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In December 2010, eight young people died in a fire in a New Orleans warehouse. Local accounts describe them as homeless squatters. One of the victims was Katie Simianer, a 21-year-old who had told her mother she was backpacking across the country.
Simianer's mom, Marty Goslee Jaramillo, learned a lot about her daughter's life on the road from her journal, which she received after Simianer died. In that journal, Simianer wrote that she felt sorry for people living in apartments and going to their jobs, and wondered if they envied the squatters and their "lack of normal responsibility." Jaramillo tells NPR's Neal Conan that the last time she talked to her daughter, Simianer said she was happier than she'd ever been.
Journalist Danelle Morton gained access to this young community through an unlikely source — her runaway daughter, Marissa, who spent time in the New Orleans warehouse and later returned home. She wrote about their experience for the Boston Review.
Morton says most of the time, Marissa was happy on the road, too. "I think she was happy to be completely free," says Morton. "I know there were many an evening when it was uncomfortable for her and where she wondered where she was going to get her next meal, but ... as many of them said in New Orleans, you're looking for your survival, and you're doing it with your friends, so every day has this kind of intensity that you can't get in the regular world."
Though news reports after the fire described the victims as homeless runaways, the kids Morton met and talked with dismiss that characterization, preferring to describe themselves as artists and musicians. The transient lifestyle, she says, has a structure to it, "almost like a tribe." The kids travel across the country in groups, hopping trains from town to town where at least one of them knows a bar or a cafe with a warm couch to sleep on, or a place to lay a sleeping bag.
Squatters like those living in the warehouse in New Orleans had a community — a support group that worked together and looked out for one another. But that's not always the case for homeless teenagers, says Maureen Blaha of the National Runaway Switchboard. They can become targets for criminals because of their vulnerability, "and then after a while, just for a means of survival, they often become perpetrators of crime."
But for the kids who convened at the warehouse in New Orleans, says Morton, it wasn't poverty that forced them into the transient lifestyle. In fact, money didn't seem to be much of an issue. "There was one young woman that I interviewed in a squat who pointed to three dollars that were sitting on a crate next to her mattress and said that that $3 had been on that crate for three days."
Most of the kids "had tried a number of ways to connect with the world, and it hadn't worked," she says. They were kids who had gotten jobs but found them unsatisfying, who couldn't quite fit in in one way or another. "And every time they come home, people are scowling at them," she says. "So the urge to shake off the scowls with this kind of blind act of daring is something that appeals to them."
Of course, there are dangers, even for the squatters who form communities. "It's an unclean world," says Morton, where running water is hard to find and "virulent infections like MRSA are common." Train yards can be dangerous, and food typically comes from trash bins. But still, some kids are drawn to the transient lifestyle. "Danger is part of the attraction," she says. "But it's also this kind of radical freedom, where they're not responsible to anyone."
This is TALK OF THE NATION. I'm Neal Conan, in Washington. In December of 2010, eight young people died in a New Orleans warehouse fire. Local accounts describe them as homeless squatters. One of the victims was Katie Simianer, a 21-year-old who told her mother she was backpacking across the country.
Marty Goslee Jaramillo joins us on the phone from her home in Alliance, Nebraska. Thanks very much for being with us, and we're so sorry for the loss of your daughter.
MARTY GOSLEE JARAMILLO: Thank you very much, and it's my privilege and honor to be here today.
CONAN: Where did you think Katie was?
JARAMILLO: Well, I knew she was in New Orleans, and I knew she was traveling. She had set out on an adventure, and she went through - she was in Portland, and she had gone down to Northern California with a set of friends, is what she said, and that is indeed what she did.
And she was traveling around and just seeing the sights, you know, just wanted to get out there to have adventures and see the world.
CONAN: She didn't tell you, though, she was riding the rails.
JARAMILLO: Well, at that point she wasn't, and you know, and I have received her journal since her death, and that confirms that. And I don't think she had done that until maybe she got to San Diego or Arizona. But no, she never did reveal to me that she was hopping trains from time to time.
CONAN: And how much about her life did she tell you?
JARAMILLO: Well, she told me quite a lot. A lot of her talk was mostly in philosophies, you know, and things that I have learned from her journal that she - that I got after she passed.
CONAN: One of the things I gather confused you a bit is she told you that she'd learned how to cook over an open fire down there in New Orleans.
JARAMILLO: Exactly, yeah, and I would ask her: Well, Katie, why would you have to cook over an open fire? And why would you have to learn how to make coffee over an open fire? I wasn't clear on that, and anytime I would question her, she would, you know, become sharp and say, Mother, I don't have time for these questions, I only have a short time on the phone.
CONAN: And the other thing was you kept hearing trains in the background.
JARAMILLO: Yes, exactly. I was like, why, why do the trains - I mean, you sound like you're on a train. No, we're just really close to the tracks. And of course after seeing all the videos and the fire and whatnot, I noticed that they were definitely right next to the track.
CONAN: For greater access, I guess, and the warehouse was a convenient place to live, and a bunch of kids, not just your daughter, were living there, and she was really, I guess, part of a - I'm not sure community, but transient group of people who connected and reconnected and knew each other sort of. But what did you learn about this kind of life from her writings?
JARAMILLO: Well, if you would allow me to, I could read a short excerpt from her journal.
CONAN: Sure.
JARAMILLO: OK. Well, it starts off - it only takes about a minute or so. It says: Time has flown by so fast. It's easy to get swept up in the lack of normal responsibility. In the last week we stayed in an amazing squat, so much good food and living room picnics, seven of us at one point, as well as a dog named Hamburgers.
We were on the fifth floor of a very nice apartment complex, making it easy to keep our filth and debauchery hidden from our society and police. The fancy apartments across the way could see straight in, and I wondered what they must have thought of us. Maybe some envied us, some disgusted. I'm not sure.
I know I felt a little sorry for them. Most of them must have been trapped in work and bills. They are the kind of people that take 20 pills a day and ignore their kids. I wanted to tell them they don't have to live that way, but who was I to say what they should do? Maybe they were happy that way.
That was just a little excerpt from, you know, what she was thinking at the time, which I always found was kind of ironic because, you know, that's just how other people look at other people.
CONAN: Sure, she mentioned her own - the depravity and filth that she lived in, and I think to some degree ironic, but I think there's some truth to that too.
JARAMILLO: Yeah.
CONAN: Do you think she was happy?
JARAMILLO: Oh, I know she was, and I can remember one of the last conversations I had with her. She said, you know, Mom, please don't, you know - what did she say? Don't frown on my lifestyle, please. If you did, I just don't know what I would do. And I said, well, Katie, as long as you're happy, that's all I care about. And she's like, I am happy. I'm happier than I've ever been. So what's a parent to do?
CONAN: Well, worry, I suspect.
JARAMILLO: Yeah, I suspect, yes.
JARAMILLO: But you know, her motto – her motto that she always stuck through to was I promise myself to never stop living life as an adventure. I want to wake up every morning with a smile on my face and go to bed every night exhausted. And I know she lived her life completely that way, and all that came - everyone that came in contact with her remembered her, remembered her beautiful smile and her bright spirit, and it lives on to inspire all of us to live our life to the fullest and to love your family and to accept them for who they are and just be grateful for each and every day.
CONAN: Marty Goslee Jaramillo, thanks very much for your time today.
JARAMILLO: You're welcome, thank you for sharing the story.
CONAN: Well, if this is your story as a parent or as a runaway, give us a call. Give us a call at 800-989-8255. Email us, firstname.lastname@example.com. You can also join the conversation on our website. That's at npr.org. Click on TALK OF THE NATION.
Later in the program, a case for Turkey's government as a new normal in the Middle East. But first, Katie Semianer's story came to our attention through journalist Danelle Morton. Her daughter was part of this tribe and agreed to be her mom's guide to allow her to tell the story of the people who died in that New Orleans warehouse fire.
She published her article in the Boston Review, and Danelle Morton joins us now from member station KQED in San Francisco. And it's good of you to be with us today.
DANELLE MORTON: Thank you.
CONAN: And I have to ask, I'm sure you've talked to your daughter. Was she happy when she was a transient?
MORTON: I think most of the time she was happy. I think she was happy to be completely free. I know there were many an evening when it was uncomfortable for her and where she wondered where she was going to get her next meal, but as they always say, as many of them said in New Orleans, you're looking for your survival, and you're doing it with your friends, so every day has this kind of intensity that you can't get in the regular world.
CONAN: And intensity that blossoms friendships much more quickly than you could find in the quote-unquote real world.
MORTON: Almost like being a war correspondent, where there's danger all around, and you form a very tight bond with the people that you can depend on.
CONAN: War correspondents know what they're getting in for. Do you think all these transients do?
MORTON: I do. I think, you know, there's a difference between being part of this group and being just a homeless teenager who lives on the street. This has a society, it has a community, it has a structure to it. It's almost like a tribe. And when the kids travel across country, they do so in groups of maybe three or five or six sometimes.
And when they roll into town, they always - one of them knows like the bar or the cafe where you can go and hang out and find a warm couch to sleep on or a place to throw down your sleeping bag because you're all connected in this kind of underground world.
CONAN: After the fire, the local papers described those who were killed as homeless, as runaways, and you talked to people afterwards when you went back with your daughter to find out who they were, that others of this tribe resented that. They said no, we're artists, we're musicians.
MORTON: Well, and many of them are. But I think mainly they were concerned about the notion that people were dismissing them as just sort of drunken, tattooed bums when in fact this is an affirmative choice. This isn't something they fall into because they make a mistake. They actually say I want to live this way. This is a - this life has its own - I don't think many people from our world would say values, but it does have its own sense of structure and value.
CONAN: There seem to be a lot of drinking and tattoos, though.
MORTON: Well, yes.
MORTON: I think they go together.
CONAN: And other drugs as well. I mean one of the kids you wrote about was in fact someone who was prescribed medication, and his friends cheered when he stopped taking it.
MORTON: Right, you're talking about Jonathan Guerrero(ph). He was diagnosed as bipolar, and he had - was taking lithium. And you know, when kids start to flirt with this lifestyle, their parents become very concerned, and many of them take their children to therapists, and the therapists put them on antidepressants.
So a signature act of rebellion when you leave home to embrace this life is to say I'm not taking those drugs because they just dull you. They make you unable to experience the world around you, and I'm just going to break free of all of that. But illegal drugs and alcohol are very commonplace.
CONAN: And people self-medicate, and sometimes those prescription drugs are necessary. I mean they're...
MORTON: Well, we think lithium for bipolar is pretty necessary.
CONAN: Yeah, so - there is also, as you said, an element of real danger in this. You kept worrying all the time your daughter was gone that she would die in a fire in a squat.
MORTON: Well not just a fire in a squat, although that was one of the major things I worried about. The train yards themselves are very dangerous. There's about 500 trespasser fatalities in the rail yards every year. They tend to cluster in the ruined parts of the country.
In New Orleans, there's 42,000 abandoned houses. They live in these abandoned houses in the worst crime area of New Orleans. So it isn't just the danger of the squat, but it's also the crime and the railroad, mistakes that can be made because you're drunk on a train. So there are many, many ways that one of this crowd can end their lives.
CONAN: But that danger, you say, is also part of the attraction.
MORTON: Well, I don't know if danger - yeah, danger is part of the attraction, but it's also this kind of radical freedom, where they're not responsible to anyone. Their money is not important. They live for free in squats, or they - and they get their food out of dumpsters. And they have no need of money.
There was one young woman that I interviewed in a squat who pointed to three dollars that were sitting on a crate next to her mattress and said that that three dollars had been on that crate for three days. She had had no need for money.
CONAN: Need for a clinic from time to time, though.
MORTON: Well, there's - you know, it's an unclean world, and it isn't easy to get a bath if you're living in a squat with no water. So very virulent infections like MRSA are common. And so there are frequent emergency room visits.
CONAN: We're talking with Danelle Morton, a freelance journalist, author of "A World on Fire: Life and Death in a New Orleans Squat," published in the Boston Review. If you go to our website at npr.org, there's a link to it there. We're talking about the lives of transients with Danelle Morton. If this is your story, if you ran away, if your child did, call and tell us about it, 800-989-8255. Email us, firstname.lastname@example.com. Stay with us. I'm Neal Conan. It's the TALK OF THE NATION from NPR News.
CONAN: This is TALK OF THE NATION from NPR News. I'm Neal Conan. The eight young people who died when the New Orleans warehouse they used as a squat caught fire, and their fellow transients who survived came from all over the country.
For the most part they were homeless because - they weren't homeless because they had no choice. It was a wildness that led them to the lives of nomads, hopping trains, diving in dumpsters and skirting the law. If this is your story, if your child ran away, if you're a runaway, we want to hear from you, 800-989-8255. Email firstname.lastname@example.com. You can also join the conversation on our website. That's at npr.org. Click on TALK OF THE NATION.
Danelle Morton is our guest. She wrote "A World on Fire: Life and Death in a New Orleans Squat" for the Boston Review after her daughter Marissa shepherded her through that world two weeks after the fire. And let's see if we can get a phone call. We'll start with Linda, and Linda's with us from Charlotte.
LINDA: Hi there. I'm a physician in my late 50s, and just after college, in the mid-'70s, I went to New Zealand with no money, no plan and no idea other than I wanted something entirely different than what I'd had. I'd stayed in New Zealand for roughly a year, taking very odd jobs, taking trips by way of hitchhiking or walking or borrowing bikes.
I stayed on communes. I slept under bridges. I slept out in wood breaks. I slept in people's barns. And I would say, in fact, it was the best thing I ever did (unintelligible) for myself. I learned more about being resilient, about problem-solving, about surviving, and in fact about appreciating everything around me and living in the moment.
I also genuinely became inspired to become a physician by that experience, in part because I was exposed to so many different types of people, so many different lifestyles, so many different stories and settings that it was that that actually stirred me to come back and do medicine, because I thought I would be surrounded by fascinating stories, and I have been.
CONAN: That's interesting. Why did you decide then to go back to school?
LINDA: Oh, because of this annoying need to be successful at something.
MORTON: What did your parents think about this?
LINDA: My parents were terrified when I did this and I think embarrassed and deeply, deeply concerned. But after I got back and after I had been so capable for the first time in my life of being completely independent and managing my - everything that I needed to manage, they bragged about the experience in New Zealand for years afterwards, much more than they bragged about me being a physician.
And I would have to emphasize, I think the outcome, looked at in hindsight, changes whether you think it was a risk or a benefit.
CONAN: Linda, thanks very much for the call, appreciate it. Good question too. You talked about what did the parents think about it, and Danelle Morton, you write in your article: The radical freedom my daughter embraced imprisoned me. I was locked in the feeling that I'd failed her.
MORTON: Yes, I know the other parents felt the same way. You know, you raise your child and you spend 18 years demonstrating what you want them to be by your example and by what you support and what you tell them to ignore. And I felt like I had not presented an effective view of the world to my daughter, that she felt like this kind of radical departure from what I expected was preferable, this danger was preferable to what I wanted for her.
At the end of the day, though, I think it is a great lesson for me in loving the daughter that you have rather than the daughter that you thought you wanted to create when you first had that baby. You don't get that much control. So you have to learn to love what you have.
CONAN: Joining us now is Maureen Blaha, executive director of the National Runaway Switchboard, a communication system for homeless youth. She's with us from her office in Chicago, and it's nice to have you with us today. Hello, Maureen Blaha, are you there? Hello, can you hear us?
All right, we'll try to get back with her in just a moment. In the meantime, let's see if we can get another call on the line. We'll go to Forest(ph), and Forest is another caller from Charlotte.
FOREST: Yes, hello. My name is Forest, and I live here in Charlotte. My daughter is living this lifestyle, and it's totally her decision. She didn't need to go. She - we worry about her immensely. We didn't have any idea that these kids were doing this around the country.
And when I initially heard she was hopping trains and learning to cook birds over a tin can, I was just - was completely devastated. And now after hearing some people on your show and realizing that these are choices that these kids are making, and this doctor from Charlotte, it's really opening my eyes.
My comment is my family is always - she'll call me from time to time, and very seldom will she ask for any money. And the first thing as a parent I want to do is of course send her money. She'll ask for $15, and I'll send her 50. But of course with no checking account, it has to be done through the Wal-Marts and Western Unions of the world.
Well, my entire family is telling me to stop this practice, that I'm only helping her live this lifestyle. So not too long ago, shortly after Christmas, we decided to kind of put the stop to the funding, and I was always concerned about her not calling, but the calls still come, and she's as happy as she's ever been and completely understands that I don't want to send her money. And it's very puzzling as a parent but - and very concerning, but it's tough to deal with, but it's something that you do have to live with.
CONAN: Forest, I don't envy you trying to get to sleep at night.
FOREST: I shall try to do so.
MORTON: Forest, from my point of view, I think send the money because there is nothing that you can do that will persuade them to do one thing or another. They will make this decision on their own. I think every parent who I spoke with recognized that the only power they had was the power of expressing their love to their child and that that love would bring them back.
Some parents were like I'm going to be strict, and I'm going to do this, and I'm going to set higher rules and higher standards. Other parents were like I am going to open my heart to you and approve of whatever you do. And neither approach has any effect.
So $50 is $50. She's going to eat that night. Maybe she'll stay in a hotel. Maybe her friends will all eat, you know?
FOREST: That's exactly it. And she is a musician. She could - and there's no need for her to be anywhere but home, but - and every time I speak with her, it's just this unbelievable happiness and...
MORTON: Joy.
FOREST: It's tough to understand as a parent, but it's nice to know that it's not something that I did wrong or that her mother did wrong. It's just her lifestyle that she's chosen.
MORTON: It's a Woody Guthrie phrase. The devil was scratching her heel.
FOREST: She actually plays that song.
MORTON: Oh, no.
CONAN: Forest, thanks very much for the call. We wish you daughter the best of luck.
FOREST: Thanks for having me.
CONAN: And Maureen Blaha is back with us from the National Runaway Switchboard and with us from her office in Chicago. Nice to have you with us today.
MAUREEN BLAHA: Thank you, it's great to be here.
CONAN: And we're talking about people who are self-resilient, who've made choices, who are living a kind of lifestyle. Nevertheless, a lot of people who run away from home and become transients are very vulnerable people.
BLAHA: Absolutely, yeah. What happens when kids run from home, and especially if they end up on the streets, is that initially they are very vulnerable to become - you know, for criminals to pick out, and vulnerable to crime. And then after a while, just for a means of survival, they often become perpetrators of crime.
You know, they'll do anything for a warm bed, a hot meal, from panhandling to selling drugs to selling their bodies. So it's a very scary situation for kids to be alone and on the street.
CONAN: Not everyone finds the kinds of friends and support groups that the kids we're talking about did. And it is important to remember that parents too have resources, and I know you try to help.
BLAHA: Yes, we do. About - the National Runaway Switchboard has both a hotline at 1-800-RUNAWAY; we also have great online services at www.1800runaway. And when we handle calls - last year we handled over 100,000 calls - about half of them are from adults, and that would be parents whose child has gone missing or parents who might say she was adorable at 12, and now she's 15 and we can't communicate.
And we are there to listen to anyone who calls, either a child or a parent or someone else concerned about a child, to help focus on really what is the main issue and to help come up with a plan of action so that the caller at the end of the call has somewhere to turn.
CONAN: Now, most of the kids in this fire, I think all of them, in fact, were over 18. That changes things, doesn't it?
BLAHA: It does a bit, except at the National Runaway Switchboard we are here to support kids, and we define them even into adolescence and up to age 24, because a lot of youth are not really able to be on their own, even though most states have 18 as the age of majority. A lot of them are still struggling, you know, depending on perhaps what their family background was, depending on their education and job situation. And so we are here to support those that are even over 18, and for parents of children that are in risky and vulnerable situations.
CONAN: Maureen Blaha, thanks very much for your time today. We appreciate it.
BLAHA: Great. Thank you.
CONAN: Maureen Blaha, executive director of the National Runaway Switchboard. And we have to emphasize, again, Danelle Morton, this is not the situation your daughter was in. It's not the situation Katie Simianer was in. But it is the situation some kids do find themselves in.
MORTON: Well, they're not the - I agree with you, but it's not the population that I was involved with. They were mostly 18, and had tried a number of ways to connect with the world, and it hadn't worked, you know. My daughter was in her second semester of her freshman year of college when she said, I'm out of here. And there are a lot of young people who have that same experience. They're in college, or they're in a job like at Pizza Hut, and it just seems like they can't make it in the world. And every time they come home, people are scowling at them. And so the urge to shake off the scowls with this kind of blind act of daring is something that appeals to them.
CONAN: Here's an email we have from Justin in Boise: As a former member of the transient community in the Northwest and a current member of the corporate real world, I often struggle with which of these worlds is really more productive to real human happiness. The ability to keep yourself alive and to enjoy every moment of it seems invaluable. Thanks so much for this conversation today.
Let's go next to Topher(ph), and Topher's on the line with us from Des Moines.
TOPHER: Hi. How are you doing?
CONAN: OK, Topher. How are you?
TOPHER: I'm doing great. I wanted to say, first of all, that I feel bad about what happened in the fire, and we all feel bad about what happened, and we all feel the loss.
CONAN: We also - you're part of this transient community?
TOPHER: I am. I have been for a few years.
CONAN: And you're calling from Des Moines, but I gather...
TOPHER: No, I'm actually calling from California.
CONAN: Ah. Oh, you're originally from Des Moines.
TOPHER: Yes.
CONAN: OK. And have you been through New Orleans?
TOPHER: I have actually avoided New Orleans. I don't drink.
MORTON: Topher, that's a very perceptive decision on your part.
CONAN: And...
TOPHER: It was a personal decision, mostly.
MORTON: Yeah. You're right.
CONAN: And where are you staying right now?
TOPHER: I'm actually at a friend's house. I have many friends. I've made connections all across the country in that way.
CONAN: And you obviously have a phone? So you stay in touch with your friends that way, too?
TOPHER: Actually, I'm borrowing their phone. I don't like phones.
CONAN: You don't like phones and you don't like drinking.
TOPHER: I do listen to NPR, though, every day.
CONAN: Well, thank you for that. And as you - this is your choice. It is - is it something you plan to do for how much longer?
TOPHER: Until I feel that I'm ready. I'm actually saving up right now so that I can leave the country and travel the world for a while.
CONAN: And travel the world for a while. So where would you start if you have the choice?
TOPHER: Probably Nepal or Tibet.
CONAN: Good luck.
TOPHER: I'm not entirely sure.
CONAN: Thanks very much for the call. We appreciate it.
TOPHER: Thank you.
CONAN: We're talking with Danelle Morton, a freelance journalist, author of "A World on Fire: Life and Death in a New Orleans Squat." You're listening to TALK OF THE NATION, from NPR News.
Ron's on the line, Ron calling us from Saline, Michigan.
RON: Hello. Good afternoon.
CONAN: Afternoon.
RON: Yes. I left home when I was 15 from Michigan, and moved to Los Angeles. I lived there for about a year. And I think that from the age of about 14 until 18 or 19, most people don't have any idea what something like that does to their families. It's so destructive. And it's actually only - I have a son that's 15 now. And that's certainly put a lot of what I've done in my past into perspective. So I think that a lot of what happens when you're younger that appears (technical difficulties) great adventure can be - you know, can, if you go with it, can cause people a great amount of pain. And you need to be careful that young people understand what it - when indeed that happens.
CONAN: Danelle Morton?
MORTON: I agree with you that it caused the families of those who left a lot of anxiety, many sleepless nights. But I think that, as you probably remember from being 15, that's like the - a lower - a lot lower down the list of priorities at that point, you know?
I mean, the fact - OK. Most of the kids that I know of, their parents pay for their cellphones and have insurance on them so that they can stay in touch. And so that's what makes this different than, let's say, the kids who were hopping the rails in the Great Depression. There's still that way to stay in touch with your parents. And then I think, in that way, a lot of the kids that I met felt like, well, you know, I'm still in touch with my mom and dad, so, you know, they don't have to worry.
CONAN: Well, they're going to worry anyway, aren't they?
MORTON: They're going to worry if they're going to college.
CONAN: That's true. Ron, thanks very much.
RON: Can I have one - make another comment?
CONAN: If you make it very quick.
RON: Just in answer. Sure. Yeah. I actually got a job and got an apartment and lived, you know, very, very comfortably when I was in Los Angeles at 15. So - but it was still - yes, I think that - what I'm saying is that it's important for - to let - for - to let kids know - because every kid talks about running away - what that actually means.
CONAN: All right. Well, again, there's a distinction. I think this email will help us out. And, Ron, thanks very much. Jess in Oregon writes: I am - have been part of this culture. I disagree with your use of the word runaway. Dropout might be more accurate. Most of the people who are part of this legitimate structure - subculture are not teenagers running away from their parents, but legal adults choosing to leave mainstream society and have a different lifestyle. There are many gross or uncomfortable parts of the alternative traveler/squatter lifestyle, but it is a free choice, one that makes sense to many people and is extremely valuable in learning to make choices and decisions and decide what is most important, not just what society says what your values should be.
We also want to read this email from Elaine in Huron, South Dakota: On your story on runaways, Katie Simianer was my niece and goddaughter. She was as far from being a runaway as some may think. I would describe her as a free spirit, a joyful soul, a delight to be around, quick with a smile or a helping hand, and a contagious laugh that would touch your heart. She was a very talented artist and welder by trade, used both of those abilities to help others at a Denver art program that served the underprivileged youth and repair bicycles for the homeless in NOLA. She was an extraordinary person in unlikely circumstance. We will forever be grateful for her in our lives. And we miss her dearly. And, Danelle Morton, I have to ask quickly: What's your daughter doing today?
MORTON: She just started a job on Monday, and she got - she's getting a driver's license, I hope, the next Monday from there. So I think that she's kind of making a new way in the world.
CONAN: Danelle, thanks very much for your time today. Interesting piece.
MORTON: Thank you.
CONAN: Danelle Morton joined us from member station KQED. Again, you can find her link to a piece for the Boston Review at our website. That's at npr.org. Click on TALK OF THE NATION. When we come back, Turkey as the new normal in the emerging Middle East. Jackson Diehl will join us, from The Washington Post. Stay with us. It's the TALK OF THE NATION, from NPR News. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.


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I've posted before on this but some things have changed since I last asked about pumping in the middle of the night.
My baby girl is almost 5 months old. I (almost) exclusively breastfeed. I work so I can't nurse during the day, but anytime I am off of work, I nurse every time.
She eats at 5:30isham(BF), 9am(BF or bottle of breastmilk), 12:45pm(BF or bottle of breastmilk), 4:30pm(BF), and 7:45pm(BF then a small bottle with cereal). Also, I set my alarm and wake up every morning at 1am to pump, just to get some extra milk and to not be so engorged by the time she eats at 5:30. When they are so full at that time, she used to spit up a LOT so I started pumping at 1. It helped our stash SO much and still helps me keep up with what she eats while I am at work. She has 2- 6 oz bottles while I am gone.
Since I've been back at work I pump at 9am(when she should be eating) and then again at 12 (as close to her eating time as I can get it) and then I BF her when I get home at 4:30. During my 2 pumping sessions at work I normally get 6 oz combined between the 2 times and that only makes up for one of the bottles that she gets. So this is where the 1am pump comes in handy. I normally get 6 or 7 oz when I pump at 1am so that makes up for the other 6 oz bottle.
I know I am VERY lucky to not have to wake up multiple times a night to nurse or for whatever reason, but 5 months of broken up sleep (when it doesn't "have" to be) is starting to wear on me. I don't exactly even know what I am asking-- encouragement, tips on how to stop the 1am pump but still keep up with the milk that we use, different feeding amounts, something...I just don't know.
Anything would be helpful.

subset: commoncrawl


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Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) shares slumped another 2% and remained mired in bear-market territory on Thursday as the iPhone maker continues to back away from all-time highs.
Continue Reading Below
The latest selloff helped keep pressure on the broader markets and threatens to send Apple to its first two-day run in bear territory in four years.
A bear market is a technical threshold that indicates a 20% decline from recent highs.
For Apple, its stock slid to as low as $541.18 during intraday trading on Thursday, representing a 23.2% tumble from its all-time high of $702.10 set in September.
On a closing basis, Apple has dropped 20.5% since its all-time closing high of $702.10 on September 19.
Some believe the selloff, which began after Apple disclosed weaker-than-expected opening weekend of iPhone 5 sales, has been overdone.
"We're buyers of Apple on recent weakness. We see good potential for a near-term rebound to about $620 before experiencing resistance," analysts at Oppenheimer wrote in a note, Dow Jones Newswires reported.
Oppenheimer noted that Apple suffered a month-long pullback in the spring, but that slide only erased about 17% of the company's share price.
Apple, which is heavily weighted in some major indexes like the Nasdaq 100, helped weigh down the broader markets on Thursday. Shares of Cuptertino, Calif.-based company were recently down 2.23% to $545.41.


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TAMPA — Bruins center David Krejci was on the receiving end of a crushing blow by Tampa Bay's Marc-Andre Bergeron last night in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final.
He finished Boston's 2-0 win after taking a couple shifts off, but was among five Boston regulars that did not take part in the optional skate today at the St. Pete Times Forum.
With the Bruins up in the series, 2-1, Game 4 is tomorrow.
Head coach Claude Julien said there were no injury reasons for Krejci's absence.
"David is fine. We had a bunch of guys take off today," said Julien. "It's more of an optional, a short skate. So there's no issues with David. He's playing tomorrow with no issues at all."
The other missing Bruins were Dennis Seidenberg, Zdeno Chara, Tim Thomas and Mark Recchi.
Patrice Bergeron, who just returned from a concussion, and Milan Lucic, who's nursing a lower-body injury, both took part in the 25-minute on-ice session. Bergeron then hit the bike for a several minutes.


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Jabin SambranoFree Agent
Wide Receiver
Ht: | Wt:
News | Stats | Stat vs. Team | Targets | Injury | Depth Chart | Roster
|Rec Yds
|Rec Avg
|Rec TD
|Rec 2pt
|Rush Yds
|Rush Avg
|Rush TD
|Rush 2pt
|Fum Lost
|NFL | Five clear waivers
Fri, 22 Aug 2014 14:11:12 -0700
Free-agent DT Anthony McCloud (Cardinals), WR Jabin Sambrano (Falcons), DT Marcus Forston (Patriots), TE D.J. Williams (Patriots) and DE James Ruffin (Buccaneers) all cleared waivers Friday, Aug. 22.
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|| Source: NFL
|Falcons | Waive Jabin Sambrano
Thu, 21 Aug 2014 12:57:55 -0700
The Atlanta Falcons waived WR Jabin Sambrano Thursday, Aug. 21.
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|| Source: AtlantaFalcons.com
|Falcons | Sign Jabin Sambrano
Sat, 26 Jul 2014 11:46:01 -0700
The Atlanta Falcons signed free-agent WR Jabin Sambrano (Colts) Saturday, July 26. Terms of the deal were undisclosed.
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|Jaguars | Four released
Thu, 17 Apr 2014 13:56:23 -0700
The Jacksonville Jaguars released LB Russell Allen, WR Jabin Sambrano and DEs Will Pericak and D'Aundre Reed Thursday, April 17.
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|| Source: ESPN.com - Michael DiRocco
|Jaguars | Ten signed to futures contracts
Mon, 30 Dec 2013 21:05:43 -0800
The Jacksonville Jaguars signed TE Brandon Barden, WR Chad Bumphis, RB Shaun Chapas, OT DeMarcus Love, S Sherrod Martin, DE Will Pericak, DE D'Aundre Reed, WR Jabin Sambrano, QB Matt Scott and C Matt Stankiewitch to futures contracts Monday, Dec. 30.
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|Jaguars | Two moves made
Tue, 24 Dec 2013 05:55:09 -0800
The Jacksonville Jaguars signed free-agent WR Jabin Sambrano (Colts) and DE Will Pericak (Ravens) to the practice squad.
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|Colts | Make moves to get to 53-man roster
Sat, 31 Aug 2013 14:29:49 -0700
The Indianapolis Colts have waived LB Daniel Adongo, FS Larry Asante, C Thomas Austin, CB Marshay Green, DE Lawrence Guy, QB Chandler Harnish, FB Robert Hughes, OT Ben Ijalana, TE Dominique Jones, WR Jeremy Kelley, LB Josh McNary, DT Drake Nevis, CB Sheldon Price, WR Jabin Sambrano, WR Lanear Sampson, LB Monte Simmons, OT Bradley Sowell, DT Martin Tevaseu and OT Lee Ziemba. The team also waived injured OT Emmett Cleary (undisclosed), LB Shawn Loiseau (undisclosed) and CB Daxton Swanson (undisclosed).
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|Colts | Two placed on IR
Fri, 31 Aug 2012 17:57:13 -0700
The Indianapolis Colts placed CB Korey Lindsey (concussion) and WR Jabin Sambrano (concussion) on the season-ending Injured Reserve list Friday, Aug. 31.
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|Colts | Two suffer injuries in preseason game
Mon, 27 Aug 2012 11:06:48 -0700
Indianapolis Colts WR Jabin Sambrano (head) and CB Korey Lindsey (head) are being evaluated for head injuries after leaving the third preseason game Saturday, Aug. 25.
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|Colts | Agreed to terms with 14 UDFAs
Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:15:50 -0700
The Indianapolis Colts have agreed to terms with undrafted rookie free-agent DE James Aiono (Utah), DT Chigbo Anunoby (Morehouse College), OT Steven Baker (East Carolina), DB Cameron Chism (Maryland), DE Kevin Eagan (Endicott College), DB Antonio Fenelus (Wisconsin), OG Jason Foster (Rhode Island), LB Chris Galippo (Southern California), OG Hayworth Hicks (Iowa State), CB Buddy Jackson (Pittsburgh), S Matt Merletti (North Carolina), WR Jabin Sambrano (Montana), P Brian Stahovich (San Diego State) and WR Griff Whalen (Stanford). Terms of the contracts were not disclosed.
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Erewash Museum
Housed in a grade II listed Georgian town house with a Victorian extension.
We are a community led museum, focusing on our geographical area, and exhibit for several local societies.
School Holidays see activities for children every day we are open.
Contact us for our events or school provision leaflet.
Venue Type:
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Bank Holidays 10.00am-4.00pm
Monday to Saturday during Derbyshire school holidays
Closed January
Additional info
We have a coffee shop which sells a selection of hot drinks. We have refreshments and homemade cakes for some events provided by the Friends of the Erewash Museum.
Our collections focus on our area, telling the story of the Erewash Valley from the Stone Age to the present day. We also have a collection of paintings by local artists and pottery from the art potters at West Hallam in the 1920s.
Collection details
Social History, Fine Art, Decorative and Applied Art, Archives, Archaeology
Key artists and exhibits
- West Hallam
- Robert Lindsay
- Norman Whitehead
- Stanton
Loan Boxes
Our loan boxes contain real historical objects, replica objects for active use, photos, picture resources and ideas for activities around the subject focus and across all curriculum areas. Please contact us for our current school provision leaflet. Loans are FREE, but we do ask for a returnable deposit of £10 per box and any donation is always welcome. See keywords and national curriculum for more information on the different boxes.
- Erewash Museum
How to obtain
Contact us on 0115 9071141 or email@example.com for our current leaflet and booking form.
School Visits
All our school visits are based around the National Curriculum and tied into the Inspiring Learning for All framework. They include teacher and museum led sessions working with costume, roleplay, object handling, detailed observation and cross curricular activities. We cover various subjects (see keywords below), please contact us for our latest leaflet.
- Erewash Museum
How to obtain
Contact us on 0115 907 1141 or e-mail email@example.com for our current leaflet and a booking form.
Erewash Museum
High Street
0115 9071141
0115 9329264
- About
- | Collections
- | Resources
- | Map


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Now that we have gorged ourselves on holiday meals, it's time to get back to healthy eating.
The latest healthy recipe comes from Jay Wilson, senior program director at the Dancel Family Center Y in Ellicott City. It is butternut squash chicken salad.
Wilson said he has been cooking since age 12 and you can often find him in the kitchen experimenting with new recipes. He loves to share his creations with colleagues.
His duties at the Y include coordinating sports and fitness activities and teaching boot camp classes. He is also a personal trainer.
Wilson's recipe is below. If you have a healthy recipe you would like to share email firstname.lastname@example.com.
Butternut Squash Chicken Salad
- 1 cup lettuce, chopped
- 1/4 cup carrots, chopped
- 1/4 cup radish, chopped
- 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes, chopped
- 1/4 cup red bell pepper, chopped
- 2 strips of turkey bacon
- 1 chicken breast (seasoned and cooked to your liking)
- 1 whole butternut squash
- Olive Oil
- Boil or steam butternut squash until cooked
- Allow squash to cool for 10-15 minutes (depending on the size of the squash)
- Cut squash in half and use a spoon to remove the seeds and fibrous flesh; season to your liking
- Add enough olive oil to coat a pan and cook the squash over the stove
- After cooking, let squash cool for 5 minutes before cutting into slices
- Cook turkey bacon and then cut into fine pieces
- In a mixing bowl, mix chopped lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, carrots and radish
- Place squash in a bowl or on a plate and fill with salad mix; sprinkle chopped bacon on top
- Fan sliced chicken on top of the salad


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And the roster continues to settle. The Phillies have released INF Marcus Giles, who was attempting a comeback after missing the entire 2008 season. P Carlos Carrasco and OF John Mayberry Jr. have been optioned to Triple-A, and P Mike Koplove. OF Jason Ellison and INF Pablo Ozuna have been told that they will not make the opening day roster, but will travel to
These moves simply confirm what had become obvious. Giles batted .167 and lacked the defensive versatility of Miguel Cairo, who looks like he'll be the righty bat off the bench--unless the team makes a trade, which they'd like to do. The fast recoveries of Chase Utley and Pedro Feliz essentially ended Giles' audition.
Koplove has pitched well (1.23 ERA), but as a righty in a righty-heavy bullpen, faced long odds. The Taschner trade was not good news for him. Mayberry's and Carrasco's need for further development was clear. Ellison and Ozuna were always headed for Triple-A, barring injuries to someone else.


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Welcome to the Virus Encyclopedia of Panda Security.
Windows 2003/XP/2000/NT/ME/98/95
Spamta.BP is a worm that spreads by copying itself, without infecting other files.
It captures certain information entered or saved by the user, with the corresponding threat to privacy:
email addresses.
It affects productivity, preventing tasks from being carried out:
It reduces the security level of the computer:
it changes the security settings of Internet Explorer, decreasing its security level.
Spamta.BP prevents access from programs to websites of several companies related with security tools (antivirus programs, firewalls, etc.).
Spamta.BP uses the following propagation or distribution methods:


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When Hartley High School coach Brad Burchfield reflects on central Ohio football over the past two-plus decades, he can't help but think about teams trying to impose their will with their running game.
When Hartley High School coach Brad Burchfield reflects on central Ohio football over the past two-plus decades, he can't help but think about teams trying to impose their will with their running game.
During his five-year tenure as coach at Centerburg and the last five seasons heading the Hawks, Burchfield has built run-oriented offenses that have accomplished that task with extreme efficiency.
All three of the running backs who made third-team "All-Time ThisWeek Football Team" - Independence's Erik Haw, Upper Arlington's Jesse Kline and Hartley's Noah Key - shined in a region of the state that, according to Burchfield, has been influenced heavily by its surroundings.
"I think we've had a lot of great running backs (in central Ohio) over the years, and that's pretty indicative of the culture at Ohio State," said Burchfield, a 1993 Reynoldsburg graduate.
"You win when you have that great starting tailback. The teams that are winning state championships have great running backs."
Key led Hartley to the Division IV state championship as a senior in 2010, Kline was named the ThisWeek Super 25 captain as a junior in 1997 when UA was a Division I state semifinalist and Haw helped Independence reach a Division II regional final as a senior in 2003.
The third team also celebrates Granville's passing accomplishments with the inclusion of two of its greatest wide receivers and Marion-Franklin's strength in the trenches with an offensive lineman and a defensive lineman making the team.
Of the 27 players on the third team, seven went on to play for Ohio State and 11 others went on to play in college.
The players on the third team are listed in alphabetical order by position with their final high school season in parentheses:Quarterback
Nathan Poole (Grove City, 1999).
Even though at 6-foot-1 Poole was deemed too short to play major college football and ended up at Brown University, his prep career was one of the most impressive in central Ohio over the past two decades. He threw for nearly 6,000 yards and 64 touchdowns in three seasons as a starter. As a senior, he threw for 29 touchdowns and had just five interceptions, as the Dawgs finished 10-1.Running Back
Haw (2003), Key (2010), Kline (1998).
Key rushed for 20 touchdowns as a junior and 42 touchdowns and 2,885 yards as a senior when the Hawks won their second state title in program history. He currently plays for the University of Toledo.
Even though their college careers at Ohio State never panned out, Haw and Kline both had memorable prep careers.
Haw was redshirted by Ohio State in 2004 and had only 14 carries for the Buckeyes in 2005 before transferring to Jackson State, where he played two seasons. In high school, his blazing speed helped him to rush for 3,038 yards and 30 touchdowns.
Kline rushed for 2,315 yards and 33 touchdowns as a junior and, as a senior, battled an injury during the regular season before shining in the playoffs.Wide Receiver
Adam Alderman (Granville, 2008), Drew Anderson (Granville, 2003).
Under coaches Mike Hensley and J.R. Wait, the Blue Aces have been ahead of the curve in terms of passing success the last several seasons.
Alderman and Anderson put up some gaudy receiving numbers. Alderman had 90 catches for 1,328 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior and finished his prep career ranked third all-time in the state in receptions with 243, and Anderson had 102 catches for 1,590 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior to lead Granville to its first playoff berth.Tight End
Chris Miller (Upper Arlington, 2000).
One of the unsung heroes of the Golden Bears' run to the state championship during his senior year, Miller finished that season with 37 catches for 624 yards and eight touchdowns.
He went on to catch 45 passes and see action in 35 games for Boston College.Offensive Line
Mike Adams (Dublin Coffman, 2007), Ray Ball (Westerville South, 2010), Damon Dillard (Marion-Franklin, 2012), Pat Elflein (Pickerington North, 2011), Kyle Takavitz (Olentangy, 1999).
Despite having only one standout season during his college career at Ohio State, the 6-8, 305-pound Adams was one of the most highly touted linemen in central Ohio during his prep career.
Dillard is believed to be the only four-year starter at Marion-Franklin and helped the Red Devils advance to a Division II state semifinal twice, and Takavitz went on to play for the University of Cincinnati and spent time on the Cincinnati Bengals' practice squad.
The college careers of Elflein (Ohio State) and Ball (Wisconsin) are ongoing.Defensive Line
Troy Brandt (Grove City, 1990), Ben Huddle (Dublin Scioto, 2003), Paris Long (Beechcroft, 1995), Torrance Nicholson (Marion-Franklin, 2005).
With Brandt leading a vaunted defense with 10 sacks and six tackles for losses as a senior, Grove City put together a perfect regular season before losing 3-0 to Piqua in a first-round Division I playoff game.
Marion-Franklin has made the playoffs each of the last nine seasons and one of the players who helped get the run started was Nicholson, who went on to play for Youngstown State.
Long (Ohio State) and Huddle (Miami) also went on to play in college.Linebacker
Joey D'Andrea (Upper Arlington, 2006), B.J. Machen (Hilliard Darby, 2007), Marcus Ray (Eastmoor Academy, 1993), Matt Stewart (DeSales, 1996).
There are no slouches among this group, considering Machen (Georgia Tech), Stewart (Vanderbilt) and Ray (Michigan) all went on to play for major college programs and D'Andrea played for Division II Ashland.
During their final prep seasons, Ray starred at running back and linebacker as Eastmoor made the Division II playoffs and Machen helped lead Darby to a Division I regional final in its first playoff berth.
D'Andrea shined as a junior when he had 12 sacks and 11 tackles for losses and was solid during a senior season in which injuries kept him out of two games.
Stewart went on to play for the Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons.Defensive Back
Dominic Clegg (Watterson, 2009), Ronnie Smith (DeSales, 2003), Rolland Steele (Scioto, 1995), Mike Young (Mifflin, 1996).
Clegg comes from a long line of talented defensive backs for Watterson and finished with nine interceptions as a senior as Watterson was a Division III regional finalist.
Smith was a three-year starter for DeSales who had nine interceptions as a senior and went on to play for Capital.
Young totaled 17 interceptions over his final two prep seasons and went on to play for Akron before a neck injury shortened his career, and
Steele was among the key players for Scioto when it won the Division II state title in its first season in 1995 and went on to play for Ohio State.Place-Kicker
Kyle Turano (Worthington Kilbourne, 1999).
Better known for punting for Ohio State in 2004 after joining the program as a walk-on, Turano was a standout punter and kicker for Kilbourne. As a senior, he made 10 field goals with a long of 54 yards and two-thirds of his kickoffs were touchbacks.Punter
Jeff Mt. Joy (Westerville North, 1994).
One in a long line of standout punters to come through North's program, Mt. Joy was the kicker and punter in 1993 when the Warriors made the Division I playoffs.
As a senior, he averaged 42.2 yards on 20 punts.Return Specialist
Brandon Schoen (Olentangy Orange, 2011).
There might not have been a more valuable all-around player in central Ohio in 2011 than Schoen, who rushed for 1,263 yards, had five interceptions as a defensive back, scored 29 touchdowns and shined on special teams.
He returned two punts and two kickoffs for touchdowns that season as Orange made the Division I playoffs.


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It has long been a practice of mine to post my GT armies as I ponder their configuration and play test them. It's a habit I got out of when I stopped attending tournaments on a regular basis, but since Adam Troke challenged me to try an win the UK GT in 2018 I thought I'd get back into the habit again. As I have only a few weeks until the tournament I decided to go with forces that I already have painted and have a fair bit of playing experience with. Though as it turns out my gaming experience with Good armies is somewhat lacking.
The tournament is a Good versus Evil so I have to create and practice with two armies.
Evil Force:
This force is one of the strongest I've ever fielded. I stopped using these models because they weren't really a challenging force to play in my local gaming scene and I preferred to sharpen my skills by using armies that struggled to win games. The tactics for this force are relatively simple. They are pretty much a blunt instrument and you just bash your opponent with them. Flanking and trapping models still plays a part, but the heroes are all brutes and the fighting line is a bunch of armour cracking fiends.
Shagrat is a monster and his two supporting combat heroes are not much less so. Kardush provides me with both a shaman and a combat caster. His fireballs are not to be taken lightly and have finished off more than on injured hero or removed a troublesome banner from play. The trackers are there mostly as fuel for Kardush, but they also provide at least a modicum of arrow support for the force. Trackers have performed brilliantly on occasion, but more often than not they just die to either Kardush's special rule or the die plugging holes or as speed bumps to flankers. They are the best archers that Mordor has to offer in terms of accuracy and price point.
As I have a fair bit of experience with this force deployment and tactics aren't as much of a problem. My weak points in this force is actually how to use the heroes to their full effectiveness. Might management is a skill I need to brush up on and I need to improve my tactical 'muscle memory' to the new scenarios. I made a lot of dumb decisions in my last game with these guys which resulted not only in a draw, but also a generally poor performance overall.
Shagrat, War Leader of Cirith Ungol
6 Black Guards of Barad-dûr
6 Morannon Orcs with Spear
Captain of the Black Guard
6 Black Guards of Barad-dûr
6 Morannon Orcs with Spear
Morannon Orc Captain with Shield
6 Black Guards of Barad-dûr
6 Morannon Orcs with Spear
Kardûsh the Firecaller
12 Orc Trackers
Points = 700
Models = 52
Rout (25%) <= 13
Tim's UK GT Evil force musings
Let's hunt some Orc! For discussion of tactics and army lists for the LotR: Strategy Battle Game.
2 posts Page 1 of 1
Tim's UK GT Evil force musings
Re: Tim's UK GT Evil force musings
That's a pretty tough force, and good number of models. Mobility will be a weakness of this army list, as will Courage. Wish you luck!
2 posts Page 1 of 1
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Posts tagged with "networking"
RockIt Career Consultation Services wants you to have a successful and satisfying experience. Our guarantees to you are:
To schedule an appointment with us, simply click on the booking button below. It will give you all of our available times in the coming weeks for any type of appointment, whether it is for a Free Initial Consultation, a personal career consultation, one of our career enhancement workshops, or our monthly motivational seminars.
Want to stay up to date on what we are doing at RockIt Career Consultation Services, get links to our weekly blog, or just stay upbeat and motivated during your career transition? Sign up for our newsletter!
RockIt Career Consultation Services
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Tel: (636) 778-2419


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Lakeland First Friday
Dec 6, 2019
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
First Friday is one of the most popular recurring events at Historic Munn Park in Downtown Lakeland. Join us for an evening of FREE family friendly entertainment, activities, live music, art receptions, a car show, and, of course, the chance to check out a great, locally-owned restaurant or retail establishment.
Upcoming Event Themes
- June - Summer Sounds in Downtown
- July - Family Reunion
- August - Back to School
- September - Dog Days Downtown
- October - Friday Night Live
- November - Fall Festival
- December - Hometown Holiday
- January - Happy New Year
- February - Downtown/College Town
- March - A Night at the Circus
- April - What's the Buzz in Downtown - It's Springtime
You may also be interested in Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market or Downtown Lakeland Food Truck Rally.


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Born in Cognac, France, Fressinier was influenced by his father's admiration for the works of the Old Masters and his exposure to some of the world's most historic places. This, along with his proximity to France's Gallo-Roman ruins and Gothic churches inclined Fressinier to explore and create figurative, symbolic artwork and poetry. In addition, his education at the Ecole Brassart in Tours afforded him the opportunity to study the drawings and paintings of old and new masters.
His inspiration, he has said, has come from artists like Rembrandt for showing us the soul of his sitters, Van Dyke for his elegance, Bonnard's palette and Fuchs for the fantastic world he invented.
Fressinier will be at the gallery, located at 1111 Prospect St., from 6 to 9 p.m. on Feb. 22. To RSVP, call (858) 551-1122.


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Follow RFF News on your cell phone. Text follow rff to 40404 you will receive txt messages with RFF News
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
I wish we could have seen more of John Vito & Jill. I haven't seen season 3, but they seemed like a very nice couple.
You should have had a major opportunity to do so in AR11 All-Stars, but they punked out and finished last in the first leg. I think their Amazing Race racing career is over.
I couldn't help but think of both Jill and John Vito when it was announced tonight that Osama bin Laden had been killed in a US operation in Pakistan. For them, it is now possible for them to get closure for the death of F.T., Jill's older brother who died in the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York. We'll always remember F.T. and the 3000 others who died at Ground Zero that date, and we will remember this night, when Justice was finally done.
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Brazil Plans a Shift in Its Strategy
BRASILIA—Brazil is shifting gears in its effort to revive its troubled economy, away from aggressive currency and interest-rate policies to a more hands-off approach, Finance Minister Guido Mantega said in an interview.
"In 2013 we will reap what we have sown," he said, predicting a return to strong growth after two years in the doldrums. "2013 will be calmer, with fewer measures, because they've been done."


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Reviewed by Eddie G. (age 9)
The Comeback Kids is the best book I have ever read! It reminds me of the time I tried out for travel soccer. I ran my heart out, just like Scott. My favorite part was when the bully pushed Scott and the quarterback protects him. I kept on wondering if he was going to make the team and play or ruin his friendship with the Chris. The book was very exciting especially when their team plays their first game. I'd be shocked if you don't like this book. It has so much action. For example, the team was loosing by a touchdown with a minute left in a very important game. The author make me picture how fired up and confident each player was.
I recommend this book because you never know what is going to happen next! The story makes you continuously ask yourself questions. This book is for kids who like sports, and are ages 9-12. I'll guarantee that you'd love how almost every part of the book is action packed!


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Businesses, especially retailers, are finding that even the best laid plans are being thrown out the window, as consumer demands for online and physical connections scrap business plans.
Home » Growth Strategies for SMEs - My Business » Single channel a dying medium for retailers
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Single channel a dying medium for retailers
Businesses, especially retailers, are finding that even the best laid plans are being thrown out the window...
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Never take customers for granted is the lesson that springs to mind following news that an advertising and creative agency has lost an aspect of its business with carmarker Ford after 75 years.
Meet Australia's 'worst' products in 2018
Every year, consumer group Choice recognises the products and services on sale in Australia that it deems to be the worst with the Shonky Awards. Here are this year's "winners".
Telstra refunds $9m to thousands of customers
Telco giant Telstra has been forced to refund $9.3 million to some 72,000 customers who were found to have been misled by its billing practices on digital content.
Fitness First fined for excessive card surcharges
Gym chain Fitness First has paid a five-figure penalty after the consumer watchdog lashed out at its apparent overcharging of customers on card processing surcharges.
Businessman fined $10k for failing to supply goods
A North Queensland businessman has been ordered to pay $10,000 after accepting deposits from three customers for products that were never delivered.
Using cash costs businesses 29 days annually
New research has suggested that businesses accepting cash payments are spending an average of 29 days each year processing those payments, with a collective labour cost of $8.7 billion.
Trade war tensions leave exporters, importers in limbo
Ongoing trade tensions between the US and China are having an impact on Aussie businesses, who are concerned about the possibility of being caught in the crossfire.
Consumer confidence rocked by rate hikes
Recent mortgage rate increases and political instability have brought consumer confidence down to its lowest level in 2018, a new survey has found.
Strawberry attack 'work of ex-employee'
The shocking act of sabotage that saw sewing needles embedded into Australian strawberries appears to be the work of a "disgruntled ex-employee", it has been revealed.
Losses mount as 'bigger is better' mentality backfires
Myer's staggering $486 million loss may be indicative of a growing problem among businesses, where a push for size and scale actually eats into profitability.
Call centres making a comeback, recruiter claims
Once deemed a dying industry in Australia as automation and offshoring flourished, call centres are now making a strong comeback to the business landscape.
Exclusive: Delivery options make or break sales
Analysis provided exclusively to My Business has revealed the extent to which customers are demanding "new age" delivery options – and the impacts on businesses that fail to deliver them.
Hotels blasted for pre-authorisation fee 'scam'
Australian hotel operators – particularly large multinational chains – have been blasted for their practice of adding surplus charges to guests' credit cards and then delaying repayment of the funds.
PayPal launches 'enviro-friendly' digital gift cards
Payments provider PayPal has unveiled a digital gift store in a bid to compete in the lucrative gift card space, which it claims offers consumers a greener alternative than single-use plastic gift...
Extent of supermarket dominance revealed
Supermarket giants are continuing to squeeze out independent retailers, with a look at Australia's fresh bread market painting a gloomy picture for smaller retailers.
Capilano engulfed in fake honey scandal
Honey maker Capilano has aggressively defended both its product offering and Australia's testing regime amid allegations some of its "honey" is not actually honey.
Car financier faces court for fleecing franchisees


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WASHINGTON The number of people seeking U.S. unemployment aid fell 22,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 344,000, evidence that the job market may be picking up.
The Labor Department says the four-week average of applications dropped 6,750 to 355,000, the first drop in three weeks.
Weekly applications are a proxy for layoffs. When they decline, it suggests companies are cutting fewer workers and may be more willing to hire.
The four-week average has steadily declined since November. Since then, it has fallen almost 11 percent. At the same time, employers have added an average of 200,000 jobs per month from November through January. That's up from about 150,000 in the previous three months.


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Study, Eat, Sleep, Repeat
It's that time of year where everything happens all at once. It's not like I haven't done this before. I know this annual routine of panicking and flailing, but I can never get the better of it. (Though, this year includes the added fun of a thesis proposal. How did I get here?) As a result, my knitting time has taken a beating. Since I don't really have much time, I've been relishing the stockinette tubes laying around my room. My Stasis pullover gained a good 1.5" this weekend, but at the expense of my Gathering Stripes. That sucker is going nowhere fast.
But I'm dreaming of new and better things, so I better get finishing!
My new (and awesome) LYS, Needles in the Hay, had it's birthday sale a couple weeks back and among the things I picked up were these two balls of Berroro Blackstone Tweed. My initial plans for it was Stephen West's Pom-Pom It! hat, but I've since changed my mind to his Raxtur hat. I kind of love the texture and versatility of Raxtur, and I think these colours would work really nicely together. Different enough to be stripey, but similar enough to not be weird. Just my style.
This weekend James is coming all the way out to Toronto from Edmonton, so I'm gleefully anticipating exploring a city with him again. I can't wait to eat all the good food! It will be a welcome break after this week (which has been bananas), and it will take lots of work to catch up, but 4 days off will be lovely. Now, to get a couple stitches in before bed!
Fellow students, how do you balance your crafting with schoolwork? I really need to work on maximizing my time in an effective way. I have big plans, after all!
2 comments:
ha, i was just thinking this exact question. i started grad school this fall and hardly did any knitting until winter break. it also seems that most of my friends have decided to have babies this spring so i'm trying to figure out how making gifts, school and work will coexist together!ReplyDeleteReplies
It's ridiculous how much time grad school takes up, isn't it? I'm working on a plan for myself so that I can jam school work, knitting time and sleep all together. They're going to play nice whether they like it or not!Delete
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text:
No. 84,846
1. Sentencing statutes are to be consistently applied.
2. Criminal history is to be determined by a preponderance of the evidence.
3. A prior conviction is any conviction which occurred prior to sentencing in the current case regardless of whether the offense that led to the prior conviction occurred before or after the current offense or the conviction in the current case.
4. An appellant has the burden of furnishing a record which affirmatively shows that prejudicial error occurred in the trial court. In the absence of such a record, an appellate court presumes that the action of the trial court was proper.
5. Where a prosecutor lacks authority to make a plea agreement, the resulting agreement is invalid and will be set aside.
6. A prosecutor is not permitted to make any agreement to exclude any prior conviction from the criminal history of a defendant.
Appeal from Finney District Court; MICHAEL L. QUINT, judge. Opinion filed August 3, 2001. Sentence vacated, and case remanded with directions.
Lois K. Malin, assistant county attorney, John P. Wheeler, Jr., county attorney, and Carla J. Stovall, attorney general, for appellant.
Peter Maharry, assistant appellate defender, and Jessica R. Kunen, chief appellate defender, for appellee.
Before GERNON, P.J., KNUDSON and BEIER, JJ.
GERNON, J.: The State appeals on a question reserved under K.S.A. 2000 Supp. 22-3602(b)(3)--namely, whether a court may strike an otherwise valid conviction from a defendant's criminal history pursuant to a plea agreement. This involves interpreting the pertinent sentencing statutes, and we exercise de novo review. State v. Favela, 259 Kan. 215, 218, 911 P.2d 792 (1996).
Joel Hernandez first pled guilty to criminal damage to property, a nonperson felony, in case No. 99CR655. Immediately after, Hernandez pled guilty to criminal threat, a person felony, in case No. 99CR648.
Although the record is unclear, based on the district court findings, the parties arranged for Hernandez to plead in 99CR655 first, apparently reasoning that the criminal threat conviction in 99CR648 would not be a factor in sentencing on the criminal damage to property conviction.
At sentencing on the criminal damage to property conviction, the defense moved to strike the criminal threat conviction from Hernandez' criminal history. Over the State's objection, the court struck the conviction from the criminal history and noted: "Whether or not that is the anticipation of the legislature, that was certainly the anticipation of the parties entering the plea." With the criminal threat conviction, Hernandez' criminal history score would have been "D"; without the conviction, his score would have been "I."
The State's position is that it agreed not to request a departure at sentencing, not that any of Hernandez' convictions be omitted from consideration at sentencing. No objection to the PSI report was filed by Hernandez.
Hernandez questions our subject matter jurisdiction, claiming review on a question reserved is limited to issues of a statewide interest important to the correct and uniform administration of the criminal law. See State v. Leonard, 248 Kan. 427, 432, 807 P.2d 81 (1991). Hernandez characterizes the issue simply as the State's appeal of an erroneous criminal history determination. See State v. Woodling, 264 Kan. 684, 688, 957 P.2d 398 (1998) (whether a plea agreement was ambiguous is dependent on unique facts, requires a review of the trial court's factual findings, and is of limited precedential value).
The legislature has made it a primary concern to ensure the sentencing statutes are consistently applied. If we were to allow the result in this case to stand, the precedent would be damaging to the legislature's objectives. This is a situation certain to arise in the future. In addition, this case involves a sentencing court's decision to strike an otherwise valid conviction from the defendant's criminal history in contravention of the statutes. The State made a specific objection and reserved its question for appeal upon the adverse ruling from the bench. We find that this court has jurisdiction to hear this issue.
It is the intent of the legislature that a defendant's criminal history be determined by a preponderance of the evidence. K.S.A. 21-4715(a). For our purposes, all valid convictions are included in a defendant's criminal history if they occurred prior to sentencing in the instant case. K.S.A. 21-4710(a).
K.S.A. 21-4713(f) provides that in the course of discussing plea agreements, the prosecutor
"shall not enter into any agreement to decline to use a prior drug conviction of the defendant to elevate or enhance the severity level of a drug crime as provided in K.S.A. 65-4127a, 65-4127b and 65-4159 or 65-4160 through 65-4164 and amendments thereto, or make any agreement to exclude any prior conviction from the criminal history of the defendant." (Emphasis added.)
The issue is answered by a reading of K.S.A. 21-4710(a), which defines prior convictions as
"any conviction, other than another count in the current case which was brought in the same information or complaint or which was joined for trial with other counts in the current case pursuant to K.S.A. 22-3203 and amendments thereto, which occurred prior to sentencing in the current case regardless of whether the offense that led to the prior conviction occurred before or after the current offense or the conviction in the current case." (Emphasis added.)
Here, the district court found that the parties did not intend for Hernandez' criminal history to include the criminal threat conviction.
An appellant has the burden of furnishing a record that affirmatively shows that prejudicial error occurred in the trial court. In the absence of such a record, an appellate court presumes the action of the trial court was proper. State v. Valdez, 266 Kan. 774, 792, 977 P.2d 242 (1999). The State in this case failed to include the plea agreement as part of the record on appeal. Therefore, we will presume that the findings of the trial court relating to the intent of the parties in the plea agreement were proper.
Based on clear legislative intent, the criminal threat conviction should have been included in Hernandez' criminal history pertaining to the criminal damage conviction. Where the prosecutor lacks authority to make a plea agreement, the resulting agreement is invalid and must be set aside. See Fehlhafer v. State, 23 Kan. App. 2d 193, 196, 930 P.2d 1087 (1996). The prosecutor did not have the authority to alter or ignore the plain language and intent of the legislature relating to criminal history. Therefore, we find that the plea agreement is invalid and must be set aside.
Accordingly, we vacate Hernandez' sentence in case No. 99CR655 and remand for resentencing. Ordinarily, we would stop there. However, given the district court's specific finding that Hernandez entered his pleas in the two cases with the understanding that the State would deliver on a promise we now find inappropriate, the district court should permit Hernandez to pursue motions for withdrawal of his pleas, should he wish to file them.
Sentence vacated, and case remanded with directions.


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January 20. 2013 7:54PM
Mass. man accused of driving wrong way on Interstate 93 in Derry
DERRY - A Massachusetts man is charged with driving drunk and the wrong way on Interstate 93.
New Hampshire State Police troopers stopped Juan Arango, 25, of Lowell, early Saturday morning as he was allegedly driving south in the northbound lane of the highway just south of Exit 4.
Police believe he got on the highway at exit 5.
Police said Arango's blood-alcohol content was more than double the legal limit of .08 percent. He is charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated and is due in Derry District Court Feb. 22.


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The Jffnms ebuild has the following USE flags available:
|USE Flags for Jffnms
Being written in PHP, Jffnms is heavily dependent on PHP USE flags. In order to install Jffnms successfully, you are required to have your PHP package installed with (at least) the following USE flags:
|USE Flags for PHP
Just like any package in Portage, jffnms can be installed with
# emerge jffnms
Jffnms should be installed in
Sometimes you will want to run Jffnms on your local computer instead of a remote server. If this is your case, it is very likely that you don't have an apache setup running. Don't worry about installing apache though, Portage has already done that for you. Nevertheless, you still have to configure and test apache, which (luckily) is pretty straightforward. Start by adding Apache to your default runlevel:
# rc-update add apache2 default
If you haven't done it yet, it's time to start apache2:
# /etc/init.d/apache2 start
Finally, point your browser at
# nano -w /etc/conf.d/apache2 APACHE2_OPTS="-D DEFAULT_VHOST -D PHP5"
After that, you should create a symlink to the Jffnms install directory in your
Apache document root dir. In Gentoo, by default, Apache uses
# cd /var/www/localhost/htdocs && ln -s /opt/jffnms/
Now that Apache is running, it is time to configure PHP. Jffnms requires that
you set some variables in php.ini in order to run. The
# nano -w /etc/php/apache2-php5/php.ini register_globals = On register_argc_argv = On error_reporting = E_ALL & ~E_NOTICE allow_url_fopen = On include_path = ".:/usr/share/php5:/usr/share/php:/usr/share/php/PEAR" short_open_tag = On
Jffnms allows you to use either PostgreSQL or MySQL as its database. Here we'll show you how to create the database and necessary tables where Jffnms will store its data. It's important to note that it isn't necessary to have a database running locally to run Jffnms and except for the fact that you need to run this commands on the remote host, the procedure is the same.
You should add PostgreSQL to your default runlevel so it's started each time you
boot your computer. Make sure to change
# rc-update add postgresql-${SLOT} default
Now you must setup the PostgreSQL database. Make sure to change
# emerge --config postgresql-server-${VERSION}
Now start PostgreSQL:
# /etc/init.d/postgresql-${SLOT} start
Once you have your PostgreSQL set up and running, you have to create a Jffnms user and a database to store host data.
# psql template1 postgres template1=# create user jffnms password 'jfnms' createdb; template1=# \connect template1 jffnms template1=# create database jffnms; template1=# \q
Finally, you need to create all the tables where data will be stored:
# psql jffnms jffnms < /opt/jffnms/docs/jffnms-0.9.3.pgsql
Once you have run those steps, the PostgreSQL database configuration for Jffnms should be ok.
In case you want to run Jffnms with MySQL, you'll first need to create a database and a MySQL user. After that, create your MySQL table:
# mysql -u jffnms -pjffnms jffnms < /opt/jffnms/docs/jffnms-0.9.3.mysql
If you want UDP port monitoring and discovery, you need to set
# chmod +s /usr/bin/nmap ; chmod a+x /usr/bin/nmap # chmod +s /usr/sbin/fping ; chmod a+x /usr/sbin/fping
The poller process is responsible for gathering data from hosts. In order to collect this data at regular intervals, it must be added to crontab.
# crontab -u jffnms /opt/jffnms/docs/unix/crontab # crontab -e -u jffnms
By now, Jffnms should be correctly installed on your system. You still need,
however, to configure Jffnms. Luckily, Jffnms provides us with an easy to use
web page where it's possible to configure access to database, user access as
well as check if the current host configuration suffices Jffnms needs. You can
access this web interface through the following URL:
Though Jffnms is a wonderful application, it is a bit hard to get it up and running. So if you run into problems with Jffnms, there are some places where you can look for help:


text:
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text:
Did you read today's front page stories & breaking news?
From the Wires
Singularity University's Dan Barry, MD, PhD, Joins Next IT's Technical Advisory Board
By: Business Wire
Jan. 24, 2013 07:01 AM
Next IT, the world's leading provider of Intelligent Virtual Assistants (IVAs), is pleased to announce a partnership with robotics pioneer and former NASA astronaut Dan Barry. Dr. Barry's passion for exploring new ways artificial intelligence can serve humanity will speed Next IT's quest to change the way technology interacts with the world.
"There are few technologies in existence today that have a greater potential to impact our lives than artificial intelligence. But to turn that potential into reality, we must warm people up to the idea of letting AI-driven technologies into their everyday lives – whether in the form of virtual assistants or robots," said Barry. "Next IT Intelligent Virtual Assistants offer a critical component to furthering the wide-spread adoption of artificial intelligence; they are capable of building trust and putting people at ease with AI interactions."
Dr. Barry is an accomplished biomedical researcher and engineer whose work has been supported by the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the Grass Foundation, and the American Heart Association of Michigan. He's the founder of Denbar Robotics, a creator of robotic assistants for home and commercial use that concentrates on assistive devices for people with disabilities. He also co-founded 9th Sense, which designs and builds telepresence robots. He serves as chair for Space and Physical Sciences and co-chair for AI and Robotics at Singularity University.
"There are tremendous synergies between us in terms of intelligent machines," said Denise Caron, Chief Technology Officer at Next IT. "Next IT benefits greatly from having Dr. Barry join our advisory board; his reputation for courage and innovation is truly inspiring. Together, we will drive critical advancements in the fields of computer science and artificial intelligence – some of which have the potential to change everything that we know about how we interact with technology and the role that it will play in our future."
About Next IT
Next IT is the world's largest provider of Intelligent Virtual Assistants that help companies deliver the perfect online customer experience. Its Intelligent Virtual Assistants combine the intimacy of 1-to-1 service that customers love with the speed and accuracy of automated self-service that scales cost-effectively. Some of the world's largest organizations rely on Next IT for conversational customer care that boosts satisfaction, loyalty, and revenue, including Aetna, Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, and the U.S. Army. Please visit www.NextIT.com for more information.
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text:
LAS VEGAS -- Retail real estate can claim bragging rights. It's the only commercial real estate property sector to show positive absorption and rent growth over the past year, according to Marcus & Millichap, which hosted "Retail Trends 2003"on Tuesday at the Las Vegas Hilton.
What's more, retail properties yielded a total return of 14% overall last year followed by apartments (9%), industrial (7%) and office (3%), according to Marcus & Millichap. Meanwhile, the total return for the S&P 500 was a negative 0.2%.
"If you consider the $8 trillion of stock market wealth that we've lost over the past 2.5 years, two wars, a tech bubble and a recession and the effect of the 9-11 tragedy, the main story with retail sales is the resilience of the consumer sector and the U.S. economy," says Hessam Nadji, senior vice president and director of research for Marcus & Millichap.
The forum, which attracted a few hundred real estate professionals, included a market overview from Nadji and a panel discussion on opportunities and strategies in a changing market. The three-member panel included Drew Alexander, president and CEO of Weingarten Realty Investments; David Henry, vice chairman of Kimco Corp.; and Michael McCarty, president of the community centers division for Simon Property Group.
Retail rents are currently growing at about 3% annually, estimates Marcus & Millichap, down from the heady days of a few years ago when rents routinely grew 7% to 8% per year. "All of us will take a minimal, but positive, rent growth over the substantial rent declines we've seen in other property types," says Nadji.
The economy has been slow to improve primarily because American businesses are still struggling after a severe profit recession. The unemployment rate is at 6% and expected to rise further. "We've lost 2.2 million jobs, and 500,000 of those jobs were lost in the last 90 days," says Nadji. "So, the momentum on the job front is negative and continues to be negative. We still have layoffs in the pipeline."
Furthermore, the growth of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has been lackluster. GDP in the first quarter registered 1.6%, and in the second quarter it's projected to be 1.5% to 2%, which is well below the 3% required for the economy to begin to add jobs, adds Nadji. He doesn't expect a recovery in the jobs sector until 2004.
"We had a very moderate recession, therefore we're having a very moderate recovery. We have no pent-up demand on the consumer side. Consumers kept on spending right through the recession in a very hot housing market, therefore there is no spark to get this recovery off the ground."
The good news is that consumer confidence is rising and Americans are continuing to refinance their homes, giving them more money to spend on big- and small-ticket items such as home improvements, electronics and gardening equipment. "Our income growth exceeds inflation, which means we can continue to spend."
Making the Case for Retail
Prior to the recession, the conventional wisdom among real estate professionals was that apartments were a strong defensive property type and would withstand the downturn better than other property types. But, in fact, the fundamentals in the apartment sector are weak. Multifamily rental rates have fallen while vacancies and concessions are on the rise. "People are now realizing that retail has a number of merits no one focused on," says Henry of Kimco. "The length of leases is relatively long-term in the retail sector."
Kimco has about 7,000 leases in its portfolio with an average remaining term of 10 years. "That gives you a stability for retail properties. "I think that retail, on a relative basis, looks strong."
It's a good time to buy higher-quality properties at a premium and sell some of the lower-quality assets, the panel agreed. With interest rates at historic lows, buyers can still pay a premium for the higher-quality properties and lock in a very high-leverage yield, according to Henry. On Tuesday, the 10-year Treasury yield closed at 3.38%, compared with 5.1% a year ago.
Owners should be taking a long, hard look at their portfolio to identify lower-quality properties and sell them while the buying frenzy continues, Henry adds. "The B and C properties are getting caught up with some of the A properties in terms of being attractive from a purchaser's viewpoint."
Similarly, McCarty of Simon Property Group recommends investors buy solid income streams and prune the portfolio of underperforming assets. McCarty also puts strong emphasis on local market knowledge.: "I wouldn't buy things in markets you're not familiar with because there is a lot of local information that you may not be aware of. "
Bankruptcy Problem to Ease
A long list of retailers have either filed for bankruptcy or gone out of business over the past few years, including Bradlees, Caldor and Service Merchandise and Kmart. But the panel agreed that the worst is over, particularly for the big-box discounters. "Last year was a rough year getting those boxes re-tenanted," admits Henry. "We don't see any other large discounters going out of business anytime soon. We've also been encouraged that our small tenants have held up well in terms of paying occupancy and rents."
McCarty likens the bankruptcy problem to a boxing match – the last retailer standing wins the fight. One positive outcome of the bankruptcy mess is that retailers have learned to become much more proficient at controlling costs at their stores. "If the retailers get any lift in their sales," McCarty says, "I think they'll have better earnings."
Weingarten has faced a limited exposure to the bankruptcy problem, according to Alexander. Eight Kmart and five Service Merchandise stores went dark in the company's portfolio, but Alexander takes the issue all in stride. "Having lived through Texas in the middle and late 1980s, I'm a lot more familiar with the provisions of the bankruptcy code than I'd like to be, but it's just one of the things you deal with. I'm pretty optimistic that things will get better."
Wal-Mart's emergence on the grocery store scene is significant, according to Nadir of Marcus & Millichap, because the giant retailer has strong pricing power. Wal-Mart's costs are 16.5% of total revenues vs. 23% for the industry average. Consequently, the panel expects some stores to go dark and some grocery chains to consolidate, but to what extent remains unclear. "My family started in the grocery business in 1901. The industry has, and will always be, extremely competitive," says Alexander. "You've got to know the quality of the facility, the operations, the occupancy costs, the rent, the sales per square and the barriers to entry."


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Charlie Sheen explodes onto Twitter
Followers will soon match former salary
Now that he has a bit of time on his hands, actor and keen supporter of LA's nose candy and helpful lady industries Charlie Sheen has decided to give forth on Twitter.
They hardly represent a fascinating insight into the mind of the man who thought that trousering $2m an episode for Two And A Half Men was inadequate recompense for his galactic talents, but Sheen's handful of tweets have already earned him a substantial 600,000+ followers.
His bio declares "Born Small... Now Huge... Winning... Bring it..!", and just to prove what a winner he is, Sheen has posted a couple of snaps to brighten lesser mortals' days:
The above is entitled "Winning..! Choose your Vice...", and shows the thesp with his latest squeeze Rachel Oberlin. For the record, she's holding a Naked protein shake while he's fondling a Broguiere's chocolate milk.
Expect further such entertainment as the Sheen Twittermachine ramps up to full, tiger-blood-powered speed (although you may not be able to process it). ®