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Little Green has quartet of contenders for New England wrestling championshipsBy JOHN HABIB
New Hampshire Union Leader
March 06. 2014 10:57PM
Since he already declared this year's team the best in the history of the Manchester High School Central wrestling program, it shouldn't surprise anyone that coach Jason Cumming has set high expectations for his grapplers in the New England Interscholastic Championships this weekend.
"All four of my seniors are capable of winning a New England title," Cumming said. "I'm not just saying it; I believe it. They're all outstanding."
Twin brothers Kyle and Keaton Peterson, along with Azalkhan Sarvalov and Dylan Wyman, will represent the Little Green in the 50th annual New England meet, which opens Friday and concludes Saturday at the Providence Career and Technical Center.
"Our entire team, including John Howard and Andrew Ansah, has combined for 500 career wins," said Cumming, nearing the conclusion of his second season leading the Green. "We've never had a group on the same team with this many career wins. What they've done is phenomenal — and they're not done yet."
Kyle Peterson has set the bar high at Central. The 152-pound senior won his weight class in both the Division I and state meets, matching the feat he achieved as a 126-pound sophomore, when he became the first Little Green wrestler to win both titles. As a junior, he was runner-up in both meets at 132 pounds.
He went on to finish fourth in last year's New England meet, matching former Central standout Anthony Valentin, fourth-place showing at 195 pounds set the Central standard for the regional in 2012.
"Think about that," Cumming said of Peterson. "He's a two-time state and Meet of Champions winner. He reached the finals in both events three straight years and matched a school mark at the New Englands. There's no question in terms of accomplishments, he's become our program's best wrestler."
While Kyle Peterson's resume is outstanding, brother Keaton actually has the superior career record: 147-26 compared do Kyle's 124-35.
"Keaton started his career 31-3 in his freshman season and became one of the top wrestlers in the state," said Cumming. "His accomplishments are not too far behind Kyle."
Keaton is a four-time Division I finalist. He won the state title as a sophomore at 138 pounds and as a senior at 170. He was runner-up as a 125-pound freshman and 138-pound junior. In the Meet of Champions, he reached the finals the last three seasons, finishing as runner-up each time.
Sarvalov, who owns a career record of 126-38, came into his own the last two seasons. During his junior year, he won the Division I state title and the Meet of Champions in the 145-pound weight class. This season, he marched into the Division I meet with a 46-0 record but lost in the final second to Dan Scalzo of Plaistow's Timberlane Regional.
"That was an emotional loss for him, and it carried over the following week to the Meet of Champions, where he ended third overall," said Cumming. "I expect him to regroup and come out ready to perform at his highest level this weekend."
Wyman is two wins away from reaching the century mark in wins (to go along with 35 losses). He placed third in the Meet of Champions this season, giving Central at least three New England qualifiers for the third straight year.
"We're also there to support the other New Hampshire athletes," said Cumming. "We're hoping Timberlane wins another New England team meet. We're going to try to help them by beating some of the top wrestlers from schools trying to beat Timberlane."
Over the last 18 seasons under head coach Barry Chooljian, the Owls have won 10 regional titles, registerd five runner-up finishes and placed third once. Timberlane owns the most regional titles, followed by defending champion Mount Anthony Union High of Bennington, Vt., with seven.
Four New Hampshire athletes earned All-New England status with top-six finishes in last year's regional. Joe Chimelski of Nashua North placed third in the 195-pound weight class, and Kyle Peterson was fourth at 132. David Burke of Exeter (170 pounds) and Brendan Levesque of Bishop Guertin of Nashua (126) both placed sixth.


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Contact: Jerry Horn, 540-785-4733
Washington, DC- Proposed Missouri legislation on abortion regulations (HB 100) would require that doctors performing abortions to have hospital privileges within 30 miles of the clinic or office where an abortion is performed.
Ironically, pro-choice advocates oppose this legislation. "We want (abortion) to remain safe. We want it to remain in the hands of health-care providers who are trained," said Kellie Freeman Rohrbaugh, spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood of Southwest Missouri.
"It is clear that the Planned Parenthood and other pro-choice advocates prefer that abortion be 'accessible' rather than safe for women," said Fr. Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life. "They claim abortion must remain legal to be safe. But legality hardly helps if the doctor doing the procedure is not properly qualified. Moreover, Roe vs. Wade said that abortion could be legalized because it had already become safe, not that legalization made it safe. The pro-abortion advocates cannot have it both ways, and they should decide soon what their story will be.''
For more information about Priests for Life, please visit www.priestsforlife.org.

subset: commoncrawl


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Mount Washington resident to receive the Manifesting the Kingdom Award
It's not just because she's been a converted Catholic for over 50 years.
It isn't even because she's been called the "Queen of Funnel Cakes."
For Lois Keller, a member of Saint Mary of the Mount parish, receiving the "Manifesting the Kingdom" award on January 27 is an honor, because it reflects the deep gratitude she has had for her relationship with Christ.
For over a decade, the Diocese of Pittsburgh has had the tradition of honoring lay and religious women and men who manifest the Kingdom of God through their lives of service. On January 27 of this year, more than 100 people from parishes across the Diocese will receive the award from the Most Reverend David Zubik, on the Sunday nearest to the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul.
Mrs. Keller was baptized in the Lutheran faith but converted to Catholicism when she married her husband Paul in 1953. "I always felt in my heart that I wanted to be Catholic. My husband served in the Korean war, and I told myself that if he didn't make it through, I was going to be a nun. I always felt like God was drawing me in."
Together, they raised seven children in the Catholic faith and made personal sacrifices to send them each to Catholic school.
Being brought up with kindness really helped she says. "I always had a strong faith. Even when I was carrying my first child, I went out on the street collecting money. Everyone said, 'You mean father is sending them out pregnant!' I wanted to live my religion."
Mrs. Keller's past activities include serving on the Parish Pastoral Council, the finance council, Renew, Ladies of Charity, the Bereavement Team, Street Fair Committee and bingo. She currently serves as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharistic and still solicits sponsors and donations for the Saint Mary of the Mount Fashion show, Ethnic Fest and Fish Fry.
Even though Mrs. Keller is retired, she has a lot of knowledge and skills that she would like to pass on to others. "I want to write a book entitled 'Where to Turn' so I can still continue to help people."
Her advice to members of community: "Be loving, caring, and mostly, always be yourself. Don't be a phony."


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UPDATED: Couple identified in Nashua murder-suicideBy KIMBERLY HOUGHTON
Union Leader Correspondent
July 15. 2013 11:37AM
NASHUA — A local dentist stabbed his wife to death and then hanged himself at the home they shared together for more than 15 years, according to investigators, who believe they have a motive in the case.
The couple, Reginald and Mary Danboise of 17 Middle Dunstable Road, was found dead Saturday morning by a visiting relative.
On Monday, the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office said Dr. Reginald Danboise, 67, stabbed his wife, 63, twice in the chest before he hung himself in a detached workshop area at the rear of the pristinely manicured property.
His wife's body was found in a second-floor bedroom, according to Jeffery Strelzin, senior assistant attorney general.
"He did kill her, and then he killed himself," Strelzin said of the dentist.
According to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Reginald Danboise's death has been deemed suicide, and Mary Danboises's death has been ruled homicide.
The circumstances leading up to the murder-suicide are still under investigation. Strelzin said a "sharp object" was used to stab Mary Danboise, but he would not elaborate on what type of weapon was used or whether it was discovered by authorities.
"We do have a clue as to the motive, at least we think we do," Strelzin said, refusing to discuss the possible motive any further. He also would not comment on whether a suicide note or any other pertinent letter was discovered at the residence.
Friends and family of the Danboise couple are sharing their grief on various social media outlets.
"I hope that you are both together in heaven and whatever pain you both must have been in has disappeared," Janice Caggiula of Nashua posted on Mary Danboise's facebook page.
Another posting on the same site expresses words of support for the younger Danboise.
"I believe there is a world beyond this world where every soul finds peace, that there is a life beyond this life where love goes on and on," wrote Jain Coveney of Weymouth, Mass. "God bless you Mary. You are so loved, and will be missed more than you could ever imagine."
The couple worked together at Smiles of Nashua at 0 Profile Circle. Dr. Reginald Danboise was a dentist at the Nashua dental practice, along with A. Gerard Khan. Mary Danboise was an office administrator and dental assistant.
The dental office remained opened on Monday.
"At this time we don't have any comment," said a woman who answered the phone Monday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Nashua police will continue to interview neighbors, family and friends of the couple to learn all they can about the Danboises and determine exactly what precipitated the murder-suicide, according to Strelzin.
It could take a few weeks until more details in the case are released, he said.
Neighbors refused to comment on the police investigation on Monday.
According to the Smiles of Nashua website, Dr. Reginald Danboise has been active in the dental community for more than 30 years, and previously worked in a private practice in Boston for more than a decade before opening his office in Nashua.
Mary Danboise has also been involved in dentistry for about 25 years, working as a dental assistant and specializing in prosthetics, general and oral surgery.


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Who is Tatiana Maslany?
Until about a year ago, she was a relatively obscure actress from Saskatchewan, Canada. Last summer the 28-year-old won the individual achievement in drama award from the Television Critics Association, and in the fall was nominated for a Golden Globe for her multiple roles on BBC America's much buzzed-about "Orphan Black," which recently won a prestigious Peabody Award for excellence in television.
In the clever sci-fi series, Maslany stars as Sarah, a woman down on her luck who is something of a con artist. She spots a woman who looks like her on a train platform. Suddenly, the woman leaps front of an arriving train. The suicide victim turns out to be a Toronto police detective named Beth, who has left her purse behind. Seeing an opportunity, Sarah steals it and assumes her identity.
It turns out, though, that Beth more than looks like her; she is a true doppelganger of Sarah, an orphan, who begins to discover she may be the product of a cloning experiment gone wrong. This leads to a host of other characters all played by Maslany.
While wigs, makeup and accents help transform the actress into the different roles, what has knocked out critics and fans is how absolutely believable — and individual — each character is. They include a mysterious German named Katja; Cosima, a doctoral candidate in evolutionary biology; Alison, a mad soccer mom; Helena, a Ukrainian assassin; and Rachel, a powerful corporate executive.
Seeing as many as three of them together in a scene is mind-boggling for viewers, but imagine what Maslany, who has a background in improv, goes through to do that. The actress says everything is blocked out ahead of time, and then one character is filmed at a time.
"We'll shoot, say, Alison for the first take, and we'll do all of Alison's stuff," she says. "Then I'll go change for an hour and a half and come back and do Sarah and respond to everything that happened. And we have the takes there so we get to watch back exactly what happened."
With season two, which starts Saturday, the show will be adding at least one more clone: Jennifer, a high-school teacher and swim coach. Maslany says it was daunting to come back to the series in the new year knowing how much work it would be, but quickly adds that she loves playing all the characters and is thrilled how the writers are digging into their worlds.
"I know these women now, so it was about going deeper with it and challenging them and not getting stuck in just going to do the Alison thing," she says. "It's like what happens when Alison is thrown into this situation. And we left them all at very tense places, kind of high-stakes places, so there was so much to work with."
Seeing Maslany on the cover of a recent Entertainment Weekly or the current Emmy Magazine may seem like a lot for a show on a niche network that averaged less than a million viewers in its first year, but news about the uniqueness of the series has spread. Some 5.2 million viewers have watched the show through video on demand and even more on DVD. It's also streaming on Amazon Prime.
"Orphan Black" also was enough of a breakout hit here and in Canada that it soon began airing in Britain, several European and Latin American countries, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea.
Maslany says she and others on the show were "completely blown away" by the critical response.
"We're an odd little show that could have fallen under the radar," she says, "but because TV critics and because bloggers and the Clone Club and all these people were talking about it, it got it out to a wider audience."
The #CloneClub on Tumblr kept chatter up about the show on the Internet, and interest has continued long after the first season ended.
Last summer thousands of "Orphan Black" fans showed up at Comic-Con, many of them dressed as Cosima or Alison.
Now that "Orphan Black" has developed a following, the challenge will be to keep the excitement going. Everyone at the show is keeping details of the second year close to the vest, but executive producer Graeme Manson promises they are going "to push technically what we have done in the first season, and our actors are really pushing the limits as well."
Jordan Gavaris, the 24-year-old Canadian actor who plays Sarah's foster brother Felix Dawkins, sees it the same way.
"It's not a good thing to get complacent," he says. "There should be that discomfort because that's what pushes you to take the risks to keep it interesting, to keep people engaged, and we're scared every day."
Maslany faces one big change from last year: There are expectations. Not only is there an audience, but people now know her.
The actress says she has learned a few things from playing Sarah.
"She's just such a survivor, and she's so gutsy with how she goes about getting what she wants," says Maslany. "You know, with these characters, you're revealing something about yourself in a more exaggerated, maybe, more fleshed-out way, I think it awakens something in you that maybe you didn't know you had."


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The University of Massachusetts Lowell is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and has been continuously since 1975.
Professional programs, as designated below, also have been accredited by appropriate national associations. Accreditation indicates that the University is recognized and approved by regional and national associations concerned with the quality of higher education and it assures that study undertaken here has transfer value to other accredited institutions of higher education.
For more information, contact Accreditation Liaison Officer Provost Michael Vayda, 978-934-2219.


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Find us on:
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is not a disease but a group of symptoms, including abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and/or constipation. Learn about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, tests, and treatment for IBS.
Review Date: Friday, April 03, 2015
NIH National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases - NIDDK
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Learning to fail: Good advice for graduatesEDITORIAL
June 16. 2014 10:56PM
Of all the advice graduates across New Hampshire received in the last few weeks, the best bit of wisdom probably came from the 2014 class vice president of Bedford High School. "What is most important is how you react to (failure)," Katrina Munoz said. "We can either let it tear down our confidence or we can accept it and learn from it."
There is value in failure, and children should be taught that. In school, kids are trained to get the right answer in the right way, often by memorizing concepts and methods. That is important, but it can also hinder intellectual growth. "Mounting research suggests students benefit from classes organized to encourage them to try challenging new tasks and bounce back from failure," Education Week reports this week.
Studies in Singapore suggest that groups of children who are given a math problem to solve, but are not given the method, will find the right method themselves — and when they do they develop a better understanding of the concepts they need to master. Some U.S. schools are finding that focusing on content mastery rather than test proficiency is helping struggling students to thrive because they learn to take more risks, and they learn from their failures
There is no shame in failure. There is only shame in letting it defeat you.
"Never submit to failure," wrote Winston Churchill, who should know. He failed at two schools before going to a military academy, then failed the Royal Military College exam thrice. He resigned as First Lord of the Admiralty after the disaster at Gallipoli. But he learned from his mistakes, persevered, and became one of the 20th century's greatest leaders.
Never fear failure. Just remember, failure is not the same thing as defeat.


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Microsoft has announced that it will be releasing an anime based on the Halo franchise, employing some of the top names in the anime industry.
The five companies involved in the actual production are Bones, Casio Entertainment, Production I.G., Studio 4°C, and Toei Animation. The director will be Shinji Aramaki, of Appleseed fame.
The anime will be released on DVD and online (doubtless through Xbox Live) in early 2010.
It is not clear precisely what kind of visual style the production will adopt, but given the subject matter, and involvement of Aramaki, 3D CG seems a likely and appropriate choice…
Via Kotaku.


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Robert W. Merry - Where They Stand: Ranking the Presidents
Author Robert W. Merry wraps up the presidential election – and the Hail to the Chiefs series – with a fresh, playful, and challenging way of rating our presidents. He is the author of Where They Stand: The American Presidents in the Eyes of Voters and Historians.
Merry has been a Washington correspondent for The Wall Street Journal and the executive editor of Congressional Quarterly.
Co-presented with the Truman Library Institute; co-sponsored by KCUR's Up To Date.


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Pasties and Beyond: Streetcars, Paddleboarding, Kid Science and More at Alumni Reunion 2013
By Marcia Goodrich | Published
Pasties are a proud Alumni Reunion tradition at Michigan Technological University. This year, there's a new twist: you can watch a chef deftly prepare the Copper Country's signature dish before heading out to the ever-popular Pasty Picnic.
These and lots more fun and interesting events are planned. Find out about sleep apnea and old-time streetcars from University faculty, take a nature hike and learn to kayak. There are free rides on the University's research vessel, the Agassiz, and science demonstrations for the kids. It's all happening at the 2013 Alumni Reunion, set for Friday-Saturday, Aug. 1-3.
The featured groups in this gathering include the Classes of 1963, 1973, 1983, 1988, 1993 and 2003, as well as the Golden Ms, who graduated 50 or more years ago. Reunion is a great opportunity for all former students and members of the University community to get together and rekindle relationships.
Registration information
All of the following events are open to the public, and many are free. You can sign up by going to www.mtu.edu/reunion and clicking the registration button at the top. Or, you can register and buy tickets by calling 906-487-2400 or visiting the Alumni Reunion Registration Area, which will open in the Memorial Union on Wednesday, July 31. Attendance at some events is limited, so consider registering early.
Thursday, Aug. 1
Reunion opens at 8:30 a.m. with the Welcome Breakfast in the Memorial Union Ballroom. Tickets are $12, $5 for children 6-12, and free for children under 6. Immediately after breakfast, at 9:30 a.m., student tour guides will lead alumni on a free walking tour of campus, starting in the Memorial Union Ballroom.
Two Tech Talks will be held in Fisher 139. At 10 a.m., civil and environmental engineering professor Bill Sproule, the author of "Copper Country Streetcars," will discuss how the quaint conveyances shaped travel during the region's mining boom. At 11 a.m., Jason Carter will give a talk on the health effects of sleep deprivation, "Taking Sleep to Heart." Carter is chair of the Department of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology.
McNair Dining Hall is open for lunch, and everyone is invited to check out the typical student dining experience. Cost is $9, free for children under 6.
After lunch, Chef Eric Karvonen will hold a free pasty-making demonstration and tasting at 1 p.m. at the Hillside Place Upper Lodge. Guests are welcome to explore Michigan Tech's newest residential facility. The event is sponsored by the Graduate School; representatives will be on hand to discuss graduate programs.
The Pasty Picnic follows at 4 p.m. on the campus green between the Electrical Energy Resources Center and the Chemical Sciences Building (rain site: Memorial Union). Pasties, pickled eggs, KBC beer, salads, desserts and other beverages are included. Tickets are $16, $7 for children 6-12, free for children under 6.
The day ends with the Keweenaw Alumni Chapter and Friends Social, which begins at 6 p.m. at the Keweenaw Brewing Company.
Friday, Aug. 2
President Glenn Mroz will give a talk on where the University is and where we are headed at the All-Class Alumni Breakfast, which begins at 8:30 a.m. in the Memorial Union. Tickets are $12, $5 for children 6-12, free for children under 6. The class-year gatherings and class photos of the featured classes will follow downstairs in the Keweenaw Commons at 10 a.m.
Then at 10:30 a.m., the Golden Ms will receive their pins and certificates from Mroz upstairs in the ballroom. The Golden M Luncheon follows at noon; tickets are $14, free for children under 6.
Who eats whom in the Great Lakes? Kids will have a chance to find out themselves as they dissect trout stomachs during the Children's Laboratory Exploration, set for 10 a.m. at the Great Lakes Research Center. The event is free, and parents and grandparents are welcome. Preregistration is required.
McNair Dining Hall will again be open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost is $9, free for children under 6.
Many departments are holding open houses beginning at 1:30 p.m., and the Admissions Office is leading guided tours of campus starting at 2 p.m.
From 2 to 3:30 p.m. science educator Joan Chadde will lead the free Family Nature Hike at the Nara Nature Trails, two miles east of campus on US 41. Meet at the trailhead lodge.
The Alumni Reunion Dinner closes the day, with a 5:30 p.m. social followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $30, $15 for children 6-12, free for children under 6.
Saturday, Aug. 3
This is the day to get out and enjoy the Keweenaw, courtesy of Tech's Outdoor Adventure Program. The OAP is hosting a four-hour canoe trip on the Sturgeon River. Meet at 9 a.m. at the Alumni House. Cost is $25 and includes all equipment, transportation and snacks.
At 2 p.m., OAP is leading an introduction to kayaking and paddleboarding at the Houghton Beach, on Lake Shore Drive. Drop in anytime during the two-hour clinic. The cost is $10.
If you'd rather walk and ride than paddle, join the Keweenaw Waterfall Tour and Hike, which starts at 2 p.m. The $25 cost includes snacks and transportation to Hungarian Falls, Jacobs Falls and Eagle River Falls. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Keweenaw Land Trust to preserve public access to Hungarian Falls and other natural resources.
The School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science will hold an Alumni Awards Ceremony at 3 p.m. at Kestner Waterfront Park, in Houghton. Following at 4 p.m. will be a retirement social for longtime faculty member Marty Jurgenson.
Reunion winds up at 4 p.m. with the Women of Michigan Tech Social in the Alumni House. The event is free and honors alumnae, Tech wives, faculty, staff and current female students. Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy complimentary appetizers and a cash bar.
For more information, visit www.mtu.edu/reunion or contact Alumni Relations at email@example.com or 906-487-2400.
Michigan Technological University is a public research university, home to more than 7,000 students from 54 countries. Founded in 1885, the University offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, forestry, business and economics, health professions, humanities, mathematics, and social sciences. Our campus in Michigan's Upper Peninsula overlooks the Keweenaw Waterway and is just a few miles from Lake Superior.


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The Raytheon Co. has proposed new land-use guidelines for its El Segundo campus that would allow the city's largest employer to one day double its current building square footage.
The changes – outlined in the so-called South Campus Specific Plan – are making their way through a city review process that will stretch into next year.
The public has an opportunity until Wednesday to suggest issues to analyze in an environmental impact report. That study – once it is written – and various other land-use documents will eventually go to the El Segundo City Council for approval.
Raytheon's Space and Airborne Systems facility at 2000 E. El Segundo Blvd. covers about 140 acres just east of Sepulveda Boulevard. It had been used by Hughes Aircraft before the company merged with Raytheon in 1997.
Raytheon has 7,000 workers in El Segundo, including 4,000 people based at the South Campus site, making it the city's largest employer.
The campus today is mostly built out, with a little more than 1.8 million square feet in existing office, laboratory, warehouse and manufacturing buildings. City planners say current land-use entitlements would allow Raytheon to add an extra 215,390 square feet of development there.
But the proposed specific plan would raise the building cap significantly; it would permit a total of 3.7 million square feet of development within the existing campus footprint, giving Raytheon the potential to build 1.9 million net new square feet of development in the future.
At a meeting last week, city Planning and Building Safety Director Sam Lee indicated the proposed land-use changes could one day lead to potential roadway improvements through the site, including a Nash Street connector to Hughes Way and an extension of Continental Boulevard.
It's unclear when Raytheon would submit building plans for its campus if the land-use changes are approved.
"We are truly seeking the flexibility to plan and accommodate future business needs," Raytheon spokesman D.J. Sandler said in response to questions about upcoming projects. "Right now in our planning meetings we don't have those options on the table."
In an email message, he wrote that the company is "evaluating and exploring available options for existing property zoning and potentially obtaining additional land rights for future development" at the site.
Lee said he expects the final environmental impact report could be completed by next summer and move to the council in the fall.
Follow Kristin Agostoni on Twitter at http://twitter.com/kagostoni
Find out more
Anyone wanting to comment on an initial study about Raytheon's South Campus Specific Plan – which would allow for significantly more development off El Segundo Boulevard – can do so through 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Send feedback to: City of El Segundo – Planning and Building Safety Department, 350 Main St., El Segundo, CA 90245, Attention: Masa Alkire, principal planner. Comments also can be emailed to: firstname.lastname@example.com.
To read the initial study outlining the company's proposal, go to http://bit.ly/Wsi80Q.


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The month of November is the Military Family Appreciation Month. 4-H is a great way to engage the entire family in fun and educational activities.
The month of November is the Military Family Appreciation Month. 4-H is a great way to engage the entire family in fun and educational activities. 4-H is a community of seven million young people around the world learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. 4-H is available in every county and parish in the country. Outside the United States, 4-H programs operate through independent, country-led organizations in more than 50 countries. 4-H also has a strong partnership with the U.S. military all over the world. Both at home and overseas, military youth can be a part of a 4-H program. Stateside they can participate on their installation through the base Child and Youth Services and in the community by joining a Community 4-H Club. There are projects to satisfy all interests, not just the traditional livestock, clothing and foods. Following are excerpts from the Military.com website
Military Family Appreciation Month was established in 1993 by the Armed Services YMCA, with the U.S. Government recognizing the occasion every year since. Each November, ASYMCA celebrates Military Family Month to demonstrate the nation's support and commitment the families of military personnel.
Each year the President signs a proclamation declaring November Military Family Month. President Obama said that our nation owes "each day of security and freedom that we enjoy to the members of our Armed Forces and their families. Behind our brave service men and women, there are family members and loved ones who share in their sacrifice and provide unending support."
Elaine Sanchez, American Forces Press Service lists 10 qualities of military families.
10. Their sense of humor. I think this is a prerequisite for military families -- kind of an "If you don't laugh, you cry," complex, particularly when it comes to deployments.
9. They're passionate -- about everything. They give their all, whether it's volunteering in their communities, with their family readiness groups or in their kids' schools. What's even more impressive is they do so while balancing careers, home life, kids and education.
8. They're strong, even under extraordinary circumstances. Due to state-of-the-art technology and medicine, the survivability of this war is unmatched by any other, and service members are returning home alive despite devastating injuries. And when they do, their families are there to embrace them. In some cases, they give up homes and careers to care for their military loved one full-time. That's strength.
7. They're always willing to lend each other a hand. I visited an Army post about a year ago to interview military kids and met a teenager whose parents were both deployed in Iraq. He and his two siblings were staying with his parents' friends, who had three kids of their own. I was amazed by the couple's selflessness at the time, but since have heard of so many other examples that I've realized this caring and support is simply another aspect of the military family culture.
6. They're resilient. A decade of war, frequent deployments, moves, career and school changes. Need I say more?
5. Military spouses. From the moment they say "I do" to a military member, they begin a life of service every bit as valuable as their spouse's. They give up careers to follow their military loved one around the world, hold down the home front during deployments, and offer their unfailing love and support. It's a lot to ask of anyone, and they voluntarily shoulder this burden.
4. Military kids. They're just amazing. They change schools, on average, six to eight times over the course of their parent's military career. They deal with long separations from loved ones – who aren't headed out for a business trip, but for a year in a combat zone. Despite everything that's thrown at them, they are strong, brave and adaptable. I met a high school senior a while back who told me he was OK with his dad missing his graduation, prom and a host of other events. He knew the reason why -- his dad's desire to serve his nation -- and that was enough.
3. Other family members. People often forget about the extended family members who serve too. The grandparents who open their homes to grandkids during deployments, the sisters and brothers who call and send care packages, a host of uncles, aunts and cousins offering their unwavering support. I spoke to a woman who took in her two grandchildren during her Air Force daughter's deployment. She was nervous at first – it had been years since kids lived in her home full-time -- but then gained a new bond with her grandchildren. And she'd do it again in a heartbeat, she told me.
2. Their service and sacrifice. They, too, serve this nation. They weather holidays, birthdays and major milestones without their military loved one. In the worst cases, they must deal with their loved one's ultimate sacrifice. First Lady Michelle Obama expressed her gratitude for military families at an event to honor military kids last spring: "When we talk about service to our country, when we talk about all that sacrifice for a cause, when we talk about patriotism and courage and resilience, we're not just talking about our troops and our veterans," Obama said, "we're talking about our military families, as well."
1. They stand behind their service member. I know a military mom whose children – all six – had either joined the military or were about to. All had joined while the nation is at war. While she was concerned, rather than deter them from their choice, she chose to support them. She told me it was an easy decision. "I always tell (my children), 'This is your time in history. You are where the action is and you're fighting for us, for your country and for the lifestyle we all enjoy."
For info about Military Family Appreciation Month, go to: Military.com. For info about Leavenworth County 4-H, go to: www.leavenworth.ksre.edu or www.kansas4-h.org. and select the 4-H Youth Development tab.


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Genre defining technical death metal giants, ORIGIN, have released a brand new track entitled "Manifest Desolate" at this location, or below. The track comes from their upcoming album, Omnipresent, which will be released on July 8, 2014 in North America via Nuclear Blast (and on Agonia Records on July 4th in Europe). Pre-order your copy with or without an exclusive t-shirt design, from the Nuclear Blast USA web shop.
Omnipresent was recorded with longtime producer/engineer Robert Rebeck at Chapman Recording in Lenexa, KS. The album was mixed and mastered at Menegroth – The Thousand Caves with Colin Marston, and features artwork once again by Colin Marks (NEVERMORE, KATAKLYSM, EXODUS). The album marks the recording debut of Jason Keyser (ex-SKINLESS), who has being touring with the ORIGIN as their vocalist since the release of Entity. "ORIGIN records albums in a somewhat masochistic, chaotic, and senseless fashion," comments drummer John Longstreth. "It's our best trick, and we need the best guy for our best trick, so that's why we have Jason. He's had two years of hard road work with the band and we know he's the guy. For those that weren't aware, ORIGIN recorded Entity as a trio without a proper vocalist, so we are very excited to have Jason in to do what a proper vocalist is supposed to do."
Omnipresent track listing:
1. All Things Dead
3. Permanence
4. Manifest Desolate
5. Absurdity of What I Am
6. Source of Icon O
7. Continuum
8. Unattainable Zero
9. Redistribution of Filth
10. Obsolescence
11. Malthusian Collapse
12. The Indiscriminate
13. Kill Yourself (S.O.D. cover song)
"A culmination of 15 years of technical death metal brutality, Omnipresent transcends definition," states the band. "From light speed to absolute zero it is a journey to the farthest reaches of the universe to the darkest nether of the mind. We are everywhere and nowhere. We are omnipresent."
ORIGIN will tour North America this Summer from July 17 – August 10 on Summer Slaughter Tour with MORBID ANGEL, DYING FETUS and THE FACELESS among others. Following that run the band will be embark on a US secondary market tour before heading to Europe in the Fall.
7/17 – San Francisco, CA @ The Regency Ballroom
7/18 – Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory
7/19 – Los Angeles, CA @ House of Blues
7/20 – Phoenix, AZ @ Nile Theater
7/22 – Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine Theater
7/23 – Denver, CO @ Summit
7/25 – Houston, TX @ House of Blues
7/26 – Austin, TX @ Scoot Inn
7/27 – Dallas, TX @ GMBG
7/29 – St. Petersburg, FL @ State Theater
7/30 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
7/31 – Knoxville, TN @ The International
8/01 – Cleveland, OH @ Agora Theatre
8/02 – Chicago, IL @ Mojoes
8/03 – Minneapolis, MN @ Skyway Theatre
8/05 – Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave
8/06 – Detroit, MI @ Crofoot Ballroom
8/07 – Niagara Falls, NY @ Rapids Theatre
8/08 – New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
8/09 – Worcester, MA @ The Palladium
8/10 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Trocadero
One of the most intense and technical forces of the contemporary death metal world, ORIGIN are one of the leaders of metal's recent wave of extremity. Formed in Kansas (North America) in 1997, ORIGIN is one of the top, most intense and most brutal technical death metal forces to be reckoned with. Since its inception, the group has charted twice on the Billboard Top Heatseekers (with "Antithesis" at #21 and "Entity" at #20) and emerged on countless highly-energetic shows across the world.
ORIGIN is:
Jason Keyser – vocals
Paul Ryan – guitars/vocals
Mike Flores – bass/vocals
John Longstreth – drums
For more info visit: http://www.facebook.com/Origin | http://www.twitter.com/OriginBand | http://www.youtube.com/OriginOfficial


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A nipple sheild is 'supposed' to be used when a baby is unable to latch without it, not for latch pain. That said, if using the sheild allows you to nurse and you otherwise would not be, far, far better to keep using the sheild than to stop nursing at the breast. Just make sure you are clear on the possible issues with sheilds, in particularly as far as supply goes. you may need to do some 'extra' pumping when using a sheild. Also make sure the fit is correct and you are putting it on correctly.
both nursing and pumping will help nipples protrude more over time. but plenty of moms with protruding nipples also have latch pain, its usually due to a shallow latch which can happen to anyone. I have very protruding nipples after nursing two kids and i just went through several days of killer latch pain with newborn number three. so it is important to keep working on encouraging a deep/or comfortable latch, there are many techniques & positions to try, I suggest you try anything you hear of and make up your own ideas as well. Painful latch is an area where it can be very helpful to have competent hands on help.
oh and 'football' hold can be v. helpful for 'seeing' latch-on better.
nipple sheilds http://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/child/wean-shield/
some helpful latch/positioning ideas- http://www.ameda.com/resources/video


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May 16, 2011
In a breath of fresh air, The New York Times Op/Ed writer Charles M. Blow provides a well-rounded, well-researched, and thought-provoking commentary on the need for our government to pay more attention to the ADAP Crisis.
AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAP) provide financial assistance to low-income people living with HIV/AIDS in paying for their critical and life-saving medications. As HIV meds continue to be incredibly expensive, more and more people are seeking financial assistance. Unfortunately, states across the country continue to cut funding to this valuable program, thereby denying these crucial medications to thousands of people living with HIV/AIDS.
HIV medications are necessary to treat and manage HIV/AIDS and to prevent disease progression. These medications are necessary to keep a person living with HIV/AIDS alive. Indeed, they are the very reason HIV is now a chronic disease, and not acutely life-threatening. Yet with cuts in funding, and other limitations to access to the medications, many HIV-positive people will no doubt experience a sharp decline in their health. HIV/AIDS will become a seriously life-threatening disease.
This is all unnecessary and preventable. As The New York Times article makes clear from the start, "treatment as prevention." The piece highlights recent research that found that HIV-positive individuals who were on antiretroviral medications from the time of their diagnosis (early treatment) were 96 percent less likely to pass on the disease than those who were not on early treatment. This is huge news in the world of HIV/AIDS for two reasons:
As ADAPs across the country cut their funding and change their criteria for eligibility, this research shows that to continue to cut funding to ADAPs is doing a huge disservice to those living with HIV/AIDS and to HIV prevention efforts.
This is an issue close to my heart. I've been writing and advocating around the ADAP Crisis for months now. States continue to underfund their programs and enact longer waiting lists. Some states are revamping the criteria for eligibility for the program (including indicating that a person's immune system needs to be further compromised before financial assistance can be provided, shifting the income level that would indicate a person's need for assistance, and other program cost-containment strategies) thereby cutting more and more people from the program altogether.
In addition, pharmaceutical companies almost universally ignore the pleas to lower the cost of these insanely expensive medications. Here's a striking example of the cost disparity for HIV/AIDS medications: one newer medication by Merck, called Isentress, can cost over $13,000 a year. By comparison, the popular cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor costs around $2 per day, or $730 a year. Seriously?
For The New York Times to publish an Op/Ed on this issue is huge. Blow clearly did his research and highlights many of the bleak statistics and outcomes of underfunding ADAPs. He is firm and persuasive in his writing. Exactly the type of commentary needed to raise awareness. In the 30-year history of HIV/AIDS, there have been incredible advancements in treatments. Now, HIV is a chronic disease. People can live long, healthy lives with HIV... when they are on a consistent, specific and life-long medication regimen. People can still die from complications related to HIV disease progression if they are not on a medication regimen.
Blow's point that many of those who need assistance are those who are some of our most disenfranchised members of society cannot be glossed over. Many of the HIV-positive patients who are cut from ADAPs are those with little to no political power or financial resources. Our nation's financial climate is not improving and as such, many of the most vulnerable residents are the ones who will suffer the consequences. In addition, many of these people are stigmatized and disenfranchised for multiple reasons: for being HIV positive, for living in poverty, for being a person of color, for being gay. Historically, these are the populations most often ignored and marginalized by our nation. The ADAP Crisis encompasses this and as such, it too has been ignored.
Blow writes: "Not only is it morally reprehensible to restrict or deny life-saving drugs to those who need them (talk about death panels), it is a colossal miscalculation of public health policy, not to mention fiscally irresponsible."
If our nation continues to treat people living with HIV/AIDS in this way, we will no doubt repeat the mistakes of the epidemic early on. We will see a resurgence in the spread of HIV. People will not seek testing as they will fear the implications of a positive result. There is already intense fear and stigma attached to an HIV-positive diagnosis. When we add lack of support, financial burden, lack of treatment, further stigma and discrimination, HIV/AIDS will become silent once again. As we all learned from the early years of the epidemic: silence = death.
We all need to do our part to ensure HIV/AIDS does not go silent again. Let's hope Congress is listening.
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Permanent user fees in the pipeline
Agencies struggle toward a unified public-lands pass
After a clamorous seven-year test, the Bush administration wants to expand and make permanent the federal government's program of charging user fees for recreation on public lands. Prodded by Congress, officials at the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management and Fish and Wildlife Service are scrambling to draft legislation for a single, nationwide recreation pass for all U.S. public lands. The new system would replace the Recreation Fee Demonstration, or "fee demo," program first created by Congress in 1996 and extended twice by rider, now until 2004 (HCN, 2/14/00: Land of the fee).
"The Forest Service feels that we have tested enough," says Teri Cleeland, Forest Service national fee program leader in Washington, D.C. "We've learned a lot, and it's time for the American people to learn what a permanent program would look like."
But even as the agencies move rapidly toward a unified pass proposal, officials admit they're far from a workable plan. That gives opponents, both in and out of Congress, some hope that they can stymie the effort, despite its momentum.
"If the Forest Service is going to make (fees) work," says Bob Dale of Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics, "they're going to have to do it with a lot more thought and care than what's gone into the fee demo program."
Circling the wagons
Between 1997 and 2001, the agencies collected $600 million in fees. Last year, fee demo grossed $126.2 million for the Park Service; $35.3 million for the Forest Service; $7.6 million for the BLM; and $3.7 million for the Fish and Wildlife Service. The agencies are required to spend 80 percent of fee revenues, minus administrative costs, at the place where they were collected, rather than send the money to Washington.
Opponents of fee demo long have argued that the program is a form of double taxation, since federal tax dollars already support management of the public lands. Supporters point to a maintenance backlog of $4.9 billion at the Park Service and $800 million at the Forest Service, and the absence of sufficient congressional funding as a reason the public should pay to play.
That line of reasoning resonates with the Bush administration, which this spring created the Recreation Fee Leadership Council to draft legislation that would make the user-fee program permanent. The council, made up of 16 top-level federal officials representing the four lands agencies and the Bureau of Reclamation, is co-chaired by Mark Rey, undersecretary of the Department of Agriculture, and Lynn Scarlett, assistant secretary of the Department of Interior.
No firm decisions have been made, but the council is working from a draft "blueprint" produced in April by Forest Service Deputy Chief Tom L. Thompson. The blueprint says the government would not charge for "general access" to national forests; driving or walking through; parking at scenic overlooks and pullouts; and dispersed camping or other low-impact recreation.
The agencies would, however, charge for parking at trailheads; entrance to visitors' centers; use of trailhead, boating and swimming facilities; national recreation areas; national monuments; and visits to "concentrated-use areas" where heavy traffic takes a toll on the environment.
The pass program under consideration includes annual national, regional, statewide and single-forest passes, along with single-use fees. Officials working on the new program say they don't know yet how much the passes will cost. Golden Eagle passes currently cost $65.
"What we would really like to do nationally is have a national parks and public lands pass," says Lee Larson, senior outdoor recreation specialist for permits and fees at the national BLM office, "not just the Forest Service and Park Service, but for everyone (together)."
But, adds Larson, "It's not a public lands pass in the sense of getting on public lands. It's only for areas where there's services."
Even if they buy the new passes, visitors may pay extra charges - as they do now - to use developed camp sites and boat launches. Last November, the General Accounting Office criticized federal agencies for their "overlapping and inconsistent" implementation of user fees; observed that managers had not been given clear direction on what they were supposed to accomplish with the fee demo program; and concluded that despite years of testing, the agencies still have not proven "what types of fees and fee collection practices work best."
It's also far from clear how much money the proposed permanent fee program might generate, or how that money would be split up. Cleeland says the Forest Service has hired the accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers to make that calculation but has been unable to come up with a number because "the questions we ask of our data are not the same questions that Pricewaterhouse would have asked."
Revenue for passes that are valid at more than one locale would be divided up using a formula based both on creating incentives to sell passes, and getting the money to roughly correspond with the level of use. That formula, however, has yet to be devised.
"One pass with one simple fee would be a lot better, but that's not what we're getting," says Jason Robertson, access director for American Whitewater. "What we're getting is one fee for parking and access, but then they're talking about this raft of whole other fees for such activities as camping and boating.
"The whole purpose of the fee program is being lost in this discussion. We're moving from fees for mitigation toward fees for fees' sake, fees for revenue collection."
Race against the clock
Concerns like Robertson's have moderated somewhat the stance of longtime user fee champion Rep. Scott McInnis, a Colorado Republican who chairs the House Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health. In a Jan. 25 letter to Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth, McInnis reiterated his support for fees, but cautioned that money needs to be spent on the ground and the program subject to reauthorization by Congress every five years.
Nonetheless, McInnis is still clearly among user fees' staunchest advocates. Speaking in Montrose, Colo., on May 4, McInnis said that fee demo may come to an end, but added, "We need to tax those users. We need those fees."
Josh Penry, staff director of the McInnis-led forests subcommittee, says legislation to create a national fee program is likely to be introduced this year. Sen. Craig Thomas, R-Wyo., has already introduced legislation to make the fee program permanent for the National Park Service and to permit that agency to share revenues with state - although not federal - agencies on a reciprocal basis if they honor each other's passes.
The administration is racing to take advantage of the support of House Resources Committee Jim Hansen, R-Utah, and House Appropriations Committee chair Joe Skeen, R-N.M., both of whom are retiring this fall.
But whether permanent fee legislation will move through Congress in this session is questionable, given that the House will recess in fewer than three months, and representatives are increasingly focused on the fall campaign.
Meanwhile, fee opponents are making their voices heard. On May 8, the Colorado State Legislature passed a resolution asking Congress to fully fund the federal lands agencies rather than charge for recreation. The Oregon, California and New Hampshire Legislatures have passed similar resolutions. Colorado Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, R, pushed by anti-fee Off-Road Vehicle organizations, has also announced his opposition to fees.
For its part, the Forest Service plans to start revising its fee program this summer to create more consistency between forests and to identify all sites where fees can and should be charged, says Cleeland. But, she adds, "The devil is in the details."
Hal Clifford contributes regularly to High Country News and Writers on the Range from Telluride, Colorado.
- Jason Robertson, American Whitewater, 301/589-9453;
- Teri Cleeland, U.S. Forest Service, 202/205-1169, www.fs.fed.us/recreation/fee_demo/fee_intro.shtml;
- Lee Larson, BLM, 202/452-5168;
- Rep. Scott McInnis, R-Colo., 202/225-4761.
Copyright © 2002 HCN and Hal Clifford


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GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — A Palestinian health official says a Gaza militant has died of wounds sustained in an Israeli airstrike.
Gaza health official Ashraf al-Kidra says the militant was wounded in an air attack two days ago.
His death brings to seven the number of Gazans killed in Israeli airstrikes since Saturday. Four of the dead were civilians.
The airstrikes were launched in retaliation for rocket fire from Gaza. The violence subsided Tuesday morning, with one Israeli airstrike and one Gaza rocket fired.
Israeli Education Minister Gideon Saar told Israel Radio that "anyone with eyes in his head sees a broader Israeli military offensive is in the offing."
Mark Regev, a spokesman for Benjamin Netanyahu, would not say whether this was also the Israeli prime minister's position.


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Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories
The holiday special "One Christmas Story: People Rich In Spirit" comes from the Hope Lutheran Church in Reading, Pa., to be broadcast Monday, Dec. 24 (11:35 p.m.), on the CBS Television Network.
Like many cities in America, Reading, Pa., was once a thriving industrial center, but no longer. The people there have lost much of their economic base, but none of their spirit. The Christmas story and spirit will be played out in this special with the help of many stories that parallel the Nativity themes of welcoming and helping strangers. Odyssey Networks, a multi-faith, nonprofit organization, and the Collegiate Churches of New York City have worked with the Reading community to create this Christmas special.
In this CBS program, a diverse congregation gathers to share the joyful songs of the season as performed by four local choirs. The words of Scripture are woven through the music along with the readings, which are the stories of the people today - stories that illustrate the messages of the Gospel about sharing with neighbors and valuing the spiritual over the material. The Biblical stories come to life through the witnessing of today's stories.


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Computergiant needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 633 designs submitted by 79 freelance designers.
I will give very timely feedback on each and every design submitted to give everyone the best chance to win this contest. See my last two at http://99designs.com/logo-design/co…nics-40585 and http://99designs.com/logo-design/co…-one-39574 for proof of this. I will log in multiple times a day and stay up until 1am EST if I have to in order to answer every new submission before going to bed.
The best way to get a great logo is for me to review every submission and provide my honest feedback, then make recommendations on how to improve the design or to scrap it entirely and go with a new concept.
AvenueEntertainment.com Concept
This company is female owned company that strives to deliver a classy and professional Disc Jockey to all events they perform at. This DJ does not attempt to steal the attention from the client but rather enhance their presence by tailoring the event to showcase the client, not herself.
The target audience are brides looking for a DJ they can relate to, women party planners who don't want to hire a sweaty greasy DJ, and moms who want a safe and classy party for their child's parties.
70% of the clients have money but are always looking for a good deal. The other 30% don't have money but are always looking to
Graphic: I do require a graphic or symbol in addition to text. Please do not submit text only as your design as I will likely eliminate it and tell you to please add a graphic or symbol to it. Please feel free to be creative. Images of music, dj equipment, streets, made up symbols, streaks, etc are all fine with me.
The graphic should be larger than the text and should probably rest on top of the text to create a square or rectangle shaped graphic - graphic on top, text on bottom. The graphic should be in proportion to the text but could be significantly larger since AvenueEntertainment.com is quite a long name.
Font: I am a fan of Helvectia style fonts due to their clean lines and no text end caps (like Times New Roman - I don't like Times New Roman), but any font with clean lines will do (weight and style are totally up to you). This is not a requirement per se but rather a general guideline. If you have another font style you feel will work better please choose it. If I don't like it I'll let you know and work with you to revise your submission to my preference.
Current Website: The current website will be totally redesigned after the new logo has been created. You can choose to use colors from it but that is not a requirement since there will likely be a new color scheme upon completion of this contest.
I can't wait to see the submissions!
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


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Find your nearest location for a fix now.
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Your Local NOVUS Glass: | Visit
Drive clear for life or we'll refund the repair.
Busy schedule? We'll come to your home or office.
We're proud to serve the communities in which we live, work and play.


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MotoGP 09/10 will not only deliver all the bikes, riders and tracks from the 2009 championship, but brand new gameplay modes that offer rewards to the rider for their riding style not just winning the race, plus the ability to update the game with accurate content from the 2010 championship, including the new Silverstone track and team updates, as the season unfolds at no extra cost.
MotoGP 09/10 will see the introduction of a fully realised Career Mode where players can take part in the ultimate MotoGP world championship both competing in races and managing all aspects of their team. Gamers will be able to hire engineers, team managers and press officers, all of whom will have a real effect on their career as a racing pro.
Complementing Career Mode, MotoGP09/10 will feature three other gameplay modes to deliver a MotoGP experience that will appeal to followers of the world's premier motorcycle championship and racing fans alike. Arcade mode is not limited to a simple first to take the chequered flag mechanic, but adds a variety of challenges where players can earn and steal points from their opponents, encouraging a risk element for those who feel that simply leading the pack isn't enough. As an official licensed title, MotoGP 09/10 will naturally allow gamers to compete in a full championship season across any of MotoGP's three bike classes. For those who like to pit their skills with fellow racers from around the globe MotoGP 09/10 offers a robust online mode, with full leader board plus spectator mode all planned.
The robust online mode will give gamers the chance to vote for the circuit, bike class and number of laps before they take to the track and compete in an online Arcade race or Career mode championship. Once the race comes to an end it's over to the online leaderboards to see where you rank against the rest of the world. Not only will you find competitors' lap times but the option to download racing ghosts and racing lines which will help you compete against the very best or for those new to the series learn the skills they need to race to the top of the leaderboards.
Key Features :
- Brand new exciting gameplay modes that deliver the ultimate GP racing experience
- 17 official circuits and all the bikes and riders from the 2009 GP season plus the ability to update the game with content from the 2010 championship as the season unfolds
- Gain Rider Reputation points through your achievements on the track and use these to progress your career with new offers of contracts, manufacturers, staff and sponsorship deals
- Dynamic racing objectives challenge riders during racing sessions
- Compete against riders across the globe in online multiplayer mode in races with up to 20 players
- Two player split screen allows you to compete against your friends locally
- Select from 125cc, 250cc and 800cc championships with each class delivering its own exciting and unique bike handling set up.
- Realistic AI which emulates a true racing pack with different rider styles and pace
- Accessible handling for players of all levels to create an enjoyable racing experience
More articles about MotoGP 09/10


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Lots of people complain about the shortcomings of the country's two-party system for picking a president. Now a nonpartisan group is gathering millions of petition signatures _ and dollars _ to offer people a Plan B.
Americans Elect, which grew out of a failed 2008 effort to provide an alternative in the presidential race, aims to secure a slot on the November ballot in all 50 states for a to-be-determined candidate who would be nominated in the nation's first online convention next summer.
The group, whose backers include both Republicans and Democrats anxious to open up the political process, has raised $22 million so far and secured ballot slots in Florida, Alaska, Nevada, Kansas, Arizona and Michigan. It has submitted signatures for certification in California, Utah and Hawaii.
Americans Elect, whose slogan is "pick a president, not a party," appears to be on track to secure ballot access across the country, with 1.9 million signatures collected so far. But how it will effect the 2012 race depends on what kind of candidate its delegates select in next June's online convention, which will be open to any registered voter.
"It's a fascinating experiment in trying to empower the disenfranchised center in American politics," says Will Marshall, one of the group's leaders and the president of the Progressive Policy Institute, a centrist Democratic think tank. "It uses the power of the Internet and social media to provide a new means for political participation."
Even Marshall admits, though, that he approaches the effort with some trepidation.
"I'd hate to see a scenario in which a vibrant third choice in some way threw the 2012 election to a right-winger like a Rick Perry or a Michele Bachmann," he says.
Americans Elect rejects the notion its candidate could turn out to be a spoiler and says that putting the choice in the hands _ or clicks _ of millions of registered voters will ensure the selection of a qualified nominee. Leading candidates for the group's nomination will be required to choose a running mate who is not from their own party to ensure political balance, it says.
Mark McKinnon, a GOP strategist who advised George W. Bush in his presidential campaign, says he got involved in the effort because "the system is broken and the traditional parties are only making a bad situation worse." He sees the Americans Elect effort as a reimagining of democracy and how the country selects its leaders.
Getting on the ballot in all 50 states isn't all that unusual: The New Alliance Party's Lenora Fulani did in 1988. The Libertarians have done in multiple times. But none of them garnered a big share of the vote.
Other outsider candidates have been more successful: Ross Perot got 19 percent of the vote in 1992 and 8 percent in 1996; John Anderson, 7 percent in 1980: and George Wallace, 13 percent in 1968. Ralph Nader drew just 3 percent of the vote as a Green Party candidate in 2000, but that included enough liberal votes in Florida to keep Democrat Al Gore from carrying the state and becoming president.
Richard Winger, editor and publisher of Ballot Access News, says the idea that an Americans Elect candidate can't win shouldn't be dismissed outright. There are hundreds of instances of minor candidates being elected to state legislatures, and even a few members of Congress, he says.
And Matt Miller, a fellow at the Democratic-leaning Center for American Progress, says the effort doesn't have to produce a president to have a big impact on national politics.
Perot's strong following in 1992 pushed deficit reduction onto Bill Clinton's agenda when he became president, Miller says.
Ileana Wachtel, a spokeswoman for Americans Elect, says the group is on track to meet its fundraising goal of $30 million. It has collected money from about 3,000 individual small donors and 100 large donors, who aren't required to reveal their identities. Many, she says, "are tied to one of the parties and do not want to deal with recriminations from supporting this alternative." The group, whose leadership includes a number of names from corporate America, accepts no money from special interests or political action committees.
The process of drafting candidates won't begin until December.
Nancy Benac can be followed at http://twitter.com/nbenac


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November 16. 2012 8:36PM
Ferdinand the bull returned to owners
By NANCY BEAN FOSTER
Union Leader Correspondent
HILLSBOROUGH - Though no one's quite sure where he wandered off to, Ferdinand the Big Blue Bull is back and preparing to take his place outside the Winter Hill Farm store again.
Sometime over the last two weeks the 200 pound blue plastic bull disappeared from in front of the farm store, according to owner Amy Scott.
The bull became part of the fledgling business after being discovered at an antiques show in Brimfield, Mass. last year. It was brought home, painted blue, and immediately starting attracting passers-by to the antique barn where Scott and her family sell homemade ice cream, beef and other items produced on their Winter Hill Farm in Henniker.
Earlier this week, when her husband stopped in to restock the freezer, he discovered that Ferdinand was missing.
Police began investigating the missing bull case and put out an alert to the media that Ferdinand was running loose and the story made the headlines. Then on Wednesday night, according to Hillsborough Police, a resident reported that he saw the bull in an undeveloped lot off of Beard Road in Hillsborough. Scott said she got the call that Ferdinand was safe on Thursday morning and she and her husband went to pick him up.
"We were thrilled," she said. "I think it could have been all the publicity that did the trick."
Some of the high schoolers who work for Scott told her that they'd heard rumors about a couple of guys taking the bull as a prank, she said, "but when we started getting all this publicity, they probably panicked and left him in the sandpit."
Ferdinand is a bit worse for wear from his wandering, but nothing a bit of blue paint can't fix, and he's already wearing his Santa hat to get ready for the holidays. Scott said she's not upset about Ferdinand's disappearance, but is concerned a cow may show up later with a calf or two in tow.
In the meantime, Ferdinand is safely locked away inside the store and won't be coming out again, Scott said, "Until he's got a pair of concrete boots on his feet."
Though Ferdinand and the Scotts have been reunited, Hillsborough police are still investigating.
"At this time there are still no suspects in this kidnapping case and we are still looking to speak with anyone that has information about who the culprits are," said police in a written statement.


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September 14, 2005
Jan Loomis and Jeff Pricher felt like they had walked into a war zone when they arrived at the Louis Armstrong International Airport in Louisiana on Sept. 1.
"It was total chaos, there's just no other way to describe it. I think the memory that most etched itself into my mind was the incredible look of fatigue and despair on people's faces," said Loomis, an emergency room nurse at Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital.
"The smell was just rotten. It was like walking into a wall of odors and we were just completely overwhelmed," said Jeff Pricher, Cascade Locks' only full-time paramedic/firefighter.
He and Loomis had been deployed to New Orleans as part of the 35-member Oregon Disaster Medical Assistance Team. The crew gathered from around the state had been specially trained under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for response to a mass casualty or disaster event.
They had just never dreamed that scenario would involve so many thousands of people in the middle of a flood zone.
The medical professionals from the Gorge found themselves surrounded by a sea of humanity in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The temperature on the airport tarmac hovered near 100 degrees and the humidity level was at almost 100 percent.
The odor of feces, urine and unwashed bodies was overpowering and they struggled to cope with an onset of nausea. There was no time to waste since a seemingly endless number of exhausted and traumatized patients needed their attention.
To add to the confusion on the ground, 91 military helicopters were taking turns dropping off more evacuees — all without the aid of air traffic controllers.
"I went to help out with Hurricane Ivan (on the Florida panhandle) last year but that seemed like a walk in the park compared to this," Pricher said.
As he and Loomis stood wondering where to begin, they were spotted by an exhausted Peter Mackwell. The volunteer assistant chief of West Side Fire District and paid Hood River paramedic/firefighter was going on his 36th hour with no sleep. He had already been on the ground working in New Orleans for the past two days as part of the Washington State Disaster Medical Assistance Team. Mackwell had been enlisted to fill their quota of 35 professionals.
"You have no idea how great I felt when these guys showed up. It was like the cavalry had arrived," Mackwell said.
He was one of the first 100 medics to be deployed to the airport outside a city that was 80 percent under water. Mackwell had originally been sent in a convoy to the Superdome where thousands of frustrated refugees were sheltered.
However, he was taken back to the airport as authorities determined that the danger from a second levee breach and rioters had become too great.
At that point, doctors, nurses, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, pharmacists and respiratory therapists quickly set up a triage center at the airport. All critically ill patients, many suffering from diabetes, were sent to the red tent for first transport via ambulance or plane to a hospital.
Those with less threatening medical needs, such as dehydration, were put into the yellow tent for secondary treatment. And the "walking wounded," many with minor injuries, stood in line outside the green tent for medical attention as time allowed.
"The patients would get off the helicopter and all that they would have of their worldly possessions was in a garbage bag," said Loomis.
Mackwell said there were about 1,000 evacuees on the premises when he arrived just two days after Katrina hit the Gulf Coast. However, by the time that Loomis and Pricher joined him that number had spiraled into the thousands.
Within the next few days, the number of evacuees at the airport would reach 25,000 and fill every available space at the terminal.
"Once the word was out that the airport would take people from New Orleans it was like somebody just turned on a big faucet and the place was inundated with patients," said Pricher.
But the patients seen by the trio were not those typically associated with a mass casualty scene. In place of major cuts, broken bones and open wounds, most victims were suffering from an inability to treat existing health problems. Loomis said it was ironic that stacks of Krispy Kreme donuts were the first food source to arrive — not such a great choice with so many starving diabetics around.
"Thank goodness we had enough insulin to keep up with it," she said. "At the end of the day when you went to bed, you weren't sure you were making a difference. It was only a few days later that you could see that you had."
Both she and Pricher, who alternated between medical duties and safety detail, were up for 24 hours before getting their first opportunity for rest. And sleep was found stretched out on one of the Baggage Claim 7 or 8 conveyer belts — but the discomfort didn't seem to matter as exhaustion set in.
Medical supplies initially ran low and Pricher said emergency responders were forced to improvise, such as making colostomy bags by using plastic and duct tape. The three medics from Hood River County said the U.S. Forest Service "saved the day" by setting up an incident command post.
Because the federal agency orchestrates major firefighting operations that are military in nature, FEMA had tasked the Forest Service with administrative duties.
Between their expertise, and that of hundreds of military personnel, Mackwell said the situation on the ground began to gain order and quickly became the model of efficiency.
Which, he said, was no small feat since there were dozens of law enforcement and emergency responders all working together.
"Believe it or not, out of the 6,000 people that we treated we only had 38 deaths — and 10 of those people were already deceased by the time they arrived," Pricher said.
There were touching moments that will forever be frozen in the minds of the medical team. Mackwell remembers one man who was partially immersed in brackish water for four days before being rescued. He arrived at the airport clutching his beloved dog and was more concerned about its debilitated condition than his own.
There were eight babies born at the airport following America's worst natural disaster. But there were also dozens of terrified children who had become separated from their parents and were temporarily "adopted" by strangers. Loomis said many nurses and firefighters from New Orleans arrived at the airport to help out — most walking into the site on foot — in spite of the fact that their own homes had been destroyed.
"They were all just so grateful for the help and wouldn't talk about what had happened to them unless you asked," said Loomis. "We had no way to keep up on the news but when we learned about all of the international aid that was coming in, we started telling people just to give them hope."
The Gorge contingent also helped sneak a few animals out with their patients. Mackwell said cats and dogs were not allowed on planes but they could travel onboard an ambulance.
So, whenever empty space became available, he and his cohorts tried to tuck their injured pet owners into a vehicle for transport.
Mackwell and Pricher caught a flu bug from being exposed to a multitude of germs and the grueling schedule. But both were already feeling better when they arrived home on Saturday. However, all three admit that being part of the historical calamity had changed them, personally and professionally, in ways they don't yet fully comprehend.
"I'll perceive a busy day in the emergency room very differently now," said Loomis. "It reminds me of how lucky we are to have running water that's potable and know where our families are."
"And we had houses to go back to — it felt great just to be able to sleep in our own beds," added Mackwell. "We have trained for something of much less caliber to happen here, perhaps a collapse of the high school grandstand that would involve about 1,200 patients. If something like that were to happen now, and let's hope it doesn't, we are in a better position to deal with it."
"We're going to be able to draw on these experiences to enhance our emergency operations plans," said Pricher. "You can read books, you can try a plan but when you're there it's a whole different ballgame."
Loomis, who resides in Trout Lake, Wash., has already been invited to share her experiences with the local Presbyterian Church.
On Monday evening, Pricher headed off to brief the Cascade Locks City Council about his public service. He joins Loomis and Mackwell in the desire to share their hard-won lessons with other emergency responders.
"I think this disaster is going to teach us a lot, it was the experience of a lifetime," Loomis said.
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I'm taking my time uploading pictures from my Montana trip - I took SO many, and when I got home and really looked at them, the ones I thought would be most wonderful fell flat, and the detail shots I overlooked at first were best. This is how I know I'm an amateur at photo-taking, but I do find I'm best at capturing what fascinates me most: tiny details. :)
Flying somewhere on the 4th of July is amazing - I mean, all the predictable flight delays aside, that is. But just being in the air and seeing storms of fireworks bursting in radiant shimmering colors below you... wow. Of course I have no photos for that - only the memories in my head. :) Also, when flying to Montana in the summer, it's a shock to see how late the sun sets: I watched the sun set from our plane at 11:30 PM! That alone made our 12 hour airport/travel ordeal worthwhile. I remember seeing a tiny sliver of an orange moon rising as we landed with fireworks bursting all around, out of the deep mountain shadows.
It was odd to wake surrounded by mountains. We drove about 30 minutes into the park and here was my first pic, snapped at Lake McDonald. It in no way comes close to the real beauty of it, but there it is, an approximation. :) We drove down Going-to-the-Sun Road from west to east. It takes hours, not because of the distance but because of the fierce bottlenecks near the end, in the mountains near Logan Pass. Along the way we saw all kinds of butterflies, birds and wildlife, including an immense female elk that gracefully stalked across the road. She seemed to stare down haughtily at all the cars, and I could see why, because she TOWERED over us. Really, I've seen photos of elk before but none have ever captured how huge they are. And of course she was gone before I could snap a picture... :) I was predictably captivated by tiny things, like ground squirrels.
Photos of mountains are really quite dull and none of them are like standing on a mountain...
Every time I see things like this, beauty like this, I find myself saying "thank you." I feel so grateful to encounter everything, to see things that are wild, and large, and clean like this. All the way uphill to Logan Pass waterfalls formed by melting snow poured downhill to meet us, either sprinkling us or raining down in torrents.
Logan Pass was 10 degrees cooler than the valley, so windy, and covered with snow at least 5 feet deep in places. Those tiny speck in the distance are people skiing:
That pic was taken by my boyfriend, who, unlike me, is a master at framing. :) I made a few little friends at Logan Pass:
Hoary Marmots! :) They're like fat ground squirrels with fur coats who do a lot more pondering and staring than running and squeaking. They're so un-timid, I was able to put my lens an inch from their furry faces:
On the way out, we saw a herd of bighorn sheep scurry up a snow-covered hill faster than we could pull out our camera.. of course. :) We stopped to see a couple of waterfalls and take in St. Mary Lake:
That last pic was also taken by my boyfriend. One of our last sights in the park was a very famous pull-off to photograph Wild Goose Island:
It must be famous because even a dummy can photograph it well... Yes, I took that photo. :) That day, we continued our drive south to East Glacier, down a windy road surrounded by mountains, cattle fields, and wildflowers:
And, thanks to a broken power window on the driver's side we had to drive all the way back to the airport and back again (about 3 and half hours) which means we were stuck in the car for at least 7-8 hours that day. Oh well. Not a bad deal if you can see mountains, I guess... :)
To those of you who shared so many kind words and thoughts about my dad, thank you again. He's still resting at home and still doing well. I was really worried going on a vacation we'd planned so far in advance but when I heard he was at home and recovering, I felt better about it. I checked on him so many times my mom (who is used to only hearing from me once a month or so) told me to give it a rest... ;) Thank you again, and more on Glacier soon.
Also, have you checked out Feeling Stitchy? We're featuring the 5 finalists (chosen by Jenny Hart) in our banner competition this week, and after they're all featured everyone will vote for a winner. Check it out! :)


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Canadian cattle could soon resume their trek south of the border, under a recently proposed USDA rule. The border between the two countries was essentially shut down to livestock May 20, 2003, when a single case of BSE was discovered in Canada.
USDA's proposed rule would amend the agency's bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) regulations to establish a new "minimal risk" category for those regions in which an animal has been diagnosed with BSE, also known as "mad cow disease." Regions allowed under the rule must have put into place specific preventive measures for an appropriate period of time reducing the risk of the disease being introduced to the United States.
That would allow certain regions, including Canada, to once again import certain low-risk livestock and livestock products into the United States. Animals allowed into the United States under the proposed rule include: cattle less than 30 months old for immediate slaughter, or to be fed and then slaughtered before they are 30 months old; sheep and goats that are less than 12 months of age for immediate slaughter, or to be fed and slaughtered before they are 12 months of age; hunter-harvested wild game, and some meet products such as calf liver and cow tongues.
"The United States has a long history of having safeguards in place to prevent the introduction of BSE," said Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman. "The continued protection of the U.S. food supply is our top priority. This proposal reflects a thorough review of the scientific evidence, which shows the risk to public health to be extremely low."
USDA says it believes that the surveillance, prevention and control measures implemented by Canada are sufficient to be included in the minimal risk category.
Commissioned by USDA, a recent risk assessment by the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis finds that even if infected animals or ruminant feed material were to enter the United States from Canada, the risk of it spreading extensively within the U.S. herd is low, that any possible spread would be reversed by controls put in place in the late 1990s, and that eventually, the disease would be eliminated from the United States.
"This study shows that the measures taken in the United States over the years greatly reduce the chance of BSE spreading and help ensure that the disease will not become a major animal or public health problem in America," says George Gray, executive director of the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis.
The study evaluates the potential for BSE to spread if it were introduced from Canada prior to May 20, when USDA banned all ruminant and ruminant products from Canada because of the discovery of the single case of BSE.
According to the Center's risk assessment, the Food and Drug Administration's 1997 ban on feeding most mammalian protein back to other ruminants essentially stops the possible spread of the disease.
The disease has never been detected in U.S. cattle, and since 1989, USDA has banned the import of live ruminants, such as cattle, sheep and goats, and most ruminant products from the United Kingdom and other countries having BSE. The ban was extended to Europe in 1997.
Since 1990, USDA has had an aggressive BSE surveillance program in place to insure detection and a swift response if the disease were introduced into the United States.
"Mad Cow Disease," or BSE, is a progressive neurological disease among cattle that is always fatal. It belongs to a family of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, which also includes Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, which is believed to be caused by eating neural tissue, such as brain and spinal cord, from BSE affected cattle.
To comment on the proposed rule before USDA's Jan. 5 deadline, send an original and three copies of your comments to Docket No. 03-080-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3C71, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, Md. 20737-1238.
If you use e-mail, address your comments to [email protected]. Comments must be contained in the body of the message, as USDA will not open attached files. Please include your name and address in the message and use "Docket No. 03-080-1" on the subject line.
A full listing of the proposed regulations can be found at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/.
e-mail: [email protected]


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This apron was worn by Lisbeth Sokal, who came to Britain in 1938 as a refugee from Nazism. Lisbeth was granted a visa to work in Britain as a domestic servant and the apron was sent to her by her parents who remained in Germany.
In 1933, the Nazi party came to power in Germany under Adolf Hitler with an openly antisemitic policy. As the situation for Jews worsened, many Jews sought to emigrate, but few countries were prepared to receive them. In July 1938, the Evian Conference was held to discuss the situation of German Jews, but most of the 32 countries represented found reasons not to accept more Jewish refugees.
About 70,000 Jewish refugees (including 10,000 unaccompanied children on the Kindertransport) were able to settle in Britain before war broke out. Many were highly educated, from professional or artistic backgrounds. However, in order to be admitted to Britain, they had to find jobs before leaving Germany. In their search for safety, they often took positions as domestic servants.


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Sept. 1, 2009
NORTH DARTMOUTH, MA - The Little East Conference released its 2009 Pre-Season Coaches Polls for the Fall season recently and the University of Massachusetts Boston Volleyball Team earned 58 points, including four first place votes to finish first in the pre-season survey.
UMass Boston Women's Soccer was voted fourth among LEC teams with 33 points for its highest pre-season standing ever, while the Men's Soccer squad received 12 points for an eighth place showing.
The volleyball team finished 25-9, including 5-1 in LEC play and came within one point of winning the conference championship a year ago. The Beacons return senior outside hitter and All-Region performer Kate McWhorter (Bakersfield, CA) from a year ago. The senior tri-captain was also named the LEC Offensive Player of the Year, while eclipsing the school record for total kills with 493 and smashing the school standard for hitting percentage with a blistering .364 mark. She is joined by senior tri-captain Kate White (Plymouth, MA), who turned in another impressive season with her third straight 300-plus kill season with a total of 313 to give her 963 for her career to capture the school's career mark.
Sophomore setter and tri-captain Cassy Hanneman (Denver, CO) burst onto the collegiate scene last year by shattering the UMass Boston record for assists with 1,063 and her 57 aces gave her a rate of 0.49 per set to lead the league and cement her status as the Little East Conference Rookie of the Year. She also landed a spot on the LEC All-Star Second Team and should be the catalyst for the Beacons' powerful offense again this year. Sophomore middle hitter Molly Rattigan (Dorchester, MA) is also back after setting a school record for block assists with 59 and was one of two players on the team to start in all 34 matches. She ranked third on the team in points scored and should be even better with a year of college under her belt.
UMass Boston has the bullseye on its back as the pre-season favorite, but armed itself with reinforcements with an extremely talented recruiting class. Freshman Shannon Thompson (Moorpark, CA) will start right away in the middle and should challenge to become the third Beacon to earn the LEC Rookie of the Year award in the last four seasons. The 6'2" front court player will be an imposing force on the offensive and defensive side of the net. Joining her up front is classmate Alexa Sullivan (South Dennis, MA). The Cape Cod native is a tremendous athlete, being named a Boston Globe Atlantic Coast League All-Star in both volleyball and track & field. She was also selected a Division II Massachusetts State All-Star and is a great blocker, who should make a great contribution.
Freshman Bethany Rossoll (Colorado Springs, CO) will step into the starting libero position right away in her freshman campaign. She reads the game well and owns very good defensive skills after a high school career that saw her help Thomas B. Doherty High School to three straight playoff berths.
The women's soccer team is a year removed from its best season ever. The Beacons set a school record for regular season and conference victories, while winning and hosting their first-ever LEC tournament match, before falling in the conference semifinals. UMass Boston will look to senior midfielder Kristi Morales (San Francisco, CA) to build on a breakout season that saw her rack up a career-high 20 points on eight goals and six assists in 2008. She earned First Team All-Star honors among her LEC peers and ranked eighth in points and goals. Sophomore Kristin Mulry (Holbrook, MA) posted one of the greatest seasons in school annals en-route to being named the Little East Conference Rookie of the Year. She found the back of the net 14 times and added a helper for 29 points to place her second in the league in points and goals, while setting a UMB freshman record in both categories to earn Second Team All-Star accolades.
Sophomore defender Samantha Place (Newton, NJ) also returns after a rookie season that saw her named to the LEC All-Star Second Team. She saw action in 16 contests and registered two goals and a pair of assists, while helping to solidify the backfield. Classmate Molly Kuchar (Ashville, NC) continues the theme of a youthful, yet talented roster for the Beacons. The lanky midfielder was the only rookie to start all 21 matches and established a new school record with seven assists to go with three goals for 13 points. Sophomore Brianna Cavanaugh (Belchertown, MA) will bring her imposing frame to the midfield after making the switch from the backfield. She started 19 of 20 matches last season and should is on track for a tremendous career.
UMass Boston offensive effort will be bolstered by talented junior transfer Tina Gillen (Carver, MA), who comes to the Harbor Campus from NCAA Division II Assumption College, where she was a Northeast 10 Conference Third Team All-Star. The forward led the Greyhounds with seven goals and was second with 15 points and should make an immediate impact for UMB. The same could be said about junior transfer Kimberly Campbell (East Bridgewater, MA), who tallied an impressive 39 points on nine goals and 21 assists from the midfield for Massasoit Community College, while leading the school to a Massachusetts Community College Athletic Conference championship.
The Beacons will also get a lift from a familiar face with the return of senior goalkeeper Jessica Penta (Revere, MA). The 5'9" keeper last put on the gloves for UMass Boston in 2006, when she led the nation with a school-record 272 total saves as a freshman. Following a two-year hiatus that saw her play in a women's football league, she is ready to resume the role as the Beacons' last line of defense between the posts.
The men's soccer team will look forward to rebounding with a successful season that could end up with a return to the Little East Conference tournament after a three-year absence. Senior goalkeeper Domenick Persuitte (West Barnstable, MA) will anchor the defense once again for the Beacons after playing every second of every match last season. He led the LEC with 6.25 saves per contest and stood fourth with a .763 save percentage. Junior captain Alex Cavallero (Lenox, MA) has started all 33 matches in his career and will be counted on again as not just one of UMass Boston's best players, but also its backbone as a leader. The midfielder set career-highs in goals (four) and points (nine) and is primed for a big year. Senior Matthew Parentele (Holyoke, MA) joined the team last year and enters his senior campaign as one of the team's top leaders as well. He started 16 matches in the midfield and the backfield last year and should be a main contributor again.
Sophomore Igor DaCruz (Cambridge, MA) should also give the Beacons a lift after a two-year hiatus. The midfielder enjoyed a solid rookie season in 2006 with nine points, including four goals and will look to pick up his development where he left off. Sophomore Jaime Delgado (Pembroke Pines, FL) hit the ground running for UMass Boston last season and is a dynamic player with great ability and the potential to take it up a notch in his second year for UMass Boston.