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A report released this morning shows that New Jersey taxpayers spend millions each year so public employees -- cops, firefighters, teachers -- can take leave from their public jobs and do union business.
Once Gov. Christie reads the report, if he hasn't already, he is likely to add these tidbits into the rhetorical arsenal he aims at public employee unions.
In Camden, $2.3 million has been spent over the past five years to pay the salaries and benefits for three cops and three firefighters who do full-time union business (not policing or firefighting), according to the report from the independent State Commission of Investigation. In the Camden schools, the report found that the district is reimbursed by the teachers' union for a union official's salary -- but such reimbursement payments have not always been made.
We're working on getting responses from all of the Camden unions, but in an initial interview the Camden police union president says there are only two, not three, government-paid union officials in the city.
Statewide some union officials have been on paid leave for decades while "occupying government job titles but doing no government work," according to the SCI. Contracts -- and in some cases, unofficial agreements -- allow some union officials to get a salary, health coverage and additional benefits like perfect-attendance stipends, overtime, cars, office space and computers.
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The report said: "Although it is not uncommon, nor it is necessarily improper, for government employers to grant some form of time-off for union work, the Commission found significant and questionable variations in how such leave is authorized, who qualifies for it, who keeps track of it, how it is constituted and who ultimately pays the bill."
The state's largest teachers' union, the New Jersey Education Association, released a statement in response saying that the report indicates that these "work release arrangements" are "legal and commonplace," and had been negotiated by school employees before being ratified by school boards.
NJEA President Barbara Keshishian said: "Providing negotiated release time for the purpose of conducting union business saves both time and money in districts and provides for a better school environment for all concerned…. The fact that the release of this report comes in the midst of a sustained attack on public education and public sector unions in New Jersey is a remarkable coincidence."
The investigation looked at more than 120 school districts, 17 municipalities, all 21 counties and 12 departments of state government. In that slice of public sector, between 2006 and 2011, government-paid leave for public employees cost taxpayers more than $30 million.
The commission recommended that taxpayer-funded union leave be eliminated or at least "substantially curtailed."


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Infinity wins!Submitted by Marianne on April 3, 2012
In our Science fiction, science fact project we asked you which question from the frontiers of physics you'd most like to see answered on Plus. We have just closed the poll and with nearly 20% of your vote the winning question is Does infinity exist?. We will now go off to talk to experts on the topic, and you'll see some answers in a package of articles and podcasts to be published soon.
In our two previous polls the winning questions were What is time? and Is there free will?. You can find some answers by clicking on the links.
Meanwhile, keep voting to tell us which question you would like us to answer next!
The Science fiction, science fact project is a collaboration between Plus and FQXi, an organisation that supports and disseminates research on questions at the foundations of physics and cosmology. The FQXi community website does for physics and cosmology what Plus does for maths: provide the public with a deeper understanding of known and future discoveries in these areas, and their potential implications for our worldview.

subset: commoncrawl


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Video Mount Products EREN Series Protects from Damage and Theft
VMP's 19-inch Equipment Rack Enclosure series to be displayed at ISC West 2014.
During ISC West 2014, Video Mount Products will showcase its new 19-inch Equipment Rack Enclosure (EREN) series.
The EREN-18 includes 18 rack spaces, EREN-27 includes 27 rack spaces, and EREN-42E includes 42 rack spaces. The products feature welded steel construction and black powder coat finish. They work with all standard 19-inch rack equipment and accessories.
Related: VMP Wall Mounts Accommodate Displays Up to 70 Inches
"The EREN Series has been designed for use with a multitude of security, audio, video, and communication components," says Keith Fulmer, president of VMP. "With numerous shelves and a sturdy weight capacity of 1,000 lbs., the security and AV installer and end user have a tremendous amount of available space to design a fully mobile, fully enclosed security and AV rack system."
Other product details include tempered glass front door, double swing steel rear door, and top and bottom cable routing knockouts.


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HOBOKEN, N.J. (AP) — One of the nation's largest drugstore chains has signed on to promote the implementation of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), pledging to have insurance agents on hand at its stores in 31 states and the District of Columbia to help consumers navigate the new system.
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the partnership with Rite Aid on Monday, along with company chairman John Standley.
Standley said the agents would be available in 2,000 stores. Rite Aid has about 4,600 locations nationwide. He said they will be independent and not affiliated with insurers who are offering health insurance through newly created exchanges, but they will receive commissions if they sign people up for policies. Rite Aid also will receive a small commission for each policy sold, he said.
Sebelius described the partnership as crucial to educating the public about the new law. She said 900,000 uninsured people in New Jersey and about 2 million in New York will be eligible to purchase health insurance through the exchanges.
"We weren't ever going to make this program work from Washington. This has to be an on-the-ground effort," Sebelius said at a news conference inside a Rite Aid in Hoboken. "Americans trust their pharmacists. Often the pharmacist is the on-the-ground health provider people see the most and know the best, so having this critical role in a pharmacy makes wonderful sense."
The agents will be in stores beginning Oct. 1 when the first open enrollment period for the health exchanges begins. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that 7 million people currently uninsured will sign up for health insurance during the first six-month period.
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Steve Lonegan, an opponent of the new federal law, held a news conference across the street from where Sebelius spoke and called for a boycott of Rite Aid for, in his view, helping the government "force consumers to buy a product they don't want."
Lonegan said the health care law is already causing chaos in the economy, and cited recent announcements by Time Warner and IBM that they would move retired workers off company health plans and provide money to them to purchase coverage on private exchanges.
"If Rite Aid and the other big companies are so enthusiastic and think this is such a great plan, let it stand on its own two feet," he said. "We shouldn't be forcing consumers to buy a product they don't want. We don't force consumers to buy iPhones, and they sell. We don't force consumers to buy Viagra, but Rite Aid sells it, quite profitably. Let them sell their own product."
Standley said his Pennsylvania-based company isn't taking sides in the political debate over the law.
"At the end of the day our commitment is to our patients and customers," he said. "Open enrollment on the Affordable Care Act starts October 1, so our patients and customers need information, and that's our primary concern. We're not a political organization, we're here to help people navigate the Affordable Care Act, which is the law."
See also:


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SMOS satellite joins launch adapter
As preparations for the launch of SMOS on 2 November continue to progress well at the launch site in Russia, a milestone in the schedule has been passed as the satellite joins the Rockot launch adapter.
ESA's 'Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity' (SMOS) satellite arrived at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia on 17 September. After it had been installed in the integration facilities and unpacked, the team of engineers and technicians carried out initial tests to ensure the satellite had arrived in good shape.
By employing a novel use of technology, the SMOS Earth Explorer mission will make global observations of soil moisture over land and sea-surface salinity over the oceans to improve our understanding of Earth's water cycle. Data from SMOS will be important for weather and climate modelling, water resource management, agriculture and also contribute to the forecasting of hazardous events such as floods.
The measuring technique involves measuring microwave radiation emitted from Earth's surface within the 'L-band', around a frequency of 1.4 GHz. To do this, the instrument, which is called 'MIRAS' – short for Microwave Imaging Radiometer with Aperture Synthesis, carries 69 small antennas distributed along three arms that fold out to form an unusual three-pointed star shape. The clever bit is that these small antennas mimic the size of a much larger single antenna that would normally be needed at this frequency to obtain the required coverage and resolution.
The campaign to prepare the SMOS satellite for launch has now been underway for almost four weeks. The satellite has undergone a series of electrical tests and also the hazardous task of filling the satellite with 28 kg of hydrazine fuel was carried out by team members from Thales Alenia Space. In addition, multilayer insulation has been secured around certain components on the satellite.
The most recent milestone involved hoisting the satellite off the working stand on the fuelling frame and then lowering onto the launch adapter. As the name suggests, the adapter forms the interface between the SMOS satellite and the upper stage of the Rockot launcher. Since the satellite already holds fuel, this task is somewhat dangerous, so everyone involved had to wear special protective clothing as a precautionary measure.
Once the satellite was positioned on the adapter, a clamp band, which is a crucial component that secures the satellite to the adapter, was fitted and tension then carefully applied. As ESA's Proba-2 mission is being launched on the same rocket, there are, in fact, two of these clamp bands: one to hold the SMOS satellite on the adaptor and one to connect the two halves of the adapter, which separate after SMOS is released into orbit.
The small Proba-2 satellite sits under the SMOS adapter during launch, so the release of the adapter halves enables the Proba-2 satellite to be injected into orbit. This happens almost two hours after SMOS has been injected.
The Proba-2 team has also returned to Plesetsk as the launch campaign activities for both satellites are now being combined in the run up to liftoff at 02.50 CET on 2 November. The next major step will be when teams have to say 'goodbye' to the satellites as SMOS and Proba-2 are encapsulated together within the fairing, which is scheduled to take place on 19 October.


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KosherEye has made a new discovery and what a find it is! We try to follow up on suggestions from our readers, and so when a KosherEye friend recommended Papergoods.com we checked it out. We found a huge online store of disposables, paper and plastic goods for entertaining, everyday use, Shabbos and special occasions. In fact, we were so impressed that we contacted the company – requested samples and decided to share this site with our readers. Our sample order was shipped promptly and arrived intact. (According to comments on their site, this is the norm!) We don't know how they do it, but orders $49 and over are shipped free. Freight for orders under this amount, cost only $5. And, for even more savings, yes, KosherEye is very frugal-minded, we love their weekly "steals and deals".
A bit about the company: Sholom, the founder of Papergoods.com was brought up in a family of 9 children. His education includes yeshivas in the U.S. and England. While growing up, he shared many of the weekly supermarket shopping experiences with his mom and siblings, laboriously dragging home groceries and paper goods. So, as an adult, Sholom, realized how convenient, time saving and budget friendly it would be to have paper goods delivered. The option of affordable delivery was common for large offices, but not realistically affordable for families, especially small families. Thus, along with a childhood friend, he founded PaperGoods.com.
According to Sholom: "I am personally a huge online shopper. One day after an especially large shopping (schlepping) trip I decided to find out if there was anyone selling paper goods online. Lo and behold, there was none and I decided then and there that this is what I wanted to do! I started the company, which was originally called papergoodsdirect.com, in my garage about 5 years ago and have been building papergoods.com ever since. Presently, our company has relationships with many of the country's leading paper/plastic companies, but we hope to eventually manufacture our own signature lines."
We asked Sholom to recommend tableware for different occasions and budgets. He graciously complied.
Some choices for the luxury buyer:
One lovely choice is the silver collection white plastic plates with silver rim accent. Paired with detailed silver-like plastic flatware, clear square-bottomed plastic tumblers and color coordinated dinner napkins – the look is elegant.
Some choices for the budget conscious host: Many items can be purchased in money saving bulk quantities. We like these cream square plates, which come in several sizes, and have matching luncheon napkins.
Best Sellers for casual summer entertaining:
Floral ensembles are classic. Plates and napkins are available in many sizes.
And then there are the "hard to find" clear plastic plates and servers, including mini servers as shown here.
For more information and to see all available disposables: papergoods.com
Papergoods.com is partnering with KosherEye and gifting a random KosherEye reader with a $50 gift certificate toward tableware. To enter, click here.


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AGS Storage
AGS worldwide network of 126 branches is one of the largest in the removals industry. Their experience and know-how in key areas such as logistics and customs clearance, combined with storage facilities in Panama, allows them to adapt to the needs and requests of customers in good time, while maintaining high service standards.
AGS provides storage for household goods in secure warehouse facilities. Their warehouses are protected by modern surveillance cameras or a 24-hour guarding service in more remote destinations, where modern tools are unavailable.
Their quality criteria for storage are:
- Safe locking systems
- Modern alarm systems or a 24/7 guarding service
- Ventilation
- Regular treatment against humidity, rats and other pests
- Regularly inspected fireproofing system
Packing for Storage
Their unique and high standard packing policy will also be applied to storage in Panama.
In addition to items being packed into appropriate cartons, furniture is export wrapped protected and crated if needed prior to being loaded for short or long-term storage. This maximises the protection of stored furniture and simplifies matters when a stored consignment needs to be shipped at short notice or if there is a change of plan.
They use the same high quality packing material that is used for a normal move. The AGS Group has created new packing material more adapted to today's personal effects. For instance, they use small cartons for CDs and DVDs to further protect those items and to better fit within our standard cartons. A packing list is completed and each box identified and marked before it is loaded into a storage container.
Storage Management
All storage containers are clearly identified and listed on a Master Storage File which makes identifying and retrieving the total consignment or one particular item extremely simple. This system minimises handling which in turn minimises the risk of damage or loss as they only need to retrieve and unpack one storage container to locate one item.
Free Consultation
If you wish to get an estimate for your storage need, please fill in the form below.
The AGS Group has been committed to quality service since 1996.
The standards applied at all the branches are in accordance with the requirements of ISO 9001:2008 (a Group-wide certification) and the quality standards, unique to our industry, such as NF Storage, NF Move and FAIM (FIDI-Accredited International Movers.


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Colin Cowie is one of the top life style experts in the country
and contributor to the CBS Early Show as well Oprah.
We were delighted when
Colin ordered one of our Pumpkin Cheesecakes for his appearance on the Early
Show shortly before Thanksgiving.
His advice was to have the Eli's Pumpkin Cheesecake for dessert
and then to top it off with multiple flavors of Haagen Daz ice cream…sounds
like a great combination to us.


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"In most cases, the persecution could have been averted if they had simply denied Christ. But they won't."
"The persecution of Christians is not a human tragedy. It is a spiritual reality facing the body of Christ."
If these people refuse to deny Christ in the face of such suffering, how can we allow ourselves to deny Him in order to keep a job, or to avoid harrassment from aggressive unbelievers?
Pray for them and take every opportunity to stand up for Jesus here.


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Construction LawSLN #: 15957
Course Prefix: LAW-691
Course Section: 019
Credit Hours: 2
Instructor(s): Holden
Course Description:
This course, which focuses on practical construction law issues, is being taught by an experienced practicing lawyer. Topics that will be covered include: types of construction contracts; the basic relationships among the owners, architects/engineers, general constractors, subcontractors and material suppliers on a project; express and implied warranties; the role of the schedule and claims related to scheduling; change orders and concealed site condition claims; mechanics' liens, stop notices and other payment remedies; types of insurance and insurance coverage disputes on construction projects; proving damages; and the trial of a construction case and the use expert witnesses. The class will be taught using case studies and the case method; extensive student participation during class is expected.
Additional Information:
Credit Hours: 2
Grading Option: Numeric Grade and ONE-Time Pass Option is Available, or Letter Grade Only
Graduation Writing Requirement: No
Flexible Writing Requirement: No
Skills Requirement: No
Experiential Learning: No
Special Withdrawal Course: No
Final Exam Given: Yes
Final Exam Type: In-Class - Completely Secure
Participation Points: Yes
Attendance Policy: Per Statement Of Student Policies
* The law school has a policy that Is used To calculate credit hours. Please see the Statement of Student Policies.


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Description & Behavior
Flatback sea turtles, Natator depressus (Garman, 1880), aka Australian flatbacks, are named for their flattened carapace (shell). Synonym: Natator depressa. The flatback's olive gray shell is elliptical in shape with upturned edges. The ventral (under) side, or plastron, is pale yellow. Their shell measures between 102-125 cm long, and these turtles weigh about 84 kg. The flatback's smooth, waxy shell is quite thin and easily damaged. Australian flatbacks are medium-sized turtles.
Sea turtles are some of the largest and most endangered turtles in the world and live in almost every ocean of the world. Their smooth shells and paddlelike flippers help them speed through the water as fast as 24 kph. These long-distance travelers have been known to swim up to 4,828 km.
Although sea turtles cannot withdraw their heads into their shells, the adults are protected from predators by their shells, large size, and thick scaly skin on their heads and necks.
Sea turtles spend almost all their lives submerged but must breathe air for the oxygen needed to meet the demands of vigorous activity. With a single explosive exhalation and rapid inhalation, sea turtles can quickly replace the air in their lungs. The lungs are adapted to permit a rapid exchange of oxygen and to prevent gasses from being trapped during deep dives. The blood of sea turtles can deliver oxygen efficiently to body tissues even at the pressures encountered during diving. During routine activity green and loggerhead turtles dive for about 4 to 5 minutes and surface to breathe for 1 to 3 seconds. A female loggerhead tracked at sea made up to 500 dives every 12 hours.
Sea turtles can rest or sleep underwater for several hours at a time but submergence time is much shorter while diving for food or to escape predators. Breath-holding ability is affected by activity and stress, which is why turtles drown in shrimp trawls and other fishing gear within a relatively short time.
Because sea turtles are difficult to study in the open ocean, scientists are just beginning to learn about the life history of sea turtles. Today, radio transmitters, attached to nesting turtles, help track the sea creatures on their travels and provide valuable information.
World Range & Habitat
Flatbacks are unique in many ways including their choice of habitat. Instead of clear, coastal waters, flatbacks live in turbid, inshore waters.
Flatback sea turtles are indigenous to Australian waters and are not found anywhere else in the world. They inhabit the coastal waters of Western, Northern and Eastern Australia.
Feeding Behavior (Ecology)
Like many sea turtles, flatbacks have a varied diet that includes squid, sea cucumbers, soft corals, and a variety of mollusks.
Life History
Although sea turtles move swiftly in the ocean, they are slow and defenseless on land. Male sea turtles almost never leave the water. Female sea turtles leave the ocean only to lay eggs and, for most species, nest only at night. A female may nest every two to three years.
Nesting can take between one and three hours. After a female turtle drags herself up the beach, she hollows out a pit with her back legs and deposits from fifty to two hundred eggs the size of golf balls. When the last egg is laid, the turtle covers the eggs with sand, tamps down the sand with her plastron, and flings more sand about with her flippers to erase any signs of the nest.
After about two months, the hatchling turtles emerge at night. The light reflected off the water from the sky guides them to the sea. These days, car headlights, street lamps, or lights on buildings near the beach cause some hatchlings to travel in the wrong direction. Waiting herons make fast meals of other hatchlings. Any babies still on the beach in the morning are easily picked off by predators or die in the hot sun. It is thought that when the surviving hatchlings reach maturity, they return to the beach where they hatched to lay their eggs.
Nesting for flatbacks takes place in November and December (Australia's summer) on steep, sloping beaches and sand dunes along the northeast coast of Australia. Females lay about four times per season. The eggs hatch in 47-58 days. When the hatchlings emerge, they are larger than most species. They also reach sexual maturity earlier than other turtles. This may be a result of their high protein diet.
Conservation Status & Comments
Flatback sea turtles are preyed upon by saltwater crocodiles, dingos, foxes, rats, and monitor lizards attack hatchlings. Inshore, herons and sea eagles are known to prey upon them as well.
WARNING: Eating sea turtles and their eggs, anywhere, can cause severe illness and even death, especially to children. The flesh has been found to contain chelonitoxin which may cause a number of symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, burning sensation of lips, tongue and mouth, chest tightness, difficulty swallowing, hypersalivation, skin rash, coma and death. See the following for more information:
Chelonitoxism: new case reports in French Polynesia and review of the literature
Turtle meat kills six in Micronesia
Tainted Turtle Meat Suspected in Chuuk Deaths
References & Further Research
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Flatback Turtles – Natator depressus
SEATURTLE.ORG – Dedicated to providing online resources and solutions in support of sea turtle conservation and research
The State of the World's Sea Turtles (SWoT)
IUCN/SSC Marine Turtle Specialist Group
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Research Natator depressus @
Barcode of Life ~ BioOne ~ Biodiversity Heritage Library ~ CITES ~ Cornell Macaulay Library ~ Encyclopedia of Life (EOL) ~ ESA Online Journals ~ FishBase ~ Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology Department ~ GBIF ~ Google Scholar ~ ITIS ~ IUCN RedList (Threatened Status) ~ Marine Species Identification Portal ~ NCBI (PubMed, GenBank, etc.) ~ Ocean Biogeographic Information System ~ PLOS ~ SIRIS ~ Tree of Life Web Project ~ UNEP-WCMC Species Database ~ WoRMS
Search for Flatback Sea Turtles @
Flickr ~ Google ~ Picsearch ~ Wikipedia ~ YouTube


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Shock Doctor Active Ultra Insole
Description: Performing at your best means going the extra mile, training that extra 5 minutes and pushing beyond your limits. In doing so, you put your most important piece of equipment - your feet - through a tremendous amount of stress. In order for you to perform your best, your feet, ankles and knees need to be free from pain and joint fatigue. The Shock Doctor Active Ultra Insole is specifically engineered for higher-impact performance and full-foot alignment for the most long-lasting support and stability. The Shock Doctor Active Ultra is ideal for all athletes who want to compete without compromise. It is designed for all athletes and all sport. Full-foot alignment, max shock absorption, stability and support. Increased motion control to reduce joint fatigue and pain. Can help relieve plantar fasciitis pain. 5mm thin.
Price: $39.99


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Posted 8 years ago
(36 items)
Hi All,
Just would like to show some of my perfume bottles, I had collected years ago. Hope you like them as much as I do. I will be adding more shortly. Hope the photo's are good enough to make out.
All the bottles are from the Lander Company., 5th Ave., NY. Founded by Charles H. Oestreich in 1921. The Company produced novelty perfume bottles mostly sold at dimes stores,(as you can see) they were made in all different shapes.
The ones I have posted are from the 1940's. First from left:
'Golden Apple Blossom', 'Spicy Apple Blossom-Toilet Water', & 'Apple Blossom-Toilet Water'.


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The Italian manufacturer Robots presented at this year´s Salone del Mobile a very minimal and elegant clothes stand in stainless steel and glass.
The plate and steel tube are painted in bronze and aluminium. The sides and top are in transparent or smoked glass and are screwed to the structure. It is available in two widths : 56 and 130 cm and the finishings are interchangeable.


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Officials: Twin roadside bombing in southern Afghanistan kills 3 civilians, 2 police officers
KABUL, Afghanistan – Officials say a twin bombing in southern Afghanistan has killed five people, three civilians whose car struck a roadside bomb and two police officers who had rushed to the scene to help the victims when the second bomb went off.
A provincial government spokesman, Ummar Zawaq, says the attack occurred on Thursday morning in Helmand province.
Zawaq says the officers who died were members of the elite Afghan National Civil Order Police — the so-called ANCOPs who get special training from NATO forces.
The spokesman says a third officer was wounded in the blast.
Afghan authorities say roadside bombs and booby-traps are their worst threat in fighting the Taliban.


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L.A. Lakers star Lamar Odom has officially exchanged vows with his own mother-in-law -- TMZ has learned ... dude has hired Kardashian matriarch Kris Jenner to be his personal manager.
Odom's rep Eve Sarkisyan tells TMZ, "Kris Jenner now manages Lamar Odom. He has asked her to manage him off the court a few months ago."
We're told the twosome already smell profit -- according to his rep, "Their first project together would be his and Khloe's fragrance which is set to launch next year."
We're told Kris' other responsibilities include organizing Lamar's paid appearances, setting up endorsement deals, and handling any other personal marketing activities.
So the big question -- if Khloe and Lamar break up ... who gets to keep Kris?
Waiting for your permission to load the comments.


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President's Message
Thank you for taking to the time to visit the official Website of the Fresno State Alumni Association (FSAA). Since 1912, the FSAA has been alumni and graduates' official "Bulldog Connection. For Life."
As we celebrate our 100th year, the Board of Directors' has recently eliminated our dues-paying membership model and now welcome all past students, alumni and graduates as members! Additionally, current students, parents of students, past and present faculty and staff, and Bulldog fans are now considered members, too.
To that end, the "new and improved" FSAA embraces these three principles:
- Engagement: To be the recognized leadership organization that engages our students, alumni and friends to connect to Fresno State through meaningful alumni activities, volunteerism and advocacy.
- Scholarship: To be a visible leader in growing our scholarship endowment that helps to attract the "best and brightest students" to the Fresno State.
- Recognition: To regularly showcase and recognize Fresno State alumni who have achieved success in their chosen field and/or have made significant community contributions.
We look forward to your continued support of our FSAA: Get involved. Join a committee. Volunteer at an event. Donate to student scholarships. Finally, consider serving on our board of directors.
Kurt Madden (1976)
Fresno State Alumni Association


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Registration is now open for the 2014 PA Forward K–16 Information Literacy Summit "Building Bridges: Extending the Conversation." This one-day event will be held July 23 in Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, Penn State University Park. The event will be of interest to librarians and educators interested in discussing critical issues in information literacy. Registration required.
Ellysa Stern Cahoy, Penn State education and behavioral sciences librarian and assistant director of the Pennsylvania Center for the Book, will co-present one of two keynote addresses: "ACRL's Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education: Implications for Practice." Stern Cahoy, who is vice-chair and chair elect of the ACRL (Association of College & Research Libraries) Instruction Section will be joined by Donna Witek, a University of Scranton librarian and ACRL Information Literacy Standards committee member.
The other keynote presentation is "Library Model Curriculum for PA Schools: Cornerstone Tasks for Assessment" by Eileen Kern, past president of the Pennsylvania School Librarians Association and Allison Mackley, a Hershey High School librarian.
PA Forward is a Pennsylvania Library Association (PaLA) initiative, which aims to help Pennsylvanians improve their essential literacy skills. The initiative focuses on five critical literacies: basic, information, civic and social, health and financial.
For more information, or if you anticipate needing accommodations or have questions about the physical access provided, contact Stern Cahoy at firstname.lastname@example.com/814-865-9696.


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Lowrie still puzzled by Porter's tirade
OAKLAND -- A day after his strange encounter with a heated Bo Porter, Jed Lowrie remained puzzled by the Astros manager's animated reaction to a bunt.
Granted, it was an attempted bunt in a game the A's already led, 7-0. But it was also the first inning, and the way Lowrie sees it, Porter essentially invited him to bunt by activating the shift.
Still, Porter didn't like it, and righty Paul Clemens nearly hit Lowrie with a pitch in the third. Upon completion of the at-bat, which resulted in a fly out, Porter charged the field and began yelling at Lowrie to go back to shortstop. Moments later, he was still seen shouting in the dugout and knocking over a water cooler.
"I still don't get the reaction, given the situation," Lowrie said Saturday morning. "I know we had scored seven runs, but like I said yesterday, it's a Major League game, you don't know what's going to happen. They were playing a full shift. That's what I don't get. Why is it OK for you to shift down seven runs, but it's not OK for me to bunt? You're still trying to get me out, and you think you have a better opportunity to get me out by shifting. So obviously you're not waving the white flag by shifting.
"At one point they were one swing away from being back in the game. It ended up not being that way, but you never know what's going to happen."
Porter was asked about his reaction on Saturday but maintained, "Nothing happened yesterday."
"If I'm on the other side, maybe it perturbs me a little bit," said A's manager Bob Melvin, "but it's still the first inning, so that one's probably in-between, where you understand both sides of that. What happened a little later was probably more inappropriate. But hopefully we can just move on. I don't think it's that big of an issue to tell you the truth."
Lowrie, who believes he heard an Astros player yelling at him after bunting, approached Melvin in the second inning to ask if his decision to do so was OK with his manager. Melvin said it was.
"He told me, 'If they promise not to score any runs, then I don't care, but it's the first inning,'" said Lowrie, who then watched George Springer steal second base in the third inning, despite his team being down by six runs.
"How can you complain about a situation like that when you're running? Swing the bat," Lowrie continued. "It's the exact same situation. If you're down, you're not going to steal your way back into the game. You're going to hit your way back in the game."


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Uthman ibn `Affan
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Posted: 02 July 2005 at 4:54am
Bi ismilahir rahmanir raheemassalamu alaikum
`Uthman ibn `Affan ibn Abi al-`As ibn Umayya ibn `Abd Shams, Abu `Amr, Abu `Abd Allah, Abu Layla al-Qurashi al-Umawi (d. 35), the Prophet's Friend, Amîr al-Mu'minîn, the third of the four Rightly-Guided Successors of the Prophet and third of the Ten promised Paradise. He is named Dhu al-Nűrayn or "Possessing Two Lights," a reference to his marriage with two daughters of the Prophet, Ruqayya then Umm Kulthum. He is among those who emigrated twice: once to Abyssinia, and again to Madina. He gathered together the Qur'an which he had read in its entirety before the Prophet. During his tenure as Caliph, Armenia, Caucasia, Khurasan, Kirman, Sijistan, Cyprus, and much of North Africa were added to the dominions of Islam. He related 146 hadiths from the Prophet. Among the Companions who narrated from him in the Nine Books are Anas, Abu Hurayra, Jundub, `Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr, `Abd Allah ibn `Abbas, `Abd Allah ibn `Umar. A host of prominent Followers narrated from him, among them al-Zuhri, Ibn al-Musayyib, al-Dahhak, and `Alqama.
`Uthman was extremely wealthy and generous. When he heard the Prophet say: "Whoever equips the army of al-`Usra, Paradise is for him," he brought the Prophet a thousand gold dinars which he poured into his lap. The Prophet picked them up with his hand and said repeatedly: "Nothing shall harm `Uthman after what he did today." It is also narrated that equipped the army of al-`Usra with seven hundred ounces of gold, or seven hundred and fifty camels and fifty horses.
The Prophet said: "The most compassionate of my Community towards my Community is Abu Bakr; the staunchest in Allah's Religion is `Umar; and the most truthful in his modesty is `Uthman." The pebbles were heard by Abu Dharr glorifying Allah in the hands of the Prophet, Abu Bakr, `Umar, and `Uthman. The Prophet particularly praised `Uthman for his modesty and said: "Shall I not feel bashful before a man when even the angels feel bashful before him?"
He was humble and was seen at the time of his caliphate sleeping alone in the mosque, wrapped in a blanket with no one around him, and riding on a mule with his son Na'il behind him.
It is related through several sound chains that `Uthman recited the Qur'an in a single rak`a. Ibrahim ibn Rustum al-Marwazi said: "Four are the Imams that recited the entire Qur'an in a single rak`a: `Uthman ibn `Affan, Tamim al-Dari, Sa`id ibn Jubayr, and Abu Hanifa." Ibn al-Mubarak also narrated that `Uthman used to fast all year round. `Ali ibn Abi Talib said: "`Uthman was one of those who were 'mindful of their duty and [did] good works, and again [were] mindful of [their] duty, and [believed], and once again [were] mindful of their duty, and did right. Allah loves those who do good.' (5:93)" Ibn `Umar said that `Uthman was meant by the verse "Is he who pays adoration in the watches of the night, prostrate and standing, bewaring of the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord. . ." (39:9).
Anas narrated: When Hudhayfa campaigned with the people of Iraq and al-Sham in Armenia, the Muslims contended with regard to the Qur'an in a reprehensible manner. Hudhayfa came to `Uthman and told him: "O Commander of the Believers, rescue this Community before they differ in the Qur'an the way Christians and Jews differed in the Books." `Uthman was alarmed at this and sent word to Hafsa the Mother of the Believers: "Send me all the volumes in which the Qur'an has been written down." When she did, `Uthman ordered Zayd ibn Thabit, Sa`id ibn al-`As, `Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr, and `Abd Al-Rahman ibn al-Harith ibn Hisham to copy them into volumes. He said: "If you all differ with Zayd concerning the Arabic, then write it in the dialect of Quraysh, for truly the Qur'an was only revealed in their dialect." There is Consensus around the integral contents of `Uthman's volume. This means that one who denies or questions it in whole or in part has left Islam.
`Uthman was neither tall nor short, extremely handsome, brunet, large-jointed, wide-shouldered, with a large beard which he dyed yellow and long hair which reached to his shoulders, and gold-braced teeth. `Abd Allah ibn Hazm said: "I saw `Uthman, and I never saw man nor woman handsomer of face than him."
The plot to kill `Uthman marked the onset of Dissension (fitna) in the Community. Together with deadly division, the great sign of this Dissension was the beginning of falsehood. The timing of the spread of falsehood was foretold by the Prophet in the hadith: "I entrust to you the well-being of my Companions, and that of those that come after them. Then falsehood will spread." To counter this, the sciences of hadith and hadith criticism were innovated within the half-century which followed `Uthman's death in order to sift true Prophetic and Companion-reports from false ones. This was done by verifying the authenticity of transmission chains (isnâds) embodied in the honesty and competence of transmitters, and by examining the conditions and contents of transmission in their minutest historical, linguistic, and doctrinal details. Ibn Sirin (d. 110) said: "We used to accept as true what we heard, then lies spread and we began to say: Name your transmitters." Confirming this is al-Hasan al-Basri's (d. 110) reaction to someone who requested his isnâd: "O man! I neither lie nor was ever called a liar!" Later scholars such as Ibn al-Mubarak (d. 181) declared: "Isnâd is an integral part of the Religion, otherwise anyone can say anything."
The principle of authentication was founded by the Prophet himself and used by the Companions. This is proved by the Prophet's questioning of the man who said he had seen the new moon of Ramadan: "Do you bear witness that there is no God except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah?" When he replied in the affirmative, the Prophet accepted his news. Similarly, Ibn `Abbas said: "If a trustworthy source tells us of a fatwa by `Ali, we do not seek any further concerning it." This shows that they already distinguished between true and dubious sources. Furthermore, all the Companions are considered trustworthy sources according to Allah's saying: "You are the best community that has been raised up for mankind" (3:110) and several other verses and hadiths to that effect. This evidence was listed by al-Khatib in al-Kifaya and Ibn Hajar in al-Isaba.
The Prophet spoke of `Uthman's forthcoming martyrdom on numerous occasions:
Ibn `Umar said: "As `Uthman was delivering a sermon, Jahjah al-Ghafari walked up to him, snatched his stick, and broke it on his knee. A shard of wood entered his thigh and it got gangrened and was amputated. Then he died within the year. Al-Qadi `Iyad relates in his book al-Shifa', chapter entitled "Esteem for the things and places connected with the Prophet," that this staff had belonged to the Prophet.
`Abd Allah ibn Salam said to the Egyptians at the time they were besieging the Commander of the Believers `Uthman ibn `Affan: "Never did Allah's sword not remain sheathed from harming you since the Prophet came to it until this very day." Yazid ibn Abi Habib said: "I have heard that most of those that rode to kill `Uthman were later seized by demonic possession." Al-Dhahabi mentioned that `Ali had pronounced a curse on `Uthman's killers. One of the reasons for the climate of hatred stirred up against the Caliph was the grievance of some parties from Egypt and Iraq that `Uthman was favoring his relatives among the Banu Umayya with public offices and demanded that he remove them.
Ibn al-Musayyib related that a group of seven hundred Egyptians came to complain to `Uthman about their governor Ibn Abi Sarh's tyranny, so `Uthman said: "Chose someone to govern you." They chose Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr, so `Uthman wrote credentials for him and they returned. On their way back, at three days' distace from Madina, a black slave caught up with them with the news that he carried orders from `Uthman to the governor of Egypt. They searched him and found a message from `Uthman to Ibn Abi Sarh ordering the death of Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr and some of his friends. They returned to Madina and besieged `Uthman. The latter acknowledged that the camel, the slave, and the seal on the letter belonged to him, but he swore that he had never written nor ordered the letter to be written. It was discovered that the letter had been hand-written by Marwan ibn al-Hakam. `Uthman was besieged for twenty-two days during which he refused both to give up Marwan and to resign. He was killed on the last day of Dhu al-Hijja, on the day of Jum`a, by several men who had crept into his house.
Ibn `Umar related from `Uthman that the previous night the latter had seen the Prophet in his dream telling him: "Be strong! Verily you shall break your fast with us tomorrow night." When his assailants came in they found him reading the Qur'an. `Uthman was first stabbed in the head with an arrow-head, then a man placed the point of his sword against his belly, whereupon his wife Na'ila tried to prevent him with her hand, losing several fingers. Then `Uthman and Na'ila's servant were killed as the latter fought back. She ran out of the house screaming for help and the killers dispersed. It is narrated that `Uthman was killed as he was reading the verse "And Allah will suffice you for defense against them. He is the Hearer, the Knower." (2:137) Several reports state that at the time of `Uthman's siege and death Zayd ibn Thabit had marshalled three hundred Ansâr in his defense together with Abu Hurayra, Ibn `Umar, al-Hasan, al-Husayn, `Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr, but `Uthman forbade all of them to fight.
Among `Uthman's sayings:
The Prophet said: "More men will enter Paradise through the intercession of a certain man than there are people in the tribes of Rabi`a and Mudar." The elders considered that this was `Uthman ibn `Affan.
Main sources: Abu Nu`aym, Hilya al-Awliya' 1:92-100 #3; al-Dhahabi, Siyar A`lam al-Nubala' 1/2: 566-614 #4.
Rasul Allah (sallah llahu alaihi wa sallam) said: "Whoever knows himself, knows his Lord" and whoever knows his Lord has been given His gnosis and nearness.
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Bi ismillahir rahmanr raheem
assalamu alaikum
From The Beauty of the Righteous & Ranks of the Elite,
by Imam Abu Na'im al-Asfahani, trans. Shaykh Muhammad Al-Akili. Pearl Publishing House, Philadelphia: 1996. this is a collection of ahadith on the companions of the prophet (sallah llahu alaihi wa sallam) the original arabic work is some 30 volumes if i remember correctly.
401- 'Abdullah, the son of 'Amer bin Rabi'a, said: "When the insurgence against the caliph 'Uthman, God be pleased with him, took place, my father woke up in the middle of the night, and he prayed, 'My Lord, I beseech Thee to deliver me from these trials and to protect me as Thou protected Thy most favored servants.'"
The next sire of the people, is the humble before his Lord, the chaste and truly devoted to his Lord, the bearer of the two lights, the most revering of his Lord, who prayed toward the two Qibla, the Sacred House in Mecca and the Furthest Mosque in Jerusalem, and who enjoyed the privilege and blessings of migration twice, that is 'Uthman Ibn 'Affan, God be forever pleased with him, the blessed caliph of God's messenger, upon whom be peace.
'Uthman, may Allah shower him with His utmost blessings, prayed and invoked the divine favors between the two pinnacles of the night. He rose regularly at night to offer extended superogatory prayers and to prostrate himself before his Creator, Cherisher, and Lord. He prayed for God's mercy to embrace him in this life and in the next, and he feared His displeasure and castigation. 'Uthman was generous and most shy, and he was vigilant, reverent, and fearful of his Lord. His fortune during the day consisted of goodness of character, fasting and prayers, and during the night, his fortune was made of superogatory devotion, reading the Qur'anic revelation, contemplation, and prayers.
109- 'Uthman was a hard-working and a persevering devoted worshipper. On this subject, and after the passing of 'Uthman, God be pleased with him, al-Hassan bin 'Ali, God be pleased with him and with his father, was once sitting in a group of believers, and they were reminiscing the virtues of 'Uthman, God be pleased with him. Al-Hassan, referring to his father, and in anticipation that he will further illumine this subject, said, 'The Prince of the Believers will soon arrive.' When 'Ali, God bless his countenance, arrived, he reanimated the subject of 'Uthman, commenting: "Indeed, 'Uthman was among those about whom God Almighty said: 'Those who believe in Allah and do righteous deeds, who guard themselves against evil, and who have faith, thence, and as long as they are God-fearing and do good deeds, surely Allah loves the charitable ones' (Qur'an 5:93).
110- Abu Bakr bin Musa narrated that 'Abdullah bin Omar, God be pleased with him, once explained that the Qur'anic verse: 'He who worships devoutly during the hours of the night, prostrating himself or standing up (in devotion), who heeds the call of the hereafter, and hopes to win the mercy of his Lord,' (Qur'an 39:9) refers to 'Uthman, God be forever pleased with him.
111- Sulaiman bin Ahmad narrated that Ibn Omar narrated that God's messenger said: "The most humble and unassuming person among my followers is 'Uthman Ibn 'Affan."
112- On this subject, Ahmad Ibn Hanbal reported that al-Hassan spoke of 'Uthman's regard to modesty, saying: "Even when he was in the privacy of his house, and his doors were locked, 'Uthman would not take off his robe when he poured water to wash himself, he would sit down while taking a bath, and his modesty prevented him from standing up naked before the all-Seeing Omnipresent Lord."
113- 'Abdullah bin Omar once said: "Three men from the tribe Quraish are the most cheerful, the most modest, and they have the best of character. They are truthful when they speak, and they are not suspicious of others' truthfulness. They are Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, 'Uthman Ibn 'Affan, and 'Ubaida al-Jarrah."
114- Imam Muhammad Ibn Seerin narrated that when the assailants besieged 'Uthman's house, and in a moment of distress, his beleaguered wife burst out in tears as she cried out: "Whether you kill him or not, he used to recite the entire Qur'an throughout the night during a single rak'a of his prayers."
115- Abi Ja'far narrated that Masrouq saw al-Ashtar, a member of the mob that murdered 'Uthman, God be pleased with him. Masrouq inquired: "Did you kill 'Uthman?" Al-Ashtar boastfully and conceitedly replied: "Yes we did." Masrouq pondered in dismay for a moment and then said: "By God, you have murdered a man who has fasted all his life and prayed all his nights."
'Uthman, God be forever pleased with him, was given the glad tidings of the adversities he had to meet, and his heart was guarded against anxiety or complaints in that regard. 'Uthman met anxiety with patience, and he traveled through afflictions with thankfulness to his Lord. He sipped the bitter taste of his trials and tribulations in this world to savor the everlasting sweetness and solace of salvation in the hereafter.
116- On this subject, Abu Musa al-Ash'ari narrated that he was once together with God's messenger inside a garden when someone came to the gate and sought permission to enter. God's messenger said: "Open the gate and give him the glad tidings of paradise and of an atrocious last trial in this world." When Abu Musa opened the gate, he found 'Uthman, God be pleased with him, standing at the door, and when I told him the news, he came in thanking Allah for His favors, and he sat down quietly next to God's messenger.
117- Abi Hazim narrated that when 'Uthman was besieged inside his house, he said: "I have made a solemn promise to God's messenger, and I must endure its consequences with patience."
118- Ahmad bin Sanan narrated that 'Uthman earned two distinct badges of honor that added to his prominence, and neither Abu Bakr nor Omar had them: (1) 'Uthman was unjustly murdered, and (2) he compiled the Qur'an.
Among his other traits, 'Uthman spent freely his entire wealth on God's path, he sought the pleasure of his Lord, and he provided comfort to His servants. 'Uthman took little for himself, he wore ordinary cloaks, ate plain food, and sought the highest of achievements, and finally, by the mercy of his Lord, he was crowned with the highest of honors.
119- Abu Huraira, God be pleased with him, narrated: "'Uthman bought paradise from God's messenger, upon whom be peace, twice: 1) Once in a business transaction when he bought the well of rumah (from the disbelievers), and which he made a public property for all Muslims, and 2) he bought it a second time when he fully financed and equipped the Army of Hardship (Jaish al-'Usra)."
120- Also on this subject, 'Abdu-Rahman Ibn Abi Habab al-Salmi narrated that prior to the Battle of Badr, God's messenger delivered a sermon concerning the Army of Hardship, and he admonished the people to support it. Initially, 'Uthman pledged to equip one hundred men. When God's messenger further invited the people to share in this responsibility, 'Uthman made an additional pledge to equip another hundred. God's messenger spoke again on their behalf, and 'Uthman again added a pledge to equip another hundred. God's messenger then said: "'Uthman does no longer need a deed of righteousness (i.e., to please Allah) after this."
121- 'Abdullah bin Omar narrated that when God's messenger saw 'Uthman going back and forth to equip the Army of Hardship (Arb. jaish al-'usra) before the Battle of Badr took place, God's messenger prayed: "O Allah, forgive 'Uthman for every step he takes back and forth, for every deed he hides and every deed he displays, and forgive him for whatever thoughts he conceals and whatever words he utters."
122- Al-Hassan, son of 'Ali, once said: "I saw 'Uthman resting inside the mosque covered with an ordinary blanket, and he had no personal guards when he was the Muslim State's Calif and commander of the believers. When he woke up in the morning, the marks of stones showed on his side, and the people would point out, saying: "This is Amir ul-Mu'mineen."' (The commander of the believers).
123- Ja'far bin Muhammad bin al-Fadhl narrated that 'Uthman used to feed the people the best of food, and later on, he would enter his house to partake a modest meal of some bread which he dipped in a little oil and vinegar.
124- Sulaiman bin Musa narrated that during his caliphate, 'Uthman was called upon once to reprove a group of people who engaged in an iniquitous act. When he came out of his house, the people had dispersed, 'Uthman praised God Almighty for sparing him from such encounter, and on that day, he bought the freedom of a slave as an expression of his deep gratitude to his Lord."
125- Maimoun bin Mihran narrated that al-Hamadani told him: "I once saw 'Uthman, during the appogé of his caliphate, riding on a mule and his servant Na'il riding behind him."
126- 'Abdullah bin al-Rumi narrated that 'Uthman once said: "If I was given a choice between going to heaven or hell, and not knowing to which of the two I will ultimately be taken, I would rather be turned into ashes before I know my final destination."
127- 'Abdullah bin 'Amir bin Rabi'a was once visiting with 'Uthman and he heard him say: "Let Allah be my witness, that I have never committed adultery in my life, whether during the period of jahiliyya (Arab paganism), or later on in Islam, and I became more reserved since the religion Islam was established."
128- 'Abdullah al-Madini narrated that 'Uthman's servant Hani said: "Whenever 'Uthman visited a grave, he sobbed until his beard was soaking in tears."
129- Abi Masja's narrated: "We once went along with 'Uthman to visit a dying person, and 'Uthman instructed him to utter the testimony, 'La ilaha il Allah' (Surely there is no god except Allah). When the person did what he was told, 'Uthman immediately commented, 'I swear by Him in Whose presence my soul stands, with this testimony which he has just cast upon his sins, he has wiped them out altogether.' The people inquired with a degree of wonder, 'Is this something that you are personally testifying to, or did you hear this statement from God's messenger?' 'Uthman replied, 'Indeed, I have heard it from God's messenger.' Someone then asked, 'If uttering this testament proves thus for a dying person, then what effects would it have on a healthy person when he testifies to it?' 'Uthman replied, 'Much much stronger.'"
Rasul Allah (sallah llahu alaihi wa sallam) said: "Whoever knows himself, knows his Lord" and whoever knows his Lord has been given His gnosis and nearness.
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text:
Poli Arctici NORWEGIAN ITALIAN
Is a small, specialised tour operator with main seat in
Longyearbyen, Svalbard .
The name "Poli Arctici" has it's origin from
old maps of Svalbard , drawn
by Dutch seafarers at the beginning of the 17th century.
"Poli Arctici" is Latin for "The Arctic Pole".
Our main interests are excursions and expeditions on Svalbard
all year.
We also do logistics and assistance to scientists and
TV/film crews out in the field as well as transportations around
Svalbard .
Our "secret" interest is history, culture and human activity
on Svalbard and in the arctic
areas. We are happy to share this knowledge and information with
anyone with the same passion to the Arctic .
Poli Arctici, enterprise no: NO 986568638; Longyearbyen, 9171,
Svalbard, Norway.
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com Tel:
+47 79 02 17 05 Fax: +47 79 02 17 34 Cellular:
+47 91 38 34 67


text:
Hi Everyone!
Just THREE legs left and our transport will be FILLED!! Huge thanks to everyone so far!!
If you can help out, please don't wait to offer - you can't imagine how stressful it is to go to the 11th hour waiting to see if dogs can move or not...! Please see below for what's still needed & let me know if you can assist - permission is granted to crosspost. THANK YOU!!!
DRIVERS: If you haven't sent me your transport info yet, please do ASAP so I don't have to go searching through my inbox from hell for it - thank you!!!
Four very sweet dogs were saved from OH kill shelters, and need a ride to rescue in NH this weekend - please help me get them there! Passenger info is at bottom of this email, and route/legs are FLEXIBLE so let me know ASAP/privately what you can drive. (ALSO, crates will NOT be provided, and dogs will need to be rescue-tethered. If you can accommodate *some* but not *all* of the dogs, I can still use your help! I'll do my best to find an additional driver to share your leg of the trip). Please remember to provide your transport info (phone/cell, car/color, plates/state & rescue affiliation (if you haven't driven for me before) ). This transport will be fully-monitored, and permission is granted to crosspost. Thank you so much, as alway s, for considering this transport!
Sheri Lazar/Michigan-Transport Coordinator
Canine Underground Railroad/Co-Director http://www.cur-central.net
Nose2Tail Network http://nose2tailnetwork.blogspot.com/
Positively Pitbulls~ http://www.thetruthaboutpitbulls.com
Transport Coordinator for:
Green Mtn. Pug Rescue greenmtnpugrescue.com/" href="http://www.%20greenmtnpugrescue.com/" target=_blank>www.greenmtnpugrescue.com
Libby's Haven for Senior Canines http://www.lhsk9.org
Midwest Boston Terrier Rescue http://www.midwestbtrescue.org
SATURDAY 4/26/08 (15 mins. added to each leg for transfers/traffic)
Almond Joy & Beau Only
START: Woodsfield, OH to Canton, OH - FILLED, thanks to the shelter!
START: 7:45 a.m., arrive 9:45 a.m. 100 miles, 2.00 hours
Leg 1a: Canton, OH to Akron, OH -FILLED, thanks Linda & Joan!
START: 10:00 a.m., arrive 10:30 a.m. 25 miles, .50 hour
Leg 1b: Akron, OH to Cleveland, OH - FILLED, thanks Linda & Joan!
START: 10:45 a.m., arrive 11:30 a.m. 40 miles, .75 hour
Leg 2: Cleveland, OH to Ashtabula, OH - FILLED, thanks Amy!
START: 11:45 a.m., arrive 12:45 p.m. 61 miles, 1.00 hours
Leg 3: Ashtabula, OH to Erie, PA- FILLED, thanks Kathi!
START: 1:00 p.m., arrive 2:00 p.m. 50 miles, 1.00 hour
Griffin & Roscoe join Almond Joy & Beau in Erie, PA
Leg 4: Erie, PA to Fredonia, NY - FILLED, thanks Patty!
START: 2:15 p.m., arrive 3:15 p.m. 53 miles, 1.00 hour
Leg 5: Fredonia, NY to Buffalo, NY - *NEED*
START: 3:30 p.m., arrive 4:15 p.m. 47 miles, .75 hour
Leg 6: Buffalo NY to Rochester, NY– FILLED, thanks Ann!
START: 4:30 p.m., arrive 5:45 p.m. 76 miles, 1.25 hours
OVERNIGHT IN ROCHESTER - FILLED, thanks Ann!
SUNDAY 4/27/08 (15 mins. added to each leg for transfers/traffic)
Leg 7 : Rochester, NY to Syracuse, NY– *NEED*
START: 7:00 a.m., arrive 8:15 a.m. 89 miles, 1.25 hours
Leg 8: Syracuse, NY to Utica, NY- FILLED, thanks Patti!
START: 8:30 a.m., arrive 9:30 a.m. 56 miles, 1.00 hour
Leg 9: Utica, NY to Schenectady, NY- FILLED, thanks Mary Clare & Marci!
START: 9:45 a. m., arrive 11:00 a.m. 79 miles, 1.25 hours
Leg 10 : Schenectady, NY to Bennington, VT- FILLED, thanks Kristi!
START: 11:15 a.m., arrive 12:15 p.m. 46 miles, 1.00 hour
Leg 11: Bennington, VT to Brattleboro, VT - *NEED*
START: 12:30 p.m., arrive 1:30 p.m. 41 miles, 1.00 hour
Leg 12: Brattleboro, VT to Concord, NH - FILLED, thanks Liz & Dave!
START: 1:45 p.m., arrive 3:00 p.m. 69 miles, 1.25 hours
1. Almond Joy, Boxer - 6 y/o female, will be spayed by rescue. Approx. 50 lbs.
Health issues: none known UTD: rabies (to receive other vax w/rescue)
Temperament: Sweet disposition, gets along with other dogs.
Traveling with: health records; collar/leash
2. Beau, Beagle - 6 y/o male, will be neutered by rescue. Approx. 25 lbs.
Health issues: none known UTD: rabies (to receive other vax w/rescue)
Temperament: Nice, easygoing beagle boy.
Traveling with: health records; collar/leash
ALMOND JOY & BEAU FROM: Monroe County Dog Pound, Woodsfield, OH
Website: http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/OH283.html
3. Roscoe - 3 y/o male BassetX, will be neutered by rescue. Approx. 49 lbs.
Health issues: none known UTD: Rabies, DHPP, bordatella
Temperament: Shy, sad looking boy. Afraid of walking on lead but getting better.
Traveling with: health records; collar/leash
4. Griffin - 8 y/o male CollieX, will be neutered by rescue. Approx. 50 lbs.
Health issues: none known UTD: Rabies, DHPP, bordatella
Temperament: Nice older gentleman, sweet and full of life
Traveling with: health records; collar/leash
GRIFFIN & ROSCOE FROM: Libby's Haven foster in Lake City, PA - Maria, firstname.lastname@example.com (originally from Licking County Pound, Licking Cty., OH)
ALL TO: Libby's Haven for Senior Canines, Canterbury, NH
Website: http://www.lhsk9.org Contact: Melissa Dudley firstname.lastname@example.com
COORDINATOR: Sheri Hearn Lazar/Michigan, email@example.com
Cellphone: 734-904-2895


text:
NIU lost bowl, but Huskies came out winners
MIAMI -- It all sounded so right.
Go down to Florida, play some golf, have a few beverages and celebrate NIU in the Orange Bowl.
The game is ancillary, is how we had it figured. The thrill is in being selected. The reality is that it might not be much of a contest, and that the best part of the adventure would be the month leading up to the game.
So we don't care, is what we thought, about what actually happens in Miami.
It sounds so right and is so easy to say -- until you get within sight of the stadium.
And then, just that suddenly, it's not about the invitation.
You realize you care very much about the game. Not about keeping it close, but about winning the game.
And then they flip the coin and it's no joke anymore. You stay within shouting distance for a half, and in the third quarter you have the football with a chance to tie the score.
You start thinking you might have a shot to win the Orange Bowl -- and you understand it's not just a marketing tool for NIU anymore.
This happened to nearly everyone I saw in Florida who traveled south to support NIU.
So it was with much difficulty that 35,000 Huskies fans trudged out of Sun Life Stadium Wednesday morning -- at least I think it was Wednesday morning here by the time it finally ended.
It was rather sad, actually. This was a game NIU could have won had their offense done anything at all, had their offense been anything resembling their regular-season offense.
The defense did its part against Florida State, but NIU QB Jordan Lynch had a rough night, and when he's not right, there's nothing much right about the NIU offense.
Yes, FSU has a terrific defense, but there were plays to be made and NIU simply missed them.
Lynch was impatient in the run game and forced throws when he had time. On this night, and unlike the entire season, Lynch didn't look like one of the top offensive players in college football.
Being chased to the sideline late in the third quarter, his interception deep in FSU territory with NIU down a touchdown -- not long after recovering an onside kick -- was the pivotal moment in the game.
It was still a two-score game with 11 minutes left and again on FSU's side of the 50 when a turnover turned it into a 21-point rout.
So it was a bit of a tease, seeing NIU march down the field in the third quarter with a chance to tie it, but even Kirk Herbstreit would have to admit that the Huskies made a game of it.
The worst part after the game was seeing the faces of the NIU students who had made the long trek to Southern Florida. They knew they faced a miserably long bus ride home, a trip made longer by an ugly fourth quarter.
The announced attendance was 72,073 and it was easily half NIU fans. What made it tougher is that many who made the trip probably spent money they could have used for more important things.
But moms and dads, aunts and grandmothers, teachers and friends told these kids that this is what they should do, that this opportunity will never come again, and that one day they will want to say they went to this game.
After a frustrating defeat, and enduring taunts from the FSU faithful, there were no smiles as NIU students loaded onto their buses.
But a new dawn brought a bright, warming sun, and the reminder that this was a gift of the most unexpected kind. It was the chance of a lifetime, and with a couple hours' sleep and three cups of coffee Wednesday morning, I remembered that the journey to the Orange Bowl was a huge victory.
NIU in the Orange Bowl. Seriously? I still can't say it without laughing.
Once the students return to campus, and ponder the miracle that was this BCS bowl berth, they will smile again.
They will remember the tremendous 2012 season, the brilliance of Lynch, the 12-game winning streak, and the 50 things that had to go right the last three weeks of the season for this to be possible.
No, the game didn't turn out the way we wanted, but we got to see NIU in the Orange Bowl, and for 50 minutes they thrilled us with the hope that they might even win the game.
It didn't happen, but NIU showed up.
Kirk Herbstreit? He can eat rocks.
•Hear Barry Rozner on WSCR 670-AM and follow him @BarryRozner on Twitter.


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A Dutch motivational speaker's attempt to legally change his age so that he is twenty years younger has been rejected by a court. Emile Ratelband made headlines in early November when he argued that he should be allowed to modify his date of birth in the same way that people can alter their legal name or gender. His odd case drew chuckles from a number of quarters when it was revealed that part of his reasoning for the request was that he was hoping to improve his luck on the dating app Tinder.
To their credit, the district court in the Netherlands tasked with hearing Ratelband's case did not dismiss his case with a laugh and, instead, offered a rather reasoned response to the request. In a statement announcing their decision, they explained that they found that allowing him to change his date of birth "would have a variety of undesirable legal and societal implications."
Find out their specific concerns at the Coast to Coast AM website.


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EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - The Los Angeles Kings reached the Stanley Cup finals with a zealous dedication to a detailed game plan - and a remarkable willingness to throw it out the window when necessary.
The Kings used both facets of their personality in a 3-2 overtime victory over the New York Rangers in the finals opener on Wednesday, and they realize it might be necessary again in Game 2 on Saturday.
The Kings won the Western Conference with four distinct line combinations playing together for the vast majority of their first 21 playoff games. After Los Angeles fell behind 2-0 to the Rangers, coach Darryl Sutter briefly shuffled all four centers to spark his team, and it worked.
"I think we started out slow," center Jeff Carter said Thursday on the Kings' day off. "We didn't have our legs, I think, from puck drop. When you get down 2-0, you've got to do something to get everybody going. (We) flip-flopped a little bit there. It started working for us, so we kept going with it."
But when the Kings fell into another multigoal deficit in the first period of the series opener, coach Darryl Sutter made changes on the fly. Jarret Stoll took Carter's place with the kids. Carter went to the fourth line, where he immediately assisted on a goal by grinder Kyle Clifford.
Mike Richards played with Gaborik and Brown, and Kopitar moved onto Stoll's original line.
Carter, second in the NHL with 23 playoff points, had been dominant in the postseason on a line with youngsters Tyler Toffoli and Tanner Pearson - dubbed "That 70s Line" because their jersey numbers are all in the 70s. Anze Kopitar had been centering goal-scorer Marian Gaborik and captain Dustin Brown in a potent scoring trio.
But when the Kings fell into another multigoal deficit in the first period of the series opener, coach Darryl Sutter made changes on the fly. Jarret Stoll took Carter's place with the kids. Carter went to the fourth line, where he immediately assisted on a goal by grinder Kyle Clifford. Mike Richards played with Gaborik and Brown, and Kopitar moved onto Stoll's original line.
"It wasn't the start we wanted," said Clifford, who hadn't scored a playoff goal since April 2011. "Decided to make line changes. Just went from there. Everybody just went about their game, tried to make it better."
The Kings rarely make such wholesale changes, and Sutter shuffled his deck again several times during the game.
He figured the Kings might benefit from a jolt of unfamiliarity after dragging through the first period just 72 hours after their cathartic overtime victory at Chicago in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals.
"Partway through the first period, I recognized guys didn't have their game," Sutter said. "It was a lot of guys. Jeff played a lot with Kyle and Trevor. Stolly played with everybody. Basically, we were trying to manage (Kopitar's) game."
Kopitar is the leading scorer in the NHL postseason with 24 points, but he has just one goal in 15 games since the first round. On television during Game 1, Wayne Gretzky said Kopitar is the league's third-best player behind Sidney Crosby and Jonathan Toews, a declaration that made Kopitar smile when he heard about it.
"The guys just really showed the character yet again to battle through, no matter what - slow legs, sloppy play, their good start," Kopitar said.
Sutter has found exceptional balance in his line combinations during both of the Kings' runs to the Stanley Cup finals in the past three years. Just as Carter's arrival in a trade in 2012 allowed Sutter to balance out his lines, the acquisition of Gaborik from Columbus in March helped transform the low-scoring Kings into the NHL's highest-scoring playoff team.
The Kings might have changed linemates, but their forwards didn't change their dedication to puck possession and defense. Both of the Rangers' goals came on scoring chances created by mistakes from the Kings' defensemen, and Los Angeles limited New York to three shots in the third period.
''For our team, it's just a result of us being together for a long time," Brown said. "I think that goes a longer ways than most people think."


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PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) ? A 75-year-old Detroit-area woman is returning to court for her sentence in the fatal shooting of her teen grandson.
PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) ? A 75-year-old Detroit-area woman who killed her grandson expressed remorse Thursday but repeatedly accused his parents of dumping a troubled boy at her doorstep during a desperate, emotional plea to avoid a prison sentence that likely means death behind bars.
The judge wasn't swayed, sending Sandra Layne away for at least 22 years and capping a wrenching case that revealed family strife, adolescent rebellion and fatal consequences.
Joanthan Hoffman was shot six times, including twice in the back, last spring in Oakland County's West Bloomfield Township. Layne, a former teacher and real estate agent, said she shot him out of fear during a physical altercation, but a jury in March rejected her claim of self-defense.
Prosecutors said there were no signs of Layne being injured by Hoffman. A recording of a 911 call shows him being shot again while pleading for help ? a critical piece of evidence that jurors played over and over during deliberations. Judge Denise Langford Morris zeroed in on it, too, wondering why Layne simply didn't call police if she felt helpless.
"Grandmothers are supposed to protect. ... Why did you keep shooting and how could you keep shooting?" Morris asked. "You didn't have to keep shooting. Those were hollow-pointed bullets designed for a devastating impact."
Layne sobbed heavily during a long, rambling address to the judge, her belly chains and handcuffs sagging over orange jail clothes on her slight frame.
"I'm sorry for what I did. I apologize to everyone I've hurt, everyone. ... Sorry is too small a word," she said, pleading with Morris to not allow her to die in prison.
She will get credit for 11 months served in jail. Any release from prison after serving the minimum sentence would be determined by the Michigan parole board.
Hoffman was living with his grandmother during his last year of high school while his parents lived in Arizona where a daughter was being treated for a brain tumor. He had a history of drug use and had tested positive for synthetic marijuana on the day of the shooting. Layne claimed he feared flunking probation and demanded money and a car to leave the area.
Prosecutors, however, said Hoffman was wearing just shorts and socks when he was killed and had made plans to see a friend that night, not flee.
Prosecutor Paul Walton, noting the minutes that went by before Layne shot the boy again, said he had never handled a homicide "this cold, this long and this calculating."
Hoffman's father did not attend the hearing because he was in Arizona with his 16-year-old daughter, Jessica, who is recovering from a tumor. Michael Hoffman said the girl "has a hole in her heart to match the hole in her head" since her brother's death.
In a letter read by the prosecutor, the father said Layne "put on her war paint and came in gunning for my boy." He accused Layne of killing his son because he was ready to move on after high school and she would no longer be able to control him.
Layne's daughter, Jennifer Hoffman, urged the judge to show no mercy.
"She showed no mercy when she planned, stalked and murdered my son in his bedroom. Sandra Layne is pure evil and if given the opportunity would surely kill again," Jennifer Hoffman said.
Layne blamed the parents for not taking Jonathan back to Arizona and said her grandson's drug use made him unmanageable for an elderly woman. She accused Michael Hoffman of giving up on the boy and said she pleaded with the pair to return to Michigan when drugs landed him in the hospital.
"If I could go back, I never would have bought that gun," Layne told the judge. "I would have said to his parents it's their responsibility, help him, take him."
Outside court, Jennifer Hoffman said her mother was lying about any indifference by parents. She said she visited Michigan once a month.
"She's a complete narcissist. ... I wish I had seen how evil she was. I wouldn't have left my son with her," Jennifer Hoffman told reporters.
Layne's husband, Fred, and son, Scott Silvers, declined to comment on the sentence. The judge said Hoffman probably belonged in a rehab center or another place outside his grandmother's supervision but instead "is in his grave at 17."
"Make no mistake," Morris said, "Jonathan is the victim here."


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I tried to log in from my iPad and incurred the wrath of the malevolent demi-god Captcha. It wants me to drag-n-drop certain response to comply but I seem to be unable to complete this task with press-n-hold Apple technology.
Can some benevolent deity reset my need to do this? I'd like to be able to login while away from home.


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i know in the feedback i gave you i said don't diss internet forum rappers but, thats for audio, i aint recordin this throwaway shit for anybody to hear, i'm just fuckin with you on this site, stupid fuck
anyways, Link Of Feed: viewtopic.php?f=38&t=174653&p=2831986#p2831986
Move to the back of the line again!
Having a tough time finding a song by you i like
no style. and nobody pays attention to the shit you write
compare you to soulja boy, but then again, at least he got noticed
only way people will talk about you is if you get your throat slit
and compared to Eminem? maybe his song fack you wack shit
fact is you need to stop tryin to rap bitch
put the mic back kid, matter of fact, give me the pen
here kid, let me give you a reason to take a shot at me again
Jaba the who? the what? bitch shut the fuck up you fucked up
fuckin with me, your lucks up, bitch you get fucked up,
when i listen to you, it reminds me of when i first started recording
exept back then even i didn't sound so fuckin boring
and the reason Eedee didn't feature you is cuz bitches get no play
thats like tryin to put Andy Milonkis on a song with Kanye
your raps just make us laugh kid, stop tryin to get on with the best
move your wack ass to the back of the line with the rest


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At Monday's village board meeting police officers and the department of public works and others were lauded for their actions on Nov. 19, which resulted in the capture of an armed bandit before he got out of town.
At Monday's village board meeting police officers and the department of public works and others were lauded for their actions on Nov. 19, which resulted in the capture of an armed bandit before he got out of town.
Wellsville Mayor Bradley Thompson thanked the village police department, Greg Sammons, Don Kane and Matt Heller of the Alfred State University Police; Bolivar Police Chief Rick Whitney; Allegany County Sheriff's Department deputies, Kevin Ross, Dan Hanchett, Sheriff William Tompkins and Undersheriff Will Goetschius; New York State Police Troop A officers, and officers both on and off duty, Brian Johnson, Jeff Monroe, Mike Nye, Lt. Tim Walsh, Mark Bierman, Chad Green and John Doherty and dispatchers who responded to the scene.
But that wasn't all, when Public Works Director Bill Whitfield told Thompson his men, Malcom Gordon, Steve Allen and Kevin Murphy heard the call they responded to block traffic, the mayor thanked them too. And when Wellsville Police Chief Steve Mattison said Town Highway Supervisor Dean Arnold, responded, "unasked," with road barricades and phones, officers were freed up to respond to the scene, he also was thanked for his effort.
"Last week, on Monday, we had an event in Wellsville that has never happened before, and hopefully will never happen again," Thompson said. "All Wellsville village police should be commended. I can't remember the last time any of our policemen were shot at. A lot of officers who weren't even on duty, heard the call and came out to help their fellow officers.
"Sometimes we hear a lot of debate as to whether our police force is worth the cost," continued Thompson. "I think they proved they are last Monday."
At around 9:30 a.m. Nov. 19, an armed man allegedly held up the Rite Aid Pharmacy on the Bolivar Road at gunpoint and demanded drugs. Although he escaped out a back door, his effort to make a clean getaway was thwarted by a retired sheriff's deputy and on-duty village officers responding to calls for help.
The gunman was held at bay in a commercial van for nearly 30 minutes, and then made a run for it in the stolen van. A chase ensued, which ended when he was forced off the road and sheriff's deputy Kevin Ross slammed his car head on into the van stopping it about a mile west on the Bolivar Road.
"There were only minor injuries and no one was wounded," Thompson said. "The officers stopped the robbery attempt with competency and cooperation, and they should be commended for their work."
Mattison said he had written letters of thanks to everyone involved and Whitfield said he is in the process of writing letters to his men who responded.


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Palo Alto's Jeremy Lin still has the hot hand in New York.
Lin scored 23 points for the Knicks in their win over the Washington Wizards Wednesday night. It was Lin's third-straight game with more than 20 points.
The New York Times reports Lin has been sleeping on his brother's couch for the last six weeks. Josh Lin is a dental student at New York University. He lives in a one-bedroom apartment on Manhattan's Lower East Side. Jeremy Lin's contract with the Knicks is worth nearly $80,000, but that money was not guaranteed until Tuesday afternoon.
Lin's rise to national fame started Saturday when he led the Knicks with 25 points. He topped that total Monday night with 28. It is a unlikely road to stardom. Lin was not drafted as a rookie in 2010.
The Warriors signed him as a free agent, but cut him from the team in December.
The Houston Rockets picked him up, and dropped him a short time later. The Knicks acquired Lin on December 27th but he sat on the bench until injuries forced him into the starting lineup this past weekend.
Below is some of the fun Lin had while he was a Golden State Warrior.


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Dark Horse has plenty in store for October inluding the return of Kir Kanos and the Imperial Guardsmen in the six issue series, Crimson Empire III: Empire Lost !!! Just in time for TPM's anticipated 3D re-rerelease, Episode I Adventures and The Phantom Menace adaption also hits the stands. These titles and much more ahead!
STAR WARS: CRIMSON EMPIRE III—EMPIRE LOST #1 (of 6)
Mike Richardson (W), Paul Gulacy (A/Variant cover), Michael Bartolo (C), and Dave Dorman (Cover)
On sale Oct 26
FC, 40 pages
Star Wars: Crimson Empire, the story of the last Imperial Guardsman, returns after over a decade of anticipation!
The reach of the New Republic is expanding, but the days of fighting for the galaxy have not ended. A threat against Princess Leia and Han Solo's family disrupts usual business on Coruscant—and Luke Skywalker's Jedi training on Yavin 4!
In another part of the galaxy, a former Imperial Guardsman turned bounty hunter, Kir Kanos, is ready to settle an old score after three years in hiding—if a new adversary doesn't kill him first!
• The original creative team returns!
STAR WARS: DARK TIMES—OUT OF THE WILDERNESS #4 (of 5)
Mick Harrison (W), Douglas Wheatley (A), Dan Jackson (C), and Pablo Correa (Cover)
On sale Nov 2
FC, 32 pages
The mystery man is revealed! If Boba Fett is the man you call when you want someone captured, Falco Sang is the one to call when you want someone dead. Sang has been on Dass Jennir's trail for months, and now the Jedi is in his sights.
But Sang isn't the only one searching for Jennir, and he should be careful that he doesn't come between Jennir and Darth Vader!
Henry Gilroy (W), Mark Schultz (W), Timothy Truman (W), Ryder Windham (W), Steve Crespo (P), Martin Egeland (P), Chris Chuckry (I/C), P. Craig Russell (I), Tim Bradstreet (Cover), and others
On sale Jan 4
FC, 120 pages
TP, 5 1/4" x 7 1/2"
The main characters from Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace—Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn, and Queen Amidala—have unseen adventures set within the timeframe of the film. This volume collects Star Wars: Episode I—Anakin Skywalker; Star Wars: Episode I—Queen Amidala; Star Wars: Episode I—Qui-Gon Jinn; Star Wars: Episode I—Obi-Wan Kenobi; and Star Wars: Episode I #1/2.
• Discover what each of these characters was doing during the moments they weren't onscreen!
• Featuring Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan!
• Kid-friendly digest-sized format!
Henry Gilroy (W), Rodolfo Damaggio (P), Al Williamson (I), Dave Nestelle (C), Harold MacKinnon (C), Ravenwood (Cover)
On sale Jan 4
FC, 104 pages
TP, 5 1/4" x 7 1/2"
A perfect companion to the release of Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace in 3-D, this adaptation is a must-read for any Star Wars follower. Characters that have now become icons in the Star Wars mythos and events that laid the foundation for the ongoing epic struggle between the Jedi and the Sith got their start in Episode I. This collects Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace #1-#4.
• The official movie adaptation!
• Kid-friendly digest-sized format!
• A companion to the 3-D rerelease!
STAR WARS: INVASION—REVELATIONS #4 (of 5)
Tom Taylor (W), Colin Wilson (A), Wes Dzioba (C), and Chris Scalf (Cover)
On sale Oct 12
FC, 32 pages
Queen Nina and Princess Kaye's attack on the Yuuzhan Vong collaborators on Shramar has brought Warmaster Tsavong Lah and his armada to the scene.
But the New Republic has some special forces in reserve: namely, every free ship in the sector! It's a space battle of epic proportions as pirate ships, freighters, and Imperial vessels join the New Republic's fleet against the invaders from another galaxy!
STAR WARS: KNIGHT ERRANT—DELUGE #3 (of 5)
John Jackson Miller (W), Iban Coello (P), Sergio Abad (I), Michael Atiyeh (C), and Joe Quinones (Cover)
On sale Oct 19
FC, 40 pages
Jedi Knight Kerra Holt's elation at the prospect of being part of a team again has quickly deflated now that she realizes the motives of the Republic's Devil Squadron are a far cry from her own. But with crime lord Zodoh the Hutt returning to Kerra's home planet and the Sith Lord Daiman about to enter the fight, Kerra must sort out her allies or be destroyed!
• John Jackson Miller's Knight Errant novel is a New York Times bestseller!
STAR WARS: THE OLD REPUBLIC—THE LOST SUNS #5 (of 5)
Alexander Freed (W), George Freeman (P), Dave Ross (P), Mark McKenna (I), Michael Atiyeh (C), and Benjamin Carré (Cover)
On sale Oct 12
FC, 32 pages
Republic spy Theron Shan puts all he has into surviving—and stopping—the Sith's star-killing Sun Razer. This megaweapon must be destroyed and the Republic must be warned of the threat!
Alexander Freed, senior writer of the online game The Old Republic, brings this story to a thrilling close, preparing readers for the biggest Star Wars event of 2011!
Various (W/A)
On sale Dec 14
FC, 464 pages
TP, 6" x 9"
In this volume: Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine are targeted for assassination by rogue Imperial officers; Princess Leia gets her first taste of war and the sacrifices the coming rebellion will require; Vader, after surviving the destruction of the Death Star, must fight to become the leader of a pack of savage beasts; and many other stories!
This volume collects Star Wars: Empire #1–#6, part of #9, #10–#11, #13–#14, #19–#22, #24–#25, #31, and the complete novel-length story "Betrayal"!


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Watch Tuesday, August 12, 2014 at 8pm on WORLD.
Once known as the "California Riviera," the Salton Sea is now called one of America's worst ecological disasters: a fetid, stagnant, salty lake, that coughs up dead fish and birds by the thousands in frequent die-offs that occur. However, amongst the ruins of this man-made mistake, a few remaining eccentrics (a roadside nudist, a religious folk artist, a Hungarian revolutionary, and real estate speculators) struggle to keep a remodeled version of the original Salton Sea dream alive.
Accidentally created by an engineering error in 1905, reworked in the 50's as a world class vacation destination for the rich and famous, suddenly abandoned after a series of hurricanes, floods, and fish die-offs, and finally almost saved by Congressman Sonny Bono, the Salton Sea has a bittersweet past. The film shares these people's stories and their difficulties in keeping their unique community alive, as the nearby cities of Los Angeles and San Diego attempt to take the agricultural water run-off that barely sustains the Salton Sea.
While covering the historical, economic, political, and environmental issues that face the Sea, Plagues and Pleasures on the Salton Sea offers an offbeat portrait of the peculiar and individualistic people who populate its shores. It is an epic western tale of fantastic real estate ventures and failed boomtowns, inner-city gangs fleeing to white small town America, and the subjective notion of success and failure amidst the ruins of the past.
America ReFramed presents a rich and fascinatingly important conversation on water, with special guest Professor Upmanu Lall, Director of the Water Center at Columbia University's The Earth Institute.


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pop culture, tennis, celebrities, music, news, geek related stuff and anything else I fancy
Monday, April 01, 2013
Kim Clijsters Usana commercial
1 comment:
- James Harrison said...
Hi Lurker
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Two-Time Grammy Award Winner Liz Phair joins as Composer
LOS ANGELES, CA � February 18, 2010 - Oscar, Emmy and Grammy winner Rita Moreno ("Cane," "The Guardian") and 4-time Emmy winner Allison Janney ("The West Wing," "Juno") guest star in season 3 in the USA Network hit original series, IN PLAIN SIGHT, starring Mary McCormack, returning on its new night -- Wednesday, March 31 at 10/9c. Critically acclaimed actors Steven Weber ("Wings," "Studio 60"), Tess Harper ("No Country for Old Men," "Breaking Bad") and Josh Cooke ("Committed," "Four Kings") have also been cast to guest star.
Moreno guests as Raph's (Cristian de la Fuente) Aunt Rita who takes the town by storm, helping Mary and Raph plan their wedding. Janney guest stars as a newly-appointed US Marshal for the district who butts heads with Mary (McCormack). Weber stars in two episodes as a brilliant and charming FBI agent who has different point of view on the handling of federal witnesses. Harper will appear as a take-no-prisoners Federal Prosecutor who thinks a win in court is the most important thing -- despite the personal costs to a witness. And Cooke plays in the role of the very first witness of Mary and Marshall's (Frederick Weller) first case together.
On another creative front, two-time Grammy winner Liz Phair ("90210," "Swingtown") brings a whole new artistic element to an already strong creative team as the hit show's music composer. The singer/songwriter's debut album, Exile in Guyville, was enthusiastically praised upon its 1993 release. Phair went on to release multiple award-winning albums including whitechocolatespaceegg, Whip-smart and the self-titled Liz Phair.
As previously announced, showrunner John McNamara ("The Fugitive," "Eyes") has joined the show this year as writer/executive producer, helping to elevate the narrative drive, the production value and the production design. IN PLAIN SIGHT is shot entirely on location in and around Albuquerque, NM.
N PLAIN SIGHT was the most watched series on basic cable Sundays in 2009, drawing 2.43 million P25-54, 2.07 million P18-49, 5 million total viewers and 3.72 million households. IN PLAIN SIGHT was the #1 new series on cable in 2008, and has a key player in the #1 cable network's line-up of hit shows. The show stars McCormack as Mary Shannon, a U.S. Marshal working in the highly secretive branch of the witness protection program (WITSEC) who relocates Federal Witnesses � some of whom are career criminals, and some are innocents who had the misfortune of witnessing a major crime. They all have one thing in common � someone wants them dead. Mary's job is to see that doesn't happen, while at the same time attempting to manage her own dysfunctional family. IN PLAIN SIGHT also stars Frederick Weller, Nichole Hiltz, and Paul Ben-Victor. Returning as guest-stars for season three include Lesley Ann Warren and Mary's mother Jinx, Cristian de la Fuente as Mary's fiance and Joshua Malina ("The West Wing") as Peter, Brandi's boyfriend who she met at an AA meeting.
This season kicks off in dramatic fashion as Mary (McCormack) and Marshall (Weller) search for the person who nearly killed Mary in the season two cliffhanger. Other early episodes will feature a story about Mary first joined WITSEC and teamed up with Marshall; a story about the struggle of a former high line thief who tries to give up crime for the sake of his teenage son; and a story about a witness awake who has been protected by Mary during his three-year coma who awakes to find he is the only eye-witness that can put a vicious weapons trafficker behind bars.
IN PLAIN SIGHT is from Universal Cable Productions.
USA Network is the #1 network in all of basic cable and is seen in over 98.5 million U.S. homes. A division of NBC Universal, USA is the cable television leader in original series and home to the best in blockbuster theatrical films, acquired television series and entertainment events. The award-winning USA website is located at www.usanetwork.com. Characters Welcome.
USA Network is a program service of NBC Universal Cable a division of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience.


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Blake Shelton Kicks Off Oklahoma Tornado Benefit With 'God Gave Me You'
Blake Shelton opened up his 'Healing in the Heartland' benefit for Oklahoma with a stirring rendition of his hit single 'God Gave Me You' on Wednesday night (May 29).
The show began with scenes of the devastation in Moore, Okla. after the tornado ripped through town. "We thought we were dead," one survivor recounted, telling the story of how he and his family stayed inside a storm cellar as the wind pounded on the door, threatening to rip them out.
Shelton's concert sold out within minutes of going on sale, and the support of his fellow Oklahomans was palpable as he performed the song. He raised a big cheer when he shouted, "God gave me people like you!" altering the lyrics a bit during the live performance.
The singer reiterated that fans at home can donate $10 to the United Way by calling 1-800-890-4999, or texting "REBUILD" to 52000.


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Carnauba Wax
What: Carnauba Wax is a wax from the leaves of the palm Copernicia Prunifera, a plant found in northeastern Brazil. It is hypoallergenic, very emollient and has a high melting point — perfect for thickening skin care products (Wiki).
When used in cosmetics, Carnauba Wax gives the product a smooth application and glossy finish. It also helps to keep the product in pliable, yet solid, form (Truth in Aging).
Origin: Carnauba Wax is obtained from the leaves of the carnauba pam, usually by beating them to loosen the wax, which is then refined.
Products found in: Lipstick, eyeliner, mascara, eye shadow, foundation, deodorant, skin care, body moisturizers, hair products, sun care, hair removal products.
Alternative Names: Brazil Wax; Carnauba; Carnauba Wax; Copernicia Cerefera Wax; Copernicia Cerifera Wax; Waxes, Carnauba; Waxes, Copernica Cerifera; Carnauba Waxes; Copernica Cerifera Waxes; Coperniia Cerifera Wax.
Toxicity: Sodium Hyaluronate is generally classified as non-toxic or harmful by The Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Database..