text:
Friday, September 30, 2011
3D Driving Directions
Google Maps has added the option to preview driving directions in 3D using the Google Earth plugin.
Now when you use Google Maps for driving directions you will see a 3D button next to your directions.
When you click on the 3D button the map will switch to the Google Earth view. An animated fly-through of your route will then be shown.
You can pause the flight at any time by clicking anywhere in the 3D view or on the pause button. It is also possible to jump to different stages in your directions by clicking on a step in the left hand panel.
Try a Flight
Via: Google Latlong
Posted by Keir Clarke at 4:46 PM
Labels: driving directions
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
Everbrite is a clear, protective coating that will restore the original color and luster of chalky, dull or faded siding and painted or anodized metals. Everbrite will also protect metal from fading, corrosion, color loss or oxidation. Everbrite will stop copper, brass or bronze from tarnishing or oxidizing.
An Everbrite Trial Kit is a great way to try Everbrite or for smaller projects like weathervanes, statues, small copper roofs, painted metals, or architectural anodized aluminum and more.
When you order your Everbrite Trial Kit, you get: 4 oz. EVERBRITE Protective Coating - will refinish & protect about 25 sq.ft., 4 oz. EZ Prep Concentrated Cleaner for cleaning chalky oxidation from siding or other oxidized metal or for neutralizing surfaces cleaned with acid based cleaners. Prep Pad, Microfiber Towel, Applicator, Nitrile Gloves & Complete written instructions on application & use.
** NOT included: Metal Polish (available in other kits) or solvents for the final wipe on unpainted metal.
Have a larger project? An Everbrite Starter Kit covers about 150 s.f., An Everbrite Quart Kit covers about 250 s.f. Also available in 1000 Square Foot Kits and 5000 Square Foot Kits.
Want a Kit with Polish? Small Kit with 4 oz. can of Everbrite and Maas Polish. Medium Kit with Everbrite Pint and Maas Polish. Larger Kit with Everbrite Quart and Maas Polish.
Heavily Tarnished Copper? Small Kit and Medium Kit with HD Copper Cleaning Gel, Neutralizer, Maas Polish and Everbrite Coatings.
Want Just the Everbrite Coating? Still included: Applicator Pad, Nitrile Gloves, Complete Written Directions. Available in Various Sizes.
Extra Applicators and Nitrile Gloves Available.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
It is possible that the main title of the report Retinoschisis is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.
Retinoschisis means splitting of the eye's retina into two layers. There are two forms of this disorder. The most common is an acquired form that affects both men and women. It usually occurs in middle age or beyond, although it can occur earlier, and it is sometimes known as senile retinoschisis. The other form is present at birth (congenital) and affects mostly boys and young men. It is known as juvenile, X-linked retinoschisis.
The disorder is characterized by a slow, progressive loss of parts of the field of vision corresponding to the areas of the retina that have become split. Either form may be associated with the development of saclike blisters (cysts) in the retina.
Foundation Fighting Blindness
7168 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite 100
Columbia, MD 21046
Tel: (410)423-0600
Fax: (410)872-0574
Tel: (800)683-5555
Email: email@example.com
Internet: http://www.blindness.org/
Lighthouse International
111 E 59th St
New York, NY 10022-1202
Tel: (800)829-0500
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Internet: http://www.lighthouse.org
Retinitis Pigmentosa International
P.O. Box 900
Woodland Hills, CA 91365
Tel: (818)992-0500
Fax: (818)992-3265
Tel: (800)344-4877
Email: email@example.com
Internet: http://www.rpinternational.org
National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (NAPVI)
P.O. Box 317
Watertown, MA 02272-0317
Tel: (617)972-7441
Fax: (617)972-7444
Tel: (800)562-6265
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Internet: http://www.napvi.org
American Foundation for the Blind
2 Penn Plaza
Suite 1102
New York, NY 10121
Tel: (212)502-7600
Fax: (888)545-8331
Tel: (800)232-5463
Email: email@example.com
Internet: http://www.afb.org
Blind Children's Fund
PO Box 363
Three Oaks, MI 49128
Tel: (989)779-9966
Fax: (269)756-3133
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Internet: http://www.blindchildrensfund.org
American Council of the Blind
2200 Wilson Boulevard
Suite 650
Arlington, VA 22201
Tel: (202)467-5081
Fax: (202)465-5085
Tel: (800)424-8666
Email: email@example.com
Internet: http://www.acb.org/
Association for Macular Diseases, Inc.
210 E. 64th St.
8th Floor
New York, NY 10065
Tel: (212)605-3719
Fax: (212)605-3795
Email: email@example.com
Internet: http://www.macula.org/association/about.html
NIH/National Eye Institute
31 Center Dr
Bethesda, MD 20892-2510
United States
Tel: (301)496-5248
Fax: (301)402-1065
Email: email@example.com
Internet: http://www.nei.nih.gov/
Association for Retinopathy of Prematurity and Related Diseases
P.O.Box 250425
Franklin, MI 48025
Tel: (248)549-2671
Fax: (248)788-4589
Tel: (800)788-2020
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Internet: http://www.ropard.org
MUMS National Parent-to-Parent Network
150 Custer Court
Green Bay, WI 54301-1243
Tel: (920)336-5333
Fax: (920)339-0995
Tel: (877)336-5333
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Internet: http://www.netnet.net/mums/
MD Support - The Eyes of the Macular Degeneration Community
3600 Blue Ridge Blvd
Grandview, MO 64030
Tel: (816)761-7080
Fax: (816)761-7080
Email: email@example.com
Internet: http://www.mdsupport.org
Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
PO Box 8126
Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8126
Tel: (301)251-4925
Fax: (301)251-4911
Tel: (888)205-2311
Email: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/EmailForm.aspx
Internet: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD
This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html
The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.
It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.
For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email firstname.lastname@example.com
Last Updated: 5/3/2008
Copyright 1988, 1989, 2004 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.


text:
Web Content ViewerActions
CANON U.S.A.,Inc. MAKES NO GUARANTEES OF ANY KIND WITH REGARD TO ANY PROGRAMS, FILES, DRIVERS OR ANY OTHER MATERIALS CONTAINED ON OR DOWNLOADED FROM THIS, OR ANY OTHER, CANON SOFTWARE SITE. ALL SUCH PROGRAMS, FILES, DRIVERS AND OTHER MATERIALS ARE SUPPLIED "AS IS." CANON DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.
CANON U.S.A.,Inc. SHALL NOT BE HELD LIABLE FOR ERRORS CONTAINED HEREIN, OR FOR LOST PROFITS, LOST OPPORTUNITIES, CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES INCURRED AS A RESULT OF ACTING ON INFORMATION, OR THE OPERATION OF ANY SOFTWARE, INCLUDED IN THIS SOFTWARE SITE.
I have read and understand the information above, and wish to download the designated software.
EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM
Super Telephoto
Canon Store: $
Experience how changing your lens can unlock a world of possibilities, and see beyond what meets the eye. Start Exploring!
Compare lenses from the abundant Canon lineup of EF Lenses and see the difference each one can make.
Learn more about the Canon milestone that has helped you capture many of yours with Canon EF lenses.
Featuring Fluorite optics that deliver sharper images with less chromatic aberration, the new large-diameter EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM super telephoto lens also takes advantage of magnesium and titanium construction for a lighter weight and a Fluorine coating that keeps soiling, smears and fingerprints to a minimum. Because image stabilization technology in super telephoto lenses may inadvertently over-compensate and interfere with composing and framing distant or moving subjects, the EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM includes an advanced third Image Stabilization mode (Mode 3) that activates IS only when the shutter button is fully pressed. This allows users to pan fast-moving subjects and then activate IS only when it is precisely required. Because all three IS modes give the equivalent effect of up to four extra stops of performance, and because plus the Power Focus mode enables smooth focus change when shooting video, the EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM is ideal for capturing rapid-fire action. Other improvements such as better dust- and waterproofing make the Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM super telephoto lens an ultra high-performance Digital Age tool combining Canon hallmarks of superb ease-of-use with excellent durability.
Sample Image
MTF Charts
Focal Length & Maximum Aperture
Lens Construction
Diagonal Angle of View
Focus Adjustment
Closest Focusing Distance
Filter Size
Max. Diameter x Length, Weight
Compatible Supplies & Accessories
Canon offers a wide range of compatible supplies and accessories that can enhance your user experience with you EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM that you can purchase direct. Scroll down to easily select items to add to your shopping cart for a faster, easier checkout. Visit the Canon Online Store
52mm Drop-in Circular Polarizing Filter PL-C 52
52mm Drop-in Screw Filter Holder 52 (accepts standard 52mm filters)
EF 1.4X Extender
EF 1.4X Extender
EF 2XII Extender
EF 2XII Extender
Extender EF 1.4x III
Extends focal length by a factor of 1.4x Built-in microcomputer for seamless communication with camera body, lens and extender Newly-developed Fluorine coating keeps soiling, smears and fingerprints to a minimum
Extender EF 2x III
Extends focal length by a factor of 2x Built-in microcomputer for seamless communication with camera body, lens and extender Newly-developed Fluorine coating keeps soiling, smears and fingerprints to a minimum
Extension Tube EF 12 II
Extension Tube EF 12 II is especially suited for close-focusing with wide-angle lenses.
Extension Tube EF 25 II
25mm fully coupled Extension Tube for EOS camera and most lenses to 350mm.
Lens Cap E-185B
Lens Case 600B
Lens Dust Cap E Rear Cap
Rear lens cap for all EF type lenses, lens extenders, and extension tubes. Used to protect the rear glass element from dust and scratches.
Lens Hood ET-160WII
Lens Wide Strap
Fits Many Long Telephoto Lenses.
Raincover Large
Canon EF 101: A Beginner's Guide
Canon EF 101: Lens Basics
Canon EF 101: Telephoto Lenses
Canon EF 101: Lens Accessories
† Prices and specifications subject to change without notice. Actual prices are determined by individual dealers and may vary.
- ${title}${badge}


text:
As the remaining few minutes of their 15 minutes of fame continues to tick down, the behavior and actions of Heidi Montag and her husband Spencer Pratt continues to get more outrageous.
The latest is now that The Hills star and her husband decided to call the cops on Heidi's mom, Darlene Egelhoff, yesterday after she made a surprise visit to her L.A.-area home.
"My mom [Darlene Egelhoff] just showed up to the house unannounced… and after what she did to me on national TV, I have no desire to see her," Heidi, 23, told TMZ, referring to her mom's disapproval of her 10 plastic surgeries in one day.
According to Heidi, she immediately notified her personal security team when Darlene began "pounding on the door." Spencer adds, "She's gone. The cops took her away." Heidi then reveals she plans on getting a restraining order against her mother. "Her showing up is completely out of line and psychotic," Heidi says. "I'm getting a restraining order against her."
Interestingly enough, this week's cover of US Weekly magazine details a cover story about Heidi being controlled by Spencer. According to the article, Spencer has "preyed" on Heidi's insecurities and ruined her self-esteem. Spencer is also said to have scary "rage issues" and his former pals fear he could "snap at any minute." It's also said that their sad and desperate hunger for fame has left them friendless.
The lives of these two continues to become increasingly sad and pathetic. Almost everything they do in their lives is done for publicity. It's difficult for us to know what's real and what's fake with them. Heidi was already on the phone with TMZ while her mom was still allegedly knocking on her door. At the rate they continue to carry on, they might be headed for a tragic ending.


text:
As one of the largest buyers of cards, comics, autographs and collectibles in the world we look forward to hearing from you and getting you a free quote for your items.
I've been putting away older Magic boxes for a long time, and my investment paid off very well.
I worked with Dan and we agreed on a very fair price. He was very knowledgeable and helpful
along the way in ensuring the deal went smoothly.
Sam - Portland, OR.
I've been dealing with Dave and Adam's for years. When it came time to sell some of my unopened
boxes and cases I've stored over the years - I knew these were the guys to turn to. They paid me
a higher price than I was offered from the other big buyers.
Craig - Mesa, AZ.
Sorry, it looks like your browser doesn't have cookies enabled. Dave & Adam's only uses cookies to keep track of your shopping cart while you browse dacardworld.com. Please enable cookies to further enjoy your shopping experience. If you have cookies enabled, please refresh your browser.


text:
Bring on the DodgersBy SCOTT LAUBER
Boston Herald
August 22. 2013 11:21PM
SAN FRANCISCO — Bring on the Los Angeles Dodgers.
At last, the Red Sox can say it. After annihilating the San Francisco Giants, 12-1, Wednesday in the finale of a three-game interleague series, the Sox finally were able to look ahead to a showdown that has been breathlessly anticipated since the schedule was released 11 months ago.
The subplots are endless. There is the reunion with Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford, jettisoned by the Sox one year ago Sunday in a megatrade that altered the course of both franchises. There is the chance for an up-close look at Yasiel Puig, the Cuban sensation who has turned the Dodgers into the hottest team in baseball.
And, of course, there is the potential that the next three games represent a World Series preview.
So, as the Red Sox left AT&T Park, bound for the airport and a day off before descending upon Dodger Stadium tonight, they already were looking forward to what figures to be a must-see weekend.
"I'm sure there's going to be some big hype, obviously with the trade, Puig," said Jonny Gomes, whose two-run single in the third inning gave the Sox a 5-1 lead en route to the rout. "It's going to be good baseball. I think it'll be a nice, hostile environment, a playoff atmosphere, which is going to be nice to get exposed to that."
First, though, there was the matter of finishing off the Giants, albeit a stripped-down version of the defending World Series champions. And the Red Sox jumped on Barry Zito with Will Middlebrooks' two-run homer in the second inning and didn't relent. The Sox added three runs in the third inning, another in the fourth, then five in the seventh on a rally punctuated by Stephen Drew's three-run shot against Mike Kickham.
Felix Doubront chipped in eight solid innings, and the Red Sox snapped a three-series losing streak, winning their first since Aug. 5-7 in Houston.
One downer: David Ortiz left the game in the fifth inning with tightness in his lower back. But the slugger characterized the condition as more of an annoyance than a worrisome injury and wouldn't rule out playing first base against the Dodgers.
After all, Ortiz wouldn't miss a chance to catch up with Gonzalez and Crawford.
"They're my boys," Ortiz said. "It will be cool to see my boys out there. It seems like (the trade) happened yesterday. It's one of those situations where they made decisions, and as an employee, you have to deal with it. But I tell you what: The way they're playing, it tells you, things have gotten better over there. Things have gotten better over here. They're making the GMs look like geniuses."
There will be plenty of time to analyze the trade over the next three days. Besides, the Red Sox are more curious to see how they stack up against the Dodgers, who have won 45 of their last 55 games.
"We've got three big ones against a very talented team, one of the best teams in the game," Shane Victorino, who finished last season with the Dodgers after being traded by the Philadelphia Phillies, said. "Going out there now, watching them do what they're doing, it doesn't shock me. It doesn't surprise me. We're going to see what they're all about. It's going to be a true test for us."
But it's just the latest in a series of tests this month, according to manager John Farrell. The three games against the Dodgers represent the end of a stretch in which the Sox have played 16-of-19 games away from Fenway Park.
Thus far, they have a 7-9 record.
"I remember leaving spring (training) and going, 'August is going to be tough. We've got to get our wins now to hopefully cover us if August does hit a little bump,'"
Gomes said. "I don't think it's been a bump. I just think we're kind of going with the flow of traffic versus speeding ahead."
Against the Dodgers, it will be full-speed ahead.


text:
G420, New May 1999
The competition for rental acreage is ever increasing. As the demand for rentable farmland increases, producers who want to rent land must promote themselves and their management ability to differentiate themselves from the competition. One reason for the increased competition is the distance tenants are willing to travel from their base establishment to rent land. It is not uncommon for a tenant to rent land as far away as 30 miles.
If you want to rent farmland using a crop-share or flexible cash rent agreement, you may face difficulty if other tenants are willing to rent for cash. Using a crop-share or flexible cash rent agreement places the landowner at risk and increases the need for the landowner to be sure of a tenant's management skills. Rental land does not always go to the highest bidder in a cash-rent, crop-share or flexible-rent arrangement. Communication with the landowner is an important factor in gaining the right to farm the landowner's ground. This publication outlines a way for you to communicate your qualifications as a producer and a prospective tenant farmer by preparing a farm resume.
A farm resume is much like a resume for employment in that it highlights your qualifications to do a job. A farm resume can help tenants to be creative in selling their services. Young farmers, in particular, can benefit from developing a farm resume to help them compete for land so that their operation can grow.
Just as a job applicant must be careful, concise and creative in developing a resume for an employer, so a prospective land tenant should follow a similar approach in designing a farm resume. You may revise your first draft many times before you are satisfied. You should also update your resume as your farming operation changes. Contact a local extension specialist for help in designing and revising the resume. The resume should include at least the following elements:
Management objectivesDescribe briefly your farming goals. Taking the time to prepare a clear statement of your goals will benefit you as a manager and can also help set you apart from your competition in the mind of the landowner.
ExperienceProvide information about
EquipmentList the major types of equipment you own or lease. Make note of those pieces of equipment that improve production efficiency or protect the environment, such as tracked tractors for reduced soil compaction. Include grain storage and crop drying equipment if available.
Biographical backgroundWe live in a small world. By providing some background information about yourself, you can establish a common bond with the landowner. Explain when and how you became involved in farming. Be sure to include information about your spouse and other family members and about your community activities.
Environmental statementExpress your views on soil erosion, the size of waterways and the distance that should be maintained between fields and homesteads or water sources. If appropriate, include a statement about incorporating advanced technologies such as biotechnology and precision agriculture into your operation.
Risk-management strategiesFor a crop-share lease arrangement, landowners may request help in marketing their share of the crop. Demonstrate your knowledge of crop insurance, forward pricing and futures markets, but you will want to avoid giving the impression that you spend more time mitigating marketing risks than mitigating production and environmental risks.
Insurance coverage and limitsGive the name and address of your insurance agent.
ReferencesYou should be able, if asked, to give references. One-liners from landowners who know your work may be included. Additionally, include financial institutions where you handle the majority of the banking for your farm business. You should always obtain permission from all references.
PhotographIf possible, provide a photo of your home operation to show the landowner the care and pride you take in your work. Obviously, a picture of an unkempt operation could hurt your chances.
The purpose of your farm resume is to summarize and give a good impression of your qualifications as a prospective tenent. As a rule,
A growing complication in the rental of farmland is the urban absentee landowner. This may be a person who owns land through inheritance or investment and is seldom seen by the prospective tenant. In addition to preparing a farm resume, you may want to consider developing a regular newsletter during the cropping season or a website to better communicate with these landowners. Advances in technology make these tasks relatively simple. See your local MU Extension center for guidance or further information.
Joe Farmer100 Top Farmer LaneColumbia, Missouri email@example.com
Management objectives
Experience and advanced training
Farming background
Typical yields
Advanced training and licenses held
Record keeping
Special equipment
Occupation, family, organizations and community service
Environmental statement
Risk management strategies
Insurance coverage
On a separate pageHave these references with you in case the landowner requests them while talking with you.
Order publications online at http://extension.missouri.edu/explore/shop/ or call toll-free 800-292-0969.


text:
There are only so many stories, so the difference is in the details
Sylvester Stallone was originally cast to play the lead in Beverly Hills Cop. With Sly as the lead, the movie would have been substantially different. And according to Wikipedia (the most reliable source in the world), the movie Stallone imagined for Beverly Hills Cop became Cobra. The details are sketchy, but apparently, Stallone wanted a harder-edged movie than was planned and the part went to Murphy–an easy choice given his popularity on Saturday Night Live and 48 Hrs.
Beverly Hills Cop with Stallone would have been different. For instance, no police cars would have been disabled by sticking a couple of bananas up the tailpipe.
(By the way, the bananas in the tailpipe thing doesn't work. I tried it.)
The point is, you can change one thing–switching a wisecracking young black man for Rambo, and you have a totally different story, even if the plot is the same.
You can play the game with your own favorite stories. What would happen, for instance, if Judas weren't an evil, money-grubbing snail of a man, but instead was trying to honor God by arranging a political killing to bring the Jewish nation back to its earthly splendor? What would happen if Harry Potter were set in Brooklyn instead of rural England? How would 50 Shades of Grey be different if Anastasia were a deeply religious woman, trying to resist her attraction to Mr. Grey–you know, aside from the severe reduction in hardware?
Overall, there are only so many stories in the world. Cracked.com, for instance, lists seven successful movies and asserts that they're rip-offs of other movies. For instance, they say the most recent Star Trek movie is actually Star Wars (actually, what is now known as Star Wars IV: A New Hope). Maybe some of them are. Maybe Star Trek is. But it's a completely different story, and both movies were enjoyable.
Basically, if you take an existing story, change a few things, and put it in the hands of a different–albeit skilled–storyteller, you have a totally different story.
November 13, 2012 11:30 am
Try this. Don't describe your characters, so they might be of any race or appearance. What happens is readers imagine the charcters to look as they want, and identify more with them. The book will seem different to different readers.
Comments are closed.


text:
Inter coach Andrea Stramaccioni believes victory at Genoa on Saturday is crucial to his side's season but says he has many players out injured.
A win would see the Nerazzurri second in Serie A over the Christmas period, but the coach feels that there is no time for teams to breathe with injured players and a busy schedule."It's a game that has a fundamental importance. I want to see a great Inter, because with a win comes second place at [the] half-way [point of the season]," said the Inter coach.
"There are some injured too, the latest Nagatomo and Castellazi, nor [is] Cambiasso fine. If the disqualification of Guarin were to be confirmed, then we're really [low on] numbers," the Italian told Sport Media Set.
The team goes into the match having defeated Verona in the Coppa Italia on Tuesday.


text:
DETROIT (AP) — A judge is ordering Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder to withdraw Detroit's bankruptcy petition, saying the state is illegally trampling the rights of pensioners.
However, the decision is unlikely to have any effect on the bankruptcy. That's because once a bankruptcy filing is made, it generally trumps other litigation in state courts.
Ingham County Judge Rosemarie Aquilina's decision Friday came in a lawsuit filed by Detroit pensioners. The judge had planned an emergency hearing Thursday, but Detroit then filed for bankruptcy protection.
The judge says plaintiffs in the case were "blindsided."
The attorney general's office says it will take Aquilina's order to the state appeals court.


text:
If you are looking to buy a specific new car, truck or SUV from a local Bismarck, Missouri Jaguar dealer's available inventory, look no further. NewCars.com has an extensive list of new Bismarck, Missouri Jaguar dealers near you and will help locate available new car inventory that meet your specifications. We'll connect you with Bismarck, Missouri Jaguar dealers for more information and get you free price quotes with no obligation to buy. NewCars.com car dealers are working hard to match new car buyers with the car of their dreams at their best possible price.
If you are ready to locate the closest Bismarck, Missouri Jaguar dealer with available new car, truck or SUV inventory that meet your specifications, simply click on your preferred model below:


text:
|Blowout Cards Shop
|My iTrader
|Forum Rules
|Members List
|Today's Posts
|Mark Forums Read
|Thread Tools
|Display Modes
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 9,284
Summary of the 2012 National Convention in Baltimore
Summary of the 2012 National Convention in Baltimore:
Just wanted to start off by thanking all of you who made it out to the show and came by the BLOWOUT CARDS booth. We've been doing this for several years now and it's always good to see familiar faces and meeting new customers. We hope that we not only met your expectations but exceeded them. One of the most important aspects that we talk about in our team meetings prior to the show is service. We realize that many of our customers come to our booth with certain expectations in mind. Whether it's price, questions on products, availability and selection, customer service, free giveaways. Whatever it may be, we try to keep all of this in mind and we hope that we are able to make it so that you walked away from the show knowing that we truly care about our customers and appreciate your business. As one of the larger exhibitors at the shows, we think we "Get" what people are looking for. Collectors come to this show once a
year and are excited about it. People want to have FUN, get some great deals and come away feeling good about it and that's what each and every member of our staff tries to accomplish. The raffles were a lot of fun and we gave away some nice items each day ranging from "Swedish Fish" all the way up to National Treasures Football !
Here are a few highlights from the show:
-Everyone was asking about Mike Trout. We could barely keep his products in stock. Going into the show, we knew people would want products with Trout but the demand even blew us away. You can just tell that anything with Trout is moving higher. Some of the products that collectors kept buying were:
2011 Topps Finest BB, 2011 ITG Hits series 1, 2009 Bowman Sterling BB, 2010 Bowman Platinum BB, 2011 Bowman Sterling BB, 2012 Bowman Platinum,2011 Bowman Draft Picks, 2012 Tier One, 2012 Topps Museum, 2011 Topps Update & Highlights, 2011 Topps Value Boxes. Pretty much any product that had a shot at a Trout Card or Auto.
-The 2012 Topps 1952 Topps National Convention VIP cards were a big hit as they are each year. If you missed it, we have some available for sale on the website.
2012 Topps National Convention VIP 1952 Retrol Card Set
-High End Topps products were on fire. Triple Threads, Bowman Sterling, Tribute, Museum...Every year sold well and it seems they will probably move higher in the coming months. It feels like they are on the cusp of a break-out similar to the way many of the older products had surged in the past such as Exquisite's, NT's, Tribute's 10 years ago, Yankee signature, the older Topps Pristine products.
-2011 FB products sold very.. very ...well. Sold sold out of 2011 NT at the show. Actually all NT and Exquisite sold well. Collectors wanted 2011 FB and as the season approaches, we just have a feeling collectors are going to keep coming for 2011 FB. Any of the redemption based products specifically for the show sold very well. We'll provide a better breakdown below but collectors were certainly targeting the free items tied into the redemption programs.
-The Sportkings Booth was crazy busy throughout the show. Collectors were ripping 16 bx and 48bx master Cases all show long. It's always a big help when the owner of the company (Dr. Price) is front and center at the booth and available to answer questions and also run promotions while assisting collectors. It also helped that there were collectors waiting at the booth to buy cards that were pulled from the cases. The short printed letters and 1/1 cards were in high demand. We had numerous collectors buy boxes, crack them, flip the singles and come back to crack more.
-The Panini wrapper redemption program was the one that everyone wanted to take part in. Whether you were going for the $6500 VIP night or just busting boxes for the silver packs, Panini had it all covered. The Lines were consistently packed and collectors were ripping all day long while the supplies lasted. Over the years, Panini has developed a strong following for the wrapper pack promotion. Collectors come to the show knowing that they want to take part in this program. Panini stepped it up with the VIP night. We had numerous customers attending the $6500 VIP event (More pics posted below). It was a great event that Panini put on for those who took part.
-The 2012 Bowman Platinum Redemption was the most popular promotion at the Topps Booth. The sets #'d out of 499 were worth about $100-$150 at the show. You were basically getting the Box for free if you were lucky enough to get one of the sets in the morning. It was pretty much a mad dash to the Topps line when the show opened up each morning. Topps also debuted the 2012 Topps Mini's. They were a huge hit and many of the low numbered autos such as trout were going for some big bucks. We also heard that the rip was very good.
-The Historical Autograph Company was a Big Hit also at the show. The Free Signature card for busting a Legends of the Hall box at their booth was a great giveaway. They started with about 250 giveaways...sold out but rather than ending the promotion, the owner of the company extended it out to offer to mail collectors the cards in a few weeks. They also had other signatures available the last few days for collectors. That is the advantage when the President of the company is available at the show and can make decisions on the fly to accommodate the collectors. There were some big names pulled out of the redemptions. We heard a few Ted Williams were hit. Expect big things from this company as their product line is catching on with collectors
-Leaf had a lot going on. Not only were we selling the wax very well but we kept hearing that Leaf's owner Brian Gray was spending major bucks on single cards. Leaf Best of Baseball was a sell out at the show and one of the most requested items throughout the National.
-Onyx's products sold very well for us at the show. The Ball's have always sold well in the past but their first single card product has a great prospect checklist. We had a lot of collectors breaking for their redemption. The Babe Ruth ball giveaway was also a big media draw for the company. Similar to HAC, Onyx is also a company on the rise.
-The Benchwarmer National product sold out at the show. Wish we had more cases to sell and it helped that the girls were hanging out at the booth signing and kissing cards
-We went through all of our Press Pass redemption promotions within the first 2 days. 2012 Showcase was a hit at the show and especially with the Free redemption pack while we had supply.
-Upper Deck products did well also. Collectors were buying 2012 UD FB which was the best value for the promotion. We saw a few MJ and Lebron Autos pulled.More than the promotion, the older UD products are in such high demand. Anything with Exquisite, Cup HK, Black, Premier. All of those brands are just golden if you had any.
We did do a lot of buying at the show also. One of our favorite purchases was a run of 2003/04 Basketball. Some of you may be familiar with a few of these cases
Overall, the show was a huge success from a sales, marketing, and networking standpoint. We've had numerous requests from vendors and manufacturers at the show who want to work together on promotions for next year. We're already talking about how we can make it better next year. As we do every year, we have a team meeting next week to go over ideas. The whole show was just amazing and we again Thank you all of you for your business and continued support of the
BLOWOUT CARDS brand. We owe a lot to our collectors which is why we try to give back so much through our promotions. Although the show is officially over, we do have some nice surprises planned for our customers and forum members. Panini generously allowed 2 members from our team to attend the Panini VIP event with some of our customers. During that event, we are able to pick up some party prizes which we will give away through various promotions in the coming months.
Stay tuned for much more and we look forward to seeing everyone next year in CHICAGO !
The Staff at BLOWOUT CARDS
Here are a few more pics from the show and the Panini VIP event:
|Thread Tools
|Display Modes
Linear Mode


text:
Rebuffed by a court, the Legislature is again pushing to privatize more than two dozen South Florida prisons, and the plan appears more controversial than ever because of a new layer of secrecy.
Before a standing-room-only crowd, the Senate Rules Committee voted Wednesday to introduce bills (now numbered SB 2036 and SB 2038) directing the prison system to hire a for-profit vendor to run prisons in 18 counties by July 1. A second bill (2036) would eliminate a requirement that the prison system do a cost benefit analysis and develop a "business case" to justify privatization. The new bill does not require those steps until after a contractor is hired. But the choice is subject to approval by a panel of legislators.
As Corrections Secretary Ken Tucker listened intently from one side of the room, current and former correctional officers testified in opposition to no avail. Reshae Cherry, 27, an officer at Charlotte Correctional on Florida's southwest coast, pleaded for senators not to jeopardize her future. "I want to keep food on my table. I want a good doctor for my children," she testified.
Prison privatization is once again being championed by Sen. JD Alexander, R-Lake Wales, the powerful budget chairman who said the Legislature has no choice but to find ways to save money. Privatizing South Florida prisons will save from $22 to $45 million a year, he said. "These are real dollars. These are difficult decisions," Alexander told reporters.
Two Democratic senators voted against introducing the two bills: Sens. Chris Smith of Fort Lauderdale and Gwen Margolis of Aventura, who said the secrecy language was "very disturbing." A third Democrat, Sen. Gary Siplin of Orlando, voted to introduce the bills.
--Steve Bousquet


text:
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I enroll in the Motorcycle Course?
Refer to the registration instructions or contact Motorcycle Certification at 715-365-4641 or 800-544-3039 ext. 4641 for a registration packet and course schedule.
How much does the course cost?
The 2017 course fee is $265.80 which includes the student workbook and all other materials.
How long is the course?
The course is a total of 16 hours. Approximately 6 hours are completed in the classroom and the on-motorcycle riding portion consists of approximately 10 hours.
Is the class offered at different times of the day or on weekends?
Courses are scheduled in a variety of formats, including four-day, three-day, and weekend. Nicolet College offers morning, afternoon, evening, and weekend classes. Participants with little or no previous riding experience are strongly encouraged to enroll in the four-day weekday format.
How many students are in each class?
Classes are limited to 10 students; no exceptions. If a class is full, we will begin a waiting list. If seats become available in a particular class, participants will be contacted in the order in which they were placed on the waiting list.
What topics are covered in the course?
In the classroom, learners will be provided with ways to minimize risk and handle special riding situations. During the riding portion, learners will be coached to develop the physical skills of basic control including straight line riding, stopping, turning and shifting, cornering and swerving. Here's a short list of some of the topics covered in the course:
- Introduction to motorcycling
- Protective gear/what to wear
- Motorcycle controls
- Street strategies to avoid trouble and stay safe
- How to maneuver your motorcycle
- Avoiding obstacles
- Lane changes
- Riding at night
- Swerving
- Collision avoidance skills
- Dealing with special situations
Do I need my temporary permit before the course begins?
A motorcycle temporary permit from the Department of Transportation is not required to enroll in or attend the Basic Rider Course. Effective October 1, 2006, individuals completing a Basic Rider Course are not required to hold a motorcycle temporary permit before they receive their Class M (motorcycle) license. Students who want to practice riding a motorcycle on roadways prior to attending the Rider Course will need to pass the written knowledge test at the Department of Transportation and obtain a temporary permit.
If a person is under 18 years of age, they will need verification of enrollment in the Basic Rider Course to present to the Wisconsin DOT in order to obtain their temporary permit. The MV3575 Motorcycle Skills Waiver Authorization is the required document and is available, after registration is complete, by contacting 715-365-4641 or 800-544-3039 ext. 4641. This form must be requested; it will not automatically be sent upon registration.
What to do before class starts?
Due to 2015 curriculum changes set by the State of Wisconsin, students are now required
to take an online safety course. The cost of this course is $19.99. Please remember
the certificate is only valid for 30 days. Students will need to enroll in a motorcycle
class before the 30 days expire. Click on the link http://msf-usa.org/students.aspx to enroll. Once there, click "Enroll Now" under "MSF Basic eCourse".
After completing the online course, please print the Completion Certificate, students are required to bring this to class. Failure to complete the online course will result in NOT receiving your Waiver at the end of class. NO refunds will be given if students fail to complete the online course.
What are the requirements for successful completion of the course?
To successfully complete the course and be issued a waiver of authorization, the participant must:
- Be on time and attend all classes.
- Sign and turn in a Liability Waiver form.
- Participate in classroom discussions.
- Provide written answers to study questions.
- Pass the 50-question multiple choice knowledge test that addresses basic knowledge related to riding procedures and traffic strategies.
- Pass the riding assessment that measures riding competencies. The riding assessment consists of four exercises: a limited-space maneuver, stopping, swerving, and cornering.
Will I get my license if I pass the course?
Upon satisfactory completion of the course the participant will be provided with a MV3575 Motorcycle Test Skills Waiver Authorization and will not have to take the skills/road test at the Department of Transportation. The Waiver Form, when presented to any Wisconsin Department of Transportation exam station, will entitle the individual to a Class M license provided other licensing requirements are met.
Do I need to bring my own motorcycle?
Due to liability issues, students are required to use motorcycles provided by Nicolet College.
What size motorcycle will I learn on?
According to State of Wisconsin guidelines, motorcycles used in the Rider Course are 350cc or smaller. Nicolet College has a variety of makes and models available for student use.
What supplies will I need for the course?
Participants are required to wear appropriate riding gear for all on-motorcycle sessions. This includes long non-flare pants, long sleeve shirt or jacket, sturdy shoes that cover the ankles, full-fingered gloves, eye protection, and a DOT-approved 3/4 or full-face helmet. Nicolet College has a limited number of helmets, gloves, and eye protection available for student use.
You may also want to bring the following items to the course: rain gear, drinking water, snacks or lunch, and bug repellent.
How old do I need to be to attend the course?
Participants must be 15-1/2 years of age and must have completed driver education theory. Participants under age 18 must provide written parental permission to register for the course. If a person is under 18 years of age, they will need verification of enrollment in the Rider Course to present to the Wisconsin DOT in order to obtain their temporary permit. The MV3575 Motorcycle Skills Waiver Authorization is the required document and is available, after registration is complete, by contacting 715-365-4641 or 800-544-3039 ext. 4641. This form must be requested; it will not automatically be sent upon registration.
May I take the class with my spouse/child/friend?
Family members and friends often take the class together. If you know you want to attend the same class as another person, it is important that you register at the same time. If you are mailing in your registration, use the same envelope. If you register in person, you may choose one person to drop off multiple registrations for the group.


text:
STOCKTON - The Pacific men's basketball team led wire to wire, but it didn't feel like it.
STOCKTON - The Pacific men's basketball team led wire to wire, but it didn't feel like it.
The Tigers didn't win as much as they survived against UC Riverside. Pacific coach Bob Thomason had warned his team that the Highlanders would keep grinding and they made him prophetic, repeatedly whittling down double-digit leads. UC Riverside managed to cut a 15-point second-half deficit to one in the final few minutes, but the Tigers hung on for a 63-58 Big West Conference victory before 1,966 on Thursday at Spanos Center.
"You have to be able to win ugly and we did tonight," Thomason said. "We just didn't have the zip like we've had recently. They could have come in and stole one, but we made good stops when we had to and made our free throws late."
With its fifth victory in six games, Pacific (11-8, 5-2) remains in sole possession of second place, while UC Riverside (5-14, 2-5) is in ninth place after the loss.
Senior point guard Lorenzo McCloud acknowledged the disjointed nature of the game that included Pacific holding 13-3 and 48-33 leads, before nearly losing it late.
"When we got up, we got a little bit lazy," said McCloud, who had a team-high 17 points. "We stopped moving the ball like we usually do and took some bad shots. But it's great to pull out a grind win; last year we would have probably lost this game."
McCloud and senior forward Travis Fulton kept the Highlanders from stealing the game. McCloud got a traditional 3-point play to push Pacific's lead to 55-49 with 5:15 remaining. Fulton then nailed a 3-pointer with 2:54 remaining after UC Riverside had cut the margin to 57-56.
"We were running our offense, couldn't get a good look so it became an isolation (play) for Lorenzo, and it's my job to get open if they double him," Fulton said. "I found an opening, he got it to me and I knocked it down."
The Highlanders made their second-half run with junior Australian center Chris Patton leading the way with 17 points and seven rebounds. Patton's physical style put Pacific centers Khalil Kelley and Tony Gill in foul trouble, and his inside presence led to the Highlanders making 13 of 18 second-half shots.
"It was tough, because he came out aggressive after halftime," said Kelley, who had nine points and three blocks in 22 minutes. "He's a big dude, so you have to work hard for position and you can't stop him every time, but I thought we did a good job."
Thomason agreed with Kelley's assessment and was more concerned about his bench play outside of senior Markus Duran's two 3-pointers, as Ross Rivera, Rodrigo De Souza, Trevin Harris and Tony Gill shot a combined 2 of 12 from the floor. UC Riverside could have tied it in the final seconds, but point guard Robert Smith badly missed a 3-pointer with 4 seconds remaining, and the Tigers officially escaped.
Contact reporter Jagdip Dhillon at (209) 546-8292 or email@example.com.


text:
It was hard not to think of the possibility of Randy Hanson sitting at home watching the Tom Cable press conference on Comcast Sports Net Bay Area when the head coach was asked about the pregame ritual of defensive tackle John Henderson.
Henderson, signed as a free agent after being cut by the Jacksonville Jaguars, likes to have a member of the training staff smack him in the face to get him ready.
"I love it. I think it's awesome,'' Cable said Wednesday. "I hope I'm the guy that gets to slap him. I think it will be great. I just don't want him to hit me back. That's a big dude.''
The guess here is Cable never made the connection, so far in his rear-view mirror are Hansongate and the allegations of domestic violence as reported by ESPN. He was relaxed and resolute, with neither issue amounting to anything other than a spate of bad publicity.
After all that, being docked two days of OTA practices by the NFL was small potatoes. If Cable truly grew stronger from events that didn't kill him last year, the coach is a veritable King Kong.
"Like everything in life, things happen to all of us,'' Cable said. "You work through it, you get by it and you learn what you're supposed to learn from it.
"I'm looking for a great camp for all of us here and for us to be where we're at today and be somewhere better next week and the week after that even better. And when we leave here, to be the kind of football team I think we can be."
How good?
"We're going to go after the AFC West. I'm not afraid to say that,'' Cable said. "If they picked someone else for it already, that's too bad. It doesn't work like that. You've got to play the games. This team will be ready to do that.''
Cable said his "culture change,'' something he has been talking about since taking 28 games ago for Lane Kiffin, is complete. Mission accomplished.
"The next step is to not listen to all the negative. People are going to have an opinion,'' Cable said. "That's just what it is. But they're not going to dictate who we are or what we are. All that is back there. What's in front of us is winning a championship. That's the goal now. Let's go for it.''
Asked if he felt like it was "his'' team, Cable said flatly, "Yes. Absolutely. There's no question in my mind.''
Cable presented the aura of a coach who isn't looking over his shoulder and had a plan of action he fully intends to execute.
There were no meandering quotes like Norv Turner, no veiled jabs at the limitations of the organization like Kiffin.
Cable talked a good game, and presented a more coach-like figure in terms of authority than anyone since Jon Gruden.
Which means in fact he has proved nothing other than he can talk. The next month we'll start the process of backing it up.
Some more observations following Cable's media session with players off-limits until Thursday afternoon:
— The coach is sold on the "learning intensive'' practices and their value, and that's fine, but of course the players are going to be on board with it.
Guys, would you rather have four days of walk-throughs or start knocking heads right away?
Surprise! He got positive feedback.
— Cable promises it won't be a "soft'' camp.
"We're going to hit. We'll have a pretty lively camp here before we're all done.
"We got a long road to go. The important thing is is hopefully we get through this thing healthy and this team that showed up last night gets a chance to go out together at Tennessee and play together and everybody is healthy. We'll certainly get the physical work in.''
— Naming Jason Campbell was the common sense call considering Gradkowski's inactivity following a torn pectoral muscle.
"I just think, how can you do it any different?,'' Cable said. "He just hasn't done anything for three months."
— Cable manages to work in just the right touch of tradition without beating you over the head with the "Greatness of the Raiders'' and the "Team of the Decades.''
He did it when discussing the death of Jack Tatum, as bringing aboard former linebacker Greg Biekert.
All Raiders coaches say they were Raiders fans as kids. Cable, it's clear, is telling the truth.
"I know what he was, and what he meant, and I think his teammates and people in the Raider Nation have recognized that, too. (He) did a lot of great things, and really was a great man on top of being a great football player.''
Cable did manage to gloss over one of the more uncomfortable business moves regarding a popular player when noting that Biekert was part of one of the last good Raiders teams "for a two-year span there.''
The Raiders won three straight division titles, but in Year 3, Biekert was given the option to either take a pay cut or accept his release, with rookie Napoleon Harris moving in as the starting middle linebacker.
Biekert chose the latter, moved on to Minnesota and never burned his bridges with the Raiders.
— Cable isn't getting too slap-happy regarding Henderson, who will need to prove over the next month he can still be a top-quality run-stuffer.
"I think John Henderson will come here and we'll see what he's got," Cable said. "I expect a lot of big things out of him. Whether that makes him the starter or not or he gets to that point, he'll determine that.''


text:
Taboos are not verboten on Real Housewives of Miami and co-star Alexia Echevarria is ready to bust another as grand marshal of Sunday's 26th annual AIDS Walk Miami.
"Even with my kids — I have young men — you talk about protection, but you don't want to talk about infectious diseases. You want to talk about getting pregnant. Birth control," said Echevarria, who believes AIDS Walk is "a great opportunity" to discuss the perils of HIV and AIDS with her two sons.
Echevarria and sons Peter and Frankie Rosello will join more than 1,000 others on 122 teams who have registered for AIDS Walk Miami, the largest single annual fundraiser for Care Resource, which provides service to more than 15,000 people with HIV and/or AIDS in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, according to Jonathan Welsh, the agency's marketing and development manager.
Last year, AIDS Walk Miami raised about $250,000 for Care Resource, which has a $15 million annual budget, Welsh said.
AIDS Walk begins at 9 a.m. Sunday outside the Miami Beach Convention Center. Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine will be the event's master of ceremonies.
Echevarria, 46, said that when Care Resource invited her to be this year's grand marshal, she knew little about HIV/AIDS.
"This is a taboo that people don't want to speak about," said Echevarria, a Real Housewives co-star since the South Florida franchise debuted on Bravo TV in 2011. "I just found out Miami is No. 1 in the nation with new HIV cases."
Echevarria is married to Herman Echevarria, chairman and CEO of BVKmeka, a Miami-based international marketing and communications company. Her sons by a previous marriage have made news of their own in recent years.
Peter Rosello in 2012 entered a pretrial diversion program after he posted a self-described video of himself on Facebook "punching a hobo in the nuts."
Rosello, now 21, "learned the hard way, but he had to," his mother said Thursday. "I wanted to save him from all that but some kids have to go through that themselves."
Also walking on Sunday: Echevarria's younger son, Francisco "Frankie" Rosello, who suffered a near-fatal brain injury in a 2011 car crash.
Frankie, now 17, goes to school full-time and still requires speech therapy as a result of the brain injury.
Still, "his progress has been incredible," said Echevarria, adding that "not only can he walk, he can run."


text:
AG1 24 Chamber Expansion System
Regular price
Turn your paintball marker into a war machine with this godly AG1 24 Chamber Expansion System. No other expansion chamber can come close to the AG1's expansion capability.
With the AG1 24 Chamber Expansion System your marker will be upgraded to the next level. You can walk and dance your marker all you want and it is still purring like a little kitten.
Thinking of getting another marker because your doesn't measure up?
Hold that thought, get the AG1 24 Chamber Expansion System for marker and it will fire up like never before.
Your trigger will scream for more, while leaving your opponents in the dust.
Super charge your marker with AG1 24 Chamber Expansion System and you shall not fear a thousand battles!
An Expansion chamber is used on a gun operating on CO2. The CO2 flows out of the tank and into the expansion chamber allowing the CO2 to expand and warm up. This process increases the paintball marker's accuracy. The more chambers an expansion chamber has, the better it works.
- Enormous 24 Chamber Expansion
-Works with all paintball markers.
Compatible with paintball markers from these manufactures:
32 Degrees
32 Degrees makes the Icon and Rebel marker series, as well as the PT Extreme paintball pistol.
Action Markers
Action produces Sentinel (semi-auto), Illusion (pump), AM-4 (rec-ball) and Diadem (electro-pneumatic) paintball guns.
Air Gun Designs
AGD is best known for the Automag and Minimag.
Ariakon makes the Sim-4 and Sim-5 series, the Toro, and the Ariakon Combat Pistol.
Bob Long
Bob Long makes the Intimidator series, including the Alias and Dragon.
Brass Eagle
Afterburner, Avenger, Marauder, Talon Ghost, Striker
Diablo makes the Mongoose paintball gun series, as well as the Wrath, Vendetta, Slayer, and X.
Dye Precision
Dye offers the DM4 and DM5 paintball guns.
Hybrid Paintball
Hybrid makes the Quest Numatrix and Rival Numatic paintball guns.
Indian Creek Designs
Indian Creeks makes the popular Bushmaster series.
JT USA makes the Quadra, Protium, and Tetra paintball guns, as well as the Excellerator series.
Kingman USA
Kingman manufactures the popular Spyder semi-auto and electronic series of paintball guns.
PMI's extensive line of Piranha guns and the Razzor barrel.
Psychoballistics makes the Silver Bullet and Silver Bullet LCD, plus the Delta .68 paintball pistol.
Smart Parts
Smart Parts makes the Impulse, Shocker, and Nerve paintball guns.
Syndicate features the Paradox series, Jinx, and low-pressure Misfit paintball guns.
Tippmann makes the popular A-5, 98 Custom, and Pro Custom
Genesis, Prodigy, Orion, and Revelation.
WDP makes the famed Angel line of markers
Worr Game Products
Worr (aka WGP) makes one of the most famous paintball guns out there – the Autococker.
ZAP Paintball
Zap makes the ZXS


text:
MARTINSVILLE, Va. (AP) -- Jimmie Johnson nudged Denny Hamlin aside in the third and fourth turns with 15 laps to go and gave team owner Rick Hendrick a perfect place to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his first victory in NASCAR's premier series: Victory Lane.
Johnson, dubbed "Mr. Martinsville" by Jeff Gordon, lived up to his moniker, winning for the fifth time in the last six races on the smallest, trickiest track in the series. It was his sixth victory at the 0.526-mile oval, second only to Gordon's seven among active drivers.
Hamlin, the defending race champion, never challenged Johnson after he slid high into the banking after the bump and pass, and his winless streak extended to 32 races.
Hamlin finished second, followed by Tony Stewart, Gordon and Clint Bowyer.


text:
LEBANON, Maine — No charges will be brought against the man who reportedly shot and killed Aaron Jones in October 2011, according to the Attorney General's Office.
Deputy Attorney General William Stokes said the state could not disprove that Joseph Turner, of Lebanon, Maine, shot Jones in self-defense on Oct. 20, 2011, and no charges against Turner have been brought forward.
He said the case is now closed.
Jones, 38 years old at the time, died of multiple gunshot wounds at a mobile home at 213 Oak Hill Road. Jones, and homeowners Joseph and Sarah Turner, were the only ones home when the shooting happened around 11:30 p.m.
Through interviews, the Attorney General's Office learned it was Joseph Turner who shot Jones on Oct. 20, 2011, said Stokes.
While the Maine Medical Examiner's Office had determined that Jones died of multiple gunshot wounds, Stokes could not say Monday how many gunshot wounds were inflicted.
State Police previously said they recovered the handgun that was used in the shooting.
According to Stokes, Jones was reportedly belligerent and threatening just before the shooting occurred.
He said in the state of Maine, as in many other states, once the claim of self-defense is brought forward, the state has the burden of disproving that claim beyond a reasonable doubt. The Attorney General's Office was unable to do so, said Stokes.
Jones, most recently of Skowhegan, had been staying with the Turner couple for a several days when the shooting occurred. He and the Turner couple were believed to be longtime acquaintances.
Maine State Police Sgt. Chris Harriman previously told Foster's that "He came here to get straightened out," and that Jones had been suffering from mental health issues, as well as having problems with employment.


text:
Celebrating over 30 years of offering exclusive custom designed homes, here's a look at some of the most popular plans offered by Southern Living House Plans.
From the very first issue of Southern Living, the magazine has featured and sold house plans. These architectural drawings give readers access to some of the South's top architects, allowing you to build a custom home at an affordable price. While styles and trends may change over the years, we've stayed true to designing classic and authentic Southern homes. Today, we offer more than 1,000 house plans that are just as diverse as our region and the people who live here. Here we've rounded up our 12 best-selling house plans of all time and they range from quaint cottages to roomy family homes. Look closely, you just might find a Southern Living house plan that you'd like to make your own.


text:
IT Management Slideshow: 10 Things CIOs Need to Know About Windows 8
By Don Reisinger | Posted 09-29-2011
10 Things CIOs Need to Know About Windows 8
Tablets Are A GoOver the last year, Microsoft has been panned by those who say the company hasn't done enough to bring Windows to tablets. Windows 8 is much different, thanks to its improved multi-touch features and ARM chip support. Expect to find Windows 8 on a host of tablets next year.
In the world of computing, Windows is the most important operating system out there. Companies all around the world rely on Microsoft's platform to get work done, manage their businesses, and more. So, when Microsoft showcases a new version of Windows, you can bet that CIOs around the globe turn their attention to the software giant to see what it has planned for the future of its operating system. This time around, that means focusing on Windows 8. Microsoft revealed a developer preview of Windows Server 8 at its BUILD conference in Los Angeles on Sept. 15 The operating system, which is scheduled to launch in 2012, will deliver some of the company's most radical changes in user interface in a long time. What's more, the operating system will be the first option from Microsoft that focuses heavily on tablets. So, while Windows 8 will be suitable for desktops and laptops, it will also be making its way to a growing number of slates starting next year. Here are 10 things you need to know as you consider how to plan for Windows 8 in the enterprise.
Loading Comments...


text:
Flickr Friends: Emily from Replicate then Deviate
this dress) about 3.5 inches by about 12 inches (about double the length of the top of the pocket).
Be sure to visit Emily's blog HERE.....you will not be disappointed!
6 comments :
I happen to love ruffles on anything - such a cute coat. And where on earth does one find those itty bitty clips - I feel out of the loop, I haven't seen those before.ReplyDeleteReplies
Thanks Suzanne! i found them at hancock fabric. They also have them on amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Clover-Wonder-Clips-Per-Pack/dp/B004ZKPX8ADelete
Very cute! What little girl doesn't like ruffles.ReplyDelete
Yeah, I am so happy Emily is here! Love her, and very cute ruffled hood and pockets!ReplyDelete
What sweet little details....cute!ReplyDelete
Love! Ansley is so adorable! It's great have a "go to" list of making these elements since I always find myself searching through Craft Gossip or just plain ol' intensive head scratchin'! Thanks for this! The coat is so sweet and that elephant fabric is sort of destroying me a little ;-)Cute!!!!ReplyDelete


text:
Heroin use, deaths spike in New HampshireBy SHAWNE K. WICKHAM
New Hampshire Sunday News
May 19. 2013 2:10AM
New Hampshire has seen a sharp spike in the number of people using - and dying from - heroin. And authorities say it's linked to the epidemic of prescription drug abuse.
In the mid-2000s, seven or eight people a year were dying from heroin in New Hampshire. In 2011, there were 49 deaths classified as heroin-related by the state Medical Examiner's Office, and last year, that number was 38.
Nine of those who died from heroin last year were 19 to 24 years old, 10 were 25 to 29, 15 were in their 30s and four were in their 40s, according to the Medical Examiner's Office.
The majority - 21 - lived in Hillsborough County, and six lived in Rockingham County; the rest lived in Cheshire, Grafton, Merrimack, Strafford or Sullivan counties.
Sgt. Brian LeVeille, who is in charge of the special investigations unit at the Manchester Police Department, said the city has seen "a tremendous increase" in heroin in the past five years. And he blames addiction to prescription opioids such as oxycodone for that increase.
"What they'll do is they'll switch right over to heroin when they can't get the pills because it's a very similar high," he said.
Heroin today is cheaper than prescription drugs sold illegally on the street, LaVeille said.
And it's not just the stereotypical street addict using the drug, he said. "Don't kid yourself: There are people out there, professional people, that are doing it."
Joseph Harding is director of the state health department's Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services. He agreed heroin addiction often begins with abuse of prescription opioids.
Harding said part of the problem is a misconception that prescription drugs are harmless. "Because, well, after all, they're prescribed by a doctor, and you get them at a pharmacy, and they're made by a pharmaceutical company. How harmful could they be?"
But once the legal supply of a prescription medication runs out, Harding said, addicts still have a physical compulsion to use. And if they can't get the prescription drug, many turn to heroin.
From 2001 to 2011, admissions to publicly funded treatment programs for heroin addition doubled, Harding said.
Back in 2001, 454 admissions were for heroin, about 9 percent of all 5,250 admissions that year. In 2011, 1,091 people were treated for heroin addiction, about 18 percent of all 6,108 admissions.
In addition, there were 1,154 admissions for prescription drug abuse in 2011, compared with just 102 admissions a decade earlier, Harding said.
"So when you start combining these together, for the overall impact and consequence of opioids, it's just terrible," he said.
It doesn't take long for life to fall apart when you're a heroin addict, LaVeille said. "Before you know it, you're doing it seven days a week because you have to," he said. "It's a nasty, nasty drug.
"We deal with these people all the time. It's very sad to see, to be honest with you," he said. "And they're the most difficult people to deal with because they just have no control over any aspect of their lives. None whatsoever."
Police say folks in New Hampshire should care about the issue because the effects of addiction ripple through communities here.
"They're the ones that are out there doing the burglaries and the robberies because they're trying to get money to support their habit," LaVeille said.
"I have yet to come across a prostitute that's not a heroin addict. They're doing what they're doing to support their heroin addiction."
In his former work as an undercover officer, LaVeille has seen it all. And he said, "Heroin is by far, out of everything I've seen, the worst drug you can have an addiction to."
Anthony Pettigrew, spokesman for the Drug Enforcement Administration in New England, said heroin today is far purer than the street drug of the 1960s. So users don't have to inject it when they first switch over from prescription drugs; they can snort it.
"So it loses the stigma of seeing yourself as a street drug user," Pettigrew said. "But eventually any of the rehab places can tell you that people that started snorting it, they end up injecting it. That's the spiral."
There's a cruel irony to the heroin street scene, Pettigrew said. "If there are a bunch of overdoses, that actually attracts the drug users to that location, looking for that."
His agency's goal is to work back from the street user to the suppliers; he said the "clear majority" of heroin sold in New Hampshire comes from Colombia, by way of Mexico.
LaVeille said there's currently a heavy supply of heroin on the streets of Manchester; that's because of the city's proximity to Lawrence, Mass., which he called the "hub of the Northeast" for drug dealing.
For dealers, Lawrence has easier access to interstate highways than Boston, he said.
"If you've got a bunch of illegal drugs in your car, you don't want to get caught with it," he said. "You want to be able to get off the highway, drop them off, get back on the highway and go back to New York."
A 2012 report by the Governor's Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, Intervention and Treatment found that the number of drug-related overdose deaths in New Hampshire has surpassed the number of traffic deaths in recent years.
"A Call to Action" proposed a broad range of strategies to address the prescription drug epidemic, including public awareness campaigns, improved prescribing protocols for physicians, more opportunities for disposal of unused medications and better prescription drug monitoring.
The Legislature last year passed a law to set up a registration system for certain controlled prescription drugs to try to prevent "doctor shopping" by addicts.
Crime, law and justice Health Public Safety Social issues Top Section Stories


text:
A retired Oregon state trooper and his brother were each sentenced to two years probation after pleading no contest to charges of first degree animal abuse.
The retired officer, Craig Johnson, 60, and his brother, Paul Johnson, 67, shot three dogs that were guarding sheep on a grazing allotment in the Ochoco National Forest in August 2012.
Aside from probation, the brothers have been fined $500 each, prohibited from hunting for a year and ordered to perform community service, among other conditions. Craig Johnson must also forfeit the rifle used to shoot the dogs.
The Johnsons shot the dogs while on a hunting expedition in the Central Oregon national forest, said Crook County District Attorney Daina Vitolins.
A sheep herder working for rancher Gordon Clark heard shots fired and a dog yelping in pain on Aug. 27, 2012, but didn't actually see the shooters.
After finding the dead dogs, the sheep herder notified Clark, who called the Crook County Sheriff's Office.
A sheriff's deputy photographed foot prints near the shooting site and later noticed they matched shoes worn by the Johnsons when he interviewed the brothers at their camp, Vitolins said.
Bullet casings at the scene of the shooting were also later matched to the Johnsons' rifle, she said.
The Johnsons initially denied knowing anything about the shooting, then admitted killing the dogs because the "sheep and dogs messed up their hunting," Vitolins said.
Most recently, the brothers claimed they shot the dogs because they feared for their lives, she said, adding that the rancher had been using dogs in the area for 20 years with no incident.
"It's a tragedy those three dogs were killed for no reason," Vitolins said.
Clark, the rancher, said he believed the two brothers got off lightly for killing the three Great Pyrenees dogs, which cost up to $1,500 per puppy, plus the cost of training.
"I think the sentence should have been harsher. I don't think the sentence is going to change their behavior," he said. "They're very belligerent and seem to have an attitude about things."
Clark said the Johnsons defended themselves against the criminal charges by attacking his livestock operation.
Capital Press was unable to reach an attorney for Craig Johnson as of press time.
Brendon Alexander, attorney for Paul Johnson, said his client pleaded no contest because he wanted to put the incident behind him.
"My client is sick about it," he said.
The plea deal is not an admission of liability if Clark decides to pursue civil charges, Alexander said.
The Johnsons shot the dogs because they saw one chasing elk, which is prohibited by Oregon law, and because another dog assumed a "threatening posture" toward them, he said.
"The shepherd was nowhere to be seen,"said Alexander, noting that the dogs were supposed to be under the control of voice commands.
Alexander said his client denied changing his story.
"They had no idea they were dealing with guard dogs," he said. "They didn't feel they did anything wrong, which is why they stayed in the area."


text:
- Whitecaps FC and New York Red Bulls have drawn all three of their matches over two seasons
- Whitecaps FC remain in third place in the MLS Western Conference standings
- Whitecaps FC extend their unbeaten streak to five matches
- Whitecaps FC are unbeaten in their last six MLS matches at BC Place, and their last eight matches at BC Place overall
- The goal for Martin Bonjour was his first in MLS
- The assist for Alain Rochat was his second in MLS this season, and third overall (one in Amway Canadian Championship)
- The assist for Davide Chiumiento was his fifth in MLS this season, and eighth overall (three in Amway Canadian Championship)
- New York Red Bulls remain in third place in the MLS Eastern Conference standings
- The goal for Heath Pearce was his first in MLS
- The assist for Joel Lindpere was his second in MLS play this season
Thoughts on the match:
"It was one of those games where when you lose a late goal it feels like a defeat. That's one of the first times a team has come and sat quite deep against us; they played 4-5-1. When that happens you have to take your chances. We didn't take some chances but then we managed to get ourselves a good goal. Martin scored a good goal and had an excellent night tonight. But the disappointing thing would be that we didn't see the game out. First ball the linesman gave a corner, or a goal kick, which turned into a corner so that was a bit frustrating, but then we didn't defend it right so that's very avoidable on our part. It's something that we have to learn from."
Lessons from the match:
"There's two big things for us to make improvements on tonight. One is how we break down a team that sits a little deeper and how we make sure we're clinical when we have chances. The second thing would be when we're ahead in a game with a short time to go making sure that we see the game out. We need to manage that just a little bit better. But overall I think tonight was a strong performance from us. There were those couple little let downs and disappointments. This has been a very strong three-game run at home for us, as you say seven points out of nine. It puts us and keeps us in a very strong position, but it also shows the distance that we've come and we're really disappointed with ties. We need to make sure we feel that disappointment, make sure it hurts us, and make sure it gives us the inspiration to learn and get better. Because it's an improving team, a team that's working hard and doing a lot of things right. But we must make sure that we polish up on any things which cost us."
On how the team closed out the match:
"I think that when we're in that last little part of the game we need to play that ball down the sides a lot more and you have to have runs that go from the centre out to the sides because if the balls on the sides it's maybe a throw-in, maybe a goal kick, could be a throw-in for us, could be possession for us and it's not dangerous. The balls not going to get cut out in those areas and they're not going to counter [on] us. The second thing would be in all situations, in all set plays, every single person knows their job, and everybody is accountable for every part of the set play. Whether it be who they're marking or who goes short on a short corner and the minute somebody doesn't do their job it can cost you a goal, and it did."
On Martin Bonjour's performance:
"I think tonight he was fantastic defensively, he won lots of headers, he kept Kenny Cooper quiet – who is a very good player. But it was a fantastic goal and it was nice to get it off in the second phase of a set play. Great finish. Martin Bonjour has been an outstanding player for us this season and it was very nice to see him getting a goal and hopefully that will just add even more to his play and to his confidence."
On Camilo:
"He's looking pretty fit, pretty sharp. I thought he did well tonight and created himself a lot of chances. On another night he might have scored a couple goals. Actually with Camilo, I've hardly seen him miss any chances, he seems to score most of the ones he gets. Tonight maybe there was a couple he could have done slightly better on, but I think coming back after a couple games out he looked very sharp and very dangerous."
On conceding a late goal:
"Of course it's a little bit disappointing. I think we could've defended better, but that's football. Sometimes you're unlucky, sometimes it's our mistake, but we have a really important game on Saturday. Tomorrow we have to speak about what we did well and what we did badly tonight, and then we have to look forward [to the next match]."
On personal confidence level:
"I feel really good. Maybe it's my best moment in my time as a Whitecap. I enjoy every game and I try and play with a smile, play my game and give to the team what I can. I'm really positive and I think with my experience and a couple of other guys with a lot of experience we have to help the younger players and get good results."
On setting up Martin Bonjour's goal:
"I am really happy for Martin, he deserved this goal. It really shows that he's from Argentina. It was a great touch, not just luck. I just put the ball in, and he did everything. It shows that sometimes that if offensive players can't score in a game that we have defenders that can as well."
On New York's mentality playing on the road:
"They were really sitting back and just waiting for us. We don't really play like that, but now I think more teams are afraid to come here [BC Place], and with the help of the crowd it's a big place to play and a lot of teams just hope to get one point."
On his goal:
"Davide gave me a beautiful ball. I knew when it was coming that I could just stop the ball and put it on net because I knew it was the right moment to do it."
On conceding a late equalizer:
"It was a big blow to us. From the beginning we thought about taking our team to the top spot in MLS, so giving up that tying goal was a very low moment for us. Now we are just concentrating on our next match on Saturday."
Thoughts on the match:
"We knew that it would be a hard game up here. Vancouver has been very good so far this season. For us today it was mostly about having a working attitude on the team, because against Chicago it was a little bit flat giving up easy goals. I'm happy with the team today, with the hard work, and we also scored a goal. So I'm quite happy with this result against Vancouver."
On three straight draws against Vancouver over two seasons:
"I think when you play a good team, and you play them away and they have not let in many goals this year and we score against them, and we take one point. I am very happy with that."
On coming back from a hard loss against Chicago:
"There was a chip on our shoulder, but it wasn't so much saying we need to make up for Sunday but we needed to go back to what we know makes us successful."
On his first MLS goal:
"It was a great cross and there wasn't much really for me to do in the position I was in. But I was able to finish it and we're able to leave here with a point. They gave us the space. They were kind of caught off guard for a second there. I saw motioning over to Dane to come out for a short corner and they were caught a little bit flat-footed and we drew a couple of guys out of the box to shut them down and it opened up some space for us on the back post."
On coming back from being a goal down:
"It's a resilient group of guys. The biggest factor was that nobody panicked. Everybody knew the objectives and that we were going to maybe get one or two more chances and luckily we were able to do that. That just shows the character of the group. You go through the ebbs and flows of the season and sometimes you're going to have off games. That's just part of the game and it's not so much about those bad days but how you respond to those as the cliché goes. I thought we were resilient with the way we kept pressing on them."
On giving up a goal:
"I thought we were decently organized on that play but it popped out to their one free man who struck it in the one spot of the goal that wasn't covered. It was a decent finish."
On missing key players:
"I think it speaks to the character of the team both home and away that we're getting points and we're doing it in different ways. We're not always playing the most attractive soccer, and sometimes we're getting points in an attractive way and sometimes we're grinding it out. That's the stuff that pays off later in the season. It's good to continue to pick up points."
On the intensity of the match:
"We're an aggressive team and we're not afraid to back down from anybody. I thought that we weren't afraid to get dirty today and that's what we've got to do. We tried to set the tone early but they matched the intensity and we're able to break through late on. Luckily we were able to come back with one. I thought we were a little bit passive on Sunday against Chicago in terms of our defensive mindset, in terms of being aggressive, in terms of closing down spaces quickly, in terms of making it hard for them to break us down. Those were some of the things touched on today before the game, was that we need to go back to that. Making it hard for teams to break us down and making it hard for teams to play good soccer or even get chances. Part of that is being aggressive and fouling at the right time and never allowing them to build a rhythm. Throughout different spurts of the game we were pretty successful with that."
Thoughts on the match:
"It's a very imporant point because we had a bad game in Chicago and didn't show up for that game. Then we came here and tried to get a victory but managed to get a tie, so a point is still good."
On missing key players:
"We have great players that are missing so we had to step up and get a point in a tough environment. So that showed depth and the coaches have done a great job."
On being the first game after hard loss last week:
"We definitely had a chip on our shoulder after Chicago. We were really disappointed when nobody showed up and we lost three to one. We wanted to come here and put in a good effort and that's what we did tonight. It's unfortunate we didn't get the victory."
Thoughts on Whitecaps FC:
"They created a lot of chances and should've scored a lot of times but we managed to defend well and keep ourselves in the game. Unfortunately we gave up that goal and that guy (Bonjour) took his chance really well. It was a great goal. But we managed to get back one."
Being stopped 1-v-1 with Cannon:
"The old guy came out fast. There's some fight in Joe Cannon. He come out real fast so I tried to toe it and he blocked it real well."
On the set piece that led to Pearce's goal:
"We didn't work on that but we realized that every ball we crossed in they had some big guys in the box. We just tried to pull them out so we went for the short one and it worked, so I guess we're going to keep working on that."
Thoughts on the match:
"I think we did alright. We knew it was going to be a tough place to come play. They've been on a bit of streak, especially at home and us coming off a tough loss Sunday. We knew we had to be at our best to win tonight and I think we had our moments. We're not happy to concede. It was a good finish (by Bonjour) but we never like to concede. However, I think it showed a lot of our character the way we came back to get a result at the end. Every time we step on the field the expectation is three points, but tonight I think we'll settle for the one point."
On the Whitecaps goal:
"It was just one of those scrambles in the box and it just fell to him (Bonjour). I have to give him credit, he took the finish and tucked it in the top corner."
On missing key players
"We have a deep squad so whoever is on the field for us at any given moment we expect to get points. Coming off the loss on Sunday in Chicago we were disappointed with our effort and came out a bit flat. That was one of the things we really talked about coming into tonight, more than anything just fighting and working hard for 90 minutes. I think we did that tonight."
Thoughts on Whitecaps FC:
"They're a good team. They moved the ball really well and they've got dangerous guys up top between Le Toux and Hassli coming off the bench. We knew we were going to have to be sharp, and I think we were for the most part. The main thing for us was our fight and our overall work ethic tonight. It's a long season and you need everyone at some point in the season to step up."


text:
Welcome to Parkchester – From the moment you enter, comfort and convenience are the hallmarks of every 1, 2 and 3 bedroom Parkchester home. Each NO FEE rental apartment has a spacious foyer, ample closets, and spacious sunny living rooms and bedrooms. The elegant windowed kitchens in our Prestige Collection feature new appliances, stainless steel accents, granite countertops, and a choice of two fabulous finishes.
Parkchester's generously proportioned apartments, located on 129 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, are only 30 minutes from midtown Manhattan, and easily reached by all forms of transportation -- car, bus, and subway. Other important amenities include more than 100 retail outlets including Macy's, Starbucks, Applebee's, and blink FITNESS as well as 24-hour onsite professional management, and 24-hour roving security.
Come home to Parkchester…every convenience, modern living, classic style.


text:
Teens, firefighter risked it all to save people from fireBy PAT GROSSMITH
New Hampshire Union Leader
May 10. 2013 1:03AM
MANCHESTER - Jaqueal Holmes and Raul "Gino" Otero were hot, tired and drenched in sweat after a double session of Central High School football drills at Gill Stadium last Aug. 13.
The combined 6-hour workout, done that sweltering day in full football gear, had left Holmes, 16, and Otero, then 15, both dragging. Gino's sister picked them up after the workout and the teens were heading home. Then, off in the distance, they noticed black smoke.
Off-duty Manchester fire Lt. John Couture also was at Gill Stadium picking up his son and his son's friend after football practice. At the intersection of Lake Avenue and Maple Street he, too, saw dark black smoke in the distance and told his son to call 911 and "tell them it's a big fire." As it turned out, the fire was first reported by a street person who walked into the main downtown station, Couture said.
As Gino's sister turned onto Central Street, the teens could see flames ripping up the rear side of an old Central Street triple decker in the back. The building was attached to another triple decker (333-335 Central St.) that fronted Central Street.
A man in a wheelchair had made it out of the front building and onto the porch but had no way to get down the steps.
"There were people on the sidewalk and more across the street and they weren't doing anything," said Gino, now 16. With no thought for their own safety, and with no firefighters in sight, the two jumped out of the car as it was coasting to a stop and ran to the disabled man. They lifted him, chair and all, and carried him down the stairs and to a safe place. And then they ran into the building, knocking on doors and yelling, "Fire."
They couldn't hear the frantic screams of Gino's sister telling them to come back.
"She was freaking out," laughed Jaqueal.
Jaqueal said as he ran up the stairs, people were coming down carrying their cats and dogs. "I didn't hear any smoke or fire alarms," said Gino.
They didn't see any smoke, but they could smell it, they said, and the flames hadn't reached the front of the building yet.
Couture arrived as the teens were helping the man in the wheelchair. He ran into the burning rear building to alert residents there.
He downplays what he did that day, saying he is a trained firefighter who knows what to expect. But he ran into the burning building without any fire protection gear, alerting residents to the immediate danger.
Couture chooses to focus on the teens' actions that day, which he called remarkable.
"It's fight or flight," he said. "They didn't think about it" And, once everyone was out of the building, the teens didn't stop there. Couture said they helped the short-handed firefighters run out hose lines.
"You boys feel strong?" Jaqueal recalls one firefighter asking them.
Couture said there was a delay in firefighters getting to the scene because they were at another fire on the West Side. Had the teens not done what they did, he said, someone could have died.
He said there were dozens of spectators watching the afternoon blaze from the safety of the sidewalk, but the two high school sophomores were the ones to run into the building.
"It's either in you or not," Couture said. "Instead of running away, they ran into it. It says something about their character."
Both Jaqueal and Gino also downplay what they did, saying they only did what they believe anyone would do.
"I just think that it's not really like a big deal because I think anyone should have done that," said Raul. "In our community, we all have to stick together, especially in Manchester if there is a fire."
Both said it never occurred to them that they were putting themselves in danger.
"Everything was happening so fast," said Jaqueal. "I was still in football mode."


text:
I'm pretty paranoid about a catastrophic leak flooding the house while nobody's home. I use rigid copper for all faucet and toilet connections. (I shutoff the water to the washing machine and dishwasher when not in use.). So, an RO system's plastic tubing and many connections makes me nervous.
Does anyone have a recommendation for a leak detector and shutoff valve? I have 110 volts available under the sink.
I've seen a battery-operated LCS-14 for $60. But, it seems to be a bit lightweight. Product literature says it should only be used for 5 years (that it's not expected to hold up longer than that). I'm not keen on batteries, nor short longevity. I'd like to have something that's sturdier and intended for general appliance use. (I can transition from copper for the valve to plastic tubing for the RO unit.).


text:
Have one to sell?
Miley Cyrus Bulls Custom Case for iPhone 6 5.5"(Laser Technology)
Currently unavailable.
We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock.
We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock.
- Light weight.
- Slim,Environmental.
- High Quality Rubber Material.
- Perfectly protect your phone from the scratch and shock.
- We also accept DIY,design with your images.
Have a question?
Find answers in product info, Q&As, reviews
Product description
Ultra-thin design classic phone case
Customer reviews
There are no customer reviews yet.
|5 star (0%)
|4 star (0%)
|3 star (0%)
|2 star (0%)
|1 star (0%)


text:
Change after the chaos in Kane coroner's office
Kane County paid $20,000 to settle a lawsuit former Coroner Chuck West's second-in-command filed alleging he retaliated and inflicted emotional distress on her after she alerted authorities to possible misconduct, according to information obtained via the Freedom of Information Act.
The county spent another $18,614 on attorney fees defending West in the lawsuit brought by Deputy Coroner Loren Carrera, court records show.
West, 69, died in July after complications from a liver transplant. Because of his death, he never went on trial on felony misconduct charges alleging he allowed a TV/DVD/VCR combo to be stolen from the home of a dead Carpentersville man in 2007.
Documents from the Kane County sheriff's office's criminal investigation into West paint a picture of a divided, unproductive office bordering on chaos in summer 2010 as he sought to find out who contacted authorities.
According to the sheriff records, West held a meeting in August 2009 telling staff members he wanted the last three months of desk and cellphone records pulled to find out who was feeding the state's attorney's office information. He threatened to sue for slander, said he had the right to face his accuser and that the person should come forward, according to sheriff's documents.
Some employees told investigators West was "upset" and his tone made it clear it was "not a friendly meeting." Others defended West, saying he was a "great guy and an awesome boss."
One employee refused to talk to investigators unless she was subpoenaed. Another said West told employees not to blame each other and that all had to work together and do their jobs, according to sheriff's reports.
After West was indicted in summer 2010, he held another all-staff meeting on July 6. Brandishing his court papers, he called the situation a "hate crime" against his office and vowed to drag the case out for the two years remaining on his term.
The meeting sparked another round of interviews by investigators, in which employees said there was no leadership, no camaraderie and no consequences for employees who were late for training events, according to sheriff's reports.
Carrera sued in 2011, arguing that West had violated the Illinois Whistleblower Act by retaliating and threatening her. In her suit, Carrera also said West stripped away her responsibilities, urinated on her office chair, slept in various places in the office, and allowed employees to take their dogs to work.
The county denied all allegations made in the suit and said the settlement was not an admission of guilt or liability.
But coroner's office employees interviewed in 2010 backed up some of Carrera's allegations.
According to sheriff's documents, employees told investigators some workers were allowed to take excessive cigarette breaks of six to eight per day; many played games or looked at personal email on their computers instead of working; and West would come into work at 11 a.m. and immediately fall asleep, napping in various places in the office.
Employees reported that dogs allowed in the office had nipped at least five people, and the office carpet and chair smelled of "dog urine, feces and vomit."
West, who was first elected in 2000, was not seeking another term before his death. On Nov. 6, voters picked Republican Rob Russell for a 4-year term.
Russell, of South Elgin, has pledged to resign from his job as sergeant at the DuPage County sheriff's office to focus on the coroner's post. Part of his campaign was to restore integrity and trust to the office, and one of his goals is to have the office go through an accreditation process similar to police departments.
"My goal is like the Boy Scout thing: Leave something better than when you found it," said Russell, who did not comment specifically about the sheriff's reports. "It's important to me that we work to make the office better and get it to a point where this doesn't happen again."
Russell will be sworn in next month.
Interim Coroner Brad Sauer has made progress organizing the office but made it sound like the place remains a mess when he spoke at a recent Kane County Board Judiciary Committee meeting.
Sauer said he has cataloged all the homicide evidence.
"It was just kind of thrown in a freezer that didn't even have a latch on it," he said, adding there are now new, locked freezers.
Other equipment and supplies have been inventoried, and he has installed some computer software so the coroner's office can find next of kin and return cash and belongings from the deceased, he said.
Sauer said when he took over, there typically was $1,500 to $2,000 in the office safe at any time; that's now down to about $200.
"(The office) has a whole different feel to it," said board member Mark Davoust, chairman of the Judicial and Public Safety committee. "It is cleaner and more organized."
• Daily Herald staff writer Susan Sarkauskas contributed to this report.


text:
LONDON (AP) — The voting booths were empty and deep piles of ballot papers were left untouched — Britain named its first-ever elected police and crime commissioners Friday, but voter turnout was the lowest in recent history.
Though the commissioners will be responsible across most of England and Wales for appointing chief constables and setting budgets for police departments, Thursday's vote failed to stir interest.
Authorities said that in the southwestern England county of Wiltshire — the first area to announce its results — just 15.8 percent of people eligible to vote had taken part.
By contrast, Britain's 2010 national election had a turnout of 65 percent of eligible voters.
A previous low, a 1999 election for the European Parliament, saw a turnout in Britain of 24 percent.
Prime Minister David Cameron's government had hailed U.S.-style elected police commissioners, along with directly elected city mayors, as ways of shifting power away from Parliament and into the hands of local communities.
But voters in several cities rejected the plan for mayors earlier this year, and the police votes failed to generate much enthusiasm.
Cameron defended the elections, saying "the turnout was always going to be low, when you're electing a new post for the first time."
"But remember, these police and crime commissioners are replacing organizations that weren't directly elected at all," he said.
Despite the low turnout, the elections brought some good news for the main opposition Labour Party, whose candidates took 32 percent of votes cast — more than the 27.7 percent won by the Conservatives — and won in several key areas, including the major city of Manchester.
Labour also triumphed in three special elections for House of Commons seats, including the bellwether central England seat of Corby, which it won handily from the Conservatives.
The highest-profile police commissioner candidate, former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, was defeated in the northern English city of Hull.
Prescott, who served in ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair's Labour government, lost to Conservative candidate Matthew Grove.