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Small ETFs, Big Gains to Start 2013
Small ETFs are once again up to big things.
Editor's Note: This content was originally published on Benzinga.com by The ETF Professor, Benzinga Staff Writer.
Small ETFs -- meaning those funds that labor below the much ballyhooed $100 million in assets under management watermark -- are once again up to big things. At least some of them are.
Coming off a year in which some sub-$100 million funds were among the top performers in the ETF universe, select low-asset funds are again showing that ignoring an ETF on the basis of AUM can mean missing out on tidy returns.
Remember, an ETF's AUM total is not the only indicator of its potential profitability for the fund sponsor. The $100 million in AUM number also does not take into account an ETF manager's ability to make money through securities lending, licensing fees or other external costs related to ETF management.
With that mind, here are some sub-$100 million ETFs that have been leaders to start the new year.
PowerShares NASDAQ Internet Portfolio (NASDAQ:PNQI) As was recently noted, some investors may perceive PNQI as being "illiquid" because of an average daily volume number that is below 12,000 shares. The reality is the least heavily traded of PNQI's top-10 holdings is Equinix (NASDAQ:EQIX) at over 866,000 shares per day.
Housing heavily traded fare such as Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), eBay (NASDAQ:EBAY), and Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) ensures PNQI is sufficiently. Being an ETF focused on Internet names rather the broader technology sector means the fund has not been dealt a blow by Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) woes. That means, including Friday's 1.4% gain, PNQI is up more than 6% year-to-date.
First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund (NYSEARCA:FDD) FDD has an interesting methodology is it starts by screening firms in the STOXX Europe 600 Index that have a positive five year dividend-per-share growth rate and a dividend to earnings-per-share ratio of 60% or less, according to First Trust.
Next, possible constituents are sorted by country and ranked in descending order according to their indicated annual net dividend yield, so the companies' weights in the index are determined by yield. Investors should note that FDD is not eurozone heavy as the UK and Switzerland combine for over 54% of the fund's weight.
Some investors may gloss over this fund when they AUM of just over $20.3 million and average daily turnover of less than 19,000 shares. Others will likely get past those metrics and fall in love with a 30-day SEC yield of 6.36%. FDD has gained 2.6% year-to-date.
Market Vectors Gaming ETF (NYSEARCA:BJK) More important than the fact that BJK has "just" $53.7 million in AUM is the fund's country allocations. That is to say this ETF is not solely a play on US casinos. In fact, the US represents just 27% of BJK's country weight.
China is next at 24%, meaning BJK is a viable options for investors looking to gain exposure to Macau without having to commit to a single stock. Exposure to Macau is probably a good idea. The Chinese territory long ago passed Las Vegas as the world's top gambling mecca.
The territory raked in $38 billion in gambling revenue last year and is expected to see revenue growth of 5% to 10% this year. As an indicator of its exposure to favorable non-US gambling trends, seven of BJK's top-10 holdings are not US-based companies. BJK is up 4% year-to-date and trading at its highest levels since the second quarter of 2008.
Below, find some more great ETF and market content from Benzinga:
Ackman and Icahn Battle Over Herbalife On CNBC
How Likely Is a Sale of RIM?
Twitter: @Benzinga
Benzinga Pro covers this and all market news in real time. Get your free trial here.
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Review: Ethan Coen's new play twisted, of course
NEW YORK (AP) — Ethan Coen waxes entertainingly absurd on motherhood and deception, conjoining those themes in his first full-length play, the entertaining comedy "Women Or Nothing."
The satirical, screwball-noirish production is world premiering off-Broadway at Atlantic Theater Company, where it opened Monday night. Academy Award-winning filmmaker Coen, who has written several short plays for the Atlantic, is best known for creating popular films with his brother Joel, including "No Country for Old Men," ″Fargo" and "O Brother, Where Art Thou?"
David Cromer directs a stylishly comedic cast of four, who ably represent their characters as real people without losing any of their absurd qualities or missing a beat with the quip-laden dialogue.
Susan Pourfar is delightfully uptight as prim concert pianist Laura, whose long-time girlfriend Gretchen (a sweetly kooky portrayal by Halley Pfeiffer) tries to persuade her to sleep with a man she knows so they can have a baby together by "looking the genes in the eye." The sit-com aspect is that they don't want the man to know he's fathering their child.
While logical Laura wants the proven background checks she thinks a sperm clinic would provide for donors, flighty Gretchen launches into a screed about the kind of "social retards" that would "mate with glassware" at such a place.
Robert Beitzel smoothly handles the difficult job of making the unwitting sperm-donor Chuck a likable, decent guy who doesn't question why Laura wants to sleep with him. Pourfar gives Laura's would-be flirtation with Chuck a hilariously serious, at times sternly confrontational tone, after Gretchen invites him over, then disappears.
Deborah Rush is masterful as Laura's overbearing, free-spirited mother, Dorene, who arrives at an inopportune time and politely refuses to leave. Rush's delivery of her dialogue is a triumph of delicate venom. She spits out Dorene's seemingly nonsensical thoughts or careless needling of her daughter with a precise diction ever-so-faintly echoed in Pourfar's measured delivery of Laura's lines.
As brittle, narcissistic Dorene casually pours out shocking secrets long-buried in their family past, Pourfar comically reels around in shock. Yet Dorene reveals a concerned maternal side when she gently uncovers the truth from Chuck about what's really going on — still without him figuring it out. In a typical Coen twist, the play ends with both laughter and darkness.

subset: commoncrawl


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Maples suffer 65-47 defeat against Big Reds
A nightmarish first quarter doomed the Adrian High School boys basketball team as the Milan Big Reds posted a 65-47 non-league win Friday.
The teams traded 3-point baskets to start the contest, but the Maples went scoreless the rest of the first quarter. Milan scored the next 17 points and led 20-3 after one quarter.
CJ Turnage with seven points and Latin Davis with six sparked the Big Red surge.
Adrian coach Bart Bartels was baffled by his team's performance. The first quarter was a series of turnovers and one- or no-shot possessions.
"We looked rattled and intimidated in the first quarter," Bartels said. "I didn't recognize that team. The wheels just came off."
Turnage finished the game with 22 points and Davis had 19 to lead Milan (4-1). Adrian had three players in double figures. Brett Bartels had 11 points, while Brandon Bays and Jurell Parish each had 10.
The Maples (2-4) held their own after the first quarter, but had dug too deep of a hole to recover. Adrian had 13 turnovers in the first half, 21 for the game. Milan led by as many as 26 points in coasting to the win.
Parish had five rebounds and a blocked shot in his first start for Adrian. Hunter Hayes led the Maples with eight rebounds and had three steals. Brett Bartels had three steals to go with his team leading points. Kyle Hill had eight points and four assists.
"We'll take a look at film and come out for a good, hard practice Monday," coach Bartels said. "We've played some tough teams, but have only come close. We need to get a win at Parma Western (Wednesday)."
-- Adrian JV: Adrian posted a 49-39 win in the junior varsity contest. Conner Dempsey with 13 points and Matthew Clark with 11 led the Maples in scoring. Zachary Burk came off the bench to score eight points.


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A giant nontypical buck — that has been reportedly gross-scored 244 inches — could be a new record in Wisconsin.
The photo of this buck and hunter is making the email rounds today. It was posted on the Whale Tales website; that's an archery retailer in Waukesha County outside of Milwaukee.
The Internet has been abuzz this morning with the photos of this nontypical buck, allegedly killed by bowhunter in Waukesha County, Wisconsin.
Photos of this deer were all over Facebook this morning, as well as in several e-mail chain letters. Deer & Deer Hunting reached out to the archery shop listed on the hunter's T-shirt and on the vehicle in the background of the photo. When contacted, an employee at the shop stated that the hunter didn't want to share any information about the hunt, or his name. The company's website includes two photos of this breathtaking buck, including a shot of the rear view of the antlers. The shop's Facebook page indicates the buck has been gross-scored at 244 inches.
The yellow Wisconsin archery license/tag and metal registration tag on the antler seem to indicate this deer is a legit wild whitetail harvest.
Deeranddeerhunting.com will continue tracking this story and bring you updates when they become available.


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Following is the full text of the comments to the press made by Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, at the National Press Club on Tuesday, July 18, 2000.
Good afternoon, and thank you for being here.
What we are doing here today is exactly what the Church has done for centuries: defending human life, and challenging the government to do the same. No matter what nation or period of history we are speaking of, when a human government attempts to legitimize an act of violence, the Church declares that such an attempt is devoid of all authority or juridical validity.
Such is the case with abortion. Our position regarding the laws allowing abortion is not that they are merely "bad laws," but rather that they are no laws at all. No president, congress, court, or king has the authority to permit even a single abortion.
When we elect our lawmakers in America, we influence the moral character of this nation for better or for worse. When our laws permit violence against little babies, incidents like the Columbine High School shootings are the logical outcome.
It should be understood from the outset that we are speaking here today as clergy, enunciating the teachings of our Church in matters regarding the fundamental rights of the human person. We are not endorsing candidates, commenting on any electoral races, or presenting any political strategies.
Priests for Life is an association of priests, a "private association of the faithful" recognized under Canon Law. I am grateful to my mentor, the recently deceased Cardinal John O'Connor, who ordained me and authorized me to direct the Priests for Life movement. The instruction and inspiration he leaves to us has shaped our efforts and will do so for years to come. We present the Church's teachings in communion with the bishops, but we speak on our own initiative and represent no organization here today but ourselves. We collaborate ecumenically, including with the National Pro-life Religious Council, which is also represented here.
Furthermore, Americans of every faith and of no faith join us on a daily basis to strive to restore equal protection under the law to human beings during the period of their development in their mother's womb.
The Catholic Church has taught in the Second Vatican Council's Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, "…At all times and in all places, the Church should have the true freedom to teach the faith, to proclaim its teaching about society, to carry out its task among men without hindrance, and to pass moral judgment even in matters relating to politics, whenever the fundamental rights of man or the salvation of souls requires it" (GS 76, quoted in Living the Gospel of Life, 18).
A key aspect of the mission which Priests for Life was founded to accomplish is to make known the documents of the Catholic Church on matters relating to abortion. In this current educational effort, we base our message on the 1998 document of the US bishops, Living the Gospel of Life, and the 1999 statement of the Administrative Board of the United States Catholic Conference, Faithful Citizenship. We have made both documents available here today.
Our message has three key themes.
1. Catholics and all believers have an obligation to vote, and should do so in an informed and responsible way. That means they understand the issues and the positions the candidates take on the issues. It means that they do not accept second-class citizenship, nor do they cease to be believers when they enter the voting booth. The eyes that read the Word of God are same eyes that read the names of the candidates on the ballot. The hands lifted up to God to say "Amen" to His teachings are the same hands that push down on the lever in the voting booth. We don't have four hands, a pair for Church and a pair for the voting booth.
Our message here is not that we want to control the way people vote. The message is one of integrity: don't claim to be a believer if you don't act like one, and don't claim to be a member of the Church and then misrepresent its teachings.
2. The right to life is the most fundamental of all rights. Any candidate or policy is to be evaluated above all on how it impacts human life and dignity. Abortion, though not the only problem, is the pre-eminent human rights issue. Abortion is an act of violence, claiming some 4000 lives every day, and cannot be tolerated by a civilized society. The teaching of the Church is that it is morally wrong to cooperate in abortion in any way. That can include speaking out in favor of abortion, or participating in efforts to protect or advance the practice of abortion, which obviously includes the choices made in the voting booth.
Our position on abortion would be much easier to understand, and the problem much easier to solve, if the television media would accept the challenge which I have made nationwide and repeat today: Show the American people what an abortion is.
3. No public official of any party or religion can responsibly take a "pro-choice" position on abortion. Anyone who identifies himself as "pro-choice" on abortion contradicts the teachings of the Catholic Church. There is not more than one Catholic teaching on abortion. Furthermore, this is not only a Catholic issue, but one of fundamental human rights. Catholic teaching holds that stealing is wrong. That doesn't mean that non-Catholics can steal. Nor does it mean that laws against stealing are an imposition of one group's religious beliefs on the nation.
Abortion not only contradicts the teachings of the Catholic Church, but it contradicts the Gospel, as well as the principles of the Declaration of Independence.
To supporters of abortion who profess a faith other than Christianity, or profess no faith at all, we say that your position contradicts the Declaration of Independence and its assertion that we all have an inalienable right to life.
To supporters of abortion who profess Christianity, we say, "Stop being a scandal to the Gospel of Jesus Christ!"
The educational effort we announce today is unprecedented in the magnitude and variety of the ways we are getting the message out. We intend to employ every means known to humanity, short of space travel, to reach people with this message. We will utilize the Churches, by means of preaching and teaching. We will take the message to the streets with peaceful demonstrations and other First Amendment activities. We will mail information to clergy across America. We will utilize phone banks to encourage the clergy in this effort. We will submit articles and purchase ads in major newspapers. Our NY Times ad is available to you here today. We will deal with these themes in our regular radio and television programs, which air nationwide, and on our web page. We are currently preparing TV commercials and planning media buys. Our priests on staff will teach these themes in their regular nationwide travels to local communities and in visits to elected officials. We are ready to spend $1million on this effort. We will do everything that needs to be done within the boundaries of what we are allowed to do by civil and canon law.
Some in the media have interpreted our effort to be an attack on certain specific candidates for office. This is not the case. Voters are free to elect whom they choose. But to be free, one has to be informed of the implications of one's choice, including the moral and spiritual implications. It is our mission, as spiritual leaders, to instruct them on the moral principles that should inform their voting decisions.
Our educational effort is completely non-partisan. Lawmakers and voters in both major parties have a wide range of positions on the abortion controversy and may at any time change those positions. No matter who changes positions, or what positions they change, our message always remains exactly the same.
If a candidate were to approve of shooting sprees, or race riots, the primary question is hardly what party or religion they belong to. The question is, Is that position compatible with public service?
Nor is our effort an issue of "What is the Church going to do to pro-abortion politicians?" …This is an issue of what the voters are going to do when they vote as people who oppose violence against little babies and hold that the government should protect all life.
Moreover, I stress that we conduct these efforts as clergy, as pastors. We speak publicly about whether support for abortion does or does not conform to the Gospel. We do not speak publicly about the standing of any particular person. It is our hope that our public comments will motivate candidates or office-holders who do support abortion to approach the members of their clergy and discuss these issues in private and confidential settings, and we pledge our readiness to be available for that kind of pastoral service to anyone who desires it.
Finally, may I appeal to you in the media to repeat the offer we make to any woman anywhere, no matter what her ethnic or religious background, that if she is pregnant and feels unable to continue that pregnancy, she can come to us, to our Churches, to me personally, and we will see to it that she and her child receive all the help they need. And to anyone who suffers the pain and grief that follow abortion, we declare that the doors of the Church are open. We are ready to assist you to find the forgiveness, healing, and peace that you seek.
Thank you very much.


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Fried Cumin-Potato Mushroom Taquitos
|Potatoes, Vegetables, Mushrooms
|Day Part
|Dinner, Lunch
|Menu Part
|Side Dish
|Cuisine Type
Crisp and golden taquitos are filled with a cumin scented potato mushroom mix and topped with cheese. These are a terrific and fun appetizer.
3 lb. potatoes,peeled and quartered
4 tsp. cumin seeds
3 tbsp. olive oil
4 onions, sliced
20 oz. mushrooms, sliced
2 heads iceberg lettuce, shredded
2 bunches radishes, sliced
12 oz. cotija cheese, grated
24, 6-in corn tortillas
Vegetable oil, as needed, for frying
- In a large pot, place potatoes and water to cover. Simmer 20-30 min., until tender. Drain and coarsely mash; reserve.
- In a skillet over medium heat, sauté cumin seeds in oil until brown, approx. 30 sec. Add onion and mushrooms and sauté until soft and lightly golden. Season and reserve.
- Spread 1⁄2 cup potato mixture on lower half of a tortilla and top with 1⁄4 cup mushroom-onion mixture. Tightly roll tortilla up from the bottom, creating a cigar shape and secure. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, fry taquitos until golden, 3-4 min. Serve 3 taquitos on a bed of shredded lettuce and sliced radishes; sprinkle with 2 tbsp. cheese.


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little toes
Romen Vargas 6/25/2002 11:45:29 PMHi Judy,
Judy Miss Ben Joud 6/26/2002 10:49:05 AMHi Romen, the entire thing is a mistake. I chose the wrong file while uploading the photo. Anyway, the title and the photo don't belong together.
As to the lighting of this one - you are not going to believe it - it was taken at a coffee shop, so there was the general light from the ceiling (bad fluorescent) plus one single candle that was on the table, and it's not in the frame. #9116
Rhonda Kramer 7/6/2002 4:44:34 PMHi Judy,
Great Pic
I love it.
Rhonda #9522
Judy Miss Ben Joud 7/6/2002 5:48:49 PMThank you v. much Rhonda & good luck with your studies #9529
This is a great photo!
Where can I see the "Little Toes" photo you intended to display?!?
You have me curious!!
Thanks, Liz #74306
Thea CLARKE 1/21/2007 8:36:04 PMHi Judy, having read some of the responses and yours in return, you are either very clever or this was a fabulous fluke.It's a lovely photo of "little toes". My question is, that under the lighting you described, and with a zoom, which the model I'm not familiar with, what settings did you use to get such a clear shot? #3847787
Taken with olympus c 4040zoom,outdoors, without flsh
Uploaded on 6/25/2002 8:06:07 PM
Copyright for this gallery photo belongs solely to Judy Miss Ben Joud. Images may not be copied, downloaded, or used in any way without the expressed, written permission of the photographer.
Log in to follow or message this photographer or report this photo.


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Gord Downie's 'Secret Path' the most relevant work of his career
Gord Downie has spent three decades chronicling and commemorating the history and mystery of Canada.
But the Tragically Hip frontman's fifth (and perhaps final) solo album is no cause for celebration — it's a grim remembrance of a shamefully overlooked national disgrace.
Secret Path, due Oct. 18, is a concept album that recounts the sad death of Chanie Wenjack, a 12-year-old indigenous boy who died of exposure and hunger beside a railway line after running away from a residential school in Kenora, Ont., 50 years ago this week. It's a disturbing story that Downie has said "haunts" him. "His story is Canada's story," the 52-year-old singer wrote in a statement. "This is about Canada. We are not the country we thought we were … We are not the country we think we are."
Downie hasn't been shy lately in voicing concern over the treatment of Canada's Indigenous people and Northern residents. But his fascination with Wenjack's story isn't new. Secret Path was actually recorded in late 2013 with producers Kevin Drew and Dave Hamelin (who also helmed the Hip's Man Machine Poem). Its release was presumably delayed while graphic novelist Jeff Lemire turned it into a book that accompanies the album, which led to an animated special airing on CBC Oct. 23.
It was well worth the wait. Deeply moving and artfully experimental, Secret Path is not only Downie's most focused solo effort, it may be the most relevant work of his career (and that's saying something). Along with bringing Wenjack's tale into the public eye, the disc is a fundraiser for The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. And even though he continues to battle terminal brain cancer — and just wrapped the Hip's farewell tour in August — the project is important enough to lure him back onstage for two Secret Path shows this week in Ottawa and Toronto.
Between all that — and the slew of well-deserved awards he's likely to amass for this — maybe there's cause for celebration after all. But first, let's survey Secret Path's 10 songs:
1 | The Stranger 5:32
Over a dark acoustic guitar, twinkling piano notes and ringing chords, we are introduced to Chanie — and his alienation — as he flees his residential school. "I am the stranger, you can't see me," Downie proclaims. "And what I'm feeling is anyone's guess."
2 | Swing Set 3:20
We flash back to the playground as Chanie and two classmates prepare to run while the teacher is distracted. "'Now?' I asked. 'Not yet,' you said," Gord sings atop noisy rock and squiggly sonics that underscore the tension — and geese that honk as the boys fly.
3 | Seven Matches 3:31
Given to Chanie by a woman whose family sheltered him, a jar with seven matches comforts the runaway — though their number dwindles as the song progresses. For his part, Gord's falsetto vocal is matched with his gently strummed guitar and a softly chugging beat.
4 | I Will Not Be Struck 4:02
"I'm not going back," Downie sings near the top of his register, communicating Chanie's resolve as he ventures into the wilderness along the tracks. Another thumpy beat, a nimble bassline and some understated electric guitar make the cut surprisingly upbeat.
5 | Son 3:17
"Don't stop wishing what you wish," Downie sings, apparently voicing sentiments of Chanie's dad. It's hard to tell whether this one is sung from the father's perspective, or if Chanie is reminiscing. Perhaps fittingly, it's a shapeshifting number that builds from ambient tones to swelling chords and ominous bass drops.
6 | Secret Path 4:12
Freezing rain and ice pellets begin to fall, leaving Chanie woefully unprotected in his jacket. "It's a windbreaker, it's not a jean jacket," Downie wails over a grim low-end piano ballad. "I am soaked to the skin. There's never been a colder rain than this one I'm in."
7 | Don't Let This Touch You 5:05
Chanie tries to stay strong, but begins to lose resolve. "Words don't make the rain go," Downie laments as the song toggles between quiet verses with swooping basslines and explosive, soaring refrains.
8 | Haunt Them, Haunt Them, Haunt Them 5:02
Driven by a tense beat and stabbing bass, the music parallels Chanie's growing fear. "I think I'm in despair, the wind is in the trees, basically just waiting for something to come along and eat me," Downie spits out. As the song builds, Chanie has a vision of a raven who offers a solution: "What you can't escape you've got to embrace."
9 | The Only Place To Be 2:55
"I'll just close my eyes, I'll just catch my breath," Gord sings as Chanie surrenders to his fate over a tender, Wilco-esque number decorated with squiggles and puffs of breath. As the wolves approach, the music slowly swells.
10 | Here, Here and Here 4:11
A piano line slowly takes shape amid buzzing, ringing, swooping and droning tones as Chanie seemingly speaks from beyond: "I hurt here, here and here … I died here, here and here." Otherworldly voices enter the scene as a quiet rhythm comes to a final stop.
Twitter: @darryl_sterdan


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In part 3 of this 5 part series, Mark examines the new Azure Reporting Services CTP (beta) that enables SSRS-like reporting services in the cloud with Windows Azure & SQL Azure.
- Part 1: Microsoft Cloud BI Pieces
- Part 2: Microsoft Cloud BI Pieces
- Part 4: Microsoft Cloud BI Pieces
- Part 5: Microsoft Cloud BI Pieces
So far, in part 1 and part 2, we've talked about migrating data into data marts in SQL Azure and then running analysis against that data from on-premises tools that natively connect into the SQL Azure cloud database like PowerPivot for Excel. That approach can be thought of as a "hybrid" approach because PowerPivot is still requiring on-premises local infrastructure, such as PowerPivot, for the reporting.
Now we're going to build a dashboard that will exist solely in the cloud in Microsoft's new Azure Reporting Services. This part of the Azure platform is only in an early limited CTP (beta), so you will need to go to the Microsoft Connect site to request access to the CTP.
Think of Azure Reporting Services as SSRS in the cloud. You will author reports using the normal SQL Server Reporting Services 2008 R2 tools. In this demo, I'm going to use the business user ad-hoc reporting tool called Report Builder 3.0. One of the great benefits of the overall Microsoft cloud platform called Azure, is that you can develop applications and databases and you can migrate to Azure from your on-premises solutions to Azure very easily. The tools that you are already familiar with: Visual Studio, SQL Server Management Studio, BIDS, Report Builder, SQL Server Management Studio, all work with SQL Azure and Windows Azure.
For example, in Report Builder, you will design a report just as you normally would and enter in the URL for the Azure Reporting Services as the site to store or retrieve the report definition:
Design the report based on a data source that is from SQL Azure, since this is a pure Cloud BI solution:
Whether you are using Report Builder or BIDS in Visual Studio, you will enter the Azure service name for your report server in the deploy information, just as you do today with SSRS. You will receive an extra prompt for your credentials because all authorization on SQL Azure and Azure Reporting Services today is not yet federated and is based on SQL Authentication.
After you've designed a report in Report Builder and deployed to the Cloud, as you can see below, you are able to share & view that report. The Web rendering of the reports in your browser are identical to that of a localon-premises SSRS server:
One of the really nice additional benefits of moving to the Cloud with SQL Azure and Azure Reporting Services, beyond the simplicity of migrating to Azure, is that your reports and solution now exist over HTTP or HTTPS and can be easily accessed over the Internet through browser-based devices like mobile devices and not just Windows Phone 7 which is the screenshot below from my Windows Phone 7 emulator:
In Part 4, I will examine creating Azure applications that use the ReportViewer control to embed Azure Reporting Services reports to make a complete end-to-end Cloud BI custom application. I'll also touch on making that available as a mobile browser-based app beyond simply pointing to the Azure Reporting Services service URL as I did in this post. Then I'm going to wrap this series up in a few weeks with a final Part 5 post where I will point out some of the future-looking opportunities and features coming in the Microsoft BI stack to deploy a complete Cloud BI solution on the Microsoft platform including how to incorporate Silverlight controls into your BI app.


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Your Award Winning Chilliwack Real Estate Source Since 1987
|Russ Cell:
Public Search
Search for real estate & homes for sale in Chilliwack, Sardis, Agassiz, Promontory, Rosedale, Greendale, Yarrow, Garrison Crossing, Fairfield Island and more on MLS.
How to search by Google Maps
-Select the price, property types, number of bathroom and bed from the dropdown (light blue button below), and click the Search button on the right bottom of the map. You will be able to see homes that match your preferences on the map.


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David Chase Taylor
August 8, 2017
GERMANY, Undisclosed Location — Based on breaking news and events, it appears that, CIA Headquarters beneath Lake Geneva is plotting a wave of cyber-attacks on electrical and/or internet grids prior to the end of the Maya Calendar on August 13, 2017, likely causing nuclear-related explosions in missile silos, premature ICBM launches and/or nuclear reactor meltdowns.
The the impending blackout and subsequent aftermath is designed to: a) trigger World War III, possibly with China or Russia, and/or b) install a de facto Trump or Obama dictatorship in the aftermath of a national and/or international emergency which will surely ensue.
That being said, the impending wave of cyber-attacks on electrical and internet grids could also target military-related radar and satellite systems, theoretically enabling China or Russia to launch an unabated attack and/or invasion of Canada, Europe (e.g., France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, United Kingdom, etc.) and/or the United States.
Although the impending CIA-spawned cyber-attacks and subsequent blackouts could theoretically be scapegoated onto Anonymous, China or North Korea, Russia has been primed for a global cyber-attack designed to trigger World War III and plunge the World into utter darkness and chaos.
In what appears to be a veiled warning about the impending blackout, the Las Vegas Journal Review published a report on January 14, 2017, entitled "To Survive the Hacking of a Power Grid, It's Time to Stockpile Food, Water and Medicine" which reiterated the notion that America's "electric power grid is susceptible to cyberwarfare".
In order to set the precedent for a blackout which will likely be blamed on Russia at a later date, it was reported that on January 14, 2017, Libya was plunged into darkness after a blackout already affecting the south spread to the capital, Tripoli, and other major cities. The incident was designed in-part to sell the notion that blackouts can spread like a virus.
Two days prior on January 12, 2017, a CIA-spawned publicity stunt was executed when a blackout transpired in Washington, D.C. during the Senate confirmation hearing of CIA Director nominee Mike Pompeo. The blackout was symbolic in that Washington, D.C. is America's capital, foreshadowing that the country is about to go dark, possibly forever.
Three days prior on January 9, 2017, it was reported that a major blackout hit the country of Kenya, namely Nairobi, Mount Kenya and regions located along the Kenyan coast. The blackout will likely be chalked up to Russian cyber-attack-related beta-test at a later date.
In what appears to be pre-blackout cyber-attack programming, it was reported back on January 8, 2017, that France thwarted 24,000 cyber-attacks against "defense targets", including attacks on French TV stations and France's drone systems. Predictably, the report cities numerous accounts of Russian-based hacking.
In order to foreshadow a Russian-based attack on the United States just prior to its fruition in reality, it was reported on December 31, 2016, that 'Russian hackers' penetrated America's power grid with 'outdated Ukrainian malware'.
According to reports, a Vermont utility sounded the alarm after finding malware code on a laptop that the FBI and DHS had touted as associated with Russian hackers. However, cybersecurity specialists say the code came from an outdated Ukrainian hacking tool.
In order to further highlight Russian-based cyber-attacks on America's power grid just prior to it actually transpiring in reality, it was reported on December 31, 2016, that the power grid in Vermont was not infiltrated by Russian hackers as originally thought.
In order to provide a timely motive for a Russian-based cyber-attack on America and/or her allies, it was reported back on December 30, 2016, that President Obama expelled 35 Russian diplomats and closed two Russian compounds in a response to alleged Russian cyber-attacks targeting the 2016 U.S. Election.
In order to sell the notion that the U.S. power grid is vulnerable to Russian cyber-attacks just prior to the CIA turning off the lights in America for good, the Wall Street Journal published a report on December 30, 2017, entitled "Cyberattacks Raise Alarm for U.S. Power Grid".
The timely propaganda report stated that "Experts believe Russian hackers linked to the DNC breach are also behind attacks on utilities in Ukraine and U.S., leaving domestic power grid exposed". In other words, the U.S. will blame Russia in the aftermath of a blackout. likely leading to a nuclear World War III.
In order to set a timely precedent for a Russian-based cyber-attack on a country's electrical grid, it was reported on December 22, 2016, that Ukraine's power grid was hacked again by Russian hackers leveled at the nation's power grid and artillery.
Considering that the Ukrainian military was hacked, it's highly likely that the impending Russian-based cyber-atacks will target nuclear missiles and nuclear reactors, possibly resulting in nuclear explosions, launches and/or nuclear reactor meltdowns.
About the Author
David Chase Taylor is an American journalist and the editor-in-chief of Truther.org, a state-sponsored terror whistle-blower website. Taylor currently lives in Switzerland where he applied for political asylum on July 17, 2015. Taylor authored The Nuclear Bible, a book credited with foiling a nuclear terror attack upon Super Bowl XLV in Dallas, Texas on February 6, 2011, and Greenland Theory: Apocalypse Now, a book and website exposing the true power structure of the world, especially in respect to Greenland and its primary proxy state of Switzerland which is coincidentally home to the CIA. Taylor has also published The Bio-Terror Bible, a book and website exposing the global bio-terror pandemic planned for 2015. To date, Taylor has blown the whistle on over 100 state-sponsored terror plots, including the 2012 Democratic National Convention Terror Plot, the 2011 Super Bowl Nuclear Terror Plot, the 2014 Super Bowl Nuclear Terror Plot, theTerrorgate Scandal, the 2014 Memorial Day Massacre, the man-made asteroid attack planned for 2015, and the drone strike which killed "Fast and Furious" star Paul Walker. Taylor was also the first to expose Alex Jones' treacherous links to STRATFOR and is noted for the 10 reasons why the Rosetta Comet landing was a hoax.
READ: World's 'Most Wanted' Whistle-Blower Journalist David Chase Taylor Applies for Political Asylum in Switzerland
Truther.org Legal Disclaimer
Truther.org's stated purpose is to stop terrorism by drawing unwanted global attention to terror plots prior to their fruition. Terror alerts and warnings made by Truther.org DO NOT necessarily imply that these terror events will transpire in reality but rather that there is a distinct possibility that they may occur based on breaking terror-related news, events and data. Historically speaking, once a major false-flag terror plot is exposed, it is immediately canceled, postponed, or reworked (e.g., the 2011 Super Bowl Nuclear Terror Plot, the 2014 Super Bowl Nuclear Terror Plot, the 2014 Freedom Tower Nuclear Terror Plot, etc.). State-sponsored acts of terror must have a prior paper trail in order to set-up patsies, prime scapegoats, create plausible deniability, and mislead the public from the usual suspects of terror which work at the behest of the CIA in Switzerland. Please support real citizen journalism and help make terrorism a thing of the past. Blessed are the Peacemakers. Namaste


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January 5, 2015
Antifreeze Is a Sweet but Deadly Poison for Pets
Ethylene glycol, the main ingredient in most antifreeze brands, has an inviting aroma and a sweet flavor. Its appealing smell and taste often tempt animals and children to drink the highly poisonous substance.
Take precautions against poisoning your pets
In 2012, manufacturers voluntarily agreed to add a bittering agent to antifreeze, but pet owners should still take precautions.
Keep antifreeze out of the reach of animals and know the signs of antifreeze poisoning. It only takes a few tablespoons of highly toxic antifreeze to seriously jeopardize an animal's life. Families can help save their own pets from an encounter with antifreeze by closely watching the animals in areas where antifreeze may be accessible, such as roads, driveways or garages.
To reduce the risk of poisoning, all brands of antifreeze should be handled carefully and treated as highly poisonous. Ensure that antifreeze is stored well away from animals and children, antifreeze spills are completely cleaned up, and leaks are immediately repaired.
What you can do to protect your pets
1. Switch to a brand of antifreeze that contains propylene glycol instead of ethylene glycol. Note that although it's safer than ethylene glycol antifreeze, propylene glycol antrifreeze is still toxic.
2. Keep antifreeze sealed and away from animals; clean up spills immediately and thoroughly. Fix any leaks right away.
3. Don't allow your pet to wander unattended near driveways, roads, garages or other places where she could come into contact with antifreeze.
4. Keep other products that contain ethylene glycol—like paint, cosmetics and novelty snow globes—out of the reach of animals. This goes for any product with unknown ingredients.
5. Monitor your pet for strange behavior. If you think she may have ingested antifreeze, take her to a veterinarian immediately.
How to detect antifreeze poisoning in your pets
For pets exposed to antifreeze, the first few hours are critical. Animals who receive immediate veterinary care can recover successfully—but the longer they remain untreated, the less likely they are to survive.
Recognizing antifreeze poisoning symptoms is important—many pet guardians may not immediately realize that their pet has been exposed to the toxin until it's too late.
Antifreeze poisoning occurs in two phases. In the first phase, the animal typically appears lethargic, disoriented, uncoordinated and groggy. Symptoms usually appear 30 minutes to one hour after ingestion and can last for several hours. If your pet is behaving this way, don't delay. Call a veterinarian. Consider whether any of her activities could have brought her into contact with antifreeze.
The second phase, which can last up to three days, is characterized by symptoms such as vomiting, oral and gastric ulcers, kidney failure, coma and death.
Looking for a pet?
Find your perfect match at a local shelter.
Shelter Pet Project
can help.


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Some larger cruise ships will call New Orleans their home as the role of the cruise business continues to increase at the Port of New Orleans. The Carnival Sunshine, which arrives Sunday, carries 2,984 passengers -- 22 more than the Carnival Conquest, which it's replacing.In April, it will be replaced in turn by the 3,646-passenger Carnival Dream, which Carnival Cruise Lines currently plans to keep in New Orleans.
The port is likely to set its third straight record for cruise ship passengers this year, said Gary LaGrange, president and CEO of the Port of New Orleans. He said the Dream should increase that even more in 2014, when it's expected to boost Carnival's passenger total from more than 330,000 a year to more than 400,000 a year.
New Orleans' overall cruise business rose more than 32 percent last year to 977,703 passengers. The 2011 passenger total of 736,908 broke a record set in 2004, port officials have said, citing a report made for the Cruise Lines International Association.
"This year we have a good shot at passing a million," LaGrange said.
The CLIA report also said New Orleans was the nation's sixth-busiest cruise port last year, up from ninth in 2011.
LaGrange said cruises have risen from about 5 percent of the port's income a dozen years ago to 20 percent of last year's $50 million-plus revenues.
Carnival cruises year-round from the port. Royal Caribbean Cruise Line sails from October through April, and Norwegian Cruise Line from November through April.
Those lines also are bringing in new ships. The 2,376-passenger Norwegian Jewel replaced the 2,348-passenger Norwegian Star, and Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas is replacing the newly renovated Serenade of the Seas.
New Orleans' cruise business has risen nearly nine-fold over the past 10 to 12 years, LaGrange said. "A lot of it has to do with the fact that we're marketing it as two vacations in one: Come down and you get the Big Easy and get the cruise as well," he said.
He said the CLIA study found that passengers usually also spend two nights in area hotels, spending $335 a day in New Orleans compared to an industry average of $93 a day.
Newer, faster ships make the Gulf of Mexico's destinations more accessible, offering more cruise stops than many other ports, LaGrange said. From New Orleans cruises go to Mexico, the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Florida, Belize, Honduras, San Francisco, the Canary Islands and Spain.
Jim Berra, senior vice president of marketing and chief marketing officer for Carnival, said the Carnival Sunshine, previously known as the Destiny, underwent a $155 million makeover at a shipyard in Trieste, Italy, adding a water park, a new partial deck, 182 cabins, and more than 20 new "branded spaces" such as restaurants, outer decks, bars and lounges and entertainment.
The Sunshine and Dream will continue the Conquest's weeklong cruises. The Elation will continue as the line's ship for 4- and 5-day trips.


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Really good, had the veggie bowl. No stomach issues after. I didn't dare eat the chips because they only have one fryer.
Clean, quick service, yummy food, thank you .
We just enjoyed GF tacos and beans in a remote stop in Blythe, CA. It is part of shell gas station. Very good and very clean!
945 Lancaster Dr NE, Salem, OR 97301
Their Baja-style tacos are made with corn tortillas, the food is always fresh and tasty. Some other gluten-free items on the menu like street corn. Love this place and their mango salsa!
|Not celiac friendly
22815 Victory Boulevard, West Hills, CA 91307
Not pleased at all. Asked worker if the plate was gluten free and he said so i took his word and after suffering minutes after i took a look at their allergen menu and found out their chicken has gluten (really weird item to contain gluten) i would stay away...
|Celiac friendly
1201 24th St, #D100, Bakersfield, CA 93301
Celiac-friendly Mexican fast food. There's no gluten free menu, but I've had great success with several menu items, namely Baja tacos made with corn tortillas, any "bare style" burrito, and their rice, beans, and salsas. Be sure to request no chips with your order though. The chips are fried in the same oil as some gluten items.
5021 Verdugo Way, Camarillo, CA 93012
Eat at Baja Fresh all the time - Good options that are GF!
2478 Solomons Island Rd, Annapolis, MD 21401
I found this at the McCarron airport in Las Vegas. Food is yummy, but limited options. Both chicken and steak are marinated in soy sauce. Great pork tacos.
|Celiac friendly
2478 Solomons Island Rd, Annapolis, MD 21401
Best nachos I have ever had!😘
|Not celiac friendly
9159 Reseda Boulevard, Northridge, CA 91324
Staff did not understand what gluten free meant and were not helpful. I tried to eat safe. We will find out later. Do not recommend.
|Celiac friendly
22815 Victory Boulevard, West Hills, CA 91307
Awesome place! I have celiac disease and am lactose intolerant so it's hard to find options. Many gf choices that are also dairy free. Good tacos
|Celiac friendly
1380 East Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV 89119
Delicious and naturally gluten free! I had their chicken nachos and they were better than the volcano nachos at Margaritaville, and they were half the price! I could eat here every day
8515 Fenton Street, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Ate here for years until I found out it is not safe. After hearing rumors and checking their website I decided to write an email. They responded quickly and listed the items containing gluten. Some are obvious but here are the items that surprised me... Steak chicken and rice. They use one fryer for all their items including: rice, chips, taquitos, flautas, totstada shells and breaded fish. The items listed in the email that do not contain gluten are: fish, shrimp, corn tortillas, salad dressings and salsas. I would give it more than a star if they made their information readily available.
3801 Pelandale Avenue, Modesto, CA 95356
Almost nothing gf. Meats are marinated in sauce with soy sauce (has wheat).
22815 Victory Boulevard, West Hills, CA 91307
Lots of options using corn tortillas- also good for those dairy free too - they got our order right in terms of no dairy. Can't speak to cross contamination but is safe for those with an intolerance - not sure for celiacs.
|Celiac friendly
3801 Pelandale Avenue, Modesto, CA 95356
Only gluten in fried wahoo fish and flour tortillas! All else is gf
|Not celiac friendly
1441 Broadway, New York, NY 10018
There are no specific GF Menu, but if you ask the manager, he will tell you what options you have yo eat. Employees also understand about celiac desease and are well informed. I ordered "taco carnitas" without the salsa.
|Not celiac friendly
8515 Fenton Street, Silver Spring, MD 20910
This store was clueless. The cashier said they could leave cheese and spit cream off to make the food GF! Yikes!
1855 E Daily Dr, Camarillo, CA 93010
Things may be fresh but they dont have an ingredients menu that list any possible allergens.
|Celiac friendly
845 NW 9th St, Corvallis, OR 97330
I always order the same thing at this restaurant... the pork carnitas tacos baja style with the rice. I have celiac disease and am extremely sensitive to contamination and I've never gotten sick with this meal. I am too chicken to try anything else on the menu though.
9159 Reseda Boulevard, Northridge, CA 91324
Great, simple options that are GF. Staff will do their best to help avoid cross contamination if you ask.
1441 Broadway, New York, NY 10018
Veggie burrito bowls made to order, we were a bit worried since we avoid fast food but in a rush and did not have any reaction. Might work for some gluten sensitive, perhaps more caution as celiac
845 NW 9th St, Corvallis, OR 97330
Gluten free mexican food menu; many choices especially the various bowls, fresh ingredients. Great for a chain restaurant.
Be the first to add a photo!


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Seven arrested on drug charges in Nashua
July 30. 2013 11:31AM
NASHUA – Seven men were arrested for drug offenses over the past two weeks, the result of separate, months-long investigations by detectives in the Narcotics Intelligence Division.
Arrested were:
Guy Gray, 59, no fixed address, on three counts of unlawful sale of cocaine. He is being held on $75,000 cash bail after being arraigned July 17 in 9th Circuit Court, Nashua District Division.
Leon Smith, 33, of 29 Temple St., Apt. 108, two counts of unlawful sale of crack cocaine, second offense, and one charge of possession of crack cocaine. He is facing enhanced penalties, if convicted, because of a prior drug conviction. Smith was arraigned Thursday when his bail was set at $50,000 cash/surety bail.
Christopher Felix, 25, of 1 Salvail Court, Apt. 2, two charges of sale of crack cocaine. He was arraigned Friday and his bail is $50,000 cash.
Leonardo Rosario, 38, of 44 Chestnut St., Apt. 2, three charges of sale of crack cocaine, second offense. He will face enhanced penalties because of a previous conviction. He was arraigned Monday and is being held on $75,000 cash bail.
John Herczeg, 43, of 412 Abbott Farm Drive, Hudson, is charged with criminal liability for the conduct of another to the unlawful sale of heroin. His bail is $10,000 cash/surety, set Monday at his arraignment.
Marc Aucoin, 23, of 12 Heon Court, is charged with one count of selling cocaine, second offense/school zone; one count possession of cocaine, and one charge of manufacturing a controlled drug, marijuana. He was previously convicted of selling drugs in a school zone and will be facing enhanced penalties, according to police. He was arraigned Friday and is being held on $75,000 cash bail.
Sean Smith, 26, of 121B Derry Road, Hudson, is charged with three counts of selling heroin. He previously was convicted of a drug offense so he, too, will be facing enhanced penalties if convicted. He is being held on $50,000 cash bail after being arraigned Tuesday.


text:
Deutsch, Español, Ελληνικά, Français, Hausa, Igbo, Indonesian, Italiano, Kiswahili, Kreyòl, Malagasy, Melayu, Português, Русский, Soomaaliga, Tagalog, Việt, Türkçe, Yorùbá, தமிழ், नेपाली, 中文, اردو, 한국어, 日本語, العربية, فارسی, עִברִית, हिन्दी, ไทย, বাংলা, తెలుగు, ગુજરાતી, ລາວ, ਪੰਜਾਬੀ, සිංහල, پښتو
Last edited: 24 February 2015
Solar cookers can be used with pressure cookers or similar devices to provide the heat for autoclave of medical instruments.
Recent news and developments
- July 2013: University graduate students create sun-harvesting nanoparticles - Rice University nanotechnology researchers have unveiled a solar-powered sterilization system that could be a boon for more than 2.5 billion people who lack adequate sanitation. The "solar steam" sterilization system uses nanomaterials to convert as much as 80 percent of the energy in sunlight into germ-killing heat. The researchers hope to work with waste-treatment pioneer, Sanivation, to conduct the first field tests of the solar steam waste sterilizer at three sites in Kenya. Read more...
Articles in the media
- July 2013: Off-Grid Sterilization With 'Solar Steam' - Science Daily
- Students create Salud del Sol to market solar cookers as autoclaves in Nicaragua - State Department Federal Credit Union Brass Magazine
- June 2009: Harnessing Both Sun and Cell Phone to Close Gaps in Local Health Care - Worldchanging
- October 2003: Solar power cooks medical waste - BBC
See also
- July 2006: Use of the Solar Panel Cooker for Medical Pressure Steam Sterilization - Barbara Kerr and Jim Scott
- Naim Janmohamed M.D. is a pediatrician with programs in Kenya, and is a U.N. Rep. for Solar Cookers International. Dr. Janmohamed has used solar cookers and pressure cookers to sterilize medical instruments for health centres miles away from regular supplies of electricity.
- The Kerr-Cole Sustainable Living Center has experience with solar autoclaves


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Find age-appropriate content
We all know that the web is vast, which means some content is fine for families, and some is better for adults only. Tools like SafeSearch and YouTube Safety Mode can proactively filter out mature content, while our reporting tools allow you to flag offensive material for removal.
Google has strict policies and community guidelines that explain how our services can be used. If you spot content or behavior on Google services like YouTube, Blogger, Google+ or Google Play that violates our guidelines, our tools make it easy to flag it for review.
For example, developers with apps on Google Play have to rate them according to the Google Play apps rating system. If an app that has been mis-rated or has inappropriate content, you can flag the app for review – we'll take a look and may remove it if the app violates our policies.
On YouTube, our policy specialists review flagged videos 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If a video violates our community guidelines, it gets removed from the site. If it's simply not appropriate for everyone, the video may be age-restricted, so younger users aren't able to view it. And when a YouTube partner uploads a video in to our Shows or Movies sections, they're required to rate any mature content.
And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Check out some of our other safety features in the sidebar, and learn more about what you can do to keep your family's online explorations safe and fun for all ages.
Advice from our partners
- Prepare your child. The reality is that children will be exposed to pornography. They need to know that it is ok to talk to you about it. Opening the lines of communication early will give them the confidence to come to you and reduces the shame often associated with exposure and connected with addictive behaviors. Take the time to share your values. Set clear expectations about the healthy and responsible media choices you want in your home and family. Don't leave this to chance. If you say nothing about these topics, then your child is left to navigate this content on their own. Exposure to pornography, particularly sexual violence, can be very traumatic for young, developing minds.
- Take steps to reduce exposure. Studies show that girls who are exposed to sexually explicit media are more likely to view themselves "primarily in sexual terms", and boys who watch sexually explicit media adopt more sexist perspectives and behaviors. As a whole, studies conclusively show that exposure to harmful or illegal content poses physical and emotional risk to children. Services that filter and/or monitor web content can reduce unwanted exposure at home and on mobile devices. Identifying the types of content that you believe is healthy, respectful and responsible can provide teachable moments. Filtering or monitoring can help set a framework of acceptable content. Most pornography is viewed at home and a great deal on mobile phones using WiFi. Installing content filters will not fully protect your child from harmful content but it will send a message to your child about how you feel about it.
- Be calm and supportive. Children do not become ethical, responsible or resilient on their own. It will take time and energy for parents to teach their child to choose healthy media content and lifestyles. Build resiliency by addressing the shame often associated with pornography use. Separate the actions from their self worth. Some youth experience addictive online behaviors making it difficult to have healthy relationships with friends and family members. Know the warning signs and get help.
Just as in any city, there are areas in cyberspace that are not necessarily appropriate for children or teens, and may contain vulgar language.
Options (not necessarily recommendations) for preventing your child from being exposed to inappropriate material include:
- Set rules about where kids can go online and what to do if they stumble upon inappropriate sites.
- Keep any connected computer in a public area of the house (not a child's bedroom), and make sure that other family members walk in the room periodically.
- Consider not allowing children and teens to use the Internet if parents aren't home. You may wish to consider using time-limiting software to make sure that kids can go online only when you're around.
- Consider checking the browser history to see where kids have been and having a "talk" if they are visiting inappropriate sites.
- Consider installing monitoring software that tracks where kids have been (it's usually a good idea to let them know you're doing so).
- Consider installing filtering software that blocks kids from visiting sites that you feel are inappropriate.


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Nine Two Five have revealed their Debut cufflink collection, pulling together a range of nine pairs based on the famous 925 hallmark. Starting at £160 and going up to £200 for the most expensive cufflinks in the range, the sterling silver sets strive to "produce classic designs with a modern twist, manufactured with true craftsmanship." In the same way you …
How will you be spending Valentine's this year?
It's less than two weeks to the day which, depending on your opinion, is either a way to express your romantic side or a pointless greetings card fest.
We're busy planning gift ideas on Catwalk Queen which will come in useful if you have a girlfriend, but what will you be up to if you are single, cynical, or have a boyfriend?
Burton stockings lady cufflinks
Burton have come a long way, their Black Label range is one of
the few great high street ranges for men but they still have a few duff
items like these 'Stockings Lady' cufflinks (£12).


text:
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Affliction Clothing's ability to set the bar high in fashion is evident in its collection's indulgence of style and design, focus on quality, and its trademark series of divinely executed, dark and powerful themes. Affliction is a mainstay for the most elite athletes, heaviest bands, A-listers and the fashion conscious worldwide.
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text:
ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 9.2.057
License model
Not available
Operating systems
Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows XP
Additional requirements
Not available
Publisher's description
ZoneAlarm Firewall Free 9.2 has gotten quieter and more effective, and should be considered an excellent tool for replacing the adequate default Windows firewall with a stronger option that includes better outbound protection, antiphishing guards, and ZoneAlarm's behavioral detection network.
The changes made to improve the default firewall in Windows 7 are impressive, but the newest version of the free ZoneAlarm Firewall argues that Microsoft still has a long way to go. ZoneAlarm 9.2 introduces multiple new features to one of the world's oldest computer security programs including quieter outbound protection, behavioral detection from the ZoneAlarm Internet security suite, automatic Wi-Fi security setting activation, antiphishing protection, an overhauled ZoneAlarm toolbar, and 2GB of online storage for free.
Program installation was largely a smooth experience, taking about 5 minutes. Users will have to reboot their computers after its done. Prior users of ZoneAlarm's paid security suites might encounter some odd behavior if the uninstallation process of one of those programs left remnants, but this should be the rare exception and not the rule.
ZoneAlarm has unified its security interfaces, so users familiar with one program won't see dramatic changes in another. The left side contains navigation links; the center window is where all the action happens. As noted in the review of ZoneAlarm Extreme Security, it's not a bad design but it doesn't pop visually. The text links can be hard to read because of font choice, and although the center buttons are big, the details within could be easier to read.
Features and support
Designed to be used in conjunction with an antivirus program, the strongest tool in ZoneAlarm's belt is the outbound firewall. Though Windows does offer some outbound protection, it's not activated by default. Most users tend to leave it off because they either don't know about it, or when they do turn it on it regularly interrupts their workflow with pop-up security warnings. Older versions of ZoneAlarm used to be noisy with pop-ups as well, but the new version has been set to be quieter without changing the level of protection. If you prefer, this can be changed in the program settings.
During a half-day of testing the default ZoneAlarm Firewall settings, the only pop-ups encountered were those blocking new software installations. The pop-ups for the three programs tested went away and allowed the installation to proceed with one click. More than just a low rate of interference, only encountering pop-ups for program installations is precisely the kind of warning that keeps you aware of what's occurring on your computer without distracting you simply for surfing the Web.
The benefits of an outbound firewall might not be readily apparent. An inbound firewall blocks threats coming in from the outside, but an outbound firewall does more than prevent your computer from spreading viruses and malware to others. If your computer has been compromised by a botnet, for example, outbound protection will stop it from sending your data back to its host servers. It can also stop program spoofing, which is when a malicious program pretends to be a good one, and IP spoofing, which is when harmful network transmissions dress up as safe ones.
This update includes DefenseNet, ZoneAlarm's behavioral detection system of anonymously contributed data that's used to verify and block threats. Previously, it had only been present in ZoneAlarm's antivirus programs. You can opt out from it when you install, but contributing doesn't negatively affect your system's performance.
The ZoneAlarm toolbar has also been given more than a simple spit-shine. You can opt out of installing it when you run the main installer, and install it later if you wish, but ZoneAlarm was quick to point out that it without it key security features are not activated. Hiding the toolbar after it's been installed won't disable its protections, which include the aforementioned signature and heuristic-based antiphishing protections.
It also adds a site check option that can be used to reveal the date founded and physical location of the site and has customizable safe site buttons for launching regularly visited sites such as Facebook or your banking site. The e-mail checker built into the toolbar is compatible with Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo, RR, Univision, and POP3 accounts. Unfortunately, there's no IMAP support. Finally, the toolbar links to ZoneAlarm's free 2GB of online backup space, courtesy IDrive, and six months free identity theft protection from IdentityGuard.
One of the more annoying limitations of the toolbar is that it only works with Firefox and Internet Explorer, even though Chrome has supported extensions for a year. Given the instability that toolbars contribute to IE, and the clutter that they add to the browser interface, ZoneAlarm would probably get more mileage out of the feature if it was reduced to a single button that opened a new window or expanded a set of buttons.
The Help link in the bottom left of the interface only links to the program's Help file. The only in-program access to the online help Web site, in the form of the free knowledge base and forums or paid telephone support during business hours, comes as a link under the Product Info sub-option under Overview on the left nav.
ZoneAlarm's performance was notable simply for how unnoticeable it was. Shutdown time did not appear to be affected at all, and neither did starting up cold nor rebooting. Changing the antivirus program that it was partnered with didn't affect the firewall's behavior, either. These are big changes from previous versions of ZoneAlarm, and obviously, they're welcome ones, too.
This update of ZoneAlarm Firewall Free should make people do a double-take because of the features and low interference level from the program. It also should do wonders for ZoneAlarm's reputation, but that has more to do with whether years of substandard updates can be erased by a firewall that is the strong, silent type that users need.


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Linked by Thom Holwerda on Mon 16th Jul 2012 22:24 UTC
Microsoft has released a consumer preview for Office 2013. Highlighting the age-old internal tug-of-war between the Office and Windows divisions within Microsoft, it's just a desktop application, no Metro, and the only nod to that whole touch/tablet-thing is a special mode that does very little. So, Windows 8 is just around the corner, and still not a single serious Metro application. Not even Microsoft's own flagship suite - heck, not even a single application within that suite - could be adapted to Metro in time. Serious vote of confidence from the Office division there.
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RE[5]: Um, it's been known for months
by edwdig on Tue 17th Jul 2012 22:25 UTC in reply to "RE[4]: Um, it's been known for months"
And the other Tom is certainly not much of an Excel user. He didn't mention that Excel and PowerPoint are no longer MDI applications!!! Hallelujah!!! You can now put two Excel windows side-by-side, and copy-paste cells between them!!! This is a feature that serious Excel users have been waiting 12 years for!!!
The big problem with Excel for ages is that it hasn't been MDI for a long time. Probably since Office 2000 or so, I don't really remember.
With the old MDI versions, you had one menubar + toolbar and multiple document windows inside the main window. You could put the documents side by side. MS ditched that long ago for an SDI interface, but did do it a awkwardly with Excel. I really wish they kept the MDI for Excel, that would have been much easier to use than what we've had.


text:
Please contact us if you have any question:
Paul HughesTel.: +44 203 6956392 firstname.lastname@example.com
The Heating App
Fresh from
tado° labs: smarter heating with an eye on costs
Berlin, 5 September 2013 - Just in time for the IFA technology show in Berlin, the Munich-based start-up
Direct cost comparison
The heating costs of individual households are generally calculated annually. The procedure is not particularly clear and bears little relation to the customer's heating behavior. That means consumers are at the mercy of their energy provider's bill. Now, with the new version of the
tado° presence detection now visualized
The new app is designed to help users understand the automatic presence detection function more easily. Now users can see at a glance whether
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The new version of the
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The effort of Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch to get more money from the team could soon get a lot more interesting. And for Lynch a lot more expensive.
At a time when he's considering a boycott of the team's mandatory minicamp and the $70,000 or so in fines that would flow from it, Lynch also reportedly has discussed walking away from the game.
If he does, he'll owe a lot more than $70,000.
Lynch received a $6 million signing bonus when he agreed to terms on a four-year deal in 2012. With an annual allocation of $1.5 million, Lynch has earned half of the money. If he quits football, the labor deal allows the Seahawks to easily recover half of the total money.
The total stakes for Lynch, when factoring in lost wages for 2014 of $5.5 million, become $8.5 million. Which is a mere $2.5 million less than what he has earned in the first two seasons of his current contract.
In other words, it would be stupid for Lynch to retire. And it would be smart for the Seahawks to unruffle his feathers with some sort of contractual adjustment.
Unless, of course, the Seahawks haven't decided to commence the process of passing the tailback torch to other guys on the roster. There's a chance that Lynch's current behavior may not be the result of an effort to improve his status with the team but to ensure that he's not being phased out.
And there's a chance that he is.


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It's no secret that planning a wedding is a lot of work that involves shelling out a lot of cash! But after spending months creating a perfect day and trying to please everyone around you, don't you think you and your new husband deserve a magical honeymoon? Instead of breaking the bank on a costly getaway, here are some ideas for cost-effective honeymoons to help you recharge and celebrate your new nuptials!
A classic tourist destination, and for good reason, Thailand is a stunning destination for any couples hoping to soak in another culture and explore nature. The weather in Thailand is fairly warm year-round, despite the rainy season, which varies between regions but occurs between May/June to October. Typically, flights tend to be cheaper in the winter months (November-March), and conveniently, this lines up with the best weather in Thailand, with temperatures lingering in the 80s. This will still feel hot to most visitors, however, these are the coldest months in the country. Look into common destinations like Bangkok and Phuket to visit temples and museums, as well as islands such as Koh Samui, Koh Samet, and Ko Phi Phi to have your relaxing, beach experience!
Tulum, Mexico
Mexico is well-known for being a more affordable honeymoon destination, as it's so close to home, and Tulum is perfect if you're trying to avoid getting swept up by all the spring-breakers. It is full of fun, affordable activities such as snorkeling and swimming in some of their spectacular beaches. Choose a smaller, boutique hotel as opposed to a larger resort, as they can charge upwards of $500 a night. If you're looking for somewhere to de-stress from your wedding planning and give your bank balance a break, Mexico may be the spot for you!
If you're a well-versed traveler, you know that it's always cheaper to travel during the off-peak season. Often, this means that you've ended up in Europe in the middle of winter because you got a great deal on flights. But in some cases, this can really work out! Iceland, for example, is one of those destinations where the colder is better, so you may want to go in the middle of February! Flights will be far less expensive than if you were to go in June, when most people travel and most honeymoons occur. In Iceland, you're sure to get some amazing photos and experience some otherworldly scenic views. Plus, the colder it is, the more you get to snuggle with your honey, right?
Big Sur California
Keep it low-key, and definitely cost-effective, and take a road trip to Big Sur! This beautiful location is perfect for easy-going couples who want to camp for their honeymoon! Campsites in Big Sur are typically around $20 a night, far less expensive than any Air BNB or hotel will get you. Take a few days to explore the town, lounge on the beach, hike, or any other of the numerous activities the location can offer. This could be a great option for a mini-moon immediately after the wedding as well, while you take some time to save up for a bigger vacation!
Style Me Pretty Contributor - Goli Parvinian is a bridal enthusiast and masters student living in Melbourne, Australia. Over the past few years, she has worked for bridal brands in her hometown of Chicago, New Zealand and New York City. You can typically find her in a cafe, face-timing her nieces or out on a long run.


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A home inspection provides you with information regarding the condition and functionality of different systems inside and outside the home. The heating or heating/cooling system is part of the inspection. One of the most common heating systems in the United States and Canada is the forced-air furnace. In a forced-air furnace, oil or gas is used to heat a piece of metal. A fan pushes the warmed air into a series of ducts, which carry it throughout the house. The cold-air return feeds air back into the system. The following is a list of six common forced-air furnace problems and five common problems in a combined heating/cooling HVAC unit:
Forced-air Furnace:
1. Electrical issues. Electrical service to the home may not be adequate for the heating/cooling system. This could mean a blown fuse or tripped breaker during heavy use. An electrical kill switch should be located near the heating unit so the power can be cut off in case of an emergency.
2. Dirty/clogged filter. Filters were originally designed to keep mechanical elements free from dirt and dust. Today, filters are designed to help clean the air while the equipment is running. If the filter is not changed or cleaned regularly, it can block sufficient air flow and cause problems with heating and cooling functions.
3. Cracks/breaks in ductwork. Improperly installed air ducts, or cracked or broken connections between ducts, can cause the heated or cooled air to vent into attics or walls instead of into the intended rooms.
4. Blocked/closed registers. Furniture, boxes or drapery may be blocking the register in certain rooms. This disrupts the flow of heat.
5. Old/unmaintained system. Heating and cooling systems operating longer than their design life can cause health or safety issues. Gas-fired appliances, including furnaces, must have a properly operating exhaust system to vent the byproducts of combustion, including carbon monoxide, a potentially harmful gas, outside. Cracked heat exchangers and other problems could cause these gases to leak into the home.
6. Poorly installed flue pipes. The flue moves the exhaust gas, created during combustion, from the heating unit to the outside, or to a chimney that vents outside. This flue, or vent pipe, must be kept away from all flammable materials, be properly supported and slope up on its way to the outdoor vent or chimney.
Air Conditioner
1. Dirty/clogged condenser coils. Restricting air flow to the outdoor condenser unit can lead to poor heat transfer. All foliage or obstructions should be cut back at least 1 foot around the outdoor condenser unit. The fin surface of the evaporator coil can be cleaned using a brush or vacuum.
2. Uneven condenser unit pad. The outside unit should be within 10 degrees of level. If it is not level, it can reduce the effectiveness of lubrication in the tubing or increase stress on refrigerant lines.
3. Leaks. The indoor portion of an air conditioner can be installed in a basement, closet or attic. A drain hose is used to remove the condensation that collects during the cooling process. If the drain hose becomes clogged, then water will eventually back up and spill over onto the floor.
4. Unable to inspect due to weather. Temperatures must be warm enough to turn on the air conditioning unit. Turning on the unit when temperatures are too low can cause extensive damage. If the inspector is unable to check the functionality of the air conditioner, then it should be noted in the written report.
5. Missing insulation. Two pipes carry refrigerant between the evaporator and condenser coils. The larger one, carrying the cool gas, should be insulated. This prevents the line from sweating indoors, causing water damage, and improves efficiency by keeping the line cool.
Because of the health and safety issues involved, it is important to maintain your heating/cooling systems. Have your furnace and air conditioner inspected by a licensed technician at least once a year.
For more information on the systems assessed during a home inspection, click here.


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Greg Bell
I am interested in large-scale topological invariants of infinite groups. A finitely generated group with a specified generating set carries a natural metric called the word metric. This turns the algebraic object into a geometric one. Since different choices of generating sets yield distinct metrics, the correct approach is to consider all such metrics equivalent and to focus on the topological properties of the space that are invariant of small changes. I am particularly interested in properties relating to large-scale coverings and notions of dimension. I work on asymptotic dimension and related notions as well as G. Yu's property A.
Igor Erovenko
I am interested in algebraic groups, a field that lies at the intersection of algebra, number theory, and algebraic geometry. More specifically, I study arithmetic groups which can be roughly thought of as discrete subgroups of linear (matrix) groups. I try to understand how combinatorial properties of such a discrete subgroup considered as an abstract group affect its arithmetic and geometric properties.
Talia Fernos
I am interested in the representation theory of infinite groups, in particular how groups act (or fail to act) on spaces of non-positive curvature. The class of non-positively curved spaces includes hyperbolic spaces, as well as infinite dimensional vector spaces. I am in particular interested in studying the cohomology of such group actions, as the study embodies a large class of interesting properties, such as Kazhdan's Property (T), that have both geometric and measure-theoretic consequences.


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Stuffed Idaho Fingerling Potatoes
|Potatoes, Vegetables, Meat
|Day Part
|Lunch, Dinner
|Menu Part
|Side Dish
|Cuisine Type
2 lb. Idaho fingerlings, such as Purple Peruvian or Ruby Crescent
2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
4 oz. andouille sausage, finely diced
4 ramps or scallions, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1⁄2 cup creamy brie cheese spread
Kosher salt and fresh-cracked black pepper, to taste
1⁄4 cup Sweet-Hot Red
Pepper Sauce (recipe follows)
Fresh chives, for garnish
For Sweet-Hot Red Pepper Sauce:
3 tbsp. hot pepper jelly, melted
1 roasted red bell pepper, seeded
Pinch cayenne pepper, to taste
- Boil potatoes until tender but not too soft, about 10 minutes. Set aside until cool enough to handle. Trim potato bottoms so they can stand upright; trim off enough of tops to allow you to scoop out most of flesh. Reserve flesh.
- In a small sauté pan, warm oil over medium-high heat. Add sausage, ramps and garlic. Cook until vegetables begin to wilt and sausage gives off some fat. Add reserved potato flesh and warm through.
- Remove from heat and transfer mixture to small bowl. Add cheese; with a fork or the back of a spoon, lightly smash ingredients together. Add salt and pepper to taste. Put filling in piping bag and stuff potatoes, allowing the filling to overflow out of the top.
- Heat potatoes in a 425°F oven for 7 to 8 minutes. Meanwhile, place all ingredients for Sweet-Hot Red Pepper Sauce in blender or processor and puree. Place mixture in squeeze bottle and drizzle each potato with a little sauce and garnish with fresh chives.


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Bobby Brown has urged critics to stop blaming him for his ex-wife Whitney Houston's drug troubles and tragic death, insisting he's "not the reason she's gone".
The New Edition star has long been targeted by fans and members of the media who felt sure he was the man behind Houston's fall from grace,which many believe led to her demise in February.
But, speaking out in his first interview since her passing, Brown claims the singer was using illegal substances "way before" they started dating, and maintains he never tried narcotics before he wed the I Will Always Love You hitmaker in 1992.
In a candid chat with Today show host Matt Lauer, Brown, who has been sober for seven years, says, "I didn't get high (on narcotics) before I met Whitney. I smoked weed, I drank the beer, but no, I wasn't the one that got Whitney on drugs at all."
And Brown can't understand why critics want to pin her drug addiction issues on him: "It's just… it's just unexplainable how one could, you know, (say that I) got her addicted to drugs. I'm not the reason she's gone.
"It makes me feel terrible. But you know, I know differently. I think if anyone ever knew us, if anybody ever spent time around us instead of time lookin' through the bubble, they would know how we felt about each other. They would know how happy we were together."
The My Prerogative star also addresses the coroner's findings which named cocaine use as a contributory factor in her death from accidental drowning, revealing he had no idea his ex was still battling her drug demons.
He says, "I was hurt… because, you know, me being off of narcotics for the last seven years (sic), I felt that she was (too)… I didn't know she was struggling with it still. But at the same time, you know, listen, it's a hard fight. It's a hard fight to maintain sobriety that way."
Brown adds that Houston was the picture of good health when he saw her days before her death: "(She) had this glow about her that was just incredible. I'm saying to myself, 'She must be doing really well,' because she looked really well."
The full interview is due to air on Wednesday.
Bobby Brown has urged critics to stop blaming him for his ex-wife Whitney Houston's drug troubles and tragic death, insisting he's "not the reason she's gone".


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OCLC and The Combined Regions announce plans to launch Web-based public library national union catalogue in UK
BIRMINGHAM, UK, 06 January 2011—OCLC and The Combined Regions (TCR) have announced plans to launch Britain's first freely accessible national public library union catalogue. Containing the bibliographic data from 80% of the UK's public libraries, the service will make it possible for Web users to simultaneously search 9 million bibliographic records and 50 million holdings.
Leveraging information already indexed in WorldCat, the world's largest online resource for finding library materials, this customised union catalogue will provide a view of holdings contributed by the 149 local authorities with a current full package subscription to UnityUK, the UK's only nationwide network for resource sharing.
The initiative will make bibliographic data more discoverable on the open Web. Indexing of WorldCat data through search engines such as Google and Yahoo! will vastly improve awareness of public library resources and drive significantly increased traffic back to local libraries.
Requiring no other expenditure than a current full package UnityUK subscription, the service increases visibility for public library holdings - positioning them as primary sources of information alongside other Web resources.
A recent agreement drafted by OCLC with input from The Combined Regions securing the provision of UnityUK and making important provisions for its future as a national platform for resource discovery and inter-lending paved the way for the development of this new union catalogue. Both organisations share an ambition to achieve wider access to public libraries. This agreement is a vital step towards that goal.
Commenting on the plans Rob Froud, Chair, The Combined Regions said: "We have long held the ambition to create a national union catalogue and we are delighted that we are going to achieve this in partnership with OCLC. It is one of the biggest developments for public libraries since the People's Network: it's the Big Idea that public libraries need to demonstrate their combined value, their relevance and accessibility at a time when resource sharing is more important than ever."
These are sentiments echoed by OCLC's Robin Murray, Vice President, Global Product Management: "This is a crucial time for UK public libraries. The focus on shared services and collaboration to raise the profile of UK public libraries in the midst of declining budgets has never been more important. The need to employ technology in new ways to increase visibility and usage is key."
Robin continues: "OCLC is acutely aware of the challenges facing libraries today and we are devoted to maximising the value our customers receive from existing investments. Our strategy has always been to leverage the benefits and efficiencies of scale brought about through cooperation and the aggregation of library data – this initiative is the latest manifestation of this approach – a way to provide a simple, scalable solution to a long-standing challenge faced by the public libraries in the UK."
The first phase of this project is to produce an initial 'proof of concept' which will be available for review by those UnityUK libraries with a full package subscription in March 2011.
About OCLC
Founded in 1967, OCLC is a nonprofit, membership, computer library service and research organization dedicated to the public purposes of furthering access to the world's information and reducing library costs. More than 72,000 libraries in 170 countries have used OCLC services to locate, acquire, catalog, lend, preserve and manage library materials. Researchers, students, faculty, scholars, professional librarians and other information seekers use OCLC services to obtain bibliographic, abstract and full-text information when and where they need it. OCLC and its member libraries cooperatively produce and maintain WorldCat, the world's largest online database for discovery of library resources. Search WorldCat on the Web at www.worldcat.org. For more information, visit www.oclc.org.
OCLC, WorldCat and WorldCat.org are trademarks/service marks of OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc. Third-party product, service and business names are trademarks/service marks of their respective owners.
Fiona Leslie


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Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.
out of 100
Metascore®Generally favorable reviewsbased on a weighted average of allcritic review scores.
James Caviezel makes us care more about that innocent romantic, Edmond Dantes, than we may care to care about the rest of the picture, which entertains in fits and starts, with startling ruptures in tone.
For younger audiences drawn by the attractive actors, this might be their introduction to the Dumas epic. At least it's an effective and rousing version.
Read Full Review
The best thing in The Count of Monte Cristo is Guy Pearce's snot-nosed hauteur. He gives this scoundrel some wounded edges, and frills as well.
This is the kind of adventure picture the studios churned out in the Golden Age -- so traditional it almost feels new.
See all The Count of Monte Cristo reviews at Metacritic.com
OK for kids 12+
Enjoyable swashbuckler for kids who can handle the action.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this classic story of revenge and romance is filled with swashbuckling, sometimes bloody, violence, ruthless characters, and grand heroics. The many action sequences include: sword fighting to the death; knife fights; shooting with muskets, handguns, and rifles; brutal whippings, a suicide by gunshot, an attempted hanging, kidnapping, and drowning. Several deaths take place on screen. There are a few curse words: "damn," "bastard," "whore." Two lovers kiss, embrace passionately, and are seen twice, partially clothed, lying in each other's arms after having implied sex. Reference is made to adultery and an out-of-wedlock birth. Several scenes show the consumption of alcohol at social events and in private; one leading character frequently drinks heavily and appears drunk.
Messages: As Edmund Dantes seeks to exact revenge upon the three men who have destroyed a great part of his life, he slowly regains his faith and finds redemption. He learns the value of gratefulness and true justice. At the same time, the audience will cheer when the villains get what's coming to them.
Role models: The hero begins as a trusting, good-hearted innocent, becomes vengeful and unforgiving, and finally, matures into a brave, inspiring, and wise man. He learns that perseverance, courage, and compassion triumph over anger and self-pity. In most instances, public officials and the aristocracy are portrayed as corrupt and selfish.
Violence: Lots of sword fighting, other bloody battles (knife, fists, guns), narrow escapes, and violent death. Characters are killed by: gunshot at close range, drowning, impalement, suicide, a tunnel collapse, and a stabbing. Less fatal activities include kidnapping, lashing with a whip, being thrown from a cliff, an attempted hanging, and lots of gunfire.
Sex: Sexual activity is limited to kissing and embracing. The lovers are seen in each other's arms after implied sex, shoulders bare. The film's chief villain is known to be an unrepentant, serial philanderer. A baby is conceived out-of-wedlock.
Language: Minimal swearing: "damn," "bastard," and "whore.""
Consumerism: Not an issue
Drinking, drugs and smoking: Wine and alcohol are served at dinner and on other social occasions. The chief villain is a heavy drinker who gets drunk in a number of scenes.
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© Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.
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Sunday sweep for Conqs seals home field advantage for regional first round series
The main difference between this year's version of the Dodge City Conquistadors baseball team and teams from recent seasons has been the ability to persevere and not give up.
That trait was never more evident than the way the Conqs came back from five runs down to win Sunday's nightcap over the Garden City Broncbusters 6-5 in 10 innings at a time they didn't know were two innings away from losing everything they had worked hard all spring to possess.
The Conqs won the first game 9-5 to set themselves up for the sweep. Garden City won both games of Saturday's twinbill 8-4 and 15-5 to split the series at two games apiece.
"The guys knew what was in front of them and they came out Sunday with a little more energy," said Dodge City baseball head coach Phil Stephenson. "We still made some mistakes, but we didn't beat ourselves like we did Saturday.
"I'm thrilled for our guys because they worked hard. This team has a little resolve and there's a little bit of intestinal fortitude there. We were a good offensive team a year ago, but we couldn't figure out how to win one-run games and lost 13 of them. We have turned that around this year and I think that's a big difference."
Sweeping the Broncbusters Sunday gave the Conqs (30-23) the right to host a Region VI first round series with a tiebreaker over Colby (both at 19-13). What they didn't know until after the game was that Butler had won both of their Sunday games over Pratt and anything other than a sweep for the Conqs would have forced them to fall to the No. 5 seed and travel for their first round series.
"All we were thinking about was Colby and we didn't care about Butler at that point," Stephenson said. "Our job was to win two and we knew we would host a playoff round because of the tiebreaker with Colby. We knew we couldn't win the league anymore, but we still had a chance to host."
The winning run in the nightcap came when Connor Ross hit a ground ball to third base with two out and runners at second and third. The ball hit the dirt in front of Garden City third baseman Kevin Czarnecki and squibbed away to his right, allowing Parker Jones to score on third base on the infield single.
"That ball hits him right above the hands where if it was a force play, then we were going into the 11th inning, but it wasn't," Stephenson said. "When the ball hit the dirt and squibbed sideways, I went 'Good grief, what a way to win a ball game', but I'll take it. Sometimes you have to find a way to win one-run games and we did (Sunday)."
The Broncbusters (26-25, 20-12) scored single runs in the second, third, fourth, seventh and eighth of the nightcap to build a 5-0 lead going into the bottom of the eighth as the Conqs couldn't find ways to score, even with the bases loaded and no one out in the sixth inning.
Alex Buechler had RBI doubles in the second and fourth innings; Tyler Alitz had a RBI groundout in the third and a RBI single in the seventh; and Czarnecki had a RBI single in the eighth.
The Conqs didn't score in the sixth with the bases loaded with no one out, leaving Stephenson to admit that might have been the ballgame; but his club had other ideas when they were finally able to sustain an offensive push against Busters' starting pitcher Brooks Trujillo.
Dodge City answered with five runs in the eighth inning. Conner Koepp and Shay Lynes opened the frame with walks and both scored on a double by Scott Hillier. Haden Houska and Chris Ramsey followed with run scoring singles, and the final run came on a Garden City error from a pop-up hit by Jones.
"We finally got the crooked number on the board and we had a little help, and sometimes we have to have a little help," Stephenson said. "They made a couple of mistakes and we took full advantage of it; but we got some clutch plays, too. Crooked numbers always create problems and you can look at our half of the board to see that."
Reliever Giles Fox was the winning pitcher for the Conqs, working three innings and giving up five hits, one run, two walks and striking out one.
The Conqs opened quickly against Garden City in Sunday's opener. Koepp hit a RBI single and Hillier followed with a three-run home run to build a 4-0 lead.
The score went up to 6-2 in the second inning as Ramsey hit a run scoring sacrifice fly and Ross followed with a RBI single after the Busters scored two runs on a sacrifice fly hit by Zach Barton and a Dodge City error.
The Conqs extended their lead to 8-3 after three innings. Czarnecki hit a RBI single in the top of the frame before Dodge City answered with a RBI single by Lacayo, who scored the second run on a Busters' error.
Both squads' final runs came in the fourth: the Busters on a RBI sacrifice fly by Mason Fischer and a groundout by Alitz; and the Conqs' on Koepp's home run.
Clayton Brewster was the winning pitcher for the Conqs.
Saturday's first game saw the Conqs take a 3-1 lead after the opening inning. Hillier hit a two-run double and Jones hit a RBI sacrifice fly after Dodge City allowed a run to score on an outfield error.
The game changed in the top of the fourth after Hillier had the ball bounce out of his mitt in what could have been the third out. Garden City then scored seven runs with a three-run home run by Alitz, three RBI singles and an error.
Dodge City could score only one run in the bottom of the fourth to complete the scoring on a RBI groundout by Ramsey.
Ross Vance was the losing pitcher, giving up 11 hits and eight runs. He walked four and struck out one.
The Busters continued their mastery on the day in the nightcap. Garden City scored five in the first and five more in the fifth. Nolan Barrientos hit a two-run home run to highlight the Busters' first inning; while Buechler's two-run home run followed by a three-run shot by Kaleb Zimmer accounted for the fifth inning tallies.
Dodge City trailed 14-1 going into the bottom of the seventh (the Conqs' only run coming on a groundout by Croix Sedillo), but the Conqs scored four in the frame: Trent Troxell and Ross knocked in runs on sacrifice flies; Sedillo singled and later scored on a passed ball; and Nick Comito scored on an error.
The Busters closed out the game with a run in the top of the eighth.
The split gives the Jayhawk West title to Seward County, with Garden City a game behind and the Conqs and Colby two games behind. Butler is 18-12 in the league and still has a chance to move into a second place tie with the Broncbusters with a Monday sweep of Pratt.
"In this league, it always comes down to the last weekend to battle for playoff spots," Stephenson said. "I'm proud of our guys. We had lost five in a row before (Sunday) and we could have come out and just rolled over, but we didn't.
"We have a ways to go. We're going to have our hands full with whoever comes here this weekend. We have to be ready to play and go from there. The guys we are going to throw (Vance, Jagger Harjo and Brewster) are going to give us a chance to win every ballgame and that's all you can ask."