text:
I just logged out and opened the launcher and it says it is downloading data for a new patch, does anyone know if it's 5.2 data?
I just logged out and opened the launcher and it says it is downloading data for a new patch, does anyone know if it's 5.2 data?
Noooo! I haven't capped my honor yet!
Words to live by.
The download size was about 1.2gigs
Even if it is 5.2 data coming in via the Launcher it's still a long ways away.
<The Requiem> US-Horde Mythic
> twitch.tv stream <
I just ran the luncher but nothing downloaded for me.. Just this ->
CPU: AMD FX-8320 @ 4.2GHz - GPU: Radeon HD 7770 1GB
RAM: G.Skill Sniper 8GB 1600 - HDD: 1TB Western Digital Caviar Black
PSU: Raidmax 850W 80+ Gold - Case: HAF-X 942 Blue Edition
Well it says downloading data for an upcoming patch, so I would assume upcoming patch would mean 5.2 since it's the next one, but that's just the logic talking.
Waaaaah this guy was mean to me! Waaaaaaaaah!
I'm mean because you're stupid.
Downloading for me too. 1.2 gig. I'm in europe, so I assume US has it as well.
Yeah I am downloading it now too. Probably going to be a bit bigger latter though.
I wouldn't be surprised if this coming Tues (12th) or the following Tues (19th) we get a 2 week patch warning for Feb 26th or March 5th - they seem to want to get this patch out sooner rather than later. Given the IoT stage testing schedule, I'd say they are shooting internally for a March 5th release. I also have a feeling we are going to have ALL versions of the raid unlock in 4 subsections over the course of the first 4 to 5 weeks of the patch, meaning that they have a little extra time to test and patch 3/4 of the raid after launch.
Last edited by azurrei; 2013-02-09 at 04:51 AM.
Says the same to me but theres no downloader in the background nor in the systray ...
Coolermaster Cabinet Elite 431 Plus Usb3.0 · Antec High Current Gamer HCG-620M · i5-3570K 3,4Ghz · MSI Z77A-G45 "Military Class III" · MSI N670GTX · G.SKILL F3-12800CL9D-8GBXM · HD Caviar Blue 500GB + OCZ Vertex 4 128Gb · ASUS VE247H [] ASUS 1201n [] WD LIVE TV 3.0 [] iPhone 3 + iPhone 4s
I imagine it's just pre-pushing completed assets. Probably artwork. Textures, models, etc. Stuff that won't change over the remainder of testing. Patch could still very well be over a month away.
Probably just some finished models, like the new frog.
5.2 is still weeks away. It won't launch until after the island is fully tested, so at least 2 weeks.
Permanently unsubscribed as of 03/10/2014.
Been a fun run guys, but the game's officially moved into the "Milk the Playerbase" phase. And I for one don't intend to stick around as the cost of expansions go up, content in them goes down, and raids become further and further apart.
Maybe I'll be back for WoW2, but probably not. - Slowpoke, the former Dokhidamo
i hate to bump this, but is there any way to check the progress of the download?
My Nintendo FC is 2208-5726-4303.By Blizzard Entertainment:
Part of the reason is that Battlegrounds are like ducks.


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Saturday at Santa Anita was a great day for Bob Baffert, for Baffert fans, and for fans of soap opera drama.
Baffert, a long-proven masterful trainer of thoroughbreds, won three of the five Grade I races, each worth $250,000, that qualified the winner for an all-expenses-paid trip and entry into the Breeders' Cup. The other two? He didn't have an entry.
For Baffert, that "all-expenses-paid" gimmick is more like a bonus. His owners still get the money, but the trip from Baffert's barn to the Santa Anita track, where the Breeders' Cup will be held this year and next, is a couple of hundred yards.
- Bio | E-mail | Recent columns
This year's Breeders' Cup, offering prize money of $25.5 million spread over 15 races, will bless the Great Race Place on Nov. 2 and 3.
Baffert's Game On Dude, a 5-year-old gelding, won for the ninth time in 20 starts, passed the $3-million mark in career winnings and won a return trip to the big daddy of the Breeders' Cup, the $5-million Classic. His victory was in the Awesome Again Stakes. Last year, Game On Dude lost by a length and a half to Drosselmeyer in the Classic at Churchill Downs. Clearly, Baffert and team are looking for a reversal of fortunes there.
"This was a good prep for him," the silver-haired trainer said. "He came back fine, not tired at all."
Baffert also won with Executiveprivilege. That was in the Chandelier Stakes for 2-year-old fillies, leading to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, and it was her fifth win in five outings. That increased Executiveprivilege's winnings to $550,000, not bad for a horse still a month away from her first Breeders' Cup eligibility.
Baffert's third Grade I victory was with Power Broker in the Frontrunner Stakes, which is for 2-year-olds and leads to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Baffert seemed most proud of that victory.
"I really like him," he said. "I took him to Del Mar, and he disappointed me. But if horses don't like it at Del Mar, they won't do much."
The other two Grade I winners were Love And Pride, trained by an absentee Todd Pletcher, who trains mostly in the East. That was Zenyatta Stakes, for fillies and mares, that brings entry in the $2-million Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic.
The Rodeo Stakes, leading to the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, went to Marketing Mix, trained by Thomas Proctor and ridden nicely from behind by Garrett Gomez.
But the real riding feat came from Rafael Bejarano, who rode all of Baffert's stakes winners and added a fourth victory when he got Byrama home in the closing $70,000 Unzip Me Stakes.
Bejarano was one element of the day's soap opera.
His ride aboard Game On Dude was as a replacement for Chantal Sutherland. Jockeys get replaced all the time, but Sutherland is among the sport's highest-profile female jockeys.
In addition, Bejarano took a spectacular spill Friday on the meet's opening day and didn't ride the rest of his mounts. But he escaped with bumps and bruises and was ready to go Saturday for Baffert.
"When he went down, it was not good," Baffert said. "If it had been on the old synthetic track, he would have broken a collarbone. Victor Espinoza did a great job of missing him. He was here this morning, ready to go."
And then there was the Baffert/Doug O'Neill/Mark Verge soap opera.
Richard's Kid is a 7-year-old with 11 wins — including the 2010 Pacific Classic at Del Mar — and more than $2 million in winnings. He was trained by Baffert until late August. Then, a group headed by Verge, Santa Anita's chief executive, bought the horse just before the Pacific Classic and transferred it to the barn of Verge's close friend, O'Neill. O'Neill's horse, I'll Have Another, won the first two legs of the Triple Crown last year. Baffert's Bodemeister was second in each.
At the time of Richard Kid's sale, Baffert said, "I felt like somebody picked my pocket."
Game On Dude finished second in this year's Pacific Classic, behind Dullahan. Richard's Kid was third.
Saturday, Richard's Kid was third again, and Baffert was greeted in the winner's circle by Santa Anita President George Haines, who shook Baffert's hand and said, with a smile, "Mark couldn't make it, so you have to settle for me."
Asked about it, Baffert said, "I like George. I was happy he was here. I have a great deal of respect for him."
So, on what might one day become one of the bigger days in racing, with five Grade I races on one card, a crowd of 17,565 got heat, sunshine and celebrity training excellence from Baffert.
Not to mention a little "As The World Turns."

subset: commoncrawl


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We are proud to announce that George Amicay and RH Custom Guitars have teamed up to produce a limited run of George Amicay hand carved guitars. High quality, hand built, pieces of art that simply will take your breath away. This is a rare case in which old meets new and what has been produced will blow your mind!
Quality, Craftsmanship and Sheer Class!
These are not just words for RH Custom Guitars, quality, craftsmanship and sheer class are the life blood of every guitar built. It's the exotic woods, the high end hardware, the electronics and the attention to detail that separate a RH Custom from other competitors. Owner Rick Harrison along with his select team of not only builders, but working musicians are continually reaching new levels of excellence on every new guitar. It's this constant striving for perfection that separates not only the guitar, but the players who use these master pieces. RH Custom Guitars are not for every guitar player, just the ones who dare to be great!
*Guitar Number 014 From RH Customs
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*Custom Gator Case w/ Green Plush


text:
Nationality: Welsh
Age: 42
Occupation: Professional rugby referee.
Heineken Cup Appearances: 18 (up to quarter-finals, 2003/2004)
International Appearances: 12 Tests (up to end of 6 nations 2004)
Languages Spoken: English and some basic French.
Did you play rugby before becoming a referee?
Yes. Played scrum half all through Neath Grammar School and played for Wales Schools Under 16. Went on to captain the Welsh Schools Under 19 sevens team, which included David Pickering, the former Wales captain and now chairman of the WRU. After that, played for Bryncoch and had a brief spell with Neath.
Rugby Ambition?
It was always to play for Wales.
Greatest Moment?
Has to be captaining the Welsh Schools sevens team at Rosslyn Park.
Rugby Heroes?
The usual suspects - Gareth Edwards, Barry John, Phil Bennett, JPR and JJ Williams and Gerald Davies.
Favourite Movie?
Probably Pulp Fiction and Midnight Express.
Favourite singer/band?
I have a wide range of musical tastes from classical right through to Led Zepplin, Supertramp, and George Benson.
Favourite Food?
Anything hot 'n' spicy like Indian or Thai.
My business background before I took up refereeing full-time was centred around sales and sales management. I have an ongoing interest in internet marketing and enjoy reading books on body language and communication.
European favourites?
Ireland is always a great place to visit. It's not too far, there are no language barriers and everyone seems to enjoy the craic. Whenever I'm appointed to a game in Dublin I always visit the same Italian restaurant, Al Boschetto, for a meal. Post match revelries invariably involve a beer or two in Kielys, just outside Donnybrook.
All the Irish grounds have special atmospheres - you can hear the hush that goes around Thomond Park, Donnybrook and Ravenhill when a goal kick is being taken. At all other times there is mayhem going on both on and off the field.
The most intimidating places to visit are in France. A packed stadium in Toulouse gets the hairs up on the back of your neck, but a full house in Perpignan has got to be amongst the most inhospitable venues on the circuit. If there is one thing they hate more than the opposition at Stade Aime Giral it is the referee!! The pre and post match welcomes are always fantastic in France and Italy but, as a referee who has to perform at a big match, you always have to be careful not to enjoy the hospitality too much until after the game.
Edinburgh is another favourite location. It is such an elegant city and the welcome at the Carlton and Roxburgh hotels are always top drawer.
Most Memorable Rugby Moment?
Taking charge of my first test - New Zealand v Italy in Hamilton, June 8, 2002 - and getting selected for RWC 2003.
Thoughts on Season Structure?
The structure of the season for referees in the UK is much better than it was. The Heineken Cup made a huge difference when it was introduced in 1995 because it gave regular cross-border experience to the leading officials.
The advent of the Celtic League, and especially its increase to home and away status this season, has helped enhance the standard of matches for referees in Scotland, Ireland and Wales.
The only down side is that it means we are constantly on the move and we very rarely get a game at home. But at least there are no comfort zones for referees any more. It's important to have good professional club games to get you ready for international rugby and top class Heineken Cup games are just the ticket before the championship begins.
It's a 12 month season for IRB referees these days. Once the Heineken Cup and Parker Pen Challenge Cup and Shield finals are over on May 23, there is a two week break before the leading northern hemisphere officials head across the world for internationals in the southern hemisphere and other IRB games.
What innovation would you bring to rugby?
I cannot understand why there isn't a TMO (Television Match Official) at every televised match. It's so important that we get the decisions right at all games because one wrong decision can cost a club hundreds of thousands of pounds and, even more importantly, have a detrimental affect on people's livelihoods. The careers of players and coaches alike can turn on referees' decisions.
Another change on my wish list would see a clock and formal timekeeper at every professional ground in Europe, just as there were in Australia for the World Cup. This relatively inexpensive and uncomplicated innovation would give clarity to everyone in the ground. It is a must for the northern hemisphere.
I recently put forward a proposal to the IRB that players who are subject to foul play should be allowed 15 minutes to recover without having to be fully substituted. As the rule stands at present, unless you are able to go into the blood bin after being deliberately injured by an opponent your side either has to play with 14 men while you recover, or your game is over. That is unfair and disadvantages the non-offending side.
THE REF'S TOP TOPIC . . . When a referee takes sides.
Professional referees in many countries are now considered part of the coaching team for national sides. They have clinics with professional club coaches and often advise national coaches on strengths and weaknesses of fellow referees. Is it a good thing, or does it compromise referees in any way?
'There is a very fine line between being good communicators and becoming too familiar with players and coaches. There is a danger that the two sides can get too close to each other. As a rule, I would never go out drinking with a player or socialise with them away from a post-match rugby environment.
'The key element in all these matters is to build on the respect that exists between the playing and refereeing sides. I enjoy having a lot more contact with the professional clubs and coaches in Wales than ever before. We have been guilty of being far too insular in Welsh rugby and it is good to see views broadening and coaches looking to take advantage of all aspects of expertise available to them.
'It has been fascinating to me to get involved in analysing matches with coaches. The access that the professional referees are getting to training sessions these days allows us to become much better at our jobs by learning many of the intricate, and until now secret, skills of the trade.
'And to be fair to the coaches, their analysis of the referees is pretty in-depth. They know the length of ball in play time each referee averages and which phases of play they like to penalise teams.
'The professional referees in Wales, as in so many other countries, are continually profiling the officials who are due to take charge of matches involving Wales. All it does is allow the team to focus their attentions on one area or away from another. I don't think it gives any side a head start. We can be creatures of habit after all, just like most players.
'We all do a lot of video analysis on teams in any case, so this is only an extension of that work. When it comes to a game, no referee goes in with a preconceived idea born out of working with players and coaches from any particular team. We always referee on what unfolds in front of our regularly tested eyes!!.
'I'm delighted with the access we are currently getting to training sessions and I believe that all sides are benefiting from the experience - players, coaches and referees. Long may it continue.'
Nigel Williams has been a referee with the Welsh Rugby Union since 1992. If you would like to learn more about how to become a referee in Wales, then please contact the Referee's Department at the WRU. For more information please call Ray Davies on 02920 822000 or e-mail him on firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
Nationality : Japan
Jobs : Illustrator
A famous illustrator in the field of Dōjinshi, SHIITAKE is coming to sign her first illustrated album: Kaguya, princesse au clair de lune, adapted from one of the most popular tales in Japan.
In signing sessions everyday on nobi nobi's booth
and on Thursday and Sunday in signing room!
© All rights reserved
SHIITAKE is a young illustrator from Fukuoka prefecture. She soon made herself known with her illustration and artbook project "Gensodo". Her style is both rich and refined and is at its best when she draws young girls surrounded by flowers.
This mushroom (shiitake in Japanese) not like others regularly exhibits her works in Japan and is always very successful.
More information about nobi nobi !
Meet the guest
- Signing session Thursday 30 June, 11h00-12h00, Signing room 3
First come, first served
- Signing session, with Alice BRIÈRE-HAQUET Sunday 03 July, 11h00-12h00, Signing room 4
First come, first served
Associated themes
- Drawing and Origami areas
- Charmer par les mots ! (Enchant with words!)
- Yumiko IGARASHI, the Princess of Shôjo Manga - Exhibition
- Calligraphy & Sumi-e
- Elfepeintre
- Panda Petit Panda (Panda Kopanda)
- Kamishibai
- A Tribute to Satoshi Kon
- Pigments et Arts du monde
- Céline LAVIGNETTE-AMMOUN
- Alice BRIÈRE-HAQUET
- Toko KAWAI
- Christelle HUET-GOMEZ


text:
Latest News
Seven films created by UNT students who are earning the Department of Radio, Television and Film's Master of Fine Arts degree in documentary film will be shown May 1 (Thursday) at UNT.
When Josh Gordesky learned that the UNT College of Information would be offering its doctoral degree program in learning technologies mostly online, he knew it was the right academic program for him.
Children in grades 8 through 12 can now register for summer camps in the University of North Texas College of Engineering, focusing on robotics, video and computer game development, mobile applications and computer science and engineering.
Katie Koestner, a date rape survivor, will speak at the University of North Texas as a part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month activities. The speech will take place at 7 p.m. on April 22 (Tuesday) in the Volleyball Gym located at 1536 S. Bonnie Brae, Building H, Denton.
Yummy Starts, a healthy eating program geared for kids with autism spectrum disorder, is helping kids with extreme selective eating habits. It's one of four behavioral intervention services offered at the Easter Seals North Texas Autism Treatment Program, a collaboration between the University of North Texas Department of Behavior Analysis and Easter Seals.


text:
For all the talk of the need for a balanced economy it seems that the desire to engage in collective amnesia is outweighing our need to remember precisely why we got into the messes of the past."
Surely we can now hope to see a consensus here in the UK that embraces renewables, alongside gas and nuclear, as part of a diverse energy mix"
This means, as adults, they'll earn less, be less productive and be more likely to die prematurely"
As one who finds local government not only interesting, but bursting with dramatic potential, I've noticed that there are still amazingly few plays featuring Wolverhampton councillors."
Sonority and power were limited but Bach's constant ingenious interplay between the sections was admirably clear"
Listening to Andras Schiff play Bach's Goldberg Variations was like meeting 31 members of an extended musical family."
Wythall agency renews contract to spearhead communications campaign for Business Development Programme
Wythall agency renews contract to spearhead communications campaign for Business Development Programme
Last year's festival attracted more than 12,000 visitors, making it Brindleyplace's most successful event to date
John Taylor Hospice provides practical help for people living with a terminal illness
Paul Roberts has joined the marcomms agency to bolster its design activities.
A business incubation initiative for tech start-ups has welcomed four more companies, a new team member and passed the £3.5m investment mark.
Some of the topics to be covered by industry experts will be copyrighting, web development, personal practice, exhibiting and networking
Copeland Wedge provides civil and structural, design consultancy services to leisure, education, health, industrial, retail, infrastructure and public bodies
An initiative has been launched offering people the chance to launch businesses in Leamington's Old Town, an area with a growing reputation as a creative, bohemian and food destination.
The Mummies' Market is the result of a collective of mothers turned businesswomen from around Sutton Coldfield who decided to take things into their own hands to promote their wares.
IE beat international competition from the likes of Lloyds Bank and Glasgow City Marketing Bureau
Birmingham company claimed Alcopal tablets would "guarantee to improve impairments caused by consuming alcohol".
The ICC's in-house technical team worked with Jisc to come up with innovative digital presentations using a Dynamic Image Projection System and HD projector
Nicola Brissett began a tattooing apprenticeship but was faced with a lack of volunteers to train on, so after one year Nicola began considering alternative careers
The establishment of the Birmingham Big Art Foundation on March 18 means the Birmingham Big Art Project has also been able to announce its commissioning agent for the scheme
Main topics of discussion focused on how to best create sharable content and increase online engagement
Architect Tim Cornbill is among a growing number of photographers on social media improving the image of the city
Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £226,300 will enable the South Asian arts organisation Sampad to undertake an 18-month project researching the history of the communities that live along the Road between Sparkbrook and Hall Green
The first interview with Birmingham-born Tommy Nagra, who is eight weeks into his role as head of business development at the BBC in the city
New Guerrilla Group and digital commitment shows progress, according to creative sector boss
New group will be based in the city as work continues to address a shortfall of investment from the broadcaster into the Midlands
For the latest local news straight to your Twitter, Facebook feed or e-mail inbox.
Is there something happening in your area you would like us to report on?
Tell us about it and, if possible, send us a picture.
Editor, Birmingham Post
Stacey Barnfield is the Editor of the Birmingham Post. He joined the Post in March 2013 after four years as executive editor on the sister title the Birmingham Mail.


text:
601 Grant St, Pittsburgh, PA | Directions 1521940.441103 -79.996002
Mon. - Thu. 10am - 6pm;Fri. - Sun. CLOSED
Neighborhoods: Downtown (Central Business District)
THIS OTHER REVIEW IS RIDICULOUS – The review posted by buzz back is a complete fabrication of the truth. I used to work there and Id see your type everyday. People like you who look down on people who work there. FIrst of all we didn't do the prep in the basement, it was all done in the kitchen before the store opened. Second of all, there is no bathroom in the store so I'm not sure how you could see one of the employees not washing their hands after using the restroom. Thirdly, no one i know or have worked with there had ever served food that was not good. To say that you heard an employee say " i have a habit of leaving food out over the weekend and still serving it" is a flat out lie cause its never happened. Lastly the food is not carted, the ingredients are carted from the freezers that are located downstairs. That review is a total lie. Its good food, and you have to expect sitting on a toilet all day after eating mexican food. idiot.
Running of the Toilet – I used to frequent this place since I work in the same building. No more. First, the dead flies on the wall were not too cool. Then I listened to a worker talk about the 'legged issues' and habit of leaving food out over the weekend and still serving it! Ouch. Kitchen prep occurs in the basement of the building...eeeww...and the food is carted through the building lobby. Yuck. Visit this place if you like sitting on a toilet for the day. I won't even mention the one male worker known for not washing his hands after using the restroom.
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text:
Beauties who changed the meaning of pretty
- Next1 of 11Glo
- Previous Next2 of 11FPG/Archive Photos/Getty Images
- Previous Next3 of 11REPORTERS ASSOCIES/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
- Previous Next4 of 11Silver Screen Collection/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
- Previous Next5 of 1120th Century Fox/Photofest
- Previous Next6 of 11Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage
- Previous Next7 of 11Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image
- Previous Next8 of 11Todd Williamson/WireImage
- Previous Next9 of 11Kevin Winter/Getty Images
- Previous Next10 of 11Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
- Previous Next11 of 11Imaxtree
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Unknown-41 of 11
Embracing Boyish2 of 11
Known for her fierce independence and quick wit, Katharine Hepburn adopted many stereotypically "masculine" traits: She played sports every morning and rejected glamorous gowns for comfortable pantsuits. Slender and flat-chested, the actress paved the way for women who didn't feel compelled to conform to traditional standards of femininity.
Gap-Tooth Grin3 of 11
Jane Birkin is often mistaken for being French because she sang a 1968 hit song with her then-lover Serge Gainsbourg. In actuality, she was born and raised in England and came into full flower in the swinging London of the 1960s. If stereotypes were true, then her Britishness might account for her imperfect teeth. But stereotypes are easy labels, and Birkin's beauty was complicated—and enhanced—by her gap-tooth smile.
Voluptuous Vixen4 of 11
Marilyn Monroe and Sophia Loren had nothing on Claudia Cardinale, the Tunisian-Italian actress who broke the mold for curvy women. She is best known for her roles in classic Italian films such as Federico Fellini's 8 ½ (1963) and Sergio Leone's Once Upon a Time in the West (1968). Her form was so quintessentially feminine that Bob Dylan used a photograph of her on the original album cover of Blonde on Blonde (1963)—he later had to remove it because he hadn't received her OK.
Eyes Have It5 of 11
With starring roles in films by legendary directors such as Woody Allen, Robert Altman and Stanley Kubrick, Shelley Duvall was one of the most sought-after actresses in the 1970s. With her prominent eyes and beanpole figure, Duvall was certainly not conventionally beautiful, but her quirky look and expressive features were mesmerizing.
Bold Brows6 of 11
Arguably one of the best things to come out of the 1980s was the Brooke Shields eyebrow. Her ungroomed arches, which had a youthful, relaxed quality to them, inspired a generation of women to stop over-plucking and start embracing the natural look.
Snow Queen7 of 11
In the early 1990s when models like Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington ruled the runways, Irina Pantaeva, a Buryat Eskimo raised in a small Siberian village, was truly one of a kind. With her broad face and wide-set eyes, Pantaeva was initially labeled as too exotic. But with editorials in Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, ELLE and others, she proved critics wrong and helped broaden the fashion industry's definition of beauty.
Runway Revelation8 of 11
Despite her luminous skin and long limbs, Alek Wek's path to becoming MTV's Model of the Year in 1997 was not an easy one. Born in 1977, Wek escaped to Britain from the civil war in Sudan in 1991 and was discovered by a scout in London in 1995. Since then, the shorn beauty has walked the runway for top designers and appeared in countless ads. In 1997, she was the first African model to appear on the cover of ELLE magazine.
Curvy Girl9 of 11
After the impossibly thin supermodels of the 1990s, Lopez's shapely figure—and standout backside—was a refreshing return to normalcy for the average women. The star made it clear that a woman needn't be a size 0 to be desirable.
Aging Gracefully10 of 11
Diane Von Furstenberg first rose to prominence when she married a German prince in the 1960s (they divorced in '72), but she didn't become an "It girl" until she designed the wrap dresses that would make her into a fashion tycoon. Learning early in life that while physical beauty has its advantages, it's what a woman does with her life that ultimately defines her, Von Furstenberg has only become more confident with age.
New Look11 of 11
Not since Grace Jones has there been an androgynous beauty like Kristina Salinovic, whose chiseled cheekbones and angular features complement her deep blue eyes and full lips. Born in Croatia in 1991, Salinovic has appeared on the cover of Italian Vogue and has walked the runway for Jean Paul Gaultier, Lanvin and others. The rising star of the modeling world is setting the tone for a trend towards gender ambiguity.
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text: The director Joe Swanberg's tightly structured but loosely performed independent romantic comedy is "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" for the post-slacker age. Hannah (Greta Gerwig), a brainstormer for a bunch of twenty-somethings working in a slouchy office on some sort of TV show, makes the rounds of three men—Mike (Mark Duplass), who quit his job on a whim and wants her to have more fun; her colleague Paul (Andrew Bujalski), the artistic star of the team, whose blog is being considered for publication as a book; and another co-worker, Matt (Kent Osborne), an introverted, mild-mannered dreamer who is Paul's best friend. As the thoughtful and self-deprecating Hannah, Gerwig pulls off postgraduate intellectual musings as if she means them, and Bujalski, who directed "Funny Ha Ha" (this film's prime forebear), is, like most good directors, a natural actor. Swanberg (who is both the cinematographer and the director) brings his story to life in ironic images that reflect his conflicting desires for pictorial solidity and fluid responsiveness to nuance. Though his dialogue, spoken with the charming hesitation of inexperienced improvisers, conveys the tensions of the postcollegiate proletariat caught between big dreams and petty realities, Swanberg most faithfully captures the sound of artistic creativity today in bursts of tapping on laptop keyboards.


text:
Evert-Fresh Bags
Prolong food life and reduce waste
Most fresh produce releases an ethylene gas that accelerates decomposition and causes it to go bad. Evert-Fresh Bags absorb and remove this gas to prolong food life and reduce vitamin loss up to 50%. An anti-fog surface minimizes moisture, thereby inhibiting bacterial growth. Each bag can be reused 5-10 times. Available in small, medium or large (10 bags per set) or in combo pack of 10 each small, medium and large. Japan.
Combo Pack Includes:
- Small (10 ½ gallon bags, ¼" deep)
- Medium (10 1 gallon bags, 3/8" deep)
- Large (10 1½ gallon bags, 3/8" deep)
Available in 3 sizes, 10 bags per set.


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SOURCE Strategy Analytics
BOSTON, Feb. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Home 3D printers could eventually become an important segment in the consumer electronics market, generating an annual $70bn worldwide, according to the latest research from Strategy Analytics' Connected Home Devices (CHD) service. The report, "Home 3D Printers: Market Opportunities and Obstacles", analyses major obstacles and presents scenarios for the evolution of the home 3D printing market. It concludes that the industry will develop more slowly than some vendors expect in the early years but that demand will accelerate post-2020 as more use cases emerge, user experience improves and technologies advance. Under the report's core forecast scenario, 3D printers would eventually be owned by more than 50 percent of households in both the US and Western Europe, and global annual revenues from sales of printers and related materials would reach $10bn by 2024 and $70bn by 2030.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130207/NE56457LOGO-b )
"In spite of widespread publicity around 3D printing over the past year or so, 3D printers designed for home use are only at the beginning of their long journey towards widespread consumer adoption," says David Mercer, Principal Analyst and the report's author. "The industry must overcome a number of barriers if the long-term potential of 3D printing as a consumer market is to be realised."
Amongst these barriers the report identifies two key factors: user experience and copyright issues. In spite of recent improvements the report suggests that most desktop 3D printers are still too complicated, slow and limited in applications to become mass market devices. These user experience issues are likely to be resolved over time as technologies improve but this will require vendors to devote resources to understanding the needs and attitudes of end users.
Copyright issues are also likely to emerge when rights holders realise their products can be copied by home users. The future availability of personal 3D scanners combined with home 3D printers means that some commercial items could eventually be replicated to a quality close to the original.
"In the long term home 3D printers offer great potential for new business models in industry and retail," Mercer comments. "But 3D printing technology vendors and service providers must recognise and overcome the specific barriers to consumer market adoption as they develop products designed for the mass market."
Analyst Blog: http://www.strategyanalytics.com/RssFeed.aspx?type=authorblog&a=707
About Strategy Analytics
Strategy Analytics, Inc. provides the competitive edge with advisory services, consulting and actionable market intelligence for emerging technology, mobile and wireless, digital consumer and automotive electronics companies. With offices in North America, Europe and Asia, Strategy Analytics delivers insights for enterprise success. www.StrategyAnalytics.com
Contact: David Mercer, +44 1908 423610, firstname.lastname@example.com
US Contact: Eric Smith, +1 617 614 0752, firstname.lastname@example.com
©2012 PR Newswire. All Rights Reserved.


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2601 S I H 35, Round Rock, TX | Directions 7866430.483161 -97.672983
Mon-Fri 11am-2pm
Neighborhoods: Boardwalk
An Indian lunch buffet for the Round Rock crowd: Trusty dishes like the Chicken Tikka Masala win hearts and tastebuds, but I urge you to try their pleasingly sour idlis. "Idli" is a spongy, fermented grain cake, and while it looks like something you could scrub your bathtub with, it is absolutely divine dipped in one of Chola's many Indian sauces, absorbing all the flavor into one savory, tasty bite.
Good Food – I like the food very much, i am a pure vegeterian and the best thing is they cook seperately.
Keep it up Chola
Best Place – Good place to eat lot of food at buffet also their desert is the best i ever tasted. $8.99 you can have a satisfying meal with varities of Chicken, Goat, Vegetarian Dishes I love it Love it Love it
Good buffett – Love it!!!! Great goat paneer. Spicy mmm. Highly recommend. Keep in mind I know absolutly nothing about Indian food. Came in on a whim, glad I.did
Never get a take out from this place – Last week we had goat curry take out from Chola's for dinner. We ended up trashing all of it, it was so bad. The curry was like some goat ( bone) pieces and water poured on it.
It was horrible and did come cheap too.
Great Indian Food – I'm Native Texan, caucasian, and love Indian cuisine. Chola Restaurant in Round Rock serves excellent food, in a warm, friendly atmosphere. I've eaten there perhaps 20 times in the last 2 years, often enough that the staff recognizes me. I've eaten most often during the buffet, but also a few times in the evenings when one must order from the menu. I was VERY happy to find an Indian restaurant of such high quality, North of downtown Austin. I've eaten at many Indian places down in Austin - Chola is better than most. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food on the buffet. I expect (from experience with other buffets) that the buffet would be 'over cooked' and in general less tasty than individually prepared dishes. Chola's buffet food is fresh and TASTY! uhmmm... I just may have to eat lunch there. The buffet is about $10, meals from the menu cost more - primarily because I order 3 or 4 items.
The restaurant building interior has a 'charm' in that it's not all polished and shiny/glitzy/modern like many of the (other cuisines) in the same area... although it does appear 'shabby' as if the owners did the decor rather than hiring 'professionals'. Be that as it may - I'm there to eat, I'm not distracted by the decor.
Best Indian Restaurant Food in Central Texas. – Been going there since it opened. Decent food but not great.
Level of Service varies, and is not consistent.
Quality of food is fairly consistent.
Better than most Indian/ Pakistani restaurants in Central Texas.
Could greatly improve on cleanliness/ presentation/ ambience.
Dont even think for a moment that this what Indian cuisine is all about. It is far greater and diverse than they offer.
Awful - but really awful – The place is not clean.
I ordered a lamb curry. It was not edible. If there was a piece of actual meat in the dish I did not find it. There was an abundance of gristle though. I cannot tell the difference between lamb gristle and any other kind, so I will presume it was lamb gristle as the dish had lamb in its name.
Never, never, never will I go back. I have eaten Indian cuisine in all the major cities in the US and Europe. Yes, not all of it was good - but this meal was disgusting.
The five star reviews in this list must have been submitted by either the owners or by people who have never tasted decent food.
I've eaten at Bombay Grill and Taj Palace - both are better by leaps and bounds over Chola - or is that Choka?
Very pleasantly surprised! – We have been by this place several times eating at Zorba's, but were reluctant to go in because the restaurant is usually slow and we've seen a couple less than thrilled reviews. Wanting to try something different, we finally went in, and were rewarded with excellent, attentive service, a clean, welcoming interior, and and incredibly delicious Indian meal. We would recommend the vegetarian appetizer sampler, which came quickly and was very flavorful. The lamb was very tender, the sauces fresh and well balanced, the bread freshly rolled and out of the oven! Though the bill was a little higher than our usual cultural cuisine/pug grub fare, we found care and excellence in so much of this restaurant that we will certainly be back.
Really bad – I have high doubts abt the hygiene @ this place...along with the food....it was TERRIBLE....10$ down the drain...spare your time, money n health n don't come here
not welcoming:( – My family and I went to the buffet so that we could experience ALL of the dishes because we were unfamiliar with Indian Cuisine and were hoping to find a new restaurant to add to our line up of favorites. Well, upon arriving, we walked in to see a 'please wait to be seated' sign, so we waited...it was very awkward...the owners looked at us and kept going (I had recognized them from an add in the Pflugerville Pflag)...finally one of them seated us, but didn't say a word. We were seated along the far side wall of the restaurant, with the other 3 caucasion patrons in the place. I felt 'segregated'..it was very uncomfortable. We were stared at quite a bit by the other Indian patrons as if we were intruding on a family reunion. We sat and waited for a drink order to be taken or SOMETHING..but no one said a word to us, so we decided to just start getting our food from the buffet, and I tried to get a little of everything to get the full experience. Let me say that there were a few things I liked, but my children wouldn't eat anything. It was really spicey, which I'm ok with knowing that is traditional for Indian food, but there was absolutely NOTHING for the kids other than maybe white rice and fresh fruit. I will say I enjoyed the breads and the eggplant dish...but I felt so awkward just 'being' there, it made it hard to really take my time and discover the flavors. After we were finished, NO ONE came to us to deliver a ticket to pay...we sat and sat once again, unitl my husband had to go ASK to pay. We left with a sense that we just made a huge mistake in trying something new and a large dent in our wallet (the adult buffet was OVER $11)! I would probably recommend this place if you are a native of India..those patrons probabaly thoroughly enjoyed their meal), but NOT for newcomers :( Too bad.
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50 State Legal. Unlike the competitors kits, the Whipple Intercooled Mustang Supercharger Kit is 50 state emissions legal.
Application. This Polished Whipple Supercharger System is specifically designed for use on the 2011 to 2012 DOHC Coyote 5.0 GT Mustang with a manual transmission.
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Villa della Luna
Memo Board
Villa della Luna is a beautiful collection of dinnerware, serveware and accessories based on the book "Dancing with the Moon, a Story of Love at the Villa della Luna" by Jana Kolpen and Mary Tiegreen. No more lost messages, missed appointments or forgotten to-do's when your family uses this handy Memo Board. Elegantly designed to coordinate with your dinnerware collection. For indoor use only. Constructed of medium-density fiberboard (MDF). To clean dust with soft cloth. 20 x 10 inch Chalk/Memo Board (chalk not included) with 3/8 inch thick rope for hanging.
You May Also Like
Rated 5 out of 5 by 1 reviewer.
Rated 5 out of 5 by mailman memo board The product is very beautiful and compliments the Villa della Luna dinnerware. It could have come with some chalk and eraser but did not. March 22, 2013
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"Dad, will you spray some of Mamaw on me?"
Mamaw is Linda Lipscomb, Chad's mother. A woman who loved scented candles and potpourri; whose house always smelled warm and woodsy -– just like her favorite spray bottle.
Anyone who spent any amount of time in the Williams home where Linda lived with her husband, Bill, came away smelling like that, family members say.
But that house is gone, now. Linda and Bill are, too. All perished in last year's tornado. After hours, painful days of culling through the wreckage that used to be the Lipscombs' home, Chad and his brothers were able to salvage an assortment of items. A blanket, some soggy pictures. Bill's tools. And Linda's favorite perfume bottle –- the way Chad's daughter keeps the memory of her Mamaw close at night.
"But you can't get Bill and Linda back," said Betty McGowan, Bill's sister. "I still dream about them all the time."
They did everything together Bill and Linda Lipscomb were a perfect couple -– the kind of lovebirds who kissed in front of the kids, held hands whenever they could and never raised their voices at each other.
Their sons say the Lipscombs did nearly everything together throughout their 45 years of marriage –- raised three boys, went to church, worked in the yard, hosted slumber parties, recited lines from their favorite Western movies, played hide-n-seek with the grandkids, vacationed every year at Lake Guntersville, enjoyed cool evenings on the front porch of their country home.
The list goes on as the Lipscombs' sons -– Craig, Chad and Chris –- recently sat around Chris' Southside living room. Each of them reflected on the lives of Bill, 67 when he died, and Linda, 63.
Bill worshipped Linda, the brothers said, from that first summer night in 1965, when their parents met at a Gadsden burger joint right up to the day they died.
"They were so lovey-dovey," Chris said. And in those brutal hours after the storm, after the sons knew their parents were dead, they took comfort in this: Amidst the splintered trees and stinking debris, the Lipscombs were found together. Every bone in Bill's body was broken; Linda suffered the one fatal blow to the head.
But lying there in death, in the woods near what remained of their house, Bill was spooning Linda.
"It's a picture you don't get out of your head," said Chad's wife, Katrina.
A family legacy
More than anything, family is the Lipscombs' legacy. Their three sons, seven grandchildren and host of other relatives function as a unit –- just like Bill and Linda did. They eat dinners at each other's houses, go on vacations in Florida together, help out in each other's yards.
Bill and Linda married in 1966, lived in Gadsden while the boys were young and Bill was entrenched in his work at Gulf States Steel Co. Several years later, the family relocated to Williams, because Bill and Linda wanted their boys to go to Pleasant Valley schools.
"They wanted to experience country life," Chad said. "And they wanted us to go to a better school system, have better opportunities."
Now, the brothers are spread out between Gadsden and Jacksonville.
Craig, 43, works at a telecommunications company in Springville, lives there with his wife and two children. Chad, 41, his wife, Katrina, and their two daughters live in Jacksonville, where Chad also works in telecommunications and Katrina has a job with the Department of Defense.
Chris, 40, owns a construction company in Southside. He, his wife, Misti, and their three kids live there in a house Chris recently built.
That lakeside home is where the family gathered on a recent Friday to talk about the couple whose absence is so strongly felt. Even in this spacious living room, there aren't enough chairs for all of the sons and their wives –- plus Linda's sister, and Bill's mother and sister. So some of them sit, while others crowd around behind the couch.
They keep close, hold each other when tears start. They laugh and pass the tissues as they remember Bill and Linda.
"They did not act their age," Chris said. "Even when they were 60-something years old."
They talk about Bill's love of fishing, working with his hands. He had a small woodworking shop in the backyard of the Williams house. He spent hours there, and in the yard, keeping the grass neat and the plants trimmed.
Linda's house was equally organized: She rearranged the living room furniture on what seemed like a weekly basis as she cleaned. And of course, there were the candles, the smells of Mamaw.
When the grandkids were babies, Craig's wife, Michelle, remembered, Linda would have them over for hours at time. She didn't have a crib or a bassinette, so she'd improvise. Michelle would return to Mamaw's house to find her son or daughter swaddled in blankets, sound asleep in an open dresser drawer.
"She loved them so much," Michelle said of Linda and the grandkids. "When they came home from Mamaw's, they had that smell of potpourri."
"We'll be fine"
Chad tried to convince his parents to leave their house before the tornado hit. I'll come get you, he told his mother over the phone; the storm is going to be bad where you are. Linda had called him around 5:30 that night.
We're shutting the water off, she said. An hour later, Chad called her back.
Let me pick you up, he said again.
But Linda didn't want to leave her house; she wasn't scared.
The sons finished each other's thoughts as they described the night of the tornado:
"Mother loved to get out and watch storms," Chris said.
"I don't think she realized then it was as bad as it was," Chad added.
"Both of them were like, 'if it's going to get you, it's going to get you,'" Craig agreed.
The oldest remembers his own phone conversation with his mother that night:
"Momma, it's right down the road," Craig said to Linda. He had called her about an hour before his younger brother did, with his own pleas.
"If it gets too bad, we'll just get under the house," Linda replied. She was cheerful, Craig remembered, unconcerned.
"We'll be fine," she assured her oldest son. "Call me when it's over."
But the phones didn't work when the storm was over. None of the sons could get in touch with either Bill or Linda – not on their cell phones, not at the house.
Craig, Chad and Chris each made separate decisions to drive to Williams, check on their parents and make sure they were OK.
They weren't. Each of the brothers knew this when they saw Bill and Linda's yard. There was nothing left of the brick house save for part of the garage.
"It was just gone," Chris said. "When it looked like somebody had just took a lawnmower and cut -– I knew then we were in trouble."
When the Lipscombs come together as a family -– for Christmas celebrations or an upcoming church service in honor of Bill and Linda -– they are thankful for each other, acutely aware of what was lost.
Chris still waits for birthday wishes from his parents.
Craig misses the 8 o'clock evening phone conversations he had with them.
Chad forgets Bill and Linda won't be at church each Sunday, won't come over to his Jacksonville home for dinner on Sunday nights.
"It was heartbreaking," Chad said of the tornado, his parents' sudden deaths. "When I first stepped in Mom and Dad's yard that night, I just dropped.
"Like that, the center of my soul left me."
Faith, family, healing
Through faith and family, the sons have begun to heal in the year since the storm.
The Lipscomb family is a large and successful one – and they attribute that to the example set by Bill. When he died, he worked as a custodian, a handyman of sorts at Alexandria Elementary School. When his sons were growing up, he worked at Gulf States Steel. The 32 years Bill spent with that company coupled with the desire to have a job throughout his retirement impressed upon his sons the importance of hard work.
It helped, too, Chris said, that Bill always had him and his brothers out in the Williams yard – weeding, cutting the grass, hauling firewood.
"Work and work ethic –- that was real big to dad," Craig agreed. "He taught us that if you can work, you won't have to have worry."
All three brothers heeded that advice –- all three say they spend long hours at their respective jobs, ensuring they can provide for their children, carry on the legacy of Linda and Bill.
"They were proud of their sons, believe me," Linda's sister Elizabeth Self said. "Proud of them for being good husbands, good daddies, good providers for their families."
They all pray a lot, the brothers said. They spend hours talking about Bill and Linda to each other, their wives, their children. They have new rituals –- a spritz of Mamaw before bedtime, a silent chat with Bill before work.
A picture of the perfect couple, framed and well-dusted, sitting on Chris' counter.
"You couldn't ask for better parents," Chris said.
Star Staff Writer Cameron Steele: 256-235-3562. On Twitter @Csteele_star.


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SAUGET — When the Gateway Grizzlies needed him the most, shortstop Vladimir Frias came through in the clutch Wednesday at GCS Ballpark.
Frias highlighted a seven-run Grizzlies uprising with a three-run double in the fifth inning, as Gateway rallied for a 9-5 win over Evansville before a crowd of 2,247.
Second in the Frontier League's East Division, Evansville (21-13) jumped out to a 4-0 lead against Grizzlies ace Tim Brown and held a 4-1 advantage heading into the bottom of the fifth.
But Gateway (23-11) sent 12 batters to the plate, eventually taking an 8-4 lead, while on its way to its fifth win in the last six games.
With one out in the fifth, Otters starter Ryan Zamorsky allowed singles by Antone DeJesus and Jonathan Johnson, along with a walk to Alex Guthrie, to load the bases.
Consecutive singles by Jose Flores and Chris McClendon cut the lead to 4-3 and when Gateway catcher Landon Hernandez walked, it forced in the tying run.
Jet Butler then hit a slow roller to Otters first baseman Steve Marino, who fired home for the force out. But Evansville catcher John Nester's return throw to first in an attempt to complete the double play, sailed into shallow right, allowing the go-ahead run to score.
Following a walk to Jon Myers which reloaded the bases, Frias followed with his double, which gave Gateway an 8-4 lead.
Facing the off-speed deliveries of Zamorsky, Frias grounded out his first two times. But sitting on a fastball, the 26-year old native of the Dominican Republic, was ready in his third at bat.
"He (Zamorsky) got me out with off-speed pitches the first two times. The third time, I had a plan when I went up to the plate. I made the adjustment,'' Frias said. "In that situation, I'm looking for a fastball, especially a first pitch fastball. I wanted to hit the ball hard and I was able to do that.''
Frias added a seventh-inning RBI double to increase the Grizzlies' lead to 9-5.
"Vlad had two big hits for us. The double in the seventh gave us back the four run lead, which is big in my book,'' Grizzlies manager Phil Warren said. "Vlad talked about having to make adjustments during the game and I thought for the most part our guys did that tonight.''
Brown (5-2) worked seven innings to get the win, while relievers Zac Treece and Richard Barrett worked an inning apiece as Gateway maintained its lead in the West Division standings.
The Otters, getting a two-run home run from J.R. Higley, looked to be in control with a 4-1 lead through 4 1/2 innings against Brown.
Entering the game with a 4-2 record and 2.32 ERA, Brown wasn't sharp in the first three innings.
After getting good defensive plays from Frias and left fielder Jon Myers to help keep the Otters scoreless in the first inning, Brown gave up an unearned run in the top of the second.
Evansville took command in the top of the third, thanks to Highly.
With one out, Brown walked Otters designated hitter Nick Schwaner. Steve Marino then followed with a double to put runners on second and third.
Brown then retired Frank Martinez on a fly ball for the second out.
With an 0-2 count on Higley, Brown's pitch hit in front of the plate and bounced behind catcher Landon Hernandez.
Breaking on the play, Schwaner beat Hernandez' flip to Brown, who was covering home, to make the score 2-0.
Two pitches later, Higley hit a Brown delivery over the low right-field wall, making it 4-0.
The Grizzlies got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the inning, when Guthrie walked, advanced to second on a fielder's choice, stole third and scored when Otters catcher John Nester's throw sailed into left field.
Up next
The Otters-Grizzlies series concludes Thursday with a 7:05 p.m. contest. Florence then comes to GCS Ballpark on Friday for the first of a three-game series, also beginning at 7:05 p.m.


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Troy Sympson
Three areas of your business's sales efforts you may need to address to increase profitability
Douglas Kolker, the president of Summit Selling Systems, Inc. and the owner of the Sandler Training Center, discusses three key areas of your business's sales efforts that you may need to address in order to increase profitability.
To do so, you need to ask yourself three questions:
1. Do you have the right salespeople?
2. Do they have the right skills?
3. Are your sales team and their efforts well structured?
Douglas Kolker is the president of Summit Selling Systems, Inc. and the owner of the Sandler Training Center. Reach him at (818) 995-7197 or email@example.com.
Three areas of your business's sales efforts you may need to address to increase profitability
Douglas Kolker, the president of Summit Selling Systems, Inc. and the owner of the Sandler Training Center, discusses three key areas of your business's sales efforts that you may need to address in order to increase profitability.
To do so, you need to ask yourself three questions:
1. Do you have the right salespeople?
2. Do they have the right skills?
3. Are your sales team and their efforts well structured?
Douglas Kolker is the president of Summit Selling Systems, Inc. and the owner of the Sandler Training Center. Reach him at (818) 995-7197 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
How possible legislative actions could redefine how companies do business
It's still early in the current Missouri legislative session (which started Jan. 5 and runs through May 13), and those in the business world are closely following the activities in Jefferson City. This is shaping up to be an interesting year, and many pieces of legislation, if enacted, could redefine how companies and consumers approach business.
And if businesses aren't aware of what's happening at the state capital, they may miss some significant changes.
"There's a lot to watch in 2011, both in Missouri and across the U.S.," says Dale E. Hermeling, an attorney with The Stolar Partnership LLP. "With a significant Republican majority in both the House and the Senate in Jefferson City, the Republican agenda supporting business and smaller government will be pushed forward. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out."
Smart Business learned more from Hermeling about possible legislative actions in Missouri and how they could affect businesses.
What is happening with tax credits in Missouri?
Last year, Gov. Jay Nixon commissioned a group of 25 business, community and legislative leaders to study the various tax credits that exist in Missouri. This Tax Credit Review Committee held public hearings and generated a report with various recommendations relative to the efficiency and effectiveness of the state's 61 tax credit programs.
There has been a lot of concern over the budget in Missouri and the impact that the tax credits have on state revenue. A number of bills have been introduced in the Senate to restructure or eliminate some of the tax credit programs. Other bills call for establishing annual caps or requirements for legislative appropriation on the amount of the tax credit.
The most significant focus has been the challenges to the historic tax credit program and low-income housing tax credits that have been used so effectively on local projects here in St. Louis.
What other issues should employers be watching?
The first bill filed in the Senate this year involves an effort to establish Missouri as a right-to-work state. Right-to-work laws prohibit agreements between labor unions and employers that make membership or payment of union dues or fees a condition of employment, either before or after hiring.
Proponents of right-to-work feel that it would increase business opportunities in Missouri and make Missouri more competitive relative to some of our neighboring states. Opponents of right-to-work feel that these laws weaken unions, thus creating lower wages and endangering worker safety and health. They also argue that establishing Missouri as a right-to-work state would reduce the quality of the local work force.
If the bill passed, it likely would force a showdown with the governor, who opposes the measure.
There are also efforts to try to amend portions of the workers' compensation law to eliminate what were likely unintended consequences of certain reforms passed in 2005. For example, courts have interpreted some of these changes to allow a worker who suffers a work-related injury to sue a fellow employee for negligence in a civil action. This exposure presents risk to supervisors, who may then look more and more to their employers to provide indemnity or some other protection.
In addition, there is a proposal to eliminate the state income tax and replace it with an expanded sales tax. No one knows how much revenue will be gained or lost if a sales tax is used instead of an income tax, and the sales tax will likely impose a greater burden on lower-income taxpayers than higher-income taxpayers. Businesses should be concerned that consumers could just avoid the sales tax altogether by shopping out of state.
Another concern is that the sales tax could be imposed on services that are not currently taxed, such as professional services and insurance premiums. I am not sure this kind of reform will gain a lot of traction. Proponents argue that replacing the income tax with a sales tax would help create jobs, promote economic development and make state revenue less volatile. Opponents feel that it could hurt the middle class and force cuts to government services.
What other legislation should be monitored?
Another item to watch in Missouri is whether the legislature will return control of police departments to the cities of St. Louis and Kansas City. There is a bill that has passed through the House and is currently in the Senate that would return control of the police departments back to the cities. Currently, police boards, whose members are appointed by the governor, control the operation of these police departments. This is a big issue if the city of St. Louis is ever to be reinserted into St. Louis County.
How will the makeup of the House and Senate impact pending legislation?
We all recognize the majority that Republicans have in both houses of the legislature, but one thing that isn't talked about much is the level of experience that these legislators have. With the term limits that have been put into place in Missouri, there are a lot of legislators in both the House and the Senate who haven't been there before and need to learn the ropes.
It's a Catch 22: No one wants career politicians, but, at the same time, everyone wants politicians with experience. The bottom line is that we need cooperation among all of the legislators if any progress is going to be made.
Dale E. Hermeling is an attorney with The Stolar Partnership LLP. Reach him at (314) 641-5135 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
How enterprise risk management can create and protect value for a business
Business operations are subject to a number of risks from both internal and external factors. In addition, ownership interests in businesses are subject to risks, including market factors. How organizations and their owners address these risks can have a significant impact on the value of businesses and interests therein.
An enterprise risk management (ERM) process involves identifying risks relative to an organization's objectives, assessing them for likelihood and impact, developing a response strategy and monitoring progress. A well-defined ERM framework can protect and create value for the organization and its owners.
"How a business addresses risk can have a significant impact on the value of a business," says John T. Alfonsi, CPA, ABV, CFF, CVA, CFE, a managing director of Cendrowski Corporate Advisors LLC.
Smart Business spoke with Alfonsi about business risks and how they impact valuation.
Where is risk addressed in a business valuation?
The most common method of valuing a business is the 'income approach,' which requires a valuation analyst to project a business's future cash flows, then calculate the present value of the sum of these cash flows by employing an appropriate discount rate.
When using the income approach, a valuation analyst must address risk in two primary areas: projected future cash flows and the discount rate. Effective ERM processes can help businesses increase value by affecting the estimates for these quantities.
How does risk impact projected future cash flow?
Projections contain risk: There exists a risk that the organization will not achieve the projected figures. As such, the process by which management projects future cash flows can impact a valuation analyst's assessment of the business. A key risk in the process is information integrity, the quality of information generated through monitoring and data assimilation. Information integrity allows management to make well-informed decisions and should provide a valuation analyst with greater confidence in a business's projections.
Valuation analysts can analyze information integrity by examining historical projections and assessing elements of the internal control environment. In analyzing historical projections, a valuation analyst should examine the variance between historical projections and a business's actual performance. If a strong correlation exists, a valuation analyst can be highly confident in current projections, if the process employed by the organization in making projections remains constant. If a strong correlation does not exist, the analyst must examine the variance between past projections and actual performance to discern whether bias existed in past estimates and may exist in current projections. While valuation analysts are not experts in assessing internal controls, they can question management regarding how information integrity is maintained and business risks are assessed.
What about risks in the discount rate?
The discount rate is the yield necessary to attract capital to a particular investment, given the risks associated with that investment. A project with relatively high risk will require a relatively high yield to compensate an investor for bearing these risks. In determining the discount rate, there are two sources of risk to be quantified: systematic and unsystematic. Systematic risk is the risk one must bear for taking on a risky investment in the market, which encompasses all available risky investments, including public and private equities, real estate, foreign currencies, etc. However, systematic risk is estimated by calculating the return to public equities due to availability of data. The ERM process has little impact on systematic risk unless the business's performance is heavily tied to market performance, as was the case with Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearns in their final days.
Unsystematic risk is sometimes broken down into two components, industry risk and company-specific risk. Industry risk reflects the risks identified with the industry in which a business operates. Company-specific risk encompasses all other risks, including (but not limited to) size, depth of management, geography of operations, customer and/or vendor concentration, competition and financial health. This last component of the discount rate is one that businesses can impact, and commensurately increase or decrease their valuation. Identifying and minimizing company-specific risks through an ERM process can positively impact the value of a business, as a company subject to less risk is more valuable than one subject to greater risks.
Are there risks that businesses can manage and some they cannot?
Yes. Businesses cannot generally control systematic risk. They can, however, control company-specific risks. Successful identification, analysis and mitigation of company-specific risks through effective ERM processes can commensurately bolster a business's valuation.
How can ERM processes mitigate company-specific risks and increase value?
An ERM process should quickly gather and assimilate high-quality information for use in the organization's decision-making process, allowing the organization to rapidly assess the impact and likelihood of risks associated with changes in its internal and external environments. Early assessment and mitigation can help preserve value and capitalize on risky events when competitors do not react as swiftly to environmental changes. By capitalizing on risky events, businesses increase the chance of improving market share or maintaining an industry-leading position. ERM processes can also provide resilience to events including the loss of a leader or key customer. The ability to successfully mitigate risky events should be recognized by a valuation analyst through lower estimates for company-specific risks, leading to higher valuation estimates.
John T. Alfonsi, CPA, ABV, CFF, CFE, CVA, is a managing director of Cendrowski Corporate Advisors LLC. Reach him at (866) 717-1607 or email@example.com.
How Tax Risk Management can help an organization minimize its overall risk exposure
Taxes are a significant cost for any profitable organization. When business professionals discuss managing the risks associated with taxes, they are frequently referring to the tax implications of unfavorable audit opinions, improper recording of tax assets and liabilities on a firm's balance sheet, or noncompliance with tax laws. Tax Risk Management (TaxRM), however, is much more than the sum of these elements.
TaxRM is an enterprisewide process that is affected by a company's board of directors, management and/or other personnel, and is designed to minimize tax liabilities and maximize compliance, each within the guidelines of tax laws. TaxRM processes enumerate, analyze and mitigate tax-related risks associated with an organization's strategy, operations and processes, says Walter M. McGrail, JD, CPA, a senior manager at Cendrowski Corporate Advisors LLC.
"Effective TaxRM can help an organization minimize its overall risk exposure, and it should be integrated into an organization's enterprise risk management process," says McGrail. "It is necessary for nonprofit and for-profit organizations."
Three stakeholders can claim rights to the cash flow of any organization: debt holders, equity holders and the government. Besides minimizing risk exposure, TaxRM maximizes the amount of cash flow available to debt and equity holders.
Smart Business spoke with McGrail about TaxRM and how it can benefit organizations.
Who should be responsible for TaxRM?
Senior level tax managers, CFOs, audit committees, chief risk officers and heads of internal audit functions should manage TaxRM. As such, TaxRM processes holistically manage tax-related risks throughout the organization. These risks pertain not only to financial reporting and tax law compliance but also to the methods by which the organization generates profits for stakeholders. Wherever there are profits, there are most likely taxes, or at least compliance reporting requirements.
What are the foundational elements of an effective TaxRM process?
TaxRM is most effective when it is treated as a component of the organization's overall enterprise risk management (ERM) process. Many ERM processes focus on the risk exposure associated with a company's core services and operations. TaxRM, however, is infrequently integrated into an ERM process, in spite of the fact that the government can receive a significant portion of a company's profits — in some cases upward of 40 percent of profits. Integration of TaxRM into an ERM process begins with the integration of the tax function in the organization as a whole. In many companies, the tax function is treated as an area of specialized expertise whose primary focus is tax compliance; day-to-day accounting and reporting functions are often carried out by personnel before being 'thrown over the wall' to the tax department.
For example, many companies make investment decisions using a net present value (NPV) based criterion: A project is accepted if its NPV is greater than zero when the company's hurdle rate is employed. In calculating the NPV of a project, however, a flat, marginal tax rate of about 40 percent is often used. This rate may be significantly different from both the company's effective tax rate and from the tax department's best estimates regarding the net tax rate for the project, and could lead to suboptimal decision-making by organizational managers. A culture of tax awareness is also a necessary, foundational element of an effective TaxRM process. Cultures are not 'implemented,' per se; they are affected by the actions of an organization's board of directors and senior management. A culture of tax awareness, then, is an element that must be fostered by these high-level individuals through their actions and through an emphasis on tax analysis. In the absence of a tax-focused culture, a TaxRM process will achieve suboptimal results.
Aside from a tax-focused culture, what are other foundational elements of a TaxRM process?
Another foundational element of a TaxRM process is a documented tax philosophy for the organization. This philosophy articulates the manner in which the organization will manage tax liabilities through acquisitions and dispositions, operations, accounting policies and financial reporting. There is a great deal of risk exposure surrounding each of these issues and, hence, a large amount of tax uncertainty. TaxRM processes are, therefore, focused on managing the variables associated with these issues and the requisite tax liabilities they generate.
A tax philosophy is more than an articulated statement, which relates that the organization will seek to minimize its tax liabilities. In fact, in properly structured environments, taxes can help companies minimize risks associated with their investments. For example, if a company experiences losses, it may receive refundable tax credits associated with this loss. These credits serve to minimize the firm's risk exposure as the government has now borne a portion of the firm's risk by providing for refunds of taxes previously paid or serve as credits against future tax liabilities.
Once a tax philosophy has been established, an organization can begin to implement working elements of a formal TaxRM process.
How can nonprofits also benefit from TaxRM?
Although nonprofits do not pay taxes on their core operations, a portion of their operations may be subject to unrelated business income tax (UBIT). For instance, although a hospital is a nonprofit organization, hospitals may pay UBIT on income earned in their gift shops if effective TaxRM processes are not in place. In this manner, an effective TaxRM process can help nonprofits minimize UBIT through careful and deliberate planning, affording the organization greater after-tax cash flow to fund its core operations and further its mission. As such, TaxRM should be a key element of ERM processes in nonprofits as well as for-profit corporations.
Walter M. McGrail, JD, CPA, is a senior manager at Cendrowski Corporate Advisors. Reach him at (866) 717-1607 or email@example.com or visit www.cca-advisors.com.
Performing proper background checks on all new hires
With businesses getting back on track and reinvesting in themselves, many companies are expanding their capabilities and bolstering their staffs.
But don't rush into making a new hire — regardless of how extensive his or her credentials and references seem to be — just because you can (and need to). Before you do anything, make sure you perform a proper background check on all new hires.
"Over the past 10 years, background inquires have quadrupled," says Melissa Hulsey, the president and CEO of Ashton. "It is standard protocol to perform background checks on all job levels."
Smart Business spoke with Hulsey about background checks, how to perform them and why doing so protects an organization's employees — and the organization itself.
What specific criteria are included in a candidate's background check?
There are many types of background checks — reference, criminal background, driving record, education, credit report, credential verification, workers compensation claim records and legal working status checks, to name a few. When evaluating a new candidate it is important to establish what type of background check is required for the job.
A custom screening process can be designed for each job within an organization. It is very important to be consistent. Background checks can be different for each job; however, candidates applying for the same position need to be evaluated equally.
At what point in the process should an employer ask for references?
References should be provided early in the selection process. Any blemishes on reports can then be discussed in the interview process, or it may eliminate the candidate immediately. It is always better to know up front if a potential problem exists than to wait until time and resources have been invested. Most background reports are not expensive to run and it is money well spent to find out the truth early.
How much faith should companies put into references in the background check process?
Let's face it: the personal and professional references provided by a candidate will almost always be good. Why? They would not list them if they were not confident a glowing report would be given. Therefore, take most of these with a grain of salt. It is more important to verify accurate dates of employment and rehire status, if at all possible. Many times, candidates exaggerate this information. Stick with the facts and try not to make your evaluation on emotion.
Should companies take search firms' background information at face value?
Clients should always request a copy of background reports to verify that hiring criteria have been met. The candidate will have to authorize the release of this information, so make sure to ask for this verification as well. Search firms want their candidate to be hired, especially if they are in competition with other services. By requesting copies of all reports and reference checks, it keeps everyone honest.
What information detected in the due diligence process will most likely lead to being a deal-breaker for the candidate?
Any type of felony conviction that was not clearly explained up front will most likely be the end of the road for that candidate. Bankruptcy, DUI and lying on the application can all be deal-breakers when discovered. The important part is to have a system in place to make sure these things can be discovered.
How have background checks changed over the years?
Technology has made obtaining personal information much easier and more cost-effective. Gone are the days of calling someone and waiting for them to return your calls in a timely fashion.
There are databases, such as E-verify (www.uscis.gov/everify), the Georgia Department of Corrections free inmate search (www.dcor.state.ga.us) and fingerprinting service Cogent Systems (www.cogentsystems.com), that can provide almost instant access to any requested information. A word of caution, though, databases are only as good as the information put into them. Some are not frequently updated and many rural counties do not report to a central system at all. So, if an individual was convicted of a crime in a rural county and that county does not upload its information, the only way to obtain it would be to personally go to that county's courthouse. Background information is not foolproof.
Does it hurt morale to request internal candidates to undergo a new background check?
No, just like random drug tests, it's becoming standard procedure to periodically update personnel files. The key, again, is to be consistent and have a documented policy for what is required to maintain a good employment status. Morale is hurt when change is not effectively communicated and understood. Explain why it is important to do these checks for the safety of the employees and the company.
Melissa Hulsey is the president and CEO of Ashton. Reach her at (770) 419-1776 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
How businesses are evolving their technology to accommodate changing communication needs
Communication needs are changing, and if businesses don't keep up with new and emerging technologies, they could quickly be left in the dust by their competitors.
But with new technologies launching almost every day, it can often be difficult to know if the latest "next big thing" will actually help your business or just be a waste of money.
While there are many buzzed-about technologies being pitched to business owners, there are certain technologies that, if properly implemented and maintained, can really change the way a company carries on day-to-day operations and interacts with its customers.
"The business world is always changing and, with the proliferation of new technologies, that change is exacerbated," says Kurt Fennell, vice president of product management for Time Warner Cable Business Class. "You don't need every new technology that comes out, but there are things that can really make a difference for businesses of all sizes."
Smart Business spoke with Fennell about current technology trends and what businesses should be paying attention to.
What current technology trends should business owners be most aware of?
There are three main technology trends right now that business owners would be wise to pay attention to:
• The migration from TDM to IP. Businesses are looking for increased flexibility, scalability and value, and moving from time-division multiplexing (TDM) to Initiation Protocol (IP) applications helps them achieve that. Traditional services such as voice and conferencing can now be run over IP infrastructures, thus simplifying integration, enhancing communication and improving interactions.
• An increase in mobility. With more companies employing mobile workers (people who work on the road) and teleworkers (people who work from home or some other remote location), there has been an increase in wireless applications. These applications allow employees to be more productive and more collaborative, regardless of where they may be working.
• The emergence of managed services. With companies now able to get more bandwidth, flexibility and scalability due to the migration from TDM to IP, we're seeing an increase in mobile managed services, such as storage, messaging and security.
How are the phone needs of businesses changing?
There are two key things that today's businesses want: the ability to self-manage and the ability to utilize more advanced features.
Self-managing means that a business has remote access to things such as call forwarding or hunt group configuration. A hunt group is the ability for a call to be routed to a station or person based on a set of rules. For example, you could have one telephone number for your sales department. If a call comes in to one of your phones and that salesperson can't answer it, the hunt group will route the call to another salesperson who is available to take the call.
Advanced features include capabilities that allow your people to interact with customers in the way they want to — like having an auto attendant or Web access for live chats.
How are Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) changing the way employees do their jobs?
A VPN enables two locations to be connected together on the same network, so you can transparently and securely share information between those two locations, as if they were existing on one network. An example of this would be a company's headquarters connecting to its branch offices, so that employees in the branches could access the file server, e-mail server and/or Internet connection of the headquarters.
Another aspect of a VPN is the ability to tie in mobile or remote workers to that network environment. Normally, this is done through software components that talk back to the VPN, connecting the remote or mobile workers to the network. This offers increased mobility and the ability to access company resources in a secure fashion. Secure remote capability is vital to doing business in today's technological business world.
How does mobile Internet tie in to all of this?
With a large increase in mobility and the need for employees to be connected while on the go, applications such as productivity tools, messaging systems, video, etc., need to be always available and as fast as possible. Whether employees are connecting their laptops or smartphones with USB cards or Wi-Fi devices, they need to be able to access the applications they need to do their jobs. They also need to be able to connect and interact with colleagues and customers across the country. With the proliferation of 3G and now 4G networks, the mobile Internet allows workers to always be connected.
What would you say to business owners who don't think they need all this new technology?
There are more traditional businesses that are not on the forefront of the adoption of technologies, and there are other more tech-savvy companies that always adopt technologies early on. There's no hard-and-fast rule as to when to adopt a new technology, but it does make sense for a business to take advantage of those technologies that could improve productivity, enhance operations and save money.
If you have a business that has employees who need to collaborate in any way, or need to maintain a flexible work environment, you should look at what these technologies can do for you. Doing so can not only help you attract and retain the best and brightest employees, it can also help you remain competitive with other businesses that may have more resources than you do.
Kurt Fennell is the vice president of product management for Time Warner Cable Business Class. Reach him at (703) 345-2443 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
The benefits of wind power and moving your business to Iowa
The State of Iowa is leading the way in renewable wind energy. Renewable wind energy is cost effective and environmentally friendly, and Iowa has the land — and the wind — needed to provide that energy.
Because of this, many companies are moving to Iowa to be more environmentally conscious — and to make their business dollars go farther.
The Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED) has many programs and services to offer individuals, communities, and business. The IDED strengthens economic and community vitality by building partnerships and leveraging resources to make Iowa the choice for people and business. For more information on the Iowa Department of Economic Development, visit www.iowalifechanging.com.
The Iowa Alliance for Wind Innovation and Novel Development is designed to support the State of Iowa in its efforts to continue to attract and nurture wind energy and related industries. The Midwest in general, and Iowa in particular, is uniquely positioned to respond to the need for renewable energy and to take advantage of the opportunity in this growth industry. Iowa is at the heart of the nation's wind resource and the gateway to renewable energy demand. For more information on the Iowa Alliance for Wind Innovation and Novel Development, visit www.iawind.org.
The future of retirement
Mercer, a global leader for trusted HR and related financial advice, products and services, has announced the latest event in their Innovation Conversations series — The Future of Retirement. Emmy award winning journalist Paula Zahn will once again host a compelling and interactive dialogue with leading-edge companies, thought leaders and Mercer experts.
As nearly 80 million baby boomers in the U.S. begin to reach retirement age in 2011, the concept of retirement is being redefined. Driven in part by rising life expectancy and by concerns around securing sustainable retirement income, employees are reassessing their options to take advantage of a more flexible approach to transitioning from work to retirement.
This event will explore the implications and the innovative actions employers can take to drive both retirement plan performance and a more effective workforce management strategy.
Expert panelists from Mercer, eBay Inc., Pfizer Inc., Boston College and Symantec Corporation will share their views and experiences on how organizations are currently meeting the challenge head on through innovative integrated retirement management strategies, as well as provide their insight and advice on the likely challenges ahead for employers in a fast-changing retirement landscape.
There will be a live Q&A with panelists. Participants are invited to submit their questions to Zahn and the panel for discussion.
The Future of Retirement will take place on Thursday, April 14, 2011 ?at? 9:30 am EDT, ?8:30 am CDT, ?7:30 am MDT? and 6:30 am PDT. The event is free and can be accessed with any Internet-connected computer.
About Mercer's Innovation Conversations Series
Innovation Conversations is a new series of signature events developed for U.S. client organizations. Each of Mercer's Innovation Conversations will focus on a key topic crucial to the ongoing competitiveness of U.S. businesses — health care reform, talent management and retirement.
View Mercer's last event — True health reform.
Call for nominations: Ernst and Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Award
Smart Business is honored to be part of Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards as its local print media sponsor in several markets across the country.
Since its founding in 1986, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program has recognized more than 8,000 deserving entrepreneurs nationwide. The 2011 finalist and winners will be featured in Smart Business' July issue as a special program report.
Who is Eligible?
The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year awards recognizes men and women who put everything on the line in order to translate an idea to viable, sustainable enterprise. A nominee can be a founder, president, or chief executive officer of a private or public company who is primarily responsible for the recent performance of the company and an active member of top management. The nominee's company must be at least three years old. With this criteria in mind, we invite you to nominate your clients, colleagues, and even yourself for this prestigious award.
The Entrepreneur Of The Year independent judging panel consists of local leaders in business, including past award recipients. Smart Business and Ernst & Young do not participate in the judging process. Nominations will be accepted through March 18, 2011.
If you are interested in pursuing our nominations for this prestigious award, or if you have any questions please contact Director of Marketing John Lotenero at (440) 250-7013 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
We look forward to helping you get the recognition you and your business deserve.


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Lots of birthdays to remember? No time to organize them? You need
Birthdays, Anniversaries & More - the fun and handy birthday
Here's how this clever little app will help you:
1. Open Birthdays on your iPad and it will automatically
import contacts that have Birthdays or Anniversary info in their
2. You can add birthdays to the list just as easy as adding a contact.
Add an anniversary or other date to the contact data to have it show
up in the Anniversary and Other tabs in Birthdays!
3. Tap on a contact to view the age they are turning, astrological
sign, birthstone, and access full contact info.
4. To make sure you don't forget a birthday, reminder alerts are
added to the app icon on your home screen.
5. Check off birthdays on your list once you have sent your gift
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I am working on a new repo to my website:hack: . I want to upload applications and fixes to my website to load it by my repo. If that applications or fixes are, f.e. in iClarifed repo. Need i make a reference to iClarified?? Should i mail them??
Thanks s


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Moderators: Cartographers, Global Moderators
MrBenn wrote:I think that you probably need to put the circular sea-path around Kyklades back... those dead-ends look a bit confusing
The ocean texture looks better, although I'd be inclined to lighten it a fraction more.
Personally I'm not sold on the choice of font - it feels a bit too cartoony.
edit: I like the look of SPAchmim or SPIonic that I have just found on this site [clicky]
I already prefer this version to the old one though Keep up the good work
Mr. K wrote:If you'd looked at the most recent version of the map, you'd see that all those things have already been taken care of.
Mr. K wrote:I'm not totally sold on the font at this point, I actually preferred the other one I tried out but it didn't seem to popular. Both the ones you suggested would look awful in my opinion. The one doesn't look Greek at all, and the other uses actual Greek characters which wont work.
Mr. K wrote:No way. Nothing I hate more then when people use greek characters incorrectly to write in english (like when Sigma is used as an E).
As for the Phyrigia circle, I'm not going to change the XML at all so i'm not going to move it. Sorry :\
Mr. K wrote:As for the Phyrigia circle, I'm not going to change the XML at all so i'm not going to move it. Sorry :\
natty_dread wrote:I was wrong
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Twelve St. Marker's are spending a month in Spain this summer, immersing themselves in the language and culture of the country. Ryan Haarstick '15, William D'Angelo '15, Greg Sachs '15, Jenna Levandowski '13, Charlotte Clayson '14, Meg Josephson, '14, Ali Mills '14, Marisa Permatteo '15, Tori Shakespeare '15, Emily Brown '14, Erica Christensen '15 and Dianyu Wang '14 are in Segovia, a historic city, one hour northwest of Madrid. They are living with host families, taking classes and going on daily excursions.
The students will be visiting Madrid and its museums, as well as taking a trip to the South of Spain to visit Sevilla, Granada, and Cordoba. The photo with this story was taken right before the group went with about 2000 Segovianos to watch Spain win its semifinal Euro match against Portugal.
"There is no better way to learn a language or about other cultures and it's people than by immersing oneself," says Mr. Neil Cifuentes of the Modern Language Department, who accompanied the St. Markers to Spain. "This is so critical to our mission as a school and prepares our students to take on the challenges of this ever shrinking Global Community".