First Counselor in the First Presidency; and President Thomas S. Monson, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, each presided over some of the dedicatory sessions.
Speakers at the eleven dedicatory sessions included all members of the Quorum of the Twelve; three members of the Presidency of the Seventy; five members of the First and Second Quorums of the Seventy; Bishop Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric; and Relief Society general president Barbara W. Winder.
The dedicatory sessions were relayed via closed-circuit television to members in rooms throughout the temple, allowing each session to accommodate nearly four thousand members.
"God bless you who will join in the great temple work of the Lord," President Benson said as he presided over one of the dedicatory sessions on August 19. "I thank the Lord for you and for all that you do."
"The Lord is blessing this work," he affirmed.
President Hinckley delivered the dedicatory prayer during the first session.
The prayer expressed gratitude for "the great eternal purposes for which this house has been erected" and for "thy holy priesthood, which will be exercised herein."
The temple, it was noted, "stands in quiet splendor among the trees of the forest. It is a place of peace and holiness, a refuge from the storms of life, a sanctuary in which to worship thee 'in spirit and in truth.'" (John 4:23.)
The prayer supplicated Heavenly Father to "accept this house as a gift of thy thankful people."
In his remarks during one of the dedicatory sessions, President Hinckley spoke of the temple as a place "where we all stand equally before the Lord." In a world saturated with evil, he said, "we need the peace, the solemn, wonderful peace of the house of the Lord, where we may gather in His holy name and do His sacred work." He spoke of a "balm," a "healing" available in temples that is found in no other place.
President Monson said that the temple is "a refuge for those who are carrying more burdens than they should. As we incur tremendous burdens, our progress is impaired." But in the temple, he said, those burdens can be lifted. This leaves us better prepared to meet the challenges of life and to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father.
During the sessions at which they spoke, President Hinckley and President Monson frequently encouraged the children who were attending with their parents to learn to love the temple and to come back to do baptisms for the dead when they are twelve.
Larry and Beckie Beck and their family, of Grants Pass, Oregon, were among those who attended the dedication. They drove the four hours from their home to the temple after spending time during previous weeks studying about temples, participating in a special fast, and offering family prayers specifically in preparation for the dedication.
Larry, second counselor in the elders quorum presidency of the Grants Pass Fourth Ward, said a spirit of peace descended on the family as they made their preparations. "It really changed our lives for the better as we were working together to make sure we were worthy to enter the temple and feel the Spirit of the Lord." Beckie, who serves as Primary secretary in their ward, commented: "I am so excited to go back, and to keep going back. Being part of the dedication makes you feel that it is your temple, and it's up to you to keep it going and busy."
Church members turned to keeping the temple busy immediately following its dedication. In the first four days following its opening for ordinance work, youth were baptized vicariously for eight thousand deceased individuals. Thirty marriage sealings took place in the first weekend.
Another member who took part in the dedication commented, "The spirit of the place absolutely overwhelmed me." Joan Caldwell of Wilsonville (about ten miles south of the temple) explained that the temple "is no longer just a beautiful building." It is, in a sense, spiritually alive now because the Lord has accepted it.
Many of the 314,260 individuals who toured the temple before its dedication felt that same spirit. One non-LDS visitor wrote in the guest register that he was awed by the "holy feeling that came over me." Another said, "I saw the light of God" in the face of every guide. Commented still another: "Makes you feel like you're already in heaven!"
Las Vegas Temple Dedication Scheduled
The new Las Vegas Nevada Temple—the forty-third operating temple in the Church—will be dedicated in services scheduled December 16 to 18, the First Presidency has announced.
The dedication will be preceded by a public open house from November 16 through December 9, with private tours for special guests November 13 to 15.
The temple, situated in an east-side Las Vegas residential area on the slope of Sunrise Mountain, is a highly visible landmark. Its exterior is of white cast stone, with copper trim and a copper roof. The tallest of its six towers (at 125 feet) is topped with a ten-foot statue of the angel Moroni.
The temple will serve members in Nevada and bordering portions of Arizona and California.
First Presidency Announcement
The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints excommunicated Elder George P. Lee of the First Quorum of the Seventy for apostasy and other conduct unbecoming a member of the Church. This action was taken at a meeting at which George P. Lee was present on Friday morning, 1 September 1989.
Hugo Was Devastating, but Saints' Lives Were Spared
When Hurricane Hugo swept destruction over the Virgin Islands, part of Puerto Rico, and the southeast coast of the United States in September, Latter-day Saints suffered losses and damages to property along with everyone else. But no members or missionaries are known to have been killed or seriously injured.
The storm killed more than fifty people in its sweep over the islands and U. S. coastal areas. In the United States alone, it left an estimated 50,000 people homeless and more that 250,000 unemployed. In South Carolina, it was estimated that monetary damages would exceed $2 billion.
Within hours after the storm passed, help in the form of needed commodities, building materials, labor, or simply comfort was on its way from both Church headquarters and nearby Church units and individuals. After Latter-day Saints living in the damaged area had done all they could to meet the needs of other members affected by the storm, they focused their efforts on helping nonmembers. Missionaries joined in cleanup efforts.
Emergency supplies, including water, food, cooking stoves, power generators, propane fuel, and tools to be used in cleanup efforts were shipped from Church storehouses to several areas affected by the hurricane.
Hugo struck first at the U. S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. In the Virgin Islands, damage was heaviest on St. Croix, where many Church members lost their homes. The storm destroyed prison facilities, freeing prisoners to roam in gangs. Survivors told relatives in the U. S. that the looting and civil unrest were as frightening as the storm. Law-abiding citizens welcomed the arrival of U. S. troops and law enforcement personnel to restore order.
On St. Croix, branch president David Weston and his family, along with missionaries Charles and Marianne De Lany, were instrumental in seeing to the needs of members and others, said Kay Briggs, president of the Puerto Rico San Juan Mission. After Hugo, some sixty LDS families on the island were without food, he said, and there was none to be bought—but their needs were met by the Church's emergency shipment. It was estimated that a majority of the homes on the islands lost their roofs. The branch meetinghouse on St. Croix was used to shelter some families temporarily.
A number of LDS families in Puerto Rico were also among those who lost their homes, President Briggs said. Shelter was found for all of them. People in some areas had to wait weeks for water and electrical service to be restored.
Members' homes also suffered severe damage in other parts of the Virgin Islands and the Lesser Antilles—Vieques, Guadeloupe, and St. Kitts (St. Christopher).
In South Carolina, losses were reported by members in most of the units of the Charleston stake, said Max Lehman, first counselor in the stake presidency. He estimated that some twenty families lost their homes to the storm, and a number of other members had to move out of their houses for the time being because of severe wind or water damage. Some families were housed temporarily in meetinghouses.
"We've just had tremendous support from the Saints," President Lehman said. Work parties came from as far away as the Jacksonville Florida Stake, and calls offering help came from as far away as Oregon. Stakes like those in Jacksonville and Savannah, Georgia, donated building materials worth thousands of dollars. The Savannah stake's Ridgeland Ward set up a food line at the stake center in Charleston, serving people in need, regardless of their church affiliation. For two days, the ward also supplied food to a Charleston dialysis center, said Mitchell Lowther, second counselor in the presidency of the Savannah stake.
In one Charleston area, an LDS work crew met the needs of a member family, then helped five non-LDS neighbors. The neighbors, wary at first, were astounded to learn that there would be no charge for labor or materials.
Charleston stake president Steven Baughman commented that local members seemed "remarkably prepared" for the disaster.
President Lowther said members in the Savannah Georgia Stake felt fortunate that Hurricane Hugo left their area comparatively unscathed. They were eager to help members in neighboring stakes, but because needs were so well met in those areas by local efforts, "we only did about a hundredth of what we wanted to do."
One of the stakes that suffered heavy damage was the Florence South Carolina Stake. Still, only a handful of members lost their homes, said stake president Brent Koyle.
The Sumter area was the hardest-hit in the stake. The city was without water and power for nearly a week. Bishop R. Latham Harris of the Sumter First Ward said that despite the havoc wreaked by the storm, it was inspiring to see how well-prepared members were to respond to the disaster and how willingly they reached out to others. He noted that one family, after fixing their own home, turned to helping other members fix up their dwellings, leaving repairs on their own commercial investment property until after members' needs had been met.
Church buildings in all areas ravaged by the hurricane proved to be very solidly built. Only minimal damage was reported to meetinghouses.
Early Releases, Transfers Affect Missionaries in Colombia
North American missionaries in Colombia who would have finished their service by the end of 1989 have been released early. Those with additional time remaining have been transferred to other missions in South America or the United States.
The transfers came in the wake of increasing drug-related violence in Colombia and general threats against Americans, though no threats had been made specifically against the Church or its members.
The South America North Area Presidency, who had been in Colombia monitoring the situation, made the changes in September.
Proselyting work continues in the country with the remaining missionaries—all from Latin America. There are about sixty thousand members of the Church in Colombia.
Regional Representatives
Germany Servicemen Region, Joseph F. Boone, an air force chaplain, former counselor in a bishopric and a stake presidency.
Chiclayo Peru and Iquitos Peru regions, Rafael de la Cruz Pasquel, Church Distribution Center supervisor, former stake president and counselor in a mission presidency.
La Paz Bolivia Region, Justino Martinez, a college professor, former district president and stake president.
Ensign Utah and University Utah regions, V. Dallas Merrell, a management researcher and consultant, former mission president and counselor in a stake presidency.
Bahia Blanca Argentina Region, Miguel Angel Reginato, a businessman, former district president and counselor in a stake presidency.
BYU to Build Center in Washington, D.C.
Brigham Young University will build a new facility in downtown Washington, D.C., to house its Washington Seminar program.
The $3 million building will provide a library, office, seminar room, and reception area, as well as housing for the students and the program's director.
Construction of the building was made possible by a $2 million gift to the university from the Milton and Gloria Barlow Foundation, President Rex E. Lee announced. Other donations will be sought to make up the additional $1 million of the cost for the facility.
The university is also seeking to establish a $1 million endowment fund through private funding to help students who otherwise could not afford to participate in the seminar.
The new center will provide affordable housing for forty-four to fifty single and married students. University officials hope the reduced housing costs will make it possible for more students to participate.
Students in the Washington Seminar serve as interns for a semester, working in various government offices and learning about the operation of government and politics.
Construction of the new center is expected to begin in the spring. Current plans are that it be open for fall semester 1991.
Nauvoo Symposium Held at Brigham Young University
Nearly eight hundred people attended Brigham Young University's day-long symposium on Nauvoo, Illinois, held on September 21. The symposium was part of the Church's year-long commemoration of the city's founding in 1839 and the achievements of Joseph Smith and the Saints there. In addition to President Gordon B. Hinckley and Elder Loren C. Dunn, both of whom gave talks, thirty-three scholars took part in the symposium, presenting papers on various aspects of Nauvoo.
In his remarks, President Hinckley, First Counselor in the First Presidency, said, "Ever since the Prophet named the place Nauvoo, we have spoken of it as 'Nauvoo the beautiful.'" He then identified five features that made it so: (1) The setting of bluff, farmland, and river was beautiful. "There is something majestic … about the great river which flows around the Nauvoo point." (2) Nauvoo's beginnings were beautiful. Though the land was swampy and inhospitable at first, Nauvoo was a refuge after calamity. "How beautiful to the homeless is a home," he said. (3) The creating of Nauvoo was beautiful. "There is no music like the music of industry. … There was nothing temporary about their [work]. They built as if they were going to live there for generations." (4) The suffering of the Saints was beautiful. "There is tragedy, yes; there is sorrow, of course. But there is something sublime in suffering for a great cause." (5) The death of Nauvoo was beautiful. "There was a certain beauty in the solemnity of it, in the sublimity of their faith, in their resolution to leave Nauvoo behind and recreate it on a grander scale somewhere in the West."
Elder Dunn, a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy and managing director of Nauvoo Restoration, Inc., reviewed the work at Carthage and Nauvoo. The theme of the renovated Carthage site has been reconciliation, he stressed, and the emphasis has been on Joseph and Hyrum Smith's lives: "Carthage should not be famous just for their deaths. It should be famous for what they stood for and did." In Nauvoo, the last restoration projects for 1989 are a shoemaker shop, a tinsmith shop, a two-story barn in the style of the period, and the old Nauvoo burial ground. By next spring, the visitors' center will focus historically on Nauvoo and the early Church. Among its displays will be an eighteen-foot model of old Nauvoo. Elder Dunn said that Nauvoo Restoration's purpose is twofold: (1) Historical—80 percent of the visitors come because of interest in American history. One goal has been to restore important parts of Nauvoo as they appeared from 1839 to 1845. (2) Spiritual—It reminds Latter-day Saints of their spiritual heritage and the great things the Lord has done for his people.
After Elder Dunn's presentation, a panel focused on Nauvoo in its broader setting. The sessions following featured presentations on the population, law, culture, and arts of Nauvoo; Joseph Smith as a prophet and teacher; priesthood and Relief Society organization; the temple; views of Nauvoo held by those outside Nauvoo; historical interpretations of Nauvoo; faith and apostasy; immigration and exodus; renovation of properties in Nauvoo; and the visual appearance of Nauvoo. As with most symposia, the papers reflected the conclusions of individual scholars and not any general consensus. A sampling of some of the papers follows:
What Was Nauvoo Like?
"Geographic and Demographic Considerations." Robert L. Layton said that Nauvoo was part of a transportation, land-development, and population boom. From 1830 to 1840, Illinois and Missouri were the frontier. By 1840, several million people had crossed the Appalachians—only 40 percent of the people in Illinois had been born in the state, for example. Most were U. S. citizens; 13 percent were foreigners. Forests, not mountains, provided the barrier, so travel moved along waterways, and towns developed there first. In 1840, Illinois had 476,183 people; in 1850, it had 851,470 people. Only nine thousand were over age 45. The majority—272,000—were age 24 or younger.
"Church Membership in Nauvoo, 1839–1846." Estimates of Nauvoo's population have differed by as much as 16,000, Susan Easton Black said. After analysis of thousands of records, more accurate figures are now available. Nauvoo at its peak had about 12,000 people. Unlike most frontier populations, Nauvoo's median age was in the 30s, and the percentage of males and females was almost even. Twenty-six percent had been born in England in industrial cities. The most common occupation, however, was farming. Carpentry was a distant second.
"Remembering Nauvoo." Reviewing a multitude of writings about Nauvoo, Glen M. Leonard demonstrated that everyone saw Nauvoo from a particular stance and viewpoint. Thus, all accounts are interpretive even when they use facts. For example, observers of Nauvoo wrote as pilgrims, journalists, celebrants, sociologists, historians, or members of different churches. Their approaches—whether investigative, reminiscent, sensationalistic, or commemorative—narrowed their viewpoint.
"Nauvoo of the Imagination." Using slides of period architecture and descriptions of Nauvoo, Paul L. Anderson imagined what Nauvoo may have looked like. He pointed out that Nauvoo exists only in our imaginations. We are visually unfamiliar with the city—photography developed after the Saints left, and old paintings are scarce. Nauvoo today is expansive and peaceful, and most buildings are brick. The Saints' city, however, was crowded and noisy, and most buildings were one-story log buildings.
Joseph Smith
"Joseph Smith: Prophet, Teacher, Theologian." Many of the most important and most distinctive LDS doctrines were taught widely for the first time during the Nauvoo period, Larry C. Porter said. For example, Joseph Smith taught about our premortal existence, the three degrees of glory, spirit being matter, and the nature of God.
"The Effort to Preserve the Teachings of Joseph Smith." Dean C. Jessee looked at the many documents that contain the teachings of Joseph Smith. Fewer than one in ten of the Prophet's discourses were recorded, and those were subject to the interpretation of the scribes who recorded them. The most trustworthy discourses are those that exist in several accounts recorded by different people. The versions of such a discourse can be compared for accuracy in both style and content.
Religion and Church Organization
"The American Religious Context." Thomas G. Alexander defined five major religious traits of the early 1800s that affected the Restoration: the decline of Calvinism, which emphasized election and predetermination; the rise of churches after a half-century decline; the emphasis on restoring the church as it had existed in Apostolic times; the emphasis on the Savior's second coming; and persecution of numerous religious groups.
"Priesthood Bearers and Quorums." Priesthood quorums were organized much more loosely up to 1844 than they are now, William G. Hartley said. Not all men held the priesthood; instead, they were ordained as needed. In Nauvoo, priesthood organization became more complete. Brigham Young organized thirty-two quorums of seventy, so almost every man held the priesthood. Bishops received more spiritual responsibility, and teenagers were ordained to fill Aaronic Priesthood quorums after men began receiving their endowments and moving to Melchizedek Priesthood quorums.
"The Female Relief Society." Maureen Ursenbach Beecher maintained that, though the Relief Society functioned in Nauvoo only from 1842 to 1844, it was instrumental in preparing women to receive temple ordinances. The Prophet instructed the sisters on the scriptures and gospel doctrine and encouraged them to pursue charitable activities. The organization helped to set policies and programs used in the Relief Society today.
Law and Crime
"My Ancestor Was a Bodyguard to Joseph Smith." James L. Kimball examined the Nauvoo police system. The city had four wards, with one part-time constable per ward and a high constable over them. A city watch to guard the area at night was called to assist the constables. In 1842, the city watch switched from regular citizens to the Nauvoo Legion. Later, the city required forty police officers. The legion also provided protection for Joseph Smith and other Church leaders. Even after the Prophet's death, they were still referred to as "Joseph's Guard."
"The Lawrence Estate Revisited." William Law's recollection of how Joseph Smith, as guardian of the Lawrence children, cheated them and him is full of errors, claimed Gordon A. Madsen. All the court records pertaining to the guardianship and Joseph Smith's management of the Lawrence estate still exist. They show that virtually all of Law's claims are mistaken.
Nauvoo and Its Neighbors
"The Mormon Settlement at Macedonia." Was there much interaction between Saints and nonmembers among smaller settlements near Nauvoo? asked Susan Sessions Rugh. In some ways, yes. The LDS settlement of Macedonia and the neighboring non-Mormon settlement of Fountain Green developed strong commercial ties. But other kinds of interaction were minimal, and political differences eventually alienated the two communities. Journals of Fountain Green residents show suspicion toward Macedonia residents.
"Political and Economic Considerations." James B. Allen identified the major issues of the day: voters' rights, antislavery movements, suffrage, and temperance. Sectionalism was also growing, leading eventually to the Civil War. A severe economic recession characterized the 1830s and early 1840s. Land speculation on the frontier was rampant. When the Saints filed for redress for their lost property, the issue of states' rights prevented the federal government from acting. When Joseph Smith ran for president of the United States, his platform dealt with these issues. Many of his views foreshadow legislation passed since then.
Women's Issues
"Women in the American Setting." Carol Cornwall Madsen explored the rapid changes for American women during the early 1800s. In 1820, most women were illiterate, but by the 1850s, they were the leaders in novel and poetry writing. New factories also opened the workplace to women. In religion, twice as many women joined churches as men. Females weren't allowed to vote, but an 1848 women's rights convention declared that women had that right. Many LDS women leaders felt that the 1842 organization of the Relief Society opened the way for the emancipation of women everywhere.
"Women's Perceptions of Their Husbands' Priesthood Callings." In studying the writings of 120 Nauvoo women, Melinda Evans Vail found that most women supported their husbands' priesthood involvement and accepted the resulting hardships, seeing them as a sacrifice for the Lord. The women wrote with pride of temple-building and accepted sometimes difficult doctrines because they believed the doctrines were necessary to the Restoration.
Education, Culture, and the Arts
"A People of 'Culture and Refinement.'" We must be careful about drawing conclusions from insufficient evidence, Davis Bitton said. Though many Church members think of Nauvoo as a prosperous and highly educated society, it probably wasn't, particularly by today's standards. Nauvoo had a library, and its holdings have been documented. But it wasn't established until 1844, and no one knows how many people used it or what books were read. Many citizens were minimally educated, and most were so busy building the settlement and earning a living that they had no time to pursue culture or education.
"Theater in Nauvoo, in a Milieu of Cultural Arts." Carma de Jong Anderson mentioned that the University of Nauvoo offered an amazing variety of classes, though no one knows how many were actually taught. Schools also existed for the very poor. Classes, choir performances, circus acts, magic shows, and plays were staged in the Red Brick Store and in the Cultural Hall. Drama in the early 1800s was moralistic and instructional, and Church leaders welcomed it both as entertainment and education. A theater company was formed in Nauvoo and staged tours of its most popular play, Pizarro.
"Songs of Joseph's Nauvoo." Mixing lecture and music, Michael D. Hicks showed how the songs from the Nauvoo era reflected the life of the Saints. Some, like "Adam-ondi-Ahman," had uniquely LDS themes. Others, such as "The Mobbers of Missouri," were satires about the Saints' enemies. Still others were popular songs of the day that the Prophet often requested, like "The Soldier's Tear." Though members like Parley P. Pratt and Isaac Watts wrote lyrics for many hymns, the words were sung to well known tunes. It is not well known that Nauvoo had a music hall, located one block from the temple, that featured frequent concerts.
Anti-Mormons Associated with Nauvoo
"Henry Caswell." Craig L. Foster discussed Henry Caswell's visit to Nauvoo and his impact in Britain as the chief anti-Mormon writer there. A professor and a vicar, Caswell published more tracts and articles against the Church than any other Englishman. He based many of his observations on a brief visit to Nauvoo. Caswell's recollections of that visit and several Church leaders' remembrances of it differ considerably.
"From Assassination to Expulsion." Could the Saints have avoided expulsion through reconciliation and better communication? Marshall Hamilton asked. His conclusion is no. Events following the martyrdom show that the sensitive areas—political strength versus lawlessness—were not easily resolvable. Furthermore, the catalyst for expulsion, Thomas Sharp, consistently published rhetoric in his newspaper and wrote letters calling for expulsion, no matter what the Saints were doing.
New Films Focus on Nauvoo and Joseph Smith
Visitors to Nauvoo and Carthage, Illinois, now have the opportunity to see Joseph Smith and his "city beautiful" through the eyes of contemporary witnesses.
The Prophet Joseph and the city he founded are featured in two new Church films used in visitors' centers at Nauvoo and at the newly remodeled Carthage Jail complex. The productions recreate some of the settings and the ambience of the 1830s and 1840s, with the spoken part of the two productions consisting almost entirely of the words of people who knew Joseph Smith and visited or lived in the thriving city of Nauvoo.
The two films focus not on martyrdom and conflict, but on the life and accomplishments of Joseph Smith and the Latter-day Saints. The theme of the films is in keeping with a request made by Elder Loren C. Dunn of the First Quorum of the Seventy for historical films to communicate the spirit of the gospel to nonmember viewers. Elder Dunn is President of the Church's North America Central Area, where Nauvoo and Carthage are located, and is also president of Nauvoo Restoration, Inc.
He pointed out that "members of the Church justifiably look on Nauvoo as part of their spiritual heritage," and that a high percentage of the nonmembers drawn to Nauvoo and Carthage because of their historic significance are agreeable to a contact from missionaries. The theme for the Carthage movie should be "a healing one," he suggested. "The legacy of Joseph Smith, rather than his martyrdom, should be the main message of the film." He requested a film about Nauvoo that would emphasize, for both members and nonmembers, "the mission and message of Joseph Smith."
Gary Cook of the Church's Curriculum Department wrote the scripts for the films and was also involved in producing them. He said the stories have been told through firsthand impressions of people who lived at the time, taken from journals, diaries, and letters. "Even the themes of the musical scores are based on tunes that were popular at the time," Brother Cook said. For example, "The Soldier's Tear," a favorite of Joseph Smith, was used as a theme for the Carthage production.
Filming for the two productions was completed on location in Illinois during May of this year. Paved streets were covered with dirt; period carriages, wagons, livestock, and props were found; and hundreds of cast members were costumed in period dress to give the films the look of authenticity. Sets depicting a riverboat landing and the corner of the temple were constructed.
Principal characters in the film were played by Church members. Local LDS wards furnished hundreds of extras for the filming, but cast members also included several members of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and many other people from towns in the area. The Nauvoo Ward prepared meals for the cast and crew and assisted with many other behind-the-scenes production chores as well.
Shooting was finished on May 26, and the Carthage film premiered on June 27, when the renovated Carthage Jail complex was dedicated. The Nauvoo film premiered in October.
Working on the films was a moving experience, Brother Cook recalled. "There is a spirit about Nauvoo and Carthage" that caught hold "in the hearts of all of us and produced a consecration of effort. It is hoped that these two films will help in some small way to make more meaningful the experience of all who visit there."
Update: Number of Wards and Branches in the Church
Since 1984, the number of wards and branches in the Church has increased by 2,095, or 14.5 percent. At the end of 1988, there were 11,196 wards and 5,362 branches, for a combined total of 16,558 wards and branches.
Total Wards and Branches


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If you love high school football the old-fashioned way, when scoreless ties were a lot more common than teams combining for 100 points in a game, don't take offense to all the offense this season.
Local programs are lighting up the scoreboards and breaking school records like crazy, and it's still only mid-September.
Who knows what's coming next, but brace yourself for a ton of scoring and big plays tonight when Oaks Christian (3-0) plays host to Chaminade (2-1) in what's expected to be an impressive duel between dynamic quarterbacks Brad Kaaya of Chaminade and Brandon Dawkins of Oaks Christian.
Kaaya (1,032 yards passing, nine TDs) threw for a school-record 435 yards last week in a 56-34 victory at Valencia, and tonight the 6-foot-3, three-year standout faces a talented but vulnerable defense that has allowed 39 points per game.
"Some of the games, they can be a little nerve-racking when you have to score again and again, but I'm loving it," said Kaaya, a Miami (Fla.) commit. "I'm enjoying it, and against Oaks Christian, I'm hoping our defense can make some big plays or force some turnovers or maybe some interceptions."
Dawkins, an Arizona commit, has already broken the school's passing yardage record for a game — twice actually — and has thrown for 1,118 yards and 13 touchdowns in three games. That's particularly impressive considering Oaks Christian has produced Jimmy Clausen, Nick Montana and a string of other top quarterbacks.
Spread it around
Dawkins and Kaaya are not the only ones. It's happening all over the area. Hart's Brady White has completed 73 percent of his attempts for 979 yards in two games, accounting for 12 touchdowns — 10 passing, two rushing. The 6-3 junior passed for 471 yards and three touchdowns in an 56-49 victory Aug. 30 at Santiago, then a school-record 508 yards and seven touchdowns in a 55-54 double-overtime win Sept. 6 over Chaminade.
Hart is scoring 55.5 points per game, but like the others is also giving up a lot of points, an average of 51.5.
"I'm definitely blessed with a great receiving corps, five really good receivers," White said. "Plus I have a great running back, Connor Wingenroth, and it's awesome in the shotgun offense having him standing right next to me."
San Fernando's Cris Solano is also off to a great start, having set the school record for passing yards in a game with a 467-yard, six-touchdown performance in a 55-24 win Sept. 6 over Chatsworth. Directing an offense that averages more than 500 yards, Solano has passed for 1,032 yards and 12 touchdowns in three games, in addition to scoring three other touchdowns.
Running backs are excelling, too. Newbury Park's Matthew Matlock set a school-record with 343 yards last week. Wingenroth is averaging 188 yards rushing, plus more than 100 yards receiving per game. Several others have rushed for 250 yards or more in a game.
And how is Alemany going to respond Friday against Corona Centennial's Tre Watson, who has rushed for an eye-popping 849 yards and 13 touchdowns in three games.
Rush job
How is this all happening?
A big reason is the sudden rise of no-huddle, hurry-up offenses for all 48 minutes, a trend high school coaches are learning from watching Oregon and the Philadelphia Eagles.
When hurry-up teams go head-to-head, like Hart versus Chaminade a couple of weeks ago or Valencia versus Chaminade last week, it's like a perfect storm.
"It's the new thing. You see it at the higher levels, and now everyone is kind of starting to do it," White said. "We pick up the pace and try to out-tempo teams, and it's an effective offense. I love the no-huddle, and I love the shotgun offense."
The proof is in the plays. If one or both are running a no-huddle, hurry-up offense, more opportunities to score materialize, and thus more touchdowns and more statistics.
"I remember a few years ago, the national average for the number of plays in a high school game was 55 to 60," Chaminade coach Ed Croson said. "The night we played Hart, there were 220 plays total. Colleges used to average 62 plays, and now it's 77."
Or as Kaaya put it: "Going fast with a no-huddle is a headache to stop. We get defenses pretty tired because our offensive guys, we have fresh guys coming in all the time, so that wears defenses down."
Getting into the act
In the Foothill League, five of the six teams are averaging more than 30 per points per game, including Hart, Saugus (41.3) and Canyon (35.5). Plus, Valencia's Jake Wallace passed for 432 yards last week in a loss to Chaminade.
In the Marmonte League, Oaks Christian is scoring 52.3 points, and Simi Valley, led by quarterback Davis Pinkston, is at 39.6.
In the Serra League, Crespi scored 67 points Aug. 30 against Taft, the third-most points in school history. Alemany is averaging 38.6 points, Bishop Amat is averaging 38, and Notre Dame is at 32.
Alemany wants to score as many points as possible against Corona Centennial (2-1), a program that defeated the Warriors 36-32 a year ago and is averaging 606.4 yards this season.
"All these spread offenses are making it tough," Alemany coach Dean Herrington said. "I think we're a huge underdog against Centennial. They can beat any team in the country."
In the Pacific League, four teams are averaging more than 30 points, including Crescenta Valley at 55 and Burbank at 49.
Crescenta Valley's Brian Gadsby passed for school-record 483 yards in a 56-53 win Sept. 12 over San Marino. In two games, the junior has passed for 12 touchdowns.
Fifty points in a high school game used to be a benchmark. This season, it is often a third-quarter total.
Last week, Sylmar defeated Verdugo Hills 83-42, and, no, that's not eight-man football.
Burbank put up 65 points against Canoga Park, and Oaks Christian outscored Venice 49-39. In San Fernando's 47-19 win over Poly, Solano passed for 371 yards and accounted for seven touchdowns, six passing.
And then there is Sierra Canyon's Andre Nunez, who passed for 387 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 229 yards and three touchdowns in a 60-52 loss Sept. 12 to Taft.
One thing is for sure: The fans are getting their money's worth.
"Yeah, that's what everyone is saying," Hart coach Mike Herrington said. "As far as coaching in these games, you don't even have time to think because you're constantly going, going, going. But I guess that's good because you can't worry about things. There's no time."


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