text:
Chemistry is a core science subject that touches almost every aspect of our daily lives and will become increasingly important in our future knowledge-based society. Chemists develop life-saving drugs, medical devices, materials and sensors that can enhance our quality of life and environment beyond measure.
Four-year MSci degrees are available for high-calibre students with the ability and aspiration to practice Chemistry at the highest levels. BSc students with excellent performance may transfer to the MSci up to the end of Stage 2.
Featuring a common curriculum in the first Semester which offers the possibility of transfers between the departmental subjects. The interface between science and engineering provides a unique environment for teaching and research.
Information on the implications of Brexit for prospective students.
Course content
|While providing dedicated subject-specific learning, our Chemistry degrees strongly emphasise opportunities to develop generic problem-solving and reflective-working practices applicable to a range of career paths and patterns of employability.
Many of the elements of the BSc are in common with the MSci programme, and allow students to transfer between the two pathways, subject to meeting the appropriate programme requirements.
All degrees are modular, with six modules in each year. All provide a thorough training in the main subject areas (Analytical, Inorganic, Organic and Physical Chemistry) through compulsory core modules which offer in-depth study of these areas.
|Stage 1
|Students study a common programme with the Chemical Engineers, giving them an understanding of how the two subjects relate to each other and an opportunity to transfer if they decide they are better suited to the other discipline. Key to this is a course structure permitting students to study both introductory Chemistry, and Chemical Engineering, alongside a couple of skills modules equipping students to proceed on either degree programme.
In the second semester students take three modules covering the main fundamental subject areas; analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry.
Stage 1 courses are outlined below:
Introductory Mathematics for Chemists and Engineers
Skills for Physical Chemistry
Organic Chemistry Level 1
Inorganic Chemistry 1
Physical Theory
|Stage 2
|Students are required to take six modules of chemistry, designed to extend their knowledge of the traditional subject areas of analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry, in addition to introducing aspects of applied chemistry, spectroscopy and theoretical chemistry. Each of the modules contain both practical and coursework components allowing students to develop, practice and demonstrate a wide range of professional skills.
Stage 2 courses are outlined below:
Structural Chemistry
Organic Chemistry 2
Inorganic Chemistry 2
Industrial and Green Chemistry
Quantum Theory, Spectroscopy and Bonding
Physical Chemistry 2
|Stage 3
|In addition to advancing the main subject areas of analytical, organic, inorganic and physical chemistry, students can also select a number of applied options allowing opportunities to specialise (including double-weighted advanced practical work) which will help them experience the full breadth of key areas in Chemistry and acquire both subject-specific and generic skills to act as a springboard to a successful career.
Different pathways offer opportunities to specialise. The specialist pathways available consist of additional elements which are detailed below:
MSc Chemistry with Study Abroad: Students spend their third year in an overseas academic institution then return to Queen's for a final year of study.
BSc Sandwich Degrees:
Students spend their third year working in industry - subject to the availability of a suitable placement - then return to Queen's for a final year of study.
MSc with a Year in Industry:
Students spend their fourth year working in industry - subject to the availability of a suitable placement - then return to Queen's for a final year of study.
BSc Medicinal Chemistry:
Students take modules which include Biochemistry, Genetics and Medicinal Chemistry, and undertake a medicinal or biological project.
There are also BSc Sandwich and MSc with Industry courses in Medicinal Chemistry.
Stage 3 courses are outlined below:
Inorganic Chemistry 3
Physical Chemistry 3
Advanced Chemistry Options
Organic Chemistry 3
Advanced Practical Work in Chemistry.
|Stage 4
|Students carry out an independent research project.
Stage 4 courses are outlined below:
Chemical Research Project
Stage 4 optional modules (3 out of 5 required):
Advanced Organic Chemistry
Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
Advanced Physical Chemistry
Frontiers in Drug Development
Options in Applied, Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry
Chemistry & Chem Engineering
Dr Manesiotis is a senior lecturer in Analytical Chemistry and the Director of Education in the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. He specialises in developing novel polymerisable building blocks for Molecular Imprinting for applications in bioanalysis, affinity separations, sensors, catalysis, and polymeric sorbents for environmental clean-up.
|Large Group Teaching
|7 (hours maximum)
7 hours of lectures or seminars
|Medium Group Teaching
|6 (hours maximum)
6 hours of practical classes or workshops each week; laboratory hours will increase as more project work is undertaken at Levels 3-4 (as applicable)
|Personal Study
|24 (hours maximum)
22–24 hours studying and revising in your own time each week, including some guided study using handouts, online activities, etc.
|Small Group Teaching/Personal Tutorial
|2 (hours maximum)
2 hours of tutorials (or later, project supervision) each week
At Queen's, we aim to deliver a high-quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable student to achieve their full academic potential.
On the MSci in Chemistry we do this by providing a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts and develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society. We make use of innovative technologies and a world class library to enhance their development as independent, lifelong learners.
Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:
Assessments associated with this course are outlined below:
As students progress through their course at Queen's they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module co-ordinators, placement supervisors, personal tutors, advisers of study and peers. University students are expected to engage with reflective practice and to use this approach to improve the quality of their work. Feedback may be provided in a variety of forms including:
Investment continues to be made in the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering extending our range of facilities. The well-equipped research laboratories are augmented by excellent computational facilities and some of the most modern instrumentation available. The School has recently invested in a lab containing 18 brand new analytical instruments, from HPLC, GC and mass spectrometers, to FT-IR, UV-Vis and Fluorescence spectroscopy, dedicated to the training of analytical techniques.
In addition to an instrument pool containing a range of infrared and ultra violet / visible spectrometers, a circular dichroism spectrometer and polarimeter, major items of equipment possessed by the School include NMR spectrometers, powder X-ray diffractometer,Time of Flight Mass Spectrometers, GC / mass spectrometers, Elemental analyser, Thermal analysers F.T. infrared spectrometers, BET, Scanning electron microscope and a range of the most modern facilities for laser-based spectroscopy, including nanosecond pulsed system.
Entry Requirements
|A level requirements
AAA including Chemistry and a second Science subject + GCSE Mathematics grade C.
|Irish leaving certificate requirements
H2H2H3H3H3H3 including Higher Level grade H2 in Chemistry and a second Science subject + if not offered at Higher Level then Ordinary Level grade O4 in Mathematics
|Access Course
Not considered. Applicants should apply for the BSc Chemistry degree.
|International Baccalaureate Diploma
36 points overall including 6,6,6 at Higher Level to include Higher Level Chemistry and a second Science subject + GCSE Mathematics grade C.
Standard Level grade 4 in Mathematics would be acceptable in lieu of the GCSE requirement.
A minimum of a 2:2 Honours Degree, provided any subject requirements are also met.
|All applicants
Acceptable second Science subjects:
Biology, Computer Science, ICT (not Applied), Environmental Science, Environmental Technology, Geography, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Technology & Design. Other subjects considered on an individual basis.
In addition, to the entrance requirements above, it is essential that you read our guidance below on 'How we choose our students' prior to submitting your UCAS application.
In addition, to the entrance requirements above, it is essential that you read our guidance below on 'How we choose our students' prior to submitting your UCAS application.
Applications are dealt with centrally by the Admissions and Access Service rather than by the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. Once your on-line form has been processed by UCAS and forwarded to Queen's, an acknowledgement is normally sent within two weeks of its receipt at the University.
Selection is on the basis of the information provided on your UCAS form. Decisions are made on an ongoing basis and will be notified to you via UCAS.
For entry last year, applicants for programmes in Chemistry offering A-level/BTEC Level 3 qualifications must have had, or been able to achieve, a minimum of five GCSE passes at grade C or better (to include English Language and Mathematics), though this profile may change from year to year depending on the demand for places. The Selector also checks that any specific entry requirements in terms of GCSE and/or A-level subjects can be fulfilled.
Offers are normally made on the basis of three A-levels. The offer for repeat candidates may be one grade higher than for first time applicants. Grades may be held from the previous year.
Applicants offering two A-levels and one BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/National Extended Certificate (or equivalent qualification) will also be considered. Offers will be made in terms of performance in individual BTEC units rather than the overall BTEC grade(s) awarded. Please note that a maximum of one BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/National Extended Certificate (or equivalent) will be counted as part of an applicant's portfolio of qualifications. The normal GCSE profile will be expected.
Applicants offering other qualifications will also be considered. The same GCSE (or equivalent) profile is usually expected of those candidates offering other qualifications.
The information provided in the personal statement section and the academic reference together with predicted grades are noted but, in the case of degree courses in Chemistry, these are not the final deciding factors in whether or not a conditional offer can be made. However, they may be reconsidered in a tie break situation in August.
A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking would not normally be considered as part of a three A-level offer and, although they may be excluded where an applicant is taking four A-level subjects, the grade achieved could be taken into account if necessary in August/September.
Candidates are not normally asked to attend for interview.
If you are made an offer then you may be invited to a Faculty/School Visit Day, which is usually held in the second semester. This will allow you the opportunity to visit the University and to find out more about the degree programme of your choice and the facilities on offer. It also gives you a flavour of the academic and social life at Queen's.
If you cannot find the information you need here, please contact the University Admissions and Access Service (email@example.com), giving full details of your qualifications and educational background.
For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.
An IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component or an equivalent acceptable qualification, details of which are available at: http://go.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we will be offering Academic English and Pre-sessional courses online only from June to September 2020.
INTO Queen's offers a range of academic and English language programmes to help prepare international students for undergraduate study at Queen's University. You will learn from experienced teachers in a dedicated international study centre on campus, and will have full access to the University's world-class facilities.
These programmes are designed for international students who do not meet the required academic and English language requirements for direct entry.
INTO - English Language Course(QSIS ELEMENT IS EMPTY)
Course content
Studying for the MSci degree in Chemistry at Queen's will assist you in developing the core skills and employment-related experiences that are valued by employers, professional organisations and academic institutions. Graduates from this degree at Queen's are well regarded by many employers (local, national and international) and over half of all graduate jobs are now open to graduates of any discipline, including chemistry.
Athena Swan
The School has been awarded the prestigious Athena SWAN silver award for its work in promoting women in science.
Employment after the Course
MSc Chemistry graduates have entered careers in a wide variety of fields, including the pharmaceutical and fine chemical industry, the forensic services, publishing, marketing, teaching and the financial services.
Employment Links
We regularly consult and develop links with a large number of employers including, for example, Teva, Almac, and Seagate and also have an Industrial Advisory board for the course composed of experienced senior industrial members.
Placement Employers
Our past students have also gained work placement with organisations such as:
Teva (Pharmaceuticals) Almac (Pharmaceuticals)
Norbrook (Veterinary pharmaceuticals) Randox (Medical diagnostics)
Boehringer Ingelheim (Pharmaceuticals)
Many of the research projects within the School have industrial input, and are in collaboration with a wide variety of companies operating in the chemical sector. Given the close working relationships, between industry and the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering new opportunities to expand placements, industrial contact and career opportunities are continually developing.
Professional Opportunities
Queen's is a member of the Russell Group and, therefore, one of the 20 universities most-targeted by leading graduate employers. Queen's students will be advised and guided about career choice and, through the Degree Plus initiative, will have an opportunity to seek accreditation for skills development and experience gained through the wide range of extra-curricular activities on offer. See Queen's University Belfast full Employability Statement for further information.
Degree Plus and other related initiatives
Recognising student diversity, as well as promoting employability enhancements and other interests, is part of the developmental experience at Queen's. Students are encouraged to plan and build their own, personal skill and experiential profile through a range of activities including; recognised Queen's Certificates, placements and other work experiences (at home or overseas), Erasmus study options elsewhere in Europe, learning development opportunities and involvement in wider university life through activities, such as clubs, societies, and sports.
Queen's actively encourages this type of activity by offering students an additional qualification, the Degree Plus Award (and the related Researcher Plus Award for PhD and MPhil students). Degree Plus accredits wider experiential and skill development gained through extra-curricular activities that promote the enhancement of academic, career management, personal and employability skills in a variety of contexts. As part of the Award, students are also trained on how to reflect on the experience(s) and make the link between academic achievement, extracurricular activities, transferable skills and graduate employment. Participating students will also be trained in how to reflect on their skills and experiences and can gain an understanding of how to articulate the significance of these to others, e.g. employers.
Overall, these initiatives, and Degree Plus in particular, reward the energy, drive, determination and enthusiasm shown by students engaging in activities over-and-above the requirements of their academic studies. These qualities are amongst those valued highly by graduate employers.
Additional Awards Gained(QSIS ELEMENT IS EMPTY)
Prizes and Awards(QSIS ELEMENT IS EMPTY)
In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Degree Plus. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.
Entry requirements
Fees and Funding
|Northern Ireland (NI)
|England, Scotland or Wales (GB)
|Other (non-UK) EU *
The undergraduate fees for 2021 entry are set out above.
* The tuition fees that EU students starting courses at UK universities following the agreed transition period are required to pay will depend on what is agreed as part of the UK's exit negotiations. Please refer to www.qub.ac.uk/brexit-advice/information-for-students It is however expected that there will be a specific arrangements put in place for RoI nationals living in the UK and Ireland and those with pre-settled and settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
Tuition fee rates are calculated based on a student's tuition fee status and generally increase annually by inflation. How tuition fees are determined is set out in the Student Finance Framework.
All Students
Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.
Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library.
If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. A programme may have up to 6 modules per year, each with a recommended text.
Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.
Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.
If a final year includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.
Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.
There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
Chemistry costs
Students are required to buy a laboratory coat in year 1 at a cost of approx. £15.
Students have the option to hire a locker each year, at a cost of approx. £10 per student per year (refundable at end of the academic year). Students have the option to join the Royal Society of Chemistry at a cost of approx. £20 per year.
There are different tuition fee and student financial support arrangements for students from Northern Ireland, those from England, Scotland and Wales (Great Britain), and those from the rest of the European Union.
Information on funding options and financial assistance for undergraduate students is available at http://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Undergraduate/Fees-and-scholarships/.
Each year, we offer a range of scholarships and prizes for new students. Information on scholarships available.
Information on scholarships for international students, is available at http://www.qub.ac.uk/International/International-students/International-scholarships/.
How to Apply
Application for admission to full-time undergraduate and sandwich courses at the University should normally be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Full information can be obtained from the UCAS website at: www.ucas.com/students.
When to Apply
UCAS will start processing applications for entry in autumn 2021 from 1 September 2020.
Advisory closing date: 15 January 2021 (18:00). This is the 'equal consideration' deadline for this course.
Applications from UK and EU students after this date are, in practice, considered by Queen's for entry to this course throughout the remainder of the application cycle (30 June 2021) subject to the availability of places.
Applications from International (non-UK/EU) students are normally considered by Queen's for entry to this course until 30 June 2021. If you apply for 2021 entry after this deadline, you will automatically be entered into Clearing.
Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as is consistent with having made a careful and considered choice of institutions and courses.
The Institution code name for Queen's is QBELF and the institution code is Q75.
Further information on applying to study at Queen's is available at: www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Undergraduate/How-to-apply/
The terms and conditions that apply when you accept an offer of a place at the University on a taught programme of study. Queen's University Belfast Terms and Conditions.
Fees and Funding
Queen's University Belfast is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
For more information please read our Equality and Diversity Policy.
Queen's University Belfast is registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC101788
VAT registration number: GB 254 7995 11


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Does 'Devious Maids' promote Latina stereotypes? (TV review)
"Devious Maids," a soapy new concoction from "Desperate Housewives" creator Marc Cherry, is one of those shows that provokes strong, conflicting opinions before it even hits the screen.
Inspired by a hit telenovela, it follows a group of Latina domestic workers who know all the dirty little secrets of their wealthy Beverly Hills employers.
So do we praise it for being a pop-cultural breakthrough -- the first mainstream English-language drama to feature five Latina main characters?
Or do we slam it for being yet another narrow-minded Hollywood production that depicts Latinas in stereotypical, subservient roles?
At least Cherry, a middle-aged white guy, comes into this with some notable backup. His executive-producing partner is Eva Longoria, who played sexy -- and sometimes devious -- Gabby Solis on "Desperate Housewives."
In the runup to the premiere of "Devious Maids," Longoria has been busy defending the show against bloggers who have taken up arms against it.
"What I didn't expect was that much criticism from our own community having not even seen it," she told the Los Angeles Times. "It doesn't define our culture, if we're playing these types of roles."
That said, when it comes to the show's creative approach, Cherry isn't straying very far from his comfort zone. For better or worse, "Devious Maids" features the same frothy mix of scandalous mayhem, mordant humor and sassy camp that "Desperate Housewives" did -- minus the grating voice-over.
Just like Cherry's landmark hit, this show is pegged to a tightly knit group of women: Carmen (Roselyn Sanchez), Marisol (Ana Ortiz), Rosie (Dania Ramirez), Zoila (Judy Reyes) and Valentina (Edy Ganem). And, like "Housewives," it all gets rolling with the discovery of a female corpse, a cryptic note and a murky mystery.
In this case, it's a maid named Flora (Paula Garces) who winds up dead -- murdered at the home of her employers, Evelyn and Adrian Powell (Rebecca Wisocky and Tom Irwin), during a swanky party. A suspect is quickly apprehended, but was he framed? Lots of deep, dark secrets seem to be in the offing.
The show's core cast has good chemistry, and it's important to point out that Cherry does, indeed, play against type when it comes to his crew of housekeepers. These women aren't timid, powerless or relentlessly deferential. They're not one-dimensional. They've got ambitions, smarts and personal agendas.
Carmen, for example, is an aspiring -- and ultra-talented -- singer who hopes that mopping floors for a famous pop star will lead to her big break. Rosie is struggling to bring her son to the United States and works to pay for an immigration lawyer. Marisol is a college-educated woman who has gone undercover to learn the truth about Flora's murder.
In fact, it's the rich white employers who generally get the stereotypical treatment, coming off as shallow, oblivious, heartless and smug. Wisocky's Evelyn, especially, is pretty much just another cartoony take on Cruella de Vil.
At least Susan Lucci brings some soap-opera cred to the proceedings. Lucci, who played the iconic character Erica Kane on "All My Children," gets to go for some laughs here and does it with gusto. She's Genevieve Delatour, a wealthy socialite who obsesses about her age and is borderline nutty.
"Devious Maids" was originally done as a pilot for ABC. But the network rejected it, perhaps because of the hubbub the show would generate, or perhaps because it just doesn't have the same level of freshness, audacity and zing that "Housewives" had when it burst into prime time in 2004.
But then again, what show does? The bottom line is that "Devious Maids," while certainly not perfect, is much more see-worthy than "Mistresses," ABC's dreadful summer soap. Moreover, it has enough kooky class warfare, sexual shenanigans and whodunit intrigue to make for some escapist summer fun.
In the meantime, let's hope that the next prime-time TV show with Latinas at the forefront aims a little higher.

subset: commoncrawl


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Wot I Think: Borderlands 2
Putting All Your Points Into Gun Lust
Jim spent the past ten days in hyper-hyped mega-sequel Borderlands 2. He has killed many things, with many, many guns.
Here's wot he thinks.
Deep breath. This is going to be a long one.
I suppose that to begin with I was a little disappointed with Gearbox's level-based, quest-driven FPS sequel. And it's true that the first few hours of Borderlands 2 are slow, and a little underwhelming. Sure, it's beautiful, but we knew that. And a couple of the jokes made me smirk, but that was a given, too. I began to sit back in my chair a little, wondering if actually I was doing something wrong. I was. But I'll come to that.
The truth is that the first few hours of Borderlands 2 are going to be thoroughly familiar to Borderlands players, albeit with a lot more expositional jabber being directed at you (all of it sits somewhere on the sassy/wacky axis), and familiar deserts replaced with an Arctic landscape that does little to stir the imagination. Not that any of this is fatal, of course, because most of those Borderlands veterans will be here because they enjoyed the original. It's just that, well, for many hours, nothing really stood out. Nothing sang to me in the way that original did. Worse, nothing really raised hairs or widened eyes. There was no "WOW" event to create a blip that you could write next to on the graph of my excitement. And this led to a feeling of unease.
It was immediately better when I turned to play co-op, of course. But that's always true. (Of almost any game.) We knew exactly how it would be true in Borderlands 2: the ramped up intensity of more and tougher baddies, the richer rewards of extra and better loot. It's just the same as it ever was. Only louder and more colourful. Co-op is what makes this game live. To miss that is to miss the point entirely.
But yeah, there's still an army of people who will get through it on their own. Or, like me, have a character for soloing, and others for co-op. Given that my brain is now a sort of petri dish experiment for long-term submersion in videogames, I suspect that my feeling of vague disappointment could be one that appears in other people's experiences, too. They might play a few hours and feel they have serious reservations. But the fact of the matter is that Borderlands 2 just takes its time. That might be an error of judgement: it probably did need a bigger opening few chapters. Being underwhelmed is not a great way to feel at the start of an epic game. But…
But when it gets going, it really puts the pedal to the edge-shaded metal. When the thunder starts to roll, this game reveals itself to be a supercell of a storm.
Borderlands 2 is a minor masterpiece.
Running for cover, under a hail of gunfire, I systematically looted my way down a corridor, and under a canopy, suck ammo from cases and lockboxes as overhead flying enemies tried to blast me with electrical weapons. Bombs were going off, and robots were whirling and stomping towards me. I looked out ahead of me, to where the next slalom of gun-violence would take place, and I realised that the game was singing. Sure, the song was a familiar one about the explosive ending of men and monsters, but the melody was perfect. And more importantly, it had hit a rhythm. I had hit a rhythm, and I didn't want to leave it.
It helped, perhaps, that the backdrop was so perfect. Borderlands 2's environments are a dream of jumbled technologies and alien geologies. Was this thing I was on a dam? It was part shanty town, part technological megalith, part brutalist functionscape, covered in detail and dereliction. And really, it didn't matter what it was, but the fact that someone had thought to design it with such definite purpose and repurpose made me smile. I was only going to fight there for a few minutes at the most, but true craft had been buried in its beams, bulwarks and buttresses.
This is a feeling I got throughout Borderlands 2. It feels like a game that has been cared for, and meticulously smoothed over. There was some bumps, which I will come to, but as an object of design it is exquisite and multitudinous. I found myself taking screenshots of action-free, incidental rooms, and of the menus, repeatedly. And that seems absurd.
Anyway. Returning to that feeling of unease, I have to say that one of the sources of it was a mistake. I chose the bum character. Or, more accurately, the character that was ill-suited to my way of playing. That was my mistake. I chose Zero, because the faceless, lanky assassin looked interesting. I liked the hawk-wielding sniper dude in the original, and expected Zero to be some kind of analogue, albeit with a stealth kick and a sword. But it was not to be. Zero's power involves disappearing and projecting a hologram of himself, before revealing you again with a boosted punch to your next hit. The idea was okay, I suppose – and it got me out of sticky situations – but the execution felt awkward. Worse, my ninja muttered ridiculous "I am become death" gibberish in my ear each time it was fired. Whatever, you wannabe. Shut up, or I'll call the police.
What a relief, then, when on my co-op playthrough I chose the Gunzerker. Obviously I should have chosen this character from the start. His power is to temporarily dual-wield (with additional buffs), and to roar and cackle as he does so. He doesn't say "I am death from the shadows" or anything pretentious like that, he just howls as his guns blaze, and enemies get their hit-points smacked out of their guts like chainsaws being thrown at a piñata. That's what I wanted. Not the ability to run away and hide, but the ability to kill, Kill, KILL. And suddenly the game was a degree of magnitude more magnificent.
You might argue, then, that including Zero was Gearbox's mistake. And perhaps it was. It's true that both the Commando, with his awesome deployable turret, and the Siren with her ability to phase-shift an enemy out of fights entirely, also seem, like Salvador the Gunzerker, superior to Zero. But the real decider of the quality on the Borderlands 2 show is not even the characters – who, as I will mention in a moment, are radically customisable and upgradeable to level few FPS could ever conceive – but the guns.
PC Gamer's Tom Francis made an interesting observation as I began playing the game, saying that the possibility that someone might not have as a good a game because of random guns was a real thing, and he wondered whether it might end up radically changing someone's feeling about the game, if they just happened to get bad hand-cannons, or if they received heavenly pistols. Of course the game always drops some superb weapons in your path, because it's just scripted to do so, but the other aspect of this is that when – and not really if – you get a radically ridiculous weapon, then things change.
This is exactly what happened with my Zero playthrough. At around level twelve I got a super fast-firing rifle that turned its bullets into explosive rockets, and sniper rifle that set people on fire and reloaded in a flash. Both of these were products of Borderlands 2's extraordinary weapon-generation system, which has in it hundreds of thousands of possible combinations. I had just peaked on a wave of randomness, and suddenly the game – and my less-satisfying-than-Gunzerker assassin character – moved into place.
It helped, of course, that this fluke coincided with the point at which the game stepped up, dropped an army of bleeping, burning, crawling-along-the-ground-when-crippled robots on me, and took several sidesteps into madness. While up to that point it had been straining to be zany, and making me roll my eyes, now it was thumping the ground with its crazy stick. And the entire game began to shake with it.
I should mention the skills thing. I am not going to spend any time trying to discuss the details, because you can see the full breakdown here. But I strongly suspect the majority of players are going to end up as a the commando or the gunzerker, just because this is really a game about firepower, and the powers of the Maya and Zero, while effective, aren't really interesting enough to shift the focus from simply being able to put down a lot of damage very quickly.
What's also interesting is that the game has a second layer of buffs, which are earned from your achievements. By completing them you get fractional percent bonuses to things like weapon damage and reload speed, which you can choose from a list. This essentially completes the achievement loop, and I suspect will be widely copied (assuming it's not already been copied from somewhere) because it makes achievements actually part of the game again.
And I suppose we should also make explicit that there's the whole issue of it being level-based hanging over the battlefield. That – as in the original – can have some annoying ramifications, such as you having to leave an area to grind lower quests, so that you can come back and find things a little easier. Or, grinding all those side-quests and blasting through questlines with no challenge. For the majority of the time the rewards you get from killing higher level enemies (more XP) means that you can plough through the main quest line without really spending to much time to divert yourself into sidequesting, but then you miss out. (I did, however, run out of ammo on several occasions, and have to hike back across the (enormous) maps to get stocked up again. No big deal, but I did feel that the game's attempts to entice you off the direct track and into is myriad of secondary missions was very weak. You've got to want to do them to really step off the main line.)
Worse, there's no way to co-op with chums at a different level. You will need to be in a couple of levels of each other for it to work. And that can mean waiting, catching up, creating new characters, and so on. When co-op is such a vital part of the game it seems baffling there there is no level-lending sidekick system to make this easier.
I should also mention that things seem much healthier with the PC version this time. Co-op is seamless drop-in/drop-out based on your Steam friends list, which works far better than Gamespy's awkward (and often router port-fiddling) interface from the original game. It also has a wealth of options both graphically and in terms of controls, as you'd expect from a mature Unreal engine game. The upshot of that is that on a high end machine it runs smoothly and can look spectacular.
Of all the things that I could take away from the experience of playing Borderlands 2, the main one was that, well, there are so many things. The game is enormous. On my second playthrough I am taking time to do more of the sidequests, and there are many, so many many, of these. Some of them are highly inventive. Some are dull, grindy, fetchy excuses for taking your time. Others are just outright strange. I am not sure why I had to murder the shirtless men. I suspect it was a cultural reference that I am missing. It felt like some kind of weird nerd revenge fantasy.
But anyway.
Borderlands 2 contains multitudes. It is a glowing, rolling, bursting-at-the-seams carnival of a game. What it lacks, with its Diablo-with-automatic-weapons levelling-up hyperviolence, are the scripted (dare I go there cinematic) highs of the scene-setting scripted shooters. (Although the appearance of NPCs as characters you can play alongside and interactive is a big step on from the original's static mannequins.) It also lacks any subtlety at all. It's a Molotov cocktail of a game. But it's also a near-miraculous feat of production, from character customisation to the way characters can be seen to be looking at holographic menus when you are actually looking at menus. In videogames, beauty is in the details.
I met one of the developers earlier in the year. He had not worked on the original, and he was quite happy to say that he thought things were easier on this project, precisely because Gearbox had already made the original game. They had existing, tested systems to work with. They had a defined art style, a cast of characters, and a world that everyone knew "feel" of. There was going to be no inchoate pointing at a moodboard, or wondering if the look was okay. No wondering if this system was a waste of time, or that. And I am sure that this was useful, and allowed the current team to stand on the shoulders of giants. It probably was easier to make Borderlands 2. But that should take nothing away from the sheer density of this radioactive slab of game design. It's enormous. It might lack emotional nuance, or tactical and strategic depth, but it makes up for it in screaming madmen on fire, beautiful alien landscapes, fascinating ways to pump lethal light into an Encyclopedia of caricatured monsters, and pumping, seething numbers, always going up, up, up.
Borderlands 2 is not perfect, by any means. I've listed some of the imperfections above. You might have missed them, I suppose, because I was dabbling in hyperbole the rest of the time. I do want to stress that you should be playing this game co-op. For many of you the temptation will just be to plough onewards with single player. I get that. It's a shooter. But please, for the sake of everything in this game, and your own experience, try to find someone to play with. If you don't have any chums then try the RPS community, or the RPS Steam group. Really, it'll be worth finding sidekicks. This game is thoroughly co-op, and you need to taste that.
Ultimately, the point is that this is a masterful game which understands its lot. It's a sort of super-healthy offspring from the original: genetically superior and displaying all the original game's standout traits with flair and confidence. It does do some things wrong. It's basically a known quantity. It's not exactly a rollercoaster all the way through. And you probably won't be all that surprised.
Nevermind all that. It's really about the guns. The many, many guns. And sometimes that's enough.
Borderlands 2 is out now in the US, and on the 21st in Europe.


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Do you have a Web site? If you do, you can distribute Srila Prabhupada's books on it today by joining the German / Deutsch Krishna Store affiliate program! Our affiliate program is an easy way for you to distribute Prabhupada's books, DVDs, MP3s and related Krishna conscious items from your website and to make a commission on each sale - there's hundreds of items to choose from. You'll have total access to the broadest selection of the original teachings of Srila Prabhupada in the form of books and digital media available on the Internet!
Adding a store to your web site is an easy way to make it more valuable to your visitors and increase visits to your site. By simply linking to the German / Deutsch Krishna Store website, you will earn a 10% commission on each sale that is made by a visitor sent to us from your website. And there is NO LIMIT to how many visitors you send or how much they purchase. You will continue to receive commission payments for every sale to a person you send from your website for up to two weeks after he follows the link from your site.
You can sign up right now and start distributing Prabhupada's books on you website and earning commissions today. After you have completed the short application form, perform simply select the links for the products you would like to include on your website and copy and pase the supplied html code into your website. You can search and simply choose from the many links and banners we have provided for your site or create links for the specific products of your choice. German / Deutsch Krishna Store will take care of the rest, processing and fulfilling the orders, as well as tracking how much money you've earned. And remember, being an affiliate with German / Deutsch Krishna Store does not cost you anything.
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On PHPMaster.com today there's a new tutorial posted, the first part of a series, looking at the use of the Standard PHP Library (SPL) in PHP. In this first part of the series, Stefan Froelich looks specifically at two of the more common uses for iterators - working with arrays and directories.
When I first came across the term iteration and saw the overwhelming list of classes related to it in the SPL, I was taken aback. It seemed maybe iteration was too complex for me to grasp. I soon realized it was just a fancy word for something we programmers do all the time. [...] In the first part of this two-part series I'll introduce you to iteration and how you can take advantage of some of the built-in classes from the Standard PHP Library (SPL).
Included in the tutorial is example code showing how to use the ArrayIterator to work with an array and the DirectoryIterator to process the contents of a directory. He also briefly touches on a few other iterators like "FileExtensionFilter", "RecursiveDirectoryIterator" and "RecursiveArrayIterator".


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Summary Report for:
43-4031.00 - Court, Municipal, and License Clerks
Perform clerical duties for courts of law, municipalities, or governmental licensing agencies and bureaus. May prepare docket of cases to be called; secure information for judges and court; prepare draft agendas or bylaws for town or city council; answer official correspondence; keep fiscal records and accounts; issue licenses or permits; and record data, administer tests, or collect fees.
This title represents a group of more specific occupations. For additional information, please select one of the specific occupations below.
Credentials | Wages & Employment | Job Openings | Additional Information
Wages & Employment Trends
|Median wages (2019)
|$18.93 hourly, $39,380 annual
|State wages
|Local wages
|Employment (2018)
|150,500 employees
|Projected growth (2018-2028)
|Average (4% to 6%)
|Projected job openings (2018-2028)
|State trends
|Top industries (2018)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2019 wage data and 2018-2028 employment projections . "Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2018-2028). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.
Job Openings on the Web
Sources of Additional Information
Disclaimer: Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries. Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.


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DWTS Stat Class: What's Running Order Got to Do with It?
With 10 seasons of DWTS behind us now, we're at an interesting place – we've got enough data and scores at our disposal to do some interesting statistical analyses of the show. Ever wonder if there's any interesting patterns in scoring, running order, dance selection, or even pro pairings? Well, wonder no more – because we're about to run those numbers, and bring some surprising patterns to light…I like to call it "DWTS Stat Class". 😀
Here's an interesting fact: out of the 83 regular, weekly eliminations (not counting elims that determined placements in the finals or withdrawals from the competition – the math just gets too tricky with those) in the 10 seasons of DWTS, only 39 of them were couples that were that week's lowest scorer – roughly 47%. So what does that mean? Well, that the other 53% of the time, some factor other than a low score resulted in a couple getting sent home. While the obvious answer to some might be "Well those couples just weren't as popular!", there's no scientific, finite way to measure popularity on the show, and we unfortunately aren't privy to the vote counts for each couple. However, there are other factors we can take an objective measurement of – running order, dance choice, even the pro you're paired with…and that's where some interesting stats pop up.
DISCLAIMER: I am not a professional statistician, nor am I a Vegas sports bookie – I am well aware that these calculations are not perfect, nor are they particularly sophisticated. There are simply too many variables to account for in order make these stats "airtight", and quite frankly, I don't have the time or the desire to try. These are just general observations, to be taken with a grain of salt – so if anyone starts complaining in the comments about this not being "scientific" enough, go run the numbers yourself…I'll even publish your findings on this site. But you don't get to bitch & moan if you can't do better yourself. Mmmmmkay? 😉
Today's topic? Running order. The question: is it possible that the order in which the couples dance on performance night can affect their odds of elimination that week? The answer, based upon my findings: sure seems like it.
Some of you have heard me talk about the "money spot" (dancing last) or the "crap spot" (dancing first) in my power rankings – my general observation is that those who dance last are less likely to get sent home, as their performances are fresh in the viewers' minds when they're voting after the show; those who dance first are more at risk of getting sent home, as an entire show's length has elapsed since their performance and they're often forgotten by the voters.
Well, after taking a closer look at the running order of eliminated couples, it seems as though the numbers are consistent with my first hypothesis – only 3 out of the 83 eliminations were couples that had danced last on performance night (or one of 2 performance nights, if there was no elimination previous week, so the couples would have danced twice before a particular elimination); it may also be worth noting that two of the couples, Joey McIntyre & Ashly Costa and Ty Murray & Chelsie Hightower, were also the low scorers that week (and both were eliminated in the semifinals, when scores are of greater importance) – so their departure may have had more to do with a low score than the order in which they danced. Based on that, it seems to me that, unless a couple does exceptionally poorly any given week, if they dance last – the chances of them getting eliminated that week are slim to none, unless it's one of the final weeks of the competition. Guess if you're a couple having an off-week, you should hope and pray that you get to go last!
As for my "crap" spot hypothesis about going first – I was wrong. Only 11 out of 83 eliminations were from couples that had danced first on performance night (or, again, on at least one of 2 performance nights, if there was no elimination the previous week and the couples danced twice before an elimination). That's only about 13.25%. However, there was an overwhelming percentage of eliminations for couples who danced 2nd in the running order during the week they were eliminated – about 30%, by far the greatest of all the running order positions. And this was regardless of how many couples total danced that week! Of those, only 9 were actually the lowest scorer during the week they were eliminated – so maybe the other 16 were part of the "curse of #2". I guess it makes sense to me – if you go first, you're still at least the first one viewers have seen, so they'll likely remember you because of it; but if you go second (or anywhere in the middle of the pack), you're more likely to get lost in the shuffle. A good example of the new "crap spot" in action – Shannen Doherty. Poor girl got a pretty lousy draw in the running order lottery – she danced 2nd in week one, and 1st in week two…overall, a pretty hard combo to overcome, which may have had something to do with her getting sent home despite not being the week's lowest scorer.
So what about the "middle of the pack" positions, you ask? Well things get a bit tricky there, since there hasn't been the same number of competitors each season, so I'm not going to go into the details of positions 3, 4, 5…etc. However, two interesting points: one, no one who has danced in a position greater than 10th in the running order in a given week has gotten sent home; two, over 70% of the eliminations have been couples who danced in the first half of the show the night they performed. What can we extrapolate from that? Well, it seems like the closer your performance is to the end of the show, the better – if you can't go last, at least you can hope that you perform in the second half of the show, because it seems a helluva lot safer than dancing in the first half!
Here's another interesting tidbit, which I already sort of touched on above: the closer you get to the end of the season, the less running order seems to matter. At about the halfway point in each season, the patterns I've mentioned above seem to show up less frequently – and couples tend to be sent home based more on low score than anything else. Why? Probably because it's easier to get lost in the middle of a big group of couples (such as the first half of the season) than it is to get forgotten in a much smaller group (second half of the season). The fact that people have already established their favorites and know who the strong couples are by the middle of the season may also play a role – the second half of the season really seems to separate the men from the boys (and the women from the girls!), so to speak, and actually giving good performances with high scores tends to matter more.
So what can we conclude about running order, class? 😉
Well, we can't really conclude anything – lord knows this show can be completely unpredictable at times, and no pattern we find is guaranteed to hold true. HOWEVER, we can say it seems as though you're safe if you dance last, pretty safe if you dance in the second half of the show, slightly at a disadvantage if you dance in the first half, and you're almost totally screwed if you dance 2nd. I guess 2nd place really is first place loser 😉 But if it's later in the season – well, then you just better dance like there's no tomorrow!


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Cignal Finder Reporter Arrays
For discovery of signaling pathway response to gene modification or chemical treatment
Cignal Finder Reporter Array allows for the comprehensive analysis of 10 signaling pathways. By screening pathway activities simultaneously, relevant pathways are quickly identified for further analysis. Cignal Finder Reporter Arrays pinpoint the pathways perturbed by a specific gene or drug.
Buy Products
Cignal Finder Reporter Arrays are intended for molecular biology applications. These products are not intended for the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of a disease.
Product Details
Cignal Finder Reporter Arrays can be used in many applications.
Identification of optimal drug doses
Toxicity is one of the primary reasons potential drug candidates fail during development. Identifying potential toxicity and the cellular response to a given concentration or compound can benefit future studies. Toxic compounds or dosages activate various stress response pathways. Cell-based luciferase reporter assays were used to measure 10 stress response pathways using a single 96-well plate.
Tunicamycin inhibits the enzyme GlcNAc phosphotransferase (GPT) and induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. In this study, the Stress and Toxicity 10-Pathway Reporter Array was used to determine the lowest effective concentration of Tunicamycin without activating cellular stress pathways. Results showed that 0.125 µg/ml Tunicamycin is the lowest effective non-toxic dose for glycoprotein synthesis inhibition (see figure "Identification of optimal drug dose").
Cell response to loss of a cancer signaling pathway
The most well-studied tumor suppressor gene is p53. To understand more about the biological function of p53, it is important to measure the signaling pathways affected by p53 knockdown. The Cancer 10-Pathway Reporter Array can help to identify key cancer signaling pathways modulated by p53 knockdown (see figure "Signaling pathways affected by p53 knockdown").
Results showed that knockdown of p53 gene expression downregulates p53 signaling, while upregulating Notch, hypoxia, and MAPK/ERK signaling in HEK-293H cells. Notch signaling is known to be frequently deregulated in human malignancies. Activation of Notch signaling by p53 RNA interference suggests that Notch may function as a proto-oncogene.
Measurement of signaling in response to cytokines
Tumor necrosis factor alfa (TNFα) is a pleiotropic inflammatory cytokine. It is important to determine the key immunology signaling pathways modulated by TNFα. The Immune Response 10-Pathway Cignal Finder Reporter Array may provide valuable information about the signaling pathways involved in the biological response to TNFα.
The Immune Response 10-Pathway Cignal Finder Reporter Array reveals that TNFα activates the NFkB and MAPK/JNK signaling pathways in HeLa cells (see figure Signaling pathways affected by TNFalpha).
Each array includes 10 Cignal Reporter Assays and 2 controls in either a transfection-ready tube or plate format.
Dual-luciferase results are calculated for each transfectant. The change in the activity of each signaling pathway is determined by comparing the normalized luciferase activities of the reporter in treated versus untreated transfectants.
The identically treated negative control serves as a specificity control. The positive control serves as a control for transfection efficiency, by monitoring GFP expression, as well as a positive control for both the firefly and Renilla luciferase assays.
The procedure is comprised of 3 simple steps:
Cignal Finder Reporter Array: Tube Format
Cignal Finder Reporter Arrays in tube format are delivered in 12-tube strips, along with positive and negative controls. The assays are immediately ready for use in the transfection or reverse transfection of the reporter assays into the cell lines of interest (see flowchart "Cignal Finder Array, tube format procedure").
Cignal Finder Reporter Array: Plate Format
Cignal Finder Reporter Arrays in plate format are delivered in a 96-well cell culture plate. Each reporter and control assay is dried down in each column of the plate (8 wells per assay; see flowchart "Cignal Finder Array, plate format procedure").
Cignal Reporter Arrays are highly suited for research into phenotypes associated with RNAi or overexpression experiments, biological responses to small molecules or compounds, and mechanisms of action of proteins, peptides, and ligands.
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Notch's New Typing Game Will Drop Your Confidence
Typing speed is the writer's equivalent of the weight a bodybuilder can bench press. We compare numbers and have frequent competitions to see who has the nimblest digits.
In reality, none of that is true, but if it were, our performance enhancing drug would be Notch's new free browser game, Drop. According to the Minecraft creator, this new diversion was inspired by Super Hexagon, the ending of Fez, and his own ceiling.
Play is simple and quick. The first four letters players must type are always those found in the word "drop." Immediately, the screen uses a tunnel effect to create a sense of motion, with electronic, bass heavy music playing underneath. The time to type the next glowing letter decreases quickly, and a missed character speeds things up even more.
The average game lasts seconds, and it is extremely discouraging as someone who prides himself on accurate, quick typing. You can try Drop out for yourself right now. Just remember to take breaks so your fingers don't cramp up.
[Source: drop.notch.net]


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What Genes Will My Baby Inherit From Me?
What Do You Know About Your Baby's Genes?
How'd you get those dimples or those brown eyes? From your parents, of course! We know that we inherit half of many of our personality and physical traits from mom and dad, but what else do we know about those all-important genes? If you've ever wondered how your wee ones turned out the way they did, take this true or false quiz to see what you know about the role those genes really play!
What Do You Know About Your Baby's Genes?
What mom eats can affect certain genes in her baby.


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Phenology Bibliography
Export 1 results:Author Title Type [ Year]
Filters: First Letter Of Title is I and Author is H. Hanninen [Clear All Filters]
"Increased Heat Requirement For Leaf Flushing In Temperate Woody Species Over 1980-2012: Effects Of Chilling, Precipitation And Insolation". Global Change Biology. Global Change Biology (2015)..


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Boasts 35 Highway MPG and 23 City MPG! This BMW 3 Series boasts a Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 2.0 L/122 engine powering this Automatic transmission. Wheels: 17 x 7.5 Lt Alloy Star-Spoke (Style 393), Wheels w/Silver Accents, Valet Function.
This BMW 3 Series Comes Equipped with These Options
Trunk Rear Cargo Access, Trip computer, Transmission: 8-Speed STEPTRONIC Automatic, Transmission w/Driver Selectable Mode, Tracker System, Tires: P225/50R17 All Season, Tire Specific Low Tire Pressure Warning, Tailgate/Rear Door Lock Included w/Power Door Locks, Systems Monitor, Strut Front Suspension w/Coil Springs.
Expert Reviews!
As reported by The Manufacturer Summary: For over three decades, the BMW 3 Series has continuously set the bar that competitors are measured against in the entry-level luxury sedan category. Since 1977, its design evolution has always been stylish, and contemporary. Over time, the look of each new series has visually followed a logical flow from the version that came before it. Plus, it is instantly recognizable with its signature front grill and iconic BMW logo. The 3 Series has something for a wide range of shoppers, due the multitude of categories it has models available for, such as: the Sedan, Hybrid, Coupe, Convertible, Sport Wagon and Gran Turismo. In addition there is an available Clean Diesel in the 328d and 328d xDrive Sedans. Once inside the 2014 3 Series, experience it's elegantly simple and uncomplicated interior. It utilizes high-end materials, simple shapes, and has made important controls easy for the driver to reach. Plus, inside it is quite roomy, and your rear passengers have a generous amount of legroom as well. The base 320i trims come standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder Engine with 180-Horsepower. It is paired with an equally impressive 8-speed STEPTRONIC automatic transmission. It gets an EPA estimated 23 MPG City and 36 MPG Highway with the Manual Transmission, or 24 MPG City and 36 MPG Highway with the Automatic. In addition, it has standard items such as: leatherette upholstery, a sound system with a 6.5-inch display and 9-speakers, USB Port, dual-zone climate control, rain-sensing wipers, an engine start stop button, and dynamic cruise control. Safety has been taken into account with the 2014 3 Series as well. Every model comes standard with impact sensors that perform a variety of functions in case of a collision such as: turning off electrical systems that could be dangerous, turning on hazard lights, and unlocking doors. Plus, all models come with eight airbags. Experience the 2014 BMW 3 Series for yourself today!
Visit Us Today
Test drive this must-see, must-drive, must-own beauty today at Volkswagen of Fort Myers, 14060 S Tamiami Trl, Fort Myers, FL 33912.


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Season and Spirit: Magickal Adventures Around the Wheel of the Year
The Wheel of the Year is the engine that drives NeoPagan practice. Explore thw magick of the season beyond the Eight Great Sabbats.
Switch: September & the Transition to Autumn
This year September 1st was very hot, approaching 100 degrees, bright and sunny. I love how hot 9/1 is, because I know that 9/30 will be radically different. No matter how hot and sultry September begins, it will end looking and feeling different. The month may start in triple digits but could see a hard frost before it ends. The transition into Autumn doesn't happen in an instant, and certainly this September I had several hot days that felt like late Summer. But as we get closer to, and then pass, the Equinox, the days mellow and ripen as the Summer fades away.
The light becomes more golden, thicker somehow. We are startled to notice how early it gets dark. The trees begin to turn. There's a chill that wasn't present in the early morning, and in the late evening. There are several cultural cues to emphasize this feeling of transition, of change, of excitement as new adventures begin. The new school year, no matter how long it;s been since I was in a classroom, always brings with it a desire to make changes, to shift focus. I want to do more ritual, to deepen and formalize my practice. Everything starts to slow down but all our senses are sharper. The Wheel is turning, and moving us closer to the Descent into the Dark of the Year. We're not quite there yet, but we are moving steadily in that direction. And everything—the trees, the animals and birds and insects, the water, the sky—everything reflects back that turning.
Mabon arrives with plenty of work and leisure. On Mabon I harvested a bunch of new potatoes, but several of those plants were still growing quite well, and with no signs of a frost, so I let them be. Much like any of the projects I sowed during the Ascent from the Underworld, some were ready and some needed more time. Some had come to fruition beautifully, better than I could have imagined. Some did not bear fruit, and some spaces are lying fallow. But all of these have changed, through time and care, from the seeds they were, to what they are now. And all of them are changing again, as we move into Autumn, as we evaluate our harvests and see what our deeds and words have created. We've changed too, since we set those intentions. How have we grown and flowered, what have we created in ourselves, over the course of the Waxing Year. Now that we are on the Wane, so much is coming to light. Just like the potatoes I dug up. And just like those potatoes, I'm grateful for what I harvested, and for what was lost, and for how I have changed and grown. This is a time to be grateful for our harvest, for what we bring to light.
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Orem (Provo) Menu
Tucanos Famous Churrasco
Tucanos® Famous Churrasco Meal includes assorted breads, fried bananas, Unlimited Salad Festival®, and the full Churrasco Selections
Full Churrasco $24.95 · Lunch Special (Mon.-Fri., 11a-3p) $17.95
Saturday Lunch Special (11a-3p) $20.95
Tucanos Children's Churrasco (ages 7-12 only)
Full Churrasco $10.95 · Lunch Special (Mon.-Fri., 11a-3p) $7.95 · Children 6 and under: free with paying adult
Unlimited Grilled Vegetables and Pineapple $3
Churrasco Entrée Selections
Picanha (Pea-CON-ya) Top Sirloin
Alcatra (Al-KAH-tra) Center-Cut Sirloin
Picalho (Pea-CAL-yo) Garlic Parmesan Beef
Assado (Ah-SAH-do) Marinated Beef Brisket
Fraldinha (Frow-Jing-ya) Beef Tender
Medalhão com Bacon - Bacon Wrapped Center-Cut Sirloin
Contra Filé (Con-tra Filet) New York Strip
Peru (Peh-ROO) Turkey wrapped in Bacon
Frango Picante (FRAHN-go pea-KAHN-tchee) Sweet & Spicy BBQ Chicken Thigh
Coração de Frango (Cor-ah-SWON de FRAHN-go)
Frango Com Parmesão (FRAHN-go com par-me-ZOWN) Parmesan Chicken
Linguiça (Ling-GWEE-sah) Brazilian Sausage
Presunto (Pre-ZUN-toe) Brown Sugar-glazed Ham
Lombo (LOAM-bow) Pork Loin
Other Selections
Frutos du Mar (FRU-toes du Mar) Seafood Selection
Legumes (Leh-GOOM-ees) Grilled Vegetables
Abacaxi (Ah-bah-kuh-SHEE) Grilled Pineapple
(selections may vary)
Not available with the Monday thru Friday Lunch Special
Tucanos regularly features other Churrasco Selections
Selections subject to change without notice.
Specialty Skewers
Specialty skewers can be added to any Tucanos' Churrasco. A skewer of your choice is cooked to order and
brought to your table by your meat server. Each item is priced per skewer and sharing is encouraged.
Cooking times vary and availability is limited.
Shrimp Skewer $8.95
A full skewer of large shrimp grilled and brushed with our garlic sauce.
Center Cut Sirloin Wrapped in Bacon Skewer $9.95
Center cut sirloin wrapped in bacon and grilled to perfection.
Sea Scallop Skewer $10.95
Succulent jumbo Scallops hand-wrapped in bacon and slowly open-flame grilled.
14oz King Crab Legs Market Price
A 14 oz. portion of steamed king crab legs, split for easy eating. Served with a lemon wedge and drawn butter.
Taste of Brazil*
Share an appetizer tour of Brazilian taste treats
Onion Tropical
Seasoned sweet onion straws, fried and served with a wild mango dipping sauce.
Nachos Brasileiros
A traditional favorite served with a Tucanos twist.
Tender calamari, lightly dusted with manioc flour and fried, served with sweet and zesty carnaval sauce.
Brazilian Buffalo Wings
We add our Tucanos touch to a plate of tasty wings.
Other Features
Salad Festival
No dining experience would be complete without the
Tucanos Festival of Salads. Prepared fresh daily.
Unlimited Salad Festival Lunch (Mon-Fri, 11a-3p) $12.95 · Dinner $16.95
Brazilian Traditions
Brazilian Lemonade $4.95 free refills
Fresh Fruit Juices: Mango, passion fruit, pineapple, guava,
raspberry or strawberry
Guarana: A refreshing soft-drink from the heart of the Amazon
Brazilian Sunrise: Mango, passion fruit, grenadine & lemon-lime
Tucanos Specialty Blended Drinks
Rio De Janeiro: Passion fruit, lemon-lime & ice cream
Amazon: Mango, papaya, pineapple, banana & ice cream
Ipanema: Coconut milk, banana, raspberry & ice cream
Tucanos: Mango, passion fruit, pineapple, papaya, lemon-lime & ice cream
(Add a shot of your favorite Rum or Flavored Vodka to any specialty drink for $1.95)
Other Drinks
Pepsi, Diet Pepsi & other Pepsi Products,
Hot Chocolate, Coffee & Tea
Select from our abundant dessert tray or ask your server about our house favorites:
Créme Brûlée: A time-honored favorite.
Pudim de Leite: Our Brazilian Flan, richer and creamier than a traditional flan.
Fruit Creams: A smooth blend of any of our fresh fruit purees & vanilla ice cream.
Torre Chocolate: A decadent tower of chocolate cake.
Brûlée Cheesecake: A home-made, rich and creamy baked cheesecake, glazed in a luscious creme and raspberry sauce.
Truly A'MAZON Fudge Brownie: A sinful warm brownie covered in chocolate and caramel sauces with a scoop of rich vanilla bean ice cream on top.
Mango Butter Cake: Our famous butter cake infused with mango puree and served warm, topped with mango sorbet and diced mango.
Desserts are available at an additional cost
Indicates Gluten Free
Prices and menu items are subject to change without notice.


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THE leader of Oxfordshire County Council has branded motorists who drive along roads closed due to flooding as "ignorant" and "foolhardy".
County councillor Ian Hudspeth was speaking after the local authority received a large number of reports of drivers ignoring road closure signs and continuing their journey regardless.
Mr Hudspeth has now urged other motorists to take to Twitter to shame them.
He said: "Just about everybody at the county council is fed up of having to repeat over and over again that it is foolhardy to drive a vehicle on to sections of road that have flooded.
"Our highways teams do not put up road closed signs because the notion takes their fancy.
"They do so because roads are covered in water, will damage vehicles, could harm motorists and will cause bow waves that flood nearby properties."
The council has said that with water companies around the UK warning that flood water may contain sewage, there is also the chance that driving through it will spread this sewage on to your car and further into flooded streets.
Mr Hudspeth said people who spot drivers ignoring a road closure sign should tweet using the hashtag #bowwavebandit.
Thames Valley Police has said that if a driver ignores a direct order from a police officer then they can be fined.
But spokesman Lucy Billen said: "Some people have to drive past a road closure sign to get home but if others cause an obstruction or put people in peril then we could obviously look into it.
"We would treat each report on an individual basis and give them a proportionate response."


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Author Notes: My mother didn't much follow recipes – I can't ever recall her taking out a cookbook and going step by step. Whenever I would ever ask her how she made something, she would say "Its a little of this and a handful of that" and then she would laugh and invite me into the kitchen to watch just how it was done. This is how I learned to cook.
One of my favorite things she made was a dessert mother called "strudel." This was nothing like the typical apple or cherry kind you might buy at a bakery. In fact, I have never known anyone else to make anything even remotely close to my mother's "strudel." When she mixed up the filling, we loved turning the handle on the old-fashioned meat grinder she used to prepare the sticky mixture. As much as we loved the strudel, we would turn up our noses as she stuffed the strange ingredients into the hopper. Some of these ingredients were simply horrifying to us – nobody would eat that, we would insist! But all the while we knew that the end result was going to be this delicious, coveted, almost candy-like sweet. I say coveted because once it was made, mom would hide the tins filled with our beloved strudel, doling it out bit by bit. The strudel kept "forever," because of the use of the whisky which was blotted on a paper towel and placed in the tins to keep the dessert moist.
When I grew up I reconstructed my mother's strudel and updated the technique for mixing the filling using a food processor. If you have one of those old fashioned hand crank meat grinders you could use that. Mom will smile down on you!
—Fabulous Food Fanatic
Serves: about 2-3 pounds
For the filling
pound pitted prunes (small size if available)
pound dried apricots
ounces each: Glaceed (also called "glazed" or "fruitcake") fruits: green cherries, red cherries, orange peel, lemon peel, pineapple
ounces good plum jam
ounces good apricot jam
small bag of baker's flake coconut – use as much or as little (none) as you like
ounces toasted pecans, chopped finely
For the strudel assembly
package Filo Leaves
stick salted butter
Powdered Sugar
- Grind all of the fruits into a large mixing bowl through the medium die of the meat grinder or mince well in a food processor with the chopping blade. If you have one, the grinder attachment on a KitchenAid mixer would, of course work well, too.
- Add in the well chopped pecans and the coconut, together with all of the plum jam and half of the apricot jam.
- Smush the ingredients up well with your hands (food service gloves are helpful) to combine everything thoroughly. If the mixture is at all crumbly and does not stick together well, you will want to add more of the apricot jam. It depends on how much coconut you put in and also on how moist your apricots and prunes were to begin with. You don't want the mixture to be too moist – about the consistency of meatloaf is perfect. You will be surprised when you taste this filling to find that the glaceed fruits have completely melded in with the other flavors and that the filling is very fruity, sweet, and tart with just a very slight hint of bitterness from the citrus peel.
- TO COMPOSE THE STRUDEL: Lay out a full sheet of filo and brush with a little butter. With the short side of the filo at the bottom, randomly and unevenly sprinkle bits (about a teaspoon or so each) of filling all over the filo sheet up to about 2-3 inches from the top. Starting at the bottom, roll the filling into the filo. The idea is that when you have completely rolled up a sheet with filling, there will be places where the filo is in between the filling from the "level" above. At first, in some places there is filling and some places there is just empty dough. By the time you have rolled the whole sheet, you should have a solidly filled roll that is about 1-2 inches in diameter. Wrap the unfilled filo at the top around the roll and secure with it with a brush of butter. Brush the roll with more butter on the outside and set it aside on a baking sheet until you have rolled up all of the filling this way.
- Bake the rolls in a 350 degree oven until the filo is golden brown. Remove the baking sheets from the oven and run a spatula under the strudel to loosen it from the sheet. Allow the strudel to cool thoroughly and then cut it in 1" pieces. Store in a parchment lined tin or plastic container in layers , with parchment between each layer. Dust each layer lightly with powdered sugar.
- Blot a folded up white paper towel with whiskey and get it nice and damp, but not at all dripping. Place this in your tin or plastic container to help keep the strudel fresh and soft (although it is really good even when it gets a little hard).
- When well sealed in a tin, strudel will keep for at least 6 months.


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Two Hearts - Art Print
Categories: Limited Edition Prints
- Description
- Specifications
Fine Art Limited Edition Prints by Santie Cronje.
All prints are personally signed and packaged by the artist.
PLEASE NOTE: Allow between 3-10 business days for processing and shipping of your order.
Edition Size: 50
Artist Proofs: 5
Image Size: H260mm x W260mm
White surround: Yes
Print Process: Giclée (Digital Reproduction from original artworks) Lightfastness: 100+ years (do not hang in direct sunlight) Paper Stock: Optica One Rag 308gsm, Brilliant white, 100% rag content (by Breathing colour) Archival: Museum quality archival paper, independently tested and approved by the Fine Art Trade Guild Shipping: Item is shipped flat with sturdy backing. Publisher: © Copyright Santie Cronje, Cambridge, New Zealand


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Watch CBSN Live
Does my child have autism? That's a question parents of young children often ask - and for good reason. The disorder - a cause of behavior, communication and socialization problems for about 1 in 68 kids - is notoriously hard to spot. But new research suggests that a simple checklist can give a good indication of whether a child is at risk for autism or other developmental problems.
The checklist is designed to be used for children between 6 and 24 months of age.
The checklist isn't foolproof, and it's designed to be scored by a medical professional. But its developer, Florida State University's Dr. Amy M. Wetherby, says parents can get a good idea of whether there might be a problem simply by eyeballing the questions on the checklist (adapted here with permission of Brookes Publishing Co). Keep clicking to have a look...
Credit: istockphoto
1. Do you know when your child is happy and when your child is upset?
2. When your child plays with toys, does he/she look at you to see if you are watching?
3. Does your child smile or laugh while looking at you?
4. When you look at and point to a toy across the room, does your child look at it?
5. Does your child let you know that he/she needs help or wants an object out of reach?
6. When you are not paying attention to your child, does he/she try to get your attention?
7. Does your child do things just to get you to laugh?
8. Does your child try to get you to notice interesting objects just to get you to look at the objects, not to get you to do anything with them?
9. Does your child pick up objects and give them to you?
10. Does your child show objects to you without giving you the object?
11. Does your child wave to greet people?
12. Does your child point to objects?
13. Does your child nod his/her head to indicate yes?
14. Does your child use sounds or words to get attention or help?
15. Does your child string sounds together, such as uh oh, mama, gaga, bye bye, bada?
16. About how many of the following consonant sounds does your child use: ma, na, ba, da, ga, wa, la, ya, sa, sha?
17. About how many different words does your child use meaningfully that you recognize (such as baba for bottle; gaggie for doggie)?
18. Does your child put two words together (for example, more cookie, bye bye Daddy)?
19. When you call your child's name, does he/she respond by looking or turning toward you?
20. About how many different words or phrases does your child understand without gestures?
21. Does your child show interest in playing with a variety of objects?
22. About how many of the following objects does your child use appropriately: cup, bottle, bowl, spoon, comb or brush, toothbrush, washcloth, ball, toy vehicle, toy telephone?
23. About how many blocks (or rings) does your child stack?
24. Does your child pretend to play with toys (for example, feed a stuffed animal, put a doll to sleep, put an animal figure in a vehicle)?


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DWTS Season 12 Casting Rumors – The Typecasting of Season 12, Part II
In part one of my typecasting analysis, we took a look at who we might get from the Olympian, athlete, model, comedian, legend, & soap star categories. Now let's take a look at the other 6 categories and speculate on who else we might see before tonight's cast announcement!
EDITOR'S NOTE: The site is getting hit with an extraordinary amount of hits right now (which is great! :-D) but it's also slowing us bloggers down while we post – hence, there are no links in this edition because it's just taking too long to add them all in. However, you can access all of the DWTS casting rumors in Vogue's post from the other day if you need a refresher on some of these 🙂
The Teen Idol
Previous examples: Joey McIntyre, Aaron Carter, Donny Osmond, Lance Bass, Mel B., Joey Fatone, Drew Lachey, Joey Lawrence, Ian Ziering, Cody Linley, Sabrina Bryan, Mario Lopez, Kyle Massey
Advantages: If sales of Tiger Beat are any indicator, the teenyboppers will come out in full force to support their favorite heartthrobs/idols. Being young & good-lookin' sure doesn't hurt! Many also have the added advantage of having a decent dance background, especially if they were part of a musical act.
Disadvantages: Youth can also have its disadvantages – as in immaturity. What some might call "youthful exuberance", others might call "immaturity" or "attention deficit disorder" – poor Cody Linley had a hard time sitting still! Emotional immaturity (a la Aaron Carter's post-rumba meltdown in the confessional) can be especially off-putting.
Possible candidates this season: I think the Lindsay Lohan rumor has been almost completely shot down, but Full House fans have been campaigning for both Jodie Sweetin & Candace Cameron Bure in the online voting. I've also seen a surge of support within the past few days for New Kids on the Block member Jonathan Knight to do the show.
The Host
Previous examples: Jerry Springer, Brooke Burke, Leeza Gibbons, Mario Lopez, Kenny Mayne, Lisa Rinna, Tucker Carlson, Mark Dacascos, Rocco DiSpirito, Erin Andrews
Advantages: Being that they've been at the helm of their own shows, these guys usually have the media savvy & charisma to appeal to the masses, as well as the previous exposure & recognizability. Most (not all!) are also decently attractive, which never seems to hurt (unless, of course, you're a model – see previous post for explanation).
Disadvantages: Many hosts are only used to hosting – as in just sitting down & talking (or dodging the occasional punch, if you're Springer), so the lack of movement experience problem seems to come into play.
Possible candidates this season: Wendy Williams name has been repeated quite a bit, although Joan Rivers' name was out there for awhile as a possible contestant.
The Actor
Previous examples: John O'Hurley, Melissa Joan Hart, Steve Guttenburg, John Ratzenberger, Debi Mazar, Denise Richards, Ted McGinley, Shannon Elizabeth, Jennie Garth, Vivica Fox, Marissa Jaret Winokur, Shannen Doherty, Jennifer Grey, David Hasselhoff
Advantages: Being that their bread & butter is acting, most can usually nail the emotions of the dances. Bonus points if they've done any Broadway (like Winokur) because they have likely had dance experience.
Disadvantages: For lack of a better term, many of them seem to be "has-beens" – actors that haven't been particularly active in the mainstream in the past several years – or were never that big to begin with (can anyone else think of anything John O'Hurley has been in BESIDES Seinfeld?), making it harder for them to garner votes from a public who may not remember them.
Possible candidates this season: Lorenzo Lamas has been claiming he's on the casting "short list" for weeks now, so we're thinking he's a lock.
The Reality Star
Previous examples: Kim Kardashian, Kelly Osbourne, Melissa Rycroft, Steve-O, Holly Madison, Trista Sutter, Shanna Moakler, Kate Gosselin, Jake Pavelka, Audrina Patridge, The Situation
Advantages: Many have achieved pop culture icon status on their respective reality outlets, making them fairly recognizable.
Disadvantages: They may be memorable for the wrong reasons – people tended to remember things like Kim Kardashian's sex tape more than her reality show, and people seemed more focused on Holly Madison's split from Hef than her antics on The Girls Next Door. Many can also come across as attention-hungry & talentless – reality TV is often looked down upon as a way to get famous without having any talent whatsoever.
Possible candidates this season: Aside from the omnipresent Heidi Montag rumor and ridiculous rumors about both NeNe Leakes & Kim Zolciak from The Real Housewives of Atlanta, we've also heard of former Idol contestant Danny Gokey gunning for a spot.
The Singer:
Previous examples: Mya, Billy Ray Cyrus, Mario, Belinda Carlisle, Master P, Chuck Wicks, Sara Evans, Willa Ford, Monique Coleman, Toni Braxton, Macy Gray, Nicole Scherzinger
Advantages: As with the teen idols, many have had dance experience concurrent with their music careers.
Disadvantages: Most seem to be committed solely to one genre of music (often R&B or country), making it hard to appeal to a wide fanbase.
Possible candidates this season: There's been big campaigns in the online voting for both Zack Wilde & Paul Byrom, but nothing really "legit" to go off of.
The Wild Card
Previous examples: Heather Mills, Tom DeLay, Mark Cuban, Steve Wozniak, Priscilla Presley, Buzz Aldrin, Bristol Palin
Advantages: The sheer novelty of having someone with such an off-the-beaten-path claim to fame (famous divorcee/widow, entrepreneur, disgraced politician, etc.) may be enough to have the public voting them – just to see what happens. Being the "underdog" is a powerful thing…as we saw with Bristol last season!
Disadvantages: Due to their often dubious fame, people just may not have any clue who they are – I personally had to Google Mark Cuban's name. There's also the risk of backlash from some viewers who don't think they're "stars" per se, and shouldn't even be on the show in the first place.
Possible candidates this season: Not sure if it was the hailstorm of controversy from Bristol last season or what, but this category was booming with rumors this season – everyone from Tony Robbins to Christine O'Donnell to Al Sharpton to Brooke Mueller. Will any of them actually do the show? That remains to be seen.
So we're mere hours away from the official announcement, gang – who do you think is in and who do you think is just wishful thinking? Be sure to check back here for Heidi's Casting Announcement Live Blog starting at 8 PM EST…she (and the rest of us) suffer through The Bachelor so you don't have to 🙂 And make sure you're following @puredwts & @tvblog on Twitter for up-to-the-minute updates on who's in!


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NLCS Game 6: Cardinals headed to World Series after routing Kershaw, Dodgers
Nobody saw this coming. The Cardinals spent the first five innings using Clayton Kershaw as a batting practice pitcher—as legendary Dodgers announcer Vin Scully said on the radio, "they battered him from pillar to post"—and waltzed to a stunning 9-0 victory to clinch their fourth World Series appearance in the past 10 years.
Here is tonight's Five by Five, a quick recap in which we try to figure out exactly what we just saw by looking at five key moments during the game for each team.
MORE: Stats | NLCS results | ALCS schedule | Must-see images
Onward . . .
For the visiting Dodgers . . .
1. It's hard to know which team should get this moment, but we'll go with the Dodgers. It's something positive, at least. LA outfielder Scott Van Slyke's standoff with Cardinals pitcher Joe Kelly leading up to the first pitch was an awesome moment of levity before what everyone thought would be an intense game.
Neither player budged from his spot in foul territory after the national anthem until home plate umpire Greg Gibson practically chased them off the field.
Kelly took a step toward the dugout first, but he was all the way out with his feet on the grass, whereas Van Slyke was only a foot or two out of the dugout. So who won? Depends on what the rules were. But in the larger picture, we all won. It was such an amusing moment that even Cardinals manager Mike Matheny couldn't contain a smile.
2. Clayton Kershaw had an unimaginable third inning, but he was just nasty in snuffing out a first-inning rally. After Carlos Beltran laced a one-out double, Kershaw struck out Matt Holliday with an unhittable slider that dived out of the strike zone, then retired MVP candidate Yadier Molina on a broken-bat grounder to second base. It was the second time in as many starts that Kershaw held the Cardinals scoreless in the first inning despite allowing an extra-base hit with fewer than two outs.
3. The third inning was a disaster for the Dodgers, and it wasn't just about Kershaw's inability to miss bats. Beltran's single went off second baseman Mark Ellis' glove, allowing Matt Carpenter to score from second. Yes, Ellis was diving and getting Beltran out would have been an incredible play, but this deep in October, he has to at least knock that down. If he does, Carpenter stays at third and Beltran stays at first, instead of Carpenter scoring and Beltran going to second on an ill-advised, off-balance throw home by right fielder Yasiel Puig. Because Beltran then scored on a single by Yadier Molina, instead of advancing first to second or first to third.
4. Kershaw retired the Cardinals in order in the fourth, but St. Louis chased him in the fifth inning without him retiring a batter. Molina and Freese singled to start the frame, and Matt Adams' opposite-field double into the left-field corner was the end of Kershaw's night.
All told, he threw 98 pitches in four-plus innings, allowed 10 hits, seven runs (both Freese and Adams scored after he left the game) and two walks (one intentional), while striking out five. This was easily his worst outing of the season. He lasted at least five innings in his 33 regular-season starts and never allowed more than five runs in a game.
5. Puig's final at-bat was symbolic of his entire night. He struck out on three pitches, taking an 83-mph curveball from Carlos Martinez for strike three. He finished 0-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts, and two errors in the field. Puig is going to be a star for the Dodgers for a long, long time, but this isn't a night he'll remember fondly.
For the host Cardinals . . .
1. Carpenter has been mired in an awful slump through most of October, but he'd shown recent signs of finding his rhythm at the plate. In the third inning Friday, he came through with the best at-bat of his career. He fouled off eight pitches from Kershaw, and then on the 11th pitch of the at-bat, he laced a one-out double into the right-field corner. That hit opened the floodgates against Kershaw, which hardly seemed possible.
2. The Cardinals forced Kershaw to throw 48 pitches in that third inning. Even if you throw Carpenter's contribution away, that's still an amazing 37 pitches for a hurler who will win the 2013 Cy Young award. Carpenter, Beltran, Molina, David Freese and Shane Robinson all came up with hits, and Adams drew a walk. Robinson's hit was the back-breaker, a two-out single to right field (his second hit of the night) with the bases loaded. That chased home Molina and Freese to put the Cardinals ahead 4-0.
3. Cardinals starter Michael Wacha was brilliant, again. Carl Crawford led off the game with an infield single, but was retired on a double play by No. 2 hitter Ellis. Crawford led off the fourth with a walk, but Wacha retired Ellis, Adrian Gonzalez and Hanley Ramirez on three pop-ups, and Crawford never made it to second base. A.J. Ellis led off the sixth with a double, but Wacha struck out pinch hitter Skip Schumaker, retired Crawford on a lineout and got Mark Ellis to ground out to second. A.J, Ellis never made it to third.
Wacha finished with seven shutout innings, allowing just two hits and one walk while striking out five. His postseason ERA is now 0.43 in three starts covering 21 innings against the Pirates and Dodgers.
4. Robinson staked his claim to the center-field job with an impressive performance Friday. He was 2-for-4 with a run scored and two RBI. Those runs he drove home agianst Kershaw in the third broke the game open.
Jon Jay, the player he replaced in center, was just 3-for-17 in the first five games of the NLCS (he singled as a pinch hitter in the eighth), after going 3-for-16 in the NLDS against the Pirates. That spot has been Jay's all season, but Robinson has at least worked his way into the conversation for the World Series.
5. The realization that the Cardinals wouldn't squander a 3-1 NLCS for the second consecutive season probably settled over the crowd of 46,899 sometime during the fifth inning, when the home team was chasing Kershaw from the game.
They blew 3-1 NLCS leads in 1996 and 2011, and in those six potential clinching games, they were outscored 52-2. After losing Game 5 in Los Angeles this year and facing the prospect of facing the eventual Cy Young winner in Kershaw, there were some nerves among the Cardinals fans. The nine-run lead by the end of the fifth helped ease those concerns.