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With today's lingering recession, construction is down significantly in many parts of the country. This trend should translate into lower construction costs for fitness facility operators wanting to build new clubs or renovate existing ones, but that depends on a variety of factors—the main one being how smart you are in choosing the right people to do the work.
Here are key points to consider in getting your project completed on time, for the best price and with quality work.
- The lowest price bid will not necessarily end up being the lowest price. In this economy, a contractor may low-ball a bid just to get the job, only to come back later with a reason to charge more. The lowest price also may translate to an incomplete or subpar end result. If a bid seems far lower than others, refer to No. 2, and check their references.
- It is best to select a contractor or subcontractor from referrals. Architects and designers often know of good options. If you know, let's say, a trustworthy plumber, ask him or her to refer you to a good contractor or subcontractors, such as electricians or carpenters. It is better not to choose from service provider recommendation websites. If you decide to look online for contractors or subcontractors, then refer to No. 3. It also is important to select people who have experience working with a similar scope of work. For example, if you are building a club for $2 million, do not hire a contractor who typically takes on $50 million projects because this type of contractor will translate into higher bids to cover their overhead as a larger company. Contractors and subcontractors who have experience only with smaller projects may not have the ability (or personnel) to get your job done on time. Again, refer to No. 3.
- Get references and follow up on them. If contractors and subcontractors cannot give you four references, then look elsewhere. Ask about their last job, and then ask to speak with that client. If they do not give you their last job as a referral, ask them why. You are looking to hear that they do quality work and bring jobs in on time and on budget.
- Do not ask for any specific prices until you have detailed plans showing all the work that will be done. Any price someone gives you has little validity if it is not based on specific plans. If you get a price that is not based on specific plans, it is a useless estimate, no matter what the contractor or subcontractor says. They may offer you a price to get you to sign with them, but you may later find out the price was just a bad guess. Getting detailed plans with a specific price is crucial to your ability to get work done for minimal dollars as the best bid. Things that are left out of your plans will not be part of the bid amount. While your club is under construction, you will learn what is missing, and that often will require a change order. The additional costs that result often come at a premium.
- Solicit at least three bids and review each one in detail. Some companies are hungrier than others and may give the best bid. However, as mentioned in No. 1, low bids can be deceiving, even with detailed drawings. Therefore, each bid must be analyzed in detail to make sure the bid is complete. Have items broken down separately—HVAC, electrical, lighting, plumbing, flooring, paint, windows, finishes, etc. This takes time, but it is the only way to determine the true best price.
- Get details in a contract. Once you have selected someone to do the work, all details need to be part of the contract. Again, this takes time, but anything not in writing will cost you extra later on, even if it was agreed to verbally.
- Do business only with licensed and insured contractors. Make sure any contractor or subcontractor is licensed and has the necessary liability and workers' compensation insurance. Without this, you could be held liable.
Recently, a Florida club had three subcontractors go bankrupt during construction, creating numerous and costly problems—and proving how volatile the construction industry is at this time.
Finding a good price is possible, but only if you do your homework and follow a disciplined approach to completing any construction project.
Bruce Carter is the president of Optimal Fitness Design Systems International, a club design firm that has created about $650 million worth of clubs in 45 states and 26 countries. He can be reached at [email protected].


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Spokane, WA (July 9, 2012) – Latah Creek Wine Cellars celebrates 30 years of wine making this July. Enjoy anniversary event specials from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, July 14 and Sunday, July 15, at Latah Creek Wine Cellars located in the Spokane Valley.
Latah Creek is well known around the region for producing a variety of wine, including one of the best Merlots in the state of Washington, according to Wine Spectator Magazine. To celebrate 30 years in business, Latah Creek is offering 20% to 30% off all wine cases, and 30% off all gift shop items and food.
Molly Allen from KZZU 92.9FM will be at Latah Creek from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, July 14, to help Latah Creek celebrate their 30th anniversary. On Saturday, July 14, 10% of all purchases made will be donated to Safety Net, a program assisting foster youth in the region.
Latah Creek is a family owned and operated business. Mike and Ellena Conway are committed to producing high quality wine and have been joined by their daughter Natalie in the family business. Mike Conway was recently recognized by the Washington State Wine Commission as one of the Washington state wine industry "groundbreakers". Latah Creek produces approximately 15,000 cases of wine annually using grapes from Washington.
See the history of Latah Creek Winery as featured in the 2010 issue of Spokane Wine Magazine
Latah Creek is located at 13030 E. Indiana Ave. Spokane, WA 99216, and is open 9 a.m. -5 p.m. daily. For more information about the winery visit www.latahcreek.com, or call 509.926.0164.
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subset: commoncrawl


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Welcome to the Treeleaf Zendo.
I'm making a special place right now where we can share these times. We are all in this together. I will post some words each day to help us keep some perspective, and all our Sangha members can come here to just be together, share together, laugh and cry together for awhile. There is a something that sweeps in even all of this, trust me on that. - Jundo
Yesterday, 02:56 PM
Yesterday, 03:55 AM
Yesterday, 08:45 AM
Please discuss here "matters of Practice" ... "How to" Zazen, Zen, Sutras, Buddhist Philosophy, Incense, Bell Ringing, Bows, Zafus, Robes and Roshis ... all of that Zen jazz ... Oh, and of course, MORE ZAZEN!.
Yesterday, 09:29 AM
Links to our Friday/Saturday (depending on location) 'LIVE' Zazen sittings will be posted each week in this Forum. We have a 90-minute LIVE, WEEKLY group sitting EACH SATURDAY JAPAN TIME (with a longer 4-hour retreat on the FIRST SATURDAY JAPAN TIME of each month), led by Jundo (Hi!). If not possible for you to join 'live' in your location at the appointed times (see inside), FEAR NOT, as the entire sitting will be recorded in 'REAL TIME' and available for full participation 'ON DEMAND' at any time after that, no different from the 'live' sitting. (the links will be posted here).So, please join us as soon as you can, and we will keep a Zafu open for you... (Also, our priests Shugen, Kyonin and Washin guide sits on other days of the week too!)
Today, 01:40 AM
A forum for the creative development of charitable and socially engaged projects and practices seeking to aid and assist our fellow sentient beings in this world.Please join in and do your part..
Welcome to our Book Club and Art Circle. In the Book Club, we travel through helpful books on Zen without getting lost in words. Our Art Circle is open to anyone who either practices an art-form, or who is seeking to develop an art-form, from traditional modes such as painting, sculpting and writing to video/filmmaking/animation, audio/music, digital, installation and more, centered on Soto Zen and Buddhist expression. No ranking or judgement, just a spirit of fun and sharing.
Next Book Club Selection: Zen...
Yesterday, 07:51 PM
The Treeleaf "Daily Wisdom"...
There are currently 90 users online. 3 members and 87 guests
Most users ever online was 1,007, 01-21-2020 at 06:34 PM.
Welcome to our newest member, Kenan


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Today I found out that I don't know how to fix IP conflicts.
Say you have a server with IP1
another machine connects and assigns itself IP1.
How do people usually prevent this? How they(you) resolve?
I heard that usually it is secured by ROUTER. Is that correct?
And it is the only way?
My question was about the situations when some user just assigns server IP to itself and that would cause problems.
But I found out that system administrators just should control all the hosts and machines and never allow users to assign any IP but given by Admin (read as given by DHCP server)


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Head into the accessible outback west of Cairns and discover the underground wonders of the former mining town of Chillagoe. Just 140 kilometres west of Mareeba along the Wheelbarrow Way, Chillagoe was once an ancient coral reef which has been transformed into spectacular limestone bluffs with a network of some 560 caves, while early volcanic activity has created rich marble and mineral deposits.
Wander the town to see the Railway Station, Bank Vault, Court House, Police Museum, Post Office and Post Office Hotel. The tall chimney on the edge of town is part of the former ore smelter which is now a drive-around museum with a viewing platform and story boards.
Join a guided tour of the spectacular caves with a National Parks ranger and learn more about this amazing underground ecosystem. Nearby short walking tracks include Balancing Rock and two Aboriginal rock art galleries.
Note: Information on listed products and services are provided by the operator and were correct at the time of publishing. Rates are indicative based on the minimum and maximum available prices of products and services. Please visit the operator's website for further information. All prices quoted are in Australian dollars (AUD).


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A controversial photo caption using racial slurs to describe a group of Asians led to the firing of an employee at a Philadelphia newspaper.
The caption was written underneath a photo published in the Philadelphia Public Record. The photo shows Councilman Mark Squilla posing with a group of Asians during a fundraiser at a Chinatown restaurant last week. Instead of their real names, the Asians were referred to as "C****y Winky," "Dinky Doo" and "Me Too."
The Public Record's publisher Jimmy Tayoun, 84, first issued a written apology in the paper.
U.S. & World
Stories that affect your life across the U.S. and around the world.
"In our Aug. 21, 2014 issue an offensive slur was accidentally published in the Philadelphia Public Record," Tayoun wrote. "This shocking lapse of professional conduct occurred contrary to our editorial directives and in no way reflects the views of our staff or our organization."
Monday morning, Tayoun fired the staffer responsible for the caption, though he has not identified him. Tayoun also spoke to NBC10 about the controversy.
"He comes from a background where these are cute sayings," Tayoun said. "The rest of us are to be chastised for not catching it."
Kay Kyungsun Yu, an attorney and former head of the Philadelphia Human Rights Commission, says the caption is disrespectful and believes the paper should have acted more quickly.
"Does just firing one person address the issue of making sure that people have the right sensitivity?" Yu asked. "How could someone write these kinds of captions to begin with?"
NBC10 also reached out to Councilman Squilla, who demanded that Tayoun make a personal apology. Squilla also said his office is working with the Chinatown community to organize a meeting with Tayoun.
Tayoun, a former Philadelphia city councilman, has been at the center of controversy before.
He spent three years in prison for racketeering and tax evasion. Tayoun represented the first district, which includes Chinatown, when he served in city council.
While Tayoun admitted he wanted to "choke" the former staffer who wrote the caption when he first saw it, he also said he believes the controversy and interest in the story is dying down. Tayoun also says he's apologized to anyone who was offended by the picture.


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An Historical and Personal Perspective
Most people when asked to name a "Catholic" state in the US, think first of Maryland. Maryland has a unique Catholic history among the original 13 colonies. But arguably, New Mexico is the most culturally Catholic state, at least historically.
New Mexico celebrates its 100th anniversary of statehood this year. The 47th state joined the Union on January 6, 1912.
New Mexico's European history, of course, traces back to Spain. In 1521, following the defeat of the Aztecs, Spain, established the "vice royalty of New Spain," which covered much of western North America, south of Canada. All of present-day New Mexico was part of new Spain. In the 1520s and 1530s, explorers Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca and Francisco Alvarez de Coronado for gold in New Mexico. A Franciscan, Marcos de Niza, described the Spanish quest in 1539. Franciscans would play significant roles in the 16th century explorations of New Mexico. These expeditions experienced much hardship and failed to find any gold. For the next 50 years after Coronado, there was little activity in New Mexico.
Near the end of the 16th century, the Spanish eventually established a permanent colony in New Mexico. San Juan de los Caballeros was built near the confluence of Chama and Rio Grande rivers. Franciscan missionaries were a large part of this community. San Juan was intended to be the capital of the province of Nuevo México; however, constant conflicts with the indigenous population led the Spanish to move the provincial capital to a location near the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. This new capital, established in 1609, was called Santa Fe. More than 400 years later, it remains the capital of New Mexico. It is the oldest continuously occupied capital in the United States.
In the early 1700s, Spanish settlers moved into the Rio Grande Valley and established Albuquerque. One of the first buildings in Albuquerque was the Church of San Felipe de Neri, on which construction was begun in 1706. The original church was completed in about 1719. This church collapsed in the rainy season of 1792. A new church, which still stands in Old Town Albuquerque today, was built in 1793.
San Felipe de Neri Church, Albuquerque, New Mexico
European Catholics who came to New Mexico included not only Spaniards, but Irish and Italian immigrants as well. In 1853, Jean Baptiste Lamy, a native of France, became the first Bishop of the Diocese of Santa Fe. In 1875, Lamy was consecrated the first Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe.
Lamy was a legendary churchman who did much to improve the administration of the Church in the American West. Part of his great influence was due to the sheer size of the Santa Fe see. Since 1875, parts of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe have been spun off into the Vicariates of Arizona and Colorado, and the Dioceses of Dallas, El Paso, Las Cruces, and Gallup.
Although the culture and history of New Mexico are inextricably tied to the Catholic Church, modern demographic trends have caught up with the Land of Enchantment. Only 26% of the population identifies as Catholic according to the United States Religious Landscape Survey (2007), conducted by the Pew Foundation Forum on Religion and Public Life. That's only slightly more than the U.S. nationwide figure of 24% Catholic. These figures represent a significant change from the 1920s, for example. The 1920 federal census found 360,350 inhabitants in New Mexico, while the federal Census of Religious Bodies in 1926 counted 215,553 Catholics. The figures work out to roughly 6 out of 10 New Mexicans as Catholics in the 1920s.
What happened? Much has to do with changes in Latino demographics over the years. Whereas the Latino population of New Mexico once was predictably overwhelming Catholic, as in Latino populations elsewhere there has been tremendous growth in Protestant Evangelicals among Latinos in New Mexico. The 2007 Pew survey found the total percentage of Protestant Evangelicals in New Mexico to be about 25%, nearly equal to the percentage of Catholics. Approximately 20% of Hispanics in New Mexico are said to be Protestant Evangelicals.
My Catholic family moved to New Mexico in 1961, several months before the 50th anniversary of statehood. We attended Mass at the two chapels located within the boundaries of the semi-secret Sandia Base, then the nation's premier atomic weapons installation, located on Albuquerque's southeast side. Our pastors were chaplains from all of the military services. We attended public schools in Albuquerque, although a lot of our friends went to Catholic schools, especially Holy Ghost School in the southeast quadrant.
Because we didn't go to Catholic school, we had to attend catechism classes every week. These were taught by nuns of the order of Sisters of Charity, augmented by lay teachers from the community.
In 1961, as I recall, the catechism classes were on Saturday mornings in the meeting rooms of the multi-faith chapel officially known as "Chapel No. 2." this was a relatively recently constructed edifice across the street from the hospital; like the hospital, it was gleaming white. Apart from officialdom, everyone called it "the New Chapel." So was it distinguished from "Chapel No. 1," which was also known as "the Old Chapel."
[The Old Chapel was across the street from the parade grounds, a large green open space ringed by huge poplar trees and guarded on the side which faced the chapel by empty replica shells of Fat Man and Little Boy, both natives of New Mexico. The Old Chapel at this time was an exclusively Catholic venue. It was a wooden building constructed to Army specifications for World War II chapels. I imagine before the New Chapel was built, it too, served a multi-faith purpose. In the early 1990s, now part of Kirtland Air Force Base, the Old Chapel was converted into a child care center. More recently, the building was torn down.]
Several years later, catechism classes were moved to Sunday mornings at 7:30 before the nine o'clock Mass in the New Chapel.
There was a CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) chapter on the base. CYO was much fun. We had hayrides and dances, went ice-skating, and to the movies. We got to know other Catholic young people through CYO.
My brothers and I became altar boys during our time in New Mexico. We made great friends like Mike Stark, Frank LoCasio, and others, and had memorable experiences (no, the time I got sick on the altar during the 5:00 a.m. sunrise Mass one Easter doesn't count!).


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D'Addario XL Electric Bass strings are world-renowned as The Player's Choice amongst bass players of all genres and styles. XL strings are wound with nickelplated steel, known for it's distinctive bright tone and excellent intonation. Great for Rock, Jazz and any style of playing.
DAddario EXL Nickel Wound Bass Strings Specifications
Individual Gauges
What started as a simple string and pedal sales catalog has grown exponentially over the past thirty years. The early days were a time where catalogs didn't have much of a presence in the industry, but what began as a college dorm room operation grew rapidly. In 1986 we moved to a full product offering and 64-page catalog, which over the years has grown to 162 pages. Join the AMS family and get your free catalog now!
Copyright © 1996-2020 American Musical Supply, Inc. All rights reserved. American Musical Supply reserves the right to correct pricing and/or product specifications in the event of typographical errors found in our print catalog or on our website. If a product is listed at an incorrect price due to such errors or because of inaccurate information received from a supplier, American Musical Supply shall have the right to refuse or cancel any orders placed, whether or not the order has been confirmed and your credit card charged. If your credit card has already been charged for the purchase and your order is canceled, American Musical Supply will issue a credit to your credit card account in the amount of the charge.


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Samsung Galaxy j7 (2018) can be unlocked by network unlock pin if the device is asking for unlock code. We, at mysimunlock.net, can provide the factory unlock code all Samsung phones. It may be locked to the different country and network, but after unlock you can use the device worldwide with all carriers SIM cards. Since unlocking only involves the code, it is the easiest and fastest method to make the phone network-free. It will not harm your device warranty because this procedure does not interfere with software or firmware.
The code of Samsung Galaxy j7 (2018) comes from the database not calculator, means it will be 100% genuine and will work without any issue. Once you will place the order at mysimunlock.net, it will go to Samsung database and will pick the correct code according to the IMEI.
To receive the NCK code of Samsung Galaxy j7 (2018) phone we only need 15-digits IMEI number, means the model of the device is not required. You can get the correct IMEI of your phone by dialing *#06# or you can also find in the settings.
After placing the order, you will get the following types of codes for Samsung Galaxy j7 (2018) :
NCK – Network unlock code to unlock the simlock of the phone.
Unfreeze/MCK – To reset the unlocking counter, if you have already tried too many wrong codes.
SPCK – Service Provider Code is used to remove the second level of the lock.
We have access to the several databases of Samsung. You can choose the correct database based on country or continent. For the Samsung Galaxy j7 (2018), you may use services of Europe, USA, Canada, South America, United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Middle East, and also Worldwide. If your Samsung Galaxy j7 (2018) comes from T-Mobile USA or MetroPCS USA, then before placing an order check about "Device Unlock App". If in your phone Device Unlock App is installed then you will not find any place to enter the code.
How long we need to wait for a Samsung unlock code?
The approximate delivery time for a Samsung unlock code is 1 to 10 days.
The average response time for a Samsung unlock code is 2 days (based on last 100 orders).
How to Unlock Samsung Galaxy j7 (2018) with NCK?
How to Enter or Send the unlock code in Samsung Galaxy j7 (2018)?
1. Turn off the phone.
2. Remove the original SIM card and insert an unacceptable network SIM card.
3. Samsung Galaxy j7 (2018) will ask for an unlock code.
4. Enter the NCK code which is provided by mysimunlock.net.
5. If the code is not accepted, then enter the Unfreeze or Defreeze code (unsuccessful message may appear, don't worry).
6. Again enter the NCK or Network Unlock Code. Now your Samsung Galaxy j7 (2018) is network-free.


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JonD necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 551 diseños de 96 diseñadores freelance.
Capital D Design
I am a serial innovator with a passion for excellence in whatever I do. My career journey has exposed me to several different disciplines (technology, communications, branding, strategy, leadership, web, marketing), all of which I weave into the work I do.
Through my recent graduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania, I developed a unique go-to-market concept that uses the aesthetics and creativity of design and systems thinking to enable higher levels of innovation, brand, leadership, communications and technology.
The result is a firm I've established that delivers my clients fully integrated strategies that span any or all of these disciplines. Through my studies, I also developed a proprietary methodology (dubbed "The Design Gap") that ensures that projects, programs, messages and brands are designed properly before implementation.
Primary target audience are business leaders (mid-to-large sized firms) that are challenged to lead and deliver breakthrough outcomes -- and need support, guidance and strategies to get there. The leader could be a CEO looking to find ways to improve his/her business, a marketing VP looking to develop a new product or product line, a PR director looking to effectively frame a situation, a CIO looking to challenge the status quo in what technology can deliver to users, a brand steward looking to re-align brand messages to the organization's goals, and even an VP of HR looking to re-design their organization to meet the needs of the business.
Secondary audience are execs who are looking to develop and/or roll-out skills in design-centric thinking. For this audience, Capital D Design provides executive coaching, training and seminars.
Tertiary audience are political leaders and party leaders who are looking to develop compelling and meaningful messages that will resonate with their target constituencies.
A logo to represent my boutique consulting firm: Capital D Design.
The logo should appeal to high-end business audiences in marketing, communications, technology and executive suites. A mid-to-large company focus.
Logo should be creative and visually interesting, but Fortune 500-compatible. It can utilize my shorthand "CapD" if desired.
The logo needs to convey the following:
-The notion that this is not about "traditional" design -- rather, it's using design principles to provide world-class innovation, brand development, problem solving, user experience, and messages that matter.
- Is based on research done at a highly-acclaimed graduate degree program
- Design is at the center of what we do, but the output is intellectual property... not "designs."
The identity/logo should be flexible enough so that it can include the tag-line "designing success from the inside out" -- which helps articulate the nature of design we're talking about.
NOTE: The "D" in the middle of the name is critical... and should be obvious in the design and capitlized.
I am looking for an original design using creative use of font, color, and illustrative metaphors. I don't see real imagery driving this, but I'll leave the particulars to the pros (i.e., you)!
Please review the website (http://capitalddesign.com) to get a sense of the firm's mission and approach. Note: Site design is subject to change.
Print file format - .ai (CMYK)
Web file format - .jpg and layered .psd
Comps that work for website, letterhead, and business card.
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


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This one has been around for a while, but was updated a couple of years ago and now is specifically for White Box.
http://www.rpgnow.com/product/202402/Th ... -White-Box
Has anyone used it in their campaign? It reads like a gazeteer, not too much detail but just enough to play with, including one fully fleshed-out town and lots of NPCs. Nothing earth-shattering, in fact the author himself describes it as "traditional vanilla flavored fantasy" (David Bezio of X-plorers fame), but it is a solid campaign base for sure.


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In several respects, Bonn Museum of Art enjoys a unique position within Germany's museum landscape.
With one of the most important international collections of German art, the museum has an unparalleled reputation throughout the country, not least due to its major collection of works by August Macke. The Bonn Museum of Art makes no attempt to document German art in an encyclopaedic way, but instead concentrates on a manageable number of eminent artists, and then purchases entire groups and ensembles of their work.
To nyttige hurtigtaster for å zoome i nettleseren:
Forstørre: +
Forminske: +
Mer hjelp får du fra nettleserleverandøren ved å klikke på ikonet:


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I will say it once.
There exists gamers out there who are misogynist pigs. They are horrible people, and I am sorry for anyone (male or female) who has been off-put by their behavior.
That said, using those bad examples of breeding to judge the rest of us males isn't exactly endearing. I have run campaigns with female players, played in campaigns with female players, and I'm pretty sure I could roleplay a female character without her being a cardboard cut-out, or a sex


text: The upcoming straw poll and next year's caucuses give the state an outsize role in presidential politics. By David Morris, Deputy Managing Editor August 4, 2011 Next week, months before the first real votes are cast, a relative handful of bused-in folks lured by free food and $30 tickets that candidates buy and distribute, will help determine the Republican presidential candidate for 2012.The event is the Aug. 13 straw poll in Ames, Iowa, a ginned-up event that, coupled with the first-in-the-nation caucuses early next year, gives Iowa an exaggerated role in presidential politics. To be sure, the straw poll won't have much to do with determining which candidate will win the nomination and take on President Obama in November 2012. But it will help determine which GOP hopefuls will be driven out before anyone has a real say in the process. Sponsored Content The press is already reporting that former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty may drop out of the race if he loses the straw poll to Rep. Michele Bachmann, also from Minnesota, and that a poor showing will also doom the bid of former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman. But in truth, the straw poll measures only one thing: the ability of campaigns to give away tickets, fill up chartered buses and deliver folks to Ames. It might be a good way to hire a logistics expert or a travel agent, but it's no way to start picking a president. Advertisement To begin with, the presumed front-runner on the Republican ticket, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, isn't even participating. And a potential top contender, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, won't be on the fake ballot because he hasn't decided whether he's running. The same goes for former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. So much will be made of Bachmann's performance. Story after story will tout her emergence as the top challenger to Romney. OK, but what happens if Perry announces? Can she translate artificial support in a made-up event with an incomplete ballot into genuine votes in a competitive race? Even if Bachmann wins the Iowa caucuses in January or February, what does it mean? Probably not much, as a matter of fact. The Iowa caucuses just aren't that important anymore. There's a rich tradition of Iowans choosing someone in the caucuses who goes on to lose the nomination to someone else. In 2008, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee won Iowa, but Sen. John McCain of Arizona won the GOP nomination. In 1980, George H.W. Bush defeated Ronald Reagan in Iowa, but Reagan won the nomination and served two terms in the White House before Bush got another chance. Of course, Bush promptly lost Iowa to Bob Dole in 1988, but won the nomination. The result was the same on the Democratic side that year, with Dick Gephardt winning the state but losing the nomination to Michael Dukakis. In fact, the most compelling argument for Iowa is that it allows underfunded and lesser-known candidates to rise because of the premium on retail politics -- face-to-face meetings with voters who actually want to hear about issues. Jimmy Carter is the poster boy for this argument. But remember this: Jimmy Carter actually finished second in Iowa in 1976 -- behind a slate of uncommitted candidates. That result spoke volumes more about the quality of candidates in the field, perhaps, than it did about the virtues of Jimmy Carter. Advertisement None of this is meant to dis Iowa. It is meant to suggest that the straw poll is irrelevant and that it wouldn't be a bad thing -- for the country or for the political parties -- for Iowa's caucuses to lose their coveted status in the presidential selection process. Staying the course actually hurts the GOP. Republicans who participate in Iowa tend to be more conservative than voters in the nation as a whole. So every four years we see candidates run to the right as they try to do well in Iowa, only to pivot back toward the center later in the primary process and in the fall as they try to appeal to independents and Democrats. Or we see the party turn away from a staunch conservative winner in the Hawkeye State for a candidate with a better chance to win in November. The fact is, there aren't enough Republicans to win a national election without the help of a lot of independents and some Democrats. The GOP would be wise to adopt a primary election process that recognizes this. The first step would be moving away from letting Iowa go first, cycle after cycle. Changing the party rules for 2016 would be a bold stroke. It's long overdue.


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"Monster Squad" to be given a remake… Because Hollywood loves the 80's
on March 20, 2010 at 5:03 am
Posted In: Uncategorized
If you grew up in the 80's, and I did, then this movie is probably on your list of most beloved movies ever. Well Hollywood is determined to remake everything from that decade so prepare yourself for it now. "Monster[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…


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That sigh of relief you just heard was probably from Gerardo Concepcion as he just finished his outing against the Burlington Bees. Concepcion has struggled, that is an understatement actually. The intriguing Cuban prospect was 0-3 with a 12.66 ERA in four starts coming into today. In most of those starts he has had trouble making it out of the first inning unscathed, let alone still in the game.
Today was different, Concepcion still had some issues with command but he was much better. His final line was 6 innings, 3 hits, 3 walks, and 3 strikeouts, he is in line for his first pro victory as Peoria leads 2-0 in the bottom of the 7th against Burlington.
Thanks for reading,
– George


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Pornchai Mittongtare
Accompany the shrimp with grilled zucchini and yellow squash.
- Yield
- Makes 6 servings
- 1 pound tomatillos,* husked
- 1 onion, coarsely chopped
- 1 tablespoon minced seeded jalapeño chili
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 24 jumbo shrimp, peeled, deveined, tails left intact
- 2 tablespoons ground mild chili (such as ancho or New Mexican*)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Queso fresco* or feta cheese
- Cook tomatillos in large pot of boiling salted water until olive-green color, about 5 minutes. Drain and transfer to blender. Add onion, jalapeño, and garlic and process tomatillo sauce until smooth.
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil in skillet over medium heat. Add sauce and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Stir in cilantro. Season with salt and pepper. Cool to room temperature. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Chill. Bring to room temperature before using.)
- Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Toss shrimp with remaining 2 tablespoons oil in large bowl. Add ground chili, onion powder, and garlic powder; toss to combine. Sprinkle shrimp with salt and pepper. Grill shrimp until just cooked through, about 2 minutes per side.
- Spoon about 3 tablespoons tomatillo sauce into center of each of 6 plates. Arrange shrimp atop sauce. Sprinkle with queso fresco.
- Tomatillos (green tomato-like vegetables with paper-thin husks), ground New Mexican chilies, and queso fresco (also known as queso blanco) are available at Latin American markets and some supermarkets.
Related Video
Nutritional Info
- Calories119
- Carbohydrates8 g(3%)
- Fat8 g(12%)
- Protein6 g(11%)
- Saturated Fat1 g(6%)
- Sodium184 mg(8%)
- Polyunsaturated Fat1 g
- Fiber2 g(8%)
- Monounsaturated Fat5 g
- Cholesterol40 mg(13%)


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Brenner Children's pediatric emergency department has moved back to its original location. Learn more
In order to help protect patients, family members and health care workers from the spread of COVID-19, no visitors are allowed at any of Wake Forest Baptist Health's outpatient or inpatient facilities, except in certain situations.Learn moreMore COVID-19 Updates
Tetralogy of Fallot (fah-LO) is a combination of problems caused by a birth defect in the structure of the heart that changes the way blood flows through the heart.
Each year, 4 out of every 10,000 babies born in the United States have the condition, which was named after the French doctor who first described it in the late 1800s, Étienne Fallot. About 10% of all babies born with a heart problem have tetralogy of Fallot (TOF).
The four related problems that together make up tetralogy of Fallot are:
As a result of these defects, too little blood goes to the lungs. The low-oxygen blood then circulates to the rest of the body and too little oxygen reaches the body tissues.
If tetralogy of Fallot goes untreated, a child may have:
A child whose TOF is not repaired might need to limit participation in competitive sports and other physical activities. Many infants who have surgery to correct the defect do very well, participate in normal kid activities, and live to adulthood.
Scientists have not yet identified a specific cause for tetralogy of Fallot in all cases, but they believe genetics play a role. Someone born with TOF is more likely to have a child or sibling with it.
Mothers who get rubella (German measles) or other viral illnesses during their pregnancies are at a higher risk of giving birth to babies with TOF. Other risk factors and conditions include poor nutrition, alcohol abuse, uncontrolled diabetes, and the mother's age (over 40).
Most of the time, a child with TOF does not have any other birth defects. But children who have certain genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome, often have congenital heart defects, including TOF.
Certain environmental factors, such as air pollution, also may increase a mother's chances of having a baby with TOF.
One of the most common signs of tetralogy of Fallot is cyanosis (a blue or purple tint to the baby's skin, lips, and fingernails). Healthy babies can sometimes also have a bluish skin tone around the mouth or around the eyes from prominent veins under the skin. This is perfectly normal. If a baby's lips and tongue look pink, you generally don't have to be concerned because babies who have low oxygen levels in the blood usually have blue lips and tongues in addition to bluish skin.
A child with TOF might have sudden episodes of deep cyanosis, called "Tet spells," during crying or feeding. Older children who have Tet spells will often instinctively squat down, which helps to stop the spell.
Other signs include:
Your doctor may use several tests to find out if your child has tetralogy of Fallot, including:
Tetralogy of Fallot is repaired through open-heart surgery soon after birth or later in infancy, depending on the baby's health and weight and severity of defects and symptoms.
The two surgical options are:
Most babies born with tetralogy of Fallot do very well and survive to adulthood, but require regular follow-up with a heart specialist.
Reviewed by: Gina Baffa, MD, and Rupal Christine Gupta, MD
Date reviewed: April 2015
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I love Maybelline mascaras but this blue is just to die for because of the pop of color it gives to any look.


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Design House 509042 Bristol 3-Light Vanity-Light, Oil Rubbed Bronze
Product details
Manufacturer DESIGN HOUSE
Manufacturer's Part 509042
Weight 7.370 lbs
Sold in Multiples of 1
Priced By Each
UPC/EAN Code 044321509040
The Design House 509042 Bristol 3-Light Vanity Light is made of formed steel, tea speckled glass and finished in oil rubbed bronze. This 3-light wall mount is rated for 120-volts and uses (3) 60-watt medium base incandescent bulbs. This wall mount's petite design mounts seamlessly to the wall without a chain or visible wires. Measuring 7.25"es (H) by 24"es (W), this 8.1-pound fixture can be mounted facing up or down depending on location and preference. Clean lines and sleek details add a modern accent in a bathroom. This product is UL and cUL listed and approved for damp areas. The Bristol collection features a beautiful matching pendant, chandelier, ceiling mount and wall sconce. The Design House 509042 Bristol 3-Light Vanity Light comes with a 10-year limited warranty that protects against defects in materials and workmanship. Design House offers products in multiple home decor categories including lighting, ceiling fans, hardware and plumbing products. With years of hands-on experience, Design House understands every aspect of the home decor industry, and devotes itself to providing quality products across the home decor spectrum. Providing value to their customers, Design House uses industry leading merchandising solutions and innovative programs. Design House is committed to providing high quality products for your home improvement projects.
Saved category: 14627 - Lighting|Indoor Lighting|Vanity Lights


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Every weeknight, the Emmy-winning NIGHTLY BUSINESS REPORT delivers the day's essential business and economic news. Each lively half-hour combines trusted, credible and unbiased information and extensive financial market coverage with insightful features, analysis and commentaries by noted economists and business experts.
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Dog Diarrhoea
Dog Vomiting
Dog Vitamin Supplements
Raw Dog Food Diet
Free Dog Flatulence Report
Privacy Policy
You love your dog - who
doesn't. But if you dog does have a spot of flatulence you'll know it
can be embarrasing as well as rather smelly! Read on for information
and tips that can help to reduce your dog's flatulence.
follows is general (but detailed) information on dog flatulence. See
also additional information by using the links to other pages on this
site from the navigation bar to the left.
your beloved dog does suffer from a touch of flatulence you'll be sure
to know about it not only by the sound of that "fart" but also by the
unmistakable aroma. Oh boy, it stinks! While you may be able to handle
that while out for a walk with your pooch or by a quick blast of air
freshener at home, your dog's flatulence can be a touch embarrassing if
it happens when you're with friends, in the car and similar. Even if
it's not embarrassing or your comfortable with it, your dog may not be.
are things you can do to ease your dog's flatulence and make your
prized pet healthier and happier. What follows is general help and
advice relating to dog flatulence for informational purposes. If and
you are in any doubt about your dog's health then please consider
consulting your vet.
of dog flatulence
is basically the accumulation of gas in the gastrointestinal tract. The
breakdown of bacteria during normal digestion when can cause this
naturally. Any dog can suffer from it do differing degrees – some may
get excessive flatulence. If your dog's flatulence does become
prolonged or excessive, consult your vet.
common causes of dog flatulence are food or diet related. For example:
can you combat dog flatulence
more than one way to skin a cat – I mean there's more than one way to
help your dog out if he has a bit of a wind problem.
him the best quality dog food you can. Perhaps a recognised, named
brand rather than the "generic." Same goes for kibble – only the best.
Your dog will feel the better for it.
about it for a moment – if you eat a nice steak and a few trimmings,
don't you feel better than if you'd stopped at the services on the
motorway somewhere. Translate the same to feeding your dog. Give him
the best dog food you can. Do your research and buy the type of food
recommended for the particular breed and age of dog you own.
give him food you know has a reasonable chance of triggering a "wind
problem." We all know what that means.....!
dogs (my old greyhound used to love this one - that's her at the top of
the page) enjoy a spoonful of natural yoghurt as a little treat after
their dinner. This can aid digestion and reduce the risk of flatulence.
important to ensure that your dog has been checked for fleas and ticks,
a dog with fleas and ticks will have a nervous disposition which can
contribute to flatulence -Frontline for Dogs is a good product to use
for getting rid of fleas and ticks.
you dog does "wolf" his food he'll be swallowing air as well as his
dinner. Get ready for a gas outbreak! Try feeding him on a "little and
often" basis – the same amount of food as he'd normally have in a day
but spread it out a bit. Instead of feeding your dog 1 or 2 portions of
food per day, divide the daily ration into smaller portions and feed
the dog more frequently.
out or drastically reduce those little treats and leftovers from your
dinner. If he gets bloated, you know what'll happen……..! Sure – it's
hard to resist throwing him an extra piece of doggie chocolate or sneak
him a bit of meat from your plate when he comes begging, but resist if
you can. Your boy (or girl) will have less chance of a "wind episode."
It's your dog's favourite word. Man, how he knows what it means. Take
your dog for regular exercise. He needs it anyway and it'll help to
keep his "insides" healthy as well thus aid digestion in general and
reduce flatulence. And while you're out on your walk, there's a better
chance that any gas build up will find a way out "naturally" and it'll
be gone before you get home.
never completely cut out flatulence on your dog. Well, do you think
you'll never get the odd bit of excess wind – of course you will. And
it's the same for your dog. That said, what you've read here should
help to reduce your dog's flatulence and those "nasty smells." Plus
your doggie might just feel all the better for it.
closing – at all times have the best interests of your dog at heart.
Consult a vet immediately if you have cause to think your dog is
unwell, suffering and requires professional attention.


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Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle
Total TimePrep: 40 min. + chilling
Makes20 servings (about 1 cup each)
- 2 packages (14-1/2 ounces each) gingerbread cake/cookie mix
- 1 package (4.6 ounces) cook-and-serve vanilla pudding mix
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 can (29 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin
- 1 carton (12 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
- Prepare and bake gingerbread mixes according to package directions for cake. Cool completely on wire racks.
- Meanwhile, prepare pudding mix according to package directions. Stir in brown sugar and pumpkin; cool completely.
- Crumble half of the gingerbread into a 4-qt. glass bowl; press down gently. Layer gingerbread with half of the pudding mixture and half of the whipped topping; repeat layers. Refrigerate, covered, overnight before serving.
Recommended Video
Dec 20, 2017
I really was not a fan of this at all. It needed more spice. I realize others added spice but I wanted to rate the recipe as stated. I may try this again, but probably not as there are many other trifle recipes that are much better.
Nov 27, 2014
I made this for a autumn harvest party at work and it was a BIG HIT!! I followed javaqueen01's suggestion and added 2 teaspoons of cinnamon to the mixture because otherwise it seemed like it was going to be too bland. I'm glad that I did and will no doubt make this again!
Dec 11, 2013
Made this for a luncheon at work and everyone loved it!
Nov 25, 2012
This was really good. My changes - I used whipped cream instead of Cool Whip. It's just better to use fresh. I used a 14 oz carton of whipping cream. I also added 2 teaspoons of cinnamon to the pumpkin pudding mixture.I also sprinkled a little bit of brandy on the gingerbread layers. It is a trifle, after all. Not a lot, but maybe a tablespoon or 2 on each gingerbread layer.I think this recipe could easily be halved as it makes a ton!
Nov 21, 2012
Good basic recipe, but definitely needs tweaking. I made the pumpkin filling as written but thought it was too bland. Threw out that filling and started again this time using Jello brand "pumpkin spice" instant pudding which is a seasonal product. I used only 1 can of pure pumpkin, added pumpkin spice and cinnamon, and folded in some of the cool whip. This made the filling taste like a pumpkin mousse. It complemented the gingerbread cake very well.
Oct 30, 2012
I made the pumpkin filling from scratch as well as the whipped topping, I have to say I am impressed...but I cut up my gingerbread and it turned out lovely! I simply couldn't find a container for the little round cakes to fit in, so I improvised. Everyone absolutely adored it~!
Oct 23, 2012
I made this for a church lunch. Everyone liked it. Now I did add a little bit more brown sugar then called for and also just to make easier on me, I used instant pudding. But it was very yummy. I will make again.
Oct 18, 2012
Oct 10, 2012
Made this for our teachers lounge and it was a SMASH HIT! However, I added some nutmeg and cinnamon to the pudding and pumpkin mixture to kick up the taste a little. I made the pudding in the microwave verses the stove top (WONDERFUL idea no burning). Must let it sit overnight, used cool whip for the inside layer and whip cream to cover the top. Quite yummy will make for Thanksgiving.
Sep 30, 2012
Really didn't like this. Made it for the first time and took it to some friend's house for the dessert. No one like it.


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Pictures from Doo-Nanny
Posted by
Becky |
View all posts by Becky
1 Comment » | Published in Art and Artists, Events & Exhibitions | 1 Comment
While I didn't make it Doo-Nanny this weekend, Drew and Sara did, and they sent along plenty of great pictures of all the fun they had in Alabama, hanging out with all the artists (including Natalie Chanin) and musicians and assorted southern characters at Butch Anthony's farm in Seale Alabama. They gave me so many awesome photos that I could not even begin to edit, so I'll insert a gallery of a fraction of them at the bottom. Here's a peek:
Hi, I'm Becky. I live in Atlanta. Besides acting as the Editorial Director here on Hatch, you can find me talking design over at Houzz. Make me happy — leave a comment!


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Click Here Confidence. We all want to increase confidence. We desire confidence, as the belief is, that if you feel confident you can achieve any aspiration. The confident individual becomes rich, creates success and has the biggest house, the largest salary and the perfect partner. Confidence is an emotion. As with … Continue reading 3 Steps To Create Long Term Confidence
Tag: Metallophobia- Fear of metal
Sell More When You Sell With Confidence Workshop Manchester
Click Here Sell More When You Sell With Confidence Are your fears and anxieties having a negative impact on the success of your business? Do you feel like your competitors can sell better than you? Does a lack of confidence hold you back? The truth is we buy confidence. A confident professional is … Continue reading Sell More When You Sell With Confidence Workshop Manchester
The Meaning of Life
Click Here Death is coming to us all An undeniable fact…...you will die. The question isn't, if you will die, the question is, will you put the living into life? There is nothing to do in the afterlife, so wait, until after this life to do nothing. You are heading to … Continue reading The Meaning of Life
Rhetoric Devices for Speeches
Click Here We have discussed in previous articles the power of using rhetoric devices in speeches. We see the power of this everyday; in songs, Shakespearean stories and via politicians. Everyone from Caeser to Churchill and even Katy Perry Here are 5 easy to embed rhetoric devices Polyponton - … Continue reading Rhetoric Devices for Speeches
Your First Terrifying Speech
Click Here I wanted to die I wanted to escape I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me whole I was stood stuck on stage in front of 100 people on Christmas eve. For some unknown reason I had been asked to deliver an inspiring speech to the delegation. I … Continue reading Your First Terrifying Speech
Create Emotional Control
Click Here Do you feel out of control? Do allow your emotions to control your behavior? Do you want the power back to be in charge of how you feel? Create clever emotional control and cleverly control your emotions. Imagine being able to wake up on the wrong-side of the bed … Continue reading Create Emotional Control
Why Wait for Weight Loss
Click Here A new year, a new start? Why do you wait for a new year to set a new goal? We want the timing to be right for a big change, but a big change doesn't happen because the timing is right. The new year creates a common set of goals … Continue reading Why Wait for Weight Loss


text: According to Concord Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, whom AppleInsider says has proven sources in Apple's supply chain, new MacBook Airs will go into mass production in May. This corroborates with a previous report saying a (northern) summer release for new MacBook Airs were likely. That update is expected to bring Sandy Bridge processors and Kuo expects Thunderbolt to pop up too. [AppleInsider]


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Oban and Approaches marine chart is included in SCOTLAND KINTYRE-LOCH BROOM nautical charts folio. It is available as part of iBoating : United Kingdom / Ireland Marine & Fishing App (now supported on multiple platforms including Android, iPhone/iPad, MacBook, Blackberry®, Blackberry Playbook, and Windows(tablet and phone). ).
Have more questions about the Nautical Chart App? Ask us.


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Drop dead? Mice survive great falls
Q. Some animals carry around their own parachute in
case of falls. Who is among this foresightful set? S. Little
A. Rats and mice, along with their smaller animal brethren. "Terminal velocity" is the key.
A skydiver jumping out of a plane accelerates to around 160 mph, depending on body weight and positioning, then goes no faster. Small animals have more surface area for their weight, so in falling they generate more air resistance and peak at a much slower speed, with their body acting as a built-in parachute.
A mouse can fall several thousand feet onto a hard surface and suffer little more than a daze, points out J. B. S. Haldane in his essay "On Being the Right Size." A rat can fall out of an 11th-story skyscraper window, then go on about its business. A much longer drop than that would probably do in the rat, but creatures smaller than mice can plunge from very great heights and go virtually unfazed.
Q. Aren't we humans all one big family– and not just figuratively speaking? C. Darwin
A. If you trace your family tree back just 30 generations, and assume 25 years for a generation, your ancestry over this 750 years encompasses first two parents, then four grandparents, eight great-grandparents, 16 great-great-grandparents, 32 great-great-great-grandparents, 64, 128, 256, 512, 1024, 2048... finally, 1,073,741,824 people!
But 750 years ago it was the 13th century, and there were fewer than a billion people in the world. Which means that more recently than a scant 30 generations ago, your mother's and father's gene lines were merged, with ancestors common to both.
Follow your lineage back 50 generations, and the number of common parental ancestors grows enormous– so enormous in fact, says Guy Murchie in The Seven Mysteries of Life, that the entire human species can be encompassed "within the scope of 50th cousinhood."
This would mean that your own ancestors include not only some whites and blacks, Chinese and Arabs... but all the whites, blacks, Chinese, Arabs, Malays, Latins, Eskimos... who lived on Earth around A.D. 700. "It is virtually certain, therefore, that you are a direct descendant of Muhammad and every fertile predecessor of his, including Krishna, Confucius, Abraham, Buddha, Caesar, Ishmael, and Judas Iscariot."
Q. You're going in for surgery under general anesthesia. Any chance you'll be able to overhear what the operating team says while you're unconscious? M. Oblinger
A. Don't rule it out. A woman named Karen had an oral cyst removed, then was told in the recovery room that everything was just fine, report Philip Zimbardo and Ann Weber in Psychology. But for days afterward she felt depressed and at night had bad dreams.
Hypnotized by a therapist who asked her what was wrong, she blurted out: "The cyst may be cancerous!" This, it turned out, was exactly what the surgeon had said minutes into the operation, before a biopsy proved him wrong.
Karen's case is not unusual. Because our hearing sensitivity remains, even casual remarks in the operating room can be dangerous. On the positive side, "Therapeutic suggestions during anesthesia may improve patients' postoperative recovery, as shown by reduced use of morphine and earlier discharge."
Q. You're at a roulette wheel betting blacks vs. reds when a string of blacks gets under way. After six or seven in a row, people nearby start to notice. Then it's 10 in a row... 15... near pandemonium is breaking loose. Now you figure, by the law of averages, red is overdue, so you bet $500 on the 16th spin. Smart move? E. Murdock
A. You just fell for the common "gambler's fallacy," the erroneous belief that one chance event can influence the next. In fact, there's no way the wheel can remember from spin to spin what came up before.
In How to Lie with Statistics, Darrell Huff recounts an extraordinary situation at a Monte Carlo casino on August 18, 1913: After 15 or so blacks in a row, everybody at the roulette table started doubling down on red, figuring it was way overdue. But not until the 27th spin did the string of blacks come to an end, and by then just about everybody was broke. Except the house, which cleaned up to the tune of several million francs.
Send STRANGE questions to brothers Bill and Rich at


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30 October 2012 at 5.52pm | Comment on this article
Three years ago, I read about the Fanfare Competition in a national newspaper. Budding composers were being encouraged to write orchestral fanfares for the Royal Opera House and the prize was for the winning entries to be recorded by the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, under the directorship of Antonio Pappano. Not only that, but the winning fanfares were to be played during the performance intervals over the course of the following Season. I knew that our pupils would be excited by this amazing competition, but I was not fully prepared for their energy and their highly creative musical compositions.
We are a relatively small state middle school, with just under 250 pupils. I encouraged pupils to work in pairs, and the teaching staff also provided workshops in lunchtimes.
Over the past three years, we've submitted well over a hundred entries, with a few winners along the way. What followed for them was something that few young composers will have ever experienced, with our pupils accorded red carpet treatment from the moment they were chosen. Fantastically, winning doesn't seem to be the sole motivation for pupils entering. Last year we didn't manage a winning entry but this hasn't put the current students off - I have already had a lot asking me when we are going to start writing them again. A key aspect of education is to motivate and inspire pupils and this is something that Fanfare does brilliantly!
Music is positive in our school – we sing in class and assemblies, provide orchestra, clarinet group, recorder groups, theory classes and instrumental lessons and there are numerous chances for our pupils to perform. And, thanks to Fanfare, some of our pupils can say that their music has been played to thousands of people and that they have worked with an internationally acclaimed orchestra and conductor. How inspiring is that?
Free Teacher Twilight Sessions
Sign up for a taster session to learn more about the competition and gain new approaches for creative composition ideas for the classroom.
The Clore Studio, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, WC2E 9DD
Tuesday 27 November, 17.30 – 19.30
Book online here.
The Culver Centre, Daiglen Drive, South Ockendon; Essex, RM15 5RR
Wednesday 28 November, 17.00 – 19.00
Booking via email: firstname.lastname@example.com
The Crucible Theatre, 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 1DA
Thursday 6 December, 17.00 – 19.00 followed by a free ticket to attend the Ensemble 360 concert afterwards.
Booking via email: email@example.com


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For the 30th time, some of the best teams in college basketball will make the trip halfway across the Pacific Ocean accompanied by fans who will root them on in between scuba lessons, whale watching, golf and parasailing.
The Maui Invitational turns 30 t
For the 30th time, some of the best teams in college basketball will make the trip halfway across the Pacific Ocean accompanied by fans who will root them on in between scuba lessons, whale watching, golf and parasailing.
The Maui Invitational turns 30 this week. It hasn't always been the best of the preseason tournaments but it's hard to remember when it wasn't.
There are so many reasons why people love to go to Maui, one of the most beautiful of the Hawaiian islands. There is one reason why basketball teams love to go the Maui Invitational - the fields.
The first two tournaments had only four teams. In 1986, the field was expanded to eight with Chaminade, a Division II school in Honolulu, the one constant as the tournament's host. (Chaminade's victory over then-No. 1 Virginia and Ralph Sampson happened in Honolulu in 1982). Since then the field every year has contained a mix of storied programs, ranked teams and just enough of those dreaded mid-majors to keep the most ardent of fans happy whether they have a lei around their neck or a remote in their hand.
The early tournaments were more than solid but things changed in 1989 when Kemper-Lesnik, a company based in Chicago, took over running the Maui Invitational. There were going to be changes made. Small things like a new court in a spruced-up Lahaina Civic Center, the 2,500-seat home of the tournament. Big things like contracts with ESPN to have all 12 games televised on one of the network's outlets.
"We wanted to be the preseason Final Four and we would do everything we possibly could to make this a major basketball event," Steve Lesnik, the chairman of Kemper-Lesnik, said. "We wanted to be the pre-eminent preseason tournament."
Lesnik's first step to make that happen was to hire the recently retired Big Ten Commissioner Wayne Duke as the Maui Invitational chairman. He would put the fields together. He would make sure those teams were happy in a competitive situation.
"Wayne had the vision of what the tournament could be and he had the credibility and stature that let people know we were serious," Lesnik said. "One of the first things he did was to bring officials over, many with Final Four experience, because that was one of the things leading coaches were concerned about."
Duke, who was the first full-time employee of the NCAA in 1952 and went on to lead the Big Eight and Big Ten and was the chairman of the NCAA tournament selection committee when the first big television contract was agreed to, became the man who had the power to get you in the Maui field.
"We wanted to lock up the best teams we could get. I'm not saying we always did but we did our darndest to," Duke said from his home in Barrington, Ill. "We aimed for them and I think we did get them over a period of time. But it wasn't me. It was the great ocean waves. The one thing we had was Maui, Maui, Maui."
During the pre-Thanksgiving days that have become the dates for the Maui Invitational, it's possible to see coaches sitting poolside with an erase board drawing plays; there are teams having walkthroughs on the sand; fans wearing combinations of apparel supporting their team combined with local wear; and there is even the occasional spotting of NBA legends who suddenly become scouts for their former teams when the expense accounts are datelined Maui.
No matter the TV coverage, the venue keeps the tournament with a down home feel.
The Lahaina Civic Center is a good 3-wood and a short iron from the Pacific Ocean. What other building lets you run out to a spectacular view like that during a media timeout?
The building is also home to the Department of Motor Vehicles for the county and it's open during the tournament. Among the ticket-holders anxiously waiting to get into a game is often a person with a registration renewal form or a couple of license plates ready to be turned in.
But its court has seen more future NBA players than the green room on draft night. Some of the MVPs over the years are Dell Curry of Virginia Tech, Glen Rice of Michigan, Bobby Hurley of Duke, Anfernee Hardaway of Memphis, Raymond Felton of North Carolina and Kemba Walker of Connecticut.
There have been games in November worthy of March. Take 2005 for example.
Gonzaga, with Adam Morrison scoring a tournament-record 43 points, beat Michigan State, with Maurice Ager scoring a career-high 36 points, 109-106 in triple overtime. The Bulldogs then faced Connecticut in the title game the next day and the Huskies won 65-63 on Denham Brown's turnaround jumper with 1.1 seconds to play.
Amazingly, that's not the only tournament with a story line like that.
No school has owned Maui the way Duke has. Five appearances, five Wayne Duke championship trophies. No wonder the Lahaina Civic center has been nicknamed "Cameron Indoor Stadium West."
When asked what makes the Maui Invitational the tournament it is, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski answers, "The great fields."
When Duke retired from his chairman duties he was followed by a man with the same type of credentials, Dave Gavitt.
The founder of the Big East and one of the most respected men in college sports, Gavitt, who died in 2011, turned the reins over to the current chairman, former Wake Forest and South Carolina coach Dave Odom.
He faces challenges his predecessors didn't: expanded fields with "mainland" teams that play games in the tournament but don't go to Maui; new tournaments in exotic locales much closer to the mainland such as the Battle 4 Atlantis; and more television and Internet possibilities for games to be televised from tournaments in places like Puerto Rico.
"I think we at Kemper-Lesnik have always looked at this tournament as being very, very special and only see it getting better as we go along," Odom said recently as the final preparations were being made for this year's tournament with a field that includes No. 9 Syracuse, No. 13 Gonzaga and No. 20 Baylor. "All the people involved take the time after the tournament to see how we can make it better next year. No one is sitting back on our 30-year laurels. The interest from teams is still very, very high. There is the commitment from the community. We will build on the success of years gone by."


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Enter to Win a Skype Call With Jake Miller!
Want to win a Skype chat with Jake Miller? Um, of course you do!
PopCrush is giving one very, very lucky fan the chance to talk to get a Skype call from the singer himself!
Not sure what you'll discuss with Jake? You can always start with his poignant new music video for 'First Flight Home' or his love of basketball and Chipotle. Of course, you can always ask about his upcoming full-length project, or his amazing Millertary fanbase. The options are endless!
To win a Skype call with Jake Miller, enter the via the contest widget above. You'll earn extra entries by signing up for the PopCrush and Jake Miller newsletters, following PopCrush and Jake Miller on Twitter, subscribing to the PopCrush YouTube channel, watching our YouTube videos to answer trivia questions and more. The contest ends on Monday, Sept. 15, at 11:59PM ET. Read PopCrush's official contest rules here.
Good luck!
Watch Jake Perform 'First Flight Home' (Acoustic) at PopCrush


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There are still lots of kid-friendly Easter egg hunts and activities this weekend. They include:
Belmont holds its Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt tonight at Davis Park, 204 Park Drive. Children ages 3 to 5 can hunt for eggs at 7:30 p.m.; children ages 6 to 8 can hunt for eggs at 8 p.m. Some of the eggs will be filled with candy and prizes. Participants should bring a basket and a flashlight. The Easter Bunny hops by at 7:15 p.m.
Firestone Wesleyan, 1700 Union Road, Gastonia, is holding an Easter Carnival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
First United Methodist, 601 N. Pink St., Cherryville, holds an Easter Egg Hunt from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday for infants through third-graders. Also feature a story time, music and a snack.
Kings Mountain holds its annual Easter Egg Hunt at 10 a.m. Saturday at the children�s playground at the YMCA on Highway 161 (Cleveland Avenue). The event will include a petting zoo, games, storytelling and other children�s activities. The Easter Bunny will arrive by fire truck to begin the hunt. Participants should bring a basket.
St. John�s Lutheran, NC 150, Cherryville, holds a Community Egg Hunt from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday for children up to the third grade. Participants should bring a basket/bag for eggs. A hot dog meal with drinks and snacks will be served.
Alexander Memorial Baptist, 208 S. Main St., Belmont, holds its annual Easter Egg Hunt at 11 a.m. Saturday. A hot dog lunch will be served following the egg hunt.
Loray Baptist, 1128 W. Franklin Blvd., Gastonia, holds a Community-Wide Easter Egg Hunt from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday featuring a free hot dog lunch.
Riverside Baptist, 76 Riverside Drive, Cramerton , holds its annual Easter Egg Hunt from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday for babies to teens.
Covenant United Methodist, 801 W. Franklin Blvd., Gastonia, sponsors an Easter Egg Hunt at noon Saturday. A light lunch as well as games and activities are planned for children ages 12 and younger.
Saint John�s Missionary Baptist, 1282 Bradford Heights Road, Gastonia, holds an Easter Egg Hunt beginning at noon Saturday.
Crowders Chapel Christian Center holds a Community Easter Egg Hunt from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Karyae Park, 4227 Linwood Road, Gastonia, featuring food and games.
Weeping Mary Baptist, Bowling Green, SC, hosts an Easter Egg Hunt from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday.
The Gaston County Museum of Art & History, 131 W. Main St., Dallas, and the Town of Dallas hosts the annual Easter Egg Hunt for kids ages 10 and younger on the historic square lawn across from the museum at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. After the hunt, there will be crafts, games and activities until 3 p.m. The program is free.
Cramerton Temple of God Holiness Church, 5021 Wilkinson Blvd., Cramerton , holds an Easter Egg Hunt at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Westover Baptist, 114 Westover Drive, Kings Mountain, holds an Easter Egg Hunter at 2 p.m. Saturday. A hot dog supper will follow in the fellowship hall.
Venture Church, 1133 Ratchford Road, Dallas (North Gaston High School), holds an Easter Egg Hunt featuring more than 4,000 eggs following the 11 a.m. worship service on Sunday.


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The Avalanche started the scoring early on a ten-yard rush by Quarterback Jack Sheehan in the opening quarter for a 7-0 lead.
Sami Whidden then scored the Avalanche's next TD, with the convert being blocked, to put the Avalanche up 13-0.
Devin Bryan made two sensational punts into the Antigonish school's end zone for single points to give the Avalanche a 15-0 lead at half-time.
Avon View did not let up and started the third quarter strongly with Joe MacDonald making three consecutive rushes of 15 yards, the final one for a TD and a 22-0 Avalanche lead.
The Avalanche's defence was also strong throughout the afternoon, as Jared Wile returned an interception for a TD and a 29-0 Avalanche lead.
J.H. Gillis finally made it into the Avon View end zone halfway through the fourth quarter but had their convert blocked and Avon View held a 29-6 lead after the opposition touchdown.
On the ensuing kick-off by the Royals, Will Caines of the Avalanche made an impressive 45 kick-return to place the ball on the Antigonish 40-yard line.
A couple of plays later, Quarterback Devin Bryan threw a 25-yard pass to Tyler Eddy for a touchdown followed by a two-point convert and a 37-6 win.
Avon View now occupies second place in the NSSAF Division II Standings and will return to the road Thanksgiving night Oct. 9 in a 6 p.m. start against Millwood High at Burnside before returning home Sunday afternoon, Oct. 15, for a 4 p.m. home kick-off against Central Kings.


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NFL Training camp season is always a time for irrational exuberance. Every team thinks it can win the Super Bowl, even though 31 of those teams will end being horribly wrong. And so, to preview the upcoming NFL season, which could be the most unpredictable ever, we now give you five reasons why your favorite team could win the Super Bowl. Today, it's the Carolina Panthers.
1. Because their coach is trying this time. As I noted in the Broncos preview, you have to look pretty hard to find a season in which a coach mailed it in as egregiously as John Fox did with the Panthers last season. That team was dead weight for four months, and the team should have parted ways with Fox well before letting him play out a lame duck year like that (Fox's contract was due to expire at the end of last year, and both sides knew he wasn't returning anyway). It was a lousy, rotten, discouraging season. But at least Fox is now free of the team and they've brought in Ron Rivera, former defensive coordinator of the Chargers (and the Bears during their 2006 Super Bowl run) and a man who looks like he could still tear you in half. He's even intense when squinting. If Carolina doesn't win this season, he may very well begin killing and eating opposing players, and I would like that very much. This team will play very hard, and that's more than you could say about them last season.
2. This is the part where we talk ourselves into Cam Newton. If you ignore the fact that the #1 pick from the 2011 draft has never had to actually learn ANY offensive system, let alone a pro one, you could talk yourself into thinking he could be a superstar QB, which is just what the Panthers did this spring. After all, Cam is big. And strong. And fast. And he has a dazzling smile (entertainer AND icon!). He also won lots and lots of games during his one year at Auburn. And you can certainly point to QBs like Michael Vick and Ben Roethliberger as examples of guys who have had NFL success despite lacking, uh, certain intellectual advantages. Still, Newton will be learning what amounts to an entirely new sport this fall, and there's no guarantee he'll be able to master it. Then again... BIG STRONG MAN WITH BALL GRRRR HE'S A WINNER. GUYS!
3. When you pay DeAngelo Williams that much money, you better get a title out of it. You would have thought Jerry Richardson, one of the leading forces behind the NFL lockout, would be a bit more parsimonious with his payroll. But holy smokes, did he spend a lot of money this past month, with Newton ($22 million), DE Charles Johnson ($32 million), and RB DeAngelo Williams ($21 million) all getting huge guarantees. The Williams one is especially crazy because, while Williams is very good, he's prone to injury and the team has an excellent back in Jonathan Stewart playing next to him. This team may run 60 times a game this season. They may even institute fines for throwing.
4. SHOCKEY! Remember when the Panthers signed TE Jeremy Shockey before the lockout even started? No? Fear not. I didn't either. But look! There he is! With the tattoos and everything! NEVER FORGET THE SHOCKEY FACTOR.
5. Beware the three-headed QB warrior! Newton is your presumed starter for Carolina right now, but waiting behind him are the illustrious duo of Jimmy Clausen (he'll never live down this photo) and Derek "Horse Balls" Anderson, he of the "laughing on the sidelines" tirade from last season. Between those three surely, one can lead the Panthers to the promised land this year, no? No? I guess not. Still, LOOK AT CAM SMILE!
You Could Win The Super Bowl! Carolina Panthers
NFL Training camp season is always a time for irrational exuberance. Every team thinks it can win the Super Bowl, even though 31 of those teams will end being horribly wrong. And so, to preview the upcoming NFL season, which could be the most unpredictable ever, we now give you five reasons why your favorite team could win the Super Bowl. Today, it's the Carolina Panthers.