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The fight broke out before we were out of sight of the house. �It�s my turn to carry the ax.�
The fight broke out before we were out of sight of the house. �It�s my turn to carry the ax.�
�You carried it last year.�
�Did not! Leon toted it out and you brought it home.�
I couldn�t remember for sure. David, as the youngest, usually got the short end of the stick. And he was probably right. But I wasn�t going to give in. �If you think you can take it, come and get it big boy.�
That, even by my standards, was pretty dumb. He plowed right into me, head first. I tried to raise the ax up out of his reach but it was too heavy. Leon grabbed that double bladed cleaver before somebody got hurt and Dave crowned me with a rock I didn�t see him pick up. I kicked him in the stomach as he reached for my throat. We rolled around in the light snow until Leon stepped between us. He was five years older than me: six and a half ahead of David Mark. �You guys stop it! We�ve got to find a Christmas tree. I�ll carry the stupid ax.�
David leaped off of me and went for Leon�s legs. I tried to pry the ax loose by jumping on Leon�s back. The only chance we had was to double team him�� Nobody died and left Leon in charge! We�d fight until somebody was bleeding and then we�d figure out taking turns with the ax might actually get us out to that big field beyond Archie Moore�s pond where, hopefully, a suitable tree waited. Common sense usually found its way to the surface AFTER we wore ourselves out wrestling around.
It was all part of Christmas in 1955. Leon probably was in charge but that never crossed our minds; nor did the memories or camaraderie or Christmas spirit that we might be sharing or making. We were just out �living large� and enjoying the moment. And we were on a mission to find that special tree for Mom.
You had to take an ax or a saw and go looking back then. I don�t think they even made fake Christmas trees. At least, I don�t remember any of them down at J. A. Abernathy�s hardware. Of course, in early December I wasn�t at Mr. Abernathy�s looking at trees I guarantee you that! He had a basement full of Santa toys. I�d stroll through those packed aisles and drool. And let me tell you how lucky we were, we weren�t confined to �Black Friday� or �Cyber Monday�. You could shop back then every day of the week! Except Sunday, of course��
�How about that big one over there?�
�Too tall, that would never fit in the house.�
�Look at this one?�
�Too skinny�..and it has a bare spot near the top.�
We could fight one minute and work together the next. The tree was for Mother. We didn�t say it exactly out loud. But we knew how much she loved the tree, the season, her family, the manger, the three wise men, the shepherds, the Heavenly hosts, the Star of David, the Price of Peace, the Lilly of the Valley, the Rose of Sharon, the Bright and Morning Star�..
She didn�t care one whit about getting a present. Oh, she didn�t say that mind you. And we didn�t notice it right off. But it became more obvious as the years rolled on. Her Christmas was seeing that we got the gifts! I could never understand that. We�d be down at Abernathy�s and she�d walk right with us up and down the toy aisles. It was like she was taking notes or something. I thought she should have been upstairs looking at dresses, robes with those peacocks spread across the back or frying pans.
And me and Dave might pretend we were picking the tree. That we were �all grown up� and really helping��but Leon was going to find it and make the final decision. Now, my older brother was about half nuts. I have well documented that over the years. But let me tell you, he was as careful and as conscientious here in the Christmas tree selecting as Mozart working over his First Symphony.
It was for our Mother! And somehow, in Leon�s thought process, that made all the difference in the world. He would be listening to our small talk about wanting a Roy Roger�s gun and holster set or a genuine Case knife but he was really searching�� �Look at this one! What do you guys think?� We�d size it up from every angle. �Do you think Mom would like this one?� He was so careful to include us in the tree selection�..that he had already made! Kind of like Mother would have done. Only, of course, you don�t think about it till twenty or thirty years after the fact.
We would walk carefully around our prize tree and picture Mom, as I still can to this day, standing on the porch as we �presented� it before her. She would clasp her hands together and proclaim, �Perfect� to our happy ears. It also took a few more years to realize she would have said the exact same thing and went merrily to work to dress it up if we had brought home a broken oak limb with a rusty nail stuck in the side of it.
Sadly, I don�t think that message is coming across today on 4G Network or Netflix. Of course, you never know. It took me a while to figure it out.
All those sermons about Christmas are correct!
We took great pains not to bend or break one sprig as we cut the tree down. We were so proud that we�d found the �best one out there� for our Mom. And me and Leon both let David Mark carry the ax back to the house.


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sudore non supore - by labour not sleep
As I was going to St Ives
I met a man with seven wives.
Each wife had seven sacks,
Each sack had seven cats,
Each cat had seven kits;
Kits, cats, sacks and wives -
How many were going to St Ives?
- anonymous.
There can be little doubt that this jingle refers to someone on his way to one of the great St Ives fairs. St Ives is situated on the banks of the river Great Ouse, near Huntingdon, the birth place of Oliver Cromwell, in Cambridgeshire England. It has its roots in Saxon history, although it achieved fame in medieval times for its international fairs. Today it is a quiet market town with a population of approximately 16,000 and covering an area of just over 1000 hectares. St Ives is twinned with the town of Stadtallendorf in Germany. St Ives has excellent schools and sporting facilities and it is not far from the major cities of Cambridge, Peterborough and Ely. It has convenient road and rail links to the North, South (London), East and West.
The Inland Waterways festival will be held in St Ives, on Hemingford Meadow, over the August bank holiday weekend in 2007.
The (mis)guided bus proposal has been approved and construction is due to start early in 2007. Read the Save the Lakes and CASTIRON campaigns for the real community views.

subset: commoncrawl


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CRESTVIEW � There's just something about the Crestview High School baseball team. Call them Destiny's Darlings or simply determined, but the Bulldogs find a way to win.
CRESTVIEW � There's just something about the Crestview High School baseball team.
Call them Destiny's Darlings or simply determined, but the Bulldogs just find a way to win.
Crestview was up to its familiar tricks again Wednesday night as the Bulldogs hosted Tate in the Class 6A region quarterfinals. Crestview scored an unearned run in the bottom of the fifth inning and Roman Donofro threw a complete game shutout in a 1-0 win.
The Bulldogs (22-5) will host Mosley, a 5-1 winner over Pace, in the region semifinals Tuesday at 7 p.m.
"We knew it was going to be a war," Bulldog coach Tim Gillis said. "They are a well-coached team with a lot of tradition.
"I'm so proud of these guys. They hung in there and battled and kept fighting. It wasn't pretty a lot of times, but that's the way it happens in playoff baseball."
Donofro struck out 10 Aggie batters and walked two while giving up just five hits. He also swung a pretty good bat connecting on two of Crestview's four hits.
And it was courtesy runner Drew Graham, who was running for Donofro in the fifth inning, that scored the games only run.
Donofro led off the fifth inning with a single that found a hole between Aggie third baseman Matt Rickard and shortstop Mason Fryman. Graham took over on the base paths for Donofro and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jimmy Croussore.
With first base open, Tate (21-7) elected to walk Dakota Dean. Tyler Henderson was next and drove the ball to deep center field, but it was caught for the second out of the inning.
Freshman Corey Armstrong fell behind in the count one ball and two strikes before grounding to Rickard at third. Rickard's throw to first was low and in the dirt allowing Armstrong to reach safely and Graham to score from second base.
As good as Donofro was against the Aggies, he couldn't have won the game alone. Once again the Bulldog defense rose to the occasion making all of the routine plays as well as some not so routine plays.
Crestview right fielder Justin Rebholz made the defensive play of the game in the top of the fourth inning. With two outs and a runner on second base, Rickard sent a sinking line drive into shallow right-center field.
Rebholz did his best belly flop as he made the diving catch to end the Aggie threat.
"I knew there was a runner on base that could have scored," Rebholz said. "When the ball went up, I knew I had to do it to help my team."
Gillis couldn't express just how big the catch was by Rebholz.
"It was absolutely an unbelievable play," he said. "He's such a great kid. He's a warrior.
"He's been a winner his whole life. That play saved us."
Aggie pitcher J.T. Granat took the hard luck loss. Granat allowed the two hits to Donofro and one hit to Rebholz and Dean. Granat struck out seven Bulldog batters while allowing just one walk, but the unearned run did him and the Aggies in.
Randy Dickson is the Crestview News Bulletin�s sports editor. Email him at email@example.com, tweet him @BigRandle, or call 682-6524.


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I have a wheat allergy, and it means I cannot eat many of my favorite foods :( so I am always on a mission to find good wheat free recipes!
One of my favorite things is a shrimp tempura onigiri. I love them so much, and I used to eat them almost every lunch at work, but now I cannot eat them because the batter has wheat in it! Is there anyway to make tempura without wheat? Or is it just disgusting then?
If you have any wheat free tempura recipes, please share! I would really appreciate it ^^ and my belly would thank you too :3 hehe
"Try, fail, fail again, but fail better" Dr. Kevin Cahill


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Reel World
Latino Lecture—As part of the National Hispanic Cultural Center's ongoing Latino/Hispanic Film Conference, this Thursday, May 19, will feature a free film screening followed by a Q&A lecture. The film screening will be of The Bronze Screen: 100 Years of the Latino Image in Hollywood. This showbiz documentary, narrated by actress Wanda De Jesus (The Insider), interviews such notables as Rubén Blades, John Leguizamo, Ricardo Montalban, Rita Moreno, Raquel Welch and Edward James Olmos. It explores the largely untold story of Latinos in the American motion picture industry--from the "Latin lover" stereotype in silent films to the more complex characters explored by today's Latino filmmakers. The film's screenwriter, Susan Racho, will be on hand for the Q&A. Tickets are a mere $6 and can be purchased at the door of the Bank of America Film Theatre (1701 Fourth Street SW). Screening begins at 7 p.m. For more info, log on to www.hccnm.org.
Film Review
Look at Me
Intimate French flick explores relationships of all types
When American movies explore relationships, they are virtually without exception romantic and revolve around meeting cute, breaking up and getting back together. Fortunately, the Europeans--who have been doing romance so long they've grown bored with it--are happy to pick up our slack and explore adult relationships that involve something other than crashing some large public gathering and proposing to Drew Barrymore. The French-spawned Look at Me is a perfect example. The more of its slim story that unfolds, the more insightful it seems.
Film Review
Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room
God's away on business
Life is full of hard lessons and then, to quote John Maynard Keynes, we're all dead. In between, we spend a lifetime mistaking excitement for happiness, greed for nobility, lying for honesty, stupidity for bad luck, sex for love and, in some cases, retirement accounts for real money. When Enron imploded a few years ago, like a story ripe with all the classic elements of Shakespearean tragedy, it magnified each of these human misperceptions to the darkest extreme.
Idiot Box
Slice 'n' Dice
"Samurai Champloo" on Cartoon Network
To my limited understanding, "champloo" is an Asian stir-fry. It's meaning is similar to our word "stew"--basically a mishmash of whatever ingredients are at hand. Now that we've got the metaphor in place, we can get a clearer understanding of just what "Samurai Champloo," Cartoon Network's newest imported anime series, is all about.
Week in Sloth
The Week in Sloth
"CSI" (CBS 7 p.m.) CBS' hit crime series heads into summer rerun season with a hell of a send-off. Seems that the CSI team is in a race against time when one of its members gets kidnapped and buried alive. OK, so the story's not that original--but it's directed by Quentin Tarantino, who spent a good chunk of his last movie burying Uma Thurman alive.
The Muppets' Wonderful Wizard of Oz (KOAT-7 7 p.m.) The Muppets return to TV, sending up the classic L. Frank Baum tale with musical accompaniment and guest stars like Ashanti, Queen Latifah and Quentin Tarantino. (Again with the Tarantino?)


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4 - workplace
PDF Version (364 KB)
American workplaces have long been an arena for change. The combination of political freedom and political stability have created a climate in which new ideas can flourish to yield economic progress. This chapter examines two principal characteristics of workplaces that may affect their futurethe industry of the employer and whether the workplace is unionized.
We can predict the types of jobs Americans will perform in the next century based on long-term trends. At the time of the Revolutionary War, the U.S. economy was largely agricultural. Nonagricultural employment, however, grew steadily in importance as manufacturing developed and finally overtook agricultural employment shortly after the Civil War.
This shift from agriculture to manufacturing was followed by a second major shift from manufacturing to services. By the early twentieth century, the number of workers in the service-producing sector was reaching parity with that in the manufacturing sector.
These trends have continued through the century, causing some analysts to label the American economy "postindustrial." The Department of Labors Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects similar employment trends in the future.
The workforce becomes increasingly urban, continuing a long trend, agriculture, which has under 4 million jobs or less than 3 percent of all employment, is projected to decline by 24,000 more jobs over the period 1996 to 2006.
As agriculture has declined as a source of employment, the American workforce has become increasingly urban and suburban. The decline in the family farm has caused many Americans to exchange their rural lifestyle for an urban one. Over the last 30 years, the percentage of the population living in urban areas has increased by more than 10 percent to the point that 4 out of 5 people live in urban areas.
The number of jobs in the goods-producing sector of the economy has been fairly stable since 1970 and is projected to remain so over the 19962006 period, with a projected increase of only 20,000 jobs. Construction is the only major goods-producing industry where employment is projected to increase, due to a strong demand for housing.
Though still the largest employer among goods-producing industries, manufacturing now accounts for only half the share of total nonfarm employment it did in 1970. Between 1996 and 2006, manufacturing is projected to decline by 350,000 jobs to 18.1 million. The decline in manufacturing jobs has been characterized as the de-industrialization of America.
Just as the early twentieth century shift toward more efficient assembly-line techniques cost manufacturing jobs, so too have computer-technology-based productivity increases made it possible in the last decades of the century to produce more goods with fewer employees.
Though manufacturings share of total employment has declined, it still accounts for about 30 percent of total gross domestic product today, as it has for the last three decades.
Widespread use of just-in-time production is another reason for manufacturings reduced employment. With just-in-time production, firms carefully time their production schedules to the needs of their retail outlets or end users, avoiding costly inventory holding and increasing efficiency.
Cost reduction has driven part of the recent loss of U.S. manufacturing jobs. Many U.S.-based multinational corporations have relocated much of their low-skilled production to foreign countries where wage rates for unskilled workers are relatively lowMexico as well as Asian countries such as China, Malaysia, and Thailand. Large numbers of U.S. jobs have been lost in the textile and apparel industries. In response to imports growth, some textile firms have invested heavily in labor-saving capital equipment, further reducing employment. 1
(Outsourcing of production to other countries is discussed further in chapter 6, Technology and globalization.)
Since 1970, most job growth has been in the service-producing sector, a trend expected to continue as non-household service-producing jobs are projected to increase by 17.6 million between 1996 and 2006.
One force driving the growth in service jobs has been a shift from work done in the home by family members to work done in the market. (See box 4.2.) Families are "contracting out" work they used to do themselves. The way Americans prepare meals provides a dramatic example. Meals eaten at home rely increasingly on the purchase of prepared or partially prepared foods. Food stores have hired more staff to respond to the need for convenience with features such as delis and salad bars. Fast-food and carryout restaurants, as well as restaurants delivering food to the home, have both diversified and multiplied. The growth in meals eaten outside of the home, the result of both a long-term trend and the recent economic boom, has also led to a sharp increase in employment at eating and drinking establishments. This trend can be expected to continue as children brought up in homes where little cooking is done grow up lacking traditional cooking skills.
Increases in the percentage of women who work outside the home have contributed to the growth in retail services as well as retail products. Greater spending power and limited free time have inspired the growth of stores that provide conveniencefrom catalog shopping to greater emphasis on customer service to personal shopper services.
Child care, too, is being "contracted out"to daycare centers and nannies. The childcare industry is projected to add 164,000 jobs between 1996 and 2006. Similar changes are occurring in the care of the increasing population of elderly persons. Residential care institutionswhich provide 24-hour, year-round personal care and only incidental health carehave multiplied, along with nursing homes and home healthcare services.
Healthcare jobs have increased since the 1950smore than in any other comparable industry groupdue to population aging, new technologies, and greater administrative requirements. Jobs in medical offices, clinics, and health maintenance organizations have grown rapidly as the healthcare industry tries to provide more services in less expensive ways. Nurse practitioners (who typically have a masters degree and more training than registered nurses) have increased in number as the healthcare industry encourages their use for functions formerly performed by doctors. In recent years, states have increased nurse practitioners authority, often allowing them to prescribe drugs and admit patients. 3 Health-services employment is projected to increase by 3.2 million jobs between 1996 and 2006.
Contracted-out business activities have accounted in part for the decline in the manufacturing sector, while making business services the most rapidly growing industry in percentage terms. Activities once done within manufacturing firms are now accomplished externally, causing rapidly expanding employment in such businesses as computer services, data processing, advertising, and mailing and reproduction.
Employment in government has been decreasing at the federal level and increasing at the state level. During the ClintonGore administration, federal government employment has declined to its lowest level in 30 years, while state and local government employment, particularly in education, has increased and is projected to continue to grow through 2006.
Electronic commerce, or e-commercebuying, selling, or conducting other transactions via the Internethas important implications for the workplace. Retail sales over the Internet avoid direct public contact and direct exchange of cash, potentially reducing customer discrimination or workplace violence. People with disabilities can increase their access to jobs and marketplace goods and services through computer technologies. The popularity of such firms as bookseller Amazon.com and on-line discount brokerage Charles Schwab has prompted a host of other companies to rush to do business on the Web. In one year (1996 to 1997) sales through e-commerce more than doubled, from $15.5 to $38.8 billion, and in 1998, sales are estimated to have exceeded $300 billion. 4 New estimates are for total e-commerce to reach $1 trillion a year by 2005. 5
E-commerce reduces use of conventional stores, increases mail delivery services, and reduces inventory. Conventional stores may have to change to compete, providing more customer service or more ambience, or inventing new amenities.
In 1998, 16 million workers were union members16 percent of employed men and 12 percent of employed women. Blacks had higher membership rates than whites and Hispanics18 percent, 14 percent, and 12 percent, respectively. Over the twentieth century, union membership has followed the rise and fall of American industries. As the share of manufacturing jobs declined, so did the percentage of workers who belonged to unions. International competition for low-cost labor and employer opposition to organizing may have contributed to the decline. But the 1990s have seen an increase in union organizing drives, especially in industries such as health care and state and local government, where future growth is expected.
This century will be remembered as a time when millions of working men and women fought for and won basic freedoms too long denied themthe right to safe workplaces; the freedom to organize; the ability to put an end to abusive child labor; the right to have health insurance and retirement benefits and to earn a decent wage for labor. Working families across our country gained their voice in the twentieth century, and in so doing, they built the greatest middle class in human history.
President, Bill Clinton
March 18, 1999
In the second half of the twentieth century, following the issuance of executive orders by Presidents Kennedy and Nixon and the passage of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, union membership increased sharply among government workers but dropped in the private sector. From 1950 to 1998, union membership more than tripled in the public sectorfrom 10 percent to over 37 percent of that workforce. During the same period, private sector unionization declined from 35 percent to 10 percent. Union member-ship showed signs of increase in the late 1990s.
While international competition, particularly in certain manufacturing industries like apparel and footwear, played a role in declining private-sector unionization during the last half of the century, renewed employer hostility to organizing has also contributed to the decline in union membership rates. In the early 1950s, employers unlawfully discharged union supporters in just one of twenty organizing campaigns. By the 1990s, such unlawful terminations took place in a minimum of one in four union organizing campaigns, according to the 1994 report of the Commission on the Future of WorkerManagement Relations. Unions success rate in organizing drives dropped from 75 percent to 38 percent over the period.
The use of labor relations consultants by employers may also be affecting union member-ship. By the late 1990s, as many as 70 percent of employers facing union organizing drives had used labor relations consultants. Since the 1960s, the labor relations consulting industry has grown dramatically in size and sophistication. Today these consultants advertise on the Internet their ability to offer "full-scale antiunion campaigns," using new technologies to persuade employees to oppose union representation.
Unions raise pay. Unions increase benefits. Unions keep workers safe. Unions help make sure more workers can share in our nations prosperity. Unions improve the lives, not just of organized labor, but for all who labor . The labor movement has always been about keeping the foundation of American values strong as we build Americas future.
Alexis M. Herman
July 30, 1998
Recent organizing efforts successfully targeted low-wage workers and others with historically low levels of unionization. In 1998, 4,500 workers at a large Las Vegas hotel persuaded their employer to voluntarily recognize their choice of the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union. In 1999, 75,000 home-care workers in southern California voted for representation by the Service Employees International Union.
Other unions used new, coordinated methods of organizing to extend representation to diverse crafts workers in a single industry and region: the building and construction trades unions in Las Vegas registered 7,000 new members between 1997 and 1998. Five unions concentrated their efforts on 175,000 public employees in Puerto Rico in 1999, with positive results. Still other unions focused on the service sector: the International Association of Machinists was chosen by 19,000 passenger-service workers at United Airlines in 1998. At the same time, a small but growing number of employers were calling for a truce with organized labor by agreeing to forego protracted and often bitter campaigns that precede a union election. Several major communication companies, for example, reached agreements with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) to recognize the union without an election where a majority of employees showed their support for CWA representation by signing recognition cards. Card-check recognition, as it is called, resulted in union representation without a contested election for thousands of workers at employers such as SBC Communications, Ameritech, and Pacific Bell Wireless. And at Lucent and AT&T, labor and management agreed to an expedited election process after a majority of workers indicated their support for union representation. Similarly, USX and Bethlehem Steel agreed with the United Steelworkers of America to remain neutral during organizing drives at their nonunion facilities and at newly acquired ventures.
While some organizing campaigns met with less success, the labor movements use of new approaches and emphasis on new industries may yield additional gains in union membership in twenty-first century workplaces.
Unions have continued to generate higher worker pay and benefits. Union members overall earned nearly one-third more than nonunion workers. The premium on union membership for women was still higher39 percent. Black and Hispanic workers fared even better: black workers in unions earned 45 percent more than nonunion black workers, while unionized Hispanics made more than half again as much54 percentas their nonunion counterparts. 6 Higher benefits, lower workplace inequality, lower workforce instability, and greater job security provide additional gains for workersthe incentives for workers to join unions remain strong. And there is evidence that unionization helps employers as well. A 1997 study found that productivity in unionized firms with high performance workplaces was about 10 percent higher than in comparable nonunion firms. 7 Most of the union shops had adopted programs in which up to half the workers met regularly to discuss workplace issues. When unionized firms allowed production workers to share in the firms profits, productivity reached rates 20 percent higher than in nonunion firms.
Future workplaces will reflect decades-long trends, such as the continued rise of employment in the service sector. Other trends appear to be reversing course. Vigorous efforts by unions to organize industries that have traditionally not been organized, as well as new approaches to organizing in other industries, may lead to increases in the unionization rate despite the continued decline in the relative share of employment in the manufacturing sector, where unionization has traditionally been high. Future workplaces will also reflect changes that cannot be predicted confidentlysuch as those brought about by e-commerce and the Internetsince their effects are so recent.
We understand that the world and work-place have changed, and so must we . The role of our labor movement is not to reminisce about the old economy but to represent working Americans in the new economy.
John Sweeney
October 21, 1996
1 James C. Franklin, "Industry Output and Employment Projections to 2006," Monthly Labor Review, November 1997, pp. 39-57.
2 "Workplace of the Future: Safer, Smaller, and Fully at the Mercy of Computers," http://www.eweek.org/1998/news/Eweek/workplace.html.
3 The Wall Street Journal, "Work Week", May 11, 1999, p. 1.
4Beth Belton, "Internet Generated $301 Billion Last Year," USA Today, June 10, 1999, p. 1A.
5 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, The Economic and Social Impact of Electronic Commerce, Preliminary Finding and Research Agenda, 1999, p. 27.
6 These wage premiums are due in part to differences in occupation, industry, and education and are reduced to roughly 15 percent on average when these other factors are taken into account.
7 Sandra E. Black and Lisa M. Lynch, "How to Compete: The Impact of Workplace Practices and Information Technology on Productivity," National Bureau of Economic Research Working Paper No. 6120, August 1997.


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Amber Valley MP Nigel Mills has presented a petition to the House of Commons calling for Heanor Hospital to be reopened
The hospital was temporarily closed after asbestos was found in a boiler room last September with clinics and services moved to Ilkeston Community Hospital.
Health bosses are now considering options which include an £850,000 refurbishment or replacing it with a new £1.6 million building.
Mr Mills addressed the House on Tuesday March 11 and said: "It is with great pleasure that I present this petition, signed by more than 3,000 of my constituents, showing the extent of feeling about the closure of the Heanor Memorial hospital."
Dr Sheila Newport, chairman of NHS Southern Derbyshire, said: "No decision has been made on whether to close the hospital permanently and we're committed to enhancing and developing health services in Heanor.
"Plans for future healthcare in the town should be finalised by the end of the year."
The petition declared that "the Heanor Memorial Hospital provides essential services to the community of Heanor, and that the Southern Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) should allocate sufficient resources to ensure that the hospital is once again able to open and serve the people of Heanor."
A public meeting held by the Southern Derbyshire CCG on January 30 to discuss the future of the hospital demonstrated the strength of local feeling when it attracted hundreds of concerned people. To contact the CCG call 01332 868677 or firstname.lastname@example.com


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Courtesy National Park Service, Harpers Ferry Center, Media Production
Louis Glanzman. Cabeza de Vaca with others crossing the Southwest Plains, 1992.
Published by the National Park Service in "De Soto, Coronado, Cabrillo: Explorers of the Northern Mystery"
This sculpture depicts Estevanico, a Moroccan who was captured during the Portuguese conquest of the port city, Azemmour. Sold into slavery in Europe, he was purchased by Andres de Dorantes. In 1528, both Dorantes and Estevanico accompanied conquistador Panfilo de Narvaez on an expedition to conquer and settle Florida. One of four men not to succumb to disease or attacks, Estevanico arrived in Mexico City and then led an expedition of Franciscan priests from Mexico to a Zuni pueblo in northwest New Mexico. Because he knew the territory and languages of numerous Indian nations, he journeyed ahead of the expedition to prepare the way for the Spanish colonizers. When he reached the Zuni, he was captured and killed, for reasons that remain a mystery.


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This December, the act will complete its 40th year of providing protection for threatened animal and plant populations.
Every year during sea turtle nesting season, an army of volunteer beach patrollers fans out along the North Carolina coast to protect and care for the newly laid clutches of eggs. Guided by a comprehensive set of federal guidelines, each beachcomber knows how to proceed when a new nest is discovered and whom to alert if an injured turtle is found.
Prior to 1963 and the passage of the Endangered Species Act, both situations were more ambiguous. This December, the act – upheld by the federal Fish and Wildlife Service – will complete its 40th year of providing federal protection for a host of threatened animal and plant populations across the country. In eastern North Carolina, protected species range from red-cockaded woodpeckers and American alligators to sturgeon and sea turtles.
Sea turtles have been protected under the Endangered Species Act since it was created, and were considered a threatened species prior to that. In North Carolina, loggerheads are the primary nesting species, though green and Kemp's ridley turtles occasionally lay eggs on state beaches as well.
Since being placed under a recovery plan – requiring, among other things, that the amount of turtle eggs lost to predators does not exceed 10 percent – the number of nesting turtles in the state has increased.
Last year, 1,103 nests were laid along the coast, a 14-percent increase over the 2011 total of 967. The uptick was sizable and accounted for the state's third-busiest nesting season ever, but experts cautioned that long-term monitoring is necessary to determine whether that trend is sustainable.
"The time period is too short to show a trend," said Bob Hoffman, chief of the fisheries and sea turtle branch of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. "Still, there are some conclusions that we can draw from that data."
Though overall sea turtle populations haven't reached the targets outlined in the recovery plan, nesting numbers along the Eastern Seaboard have increased somewhat steadily since the early 1990s. In North Carolina, that's due to a number of factors, including the participation of all-volunteer sea turtle protection groups, Hoffman said.
"We've eliminated or lessened the amount of fishery impacts to these animals, through the use of (turtle-excluder devices) among fishermen," he said. "Predation levels have decreased, as well, probably to some extent because there are a lot of volunteer beach walkers and nest-sitters."
Two types of sturgeon dwelling in the Cape Fear River are protected species, but recovery plans and results differ for each.
According to recent estimates, the number of migratory fish in the river, including Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon, are at about 30 percent of historic population levels. But Atlantic sturgeon – a large, bony fish once widely harvested for its caviar – became a listed species just last year, whereas shortnose sturgeon were first considered endangered in 1957.
Still, the population numbers of the two species don't vary greatly in North Carolina, most likely due to their similar habitats. Both types of sturgeon are anadromous, meaning they migrate from the ocean to spawning grounds north in freshwater rivers. When dams were constructed for navigation purposes along rivers like the Cape Fear, migratory fish lost access to those spawning grounds, said Stephania Bolden, branch chief for NOAA's species conservation group.
"But construction of bypass facilities, like the rock ramp at Lock and Dam No. 1 completed last year, has given those fish access to historic spawning grounds," Bolden said. "However, females only spawn every other year, so it's going to take us a while to recover back to those numbers. A lot of it is that they had trouble accessing their spawning grounds."
Kate Elizabeth Queram: 343-2217
On Twitter: @kate_goes_bleu


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It's been a long time, but Led Zeppelin, one of the last superstar acts to refrain from selling its music online, is finally offering its catalog to digital-music fans. The shift by Led Zeppelin, whose reunion concert in London next month has already incited a frenzy for tickets, highlights the clout of digital sales in the music market as mass merchants reduce the shelf space devoted to compact discs. Under a series of new agreements expected to be announced today, the band will make its songs available first as ringtones and similar mobile features starting this week in an exclusive deal with Verizon Wireless.And if you don't believe me, watch Wayne's World.
Ruminations on computational geometry, algorithms, theoretical computer science and life
Monday, October 15, 2007
I foresee mass murders of cell phone users...
From the NYT:
Posted by Suresh Venkatasubramanian at 10/15/2007 01:18:00 AM
Labels: humor, miscellaneous
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Join hands for an exhilarating climb up the natural stone staircase at Dunn's River Falls. Your climbing guide will take you along the best route and will point out the many cool plunge pools you can slide into as you journey upwards. (Water shoes for climbing the Falls are available from your tour guide. There will be a quick stop to pick up water shoes from a Bamboo Beach Club staff member on the way to the Falls.)
Then head to Bamboo Beach, where reggae-style hospitality reigns! Located in a gorgeous and secluded natural cove, the clear blue water and breathtaking views of this vibrant beach create an unforgettable tropical paradise. Relax on beach chairs under coconut palms and hundred year old sprawling almond trees that line the seashore. Enjoy cultural entertainment and get a real feel of Jamaica as dancers, reggae drummers and artistic acrobats perform vibrant and energetic shows right on the beach.
Take a swim in the sea, dip your toes in the sand, and sip on cool glasses of unlimited beer, Jamaican mojitos, rum punch and lemonade as our DJ plays a mix of local and reggae beats. Enjoy an array of tasty dishes for lunch, all freshly prepared by our chef and served to you by your hostess at your beach chair. These culinary treats are served "tapas-style"and mix Jamaican and Asian accents to give you a taste of the island. Dancing in the morning, drinking cocktails at noon, and "taking it cool" is Bamboo Beach's philosophy! There will be a short stop for shopping on the way back to the ship at Culture Touch. This is a store that specializes in offering high quality Jamaican-made products that make great gifts and reminders of your trip. You will be able to purchase unique t-shirts, liquor, organic body products, Jamaican coffee, rum cakes, hand-made cigars from a Jamaican cigar roller, and more.


text: We have become one of the prominent manufacturers and suppliers of an exclusive range of Ganesha Wall Hangings. Our gift items are assured of their colorfastness, perfect stitching and superior fabric quality. Moreover, our team members assure the delivery of the items within the stipulated time frame and make these available at very reasonable prices.


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An Email-Ready Link
As you requested, here is a ready-to-email link to this page.
The URL is:
Simply include this URL in an email to friends or family members, and they will be able to reach this page directly.
Rose Bowl Half Marathon
Half Marathon
- Number of finishers:
- 716
- Number of females:
- 313
- Number of males:
- 403
- Average time:
- 2:19:26
January 22, 2012 in Pasadena, CA


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WaoN is a Wave-to-Notes transcriber, that is, the inverse of timidity
by Tuukka Toivonen (and its descendants timidity++). ("WaoN" also has
a meaning of harmony of notes or chord in Japanese!)
Maintained by: B. Watson
Keywords: audio,midi,wav2mid,wav2midi
ChangeLog: waon
Download SlackBuild:
waon.tar.gz.asc (FAQ)
(the SlackBuild does not include the source)
|Individual Files:
| doinst.sh
| slack-desc
| waon.SlackBuild
| waon.desktop
| waon.info
| waon.png
© 2006-2018 SlackBuilds.org Project. All rights reserved.
Slackware® is a registered trademark of Patrick Volkerding
Linux® is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds
Web Design by WebSight Designs | Managed Hosting by OnyxLight Communications


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The collapse of Lebanon's government plunged the country into deep political uncertainty Thursday after a year of relative stability, as the president began the process of putting a new administration together.
President Michel Suleiman asked Saad Hariri to stay on as caretaker prime minister after the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah and its allies resigned Wednesday and brought down Hariri's government.
The crisis was the climax of tensions that have been simmering for months over the U.N. tribunal investigating the 2005 assassination of Hariri's father, former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. The tribunal is widely expected to indict members of Hezbollah soon, which many fear could rekindle violence in the tiny nation plagued for decades by war and civil strife.
Lebanon's 14-month-old unity government was an uneasy coalition linking bitter rivals — a Western-backed bloc led by Hariri and the Shiite Hezbollah — that was an attempt to stabilize the country. But in reality, it had been paralyzed for months because of disputes over the Hariri tribunal.
Hezbollah, which is supported by Syria and Iran and maintains an arsenal that far outweighs that of the national army, denounces the Netherlands-based tribunal as a conspiracy by the U.S. and Israel. It had been pressuring Hariri to reject any of its findings even before they came out, but Hariri has refused to break cooperation with the tribunal.
Now, the chasm between the two sides is deepening with Hezbollah accusing Hariri's bloc of bowing to the West. Hezbollah's ministers timed their resignations to coincide with Hariri's meeting with President Barack Obama in Washington, forcing him to meet the American president as a caretaker prime minister.
The collapse of the government ushers in the worst political crisis since 2008 in one of the most volatile corners of the Middle East.
Lebanon suffered through a devastating civil war from 1975-1990, a 1982 Israeli invasion to drive out Palestinian fighters in the south, a 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, and deadly sectarian fighting between Sunnis and Shiites in 2008.
Arab League chief Amr Moussa expressed concern that Lebanon could again descend into chaos.
"It is bad. It is tense. It is threatening," he said of the situation. "All of us have to work together in order to reach some kind of compromise," he told reporters in Doha, Qatar.
Israel also said it was worried about renewed violence on its northern border with Lebanon. Israeli troops stationed along the frontier were on alert Thursday.
Suleiman began consultations over the choice of a new prime minister Thursday. He met with parliament speaker Nabih Berri, who told reporters after the meeting that the president would begin polling lawmakers on their choice on Monday.
There were expectations of prolonged wrangling over the selection of prime minister.
Politicians in the pro-Western coalition said there was no alternative to the 40-year-old billionaire Hariri, who remains the most popular choice among Sunnis. According to Lebanon's constitution, the president must be a Christian Maronite, the prime minister a Sunni and the parliament speaker a Shiite.
Samir Geagea, leader of the Christian right-wing Lebanese Forces group which is allied with Hariri, said Hariri's backers would name him again as their choice.
"It would be a grave mistake to even think about an alternative to Saad Hariri," he warned Wednesday.
The opposition, meanwhile, said it would be futile for Hariri to return as prime minister and insisted there were alternatives among Lebanon's Sunni community.
Hezbollah lawmaker Mohammed Raad suggested Thursday the next prime minister should be a supporter of the group.
"We should agree on the way to administer the country with a strong government headed by someone with a history of national resistance," he said.
The president said he was accepting the resignations of 11 ministers — which amounted to the more than one-third of the 30-member Cabinet required to bring the government down.
But the president asked Hariri to continue managing the country's day-to-day affairs until a new cabinet is formed.
Hariri was to hold talks in Paris on Thursday with French President Nicolas Sarkozy.


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Field School Week Three
Week three of the Archaeology Field School began with a change of pace as we headed to the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center instead of the usual site, Mount Harmon. Initially, Dr. Markin and Dr. Schindler were both excited to be working at a prehistoric site rather than a historic one and, after picking a likely site and hauling our equipment from the bus, we began digging. We were divided into groups of two and dug a total of fifteen shovel test pits. Unfortunately, it turned out to be slow work, as we had to dig through thick undergrowth and clay filled soil. We did not find enough evidence to confirm the presence of a prehistoric settlement but we did gain plenty of valuable experience setting up and documenting shovel test pits.On Tuesday, we had a brief lecture on identifying ceramic types as a prelude to the lab work we will begin next week. Liz Seidel taught us to recognize some of the major types of pottery and some of the history behind the ceramic industry. Afterwards, we headed to Mount Harmon and set up the day's excavation. Instead of opening all of last week's units, the professors decided to keep unit nine closed and open two new units. Units ten and eleven extended off of the existing units four and six in an attempt to follow the wall foundation that was discovered last year. The new units quickly proved promising as fragments of a broken pot were found in unit eleven and several bricks were found in unit ten. Meanwhile, Professor Schindler continued digging shovel test pits on the hill above the Prize House in the hopes of turning up the remains of a building that was supposedly located there.We took a trip to the Winterthur Museum in northern Delaware on Wednesday to view their massive collection of antiques and continue our introduction to ceramics. Due to minor trouble with the bus, we arrived about a half hour late but still had time to take a brief tour of the public museum section. Afterwards, we were allowed into one of the private sections for a lecture on ceramic types and to see some of the antiques not currently on display in the museum proper. The tour continued after lunch when we met one of Dr. Schindler friends, a professor at Winterthur's graduate program, and got to see some of the conservation and restoration work done at the museum. The staff explained some of the equipment used in analyzing artifacts as well as some of the objects they were working to restore. We got to see George Washington's saddle bag, a Greek vessel, and a Roman glass cup.The professors decided that the predicted temperature for Thursday was far too high for field work and kept us inside instead. Therefore, we spent the morning getting an introduction to cleaning and cataloging artifacts. It was tedious work but it gave us an appreciation for what goes on in the lab. After lunch, Dr. Seidel gave us a lecture on analyzing material culture and asked us to identify 15 artifacts with as much information as we could. Some of the pieces were surprisingly difficult to describe and few of us could give our artifacts a precise time period or location of origin.We finished the week at the Mount Harmon site where we opened a twelfth unit and continued excavating units eight, ten, and eleven. The new unit will hopefully find more of the trench that was discovered last year at about the same level as the stone foundation. Locus eight continued to test its excavators with a litany of loci all clustered together while units ten and eleven continued to follow the foundation. There was even evidence to suggest that the brick walkway found by last year's field school continues across unit ten. In general, the new units looked very promising and we look forward to continue excavations on Monday.


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Baby's first portrait
Used available light outdoor open shade. Real Tree Branch and baby hammock. For baby safety the photo session was held over a table with soft blankets and black backdrop draped over table. ASA 200, 1/125, f11.
Exif: F Number: 5.6, Exposure Bias Value: -0.33, ExposureTime: 1/60 seconds, Flash: did not fire., ISO: 200, White balance: Manual white balance, FocalLength: 38.00 mm, Model: NIKON D700
Uploaded on 9/10/2012 7:45:14 PM
Camera: Nikon D700 Digital SLR Camera
Copyright for this gallery photo belongs solely to Rita Hill. Images may not be copied, downloaded, or used in any way without the expressed, written permission of the photographer.
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Home - Common Tagby Spone
Common Tag is an open tagging format developed to make content more connected, discoverable and engaging. Unlike free-text tags, Common Tags are references to unique, well-defined concepts, complete with metadata and their own URLs. With Common Tag, site owners can more easily create topic hubs, cross-promote their content, and enrich their pages with free data, images and widgets.
1 (3 marks)


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Alert 2008-31
Subject: Fraudulent Regulatory Agency Issuances
Date: June 30, 2008
Description: Fraudulent Correspondence Attributed to Officials of the Department of Homeland Security
Fraudulent Correspondence Regarding the Release of Funds Supposedly under the Control of the United States Consular in the United Kingdom
To: Chief Executive Officers of All National Banks; All State Banking Authorities; Chairman, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; Chairman, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; Conference of State Bank Supervisors; Deputy Comptrollers (districts); Assistant Deputy Comptrollers; District Counsel and All Examining Personnel
Correspondence, allegedly issued by William H. Webster of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding restricted funds purportedly under the control of the United States Consular in the United Kingdom, is in circulation. The item is a hoax.
This fraudulent correspondence, which is being sent as a letter to United States bank customers in an attempt to elicit funds from them, is attached. The letter indicates that the DHS has placed an immediate stop on a large sum of money to be transferred into the recipient's bank account. The letter points out to the recipient the consequences related to receiving such large dollar amounts without adhering to the Homeland Security Laws of the United States/Canada, as written in the "Patriotic Act of 2001." The letter further states that the recipient must obtain an Anti-Terrorist Clearance Certificate prior to the transfer of funds. According to the European Commission's recent warning (attached and viewable at http://www.eurunion.org/ScamWarnings.htm), victims of this fraud are directed to pay approximately $25,000 USD to obtain these bogus documents.
Any documents claiming that the DHS is involved in holding any funds for the benefit of any individual or entity are fraudulent. The Department does not participate in the transfer of funds for, or on behalf of, individuals, business enterprises, or governmental entities.
The correspondence in question contains a forged signature of William H. Webster, listed as Director, Homeland Security Department, but who is currently Chairman of the Homeland Security Advisory Council in the Office of Policy within the DHS, and a fictitious telephone number that is not associated with the DHS. The Department strongly discourages recipients from responding in any manner to this correspondence.
Consumers who receive such material should file complaints with the following agencies, as appropriate:
Any information regarding the subject of this alert may be brought to the attention of the DHS at email@example.com, or you may visit their Web site at www.dhs.gov.
Additional information concerning this matter that you believe should be brought to the attention of the OCC may be forwarded to:
For additional information regarding other types of financial fraud, please visit the OCC's anti-fraud resource at: https://www.occ.gov/topics/consumer-protection/fraud-resources/index-fraud-resources.html.
Richard C. Stearns
Related Links


text:
What is Adobe Experience Manager Communities?
It's an Experience Manager capability that helps you create online community experiences, including forums, user groups, and other social features that are valuable to customers and your brand.
Connect with your customers.
As you learn more about your communities, integrate your insights with your other marketing data to drive value and loyalty — improving the impact of your overall digital experiences.
Create and customize communities.
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See what Experience Manager Communities can do.
Experience Manager is powerful.
It's even more powerful with Managed Services.
With Adobe as your single partner for hosting and support, you'll get the help you need, with the security you require and the flexibility you want — without the hassle and costs of going elsewhere to get it.
Silicon Labs commits to delivering targeted experiences.
Learn how Silicon Labs uses Adobe Experience Manager to quickly personalize and publish content for different industries.
"One of the fundamental difference between Adobe Experience Manager and other CMS options is its usability."
— Kamran Shah, Director of Corporate Marketing Silicon Labs
Learn how to solve business problems.
Read our use cases for best practices in Experience Manager Communities.


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ANDERSON, Ind. – Drew Kuesel found the end zone three times in the first half on Saturday and powered in for a fourth time in the final minute of the game to lift the Yellow Jackets to a thrilling, 28-21, win against the Ravens. The victory was DC's third in a row and its seventh-straight triumph over Anderson.
Defiance has dominated the rivalry since 2005, winning all seven meetings by an average of 32 points per outing. The past two clashes have been influenced heavily by the legs of Kuesel, who followed a three touchdown performance in last year's 49-7 victory with a four touchdown effort on Saturday.
The senior running back had a season-high 161 rushing yards on 23 attempts, to go along with a career-high four touchdowns. Kuesel averaged 7.0 yards per rush en route to his fifth 100-yard game of his career and his first four scores of the year. Kuesel has now rushed for 19 touchdowns during his time with the Purple and Gold.
Kuesel's breakout afternoon started early, with 112 yards and three touchdowns coming before the intermission to fuel a 21-7 start for Defiance. The early lead evaporated over the course of the second half however, as Anderson slowed the Yellow Jacket attack and held DC scoreless until the final minute of the game.
Anderson capitalized on the scoring drought by converting on a fourth-down play on the first snap of the fourth quarter and found pay dirt three plays later to draw within 21-14 with 13:19 left in the contest. The Ravens then forced a quick punt from Defiance and marched down the field once again to knot the score at 21-21 with 7:31 to play.
Another DC drive ended quickly, as Anderson recovered a fumble on the second play of the Jackets' ensuing drive. The turnover led to a 39-yard field goal attempt from the Ravens that sailed just outside the posts to keep the score gridlocked.
Defiance then took over on its own 22-yard lined with 5:17 on the clock and turned back to Kuesel for a spark on the final possession. The Patrick Henry High product responded, carrying the ball seven times for 40 yards, but the big strike came with Rick Powell hitting Nick Wiedenhoft over the middle for a 34-yard reception on a pivotal third-down snap.
Kuesel took over from there, running the ball on four-straight snaps, with the final effort resulting in a four-yard touchdown scamper that put Defiance on top, 28-21, with 49 ticks left on the clock.
Anderson flirted with yet another rally, returning the following kickoff to its own 47-yard marker. The Purple and Gold had one final answer though, as Tony Sierra iced the Defiance victory by hauling in a deflected AU pass with 17 seconds remaining.
Despite the highlight showing from Kuesel, the Jackets still turned in a balanced attack with 192 yards on the ground and 182 through the air. Kuesel was the story, ending with 161 rushing yards and four scores, while Powell added 182 yards on 11 completions through the air and Wiedenhoft caught six of those passes for 111 yards.
Hunter Robertson paced the DC defensive unit with 14 tackles, including 10 solo stops and one hit for lost yardage. Patrick McDonald also chipped in with seven tackles and three for lost yardage and Sierra added seven hits and the game-ending interception.
Defiance climbed to 3-2 in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference with the victory and moved to 3-4 overall. The Jackets will try to stay in the win column on October 29, when they play at Rose-Hulman (3-4, 3-2 HCAC) in a 1:30 pm start.


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One of the top centers of his era, David The Admiral Robinson was a marvel of a basketball player and a respected figure off the court. A lean, muscular, 7-1 athlete, he was fast, strong and agile. In his first six NBA seasons he won Rookie of the Year, NBA MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards, in addition to a rebounding title, a scoring crown, six All-Star bids, three selections to the All-NBA First Team and three selections to the NBA All-Defensive First Team.
A contemporary of Hakeem Olajuwon and Patrick Ewing, Robinson posted career averages of 21.1 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game and won two championships -- the second one in his final season -- to stake his claim as one of the legends of the NBA.
Robinson's lasting legacy was also defined by his status one of the pre-eminent philanthropists in all of professional sports. On March 23, 2003, NBA Commissioner David Stern announced that future winners of the NBA Community Assist Award would receive the David Robinson Plaque, with the inscription, "Following the standard set by NBA Legend David Robinson, who improved the community piece by piece."
Among Robinson's charitable achievements was his $9 million commitment toward the construction and operation of The Carver Academy, an independent school for San Antonio students from a culturally diverse community.
By that time, he had become the Spurs' second option due to the rise of the phenomenal forward Tim Duncan. In their first season together in 1997-98, Robinson and Duncan shared the load equally as the elder player posted 21.6 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.63 blocks per game while the young star from Wake Forest had similar numbers of 21.1 points, 11.9 rebounds and 2.51 blocks per game.
In their second campaign together, Robinson unselfishly redefined his game to accentuate the skills and strengths of Duncan. Robinson began to play away from the basket at the high post, allowing Duncan the freedom to maneuver down low. Robinson's regular season production slipped to 15.8 ppg and 10 rpg, but the team prospered and he was still an integral part of the Spurs' championship effort.
At the end of a long and distinguished career, Robinson won his second ring in 2002-03. That season, the Spurs tied division rival Dallas for the league's best record (62-20). In the playoffs, San Antonio stopped Phoenix, the three-time reigning champion Los Angeles Lakers and the Mavericks while on the way to a matchup against the New Jersey Nets in NBA Finals 2003.
The Spurs clinched the championship in Game 6 by ralling from a fourth-quarter deficit to take a thrilling 88-77 victory over the Nets in San Antonio. Robinson, less than two months shy of his 38th birthday, reached back for a dominant effort, finishing with 13 points, 17 rebounds and two blocks. Robinson and Duncan teamed up to outrebound New Jersey by themselves as the Spurs enjoyed a 55-35 advantage on the boards.
"My last game, streamers flying, world champions. How could you write a better script than this?" Robinson asked.
"I'm just thrilled that David ended his career with a game like that," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "His effort was really wonderful. He really dug down deep and showed how important it was to him to help us get this victory."
"For a second there on the court," Duncan said, "I really thought, 'You know what, I'm not gonna play with this guy again. I'll have to come out on this court without him.' It's going to be weird."
Robinson is living proof of the old adage that good things come to those who wait. A 1987 graduate with a mathematics degree from the U.S. Naval Academy, Robinson honored a commitment to serve two years in the Navy before joining the NBA.
He was the best thing that ever happened to Navy basketball. A 6-4 player with one year of prep experience when he joined the team, he averaged 7.6 points and 4.0 rebounds as a freshman, but he grew seven inches while at the Academy and became a devastating force.
As a junior, he averaged 22.7 points (down from 23.6 as a sophomore), led the nation in rebounding (13.0 rpg) and set an NCAA Division I record by averaging 5.91 blocks. He blocked 14 shots in a single game that season to set a collegiate record and he tallied more blocks in a season (207) than any player up to that point in the history of college basketball.
As a senior, he averaged 28.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 4.50 blocks to win unanimous selection as Player of the Year. He scored 50 points in his college finale, a loss to Michigan in the NCAA Tournament. He also played on the 1988 U.S. Olympic basketball team that won the bronze medal as the last purely amateur team to represent the U.S. in Olympic competition.
The only question facing San Antonio Spurs management in 1987 was whether they would be able to get to sleep every night for two years while awaiting Robinson's arrival. Robinson was certainly the best player available in the 1987 NBA Draft, but he also had a military commitment to the Navy and thus would not be able to join an NBA team until 1989.
The Spurs, who won the 1987 NBA Draft Lottery and owned the first overall pick, looked at Robinsons college accomplishments and decided he was worth the wait.
According to plan, Robinson entered the NBA as a 24-year-old rookie with the Spurs in 1989-90. One of the most gifted and versatile athletes in the NBA, the former Navy midshipmen was the NBA Rookie of the Month all six months of the season, an All-Star at midyear and then an easy choice for the NBA Rookie of the Year Award at seasons end.
Robinsons success as a rookie was a major factor in the then-greatest one-year team turnaround in NBA history. After the Spurs posted a 21-61 record in 1988-89, they drafted Sean Elliott, traded for Terry Cummings and Rod Strickland and welcomed Robinson. The result was a remarkable 35-game improvement to a 56-26 record and the Midwest Division title. San Antonio then advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals before losing in seven games to the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Admiral had a spectacular postseason as he averaged 24.3 points, 12.0 rebounds and 4.0 blocked shots in 10 playoff games.
Within his first three seasons, Robinson established himself among the best in the league. His early achievements included All-NBA First Team selections in 1991 and 1992, NBA All-Defensive First Team berths in 1991 and the 1992 NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
But the ending to Robinsons third NBA season was disappointing. A torn ligament in his left hand sidelined him on March 16. The injury forced him to miss the rest of the regular season and the entire postseason. Without Robinson the Spurs struggled, posting a 5-9 record to end the regular season and then suffering a first-round playoff sweep by the Phoenix Suns.
However, he joined elite company by becoming the third player in NBA history to rank among the leagues top 10 in five categories, joining Cliff Hagan (1959-60) and Larry Bird (1985-86). Robinson was seventh in scoring (23.2 ppg), fourth in rebounding (12.2 rpg), first in blocks (4.49 per game), fifth in steals (2.32 per game) and seventh in field-goal percentage (.551).
Robinson also was the first player in NBA history to rank among the top five in rebounding, blocks and steals in a single season. His excellence earned him a second consecutive All-NBA First Team selection and his third straight NBA All-Star berth. The end to that season was highlighted with his selection as the NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
After the season, Robinson traveled to Barcelona with the Dream Team, a spectacular collection of NBA stars including Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Bird that would go on to win the gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympic Games.
Robinson was a workhorse for the Spurs in his fourth NBA season. He appeared in all 82 games and played a then franchise-record 3,211 minutes. After averaging 23.4 points, 11.7 rebounds, 3.22 blocks and 1.55 steals, he was named to the All-NBA Third Team and the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. He was voted to start for the Western Conference All-Stars for the third straight season and he scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the game.
The Spurs had the misfortune of meeting the NBAs winningest team, the Phoenix Suns, in the Western Conference Semifinals. Phoenix, led by league MVP Charles Barkley, eliminated San Antonio in six games, though Robinson averaged 23.1 points and 12.6 rebounds in the postseason.
Robinson's game was at its best in the open court. He ran the floor like no 7-footer before as he could grab a defensive board to ignite a fast break and finish with an authoritative slam. And in the half-court offense, he had a soft left-handed jumper. Already recognized as one of the league's better players, the best was yet to come in 1993-94 and beyond.
With the arrival of the NBAs designated rebounder, Dennis Rodman, taking some of the frontcourt load off his shoulders, Robinson enjoyed his highest scoring (29.8) and assist average (4.8) as a pro in 1993-94. That season, Robinson became the fourth player in NBA history to record a quadruple-double. Against the Detroit Pistons in a 115-96 victory, he had 34 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and 10 blocked shots.
Robinson carried San Antonio to a 55-27 record, the teams fifth consecutive season of at least 47 victories. However, the Spurs lost to the Utah Jazz in the opening round of the postseason in four games. Robinson averaged 20.0 points and 10.0 rebounds in the series.
He also made history with his 71-point explosion against the Los Angeles Clippers on the last day of the season to win the NBA scoring title at 29.8 ppg edging Orlando Magic center Shaquille ONeal (29.3 ppg). That romp made Robinson just the fourth player ever to score 70 points in an NBA game, joining Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor and David Thompson.
He also finished that season as a the NBA MVP runner-up to Olajuwon.
The next year, 1994-95, Robinson had another great season. He won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award and posted numbers of 27.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 3.23 blocks and 1.65 steals per game while pacing the Spurs to the NBAs best record at 62-20. And at midseason he played in his sixth consecutive All-Star Game.
As the No. 1 seed, the Spurs swept Denver in three straight games and then got past the Lakers in six games to meet the defending champion Rockets in the conference finals. However, Robinsons selection as MVP seemed to motivate Olajuwon, the past seasons MVP, as Olajuwon got the better of Robinson in the clash. In the series, Robinson averaged 23.8 points, 11.3 rebounds and 2.17 blocks while Olajuwon averaged 35.3 points, 12.5 rebounds and 4.17 blocks and the Rockets won in six games.
Following the season, Robinson played for 1996 U.S. Olympic Team, which won a gold medal at the Summer Games in Atlanta.
The next season, while at the peak of his game, Robinson would suffer the darkest moments of his career. However, it laid the foundation for the remainder of his days in the NBA and the future of the franchise.
Robinson suffered a back injury prior to the 1996-97 season and returned to play in six games before suffering a fractued left foot. The Spurs slumped to 20-62, but the silver lining for the Silver and Black was a chance to grab the No. 1 selection in the 1997 Draft Lottery.
The prize that draft was Tim Duncan. The Spurs won the right to draft Duncan and the San Antonio version of the Twin Tower would win two rings over the next five seasons.
Robinson and Duncan played exceptionally well together in their first season and the team achieved a 36-game win improvement, which surpassed the Spurs' previously greatest NBA turnaround in the 1989-90 season by one game. Robinson led the team in scoring with 21.6 ppg and Duncan in rebounding with 11.9 rpg and the two each recorded more than 2.5 blocks per game. However, the team lost to the Utah Jazz 4-1 in the Western Conference Semifinals.
In their second season as teammates, the Robinson- and Duncan-led Spurs put it all together. They finished atop the Midwest Division and, along with the Jazz, held the league's best record of 37-12 in the shortened season. For the second consecutive season the Spurs also set an NBA record for lowest opponent field goal percentage, bettering the previous season's mark of .411 to .402.
The Spurs raced through the playoffs, losing only twice and recorded an NBA record of 12 consecutive wins at one point while becoming the first former American Basketball Association team to win an NBA championship. The Spurs defeated the Knicks, who lost Ewing to an Achilles tendon injury in the Eastern Conference Finals. Robinson tallied 25 points to lead the Spurs in scoring in a Game 3 defeat, 89-81, the sole Spurs' loss in the Finals. He also grabbed 12 boards in the series-clinching victory in Game 5.
Over the next three seasons, the Lakers, led by O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, would reign as champs. Although Robinson played in at least 78 regular season games per season during that span, he would miss valuable time in the postseason because of back ailments or other injuries. Duncan also missed the entire 2000 postseason due to injury as the Suns defeated the Spurs in the first round. And in 2001 and 2002, the Lakers would handle the Spurs relatively easily, sweeping them in the 2001 Western Conference Finals and needing just five games in the 2002 Conference Semifinals.
Robinson's final season, however, was full of rewards as the Spurs defeated their nemesis, the three-time defending champion Lakers, en route to the NBA title. During that Western Conference Semifinals matchup against Los Angeles, the Spurs held onto win a crucial Game 5, 96-94, when Robert Horry's three-point shot rimmed out and Robinson snared the rebound. That shot, if good, would have capped a 25-point comeback victory and may have derailed the Spurs' championship hopes. San Antonio, however, went into Los Angeles and won Game 6 and the series.
The Spurs then went on to to defeat the fast-paced Mavericks in six games before taking care of the Nets. In the six-game Finals series, he posted 10.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.83 blocks and 1.17 steals per game.
"One of the greats we get a chance to say goodbye to, tonight, David Robinson, " NBA Commissioner David Stern said at the start of the trophy presentation. "Thank you."
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Asian investors plough $106m into ambitious Chinese dairy Huaxia
The investment, stumped up by GIC, Olympus Capital Asia, and Grand River Capital, will enable Huaxia Dairy Farms to expand its farming operations, update farm management technology, and add to its herd.
Huaxia, established just 10 years ago, will also seek to expand its Wondermilk brand dairy range, which currently includes a variety of milks, yogurts, and dairy desserts.
GIC, a subsidiary of the Singapore government that manages the country's foreign reserves, has invested US$70m (€51.3m) in exchange for an undisclosed shareholding.
Private equity firm Olympus Capital Asia, now Huaxia's largest shareholder, and Grand River Capital made up the difference - contributing US$30m (€22m) and US$6m (€4.4m) respectively to the fund.
Charles Shao, founder and chairman, Huaxia Dairy, welcomed the investment.
"This financing marks another key milestone for Huaxia Dairy and will provide the capital to support our growth plans. We appreciate the continued support and partnership with Olympus Capital Asia and welcome GIC as a new investor," said Shao.
Mirroring Shao, Peter Cimmet, managing director, Olympus Capital Asia, and a Huaxia board member, said: "GIC supports the company's strategy to become the leading premium player in the China dairy market and is an ideal partner to help drive the further expansion of the company."
Huaxia currently operates three dairy farms near Beijing and already boasts a herd of more than 13,500.
A proportion of the milk produced on the three farms is processed by Huaxia and marketed under the Wondermilk brand. The rest is sold raw to rival Chinese dairy manufacturers.
With demand for raw milk in the country on the up, Huaxia is in the process of constructing a new farm in Xinghua, around 900km from its existing farms near Beijing.
Its proximity will, the investors claim, allow Huaxia to serve both Beijing and Shanghai.


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2012-10-31 / Obituaries
Mercedes Bayon, former Massapequa resident, furrier worker
Mercedes Bayon, a resident of Broadlawn Manor Nursing Home, Amityville and formerly of Massapequa, died Sept. 27, 2012 at the nursing home. She was 91 years old. Ms. Bayon was born Nov. 9, 1920 in Valparaiso, Chile to Miguel and Carmen (Suarez) Bayon. She worked as a furrier for R.H. Macy, Inc. in New York City.
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text: I've been interested in genealogy and researching my past for many year now. I think being an only child and not having a big family encouraged me to find out more about where I came from and the family I had. I have found over 100 people on my family tree, but have a long way to … [Read more...]


text:
Beards Are In! Razor Sales Are Out
Paul Ziobro explains the reasons behind the significant sales dropoff being experienced by the shaving and razor industry. Photo: Getty Images.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... the the ... it's ... not that it's double ... Paul Ziobro is it's the it's it's a token out why he's wearing this today ... I'm that they were to paraphrase the deferred shading is like taxes and did ... one of those few things in life that on certain ... that human race is a reliable text generating business right ... platoons out the race to his feet and went to Pacific this decline last quarter ... pool was heated tell us why that's the case ... good morning good morning ... sun was going on while I want to call the blame this is the nine months ending down the reason ... why Obama is is is in fact bullish and reduced its ferocity is indeed what you well his dumbass this week some of the busy until the home study I must doesn't allow us to think that it ... does this every morning ... to find out that part of the problem I mean I'd I heard an endless tell me that ... you know people are saving last meal stumbles becoming a loved one ... the acceptable to do my generation maybe it's those here generation our table ... but um I'm starting to soften a good trend I think it's a girl in one of the bigger problem with its own last quarter and is coming from Energizer which may shake the Number two player in the US ... is the point finger PNG which thanks to what ... they're saying they're promoting too much ... to do this thing called cap downsizing more instead of ... I think we use to buy a razor blade a Gillette razor blade to get to ... aam reply schoolboys in another didn't want which is lower prices also these are the last quarter sales are down six percent ... the dollar sales and SS unit sales were down ten percent ... and energizes CEOs that busyness the worst quarter they've ... ever seen for the category ... as far as he can reduce benefits to twenty by Sir Michael a tipping point right now you think is to be a very slow secular term well it's been the promotional wars have begun around for awhile when these two companies PNG has a ... key and with two ASIC huge market share in the U S seventy percent ... and um ... works where this it's it's been making grounds of the last making up around the last couple years with the new recently became a hike with just five ways which is fundamentally new ING's ... up was there's a couple other things going on I mean it's ... been a fortified it is only so much to write what you value pointing directly brazenly you know ... maybe you can go much further I think there is a six from six winter is on the market ... is likely to relieve suffering people of ... too much more from that ... and still to be one of us think people realize the last couple years is that the much a busy it is pretty good and happy about it why do I need to pay more that's why ... you know she said she did great with the disposal recently came out with ... an even finer labels make enough shares well ... of Alaska for years so I mean does a warning signs or Gillette business ... six business as well because ... those are cash cows in a by those who plays poker with their new concrete sensitive that that that which was surprisingly now right yet so ... and that's why see people paying them to dispose rotten finally able to fix it even to write a story about two point about so that you shifting as more is if you like it has been starkly just a few years ago the whole talk was that was of the major essential mile ... trading systems and by the completely hairless today ... we went on from that to two thirds of the isthe stubble that it's really a factor in well there's there's nothing considers most that I think ... shing's also making a push ... below the neck shaping have a ... new three and one raiser at out there with no ... its calorie consumption generic into facial hair ... and Chester body get two pounds ... it's really did bushy be isn't a


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we get Wave 9 with endless revision cases for the Revenge cards and that's it?
And I will be curious as to how they define a HTF figure.
The new Anakin is the Padawan version
And re-releasing Daultey Dofine? Really? Seriously? A peg-warming Saga2 figure? If they're going to release a Neimodian, please do Tey How or Nute Gunray... a Neimoidian people really want. (I know they're probably saving on tooling cost by releasing this guy, but he'll just join the ranks of Clones on the pegs)
Luke's Tauntaun coming and no Hoth Luke = FAIL, Hasbro dropped the ball again.
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Voting for Pip begins again tonight on 'The Voice'
ST. MARYS – Pip is once again scheduled to appear on NBC's "The Voice" tonight during a two-hour live show that will run from 8 to 10 p.m. He will once again need votes to continue to advance-- if he makes it past an instant elimination by his coach, Adam Levine. The four remaining members from Levine's and Cee Lo Green's teams will all perform on Monday evening. The three who make it through the instant elimination will vie for votes from fans. Voting will again run from 10 p.m. Monday through 10 a.m. Tuesday, with fans able to call a toll-free number, vote online at www.nbc.com/the-voice, or vote via text message for their favorite singers. Individuals are able to vote up to 10 times using each method. Results from the voting will be announced during another live show on Tuesday evening at 9 p.m. The singer on each team who receives the most votes will be saved, while the remaining two must each perform an additional song in hopes of being saved by their coach. Laura (Arnold) Claypool, Pip's aunt, will once again be holding a viewing party at ChinAmerica Palace in St. Marys on Monday.Pip, the 19-year-old son of St. Marys native Jim Arnold, has continued to gain popularity among fans. Sam Smith, a freshman at Duquesne University, first heard about the aspiring singer in February when she saw a post on Facebook from Pip's cousin and her former ECC classmate, David Bojalad, asking people to watch "The Voice." "Besides the fact that he (Pip) has an amazing voice and can pull off the bowtie/suspenders style, I'm a fan because he communicates with his fans. He is constantly liking and commenting on people's posts on his Facebook wall. One time I mentioned that I got my picture taken by the 'Vote for Pip' sign at the car wash and he encouraged me to upload it to the page," Smith said.Karisa Krieg, a freshman at Robert Morris University, also heard about Pip from Bojalad and decided to check him out on "The Voice." Of the three songs Pip has performed so far on "The Voice," both Krieg and Smith said that his performance of "House of the Rising Sun" during his blind audition was their favorite. "The way he held the last note was impressive," Smith said. Both Smith and Krieg have also tried to encourage others to support Pip as well."I haven't held big viewing parties, but at school I try to encourage my friends to watch and vote for him," Krieg said. Smith, on the other hand, has helped Pip gain a considerable following at Duquesne. "I made posters and put them all over my door and around campus. I also host viewing/voting parties, but so many people come now that I think we are going to have to move to somewhere else on campus so that we can fit more people," Smith said.More information on Pip can be found on his website, www.pipmusic.com, or at www.nbc.com/the-voice. Pick up a copy of the Monday, April 23, 2012 edition of The Ridgway Record for more.


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Humans are programmed for self-preservation. Ironically, that doesn't mean we're instinctively inclined toward wealth preservation.
Sure, some people are inveterate savers -- reveling in their ability to ignore consumerism and sock away 30% of their gross income. But then there are the rest of us, who manage to sock away just 4% of our income, according to recent savings rate figures.
We all know better. We might even think, right as we open our wallets, "I should really max out my IRA before I buy this dress/tool/Clapper, but ... I ... can't ... stop ..."
If consumption control is a problem for you, or if you just haven't developed the habit of saving, here are some tricks you can use to increase your net worth.
Trick No. 1: Hide it before you can spend it.
Out of sight is out of mind. When it comes to money, out of sight means in the bank -- and in sight eventually means out of the wallet.
So, put your money out of reach before you can spend it. This can easily be accomplished by signing up for your retirement plan at work. The money is deducted from your pay check and sent straight to your 401(k), 403(b), or 457, before income taxes are taken out. So, not only are you increasing your savings, but you're also reducing your taxes. If your boss matches contributions, then you're really losing money by not participating.
There are many other ways to hide your money from your inner spendthrift. Sign up for an automatic investment program, and money can be electronically transferred from your checking account to your IRA, a savings account, a dividend reinvestment plan (Drip), or a mutual fund that invests in money markets, bonds, stocks, precious metals, or real estate investment trusts.
Economics professors Richard Thaler and Shlomo Benartzi have come up with a twist on this "pay yourself first" strategy. Their "Save More Tomorrow" plan calls for people to increase their savings rate with every raise. So, if you're contributing 3% of your salary to your 401(k) this year, you'd then up your contribution to 6% when you receive your next raise. In a few years, you'll be contributing the maximum allowed.
Trick No. 2: Limit your spending power.
Automated teller machines (ATMs) make getting cash very easy -- which is very bad for your bottom line. Just take a look at your bank statements. See all those $40, $60, and $100 ATM withdrawals listed? Can you account for that cash? Probably not.
So, institute this rule: Decide on a minimum amount of cash you need for a week. Withdraw that amount on Monday, and do not make another withdrawal until the following week. If something important comes up, use your credit card. But knowing that you have a limited amount to spend over the course of the week will make you think twice before buying some random item that will temporarily sate your desire to consume. And anything that discourages spending is a boon to saving.
Trick No. 3: Pay medical and day-care expenses up front, and tax free.
Medical and dependent-care flexible spending accounts (FSAs) permit you to have a certain amount of money taken out of your pay check -- before Uncle Sam can take his cut -- for qualified expenses. The tax savings can be huge, especially for families who spend thousands every year on day care.
Just as with a 401(k), people in the 25% tax bracket will cut their tax bills by $250 for every $1,000 contributed to an FSA. But unlike retirement accounts, FSAs are also exempt from Social Security and Medicare taxes, which results in an additional $76.50 in tax savings per $1,000 contributed.
You do have to use all the money in your FSA by the end of the year, or you lose the money forever. So, be conservative when determining the contribution amount. But this is an easy way to save hundreds on taxes by paying for services and items that you would've had to pay for anyway.
And here's where the real savings trickery comes in. When you get that reimbursement check in the mail, don't go running off to Mohair Sofas 'R' Us. Deposit it in one of your many savings vehicles.
Trick No. 4: Pay debts forever -- but become the payee.
Many of us have some kind of monthly loan payment, whether it be a school loan, a car loan, credit card debt, a mortgage, or all of the above. The day will come when you send in your final payment. But unless that debt has been debilitating, you've been doing fine while making those monthly payments.
So, keep it up. Except, instead of sending a check to the lender, send the check to a savings, brokerage, or mutual fund account. You've increased your net worth by paying off the debt; now keep up the good work by building up your assets.
Trick No. 5: Paper the piggy bank.
You've probably heard of the old "save your change" strategy: Pay for everything with paper money, and put the change in a big jar. Once the jar is full, rent The Sound of Music, plant yourself in front of the TV, roll all your coins, and deposit them into your savings account.
This is a fine plan, but why not supersize it? At the end of the day, deposit all your change and your dollar bills. Maybe even throw in a fiver every once in a while. For years, you've been going to the corner coffee shop, not thinking twice about dropping a few bucks for something that'll add little more to your life than a rounder torso. "Hey, it's only three or four dollars," we say to ourselves.
Why not turn it around and say the same thing every day as we empty our pockets? "It's only a few dollars," you'd say as you deposit $3-$5 every day into your piggy bank, which will accumulate to well over $1,000 if you keep it up for a year.
If your preferred savings account isn't with your local bank, immediately write a check for the same amount of all your loose change, and send it to your retirement/college/emergency account after you've rolled the coins, counted the bills, and deposited the money at the bank.
Trick No. 6: Break windfall.
Every once in a while, a chunk of change falls in our laps. It can come from all kinds of places: a bonus, a tax refund, yard-sale proceeds, savings from mortgage refinancing, successful lawsuits against Disney for making so many mediocre movies despite its wealth of resources.
Oh, the excitement of found money! All the possibilities! We're not suggesting that you deny yourself a little indulgence -- a financial plan based solely on self-denial is doomed to fail. But here's a way to satisfy both the spender and the saver in you: From now on, break up every windfall into chunks. Use some for long-term goals, some for short-term goals, and some for immediate mad money.
Trick No. 7: Satisfy your spending lust.
Many of the reasons we choose to spend instead of save are based on emotion. We're bored, depressed, or upset that it's still five months until football season. When you feel the urge to spend your way to happiness, do things that will satisfy your desire for the new, the novel, the untasted, and the not-yet worn. Come up with a list of inexpensive things you can do instead of seeking mall therapy.
You know what they are: video, book, CD, and clothes exchanges with friends; dinner in a pillow fort in your living room; trips to the museum; camping; picnics -- whatever you enjoy. Stick the list in your wallet and pull it out every time you have the urge to spend money that you'd be better off saving.
For extra credit, join our one-month Fiscal Fitness '09 challenge where we're doling out daily money-saving tips that will put an extra $2,000 in your pocket.
For more Foolishness:
- Click, Call and Haggle Your Way to $1,365.07 In Savings
- One Heckuva Cheap Stock
- The 10 Hottest Stocks of 2008
This article was last published in June 2006. It has been updated to reflect today's economic realities.
Robert Brokamp heads up the Motley Fool's Rule Your Retirement newsletter. The Fool has a disclosure policy.


text: >> but if you do want passwordless ssh, IMO the only sane solution is to >> configure hostbased trust. having an unencrypted private key in your >> home directory is hideous (moral equivalent of putting your password >> in a file, in the clear...) > > Completely agree that host-based passwordless SSH is the best approach, > especially when jobs are submitted via a resource manager.. > > Also agree that an empty passphrase is a particularly bad approach. > > But, when done via ssh-agent, I don't see partiularly onerous security issues > for a usage where you're manually launching jobs from an interactive session > unless you have no faith in the system's integrity at all... absolutely. I spoke sloppily - I use agent-based PK logins myself, and only wanted to badmouth password and unencrypted PK logins. I think it's really important even for end-users to understand the basics of ssh: - first stage is mutual authentication of _machines_. this is what all that "hostkey of xxx has changed; maybe a hack!". once this is done, hosts have an encrypted channel between authentic hosts. - second stage is user PK authentication: the client is challenged to prove knowlege of the private key, which can happen by an un-encrypted private key in ~/.ssh, or by prompting the user for the passphrase to an encrypted privkey, or by interacting with ssh-agent. - finally, as a last resort, username/password can be used - basically the worst case security-wise: maximal exposure to clocal keyboard logging and remote daemon compromise. A QUESTION: how many clusters used/managed by people on this list mandate the use of PK login (ie, rule out passwords)? I know some do, but we haven't, figuring there would be an outcry (not to mention making our systems harder to use for the technically weaker users.) we've thought of providing users with a customized package of windows ssh client with a unique encrypted PK preinstalled. might work... if you think of threat models, it's interesting to note that if an sshable account is attacked through windows-based clients, keylogging is probably the more likley issue. if compromise is of clients on a *nix system, I'm guessing the main risk is unencrypted PKs in /home/*/.ssh. server-side compromise seems to usually be of the daemon, which simply logs password-based logins (not outgoing connections in the versions I've seen, and no compromise of ssh-agent to collect passphrase+key combos...)


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Lunchin' with the missus and my work friends is fun.
The only downside is when you have a bunch of people trying to decide where to go for food.
On this occasion it was surprisingly easy; everyone wanted to eat at Said's Tel-Aviv branch.
Who am I to disagree? It's nearby, delicious and fairly priced.
|msabbaha: a mix of hummus, tahini, chickpeas, lemon juice and hot sauce
The missus ordered a msabbaha and was very pleased with it.
The warm, spicy and savory dish is a great take on hummus, with the chickpeas mixed into the hummus-tahini mash-up, as well as added on top for texture and flavor.
Freshly chopped parsley is a colorful garnish but also adds lots of fresh flavor.
|mahluta: hummus, ful (fava beans) chickpeas, tahini, spicy lemon sauce, olive oil and paprika
The mahluta is my favorite spin on hummus in this fine location.
The hot fava bean stew is a great contrast with the room-temperature hummus and the cold tahini.
The warm chickpeas add a texture play to every bite, and the lemony-spicy sauce that is added makes you want to dip your pita again and again.
Bottom line: while the original Said (located in Acre, Israel - locally known as Akko) is well known for an amazing hummus - this branch has a hummus paste that is average by itself, and is usually upstaged by the supplements.
However, to get to Akko I'd have to take a train, so this is pretty good for a work lunch.
Also: if you're there - try the shawarma.


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Mepham's served up plenty of aces on its way to victories in each of its first eight matches on the tennis court.
With just three matches remaining, the Lady Pirates were battling Plainedge for the top spot in Conference III-B and already own a victory over the Lady Red Devils, a 4-3 thriller on Sept. 22. Mepham squeaked by when its second and fourth doubles teams pulled out late victories. Since that close battle, the Lady Pirates have won a combined 25 of the 28 matches against their last four opponents, including a 6-1 decision over Valley Stream North on Oct. 3.
While the Plainedge win, in particular, showed off some of Mepham's depth, the team has also proven to be versatile with several players shuffling around and still staying on the winning course. In a 7-0 win over Valley Stream Central on Sept. 24, a match No. 2 singles player senior Corryn Chaimowitz missed, the Lady Pirates didn't skip a beat. Senior Nicole Madison moved up to second singles and won in straight sets (6-3, 6-2), while freshman Lindsey Marshall filled in at first doubles and contributed to another victory. "She moved up to first doubles and she hustles," coach Claire Cohen said of Marshall. "She played the net well."
Junior Lena Diller, in her third season as the No. 1 singles player, is among the most consistent and technically sound players on the roster, posting a 5-3 mark. Chaimowitz has ripped off wins in all of her seven matches and lost just one of the 14 sets in total. "She has a [strong] forehand and is very smart," Cohen said. "She knows where to put the ball."
Shari Forman, who transferred from Kennedy, is 6-2 and has already matched her win total from last season. Madison has moved from singles to doubles and teams with senior Tess Larsen on the Lady Pirates' top unit. The second doubles team pairs seniors Ilana Maurer and Michele Moryc, while sophomore Aly Davila and junior Tracy Hanes, in her first varsity campaign, have performed well as the third doubles team.
Along with winning a key match to push Mepham over the top against Plainedge, the fourth doubles team of junior Sabrina Garone and Julia Lunavictoria has shown a big improvement. "The girls are very conscientious and very good team members and I think that helps," Cohen said.
The Lady Pirates close regular season play Friday at home against Long Beach at 4:30 p.m.