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The office of Conferences, Forums and Workshops presents a broad range of high-quality programs that address issues of historical and contemporary significance as well as focusing on the decorative arts, material culture, historic trades and horticulture. Skilled professionals at Colonial Williamsburg are joined by distinguished members of the academic and professional communities to present these programs.
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Even with the news that utility infielder and slap-hitter Ray Olmedo was banished to Pittsburgh last week, the Blue Jays have a veritable mess o' infielders on the 40-man roster. Somewhat lost in the shuffle amongst all these marginal major leaguers is Sergio Santos.
Santos, who came to the Jays in the Troy Glaus trade two winters ago, acquitted himself well in this year's Arizona Fall League (5 HRs, 20 RsBI, .922 OPS in 24 games for Scottsdale). He subsequently played winter ball in the Mexican Pacific League for the Yaquis de Obregon. Santos told Baseball America (registration required...sorry) that he wanted to play in Mexico to see tougher pitching, to work on his footwork at third and to improve his Spanish (no, really). Unfortunately, he was limited to just 14 games and was off the roster by the time the playoffs came.
Santos will turn 25 this July, and is on the cusp of becoming a "former prospect", if he isn't there already. He's dropped off of most publications' lists of top Blue Jays prospects, and he didn't handle the jump to Syracuse especially well this year. With Marco Scutaro, Russ Adams and Joe Inglett muddying up the Jays' infield picture, 2008 looks to be Santos' last chance to establish himself.

subset: commoncrawl


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My final show of the year!
I'm excited to be showing a selection of new paintings @ George Thornton Art in Nottingham. The show runs 5th – 15th November and as well as the new paintings on paper, will feature some of the work I've done on different media over the past year.
Some wood panels, paintings on old drawers and doors and for the first time I'll be making some original sketches available.
Contact firstname.lastname@example.com for prices and availability
I'll be there this Saturday for the opening so if you are in Nottingham, come and say hi!
A taster of some of the new work and sketches:
Funeral Party Favourite:


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"The average American doesn't realize how much of the laws are written by lobbyists" to protect incumbent interests, Google CEO Eric Schmidt told Atlantic editor James Bennet at the Washington Ideas Forum. "It's shocking how the system actually works."In a wide-ranging interview that spanned human nature, the future of machines, and how Google could have helped the stimulus, Schmidt said technology could "completely change the way government works.""Washington is an incumbent protection machine," Schmidt said. "Technology is fundamentally disruptive." Mobile phones and personal technology, for example, could be used to record the bills that members of Congress actually read and then determine what stimulus funds were successfully spent....
Thanks for passing this on, Veks. I'm glad Schmidt isn't succumbing to the temptation to get in bed with people in governmental power, which would be mighty lucrative even for a huge corporation like his.
Yes, yes he is. Haven't you read the Google-Verizon net neutrality proposal? Awful. Seriously, awful. Thank God for FCC Chair Genawoski.
"The average American doesn't realize how much of the laws are written by lobbyists" to protect incumbent interests
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text: Tommie Award winning masterpiece Luminescense. Contemporary, full of light and intimately connected with the magnificent setting. Concrete, glass and heavy timber beams combine to create over 10,000 sq. ft. of luxury living, perfect for the Okanagan lakeshore lifestyle, complete with boat moorage. Awards for Master Suite design, single family home design and 2013 Pinnacle award for luxury pool design. Exceptional 7 car garage with 1545 sq. ft. on the lower level and 1440 sq. ft. on level 2 with car lift to the upper garage.


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|Scientific Classification
|"For use in understanding the evolution of vertebrate flight, the early record of pterosaurs and bats is disappointing: Their most primitive representatives are fully transformed as capable fliers."[1]
These creatures are not scientifically classified as dinosaurs: more like flying lizards, but they have unique characteristics that set them apart from reptiles, birds, and bats. Their size varied greatly, from as small as a small bird to as large as small aircraft. Fossil evidence tells us that many of them possessed long, narrow beaks and sharp teeth.[2] Some species had wingspans larger than eight feet, and it is believed that all but the largest of the species were capable of powered flight (flapping the wings, instead of just gliding). Some scientists believe that pterosaurs continued growing throughout their lives and that individuals of one species may have attained a wingspan as great as eighteen meters.[3] Research also indicates that some species, such as the Sordes pilosus, had hair or fur similar to that of mammals. [4]
Pterosaurs are divided into two distinct types: Rhamphorhynchoids (long-tailed) and Pterodactyloids (short-tailed). The difference is in more than tail-length: tail structures differ, and the head connects to the neck differently.[5]
Recent discoveries have illustrated that pterosaurs laid eggs.[6]
Researchers have suggested that the pterosaur had specialized flight, vision and hunting skills, sweeping out of the air and snaring a fish out of water much like predatory eagles do. Based on skull analysis of two specimens, scientists discovered enlarged and enhanced neurological structure twice the size of modern-day birds, which they suspect gave the pterosaur the ability for excellent aerobatic flight.[7]
At first, paleontologists believed that pterosaurs inhabited only portions of Europe. Later, their fossils were found in North America, South America, Africa, and Australia. Recent discoveries showed that pterosaurs' ranged as far as China.[8] This in contrast to earlier beliefs about the spread of pterosaurs; paleontologist Alexander Kellner (Museu Nacional in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) stated that the Chinese distribution "shows a much higher diversity in pterosaur groups than one could possibly expect,"[2] while others writing in the journal Nature said the "unexpected mixture of different pterosaur groups in these Chinese deposits indicates a very complex evolutionary history of pterosaurs in general, which is just beginning to be deciphered."[9] This conclusion is based on standard models of evolution.
The pterosaurs known as Quetzalcoatlus northropi from Texas, were especially large, standing as tall as a modern giraffe and with a wingspread of about 10 meters (33 feet). One biomechanics researcher, Michael Habib, postulates that they could have flown thousands of miles at a time without stopping. Habib based his calculation on a weight of about 200kg and fat stores of another 72 kg, (totaling 272kg, or about 600 pounds) and efficiency about 85% of a modern bird. [10]
Recent Sightings
- Main article: Living pterosaur
Cryptozoologists have been investigated sightings of possible living pterosaur in remote areas.[11] According to a 2006 press release, "Intermittent expeditions on Umboi Island, Papua New Guinea, from 1994 through 2004, resulted in the compilation of eyewitness testimonies that substantiated a hypothesis that pterosaurs may not be extinct."[12]
Such claims might be bolstered by the discovery of a pterosaur fossil in Queensland, Australia.[13] Palaeontologist Alex Cook made the discovery in 2004, and called it one of the "most exquisitely preserved" specimens in the world. Queensland is just south of the New Guinea area.
In 2005, a nearly-inaccessible region of the island of New Guinea, the Foja Mountains was the object of a scientific expedition in which scientists documented dozens of new species that were unafraid of humans, and were previously unknown to scientists.[14]
Late in 2006, in a remote mountainous area of Papua New Guinea, a creationist explorer, Paul Nation, recorded 17 seconds of digital video of what investigators believe is evidence for the bioluminescence of creatures called "indava" and "ropen." They also believe that these are Rhamphorhynchoid (long-tailed) pterosaurs. (One local villager described the indava's size: like a small airplane.) Early in March, 2007, a physicist completed his report on his findings on this video footage: The lights were not produced through a hoax and they were not of any campfire, airplane lights, or meteors. They were also shown to not be from camera artifacts.[15]
- Everything You Wanted to Know About Pterosaurs, Except Their Evolution Despite 200 years of study, evolutionists know almost nothing about how pterosaurs evolved. A fossil graveyard in China adds to the mystery. Creation Evolution Headlines, July 8, 2014.
- ↑ Paul C. Sereno, The evolution of dinosaurs, Science 284(5423):2137–2147 (quote on p. 2143), June 25, 1999.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Fossils Reveal Two New Species of Flying Reptiles, Stefan Lovgren, National Geographic News, October 5, 2005
- ↑ Flying reptiles just got bigger, Jonathan Amos, BBC News, 8 September 2005
- ↑ Flying Dinosaurs in Papua New Guinea, Jonathan Whitcomb, 2009 (?), Objectiveness.com
- ↑ Pterosaur, by Wikipedia
- ↑ Fossil Egg Finds Yield Clues to How Pterosaurs Lived, John Roach, National Geographic News, December 2, 2004
- ↑ Not all aerial reptiles were level-headed, CT scans show, Sean Kearns, National Science Foundation, 29-Oct-2003
- ↑ AnimalWorld: Pterosaurs, link broken as of 22-Aug-2010
- ↑ Pterosaur diversity and faunal turnover in Cretaceous terrestrial ecosystems in China, Xiaolin Wang, Alexander W. A. Kellner, Zhonghe Zhou, and Diogenes de Almeida Campos, Nature 437, 875-879 (6 October 2005).
- ↑ Pterosaurs might have soared 10,000 miles nonstop - Flight analysis suggests reptiles were record setters by Susan Milius, Science News Web edition: Tuesday, October 12th, 2010. Accessed 14 October 2010.
- ↑ modern pterosaurs by Jonathan Whitcomb
- ↑ Pterosaur-like Creatures Reported in Papua New Guinea, updated press release from Jonathan Whitcomb, the original being July 20, 2006
- ↑ Rare fossil find on roadside, By Laine Clark, ABC (Australia) News [Article from: AAP], November 02, 2006, link broken as of 22-Aug-2010. Cited by Australia: rare pterosaur fossil found, Dear Kitty. Some blog, 2 Nov 2006.
- ↑ Science team finds 'lost world', BBC News, 7 February 2006
- ↑ Results of Investigations Concerning Pterosaur Sightings In Papua New Guinea, Clifford A. Paiva and Harold S. Slusher, BSM Associates Technical Monograph 2007-1, excerpts selected and edited with additional commentary by Jonathan Whitcomb
Additional reading
- Live Pterosaurs
- Pterosaur! by Frank Sherwin. Acts & Facts, Sep 1, 2005.
- Glowing Creatures Videotaped news release written by Jonathan Whitcomb
- Pterosaurs flew like modern aeroplanes by Jonathan Sarfati, Creation 28(3):53, June 2006.


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Cummins Unit
28 miles south of Pine Bluff, off Highway 65 inLincoln Co., Arkansas 71644
Cummins Unit Visiting Information:
Visiting an Inmate
The department encourages family and friends who have positive influences and serve as good role models to communicate and visit with the inmate. This can help the inmate reintegrate with society when they are released.
To get on an inmates visitation list you must fill out a visitation questionnaire. This must be completely filled out and returned to the address listed on the form. A visit is not permitted under any circumstances unless the questionnaire has been review and approval given by the warden. Processing and response time is as quick as seven days, but can sometimes take two to six weeks.
A criminal history check is done on all prospective visitors.
Children 12 years of age or younger are not required to be on an approved list and can only visit with a parent or legal guardian.
Children age 13 to 18 may visit without a parent or legal guardian if prior arrangements are made.
Visitation is either on Saturday or Sunday. The inmate's custody classifications can determine when or if visitation is allowed. After you have been approved to visit the inmate, check with the individual unit for specific visiting hours.
If you have any questions you can call the unit for more information and ask for the visitation clerk. If the clerk is unavailable, check with the warden's office.
If you can't visit on a specified visiting day the warden or center supervisor approves, special visits which may be allowed during
the week for approved visitors who live more than 300 miles from the unit. No special visits are allowed on holidays.
The inmate can have up to four (4) visitors during any one visit, including children. The spouse of an inmate and all children, regardless of the number, may visit when no other adults are present only.
Only a brief hug at the beginning and end of visitation is allowed. There will be no other physical contact during visitation.
What is "non-contact" visitation?
Non-contact visitation, where the inmate and visitor are separated by a glass divider, is used at the discretion of the warden for Death Row and maximum security inmates.
Dress Code
You cannot wear sleeveless shirt, shorts, spandex, see through clothing, hats,sunglasses, sagging pants or low cut blouses to any correctional facility. Skirts and dresses must be worn at or below the knee. The department can deny visitation to any person who is dressed inappropriately.
Have a Question/Comment about Cummins Unit ?
2 Responses to Cummins Unit
Melissa Haftel March 18, 2016 at 1:57 pm #
Regarding my nephew Brock Atkins.
We are wanting to come see him for his birthday. We filled out the paperwork a few weeks back and mailed in. My question is We have moved from Ft. Smith AR to Spiro OK and have switched license to OK, but our paperwork all had AR information. Do we have to resubmit a new visitation form?
I thank you in advance for you help.
Mrs. Haftel
Melanie R Jester May 21, 2017 at 3:10 pm #
Wrong about no time limit. And victims of theft or abuse get disciplinary sanctions leveled against them and not the perpetrators so get their visitation rights removed a year sometimes. Always make sure to keep alot of money in their acct so they can pay these bullies off for their own safety as well as remember the claims that this sort of things never happens.


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Veterans Brewer and Topham selected to represent Peabody Senior Center
The Senior Citizens of Marion County Board will hold its annual meeting at noon on Oct. 18 the Hillsboro Senior Center in Hillsboro. The SCMC board will be recognizing WWII and Korean War veterans. Loyd Brewer and John Topham will represent Peabody Senior Center.
Peppernut baking continues through October and into November at Peabody Senior Center. Volunteers are needed each Monday and Thursday after the noon lunch is served to mix, sort, and bake the cookies.
The business meeting that was scheduled for Oct. 17 has been moved to Oct. 24.
"And Halloween is right around the corner," site manager Ruth Lott said. "The Trunk or Treat downtown on Walnut Street this year sounds like a fun event for kids and we 'young at heart' seniors. Several of our members plan to decorate their trunks and hand out candy to the little ones. We hope everyone will come join the fun. Who knows, you might even win the $100 prize for best decorations!"


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Beef And Potato Curry Recipes
Aloo Korma Recipe (Beef and Potato Curry)
I've prepared this Indian curry called korma countless times since I got married. I learned this dish from my husband Lulu's aunt (I call her Phoopi). It's a very flexible dish that allows for many combinations of meat and vegetable. Chicken, beef, goat, potato, taro and various vegetables (peas, carrot, broccoli) are commonly used. The spicy gravy is what's constant.
The gravy is made of fried onion paste and yogurt and is flavored with ginger-garlic paste as well as several Indian spices. This version contains beef but you can easily omit the meat if you're preparing a vegetarian version.
I had initially planned to include aloo korma ("aloo" is Urdu for "potato") in my first cookbook, Haute Potato: From Pommes Rissolees to Timbale with Roquefort, 75 Gourmet Potato Recipes, but finally went for other Indian dishes such as kheema cutlets (Indian-style meat-filled pancakes), panipuri (bite-sized, crispy South Indian masala potato-filled appetizers) and aloo bonda (spicy potato fritter) to name a few.
Full Recipe...


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SOUTH KOREAN HIGH SCHOOL PARACHUTE KIDS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ACADEMIC, PYCHOLOGICAL ADJUSTMENT AND IDENTITY FORMATION by Boonsoon Byun A Dissertation Presented to the FACULTY OF THE USC ROSSIER SCHOOL OF EDUCATION UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree DOCTOR OF EDUCATION December 2010 Copyright 2010 Boonsoon Byun
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|South Korean high school parachute kids in Southern California: academic, pychological adjustment and identity formation
|Byun, Boonsoon Soon
|Author email
|firstname.lastname@example.com; firstname.lastname@example.com
|Doctor of Education
|Document type
|Degree program
|Rossier School of Education
|Date defended/completed
|Date submitted
|Restricted until
|Date published
|Advisor (committee chair)
|Baca, Reynaldo R.
|Advisor (committee member)
Chung, Ruth
Stowe, Kathy Huisong
|This study uses ethnographic interviews to explore the academic and socio-psychological adjustment of ten South Korean parachute students attending high school in Southern California. These interviews reveal a complex story about the lives of Korean parachute kids. Most were not doing well enough in South Korea to assure they could secure a higher education there, especially in a highly competitive system of higher education. Attending school in the United States was a transnational solution to this competitive system even if it meant that these students would live there without their parents.; Though these parachute students attended Southern California public and private schools, almost all of them had little time to prepare for their move abroad to study. While they all had various degrees of formal school preparation in English most reported that English was a major stumbling block to their adjustment in the United States. Korean parents generally made all living arrangements for their children in the United States, somewhat evenly divided between paid non-kin caretakers or with a relative. Parents took advantage of web-based communications with their children abroad in an attempt to assert their authority. The physical separation between parachute students and their parents seemingly contributed to an initial dramatic increase in autonomy and independence. Communications with parents generally focused on school life, grades and health. Students, however, reported that communications was often difficult because parents were unable to appreciate and understand living as a parachute kid.; Whether or not they found U.S. schools to be easier or harder, almost all reported studying harder here and planning to go on to college in the United States. Their relationship with teachers was mixed at very best; however they believe their international status was a positive status. Relationships with students were filled with inter-cultural communication differences. Most reported feelings of distance from American students. While they could get support from their peers for school work, they were unable to nurture the relationship beyond this point due to the lack of a common ground between them and American students. They sought out the company of other parachute kids, but this relationship did little to solve the loneliness of being a parachute kid and what they could do to improve this situation.; Most parachute kids revealed that they planned to stay in the United States after completing college, but all of them reported intense periods of loneliness. There was no systematic support from the school of community to overcome hardships of loneliness. Hardly any reported a sense of belonging in school. The students stressed the importance of religion and the church in overcoming their hardships as parachute students. Apparently when facing a strong sense of social marginalization, the church played a major role in these students' quest for identity and a sense of belonging.; The struggle to achieve identity is a universal part of coming of age in adolescent society regardless of cultural, ethnic, and nationality backgrounds. Korean parachute kids were no exception. They coped with several identities, including their nationality identity, their international student status, their sojourner status as parachute kids, being Korean or Korean American, and the panethnic label of being Asian.; While they all experienced different levels of adjustment and conflict in the United States, they were all committed to pursuing a higher education here and even securing a job after graduating from college. Still, this transnational pipeline from underperforming student in Korea to a postsecondary education in the United States is unlikely to diminish in the coming decades. Recommendation and suggestions for streamlining the South Korean parachute student pipeline are provided.
|parachute kids; academic adjustment; psychological adjustment; identity formation
|Geographic subject (state)
|Geographic subject (country)
|South Korea
|Part of collection
|University of Southern California dissertations and theses
|Publisher (of the original version)
|University of Southern California
|Place of publication (of the original version)
|Los Angeles, California
|Publisher (of the digital version)
|University of Southern California. Libraries
|Electronically uploaded by the author
|Legacy record ID
|Contributing entity
|University of Southern California
|Byun, Boonsoon Soon
|Repository name
|Libraries, University of Southern California
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|Los Angeles, California
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|Page 1
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|University of Southern California
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|SOUTH KOREAN HIGH SCHOOL PARACHUTE KIDS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ACADEMIC, PYCHOLOGICAL ADJUSTMENT AND IDENTITY FORMATION by Boonsoon Byun A Dissertation Presented to the FACULTY OF THE USC ROSSIER SCHOOL OF EDUCATION UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree DOCTOR OF EDUCATION December 2010 Copyright 2010 Boonsoon Byun


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A civil wrong which can be redressed by awarding damages. See, e.g. Smith v. United States, 507 U.S. 197 (1993).
tort law: an overview
Torts are civil wrongs recognized by law as grounds for a lawsuit. These wrongs result in an injury or harm constituting the basis for a claim by the injured party. While some torts are also crimes punishable with imprisonment, the primary aim of tort law is to provide relief for the damages incurred and deter others from committing the same harms. The injured person may sue for an injunction to prevent the continuation of the tortious conduct or for monetary damages.(See Damages)
Among the types of damages the injured party may recover are: loss of earnings capacity, pain and suffering, and reasonable medical expenses. They include both present and future expected losses.
There are numerous specific torts including trespass, assault, battery, negligence, products liability, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Torts fall into three general categories: intentional torts (e.g., intentionally hitting a person); negligent torts (e.g., causing an accident by failing to obey traffic rules); and strict liability torts(e.g., liability for making and selling defective products - See Products Liability). Intentional torts are those wrongs which the defendant knew or should have known would occur through their actions or inactions. Negligent torts occur when the defendant's actions were unreasonably unsafe. Strict liability wrongs do not depend on the degree of carefulness by the defendant, but are established when a particular action causes damage.
There are also separate areas of tort law including nuisance, defamation, invasion of privacy, and a category of economic torts.
Tort law is state law created through judges (common law) and by legislatures (statutory law). Many judges and states utilize the Restatement of Torts (2nd) as an influential guide. The Restatement is a publication prepared by the American Law Institute whose aim is to present an orderly statement of the general law of the United States.
menu of sources
Federal Material
U.S. Constitution and Federal Statutes
- U.S. Code: 28 U.S.C., Chapter 171 - Federal Torts Claim Act (governs tort claims against the U.S.)
- CRS Annotated Constitution
Federal Judicial Decisions
- U.S. Supreme Court:
- U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals: Recent Torts Law Decisions
State Material
State Judicial Decisions
- N.Y. Court of Appeals:
- Appellate Decisions from Other States
Other References
Key Internet Sources
Useful Offnet (or Subscription - $) Sources
- Good Starting Point in Print: Prosser and Keeton, Hornbook on Torts, West Group (1984)


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Looks like you are using an old version of Internet Explorer - Please update your browser
This year stretched the imaginations of many astronomers and cosmologists. They have discovered amazing features at the outer reaches of the universe.
No results found in .
Answers in Genesis is an apologetics ministry, dedicated to helping Christians defend their faith and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.


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Seeing as the bushido line is listed as discontinued, does that mean theres some new designs on the way?
Like a tiger elite wakizashi if such a thing exists.
Hanwei swords
Post your questions or seek advice on anything relating to swords
Moderators: Big Lazy, Moderators
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With a stroke of his pen, Gov. Jerry Brown made it legal for some California college students under the age of 21 to taste alcohol in class.
While that sounds like many students' dream come true, the law, AB 1989, applies only under very specific circumstances.
First, the students have to be enrolled in an accredited winemaking or beer-brewing course. Second, the taste can only be a taste, so students can't actually swallow the drink.
The latter provision earned the bill the moniker the "sip-and-spit" bill as it moved through the legislature.
With the governor's signature, California joins 12 other states, including New York and Oregon, to legalize underage alcohol tasting for educational purposes.
The University of California, Davis, which is renowned for its viniculture and brewery program, was a major supporter of the legislation.
Andrew Waterhouse, a professor in department of viticulture and enology at UC Davis, said the bill allows his students to taste wine while its getting made, a critical skill for those learning how to craft fine wines.
"It's an experience they can't really get any other way," said Waterhouse, who testified in support of the bill. "And it's much better if they do it in an educational setting where they can ask a lot of questions."
Tara Pattison, 19, who studies brewing science at UC Davis, said she is happy that the law is finally on the books.
"You are learning about the process in theory, but when it comes to actually doing it, it's not as simple as the books make it look," Pattison said. "If you cannot test the final products you will never know what mistakes you have made or, in a perfect world, didn't make."


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Chamfered European Oak Architrave Sample.
Note: We are able to send out free small postable samples of our oak flooring, skirting and architraves with £5 postage charge that is added at the checkout but is fully refundable if you place an order with us in the future. A maximum of 2 architrave board samples can be sent in an envelope, if more are required an additional £5 will be charged for every two samples bought!
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Ask any real estate agent, home builder or home buyer what is the biggest barrier to entry in today's housing market, and the likely answer will be: tight credit.
The lax lending of the latest housing crash is no more, but some claim the pendulum has swung too far in the other direction.
High credit scores and large downpayments are often required to get the lowest mortgage interest rates, and that is knocking many would-be home owners out of the game.
While some argue that we have just returned to the days of responsible lending, banks are clearly more gun shy due to the billions of dollars' worth of bad loans that they have been forced to repurchase from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
The two mortgage giants have claimed false "representations and warranties" on thousands of loans sold to them by lenders. (Read More: 'Wind Down of Fannie, Freddie: 'Positive for Housing'?)
The representations and warranties are basically what the lender tells Fannie and Freddie about the loans and the borrowers.
Through the first half of 2012, lenders have had to repurchase a total of $41.95 billion in mortgages from Fannie and Freddie. (Read More: Fannie Mae COE: 'Comfortable' With Decision Not to Slash Mortgage Balances.)
That covers loans made before 2005 and through the second quarter of 2012, according to Inside Mortgage Finance. Actual GSE (Fannie/Freddie) repurchase requests or demands are about double that amount.
Given that, it is no surprise that the banks have tightened lending.
"For the market to reclaim the strength it once had, and to provide a cornerstone for the mortgage market of the future, it is vital we consider ways to improve the representation and warranty model," said Edward DeMarco, acting director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's regulator, in a speech to the American Mortgage Conference in North Carolina Monday night.
To that end, the FHFA has released new guidelines that will go into effect on new loans starting the first of next year. Part of the new "framework," is relief for lenders from mortgage repurchase obligations on loans where the borrower has made on-time monthly payments for 36 consecutive months. On refinances through the government's Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP), that term would be knocked down to 12 months. (Read More: Why Millions of Americans Still Can't Refinance Their Mortgage.)
The new framework also provides faster and more in-depth monitoring of loans by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Apparently new data-collection systems will allow for that. This is an improvement because usually the loans are reviewed only after they have defaulted.
"To the extent that a lender controls the origination process, they determine whether or not they are delivering a quality loan," said a source close to the matter. "Their behavior will determine whether they get relief."
Banks have been asking for more clarity in the whole repurchase process, and the FHFA is promising that new framework. This all covers new loans, however, and does nothing to address the still thousands of bad loans in the system made during the housing boom. (Read More: Big Banks Pushed to Outsource Mortgages.)
"The FHFA is trying to get banks to lend, take more risk when they sell these loans to the GSE's," said FBR's Paul Miller. "There is a huge problem with people with lower FICO scores not getting access to credit, so the GSE's have come under a lot of criticism."
Will it work?
"This will have minimal impact," claimed Miller, who points to still huge put-backs in process on legacy loans from Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the FHA. Put-back risk is one of, if not the top reason lenders are not loosening mortgage credit availability.
"Our concern remains that these initial [loan] reviews could cause lenders to further tighten underwriting standards for fear of running afoul of FHFA's standards," added Jaret Seiberg of Guggenheim Partners, who said today's announcement of the standards only adds to his worries of a credit crunch in 2013.
Still the FHFA claims lenders asked for more clarification on quality controls and asked for earlier monitoring of loans, and that is what they're getting.
"Ultimately, better quality loan originations and underwriting, along with consistent quality control, will help maintain liquidity in the mortgage market while protecting the Enterprises from loans not underwritten to prescribed standards," DeMarco said.
The trouble is, this is not the only issue keeping credit tight. (Read More: US Home Builders Begin to See Credit Thaw.)
The future existence of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac themselves are still in question, and banks are also facing new regulations under the Dodd-Frank (learn more) law that could complicate lending further and heighten lenders' exposure to risk. For the mortgage lending business, it is still an uncertain future.
—By CNBC's Diana Olick
Questions? Comments? email@example.com follow me on Twitter @Diana_Olick


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Chevron CEO talks about Natural Gas [AUDIO]
A Casper woman will face charges that she took advantage of a 100 year old man's finances. Kevin Koile has that story. Chevron CEO John Watson talks about the future of natural gas as a fuel source both for power generation and for use in automobiles. Doug Randall has that story. Click past the jump to listen to Wyoming Radio News.


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Talking Tech: Choosing between iPhone, Android
Jefferson Graham takes the Samsung Galaxy S 4 for a spin.
LOS ANGELES — Android or iOS?
It's a typical tech question, one that harkens back to Windows or Mac, Blu-ray or HD DVD, or even VHS or Betamax.
With new iPhones set for release Friday, there are many consumers who will enter stores and wonder — should I upgrade, or try one of the new Android phones that are getting so much attention, like the Samsung Galaxy S4, HTC One or Moto X? They might look at one of the Windows phones as well, but with Android's market share dominance, odds are they'll look in that direction first.
As a 6-year iPhone user, I decided to put myself in their shoes this week, ditching the iPhone for the Android experience, cold turkey. (Note: This was written before the Wednesday afternoon introduction of iOS 7, the software upgrade for Apple mobile devices.)
In the past, I found the general Android experience to be buggy and too techy (four swipes vs. one or two on the iPhone.) But with the Samsung Galaxy S4 that I lived with this week, the reaction was very different.
Let's take a closer look.
— SCREEN: Apple has been prodded by analysts and critics to get more competitive with Android handsets by enlarging the iPhone's screen. However, the new iPhone 5s is still just 4 inches, while the Galaxy S4 is 5 inches — a seemingly small, but huge distinction. Recent rivals have larger real estate too. Both the Moto X and HTC ONE have 4.7 inch screens. Even more impressive: For all of Apple's hype on its "retina display," the Galaxy has much higher resolution — 1920x1080 vs. 1136x640 for the iPhone. Sitting at the kitchen table and watching YouTube on the Galaxy felt like watching a small HD TV. It was that good. (That such higher resolution is even offered gives the nod to Android — with iPhone, there is no other choice.) ADVANTAGE: ANDROID.
— GETTING GOOGLY: We live in a world dominated by Google, Apple and Microsoft. Either accept it or get out of the way. So for a person who uses Gmail, writes in Google Docs, sets appointments in Google Calendar, uses the G+ social network and makes calls with Google Voice, like I do, going Android was cool. My Google Voice number easily became the primary number on the Galaxy (not possible with iPhone) and accessing all other Google apps a breeze. ADVANTAGE: ANDROID.
— PLUG N' PLAY: Plugging the Galaxy into my iMac wasn't the same as having an iPhone there. The device wasn't recognized by my computer — I had to download an Android File Transfer program first. There is no all-encompassing iTunes media program to push files around, or to download podcasts, which I love doing. Google Play has made huge strides, however, and I'm thrilled that Google hasn't changed the name for the program in almost a year. ADVANTAGE: iOS.
— APPS:. Most new apps are released on the Apple platform first, since developers only have to deal with one master — Apple, instead of the many, many different Android formats. That said, I was still able to download most of my favorites — Instagram, Vine, Snapchat, Tunein, SoundCloud and the like — but couldn't locate one of my new favorites, Swell, which calls itself the "Pandora of podcasts." ADVANTAGE: Tie.
— KEYBOARD: Here's one example of innovation that gives Android a huge edge. With the "swipe" typing you can move your finger around the keyboard to spell words, and have Android predictive word tech figure out what you're saying. This is a time saver, and seems to work more efficiently than the old hunt and peck type method. ADVANTAGE: ANDROID.
— BATTERY: My iPhone was a memory hog that petered out usually by early afternoon. The Galaxy battery just kept going and going — even with videos playing at full brightness. But the beauty is the removable battery, at least on the Galaxy S4, which lets you bring a spare with you for when you run out. ADVANTAGE: ANDROID.
— WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: Like it or not, the iPhone is a prettier, more elegant experience. The Galaxy comes pre-loaded with tons of Samsung apps that I had no interest in. The screen looks crowded. Luckily, a $4 app, Nova Launcher Prime hid the unwanted apps in tabs easily. ADVANTAGE: IOS.
— CAMERA: This isn't an Android feature per se, but Samsung chose to install a 13 megapixel camera in the S4 and the new Moto X has a 10 megapixel camera, so consider me really impressed with Android here. More people now take their photos on smartphones vs. point and shoot cameras, so the camera is one of the most important smartphone accessories.
The images I shot with the Galaxy S4 — sunset in Hermosa Beach — look terrific. What I didn't like was the overkill of exposure modes supplied by Samsung, while the one I yearned most for — manual — was nowhere to be found.
BOTTOM LINE: based on the screen size, battery, higher-resolution camera, Google integration, ease of tweaking the home screen and swyping, I'm as good as sold. However, I'm waiting to get my hands on a review copy of the new iPhone 5S Friday and the touted improved camera before making a final decision. Look for my verdict this weekend in USA TODAY.
Follow Jefferson Graham on Twitter: @jeffersongraham.


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U.S. Humanities Endowment Launches National Project Connecting Family Stories to America's History
Follow your family's story and you will discover America's history. That is the theme of My History Is America's History, an exciting new project created by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to mark the new millennium.
"With the holidays approaching and the generations gathering, there is no greater reminder of the value of family, and there is no better time to start sharing and collecting family recollections," NEH Chairman William R. Ferris said. "My History Is America's History offers Americans of all backgrounds a way to explore family history as we discover how our own family stories connect to the history of our nation. By gathering together our family stories, My History will weave a powerful tapestry of America that illustrates our nation's history and culture."
The White House Millennium Council has officially designated My History a national millennium project. "My History Is America's History can help us appreciate who we are, where we come from, and what we want from the future both individually and as a nation. This project will help us explore, preserve, and share our family histories and treasures," said First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton. "I encourage you to use the inspiration, guidance, and resources offered through My History to begin exploring your family's story because your history is America's history."
My History Is America's History is a nationwide initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities, in partnership with the White House Millennium Council, the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, Genealogy.com, LLC, PSINet Inc., National Association of Broadcasters, U.S. Department of Education, Heritage Preservation, FamilyFun, and Houghton Mifflin Company.
The project outlines 15 things you can do to save America's stories in the My History guidebook, website and poster, and includes simple, easy-to-follow steps to preserve stories and treasures. Among the tools are sample questions for drawing out relatives' memories; tips on preserving family treasures such as photographs, furniture and videotapes; and classroom and family projects to give children a personal connection to American history. A listing of national and local resources such as historical sites and societies, exhibits, and genealogical groups is also provided.
"Many Americans are historians without being aware of it," NEH Chairman Ferris said. "Each of us has stories we pass, like heirlooms, from generation to generation. Through these stories, we connect with our families, our past and our hopes for the future."
The website, http://www.myhistory.org, is designed as a virtual "front porch" for families to exchange stories, post photographs, create family trees and discover our families' place in history. Genealogy.com, a leading provider of family history tools and resources, has shared its technological expertise in the genealogy field for the My History Is America's History project. "We designed the My History website to make it easy for both novice and experienced family history enthusiasts to record and preserve their family stories for future generations," said Genealogy.com Chief Executive Officer Rob Armstrong. "We're especially excited that children can work together with grandparents and other family members on the project, and that teachers can use the website to interest students in American history through their own family stories."
Family history can provide students of all ages with a personal connection to America's history. Seen through a grandparent's eyes or in an old family photograph, events like the Roaring Twenties, Great Depression or the Civil Rights Movement come to life. Teachers across the country are using family history to teach their students American history. My History offers lesson plans and classroom-ready resources for all grade levels.
"Students in my class look into the countries represented in their family background and the countries from which their ancestors emigrated. They find a 'family treasure' to bring in and share, and they research a 'family story' that might be told at family gatherings, or remembered by someone in the family. It is exhilarating to feel the excitement among the students as they share their stories and see American history come to life," Mary Gene Devlin, a teacher at Deerfield Elementary School in South Deerfield, MA, said.
Sue Carmody, a parent whose son attended Devlin's class, said, "Sometimes the family learns something new, too. My son, Dan, called both sets of his grandparents and asked them about their parents. We located a trophy my grandfather - Dan's great-grandfather - had won for track. Dan had never known about him or his athletic ability before. Maybe this is even where Dan gets his own athletic ability - we were all very excited about this discovery," Sue Carmody said.
"Making history an exciting adventure for the entire family is the best way to create new family historians," NEH Chairman Ferris said. FamilyFun magazine designed several activities for My History to encourage families to preserve and share their stories, including the creation of family quilts, cookbooks, millennium portraits, history museums and website photo albums.
"My History Is America's History helps us rediscover America as we establish our family's ties to American history through stories that are near and dear to our heart. Our family stories define us as individuals, just as they connect us to distant places and significant events in American history. It is time for all Americans to discover and celebrate these stories and see how they fit together to tell the great story of America's history," NEH Chairman Ferris said.
The My History Is America's History guidebook may be downloaded from the project website at http://www.myhistory.org. Printed guidebooks are available at libraries and a limited number of copies are available for a nominal fee by calling toll-free 1-877-NEH-HISTORY (1-877-634-4478).


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Emmy award winning journalist, Trina Robinson, has proven her talents to South Florida viewers as an experienced anchor, reporter and meteorologist. Robinson began working at NBC 6 in September of 1999 and has become one of WTVJ's most visible and versatile reporters. Robinson currently anchors the NBC 6 News at 5:30pm and hails as the first African American to ever hold a TV weather position in South Florida. In addition, she is part of the NBC 6 Investigators and offers consumer stories to viewers daily.
She has garnered two Emmys for contributions to the station's Hurricane Specials. Trina has had multiple re-incarnations during her tenure with NBC 6 from Morning Anchor to 4pm Anchor to "Trina Tries It" where she did everything from toss knives as a Benihanna Chef to grabbing a chainsaw to ice sculpt a towering frigid work of art. Another of Trina's journalistic ventures were weekly Money and Business segments called "Living Cheaper" and "The Recessionista Report." In these reports, Trina sought out the steals and deals and provided cash-saving tips to save viewers mega-money.
Robinson came to WTVJ from KYW in Philadelphia where she anchored the 6pm and 11pm newscasts and covered the White House for budget hearings and the "Monica Lewinsky Scandal" which led to the impeachment of President Clinton. Prior to KYW, she worked in Tampa, Orlando, Fort Myers, South Carolina and Virginia. Her commitment to news parallels her dedication to "giving people information that can improve and even change their lives," she says.
She demonstrated that strong commitment to excellence in journalism by uncovering an underground network of women illegally giving and receiving silicone injections to improve their beauty. The story aired prior to the death of one woman who had the injections. It led to a number of arrests of unlicensed medical practitioners and garnered national and international attention and resulted in numerous local and national awards.
Robinson received a Liberal Arts degree from the College of Notre Dame in Baltimore, a graduate degree in Journalism and Public Affairs from the American University in Washington, D.C. and did her course work in Meteorology at Mississippi State University. Robinson, who comes from a family of six children, says one of their favorite pastimes was to gather together to tell elaborate and colorful stories. Little did she know that concocting tall tales would later help her relate the stories of real people with compassion and caring Robinson is married to Clarence V. McKee, Esq., a local attorney and lobbyist for McKee Communications. In her spare time, she enjoys in-line skating, jogging and reading. Additional hobbies include traveling and cooking.


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The poster child
Adobe Illustrator CS3
Manufacturer: Adobe
Operating system support: Windows XP SP2, Vista Home Premium or better, Mac OS X 10.4.8
Price: Illustrator CS3 full version: $599; upgrade from Illustrator 10, CS, CS2, CorelDraw, Freehand 9, 10, or MX: $199 (shop for Illustrator CS3)
Overall, the transition to Mac OS X was relatively smooth, but one of the rough periods for professional graphic designers was Illustrator 10. This first native OS X version was the poster child for reasons to wait to move to Mac OS X on older hardware, since everything was glacially slow compared to Illustrator 9 on OS 9. This wasn't all Adobe's fault, and there were worse culprits for sure. Eventually, updates made it incrementally faster, and with version 12, it was finally zippy enough to run on a first-gen G5 without feeling like you were designing in bullet time.
Okay, it wasn't that bad, but Adobe knew it had issues with the older code; with CS3, they've completely overhauled the drawing engine to get a much larger boost and bring an end to any nostalgia for the speedy—yet crashy—days of yore. Of course, this update also comes with Universal Binary Intel Mac support, a new interface, and some things called "new features" that we'll also take a look at. So without further ado...
System requirements
Mac OS X
- PowerPC® G4 or G5 or Intel processor (single or multicore)
- Mac OS X v.10.4.8
- 512MB of RAM (1GB recommended)
- 2.5GB of available hard-disk space (additional free space required during installation)
- DVD-ROM drive
- Intel® Pentium® 4, Intel Centrino®, Intel Xeon®, or Intel Core™ Solo/Duo (or compatible) processor
- Microsoft®
Windows® XP with Service Pack 2 or Windows Vista™ Home Premium,
Business, Ultimate, or Enterprise (certified for 32-bit editions)
- 512MB of RAM (1GB recommended)
- 2GB of available hard-disk space (additional free space required during installation)
- DVD-ROM drive
Note that none of the CS3 applications are 64-bit. The Mac version requires more space because of the Universal Binary application format.
Test hardware
MacBook Pro Core Duo 2.0 GHz
- Mac OS X 10.4.9
Mac Pro 2.66 GHz Quad Xeon
- Mac OS X 10.4.9
Dual G5 2.0 GHz
- Mac OS X 10.4.9


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The UK Foreign Office has said the risk of British-owned properties in Spain being demolished for breaching local planning rules is a "substantial problem".
The Foreign Office said it estimated that there are at least 4,000 British-owned homes in Spain affected by some sort of property dispute.
Will Middleton, director of British consular services in southern Europe, told the BBC: "For those involved it's absolutely devastating. It's the uncertainty that is the big problem."
A spokesman for the Foreign Office said the UK could not get involved in individual disputes and urged British people affected to go through the "appropriate local courts".
He said: "We recognise this is a substantial problem and we can bring to the attention of the Spanish authorities the problems British residents are facing.
"We can't interfere in court cases, and it's up to the Spanish authorities to provide clarity on the legal uncertainty facing many British homeowners in Spain.
"We meet and lobby the Spanish authorities at all levels and we will continue to do so."
He said the Foreign Office was aware of three British-owned properties that have been demolished because they were deemed illegal, one in 2008 and two this year.
The Spanish government was accused last month of pushing illegally built homes to British buyers.
Spain has approximately three million homes standing empty due to the property crash in 2007. Up to a third of these properties may have been built illegally due to corruption in the construction industry and town halls.
A British couple, John and Jan Brooks, had their dream villa bulldozed in October despite a court ruling that they were innocent victims of a corruption scandal.
The Foreign Office has produced a guide on how Britons can avoid being ripped off when buying a property in Spain.


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Swimming Pool Blog
by Rob Cox, November 7, 2010
Swimming Pool Chemical Safety
When I was running pool service routes, I would never leave chlorine on site. I had the obsessive fear that a bucket of chlorine tablets would be left with the lid loose, which would allow rain and moisture to get into the chlorine bucket. This creates a great deal of fumes, which can overpower even a big guy like me. But that was not my fear - my concern was that a toddler would wander over to the chlorine bucket, push off the loose lid, take a whiff, and fall head first into the bucket.
Then there was the time when I mixed drops (just drops!) of a pool algaecide and chlorine shock. I was looking for a chlorine scoop in the back of my truck, couldn't find one, so pulled out my leatherman tool, cut the top off of a algaecide bottle, and used it for a scoop. I remember looking into the scoop, seeing the shock flecks mixed with a very small amount of brownish poly-60 algaecide. I studied it, but it seemed to not be reacting at all. Shrugged, dropped it back into the half full 100lb drum of Cal Hypo, and carried my small bucket of shock out to the pool. After 5-10 minutes, I had a raging inferno in the back of my pickup truck. Violently raging flames!
So here's some tips on managing dangerous pool chemicals -
1. Store pool Chemicals out of Reach of Children: This would mean on an upper shelf or locked cabinet.
2. Store pool chemicals in a cool, dry location. Very hot or wet locations can cause fumes to develop inside the bucket or bag.
3. Store pool chemicals in separate locations. Keep acids far away from chlorine. Keep different chlorine types separated. This is especially important while transporting pool chemicals. In the event of an accident, mixed pool chemicals could shut down the beltway!
4. Do not allow any contamination of pool chemicals. The smallest amount of foreign substances, such as other pool chemicals, flecks of leaves or dirt - can react with your pool chemicals, resulting in fire or explosion.
5. Use a clean, dry chemical scoop. Small flecks or dirt or trace amounts of other pool chemicals can react violently.
6. Keep all pool chemical lids on tightly. Lock them down - they are fairly childproof, if installed correctly.
7. Never Mix Pool Chemicals. Add them to the pool separately.
8. Add chemicals to water - not water to chemicals. When pre-mixing a chemical solution - fill the bucket with water, and add the pool chemical to the bucket, while stirring.
9. While adding pool chemicals, be up-wind. Strong winds can blow broadcasted chemicals back into your face, or all over the pool deck.
10. Follow all packaging instructions. All pool chemicals have very specific instructions in use and storage. For instance. 1lb shock packages will tell you to use the entire packet at one time. Half full bags of shock laying around is quite dangerous!
- Rob


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The Lakers climbed back to .500 (7-7) after a perfect 2-0 record throughout Week 4.
So far this season, the Lakers have won on the road just once in five tries, although three were on the second night of back-to-backs.
Week 5 presents three away games in four nights, including a back-to-back -- followed by a home game Sunday against the surging Portland Trail Blazers.
With a win over Golden State on Friday, the Lakers are now two wins ahead of the cumulative predictions.
Tuesday at Washington Wizards
The Wizards (5-8) started the season slowly but have won three of their last four games.
Bradley Beal has been a force in his second year, averaging 20.6 points a game -- but Beal may sit with a leg injury.
John Wall is also having a strong year, putting up 18.6 points, nine assists and 2.1 steals a game.
The Wizards also have size in Marcin Gortat and Nene - along with perimeter shooters/defenders in Trevor Ariza and Martell Webster.
With Beal possibly out, the Lakers may have a shot to steal one in Washington but it won't come easy.
Prediction: Wizards
Wednesday at Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn has been a complete mess this season, losing five in a row to fall to 3-10.
The Lakers and Nets are playing on the second night of back-to-backs. So far the Lakers have lost all three tries on the road in similar situations.
The Nets are an older group with veterans like Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. Health has been an issue for Brooklyn with Deron Williams, Brook Lopez, Andrei Kirilenko and Jason Terry all questionable.
If there's a game to get on the three-game road trip, it's Wednesday in Brooklyn.
Prediction: Lakers
Friday at Detroit Pistons
The Pistons (6-8) played exceptionally well against the Lakers for the first half of a Nov. 17 loss -- but fell apart in the final 24 minutes.
Detroit has tremendous size in Greg Monroe, Andre Drummond and Josh Smith. If the team's guard core (Brandon Jennings, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Rodney Stuckey) is shooting well, the Lakers may be in for a long night.
While the Lakers have shown they can beat the Pistons, twice in a short time is a lot to ask.
Prediction: Pistons
Sunday vs. Portland Trail Blazers
The general rule of thumb for the Lakers vs. Blazers -- home team gets the win.
This particular Portland team has been one of the surprises of the NBA, winning 11 straight to start the season 13-2.
The Blazers don't have great depth but their starting five of Damian Lillard, Wesley Matthews, Nicolas Batum, LaMarcus Aldridge and Robin Lopez is almost as good as any in the league.
The first game back after a road trip tends to be a challenge. The Lakers may be in for a difficult week.
Prediction: Blazers
Lakers sign Kobe Bryant to a two-year contract extension
What does the Kobe Bryant contract mean to the Lakers' roster?
In Kobe Bryant's extension with Lakers, did he give back enough?
Email Eric Pincus at email@example.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.


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Navy/Lime: each packet includes 4 unique cotton muslin wraps (47 inches x 47 inches) as shown.
Returns Policy
We would like you to be 100% satisfied with your purchase from eLuxFan Boutique. But, if for some reason you are not, our return/exchange policy is as follows:
� General Merchandise (Non-personalized): Can be returned in its original packaging and unusedcondition for a refund or exchange within 14 days of receipt.
� There will be no refunds of shipping charges unless there has been an error on our part.
� To return an item please first send an email to email@example.com to request a return authorization number. Please Note: Any returns sent without this authorization number will be automatically refused.
� Once we have received the returned merchandise and have verified its condition we will issue a refund minus the shipping charges


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How GE's Predix platform brings more intelligent cities and products to life.
By 2020, the Internet of Things will comprise over 30 billion devices, growing to over 75 billion in 2025. It will transform cities, hospitals, factories. The way we work, shop and live will fundamentally change. Such exponential growth means enormous potential, and an avalanche of data from a vast array of sources and sensors. Capitalising on this paradigm shift requires distilling this data into actionable insights.
Enter Predix: GE's platform for developing applications for the Industrial Internet is already transforming cities, hospitals and factories. Built on the Pivotal Cloud Foundry platform, Predix offers an operating system for developing, testing and delivering secure software that powers everything from safer jet engines, to more intelligent streets.


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Model #GLA-1114BK
|List Price:
|Our Price:
|$78.00 New
General Description
We're committed to exceeding your expectations:
- Found it for less? We'll match the price
- 25-Year or Limited Lifetime Warranty
Our customers come first — we guarantee it!
This popular sized Sign Frame is large enough for graphic presentation as well as distance viewing of directional signs. The sign frames are available in vertical or horizontal viewing to suit your needs. The vertical form is ideal for narrow crowd control aisles. The swivel mount allows frames to be positioned in eight different directions to ensure the best viewing angle. Sign Inserts may be easily removed from frame through a slot at the top.
- Manufacturer:
Lavi Industries
For 30 years, Lavi Industries has been getting crowds where they need to go. With products that are as durable as they are attractive, Lavi supplies crowd control options to hotels, government offices, transportation terminals and more.
- Width:
- 11 in.
- Height:
- 14 in.
- Weight:
- 3 lbs.
- Stanchion Finish:
Lido-tone Powdercoat
Powdercoated paint finish is applied through a dry finishing process which creates a scratch-resistant, rust-free, eco-friendly finish.
- Warranty:
- Limited Lifetime
- Made in USA
- Aluminum frame measures 11" x 14".
- Slot on top allows for easy removal of inserts.
- Positions into eight viewing directions.
- Swivel mount.
- This licensed media is copyrighted © by Lavi Industries.
- Lifetime Coverage: Our Limited Lifetime Warranty guarantees many years of use and enjoyment.
This product is made with pride in the United States of America!
We're committed to exceeding your expectations:
- Found it for less? We'll match the price
- 15-Year or Limited Lifetime Warranty
Our customers come first — we guarantee it!
Shipping & Assembly
- Ships Via:
- UPS/FedEx Ground
- Leaves Factory In:
- Approximately 4 business days
- Assembly:
- Ships assembled
Post Top Sign Frame - Black
|List Price:
|Our Price:


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Committee Members
Art Beat would not exist without the efforts and passions of people throughout the college and community. From District President Preston Pulliams to PCC faculty and staff, Plant Services to Tech Support, the artists themselves to the Art Beat committee members - we all work together to create this wonderful event. Please come and enjoy as many events as you can! All events are free.
- ArtBeat Chair:
- Charles Washburn
- Cascade Chair:
- Samuel Morgan
- Rock Creek Chair:
- Ben Buswell
- Southeast Campus Chair:
- Erika Lachenmeier
- Sylvania Chair & Art Beat PR:
- Kristin Bryant
Special Thanks to:
- Administrative Support:
- David Stout
- Staff Support:
- Tami Allison & Cherie Maas
- Graphic Designer:
- Linnea Gruber
- Website Design and Support:
- the PCC Web Team
Event Accommodations
ArtBeat events are free and open to the public. Those needing interpreting or other accommodations should call Disability Services at 971-722-4341 or 503-246-4072 TTY.
For general questions please contact us.


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Riesling Report: Black Star Farms Arcturos Riesling 2010
We're celebrating the Summer of Riesling by trying a different bottle every weekday. Got a favorite riesling? Recommend it in the comments!
Have you ever tried wine from Michigan? This was my first, from Black Star Farms in Sutton Bay. (We've covered their cider before.) It's a fruit-driven riesling, with slightly perfumey flower-pollen notes and some nice slate on the finish.
We appreciated this wine's clarity, though we wished the soft acidity had a little more backbone. This wine has a few strange flavors: a tangy sweetness that reminded us a bit of watermelon gum, and an unripe-banana note. It might do better with food—serve with grilled chicken glazed with apricot or chili pepper jam, or just a platter of prosciutto.
About $15.50, sample provided for review.
More Riesling Under $20
Urban Riesling 2010 »
Gunderloch Riesling Kabinett, "Jean Baptiste" 2010 »
Züm Mosel Riesling 2009 »
Mönchhof Robert Eymael Riesling 2010 »
Zilliken Butterfly Riesling 2008 »
Günther Steinmetz Riesling Trocken 2009 »
Von Buhl Armand Riesling Kabinett 2010 »
Stein Blauschiefer Riesling Trocken 2009 »
Selbach-Oster 2009 Zeltinger Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett Halbtrocken »
This post may contain links to Amazon or other partners; your purchases via these links can benefit Serious Eats. Read more about our affiliate linking policy.


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Iridescent Candle or Bottle Coaster – Amber Granite
Iridescent Candle or Bottle Coaster – Amber Granite
Iridescent glass make these bottle & candle coasters shimmer on the table and glow under the light of a flickering candle. Also great to hold artisan soaps. A wonderful treat for the wine enthusiast or candle lover!
fused glass
5" x 5"
Fusing process makes them inherently strong. Not made for microwave or oven. Dishwasher safe.
Silicone bumpers on underside provide protection and keeps coaster firmly set.
Each fused glass art piece is made by hand. Therefore, the item you order will vary slightly from what is pictured which ensures your piece is unique and one of a kind!
Add To Cart


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Is The Color Enough To Love A Replica Hermes Birkin Bag?fashion Hermes
I know that we are not used to strange name colors, like this Birkin Cassis but when we're talking about replica Hermes handbags but I think it's good to know them. This is another way to find out if we are buying the best replica Hermes bags, color wise.
In today's replica site review you'll see a replica Hermes Birkin bag from Hermessale.biz, a famous site among replica Hermes knockoffs lovers. Even though the color, Cassis, is great, I'm a bit disappointed of the rest of the details.
But first, here is the story behind the review:
"Hi Eva,
I have been following your site for a while and I would like to post a review on your site about a bag I just bought from Tracy's Shop at Hermessale.biz
Here it is:
I just received my latest purchase today at my office from Tracy's Store at Hermessale, a 35cm Purple Clemence Birkin with Gold Hardware. This is my 8th purchase from Tracy and it is just as beautiful as all the others. First, the color is a deep purple true to the purple used by Hermes. The color is evenly saturated throughout and is even more beautiful in person!! The quality of the leather is also stunning. It is soft and supple and thick and heavy, just like the original Hermes Clemence Leather. I have held authentic Clemence Birkins and there is no difference in the weight and feel. Additionally, the gold hardware and hot stamping are flawless. The Hermes logo is stamped crisply and deeply and matches the tone of the hardware. The hardware itself is pristine and glows, as does the engraving on the buckles. It even has the small mark that Hermes uses on its gold pieces. The touret turns smoothly and easily as well, with no grainy feeling. On the inside, it is lined in soft goat leather and the zipper on the pocket is parallel with the bottom of the bag, just as in the originals. As for the lock and keys, they are heavy and have a great mirror finish. The feet are the same, conical in shape and very ladylike. The stitching is also beautiful and slanted at an upward angle, which looks hand sewn!! Lastly, the dimensions are perfect and match the authentic bags centimeter by centimeter.
If this matters to you, it should also be noted that the dust bag and paperwork are also spot on.
Since a good review also has to include some things to be improved upon, here they are….first, Tracy's store needs to make sure that the colors are accurately named in all cases, instead of blue, purple and so on. However, if you know the brand, this doesn't really matter. I'm just being picky. Also, they are so far away that it does take about 12hrs for them to respond to emails. However, this is because of their location and when they do respond, it's always helpful and accurate. Other than that, there's not a lot of negative things to say. The bags are shipped promptly, you get photos before your bag ships and you can approve it or pick another one, they send you swatches of leather if you ask in order to contemplate your future purchases, and they are fun to communicate with.
Check out my photos, as they speak for themselves."
First of all I want to thank you for your review! But if we're talking about the best replica Hermes bags, this is not one of them. Like I said before, the color is great, actually it's amazing! But, for example if we're talking about the logo, it's a big disappointment. I can tell you that every letter is wrong but the most noticeable mistake is that the "Made in France" is crooked. And I mean really crooked!
If I were to receive a replica Hermes handbag like this, I would return it in an instant, no matter how great the color is.
But what do you think? Is the color enough to fall in love with a replica bag?


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THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED The Melting Pot
1220 19th St. NW (M St. NW) Send to Phone
202-857-0777 | Make Restaurant Reservations
OpenDinner nightly
- Parking garage
- Dress code: Casual
- Full bar
- Reservations suggested
* Click here for rating key
THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED The Melting Pot Restaurant Review: The glories of the fondue pot play out at this chain restaurant. Fortunately for management, fondue cooking has made a splashy comeback in the past year, and while home cooks are dusting off their fondue pots in their kitchens, busy folks head to one of the four DC-area locations of this restaurant group. Not really straightforward, the menu plays a few tricks on the unwary, who may think of the classic fondue meal as melted cheese swirled up in cubes of bread. Not here: Cheese fondues make up just the appetizer course, though two people can easily share a cheese fondue, add on a salad, and finish up with the chocolate dessert fondue, and call that a cozy dinner. But then you'd miss out on the seasoned stock-cooked dishes, also called fondues here. Stocks include the Mojo Fondue, a Caribbean bouillon that supposed to be spicy and garlicky, but is very mild, and the Fondue Bourguignonne, featuring canola oil as the cooking base. Then, patrons must make the most important choice: what's the dipper to be? Styles include chicken, sirloin, vegetarian, lobster and various other combinations. If two are dining, your best bet may be to share the fondue for two---assuming you can agree on the main ingredients. Then just head to dessert. Other locations.
GAYOT's Annual Restaurant Awards honor America's best chefs, as well as promising newcomers and a top restaurateur.


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What do I need to run Java web applications on firefox with my 64bits fedora 17? I can't pass this test but I have installed the x64 rpm from there. What is missing?
Additional note: I tried to follow these instructions (linking the libnpjp2.so) but then the JRE test crashed firefox.


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Multiple Dates
Real Estate Investing Introductory Workshop
Event Information
Date and Time
Bellevue, WA
Looking for real estate investing workshops in Seattle? We are a NATIONAL COMMUNITY of real estate investors in over 25 major cities nationwide and currently expanding into Seattle. We create successful real estate investors and we have the results to prove that our system works. Real Estate Investing is a Team Sport. When YOU have an Educated and Structured community to work with, in your local area, then you can accomplish so much more working as a team. We host local real estate investing workshops so you can learn creative real estate investing strategies and network with local educated real estate investors so you can maximize your earning potential. At our orientation, you will:
- Network with a local group of successful Real Estate Investors.
- Learn how rental properties are one of the best tax saving strategies out there.
- Discuss the biggest money making opportunities in today's market: Short Sales, Lease Options, Fix and Flips, Foreclosures, Seller Financed Notes, and Multi-Family Dwellings.
- Learn how our real estate investor training is unmatched in the industry and how we use it to create massive and passive income streams through real estate investing..
- Learn about individual and group deals within our community & explain how you can be included in the deals we have going forward.
- Learn the plan that has assisted hundreds of associates in our community to a net worth over a million dollars in controlled assets.
- Learn how you can be involved in the group real estate transactions that we are involved in.
- Learn how you could be done interviewing for jobs for the rest of your life!
- Learn how to build MASSIVE and PASSIVE income streams.
- Learn how to Be Your Own Boss.
- and so much more
Whether you're a seasoned sales professional, a junior level, or brand new, you'll want to be the first to observe our three-step business model for building lucrative investor communities. You must be coachable, willing to work very hard, dedicated, and most importantly passionate about creating long lasting, secure wealth through business ownership and real estate working with our national community of real estate investors.
We have, and are looking for good people who are serious about building wealth through real estate investing. All meetings that we organize are hosted by local real estate investors who are willing to help out those that are serious about learning and earning.
You can join our community of real estate investors, get trained online & live at local events and workshops sponsored by leaders and community members so you can invest in real estate, and build real estate wealth for you & your family. You keep 100% of the profits from your deals. Our community members invest in real estate for MASSIVE & PASSIVE INCOME. Whether part time or full time, many have been able to FIRE THEIR BOSS. If you are interested in learning how to make consistent $10,000-$100,000+ per real estate transaction please register for this event.
No Muscle or Experience Needed!
Get Motivated, Get Educated, and Get Compensated!!
CHANGE YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE, Register Above!
We are serious about what we do, and we want you to be a little serious too! Come learn more about our real estate investing community. Register right now to attend! Network with new & seasoned investors & become part of our community!
Bellevue, WA


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BY NORMAN BORDEN | The thought of boxers and ballerinas coexisting in one photography gallery might sound like an odd coupling, but that's not the case in John Goodman's first New York solo exhibition. He sees both as bodies in motion, driven to extremes by sweat and sheer determination. Drawn from two acclaimed bodies of work chronicling the Times Square Gym and the Boston Ballet, "Boxers + Ballerinas" is a deft juxtaposition of people seeking recognition in the ring or on a stage.
Goodman says, "I explore the contest between light and dark, power and grace, grit and tenderness." After viewing the 25 images here, it seems clear that he has scored either a knockout or a bravura performance — it just depends on what corner you're in.
In 1993, Goodman began documenting the last 18 months of the Times Square Gym, a legendary New York institution where boxers of every stripe — the famous, the faded and the unknown — had trained since it opened in 1976. When Goodman, who lives in Boston, spotted a sign for the gym while walking through Times Square, he persuaded the manager to let him take a few photographs that day. He came back a few weeks later with prints. The manager liked what he saw and said, "Take as many pictures as you want."
Through May 31
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Goodman's magnificent selenium-toned silver gelatin photographs reveal the grittiness and decay of the gym and its visitors. There are no fight scenes here, no victory celebrations — just men caught in a moment of reverie, warriors wrapping their fists as if preparing for battle or ethereal figures captured in doorways or windows. There is beauty, though, perhaps most evident in "Terrorize," one of my favorite images in the show. We see a boxer's head protected by a helmet, bathed in shadow and framed by a window. The "terrorize" that's reflected on part of his head adds another element of mystery and danger, and sends a frightening but appropriate message.
Another intriguing image is "Tuxedo Couple." Goodman uses the shadowgraph technique so they seem to be mystical, ethereal figures — but they're just two people he captured in the gym's doorway. Who are these people? What are they doing? We'll never know. I also liked "Headless + Bag," in which a boxer on the gym floor is taking jabs at a punching bag, his head obscured by a ray of sunlight. In "Ring," all that's visible is the back of a heavily muscled broad-shouldered boxer who is punching an imaginary opponent. The slight blurriness that Goodman uses to convey motion seems to take an edge off the boxer's strength. So does the earring that he's wearing — it helps to humanize him. Of course, he'd never wear it in the ring.
The ballerinas shown here are part of Goodman's 2004 photo essay about the Boston Ballet. Photographing them backstage while they were getting ready to perform, he used shadowgraphs — the same technique he used for the boxer images — to show movement. It's an approach that reflects the influence of Goodman's mentor. "Minor White taught me the difference between seeing and looking," says Goodman. Simply put, White believed the experience of looking at a specific image was of more importance than the object or forms being photographed.
Goodman shows us bodies in motion that satisfy our need to witness something beyond reality. His use of blurring, shadows and darkness provide a sense of mystery and greatness. We like the experience of viewing these images. It's almost as if we're voyeurs, peering into a world we can't possibly know. In many ways, these images are similar to some of the boxers. Their bodies in motion hint at greatness. You wonder about their struggles to succeed, but you sense some of the isolation that the boxers experience.
There's something magical about the image "Enter La Sylphide." Goodman's use of light and shadow puts the focus on the ballerina and makes this image very painterly, even more so here than in some of his other work. In "Odette/Swan Lake," the ballerina is silhouetted and isolated. Her face is hidden. She has no identity, and we can only imagine her beauty. In some of the other pictures, we see ballerinas practicing alone, their grace and fortitude shining through. That seems clearly evident in the image, "Elysia Fridkin, Swan Lake" — her hand on her hip seems to make her rock solid and determined.
These are mesmerizing, thought-provoking photographs. Whether you think boxing is just a blood sport or ballet is too ethereal, the pictures will ground you.
Norman Borden (normanbordenphoto.com) is a New York-based writer and photographer. The author of more than 100 reviews for NYPhotoReview.com and a member of Soho Photo Gallery and ASMP, he currently has an image in the juried show, "Juxtapose," at the Darkroom Gallery, Essex Junction, VT.


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With today's Senate confirmation hearing for Chuck Hagel as US secretary of Defense, it is worth taking a moment to review the fall and rise of Mr. Hagel's nomination.
It is a welcome, if overdue, sign that "daylight" between American and Israeli policies may be becoming more politically acceptable in Washington.
When rumors of the nomination first arose in December, there was a flurry of attacks against the former Republican senator from Nebraska, and it seemed like a foregone conclusion that his nomination was doomed.
Jewish advocacy groups like the Anti-Defamation League claimed Hagel might be anti-Semitic, based mostly on his injudicious use of the term "Jewish lobby." Elliott Abrams, the Republican foreign affairs official of Iran-contra infamy, outright leveled the charge.
But the real fear of many Jewish advocacy organizations was actually Hagel's independent positions on Israel-related issues from Iran to the Palestinians. All the substantial weight of a long list of Jewish institutions was brought against the nomination.
It has been essentially unacceptable in Washington to acknowledge that the United States may at times have different priorities than Israel. Remember, for instance, the October presidential debate, when Mitt Romney criticized President Obama by saying, "The president said he was going to create daylight between ourselves and Israel."
But when even Jon Stewart joked this month about the absurdity of the no-daylight requirement, it's clear that Americans – or at least the younger generation – are getting tired of such an unquestioning close relationship.
Other well-known figures from Thomas Friedman to Colin Powell came to Hagel's defense, groups like mine mustered grassroots support, and the president stood his ground. When Sen. Charles Schumer – the Democrat from New York who is widely seen as a decisive vote in the confirmation hearings – declared his support for Hagel, it became clear his appointment would go forward.
Since Mr. Obama announced his decision, the influential American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, has studiously avoided publicly opposing Hagel. Its choice to stay out of a fight it couldn't win indicates a recognition that political realities are shifting.
Could it be that holding Israel accountable for its illegal settlements, its demolition of homes, its killing of nonviolent activists – another Palestinian, a young woman, was shot and killed by Israeli soldiers this week in the occupied West Bank – and its repression of the Palestinian people will be next?
Not so fast. While it is heartening to see the parade of support for Hagel and the Israel lobby in retreat, the Obama administration's defense of him has revolved entirely around the argument that he would continue current US policies toward Israel.
The National Jewish Democratic Council put it this way, "we trust that when confirmed, former Senator Chuck Hagel will follow the President's lead of providing unrivaled support for Israel – on strategic cooperation, missile defense programs, and leading the world against Iran's nuclear program."
At J Street, the liberal pro-Israel lobby, leader Ben Ami found it "troubling that some claiming to represent the pro-Israel community have tried to impugn Senator Hagel's commitment to the U.S.-Israel special relationship and our countries' shared security interests."
The presumption among Jewish organizations and their allies was that the only appropriate way to defend Hagel was to appease critics who wanted proof that he would sufficiently toe the line on support for Israel.
Hagel himself will be under pressure to back off his previously stated positions, such as favoring diplomacy over military action with Iran and willingness to engage with Hamas. To support his confirmation, he wrote in a letter to California Sen. Barbara Boxer (D), "I fully intend to expand the depth and breadth of U.S.-Israel cooperation."
Thus the price for Hagel's confirmation may be to hew closer to the currently acceptable political line – much as he did earlier this month when meeting with Senator Schumer.
Nevertheless, his confirmation would also indicate that there is an opening to examine the special relationship between the US and Israel.
A deeper critique of America's role supporting Israel's occupation would be a welcome next step after Hagel is confirmed, one that prioritizes even minimal adherence to America's stated policies on human rights generally and the rights of Palestinians specifically.
One way to do that would be for Congress to make US military aid to Israel contingent on Israel upholding such rights. That's what the leaders of 15 church denominations requested in a thoughtful letter to Congress last fall.
"As Christian leaders in the United States, it is our moral responsibility to question the continuation of unconditional U.S. financial assistance to the government of Israel," the leaders wrote.
The realization of "a just and lasting peace will require this accountability," while "continued U.S. military assistance to Israel – offered without conditions or accountability – will only serve to sustain the status quo and Israel's military occupation of the Palestinian territories."
This is an eminently reasonable position, and yet still widely outside the mainstream of political discourse. The willingness on the part of the Obama administration – through the Hagel nomination – to entertain political perspectives that are not in lock-step with Israel's right-wing government is a welcome first step.
Now we need to work to broaden the boundaries of the political discussion up to and including concrete actions that will hold Israel accountable for its ongoing occupation and human rights violations.
Rebecca Vilkomerson is the executive director of Jewish Voice for Peace.