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It was an unassuming spot, and we probably would have walked right past it if we hadn't known what we were looking for: a clump of about five dozen trees perched on the top of a blustery hill.
But when we walked up, there was no mistaking it: There before us lay the Enchanted Place, also known as Galleons Lap, a resting ground for childhoods the world over.
It's the spot where Christopher Robin, no longer a little boy, and his beloved companion Winnie-the-Pooh came to say their fumbling goodbyes.
Being enchanted, its floor wasn't like the floor of the Forest, gorse and bracken and heather, but close-set grass, quiet and smooth and green. . . . Sitting there they could see the whole world spread out until it reached the sky, and whatever there was all the world over was with them in Galleons Lap.
This story, which appears in the final chapter of A.A. Milne's "The House at Pooh Corner," will always bring tears to my eyes. Walking into that small, sun-dappled glade as a grown woman, holding my husband's hand, almost felt like coming home.
We were on a pilgrimage of sorts on that cool, sunny September morning. We'd driven down to East Sussex, about 35 miles south of London, to follow in the footsteps of Winnie-the-Pooh, perhaps the world's most famous teddy bear.
It was here in the quiet, forested hills of southern England that Milne wrote and set the adventures of Pooh, Christopher Robin, Piglet, Owl, Eeyore, Rabbit and, of course, all of Rabbit's Friends and Relations. Having grown up with the stories — like so many millions of others — we wanted to see the place for ourselves.
We started our morning in Hartfield, a cozy little hamlet with two pubs, one church and one village shop. Milne, who was born in London in 1882, bought a second home in Hartfield in 1925 and came to the area regularly until his death three decades later. His former home isn't open to the public — it isn't even marked — but his influence in the village is palpable.
Our first stop was the Pooh Corner Shop, where you can pick up everything from Winnie-the-Pooh lunchboxes to stuffed-animal versions of Eeyore to little pots of local honey, Pooh's favorite snack. We sat down for a coffee in Piglet's Tea Shop, a sunlit room in the back of the store, and asked the friendly staff for some Pooh-tracking advice.
We'd come to the right place. The Pooh Corner Shop is owned by Mike Ridley, a Pooh fanatic who has devised a guided tour of local Pooh-related sights, complete with step-by-step directions and relevant excerpts from the Milne stories. We bought a copy of his pamphlet, titled "Two Expotitions to the Enchanted Places" (an "expotition" being Pooh-speak for an adventure), and set off on our way.
Destination No. 1: The Poohsticks Bridge. For those who may need a refresher, Poohsticks is a game — invented by Pooh — in which the participants drop twigs off the upstream side of a bridge, then race to the downstream side to see whose stick floats through first. The original bridge is at the bottom of a wooded hill a couple of miles outside Hartfield, not far from Milne's old farm. Visitors are encouraged to visit the bridge and try their hand at the sport.
After a quick drive, we found the right trail and set off into the woods, keeping our eyes peeled for promising-looking twigs as we went. (The area around the bridge itself is usually picked clean, or so we'd been warned.) A mile or so down the trail, we came to the bridge, a simple wooden structure that, like many objects of celebrity, was somewhat smaller than how I'd imagined it. But still, it gave me a little thrill to see it for myself.
Twigs in hand, we took our spots on the upstream side and commenced our Poohsticks competition. The game was remarkably engrossing, even for a couple of 30-somethings; we ended up playing at least four rounds, plus tiebreakers. (A tip for potential competitors: The secret to winning is "letting your stick drop in a twitchy sort of way," as Eeyore once explained to Tigger.)
We wandered back to the car and set off for the next stop: Ashdown Forest, a 6,000-acre protected area that lies just outside Hartfield. Milne and his son, Christopher Robin, spent many hours wandering through the forest in the 1920s, and it was here that the beloved Pooh illustrator E.H. Shepard came for inspiration.
Today, the forest is home to many spots of interest to Pooh fanatics — assuming, that is, that you know where to look. We pulled into a little gravel parking lot at the designated spot and set off on our walk, guide in hand.
We were out of the trees at that point, high up on a windy plateau that offered wide views of the surrounding hills and villages. I squinted against the sun and zipped up my jacket to keep out the autumnal chill.
We set off walking at a good pace, keeping our eyes peeled for our first point of interest, the Enchanted Place, which we encountered at the top of the highest hill. We paused for a good half-hour in that magical little circle of forest but then continued with the walk, as there were plenty of other spots to find.
And find them we did: We saw the Cunning Trap to catch a Heffalump (but that ended up catching Pooh), as well as the Sandy Pit Where Roo Plays, which really is quite sandy. In the bottom of a little valley, we discovered the North Pole (including the spot where Roo fell in), as well as Eeyore's Gloomy Place, which Milne rightly describes as "Rather Boggy and Sad." And looking across to the next hill, we could see the Hundred Acre Wood, which is where Owl lived, in a house with both a bell pull and a doorknocker.
We carried Milne's two most famous books — "Winnie-the-Pooh" and "The House at Pooh Corner" — with us as we walked, and we enjoyed rereading the stories as we encountered their settings. But even apart from all things Pooh, the area was beautiful in its own right, with its shady streams, quiet forest corners and fields of wind-swept purple heather.
At one point, a sudden clearing in the trees revealed a lovely view to the north and west. And there in the middle of the clearing we saw the memorial stone that honors both Milne and Shepard. The stone is placed at the precise spot where, according to Christopher Robin, who died in 1996, his father liked to pause for a rest and admire the view.
The walk finished and our pilgrimage complete, we passed through Hartfield one last time on our way home. We were pretty hungry by that point, so we stopped for a meal at the Anchor Inn, a 15th-century building that lies just off the village's main street.
It might have been because of all that walking, or maybe it was the sun and wind followed by a hearty meal, but sitting there sipping my soup beside the pub's 500-year-old fireplace, I suddenly found myself in a daydreamy sort of mood.
This would be a lovely place to write, I thought — and I imagined Milne sitting quietly in a corner, scratching away at his notebook as he worked his way through a pint of beer. And then I started to think about Pooh in a nostalgic kind of way, almost missing this comfortable little corner of England before we had even left it.
So I took one of the Pooh books out of my bag and reread that final story, relishing Milne's words one last time, there in the part of the world that had inspired him.
Still with his eyes on the world Christopher Robin put out a hand and felt for Pooh's paw.
"Pooh," said Christopher Robin earnestly, "if I — if I'm not quite —" he stopped and tried again. "Pooh, whatever happens, you will understand, won't you?"
"Understand what?"
"Oh, nothing." He laughed and jumped to his feet. "Come on!"
"Where?" said Pooh.
"Anywhere," said Christopher Robin.
So they went off together. But wherever they go, and whatever happens to them on the way, in that enchanted place on the top of the Forest a little boy and his Bear will always be playing.
McClanahan is a freelance journalist based in the United Kingdom.


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text:
Ryan Braun suspended for remainder of 2013 season USA TODAY Sports
ARLINGTON, TEXAS -- Ryan Braun was lying all along.
Major League Baseball's investigators knew it.
Commissioner Bud Selig knew it.
Many of the players who supported Braun eventually came to know it.
And now we know it too.
BRAUN GONE: Braun suspended for rest of the season
BRENNAN: Baseball threw the bum out
Braun admitted Monday that he cheated baseball, although being careful to not say he used performance-enhancing drugs. Yet let's be honest: You don't accept a 65-game ban unless you're dirty.
Surely he was doping in 2011 when he was voted the National League's MVP. He followed that up with the best year of his career — a league-leading 41 homers and 112 RBI.
Now, for all of those who wanted to give Braun the benefit of the doubt, we're the ones who look like dopes.
The price for all of this is steep. He has been suspended for the remaining 65 games this season, forfeiting $3.85 million in salary, and will be shamed for as long as he plays.
The suspension is not necessarily surprising, given Braun beat a positive test on appeal in 2011, but it is stunning he gave up without a fight, devastating those close to him.
"I will always love and support my son," Diane Braun, Ryan's mother, told USA TODAY Sports, crying on the telephone. "That will never change."
That Braun — always defiant in the face of doping allegations — folded so quickly hints at the impending storm about to roil the game and the choices his peers are facing.
If MLB determines Texas Rangers slugger Nelson Cruz had a relationship with Biogenesis and its founder, Tony Bosch, does he accept a suspension that foils his team's pennant hopes? Or does he fight it to the end and risk his impending free agency on a decision rendered by an arbitrator that could curtail his 2014 season?
MLB RELEASE: Announcement of suspension
WHO'S NEXT: Others who could face suspensions
Then there's Alex Rodriguez, fighting a personal war on two fronts: one against MLB, which has him in the Biogenesis cross hairs, and another against the New York Yankees, who have been less than effusive in their desire to see him return from hip surgery.
Braun had little to play for this year, but he might provide a map for the 20 or so players facing discipline.
Braun declined to answer questions when interviewed by MLB investigators June29 but requested a second meeting, a person close to Braun told USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly. It was at the second conference, which took place last week after the All-Star break, that Braun agreed to the 65-game suspension, the person said.
As part of the deal, Braun issued an apology in MLB's statement, but he did not specifically confess to doping.
The case wasn't simple, but Braun wanted to end the fight, the person said. The Brewers, 41-56 entering Monday, have the second-worst record in the National League, and Braun has been battling injuries all season.
Now, beginning next season, he can have a new start.
"I am not perfect. I realize now that I have made some mistakes," Braun said in the statement. "I am willing to accept the consequences of those actions. This situation has taken a toll on me and my entire family, and it has been a distraction to my teammates and the Brewers organization. …
"Finally, I wish to apologize to anyone I may have disappointed — all of the baseball fans, especially those in Milwaukee, the great Brewers organization and my teammates. I am glad to have this matter behind me once and for all, and I cannot wait to get back to the game I love."
TIMELINE: Events leading up to suspension
And, of course, he can't wait to cash those fat paychecks. Braun still has $127million remaining on his contract with the Brewers. Fully guaranteed.
The folks really getting punished are Brewers owner Mark Attanasio and the rest of the organization who believed in him, giving him that five-year, $105million extension in 2011 when he still had four years left on his previous deal.
He was going to be the face of the franchise for the next decade, a wondrous talent with a charming personality.
Now the face of the franchise will be disgraced every day Braun puts on the uniform through the year 2020.
He, and Rodriguez, eventually will be nothing more than the face of Biogenesis.
Braun was caught red-handed — twice, after being nabbed in 2011 with a positive test, using drugs obtained from Biogenesis. That time he got off on a technicality.
Braun stood in front of a podium at the start of spring training in 2012 and said he had been vindicated, blasting MLB's drug testing program as "fatally flawed."
He then ripped into the Wisconsin man in charge of collecting the urine sample, Dino Laurenzi Jr., privately telling his teammates and other players that Laurenzi purposely tampered with the sample. Laurenzi kept his job but was subjected to a stream of death threats from Brewers fans.
So Braun got the benefit of the doubt from many people, until his name surfaced in the Biogenesis paperwork in January. Oh, there was another explanation for that. Braun's legal team had paid Bosch for his expertise in the original drug appeal.
This time it was hard to believe, and most of the players in his corner suddenly turned their backs.
Braun didn't care. It was MLB's fault, he insisted. The officials were just angry he beat them the first time.
Well, as it turns out, the evidence was so overpowering that Braun is sitting out the rest of the season.
Maybe Braun will cop to all of it one day, but most likely we will never know all of the dirty details.
What we do know is that MLB finally got its man, and it's just starting, with Rodriguez next up.
"We commend Ryan Braun for taking responsibility for his past actions," MLB executive vice president Rob Manfred said in a statement.
"We all agree that it is in the best interests of the game to resolve this matter. When Ryan returns, we look forward to him making positive contributions to Major League Baseball, both on and off the field."
His contribution Monday might have been to scare the daylights out of other players linked to Biogenesis.
"The good thing about this is we're cleaning the game," Yankees closer Mariano Rivera said. "That's the way it should be. This is a message for whoever tries to do this again — he's going to get caught."
It might be an awful day for Braun, his family and the Brewers, but it's a day MLB will celebrate, knowing it just sent a message that will reverberate forever.


text:
Nearly an inch of rain fell overnight and light rain is still falling this morning but the storm is just about done. Winds were blowing overnight as well and there are numerous reports of trees down throughout the eastern half of the state. A top wind gust of 62 mph was recorded at Blue Hills Observatory in Milton but most winds in the region were about 35 mph.
Here's a link to the full list of tree damage reports from the National Weather Service.
For the rest of today, the winds will diminish and the skies will clear but it will be getting colder all day with temperatures falling below 40 degrees by sunset.
We go below freezing later tonight with lows in the mid-20s.
Thursday will see highs in the upper-30s - which is about normal - but we start trending colder after that and there is a 50% chance of snow on Saturday although forecasters are very uncertain as to whether the snow will actually fall. There's another chance fr snow on Tuesday. What seems for sure is that next week will be very cold. It's like instant winter.


text: Minutes of the regular meeting of Tuesday, December 3, 2002 (As approved Amended 1/7/03) The San Francisco Public Library Commission held its regular meeting on Tuesday, December 3, 2002 in the Koret Auditorium, Main Library. Vice President Steiman called the meeting to order at 4:08PM. The following members were noted present: Commissioners Bautista, Coulter, Higueras, Steiman, Streets, and Strobin. Commissioner Chin joined the meeting at 4:12PM. AGENDA ITEM #1 APPROVAL OF THE NOVEMBER 6, 2002 MINUTES Public comment on AGENDA ITEM #1 APPROVAL OF THE NOVEMBER 6, 2002 MINUTES Anonymous member of the public noted that public comment summary statements were not included with the Minutes and criticized the portion of the Minutes concerning alleged mis-representation of Ms. Cauthen's views. This person noted that the Minutes did not state Ms. Cauthen had submitted a letter regarding this matter to the Commissioners. Mr. Warfield commented that the Minutes did not include the Commission Secretary's suggestion to amend the Minutes to reflect the exact words used by Mr. Warfield in his public comment and noted that a page 3 reference to his not having sufficient time to review the material was solely because those materials were not made available. Ms. Sue Cauthen remarked that she was not a critic of the Branch Library Bond Program and that the comment attributed to her was not what she had said. Ms. Cauthen additionally noted that the detail provided in the Commission's Minutes was greater than required by the Sunshine Ordinance. Commission discussion of AGENDA ITEM #1 APPROVAL OF THE NOVEMBER 6, 2002 MINUTES President Higueras observed that the Library Commission's Minutes were a summary report on the actions taken by the Commission and that they were not intended as a transcript of the meeting. MOTION: by Commissioner Chin, seconded by Vice President Steiman for approval of the Minutes of November 6, 2002. ACTION: AYE 7-0 (Bautista, Chin, Coulter, Higueras, Steiman, Streets, and Strobin) AGENDA ITEM #2 RICHMOND BRANCH RENAMING City Librarian Susan Hildreth outlined for the Commissioners the requirements set forth in the Library Facilities Naming Policy then introduced Mrs. Carolene Marks, wife of the late Senator Milton Marks, who requested that Library Commission initiate the mandated public process so that his name could be added to the name of the Richmond Branch Library. Mrs. Marks then gave a detailed presentation highlighting Senator Marks' lifetime of community service, civic leadership, and public service as a member of the Board of Supervisors, Judge, and State Senator that had earned him the regard, respect, and affection of the entire community. Mrs. Marks called particular attention to Senator Marks' decades of leadership on behalf of California's libraries, noted the hundreds of signatures on petitions supporting the renaming, and cited State Librarian Dr. Kevin Starr's endorsement of the proposed addition of the Senator's name to the Richmond Branch Library. Public comment on AGENDA ITEM #2 RICHMOND BRANCH RENAMING Anonymous member of the public commented that renaming of a branch was a difficult question, and that the speaker had opposed two previous renaming proposals. This person noted that while Senator Marks had been a rare individual who supported libraries, there was a long list of people that by any criteria who could also be so honored. Commission discussion of AGENDA ITEM #2 RICHMOND BRANCH RENAMING Commissioner Bautista observed that she supported the proposal to rename the Richmond Branch Library to honor Senator Marks, noting that is was time that his support for libraries be recognized. Commissioner Coulter noted that in his view elected officials considered for such an honor had a greater burden of evidence of extraordinary support, calling attention to the decades of heroic volunteer efforts by civic leaders such as the late Mary Louise Stong and Marjorie Stern. Commissioner Coulter offered a suggestion that the Library could name the park surrounding the Richmond Branch as an alternative means of recognizing Senator Marks' contributions. Commissioner Coulter suggested that a bust of the Senator could be placed on the grounds and flowers that the Senator liked could be planted. Vice President Steiman found Commissioner Coulter's proposed alternative merited consideration. Commissioner Bautista thought it also a good idea and again pointed to Senator Marks' history and lifetime of ties to the Richmond neighborhood and the library. Commissioner Strobin noted however that care needed to be exercised so that the named grounds did not overshadow the identification of the branch building. In response to Commissioner Bautista's suggestion that there could be an archive of Senator Marks' papers located at the branch, there was a brief discussion concerning what kinds of material could be included and the limitations imposed by the size of the branch. President Higueras lauded Senator Marks' major achievements and contributions to San Francisco and noted the breadth and depth of community support for the renaming. President Higueras noted that naming a branch library must require that the very highest standard of civic and community contributions be demonstrated. President Higueras found Commissioner Coulter's suggestion interesting and merited additional consideration. President Higueras called the presentation and discussion a good first step in the process and that the next step would be to go to the community for further input at a widely noticed community meeting to be held early in the new year in the Richmond district. In response to a question by Commissioner Streets it was noted that naming grounds surrounding the branch would be among the options discussed at the neighborhood meeting. AGENDA ITEM #3 CITY LIBRARIAN'S REPORT City Librarian Susan Hildreth updated the Commissioners concerning the details of the December 2nd meeting of the Prop. 14 (State Library Bond) Board meeting in Sacramento. Ms. Hildreth discussed in detail the allocation of the first $130 million among 13 projects that included 2 renovations. Ms. Hildreth further reported $40 million of the projects funded were in Northern California, while the rest were in Southern California, with an additional $20 million to be allocated at a Bond Board meeting later in December. The City Librarian then informed the Commissioners that the West Portal Branch would reopen on December 14th and that the Golden Gate Valley Branch would reopen on January 28, 2003. The City Librarian announced that the Library had received two PR Excellence Awards for the 2000/2001 Annual report and the Project Read newsletter at the at the CLA (California Library Association) Annual Conference. Ms. Hildreth then discussed the problems reported in the press concerning the lack of payment to the artist for the Chagoya Mural located in the Main Library's Grove Street entry area. The City Librarian reported no response so far from the Mexican Consulate but that the Friends & Foundation were exploring purchase of the artwork and its long term loan to the Library. Ms. Hildreth then provided background on her decision to resume sale of library discards through the Friends & Foundation's monthly book sales with all proceeds earmarked for the Library. The City Librarian then gave an update on exhibits and programs calling attention to the Speak Truth to Power Exhibit in the Jewett Galley opening on December 12, the Caring for Creation program in the Koret on December 4th, the Book Arts and Special Collections lecture, "Ready when you are Mr. DeMille" in the Koret on December 7, an Evening of Mystery at the Noe Valley Branch on December 11th, and the very popular Book Appraisal Clinic in the Main Library's Skylight Gallery on December 14th. Chief of Branches Donna Corbeil then concluded the City Librarian's report with an update on the branch reorganization. Public comment on AGENDA ITEM #3 CITY LIBRARIAN'S REPORT An anonymous member of the public requested a written copy of the report on Prop. 14 allocations and suggested that there were serious policy implications with risk of a trap in developing branch library plans so as to meet Prop. 14 criteria. Additionally this person criticized use of library staff to sell discards at a book sale benefiting the Friends & Foundation. Mr. Peter Warfield expressed alarm at the selling of library discards and questioned every aspect of the proposal. Mr. Warfield also expressed concern with the impact of the Prop. 14 allocations on the Library's Branch Bond Program. Commission discussion of AGENDA ITEM #3 CITY LIBRARIAN'S REPORT In response to a question by Vice President Steiman, Roberto Esteves, Chief of Information and Resource Management discussed the Library's extensive redistribution program for materials removed from the collection and not wanted by other libraries. Such materials are then offered to a wide variety of community organizations with only those not wanted by anyone being considered for sale. Vice President Steiman noted that sale of discards was common among libraries and it was good that any money received would be returned to the library. In response to questions by President Higueras, the City Librarian gave a more detailed overview of the fierce competition for Prop. 14 funds, noting that the Bond Board had a difficult time given the limited funds available. Ms. Hildreth noted that she believed the Richmond Branch application would be very competitive and that the Library was discussing opportunities for cooperative uses with the school district. President Higueras praised the Library staff's hard work and skillful presentation, citing the Excelsior video as example, of the Prop. 14 applications In response to Commissioner Bautista's reservations about the sale of discards, the City Librarian explained that the Library had a City Attorney's opinion permitting the sale of discards and noted that all proceeds would be returned to the Library. In response to a query from Vice President Steiman, Ms. Hildreth discussed the likely reasons that the larger portion of the first Prop. 14 allocations had gone to Southern California libraries and reported that that situation had not gone unnoticed by the Bond Board members. In response to a question by President Higueras, Ms. Hildreth confirmed that clear notice of the reduction to what were normal public service hours would be provided to users of the nearby branches whose hours had increased while West Portal was closed. In answer to a question by President Higueras, Ms. Corbeil discussed how the staff was responding to the branch reorganization. In response to a query by Commissioner Bautista, Ms Corbeil noted that branch managers of large branches could now focus on managing their branch. President Higueras thanked Ms. Corbeil and noted that he looked forward to continued reports on the branches. President Higueras called a brief recess at 5:46PM Commissioner Chin left the meeting during the recess. The meeting resumed at 6:00PM AGENDA ITEM #4 LIBRARY 2003/04 BUDGET REPORT (Explanatory document: FY 2003-04 Budget report) Library Finance Director George Nichols presented the Commissioners with a detailed report (copy attached) on the gloomy economic outlook and the projected $20 million shortfall in the City Budget. Mr. Nichols then outlined in great detail how in 2002/03 the Library proposed to address a minor imbalance in the current budget. The Library's Finance Director then presented an extensive update on the likely 2003/04 Library Budget highlighting factors beyond the Library's control, such as potential increases in COLAs negotiated by the city. Mr. Nichols then concluded his report with a brief recap and overview of the budget outlook. Public comment on AGENDA ITEM #4 LIBRARY 2003/04 BUDGET REPORT Mr. Peter Warfield commented that the budget reports were not included in the agenda materials he received. Mr. Warfield commented that all such materials should be routinely provided. Commissioner discussion of AGENDA ITEM #4 LIBRARY 2003/04 BUDGET REPORT Responding to questions by Commissioner Streets, Ms. Hildreth reported that the City's negotiating position was for no salary increases but that a salary freeze was only discussed as a possibility. Additionally Ms. Hildreth noted that keeping positions vacant could impact public service and informed Commissioners Streets that the Tool Lending Center was still included within the Library's baseline budget. Commissioner Streets indicated that the Tool Center remained at the top of the Commissioners' list of programs to be cut if reductions were needed. Vice President Steiman said that it was the Commissioners' preference that every effort be made to protect the books/materials budget and to keep PTAN (part time as needed) positions vital to maintaining public services. AGENDA ITEM #5 NOMINATION OF COMMISSION OFFICERES FOR 2003 At President Higueras' request the Commission Secretary outlined the process for nomination of Commission officers. Commissioner Streets nominated Vice President Steiman for another term as Vice President in 2003 and Commissioner Streets nominated President Higueras to continue in office for 2003. No other nominations were offered. Public comment on AGENDA ITEM #5 NOMINATION OF COMMISSION OFFICERES FOR 2003 An anonymous member of the public lauded the Commissioners' willingness to serve. AGENDA ITEM #6 FRIENDS & FOUNDATION REPORT Mr. Martín Gómez, Executive Director of the Friends & Foundation, briefed the Commissioners concerning recent and upcoming Friends & Foundation sponsored events such as the December 17th lecture by author Jonathan Franzen, inviting the Commissioners to attend a reception for the author prior to the lecture. Mr. Gómez reported on progress in getting the capital campaign for the branch libraries underway and informed the Commissioners that he would bring the plans before them for their review and endorsement. Public comment on AGENDA ITEM #6 FRIENDS & FOUNDATION REPORT None offered AGENDA ITEM #7 LABOR UNION REPORT None offered AGENDA ITEM #8 NEW BUSINESS President Higueras noted that it was his goal to complete all of the outstanding Commissioners' requests for agenda items during the next year and that efforts were underway to plan the meeting agendas accordingly. Commissioner Bautista called attention to addressing POE (Post Occupancy Evaluation) Report related issues such as Main Library signage and emergency systems. President Higueras noted that the Commission had been addressing a heavy workload of business and that the Commissioners had only one more year in office remained to complete its unfinished work. Public comment on AGENDA ITEM #8 NEW BUSINESS An anonymous member of the public commented that they had no seen such a list but that it was very important that when things are brought forward they be addressed. This person called attention to a request by Commissioner Bautista for accountability for the Fuhrman Fund. AGENDA ITEM #9 PUBLIC COMMENT An anonymous member of the public commented that they had provided the Commissioners with materials related to the new Glen Park Branch but the copies provided to the Commissioners cut off some of the material. This person again referred to Commissioner Bautista's request for a report on the Fuhrman Fund noting that if there were no accountability there would be no limits on how the funds are expended. This person suggested that Commissioner Bautista's rights to ask questions did not weigh against the influence of money. Ms. Maryanne Duke, Richmond resident, called the Commissioners attention to problems she found with the proposed staff work spaces in the redesigned branch. Mr. Peter Warfield thanked the Commissioners for giving books and staffing priority, noting they should be the last things cut. Mr. Warfield also inquired regarding the propriety of a Friends & Foundation solicitation letter signed by the City Librarian and wondered if user registration lists were used in the mailing Commission discussion of AGENDA ITEM #9 PUBLIC COMMENT President Higueras noted that the proposed redesign of the Richmond branch was a work in progress and Vice President Steiman requested that a report be made to the Commissioners concerning resolution of the staff space issue. Ms. Hildreth reported no library registration lists were used by the Friends & Foundation in support of its fundraising efforts for the Library. AGENDA ITEM #10 ADJOURNMENT MOTION: by Commissioner Coulter, seconded by Commissioner Streets a that the meeting be adjourned. ACTION: AYE 6-0 (Bautista, Coulter, Higueras, Steiman, Streets, and Strobin) The meeting was adjourned at 6:45PM Michael Housh, Commission Secretary 1/8/03 Please note: Copies of Commission Minutes and handouts are available in the Office of the Commission Secretary, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102 Copies of Public Comment Summary Statements as authorized by San Francisco Administrative Code Section 67.16 can be found in Appendix A. These summary statements are provided by the speaker and their contents are neither generated by, nor subject to approval or verification of accuracy by, the San Francisco Public Library Commission. Minutes of the regular Commission Meeting of December 3, 2002 Appendix A Library Commission meeting of December 3, 2002 The Public Comment Summary Statements included in these Minutes are authorized by San Francisco Administrative Code Section 67.16.. These summary statements are provided by the speaker. Their contents are neither generated by, nor subject to approval or verification of accuracy by, the San Francisco Public Library Commission. The number of members of the public who spoke anonymously at this meeting. 1 Public Comment (PDF) available for viewing in PDF format.


text:
Merkel's Switch to Renewables Rising Energy Prices Endanger German Industry
Last spring, Chancellor Angela Merkel set Germany on course to eliminate nuclear power in favor of renewable energy sources. Now, though, several industries are suffering as electricity prices rapidly rise. Many companies are having to close factories or move abroad.
The red signs are still hanging in front of the gate to the steel mill on Oberschlesienstrasse. "Hands off!" they read, or "The Krefeld steel mill must stay!"
But now it's all over. Despite the signs, protests and pickets, ThyssenKrupp, Germany's largest steelmaker, sold its Krefeld stainless steel mill to Finnish competitor Outukumpu two weeks ago. The new owner plans to shut down production by the end of next year, leaving more than 400 workers without a job. The economic loss to this stricken city on the lower Rhine will be significant.
The closing of the Krefeld mill cannot be blamed on low-wage competition from the Far East or mismanagement at ThyssenKrupp's Essen headquarters, but rather on the misguided policies of the German government. That, at least, is the view held by those affected by the closing. Since Chancellor Angela Merkel's government abruptly decided to phase out nuclear energy last spring in the wake of the nuclear disaster in Fukushima, Japan, the situation for industries that consume a lot of electricity has become much more tenuous.
Energy prices are rising and the risk of power outages is growing. But the urgently needed expansion of the grid, as well as the development of replacement power plants and renewable energy sources is progressing very slowly. A growing number of economic experts, business executives and union leaders are putting the blame squarely on the shoulders of Merkel's coalition, which pairs her conservatives with the business-friendly Free Democrats (FDP). The government, they say, has expedited de-industrialization.
The energy supply is now "the top risk for Germany as a location for business," says Hans Heinrich Driftmann, president of the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK). "One has to be concerned in Germany about the cost of electricity," warns European Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger. And Bernd Kalwa, a member of the general works council at ThyssenKrupp, says heatedly: "Some 5,000 jobs are in jeopardy within our company alone, because an irresponsible energy policy is being pursued in Düsseldorf and Berlin."
A Lack of Direction
In macroeconomic terms, the impending demise of heavy industry is all the more worrying, because the job losses will not be offset elsewhere. There is no sign yet of the green economic miracle that the federal government promised would accompany Germany's new energy strategy. On the contrary, many manufacturers of wind turbines and solar panels complain that business is bad and are cutting jobs. Some solar companies have already gone out of business. The environmental sector faces a number of problems, especially -- and ironically -- those stemming from high energy prices.
Meanwhile, the federal government is helpless and seems to lack direction. Environment Minister Norbert Röttgen, a member of Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU) and Economics Minister Philipp Rösler (FDP) are at odds over key issues. Röttgen is calling for stricter electricity conservation rules, which Rösler opposes. Röttgen had long been opposed to Rösler's demand that solar subsidies be cut prior to this week's agreement to slash such support by up to 30 percent beginning in March. Because the two ministries have had such different agendas for so long, German representatives have spent months abstaining from votes during energy policy meetings in Brussels.
And now, the immediate shutdown of seven nuclear power plants last March is affecting supply, as the Krefeld example shows. The steel mill requires massive amounts of electricity to produce stainless steel, used in such products as sinks and auto bodies. The metal is heated to more than 1,600 degrees Celsius (2,912 degrees Fahrenheit) in giant furnaces. A single smelter consumes about as much energy in an hour as 10 single-family homes in an entire year. Electricity makes up a fifth of the mill's total costs, says Harald Behmenburg, the plant manager.
The price of electricity is moving in only one direction: steeply up. For the Krefeld plant, the cost of a kilowatt hour of electricity has tripled since 2000.
And there is no end in sight. When Merkel's new energy policy was introduced last year, says plant manager Behmenburg, planning for the future became virtually impossible. Behmenburg says that it is impossible now to know what will happen to the supply situation and the price of electricity in the coming years. The mill, steeped in tradition, didn't stand a chance of surviving, he says.
Voltage Fluctuations and Power Outages
Other companies could suffer a similar fate. Berlin's energy policy affects all classic industrial sectors, from the steel and aluminum industry to paper and cement manufacturers, as well as the chemical industry. The metal industry, long an important sector in Germany, is already migrating to countries with cheaper electricity.
The Düsseldorf-based conglomerate GEA closed its zinc plant in nearby Datteln. Aurubis, the Hamburg-based company that is Europe's largest copper producer, is critical of higher energy costs and has announced plans to invest abroad, especially in Asia and South America. According to a recent survey by the DIHK, almost one in five industrial companies plans to shift capacities abroad -- or has already done so. The study also finds that almost 60 percent fear power outages or voltage fluctuations in the power grid, because wind and solar power are still too unreliable.
"The promotion of renewable energy has led to substantial displacement effects on employment in the conventional energy production sectors, as well as in downstream industries that are particularly energy-intensive," concludes the report on a conference held at the Federal Ministry of Education and Research last year. The political opposition has also recognized the importance of the issue. Some believe that the green economy is everything, warns Sigmar Gabriel, chairman of the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD). "But they forget that they can't make a wind turbine without steel, plastic, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering."
It is equally important to stabilize the power grid as quickly as possible to prevent blackouts from occurring. Until now, the reliability of the German electricity supply was seen as a significant advantage for doing business in the country. But the loss of several nuclear power plants, coupled with the unpredictability of electricity from wind and solar sources, has changed the situation.
- Part 1: Rising Energy Prices Endanger German Industry
- Part 2: A Lack of Direction in Berlin


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CECE Personal Enrichment & Lifelong Learning Community Classes.Continuing Education
Heading into our 32nd year of Art Under the Elms! This art festival features over 100 of the region's finest artists, along with regional entertainers.AUE
The Dogwood Festival is held annually during the month of April, celebrating arts, culture and community in the Lewis-Clark Valley.Find out more!
Volunteers needed for Art Under the Elms. If you Volunteer for three or more shifts you will also receive a free 2019 Dogwood Festival T-shirt.Volunteer today for Art Under the Elms
Continuing Education & Community Events (CECE) is dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals through distinctive service and exceptional programs. CECE is a department of LCSC Community Programs. We offer accessible lifelong learning courses year-round with a variety of delivery methods. Courses are available throughout the LC Valley, and through the outreach locations in Orofino and Grangeville. Courses range in subject and include topics in art, technology, dance, personal finances, health, and educational tours of the surrounding areas. Some courses qualify for continuing education units. Other educational opportunities we provide include the Silverthorne Artist's Series and Road Scholar programs.
CECE is also the coordinating department for popular LC Valley events Dogwood Festival of the Lewis-Clark Valley, Art Under the Elms, and the Dogwood Show & Shine.
Our office is located in the heart of beautiful downtown Lewiston on the second floor of the historic Center for Arts & History building at 415 Main Street. Visitors are encouraged during hours of operation, 8am-5pm Monday through Thursday and 8am-12pm on Friday during the summer months. We can also be reached by phone at 208-792-2447 or by email at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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I am around a 4.0-4.5 player. I used to play HS tennis about 10 years ago and now play a few times a year.
I am looking for a partner about my level to play with somewhere in Bk. I can play most weekdays for now, and on weekends. I don't have a permit though.
If anyone level 4+ wants to play this weekend (early Sat, or anytime on Sun), let me know.
Views: 722
Replies to This Discussion
do you want to play now?
Lets play, I have no permit either, but I know one place there it is now so necessary. Write back or call 6318053605 Nikolay
Hey, can you play on weekdays? If so, what time and where can you play? Let me know.
- Igor
I can play at 6pm on weekends (and till midnight ))
I usually play in open courts in Kelly memorial park in Brooklyn. I don't have my own permit (I have my friends card), but they don't check it now in this park.
If you have any ideas where we can play please tell me. Also I don't have any car now so I can't go too far from Brighton Beach area (unless you pick me up, if you can).
My cell is 631 805 3605, I ll be glad to play tennis with you!
I can play at Kelly. We can also go to Kaiser Playground, on Neptune and W 28th. They have 16 courts, all of them are nice and I never saw them check permits there (I don't have one either).
I can pick you up from Brighton, no problem.
Btw, what's your level? I myself played on a HS team about 10 yrs ago. But since then, I play maybe 5-10 times per year and my game has somewhat dropped off.
So you can only play on weekends at 6 PM, or did you mean weekdays?
I can play on weekDAYS almost every time and on weekENDs only afrer 5-30pm. (I work on weekends). My level is ok :) I wrote about it in my description.
Can you play on weekdays? if so when can we meet?
Nikolay: Ok, so let's tentatively aim for either Thurs or Fri, but most likely Fri. My cell phone is (347)623-4850.
Boris: if I am not playing with anyone this weekend, I will let you know. But I can prolly only play on Sun this weekend.
hey, I'd be down to give it a try a weekday evening or weekend. I'm a solid 4.5 , maybe more ( dont know this rating system).
I usually play in dyker park.
© 2019 Created by Mark / The Mayor. Powered by


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After leaving the courtroom, Monserrate addressed the throng of reporters and television cameras that had gathered on the steps of Queens County Courthouse.
"I want to make, for the record, the following statement," Monserrate began. "From the very beginning, I have said this was an accident. Karla has said this was an accident. Ladies and gentleman, what occurred on December 19 was an accident."
That, however, is not what the Queen district attorney's office believes.
Last week, the D.A.'s office handed down a six-count indictment charging Monserrate with both felony and misdemeanor assault charges – charges that could land him behind bars for up to seven years if he is found guilty.
Prosecutors state that Monserrate became enraged with Giraldo after he found another man's business card in her purse, and in the heat of the moment slashed her face with a broken water glass.
Monserrate contends that he was getting into bed when he tripped and fell into Giraldo, at which point the water glass broke and caused the gash, which required 20 stitches to close.
Surveillance tape from a video camera in Monserrate's Jackson Heights condo building shows Giraldo in the hallway frantically knocking on doors asking for help immediately following the incident, as well as Monserrate dragging Giraldo by the hair.
After watching the video, the judge noted at the arraignment that the "tape speaks for itself." After the proceedings, Monserrate's lawyer, Irving Seidman, argued that the tape showed that Monserrate was trying to help Giraldo.
"I believe it does [speak for itself], and again, there's a misuse of a piece of evidence," Seidman said. "What Hiram Monserrate was doing was taking Karla Giraldo to the hospital."
Another curious aspect of the case is that Monserrate drove Giraldo to Long Island Jewish Hospital on the border between Queens and Nassau counties, despite the fact that he lives just blocks from Elmhurst Hospital.
At Long Island Jewish, Giraldo reportedly told doctors and nurses that Monserrate had hit her, but later told investigators and a grand jury that the whole incident was an accident.
Giraldo joined Monserrate in court last Friday morning, and was even reportedly seen stealing a kiss from the state senator. Minutes later, the judge in the case, Supreme Court Justice William Erlbaum, issued a full order of protection ordering Monserrate to stay away from Giraldo.
Giraldo spoke briefly with reporters after the arraignment, and maintained that her injuries were the result of an accident.
Monserrate told reporters last Friday morning that he was offered a plea deal by the district attorney, but turned it down.
"The district attorney's office had a discussion with me about a plea, a non-felony plea that had attached to it no jail time," he said. "I said unequivocally no to that because I am innocent and this is an accident."
Additional reporting by Holly Tsang


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Cotton growers and ginners can increase the speed and efficiency of handling round modules with the KBH Round Module Transport Trailer.
This unique trailer transports eight round modules, meeting legal length, width, height and weight requirements.
"To date, this is the only trailer that can legally haul eight round modules," says Tim Tenhet, national sales and marketing manager for The KBH Corporation.
"Additionally, the Round Module Transport Trailer enables farmers and ginners to double the payload of a conventional module truck, thereby saving time, fuel and labor. Another benefit is the speed in which you secure the load."
Ginner Carter Edwards of Crockett Gin Co. in Maury City, Tenn., ran a Round Module Transport Trailer prototype last year, which he helped KBH design. "It's a versatile trailer that you can use during the off-season to haul equipment or anything moved by a flatbed trailer," Edwards says. "That means cost-savings compared to a module truck that you use for just a few weeks.
"Additionally, you can haul twice as much cotton in one trip, which saves you money, especially on the longer hauls. For example, you will have a cheaper per bale hauling cost when you use the Round Module Transport Trailer to haul bales from 15 miles and farther away.
"It's also much less expensive than a module truck. And there's much less upkeep, compared to a module truck that has gear boxes, chains and moving parts."
The Round Module Transport Trailer features a 50,000-pound capacity, 53' length x 102" width, including a 12' long top deck (height 62") and a 41' bottom deck (height 36"), front headache rack, rear containment rack, removable module backstops for the non-loading side, a wooden bed, diamond tread over axles, 235/75R/17.5 tires, leaf spring suspension and ABS brakes. Optional ramps with stabilizer jacks are also available.
The Round Module Transport Trailer is one component of the KBH Round Module System; another product of the system is the Cotton Spear Round Module Handler. The Cotton Spear features four detachable alloy steel spears that pierce the round module without damaging the cotton or the protective wrap.
"The Cotton Spear is the most effective handling device to load the Round Module Transport Trailer because you can stack the eighth module without damaging the protective wrapping on the modules beneath like you do with a forklift style handler," Tenhet explains. "Additionally, the Cotton Spear eliminates the chance of getting stalks into the ginning system as other handlers can do."
For more information about the KBH Round Module System that includes the Round Module Transport Trailer and the Cotton Spear Round Module Handler, cotton growers and ginners can call 800-843-5241 or go to www.kbhequipment.com


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PONTIAC -- The city might have just become eligible for a savings account: Tuesday's auction of Department of Public Works equipment brought in an estimated $1.5 million.
The auction drew bidders from all over the nation, and 600 people were bidding online at one point Tuesday, said City Finance Director John Naglick.
The Department of Public Works' core functions have been contracted out to five different third parties as of Jan. 1.
"We couldn't tell you how well things are going," Emergency Manager Lou Schimmel said of the recently contracted-out services.
The privatization of the department is estimated to save the city about $516,701.69 per year. Eleven of the department's employees accepted early retirement buyouts, two were laid off and four have stayed on in supervisory roles.
The city is negotiating to sell the 220,000 square-foot Department of Public Works building and 15-acre yard on Wesson Street back to their previous owner, Consumers Energy.
The property, which is environmentally contaminated, was once operated by the utility as a gasification and creosote plant.
Finance Director Naglick said: "The proceeds of the auction have allowed the city to pay off all remaining debt and lease obligations related to its personal property. We are appreciative of the efforts of our auction company, Miedema Auctioneering, in helping us achieve this result."
Schimmel has said he plans to leave City Hall by the end of the city's fiscal year, June 30. Naglick said he'll leave behind a city that's virtually debt-free and that has a positive fund balance.
The finance director said the city should be able to remain solvent after the return to local control. The city's finances have been under state supervision since 2009.
"We feel like we have bottomed out now, and there will be a slow recovery of income going forward," Naglick said.
Contact staff writer Dustin Blitchok at 248-745-4685 or email@example.com. Follow him on Twitter @SincerelyDustin.
Pontiac to auction 300 small vacant lots
PONTIAC -- The city is auctioning more than 300 vacant, mostly residential lots for minimum bids of either $150 or $300, depending on their size.
Sealed bids and a 10 percent deposit are due to the city by 4 p.m. Thursday, April 25. Letters are being sent to the owners of property that's adjacent to lots available in the auction.
"I believe that this is a great opportunity for neighboring property owners to increase the size of their parcel, while at the same time helping to eliminate a potentially blighting influence in the neighborhood," Emergency Manager Lou Schimmel said in a statement.
A complete listing of the vacant lots, as well as auction rules, can be found on the city's website at http://www.pontiac.mi.us/newsdetail_T3_R16.php, or those interested can pick up the list at the City Clerk's office at City Hall, 47450 Woodward Avenue in Pontiac.
-- Staff writer Dustin Blitchok


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Beard Game is a fact paced, exploding, over the top shoot-em-up. The player fights ever more agressive, deadly, and crazy waves of enemies while upgrading their ship with more weapons, shields and other items. Also: explosions.
Check out the website over here.
Also, we are still looking for artists, sound people and others to help us make one hell of a game!
So, head on over to the site and check out what's going on.
And check back soon for more!


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Registration Issues
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In order to get e-mail digests of your subscriptions (stuff you care about around the site) and notifications of private messages and bulletin board posts from your fellow users, you must validate your email. We also may send a newsletter periodically to update you on the goings on of the community. You can choose to receive any, all, or none of these by clicking the "My Profile" tab at the top of this page, then the "Edit Account" button at the top of that page.
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If it has been more than fifteen minutes, check your Spam folder in your email client to ensure that it was accidentally quarantined. To resend your verification email, log in. On your logged in home page, if you have not verified your email you will see an alert next to your avatar that says, "Your email address has not been verified. Please click here to re-send." If you're experiencing additional issues, please contact us.
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When you're viewing your own Profile page, there is a button that says "Edit Account." From there it's very easy to reset your password, email address, and other account details. At this time, you cannot change your user name after you have registered. For more information on how to edit your user profile, head over to our Community Profile Tutorial.
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Have no fear, we will never sell your personal information on the black market. We are, however, legally required to make sure you're over the age of 13, hence the birthday requirement. We also request your zip code as we have some ideas for really cool features later on that will make it all worth while, but rest assured, your information will be kept private.
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Forums, wikis, product reviews...which one do I use? How are they different?
There are countless stand alone discussion forums online as well as several prominent review engines and Wiki sites, but never before have these mediums for content generation been so effectively integrated as they are in our community. With so many options, which medium is appropriate for what type of content? While we believe it's ultimately up to you to decide, here's a bit of guidance.
First, forums, Wikis, product pages (and reviews of those) are all separate features and different ways you can interact with the site and its members. They are tied together across the site to make related information easier to find, but there are in fact many differences.
What is it?
Suggested Use
- ideal place for group interaction
- here each user can start new threads, respond to existing threads and posts, etc.
- learn more about using the forums in our Discussion Forum Tutorial
- ask questions to the community
- post links to interesting articles and start a conversation
- "collaboratively editable articles"
- wikis allow many individuals to work together to write and edit an article
- learn more about writing wiki articles in our Wiki Article Tutorial
- "How-to" instructions and guides
- lists
- informational articles
- personal opinions of products AFTER having personal experience with those particular products
- learn more about writing reviews in our Review Tutorial
- candid and respectful personal opinions
Don't forget to tag your threads and Wikis, so that it shows up on the appropriate product pages and other areas so that others can respond and contribute! Learn more about tagging in our Tagging Tutorial.
Do you have tutorials on using the site?
Yes, we do! Here is the complete list of tutorials:
Can I search for information?
- Community Profile Tutorial - learn how to edit your Community Profile, edit Your List, change your avatar, edit your Account Details, and change your password.
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Of course! At any time, you can search all of the site, from discussion forums, to Wiki articles, from reviews to images. At the top of every page, you'll see the search bar. Type in your keywords and click "Search." You also can use the Advanced Search form to narrow down your search results. Learn more about using search in our Search and Advanced Search Tutorial.
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Membersmay post up to three lines of text in their signature file.
To edit your forum signature, navigate to the My Profile tab. Below your image gallery, you will see a section called "Your Forum Signature." Below that is the "Edit Signature" button. Click here, format your signature (text, links, bolding, and italics only), and click save.
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Personalizing your community profile and adding items to Your List are two of the best ways for you to tell the rest of the community about yourself. Feel free to answer any or all of the profile questions, add items to your List, and change your avatar. Learn more about how to personalize your profile in our Community Profile Tutorial.
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Our members create A LOT of content, but not all of it will be for you - that's why you can subscribe to what's interesting. You can subscribe to specific threads in forums, to individual wiki articles, or to tags, or users so you receive updates of all of their content.
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We don't want to inundate anyone, so you can determine the frequency with which you receive these updates. When you're logged in, go to your profile and click "Edit Subscriptions" - here you can set the frequency of each subscription to Immediate, Daily, Weekly, or Never. Learn more about subscriptions in our Subscription Tutorial.
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If I read something that violates the site rules or just isn't helpful, what should I do?
Most all content in the site has the option to rate or vote it up. This helps the best content rise up above the mediocre (or downright bad) content. Beyond that, you can flag or report a forum post or Wiki article with the "Report to Admin" button.
I love the community. How do I invite my friends?
In the header, you'll see the "Invite Friends" button when you are logged in. Simply enter their email addresses in the "To:" box (multiple email addresses separated by commas) and we'll send off invites from you to your friends.
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Only users in certain user groups are allowed to download attachments. If you received an error message that says "Sorry, you don't have the required permissions to download attachments.", then you are not in one of those user groups.
Product Page & Review Questions
What is Your List?
Your List is a way of organizing the items you Own, Want, and Had. When you want to add an item to Your List, simply go to that item's product page, and click "Add to Your List." You can create new lists from your user profile at any time.
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If you used to own a product, but don't anymore, that means you "had it!" The "Had It" category allows you to reflect this knowledge to your fellow users.
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At any time, you can add a new item to the database. It is, however, very important that you don't add a duplicate of something that we already have. If it's just a different color of something else in the system, please don't add it. If we really don't have it and it fits within the existing categories, then go for it! Clicking the "Add Item" links throughout the site will prompt a wizard that will take you through the process of adding it to the correct product category. Check out a step by step guide to adding items with the Add A New Item Tutorial.
The stuff I want to add doesn't fit in any of your current product categories.
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The site doesn't appear properly in my browser.
If you're having browser problems, please check to see if you are using an A-Grade Browser. Our site performs optimally on the browsers listed in the A-Grade Browser Support Chart.
I keep getting a popover asking me to allow access to my Clipboard. I hate it!
Unfortunately, this is an issue with Internet Explorer 7 and 8. To deactivate this popover, you will need to change your browser security settings:
- Go to Tools -> Internet Options.
- Go to Security tab.
- Select "Internet" zone, then click on "Custom level…" button.
- Scroll down to "Scripting" section (at the bottom few).
- Under "Allow Programmatic clipboard access" option, check or select (tick) Enable. Default action for this option is Prompt, which cause the pop-up message whenever there is any attempt to access the Clipboard.
- Click Ok twice to exit from Internet Options.
Why can't I right click and use Firefox's spell checker?
Because we use a fully WYSIWYG (What you See is What You Get) editor, the right click is needed to be able to pull up image and table properties, cut and paste, etc. However, fear not. There is a work-around to be able to keep using it.
If you hold ctrl (PC) or Command (Mac) when you right click in Firefox, it will treat the right click as though it's outside of the text editor.
This is an extra step for folks, but the idea was to provide the power of the context sensitive menus in the editor (to align images, add borders, color table cells, etc.) but also enable you to take advantage of Firefox's spell check.
Some of the links on this forum allow SMF, at no cost to you, to earn a small commission when you click through and make a purchase. Let me know if you have any questions about this.
By cristina7, May 24, 2010 | |
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Québec – California Solidarity Shines in Richmond.
Québec – California Solidarity Shines in Richmond – BEREKELY CALLING BLOG by Broadside Balladeer Vic Sadot: Stopping Fossil Fuel Disaster! – Starting Fossil Free Solutions! From Lac-Mégantic, Québec to Richmond, California! SATURDAY, March 1, 12 noon at Bobby Bowens Progressive Center, 1021 Macdonald Ave, Richmond CA. Marilaine Savard of "Citizens of Lac-Mégantic" in Québec had a week long speaking and solidarity tour in the San Francisco Bay Area. Report from the Richmond gathering where panel and speakers included Mayor Gail McGlaughlin, Andres Soto, Pennie Opal Plant, Antonia Juhasz, George Monterey, David Solnit, and others. http://berkeleycalling.wordpress.com/2014/03/03/quebec-california-solidarity-shines-in-richmond


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Product description and specifications
This heavy duty locking gripper tongs is completely made of stainless steel. From the Plastibac brand, this gripper is 10" / 25.4 cm long.
This Plastibac multi-purpose service accessory will be ideal for separating frozen hamburger patties. With this pliers you can easily turn over large meat pieces: chicken, steak, lamb chops or fish.
|Serving tong
|Weight without packaging (kg)
|Singly sold
|Stainless steel
Stainless steel
The cutlery, the accessories and any stainless steel ustensils stand themselves out by a long-span resilience. We recommend you nonetheless to follow the advices as below to maintain their shape and longlife resistance.
It would be advisable to always wash your products in stainless steel before they are first used.
As far as the daily cleaning of stainless steel products goes, use somer water and neutral soap and then rinse them and dry them with a dried and sweet cloth so as to avoid water traces.
If there are sediment marks on your cutlery or others accessories made in stainless steel, you should rather use white vinagar to take off the encrusted sediment. Also respect the brushing direction while cleaning with some white vinegar.
What you should avoid : Never use neither bleach nor abrasive items such as "sponge" or "steel wool" or you will definitely ruin your products made in stainless steel. Do not place your cutlery and accessories into a dishwasher
and along with others metal (iron, silver and so on...) or even along with proucts that may have got rusty stains.
Indeed, electrolysis may happen and then risk to definitely damage your cutlery and/or accessories.


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Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Wordless Wednesday: The Language of Cats, continued
"Catatonic." Self-explanatory.
(Not captured in picture: twitching of left hind foot. Probably dreaming about chasing birds.)
For the original post in this series, see The Language of Cats - An Illustrated Glossary.
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I am new here so if I'm in the wrong forum I apologize.
here is my problem,
I created a HTML email for a client, however I sent the template to the client by just dropping it in a message and sent.
But this morning my client called upset unable to copy the email I sent him so he could use it as a template to send to his customers.
so my question is , I was able to create this HTML email with pictures and the verbiage he wanted.
so how do I get him his email so he can use it ?
I'm sorry for the stupid question but my brain is letting me down this morning any help would be amazing
Thank you


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The Barter Blog
20th Year AAME Interview with Rick Rose
December 28, 2011
(Source) The Bard of Barter: Rick Rose Celebrates 20 Years at Virginia's State Theatre.
Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Va. is a significant economic, cultural and educational force in our region. At the helm is Richard Rose, who is celebrating his 20th season with Barter, only the third artistic director in the theatre's illustrious history.
Under Rose's leadership, Barter has become one of the leading regional theatres in the country when it comes to developing and producing new work. For the past 10 years, Barter's Appalachian Festival of Plays and Playwrights (AFPP) has given voice to dozens of new works that have gone on to full production here and in theatres across the country. Capitalizing on that success, in 2011 Barter launched The Shaping of America series to develop new works based on history.
Rose was named artistic director in October 1992. Since that time, attendance has grown from 42,000 to more than 160,000 annual patrons. Significant capital improvements have also been made, including renovations to both theatres, addition of the Barter Café at Stage II and the dramatic improvements made to Porterfield Square in 2006.
Before launching Barter Theatre's 2012 season, Rose took time to answer a few questions.
Does it feel like you've been at Barter for 20 years?
RICHARD ROSE: There are moments when I feel that I've been here for 20 years or more, and other times when it feels like it has passed in minutes. I can still remember many, many great moments from my first season here.
One of our employees said that working at Barter was like working at the White House. That's how fast-paced and how hard everyone around Barter works. We often joke among ourselves that every day at Barter can feel like a week, every week like a month, and every month like a year. While that's funny, it is also very true. By mid-season, you can barely remember what shows you did at the start of the season.
At Barter we have a maxim by which we live: "Art = Growth." To make every day a learning experience, to take nothing for granted, and to make the best of every decision — all this takes a great deal of energy, concentration and passion. We are constantly changing, evaluating, and doing everything we can to serve our customers and the community while keeping Barter as healthy and vital as it can be. That's hard, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
In the end, I really must say that my years at Barter Theatre, whether difficult, impossible or immensely successful, have been filled with joy. I have had the honor of working with the extraordinary people who fill Barter every day with their love of their art, their work and this historic and important organization. So, 20 days, 20 years, it's flown by and no two days are ever the same. I have been blessed to be here each and every day.
Isn't it unusual for an artistic director to have such a long tenure at a professional theatre? To what do you attribute your success and longevity at Barter?
The average tenure for an artistic director in professional theatres around the U.S. is the same as the average tenure for coaches in basketball — around seven years. When I came to Barter, I had no expectation that I would be here this long.
But Barter has a history of longevity with its leaders. In its almost 80 years, Barter has had only three artistic directors: Robert Porterfield served for nearly 40 years, Rex Partington for 20, and this year is my 20th. Barter's loyalty to its leadership is exemplary. Further, the working relationship with the Board is just as it should be, with a great exchange of ideas, challenges and respect in both directions.
Through my tenure here, I have turned down several offers that were two to three times the compensation that I receive here at Barter. I love this organization and all of the people involved with Barter. As one colleague put it allegorically, I have basically turned down offers from the Mets and the Yankees; once you do that, you've made the statement that you are here to stay. Barter has demonstrated their support for me and I've returned that with my loyalty as well. I think it is a wonderful working relationship and a tremendous area in which to live and work.
Is Barter a true repertory company?
A! Magazine: Is Barter unusual among American professional regional theaters these days in being a year-round repertory theater, with a full-time repertory company?
RICHARD ROSE: To my knowledge, Barter Theatre is the only year-round fully professional repertory theatre company on this continent. Several companies laying claim to being repertory companies offer their actors only 28-40 weeks of work per year and even at that many of these do not guarantee work for their company members for the entire season. Barter, with vacation weeks, offers its company 52 weeks per year, which is a claim almost no theatre of any kind in the U.S. can make and certainly does not happen in LORT (League of Resident Theatres), of which Barter is a founding member and which represents the nation's largest professional theatres.
But Barter has bucked the trends in theatre throughout the last 20 years with more growth and more activity than almost any of our colleagues.
Also, working in true repertory makes Barter somewhat unique. Several other repertory companies have ended their repertory schedules and gone to straight stock performances. In 2008 and 2009, the Barter staff spent a great deal of time examining other operational models and came to the conclusion that our unique mode of operation really does work extremely well for our region, our audience, and our unique economy.
We are an entrepreneurial operation, able to flow with the trends, make changes quickly to adjust to our audiences, and seize opportunities. Very few theatres, or art organizations for that matter, can manage and move in ways that Barter is able to do.
True "repertory" has three meanings in the theatre:
• Shows alternating on the same stage (for example, Dracula Bites at 2 p.m. and Cabaret at 7:45 p.m. on the same day);
• Actors rotating from one show to another (actor Sean Campos portrayed a mortician in Dracula Bites and the emcee in Cabaret);
• Traditional repertory in Europe and as far back as Shakespeare and Moliere's companies meant that a company would present various shows over a number of years, much like dance companies present The Nutcracker for decades as part of their on-going repertory. Barter does this with shows like Keep on the Sunny Side as well as other works that we keep in repertory.
Though many theatres call themselves "repertory," the reality is that they are not; thus, the tendency today to say "true repertory." The vast majority of theatres in the nation perform in "stock," which means that they do one show at a time, close it and, then do another. Barter presents its Christmas shows in stock. We present shows like A Christmas Carol on the Main Stage and Wooden Snowflakes on Stage II without any other production on those stages.
Directing & Adapting Literary Classics
A! Magazine: What are the high points of your tenure at Barter? Have there been any low points?
RICHARD ROSE: There are lots of high points, and many that you may not expect me to mention:
• expansion and touring of The Barter Players,
• founding and success of the Appalachian Festival of Plays and Playwrights,
• The Shaping of America series,
• Porterfield Square and the "Midsummer Play" fountain/sculpture by fantasy artist Charles Vess,
• the number, scope, variety and success of Barter's world premiere plays throughout the last 20 years,
• our exchange with Russian theatres in 1996,
• re-establishment of the resident acting company,
• re-establishment of Barter as one of the nation's premiere regional theatres,
• renovation of Barter Theatre, Barter Stage II, and the building of Barter Café.
As to low points, fortunately, like an NFL quarterback, I've been blessed with a very bad memory, plus the ability to see every struggle as a learning experience and the stubborness to work through any difficulty until it turns to success — or at least until it is the best that it can be. So, I don't see low points. Every challenge is an opportunity as well. I think we've successfully seized every opportunity that we had the ability to seize and made the best of every challenge put before us.
A! Magazine: Approximately how many productions have you directed? As you look back, which ones are you most proud of?
RICHARD ROSE: I've directed well over 100 productions in my tenure thus far at Barter. Trying to choose one production over another is sort of like saying you like one of your children more than you do another.
[Editor's Note: Rose has directed such plays as Driving Miss Daisy, To Kill a Mockingbird, Keep on the Sunny Side, Fiddler on the Roof, Déjà Vu, Wit, My Fair Lady, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Camelot, Sundown, Patient A, and Death of a Salesman.]
You must enjoy adapting literary classics. Are you a playwright at heart?
I do not and have never considered myself a "playwright." I do like adapting literary works, which is a lot more like directing and editing than what I think a playwright does. I have great respect for the work of playwrights, who use infinite creativity and imagination to create original works for the theatre. I am but a mere adaptor.
What I do think I do well in adapting works is capture both the flavor and the intent of the original works from which my adaptations are created. I do not really attempt to make the work my own, as a playwright will.
I instead truly try to bring the original work to life and to show the audience that the piece of literature is relevant in today's world.
[Editor's Note: Rose's original adaptations of plays include It's a Wonderful Life, A Modern Christmas Carol, Wuthering Heights, The Hound of the Baskervilles, Frankenstein and Dracula.]
Barter: Looking Back, Looking Forward
A! Magazine: Barter seems to be getting back to its historic roots by taking plays on tour. Has that venture been successful?
RICHARD ROSE: We have been extremely successful in doing exactly what we set out to do by touring nationally. There were largely three reasons for Barter to begin producing national tours once more, aside from the historic roots of this theatre as a touring organization:
• With the reduction in the number of freelance writers and the lack of media coverage outside of metropolitan areas, Barter needed to be seen and experienced nationally as a way to garner national attention and attract tourists from across the nation.
• With a resident acting company, touring is a great opportunity for company members to experience the rest of the country and still remain a part of Barter's resident acting core – a way for them to concentrate on their work in one show. Usually, in any given week, an actor at Barter Theatre is performing two different productions on stage and rehearsing two other productions at the same time.
• A third reason is to raise the status of Barter Theatre within the theatre world. As it is extremely difficult for theatre colleagues to get to see much, if any, of our work here, our tours give them an opportunity to see and/or hear about Barter's work. Barter is a very special theatre doing a very unique style of work theatrically. It is important for us that the rest of the theatre world experience and understand what we are doing here in Abingdon. Touring is one way that the world can experience Barter.
A! Magazine: There seems to be a majority of "gray heads" who attend Barter. How is Barter trying to reach out to young audiences?
RICHARD ROSE: Actually, Barter is admired nationally for the youth of our audiences. The average age of Barter's audience is well below the national average for audiences for professional theatre. Barter has been immensely successful in attracting audiences of all ages. In fact, if we have any difficulty at this point in time, it is that we do NOT have a large enough audience in the ages above 65. Of our 160,000-plus audience members every year, more than 25% are under 18. We have great success with Gen X (born 1965-1980) and Gen Y (born after 1980) audiences, strong college attendance, and excellent family attendance. I would consider our audience extremely well-balanced.
A! Magazine: What were the successes of the 2011 season? Are Barter's numbers of attendees continuing to climb?
RICHARD ROSE: Barter's attendance numbers have stayed consistently over 163,000 for the last three years, with 2008, 2009 and 2010 all being record years in some of the toughest economic times that we have experienced in our lifetime. That speaks volumes about Barter and the consistency and quality of our programming.
Attendance, which it seems everyone would like to use to judge a show's success, is not always the criterion for true success. Large numbers may just mean popularity, which may have more to do with the history of the show or its previous incarnations or who wrote it or how long it ran on Broadway or how popular it was as a movie.
I consider our 2011 production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast a success, not because it was the largest attended production in Barter history, but because it was an incredible production from every point-of-view — acting, designs, choreography, etc. It was a truly thorough and professional work by Barter on every level.
The success of Civil War Voices is measured by the quality of that work and Barter's work on developing that important project for the future of the theatre in hopes that it will be presented throughout the U.S. — it's that important a work.
One could argue that Barter's recent production of Cabaret could be considered among the best productions of that show worldwide. That's saying a lot given the history and longevity of that show.
Our production of The 39 Steps was extremely popular and, yet, I consider Circumference of a Squirrel, a one-man show that would only attract the more discerning and serious theatre-goer, to be among the most successful shows of the 2011 season and a performance by Nick Piper that I will remember for the rest of my life.
Have audiences ever laughed harder than at Dracula Bites? And has Catherine Bush written better plays than Wooden Snowflakes or The Road to Appomattox — I think not.
So, you see my dilemma. Success comes in many forms and we at Barter are very clear about our goals for each production and measure success against the goals we set out to achieve. Every play cannot and will not win the popularity contest.
A! Magazine: How do you go about planning for a theater season?
RICHARD ROSE: I truly look forward to every play we choose to produce here at Barter. I do not choose a show that I cannot get excited about producing or excited about bringing to Barter's audiences. The planning process for a season is extremely complicated as one must consider the following:
• Sales (Barter is 78% reliant upon earned income; 65% of total revenues are ticket sales. The national average in professional theatre is 45% earned income; 32% ticket sales),
• Our repertory company members,
• Artistic goals,
• Regional desires and sensibilities,
• Our commitment to Appalachian culture and Southern programming, and
• Always, always one has to consider our budget limitations.
A! Magazine: What new directions do you see Barter going in the next 10 years?
RICHARD ROSE: I don't want to leave you with any negative implications about anything, but I do believe that Barter and the arts in general are going to struggle and have to find new opportunities and new sources of revenues over the next five years.
Looking out over 10 years, I see Barter's future to be very bright as we have had great success with younger audiences – Gen X and Gen Y – who will become a foundation for Barter's future. Barter has set itself up for future success by being able to adjust and able to understand trends. I see a Barter experiencing continued growth in the second five years of the next decade. I think in five to seven years, there is a third theatre space in Barter's future, but certainly not before that time frame.
We have a lot of long-term programming and projects: the Appalachian Festival of Plays and Playwrights, the Shaping of America series, The Wolf Hills Project (in conjunction with Community Performance International), and an expanded educational program which will position Barter within the schools throughout the region. All of these will carry Barter into a very vital and important next 10 years.
A! Magazine: What would be the programming at a third theatre?
RICHARD ROSE: Plans would be two-fold: (1) a better space for programming for family audiences for which our Main Stage is just a bit too large of a theatre, and (2) a place to run ongoing productions such as Keep on the Sunny Side: The Songs and Story of The Carter Family for which there is a demand.
A! Magazine: In 1949, Barter Theatre won a Tony Award for contributions to the American theatre. Isn't it time that Barter won another Tony Award?
RICHARD ROSE: While we'd all love that to happen, and we have had many friends on the Tony committees over the last decade, the American Theatre Wing has stated that it will not repeat a regional Tony winner as there are too many regional theatres who have yet to be recognized for their work; thus, they will not consider any theatre who has previously received the award.


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The New Craftsman Gallery is delighed to present a new body of work by Derya Erdem entitled "Flux".
Derya Erdem's abstract paintings find their power in the artist's mastery of composition and an uplifting palette of primary and secondary colours. Inspired by dreams and the collected histories of her years living in Cornwall, works in this exhibition explore the relationship between human nature and the environment, fusing fiction and primitive imagery with the artist's passion for the colours and textures of coastal minutiae.


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Getty Images
The Sunday night slate will continue to be unchanged for another two weeks.
The league announced Monday there would be no changes to the Sunday night lineup for either Week 14 or Week 15. That means the country will see Detroit at Green Bay and San Francisco at New England as previously scheduled.
There has yet to be a change to the Sunday night lineup this season. The 49ers-Patriots match up could end up being a Super Bowl preview with the level both teams are playing at right now. Detroit and Green Bay won't likely have the same kind of playoff implications for both teams, but will put two of the more productive offenses in the league against each other just three weeks after a hard-fought 24-20 win by the Packers in Detroit.


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After posting about the gravestone I'd found for a Maryanna Aumiller, I went through all of the photos I have from Calvary. Sure enough, I found I'd taken one of Maryanna's husband, Adelbert "George" Aumiller. I hope eventually to establish some connection with the Aumillers to the Plenzers and hopefully in the future locate any possible Dauer relatives through my great-grandmother, Eva Dauer Plenzler.
Here is the photo for Adelbert "George" Aumiller:
The grave location in Calvary is: Grave: 921, Range or lot: 6, Section: 3


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What We Do
One of Mayor Michael A. Nutter's first priorities when he assumed office was the establishment of the Mayor's Office of Transportation and Utilities. From the beginning the Mayor's Office of Transportation and Utilities (MOTU) was charged with building a shared vision and coordinating decision-making among agencies and departments – Streets, Commerce, Public Property, Traffic Police, City Planning, the School District, Parks and Recreation, the Airport, the waterfront and port agencies, SEPTA, PATCO, PennDOT, Amtrak, and DVRPC in order to save money and improve conditions throughout the City's transportation system.
The Mayor's Office of Transportation and Utilities works hard to make sure that Philadelphians can get where they are going, no matter how they choose to get there; be it by foot, bike, car or transit. It endeavors to ensure that Philadelphia's water, electricity and gas systems are of the highest caliber. To do so MOTU makes sure that the investments and plans that affect the city's infrastructure and the people who use it are done with a shared vision of increased mobility and sustainability. The Mayor's Office of Transportation does not directly provide city services, instead it makes sure that those departments that fix the city's pot holes, the authorities that run its subways, and maintain its runways work together for a brighter, greener future.
Philadelphia was built by visionaries who preserved our water supply through the creation of parks, created neighborhoods along train lines and street cars, and brought people downtown to shop via subways and elevated lines. Today there are 9,537 transit stops throughout the city, 2,575 miles of street, and over 6,500 miles of sewers and water mains running underground across the city. The Mayor's Office of Transportation and Utilities (MOTU) is responsible for taking the "good bones" which make up Philadelphia's infrastructure system and making sure they are responsive to the needs of the 21st Century. MOTU is made up of passionate administrators, planners and do-ers who represent over thirty years of experience in transit, parking, biking and municipal operations planning.


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Maplesville, Alabama, (November 4, 2012) – Russell Bobbitt closed out the 2012 AMA Rekluse National Enduro Series with a well-deserved victory – his first of the year – at the season finale in Maplesville, Alabama, holding off a late charge by Husaberg's Nick Fahringer to take the win by a 24-second margin.
After suffering through what he described as a "tough" year, Bobbitt turned it all around at the Alabama race, winning three of the last five tests after getting off to a relatively slow start in the opening test. With the win, the FMF/KTM rider finished out the 2012 standings in third place overall.
"It feels good to finally get the win," said Bobbitt. "We made several changes to the bike and I think it made a difference. I felt better on the bike and I was able to flow through the sections a little better."
Fahringer won two tests en route to a second-straight runner-up finish, and ended the season on a high note after struggling all year to match his three-win performance at the end of last year.
"Obviously I'm disappointed that I didn't get a win this year, but I felt like I proved myself at the end of the year," said Fahringer. "The pressure was off today and I just went out and had a good time and I ended up riding a good race."
Brad Bakken edged Husaberg's Michael Lafferty by 14 seconds to claim the final podium spot, the Obermeyer Yamaha/Offroadvikings/Raines Racing-backed rider capitalizing on a quick start that saw him win the first test of the day. Bakken lost considerable time in the second test when he got hung up with two slower riders, but fast times in the final two tests enabled the Virginia rider to pull back ahead of Lafferty at the finish.
Lafferty finished out the day in fourth overall on a 2013 Husaberg, while New Jersey KTM rider Jesse Groemm rounded out the top five. Groemm also finished out the year as the top-finishing rookie Pro.
Airgroup Radiant Racing's Shane Hufford was sixth on the day, while KTM rider Grant Baylor and FAR Husqvarna's Andrew DeLong were seventh and eighth.
Aussie off-roader Geoff Braico matched his best finish of the year in ninth, beating out Colorado KTM rider Ian Blythe.
Newly crowned series champ Stu Baylor broke his collarbone in a practice crash on the Thursday before the Alabama race and ended up watching the race from the sidelines.
In the 2012 final standings, Baylor finished out the year with a total of 242 points, with Lafferty ending the year in second with 207. Bobbitt was third overall for the year with 167 points, while Fahringer and Groemm rounded out the top five overall with 146 and 130 points, respectively.
For more information on the AMA Rekluse National Enduro Series and to view the 2013 schedule, visit www.nationalenduro.com.
1. Russell Bobbitt (KTM)
2. Nick Fahringer (Hsb)
3. Brad Bakken (Yam)
4. Michael Lafferty (Hsb)
5. Jesse Groemm (KTM)
6. Shane Hufford (Hsb)
7. Grant Baylor (KTM)
8. Andrew DeLong (Hsq)
9. Geoff Braico (KTM)
10. Ian Blythe (KTM)


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