text:
Peter Gerrard, The Examiner
The Memorial Ride is well in the past. The Bike Safety Improvement Fund has attracted a lot of money for eventual improvements. Where do we go from here? Today, the tables are turned. The Examiner's Peter Gerrard writes of bike safety issues, so when he reached out to me and April Morris I suggested we complement his article with this audio interview. So today you enjoy a multimedia twofer: find Peter's article here. Show #48 Listen. Continue Reading
Sweet Circumstance
How often do you get to give a little corrective feedback to an errant motorist? I had my opportunity as I was heading home from an early morning meeting. I've had like zero times to actually comment to a motorist after they've been blowing their horn at me; I'm still savoring the moment. Many meetings over coffee are early, this one would take me along Coast Hwy to Cappy's Cafe. We've all done this route yet it causes me to reflect – how much traffic will there be? At that time of day, ... Continue Reading
Saturday at Starbucks
Where else should I be? Starbucks at Goldenrod & Coast Hwy is where the cyclists are. I spent some time here yesterday – I came to shoot cyclists in motion, like I was doing in the Netherlands. My trip photos turned out so well – cyclists in motion with blurred backgrounds – I wanted to keep shooting here at home. It was only an after-thought yesterday when I passed out a handful of the blue business-card-sized Sharrows cards. I brought more this morning. It was not so ... Continue Reading
Door Zone Dad
"What're you shooting?" When you hang out on the corner in front of Starbucks people make small talk. For me, I felt like I was working; I wanted to see how cyclists were riding the Sharrows through CdM. They weren't. Based on my experience riding Coast Hwy the past few weeks – motorists get it. No one's blown a horn at me. I never expected that cyclists would be so clueless. Today is Black Friday so many were at the mall. When I arrived at this intersection it was nearly 11am ... Continue Reading
Old Habits Die Hard
Do I have to draw you a picture? I was moving too slow to catch the early-birds riding through Corona del Mar this morning; I was positioned outside the RiteAid around 11:30am. This is the first Saturday after the Sharrows installation. Most of the cyclists don't understand what they mean, or they're set in their ways. Whatever the case, this small sample size showed poor understanding of what the Sharrows meant — too many cyclists continue riding in the door zone. ... Continue Reading
The Reviews Are In
"Very nicely done," A. C. "Bicyclists across the city and the county owe you and your fellow activists a debt of gratitude!" G. W. "Yay!" B. B. "Let's see how the drivers react," H. B. "Bikes always could use the full lane, but the city is finally willing to remind drivers of that. Bravo!" M. O. "Love it! I have regularly "taken the lane" through Corona del Mar over the past 30 years and have had a variety of reactions. Let's hope the range of reactions narrows towards the ... Continue Reading
Midnight Sharrows
It's Halloween and I saw lots of revelers in costume as I awaited the painting of the first Sharrows on Coast Hwy tonight. I'll be out there first thing and file a report in the morning... Continue Reading
Signs of Change
The bike community eagerly awaits the installation of Sharrows on Coast Hwy here in Corona del Mar. For too long cyclists have either chosen to ride in the door-zone, or were bullied by harried motorists into riding dangerously close to parked cars. It's happened to me too many times, and for no good reason, too. Will motorist behavior change for the better? WIll more courtesy suddenly occur on this busy stretch of road? It might take awhile. But there's a new spirit of ... Continue Reading
Overheard Last Night
Pizza and beer combined with an almost full moon — that was the setting as a dozen bike advocates from as far south as San Clemente gathered at my house to kick around bike safety priorities that hopefully Newport Beach will consider. Although we met 2 weeks ago, Monday night will be the first working meeting of the Bike Safety Committee since the death of 2 women cyclists. Everyone has ideas, so Orange County Bicycle Coalition Executive Director Pete Van Nuys proposed getting concer... Continue Reading
Measuring for Sharrows
Brad Sommers and his assistant measure off the right distances then mark the pavement in anticipation of Sharrows on Coast Hwy through CdM. Continue Reading
- Older Posts
- No More Posts


text:
ST. PETERSBURG — Police on Friday arrested a 31-year-old man they say filed a false police report a week ago about an armed carjacking that never happened.
Raun Jared Young, of 1000 Jackson St. N, first called police at about 8:30 p.m. Feb. 27, officials said.
He said he'd given a man named Dennis K. Jordan a ride to the area of 22nd Avenue S and 16th Street. Young said that Jordan and five other men, one of whom implied he had a gun, robbed him of his car and drove away.
Young said he then ran all way home, told his wife what happened and called police.
Police, acting on Young's story, arrested Jordan on Wednesday on a carjacking charge.
But on Friday, while speaking with a detective, Young admitted he had lied, police said. He told authorities he knew Jordan, and had let him use his vehicle.
Young was taken to the Pinellas County Jail. Meanwhile, a judge signed an order for Jordan to be released.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Now Powering the World's Quickest and Most Powerful BMW 335! (firstname.lastname@example.com)
PROcede Plug-and-Play Systems Starting At Just $745
The PROcede is the most advanced and most functional tuning solution for your vehicle. Years of relentless development has created a product that not only offers maximum engine performance but also our ground-breaking AutoTuning (patent pending), 100% diagnostic invisibility, comprehensive CAN integration, inter-platform compatibility and convenience features that renders other tuning options obsolete. With the PROcede, you will never need to purchase a diagnostic tool, a data-logging device, add-on gauges, or most other accessories commonly associated with high output tuning solutions. And now with the ability to purchase and activate only the features that you need, whenever you need them, the PROcede is the only choice for those value functionality, performance, convenience and value. It is what the market has been waiting for: A high-end tune at a low-end price.


text:
A New CB360 Contributor Provides Insight
It's time to welcome a new contributor to Collegebaseball360.com. Chris Webb follows everything that is college baseball in the state of Ohio on Buckeyestatebaseball.com. Whether it's Divsion I, II or III if it happens in college baseball in Ohio you'll find it there. Here's a great preview of the six Ohio MAC teams heading into conference play.
The first five weeks have been full of ups and downs, twists and turns, upsets and letdown across the board for our MAC schools. As we hit week six of the Division I college baseball season, the upcoming weekend kicks off conference play in the MAC.
Where preseason MAC-East favorites Bowling Green and Kent State stumbled out of the gate before rebounding in the last few weekends, the division has a pair of teams that have flown under the radar in Akron and Miami, looking to take home a championship. Where Toledo is the only Ohio team in the conference, the Rockets have started fast and stayed strong, looking like a team on a mission. Back in the East, the Bobcats hope conference play welcomes the start of good fortunes.
Buckeye State prepares you for MAC play in our conference primer, giving the ins and outs of what has transpired, the players vital to their team's success, and what to expect in the 2010 slate of conference games.
Quick Facts:
Offensive: .313 (Average) 36 (Doubles), 3 (Triples), 20 (HR) 131 (RBI) .463 (Slugging) .381 (On-base) 6-10 (Stolen bases)
Pitching/Defensive: 5.36 (ERA) 3 (Saves) 100 (Strikeouts) 64 (Walks) .306 (Batting Average Against), 28 (Errors), .962 (Fielding Percentage)
Non-conference Recap
The Zips ride into MAC play higher than any other team. With modest expectations in the preseason, a fifth-place finish in the MAC-East preseason coaches poll, Akron certainly has exceeded expectations. A revamped pitching rotation, players emerging from injuries, and strong leadership has fueled the Zips fast start.
Centerfielder/closer Drew Turocy has been a one-man wrecking ball, after missing the 2009 season with Tommy-John surgery. The red-shirt sophomore leads Akron in batting average, RBI, stolen bases, and saves. Providing power behind Turocy is fellow outfielder senior Jake Plata. Plata launched five of his team-high seven home runs over Akron's spring break, leading him to receive Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week honors. The senior trio of captains, shortstop Kevin Haas, DH Kyle Hallett, and first baseman Brian Kordal all boast averages north of .300 in hopes of ending their career with their first MAC tournament appearance.
On the mound Akron has a quartet of reliable starting pitchers as it's disposal. In Andrew Brown, Ben Danzinger, Scott Foster, and Alex Loftin, Akron sports four pitchers with at least two wins, and ERA's of 4.60 or lower. While sophomore closer Chris Bassitt remains out with an injury, Turocy has filled in nicely in the closer's role picking up three saves to lead the club. Each start has averaged more than six innings per start, keeping the bullpen fresh and well-rested.
Akron's best win of the year is a 13-11 victory on the road at New Mexico State in the lid-opener of a four game set. The Zips also have a victory over Minnesota, and two over UNC-Wilmington.
Expected Rotation
Alex Loftin: (3-2), 3.60 ERA, 35.0 IP, 25 K, 13 BB, .281 BAA
Andrew Brown: (3-2), 3.41, 31.2 21, 12, .297
Ben Danzinger: (2-2), 4.60, 31.1, 14, 7, .286
Closer: Drew Turocy (0-0), 5.06, 3 SV, 10.2, 13, .310
Key Players
CF Drew Turocy: .411 (average), 3 (home runs), 21 (RBI), .622 (SLG), .419 (OBP), 3-3 (Stolen Bases)
SS Kevin Haas: .333, 1, 13, .429, .400
DH Kyle Hallett: .333, 1, 15, .444, .392
C John Turk: .322, 1, 7, .424, .373
OF Jake Plata: .267, 7, 27, .600, .360
MAC Expectations
Coming out of nowhere, as things stand of today, Akron would be the MAC's representative in the NCAA post-season by many across the country. Pitching has led the resurgence of Pat Bangtson's program with a deep and productive line-up to supplement. Not very aggressive on the bases, and outside of Plata, not overly powerful, the Zips scrape together runs with a solid plate approach and consistency at the dish.
Still, success of Akron will rest on the arms of their pitching staff. Being four-men deep, the depth and versatility will allow Bangtson multiple options in deciding how to approach a weekend, and keeping his team in a position to take every weekend series. While you cannot garner a Regional berth during MAC play, aligning yourself and having momentum going into the MAC Tournament will allow yourself a greater chance to succeed. Early results have led to have no reason to believe this cannot be the season Akron receives the conference's automatic bid.
Quick Facts
Offensively: .321, 31, 9, 12, 11, .471, .395, 22-30
Pitching/Defensively: 7.02, 3, 89, 69, .315, 34, .942
Non-conference Recap
Going into MAC play, the Falcons are 6-9-1 with a weekend sweep of Eastern Kentucky being the bright spot so far. The offense has been what has powered Bowling Green so far and kept the team in almost every game. Getting On-Base has not been a problem for Bowling Green, maintaining a .395 OBP with the team batting average being a superb .321. Along with those stats the Falcons have amassed a gaudy .472 slugging percentage. Stud senior T.J. Blanton has six of the nine home runs hit so far by the Falcons along with a team high 19 of the 111 RBI's recorded.
Unfortunately for Coach Danny Schmitz, the pitching staff has staggered through the non-conference portion of the schedule. While reliever Ross Gerdeman has amassed a 1.42 ERA over 19 innings pitched, the team as a whole have combined for an underwhelming 7.02 ERA. The staff have struck out 89 and walked 69 in 132 innings pitched and given up a .315 BAA.
Bowling Green has played a tough non-conference schedule so far, going to Kentucky on three separate weekend series to play Louisville, Kentucky, and Eastern Kentucky. The team lost the first six games of the season before going down to Florida during spring break, where they were able to defeat Northeastern for the first win of the season. The squad was only able to play five games out of the eight scheduled due to rain, but went 3-1-1 over those five games.
Expected Rotation
Brennan Smith: (1-2), 11.57, 18.2, 15, 18, .388
Michael Frank: (0-1), 4.98, 21.2, 14, 6, .279
Kevin Leady: (2-1), 4.76, 22.2, 18, 7, .281
Key Players
OF T.J. Blanton: .456, 6, 19, .895, .484, 7-9
SS Jon Berti: .397, 0, 8, .476, .441, 10-12
OF/C Ryan Schlater: .396, 1, 13, .566, .444, 2-3
2B Logan Meisler: .351, 0, 13, .566, .465
MAC Expectations
Offensively the Falcons should be able to slug it out with any team that comes their way in-conference, they have scored seven or more runs in 10 of the 16 games played so far. T.J. Blanton is a player to look out for and will be in contention for player of the year in the MAC conference. The senior belted four home runs in the Eastern Kentucky series, all on the same day during a double-header. The 2009 Academic All-MAC selection has a .895 slugging % so far and is hitting .456. Speedy lead off hitter Jon Berti leads the team with 10 stolen bases in 12 attempts, with Blanton the only other player on the team who has attempted to steal more than three stolen bases, swiping seven bags in nine attempts.
If Bowling Green is to win their third straight MAC Regular Season title, it is the pitching staff that will be the key for that is the most glaring weakness. The starting rotation consists of Brennan Smith, Michael Frank, and Kevin Leady, whose combined average ERA is a 7.10 over 63 innings pitched. The bullpen is led by Ross Gerdeman and Patrick Martin who have given up a combined seven runs in 31.2 innings of relief. For as potent as the bats have been for Bowling Green, the pitching has been just as shaky having allowed a .408 OBP and collected a WHIP of 1.81 so far.
Quick Facts
Offensively: .281, 55, 7, 17, 114, 439, .362, 17-25
Pitching/Defensive: 5.72, 3, 130, 110, .289, 24, .971
Non-conference Recap
The general thought regarding Kent State going into the season was talented, but young, especially on the mound. Nothing shows the youth of team more than inconsistencies. Where the Flashes would have a solid weekend at the plate, the performance on the mound was less than desirable. When the pitching came through, the bats were cold. Playing a challenging schedule out of the gate doesn't help either. Though Coach Scott Stricklin sets the bar high for his program, he understands the battles his team faces.
"Every program in the North sees inconsistencies early in the season. Errors, bad base running, bad plate approaches, struggles on the mound, its comes with playing outside for the first few weeks. It's tough to play three games then sit for a week. Now that we're playing midweek games, you're seeing guys come around" Stricklin in the sixth season stated.
Still the skipper expects more from his players. "They have to know they're accountable not to just themself, but to the team" Stricklin added in regards to players needing improvement. Needing hardly any improvement is sophomore shortstop Jimmy Rider who Stricklin referred to as Kent State's most consistent playing. With a .376 average headed into MAC player, its hard to disagree. Anthony Gallas and Travis Shaw have provided the Flashes with power, each swatting five home runs. Ben Klafczynski and Jared Humphrey's each are hitting over .300 as mainstays in the order.
The individual success at the plate has yet to be matched on the mound. With four starters who have started at least three games each, none sport an ERA below 6.00. Robert Sabo, Ryan Mace, David Starn, and Kyle Hallock have had their ups and downs but will be the group Stricklin counts on.
"We have four guys for three spots. We'll use the midweek games to determine who will be the three that start and who goes to the bullpen, right now nothing has been determined" Stricklin stated.
"All have been good at times, all have been bad at times as well. what plays an important role as well is who can be the best out of the bullpen. The first guy out (of the bullpen) is very important" the coach added.
With Starn, and Mace being sophomores experiencing heavy playing time for the first time, bumps were expected. In addition to Hallock, and Sabo, a red-shirt junior who was drafted in 2009, the group is talented. Only time will tell if the on-the-fly learning will allow the pitching staff to lead the Flashes to prominence.
Expected Rotation
David Starn: (2-1), 6.59, 27.1, 23, 11, .359
Robert Sabo: (1-3), 6.12, 25.0, 19, 15, .296
Ryan Mace: (0-2), 6.26, 23.0, 11, 6, .235
Closer: Brett Weibley (1-1), 2.00, 2, 12.0, 8, 10, .194
Key Players
SS Jimmy Rider: .376, 1, 15, .505, .431, 4-6
2B/OF Jared Humphreys: .307, 1, 13, .500, .384, 4-7
OF Ben Klafczynski: .318, 0, 11, .412, .392, 1-1
OF Anthony Gallas: .310, 5, 25, .583, .398, 2-2
1B/3B Travis Shaw: .302, 5, 18, .547, .380
MAC Expectations
Surprising as it might sound, hitting and not pitching is the current worry around the Kent area. With a team that has a collective average of .281, the offense does have room for improvement. Golden Flash faithful hope a strong showing in the Coca-Cola classic, the last weekend before conference play, carries over into MAC competition.
After scoring 26 runs in the final two games, Stricklin is pleased with what he saw. "It was good to finally swing the bats. We think and feel we're a good offensive team, but we haven't shown that we are. We're trying to teach and need our players to be more consistent, and we think they'll coming around" Stricklin proclaimed.
Still it is hard to overlook the questions reside in the pitching staff. Having lost a lot of innings due to graduation and the MLB Draft following the 2009 season, the quartet of starting pitches have yet to prove they can be successful game in and game out. With flashes of brilliance here and there, the potential is there, but will 2010 yield a season of production.
You can never count out a Stricklin-led team, but there is reason to view Kent State with caution. Nonetheless Stricklin feels his team is ready for conference play. "They know whats at stake. They know to reach NCAA postseason play you have to win the conference tournament, and how you play now will shape your odds of getting there and succeeding."
Offensively: .287, 33, 5, 20, 131, .441, .353, 25-26
Pitching/Defensively: 7.33, 5, 114, 56, .338, 22, .967
Non-conference Recap
Entering MAC play with the conference's toughest non-conference schedule to date, Miami has had its ups and downs, but have fared well in the early portion of the 2010 schedule. Where injuries have sidelined two of the RedHakws top offensive threats in Bryce Redeker and Jon Edgington, other players have emerged providing head coach Dan Simonds with a multitude of options during conference play.
"Things feel pretty good. We would like them to be a bit better, but we're feeling pretty good" Simonds stated. "For having just one home game, things have gone alright. Starting pitching we feel is pretty good, we have three quality starters, and we've been able t overcome a few injuries in Redeker and Edgington. Redeker had just hit for the cycle before going out for four weeks after the fourth game, but guys have stepped up."
Of those who have stepped up, perhaps none more than two-way player Jordan Jankowski. Serving as a catcher and DH along with the team's closer, Jankowski has been a forced with his .375 average. All-MAC outfielder Adam Eaton continues to add to a stellar career with a robust spring so far. In 19 games, Eaton has collected five doubles, three triples, five home runs and is a perfect 11-11 on the bases. Adam Weisenburger, Zak Hatfield, and Brad Gschwind all are hitting over .300 for a deep lineup.
On the mound the success hasn't been as fortunate for the RedHawks who have a team ERA of 7.33. Still Simonds knows he has quality arms in the group. "We'll have Tyler Melling (1-2, 9.11), Brooks Fiala (1-1, 8.20), and Mac Thoreson (1-1, 3.72) as our weekend guys" Simonds stated. While the numbers might appear less than desireable for a weekend rotation, Simonds feels they don't tell the entire picture, especially when the tough non-conference schedule, which included games with Clemson, and Michigan State, along with weekend sets at Auburn and Louisiana-Lafayette.
"Guys are now getting into rhythm. Baseball is a game of rhythm, of routine. With timing and the flow of games, getting back to having midweek games and guys in a set routine really helps." Continuing Simonds would add "Our non-conference schedule prepares us for MAC play. Playing these clubs (Clemson and Auburn) exposes our weaknesses. It shows us what we need to work on, but we're also going in there to win and it shows our guys we can complete with anyone."
Expected Rotation
Tyler Melling: (1-1), 9.11, 26.2, 15, 6, .368
Brooks Fiala: (1-1), 8-20, 26.1, 14, 7, .330
Mac Thoreson: (1-1), 3.72, 9.2, 9, 1, .342
Closer: Jordan Jankowski (1-1), 6.52, 3, 9.2, 15, 6, .263
Key Players
DH/C Jordan Jankowski: .375, 3, 13, .675, .419
OF Adam Eaton: .342, 4, 21, .658, .437, 11-11
C Adam Weisenburger: .338, 3, 17, .559, .427
IF Zak Hatfield: .333, 1, 4, .521, .396, 2-2
IF Brad Gschwind: .311, 1, 13, .405, .378
MAC Expectations
While the RedHawks have had solid success against a tough schedule, there is still work to be down for Miami, mainly on the mound. Miami has a stout bullpen with a handful of relievers posting sub-4.00 ERA's but the rotation that Simonds is fond of, needs to live up to the billing.
Offensively Miami plays an aggressive brand of baseball that will keep them in most games. An already deep lineup gains more with the return of Edgington this weekend (.286, 6 RBI), and Redeker down the road. The depth provides Simonds with options, though the head coach isn't too fond of having a roster consistently influx. Eaton will continue to be one of the MAC's premier players and set the tone out of his leadoff spot.
As is the key to nearly every time in the MAC, pitching will lead the way for the RedHawks. Maybe not on the level to knock off the conference favorites, it would be foolish to count Miami out just yet. However, in the a fourth-place finish, right where the coaches tabbed them in the preseason, seems just.
Offensively: .277, 29, 3, 17, 91, .422, .358, 13-15
Pitching/Defensively: 7.48, 0, 96, 69, .345, 42, .936
Non-conference Recap
Few things have gone right for the Bobcats who enter the weekend's action on a seven-game skid, losing 13 straight to Division I teams. With just two wins overall, one against DII West Virginia State one would think bright spots are hard to find. While true, the bright spots that are there shine and glimmer. Most notably is the season preseason All-American outfielder Gauntlett Eldemire is having. Through the 17 games, Eldemire's .433 average leads the team, as does his eight doubles, 19 RBI, and six stolen bases.
Also enjoying success at the plate if Kris McDonough, and Robert Maddox who offer support and protection for Eldemire, having a combined six home runs and 24 RBI. Both reach base at a .392 clip. Where there are highs offensively, there are lows pitching.
The Bobcats' top two pitchers Ryan Bores and Bryce Butt each have 0-4 ledgers on the year and ERA's above 7.00. The rest of the staff has been serviceable, led by the Trimbur bothers. Brock has a 1.98 ERA in 13.2 innings with Ben donning a 2.77 mark over 13 innings. The problem for coach Joe Carbone is very rarely do his relievers come in with the lead.
Expected Rotation
Bryce Butt: (0-4), 12.00, 18.0, 9, 4, .471
Ryan Bores: (0-4), 7.65, 20.0, 8, 9, .359
Seth Striech: (0-1), 9.64, 9.1, 5, 5, .325
Key Players
CF Gauntlett Eldemire: .433, 3, 19, .716, .519, 6-7
OF Kris McDonough: .340, 2, 7, .489, .392, 2-3
1B Robert Maddox: .329, 4, 17, .557, .392, 2-2
3B Bryan Barnes: .328, 2, 6, .534, .443
MAC Expectations
If you're a Bobcat faithful you obviously are very worried about the pitching. If you're a fan of baseball, you're worried about the pitching. Where Ohio has a solid lineup, the starting pitching is prone to having nightmarish outings, putting the team in such a hole that a respectable day at the plate goes for naught.
MAC play gives new hope for Ohio who has had a lost season up to this date. In the game of baseball anything can happen, especially in a conference without proven success on mounds across the conference. Still it is hard to consider any situation that the Bobcats can threat the MAC-East favorites. However there is still reason to see Ohio play as Eldemire is an elite talent and one of the two best players in the MAC. The centerfielder is a joy to watch and has the potential to carry a team when hot. Just will the pitching provide the star with enough backing?
Offensively: .313, 50, 4, 20, 123, .495, .368, 23-31
Pitching/Defensively: 4.58, 4, 107, 76, .253, 27, .962
Non-conference Recap
Whereas the other five Ohio MAC programs play in the East Division, Toledo calls the West division home, though technically it is more eastward than Bowling Green. Geography aside the Rockets in the West brings balance to the MAC. Where three possibly four teams will duke it out in the East, Toledo will only have Ball State standing in their way of a West Division crown.
Coming into MAC play as the conference's most complete team, the Rockets boast a team batting average of .313, and an ERA of 4.58. On both sides of the ball coach Cory Mee's squad is getting it done. Where six Rockets are hitting better than .300, their power-hitting shortstop Jared Hoying comes into the weekend hitting just .274, but already has eight dingers on the year, along with five stolen bases. No team in the MAC has a power hitting speedster atop their line-up like Hoying who sets the table nicely for a lineup that has two .400+ hitters.
It gets better for Mee. On the mound Toledo like Akron, has a rotation with ERAs sub-.500. With Mike Hamann, Lincoln Rassi, and Kyle Shaw, Toledo sends out three pitchers capable of going the distance each time out. The trio is complimented by five relievers with ERAs under 4.00, including lights out closer Matt Zahel who has three saves in eight appearances.
Top to bottom Toledo has it all. Pitching, hitting, power, base running, the Rockets are off to an 11-7 start that has victories over Pittsburg, Winthrop, and two on the road at Cincinnati on it's resume.
Expected Rotation
Kyle Shaw: (2-1), 4.98, 20.1, 13, 5, .247
Mike Hamann: (2-1), 2.92, 24.2, 20, 2, .241
Lincoln Rassi: (1-1), 4.87, 20.1, 9, 16, .222
Closer: Matt Zahel (0-1), 3.38, 3, 8.0, 8, 3, .294
Key Players
DH Matt Delewski: .425, 0, 8, .500, .442, 1-2
OF Jason Edwards: .400, 2, 7, .550, .435, 1-1
C Aaron Dudley: .371, 1, 11, .486, .430, 1-3
3B Joe Corfman: .343, 1, 15, .500, .390, 5-6
2B Tim Krofcheck: .309, 4, 15, .574, .399, 2-4
SS Jared Hoying: .274, 8, 22, .685, .357, 5-6
MAC Expectations
Like Akron in the East, pitching has led Toledo to be considered alongside Ball State as the West Division's favorite, if not ahead of the Cardinals. The Rockets truly have everything needed to not only cruise through conference play, but win in the all important conference tournament and lock up the automatic bid. From hitting to fielding, pitching to running, Toledo has done everything well up to now.
Where the West Division is weaker than the East, providing the toughest challenge for Toledo might be complacency. Mee will need to keep his team from reading their clippings and staying focused on the field. It helps that the Rockets are a veteran team and should have no problem doing so. Nothing should keep Toledo from the MAC postseason, and once in the cards are in their favor.
A deep and good bullpen combined with a good rotation gives Toledo the upper hand over its competition. The batting order has numerous weapons, enough to overcome a slump here or there, as evident by Hoying's slow start. Expect Toledo to cruise through the MAC-West, until the season's final weekend when the Rockets play the Cardinals. It works in favor of Toledo that the season-ending series is at home, which gives us enough reason to think Toledo will be the West's champs, from there the auto-bid and tournament championship is there for the taking.
Statistical Comparision
Team, W-L, AVG, ERA, RPI, SOS (As of March 25th)
Akron .313, 5.36, 11-8, 176, 189
Bowling Green .321, 7.02, 6-9-1, 121, 92
Kent State .281, 5.79, 9-12, 155, 120
Miami .287, 7.33, 9-10, 111, 70
Ohio .277, 7.48, 2-15, 282, 175
Toledo .313, 4.58, 11-7, 87, 159
David Arnold of Rollalongbaseball contributed with the Bowling Green Preview
Filed under: Division I


text:
Lady May
|Lady May
|Birth name
|Rhonda Robinson
|Also known as
|Mae West
|Long Island, New York
|Hip hop
|Rapper, actress, model
|Years active
|Crazy Cat, Arista
Lady May (born Rhonda Robinson) is an American rapper from Long Island, New York's suburbs.
May was born in the 1980s and grew up listening to Elton John, Duran Duran and Michael Jackson. At the age of fifteen, May stopped attending high school and became a hip hop dancer in music videos for artists such as LL Cool J and Jodeci, but was left unsatisfied, eventually turning to rap music.[1]
She began rapping in the late 1990s under her stage name, Mae West; her rapping skills would eventually gain notice from fellow producer/rapper, Deric "D-Dot" Angelettie, who introduced her via his 2000 solo debut album, Tell 'Em Why U Madd, on the track "Shysty Broads" alongside former Timbaland protégé, Babe Blue.[2] He later renamed her, Lady May, introduced her to Crazy Cat Productions and she eventually landed a contract deal with Arista Records in 2001.
May released her debut single in 2002, "Round Up", which featured R&B singer and former label-mate Blu Cantrell. Her following planned single was "Dick & Doe"; a music video for the song was shot but in the midst of the pushbacks for May Day (first scheduled for a release in May 2002, then to July 16, 2002, then August 2002), the single and video as well as the album were altogether shelved after the poor reception gained from "Round Up" - the album eventually leaked onto P2P sites. She was also featured on former label-mate Rob Jackson's 2002 single "Boom Boom Boom",[3] which was slated to appear on his debut album, For the People, but was eventually shelved as well. In 2003, she was featured on Willa Ford's "A Toast to Men", also appearing in its video.
The same year she appeared on DJ Kayslay's Streetsweeper Vol. 1 on the song "Seven Deadly Sins", which also featured Vita, Angie Martinez, Duchess, Amil, Sonja Blade, and Remy Ma.[4]
May contributed on Jennifer Lopez's 2007 Brave album credited as a songwriter on several tracks.
|Chart positions
|U.S. dance sales
|"Round Up" (featuring Blu Cantrell)
|May Day
|"The Dick & The Dough"
|"A Toast to Men" (Willa Ford featuring Lady May)
- ^ "Lady May | New Music And Songs | MTV". Vh1.com. Retrieved 2014-04-24.
- ^ "Meda Montana;The Madd Rapper (Featuring Erika Kaine, Babe Blu & Mae West): MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. 1970-01-01. Retrieved 2014-04-24.
- ^ Ali, Rahsheeda. "Celebrity Gossip + Entertainment News | VH1 Celebrity". Vh1.com. Retrieved 2014-04-24.
- ^ "Dj Kayslay Featuring Vita, Angie Martinez, Duchess, Lady May, Amil, Sonja Blade & Remy Martin: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. 1970-01-01. Retrieved 2014-04-24.
- ^ "Round Up" (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart), Billboard, July 27, 2002.
- ^ "A Toast to Men" (Hot Dance Singles Sales chart), Billboard, March 27, 2004.


text:
New York gets a new Funktion One-equipped club. The Get Physical duo and Scissor & Thread's Jimmy Vallance break it in.
The New York promotion team Mad Not Mad is behind the new space, which will feature a Funktion One soundsystem and sits beneath an existing, less music-centric nightclub. The party is billed on their website as the venue's "soft launch," and it will be the first time in three years that M.A.N.D.Y. has performed in New York as a duo. (Philipp Jung has played the last handful of appearances solo.) Jimmy Vallance, whose group Bob Moses are recent signings to Brooklyn's Scissor & Thread imprint, is also on the bill.
Tickets to the event are available here on RA.


text:
Area school district administrators say curricula are being changed in preparation for the new Keystone exams, which school districts will begin administering to high school juniors this month.
The new state exams in Algebra 1, literature and and biology, which will replace the 11th-grade Pennsylvania System of School Assessment as a measure of academic progress, will be given to high school students in the same year they complete those courses in coming years. But this year, all 11th-graders will take the exams, even if they took the courses a year or two ago.
Beginning with the Class of 2017, students will have multiple chances to take the state tests and must pass them to graduate.
Trinity Assistant Superintendent Michael Lucas said the district's staff is rewriting the curriculum from kindergarten through 12th grade in every content area this year.
"It's a huge undertaking," he said, adding that core content areas were completed over the summer.
He said the curriculum has been aligned to the Common Core Standards, which are designed to provide a common understanding of what students need to know, no matter what state they live in. The standards, which have been adopted in all but five states, outline what is needed for success in college and the workplace, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
"It's really changed instruction," Lucas said. "It's more uniform in all classes."
He said this will not be the end of the curriculum revision. It will be ongoing.
"It's a living, breathing document," he said.
As a part of that process, Trinity decided to eliminate its "academic" track, Lucas said. Students in that track would not get enough rigorous coursework to do well on the exam, he said.
Districts will still offer the PSSA in grades three through eight. Lucas said the Keystones are subject specific, unlike the PSSA. For example, the Algebra I Keystone will only be about that subject while the 11th-grade math PSSA was about a variety of math – algebra, geometry and trigonometry.
West Greene Supertintendent Thelma Szarell said the state determined that the PSSAs did not prove to be an efficient measure of student performance at the high school level. Instituting the Keystone exams at the high school level will allow districts and the state to more accurately assess district performance, she said.
The specific nature of the exams means more grade levels will be assessed. As end-of-course exams, they will count as one-third of the course grade in addition to being a graduation requirement, she said.
At West Greene, testing for algebra and biology will take place during the first window this month and English literature will be tested during the second window in January, she said. All students currently enrolled in algebra 1 and biology will take those tests later in the spring, she said.
Szarell said West Greene has been making adjustments to the curriculum in preparation for the new tests but that there is still a lot of work to be done. She said the district has implemented the software program Study Island and has changed the master schedule to provide educational development time for teachers and administrators to work on curriculum and Keystone preparation.
Lucas said each content area for the Keystones has two modules and will be offered over two days. Trinity will begin the tests Jan. 9. Every student, including special education students, will have to take the Keystones after they complete the courses.
Burgettstown Superintendent Deborah Jackson said the district will use three different testing windows. In December and January, students who have previously completed a Keystone course will sit for that exam. Additionally, all juniors will take the Keystone in algebra and English composition in January, unless they are currently taking those courses.
"This will fulfill the requirement that all juniors must take the Keystones in math and English/language arts due to the requirements of (the state Department of Education) for determining Adequate Yearly Progress," she said. "By taking the exam in December/January, we anticipate receiving the results in time that students who do not score at the proficient level can access additional academic support and retest again in May 2013."
Students who are taking those courses now will take the Keystone exams in May.
She said the faculty and administration have been revising curriculum not only for the Keystone exams, but also the revised PSSAs for grades three through eight.
Teachers have also attended professional development seminars, on the content of the common core as well as teaching strategies that will be necessitated by this change. Curriculum revisions include a more rigorous and in-depth student of topics in each discipline, Jackson said.
She said some changes include aligning math curriculum in kindergarten through eighth grade to make sure topics are included at the appropriate grade level, making sure that fiction has a place in the English department curriculum, social studies teachers and students are working with primary source documents as a means of gathering information and teachers are focusing on reading and writing across all curriculum areas.
Join the conversation
To comment and read comments on the article, please log in as a subscriber
Already a print subscriber? Your current O-R print subscription includes digital access. Fill out the "I am a subscriber" registration form to activate your digital access


text:
International Criminal Court prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo said Friday that he wants to investigate rapes committed during the Libyan conflict last year in a way that respects local traditions.
Moreno-Ocampo: "We are building a rape investigation without any victim of rape, so we do not present names or faces of victims of rape," he explained.
[ Via @drebha ]


text:
Girl with the Dragon Tattoo earrings, prop replica
Currently Out Of Stock
Notify me when this item is back in stock
DescriptionGirl with the Dragon Tattoo earrings, prop replica
In The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Lisbeth is rarely seen without her black spiked tribal horn earrings.beautiful earrings. Earrings come in a black presentation box.
Customer Reviews
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other shoppers!


text:
In recent weeks, Tampa (FL) Plant tight end Orson Charles has been hitting the road. During his travels, the 6-foot-3, 216-pound tight end has checked out schools such as LSU, Georgia, Miami, Flori...
Premium Content
Subscribe today to read the full article and get everything Rivals has to offer.
- Member-only message boards
- Exclusive highlights and recruiting interviews
- Exclusive coverage of Rivals Camp Series
- Breaking recruiting news


text:
- Home
- Decor
- Metal Wall & Home Decor
- Metal Decor
- Rusted Tin Pail with Handle-5/8 in
Rusted Tin Pail with Handle-5/8 in
Product ID: 6552-75
Darice® rusted tin pail with handle, 5/8 inch. This metal pail will add country charm to your doll house, home décor, or crafting project. 3 pieces per package.
Due to the nature of our natural rusted products, some variation may occur in rust coloring.
Color: Brown
Material: Other
Product Type: Other
Shape: Other
Our Price: $1.27
3 piece per package.


text:
WORK has finally begun on the long- awaited £200m Trinity Walk scheme which will give Wakefield a city centre for the 21st century.
A new market hall, library, supermarket, department store and up to 50 retail units will be built on Marsh Way, the old bus station site and surrounding disused land.
Major high street names including Debenhams, H&M, New Look, Next and Sainsbury's have already signed up to the scheme, led by Simons Developments and Wakefield Council.
Wakefield Council leader Peter Box said: "Regeneration in Wakefield is now really taking off with the start of work on Trinity Walk. We will soon be seeing a very different, 21st century city centre.
"I look forward to Trinity Walk and the other major regeneration projects in Westgate and on the waterfront all taking shape."
Funding partners Modus, building group Shepherd Construction, Wakefield architects DLA, and Adjaye Architects say they are hoping to turn more than a decade of planning into reality by spring 2010.
Mark Newton, development director for Simons Developments, said: "Trinity Walk has been a complex project that has taken a great deal of hard work and determination to achieve.
"We have been working alongside the council for nearly eight years to deliver this.
"The people of Wakefield will now be able to see the scheme taking shape.
"The first building to be built is the new market hall, which opens in May 2008."
He also said it was exciting for everyone involved in the scheme which will transform the city centre.


text:
Posted 7 years ago
(6 items)
I got this from my parents basement - It ways about 5 pounds - I haven't been able to find this exact same 1 anywhere - Anyone have an idea of what this could be worth? Or even the time period? How can I tell what kind of silver this is? I'm pretty sure it's missing the handle off it


text:
The Supreme Court's 5-4 decision Wednesday to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act is a monumental victory for advocates of same-sex marriage.
But what happens now that the 1996 federal law that confines marriage to a man and a woman has been declared unconstitutional?
Will federal benefits flow only to same-sex married couples living in states that recognize their unions?
What about same-sex spouses who are legally married but living in states that ban such unions?
And how will federal agencies, already with myriad rules and regulations regarding spousal eligibility for benefits, deal with the court's edict?
"Striking down DOMA is a great step forward, obviously," says Ari Ezra Waldman, legal editor at Towleroad, a widely read LGBT-oriented website, "but there will be difficult complications to work out."
The court's decision does not embrace a national constitutional right to same-sex marriage, but would make married gay couples living in states where their unions are legal eligible for federal benefits already enjoyed by married heterosexual Americans.
Those include considerations given to spouses in realms ranging from public employee benefits and bankruptcy to estate taxes and immigration.
The DOMA case decided by the high court involved a claim by a New York woman, who on the death of her legal same-sex spouse, paid $363,000 more in federal estate taxes than would have been collected from a heterosexual surviving spouse.
"Legally married couples in states that allow same-sex marriage are good to go," says Fred Sainz of the Human Rights Campaign, a gay advocacy organization. "The court's decision will be final in 25 days, and they should start seeing all the same federal rights and benefits."
"Where this becomes tricky is for the legally married couple in non-marry states," Sainz says.
Twelve states and the District of Columbia have legalized same-sex marriage; the Supreme Court on Wednesday also effectively made California the 13th state with legal same-sex marriage by rejecting a high court challenge to a lower court-ordered right.
Though one-third of all Americans now live in states and jurisdictions that allow same-sex marriage, a vast majority of states have enacted outright constitutional bans on gay marriage.
Place Of Celebration, Or Residence?
The tricky part in the fall of DOMA involves how states and federal agencies currently recognize marriage.
Some federal agencies adhere to what is known as a "place of celebration" standard. That means no matter where a couple is legally married anywhere in the world, the union is recognized for the purpose of federal benefits.
But other agencies, including the Internal Revenue Service and the Social Security Administration, hew to a "place of residence" standard. Marriage has to be recognized in the place the couple is living for them to be eligible for those federal spousal benefits.
"Every agency of government has, quite literally, a different standard for recognizing marriage," Sainz says. "They did not consult one another — and it has nothing to do with being gay or straight, they just have different standards."
Here's one example that points to the complexity to come: The Department of Defense has a "place of celebration" marriage standard for active-duty military. But the Department of Veterans Affairs has a "place of residence" standard.
While some definitions are set by regulation, others — including those used by Social Security and Veterans Affairs — are set by federal law, further complicating the DOMA rollback.
"It's a patchwork that makes no sense," Sainz says.
Role Of Obama Administration
So, how will this all be sorted out?
Both Sainz and Waldman say crucial roles can be played by both the Obama administration and Congress.
Same-sex marriage advocates predict, however, that with a Republican-dominated House, congressional action to resolve marriage definition disparities baked into law is unlikely. Congressional Democrats have written legislation that would uniformly apply a place of celebration standard, but it's unlikely to move beyond the Democratic-controlled Senate.
"A robust national debate over marriage will continue in the public square, and it is my hope that states will define marriage as the union between one man and one woman," said House Speaker John Boehner after the ruling.
So the task will fall to the Obama administration to implement the court's decision, and decide how and whether to apply a uniform, federal agency-wide marriage definition.
"There is no major legal impediment that can't be addressed," says Susan Sommer, director of constitutional litigation at Lambda Legal, the nation's oldest organization working for gay rights. "The administration through words and actions has shown a commitment to see federal equality."
Same-sex marriage advocates are looking for Obama to take some sort of executive action quickly, using the power to change federal regulations that define marriage in the realm of federal benefits.
A working group at the Justice Department's office of legal counsel is also said to have been working quietly for months in preparation for this day.
President Obama, in a statement issued after the ruling, said the following: "So we welcome today's decision, and I've directed the Attorney General to work with other members of my Cabinet to review all relevant federal statutes to ensure this decision, including its implications for Federal benefits and obligations, is implemented swiftly and smoothly. "
"The administration can and should adopt a universal regulation that marriages, for federal purposes, are recognized under a state of celebration standard," says Waldman, who is also associate director of the Institute for Information Law and Policy at New York Law School. "Administrations have had the power to do that since the New Deal."
"If someone has a problem with that, then it should be up to them to challenge the changes," he said. "It's a great day, but we have more litigation, more rule-making, and more work to do."


text:
With three starters, including senior D-I college prospects Max Kenyi and Cameron Johnson, and several key reserves returning from last year's No. 13 ranked 21-9 team, Gonzaga could be among the be...
Premium Content
Subscribe today to read the full article and get everything Rivals has to offer.
- Member-only message boards
- Exclusive highlights and recruiting interviews
- Exclusive coverage of Rivals Camp Series
- Breaking recruiting news


text:
Cosy comfort, with a touch of vintage chic
Have a hoot with this new range of owl-shaped cotton cushions. Telegraph
readers can buy them for £11.95 instead of the normal price of £14.95.
The adorable owls are made from floral fabrics, which gives them a vintage
touch. They come with removable cotton covers and washable inner pads.
Visit www.sassandbelle.co.uk or call 020 7228 0281 and quote "The Telegraph".
Dimensions: 36x40 cm or 13x18 cm.
Offer ends August 14.
Houses by the sea in pictures
Bargain Hunter: Let the sun shine in
Enjoy summer afternoons in a hammock
An antiques dealer's painted home in pictures
Beautiful sofa for a fraction of the usual price
Design Notebook: Find antiques online
Receive updates every time we produce a new picture gallery
Featured promotions
More Central London flats from LCP Lettings
Archive | Contact us | Reader prints | RSS feeds | Subscribe and save | Syndication | Today's news
© Copyright of Telegraph Media Group Limited 2017
Accessibility links


text:
A Leaven In The World… The Synod On The Family And Humanae Vitae
By FR. KEVIN M. CUSICK
The instrumentum laboris for the "III Extraordinary General Assembly" has been published and is entitled, The Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization. As we study the document and prepare for the upcoming synod this fall, we also find ourselves in July, the anniversary month of Humanae Vitae, judged by many to be the signal document issued by Pope Paul VI, who is to be beatified also this fall in connection with the synod.
The central teaching of Humanae Vitae is that "every use of artificial contraception is a moral evil." The document develops the Church's teaching on God's plan for marriage and family, such that every marital act must be open to new life. It is never possible to use artificial contraception without an anti-life will and thus any use of contraception vitiates the openness to life each and every time recourse is had to it in the physical union of man and woman.
The instrumentum laboris treats the issue of the openness to new life in part III, entitled "An Openness to Life and Parental Responsibility in Upbringing" under which we find chapter I, entitled "The Pastoral Challenges Concerning an Openness to Life."
It is best to simply let the synod preparatory document speak for itself and so I quote it here:
"121. In recent decades, basic objections have arisen regarding the subject of a couple's openness to life, which concerns the innermost qualities and aspects of life. In this regard, substantial differences exist between the Christian idea of life and sexuality and that of a highly secularized society. Pope Paul VI, in publishing the Encyclical Humanae Vitae, was well aware of the difficulties his statements could cause over time.
"He wrote, for example, in the document: 'It is to be anticipated that perhaps not everyone will easily accept this particular teaching. An intensive, clamorous outcry is being raised against the voice of the Church which is made more intense by today's means of communication. But it comes as no surprise to the Church that she, no less than her divine Founder, is destined to be a "sign of contradiction" (Luke 2:34). She does not, because of this, evade the duty imposed on her of proclaiming humbly but firmly the entire moral law, both natural and evangelical'" (HV, n. 18).
Pope Paul VI courageously spoke out as a voice in the wilderness despite the "clamorous outcry" of which he spoke in faithfulness to his role as the voice of Christ in his day, sometimes standing nearly alone in witness to the truth. Today the Church clearly sees and appreciates the prophetic office of the Pope and the Church through his ministry. Pope Francis works from the basis of Paul's teaching which faithfully transmits the Deposit of Faith which is handed on through Scripture and Tradition.
The instrumentum laboris makes clear an appreciation of Pope Paul's prophetic Magisterium:
"122. The Encyclical Humanae Vitae certainly had a prophetic character in reiterating the unbreakable link between conjugal love and the transmission of life. The Church is called to proclaim the fruitfulness of love in light of that faith which 'helps us grasp in all its depth and richness the begetting of children, as a sign of the love of the Creator who entrusts us with the mystery of a new person'" (Lumen Fidei, n. 52).
"Many of the difficulties highlighted in the responses and observations reveal the agonizing situation of people today when faced with the subjects of love, the generation of life, the reciprocity between man and woman and fatherhood and motherhood."
Responsible parenthood remains a complex issue yet to be explored in all of its instantiations. Though Church teaching on marriage and family life is very clear, it must be applied to practical situations. This process of more effectively applying Church teaching to the concrete circumstances of individual families is the objective of Pope Francis in calling this third extraordinary synod on the family.
Please keep the Holy Father and our bishops in your prayers as they rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit who "leads us into all the truth."
The Church's concern for the family, where every human person is called to encounter and live God's call to love and to be loved, is central to the mission of the Lord in His Church. Salvation is the highest law of the Church and thus the horizon of the family, where parents are the first and best teachers of the faith, must be illumined by a lived and vibrant faith. Grace builds on nature.
Living the faith begins with the witness of the parents and the manner in which they are custodians of the sacredness of every human life and the holy means entrusted to them by a loving God to be co-workers with Him in the stewardship of human life.
The full synod preparatory document is available online at the Vatican website, www.vatican.va.
+ + +
(Follow Fr. Cusick on Facebook at Reverendo Padre-Kevin Michael Cusick or on Twitter @MCITLFrAphorism. Email Father at email@example.com.)


text:
Bertrand, Frey united in double-ring ceremony
Lacey Bertrand of Evangeline and Brandon Frey of Iota were married at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Iota, with Fr. Jude Thierry, Jr, officiating the double-ring ceremony.
The bride is the daughter of Dace "Joe" and Rhonda of Evangeline and the granddaughter of Betty and Myrle Bertrand, of Evangeline and Dorothy Davis of Jennings and the late Ivy Davis.
Short URL: https://www.jenningsdailynews.net/?p=24338
Posted by Graphic Designer 2 on Dec 14 2013. Filed under Weddings. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.


text: I had a lovely cup of Yunnan at around noon today. It was just what I wanted and expect it to be. I had thought I'd have Thomas, but I changed my mind on the way to the cupboard. I am thinking about making the 2nd steep of the leaves with a bit of milk before bed.


text:
We remember colored classic Pyrex dishes from our youth, and these rimmed bowls have tops of the same colors. These bowls can be stacked inside each other, and they make storing food easy. Pyrex glass is non-porous, so it won't absorb food odors, food flavors or food stains. And Pyrex glass is safe in the oven, microwave, refrigerator, freezer, and dishwasher.
At Pyrex Smart Essentials 8-Piece Mixing Bowl Set
Read More in: Bowls
Share this Article with others:
Related Articles:
Came straight to this page? Visit Kitchen Contraptions for all the latest news.


text:
Updated 2:25 PM ET
SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio - A defiant President Barack Obama, tired of GOP stalling his nominee to lead a new consumer protection agency, bucked that opposition and put him in charge without Senate approval.
"I refuse to take `no' for an answer," the president said.
Outraged GOP leaders in Congress immediately suggested that courts would determine whether Richard Cordray's appointment was illegal.
Obama announced the move with Cordray by his side before a cheering crowd in Ohio, a politically vital state where Cordray once was attorney general.
"Today I am appointing Richard as consumer watchdog," the president addressed the crowd. "That means he is going to be in charge of one thing: looking out for the best interests of American consumers. His job is to protect families like yours from the abuses of the financial industry. His job is to make sure you have all the information you need. Right away, he'll make sure that millions of Americans are treated fairly by mortgage brokers, payday lenders and debt collectors."
Obama mentioned why he was making the appointment now even though Cordray was nominated last summer. He cited Senate Republican opposition who refused to give Cordray an up-or-down vote, despite the fact he has the support of the Senate majority.
"The only reason why Republicans have blocked Richard in the Senate." said Obama, "is because they don't agree with the law that set up a consumer watchdog in the first place. They want to weaken the law. They want to water it down. By the way, a lot of folks in the financial industry have poured millions of dollars to try to water it down. That makes no sense."
He added: "We shouldn't be weakening oversight, we shouldn't be weakening accountability. We should be strengthening it, especially when it comes to looking out for families like yours."
With a director in place, the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will be able to start overseeing the mortgage companies, payday lenders, debt collectors and other financial companies often blamed for practices that helped tank the economy.
Mr. Obama's decision to make a recess appointment has already caused an uproar from Capitol Hill to Wall Street. He is essentially declaring the Senate's short off-and-on legislative sessions a sham intended to block his appointments.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a statement that Mr. Obama had "arrogantly circumvented the American people" in using the recess appointment and said it represented "a sharp departure from a long-standing precedent that has limited the President to recess appointments only when the Senate is in a recess of 10 days or longer.
"Breaking from this precedent lands this appointee in uncertain legal territory, threatens the confirmation process and fundamentally endangers the Congress's role in providing a check on the excesses of the executive branch."
House Speaker John Boehner called the move an "extraordinarily and entirely unprecedented power grab" that would have a "devastating effect on the checks and balances that are enshrined in our constitution."
Boehner said he expected the courts "will find the appointment to be illegitimate."
The White House is expecting considerable criticism and perhaps a court challenge, but says Mr. Obama was left with little choice to get the consumer agency fully running after months of stalemate.
Obama demands vote on consumer watchdog
Video: Obama slams GOP for blocking Cordray nomination
Democrats voiced support for the appointment, with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid saying that "despire admitting that ... [Cordray] is qualified for the job, Republicans denied him an up-or-down vote in an effort to substantially weaken the agency."
Acting right after Tuesday's GOP presidential caucuses in Iowa, Mr. Obama is seeking to grab attention and show voters that he will advocate for the middle class no matter what the opposition. It is his most bare-knuckle initiative so far in his campaign of taking action without waiting for Congress.
Cordray would take over the job later in the week and stand to serve for at least the next two years, covering the length of the Senate's session.
More than a standoff over one significant appointment, the fight speaks to the heart of presidential campaign under way. Presiding over a troubled but improving economy, Mr. Obama must persuade a weary middle class that he is their champion, all while fending off fire from Republicans challengers and lawmakers.
To get Cordray into the job, Mr. Obama is essentially dictating to Senate what constitutes a legitimate legislative session.
Mr. Obama has constitutional power to make appointments during a congressional recess.
Expressly to keep that from happening, Republicans in the Senate have had the Senate running in "pro forma" sessions, meaning open for business in name with no actual business planned. Democrats started the practice when George W. Bush was president to halt him from making recess appointments.
The Senate held such a session on Tuesday and planned another one on Friday. Republicans contend Mr. Obama cannot make a recess appointment during a break of less than three days, based on years of practice.
Yet the Obama White House has determined that such an approach is a gimmick.
For all practical purposes, the Senate is in recess and Mr. Obama is free to make the appointment on his own, administration officials told the AP.
Since the practice of pro forma sessions began in earnest in 2007, never has a president made a recess appointment during such a session, officials said.
The president also was expected to announce other recess appointments on Wednesday.
Until now, he has made 28. Bush made more than 170 during his presidency. Bill Clinton made almost 140.
Republicans have had little opposition if any to the qualifications of Cordray, a former Ohio attorney general. Their objection is with the consumer agency itself, which they claim has too much power and too little transparency and accountability.
Mr. Obama and his team say lawmakers should try to revise the Wall Street oversight law if they don't like it, not keep the agency from performing its job.
The White House attempted to rally public support for Cordray and push senators to support his nomination, but the effort failed. In December, Republicans kept Cordray's nomination from coming to a vote. Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown was the only Republican who voted in favor of halting the delay tactic.
Before his remarks at a high school in a Democratic suburb of Cleveland, Mr. Obama planned to meet with a family who got taken advantage of by a mortgage broker. He wants to use their story as an example of how the consumer agency can crack down on such practices.
Mr. Obama was traveling to the most Democratic congressional district in Ohio, a Cleveland suburb, a day after Mitt Romney won Iowa's Republican presidential caucuses by just eight votes. Mr. Obama's trip signals the White House's intent to keep the president in the public eye even as the political world focuses on the GOP's selection process.
The White House's choice of Ohio for Mr. Obama's first presidential trip of 2012 underscores the state's high-profile role in presidential politics. It is a swing state that went for George W. Bush in 2004 and for Mr. Obama in 2008.


text:
The referrers page is really interesting, especially the URLs coming in from Google or Yahoo. A while back, I wrote an entry on some trouble I was having setting up ASP.NET 1.1 on XP and the aspnet_regiis -i solution, and I am getting lots of hits for it. 11 today, 6 yesterday. Cool to think that our little community here is helping people out.
i want to thank you personally for your great solution.
bernd pier
Glad to help.


text:
To receive the newest publications from Strategy& in your inbox.
Turnaround strategy for tier one supplier
A leading tier-one supplier had failed to earn a return on its invested capital for years and committed to a comprehensive turnaround program to addresss.
Strategy& led a cross functional team in developing a global turnaround strategy. We conducted a detailed assessment of relative competitive positioning on cost and performance, assessed market trends and requirements, evaluated footprint/capabilities, and created a turnaround plan for restoring the company to profitability.


text:
> However, I have certainly seen some inefficiencies with Linux and large use > of shared memory -- and I wouldn't be surprised if these problems don't > exist on FreeBSD or OpenSolaris. This came on the freebsd-performance-list a few days ago. http://docs.freebsd.org/cgi/getmsg.cgi?fetch=13001+0+current/freebsd-performance -- regards Claus When lenity and cruelty play for a kingdom, the gentler gamester is the soonest winner. Shakespeare
Next: From: Scott Carey Date: 2009-10-05 17:38:11 Subject: Re: Best suiting OS Previous: From: Karl Denninger Date: 2009-10-05 17:27:07 Subject: Re: Best suiting OS


text:
A neighbourhood watch scheme could be in the pipeline for Beechdene Gardens and Pond Park area after vandals targeted up to 25 homes and cars in an early morning paint spray attack on Saturday.
In one incident purple paint was sprayed entirely over a resident's car, number plates were covered as well as graffiti on windows, fences and garage doors.
One resident said that he only found out about the attack when police came to his door at 8am.
Councillor Yvonne Craig, visited the area to hand out leaflets encouraging residents to start up a neighbourhood watch scheme.
She described the attack, which happened on Saturday between 4am and 6am, as senseless and random.
"These were random attacks on 25 cars and homes using spray paint," she said. "There were also obscenities on doors and windows."
Councillor Craig appealed to anyone who may have been in the area to ring the police.
She said that as a member of the Policing, Community and Safety Partnership (PCSP) she will be putting pressure on the local PSNI to increase patrols in the area and also for the speedy resolution and bringing to justice those 'anti-social animals who perpetrated these mindless acts of vandalism'.
"I would also encourage participation in the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme," she said. "I have started to consult with the residents with a view to the commencement of or joining with a nearby scheme.
"This is a quiet, peaceful and family area of Lisburn, one resident stated that in his 50 years living in his house, he had never experienced anything like this before.
"I hope and pray that the culprits are caught and that nothing like this ever happens again in this lovely residential area."
Lagan Valley Assembly Member Paul Givan also condemned the attack.
"I grew up in this area and it is a quiet residential area with young families and older people living peacefully together," he said.
"To carry out this wanton vandalism is a mindless act that causes upset to the people affected and financial costs to repair the damage caused.
"I would encourage anyone that witnessed this incident to contact the police and help them with their investigation."
Police said a 14-year-old boy was being questioned about the damage.


text:
mishears is a valid word in this word list. For a definition, see the external dictionary links below.
The word "mishears" uses 8 letters: A E H I M R S S.
Direct anagrams of mishears:
Words formed by adding one letter before or after mishears (in bold), or to aehimrss in any order:
p - misphrase samphires seraphims t - marshiest
Try a search for mishears in these online resources (some words may not be found):
Wiktionary - OneLook Dictionaries - Merriam-Webster - Google Search
Each search will normally open in a new window.
List all words starting with mishears, words containing mishears or words ending with mishears
All words formed from mishears by changing one letter
Other words with the same letter pairs: mi is sh he ea ar rs
Browse words starting with mishears by next letter
Previous word in list: mishearing
Next word in list: mishit
Some random words: isinglass asocial fail aah beagle jnana vug
This is not a dictionary, it's a word game wordfinder.
- Help and FAQ - Examples - Home
Privacy and Cookies Policy - Share - © Copyright 2004-2017 Morewords.com - 8.915mS


text:
+myConnections: Engage your community - connect to news, events and information you care about. View more information...
View your community's facilities and features online with the new Facilities Module.
Personalize your online experience to stay up-to-date on news, events and other information.
Gale InfoTrac Newsstand
Your free online newsstand for research historic and current.
Provided by the Arizona State Library
BBC News
The site is updated daily and includes these sections: World, UK, UK Politics, Education, Health, Business, Sci/Tech, Sports, and Entertainment. News is available in several languages and in audio and video.
CBS Sportsline
This site will keep you up-to-date about all sporting events, including news, standings, box scores, injury reports, statistics, and game recaps. Included are all professional sports, college sports and much more.
This site contains headlines and stories from CNN, including US News, World News, Business, Weather, Sports, Entertainment, Sci-Tech, Food, Health, Nature.
The Economist
This site features selected articles from the current issue, an archive of past issues, a style guide, and a library of key articles from past issues. This is a good source for news and discussion of events happening all over the globe.
This site provides the latest news and feature stories. Including business, sports, technology, and weather.
Eastern Arizona Courier
This site provides news for the Gila Valley and Southeastern Arizona.
Arizona Daily Star
Tucson daily newspaper.
AZ Central
The online site for the Arizona Republic.
Online Historic Newspaper Dababase
World's largest collection of newspaper archives online. Featuring billions of newspaper articles from historical newspaper archives around the U.S. and the world. Discover fascinating news in newspaper archives hundreds of years old - including obituaries, birth announcements, sports articles, comics, and more. All historical newspapers are full-page and fully searchable.


text:
Jerry Springer
wouldn't it be easier to name a non useless show on t.v.?
I can name a few: Jersey Shore, The Bachelor, Jerry Springer, all soap operas, Keeping up with the Kardashians, etc.
Big Brother, I'm a celebrity get me out of here, Eastenders, TOWIE, Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Brookside, Hollyoaks, Jeremy Kyle, Gerry Springer, X Factor, Britains Got Talent, Anything to do with Simon Cowell or Jordan, 60 minute make over, Cash in the Attic, Eggheads, Embarrassing Bodies, Dog the Bounty Hunter, Friends, Take me Out, Family Fortunes, Deal or no Deal.........you get the idea.
just when the KKKK sisters are on the screen..... lol
Almost anything that is on.
jersey shore. but i'm addicted to it lol!
I typically hate Television and only use the device to get my news or watch a movie or as a bedtime sedative.

But having seen some pretty bad television in my day. Married with children pops into my head as being the most useless television show ever aired. Not even to mention it's total degradation of all aspects of what life as a person is.
Related Questions
I have a few who I'm never disappointed when it come to their questions and answers to other questions. I don't even have to single out their usernames, because they already know...NaturallyPeculiar 22-25, F 2 Answers 0 Jan 15, 2015 in Community
if you were to hook up with absolutely anybody you've seen/ met/ or come across on ep, who would it be ??
I keep getting ones for mature dating or Russian brides.MrsLalaninjacakes 26-30, F 1 Answer 1 Oct 16, 2012 in Community
Questionator 26-30 124 Answers 94 May 25, 2013 in Community
If you were stranded on a deserted island with no one other than people you've blocked on EP, would you be doomed?5thApprentice 22-25, M 7 Answers 2 Mar 13, 2014 in Community
Name One person you are glad that you've met on EP or one person you really enjoy talking to that you've met on EP.BeatTheBest 18-21, M 9 Answers 0 Apr 4, 2014 in Community
ImmaSlender 22-25, M 9 Answers 5 Dec 14, 2012 in WTK


text:
Click to enlarge
Please call Above All Art for Prices and Availability on Originals and Giclees of Michael Godard Fine Art, www.aboveallart.com, (866)734-7639
Other Sizes and Editions are available. Please Call for Details.
Angel Hair - Michael Godard
Image Size 17.5 x 22 inches
Limited Edition
Giclee on Canvas
This piece is a tribute to volunteers across the country that donated their hair to support the cause of making wigs for people who have lost their hair during chemotherapy cancer treatment. This piece depicts a champagne bottle of faith & hope, and champagne strawberries with angel winged ribbons carrying bundles of hair bounded by pink ribbon that signifying the breast cancer awareness.
For more information, please visit this products webpage.
Copy Rright Above All Art Privacy Policy | Terms& Conditions | Sitemap | Contact


text:
Written on: 24/07/2012 by johnmillsdrivingschool (3 reviews written)
I have been with 123ranking.co.uk for about 3 years now since I became fully independent as a driving instructor (having previously been with a national franchise). I've always found the staff more than helpful and my driving school almost always appears on the top page of Google searches for driving schools in my area.
I'm very much a technophobe and like the fact I can hand over to the experts and leave it in their capable hands. The prices are reasonable and I really can't speak highly enough of the service.
Written on: 20/08/2012
Hello johnmillsdrivingschool,
Thank you for being a loyal customer and for taking the time to write us a positive feedback. It has truly been our pleasure to serve your company for 3 years, and we are delighted to hear that you've been satisfied with our service.
We will continue to work hard to provide the best possible service and value to our customers.
Kind regards,
123 Ranking Team
As rated by our community of reviewers
" Spent thousands but NO results " Read More
" I fully trust them and I won't exchange them for anyone " Read More
Written by CleanhouseMelbourne
" Best SEO Company " Read More
Written by dixita
" WebSquash is Amazing! " Read More
" Continue To Chase... " Read More


text:
Rabies Clinic
Additional Information
The Oneida County Health department will be holding a Rabies Clinic on Wednesday May 15th from 6PM – 8PM at the Clark Mills Firehouse.
– All Cats, Dogs, and Ferrets 3 months or older must have a current rabies vaccination, even if they stay indoors.
– Dogs and cats need to be vaccinated at 3 months old, 1 year, and then once every 3 years.
– Pets will receive a 1 year certificate if no prior proof of rabies is shown.
– Ferrets must be vaccinated every year.
– Dogs need to be on a leash, and cats need to be in a carrier.
– No exams will be given


text:
Posted 7 years ago
(72 items)
As is so often the case with traditions and collections, our Christmas Tree Rule is rooted in innocent circumstance. As newlyweds, purchasing a large amount of Christmas decorative fun wasn't exactly in the budget. That, combined with my enjoyment of making things, resulted in a nearly 30 year tradition of only handcrafted or gifted ornaments being allowed to grace the tree. This year ornaments that were on my grandparents tree have brought a multi-generational dimension to the collection. The end result is a wonderful, ecclectic display that not only holds tremendous meaning but has an interesting way of depicting the passage of time and growth of our family.


text:
A pedestrian was struck and killed by a northbound Coaster train Friday night in Oceanside, the Sheriff's Department reported.
The incident was reported at 8:05 p.m. at the grade crossing on Cassidy Street.
Deputies from the department's Rail Enforcement Unit responded and are investigating, along with the Medical Examiner's Office.
The pedestrian died at the scene.
No other details were released.


text:
The Socket Cap Screw is perfect for mounting accessory mounts to the Hobie i-Accessory Holder Kit, such as a scotty deck mount bracket. The Socket Cap Screw is easily installed with an allen wrench and is made of stainless steel so as to resist corrosion.
|Item #:
|0.88 in / 2.22 cm
|1.4 in / 3.56 cm


text:
Tuesday, April 12, 2011 10:54 am
By Kay Bell · Bankrate.com
Haven't done your taxes yet? Maybe it's because you've been working on your hairdo. OfficeMax's 2011 Tax it to Me survey found that around 40 percent of respondents said they'd feel more confident taking a pair of scissors to their own locks than filling out their tax returns on their own. Before you go gender stereotyping, that


text:
BP Comment Quick Links
|Strength of Schedule Report
August 7, 2008
Under The Knife
Joba Chamberlain (20 DXL)
Ivan Rodriguez (3 DXL)
Carl Crawford (5 DXL)
Matt Capps (45 DXL)
Kevin Millwood (15 DXL)
Ryan Church (120 DXL)
Quick Cuts: Ryan Theriot has a big bruise on his foot, but will miss minimal time. ... Asdrubal Cabrera will miss a few games after spraining his ankle, but he'll avoid the DL. ... Sean Gallagher was sent back to Oakland for imaging on his pitching shoulder. ... Michael Bourn is expected back as soon as Thursday from his ankle sprain. Don't expect him to be at full speed just yet. ... Elijah Dukes will go on the DL again, this time with a strained calf. .... I said yesterday that Jeff Francis would start Saturday. He was obviously back on Wednesday. I crossed up two notes right next to each other, swapping Jose Contreras' return in for Francis' note. I apologize. ... Karl Kuehl passed away at age 70. The longtime baseball man offered me some great advice at a time we were both working on books for Ivan Dee, and he was twice a guest on BPR.
0 comments have been left for this article.
BP Comment Quick Links
Not a subscriber? Sign up today!


text:
Proprietary nvidia drivers vs. generic intel sound and ethernet drivers
I would just like to know the opinion of hardware experts out here which is the preferred option.
I have an ASUS A7N8X-E motherboard with on-board NVIDIA sound and ethernet LAN. I am currently using the generic intel (i810-audio) audio and (sk98lin) ethernet modules loaded from the kernel.
What are the advantages (if any) of using the proprietary nvsound and nvnet modules?
Basically, that they work with Cards that the kernel does not fully support and that they, arguably, offer better performance.
For example, an NVidia 3d card will tend to run very slowly unless you get the offical nvidia modules. Or indeed may not work properly at all, if it's very modern.
But I don't see the point in changing unless something is now working or you have a performance issue.
So the record i use the nvidia graphics module for an AGP card, but couldn't get my onboard nvidida sound working, so i use an old yamaha sound card, which sounds good....
i do believe nvsound is based on i810_audio ( IIRC...don't quote me on that). I've never been able to tell the difference myself on my nforce audio between the two drivers.
|All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:19 PM.


text:
Santana Signed!
Johan Santana has been signed, the deal has been sealed and he will officially be delivered at a press conference to be held this Wednesday. The Mets announced in a conference call this afternoon that Santana has signed a deal that guarantees him $137.5 million through the 2013 season with an option for the 1014 season. The Mets actually had to ask for an extension beyond Fridays 5 PM deadline because they were close but were still haggling over some details about the option year which includes a $5 million buyout. Omar Minaya admitted that it was hard to give up the four prospects needed to land Santana (Carlos Gomez, Philip Humber, Deolis Guerra and Kevin Mulvey) but that this team needs to win now. Minaya clearly knows what has to happen this season for him to keep his job: Johan Santana must lead this team to the promised land.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.


text:
Police boss Stephen House says 'we are very prepared for single force'
The boss of Scotland's new single police force has told BBC Scotland he and his staff are "very prepared" for its launch at the beginning of April.
Stephen House was appointed last year to head up the new Police Scotland service.
He said launch day on 1 April would be momentous for policing in Scotland.
The Scottish government is merging the country's eight regional forces with the aim of cutting costs without hitting frontline services.
In an interview for the BBC Sunday Politics Scotland programme, Mr House said: "We are prepared, it's not near, we are prepared to go live and indeed much of what Police Scotland is all about is already up and running."
He explained that a non-emergency number was made live a few weeks ago and was running well. There was also a special crime division in operation, Mr House added.
The former Strathclyde Police chief constable explained that although 1 April would be "momentous" for policing in Scotland, "not everything would start on that day".
He insisted that the public would not have to cope with big changes.
Mr House said: "An ordinary member of the public going about their business on day one, day two, we expect, or hope, they will see nothing much has changed here.
"There will be an absence of individual police force logos, but apart from that they will see police officers patrolling in the community, they will see police officers responding when they call for help and we want that to be as seamless as it possibly can."
He added: "The difference in many instances is when people need us we will be there and we will be there in numbers and we will be there in experience base that may not always have been the case.
"We have specialist officers available across the country because we will be a national outfit as opposed to a lot of smaller organisations."
When the new force comes into being, about 17,400 police officers and 6,000 civilian staff will be transferred over.
It has been speculated that many hundreds of non-uniform employees could go as administrative duties are merged.
The Scottish government's policy of no compulsory redundancies has been accepted by both Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority (SPA), which holds the police force to account.
Admin roles
Attempts will be made to reduce the civilian workforce through voluntary redundancies and natural wastage. Efforts are also being made to try to reduce non-staffing costs.
Issues surrounding who should have day-to-day control of human resources and finance functions in the new single force have yet to be fully settled.
The new SPA, which was set up to hold the chief constable to account for the policing of Scotland, believed it should have control over administrative roles.
Mr House said it was inevitable that given the change to the service different bodies would interpret their roles differently.
He added: "We are working very positively with the police authority and with their officers and I see that we are developing into a situation where we understand each other's roles."


text:
-- Richard W. Bible, 73, of Gore Orphanage Road, died Friday, July 23, 1999, at Meadowville Care Center in Seville, after a period of declining health.
He was the brother of Mary Snyder of Wooster.
Graveside services will be Monday at 1 p.m. at Rochester Cemetery.
There will be no calling hours. Murray Funeral Home in Creston is handling arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
He was born June 18, 1926 in Coshocton to Shelby Walter and Grace (Dry) Bible and married Retha G. Davis. She died in 1997.
Surviving are daughters, Margaret Borrello of Silver Creek, N.Y., and Patricia McIlveen of Katy, Texas; a stepson, Terry Bartlett of New London; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sisters, Jacqueline Hunter of Vincent and Dottie Overholt of North Port, Fla.; and nieces and nephews.


text:
Focus on Europe after ICAO fails to agree world aviation ETS
The European Commission has published a proposal to amend once again the rules governing emissions trading for aviation. This latest amendment follows the failure of the International Civil Aviation Organisation's (ICAO) triennial assembly to agree a global emissions reduction scheme. T&E says the latest revisions to the EU's emissions trading system (ETS) would only cover 35% of the aircraft emissions included in the original ETS, and described the pressure the EU is under as 'disgraceful'.


text:
blueing repair
4 Attachment(s)
I just got done repairing the bluing on my 91/30 but while I was at I blued the bolt. just figured I would post a few pics.:D
Looks good. What did you use to pull the crappy soviet finish off with??
Looks good. Did you dip it, or one of the kits with the swabs?
I actually didn't take the finish off, the crown and that area of the barrel the bluing was so worn that it's really wasn't even there. The bolt was just steel like usual you can't see it but where I did a polish job where the bolt meets the receiver just behind the hand I polished that down and had to blue it as well. All I did was took apart the rifle and wiped it down with dish soap mixed with water, wiped that off then I heated the materiel with a heat gun (fancy hair drier) then when it got pretty damn warm I took swabs dipped them in Perma Blue Paste and rubbed it in pretty well, then wiped that off then I put more on there let it sit for a few seconds then I wiped that off then heated and repeat. I like how it turned out I really didn't expect it to be glossy but I might end up redoing the entire rifle.
Nice job..
looks really good
That looks nice. I've used Birchwood Casey liquid blue for touch ups, and it works well. I also tried Oxpho-Blue from Brownells, but I didn't care for the results. It was a very flat, almost black finish. I may touch up the muzzles on my Mosins. I like the way yours turned out.
Nice job. Make you feel good to, huh.
did you put the heat gun on low or high
|All times are GMT. The time now is 11:00 PM.
Copyright ©2000 - 2017, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.


text:
How to Spot a Best-of-Breed Integrator
Over the years I've had the good fortune to get to know Dan Moceri and his company, Schaumburg, IL-based Convergint Technologies. Convergint has served as an integrator for some of my largest and most demanding end user clients.
When I think of a best-of-breed integrator, Convergint is always one of the first to come to mind.
Why? You may think it is because the company is big, but as we all know from working with large integrators, there is often a huge disparity in skills and professionalism from one regional office to the next. No. Size is not the reason I think of Convergint.
Maybe it's skill. After all, Convergint has highly skilled technicians in the field who deeply understand products like Lenel OnGuard and Genetec Omnicast. But skill is not it either.
How about customers? Surely few companies can match Convergint in high-profile customer deployments. Just look at how Convergint came to the rescue of the City of Chicago's urban surveillance project. Convergint has a great customer list, but that's not why it shines as a company.
Convergint is on my mind because it is focused on continual improvement. A simple idea, but one nearly absent across the rest of the security industry sales channel. When Dan Moceri and his business partner Greg Lernihan look at their company, they see a community of professionals working together – a community built around shared values, including one of the most powerful: the desire to go from Good to Great in every aspect of the company.
Dan, and the Convergint leadership team are driven by continual improvement in another way, too. When they consider expanding their business, they seek partners or acquisition targets that also have a Good to Great mentality. That way the Convergint culture of continual improvement may be more quickly and effectively infused into the new partner.
Dan speaks frequently at security conferences; so if you ever have a chance to hear him, don't miss it. And whenever you consider working with an integrator or value added reseller, keep in mind that consistency and quality come not from a large customer base, many employees or demonstrated technical skill. Consistency and quality are born out of a mindset, a philosophy, of continual improvement.
The way a security integrator, or any service provider at all, can create a Good to Great culture will be the topic of many future posts here on SecurityDreamer.
January 12, 2011 at 2:34 pm
Having known Dan and team for years, and being an ex-Integrator myself, I can confirm that Convergint is best in class. I think it comes from choosing the management team, and executing a clear and concise vision. Dan and his great team continually look at their credo and mission statement, should anyone start to drift away and stop putting the customer first, they get a swift nudge to the head.
Our industry could use many more Convergints, but alas, that will take years.


text:
High winds hampered efforts to put out a house fire on County Road 17A Monday morning, and a few dangerous moments sent firefighters scurrying out of harm's way.
Multiple departments were called in to help fight the blaze, which started after the winds - at times gusting to 50 miles per hour - knocked over a huge oak tree on the north side of the Pedersen residence at 39909 CR-17A, just north of Woodland.
The falling tree snapped a power line, with the live wire landing on the roof of the house next door at 39931 CR-17A. Firefighters were called to the scene, but couldn't tackle the problem until Pacific Gas & Electric crews switched off the power.
There were a number of wind-related incidents, mainly involving downed trees, but also an overturned pickup on Interstate-5 which temporarily tied up traffic near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge.
The first fire call in Yolo, however, was at 9:17 a.m., and "came over as a downed tree with power lines, with a possible structure fire starting," said Chief Dan Tafoya, Jr. of the Yolo Fire Protection District.
Tafoya oversaw efforts by a countywide task force to fight the blaze. Personnel, trucks and water tenders arrived from Yolo, Woodland, Zamora, Knights Landing, Dunnigan, Yocha Dehe, Willow Oak and Arbuckle.
No one was hurt in the fire, although the owner of the house, an elderly woman identified as Edith Pasqual, watched in shock as smoke billowed from her single-story ranch home.
Look in tomorrow's Daily Democrat for an expanded version of this story.


text:
Now That I Have a House I Invite People Over Way More Often And Now I Find Myself Asking… Am I Being a Good Host
There might be a line between being a good host and guests that are just flat out too demanding, but I find myself now wondering every time we have friends over if I am doing everything in my power to make sure they are being tended to. From drinks to food, entertainment to putting my phone down.
Having a house gives you the opportunity to play host and, hopefully, have a fun night with some friends over. I don't know if I'm over-thinking the host responsibilities when Brittany and I have people over or if I'm a terrible host. Either way, something must be getting done right, probably all the beer in the fridge, people keep coming back over.
Although a new survey came up with 11 things guests find annoying when they visit your home, I don't think I've done any of these, but with all the beer in fridge… who can remember. Check out the top 11 things guests, apparently, hate doing at your house.
1. When the host is TEXTING instead of talking to them. (okay, I've sent a message or two while guests are over)
2. Not enough toilet paper. (not a chance. the cabinet directly in front of the toilet is STOCKED)
3. When the host engages in public displays of affection. (icky)
4. Being left alone for too long. (I don't trust the guests enough to leave them along for too long… just kidding. Kind of)
5. Not being offered a drink. (first thing you get through my door before a "hello" is, "beer fridge is over there")
6. Getting stuck outside in the cold with no one answering the door. (It's a cruel joke, but sometimes I do this on purpose… I'm a good friend)
7. Fighting off pets. (No pets at our house, but I hate being attacked by your dog)
8. Not being introduced to strangers.
9. When it's too hot or too cold.
10. Being told to take off their shoes.
11. Being forced to play a board game. (no way… I'm pretty sure I'm the only one who hates sitting around playing poker too)
What is something that bothers YOU when you are the guest at someone's house?