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Ioway Indians had separate summer and winter lodges. Bark houses called tcakiduthans kept the Ioway cool during hot summer months, while winter mat-houses called ita-hos, made from layers of sewn cattail leaves, protected the Ioway from harsh winters. While traveling on hunting expeditions, the Ioway lived in a chibothraje, or tipi made from buffalo hides. In their villages, the Ioway also built sweat lodges, food-drying racks, cooking areas, work areas, hide-scraping racks, pottery pits, and gardens.
The United States is one of the most diverse countries on earth, jam packed full of amazing sights from St. Patrick's cathedral in New York to Mount Hollywood California.The Northeast region is where it all started. Thirteen British colonies fought the American Revolution from here and won their independence in the first successful colonial rebellion in history. Take a look at these rolling hills carpeted with foliage along the Hudson river here, north of New York City.The American south is known for its polite people and slow pace of life. Probably they move slowly because it's so hot. Southerners tend not to trust people from "up north" because they talk too fast. Here's a cemetery in Georgia where you can find graves of soldiers from the Civil War.The West Coast is sort of like another country that exists to make the east coast jealous. California is full of nothing but grizzly old miners digging for gold, a few gangster rappers, and then actors. That is to say, the West Coast functions as the imagination of the US, like a weird little brother who teases everybody then gets famous for making freaky art.The central part of the country is flat farmland all the way over to the Rocky Mountains. Up in the northwest corner you can find creative people in places like Portland and Seattle, along with awesome snowboarding and good beer. Text by Steve Smith.


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Ed Templeton and Diego are in Spain right now for some last minute hammers.
I think everyone knows Joshua Harmony recently was married, in his home town of Chicago last month. He is just getting back from his Honey Moon and is ready to finish up his Good & Evil part. Congrats to Joshua and Jenna, theyre married!
Look for a Toy Machine / Good & Evil world video premiere tour in October. The team will be hitting spots such as LA, Tampa, UK, Germany, Amsterdam and France. More details to come on that trip.

subset: commoncrawl


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Packaging Objects to Preserve Encapsulation
This series, The Object-Oriented Thought Process, is intended for someone just learning an object-oriented language and wants to understand the basic concepts before jumping into the code or someone who wants to understand the infrastructure behind an OOP language they are already using. Click here to start at the beginning of the series.
In keeping with the code examples used in the previous articles, Java will be the language used to implement the concepts in code. One of the reasons that I like to use Java is because you can download the Java compiler for personal use at the Sun Microsystems Web site http://java.sun.com/. You can download the J2SE 1.4.2 SDK (software development kit) to compile and execute these applications and I will provide the code listings for all examples in this article. I have the SDK 1.4.0 loaded on my machine. I will also provide figures and the output (when appropriate) for these examples. See the previous articles in this series for detailed descriptions for compiling and running all the code examples in this series.
The Potential Problem Revisited
Whenever the interface/implementation paradigm is covered, we are really talking about encapsulation. The basic question is what in a class should be exposed and what should not be exposed. This encapsulation pertains equally to data and behavior. When talking about a class, the primary design decision revolves around encapsulating both the data and the behavior into a well-written class.
Inheritance is a mechanism by which a developer can design one class by inheriting the data and behavior of another class. For example, a Dog class can inherit data and behavior from a Mammal class. Thus, the designer can create data and behavior for all mammals and not have to duplicate this functionality for various mammals like dogs, cats, bears, etc.
Encapsulation is so fundamental to OO that enforcement of encapsulation is one of OO design's cardinal rules. Inheritance is also considered one of the three primary OO concepts. However, in the previous column we found that, at least, in one way, inheritance actually breaks encapsulation!
Let's deal with this problem by modifying the code that we were working on in the last article (we will start with a bit of a review).
A Code Example
In this example we created 3 classes, Mammal, Dog, and an application class called Packaging. The reason that we named the application Packaging was due to the fact that we are going to address our encapsulation/inheritance dilemma by using Java packaging. The Mammal class is shown in listing 1.
// Class Mammal public class Mammal { private String color; public void growHair(){ System.out.println("Hair Growing"); } }
Listing 1
In this class we have a private attribute called color and a public method called growHair(). To use the Mammal class we create an application called Packaging. This class is presented in listing 2.
//Class Packaging public class Packaging { public static void main (String args[]){ Mammal mammal = new Mammal(); mammal.growHair(); mammal.color = "blue"; } }
Listing 2
When we run this application we get the output in figure 1.
Figure 1We can now test our encapsulation principle by attempting to have the application access the private attribute color as seen in listing 3.
//Class Packaging public class Packaging { public static void main (String args[]){ Mammal mammal = new Mammal(); mammal.growHair(); mammal.color = "blue"; // try to access private attribute } }
Listing 3
As we can see in figure 2, the compiler just won't accept this.
Figure 2
This was all expected; however, let's add inheritance to the mix by adding a class called Dog as seen in listing 4.
//Class Dog public class Dog extends Mammal{ private int barkFrequency; public void bark(){ System.out.println("Dog Barking"); } }
Listing 4
Now we can start doing some interesting things. First, we can try to access Mammal's attribute color from the Dog class - see listing 5.
//Class Dog public class Dog extends Mammal{ private int barkFrequency; public void bark(){ System.out.println("Dog Barking"); color = "blue"; } }
Listing 5
When we run this the compiler complains again as is seen in figure 3. Yet, at one level this appears incorrect. Since Dog Is-A Mammal, doesn't the Dog contain all the attributes of Mammal? In short, is in not true that Dog inherits all the attributes and methods of Mammal?
Figure 3
This is an interesting design dilemma for object-oriented compiler builders. Here is the problem.
- Inheritance dictates that a child class (subclass) inherits all the attributes and methods from a parent class (superclass).
- Encapsulation dictates that one class must not have access to the (private) data of another class.
The way these rules are written it seems that, at least in one point, they may be mutually exclusive. How can this conundrum be addressed?
Since encapsulation is the primary object-oriented mandate we have no choice, we must make all attributes private. Making the attributes public is not an option. Thus, it appears that the use of inheritance may be severely limited. The important question is this: if a subclass does not have access to the attributes of its parent then we have a real design problem.
To allow subclasses to access the attributes of the parent, language designers have included the access modifier protected. There are actually 2 types of protected access, which we will explain in detail later in this column. Right now, let's change the color access modifier to protected as seen in listing 6.
// Class Mammal public class Mammal { protected String color; public void growHair(){ System.out.println("Hair Growing"); } }
Listing 6
This change allows the code to compile and execute. By making color protected, Dog now has access to the attributes in Mammal - as we would expect. However, we now have another problem.
In listing 9 we put back the line to access Dog's color attribute from the Packaging application.
//Class Packaging public class Packaging { public static void main (String args[]){ Mammal mammal = new Mammal(); mammal.growHair(); mammal.color = "blue"; } }
Listing 7
The problem is that this compilation process now works (see figure 4). In short, the application (class Packaging) can directly access Dog's color attribute (via its parent Mammal). This is due to the fact that the protected modifier allows classes in the same package to access each others protected attributes. In this case we have created no packages so the Java compiler puts everything in a default package.
Note: if you create a Java file without defining a package at the top of the file, then the class is placed in the default package. The Sun online documentation suggests the following: "Generally speaking, the default package is only for small or temporary applications or when you are just beginning development. Otherwise, classes, enums and annotations belong in named packages."
Regardless of what is going on, the application has direct access to an attribute in another class. Based on the rule of encapsulation, this is unacceptable. It appears that we have fixed the inheritance issue, but now we have broken encapsulation. What can we do?
Figure 4
We clearly have a dilemma. It appears that we have to make a decision as to whether to enforce inheritance or encapsulation. This example clearly shows the problem that inheritance poses to encapsulation. It is very helpful for a developer to fully understand the subtleties involved with the inner workings of various object-oriented constructs. By realizing what the issues are in this example, you can more fully grasp what inheritance and encapsulation are and how to make your designs more robust.
Page 1 of 2
This article was originally published on September 7, 2005
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Viacom channels are off DirecTV systems
NEW YORK (AP) -- DirecTV subscribers are losing access to "The Daily Show" and "SpongeBob SquarePants."
DirecTV Group Inc. stopped carrying channels owned by Viacom Inc. because of a contract dispute. They include MTV, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central.
The dispute is over how much DirecTV should pay to carry the Viacom programming. The two companies blamed each other for the shutdown.
Viacom and DirecTV have had an agreement for seven years, which Viacom says meant that it has been paid below-market rates for the programming. DirecTV, meanwhile, says Viacom is asking for too much money.
DirecTV has 20 million U.S. subscribers.


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The site posts disclaimers that the results do not mean that you have any disease, condition, or trait. If you feel that you do have a particular health problem, you need to see a doctor for evaluation.
The results revealed slightly elevated or slightly decreased risks of several cancers, autoimmune disorders, and other diseases such as restless leg syndrome. Nothing to worry about, or even run to a doctor.
For traits, I supposedly carry sprinter genes- meaning that I can run fast. I cannot. I do run, but my goal is a mile under ten minutes.
The genealogical results should be available next week.


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Not Princess Leia!
Actress Carrie Fisher says she did cocaine on the set of "The Empire Strikes Back," marking the beginning of a drug spiral that almost wrecked her life. Fisher, now 53, didn't name names, but told an Australian news service she wasn't the only one snorting the stuff.
"We did cocaine on the set of 'Empire', in the ice planet," Fisher told Australian newswire AAP, referring to the setting of the second film in the original "Star Wars" trilogy.
U.S. & World
"I didn't even like coke that much, it was just a case of getting on whatever train I needed to take to get high," she said while visiting Sydney for her "Wishful Drinking" stand-up comedy show.
Now a writer and comedienne, Fisher's turn as Princess Leia in the 1977-1983 "Star Wars" saga was by far her most famous role.
She told the service that it was John Belushi, who himself would die of a drug overdose in 1982, who warned to stop doing drugs.
"Slowly I realised I was doing a bit more drugs than other people and losing my choice in the matter," she said. "If I'd been addicted to booze I'd be dead now, because you just go out and get it."
The former star, daughter of Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher, said she did not blame her broken family or the pressures of celebrity for her addictions.
"It's always been my responsibility," she said. "If it was Hollywood (to blame), then we'd all be dope addicts."


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LAFlyer necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 90 diseños de 34 diseñadores freelance.
We are passionate divers who are frustrated with the lack of modern, socially-connected dive resources online. We will be launching DiveDirector.com this summer with the goal of becoming the premiere online resource and community for SCUBA divers worldwide.
SCUBA divers are passionate about their sport. They are nature enthusiasts, adventure seekers, and enthusiastic community participants.
The divers targeted by DiveDirector are those that travel the world in pursuit of new dive adventures. These are world travelers and adventure seekers. The site will offer divers a comprehensive database of dive resources around the globe and an open community platform for sharing opinions and experiences.
We are looking for a logo with a character-based graphic as well as the "DiveDirector" text. The character we are looking for is a porcupine puffer fish. See http://www.paulandtres.com/albums/a…rosie1.jpg for an example if you're not familiar with the fish!
The character can be stylized or more highly designed. In either case, we are looking for the graphic to have a clear personality that conveys the tone and voice of the site - the fish should be friendly and accessible (cute?) but with a touch of attitude. Ideally, the character should have standalone mascot potential as well.
DiveDirector will have a Web 2.0-ish design, and the logo should fit in with this theme. The site's color scheme is likely to be blue with dive-flag red highlights. We believe the logo should use a similar palette.
We are leaning against any logo that includes a dive flag, which we believe is too common and will distract from the puffer character.
We will do our best to provide daily feedback on designs and will be responsive to questions.
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


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A Walled-In Bunch of Houses Is Not a Community
Correspondent J.B. submitted this interesting chart comparing "per capita" retail space in the U.S. with European countries:
Please go to www.oftwominds.com/blog.html to see the chart.
What's striking about this imbalance is that European cities have plenty of retail. If you wander around a city like Paris, you'll find ground floor shops are the norm along major streets. Even small residential streets near thoroughfares support neighborhood shops. Walking down a side street in the 16th Arrondissement (near the Exelmans Metro station), you find a small grocer, a bakery, a cafe, a tabac and a larger grocery store. Just a block away, the Avenue de Versailles is lined with restaurants and small retail; an open-air "farmers market" operates every morning on a small plaza.
There is no shortage of retail space in European cities, nor shopping opportunities, and so you have to wonder if the U.S. really needs 7 times more retail space than Europe.
As for over-building, correspondent S.S. submitted this apt observation:
"Funny you should mention "mall after mall" on your trip. My 14 year old son even noticed all the empty strip malls going up in the SW Chicago suburbs. He calls them "space available malls."
And lest you think this insanity is only a U.S. phenomenon, correspondent Mega filed this report from the U.K.:
"Not just America for MEGA shopping mail projects, here in Liverpool building is busy! WE are rebuilding the city centre to make one of the biggest shopping centres in Britain.... Just as everyone is switching to shopping on line/overseas!
Also we built loads of Apartment blocks....We call them flats....which nobody wants!
Only tonight one of our pop stars (Ex) was raided by a gang of thugs who smashed their way into said apartment and robbed her and her boyfriend. For years people have been queuing up to buy rebuilt flats from areas of Liverpool you NEVER want to be in. One block (where I used to buy drugs from) is in the middle of a "Free fire zone"....Yet they are now talking of £1 Million flats!!!!
Or....You could buy 170 miles away in deep country side a very nice period home, in 5-10 acres of land almost ZERO crime, nice people etc for half that!....Go Figger!
Today I had YET another sale lit drop on my table at work wanting me to buy industrial units (Workshops)....Everyone went out and bought land and built Shops, Workshops, Flats etc.... without wondering about the market. Now with Oil rocketing thus inflation (yes they can't hide it now) rates are going to rocket.
Recession, I bloody well hope so!"
I would also like to offer a first-hand account of living in a "gated community." Despite the desperate pleas of her three surviving children, my Mom bought a brand-new house in a gated community near Phoenix, AZ about a decade ago when this "self-selected imprisonment" trend really started to take off. (Your kids--what do they know? Nothing!)
Although her decision mystifies us to this day, I think she "bought into" the propaganda that this was a "safe place" that locked the big bad world outside; I also reckon she was seduced by the amazing square footage being offered (a mere three bedrooms in those misbegotten days; now you get four or five, which is astoundingly better.)
On our first visit to this middle-class American Heaven--at least that is how it was presented-- my Mom's first action was to notify Security about our car. The problem: it was parked in the driveway. This is unsightly, and therefore verboten. (There were no exclusions offered to Jaguars or other luxury vehicles, so it was very evenly enforced.) However, residents with visitors were allowed a few days grace.
Next: ah, it's evening, let's take a walk. Hmm, there are no sidewalks. The vast stretches of pavement are for vehicles only. So we walk in the street, spotting a very few other residents walking their dogs or getting a bit of exercise. After passing block after block of carefully manicured front yards with no evidence of human habitation or individual character--you were proscribed from doing much more than posting a name placard or hanging a wind chime--we reach the Community Center.
This was a truly Orwellian touch, for there was almost no one there but paid staff. Now it is true that many units in this subdivision were owned by Sunbirds, folks from Northern climes who only live there in summer, but the sales reps had carefully noted that the place was sold out and mostly occupied by fulltime residents.
What greeted us inside the "Community Center" was a vision of the lonely corner of Hell. Though Sartre was undoubtedly correct in observing "Hell is other people," (from the play No exit), this description only covers the ghetto districts of Hell, where miscreants are either shouting angrily or breaking into your house, crazy people are mumbling and cursing at all hours, pathological criminals are wandering around at night stabbing people--in other words, my urban neighborhood here in sunny carefree California.
But there is another corner of Hell, the Lonely Quarter. Here, a large, lifeless room with a bar and overstuffed chairs is devoid of life. True, the television is on, blaring the current mind-numbingly idiotic offering of a 24-hour sports channel, and a tired potted palm clings to life in its glazed pot, but the only occupant of the cavernous space is a lone elderly man, sitting alone at a table. He may be watching the TV, or staring off into space; it's hard to tell. But my spirit sank into the deepest gloom at the scene, for this was the exact opposite of Community.
Yes, there was the requisite bulletin board neatly announcing various classes and outings which had been scheduled by a paid staffer: a painting class, an exercise class, etc. But did any unsalaried resident care whether you lived or died? No one would even know you were dead or alive. You never saw your neighbors, much less got to know them, as there was no human activity in the "community" other than these artificial "community events" at the "commuity center."
The "community" had all the charm of a low-security prison, which is basically what it was. My Mom sold out for a loss a few years later--of course the developer was busy building Units 5 and 6 across the 8-lane highway, so supply always exceeded demand--and moved to Sante Fe.
Consider by way of contrast a company town. We happened to pass a company town on our camping trip, one established by a large electric utility decades ago for the employees of its hydo-electric plant. A company town must be livable, lest your employees flee. This town had a single street of well-tended houses, and a school and a general store. It was a small town, no more than a few hundred residents, roughly equivalent to a gated subdivision, but the feeling was the polar opposite of a lifeless gated Hell: people were out washing their truck, or tending their yard; it was a lived-in place, not a place tended by paid staff and inhabited by unseen owners.
Developers don't build communities--they build secure blocks of dwellings. There is a difference between the two, conceptually and in the lived-in experience. I hate to disillusion those of you who have bought in a gated community, but they are not communities, and therefore they are fundamentally sad, artificial places.
I lived in a company town as a teenager: Lanai City, island of Lanai, State of Hawaii. The company: Dole Pineapple. It was and remains a very livable community with an actual center. You know who your neighbors are because you see them on a daily basis, and know what kind of vehicle they drive, and you see them at the high School basketball game (go Pine Lads!) or in the store or post office. (There's no mail delivery, so you will go to the post office.) You will notice if someone is ill or out of town, and you will ask or be told without special effort. You won't necessarily like your neighbors, but you'll be friendly, and you'll pitch in for the reason that they are neighbors.
We in America have busily constructed countless lonely corners of Hell, and told ourselves it is Heaven. But being told a lie, and believing a lie, is not the same as living a lie.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
A Walled-In Bunch of Houses Is Not a Community
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Pull up a chair and get to know your fellow fans in a "less formal" setting.
Post polls related to topics from the Cafe. Abuse of the forum will result in suspension.
Rep Retirement Lodge: Choose...
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Collection Items
MapSketch of the vicinity of the falls of Caney Fork of Cumberland River, Ten. [sic] Relief shown by hachures. Shows parts of Warren and Van Buren counties, Tennessee, indicating rivers, falls, roads, houses and names of residents and woodland. Sun print. Description derived from published bibliography. Civil War salted paper maps. AL-45. LC Civil War maps (2nd ed.), 396.4 Available also through the Library of Congress Web site as a raster image.
- Contributor: Weyss, J. E. - Michler, N. (Nathaniel)
- Date: 1863


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Lower Body Exercises: Dos and Don'ts
Learn how to keep your hips, knees, ankles and feet limber and strong.
Exercise is great when it comes to reducing pain and improving range of motion, but what's best for your joints – particularly those in your lower extremities? Marjorie Albohm, a certified athletic trainer and director of orthopaedic research at Orthopaedics Indianapolis, suggests the following lower body exercises that work best – and even help improve the affected area – as well as some activities to avoid.
Remember to wear well-fitting, supportive shoes for all exercise, except pool work and yoga in some cases. As always, check with your doctor or physical therapist before starting a fitness regimen, and stop any action or movement that brings pain. If you feel joint – not muscle – soreness that lasts more than two hours after your workout, your regimen needs adjusting.
Most of the following lower body exercises can be modified for tender joints.
Do: Walk in the shallow end of the pool, on land or on a treadmill (keep it flat – no incline); swim laps using gentle kicks; ride a bike in easy gears or cycle on a stationary bicycle; perform some yoga poses; upper-body strengthening exercises and isometric exercises to strengthen the hip without moving the joint.
Don't: Running; "abduction" exercises, which move the leg away from the body and can include some Pilates and yoga poses; squats with heavy weights. Wall squats or squats with just the bar and no weights across your shoulders are OK.
Do: Swim laps using gentle kicks; walk in the shallow end of the pool, on land (rubberized asphalt tracks are best) or on a flat treadmill; tai chi; perform upper-body and quadriceps-strengthening exercises (without weights); ride a bike in easy gears or cycle on a stationary bicycle.
Don't: Running; squats with heavy weights; some yoga poses and sports such as basketball or racquetball that involve jumping and quick changes of direction; high-impact exercise where both feet leave the ground at the same time, like jumping jacks or rope.
Ankles and Feet
Do: Swim laps with gentle kicks; ride a bike in easy gears or cycle on a stationary bicycle; walk in the shallow end of the pool; yoga; walk in supportive shoes, limiting speed as needed, on land (on a rubberized asphalt track, if available) or a flat treadmill; most land exercise moves and upper-body and quadriceps-strengthening exercises.
Don't: High-impact activities that involve jumping (jumping rope, some aerobics classes); walking on uneven surfaces (gravel, hiking trails and some sidewalks), walking for long distances without rest or lower body stretching breaks and sports like basketball or tennis that involve quick changes of direction.
Be sure to ask your doctor or physical therapist about the best lower body stretching moves.
The Arthritis Foundation is the leading organization
providing support and funding research to improve the
lives of individuals with arthritis. You can help!


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New servePGH mentoring initiative to make more students 'Promise' ready
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl has launched his newest mentoring initiative, Promise Coaches, which equips adults with the skills needed to mentor young people through high school and on to higher education, while increasing the number of 'Promise ready' students eligible to receive $40,000 for college from The Pittsburgh Promise.
Funded by a $100,000 grant from The Coca-Cola Foundation and led by the Mayor's servePGH initiative – with support from The Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern Pennsylvania, the United Way of Allegheny County, Pittsburgh Public Schools and The Pittsburgh Promise – a series of mentoring workshops will be held throughout the city. By this summer, 500 volunteers will be trained to become Promise Coaches.
The Promise Coaches Campaign is designed to provide Pittsburgh's adults with helpful tools, resources and skills to help navigate a young person through high school and on to higher education. Unlike traditional mentoring programs, this program does not match adults with young people. Instead, it offers a wealth of resources for mentoring relationships that already exist.
By participating in a 90-minute training session, volunteer "Promise Coaches" will learn how to have productive and engaging conversations with young people, how to act as a support system, and how to foster each individual's unique qualities to help lead them to success. After the launch, the program's first 35 volunteers participated in interactive exercises to learn what is required for students to graduate and how they can guide them through graduation to college.
"We wholeheartedly believe in the importance of helping each and every young person succeed," said Colleen Fedor, executive director of The Mentoring Partnership. "This effort will better inform and equip caring adult volunteers to engage and help students navigate high-school and prepare for successful, fulfilling and productive careers.
"It is a win for students, a win for the volunteers and a win for our city. Joining with Mayor Ravenstahl, we are continuing to build on existing mentoring efforts to ensure that all young people know that we care about them and are here to help them reach their fullest potential."
Promise Coaches mirrors the goals of The Pittsburgh Promise – both programs aim to increase both high school and college graduation rates among Pittsburgh residents while increasing the number of students eligible to receive the $40,000 scholarship available to all public and charter school students in the city that meet attendance and GPA requirements.
Residents can sign up to become a Promise Coach, or find more information about the program, at pittsburghpa.gov/promisecoaches or by contacting the servePGH office at 412-255-2280 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
Future trainings will be held at: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh; Mount Ararat Community Activity Center; School 2 Career, a program of Oakland Planning and Development Corporation; Neighborhood Learning Alliance; and Catholic Charities, Diocese of Pittsburgh.


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Summer is here! Now is the time to spend quality time with your family in the backyard with that big coffee mug in your hand. But is your outdoor seating charming enough to encourage pleasant family moments? Even if you do not have a backyard, you can create a good outdoor living space in your front porch, balcony or even on the rooftop.
Here are a few simple steps to help you convert the vacant space around your house into a welcoming outdoor seating:
Make it an Extension of the Indoors- The first step of designing an outdoor space is to stop treating it like a separate part of the house. You need to do away with the line between indoors and outdoors. Whether you plan to make it a temporary dining area or more like a living room, keep the decor relatively similar to that of the indoors. You can do that by using the same color palette and similar decor pieces.
Front Porch Dressing–
Because of its proximity to the streets, the front porches of independent homes are often overlooked as an outdoor seating. However, by putting something up to maintain privacy, you can convert it into a pretty porch. Use a few shrubs and small plants to decorate it. Put wicker furniture and a centre table and you have a perfect spot for evening tea or a night under the stars.
Take Nature's Help- If you have trees and plants in your backyard, it is even better for decorating an outdoor space. Dispose off the weeds and put outdoor furniture. You can also put subtle lightings on trees to create a beautiful effect at night.


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Palm Harbor Academy, which was deemed among the lowest-performing schools in the state in 2012, has added an extra hour for students, hired new staff and brought on consultants to get back on track.
PALM COAST — As many young schoolchildren pack up each day, Palm Harbor Academy students gear up for an extra hour of reading. While their peers are boarding buses, the charter school students are breaking into small groups for individual instruction.
Palm Harbor Academy, which was deemed among the lowest-performing schools in the state in 2012, has added an extra hour for students, hired new staff and brought on consultants to get back on track.
The school, which serves about 60 students in kindergarten through sixth-grade, received $115,000 from the state to extend the school day because it was among the 100 lowest performing elementary schools based on scores on the reading portion of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test.
Three Volusia schools were also on the list: Boston Avenue Charter School and Starke Elementary in DeLand; and Westside Elementary in Daytona Beach.
The children might be itching for the final bell to ring, but Palm Harbor teacher Nicole Freeman reports her students are "doing great" with the extra hour. "It actually goes by quick — before you know it, it's time to clean up and go," she said.
Freeman teaches reading for 90 minutes to nine second-graders during the normal school day and then they get another hour of instruction from a different teacher. The students switch so they're exposed to different teaching styles.
Staff members are hoping the extra hour, along with help from reading and math consultants, will help students perform better on state tests this year. Palm Harbor, which opened in 2009, has struggled academically and the school received a "F" grade from the state's Department of Education last year.
There's plenty of room for improvement: None of last year's fourth-graders passed the reading or math sections of the FCAT. Palm Harbor's sixth-graders performed better, with 53 percent passing the reading section and 29 percent passing the math section.
A second failing grade within the next three years could mean Palm Harbor Academy is forced to close its doors. That's what happened to Heritage Academy, which received two consecutive F grades. The Flagler County School Board voted to close Heritage last spring.
For Palm Harbor, hiring two consultants, who develop learning plans for each student, is "a positive step," said Stewart Maxcy, the school district's charter school liaison. But it's too soon to tell how much they've helped students until this spring, when the state releases test scores.
"I don't have any figures yet," he said.
There are other changes at Palm Harbor. Esther Hamilton, a retired teacher and administrator from the Washington, D.C., public schools, took the helm at the start of the school year.
Hamilton tracks her students' performance on the FCAT and other tests using a chart that spans a wall in her office. She replaced some of her teachers with others who are considered "highly-qualified," which means they've passed additional tests in their specific subject areas. After the school day ends, Hamilton tries to get parents engaged through events like spaghetti dinners.
"If you feel as if you have a vested part of something, then you have a tendency to take care of it and you have a tendency to get involved," Hamilton said.
Freeman, who has taught at the school since it opened, said she's noticed a few less tangible changes, too. Namely, the school seems more structured and organized.
"I just think there's a big change because the focus is on the kids — educating the kids, getting them ready, remediating the ones that aren't ready and trying to help them learn," Freeman said. "It's a good atmosphere for kids. It's much better than it has been before."
But enrollment drives funding and Palm Harbor's small size has hurt the school's pocketbook.
"We don't have money now for a lot of frills," Hamilton said. "It's just the nuts and bolts."
The school has a small computer lab equipped with laptops, but Hamilton said she'd like to put the laptops in the classrooms and replace them with desktop machines. Through donations, the school is slowly building a modest library in a corner of the cafeteria. Third-graders and fourth-graders share a teacher, as do fifth- and sixth-graders.
If Hamilton had her way, she'd have so many students she'd need to build more classrooms, but she's discovered benefits in her small student body.
"I've worked in large schools before and you just can't do the same things in a large school that you can do in a small setting," Hamilton said.
Olga Soltero initially enrolled her daughter, Emilly, in kindergarten at Palm Harbor last year because the school was minutes away from her family's home. Emilly was zoned to attend Old Kings Elementary, but Soltero felt it was too far from her home.
"I thought it was too traumatic for a kindergartener to be on a bus for at least an hour before she got home," Soltero said.
A few parents removed their children after learning the school received an "F" but Emilly stayed because Soltero thinks she's doing well there. There are about a dozen children in Emilly's first-grade class, allowing the teacher to give ample personal attention to Emilly.
"I feel my daughter has grown a lot ever since she started in that school — her verbal skills, her mathematical skills, even her computer skills," Soltero said.


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Botzman Succeeds MacDowell to Lead Misericordia University
The Misericordia University Board of Trustees and the Conference for Mercy Higher Education have selected and confirmed Thomas J. Botzman, Ph.D., as the 13th president of the institution. He will assume the presidency on July 1, 2013 at the beginning of the new academic year.
"I am very excited and honored to be selected as the next president of Misericordia University, which has an impressive reputation for linking the liberal arts and sciences to a career-oriented education,'' Dr. Botzman stated. "The University has an impressive faculty and staff who know how to engage the students in learning, both inside and outside the classroom. It is an honor to follow Dr. (Michael A.) MacDowell's successful 15 years and be entrusted with the traditions of the Sisters of Mercy. My wife, Vanessa, and I were warmly greeted by the campus community and are looking forward to joining in the growing record of success at Misericordia University.''
Dr. Botzman has served as vice president for business and finance at St. Mary's College of Maryland since 2004, where he is also a professor of economics. His areas of responsibility have included finance, human resources, facilities and maintenance, information technology, government relations, athletics, sailing, and public safety. He also served as interim vice president for development and secretary to the Board of Trustees in 2009-10.
Dr. Botzman previously served for 15 years on the faculty at Mount Union College in Ohio. "As president of Misericordia University, I will need to convey the pivotal roles of teaching, research and service to a wide range of stakeholders and constituencies, especially in matching curriculum and program to students' needs," Dr. Botzman said, explaining how his background in both teaching and administration will aid his transition to the new leadership post. Botzman also served as the associate academic dean during the 2003-04 academic year and as director of international studies from 1993 to 1997. He was a visiting professor and Fulbright Scholar at the University of the Americas in Mexico City, Mexico, teaching there four times from 1992 through 1996. He was named an American Council on Education Fellow in 2002. Dr. Botzman worked in industry prior to becoming a faculty member and is the inventor of 12 U.S. patents.
"Dr. Botzman's background and expertise matched Misericordia University's agenda for new leadership perfectly. He brings significant enthusiasm for this important leadership position, and a broad array of successful experiences that will enable him to build on the momentum our University has experienced over these last 15 years," said Misericordia University Trustee Christopher Borton, who chaired the presidential search committee.
The search committee, which was comprised of trustees, faculty, staff, alumni, and a student, was thrilled to recommend Dr. Botzman to the full Board of Trustees. "Over the last 15 years, the prestige of an education at Misericordia has grown immensely as the University has become regionally acclaimed and nationally recognized for providing an education steeped in rigorous academics, personal attention and in imbuing in each student a sense of service to others,'' Mr. Borton added. "We know Dr. Botzman is the leader we need to build off of that momentum, continue the Mercy tradition, and take the University to the next level."
Dr. Botzman earned a B.S. in engineering from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. He also holds an M.A. in economics and a Ph.D. in business administration from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. Dr. Botzman was a 2011 participant in Harvard University's Institute for Executive Management. Dr. Botzman and his wife, Vanessa, have one daughter, Gabriela, a high school senior.
Misericordia University launched a national search to succeed President MacDowell shortly after he announced his retirement in April. Dr. MacDowell is currently serving in his 15th year at Misericordia. The presidential search committee received 69 applications from a diverse and impressive group of candidates from across the country. The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to offer the position to Dr. Botzman following extensive interviews on campus with the four finalists.
"Tina and I are delighted that Dr. Botzman will be taking over as Misericordiaâs president on July 1,'' said President MacDowell. "Tom possesses the background and the credentials to make him an outstanding president. His years of leadership in higher education at both private and public colleges, his interest and experience in international higher education programs, and his demeanor fit well with the people and programs that make up the University. His wife Vanessa's background as a nurse and her involvement with the communities in which she has lived will also be a true asset to Misericordia and the region.''
11 28, 2012 Misericordia University


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Philadelphia City Controller Alan Butkovitz will speak at the next board of directors meeting of the Chestnut Hill Community Association, Thursday July 26.
CHCA president Brien Tilley invited Butkovitz specifically to address the Actual Value Initiative, a proposed change in Philadelphia property tax collection that would be based on actual property values instead of the antiquated formula the city currently uses. The measure had become controversial when critics showed that the new tax threatened to dramatically raise property taxes for many Philadelphians.
Tilley said Butkovitz's appearance was part of an effort by the CHCA to provide an opportunity for Hill residents to learn more about AVI and to ask the controller questions and get his point of view on the measure.
"Our board recognizes that this is a significant issue, and is seeking out opportunities to provide our community with both more information and a forum to provide feedback on this matter," Tilley said.
As always, Chestnut Hill Community Association meetings are open to the public and, in this case, the public is encouraged to attend to hear Butkovitz speak and to ask questions.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Chestnut Hill Library, 8711 Germantown Ave. Butkovitz will be given at least 40 minutes to make remarks and take questions
– Pete Mazzaccaro


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What is an e-ticket?
E-ticket is an unprinted flight coupon. They are kept in the airline's database and you can access them at any counter or through the TAP Contact Center.
An e-ticket does not involve any changes in booking or payment procedures. After planning your journey, you will be sent an e-mail confirming your booking and issuing your e-ticket.
Where can I pre-book my flight?
You can only do this through our online booking system by selecting the option Time to Think.
What is the limit time for me to make an online reservation before the flight?
The limit time to book online may vary between 6 and 72 hours before the scheduled departure time, depending on the market and the payment methods available.
What is the "direct flights only" option for?
This option allows you to search for direct flights only, with no flight connections.
What is a multi-city trip?
Multi-city allows you to book a trip where you travel to two or more cities before returning to the city of departure.
You may add up to 6 segments, using the option "Add Flight", in the booking process.
You can also use multi-city to book a connecting flight. You just need to enter each section of the trip separately.
Finally, you can use multi-city to book a trip that starts in one city and ends in a different city, travelling to other destinations in between.
I have a promotional /conference code. Where should I enter it?
To use a code, you must fill in the details of your search and enter the code in a field named "code",which appears in the grey area.
If you didn't enter it on the search page, you can do it on the selection page, available in the same area, and then click "activate code".
What is the maximum number of passengers I can book for?
There is a limit of 9 passengers per booking (adults and children).
Can I book different classes for different legs of the trip?
Yes. You can individually select a class for each leg of your trip. For example, you can fly Executive on departure and Economy on return.
In the selection page of the booking process, you can choose the class you want to travel on each leg.
If I book online, how do I get my plane ticket?
If you book online, your electronic ticket will be sent to the email address you indicated during the booking process.
What does OAL mean?
OAL means that one of the flights on your itinerary is operated by another airline. There may be restrictions on the available services.
How do I know which airport I'mtravelling to?
On the grey area of the right side of the booking process page, you'll find decoding for the airport codes of the selected itinerary.
What does "long layover" mean?
Whenever the connection time between flights is greater than 6 hours, you will receive an alert on the selection page of the booking process (under each flight), as well as in the purchase and confirmation pages, and in the confirmation email.
How do I know the number of TAP Miles&Go Miles to earn on my frequent flyer card?
During the booking process, we will give you information on your TAP Miles&Go Miles.
On the selection page, under the "Conditions" section, you will see the percentage of miles you earn with each chosen itinerary.
On the purchase and confirmation pages, and on the confirmation email, you will have access to the real number of miles you earn.
Where can I see details of all the fees I'm being charged?
In the "Price Breakdown" section of the selection page during the booking process, you can check the total amount to be paid broken down by passenger, fare, taxes and surcharges.
By clicking "Fees, Surcharges and OtherCharges", you can see the details of all charges applicable to your trip
Airport charges, fuel and security surcharges might also be added. Additional fees may be charged locally at the airport. In some countries, a service fee might also be applied.
What is the Reservation Holder?
For each reservation there is an associated holder, which should be identified as Adult, Youth, Senior or Resident. Children and babies cannot be Reservation Holders.
Can I enter more than one phone contact?
Yes. In the "Primary Passenger Data" section, click "Add". You can add up to a maximum of 3 phone contacts.
How can I save my details for future reservations?
On the "Primary Passenger Details" section, select the " Remember my personal data for future reservations" option.
What is the CIP Code?
The CIP Code is a code used by companies that are registered in the TAP Corporate Programme. Therefore, it is not a mandatory field.
I have a frequent flyer card from another airline. Can I use it in my reservation?
Yes. Besides TAP Miles&Go, the "Frequent Flyer Programme" includes:
- All airline members of Star Alliance;
- SATA Imagine;
- Ukraine International Airlines Panorama Club.
What is the Redress Number for?
The Redress Number is a 7-digit reference, given by DHS Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (TRIP), which aims to:
- help passengers who have experienced delays;
- help passengers who have been denied boarding, or further enquiries by relevant authorities;
- avoid delays and other inconvenient situations resulting from doubts concerning identity.
I tried to finalise my online reservation, but the confirmation page was not displayed. What should I do?
Please check your email box or contact us.
How can I complete my reservation with additional services?
Yes. TAP lets you add services to your reservation and find out more about your destination. Depending on the market you are booking, it is possible to add optional services to your trip, like rent-a-car, travel insurance, hotel, among others.
You can do it in the "Complete your Travel" section, available on the confirmation page. You also have that option in the confirmation email sent to you.
Can I book transport of my sports equipment online?
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I have not received confirmation of my booking. What should I do?
If you didn't receive your booking confirmation, please contact us.
How do I know if my ticket was booked and paid for?
After you confirm your flight options, personal data and payment info, you will see a confirmation page with the booking reference and details.
The booking reference proves your booking has been made. We will send a confirmation email to the address you provided.
I booked and paid, but did not receive the e-ticket. What should I do?
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Must I enter my complete name in the booking process?
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Sunday Schedule Canceled
February 28, 2014 by Yugen
Due to the weather, the Sunday Schedule for March 2nd is canceled and the start of the sesshin will be postponed. According to the forecast, the storm will finish by Sunday afternoon, so we will decide then what to do regarding the sesshin. We hope to start the sesshin as early as Monday evening, but it depends on what damage the weather may or may not cause.
As we get any news, we will post it here and on our Facebook page.
28 Feb 2014 20:09:38
Please blog whether you get snow or torrential rain. It's difficult to tell following the weather reports what is expected at the center's elevation. I assume 6-10 inches of fluffy snow would be safer than 3-5 inches rain over 24 hours with flash flooding (and debris flows). Keep safe and let us know how you fare!


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X Dubai Flyboard World cup Qualification Day 2
X Dubai Flyboard World cup Qualification Day 2, Flyboard ® picture Zapata-Racing 405. by: EMILIJAM, EMILIJA M., Flyboard ®, Rider(s): EMMANUELLE LUX, Tricks: Spot: X DUBAI SKYDIVE Date: 2014-12-12 20:39:35. For the third consecutive year, Zapata Racing gathers the best riders from all over the world for a Flyboard® Freestyle competition. The X DUBAI FLYBOARD® WORLD CUP will take place in Dubai from December 4th to December 6th 2014. The competition is open to any Flyboarder demonstrating a sufficient level of practice to perform different figures.
Achieve your ultimate dreams of flight in one extreme experience! Discover the FLYPARK® a unique place to enjoy hydrosports such as the Flyboard®, Hoverboard®, JetPacks, JetBoards during your visit on the French Riviera with professional and official Instructors and the world best riders. Swim, dive like a dolphin and fly like a super hero! Click here. Check out the FLYPAD - Floating Platform for Yachts Watersports rentals Hydrosport or Drybag TRAAKX