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VIDEO: Gasol excited about joining the Bulls
Bynum might sit out | Exum experiences bumps | Bulls take on international flair | Jordan challenges Lance | Wiggins not worried
No. 1: Bynum might sit out year to strengthen knees — Of course, the big question is if Andrew Bynum decided to sit out the entire 2014-15 season to have treatment on his bad knees, who would notice? After all, the big man has played just 26 games over the past two years while wearing different uniforms in Philly, Cleveland and Indiana. Now, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post, Bynum is considering undergoing the German-based therapy program that promotes cartilage growth that will require an extra long recovery time, with an eye on joining Phil Jackson and the Knicks in 2015-15:
Regenokine is a non-surgical program that promotes new cartilage growth through a series of injections. The FDA still hasn't approved it in the United States. Bynum is considering doing the program with well-known doctor German doctor Peter Wehling, who worked with Kobe Bryant and Alex Rodriguez. It is similar but not identical to the PRP procedure.
Bynum has arthritic knees that have stalled a career that once flourished under Jackson in Los Angeles.
"If he's healthy, Phil will be interested," Lee told The Post. "Phil knew how to tap into Andrew. They got along famously."
Bynum, the Jersey product who was a young stud center for two of Jackson's Lakers title teams, would undergo the procedure as a means to extend his career.
"He would be looking at in a longer-term situation," Lee said. "He's still a baby. If he went to college, he'd be coming off his rookie contract at age 26."
No. 2: Strong Exum finds there's a lot to learning in Las Vegas — Everybody with a grade school knowledge of world geography knows it's a long way from Australia to the United States. Utah's No. 5 pick in the draft Dante Exum got a first-hand taste of the miles he still has to travel to make the adjustment to the NBA with a rough experience in the NBA. Our own Scott Howard-Cooper watched all of Exum's bumps in the road at the Las Vegas summer league and talks about what the experience meant:
Unlike the majority of every draft class that steels itself with years of AAU circuits and college play or leagues in Europe with older professionals, Exum not only has to make the transition at age 19 but with very little in his basketball background to prepare for the NBA. He has never been seriously challenged for weeks at a time, let the months waiting for him with the Jazz schedule as a rookie.
"The last games I played was high school games and I'm one of the bigger guys out there that can push guys around," he said. "Here, I get into the paint and I'm getting knocked over."
Literally and figuratively. Exum faced NBA competition for the first time and shot 30.8 percent in five games, ending with Friday's victory over the Trail Blazers at Thomas & Mack Center, while averaging 7.2 points and piling up more turnovers (15) than assists (14). He had good moments, but nothing close to a good game, with making four of 10 shots and three assists against one turnover in the opener against Philadelphia probably holding up as the best.
"It's been a big couple weeks for him," said Brad Jones, the Jazz assistant coach who ran the team in the Summer-League games. "He's got a lot going on. He's had some ups and downs through this, but it's also why we play Summer League, for him to go through the ups and downs. The little challenge, we talked to him at halftime about, we wanted to see him finish on a strong note. I thought he tried to play through and luckily made a great play and hit that little floater to kind of seal that game for us.
"Now he can go back and regroup a little bit. I know he's going to his national team, but hopefully now he has a level of understanding of what he has to do every day to be successful. There were some times he showed some brilliant, brilliant things this last week. Then again, there's been some times where he's been kicked in the rear end a little bit. Hopefully he'll take this, process it and come back in the fall ready to go and to help because we think he's got a bright future."
No. 3: Gasol, Mirotic give the Bulls a taste of Spain — So much has changed since the time Spaniard Pau Gasol was a No. 1 pick in the draft back in 2001 to now when Nikola Mirotic signed on to join him for the upcoming season with the Bulls. Our Steve Aschburner talks about how the basketball world in general and the NBA in particular has embraced the contributions of international players:
"The infrastructure is a lot better now in Europe and the rest of the world," Tony Ronzone said by phone Friday during a break in Las Vegas Summer League action. "And the world's becoming smaller with the Internet and the video. You can see now how many games are televised all around the world."
Ronzone, a longtime NBA executive, is one of the league's most experienced evaluators of international talent. He is director of player personnel for the Dallas Mavericks, worked for Minnesota and Detroit in similar capacities and served as head coach of teams in United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. He also is director of international player personnel for the USA Basketball men's team.
He has seen the growth and comfort level in both directions — international players and coaches becoming more NBA savvy, the league embracing more players and concepts from overseas — throughout his career.
Consider: In Gasol's rookie season, 2001-02, there were 52 international players from 31 different countries on NBA rosters. By Opening Night 2013-14, the number had grown to a record 92 players from 39 countries.
"What's happening now is, our game has grown and with the NBA as the best league in the world, these players internationally are able to watch athletes on the floor and mimic their moves," Ronzone said.
"There's a lot more player-development going on to create more foot speed. Because the biggest adjustment the Europeans have coming over to America is, defensively they'd be behind and their foot speed, they'd be behind. What they're learning to do is, with less foot speed, they're understanding angles and they're doing a better job of watching these athletes and getting scouting reports on how to play them."
No. 4: Jordan throws down gauntlet to Stephenson — Before he officially signed off on the three-year, $27.4-million free agent contract, Hornets owner Michael Jordan laid down the law and told Lance Stephenson that he expects fewer shenanigans and more production this season. Stephenson told Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer that he definitely got the message:
"I bring more to the table than blowing in someone's ear," Stephenson said Friday of the incident with LeBron James that brought him so much notoriety.
Stephenson, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard, brings scoring, defense, playmaking and an edge. The Hornets like his edginess, and believe it can help them win games. But only to a point.
Hornets owner Michael Jordan attended the meeting in Las Vegas on Tuesday night that resulted in Stephenson signing a 3-year, $27.4 million contract. Jordan spoke very directly with Stephenson before signing off on this contract.
"He told me what he likes about me, he told me what I need to calm down on," Stephenson told the Observer after the news conference. "He told me how I can contribute to the team. And he told me he believed in my talent. He likes my competitive edge."
There is plenty to like. The Hornets desperately need scoring and shooting from the wing positions. Last season Stephenson averaged 13.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists and shot 49 percent from the field. The Hornets needed a player of his wide skill set and playoff experience.
What they don't need is some of the disruptive things that have come with Stephenson's history. He committed 14 technical fouls last season, fourth-most in the NBA. He had two legal issues in the past, first when he was accused of groping a teenage girl and later an accusation he pushed a girlfriend down a flight of stairs.
The $9 million-a-season salary (the third season at $9.4 million is a team option) is a bargain for a player of Stephenson's talent. The Hornets got that deal because of the ways Stephenson undermined his reputation entering free-agency.
No. 5: Wiggins just playing, ignoring the rumors — Rookie Andrew Wiggins can't turn on the TV or click on a website without confronting another rumor that he could be part of a blockbuster trade that brings Kevin Love to Cleveland. It's an unusual position for the No. 1 pick in any draft to be in. But after finishing up his stint at the Las Vegas summer league on Friday night, Wiggins told our Jeff Caplan that the only thing on his mind is playing basketball and getting better:
"Nothing to me," Wiggins said as he flashed a playful personality with a wide smile after taking the Cavs' Friday night Summer League finale off following four promising performances in his debut as a professional. "I just know what you know. I just see what you see on TV. That's about it."
The 6-foot-8 swingman said he's letting his "agent and support system" handle the off-court twists and turns while he focuses on preparing for his rookie season, wherever it may be.
"I just play basketball, man, wherever I go," Wiggins said.
James' intent seem clear. On Thursday, Yahoo! Sports reported that James has reached out to Love about forming a superstar pairing few ever in thought about before a week ago. The Timberwolves have stood pat that there's no deal unless Wiggins is the centerpiece. Whether or not the Cavs are now prepared to make their top pick available seems to change with the wind.
There's just no clear indication yet of the Cavs' position. It was only a week ago that James announced his return to the Cavaliers. Later that night Wiggins made his first appearance in Cavs colors at Summer League. Since then, Wiggins has been the at the main attraction in Vegas and at the center of constant trade rumors.
As he sat on the bench early in Friday's game, a section of the crowd at the Thomas & Mack Center stood and chanted: "We want Wig-gins!"
"It's been crazy, but it's all positive stuff," Wiggins said. "With LeBron coming back, there's nothing negative about that; the best player in the world coming to your team. The organization is on the rise right now."
SOME RANDOM HEADLINES: Dwight Howard says the Rockets won't miss Chandler Parsons …Channing Frye never considered giving the Suns a hometown discount … Udonis Haslem signs two-year deal to stay with the Heat …LeBron James is asking for help on deciding which jersey number he'll wear in his return to Cleveland.
ICYMI(s) of The Night: A sequence like this illustrates why Paul George is among the best two-way players in the game today …:
VIDEO: Paul George gets the steal and then caps the break with a fancy jam


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Web ID: 6729350
American Imaginations Bow Rectangle Floor Mount Single Hole Center Faucet Vanity Set
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The fine folks over at Harris might be best known for their polling work during the lead-up to election season, but the company actually works year round, gauging public opinion on a wide variety of issues. This week, they decided to tackle the movie industry and more specifically, why people are or are not venturing out to the theater. Like most extremely detailed reports, this one is filled with a lot of numbers and pretty obvious revelations, but upon closer examination, it's actually overflowing with a ton of fascinating information about how our movie-going habits are collectively changing and staying the same too.
Luckily, rather than having to read all the graphics and jump to these conclusions yourself, I've gone through and picked out 5 fascinating little tidbits that point to larger trends. You can thank me later. In the meantime, here are the things you really need to know…
1. Safety Is Not A ConcernWhen asked why people stayed away from the movies, a majority pointed to concession prices, rude moviegoers and advertisements, while issues of safety wasn't a common enough answer to even be talked about. Obviously, these responses were given long before yesterday's texting tragedy, but they were given well after the Dark Knight Rises shooting. That means, while safety was on the forefront of people's minds in the wake of the initial tragedy, Americans eventually settled back in and returned to one of their favorite pasttimes. The same will no doubt occur now. We could see metal detectors. We could see some slight safety alterations, but Americans, on the whole, will always feel comfortable at the theater.


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Stockton, CA
Rosa A. Morones
Sept. 16, 1951 - April 27, 2013
Rosa graduated from Edison High School in 1970. The loving wife to the late Steve Morones. Beloved
daughter to the late Benedito Avitia and Mary Avitia. Preceded in death by sisters and brother,
Irene Andes, Mary Banks,
Caroline Vega, Josephine Avitia and Benny Avitia. Mother of Steve B. Morones, Rosie M. Morones, Josephine M. Correa, Jesse M. Correa, Sarah R. Correa and
son-in-law Brian J. Sweeney. Grandmother of Gabrielle G. Barela, Marrisa I. Morones,
Joseph N. Garza, Jaden C.
Porras and Brian J. Sweeney Jr.
Cherished sister of Evelyn
Coronado, Gloria Prieto, Angelina Segura, Alicia Avitia, Connie Fendlay and many nieces and
Thank you mom for being such a wonderful example of strength, beauty and kindness. Never will we forget you as a loving mother, nana, sister, aunt and friend. You will be missed and forever be in our hearts.
Visitation is Thursday, May 2, 2013, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at Casa Bonita Funeral Home, 2500 Cemetery Lane, Stockton. A Mass will be Friday, May 3 at 9:00 a.m. at St. Linus Catholic Church, 2620 S. B St., Stockton. Private


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In Review :: YES! Music Picks
Musical inspiration while putting out this issue
Steve Earle's latest album revisits some of the most iconic songs of Townes Van Zandt. These covers seem less fresh exploration than a friendly eulogy. Earle channels Van Zandt's storytelling with precision, and yet manages to lean into the songs just enough to remind you it's Earle. And in the end, the world can never have too many versions of "To Live is to Fly."
Pancho and Lefty, by Steve Earle.
To Live is to Fly, by Steve Earle.
The songs of Norwegian Sami rights activist and folk musician Mari Boine tend toward haunting, all the more hypnotic for being performed in her native language. Songs mix traditional folk songs and instrumentation of the North Sami native culture with more modern rock influences.
Vuoi Vuoi Me, by Mari Boine
In the Hand of the Night, by Mari Boine
Not Far Now
Masterful folk artist Richard Shindell's first original album since 2004 includes songs set in his adopted home of Argentina. This long-awaited, partly fan-financed album does not disappoint.
State of the Union, by Richard Shindell.


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SQL Server 2008 introduces the HIERARCHYID data type, which is designed to support storing and manipulating data representing a hierarchy. Examples of hierarchies that you might need to represent in a SQL Server database include employee organizational charts, folder lists, forum discussions, and so on. This article is the first in a two-part series about the new HIERARCHYID data type. This month I'll introduce you to the new data type, and I'll explain how to define and index the table that will hold the hierarchy data, how to insert new nodes into the table, and how to query the hierarchy. Next month I'll explain how to handle changes in the hierarchy (e.g., reparenting nodes) and how to convert a traditional parent-child hierarchy (aka an adjacency list) to a representation with the new HIERARCHYID data type.
Related: Part 2: SQL Server 2008's HierarchyID
Creating and Populating the Hierarchy
The HIERARCHYID data type provides the means to store and manipulate data representing a hierarchy. HIERARCHYID is a system-supplied CLR type with a set of methods that allow manipulation of the type. The methods supported by the type include GetLevel, GetRoot, GetDescendant, ToString, Parse, IsDescendantOf, GetAncestor, GetReparentedValue, Read, and Write. I'll describe some of the methods this month and some next month.
The type internally holds a binary value as large as 892 bytes that represents the path of ancestors leading to the current node. The value positions the current node among other nodes in the hierarchy—both in terms of parent-child positioning, and in terms of positioning among siblings. For example, if you use the HIERARCHYID data type to represent a hierarchy of employees, the value holds the path of all managers leading to the current node; the value represents the correct manager-subordinate relationships, and even the correct position among direct subordinates of the same manager, in case there's a need for it.
The HIERARCHYID type provides topological sorting—a term taken from graph theory—meaning that the value of a node is greater than the values of all ancestors of the node and less than the values of all descendants of the node. The fact that the type provides topological sorting means that when sorting by HIERARCHYID values, a child would always appear in the output after the parent.
I'll use a hierarchy of employees in my examples. Run the code in Web Listing 1 to create the Employees table, as well as indexes on the table to support querying the hierarchy. The hid column in the Employees table (see Web Table 1) is of a HIERARCHYID data type, and it represents the position of the current employee in the hierarchy. Notice the computed persisted column called lvl that is defined by a call to the GetLevel method of the hid column. The GetLevel method returns the level of the node in the hierarchy, starting with 0 for the root, 1 for the direct subordinates of the root, and so on.
Besides creating the Employees table, Web Listing 1 also contains statements that create two indexes to support querying the hierarchy; the first is a unique clustered index created on the hid column and the second is a unique nonclustered index created on the lvl and hid columns. These indexes implement two indexing strategies called depth-first and breadth-first, respectively. The depth-first index organizes all members of a subtree (manager and all subordinates in all levels) close to each other; therefore it will support requests to return a whole subtree. This index will also support requests to sort the hierarchy by the hid column (in topological order). The breadth-first index organizes all members of the same level close to each other; therefore it will support requests for siblings from the same level (e.g., a request for all direct subordinates of a manager). Later in the article, I'll demonstrate such requests and the way they are optimized.
To insert a new row into the Employees table representing a new employee in the hierarchy, you need to generate a HIERARCHYID value for the hid column. The value should represent the correct position of the employee in the hierarchy. You can use methods of the type to help in this task. For the root of the hierarchy—the big boss or the CEO—you can use the HIERARCHYID::GetRoot static method. This method simply produces a HIERARCHYID value that is internally an empty binary string representing the root of the tree. If the new node you are adding is not the root, you can produce the HIERARCHYID value for the new node by invoking the method GetDescendant on the hid value of the manager of the new node. This method accepts two HIERARCHYID inputs; I'll call them @lft and @rgt. If both values are not NULL, the method produces a new value positioned between the two. If both are NULL, the method produces a value simply below the manager at hand. If @lft is not NULL and @rgt is NULL, the method produces a value greater than @lft. Finally, if @lft is NULL and @rgt is not NULL, the method produces a value smaller than @rgt.
Run the code in Web Listing 2 to create the usp_ AddEmp procedure that is in charge of adding a new node into the hierarchy. If the new employee is the root employee, the procedure uses the HIERARCHYID:: GetRoot static method to produce the HIERARCHYID value for the new employee. If the new employee is not the root, the procedure first obtains the hid value of the new employee's manager, as well as the maximum hid value among the direct subordinates of that manager. The procedure then uses the GetDescendant method to produce the hid value of the new employee as the last node under the given manager.
To populate the Employees table with sample data, run the code in Web Listing 3. As long as the hierarchy doesn't contain a large number of levels, the HIERARCHYID values are quite economical.
The HIERARCHYID data type also exposes a method called ToString that produces a canonical string representation of the hierarchical value as a path using a slash as a separator between levels. Unlike the raw binary representation of a HIERARCHYID value, the string representation produced by ToString is more meaningful to the naked eye. For example, the ToString method returns the string '/2/1/1/3/' for the HIERARCHYID value 0x6AD6F0. You can easily see in the string representation of the value that the node is positioned at level 4, and that it's the child of the parent node with the path '/2/1/1/'. To convert a given canonical string representation of a hierarchical value to HIERARCHYID, you can either use the static method HIERARCHYID::Parse, or simply use the CAST or CONVERT functions. For example, the expression CAST('/2/1/1/3/' AS HIERARCHYID) returns the HIERARCHYID value 0x6AD6F0.
To return the current contents of the Employees table, along with the logical string representations of the hid values, run the following query:
SELECT hid, hid.ToString() AS path, lvl, empid, empname, salary FROM dbo.Employees ORDER BY hid;
This query returns the output shown in Web Table 1.
Querying the Hierarchy
Now that I've covered how to create and populate the hierarchy, I'll explain how to query the hierarchy to answer common requests such as sorting the hierarchy, and returning a subtree, a path, direct subordinates, and so on.
Remember that earlier I mentioned that the HIERARCHYID type provides topological sorting. So if you want to sort the employees such that a subordinate will be returned after a manager, you can simply sort by the hid column. You can use the lvl column to produce indentation, replicate some string lvl times, and concatenate the employee name. The following query demonstrates both sorting topologically and producing indentation:
SELECT empid, REPLICATE(' | ', lvl) + empname AS emp FROM dbo.Employees ORDER BY hid;
Web Table 2 shows the output of this query, and Web Figure 1 shows the execution plan. Notice in the plan that the depth-first index created on the hid column is used here efficiently, preventing the need for a sort operation.
To return a manager and all his or her subordinates in all levels, you can use the IsDescendantOf method. This method is invoked for a given HIERARCHYID value, and accepts a HIERARCHYID value as input. This method returns 1 if the input employee is a descendant of the given employee, and 0 if it isn't. As an example, the following query returns Ina (employee 3) and all of her subordinates in all levels:
SELECT C.empid, C.empname, C.lvl FROM dbo.Employees AS P JOIN dbo.Employees AS C ON P.empid = 3 AND C.hid.IsDescendantOf(P.hid) = 1;
The query joins two instances of the Employees table, one called P, representing the parent/manager, and the other called C, representing children/subordinates. The ON clause filters only the row for employee 3 from the P instance, and using the IsDescendantOf method, filters all subordinates of employee 3 from the C instance. Web Table 3 shows the output of this query, and Web Figure 2 shows the execution plan.
Notice in the plan that the depth-first index created on the hid column is used here efficiently, scanning the consecutive range of rows at the leaf with Ina (employee 3) and all her subordinates in all levels. The range appears in the plan as >= P.hid and <= Expr1004. If you inspect the Compute Scalar operator that calculates Expr1004, you will find that it represents P.hid.DescendantLimit(), which is the maximum possible value under P.hid.
You can limit the number of levels of subordinates to return below the given manager by filtering the level difference between the subordinate and manager. For example, the following query returns Ina and all of her subordinates up to two levels below her:
SELECT C.empid, C.empname, C.lvl FROM dbo.Employees AS P JOIN dbo.Employees AS C ON P.empid = 3 AND C.hid.IsDescendantOf(P.hid) = 1 WHERE C.lvl - P.lvl <= 2;
To return all managers of a given employee in all levels, you need to make minor revisions to the query that returns a manager and all subordinates in all levels. Simply filter only the given employee from the C instance (subordinates) instead of the P instance (managers), and return the attributes from the P instance. For example, this query returns Didi (employee 14) and all her managers in all levels:
SELECT P.empid, P.empname, P.lvl FROM dbo.Employees AS P JOIN dbo.Employees AS C ON C.empid = 14 AND C.hid.IsDescendantOf(P.hid) = 1;
The output of this query (i.e., Didi and her managers) is shown in Web Table 4.
If you want to limit the number of levels to return, simply add a filter on the level difference between the subordinate and the manager. For example, the following query returns Didi and two levels of managers above Didi:
SELECT P.empid, P.empname, P.lvl FROM dbo.Employees AS P JOIN dbo.Employees AS C ON C.empid = 14 AND C.hid.IsDescendantOf(P.hid) = 1 WHERE C.lvl - P.lvl <= 2;
To get direct subordinates of a given manager, you will find the GetAncestor method useful. This method operates on a HIERARCHYID value (call it v), and accepts an integer (call it l) as input. This method returns the HIERARCHYID value of the ancestor who is one level above v. As an example, the following query shows how to return all direct subordinates of Eitan (employee 2):
SELECT C.empid, C.empname FROM dbo.Employees AS P JOIN dbo.Employees AS C ON P.empid = 2 AND C.hid.GetAncestor(1) = P.hid;
This query filters only the row for employee 2 from the instance P, and returns all employees from the instance C for whom the manager one level above is employee 2. The output for this query is shown in Web Table 5, and the execution plan is shown in Web Figure 3. Notice in the plan that the breadth-first index created on lvl and hid is used here.
Similarly, if you want to return all subordinates of Eitan, two levels below, simply specify 2 as the input to the GetAncestor function:
SELECT C.empid, C.empname FROM dbo.Employees AS P JOIN dbo.Employees AS C ON P.empid = 2 AND C.hid.GetAncestor(2) = P.hid;
More To Come
You can use SQL Server 2008's new HIERARCHYID data type to maintain and query hierarchical data. In this article I discussed performance aspects of the data type and explained how different indexing strategies can support different types of requests. Next month I'll explain how you can reparent nodes, move complete subtrees, and convert a traditional parent-child representation of a hierarchy to one that uses the new HIERARCHYID data type.


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It's eagle versus hawk and we aren't talking about football.
The Eagle Cam at New Jersey's Duke Farms captured a bald eagle defending its nest from a red-tailed hawk.
Video shows the eagle pouncing as the hawk swoops toward the eagle's hatchlings early Sunday afternoon at the Hillsborough wildlife farm. Feathers flew and the hawk ended up dead on its back.
VIDEO: Watch The Eagle vs. Hawk Fight Here
The eagle is then seen feasting on the remains. Throughout the week the two eagle parents and two eaglets dined on the carcass. By Friday only the tail feathers and inedible parts of the hawk were left, according to a Duke Farms spokeswoman.
The bald eagles have raised nearly 15 hatchlings since 2005. Duke Farms installed the camera in 2008.
Duke Farms Director of Stewardship Thom Almendinger tells the Courier News of Bridgewater the weirdest thing he's seen before the hawk attack was the eagles bringing a whole fawn to their brood.
"I'm sure it happens often, but it's not caught on video very often," Almendinger told the Courier News. "It was pretty wild."


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Suffolk, ss. Division of Administrative Law Appeals
John O'Callaghan,
v. Docket No. CR-06-613
Boston Retirement Board,
Appearance for Petitioner:
Michael C. Akashian, Esq.
Landman, Akashian, LLP
38 Chauncy Street, Suite 1002
Boston, MA 02111
Appearance for Respondent:
Edward McKenna, Esq.
66 N Street
South Boston, MA 02127
Administrative Magistrate:
Sarah H. Luick, Esq.
Pursuant to G.L.c.32, §16(4), the Petitioner, John O'Callaghan, is appealing the calculation of his accidental disability retirement allowance. Mr. O'Callaghan filed an appeal by letter of September 11, 2006 after determining from a breakdown of his retirement allowance, that certain income items he received through his collective bargaining agreement (CBA) were not included in the calculation of his retirement allowance. (See, Exs. 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5) A hearing was held September 9, 2007, at the offices of the Division of Administrative Law Appeals (DALA), 98 North Washington Street, 4th Floor, Boston, MA 02114, pursuant to G.L.c.7, §4H.
Various documents are in evidence. (Exs. 1 - 8. Exhibit 8 was filed post hearing and is an affidavit with attached letter of Edward J. O'Brien, Jr., the Boston Retirement Board's Manager of Client Services.) One tape was used. The parties entered into some stipulations of facts. ("A") Mr. O'Callaghan testified. The record was held open to find out what income items were included and which ones were excluded from Mr. O'Callaghan's retirement calculation. ("B") This was received by October 26, 2007 when the record closed. Both parties made arguments on the record.
1. John O'Callaghan, d.o.b. 2/9/56, worked as a Correction Officer (CO) for the Suffolk County Sheriff's Department with Boston Retirement System membership from December 1, 1982. He was a CO I, and reached step 9 in his pay grade. He was subject to a CBA. ("A". Exs. 3, 4 & 5. Testimony)
2. Mr. O'Callaghan was injured while in the performance of his duties on September 30, 2002. He received workers compensation for his time lost from work. He thereafter, sought and was successful in receiving an award of accidental disability retirement benefits, with an effective date of retirement of January 4, 2003. He retired under Option C. He had twenty years and two months of creditable service. ("A". Exs. 3, 4, 5 & 6. Testimony)
3. Mr. O'Callaghan's CBA set forth his base salary as a CO-I at step 9, and other income payments he was entitled to receive. The CBA that was pertinent to his retirement calculation was the one covering July 1, 2000 through June 30, 2003. (Ex. 7)
4. The CBA at Article XIX. Compensation, Section 1E, showed that a CO I at Step 9, effective July 6, 2002 had a base pay of $914.67, which annualized was $52,450.84. This was his base pay level at the time he sustained his work injury of September 30, 2002. (Exs. 7 & 8. Testimony)
5. The CBA at Article XIX. Compensation, Section 10. Shift Differential, provided for "$1.05 per hour for all regularly scheduled actual hours work on a night shift." This applied to Mr. O'Callaghan's work schedule, and an annualized amount of this differential was $42.00. (Exs. 5, 7 & 8. Testimony)
6. The CBA at Article XIX. Compensation, Section 8. Longevity, provided for incremental additional pay amounts to the COs based on the number of years of service they had. It was paid annually. The pertinent portion of the provision read: "[T]here shall be a program as follows: … D. Employees with twenty (20) years of service … but less than twenty-five - $700.00." (Exs. 5, 7 & 8. Testimony)
7. The CBA at Article XIX. Compensation, Section 11. Public Safety Differential, provided for "$1.30 per hour for employees in grades CO-1, CO-2, and CO-3 for all regularly scheduled actual hours worked." This applied to Mr. O'Callaghan's work schedule, and an annualized amount of this differential was $52.00. (Exs. 5, 7 & 8. Testimony)
8. The CBA at Article XIX. Compensation, Section 14. Fitness Bonus, provided: "Employees who annually meet the requirements of the Municipal Employer's voluntary 'Wellness and Fitness' program will receive a cash payment of $800.00, payable no later than December 15th each year." Mr. O'Callaghan received this payment before but not after his September 2002 work injury. (Exs. 5, 7 & 8. Testimony)
9. The CBA at Article XIII. Holidays, Sections 1 and 2, listed holidays Mr. O'Callaghan would receive as well as pay he would receive if he worked on them. Group A holidays were: New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. If he worked a Group A holiday, he received in addition to his regular pay, "compensation or compensation time, … calculated at the rate of time and one-half for each hour worked." If that holiday was on his "regularly scheduled days-off, vacation or other authorized day-off," he received "in addition to … regular weekly compensation, an additional day's pay or an additional day-off." Group B holidays were ten other holidays during the year. If Mr. O'Callaghan worked on such a holiday, or if it fell on his "regular day-off, vacation, or other authorized day-off," he received in addition to his "regular weekly compensation, an additional day's pay or an additional day-off." Nevertheless, Section 3 provided that "the Sheriff reserves and retains the right to determine whether an employee who is called in to work on a holiday shall receive additional time-off or additional pay." Mr. O'Callaghan received holiday pay. (Ex. 7. Testimony)
10. The CBA at Article XVIII. Miscellaneous, Section 2. Uniforms, provided for an allowance, which Mr. O'Callaghan received. The provision stated it was "an annual clothing allowance for the prior calendar year," and was $750.00 per year. (Exs. 5 & 7. Testimony)
11. In connection with his retirement, the Suffolk County Sheriff's Department reported to the Boston Retirement Board that Mr. O'Callaghan had a base pay rate of CO-1, and that on September 30, 2002, the date of injury, he was at step 9 receiving $914.67. The Sheriff's Department reported he received the public safety and night differentials of $52.00 and $42.00, respectively, and the annual longevity payment based on twenty plus years of service of $700.00. The Sheriff's Department reported he received the uniform and fitness annual payments of $750.00 and $800.00, respectively. The additional income items he received totaled $3,258.67. (Ex. 5)
12. The Boston Retirement Board did not accept each of the payments Mr. O'Callaghan received as being regular compensation for use in calculating his retirement allowance. The Board did not include Mr. O'Callaghan's holiday pay, longevity payment, fitness allowance or uniform allowance. (Exs. 3, 4 & 8)
13. The Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission (PERAC) approved the Boston Retirement Board's calculations and award of accidental disability retirement benefits under Option C, effective January 4, 2003. (Ex. 6)
14. Once Mr. O'Callaghan gained knowledge that some of the payments he received through his CBA had not been used in calculating his retirement allowance, he filed an appeal with the Contributory Retirement Appeal Board (CRAB) by letter of September 11, 2006. In making this appeal, he was not responding to any letter issued to him by the Boston Retirement Board that explained these exclusions from his retirement calculation or that contained his appeal rights to CRAB. (Exs. 1, 2 & 3. Testimony)
There are two prior cases on point with Mr. O'Callaghan's circumstances: Robert T. O'Brien v. Boston Retirement Board, CR-06-60 (DALA, 3/2/07) (No CRAB Decision); and, Gary Bolles v. Boston Retirement Board, CR-06-389 (DALA, 9/14/07) (No CRAB Decision). Both Mr. O'Brien and Mr. Bolles were COs in the Suffolk County Sheriff's Department. Both were employed subject to a CBA like Mr. O'Callaghan was. Both retired like Mr. O'Callaghan with accidental disability retirement benefits. Mr. O'Brien retired effective November 30, 2001. Mr. Bolles retired effective February 27, 2004. Both received, like Mr. O'Callaghan did, shift differential additional payments along with holiday pay, longevity pay, uniform allowance, and fitness allowance. The calculations of their retirements by the Boston Retirement Board contained the same exclusions of such payments as Mr. O'Callaghan's did. These exclusions were upheld as valid in both cases other than the failure to include the longevity annual payments and the uniform annual allowances. Mr. O'Callaghan's appeal has the same outcome.
The Boston Retirement Board was correct in using Mr. O'Callaghan's base salary from his CBA on the date of his injury for purposes of his retirement calculation. This is due to the instruction in G.L.c.32, §7(2) which states in pertinent part:
Upon retirement under the provisions of this section
a member shall receive an accidental disability
retirement allowance to become effective on the date
the injury was sustained or the hazard on account of
which he is being retired was undergone, or on the
date six months prior to the filing of the written
application for such retirement with the board and
his respective employer, or on the date for which he
last received regular compensation for his employment
in the public service, whichever date last occurs.
In terms of the various pay differentials Mr. O'Callaghan received, the Boston Retirement Board acted properly in including his annualized night differential as well as his annualized public safety differential. This is consistent with Boston Association of School Administrators and Supervisors v. Boston Retirement Board, 383 Mass. 336 (1981), which explains how such pay differentials have to be routine, regular, repeat, predictable, and automatically given out, and not just to one employee, to be regular compensation. Whether or not retirement deductions were taken from the amounts received for the differentials each year is not dispositive of whether or not the payments were regular compensation. Bower v. CRAB, 393 mass. 427 (1984) The more recent case of Bulger v. CRAB, 447 Mass. 651, 656 and 658 (2006) re-affirms the determinations made in these two cases as to what regular compensation can include, while recognizing how employees may be paid for their work in distinct ways.
These considerations apply as well to Mr. O'Callaghan's annual longevity payments and to his annual uniform allowance. The longevity payment was regular compensation as it was paid out automatically to all COs according to a set system that reflected only their years of service. It was not paid out in a higher amount once the employee gave notice of retirement, and was not a bonus. It was regular compensation because it was routinely and regularly paid, even if paid just annually and not in regular amounts during the year, and even if it was received by COs who were retiring. See, Christenson v. CRAB, 42 Mass.App.Ct. 544 (1997). Likewise, the annual uniform allowance was paid out annually and automatically to all COs on a routine and regular basis. It was not a bonus. It was not triggered by the CO retiring. Both of these payments were regular compensation erroneously excluded from the calculation of Mr. O'Callaghan's retirement allowance.
In contrast were the fitness payments and the holiday payments. The fitness payment was not paid out automatically. Rather, it was only received when the CO passed the annual fitness test. The employee had to earn it. As per G.L.c.32, §1's definition of regular compensation, holiday pay can be regular compensation only for police officers, fire fighters and other employees of municipal departments who work as signal operators or signal maintenance repairmen. CO employees of the Suffolk County Sheriff's Department do not satisfy that very specific criteria. Otherwise, Section 1 treats holiday pay as overtime pay which is excluded from being regular compensation. Mr. O'Callaghan cannot have such holiday pay be part of his retirement calculation.
Consistent with the foregoing determinations, the case is remanded to the Boston Retirement Board to re-calculate Mr. O'Callaghan's accidental disability retirement allowance to include, in addition to what the Board has already included above and beyond his base salary at the time of his accident, his longevity payments and his uniform allowances.
Sarah H. Luick, Esq.
Administrative Magistrate
DATED: February 1, 2008
This information is provided by the Division of Administrative Law Appeals .


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When it finally became clear that George W. Bush would be the 43rd President of the United States, a worried US Representative Bernie Sanders asked the Congressional Research Service for a list of all the legislation that outgoing President Bill Clinton had vetoed in his second term. Sanders theorized that the list, which ran from a sweeping cut in estate taxes to legislation banning late-term abortions, would form the basis of the new President's legislative agenda in 2001.
"It's logical; these are bills that passed the last Congress with solid majorities of Republicans and conservative Democrats, and that were only stopped with a veto," says Sanders, an independent who caucuses with the Democrats but does not cloak his frustration with the party's failure to champion a progressive agenda. "If the Republicans are smart, they'll start moving a lot of these bills through quickly, get Bush to sign them and spin the story that the new President has broken the gridlock."
Even as many Bush critics continue to focus on reviewing county-by-county returns from Florida, Sanders is moving fast in hopes of thwarting the GOP plan. "By knowing the issues that the Bush people are likely to move on, by getting the word out, I'm hoping that we can rally grassroots opposition–turn some of the anger at how Bush got elected into issue-based activism," he says. Without such pressure, Sanders fears, the Republicans "will pass a lot of legislation, and they will begin to construct the fantasy that Bush, against all expectations, is a successful President."
The biggest concern of Sanders and other progressives is that the fantasy will be aided, not hindered, by Democrats who think they can play nice with Bush early on and then channel fury over the 2000 election into a Congressional sweep in 2002 and a reclaiming of the White House in 2004. "Either we break up this congenial, very nice, big-smile lie of bipartisanship or we will see our message corrupted by the suggestion that Democrats and Republicans really aren't all that different," says Democratic Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. "If that happens, we will make it look like Ralph Nader was right when he said there were no differences between the parties, and we will lose any advantage coming out of the 2000 election."
It is not difficult to imagine how House and Senate Democrats might hand Bush the tools he needs. The Bush-as-uniter spin is already being sold–tune in to most mainstream political punditry and you'll hear the theory that the 107th Congress will spend two years straddling the political fifty-yard line as power rests in the hands of "moderate" blueblood Republicans like Senator Lincoln Chafee and Representative Amo Houghton, along with conservative Blue Dog Democrats like Representative Charles Stenholm and Senator John Breaux. To hear the pundits tell it, Stenholm, Breaux and their Blue Dog and slightly more moderate New Dog colleagues are the new kings of the hill–compromise-prone Democrats whom their own party leaders cannot afford to lose and whom the Bush Administration will not be able to ignore. With Congress more closely divided than at any point in recent American history–the GOP controls the House by only ten seats and the Senate is evenly divided, with Vice President Dick Cheney the tiebreaking vote–and with a President "swept" into office by a disputed 5-to-4 Supreme Court decision, the theory goes that legislation passing this Congress will have to be vetted by a coterie of centrist Democrats and Republicans.


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DropTank needed a new other design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 92 designs submitted by 25 freelance designers.
We are a rock and roll band from Sydney Australia. Like Motorhead/ACDC, but female fronted
Rock band Drop Tank need artwork for their new EP "Vice"
We have some kind of idea of what we want it to look like, but there is still a lot of room available for creativity. These CDs will be sent to many cool places and people - and we will include your name on it if its really good.
To get a feel for the band please check out our new songs here;
Please note these songs have not been mastered so they are on a secret myspace page. The name hotboxmotherfucker has nothing to do with the band.
15-35 year olds
This is the most important part. We want some kind of cartoon car involved. It must be in some kind of action, ie crashing, speeding, speeding at the viewer, tilting, the more demonic/crazy/fun looking the better. (Think Mad Max or perhaps something futuristic even) The cover will need our band name (Drop Tank) and the EP name (Vice) on it.
If anyone has any alternate ideas which still suit the theme, ie car, machinery, vice we welcome those too. It doesnt nececarily have to be cartoon. The MAIN SONGS to take inspiration from are Medicine and Drop Tank. All lyrics for all songs can be found under "lyrics" on http://www.myspace.com/hotboxmotherfucker
THE COVER IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART, so please put most of y our energy into that.
2. CD artwork ( to be printed on the disc). How about a beat up hubcab (ie the disc looks like a beat up hub cap) it can be dented, scratced, something off a muscle car. It would be great if the back ground artwork under the disc (ie in the cover under the disc) could be the part of the wheel that the hub cab fits into. (ie take off the disc and there is the wheel without the hubcap underneath)
3. Inside page (next to disc when folded closed) will be a pic of the band and band member names, plus thank yous. We will put the image and info up later in the competition, if available. (If not we will need you to help us out later if not done in time) All you will need to do is fit the image and space the info.
4. Back cover. The artwork could continue from the artwork in the front cover. You could also use ideas from the lyrics from other songs, but its up to you if you want to just stick with the car/mechanical theme. Lyrics will also be on the myspace.
Track listing 1. Murder 2. Medicine 3. Drop Tank 4. She's A Bookie 5. Juliette . Instead of using numbers, you could use symbols as bullet points - ie little knives or medical flasks.
* Who evers artwork we choose - IMPORTANT - WE WILL NEED TO WORK WITH YOU AFTER THE COMPETITION IF ANY LITTLE CHANGES ARE NEEDED. - For example, changing Song name order, or altering cover artwork (only slightly) if we want to release it as a single. We also need to use the artwork for our myspace and promotion of EP so different forms of your artwork will be needed ie myspace banner, using the logo that you have created etc. You dont need to sort out our myspace, we would just need your artwork in illustrator format.
Any questions, please ask: firstname.lastname@example.com
I will be checking 99Designs everyday. Good luck and thanks!!


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Chevrolet has a reputation for producing reliable, economical, technologically advanced automobiles.
At Leos Auto Repair in Lomita, CA we make it our number one priority to keep your Chevrolet running efficiently with regular service, maintenance and repair. Automotive maintenance is important to keeping your vehicle running in top condition and lasting long into the future. We provide a 30 – point inspection for your Chevrolet with any service to help limit the amount of repairs needed for your vehicle
Some of the scheduled maintenance & services that your Chevrolet car, truck or SUV may need include:
Brake Services
Cooling Systems
Power Steering
Drive Line
Fuel / Induction
Climate Control
Belts and Hoses
Muffler / Exhausts
Oil Changes
Shocks / Suspension
Scheduled Maintenance
Our Chevrolet repair and service shops are located in Lomita, CA. We proudly also serve the following areas: Palos Verdes, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills States, Harbor City, Torrance, Carson, Redondo Beach, San Pedro and surrounding areas.
We at Leo's Auto Repair look forward to being your exclusive Lomita auto repair and service shop for your Chevrolet. Click Here to contact us, or give us a call at:
1860 Pacific Coast Hwy Lomita, CA 90717
Schedule an appointment for your next Chevrolet service or repair today!


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April 6, 1928 - December 28, 2012
Black Lake, NY
Arline Phillips, 84, of Black Lake, NY passed away on Friday December 28, 2012 at the Orzac Center in Valley Stream, NY.
The daughter of the late Jacob and Reba Rabinowitz Reep, she was born on April 6, 1928 in New York City. She was predeceased by her husband James D. Phillips who died on April 20, 2006.
Arline was a teacher and guidance counselor in Monticello Central School District and was a program coordinator and grant writer for Sullivan County BOCES.
Survivors include two daughters, Sandy Stewart of Putnam, NY and Roberta Schroder and her husband, Michael of Garden City, NY; three grandchildren: Keith Karchner, Allison Schroder and Jared Schroder and one great-grandson, Spencer Goldstein.
Visitation will be on Sunday December 30 from 1:30 to 2 p.m. at Ramsay's Funeral Home, 3534 State Route 55, Kauneonga Lake, NY. Funeral services will commence at 2 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow the services at Evergreen Cemetery, Route 17B, White Lake, NY.
Funeral arrangements are by Ramsay's Funeral Homes Inc.; for directions or to send a personal condolence, please visit our website at www.ramsaysfuneralhome.com.


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Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories
Consumers who shop for holiday gifts at the Boulevard Mall in Amherst can support the Western New York Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.
The mall has named the chapter as a beneficiary of its annual "12 Days of Giving" campaign, which runs through Dec. 12.
Consumers need only take their receipts from any shopping or food purchases in the mall to the Guest Services desk and transform their dollars spent into points that they can designate for the Alzheimer's Association. The charity accruing the most points will win a donation from the mall.


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1985 CLASSIC From Florida super clean and beautiful shape 30 ft, 4 horse head to head perfect for dressage horses. dividers could come out and make…$9,999
16 ft horse/stock traiket, 7 foot inside height, center gate, rear gate with slider, spare rim and tire, LED lights, front window, width 6 feet, stall…$5,000
Totally restored! It's beautiful!$4,000
2007 Blue Ribbon aluminum, 6 horse, 4' short wall. Horse area has front drop down windows & sliding rear windows. slant gooseneck trailer with dressing…$4,700
For sale 1992 3Horse Slant with finished dressing room and rear tack. Solid floors with mats. Very clean. Good tires and brakes. Great trailer for its…$6,100
This is a beautiful trailer! It has been stored inside during the winter. We've only used it a handful of times due to having a baby and no time . We…$42,000
Great condition. Stored inside no rust. stud door, back and mid tack. saddleracks, bridle bar.$11,500
This trailer is extra tall and roomy for bigger horses: 7'4" tall and 6'8" wide. Tires are great and floors look brand new. Very minimal rust. Excellent…$5,995
2000 Featherlite # 9407 - two horse straight load trailer Dressing room, dual saddle racks! Very clean!! Low miles! New tires, brakes, and bearings…SOLD
This low mileage trailer has Newly insulated and finished off living quarters , new AC unit, new electric hook ups and outlets, new mini fridge/ microwave…SOLD


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NetWellness is a global, community service providing quality, unbiased health information from our partners. NetWellness is commercial-free and does not accept advertising.
Sunday, September 6, 2015
Incontinence in a patient with Glaucoma
What alternatives to Detrusitol etc. for incontinence are available to someone with Glaucoma?
There are many anticholinergics on the market for the treatment of over active bladder and urge incontinence, but these all must be used with caution in individuals with glaucoma. It is worth discussing the possibility of using any of these medicines with your opthamologist. Pelvic floor exercises and other types of pelvic floor biofeedback are also useful in improving urgency and urge incontinence. It would be worth discussing this with your physician or urologist.
Donald R Bodner, MD
Professor of Urology
School of Medicine
Case Western Reserve University


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Tomorrow night the biggest Minnesota boxing event of 2013 will take place: long-time favorite Matt Vanda will challenge Caleb Truax for the Minnesota middleweight championship. And, for the first time ever, I will be at ringside.
The heavily-tattoed Vanda has both won and lost a lot of fights; his record is 44-14. But he has fought some big-time boxers, like Julio Cesar Chavez, twice. Six years ago, he battled Tony Bonsante in what some regard as the biggest fight in Minnesota history. Vanda says this is his last fight.
Truax, 29, is aiming for bigger things. He is 20-1-1, with his only loss coming in a 2012 bout against former world champion Jermain Taylor, which I wrote about here. Caleb floored Taylor and came within a hair of knocking him out, but Taylor eventually won a decision. Here is the knockdown:
I have watched lots of boxing matches, but have never attended one live, so this will be a first. My son and Caleb Truax are friends, so he bought a table at ringside for the fight. My wife and I will attend along with some guests. We are looking forward to the experience, and will be rooting hard for Caleb. I will report here on Sunday, and if you follow me on Twitter (@jhinderaker) you will get updates on the action. Loree has thought for a while that it would be fun to attend a major championship fight in Las Vegas; we will see whether that belief survives an evening at ringside.


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Brad Pitt takes his newest custom motorcycle out for a spin in Beverly Hills on Saturday (October 24) and gets into a little fender bender.
The 45-year-old Inglourious Basterds actor's side-view mirror reportedly "nicked the mirror of an adjacent car and he lost balance on his bike. His motorcycle reportedly wouldn't start after it fell to the ground, so the star called his security team for a lift."
25+ pictures inside of Brad Pitt, the brash biker…


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How you get paid
Discover how you can earn a lifelong income with Utility Warehouse by helping people get an all together better deal on their Gas, Electricity, Landline, Broadband and Mobile services.
Financial freedom
Help others
Top up pension
More free time
Personal development
Meet new people
Discover how you can earn a lifelong income with Utility Warehouse by helping people get an all together better deal on their Gas, Electricity, Landline, Broadband and Mobile services.
People like you have changed their lives by becoming a Utility Warehouse Partner. Hear how some of them have benefited by watching their stories below.
Utility Warehouse offer a unique training programme, the College of Excellence, which includes both classroom and online modules. This training is widely recognised as being among the best in the industry. You will learn the skills and confidence to get off to a flying start.
Utility Warehouse is the only place you can get your Energy, Landline, Broadband and Mobile services, all bundled together. By combining services, we're able to keep costs low and make life easier for our members.
We're on a mission to become the Nation's Most Trusted Utility Supplier - the one you would recommend to your mum! We have 600,000 happy members and are growing fast throughout the UK.
The more great value services you take, the more you save
Helping you keep track of your utility spend with one monthly bill
Award-winning customer service from our UK-based team
Recommended by Which? and Moneywise magazine.
The UK's best value mobile service.
Voted best energy provider for value and service.
You'll be supported by a dedicated and hard-working team of over 800 full time employees, all based here in the UK.
A successful entrepreneur with a strong track record. Before joining Telecom Plus, he founded People's Phone, the UK's first virtual mobile network, with 10% of the UK market. He joined the Company in February 1998.
Olympic Gold Medal winner at the Sydney Games in 2000 – testament to his drive and determination.
Utility Warehouse Business Partners have helped our rapid growth for more than a decade. What is most exciting is that only 2% of households in the UK are members of our club, which means you have a big opportunity to be a part of our future success.
As well as building a residual income, there is an amazing array of rewards and incentives to enjoy:
You can qualify for a new Utility Warehouse branded Mini, which could be yours if you regularly build your business. It's a great talking point that can help you boost your income.
You can earn significant bonuses when you reach certain milestones and grow your business quickly. Learn how you get paid by watching the video on the right.
You can also drive one of the company's fleet of Porsche Boxsters for simply introducing members to this great Discount Club.
You can earn all-expenses paid holidays like the recent 5 star holiday to Las Vegas and the luxury Mediterranean cruise.
Partners can share in the success of the company through share option promotions. The options issues so far have been worth a staggering £9 million, creating huge gains for many Partners.
CEO Andrew Lindsay refers to the Utility Warehouse Partners as Team Purple. And while working to build their businesses, they get plenty of chances to meet and learn from each other at a whole host of events.
Every month, Utility Warehouse take over Pizza Express restaurants up and down the country so Partners can go for free pizza and socialise. This is the perfect opportunity to meet new people and pick up hints and tips from fellow Partners.
Every year hundreds of events take place nationwide, giving you the chance to meet likeminded people, be recognised for your achievements, and pick up valuable hints and tips.
Once you become a proud owner of your Utility Warehouse branded Mini, you'll be joining over 1,000 others in the UW Mini Owners Club.
Utility Warehouse head office has a whole floor devoted just to Partners, where you can see photos of the amazing trips Team Purple has been on, learn about the history of the company, and hear from successful Partners. There's a state of the art auditorium where you can go with your team - you're always welcome!


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WASHINGTON (AP) — District of Columbia Mayor Vincent Gray has used the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington to call for statehood for the district's 632,000 residents.
Gray says Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy is unfulfilled because the residents of the nation's capital are denied full participation in democracy.
Gray noted in a brief speech at the Lincoln Memorial on Wednesday morning that the district has more residents than two states — Vermont and Wyoming. He also says the city pays $3.5 billion a year in federal taxes but can't spend local tax dollars without approval by Congress.
He called on participants in the march to "let freedom ring" from locations around the city.


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It wasn't until I was well ensconced in my horror loving fandom that I saw the original TV mini-series adaptation of Stephen King's It.
David Fincher is back. The Sophisticult crew digs in.
William Friedkin's accomplished films gleefully stomp on and dance around the limits of representation. His single-minded, questionably scrupled, mysoginist, white male crusaders in "The French Connection" and "To Live and Die in L.A." represent some of the quintessential stuff of contemporary action heroes. "Cruising" still inspires its lion's share of debate on whether the film should be regarded as homophobic fear mongering or as a once prophetic glimpse into the potential psychological consequences of violence against the male gay community.
The Sophisticult gang and guest star Casey Criswell break down "The Hunger Games" adaptation.


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More than once while in Florida, various Phillies personnel joked before games by asking me what I was writing. "Boring these days, huh?" one said.
For the Phillies, that means full steam ahead. Consistent winning without issues or controversy. Few times this season have we been able to say that.
So it is with that where I begin to try to find something for people to concern themselves with. (That's my duty, right?) We'll start here: Brad Lidge. It was but one outing Wednesday -- 23 pitches in a complicated season for the Phillies' closer.
But it was such a terrible performance that it begs a closer look.
"He didn't have very much," Charlie Manuel said following Wednesday's 10-5 win. "He'd probably be the first one to tell you that."
Another caveat: I was never able to speak to Lidge after Tuesday or Wednesday's games. Tight deadlines for the dead tree edition of The Inquirer prohibited me from spending a great deal of time in the clubhouse.
On Tuesday, Lidge was sharp despite not having appeared in a game for eight days. Originally, soreness in his right elbow stopped Lidge from pitching in two games, but he proclaimed himself ready Sept. 10. But the Phillies didn't need him until the 14th.
His slider was sharp. He threw it nine times and it was a strike six of them. He threw his fastball for strikes, too, and closed out a one-run game with a 16-pitch ninth inning.
Then came Wednesday. The Phillies had a big lead, but Manuel wanted to use his closer on back-to-back days.
"When we got there, I wanted to use him," Manuel said. "He had pitched the night before and we have an off day tomorrow. We wanted him to throw some. We wanted to try and keep him sharp."
Manuel won't say it, but his motivations could have gone beyond keeping Lidge sharp. The manager probably wanted to see what Lidge can actually give his team right now.
There are differences in being healthy. A pitcher can be healthy enough to throw a ball. And a pitcher can be healthy enough to actually pitch.
In the last week, Lidge has steadfastly maintained he is healthy. No problems. The soreness is gone and so long as he doesn't try to overthrow another pitch, it shouldn't return.
And by no means am I saying Lidge is lying. Again, we're talking about one bad outing here.
But there were quite a few red flags. Lidge couldn't throw strikes. There were a few close calls, as Manuel duly noted, but there were a lot that weren't close. Lidge threw 11 fastballs on Wednesday and just two of them were strikes.
From Aug. 1 to Sept. 6, Lidge was at his best (a 0.55 ERA) because he was throwing strikes. In 16 1/3 innings, he had walked just three (against 18 strikeouts). He walked three Wednesday night while facing just five batters.
This season, Lidge's stuff isn't as good as it used to be. We've known this. His margin for error is tighter and limiting his walks is paramount to the closer's success right now.
And not only was he not throwing strikes, but his velocity was way down -- even from Tuesday. Compare:
FASTBALL (Season AVG: 91.8 mph)
SLIDER (Season AVG: 83.7 mph)
Yes, Lidge's velocity is down as a whole this season and on both days he underperformed the season averages. But Wednesday's numbers were even worse.
Again, it was one outing. But this is no doubt a situation that bears a close eye.
After issuing his third walk of the inning Wednesday -- this time allowing a run to score -- Manuel decided not to let Lidge finish the inning even with a five-run lead.
"I figured he had thrown enough," Manuel said. "He'll be all right."


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NetWellness is a global, community service providing quality, unbiased health information from our partners. NetWellness is commercial-free and does not accept advertising.
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Pediatric urology is a specialty devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of problems related to the urinary system and genitals in children.
Children cannot always say what is bothering them or answer medical questions, and are not always able to be cooperative during a medical examination. However, pediatric urologists know how to examine and treat children in a way that makes them relaxed and cooperative. Pediatric urologists often use equipment specially designed for children. (More)
Understanding Urinary and Genital Disorders (Children)
Commonly Asked Questions
Additional Information
Meet Our Experts
Jack S Elder, MD, FACS, FAAP
Research and Your Health:
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Comprehensive DescriptionRead full entry
Description of ActinobacteriaThe Actinobacteria are a group of Gram-positive bacteria. Most are found in the soil, and they include some of the most common soil life, playing important roles in decomposition and humus formation. Some form branching filaments, which somewhat resemble the mycelia of the unrelated fungi, among which they were originally classified as the Actinomycetes. All are aerobic. A few forms are pathogens, such as Mycobacterium. Some are thermophilic.


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It is possible that the main title of the report Cat Eye Syndrome is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.
Cat eye syndrome is a rare chromosomal disorder that may be evident at birth. Individuals with a normal chromosomal make-up have two 22nd chromosomes, both of which have a short arm, known as 22p, and a long arm, called 22q. However, in individuals with cat eye syndrome, the short arm and a small region of the long arm of chromosome 22 (i.e., 22pter-22q11) are present three or four times (trisomy or tetrasomy) rather than twice in cells of the body.
The name "cat eye syndrome" is derived from a distinctive eye (ocular) abnormality that is present in some affected individuals. This feature consists of partial absence of ocular tissue (coloboma), often affecting both eyes (bilateral). Affected ocular tissues may include the colored region (iris), the middle layer (choroid), and/or the nerve-rich innermost membrane (retina) of the eye.
Associated symptoms and findings may vary greatly in range and severity, including among affected members of the same family. While some may have few or mild manifestations that may remain unrecognized, others may have the full spectrum of malformations. However, in many cases, characteristic features of the disorder include mild growth delays before birth; mild mental deficiency; and malformations of the skull and facial (craniofacial) region, the heart, the kidneys, and/or the anal region.
More specifically, individuals with cat eye syndrome frequently have coloboma(s), downslanting eyelid folds (palpebral fissures), widely spaced eyes (ocular hypertelorism), and/or other ocular defects; misshapen ears with abnormal outgrowths of skin and small depressions in front of the outer ears (preauricular tags and pits), and/or absence (atresia) of the anal canal, with an abnormal passage (fistula) from the end portion of the large intestine (rectum) into abnormal locations (e.g., the bladder, vagina, or perineum). Additional features may commonly include variable congenital heart (cardiac) defects, kidney (renal) abnormalities, skeletal defects, and/or other physical findings.
MAGIC Foundation
6645 W. North Avenue
Oak Park, IL 60302
Tel: (708)383-0808
Fax: (708)383-0899
Tel: (800)362-4423
Email: email@example.com
Internet: http://www.magicfoundation.org
National Center for Chromosome Inversions
1029 Johnson Street
Des Moines, IA 50315
Tel: (386)752-1548
Email: email@example.com
American Liver Foundation
39 Broadway, Suite 2700
New York, NY 10006
Fax: (212)483-8179
Tel: (800)465-4837
Email: http://www.liverfoundation.org/contact/
Internet: http://www.liverfoundation.org
National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (NAPVI)
P.O. Box 317
Watertown, MA 02272-0317
Tel: (617)972-7441
Fax: (617)972-7444
Tel: (800)562-6265
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Internet: http://www.napvi.org
Chromosome Disorder Outreach, Inc.
P.O. Box 724
Boca Raton, FL 33429-0724
Tel: (561)395-4252
Fax: (561)395-4252
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Internet: http://www.chromodisorder.org/CDO/
American Council of the Blind
2200 Wilson Boulevard
Suite 650
Arlington, VA 22201
Tel: (202)467-5081
Fax: (202)465-5085
Tel: (800)424-8666
Email: email@example.com
Internet: http://www.acb.org/
American Heart Association
8200 Brookriver Drive
Suite N-100
Dallas, TX 75247
Tel: (214)784-7212
Fax: (214)784-1307
Tel: (800)242-8721
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Internet: http://www.americanheart.org
NIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
P.O. Box 30105
Bethesda, MD 20892-0105
Tel: (301)592-8573
Fax: (301)251-1223
Email: email@example.com
Internet: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/
NIH/National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive & Kidney Diseases
Office of Communications & Public Liaison
Bldg 31, Rm 9A06
31 Center Drive, MSC 2560
Bethesda, MD 20892-2560
Tel: (301)496-3583
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Internet: http://www2.niddk.nih.gov/
International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
P.O. Box 17864
Milwaukee, WI 53217
Tel: (414)964-1799
Fax: (414)964-7176
Tel: (888)964-2001
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Internet: http://www.iffgd.org
Children's Liver Disease Foundation
36 Great Charles Street
Birmingham, Intl B3 3JY
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 121 212 3839
Fax: +44 (0) 121 212 4300
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Internet: http://www.childliverdisease.org
UNIQUE - Rare Chromosome Disorder Support Group
P.O. Box 2189
Surrey, Intl CR3 5GN
United Kingdom
Tel: 44 0 1883 330766
Fax: 44 0 1883 330766
Email: email@example.com
Internet: http://www.rarechromo.org
Chromosome 22 Central
338 Spruce Street North
Ontario, Intl P4N 6N5
Tel: 705-268-3099
Email: email@example.com
Internet: http://www.c22c.org
MUMS National Parent-to-Parent Network
150 Custer Court
Green Bay, WI 54301-1243
Tel: (920)336-5333
Fax: (920)339-0995
Tel: (877)336-5333
Email: email@example.com
Internet: http://www.netnet.net/mums/
Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
PO Box 8126
Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8126
Tel: (301)251-4925
Fax: (301)251-4911
Tel: (888)205-2311
Email: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/EmailForm.aspx
Internet: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD
Madisons Foundation
PO Box 241956
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Tel: (310)264-0826
Fax: (310)264-4766
Email: email@example.com
Internet: http://www.madisonsfoundation.org
This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html
The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.
It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.
For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email email@example.com
Last Updated: 5/27/2008
Copyright 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.


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- Last call... (8/2/17)
- Time to put on our 'A' game (7/26/17)
- Annual Idaho State Police report offers some mixed news for county (7/19/17)
- Community Canvas effort made significant difference (7/12/17)
- Law enforcement must train to confront very evil people (7/5/17)
- Independence Day coming so don't get complacent (6/28/17)
- Angry rhetoric must stop (6/21/17)
Celebrate troops Saturday
This Saturday we celebrate the 50th anniversary of AFAD.
That's a remarkable achievement. From its very beginning, Air Force Appreciation Day has been something special. While the base has waxed and waned over the years, the support of this community for the men and women stationed there has never wavered.
From the people who take part in the parade, which in our pride we claim with considerable justification to be the state's largest, to the thousands of people who line the streets to watch it and visit the park afterward, each and every one of our citizens who turns out shows their support for the troops. And that support extends beyond the airbase to all the men and women who proudly wear the uniform of the United States' armed forces.
Since 9/11, it has been fashionable in this country to support the military. Our support has been there long before that and will continue long after all the troops come home.
This year's parade is especially poignant. It falls on the 9th anniversary of the attacks by al-Qaeda on the United States and comes as the Idaho National Guard prepares to deploy into the Mideast war zone, including many of the men and women from the local armory.
In the nine years since we were thrust into this Global War Against Terrorism, the men and women at Mountain Home AFB have been constantly deployed, sometimes as entire squadrons and, more often, in penny packets fleshing out needs in the war zones. They've driven trucks on the dangerous convoy routes, bandaged wounds, disarmed bombs, directed the air battle and provided security. The pilots of the Strike Eagles have provided pinpoint support for the ground units, even though at times they've been restrained by rules of engagement that -- and we're not kidding here -- have often required clearance from the military's lawyers before they could drop their bombs.
Some units, such as the base's security forces, have had personnel almost constantly deployed. It's been rare in the last nine years when all of those forces were home at the same time.
It's been a brutal, stressful operations tempo, which has taken its toll not only on those in uniform, but their families as well. Those families have had to stand tall and set aside their fear to continue their "normal" lives as a key spouse spends months at a time in harms way. As much as the troops deserve our praise for their bravery, each and every military family member should also be praised for their bravery. They are the silent heroes of our wars.
So turn out this weekend to help us salute both the troops and the family members who stand behind them. Say thank you every chance you get. It's one of the few rewards they will ever receive for all they do to keep our nation safe.
It's our duty and our honor to be able to do so.
- -- Posted by lilmissmelmo on Wed, Sep 8, 2010, at 6:17 PM
- -- Posted by jessiemiller on Wed, Sep 8, 2010, at 8:00 PM
- -- Posted by froggy on Thu, Sep 9, 2010, at 9:47 PM
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Wednesday, February 22, 2012
#8 / 52 Food Adventures: Romanesco Cauliflower
8 comments:
I haven't tried Romanesco but it looks delicious. Roasting cauliflower, peppers, brocollli, sweet potatoes and some onions is very good.ReplyDelete
What has it been like being a working gal once again?
My "try" this week has been to eat less and exercise more. So far my plan has been working!Replies
It's going surprisingly smoothly! No tears, no drama!Delete
I'm "trying" not to eat everything on the menu at work. It's hard standing there while they cook 18 lbs of bacon first thing in the morning.
I've never even heard of Romanesco, but I love cauliflower, especially roasted. Believe it or not, I had a food adventure this week, too, and linked up with you!ReplyDeleteReplies
Gah! I forgot the link thing, I'll add it after work and see what you tried!Delete
Ooh, I've been wondering what these taste like! I've always imagined they're what space cauliflower would look like. Here's my adventure for the week!ReplyDelete
PS - Is it easier for you if I continue posting them as a comment on each of your weeks?Replies
That would be perfect!!Delete
I've had it and it is wonderful, but it's hard to find out here in no man's land...ReplyDelete
sigh. I wish I had access to CA produce!!!Replies
Come visit for a little vacation!Delete


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Best Maloof
Once upon a time, Joe and Gavin Maloof were kings among men in this town. But the fun-loving brothers went from Maloof to Magoof when they tried earlier this year to take our once-beloved basketball team down south to Anaheim. Who would have guessed that the best Maloof of all would be a tiny, blond-tressed, stiletto-heeled Beverly Hills Housewife? On her Bravo TV show, ADRIENNE MALOOF charms us with her no-nonsense, anti-mean-girl approach to life in the 90210. In Season 1, she brought her fellow housewives to town (via private plane, natch), where she treated the ladies to a meal at Grange. Afterward, they all trooped out to Power Balance Pavillion to shoot hoops, then catch a Kings game from courtside seats. Adrienne may have a private chef, a plastic surgeon husband and gazillions in the bank, but this is one down-to-earth gal. Mwah!
Best Debut Novelist
When a Sacramento-based author gets a first novel published, it's cause for celebration. When that same author makes The New York Times best-seller list within two weeks of publication, it's reason to have a parade. Such is the case with VANESSA DIFFENBAUGH, author of The Language of Flowers, a tale of a young woman named Victoria who ages out of foster care and has nowhere to go. Through her knowledge of floriography, the 19th century study of flower symbolism and meanings, Victoria finds love, forges a career and heals her past. Diffenbaugh, a longtime foster parent, used funds from her book deal to form Camellia Network, a nonprofit organization aimed at helping young adults transition out of foster care. Now living in Massachusetts with her family, she returned to Sacramento in late August to launch the nonprofit with a fundraiser, as well as promote the novel, which was written in midtown cafes and analyzed in local writing groups. Diffenbaugh is still beloved in Sacramento, if the rousing applause she received at her Tsakopoulos Library Galleria reading and book signing is any indication. "It's exciting to be here, where I'm surrounded by people I love," she said.
Best Local Maestro
MICHAEL NEUMANN knows how to make beautiful music. For 33 seasons, he's taken bows as artistic director and conductor of the Sacramento Youth Symphony, leading the group in performances throughout the world. In 2004, he opened the Folsom Symphony's first season as music director and conductor. Today, he juggles both symphonies with aplomb. According to Folsom Symphony board president Bruce Woodbury, the maestro brings exceptional talent to Folsom. "His vast network of connections and his overall expertise in music bring so much to our stage," says Woodbury. "His reputation and style bring high-caliber musicians to the area. Performers love to work with him."
Best Local Leap to Hollywood
ANALEIGH TIPTON, former El Dorado Hills resident and St. Francis High School graduate, is redefining "triple threat": A championship ice skater as a tween, she went on to be a finalist on "America's Next Top Model" in 2008, then moved into acting. In 2011, she had roles in The Green Hornet and Crazy, Stupid, Love, working alongside box-office powerhouses Seth Rogen and Steve Carell, respectively. Her performance in Crazy, Stupid, Love as a teenage baby sitter with a crush on her employer garnered her an appearance on New York Times' film critic Karen Durbin's "Faces to Watch" list. It also landed her a starring role in Samaritan, scheduled for release in 2012. Last month, Season 3 of HBO's comedy series "Hung" featured Tipton as a schizophrenic pimp, and she can be seen in the comedy Damsels in Distress alongside fellow Sacramentan Greta Gerwig.
Next page: Arts + Entertainment
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Life can feel a bit unpredictable these days, but one thing we know for sure: Our region is full of innovative and intriguing people, places and things that make it a great place to live, work and play—always giving us fabulous fodder for our annual Best of Sacramento feature. This year, the editors have taken over, naming 41 of their favorites around town. But your voices also were heard: In our online survey at sacmag.com, everyone was invited to vote for local businesses in categories including media, retail and the arts. So enjoy the read and join us in saluting the region's best.
Best Blowout
Can you imagine anything more heavenly than a weekly professional blowout? Inspired by the blowout-only salons that cater to well-groomed Manhattanites, Folsom esthetician Carmen Gammon opened REPUBLIC BLOW OUT BAR n August 2010. Her blowout menu includes The Dirty Girl (a blowout with loads of volume), The Trophy Wife (sleek and smooth) and The Girl Next Door (lots of curls). Cost for a wash, scalp massage and blowout: $35. The blowout bar is attached to Gammon's full-service Republic Salon and can handle individual drop-ins; appointments are recommended for groups such as bachelorette parties and high school promsters. "When you leave here," says Gammon, "you're ready for whatever the night holds." 302 S. Lexington Drive, Folsom; (916) 984-4444; republicsalon.net
Best Adult Toy Store
Get your mind out of the gutter—we're not talking about X-rated toys. DRAGATOMI in midtown sells collectible art toys (aka urban vinyl) with price tags that run as high as $1,200. Owner Joanne Suavillo was already collecting the cartoonish action figures when she decided to start an online store about three years ago. She was so successful (with customers from all over the world) that she followed up with a bricks-and-mortar shop on J Street in 2009. The shop's designer toys are produced in limited quantities by artists who put their own 3-D spin on characters such as Badtz-Maru, Android and The Simpsons. Dragatomi carries all the big industry names: Kidrobot, Tokidoki, threeA Toys and Kuso Vinyl. And while the designer figures are awfully cute, they're definitely for adults. "This is not for kids," says Suavillo, "although we do have kids who buy our stuff." 2317 J St., Sacramento; (916) 706-0535; dragatomi.com
Best Discount Denim
Designer jeans can cost an arm and a leg. Not at RENEW DENIM in downtown Davis. Founded by Davis residents Samantha and Barth Ballard (both of whom have extensive experience in the retail denim industry), the store carries designer jeans at 40 to 70 percent off their original prices. Brands include Joe Jeans, J Brand, Kunna and Denim by Victoria Beckham. 222 D St., Davis; (530) 297-5326; renewdenim.com
Best Designer Vintage
When Stefan Bloom and Erin Boyle opened Scout Living, their new midtown design collective, they invited Hector Lopez to set up shop in a small alcove of the store. An avid collector, Lopez scours estate sales, flea markets, thrift stores and antiques fairs from here to Southern California for high-end vintage women's wear. His tiny shop-within-a-shop, MADEMOISELLE, is filled with his fashionable finds. He carries tons of Chanel apparel and accessories (purses, sunglasses, shoes and jewelry), plus a who's who of other big designer names: Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, YSL, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Jean Paul Gaultier, Stella McCartney, Dior and more. Clients come from as far away as San Francisco and L.A. for special pieces, such as a 1920s opera coat from Emporium Capwell and a Chanel 2.55 handbag (the iconic quilted one) that retails for $3,200. "It's simply the best designer collection in the city," says Bloom. 1215 18th St., Sacramento; (916) 594-7971; scoutliving.com
Best Sunless Tan
Esthetician Meri Thresher ran a conventional tanning salon for five years before deciding she no longer wanted to subject her clients to the UV radiation of tanning beds. So last
year, she opened the city's first sunless-only tanning salon, EYECANDY SUNLESS SPA. While you stand in front of a screen, she applies a sun-free tanning solution to your body, using a high-pressure, low-volume spray gun. For $40, you get a gorgeous golden glow that lasts up to seven days. And no UV rays! 2011 P St., Sacramento; (916) 977-3737; eyecandytanning.com
Best Bet for the Full-Figured Bride
As many full-figured brides discover, it's hard to find larger-size sample wedding gowns at most bridal salons. Recognizing this untapped market, Sandra Gonzalez opened SPARKLE, a bridal salon for women sizes 14 to 30, this past July. "A bride shouldn't have to sacrifice style just because she's a size 14," Gonzalez argues. The salon carries about 150 gowns designed specifically for larger brides, with clever construction and special boning to flatter a curvy woman's figure. The dresses (many of them strapless) are sexy and body-conscious—not, as Gonzalez puts it, "frumpy-dumpy"—at prices from $900 to $3,000. In addition to wedding gowns, the East Sac salon sells a small collection of LBDs (Little Black Dresses) in larger sizes. 3200 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento; (916) 538-6615; sparklebridalcouture.com
Best Place To Buy a Car
Buying a car can be stressful. So one automaker had a brilliant idea: Why not let consumers buy cars the same way they purchase sunglasses and blue jeans? Last November, The HYUNDAI STORE opened in Downtown Plaza. Located on the mall's ground floor, the 7,000-square-foot showroom has cars that you can test-drive as easily as trying on a sweater at nearby Macy's. Salespeople are paid a salary rather than a commission, and there's a no-haggle, fixed-price policy. "You can purchase a car in about an hour without getting beat up," says sales manager Tim Langston. "Nobody's trying to ram stuff down your throat." The first store of its kind in the country, it's a five-year pilot program; if the concept works, Hyundai plans to roll it out in other markets. 545 L St., Sacramento; (916) 444-1101; hyundaistore.com
Best Product for an Expectant Mom
Being pregnant can take a toll on your body. With this in mind, Paige Birge Smith and Jill Birge Brewer (cousins who are both mothers) created PURE BELLY WRAP. Made of bamboo, it helps keep you cool in summer and warm in winter. And, when used with creams and lotions, it may help minimize stretch marks. It's adjustable, so you can use it throughout your pregnancy. You can buy it at Goore's, Whole Foods Market in Roseville and on Pure Belly's website. purebelly.com
Best Thrift Store
Thrift stores are a dime a dozen. But one stands out from the crowd: GOODWILL'S MIDTOWN BOUTIQUE. Open since May, the 6,400-square-foot store specializes in vintage and designer-name clothing: Donna Karan New York, Dana Buchman, Calvin Klein, Ralph by Ralph Lauren, Adrienne Vittadini, Armani Collezioni, St. John and others. "We pick the best of the best," store manager Aidan MacAllister explains. "It has to be almost brand new: no holes, no stains, only garments in the greatest condition." Prices are wallet-friendly: $8 to $10 for a sweater (even cashmere), $25 to $30 for a suit. Proceeds help people with disabilities. Isn't it nice to know the dough you drop on a Burberry blazer is going to someone in need? 1621 L St., Sacramento; (916) 441-4407; goodwillsacto.org
Best Old-Fashioned Barbershop
Barbershops are a place where men come for a cut, maybe a shave, and 30 to 45 minutes of fellowship. UNLCLE JED'S CUT HUT in Oak Park is just such a place. Outside, men shoot the breeze. Inside, a row of chairs and washbasins are at the ready, and there's a big-screen TV and memorabilia on the wall. We hear the mayor even pops in on occasion to get his hair cut. 3432 Third Ave., Sacramento; (916) 452-3222
Next page: Food + Drink


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If you're curious about business information, but don't have a business background, this session is for you. We will go through the basics of what business information is, where you can find it, and how you might use it to bring additional insights to your research project. Sample topics include:
--Company information: individual company profiles; lists of companies based on common characteristics such as location and industry --Market information: demographics, lifestyles and purchasing habits of people around the world --Economic information: individual access to resources, personal expenditures, business environment characteristics by country


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The drought has been awful for farmers, but it could reap a bumper crop of good news for the seed business. With much of this year's corn harvest expected to be a disaster, analysts expect farmers to double down on seed purchases next year to get back on their feet.
"Tight seed supply is set to drive up pricing," wrote Michael Cox of PiperJaffray.
Of particular interest are a new batch of seeds bred specifically to withstand drought. The only one commercially available on a wide scale is Optimum AQUAmax by Pioneer, owned by DuPont . These seeds are hybrids using native corn traits, promising 3.4 percent better yields than other hybrids in normal years, and 7 percent better yields in drought. (Related:Obama Announces Measures to Soothe Drought Pain)
"We've sold out," said Pioneer's Todd Frazier, Central Business Unit Director, "We would've liked to have more."
Pioneer sold two million acres worth of AQUAmax this year and hopes to increase that "several fold" next year. It beat Monsanto to market, but Monsanto has its own drought-tolerant corn seed coming soon. Syngenta also has drought-tolerant corn seed which will be available on a large scale next year. Like Pioneer, Syngenta's product uses only corn traits to fight drought. DroughtGard by Monsanto, which is currently being field tested, is a biotech seed using genetic material from other plants as well to develop drought fighting characteristics.
Tuesday, Monsanto reaffirmed guidance and said DroughtGard will focus on farmers in the Plains who average 70 to 130 bushels an acre annually. That is much lower than the 160 to 200 bushels an acre farmers in the heart of the cornbelt enjoy in a normal year.
Except this is not a normal year. The U.S. Department of Agriculture currently estimates the national average on yield will be 126 bushels an acre, the lowest in 17 years.
The global seed market grew from $31 billion in 2005 to $41 billion last year, according to Mindwork Solutions. Its research estimates the market will top $58 billion by 2016, with about a third of all seeds being sold the result of some sort of genetic engineering.
If climate change is real and long term, the market for drought-tolerant seeds could be the next big profit center. Pioneer said by using only native corn traits in AQUAmax, it can sell the seeds in Europe, a market that may be closed to Monsanto's DroughtGard.
No seed can survive without some water, but Pioneer's technical staff said farmers are telling them the seeds are performing well.
"Oh, that's a good ear," said Brent Wilson as he pulled corn off an AQUAmax stalk. Wilson is Pioneer's point man with many farmers.
"When we hit some of those really dry days, the leaves will kind of curl up when they get under moisture stress, trying to protect themselves," he said, adding that farmers are telling him, "AQUAmax hybrids were able to maintain that leaf area, which is really the engine that drives yield production."
The drought is impacting Pioneer's own seed production, but Todd Frazier said the company will have enough to meet next season's demand. "We mitigate the risk in those seed fields by growing extra."
And while a seven percent better yield for seeds that cost twice as much may not sound like the best deal, Brent Wilson said any improvement will help the bottom line.
"At $8.60 corn, ka-ching, it starts to rack up," he said.
—By CNBC's Jane Wells


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Deputies: Driver attacked near Westshore Mall | News
HOLLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WZZM) -- Police are on the lookout for a man they say assaulted a woman in Holland Township.
It happened around 9 a.m. Tuesday outside of the Westshore Mall.
A 43-year-old Park Township woman was on her way to the mall when a man got out of his car, opened her door and assaulted her. After the attack the woman drove to the mall, where she called 911. The woman suffered minor injuries.
The suspect is described as a white man wearing a Carhartt jacket and black stocking cap. He was left the scene in a gray mid-size vehicle driven by someone else.
Anyone with information on the attack is asked to call the Ottawa County Sheriff's Department.


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eujin wrote:I'm not so sure about that. It all depends what forces are rallied against them. Despite spending lots of money, the Chinese have been humiliated this year (and long had problems with corruption in football themselves) and the West Asians have been humiliated for years (and long had problems with corruption in football themselves) so it wouldn't surprise me to see a few wanting to see Korea shown up in public on the grounds of "getting tough". There are plenty of people in Asian football who would love to see the Koreans taken down a notch or two. The OFC booted New Zealand out of their Olympic qualifying tournament even though they qualified for the final and ended up sending Fiji instead. Suffice to say that the Kiwis don't have many friends in the OFC, not the least reason being they keep winning everything.
The AFC risks having a finalist or even a tournament winner with a big question mark over them. That might be enough to get a few sponsors nervous. Companies like Nike have been burnt by this sort of thing in football in the past.
On the other hand, they may do nothing.
Reigning champions in danger of losing AFC Champions League spot
Yonhap News
SEOUL, Jan. 12 (Yonhap) -- Reigning Asian club football champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors could lose their chance to defend the title this year due to a bribery scandal, the South Korean pro league office said Thursday.
The K League said the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed that Jeonbuk's eligibility for this year's AFC Champions League (ACL) will be reviewed by an independent judicial body called the Entry Control Body (ECB).
The ECB is external to the AFC and was established in December 2016. It has jurisdiction on reviewing and ruling on a team's eligibility for entering AFC competitions.
Read more...


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Eternal Sonata to ship with exclusive PS3 characters and quests
Stephanie Fernandez from Namco Bandai has released some information at the PlayStation Blog about exclusive PS3 Eternal Sonata content. Since the game was announced for the PlayStation 3 we have known that there will be new story content to expand on the characters' backgrounds and motives.
It has been confirmed that there are also two new exclusive playable characters who have their own very useful and unique abilities. The development team has included some new quests, new dungeons and three new Chopin musical scores. There will be alternative costumes hidden around the game world and new items some of which are only usable by the new characters.
The game will be shipped with a extra dungeon which will only become available after the story has been completed once.
The additions look as if they will add a lot more depth to the game and will expand on an already good story. The game ships in America tomorrow, with a European release date down for early 2009.
Labels: Eternal Sonata, news, Playstation 3, PS3, PSN


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