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Indiana junior Victor Oladipo is heading to the NBA. Cody Zeller could be next.
Oladipo made his announcement official Tuesday at a news conference inside Assembly Hall. He is the Hoosiers' first underclassmen to leave school early since Eric Gordon and D.J. White departed after the 2007-08 season. Zeller's announcement is expected later this week, possibly Wednesday.
Losing Oladipo was no surprise to those inside the Indiana program who watched the 6-foot-5 guard mature from talented freshmen into a refined star. NBA scouts have been so impressed with Oladipo's progression that many mock drafts now project him to be taken among the top six picks.
With Oladipo expected to graduate May 4, his 21st birthday, and coach Tom Crean collecting information that Oladipo would be a certain lottery pick, it was too much too turn down. Crean said the two would start looking into potential agents soon.
"I swayed back and forth especially throughout the season, but I felt this was best for my family," Oladipo said softly, explaining how difficult the choice was. "Coming here and graduating in three years, I feel like I'm prepared for it. So I feel like it's the best thing for me."
What the NBA will get in Oladipo is a workaholic.
The once overlooked recruit has improved each season in Bloomington, dazzling the nation this season with his athleticism and defense. He was a first-team All-American after finishing second on the Hoosiers in scoring (13.6), tying for second on the team in rebounds (6.3) and earning Big Ten defensive player of the honors. He can play above the rim, too, as evidenced when Oladipo delivered a spectacular game-sealing 360-degree dunk against Illinois in the Big Ten tournament. This past season, he shot 59.9 percent from the field, 44.1 percent on 3-pointers -- both up from his sophomore numbers of 47.1 and 20.8.
But that's only part of Oladipo's game.
"He's still not satisfied being an NBA player or a draft pick, so he's going to continue to work hard," said Mike Jones, Oladipo's high school coach at national power Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha. "He's the same person today that I coached in high school."
If scouts had any doubts regarding Oladipo's plans, all they had to do was walk into Assembly Hall before the news conference.
There, a sweaty Oladipo was dressed in his crimson practice jersey for yet another individual workout with some of his soon-to-be ex-teammates at Indiana. The group included forwards Will Sheehey and Hanner Mosquera-Perea and point guard Kevin "Yogi" Ferrell, three players who will try to fill the void left by Oladipo's absence.
It won't be easy.
Oladipo's infectious personality and relentless drive were two big reasons the Hoosiers went from 12 wins in Oladipo's freshman season, 2010-11, to making back-to-back appearances in the regional semifinals. Indiana came into the 2012-13 season ranked No. 1 for the first time since 1979 and stayed there longer than any other team this season.
But he just couldn't pass up the opportunity to become one of the highest-drafted players to ever come out of DeMatha. Other alums include Danny Ferry, the No. 2 pick in the 1989 draft; Adrian Dantley, who went sixth overall in 1976; and Kenny Carr, who went No. 6 in 1977.
"If you take me back to when I was playing for DeMatha and you asked who would have been in the position I am today, I guarantee you I would have been the last one picked," Oladipo said. "Whenever I say he (Crean) believed in me when nobody else did, I really mean it. Coach Crean was the most consistent and most persistent (recruiter), and I just saw it as a sign from God that I needed to be wearing the candy stripes. I've become a great man because of it and I'm becoming a great basketball player because of it."
Oladipo may not be the only underclassmen Indiana has to replace next season.
Zeller, the 7-foot sophomore center, led Indiana in scoring (16.3) and rebounding (8.1) and was considered a top-three pick for most of the season. Many believe that Zeller, Indiana's 2011 Mr. Basketball and a three-time state champ, will try to join his older brothers, Tyler and Luke, in the NBA next season.
Crean didn't discuss Zeller's decision Tuesday. Oladipo and Zeller did talk about it over the last week, though.
"We talked about it a little bit, I have no idea what he decided because Cody, as you know, is pretty quiet anyway," Oladipo said. "I just wished the best for him and wished him the best of luck."
If Zeller also leaves, Crean would be replacing four starters -- Jordan Hulls, Christian Watford, Oladipo and Zeller -- next season.
Crean signed six players during the fall despite having only three graduating seniors. Oladipo's decision will clear another spot and if Zeller leaves early, that would create a fifth opening.
For the first time publicly, Crean acknowledged Tuesday that they were preparing all along for the likelihood of more than one player leaving early for the NBA this spring.
"That's one of the reasons we oversigned. There's no question," he said. "Was that a given? Absolutely not."


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SPRINGFIELD, Ga. - Authorities in southeastern Georgia say a second man has been arrested in an attack that left a pet pig with 23 stab wounds.
Effingham County Sheriff's spokesman David Ehsanipoor says 52-year-old Clyde McFearin, of Springfield, was arrested Wednesday on charges of aggravated animal cruelty and obstruction of a law enforcement officer.
A 23-year-old man accused of unleashing two pit bulls on the pig and stabbing it 23 times was arrested in early April. The pig survived.
Ehsanipoor says investigators determined one of the dogs belonged to McFearin. Police say the pig was targeted in the unprovoked attack after wandering from his owner's mobile home.
The Savannah Morning News (http://bit.ly/Zwri43 ) reports McFearin has been taken to the Effingham County jail. It's unclear if he has an attorney.

subset: commoncrawl


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B Toder necesitaba un nuevo diseño de papelería y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 117 diseños de 15 diseñadores freelance.
A modern-looking business card design is needed for a hypnotist & hypnosis business. I specialize in weight loss, quit smoking & stress management. You would use my current logo and typeface (Handel Gothic) for the company name. Must be easily read (watch the reverse type!) and must be business card size. Horizontal only, one-sided card.
Plymouth Hypnosis Center
Currently, I have a fold-over card and I hate it. (It's too bulky and it doesn't fit anywhere.) I need something very ultra-modern. This card should tell them to call us for a free screening appointment.
Item 1... Must use "Lose Weight • Quit Smoking • Manage Stress" as a subhead or tag line ----------
Item 2... Use Handel Gothic font for company name only ----------
Item 3... Use my logo (see my website for logo or I can send it to you) ----------
Item 4... Horizontal card & business card size only, please. ----------
Item 5... The card should have the company name, tag line, my name, "Certified Hypnotist", address, phone, email & web site, and "Discover How Hypnosis Can Benefit YOU. Call Now For Your FREE Screening: 610-397-1515" ----------
Item 6... Finished product should have all pertinent information (address, phone, etc.) and be in a format I can send to an online or off-line printing service. I would also need a copy in .PSD format with all relative fonts included. ----------
Item 7... I need to convey a very, VERY professional hypnosis practice.
Item 1... No swinging watches, barking dogs or clucking chickens, please. :-) ----------
Item 2... No very bright colors. ----------
Item 3... No scales, tape measures, cigarettes, etc. ----------
Item 4... No cut-outs or oversized cards, please.


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The iPad 2 was an upgrade from the original on virtually all fronts but one: the screen. It still uses the same screen, which feels low-res compared to the iPhone 4s retina display. Could that be changing with the iPad 3?
Rumors have it that Apple's Tim Cook has been visiting Samsung in Korea to talk about using their OLED screens in the next generation of the tablet. Of course, OLED screens are very expensive, especially at that size, so it'd take some finagling to get them at a price that would allow Apple to keep the iPad relatively inexpensive.
Other rumors have Apple prepping a more traditional LCD for the iPad, one with a Retina Screen resolution level. It'll be interesting to see which direction they end up going with.
U.S. & World
News from around the country and around the globe
Via AppleInsider


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How many include Qigong (Chi Kong) in their training?
Some nice video clips of Uechi's David Mott Sensei performing pieces of Qigong practices:
Moderator: gmattson
standing chi-kung can be done in 5 minutes.............i.e. "Holding a tree"
and it will make you feel more like running or lifting weights Wink
Stryke wrote:Jim , not the real chi gung ?
not more lineage wars ......
Sorry mate couldnt resist
But as I was taught by those Chinese along the way, they take this stuff very seriously and I have heard over and over that you must be trained by a real Chi-Gung Sifu, not so you will be able to do no touch KOs but so the Chi in your body doesn't get whacked out from training incorrectly in this practice. In Chi-Gung a little knowledge is considered dangerous but the right knowledge can be a life saver.
the books you can buy in the store will sometimes have stuff in them that will hurt you.. all because they don't want phoneys to counterfeit their system
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- This event has passed.
Coffee Talk – Men's Group
February 5 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
|Recurring Event (See all)
An event every month that begins at 6:30 pm on day First of the month, repeating until March 25, 2020
Has HIV/AIDS affected your life? This drop-in conversation group is a safe space where you can talk about the changes, challenges, inspirations, and supports in your life as you move forward. The first Wednesday of the month is Men's only group.
Contact Sandra or Rosa for more information, 204-940-6000


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Gain insight by eliminating the cost, risk and effort of physically combining different data sets.
Spectrum Data Federation
To gain insight on your customers, you need to traverse multiple data sources that often don't easily work together. With Data Federation, you can democratize access to information without the risks associated with physically combining those sources.
- Overview
- Key Features
With customer information fragmented across different on-premise and cloud locations, it can be difficult to gain a more complete customer centric view by combining traditional data stores with new sources of information.
The Spectrum Data Federation Module allows you to create an abstracted virtual data source. This provides a unified access to diverse heterogeneous data sources through a uniform user interface.
With this user interface, you can collate the data, then organise it as a specific representation of your business model.
Working with federated views of your information removes the risk and effort of physically moving data. You can also making changes to the existing data stores that supply your business applications without issue.


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mensinga necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 22 diseños de 9 diseñadores freelance.
Pure Mocha
The objective is to deliver an iPhone application that enables a consumer to quickly find a coffeeshop in the UK. The logo should be fun, outgoing and spunky, whilst also representing the premium positioning that is consistent with the high-end brands. It shall replicate the primary colors used by Starbucks (green), Cafe Nero (blue) and Costa (red) and equally fuse them. The logo should be collectively inspired by them and thematically hint at the brands enclosed.
Those folks that go to Starbucks! Or if you are familiar with the UK brands Costa Coffee and Cafe Nero.
The logo must include both a name and an icon. They shall be suitable to use both separately and together. The logo usage is for both an iPhone application and the web. Three distinct icon flavours shall be made each with progressively richer and more subtle detail as size allows; 29X29, 57X57 and 512 X512. The icon should NOT simply be scaled up. The 57X57 should represent the essence of the brand and the 512 X512 enables the level of detail you'd expect on a web page. Of course, the 29X29 needs to be dead simple for clarity. The icons need to be workable in their respective size requirement, distinct yet clear that it is all the same brand.
The logo name should be readily legible at a height of 20 pixels, which will be used within the application. Please also recommend a font type that thematically extends the logo and can be used for plain text in the application at very small sizes (ex. 8 pixels high).
Please see enslosure for image requirement specifications.
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


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Treasure Chest Thursday - 1956 news clipping
Since it is over 50 years old, I assume this clipping is a Treasure Chest item - it certainly is, to me. My wife and I were high school classmates and we did a lot of singing - solos, duets, quartets and larger groups, at church but mostly at school.
We started "going steady" in the spring of our junior year in high school. This clipping is in the fall of that year, when we were seniors. We had a pretty decent duet worked up - singing, with a little bitty soft shoe dance routine to go with it, when appropriate. This was from a contest we were in. We celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary last summer, and Nancy just got a new ukulele (from the UPS man) today. So, I guess not a whole lot has changed. The love of music, and each other, has stayed pretty stable! ;-)
Families are Forever! ;-)


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Working moms are always short on time. Our lists make things a little easier -- just print and you're good to go! Temperatures are on the rise, and so are electricity and fuel costs, making it harder to keep our cool. Here are 10 ways to reduce your cooling costs this summer.
- Use a programmable thermostat to adjust the temperature automatically when you're not home
- Set the air conditioning to kick in at 80 degrees instead of 78 degrees (or even higher, if you can stand it)
- Seal off AC ducts in unused rooms so you don't spend money cooling them
- Draw the curtains and blinds on your south, east, and west windows to keep sunlight from warming the rooms during the day
- Install ceiling fans instead of AC units (they use less electricity and keep you cool by moving the air around, though they don't actually change the temperature in the room)
- Cook outdoors on the grill (or opt for salads and don't cook at all) to keep the heat out of the kitchen
- Upgrade to Energy Star rated air conditioners (it costs more now, but you'll save over time)
- Plant trees to shade your house (and your AC unit)
- Take a shower using a minty body wash (Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Liquid Soap is a classic) to make warm air feel like a cool breeze on your skin
- Spend time in cool (and air conditioned) public places like your local library
Find out more:


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Samsung Announces Launch of NX300 and 45mm f1.8 2D/3D Lens
Samsung announced the addition of their newest flagship camera –the NX300. The NX300 boasts a 20.3 megapixel APS-CMOS sensor with an ISO range of 100-25,600. A new hybrid auto focus system promises to deliver fast, reliable phase and contrast detection. The camera also boasts 1/600 second shutter speed for shooting in full sun with open apertures and 8.6 frames per second continuous shooting for capturing those moments that happen in the blink of an eye.
Samsung is alos proud of their DRIMe IV imaging engine which is designed to produce pictures with better color reproduction and greater noise reduction. Image quality and speed are also increased with the DRIMe engine. In addition, the imaging engine supports 1080p HD video capture in both 2D and 3D when used in connection with 2D/3D lenses.
The NX300 has a 3.31 inch AMOLED hybrid touch screen. The screen functions as a tilt display making it easier to shoot from high or low to capture all those difficult shots.
The camera is designed to achieve pro-like results. By choosing the Smart Mode, users can enable 14 different settings. In addition, the NX300 comes equipped with i-Depth. This function allows one to adjust the depth of an image by modifying the camera's parameters through the lens.
The NX300 offers Wi-Fi connectivity. Two options for connecting your pictures to the internet include a one-touch Direct Link hot key or through Smart Camera, an app which is available through Android and iOS markets.
The 45mm f1.8 2D/3D lens was also announced. This lens is the world's first one-lens 3D system for a consumer camera. It has the ability to capture both still images and full HD 1080p video in both traditional 2D and innovative 3D.
The NX300 will be available in black or white. The camera has a retail price of $750. The 45mm 3D lens has a price tag of $500.


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Barston, Darien blank Ludlowe baseball
Recommended Video:
DARIEN -- Talk about making a good first impression.
Darien junior Stephen Barston tossed six scoreless innings and collected a win in his first varsity start Monday to help the Blue Wave (3-0, 2-0 FCIAC) shut out Fairfield Ludlowe 5-0 at Darien High School.
Michael Maccarone delivered a two-run single with the bases loaded in the second inning to highlight a four-run frame for Darien. The Blue Wave have outscored their first three opponents 26-1.
"We couldn't have asked for anything more out of (Barston) today," Darien coach Mike Scott said. "He's a pitcher that's going to be crafty. He's going to be around the plate, and he's going to force them into contact. He executed his pitches, had them fishing a little bit and our defense made plays behind him. That was huge."
Falcon reliever Dan Stanco did not allow a run in 5 1/3 innings of work, but his teammates could hardly touch Barston all afternoon. It was the first loss for Fairfield Ludlowe (3-1, 1-1 FCIAC), which now moves on to play league power Trumbull on Wednesday. Wilton recorded the only run allowed by Darien this season during an eventual 8-1 Wave victory on Friday.
"It all starts with the guys on the hill," Scott said. "To limit three teams to one run in three games is quite an accomplishment. We've backed them up with defense and the bats have been there."
George Reed opened the scoring in the first inning with an RBI double that scored senior shortstop Bobby Fitzpatrick. Two at-bats prior to Reed's plate appearance, Fitzpatrick had knocked a double to left field. Later, he would hit a sacrifice fly to center for the game's final run.
The Falcons best scoring chance came in the fourth when Mikey Arman and Chris Howell had back-to-back singles for Ludlowe's first hits. Following a misfired throw to first, Arman moved to third base, which put runners on the corners with no outs. However, Barston buckled down to induce a pop fly, a line-out and groundout to end the threat.
"I was just trying to get a strikeout to start; a strikeout or a pop fly to make sure they stayed where they were," Barston said. "And then get a groundball to get a double play and get out of the inning."
Conor Davey took the mound in the top of the seventh inning and skirted around an early walk to finish the game with a soft liner to second. After the final out was recorded, Scott kept the message to his budding team simple.
"Keep improving," he said. "We've got a good squad here, and we think we can make a nice run. We're three games in and we're right where we want to be three games in ¦ There's lots of baseball left to be played. We still want to keep getting better, and I think these guys are hungry for more."
email@example.com; @DNCSports
Darien 5, Fairfield Ludlowe 0
Records: Darien 3-0, 2-0 FCIAC; Fairfield Ludlowe 3-1, 1-1 FCIAC. Batteries: FL--Max Settineri (L, 0-1), Dan Stanco (2) and Connor Daley; D--Stephen Barston (W, 1-0), Conor Davey (7) and Anthony DiMeglio. Highlights: FL--Dan Stanco allowed four hits and no runs after entering as a reliever in the second inning. D--Stephen Barston threw six scoreless innings to win his first varsity start. Michael Maccarone had a two-RBI single with the bases loaded in the second inning.


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Charlotte au Chocolat is a memoir—part foodie journal/part chronicle of a childhood spent in a well-known restaurant in Harvard Square. Charlotte Silver was named for the dessert and her parents served several versions of it in Upstairs at the Pudding, the third-floor dining establishment at the Hasty Pudding Club. But the chocolate recipe was so popular that it was always on the menu. So were other favorites—all unapologetically rich, hand-crafted dishes that made the elaborate restaurant avant-garde in a wasteland of Boston baked beans and student fast-food specials.
Charlotte recounts a menu of memories, incidents laced with marbled beef, roasted pheasant, Chantilly cream and the ubiquitous Shirley Temples, served with a flourish to a little girl ordering her nightly meal at the staff table in the corner. She was taught to greet customers and staff by name and dressed every night in an appropriately fancy costume—dress-up for the glittery dining room and its upscale guests. She wore black patent leather Mary Janes instead of sneakers and took naps under the linen covered bar until she got too big for the crawl space.
It was an elevated life for a not-at-all-wealthy family—nightly fine dining in the midst of affluent Bostonians and Harvard visitors, serenades at Sunday brunch by the Krokodiloes—a campy Harvard singing group, brioche stuffed with fried oysters, never macaroni and cheese. Julia Child lived in the neighborhood and stopped in occasionally. Celebrated actors and actresses were feted at the annual Woman and Man of the Year Awards. It was pure theater, a magical world for a child. And a lonely one. But the fairytale setting and access to an intense adult business compensated for the odd upbringing.
Charlotte au Chocolat is interesting—light as a meringue in most spots, serious as Beef Wellington here and there. It reminded me occasionally of Collette's memoir of her mother, although these memories are far less complex and vividly drawn. Charlotte's mother was a force to be reckoned with, a woman perfectly attuned to elegance and stage settings who worked like a stevedore in the kitchen and always dabbed a little Joy in her cleavage before the evening seatings. "Never cry in the restaurant," was one of her strict rules and she didn't, not even on the night that the Pudding served its last meal and closed, a victim of the greedy real estate gobble that transfigured Harvard Square and peopled it with chain stores and big box emporiums.
Charlotte Silver didn't take her finely calibrated tastes to Harvard. She studied writing at Bennington in Vermont, on scholarship—the restaurant never made much money and the fridge in the family's rented apartments was usually untended and mostly empty. Her mother went on to open another, less ambitious restaurant while Charlotte followed somewhat in her father's footsteps. After a divorce, he gave up working as head chef and began a new career as an art photographer, happy to be out of the kitchen for good. But the Pudding imprinted itself so strongly on a child who grew up there that her mother's world is the one that defines her. Pink is the predominant color and recollections of elaborate meals, transient staff friendships, endless Shirley Temples and desserts worthy of a court table flavor Silver's tea party of a book.
Charlotte Au Chocolat: Memories of a Restaurant Girlhood Charlotte Silver | Riverhead Books 2012


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However, this is where Hasbro's got me dead to rights with there being at least one new part on each figure.
Questions for anyone that has opened these up...* Anakin - is there anything else 'new' on him besides the head/deco? I read someone say he now has ball-joint hips, but I'm not sure that is right. Does he have new hips or not?
* Shaak Ti - I know she has new arms... but the RotS one is good enough for me. Something about her deco (the eyes maybe) just makes me prefer the RotS one. Can anyone confirm if her legs are the same as the RotS or did she get a leg upgrade to go with her elbow upgrade?
EDIT: Forgot to add that my Target had these as "on sale" for 9.99 through mid-November when I picked the Anakin/Droideka set up earlier today. So that definitely takes the sting out.
Did you get the sale price straight-up or did you have to argue that there was a sale tag for them?
Quote from: Pete_Fett on October 17, 2010, 07:34 PMDid you get the sale price straight-up or did you have to argue that there was a sale tag for them?So yeah, straight up 9.99 without having to complain, FYI.
just an FYI, I went to Target today and they gave me the price adjustment on the 4 sets I bought a week ago. Very happy with the 4 pack I got now at a price of $10.
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Top Items:
Seagate Confirms 1TB Hard Disk Drive — We should expect to see 1TB hard disk drive products within 6 months — Seagate Technology has just released information to DailyTech with regard to the company's upcoming highest capacity hard disk drive to date. At 1TB, if no other hard disk …
Discussion: Scobleizer, Thomas Hawk's Digital …, VoIP & Gadgets Blog, PodTech.net, TechSpot and digg
Robert Scoble / Scobleizer: CES to be a snore? — Seagate gets out in front of CES news …
Thomas Hawk / Thomas Hawk's Digital Connection: Hot Donkey, One Terabyte Hard Disks Within Six Months
Justin Mann / TechSpot: Seagate announces 1TB hard drive
Ryan Block / Engadget:
Hitachi breaks 1TB hard drive barrier with 7K1000 — Well, we knew it was likely to happen in 2006 or 2007: Hitachi has fulfilled their promise and broken the 1TB drive barrier with the introduction of Hitachi's new Deskstar 7K1000 drive. Thanks to perpendicular recording …
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Michael Kanellos / CNET News.com:
Here comes the terabyte hard drive — Last year, Hitachi Global Storage Technologies predicted hard-drive companies would announce 1 terabyte drives by the end of 2006. Hitachi was only off by a few days. — The company said on Thursday that it will come out with a 3.5-inch-diameter 1 terabyte drive …
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Michael Gartenberg:
CES will be evolutionary not revolutionary — I've been doing the CES thing for a while and more and more, it's looking like this show is going to be about evolution and not revolution. Don't look for lots of new stuff to be introduced, look instead for products that are reaching maturation …
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CES 2007: Heading To Las Vegas—And Uncertainty
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The second Xbox 360 revealed: codename Zephyr — Ever wonder why Microsoft hasn't released an HDMI cable for the Xbox 360, or whether the AV port was really capable of digital out? Well, here's your answer: we landed pictures of what appears to be the second Xbox 360 — the Xbox 360 v2, if you will — codenamed Zephyr.
Discussion: GigaGamez, Gizmodo, Joystiq, Xbox 360 Fanboy, Opposable Thumbs, Kotaku, You NEWB, Crave RSS, CrunchGear, GamersReports.com and digg
Jason McMaster / GigaGamez: XBox 360 Version 2 To Come With HDMI and Bigger Hard Drive
Christopher Grant / Joystiq: The second Xbox 360 (with HDMI): introducing "Zephyr"
Richard Mitchell / Xbox 360 Fanboy: Xbox 360 v. 2 revealed, codename "Zephyr"
John Falcone / Crave RSS: HDMI-equipped Xbox 360 on the way — Coming soon: The HDMI-equipped Xbox 360.
Vince Veneziani / CrunchGear: Xbox 360 2.0 (aka Zephyr) Revealed Somewhat
Chris Anderson / The Long Tail:
DON'T QUIT YOUR DAY JOB — An interesting tidbit from Guy Kawasaki's wrap-up of his first full year blogging. The key part is bolded. Note that his blog has been consistently between the 35th and 45th most popular in the world, according to Technorati. Here are some of his stats:
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Matthew Hurst / Data Mining: Do Bloggers Really Make Money From Google AdSense?
John Evans / SYNTAGMA: Guy Kawasaki Earns 280 Dollars a Month
Steve Borsch / Connecting the Dots: Value 2.0: Your Value in a Box?
Ryan Katz / Think Secret:
iWork '07 nears release with new spreadsheet app — Apple's launch of iWork '07 next week is expected to be touted as one of the company's more significant product launches of the year, most notably due to the addition of a new spreadsheet application. This third component will better enable Apple …
Discussion: The Unofficial Apple Weblog, Webomatica, Infinite Loop, Monkey Bites, Apple Gazette and digg
Erica Sadun / The Unofficial Apple Weblog: Rumors: iWork spreadsheet screenshot?
Charles Jade / Infinite Loop: iWork spreadsheet program revealed?
Scott Gilbertson / Monkey Bites: The Morning Reboot: Friday January 5
Warren Ellis / Reuters/Second Life:
Second Life Sketches: Two Worlds - Fame and Infamy — The following is an independent opinion column, and is not connected with Reuters News. The opinions and views expressed herein are those of the author and are not endorsed by Reuters. — It's the biggest digital art installation in the world …
Discussion: 3pointD.com, Valleywag, WebProNews and Digital Download
Adam / Reuters/Second Life:
Anshe Chung Studios cracks down on griefing photos
Anshe Chung Studios cracks down on griefing photos
Discussion: VTOR, Technovia, Clickable Culture and Second Life Insider
Tony Walsh / Clickable Culture: Anshe Chung Courts 'Streisand Effect'
Caliandris Pendragon / Second Life Insider: Anshe Chung bans photos — or tries
PR Newswire:
Cingular Makes First Wireless Video Share Call — Technology Demo Showcased in AT&T Booth at Consumer Electronics Show — ATLANTA, Jan. 5 /PRNewswire/ — As thousands of people stroll through the aisles of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next week, those stopping by the AT&T booth …
Discussion: CrunchGear, Techdirt, Phone Scoop and dailywireless.org
Matt Hickey / CrunchGear: Cingular Bets on Live Video
Andrew Lavallee / Wall Street Journal:
Lifehacker Draws Visitors With Time-Saving Tech Tips — Gina Trapani is always looking for a clever shortcut — from a better way to organize her email inbox to keeping track of her Web passwords. So, it seems, are plenty of other computer users. — Ms. Trapani, 31 years old …
Discussion: ProBlogger Blog Tips, Micro Persuasion and Rex Hammock's weblog
Darren Rowse / ProBlogger Blog Tips: Lifehacker - An Example of what Helpful and Positive Blogging Can Do
Steve Rubel / Micro Persuasion: A Blogger Worth Modeling
Kristina Dell / Time:
Welcome to Wi-Fi-Ville Pop. 300 towns and growing — As municipal wireless pops up, so do questions: Who pays for it? Who runs it? Who's looking over your shoulder? — Citizens of Corpus Christi, Texas, can thank a snapping dog for the free wireless Internet they enjoy around town.
Discussion: Wi-Fi Networking News, dailywireless.org and broadbandreports.com
Gavin O'Malley / MediaPost Publications:
Google Poaches NBC Video Exec — CONTINUING TO RAMP UP ITS video hosting and syndication business, Google has poached Michael Steib, NBC Universal's general manager of strategic ventures. — Led by Steib's strategic ventures unit, NBC Universal in September created the National Broadband Company …
Discussion: SearchViews and HipMojo.com
Kate Zimmermann / SearchViews: Google Slowly Taking Over Digital Video
Taiwanese firm plans to sue Apple — Luxpro, a Taiwanese electronics firm, has said it will sue computer maker Apple for $100m (£52m) in damages. — The move follows a legal battle Luxpro fought with Apple over some of the Taiwanese firm's digital music players.
Discussion: Techdirt
Phil Gallo / Variety:
Digital sales boost music industry — Album sales drop yet again — Disney's 'High School Musical' soundtrack was the year's top seller. — The music biz can't stem the bleeding, but for now, digital tracks are proving to be a secure Band-aid. — Album sales dropped …
Discussion: Lost Remote, Gizmodo and digg
Brian Crecente / Kotaku:
Exclusive: Columbine Game Kicked From Competition — Slamdance finalist Super Columbine Massacre RPG has been officially kicked from the festival due to mounting pressure from protesters and the loss of sponsorship, the game's creator told Kotaku Thursday night.
Discussion: Global Nerdy, GamePolitics.com and Thomas Hawk's Digital …


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Los Angeles has cultivated a famous car culture, but there are excellent alternative means of transportation to the UCLA campus and surrounding neighborhoods. For a comprehensive and in-depth overview of transportation, including campus maps, explore more:
Bus Systems and Public Transit
An efficient and user-friendly bus system connects UCLA to the greater Los Angeles area. Staples of transit at the University are the Santa Monica Big Blue Bus and the BruinBus shuttle service. We are fortunate to have the primary bus station for these systems just a few hundred feet from the Law building.
Explore more:
Carpools and Vanpools
UCLA commuters save money and shed stress by sharing rides with fellow Bruins. Those participating in ride pools are eligible for discounted parking permits.
Explore more:
Parking is at a premium on the UCLA campus. A limited number of individual parking permits are available to students for main campus structures and affiliated lots. The parking application process is strict and competitive, so we strongly recommend that UCLA Law students read the parking websites thoroughly and apply early.
Bicycles, motorcycles and scooters are popular and efficient ways to get to and around campus. There are free parking areas specifically marked and equipped for these vehicles.


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In celebration of National Zookeeper Appreciation Week, meet one of our Aquarists, Elizabeth Schneble!
How long have you been at the Aquarium?
I have been working in the Fishes Department for a just a little over 6 years now.
What interested you to pursue your current career path?
I studied wildlife conservation and resources in college, and during my studies I interned here for the National Aquarium's Animal Rescue program and the Fishes Department simultaneously. I absolutely fell in love with the animals, the fast-paced environment, and the wonderful staff, and I knew this is what I wanted to do. As a bonus, I have always had a passion for conservation, the environment and the National Aquarium's mission. Conservation programs provide the perfect platform for me to work with both.
Can you briefly describe for us what your typical day looks like?
In one word: "busy!" I take care of our Maryland Mountains to the Sea gallery, and my day starts around 7:30 a.m. I spend the first part of my day cleaning and preparing the exhibits for our guests and feeding the animals. Once the exhibits are clean and ready for opening, I work on cleaning the backup enclosures and feeding the animals in backup. The rest of my day is spent between working on various projects around the department, helping out and participating with other staff in diving and cleaning duties, and maintaining the life support systems on my exhibits. I also manage the wonderful aquarist assistant volunteers in Fishes Department. We currently have over 40 volunteers in the program. In the few moments I have time to sit at my desk, I catch up on emails. I am also planning the local collecting trips. The collecting season lasts approximately 6 months each year and I work very hard to plan trips to collect local animals, quarantine them and move them onto exhibit to share with our guests.
What is your favorite Aquarium memory?
I was able to participate in a lionfish collection trip in the Bahamas in 2011. I spent a week diving on the coral reefs conducting fish diversity surveys and collecting lionfish. It was by far the most rewarding and amazing aquarium experience I have had.
What is the next big project you're working on?
I am currently building a backup turtle tank to house part of our collection of local turtles, including the diamondback terrapins and wood turtles.
What is your favorite animal?
That is a tough one, but at the moment I would have to say the diamondback terrapin! They are one of the most unique and beautiful turtle species, in my opinion. Plus, they have such interesting personalities and behaviors. How can you not love them?
Stay tuned to the blog this week to meet more of our amazing staff!


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Tioga, TX Real Estate
Population: 1,000 Welcome to Tioga, Texas! The birthplace of Gene Autry and the home of world famous Clark's Bar-B-Que. This quiet little community is located 50 miles north of Dallas. It is the perfect setting for farms or ranches and is generally considered a great place to raise horses. Its close proximity to Denton gives its residents easy access to shopping an entertainment without sacrificing quiet country living. View Properties in this Community > Ebby Halliday Offices Serving this Community: Denton > Frisco > Other Ebby Offices > Education Tioga Independent School District Shopping Golden Triangle Mall in Denton Recreation Lake Ray Roberts Tioga Museum and Heritage Association, Inc. More Useful Links City of Tioga Texas Online Denton County Appraisal District Denton County Clerk Utilities Cable Comcast : 972-445-5555 Classic Cable :...
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For a list of schools located within the district(s) please click on the link(s) below.


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Tight end Tony Gonzalez decided to come back for another season in 2013 in large part because he felt the Falcons were in position to challenge for a Super Bowl title.
With quarterback Matt Ryan throwing to Gonzalez, Roddy White and Julio Jones, the team's offense is a big reason to feel that way. They also replaced running back Michael Turner with Steven Jackson this offseason, a move that many see as an upgrade to the offense. Gonzalez puts himself in that group and thinks that Jackson's addition gives the Falcons the pieces they need to have a perfect offense.
"Obviously, we're led by Matt Ryan," Gonzalez said on the NFL Network. "With him pulling the trigger, with Roddy, Julio, myself, we're going to try and soften up that defense a lot where they got to stand back and play off us a little bit. That is going to make big holes for a guy like Steven Jackson, and we should hopefully go out there and be the perfect offense. That's what we strive to be is the perfect type of offense where it's pick your poison; who are you going to stop? With Steven Jackson back there in the backfield, it just makes us that much tougher to defend."
Jackson's wider range of skills should bring the Falcons offense more than Turner could provide last season while the quality of the passing game in Atlanta should allow Jackson to get through the season with less wear and tear than he was used to in St. Louis. Perfection is an unreachable goal, but the Falcons have the pieces to come as close as any team in the league this year.


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Driving Forces
I don't know what it is about the open road that makes it so appealing. Maybe it's because when you're headed somewhere, you don't have to be where you've already been.
In other words, the road represents potential. Usually that potential translates to fast food induced heartburn, a messy car, and lots of gas money, but the potential is there.
We all love road trips. We get three of our closest friends together and yell, "road trip!" which is code for, "let's all go somewhere and do the same stuff we do here, but in a different place!" At first glance, that makes about as much sense as spending $2.50 for a gallon of gas.
It's now Sunday in Indianapolis, towards the beginning of a 10-day trip that includes a few other stops in Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan. It makes sense that I write about the road from Indianapolis though - the city advertises itself as "the crossroads of America." I know every city needs a nickname, but I laugh every time I hear that. That may as well mean, "Indianapolis - we're on the way to stuff."
There is some stuff actually in Indianapolis this weekend: there's a huge music convention and a meeting of a local Thunderbird club. I can't afford the music convention, and the T-Birds were cool for the ten minutes it took me to see all of them. So I have spent most of the weekend doing exactly what I would have at home - writing and sitting in traffic.
Being adventurous, I tried taking a different way home from lunch yesterday. I ended up spending an hour in one lane of a four lane highway, watching the other lanes being fixed. I guess the open road has got to be paved sometime.
What could go wrong this weekend has. At the rental car place, I came down with an illness known as "Kia Rio." Symptoms include little to no shocks and the horsepower of a unicycle.
Thursday, I performed in Lancaster, Ohio. The show was largely populated with rotund men and women with no necks and all the political open-mindedness of a general in the Crusades. My material about America getting dumber and fatter went over real well. Actually, one couple really liked me. They weren't from Lancaster.
Ironically, I had trouble finding parking for my terrible car. I choose the word "ironic" not because the car was already as terrible as the parking, but because the crowd was made up of people who usually park in their yard. Luckily, the open road beckoned the next morning, and I was on my way to a place with much more potential.
I was thrilled to get to Indianapolis Friday. I was less thrilled when the DSL in the hotel was down the entire weekend, when it took me 42 minutes to get a tuna sandwich, and when only four people showed up for the first show. Yesterday, my dinner was prepared incorrectly, a woman yelled at me for no apparent reason, and the second show was cancelled. The first show had four people again. But it's okay because tomorrow I go somewhere new. Somewhere with potential.
There was one show I actually enjoyed - Friday's late show. Within the crowd, there were three friends who were on a road trip. I asked them why they didn't go to Vegas or New Orleans or a more typical destination. They said that Indianapolis was easy to get to. In other words, "Indianapolis - it's on the way to stuff."
The craziest part of this whole trip is not the problems I've had with food or audiences or travel or rude people - it's that I'm enjoying myself despite all that. I'm enjoying myself because I took this trip to experience something different. And while I could have any of these problems in Los Angeles, it wouldn't be quite the same. So yes, there's not much potential for anything else here. But I still have that for tomorrow.
And the allure of the road is not just potential - it's that things will always be a little different. Jack Kerouac even wrote that the allure of the road is based on experiencing ridiculous things that will help you write columns. Of course I'm paraphrasing here.
When I'm in Los Angeles, I hang out at the same few places, eat at the same few restaurants, and spend time with the same few people. But here, I experienced something different. Sucky, but different. And that's why I enjoyed it.
I recommend you take a trip whenever you get the chance. If you can take a trip across the world, do it. If you take a trip across the street, do it. Just break out of the routine you have established for yourself every now and then. You might get caught in traffic, but you'll have a story to tell. You might even be able to squeeze 800 words out of it.
Speaking of which, this column is just about done. Which is perfect, because the desert I ordered yesterday is almost ready. Potentially.


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The conversation about pensions and "pension reform" in California is narrow, and off.
The broader problem is public employee compensation -- it's too high, especially for law enforcement.
And we've promised more to public employees than governments and taxpayers seem willing to pay for.
U.S. & World
But saving is a hard, long-term slog.
The push for pension reform has netted some savings, but may not produce all that much. Writing at The California Fix, former deputy state treasurer Mark Paul (my California Crackup co-author), explains all of this -- and suggests one big, provocative way to save on public employee compensation:
Eliminating retiree health care benefits -- for those who aren't already retired or vested.
Unfunded obligations just for existing promises to current and future retirees have been estimated at more than $62 billion by the controller's office; the money owed gains as more employees become vested.
Those obligations would remain, but eliminating the benefits would free up money for the future. And eliminatingg retiree health benefits doesn't face the same legal and human obstacles that reducing pensions would have.
Medicare can cover most retirees. And the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare, means that, by 2014, retirees will be able to buy health insurance regardless of pre-existing conditions -- a protection that Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, even as he promises to"repeal" Obamacare, has pledged to protect.
It is hard to come up with a number for potential savings -- there are too many unknowns, in terms of numbers of employees and life spans -- but the savings would run into the billions. And it would be easier than pension reform. So why not?
Lead Prop Zero blogger Joe Mathews is California editor at Zocalo Public Square, a fellow at Arizona State University's Center for Social Cohesion, and co-author of California Crackup: How Reform Broke the Golden State and How We Can Fix It (University of California, 2010).
Send us your thoughts via Twitter @PropZero or add your comment to our Facebook page.


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THE AFL clubs appear on a collision course with their players over holiday drug testing, as several club chiefs confirmed they would take on the players union over target testing of suspected illegal drug users.
It is believed that several clubs will push for the power to bring in AFL-sanctioned drug testers to target-test "red alert" players on a daily basis during their out-of-season holiday in a bid to identify footballers with illicit drug habits.
While the AFL Players Association refused to comment publicly on potential changes to the current policy, it is believed the players have already entertained the prospect of more stringent holiday testing as concerns of off-season drug abuse have become increasingly rife in the game.
Every AFL club contacted yesterday by Fairfax Media confirmed they would support off-season target testing under special circumstances. Two clubs confessed they had unproven suspicions that a player in their group could have become a regular user of the highly addictive methamphetamine (ice), which paralysed the AFL career and the ongoing welfare of Ben Cousins.
Collingwood boss Gary Pert told the AFL club chiefs last week that he was desperately worried some players were entering the game as healthy young men and departing it with illegal drug habits. Pert said he had consulted West Coast chief Trevor Nisbett over that club's problems with illegal drug use which culminated in the suspension and later sacking of Ben Cousins.
Pert did not mention any names at the AFL meeting but it is known that Collingwood player Dane Swan has been questioned about alleged drug use and denied it.
St Kilda has unofficially asked the same question of its star defender Sam Fisher, who has been the subject of concern among some Saints players. Fisher, too, has vehemently denied using illicit drugs.
Should the players' union refuse to allow daily testing during the holiday period, several clubs said they would be prepared to take on the association to expose players hiding drug habits or identify bad influences among teams.
AFL chief Andrew Demetriou did not discount the prospect of changes to the illicit drugs policy – a policy that five years ago saw the AFL become the first sport in the world to introduce out-of-season hair testing. Hair testing is favoured because it can track drug use dating over a six-week period but the results cannot be counted as a positive drug strike.
Acting AFLPA boss Ian Prendergast refused to comment on the illicit drugs policy yesterday, but it is believed the players union has been consulting AFL doctors over the potential for more stringent holiday testing.
Demetriou said: "What [Pert] was seeking was the input of the other CEOs and asking: 'Is there any more we could be doing, as a football code?' So we agreed to get together at the end of January – which actually wasn't a scheduled CEOs meeting – to try and talk about this in a very mature way, and think about ways we can improve what we've currently got."
The last recorded drug testing figures released were from the 2011 season in which six players tested positive to illicit drugs, and although fewer tests took place, the AFL said more players were target tested.
The last time a club independently drug tested its players was Carlton in 2004 when then Blues president Ian Collins ordered Karl Norman and Laurence Angwin to undertake testing when the pair turned up at training under the influence of ecstasy.
Collins defended his move on the grounds of occupational health and safety. The AFL rewrote its illicit drug code soon after.
This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on 苏州美甲美睫培训.


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Quantum Tuning quality remaps are designed to get the best from your vehicle without compromise.
It is important that work on your car is carried out only by those with the necessary knowledge, skill and experience along with professional qualifications.
Quantum dealers are professionally qualified remapping technicians, certified by the IMI which is the Institute of the Motor Industry.
2010 -
© All Rights Reserved.
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iCOVID 19 UPDATE - The Web Shop is Open and orders are being processed as normal.
Tel: 01924 466040 Email: [email protected]
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Availability: In stock
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UK Delivery: FREE
International Delivery: Available at Check Out
Delivery Time: 6 to 8 Weeks
Costura will add some Mediterranean style to your living areas. STUA is synonymous with light design and the Costura sofa and easy chairs are no exception. The lightness in appearance is achieved by an internal frame which uses bent ply, this allows it to be strong but light. The legs can be placed into two positions either splayed forward or to the side. In addition to the basic chair a 30 x 60 cushion is supplied per seat. For assistance in ordering Costura please call the showroom on 01924 466040 or Email [email protected]
Dimensions: W86 x D90 x H85 Seat Height: 42cm
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Zack Bruns walked into the coaches office and asked for the game ball. Havelock�s senior certainly deserved it.
Zack Bruns walked into the coaches office and asked for the game ball.
Havelock�s senior certainly deserved it.
Bruns scored his 1,000th career varsity point in the Rams� 62-59 victory over South Central Tuesday in Havelock.
�It feels great, but I couldn�t have done it without my teammates,� Bruns said. �It was a big achievement.�
Bruns, a three-year varsity player, became Havelock�s first 1,000-point scorer in more than 10 years. Jason Deane eclipsed the milestone in 2002.
Entering the game, Bruns needed just 13 points.
�This is a dream come true. It�s just amazing. I was trying not to let it get to me, and it was trying to play team ball, but I was getting frustrated and forced some shots,� he said.
Bruns accomplished the feat with four seconds remaining on a free throw that gave Havelock a 61-59 lead. His second free throw put the Rams up 62-59. South Central missed on a desperation 3-pointer at the buzzer, and Havelock (12-7, 9-2 Coastal) moved into second place in the Coastal Conference.
David Carter gave Havelock a one-point advantage with a bucket with 35 seconds left. After South Central turned the ball over, Carter chased down a loose ball after a missed shot.
Bruns was then fouled and closed the game out.
Havelock went into halftime with a 27-25 lead, but outscored South Central (11-7, 7-2), 19-14, in the third quarter.
The Falcons rallied to take a 51-48 lead in the fourth quarter. Havelock�s Pharoh Cooper responded with back-to-back buckets, and Bruns made two free throws to hand the Rams a 54-51 edge.
South Central knotted the score at 54-54 following a 3-pointer from Saleik Edwards.
Bruns scored 15 points and swiped five steals. Cooper poured in 20 points and Matt Prichard contributed 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Havelock avenged a 79-55 thumping to South Central on Jan. 8.
�Since I have been here, we haven�t beaten South Central, until now,� Bruns said. �This was a huge game for us.�
Brian Brightwell paced South Central with 16 points and six boards. Tyrik Suggs and Jae�Tavon Edward each scored 11.
The Rams have three games remaining � Jacksonville on Friday at home, West Carteret on Tuesday on the road; and West Craven at home on Feb. 14.
�This gives us a shot of confidence,� said Havelock coach Bill Fryczynski. �Today, we were focused the whole 32 minutes. We set ourselves on the right track.�
Havelock 54, South Central 47
Despite some early season struggles, Havelock senior Shakina Dyer doesn�t consider a victory over South Central an upset.
Dyer scored a game-high 22 points to engineer Havelock to a 54-47 win over Coastal Conference leader South Central on Tuesday.
�We knew we had to go out there and go hard and put everything on the line,� Dyer said. �This just gives us momentum to keep pushing forward.�
Dyer drained three 3-pointers and snagged seven rebounds. Rams� senior Kierra Fleming recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 boards. Aprielle Barrette tallied nine points and five assists.
�I knew what I had to do, and I knew that I had to work with my teammates,� Dyer said. �If the shot was there, I took it.�
The Rams (10-8, 6-5 Coastal) lost to South Central (18-3, 9-2) 57-43 earlier in the season, but the victory Tuesday keeps the Rams squarely in the hunt for one of five league playoff spots and gives them a crucial tiebreaker edge.
Havelock rushed out to a 21-12 lead after one quarter, but fell behind by a point at halftime. The Rams outscored the Falcons 27-19 in the second half.
South Central got within five points with two minutes remaining. Fleming then converted two free throws and Dyer added a basket with 55 seconds left.
South Central scored the next four points, but Dyer iced Havelock�s victory with two free throws with four seconds to go.
Shanique Streeter led South Central with 19 points. Daneisha Murray added 12 points and Kaylin Reid scored 11.
Havelock 62, South Central 59
SOUTH CENTRAL (59): J.C. Simpson 2, Brian Brightwell 16, Tyrik Suggs 11, Ethan Rogerson 5, Jae�Tavon Edwards 11, Saleik Edwards 10, Nick Randolph 2, Chris Cherry 2.
HAVELOCK (62): Zack Bruns 15, Matt Prichard 18, Pharoh Cooper 20, David Carter 4, Shondel Granison 3, Kyran Bowman 2.
Rebounds: South Central 24 (Simpson 7, Brightwell 6); Havelock 26 (Prichard 10). 3-pointers: South Central 5 (Suggs 3, S. Edwards 2); Havelock 1 (Bruns).
Havelock 54, South Central 47
SOUTH CENTRAL (47): Chrystall Jerome 4, Kaylin Reid 11, Daneisha Murray 12, Shanique Streeter 19, Bianca Lockamy 1.
HAVELOCK (54): Natalie Johnson 2, Aprielle Barrette 9, Jalisa Wilson 5, Shakina Dyer 22, Kierra Fleming 10, Vanessa Coyne 4, Alaya Fenderson 2.
Rebounds: South Central 25 (Murray 6, Reid 6); Havelock 27 (Fleming 11, Dyer 7). 3-pointers: South Central 5 (Streeter 5); Havelock 4 (Dyer 3, Barrette 1).


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San Francisco-style Sourdough Bread two ways 3/25/2012
San Francisco-style Sourdough Bread with and without Walnuts
This weekend, I continued trying variations of my San Francisco-style Sourdough Bread. Those who have followed this little adventure will note changes in my starter fermentation, the length of the autolyse and the use of this dough for a Sourdough Walnut Bread.
I started with my stock refrigerated 50% starter that had been fed last weekend. This feeding consisted of 50 g active starter, 100 g water and 200 g starter feeding mix. My starter feeding mix is 70% AP, 20% WW and 10% whole rye flour.
I activated the starter with a feeding of 40 g stock starter, 100 g water and 100 g starter feeding mix. This was fermented at room temperature for 8 hours. The starter was very active. It had tripled in volume and was bubbling. I then mixed the stiff levain.
Stiff levain
Bakers' %
Wt (g)
for 1 kg
Wt (g)
for 2 kg
Bread flour
Medium rye flour
Stiff starter
Dissolve the starter in the water. Add the flour and mix thoroughly until the flour has been completely incorporated and moistened.
Ferment at room temperature for 12 hours, then refrigerated overnight.
Final dough
Bakers' %
Wt (g)
for 1 kg
Wt (g)
for 2 kg
AP flour
WW Flour
Stiff levain
Note: For today's bake, I actually mixed two 1 kg batches of dough. For one, I added about 20% (baker's percentage), or 110 g of lightly toasted walnut pieces. This was mixed at slow speed for a couple minutes after Step 3., below.
In a stand mixer, mix the flour and water at low speed until it forms a shaggy mass.
Cover and autolyse for 20 minutes
Add the salt and levain and mix at low speed for 1-2 minutes, then increase the speed to medium (Speed 2 in a KitchenAid) and mix for 5 minutes. Add flour and water as needed. The dough should be rather slack. It should clean the sides of the bowl but not the bottom.
Transfer to a lightly floured board and do a stretch and fold and form a ball.
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover tightly.
Ferment at 76º F for 31/2 to 4 hours with a stretch and fold at 50 and 100 minutes.
Divide the walnut bread dough into two equal pieces. Leave the other dough in one piece.
Pre-shape as rounds and rest, covered, for 10 minutes.
Shape as boules or bâtards and place in bannetons. Place bannetons in plastic bags.
Proof at room temperature (68-70º F) for 1-2 hours.
Cold retard the loaves overnight.
The next morning, proof the loaves at 85º F for 3-4 hours. (If you can't create a moist, 85 degree F environment, at least try to create one warmer than "room temperature." For this bake, I took two loaves out of the fridge and started proofing them. I took the third loaf out about an hour later and stacked it balanced on top of the other two. I did one bake with the two loaves of walnut bread and a second bake with the third loaf.)
45-60 minutes before baking, pre-heat the oven to 500º F with a baking stone and steaming apparatus in place.
Transfer the loaves to a peel. Score the loaves as desired, turn down the oven to 460º F for the smaller loaves or 450ºF for the larger one, steam the oven, and transfer the loaves to the baking stone.
After 15 minutes, remove the steaming apparatus, and turn down the oven to 430º F/Convection. (If you don't have a convection oven, leave the temperature at 460º F.)
Bake for another 15 minutes for the smaller loaves or 25 minutes for the larger loaf.
Turn off the oven, and leave the loaves on the stone, with the oven door ajar, for another 15 minutes.
Transfer the loaves to a cooling rack, and cool thoroughly before slicing.
One of my personal objectives in making this bread for so many weeks running has been, first of all, to develop a formula and procedures that produce a particular style of bread, and secondly to see if I could make small changes that accommodate to my other needs without changing the end product too much.
The bread without walnuts was very similar to the last San Francisco-style Sourdough Bread I had baked. The crust was crunchy and nutty-flavored. The crumb was chewy-tender with a moderate sourdough tang and excellent, balanced flavor.
The bread with walnuts was just delicious. I love the flavor of toasted walnuts in sourdough bread. I don't know why I had waited so long to make it again.
Tonight we'll have an appetizer of sourdough walnut bread with an interesting Spanish goat cheese followed by roasted herbed chicken/gruyere panini and a green salad.


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Night shifts are really draining for me. Twenty years ago a busy night shift was doing two or three jobs per crew….now if you do seven or eight jobs per crew then that is deemed a slack night! Average per crew at my station is between nine and eleven jobs per night shift.
If it was real emergencies we were going to then it might not be so bad, but….the vast majority of these so-called emergencies are of such a trivial and sometimes ridiculous nature that eventually you become worn down and start to resent night shifts.
I know I do….I hate night shifts with a passion because I know that for every real life threatening job I am going to deal with there will be at least ten others which require nothing more than education….or a quick cutting/slashing motion across the jugular with a sharpened metal Patient Report Form clipboard!!!
One of the best films that I have seen recently is the very dark "Bringing Out The Dead" released I believe in 1999 and starring Nicholas Cage as a New York Paramedic working in Hells Kitchen, Manhatten who is having a breakdown…on nights! If you ever get the chance to see it then do. Click here for a bit more info.


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- This event has passed.
IRONMAN 70.3 Mont-Tremblant 2019
June 23, 2019
Visitors to Mont-Tremblant will find that the area is filled with endless entertainment and recreational options. The pedestrian layout makes the city inviting and accessible, and boutiques, bistros and restaurants can all be found within walking distance of the IRONMAN Village.
If it's family-oriented fun you're looking for, activities such as mini golf, water games and a kids club are all conveniently located throughout the Mont-Tremblant resort area. Additionally, the beach, transition area and bike and run courses are centrally located and easily accessible.
The 1.2-mile swim takes place in Tremblant Lake, followed by a 1-loop, 56-mile bike through Mont-Tremblant's mountains. Athletes will then embark on the 13.1-mile run course, finishing in the city's pedestrian village.


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CRW5 and CRWA5 seals - SKF Wave Seals
CRW5 (fig 1) and CRWA5 (fig 2) seals, also called SKF Wave seals as part of the CR Seals assortment, are designed to withstand moderate pressure differentials. They have an SKF WAVE lip to reduce heat generation and a metal outside diameter for easy installation and a firm and accurate fit in the housing bore. For additional information, refer to the section Sealing lip design. Most of them have SKF Bore Tite Coating on the outside diameter. The CRWA5 seals have an auxiliary lip, providing additional contaminant exclusion ability. A shoulder or retaining ring should be used at the low-pressure side of the seal to prevent it from being pressed out of the housing bore.
CRW5: Seal with one steel case, SKF WAVE lip and a carbon steel garter spring.
CRWA5: Seal with one steel case, SKF WAVE lip, a carbon steel garter spring and an auxiliary, contacting lip.
The CRW5 and CRWA5 seals are available in inch sizes with sealing lips made of either nitrile rubber or the SKF fluoro rubber compound SKF Duralife. Other materials are also available on request.
The permissible operating conditions are provided in the Seal selection table.


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Kevin Clash Resigns From 'Sesame Street' Amid New Allegations + The Story Thus Far
Kevin Clash isn't having many sunny days, and has announced he's moved off of Sesame Street. (Apparently the Elmo puppeteer was bringing down the property values.)
In light of new underage sex allegations – that may or may not be true – Clash has resigned from the popular children's show. And he's facing a fresh new lawsuit.
In case you're keeping score, here's a quick breakdown of what's been happening to the now former master of the world's most annoying puppet.
Monday, Nov. 12: Unidentified young man accuses Clash of having a sexual relationship with him years ago when said accuser was only 16. Clash denies accusations in the lawsuit the man filed, saying the relationship was between consenting adults, but takes a leave of absence from Sesame Workshop to deal with charges.
Tuesday, Nov. 13: Unidentified young man recants his statements and says the relationship was an "adult consensual" one and he will say nothing further. All this after apparently reaching a cash settlement with Clash.
Wednesday, Nov. 14: The Smoking Gun discovers the identity – and police record – of the Elmo accuser and outs him as kind of a jerk.
Sunday, Nov. 18: The now-identified Sheldon Stephens claims he was forced into signing the settlement, which included the recant, and now he regrets it and insists he was telling the truth.
Tuesday, Nov. 20: A new accuser, who likely just smells money, comes forward with a $5 million lawsuit accusing Clash of having a pseudo-sexual relationship with him when he was only 15. (See, this is why opening your checkbook to make things go away is a bad idea.)
Slightly Later Tuesday, Nov. 20: Clash resigns from his job at Sesame Workshop. The makers of 'Sesame Street' release a statement saying in part:
"None of us, especially Kevin, want anything to divert our attention from our focus on serving as a leading educational organization. Unfortunately, the controversy surrounding Kevin's personal life has become a distraction ... and he has concluded that he can no longer be effective in his job ... This is a sad day for 'Sesame Street.'"
This whole thing is terribly tragic, but it's hard not to hear The Count in the background.
"One. ONE underage sex allegation. Ah ah ah ahhhh. Two. TWO underage sex allegations. Ah ah ah ahhhh."


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Final 'Twilight' Film Premieres With Fan Frenzy Worth "Tens of Millions" in Publicity Dollars
Never mind the relationship drama between stars Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson: Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn—Part Two is among the year's most hotly anticipated releases, and it premiered last night in Los Angeles with a screening and party worthy of all the pomp surrounding the wildly popular franchise, which comes to a close with this installment.
Anticipation for the premiere, a project led by Summit Entertainment senior vice president of publicity Eric Kops, began long before the screening, when on Thursday fans began assembling an organized campground downtown, where they'd stay for five full days. Kops estimates the fan camp in combination with the premiere generates publicity in equivalent to "tens of millions of dollars"—in the U.S. alone, not to mention global impact. "This year is going to be much bigger than last year," which also created millions in publicity, said Kops. "The value of the publicity generated is definitely going to be significantly more. In the fan camp alone, I saw print, TV, and radio outlets from all over the world."
Chad Hudson Events oversaw the organized camping of fans ahead of the screening, and demand was so high for spots this year that organizers resorted to a lottery system to whittle the crowd down to about 2,000. (By comparison, the series' first premiere at the Hammer in Westwood drew 400 guests and a smattering of fans who camped out and gathered organically. Last year drew about 1,200 organized campers.)
The fans lived for days on a completely closed Chick Hearn Court, as well as a second overflow fan camp at the Event Deck at L.A. Live—but they weren't bored. For the duration of the five days leading up to the premiere—which saw local weather finally take a turn for the cold and even rainy, after temps in town had felt downright summery clear into November—fans had access to activities, like screenings of past Twilight films, plus a number of planned surprises on the Nokia Plaza. This year's setup included a stage from which announcements were made and where people gathered in an organized fashion. The biggest coup? All campers were invited inside to see the screening in the Nokia Theatre as well as overflow seating at the Regal Cinemas.
On the big night, the throng of media folks included 24 satellite trucks and news fans, 144 photographers and 75 TV crews from media around the globe, and six separate U.S. syndicated interview podiums.
As for the party following the screening, a crowd of about 3,500 guests (swelled from 3,000 or so last year) moved upstairs to the Event Deck and found a look that nodded to this and all the other films in the saga—"kind of like a museum" honoring the series' history, Hudson said.
Along Came Mary's menu included nods to past films as well, with, for instance, Brazilian stations with empanadas, manchego cheese toast, and paella; Italian banquet favorites like cured meats and cheeses; back-to-school-style cafeteria fare like meatloaf and mashes potatoes served on trays; and Seattle-inspired dishes like fish tacos in warm corn and flour tortillas.
"It's the biggest thing ever. It's going to be a huge event, and you're focused on getting it done," said Kops during a brief lull hours before the arrivals began for the final film in the series. "There'll be some tears shed [among the studio team]. We've all grown up together. It's been a journey for everybody. It's definitely emotional."
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Blizzard Hopes to Release Diablo 3 in 2011, but Heart of the Swarm 'Unlikely'
Activision's announcement that we may not see a Blizzard game released in 2011 shed serious doubt on their two known projects: Diablo 3 and...
Activision's announcement that we may not see a Blizzard game released in 2011 shed serious doubt on their two known projects: Diablo III and StarCraft 2: Heart of the Swarm. According to Blizzard, though, there's still hope for one of them this year.
Kotaku reports that the team is still aiming to finish Diablo 3 for 2011. "That's our goal," said executive VP of game design Rob Pardo. "But you know, at the end of the day, we are going to get it right. That's more important. We're going to get it out there when it's awesome. And, we're crossing our fingers, maybe it will be this year."
That may not sound optimistic, but it's absolutely glowing compared to our odds on seeing Heart of the Swarm this year. "We're working on it as hard as we can," game director Dustin Browder told Eurogamer. "We're really trying to push on this and get it out as soon as we can. I don't think you'll be playing it this year. That seems very unlikely to me."
Of course, it's a strong possibility that neither game will come out this year, and Activision has already promised at least two games in 2012 -- presumably these two -- if none come out in 2011. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and 2012 could become a banner year for Blizzard fans.
I never played Diablo 1 or 2. I have a gaming PC, xbox 360, and a ps3. Excuse me but I can't be any more sincere and blunt by saying screw consoles. This game is for PC and I reallllllllly can't wait to get it so I hope consoles aren't holding back the PC version. (Torchlight got me excited for this game.)


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She went out to walk her dog that night. The dog growled, and two men appeared in her driveway, identifying themselves as detectives from the Charlottesville Police Department.
That's how a long-time Belmont Park area resident learned that, a few doors down from her Stonehenge Avenue home, a woman had been sexually assaulted around 7:30pm on January 11.
And while forensic results were not back at press time, police acknowledge that aspects of this attack are similar to those of the serial rapist who's terrorized Charlottesville since 2002 and has been genetically linked to assaults on seven women over the past eight years.
In the most recent attack, a 46-year-old woman returned home to find an African-American male of medium build in his early to mid-twenties, approximately 5'10" tall.
"As soon as she came in the door, he grabbed her and threw her down to the floor," says Captain Chip Harding. The attacker had a knife and the woman suffered a cut, for which she was treated at UVA Medical Center and released.
Entry appeared to be through an unlocked window in which the screen had been cut, says Harding.
Police believe the serial rapist observes his victims beforehand. He typically waits inside, which was the case in the most recent DNA-linked attack August 18 at a Webland Drive residence off Hydraulic Road. In that incident, he punched the woman in the face, what police call the "blitz attack," which was used most viciously in a November 2002 rape in the Willoughby subdivision.
"It would be very unusual if this one was a random selection," says Harding of the Belmont assault. "To investigators, it appeared he'd done some homework, and he was definitely lying in wait."
The case also may be connected to another Belmont attack December 4 on Montrose Avenue. A woman in her late 30s returned home with a friend. She went upstairs and found a black male, who claimed he had a gun. The woman's scream brought her friend upstairs, and both women struggled with the intruder down the stairs. That attack has not been linked to the serial rapist.
However, in the January 11 incident, "We are strongly leaning toward thinking whoever did this is the same assailant who attacked a woman in her residence on Montrose," says Harding.
"It's definitely upsetting," says the Belmont neighbor, who asks not to be identified. "I've been here 20 some years, and every time you go out the door, you've got to look behind you."
Belmont represents the newest reported location in an ever-widening web of attacks. At least four have taken place in the UVA area, but the first reported rape happened in Waynesboro in 1997.
And every time a new attack is reported, fears of the predator are reawakened, particularly in the area where the assault occurs.
Belmont, originally a working-class neighborhood, has seen more affluent buyers come in, and, correspondingly seen skyrocketing home prices in the once affordable neighborhood.
Many older residents remain. "This is normally a pretty decent neighborhood," says the woman who's lived there 25 years. "It's awful when you're not used to this sort of thing. You used to be able to sleep with the doors and windows open. You can't do that anymore."
The Hook's January 16, 2003, cover: Are police any closer to catching the serial rapist?


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Calgary: HTML & CSS for Beginners: Learn to Build a One Page Website From Scratch (Half-day) on June 10th
Ladies Learning Code
Saturday, June 10, 2017 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM (MDT)
Hey you! Have you joined the Ladies Learning Code mailing list? If not, join here.
What is Ladies Learning Code?
We're a Canada wide not-for-profit organization providing women, *men and youth the opportunity to learn beginner-friendly technical skills in a social and collaborative way. We're all about showing people that learning to code can be fun!
*Men are welcome to attend (and they do!), but we encourage you to bring an additional female learner where possible
About this special "Pay-What-You-Can" Event
Why HTML & CSS?
If you are looking to get your feet wet when it comes to programming, then this is the workshop for you. HTML and CSS are the backbone of all websites, and knowledge of them is a necessity if you are interested in things like web development, creating marketing emails, or even blogging! The web without HTML and CSS would be would be a world without colourful, pretty websites, not to mention the web applications we all use daily. It's easy to learn, and was designed so that everyone - even non-programmers - can do it. No fancy programs are needed, just Notepad and a web browser!
The Ladies Learning Code Introduction to HTML & CSS workshop is designed to be a hands- on experience.
During the session, you'll build something like this and learn the following:
- Basic techniques and concepts that are translatable to other programming languages
- The building blocks of how HTML and CSS work together to create richer online experiences
- How to create a rich website with images, video, and a CSS-defined layout
- What resources are available if you'd like to continue learning at home (and we think you will)
Email us at info [at] ladieslearningcode.com
You can also find us here:
What participants say about our programs:
"Honestly, the set up of one instructor - four students is brilliant."
"I'm super impressed with the organizers and participants, and I think it's a really valuable initiative"
"[The best part of the workshop was] the positivity, helpfulness and eagerness to learn/teach of every person in the room."
"After years of teaching myself to code, I wasn't sure how I'd find the collaborative experience of an LLC workshop- but it completely exceed my expectations. The lead instructor was clear and throrough, and the volunteer instructors were always ready to throw new challenges at us the moment they saw we'd completed the current task. Solving a coding problem has always been exciting for me, but havin a group of people equally excited about it was amazing!"
Hope to see you soon!
If for some reason you can't make it check out our REFUND POLICY.
We're a Canada-wide community driven not-for-profit working to empower women and youth to feel comfortable learning beginner-friendly technical skills in a social and collaborative way.
In order to purchase these tickets in installments, you'll need an Eventbrite account. Log in or sign up for a free account to continue.


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Mercury Transit, 11-11-2019 Mercury Transit, 11-11-2019
Copernicus and Eratosthenes Craters Copernicus and Eratosthenes Craters
Saturn, February 2005 Saturn, February 2005
My planetary imaging is hit or miss, but this one isn't bad...
Total Solar Eclipse, August 21.2017 Total Solar Eclipse, August 21.2017
News and Events News and Events
"Star" Student and TeacherBarnstable Patriot Newspaper - Cole Observatory, Barnstable High School
Now and then a school or organization asks me to give a presentation about my experiences as an amateur astronomer and astrophotographer. I am glad to oblige whenever possible. Here are a few recent presentations to various groups...Barnstable High School Honors and College Prep Classes, 10-21-2014
Intro to Astrophotography, Lakeville Public Library - quite a challenge to scale the subject matter to novices and astro newbies... Slides from August, 2014 from the first and second weeks of the presentation:
About Us About Us
"Wonder is not the beginning of knowledge but an act that goes beyond knowledge; it does not come to an end when knowledge is acquired; it is an attitude that never ceases." "
- Abraham J. Herschel
- Abraham J. Herschel
Saturn Saturn
M13 Globular Cluster in Hercules M13 Globular Cluster in Hercules
Took this photo of M13 in 2010. Must have been a late night.


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The Ontario Library Association is Canada's largest library organization and OLA's Super Conference is Canada's largest continuing education event in librarianship.
They will be holding their Superconference called "A Universe of Possibilities" in the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto January 29 – February 1, 2014.
OurDigitalWorld, which is in the forefront of putting Ontario newspapers online for example, will be at the Superconference and will present two talks on Bringing Multicultural History Online: Digitizing Ontario's Diverse Community Memory and Community Newspapers: Ways forward for providing digital access.
The website for OurDigitalWorld is www.ourdigitalworld.org/
The website for the Ontario Library Association is vhttps://www.accessola.org/OLAWEB/Ontario_Library_Association.aspx?hkey=49504c21-3931-4906-984e-4812d251311a&WebsiteKey=397368c8-7910-4dfe-807f-9eeb1068be31


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The European Peace Facility (EPF) is a proposed new off-budget fund worth €10.5 billion, for a period of seven years coinciding with the next Multiannual Financial Framework 2021- 2027. This facility will allow financing of all Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) external action with military or defence implications.
The EPF proposal would enhance the scope of common costs for military Common Security and Defence Policy missions and operations, to assist partners' military peace support operations on a global scale and to broaden actions with a military or defence nature, such as capacity building activities for military actors, that can be undertaken under the CFSP.
The EU Treaty (Art. 41.2 TEU) does not allow for the Union's budget to finance expenditure with military or defence implications. Up to until now EU military CSDP missions and operations have been financed exclusively through the Athena mechanism and support to partners' military peace support operations has been limited to African-led operations through the African Peace Facility.
The EPF will address the limitations of these instruments. The EPF will cover funding of the common costs of EU military operations and missions and allow support to partners on a global level. Capacity building activities for military actors, and the provision of training, equipment and infrastructure will be enabled through the EPF. This combination will allow the EU to build up the capacity of partners to address crises, prevent conflict and build stability by themselves.
With a value of €10.5 billion for the seven year period of the MFF, the EPF will ensure that EU funding is available on a permanent basis, while allowing for rapid crisis response and provision of other urgent assistance. The objective of the mechanism is thus to close existing gaps in the EU's toolbox, enabling the EU to do more and to act more swiftly. In this manner, the EPF will maximise the impact, effectiveness and sustainability of overall EU external action in peace and security.
The EPF is a proposal by the High Representative, with support of the Commission. It would be established as a Council Decision under the CFSP. This is a possibility foreseen by Art. 30.1 TEU.
The EPF will be financed through contributions by EU Member States based on a Gross National Income distribution key.
A proposed ceiling of €10.5 billion for the EPF over a period of seven years coinciding with the next Multiannual Financial Framework reflects the substantially increased needs that derive from the EU's challenging external environment.
The EPF builds on the African Peace Facility and the Athena mechanism and would provide support that is currently partly covered by these financing instruments[1]. The EPF would thus continue to finance African-led peace support operations, such as AMISOM or the G5 Sahel Joint Force, while at the same time catering for common costs of CSDP military missions and operations, which are currently financed through the Athena mechanism.
The EPF is an off-budget fund that covers costs that cannot be covered under the EU budget. Other defence-related instruments under the MFF (such as the European Defence Fund) will contribute to develop Member States defence capabilities and thereby increase their overall capability.
As a CFSP instrument, its implementation will be ensured by the High Representative (HR), with the support of the European External Action Service (EEAS). For the purposes of financial administration, the HR will be assisted by the Commission's Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI).
On a day-to-day basis, an EPF Committee, composed of Member States representatives and chaired by a representative of the High Representative, will manage the EPF, in particular budgets and accounts.
The EPF would simplify and streamline previously different funding arrangements. Actions funded by the Facility will be decided by the Council or the Political and Security Committee, acting by unanimity on the basis of proposals from the High Representative.
All actions under the EPF will be undertaken in full respect of obligations under international law, in particular human rights and international humanitarian law. Oversight mechanisms will be established as appropriate.
High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini launched the idea of 'a new European Peace Facility, financed and managed together with Member States during her speech at the "Building on vision, forward to action: delivering on EU security and defence" event in December 2017. This new facility would allow the EU to better support partners in dealing with shared security challenges, either by supporting their peace-keeping operations or by helping increase the capability of their armed forces to ensure peace and security on their national territory, as well as through military CSDP missions and operations.
The Communication by the European Commission on 'A new, modern MFF for a EU that delivers efficiently on its priorities post-2020' of 14 February builds on this, referencing a 'separate funding mechanism of around € 10 billion for the 2021-2027 period [that] would significantly increase the EU's ability to financially support operations with defence implications. This would compare to up to € 3.5 billion under the current period.'[2]
For more information
Press release: EU budget for the Future
Factsheet: The European Peace Facility
[1] The Africa Peace Facility is today financed from the extra-budgetary European Development Fund. The Athena mechanism is also an off-budget financing arrangement established by the Council for the financing of the common costs of military CSDP operations
[2] To note that the EUR 3.5bn figure is an extrapolation of maximum annual spend on the APF and Athena mechanism over recent years, rather than average annual spending figures which would be lower.


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Automating Quality: Best Practices for Banks to Meet Quality Mortgage and CFPB Regulations
Quality is the name of the game for a bank's mortgage operations. Ever since the passing of the Dodd-Frank Act in 2010, regulators and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) have put an incredible amount of time and energy into defining what makes a loan high quality. In addition, the new laws mandate certain attributes in an attempt to ensure quality loans in order to better protect consumers.
In the past few months, the CFPB has announced formal definitions for Qualified Mortgage (QM)/Ability-to-Repay standards that outline what makes a qualified loan and the conditions that banks can lend within those standards. The increased liability for banks to generate compliant mortgages puts pressure on them to keep up with the cumbersome amount of new laws, regulations and the application of those rules into their existing workload.
How can banks ensure they can meet the expectations of consumers, investors and regulators? One key is to leverage technology to automate disclosures, satisfy internal and external risk management procedures and provides pristine documentation.
QM: Defining the Playing Field of the Future
The Qualified Mortgage (QM)/Ability-to-Repay standards warrant certain underwriting standards to ensure lenders are making loans that consumers can pay back. It requires lenders to make an assessment of a borrower's ability to repay their mortgage loan, and also protects them from liability if they make "qualified mortgages" as stated in the rule.
As defined in January, QM outlines a series of standards that a loan must meet. The QM rule seeks to:
• Cap a borrower's debt-to-income (DTI) ratio at 43 percent, unless approved by a Government-Sponsored Enterprise (GSE) and/or homeownership stabilization program;
• Implement a 3 percent limit on the fees and points lenders can charge; and
• Open up more lines of credit opportunities for credit-worthy borrowers
The rule splits qualified mortgages into two categories of liability. The first provides a "safe harbor" protection for qualified mortgages that are not categorized as "higher-priced" – defined by the 2008 Federal Reserve Board Truth-in-Lending amendments. This "safe harbor" will exempt lenders who have originated loans according to the QM/Ability-to-Repay standards from litigation by the borrower.
"Higher-priced" qualified mortgages will receive a rebuttable presumption of compliance. Loans originated under the "higher priced mortgage" definition will not exempt lenders from litigation; instead they will be presumed to have reviewed the borrower's ability to repay, which is a significant legal difference.
Digital Documents Will Become the Gold Standard
Since banks will have certain legal protections – or lack thereof – depending on the QM status of a loan, documentation is critical. From the initial disclosures to closing documents, every loan must be 100 percent accurate and defendable to regulators, investors and the courts.
In order to accomplish this, the first step is to move away from static documents. PDF-based documents, while technically digital, are not flexible enough to meet the needs of today's bankers. Dynamic mortgage documents import XML data directly from the loan origination software (LOS) to populate fields. Based on the specific loan data, dynamic documents can change a word, line or paragraph at once. There are no fixed field lengths, no extra small fonts in order for information to fit and the necessary language and data are stated on the documents – nothing more, nothing less.
This approach also eliminates the need to maintain expensive document libraries or include excess documents in every loan package. Only those documents needed for each customer are generated and printed.
Defending Compliance with Disclosures
Automated documentation will prove itself to be even more important for the upcoming rule combining the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) and Good Faith Estimate (GFE) disclosures into one document. During the underwriting and closing process, a satisfying document solution should ensure all data is tested to catch any Mortgage Disclosure Improvement Act (MDIA) tolerance failures allowing the lender to re-disclose.
Banks should also image and store all closing documents and disclosures. Electronic filing helps banks track cases involving re-disclosures and changes to the closing documents; ensuring they can establish which forms borrowers signed and when. This type of technology allows a full audit trail of every set of documents generated for every loan; eliminating the need to send boxes of paper loan documents to an offsite storage facility. On a regular basis – annually or quarterly – banks should also run regression analyses to catch and correct any statistical variations that could indicate discrimination and may be occurring unintentionally.
As the CFPB and other regulators continue to refine their QM requirements, banks can expect a myriad of compliance audits in order to establish a strong documentation of closing documents and disclosures. By utilizing automated systems that check for compliance on the front end and enable lenders to electronically file and store documents on the back end, lenders can eliminate much of the manual labor and cost needed to analyze loan files for compliance with new laws.
Scott K. Stucky is chief operating officer of DocuTech Corporation, a provider of mortgage loan documents, compliance services and technology solutions for the mortgage industry.


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Dealing with clients is never about cookie-cutter standards of treatment. But it's important for advisors to understand and learn how to deal with clients who are going through a life transition.
According to a Wells Fargo/ Gallup Investor and Retirement Optimism Index, one-third of investors seek advice during a major life change. The index found the top three reasons people seek financial advice are retirement (71%), divorce (64%) and death of a close family member (52%).
They also found that 35% of investors said they would seek financial advice upon getting married, 34% of investors would seek advice upon changing jobs, and 32% sought advice when everything in their lives was going well.
Advisors who gain the trust of their clients in times of crisis, like a divorce, stand a good chance of getting more business from them in better times. Justin Reckers of Pacific Divorce Management told ThinkAdvisor in an interview that 90% to 95% of clients he represents in divorce mediation stay on as wealth management clients.
The five situations below are just a few of the important transitions to be prepared for. It's fundamental for advisors to keep in mind that everyone comes to them with different needs, wants and goals, and the advisor's job is to figure out how to best achieve them.
Here are five major life events that drive clients to seek advice, along with tips from advisors on how to best serve those clients.
1. Marriage
Many couples are choosing to get married at a later age. Often when a person says "I do" later in life, they are more financially secure and stable.
"The biggest thing to remember with marriage is to make sure their [the clients'] financial goals are on the same page," said Russell Rivera, a CFA at Voice Wealth Management, a New York-based firm, to ThinkAdvisor. "They don't have to do things the same way, but they have to understand and communicate financial goals to one another."
2. Remarriage
Unlike a first marriage, couples who were previously married might have opposing financial goals depending on their individual situations. They could have gone through a divorce or been widowed. Both scenarios carry similar financial implications.
Wayne Titus, president of AMDG Financial in Plymouth, Michigan, tells ThinkAdvisor that both parties should lay everything out. "Lay your financial cards on the table," Titus said. "Get a copy of your credit reports and share with one another. A credit report shows evidence of how each partner handles debt and meets financial obligations."
The situation can get tricky when both parties have children from their previous marriages, Titus says, especially if the children are of different ages. It's important for advisors to discuss those differences and set up a financial plan, Titus says.
"Discuss a prenuptial agreement," Titus said. "These agreements can be useful tools in situations where there are children from a previous relationship or one partner has substantially more assets."
And while Titus says it's okay to divide the financial planning tasks, advisors should make sure that couples are "aware of what each person is doing."
3. Birth of the First Child
Advisors should encourage their clients who want to start a family to plan for their children's expenses even before they are born. Things like education, daycare and even the possibility of a parent dying are all financial obligations that should be thought of in advance. "The sooner you can do educational planning the better off you are," said Rivera of Voice Wealth Management.
Rivera suggests that advisors tell clients to revisit any life insurance plan they might have, and that it's important to maintain a life insurance policy on a spouse who doesn't work. "If that spouse dies, you're now going to pay for childcare that you wouldn't have had to worry about before," Rivera said.
It's also important for clients not to forget themselves, Rivera adds. "You can't borrow for retirement, but you can borrow for college. That's the one-sentence advice that I always give to people."
4. Divorce
This can sometimes be a long and arduous process. It's in the advisor's interest to suggest that the clients don't delay the proceedings.
"Help them build a team of advisors," UBS advisor Nicholas Barbieri told ThinkAdvisor, but advise clients to take their time when picking a suitable attorney.
"A lot of people will come into this process, which can be overwhelming for the client."
Barbieri, a CFP and a certified divorce financial analyst (CDFA), suggests that advisors make sure they understand where they fit into the process. "Attorneys are not financial experts and financial experts are not attorneys," he said. "Make sure you just guide your client to help them avoid pitfalls, rather than shape the case."
It's also important to educate the client financially. "Financial planning process and education is paramount in the divorce process," Barbieri said.
One important job of an advisor is to make the client's life easier. Barbieri suggests getting all of their paperwork in order, from investment reports to financial plans.
"Attorneys are expensive and some charge by the hour," he said. "By preparing [clients] with the necessary information, you could cut down some of their divorce cost."
5. Widowhood and Death
When a spouse dies, the client is probably not focusing on financial strategies or the next steps to take. This is why a trustworthy and responsible advisor is necessary.
"During the loss of a loved one or a traumatic life event, money goes into motion," said Paul Saganey, president and founder of Integrated Financial Partners in Waltham, Massachusetts. He says that advisors should be aware of what money is going to start moving — whether it be a life insurance policy, retitling of assets or anything else.
He also says that advisors should become problem solvers and do the extra homework. "Don't ask a client to do things; stop and take second and see if you can do it for them," Saganey said. "You want to be seen as someone helpful, not causing more issues or challenges."
When helping one client deal with a loss and issues of death and dying are top of mind, this might also be a good time to check in with other clients. Saganey says that advisors should pose these two questions: "Does everyone know what's going on [with the family finances]?" And in the event of a death or divorce, "will they have enough money to survive?"
Related on ThinkAdvisor:
- Broken Trusts: The Man Who Married His Wife Six Times
- Divorce Planner's Novel Approach Leads to Lucrative Business
- The Uncomfortable and Inevitable: Planning for Death and Disability
- Grieving Clients, Sensitive Advisors