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Ellyn Ward remembers the moment she realized how much she'd changed. "We were going to pick out our Christmas tree," says Ward, who'd given birth to her son in October. "We videotaped it because it was Gavin's first tree. When we played the tape, I saw what I really looked like -- I wasn't the same person I knew myself to be."
The weight she'd gained carrying Gavin wasn't coming off. Because she'd been overweight when she got pregnant -- five feet three inches, 170 pounds -- she'd only needed to gain 15 to 25 pounds. But she'd put on 40.
Now, two months after having Gavin, she was 184 pounds, and it really bothered her. "I'd been exercising off and on -- running on a treadmill, lifting weights a bit -- but when I found out I was pregnant, I pretty much stopped altogether," recalls Ward, of Anderson, Indiana. "That first trimester, I was so tired. And I felt like it was okay to eat anything. I wasn't worried about gaining the weight." Now she was.
She's not alone. Millions of moms don't lose all the extra pounds they put on during pregnancy. For many, having a baby is a turning point -- and not a positive one -- in a lifelong struggle with weight. "There's a school of thought that a woman's risk for obesity increases with each pregnancy," says Edith Kieffer, Ph.D., a researcher in public and maternal health at the University of Michigan.
Gaining too much during pregnancy can turn a temporary weight increase into a permanent one. In a study by Cornell University professor of nutrition Christine Olson, Ph.D., half of 540 women weighed more a year after giving birth than before getting pregnant. A quarter were more than ten pounds heavier. Not surprisingly, most of the women weren't happy with their bodies.
The consequences of putting on those pounds are more serious than not fitting into your prebaby jeans. Over time, being overweight increases your risk of breast cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other ailments. And it could cause problems for your next pregnancy.
Gaining for two?
What's the healthiest weight gain during pregnancy -- for the baby and the mom? Current guidelines outline different goals depending on a woman's weight before pregnancy:
* Underweight: 28 to 40 pounds * Normal: 25 to 35 pounds * Overweight: 15 to 25 pounds * Obese: 15 pounds
The guidelines' top priority is the health of the baby, and there are potential repercussions to gaining too much or too little. Putting on too much increases the risk of gestational diabetes (which, if not tightly controlled, can adversely affect the baby) and of labor complications. The baby may also be very large (more than ten pounds), putting him at increased risk of Type 2 diabetes. Women who gain too little weight are at risk of having a low-birth-weight or preterm baby, while outright dieting -- especially Atkins-style -- can produce compounds in the blood called ketones, which are toxic to a fetus.
How pregnancy weight gain affects a mom's health, though, isn't as well researched. Some experts think the standard 35-pound upper limit is too high, that gaining this much may contribute to obesity. Never before have women been advised to put on so much weight; prior to 1990, when these medical guidelines were developed, doctors usually advised a gain of between 20 and 28 pounds for women who start their pregnancy at a normal body weight.
A bigger problem: The guidelines are often ignored. "The range for normal-weight women -- twenty-five to thirty-five pounds -- looks pretty reasonable," says Barbara Abrams, a professor of epidemiology, maternal and child health, and public health nutrition at the University of California, Berkeley. "But only about one in three women who begin pregnancy at a normal weight stay within it. It's not that the guidelines are wrong. It's that we can't follow them."
"My obstetrician didn't give me any specific weight-gain advice," says Ellyn Ward. "He said, 'Don't worry about how much weight you gain -- be concerned with eating healthy.'" She also had a routine meeting with a nurse who "went over the food groups," but it didn't make much difference. "It was helpful advice, but I didn't follow it. I had pretty bad eating habits, and I didn't really change my lifestyle," she says.
It's women who are already battling their weight who need the most support when they're expecting. "In the early months of pregnancy, many women are concerned with gaining too much," says Bonnie Berk, a nurse and the creator of Motherwell, a fitness program for pregnant and postpartum women based in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. "But as they become larger, they give up worrying about their weight and start eating indiscriminately. I see this often with women who tend to be on diets a lot. Once they're pregnant, it's like a license to eat."
Yet only a modest increase in calories is needed to sustain a healthy pregnancy -- about 300 a day. That's as little as an extra apple and a yogurt, a turkey sandwich with lettuce and mustard on whole-wheat bread, a baked potato with a slice of cheese, or a milk shake made with low-fat ice cream. By contrast, a pint of superpremium chocolate-chip ice cream might have 700 calories.
"There's this belief that you should eat for two," says Kieffer. But that doesn't mean you need to eat twice as much as you did before. "What experts really mean is to eat better for your baby. It takes very little to add those calories to your diet, and they should come from healthy sources. Instead of having an iceberg-lettuce salad, start with dark greens like Romaine lettuce; try walnuts rather than cheese; substitute a slice of melon for pastry."
A fitter pregnancy
One way to avoid the extra-weight-gain trap when you're expecting is to exercise regularly. Doing so also helps labor go more smoothly, reduces the risk of gestational diabetes, lifts your spirits, and boosts energy. For a decade, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has been clear that most women can maintain prepregnancy workout routines -- and that healthy moms-to-be who haven't been active can start to exercise. But this advice hasn't filtered down to many women -- or their doctors.
"A lot of expectant moms are still fearful about being active," says Kieffer. "There are misconceptions about what's healthy and what's safe." It's fine to do almost any physical activity or sport -- dancing, low-impact aerobics classes, swimming, brisk walking, jogging -- at moderate intensity, as long as you don't become exhausted, dehydrated, or very overheated. Just steer clear of sports in which you're more likely to take a fall or otherwise get injured: soccer, basketball, hockey, gymnastics, horseback riding, skiing, and scuba diving.
The more a woman knows, the easier it is to get fit and stay that way throughout the pregnancy. When Heidi Sowers of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, wanted to conceive, she started going to the gym nearly every day. She'd been walking a couple of miles a day, but now she added step-climbing, treadmill running, and strength training on machines. When she found out she was pregnant, she tapered her routine to walking a mile or more each evening, plus once-a-week water aerobics and yoga.
"I know it's going to be hard to take off weight after pregnancy," said Sowers at the time. "But I think if I maintain a healthy diet and exercise, I'll be okay." (And she was. Sowers weighed 170 pounds before she got pregnant and 183 when she gave birth to her son, Mason; within a few months, her weight was 168.) Others become more active after the baby arrives. "I started exercising about five weeks after my second daughter was born, and I noticed a difference within a month," says Carolyn Mastrangelo of Roseland, New Jersey, mom of Isabella, 3, and Kate, 9 months. "The weight came off slowly but steadily after that. I ran on a treadmill for forty-five minutes four times a week." Her eating plan was just as simple: "I was careful with what I ate, but I wouldn't call it dieting. I tried to do things like eat a turkey sandwich instead of the grilled cheese I was making for my older daughter. I snacked on low-fat yogurt instead of cookies. I just made it a priority to lose the weight."
The best time to shed postbaby pounds may be that first six months. In a study by epidemiologist Brenda Rooney, Ph.D., of the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, in La Crosse, Wisconsin, women who didn't lose the weight after six months were more likely still to be overweight ten years later. "Six months isn't a magic point," says Rooney. "It's not hopeless after that, but it is a good time to take stock. Not being able to lose all the weight at the half-year mark may be an indicator that you can't get a grip on controlling your weight."
The hard part: After the baby
Having a baby transforms your life in many ways -- none of which make it easier to take good care of yourself. Suddenly there's little time or energy to prepare nutritious meals. You may feel isolated and stressed out. And then, perhaps, you go back to work full-time a few months later. Too often, food provides comfort.
The idea of exercise can seem even tougher than eating right. You may be embarrassed about working out in public, or not ready to leave your new baby with a sitter while you hop off to the gym -- not to mention that finding the time may seem impossible. Yet exercise is the single most powerful determinant of long-term weight control. According to ACOG, it's a good idea to start exercising again four to six weeks after giving birth. (If you've had a c-section, though, check with your doctor first.)
Postpartum moms are more successful at keeping up regular physical activity if they have a plan and are confident they can carry it out, studies show. Make it realistic -- one reason many women can't lose weight is that they think they can take off a lot quickly. When this doesn't happen, they get discouraged. But if you're overweight, losing even 5 or 10 percent of your body weight can have substantial health benefits, reducing your risk factors, like high blood pressure, for such chronic diseases as Type 2 diabetes. And you'll feel better about your body as well. More ideas:
Line up support. Have your husband take care of the baby so you can hit the gym, for instance. And make a vow to help each other get fitter: In Olson's study, women were more likely to exercise regularly if their partners also did so, suggesting that it helps if fitness is a family value. And it's a good example for your child!
Enlist fellow moms. There's comfort in numbers. Women who work out with a friend or join an exercise class often have more success, studies show.
Bring your baby. Find a mom-and-baby exercise class, or put on music and dance with your child. Work out to a video during one of her naps.
Be brisk. While any activity is good (even pushing a stroller at a leisurely pace), if you can get some aerobic activity into your life -- anything that gets your heart rate up -- you'll drop the pounds faster.
A healthier mom
One year after having her baby -- and nine months after her video epiphany -- Ellyn Ward is a svelte 129 pounds. She lost 55 by joining Weight Watchers. When Gavin was about 10 months old, she and a girlfriend (who also has a baby) joined the YMCA. Each morning at 8 a.m. sharp -- rain, snow, or shine -- they drive to the Y, drop off the babies in the daycare, and work out in the gym.
"I was determined to do something about my weight," says Ward, who credits her husband, Brandon, for his support. "You can't do this, though, until you have the mindset to do it yourself. Other people saying that you need to lose weight is not helpful at all. The key is to really want to do it."
The payoff is terrific. Ward believes she's a healthier mom for Gavin and that her body is in shape for a possible second pregnancy. Perhaps best of all, she just feels good about herself.
There are no simple solutions to eating right and being active when taking care of an infant. But experts agree on one thing: A new mom can't put her own needs last. Women often make an effort to eat healthfully and take care of themselves while pregnant for the sake of their baby -- but then return to unhealthy behavior when "only" their own health is at stake. Says Rooney, "I think the message we need to give moms is 'If you can do this for your baby, why not do it for yourself?'"
Shari Roan, a health writer in southern California, is the author of three books, including Our Daughters' Health. She is a mom of two daughters.


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Amid speculation regarding the United States Federal Reserve's timetable for its quantitative easing rollback schedule, nearly all dollar-based currency futures trades have moved in tandem with the expected and realized effects of economic data releases on Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke's economic outlook. Although the relative strength of the Canadian dollar is traditionally linked with the price of crude oil, the commodity's strong performance has done little to trump the waxing strength of the greenback in recent weeks, and with domestic issues mounting the justification for the current level of the Loonie has become increasingly uncertain.
The Canadian dollar has been in near-continuous decline since mid- to late-September 2012, although at its current level it is still well above its pre-recession valuation. The Canadian financial system was largely insulated against those investment instruments that dealt a deathblow to so many American institutions, but in many ways Canada seems to have slumped into a similar (though far better understood and notably better-controlled) situation as to that which brought the American system to its knees. Canadian household debt to GDP has reached 94.5% and has continued to trend higher over time, and many have grown wary of the still-skyrocketing housing market (although government mortgage insurance in Canada is far more robust than that in the United States). Though none of these issues have yet reached crisis levels, each has undoubtedly contributed to the currency's slump.
Although oil production levels are continuing to increase in Canada, the fact that climbing oil prices have done little to help prop up the Canadian dollar in the face of present domestic and dollar-relativity concerns shows that the Bank of Canada will likely find that it needs to act in an effort to balance the housing market while accommodating other domestic industries, and that the date of the U.S. Fed's taper draws nigh.
With these near term pressures likely to weigh down the Canadian dollar we can set up an options trade that offers us a great risk vs. reward setup. With September Canadian Dollar futures trading around 0.9700 we can use the options market to project a downside target for September expiration. The options market is implying a move of 0.0185 by expiration, so this gives us a downside target around 0.9515. With this target we can look to set up an options trade.
Trade: Buying the 6C Sep 0.96-.095 Put Spread for $0.002
Risk: $200 per 1 lot
Reward: $800 per 1 lot
Breakeven: 0.958
This trade sets up for a 4-1 reward to risk ratio if Canadian Dollar futures trade below 0.95 on September expiration.

subset: commoncrawl


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Delivering the largest on-disc set list in a music-rhythm game to-date, Guitar Hero World Tour is comprised entirely of master recordings from some of the greatest classic and modern rock bands of all-time including Van Halen, Linkin Park, The Eagles, Sublime and many more. Additionally, the game will offer significantly more localized downloadable music than ever before on all of the next-generation consoles. Budding rock stars will also be given creative license to fully customize everything from their characters' appearance and instruments to their band's logo and album covers.
Stan Bush's "The Touch" is available today as a free download for Guitar Hero World Tour for Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii. Additionally, gamers can download "The Touch" and compete in an online tournament starting on Friday, May 29th at 4 p.m. EDT and ending on Sunday, May 31 at 8 p.m. EDT. Winners will be rewarded with a Stan Bush autographed CD, which includes the newly re-mastered song.
To celebrate Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits launching on June 9th, gamers can download the game's theme song for free for Guitar Hero World Tour starting June 4th. The track was written, composed and performed by S.U.P.R.A.H.U.M.A.N.- Protoshredanoid, a band comprised of members from the Vicarious Visions development team. The Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits theme song will be available via the Xbox Live Marketplace, from the PlayStation store and for Wii.
In addition to a newly designed more responsive guitar controller and microphone, Guitar Hero World Tour will deliver the most realistic drum experience ever in a video game with an authentic electronic drum kit. Featuring three drum pads, two raised cymbals and a bass kick pedal, the drum controller combines larger and quieter, velocity-sensitive drum heads with soft rubber construction to deliver authentic bounce back and is easy to set up, move, break down and store.
Guitar Hero World Tour is cranking it to 11 by featuring several of the most influential instrument and equipment brands in the music industry. Gamers can score in-game sponsorships and gear from Ampeg, Audio-Technica, EMG Pickups, Ernie Ball, Evans Drumheads, Guitar Center, Krank Amplification, Mackie, Marshall, Orange County Drum & Percussion, Pork Pie Percussion, Regal Tip, Sabian cymbals, Vox and Zildjian drumsticks.
In addition to featuring products, the game lets virtual bands play on the same stage as many of their favorite musicians with digital re-creations of Amoeba Music, Live Nation's House of Blues® Sunset Strip and San Francisco's AT&T Park.
Activision announced the Mii Freestyle gameplay mode for the Wii version of Guitar Hero World Tour, which invites Wii gamers to use their Mii avatars to create in-game music and learn how to play the game in an easy and fun way. Players can learn to play riffs to some classic songs or freestyle to their own creations using the guitar controller or utilize the Wii remote and Nunchuk as air drums.
Complete track/band list :
- 311 - "Beautiful Disaster"
- 30 Seconds To Mars - "The Kill"
- Airbourne - "Too Much Too Young"
- The Allman Brothers Band - "Ramblin' Man"
- Anouk - "Good God"
- The Answer - "Never Too Late"
- At The Drive-In - "One Armed Scissor"
- Beastie Boys - "No Sleep Till Brooklyn"
- Beatsteaks - "Hail to the Freaks"
- Billy Idol - "Rebel Yell"
- Black Label Society - "Stillborn"
- Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - "Weapon of Choice"
- blink-182 - "Dammit"
- Blondie - "One Way or Another"
- Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band - "Hollywood Nights"
- Bon Jovi - "Livin' On A Prayer"
- Bullet For My Valentine - "Scream Aim Fire"
- Coldplay - "Shiver"
- Creedence Clearwater Revival - "Up Around The Bend"
- The Cult - "Love Removal Machine"
- Dinosaur Jr. - "Feel The Pain"
- The Doors - "Love Me Two Times"
- Dream Theater - "Pull Me Under"
- The Eagles - "Hotel California"
- The Enemy - "Aggro"
- Filter - "Hey Man, Nice Shot"
- Fleetwood Mac - "Go Your Own Way"
- Foo Fighters - "Everlong"
- The Guess Who - "American Woman"
- Hush Puppies - "You're Gonna Say Yeah!"
- Interpol - "Obstacle 1"
- Jane's Addiction - "Mountain Song"
- Jimi Hendrix - "Purple Haze (Live)"
- Jimi Hendrix - "The Wind Cries Mary"
- Jimmy Eat World - "The Middle"
- Joe Satriani - "Satch Boogie"
- Kent - "Vinternoll2"
- Korn - "Freak On A Leash"
- Lacuna Coil - "Our Truth"
- Lenny Kravitz - "Are You Gonna Go My Way"
- Linkin Park - "What I've Done"
- The Living End - "Prisoner of Society"
- Los Lobos - "La Bamba"
- Lost Prophets - "Rooftops (A Liberation Broadcast)"
- Lynyrd Skynyrd - "Sweet Home Alabama (Live)"
- Mars Volta - "L'Via L'Viaquez"
- MC5's Wayne Kramer - "Kick Out The Jams"
- Metallica - "Trapped Under Ice"
- Michael Jackson - "Beat It"
- Modest Mouse - "Float On"
- Motörhead - "Overkill"
- Muse - "Assassin"
- Negramaro - "Nuvole e Lenzuola"
- Nirvana - "About a Girl (Unplugged)"
- No Doubt - "Spiderwebs"
- NOFX - "Soul Doubt"
- Oasis - "Some Might Say"
- Ozzy Osbourne - "Crazy Train"
- Ozzy Osbourne - "Mr. Crowley"
- Paramore - "Misery Business"
- Pat Benatar - "Heartbreaker"
- R.E.M. - "The One I Love"
- Radio Futura - "Escuela De Calor"
- Rise Against - "Re-Education Through Labor"
- Sex Pistols - "Pretty Vacant"
- Silversun Pickups - "Lazy Eye"
- Smashing Pumpkins - "Today"
- Steely Dan - "Do It Again"
- Steve Miller Band - "The Joker"
- Sting - "Demolition Man (Live)"
- The Stone Roses - "Love Spreads"
- Stuck In The Sound - "Toy Boy"
- Sublime - "Santeria"
- Survivor - "Eye of the Tiger"
- System of a Down - "B.Y.O.B."
- Ted Nugent - "Stranglehold"
- Ted Nugent's Original Guitar Duel Recording
- Tokio Hotel - "Monsoon"
- Tool - "Parabola"
- Tool - "Schism"
- Tool - "Vicarious"
- Trust - "Antisocial"
- Van Halen - "Hot For Teacher"
- Willie Nelson - "On The Road Again"
- Wings - "Band on the Run"
- Zakk Wylde's Original Guitar Duel Recording
Guitar Hero World Tour delivers more ways to play than ever before. Virtual musicians can live out their rock and roll fantasies by playing either a single instrument, or any combination of instruments, in addition to the full band experience. In addition to all of the online gameplay modes from Guitar Hero® III: Legends of Rock, Guitar Hero World Tour introduces Battle of the Bands mode which allows eight players to join online and challenge each other band-to-band to determine who is the best of the best. In the Band modes, up to four players can jam together, online or off, as they progress through the game, and in single-player Career Mode, players can jam on any of the instruments in branching venue progression enabling them to rock out in the order of their choice.
The game's innovative new Music Studio lets players express their musical creativity by giving them access to a full compliment of tools to create digital music from scratch, utilizing all of the instruments, and then play their compositions in the game. Music creators will also be able to share their recordings with their friends online through GHTunes where other gamers can download their unique compositions and play them.
More articles about Guitar Hero: World Tour


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Choose from 600+ repair, maintenance, and diagnostic services, backed by our 12-month, 12,000-mile warranty.
Tell us when to meet you at your home or office. We'll send one of our vetted, top-rated mechanics.
Continue with your day while our mechanic fixes your car onsite. You pay only after the job is done.
|Shop/Dealer Price
|1978 Mercedes-Benz 280CEL6-2.8L
|Service typeValve Cover Gasket Replacement
|Shop/Dealer Price$221.31 - $312.61
|1980 Mercedes-Benz 280CEL6-2.8L
|Service typeValve Cover Gasket Replacement
|Shop/Dealer Price$221.41 - $312.79
|1981 Mercedes-Benz 280CEL6-2.8L
|Service typeValve Cover Gasket Replacement
|Shop/Dealer Price$225.15 - $315.59
|1979 Mercedes-Benz 280CEL6-2.8L
|Service typeValve Cover Gasket Replacement
|Shop/Dealer Price$227.27 - $319.30
The valve cover is a metal cover that is found on very top of the engine. The valve cover is attached to the engine by a gasket made of rubber or cork. The valve cover and gasket seal the top of the engine and prevent oil leaks. These covers are removable so the mechanic can access the valves for adjustment. Because of the high temperature of the engine, it is common for the valve cover gasket to get brittle and break. If the gasket is worn out, it will leak engine oil and the top of the engine will be covered in oil. Since the engine is losing oil, running the car for too long without an inspection and repair can cause engine damage.
When the valve cover gasket is replaced, the valve cover should be inspected as well.
If you notice oil on the ground beneath your car, get your car inspected as soon as you can. Do not drive the car for too long with low engine oil. If they see an oil leak, most mechanics will inspect the valve cover gasket first. Schedule regular oil changes to minimize the sludge formation in your engine.
Your engine's internal pieces are lubricated with oil. This oil needs to stay in the engine, because the engine relies on it, and it can be harmful if it leaks out. To keep the oil where it belongs, your engine is sealed in many places. On the top, your engine is sealed by the valve cover. This valve cover has a gasket (which is made out of rubber or cork), which seals the cover to the engine, and keeps any oil from leaking out.
If the gasket deteriorates, oil will begin to leak out. If the oil leaks out, your engine will not be properly lubricated, and serious engine damage can occur. Oil that leaks out through the valve cover gasket can also fall into the exhaust system and ignite an engine fire.
Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.
1-800-701-6230 · email@example.com


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Xbox 360 Karaoke game has 8000 songs, charges you by the hour
Xbox 360's newly announced crooner app – simply called 'Karaoke' – will feature a library of 8000 tracks to massacre, and will charge players on a time basis, rather than an initial fee. It's another dip into the free-to-play pool by Microsoft. Get the details below.
PlayXBLA reports that Karaoke – which is a collaboration between Microsoft and The Karaoke Channel – will stream games direct from your console, rather than making you download them.
It also operates a time-based payment model that lets players buy blocks of time in denominations of two, six or 24 hours via MS Points, and will also come with achievements, audio controls and your avatar singing along on screen.
What do you make of this payment method? Does it make sense given that it's similar to pay-per-hour Karaoke venues? Is it convenient given Singstar's recent move to free-to-play? Let us know below.
Thanks Eurogamer.


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Ryan Trapp - Staff Writer
2011 Record (ACC): 2-10 (1-7)
Returning Starters (Off/Def): 14 (5/8/1)
New offensive coordinator Mike Locksley brings his pro-style attack to College Park and he'll have some talented athletes to build it around. Incoming freshman Stefon Diggs should make an immediate impact in the passing game and with big-play threat Kevin Dorsey lined up on the opposite side, dual-threat quarterback C.J. Brown will have plenty of targets. Brown has already proven he can get it done on the ground too, averaging over seven yards a carry to go along with his five scores last season. The offense has shown they can be explosive, putting up a combined 118 points against the likes of Miami, Clemson and N.C. State. Defensive back Kenny Tate will return from injury to lead the defense along with All-American tackle Joe Vellano. The combination of Vellano and fellow lineman Keith Bowers give the Terps a legitimate pass rush that could rattle an ACC full of talented signal callers this season.
The Terps have a very favorable schedule and don't start ACC play until the first week in October. They'll have time to gain some momentum against William & Mary, Temple and UCONN early in the season before a true road test in Morgantown against West Virginia. The Terps were fortunate to draw Florida State at home, but will have to steal a win in Death Valley on November 10 if the They hope to return to their fourth Orange Bowl.
2011 Record (ACC): 7-6 (3-5)
Returning Starters (Off/Def/ST): 15 (7/6/2)
An entirely new coaching staff makes its way to Chapel Hill, led by former Southern Miss Head Coach Larry Fedora. With the Golden Eagles, Fedora led Southern Miss to their four most prolific offensive seasons in school history. It's this kind of success Tar Heels hope the mad hatter can bring to in Chapel Hill. Quarterback Bryn Renner had a phenomenal first season under center in 2011, throwing for over 3,000 yards and 26 touchdowns. His progression should be fun to watch this year, and though he'll need some younger receivers to step up, he'll have plenty of time to find targets behind an offensive line that returns All-Conference standouts James Hurst and Jonathan Cooper. New defensive coordinator Dan Disch will bring his fast, hard-hitting approach to the ACC and his three-safety scheme could work wonders with veteran safeties Tre Boston and Gene Robinson.
The ACC's "Sleeping Giant" has a favorable conference schedule with both Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech coming to Chapel Hill. Road matchups against non-conference foes ECU and Louisville won't be easy, but the Tar Heels rattled off wins against the two teams last year. The Tar Heels have yet to make their Orange Bowl debut, but they'll have plenty of weapons that could see them sitting pretty in the ACC when it's all said and done.
Back to All News


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Ashley Tisdale: Lakers Game with Samantha Droke!
Ashley Tisdale and BFF Samantha Droke get the laughs while sitting courtside at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday night (December 2).
The two actresses, who sat next to Big Bang Theory's Johnny Galecki, watched the LA Lakers get beat by the Orlando Magic, 113-103.
How hot are Ash and Sam's boots?!
PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Ashley Tisdale
"So much fun last night, def in the Christmas spirit. Friends, decorating, hot chocolate, and Christmas movies! #itsawonderfullife," Ashley tweeted just a few hours before the game. Can't wait to see how she decorated!
FYI: Samantha is wearing a Line Missing Piece Sweater.
Posted to: Ashley Tisdale, Samantha Droke


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BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — Rob Lowe, who has publicly aligned himself with the Democratic party in the past, says it was not a concern to take on a TV movie adaptation of Fox News pundit and conservative Bill O'Reilly's book "Killing Kennedy."
"I didn't think about it at all because the book had come out and been so successful," said Lowe at the annual Television Critics Association (TCA) panel Wednesday in Beverly Hills.
O'Reilly's "Killing Kennedy," which came out last year and was a best-seller, examined the events leading up to President John F. Kennedy's death.
Lowe plays Kennedy in the film, and says like O'Reilly's book, National Geographic Channel's version will also present a unique perspective on the country's 35th president.
"The way this story is told I've never seen before," he said.
Yes, it features Lowe as the doomed president and Ginnifer Goodwin as first lady Jackie Kennedy, but it also depicts Lee Harvey Oswald's life before killing Kennedy.
Will Rothhaar, who takes on the role of one of the most notorious killers in American history, says he tried to make Oswald relatable.
"You will look at him and say, 'I've been there or I've felt that,'" he said.
Michelle Trachtenberg plays Oswald's wife, Marina. She said about 80 percent of her dialogue in the movie is in Russian and she learned that, like many people at that time, she was a big fan of President Kennedy.
Goodwin was not physically present at the press event but instead live via satellite from Vancouver, Canada where she films the ABC series "Once Upon a Time."
She said one of the most challenging parts of the role was Jackie Kennedy's famous aristocratic, breathy voice. Ultimately, the actress decided to not mimic her too much because it sounded like an impression.
"A dialect coach said the more I nailed it the less she believed me. (The voice) is so unrelatable today."
Lowe, too, had the challenge of recreating Kennedy's look and speech, which the self-professed history nut says he believes presidents today are even influenced by. He said he "could imitate every single president doing their version of JFK."
The actor likes the challenge of portraying historical figures. He hopes to play President Ulysses S. Grant in a role that he calls "a dream project."
This is not National Geographic's first foray into turning an O'Reilly book into a made-for-TV movie. It also adapted O'Reilly's "Killing Lincoln" to record ratings for the network.
"Killing Kennedy" will air in November on Nat Geo, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Kennedy's death.
Alicia Rancilio covers Entertainment for The Associated Press. Follow her online at http://www.twitter.com/aliciar


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No. 86,094
1. The crime of aggravated failure to appear, defined by K.S.A. 21-3814, does not require the defendant to have missed a scheduled court appearance.
2. Under K.S.A. 21-3814, a defendant can be charged with aggravated failure to appear by not reporting to pretrial services, which was a condition of the defendant's appearance bond.
Appeal from Sedgwick District Court; DAVID W. KENNEDY, judge. Opinion filed September 28, 2001. Affirmed.
Rick Kittel, assistant appellate defender, and Jessica R. Kunen, chief appellate defender, for appellant.
Ian H. Taylor, assistant district attorney, Nola Foulston, district attorney, and Carla J. Stovall, attorney general, for appellee.
Before ELLIOTT, P.J., BEIER, J., and PADDOCK, S.J.
PADDOCK, J.: Sandra R. Floyd appeals her conviction of aggravated failure to appear.
We affirm.
Floyd was charged with drug and tax stamp violations. Her trial on these charges was set for November 15, 1999. She was released from custody on an appearance bond and ordered to report to pretrial services as directed. The conditions of Floyd's bond stated failure to comply was a violation of the bond and could result in a bench warrant for her arrest.
Floyd met her reporting obligations until September 22, 1999, when she failed to report to pretrial services as ordered and did not report at any time thereafter. Bond forfeiture proceedings were initiated, and her bond was forfeited and a warrant was issued for her arrest on October 5, 1999.
Floyd was arrested in Arizona on November 16, 1999, and returned to Kansas on December 2, 1999. She was charged with aggravated failure to appear and was brought to trial on that charge on July 27, 2000.
At trial, it was shown that Floyd's bond had been forfeited on October 5, 1999, and, therefore, the date upon which the crime of aggravated failure to appear occurred was 30 days later or November 4, 1999. At a bench trial, Floyd was found guilty as charged. Floyd timely appealed.
On appeal, Floyd claims the district court should have sustained her motion to dismiss the charges against her. She argues that reporting to pretrial services while released on an appearance bond is equivalent to probation. Thus, Floyd contends missing an appointment with pretrial services cannot constitute aggravated failure to appear. In support of her contention, she cites State v. Miller, 15 Kan. App. 2d 566, 811 P.2d 1256 (1991). In order to resolve the issue, we must interpret K.S.A. 21-3814 which defines the crime of aggravated failure to appear. In determining issues involving statutory interpretation, this court's review is unlimited. State v. Patterson, 25 Kan. App. 2d 245, 247, 963 P.2d 436, rev. denied 265 Kan. 888 (1998).
K.S.A. 21-3814(a) states:
"Aggravated failure to appear is willfully incurring a forfeiture of an appearance bond and failing to surrender oneself within 30 days following the date of such forfeiture by one who is charged with a felony and has been released on bond for appearance before any court of this state, or willfully incurring a forfeiture of an appearance bond and failing to surrender oneself within 30 days after oneself's conviction of a felony has become final by one who has been released on an appearance bond by any court of this state."
Floyd incorrectly interprets Miller. The Miller court concluded K.S.A. 21-3814 did not apply to defendant's failure to appear for a probation revocation hearing. 15 Kan. App. 2d at 571. The court reasoned that the original charge against defendant reached final judgment when she was sentenced and placement of defendant on probation did not affect that finality. Thus, that conviction could not serve as the underlying felony for a charge of aggravated failure to appear. 15 Kan. App. 2d at 571. The court also noted that because a probation revocation hearing is a quasi-civil procedure, failure to appear at such a hearing is not a criminal offense and, therefore, does not meet the statutory requirement of an underlying felony charge for which defendant failed to appear. 15 Kan. App. 2d at 571.
Here, Floyd failed to attend a meeting with pretrial services, which was a condition of her bond. This failure to attend caused a forfeiture of her bond and a warrant to be issued for her arrest. Unlike Miller, Floyd's crime was predicated on a preconviction violation of her bond. The underlying felony charge was possession of methamphetamine. The facts and reasoning in Miller are not applicable to the instant factual situation. Failure to meet with pretrial services is not the functional equivalent of failure to appear for a probation revocation proceeding and will support a charge of aggravated failure to appear pursuant to K.S.A. 21-3814.
Next, Floyd argues the 30-day grace period necessary for conviction of aggravated failure to appear can only be triggered by a missed court appearance. She contends the earliest she could have committed that crime was December 15, 1999, 30 days after her scheduled court appearance on November 15, 1999, for trial on the drug charges. She cites no authority for her contention.
K.S.A. 21-3814 states that one who is charged with a felony and "willfully incurs a forfeiture of an appearance bond and fail[s] to surrender onself within 30 days following the date of such forfeiture" is guilty of aggravated failure to appear.
Floyd's underlying charge was possession of methamphetamine, a felony. She does not claim her forfeiture was not willful nor does she claim the bond forfeiture was not proper. Her sole argument is that the 30-day grace period does not start until a missed court appearance.
K.S.A. 21-3814 is clear and unambiguous in that the crime of aggravated failure to appear accrues 30 days after the date of the bond forfeiture. Here, Floyd failed to report to pretrial services on September 22, 1999, as required. The bond was forfeited, and a warrant for her arrest was issued on October 5, 1999. Floyd did not return to Kansas until December 2, 1999, more than 30 days after the date of the bond forfeiture. Floyd's argument lacks merit.


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SNAP! Snatch that dollar away before they can grab it!
They see a dollar bill lying on the ground, and just when they bend to pick it up- WHAP!- the dollar bill flies away, right into your hand!
And it is so simple to use! The dollar bill is secretly taped to the end of a piece of clear monofilament line. You hold the Dollar Snatcher reel in your hand, and you just press the button when you want the reel to pull the dollar bill to you.
This can be played as a practical joke in secret, or you can just use it out in the open, because it's so ridiculous! It will get plenty of laughs for you either way!
Pretend to give a tip to a server- WHAP- you take it back! Hand money to a cashier, and reel the top bill back to you! How about using it at a sales meeting- the good salespeople get to keep the reward, the bad ones get it snatched away! Or even use it to amuse the kids!
And you can use any other lightweight item! Snatch away your business card, an invoice or bill, a cigarette, a secret note- use your imagination!
We looked long and hard to find reels that would stand up to lots of repeated use. These seem to fit the bill! Please be aware, however, that if someone really YANKS on the line, the reel will break. Also, the monofilament is not meant to be COMPLETELY invisible- this is more of a novelty comedy item than a true magical mystery. If you use it for its comedy potential, you will be more than pleased!
You supply the dollar to be snatched away.
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Mid-Coast Gymnastics earned three team medals to accompany several individual medals during their recent trip to the USAIGC international competition in Florida.
Mid-Coast Gymnastics earned three team medals to accompany several individual medals during their recent trip to the USAIGC international competition in Florida.
The gymnastics club, co-owned and coached by Kim Wickham and Leslie Ziolkowski in Selbyville for the last 18 years, had teams representing them at three levels – bronze, silver and gold.
The gold division, led by all-around winner Abbie Baker, earned second in their group, as did the silver team in their division. The bronze squad won third-place honors for their performance.
"I don't think we left the gym the whole time," Wickham joked after the weeklong event in Fort Lauderdale, Fl. from June 25-July 1.
One of the standouts from the meet was 10-year-old Abbie Baker, who won five first-place trophies to go along with her second-place finish with the gold team.
"She's got a lot of talent," Wickham said of Baker.
Baker, who said her preferred events are the beam and bars, set four personal bests at the meet. Next season, Baker hopes to advance to Level 9 and earn a spot in the platinum division.
Other notable performers for Mid-Coast were gold-teamer Cassidy VanVonno and Brooke Ward, who took first in the all-around competition at the silver level.
"The tournament was really exciting," said VanVonno, whose favorite events are the floor exercise and bars. "It gives you a great idea of where you are in the gymnastics world."
For Ward, who earned her second all-around title in the past three years at the international meet, she was just happy to be there.
"I was shocked I did so well," Ward said.
Wickham, whose gymnasts ranged from the ages of 8-17 at the competition, leads her group to the national tournament every other year depending on the location and club budget. This year, the event was international as gymnasts flew in from Canada, Bermuda and South Africa.
The Mid-Coast Gymnastics club was the only team to have three groups place in the competition.
Wickham and fellow coach Leslie Ziolkowski now shift their focus to hosting future USAIGC and USAG national meets in Georgetown.
For the young gymnasts, they shift their attention to cheering on the U.S. Olympic team as they prepare for this year's Summer Olympics in London.
"I've watched all the big competitions," VanVonno said. "Some day I'd love to go to the Olympics."
Many of the girls are particularly fond of national-team star Gabby Douglas after watching her first-hand at a meet a few years ago.
"We went to her meet and have been following [Douglas] ever since," Ward said. "Watching the Olympic Trials makes you even more motivated to work to be there,"


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Event will take place Saturday, Oct. 26
The Taft Chamber of Commerce will host its 12th Annual Golf Classic on Oct. 26 at Buena Vista Golf Course in Taft.
Foursomes can register at the Chamber office for a chance to take home some of this year's prize money totaling $98,200.
Each registered player is eligible to participate in the putting contest, hole-in-one contest at all par 3's, and can take home the prize for closest to the hole and the long drive.
Prizes are awarded for the top 6 teams in the tournament with the top team taking home $1,600.
There are four par 3 holes in which golfers have an opportunity to win $20,000 for a hole in one, with $200 for the closest to the hole on each par 3.
The putting contest winner receives $200, with the potential to win $10,000 for making the 50 foot putt. Other contests include long drive winners for each tee box of $150.
"Last year we presented Nick Enriquez from Bakersfield with a check for $20,000 after his hole in one on hole 13. This year, it could be you!" Event Coordinator Shannon Jones told the Driller, Limited teams are available.
Registration fee includes the course green fee, two carts, all on-course beverages, a goody bag for each player, fully catered lunch by new Chamber member Salty's BBQ, and participation in the contests and tournament festivities.
Teams of 4 players may register for $125 per player at the Taft Chamber office, 400 Kern Street, Taft, or by calling 661-765-2165.
The the major sponsors of their tournament: Accelerated Environmental Services, TerraChem, Monarch Fleet Services, Salty's BBQ & Catering, Cooper's True Value, MTC (Taft Correctional Institution), Excalibur Well Services, General Production Services, Guardian Safety & Supply, Roger Miller Insurance Agency, and Hydrogen Energy California.


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Five Georgia woman are in the Bay County jail, accused of participating in an organized theft ring, targeting local retail stores.
Panama City Beach police arrested the group Tuesday at Pier Park, after a store employee confronted them, and one of the women allegedly hit the store worker.
Inside of their car, officers say they found more than 7,000 dollars worth of merchandise, shoplifted from store in Pier Park and the Panama City Mall.
They recovered all of these clothing and personal care items from stores like Victoria's Secret, Hollister, Bath and Body Works, American Eagle, Justice for Girls, Carters, Claire's, and Charlotte Russe.
Beach police say this same group has been stealing from panhandle stores for more than a year.
They believe the women were taking the merchandise back home to Albany, Georgia and selling it.
All of them are charged with a number of counts of grand theft in Panama City and Panama City Beach, as well as battery for the Pier Park incident, but authorities say they could file more charges as this investigation continues.
29 year old Eurika Green, 24 year old Tchequera Brown, 23 year old Jamie Anderson, 37 year old Shocka Bishop, and 25 year old Ashley Anderson are all facing theft charges.


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The Boone and Crockett Club today sent a statement to two of its longest-standing official measurers: You can have an opinion, but we'll give it to you.
Earlier today, Ron Boucher of Vermont and Craig Cousins of Wisconsin learned that they have been permanently relieved of their duties as official B&C scorers. Both men had been official B&C scorers for more than 25 years.
Boucher is arguably the most seasoned whitetail antler scorer in the world. He gained prominence in the 1990s after serving on the panel that scored the Milo Hanson buck, which was later crowned as the biggest typical of all time. Boucher has arguably been B&C's biggest champion for many years.
Boucher apparently drew the ire of B&C executives through his steadfast convictions that the Johnny King Buck should be panel-scored. The King Buck, shot almost six years ago in Wisconsin, is a 12-pointer that many professional scorers, Boucher included, believe could surpass the Hanson Buck as the new World Record.
Boucher, in an interview that was completed just minutes ago, said he received the news in a brief typewritten letter signed by Buck Buckner of B&C.
"I'm still in shock, I guess," Boucher said. "After 25 years, this is how it all ends … no phone call, just basically a form letter."
The irony here is that Boucher — and all other certified B&C scorers — has worked all of those years as an unpaid volunteer. Becoming a B&C scorer has been considered an honor among scoring enthusiasts.
"I never got a penny for scoring a rack," Boucher said. "Over the years, many people tried tipping me, too, but I never would accept it. You don't do this for the money. You do this because you love antlers."
"I guess I spoke out too much," he continued. I fought for a deer that I thought was being improperly treated. This was about principle more than anything else."
The dismissal by B&C is the second blow Boucher has received of late in his quest to have the King Buck receive a fair shake among antler scorers. The Pope and Young Club also stripped him of his certification for being allowed to score bowhunting trophies.
"I'm not being punished because I'm a bad measurer," he said. "I'm being punished for expressing my opinions.
"I can't tell you how much this hurts inside. Next to my wife and two children, this has been the most important thing in my life for the past 25 years. It's going to take a while to process all of this."
Cousins was apparently let go because of a comment he made to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel earlier this year. In that article, Cousins was quoted as saying, "It's a shame what is happening to the King buck. It's a typical 12-pointer in my eyes."
Deer & Deer Hunting will continue to track this story and bring you further updates, including comments from the B&C Club.
Deer & Deer Huntingbroke Duncan Dobie's story behind the controversy last year. The details surrounding this deer centers on its right G-2 and G-3 points. According to B&C, the points share a common base. The club, however, made this ruling without ever having officially scored the rack.
If scored as a typical with deductions, the King Buck would likely net in the 180s.
Last summer, Deer & Deer Hunting broke Duncan Dobie's story on this controversy. The former editor of North American Whitetail, Dobie had been following the story closely since Johnny King of Mt. Horeb, Wis., killed the buck on Nov. 18, 2006. The details surrounding the controversy are complex, but they mostly boil down to an apparent dislike for the way the deer looks and to the fact that King, an average hunter with no desire for the limelight, sold the rack to an antler collector after becoming fed up with the bureaucracy involved in getting his deer a fair shake with antler organizations.
D&DH talked with several official antler scorers while at the Madison Deer Expo in Wisconsin earlier in 2012. None of them wanted to speak on record, yet all of them told me they thought the deer should be scored as a typical 12-pointer.
"There's really no chance (B&C) will change their mind," one scorer said. "They've dug in their heels, and don't want to admit they went about this the wrong way. It's frustrating, because, if anything, this deer should be scored by the Wisconsin organization. If it was, it would unseat the Jordan Buck as the state's all-time largest typical ever."
The Jordan Buck was the World Record typical for many years. The Hanson Buck unseated it in 1995.
D&DH also talked with several Wisconsin Buck and Bear Club members, and they said they wished their organization would stand up for what is right … and score the buck. One member told me he was puzzled why this hasn't already happened, because WBBC is in no way affiliated with B&C. When asked why there was then a problem with scoring the King Buck, he shrugged his shoulders and said, "Some of these guys are B&C-certified scorers and others aspire to become B&C scorers some day. They don't want to jeopardize that by not towing the so-called company line."
"I talked with most of the guys, and the vast majority of the Wisconsin Buck and Bear scorers think it is a typical 12-pointer," another scorer said. "Not one of them said they thought it was a nontypical. However, we can't do anything because B&C made their decision on it, and we just have to let it go away. It's not right. It's not fair. And it definitely is making me rethink how I view both organizations. This should be about giving a deer its due. It should not be about placating some guy's ego. Some of these guys are acting like a bunch of little girls. It's almost as if they're saying, "We don't care if it is the biggest buck ever killed. We have to save face and rally around our guys."
Said another scorer, "This all very saddening. If you want my opinion, there are a lot of cowards in this building (where the rack was on hand). Someone needs to man-up and do the right thing."
For the details behind the King Buck, check out these related articles:
World Record Whitetail Denied Day in Court
There is No Gray Area with the King Buck
Since Deer & Deer Hunting broke this story earlier today, social media sites have been buzzing with comments. Here are a sample of comments left on the D&DH and B&C Facebook pages:
Nick Heise: Why the hate for The King Buck and the people that stand up for it? Should be ashamed of how this deer was handled and embarrassed that you missed out on a new world record. I feel bad for myself for not being able to look up to your club anymore.
Chris Kenney, provincial scorer Nova Scotia: You people should be ashamed of yourself for firing Ron!! Even though i agree with the ruling that it is a non typ. point, for starters the king buck should be panelscored just because of the questioning involved. Second just because a measurer is vocal about his view on it is NO reason to dismiss someone!! I am ashamed for you!!!
Adam Fitzgerald: The way B&C is handling this whole King buck is really making me question the integrity of the organization. Why don't they just score the rack, the rule for common base points is pretty clear.
Ryan Minard: This is the biggest load of crap I have seen in a long time. B&C and P&Y should be ashamed of themselves.
Tyler Cummings: I'm done with B&C. This organization has left a hole in the deer hunting community that can not be repaired. Too many Big Bucks have been thrown out the last few years and it is a shame.
Paul Luma: ridiculous. black and white score it. wtf
Chris Kenney: this is nothing but a joke now. Ron is everywhere you read for B&C. There is NO ONE more profesional or working harder for this organizationl .There is NO reason…. even though i also think it is a non typ. point…. this rack should NOT be given a fair shake and be panel scored. Makes me ashamed to be a scorer for B&C myself!!
Chuck Mortimer: I guess freedom of speech no longer matters in America. Records are made to be broken and cannot stand forever. The King buck seems like it should be panel scored and is possibly the new record. The man was simply asking for help in a difficult situation.
Randy Worley: Politics…. Everything about politics is stupid. That's what this issue boils down to. Why else would B&C not want to score this buck? It makes absolutely no sense. Official scores are just about BS anyway. If the buck grows it, I'm going to count it. I could care less what any organization says about a buck, I know how to add. When politics get involved within a certain "thing," that said "thing," is already ruined.
Jason Battani: Couldn't agree with Randy more…… politics are everywhere and in everything! Sad, very sad
Kyle Koke: OK, I'm an avid Wisconsin hunter/resident and i have not even heard of this buck or if i did five years ago i must have forgotten about it. Is B&C trying to keep it under the table or something? If this thing is a world record measure the damn thing! I know when the Mitch Rompla buck thing came up he had to sign something saying he would never refer to his buck as the world record again because Milo uses the name for a product. Sounds like he is kind of a little bitch about being knocked out of the world record spot also. If someone shoots a one bigger that is the new record deal with it….or thats what a real sportsman would do anyway. Sounds like B&C is trying to protect him or something..
Kyle Biba: What is wrong with the b and c?? wow…
Kyle Koke: The record will end up back in WI where it belongs sooner or later anyway! Would be great if someone gets it done with archery equipment this time!
John Mueller: Another reason why I do not enter my deer into the re ord books. There are giants all over that you will never see I the record books or in a magazine.
Matt Kuiper: Shameful that they let him go. Cowardly the WAY they let him go. a brief impersonal email after 25 years of UNPAID loyal service? Thats like your wife divorcing you through a text message
What are your thoughts? Visit our deerhuntingmag page on Facebook and enter your opinions.


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Earth : Africa : East Africa : Uganda
Uganda [1] is a country in East Africa. It is bordered to the east by Kenya, to the north by South Sudan, to the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the southwest by Rwanda, and to the south by Tanzania. Famously called the Pearl of Africa by Winston Churchill, it is home to one of the most diverse and concentrated ranges of African fauna including the highly endangered mountain gorilla and the endangered common chimpanzee.
During Uganda's era of British colonialism, settlement by Europeans was not allowed, and today there are few Caucasians in Uganda. The term for whites is muzungu (plural wazungu), and Caucasian visitors should get used to hearing it shouted out by children in every corner of the country. It is not a derogatory term per se, but originally referred to being confused and wandering about aimlessly. While it may seem as an insult, its present meaning comes down to 'white person'. You can choose to ignore it, or wave back, depending on the situation.
Uganda is accessible and affordable, but not up to the high tourism standards of more mature destinations such as Kenya or Tanzania, much less South Africa. This gives it more edge, more authenticity and less predictability. This does not mean danger (but see Stay Safe section below), rather greater opportunities for delight -- and frustration. This is real Africa, the dirty urban bustle of Kampala bursting at the seams then giving way to lush subsistence farming and small villages. Roads are rough, people are friendly, everything seems to have a smell all its own, and not everything moves according to schedule or to plan.
Most travellers come for the gorilla Safari, but other major draws are the chimpanzees, ornithology, trekking the Rwenzoris and visiting the source of The Nile river.
The people of Uganda were hunter-gatherers until 1,700 to 2,300 years ago. Bantu-speaking populations, who were probably from central and western Africa, migrated to the southern parts of the country. The Empire of Kitara in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries represents the earliest forms of formal organization, followed by the kingdom of Bunyoro-Kitara, and in later centuries, Buganda and Ankole.
Arab traders moved inland from the Indian Ocean coast of East Africa in the 1830s. They were followed in the 1860s by British explorers searching for the source of the Nile. Protestant missionaries entered the country in 1877, followed by Catholic missionaries in 1879. The United Kingdom placed the area under the charter of the British East Africa Company in 1888, and ruled it as a protectorate from 1894. As several other territories and chiefdoms were integrated, the final protectorate called Uganda took shape in 1914. From 1900 to 1920, a sleeping sickness epidemic killed more than 250,000 people.
Uganda won independence from Britain in 1962, and the first elections were held on March 1, 1961. Benedicto Kiwanuka of the Democratic Party became the first Chief Minister. Uganda became a republic the following year, maintaining its Commonwealth membership. In succeeding years, supporters of a centralized state vied with those in favor of a loose federation and a strong role for tribally-based local kingdoms. Political maneuvering climaxed in February 1966, when Prime Minister Milton Obote suspended the constitution and assumed all government powers, removing the positions of president and vice president. In September 1967, a new constitution proclaimed Uganda a republic, gave the president even greater powers, and abolished the traditional kingdoms.
On January 25, 1971, Obote's government was ousted in a military coup led by armed forces commander Idi Amin Dada. Amin declared himself 'president,' dissolved the parliament, and amended the constitution to give himself absolute power. Idi Amin's eight-year rule produced economic decline, social disintegration, and massive human rights violations. The Acholi and Langi ethnic groups were particular objects of Amin's political persecution because they had supported Obote and made up a large part of the army. In 1978, the International Commission of Jurists estimated that more than 100,000 Ugandans had been murdered during Amin's reign of terror; some authorities place the figure as high as 300,000.
In October 1978, Tanzanian armed forces repulsed an incursion of Amin's troops into Tanzanian territory. The Tanzanian army, backed by Ugandan exiles waged a war of liberation against Amin's troops and the Libyan soldiers sent to help him. On April 11, 1979, Kampala was captured, and Amin fled with his remaining forces. This led to the return of Obote, who was deposed once more in 1985 by General Tito Okello. Okello ruled for six months until he was deposed after the so called "bush war" by the National Resistance Army (NRA) operating under the leadership of the current president, Yoweri Museveni, and various rebel groups, including the Federal Democratic Movement of Andrew Kayiira, and another belonging to John Nkwanga.
Museveni has been in power since 1986. In the mid to late 1990s, he was lauded by the West as part of a new generation of African leaders.
Although generally equatorial, the climate is not uniform as the altitude modifies the climate. Southern Uganda is wetter with rain generally spread throughout the year. At Entebbe on the northern shore of Lake Victoria, most rain falls from March to June and the November/December period. Further to the north a dry season gradually emerges; at Gulu about 120 km from the South Sudanese border, November to February is much drier than the rest of the year.
The northeastern region has the driest climate and is prone to droughts in some years. Rwenzori in the southwest on the border with DR Congo receives heavy rain all year round. The south of the country is heavily influenced by one of the world's biggest lakes, Lake Victoria, which contains many islands. It prevents temperatures from varying significantly and increases cloudiness and rainfall.
Cities and towns
Other destinations
Get in
Ugandan visas are issued at Missions/Embassies and also at all Entry/Exit Points. The Uganda Visa Policy uses the principle of reciprocity, that is all countries that require visas for Ugandans are visa prone in Uganda.
Visa Fees: Single Entry for 3 months US$50; Multiple Entry for 6 months US$200; Inland Transit US$50;
Countries exempted from visa requirements to Uganda; Angola, Antigua, Bahamas, Botswana, Barbados, Belize, Comoros, Cyprus, Eritrea, Fiji, Gambia, Grenada, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Vanuatu, Zambia and Zimbabwe [2].
By plane
Entebbe Airport is the hub for Ugandan air travel. Many flights to cities in Africa take place from here.
By train
There is only one railroad which is called Uganda Railways also known as The Lunatic Express.
By car
In theory, travellers with their own vehicles should be able to enter Uganda at any of the border crossings which lie on a main road, such as the roads from Kenya through Busia and Malaba. A Carnet du Passage is required for private vehicles, including motorcycles, while a 90-day tourist visa should be easily obtained (US$50).
By bus
Uganda is well serviced by a number of reputable international bus companies. Several bus companies offer direct routes from Nairobi, Kigali, Bujumbura, Goma, Juba, and Dar es Salaam to Kampala. All of these buses will, in theory, allow travellers to alight at main towns along the route, e.g. in Jinja if coming from the Kenyan border to Kampala. A typical journey between Kampala and Nairobi lasts approximately 12 hours, including the border crossing.
By boat
There are ferries going to Sesses Islands in Lake victoria. Uganda has some brilliant [island resorts http://www.safarilodges-uganda.com/island-resorts-uganda.html].
Get around
By boda-boda
In Kampala and some other towns, the boda-boda is a good way to get from place to place. These are small mopeds, motorcycles, bicycles or scooters with cushions on the back and are cheap transport as used by locals. If using a boda-boda, be extremely careful as they are frequently involved in accidents; however, in spite of this, they are a fun and fast way to get around. Note that if you advise the driver that you want him to drive slower and safer, he may actually listen to you.
Make sure you agree on the price before you get on the bike. They will try and charge more claiming it was further than thought.Some may get aggressive, say you will call the police and they will calm down. Always be polite and non aggressive.
NOTE: Make sure you tell them to drive SLOWLY. Many foreigners and locals are injured and killed on Boda Bodas in Uganda.
By bus
Uganda has a decent bus system. There are two classes of buses. The "taxis" (also called "matatus") are actually minibuses or commuter vans, which run fixed routes (see below).
There are also real buses which run less frequently, usually leaving Kampala early in the morning. There are many companies which almost all leave from the same general area. The buses fill up, so if you get on mid-trip, you'll be spending some time standing or sitting in the aisle before somebody gets off and you can get a seat.
Both buses and taxis run along most roads between cities, paved (sealed) or dirt.
Domestic bus travel is reasonable and cheap between major centres, and is a good choice for backpackers with time, but may not run reliably on schedule. A trip from Kampala to Masindi takes about 4 hours and costs approximately 8,000 Uganda shillings.
Note that both buses and "taxis" do not run on fixed schedules; rather, they leave their terminal stop when they are completely full. On heavily-travelled routes, they fill up within minutes and this is not a problem, but on less-travelled routes (or if getting on a large bus), be prepared to wait a while before departure.
By plane
Domestic flights might be a good and fast alternative to dusty bus rides. air viva connects the main cities and touristic attractions with regional aircraft.
By taxi
The best way to get around Kampala and the neighbouring towns is by using minibus-type taxis called "taxi". This is the most efficient and cost-effective method of transportation in urban areas, but try not to get ripped off by the conductors as they sometimes try to overcharge tourists. They usually take 14 passengers plus a conductor, though in smaller country towns overcrowding still occurs. Minibus taxis are relatively cheap, frequent (in Kampala), and may make lots of stops along the way.
They run along fixed routes, picking up and dropping off people anywhere along the route. If you want to get on, stand at the side of the road and wave your arm. To get off, say "stage" and the driver will pull over and let you off at the next boda boda waiting area. You can also just say "Driver, please pull over at X". They're not marked with destinations unless you are at the central taxi parks, so you'll have to listen to the destinations that the drivers are yelling out the window. If you're not sure where to catch a taxi going to your destination (especially at Kampala's two taxi parks, which are huge!), just ask a nearby driver or conductor, and they'll probably be able to point you in the right direction.
Private taxis - those which you can hire for yourself only, are called special hire taxis, and are available in most every decent sized town. Fares are negotiable over long distances as there are no meters.
By car
The roads in Uganda are comparable to many in Sub-Saharan Africa. Most of the main roads are metalled though the condition of them can deteriorate in patches. Some become extremely pot holed. Many of the minor roads and side roads are made of hard packed earth (murum) and, when graded, are quite quick and reasonable. However, they will deteriorate in heavy rains and wash boarding frequently occurs. The best way to deal with the wash boarding is not to slow down, but to find a speed sympathetic to the road surface and effectively skip from ridge to ridge. Untarred roads, if wet, may be impassable in the mountainous regions of the south-west. Commercial drivers of buses and trucks compound the danger, as do pedestrians, livestock, cyclists, dogs and the odd police roadblock. Plan on 60km/hr as a typical rate of travel (speed will vary, though!). The best advice is drive cautiously and stay totally alert.
When planning a journey, it is best not to ask how far it is but to ask how long it will take. Local drivers normally have a good idea of how long journeys will take.
Expect to pay a lot to hire a vehicle. A sensible choice is to hire a 4x4 with a driver given that you will need local language assistance and expertise should something happen on the roads. Most places have accommodation and meals for drivers as this is common among travellers. This will cost upwards of USD100.00 per day (not including fuel) with the cheapest vehicles typically having no windows, a canvas roof, an assembly date in the 1970s and so on. You get what you pay for. A cheap option is likely to leave you stranded somewhere remote and that can mean days of your itinerary lost. Unless you are comfortable paying cash in advance without a signed contract and no network to help you get out of a breakdown, go to one of the major agencies.
English is widely spoken as the lingua franca, though to varying degrees of fluency. British English is the dialect of the most educated, but Ugandan English often takes on a life of its own, considering that Ugandans speak with a thick accent, so it'll take some getting used to. Dozens of African languages are spoken in Uganda, the most common being Luganda, which is almost universally understood in Kampala. Swahili may come in handy in places, especially the North and East. Though many Ugandans do not speak Swahili at all, it is a common African trade language.
A few words or stock phrases in the various dialects are very easy to learn and most locals will be delighted to help you learn the highly ritualised greeting, and, in turn, every person that you greet in this way will be delighted to meet you.
You will hear lots of ecstatic children waving, jumping, hopping and singing "jambo mzungu" as you roll past.
Uganda has a variety of landscapes which most tourists find interesting. The North is relatively flat and dry savanna while the East is mountainous and lush and the centre of Uganda hosts larges forests.
The national parks are beautiful and, on the whole, uncrowded. See the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) website [3] or for details of gorilla tracking, safaris, chimpanzee tracking and more. Prices in several parks seem to be set at 20 (1 day), 35 (2 days). An ISIC student card cuts you a 25% off the entrance fees these days.
Kampala host Makerere University which is a world class African institution.
The national currency is the Ugandan shilling, code UGX, sometimes written as Ush. There are 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5000, 2000 and 1000 shilling notes and 500, 200, 100, and 50 shilling coins (10, 5, and 1 shilling coins exist but are rarely used).
Some bigger hotels and restaurants do accept US dollars as payment, and safaris and rafting activities (eg. Red Chillis in Kampala) is often priced in USD. These activities can be paid in UGX, but a poor exchange rate is often offered. Also, there is often an extra fee (typically around 4%) on the use of credit card. This means that it can be useful to bring USD to cover these activities. The obvious trade-off is that one must carry a large amount of USD around.
ATMs accept debit and credit cards throughout the country. VISA-branded cards are accepted by all ATMs, while MasterCard/Maestro/Cirrus cards are accepted at Stanbic Bank and Standard Chartered Bank ATMs. Different ATMs allow for different maximum withdrawals of between Shs400,000 and Shs2,000,000, though the usual amount is Shs700,000. Many ATMs are located at Entebbe Airport; given that it is impossible to buy Ugandan shillings outside of Uganda and in countries bordering Uganda, withdrawing shillings from the airport ATMs is the easiest option.
ATMs may close due to lack of money or system problems. It is safer to bring VISA cards in case of ATMs issues. MasterCard is not accepted in ATMs, but they can be accepted in major banks for a fee. In Kampala, watch out for pickpockets who follow tourists from one bank's ATM to another when cards are not accepted.
Credit cards are accepted at very few businesses, usually the larger hotels and supermarkets. As for your American Express card: leave it at home. AMEX cannot be used except at major hotels and with airlines.
Food and goods are cheap. On a shoestring you can get by on less than shs25,000 a day, excluding park visits and other expensive activities.
Make sure you bargain for everything you buy around town except in the bigger stores and malls. Never pay face value when buying from the local vendors around town. Hotels can be costly, so if you are a student it would be a good idea to look for a hostel in Kampala.
Most people have to buy a visa when they arrive at the airport currently (2010-May-04) this costs US $50 (single-entry 3 month). Bills must be newer than 2003!
Tipping is not part of Ugandan culture and not expected, but that doesn't mean it will not be appreciated.
Food from Uganda is a sensation. You can sample the luwombo, which is meat or groundnut sauce steamed in banana leaves. It has a tantalising aroma, and is always served with "food", which in Ugandan parlance indicates any carbohydrate. The staple "food" varies from region to region, with the plantain matooke in the south, millet in the north, and potatos in the west. Cassava, posho (made from ground maize), sweet potatos and rice are other common "foods". The whole fried fish is succulent, though mostly available at the beach, and usually served with chips/French fries. Other common options around Kampala include the traditional matooke, binyebwa (groundnut sauce), chapati, and meat stew. For the less adventurous, toasted sandwiches or omelets can be found in many places.
If this does not appeal, it is best (and far more interesting) to stop at roadside stands or markets to purchase fresh produce -- fruits and vegetables abound and are very affordable, to say nothing of the roasted chicken or goat on a stick. There are also a number of fast-food places, such as Nando's, Steers, Domino's Pizza, and Hungry Lion, all in the city centre.
A basic local dish starts at around 1,000 USh, and goes up to 5,000 at a local buffet, or even 10,000 at a posh hotel. A slice of pineapple from a street vendor can cost as little as 300 shillings.
See the Fang Fang Hotel below for good Chinese food in Kampala. Other Chinese restaurants with good food include Fang Fang Restaurant (different and more expensive from the hotel), and Golden China restaurant, all located in the city centre, and Nanjing Hotel in Kololo Hill.
In Entebbe, try the Boma Guesthouse on Gowers Rd. (see below under Sleep). Local food in Entebbe can be found at the Golf Course Restaurant and at the Airport Motel among other places.
In Jinja, the Ling Ling offers some great Chinese food. On Main Street the Source Cafe has a great variety of food, and you can surf the web while you eat.
Coffee is one of the best products from Uganda, but the British hooked the locals on tea, so finding a decent cup of native joe is nearly impossible, especially outside of Kampala. In Kampala, try the coffee house 1000 Cups on Buganda Road. The Source Cafe in Jinja sells Ugandan coffee at the airport, Banana Boat stores, and many hotels. The coffee is marketed under the name Kiira Kawa (River Coffee). Good African Coffee and Cafe Pap are good restuarants for food or coffee in the Kampala area. In Jinja, stop by the Source Cafe for an incredible cappuccino--they had the sweetest espresso machine! or when you are in the west at Hotel Mountains of the Moon in Fort Portal
Chai tea is available widely, and is best in the rural areas near the tea plantations. You will see signs posted on shops and kiosks where it can be purchased.
Lower-end South African wine can be had in some restaurants, but stick with the beer. Any of the four major brands are acceptable, though the Pilsner brand is the only one made without added corn sugar for those who care about such things.
Be advised to drink Bottled water, usually called mineral water in local restaurants. Water flowing from taps is not treated.
There are many hotels in Uganda. If you go on the higher end you will pay high prices, over $100 per night. Standard traveller hotels will have simple rooms with shared bathrooms for around 3,000 to 10,000 shillings. Many places will rent you a tent, or place to pitch a tent for the budget traveller. The Backpackers chain has hostel like accommidations at a variety of locations in Uganda including Kampala and Jinja. A night stay will run you 7 to 9 dollars US a day. These are most frequently used by Truck tours which are popular with the less independent traveller there also Bed & Breakfast establishments to make you have a homely feel away from home at the lowest rates.
National Parks
The accommodations provided in the national parks by UWA are generally of a good standard and are quite inexpensive compared to alternatives. They vary in amenities and price, and the cheapest can be as little as USD5.00 or less per person per night.
Few moderately priced options are available, and the high end, while expensive, are substandard compared to the high end options of Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa and other mature tourist destinations in Africa. Unfortunately, few alternatives are available. There are some notable exceptions, but best to go either highest end or stay in the UWA budget accommodations and spend more on a better vehicle!
Stay safe
In the years since 1987, safety has consistently improved. Today the state is relatively stable after 25 years of stereotypically 'strong man' rule by Yoweri Museveni. Kampala has changed into a major centre of East African trade.
Travel north to Murchison Falls National Park and Ajai Game Reserve is perfectly safe. Note that overlanders from Tanzania and Kenya regularly make the trip routing through Jinja.
As in any urban area, Kampala can be dodgy. One is well advised to remain in tourist areas, but sensibly garbed visitors not dangling the latest cameras, flashy jewellery or bulging bags are not likely to draw unwanted attention to themselves.
However, any Caucasians walking in the street stand out and are likely to be stared at openly, which may cause discomfort to those unaccustomed to travelling in Africa. What little begging exists is some of the most polite and inoffensive to be found in African cities, nowhere worse than in the West. Small children are sadly becoming a nuisance in some rural spots frequented by tourists doling out sweets and coins but nowhere near the swarming throng one can attract in many cities around the world.
In the gorilla tracking region of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park near the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, there was one incident in the late 1990s in which bandits attacked a group of tourists and killed several people. Since then, there have been no incidents and all groups now go out with armed guards (which was not the case before). There is a visible security presence in the region, but this is a preventative measure rather than a response to anything specific.
Travellers should still avoid the North Eastern areas as Karimijong attacks have occurred that involved tourists.
Homosexuality is illegal in Uganda and attitudes towards LGBT people are extremely hostile. Though 2011's notorious "Anti-Homosexuality Bill", which proposed the death penalty for "repeat offenders", failed to pass, homosexuality still carries a long prison sentence. There is a small underground gay scene in Kampala, but violence is commonplace and gay travellers are advised to be extremely cautious.
Stay healthy
AIDS/HIV infection rate is very high (even though lower than neighbouring countries). Do not have unprotected sex.
Ebola and Marburg hemorrhagic fevers have been endemic within certain regions of the country. The vectors of these viruses are unknown, but have been thought to be linked with bats. Therefore, travelers should avoid (or be extremely cautious when) entering any caves. If you are bitten by an animal, assume that the animal was infected by a disease and seek prompt medical attention.
Take precautions against malaria! It is worth seeking out a packet of Artenam while you are in Kampala if you are travelling up-country. Artenam is a reliable treatment and works on chloroquine-resistant malaria strains too.
Diarrhea disease and intestinal worms are also a concern and travelers should be careful what they eat or drink. Carry hand sanitizer to use before meals. Be sure to wash fresh produce well before eating and avoid raw foods in restaurants. As a precaution, travelers should secure ciprofloxacin before they exit their home country because it can be used as a cure.
Remember, that many of the lakes have Schistosomiasis. Check with the locals and do not paddle on the lake shore if you're not sure.
Uganda has a fairly conservative Christian/Muslim based society. It is generally not considered acceptable for women to wear skimpy clothing or to have overt displays of sexuality. The only exception is in certain night life situations in Kampala. Most Ugandans go to church / mosque regularly and consider religion an important part of a moral society. Never criticize religion in presence of an Ugandan!
You will not be taken seriously if you wear shorts outside the obvious tourist destinations and most Ugandan adults would never wear shorts except if playing sport. Use a pair of light trousers to blend in better. Most women wear skirts in rural areas, but trousers are acceptable in cities and larger towns.
In central Kampala women can dress pretty much like in any western big city. Women dressing smartly in tight sleeveless tops, tight jeans, or dresses or skirts that do not cover the knees is a very common sight here. As a foreigner you do not need to avoid dressing up - although for safety reasons it is wise to avoid wearing expensive jewellery or similar accessories.
A handshake is the most common form of greeting. If your hands are wet or dirty you may offer your wrist instead of hand.
Don't be surprised if you see two men holding hands. This is not a sign of homosexuality (which is forbidden by law and is indeed punishable), but rather of friendship.
Mobile phone network coverage is available in most parts of the country (over 70%), but geography can make trouble in the mountainous regions. SIM cards are cheaply available everywhere in 'starter packs'.
Internet cafes can be readily found in Kampala and Jinja. In all towns with more than about 20,000 you'll find internet cafes running off of either VSATs or mobile phones. The Internet connection bandwidth is very low and can be frustrating for one who is used to a high speed internet connection.
Mobile broadband (3G, HSDPA) is available several places. Airtel has mobile broadband available in larger places along Jinja Road. In the more rural area, a slower (EDGE) connection might be available. Orange also offer mobile broadband. If a mobile broadband connection is desirable on a computer, a good option could be to bring a phone able to set up a wifi network providing internet access, or that allows USB tethering. USB broadband modems are also available, at least for Orange, but might be more expensive.
Example of price for mobile broadband on a phone through Airtel is 25,000 Ush for 1GB traffic in one week.


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WYTENBURG firstname.lastname@example.com_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2003-03-05 published
Politician, chef, farmer cooked for presidents
He first came to Canada after the Second World War at the invitation of the Dutch ambassador
By Randy RAY Special to The Globe and Mail Wednesday, March 5, 2003 - Page R9
Ottawa -- Anton WYTENBURG was a proficient chef who had little time to prepare meals for his wife and 10 children because he was often too busy cooking for others, including presidents and other dignitaries.
"He was never a chef at home, because he was always working in a hotel somewhere or at the bakery, " says his son Rudy of Ottawa, who says his father's specialties were Dutch pastries and cakes.
At one point, Mr. WYTENBURG was a cook at the venerable Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York, where he helped prepare meals for U.S. presidents Dwight EISENHOWER and Harry TRUMAN, and president-to-be John F. KENNEDY. In 1945, he worked as a chef for General Henry CRERAR at a Canadian Officers' Club in Holland.
Mr. WYTENBURG, a native of Delft, the Netherlands, died in Ottawa on January 30. He was 83.
The son of a Dutch tailor, Mr. WYTENBURG completed Grade 8 in Delft and landed a job at a bakery. Later, he moved to Scheveningen to work as a sous chef in an oceanside hotel.
While working there, he learned to speak German, French and English and, during the Second World War, used his language skills as part of the Dutch resistance in its fight against the invading Germans.
Later, while working for Gen. CRERAR, Mr. WYTENBURG was asked by Dr. Jan VAN ROYEN, the Dutch ambassador to Canada, to come to work for him as a chef at the Dutch embassy in Ottawa.
"Anton gladly accepted the opportunity. The Dutch were and are forever grateful for the support of the Canadians during the war, " said Rudy. In 1947, he came to Canada to work at the embassy in Ottawa.
In 1950, when the Dutch ambassador was transferred to Washington, Mr. WYTENBURG worked as a chef at the French embassy in Ottawa before buying a bakery in Ottawa that became the first Dutch pastry shop in the city. The business, renamed Anton's Select Pastries, later expanded to include five outlets.
In 1952, he married Catharina VAN VUGT, also a native of the Netherlands, whom he met when she was a nanny for the secretary to the Dutch ambassador. That year, Dutch Queen Juliana paid a visit to one of Anton's bakeries.
While running their bakeries, the WYTENBURGs made many Friends, including some who farmed outside Ottawa and spoke highly of life in the country. This led them to buy a small farm west of Ottawa in 1962 and in 1964 would see the family give up its bakeries in favour of full-time agriculture on larger Ottawa Valley spreads, first in Richmond and later in Renfrew, where dairy farming would become the family's bread and butter.
As a farmer, Mr. WYTENBURG took a keen interest in agricultural organizations and committees. "He had a way with people, he could diffuse tense situations and always find a solution, " says Rudy.
Over the years, Mr. WYTENBURG's sons took on more of the farming responsibilities, leaving their father with more time for the many organizations he worked with, including the Ottawa-Carleton Safety Council and the Richmond Agricultural Society. In the late 1970s, Friends and neighbours urged him to consider politics.
In 1978, he won a councillor's seat in the rural ward of Goulbourn in 1980, he ran for mayor but lost; he tried again in 1982 and was successful, sitting as Mayor of Goulbourn Township from 1982 through to 1991. He was also on the council of the former Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton.
Moving a large family around the community and the farm was difficult, until Mr. WYTENBURG bought a used, fully stretched Cadillac limousine.
"It sure raised a few eyebrows when we were being chauffeured to the hay fields in a black limo, " recalls Rudy. "It often made for a bit of fun when the boys would ask an unsuspecting gal out on a date."
Mr. WYTENBURG left politics and farming in 1991 at age 72. After retiring, he continued to volunteer his time to help out on committees and task forces and as a strong supporter of the church. At the age of 75, he was the oldest participant in a walkathon for a local charity.
Mr. WYTENBURG leaves 10 children who live in California, Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Renfrew, Ottawa and in England. Two of them continue to operate the family's 440-hectare farm near Renfrew.
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — An Iranian national has been sentenced to 23 months in federal prison and an American who worked as an airline pilot received a 46-month sentence for their roles in a plot to ship helicopters and aircraft parts to Iran's state-run civilian airline in violation of the U.S. trade embargo.
U.S. District Judge Joseph McKinley concluded Monday that Hamid Asefi, 68, an Iranian citizen, and Behzad "Tony" Karimian, 53, a U.S. citizen living in Louisville who holds an Iranian passport, violated the national security provisions of a U.S. embargo against Iran during the scheme.
"They were trying to skirt the embargo," McKinley said.
The pair pleaded guilty in December to violating and conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act for exporting, selling, or causing the export or sale of aircraft and aircraft parts in violation of the U.S. trade sanctions on Iran. That law allows the president to impose economic sanctions against another country.
Their scheme, hatched in 2007 and continued until 2011, was foiled before the defendants arranged any deliveries, federal authorities said. The men had hoped to make millions by selling the parts to Iran Air, which is owned by the country's government, authorities said. Several of Iran Air's planes are made by U.S.-based Boeing, according to the airline's website.
None of the parts or aircraft was intended for the military, prosecutors said.
The men received differing sentences because Asefi cooperated with investigators, Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Calhoun said. When pressed by the court as to why Karimian was receiving more prison time, Calhoun replied, "He didn't have anything to give."
McKinley noted the disparities in the sentences.
"It's unfair that your co-defendant was sentenced to a lower sentence, but there were things at work that caused that," McKinley said.
Last year, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Iran Air for providing material support and services to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Asefi sent requests on behalf of Iranian entities to Karimian for the purchase of aircraft and parts located in the U.S. or owned by American citizens. Karimian then made inquiries, placed orders and tried to facilitate those purchases.
Attorneys for both men argued that the crimes were not national security-related, but rather economic offenses aimed at getting them rich. Public defender Scott Wendelsdorf, who represented Karimian, said the government of Iran, the target of the embargo, had no role in the scheme.
"This was not a financial transaction with the government of Iran," Wendelsdorf said. "At worst ... this was an attempt to obtain a jet engine for Iran Air."
Calhoun said the scheme went on for almost five years and the defendants knew it was illegal to try to ship parts to Iran.
"Both were trying to enrich themselves at the expense of the embargo," Calhoun said.
Asefi, speaking at times in heavily accented English and also using an interpreter for part of his statement, told McKinley he has family in Iran, including a very ill daughter he may never see again because of a lengthy prison sentence. Asefi asked for leniency and admitted to breaking the embargo.
"I understand the mistakes I have made," Asefi said.
Karimian, who became a U.S. citizen in 1980, made a similar plea to McKinley, saying one son no longer speaks with him and another needs help socially and academically. His arrest and guilty plea means he can no longer work as a pilot, Karimian said.
"I've lost my freedom," said Karimian, who once worked for the now-defunct Mesaba Airlines that had been based in Minneapolis.
Calhoun noted that Karimian used his American citizenship to travel in and out of the country as part of the scheme, as well as using his contacts in the aviation community to try and find an engine and helicopters to ship to Iran.
Follow Associated Press reporter Brett Barrouquere on Twitter: http://twitter.com/BBarrouquereAP .


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10 years since WordPress launched its open-source blogging platform, the analog and digital worlds are edging closer together than ever before. We are now seeing the rise of analog blogging, which takes the paper page onto the web page.
[Analog blogging by Odding, winner of myDetour Shanghai]
Through our own WordPress blog Moleskinerie, work uploaded to myMoleskine and videos, hacks, scans and photos of Moleskine creations, the handmade is rendered in digital. What was once perceived as "analog" and "digital" is now a continuum where the two mediums converge. Embodying the bridge between the two is a Moleskine Special Edition WordPress notebook, which shows how important both analog and digital tools are today.
Just like Moleskine objects, WordPress is an open platform for creativity and communication. It allows the things we have started on paper, created by hand and stored in the pages of our notebooks to be published to the web. By connecting the page to the cloud and linking offline to online, we open up more spaces for unbound creativity. In the words of Matt Mullenweg, co-founder of WordPress:
"The mind needs both analog and digital spaces to play and create, and we see those two spaces working harmoniously for a long time to come. We hope people take the blank pages of these WordPress 10th Anniversary Moleskine notebooks and use them to create big and small ideas, to nurture stories and news, and then publish their words to the world via their WordPress sites."
Follow the Moleskine WordPress blog on www.moleskinerie.com.


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Mocha & Frappuccino Round Swatch 10"x10"
Ready to Buy?
Maker: Earth Rugs
Product ID: 46-313
Braided round swatch in mocha and frappuccino. Purchase this swatch to see the colors before ordering a large rug. This swatch may also be used as a trivet. Quality braided construction suitable for high use. This item is made from all natural and durable fibers. To clean, vacuum and spot clean with soap and water. Color pattern and scale on the rugs may vary from the swatch depending on the size of the rug. Measurements are 10 inches x 10 inches. Thickness is 0.17 inches. Imported; eco-friendly as fiber content is 100% jute. Manufactured by Earth Rugs. The manufacturer's UPC code for this item is 054914021422
Dimensions: 10 inches x 10 inches, Swatch shaped
Price: $8.45
Sale: $7.35
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Alumni Hero Saturday 15/03/2008, 16:59
1 hit ko is probably one of the most annoying yet best ability that a card can have. 1 hit ko means that a card can dealt a mixn of 12 damage to the other player in one round which is most likely a ko if theres no extra life or blockers. ive seen alot of players use cards like Kolos (R) to make 1hko but there is ALOT more cards than that can 1hit too with the help from many others. i created this guild to explain and show you all of the 1hko possibility cards hope it helps you in your future gaming.
standard 1hkos:
three most common 1hko cards are Kinjo (U), Lost Hog (C), and Kolos (R). Kinjo (U) and Lost Hog (C) needs clan bonus to make a 1hko while Kolos (R) is the only one who can 1hko along without the clan bonus. Lost Hog (C) is the only one who can 1hko even against soa. most skilled players can avoid 1hko from these cards so theres no need for me to say more.
alternative 1hkos:
alternative 1hkos is based on a more strategic deck building which needs the help from other clans cards. its a very unusual stratege but most players will not be expected it to happen and thats where you will get them.
the first one is No Nam (C). he seems to be a 7/7 even with clan bonus and fury he can still only deal 11 damag. this is where the helpers come in. Timber (R) from the leaders with a ablilty of team damag +1 which makes every card on his team gets one extra damag. and when partnered with No Nam (C) BOO theres another 1hko killer. only a few people will manage to avoid it but most will just be stunned.
reymar.patrimon Senior Sunday 03/03/2013, 07:51
How about ZINFRID
ability: if wins -3 opponents life min of 0----- 3
bonus: +2 damage-------------------------------- 2
card damage: 4------------------------------------ 4
if using timber +1 ---------------------------------- 1
then fury +2 ------------------------------------------ 2
overall damage = ---------------------------------- 12


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Setting our stop
The next phase of development of the trading system is to add risk management in the form of the initial stop loss (ISL). It provides a defined exit point should the market move against the position.
We use Maximum Adverse Excursion (MAE) analysis to help set this stop. MAE is the greatest distance, in points or ticks (depending on the contract), that the market moves against a trade when it is open. In the case of a losing trade, MAE can occur at the exit price. Recall that we collected MAE data from the basic system and performed a simple statistical analysis of that data: We measured the mean, median and standard deviation of the MAE data. That analysis will form the basis of our walk-forward optimization analysis to find the optimal stop loss.
The MAE data gathered from the backtest of the 4 a.m. entry time produced the following results:
Mean: Wins: 0.00334 (33.4 pips); losses: 0.01016 (101.6 pips)
Median: Wins: 0.00290 (29.0 pips); losses: 0.00900 (90.0 pips)
Std. dev.: Wins: 0.00269 (26.9 pips); losses: 0.00605 (60.5 pips)
It's likely that the optimal initial stop loss will lie somewhere between the mean MAE values of winning and losing trades. Ideally, the optimal value will cut short the losses on the losing trades without prematurely exiting the winning trades. Of course, this is not going to be the case: Some trades that would have been profitable in the absence of an initial stop loss will be exited early; some losing trades that would have rebounded to a smaller loss will do the same. Trading is a series of compromises; our hope is to find the best one.