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This presentation describes the aeraulic optimization of an electrical box cooling. This equipment is present on the roof of a railway train. The challenge is to provide cooling powered only by airflow around the train, without adding fans or any other system with a cost in term of mass, deterioration of the reliability and the overall price of the equipment. We must therefore reach a sufficient air flow to perform this function.
In the first stage, STAR-CCM + is used to analyze the air flow around the train and especially around the studied box. In a second step, the study focuses on increasing the airflow provided to the box. At this stage, the addition of aerodynamic devices allows to greatly increase the air flow. Optimization has focused on the geometry of these devices (positions, flow sections, curvature, etc.). STAR-CCM + includes a very useful optimization module which has the ability to test a large number of cases and to converge towards an effective solution.
Finally, while complying with industrial criteria and dimensional limits, the objective is achieved and the box is cooling only through the movement of the train.

subset: commoncrawl


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S&T Chancellor Cheryl B. Schrader: A Modern Mentor
Cheryl B. Schrader believes in the power of storytelling. And not just because she loves a good tale. Over the past 10 years, Schrader, an electrical engineer specializing in systems and control, has become more interested in the different learning styles of students. Her research in this area has focused on how women and minorities learn, and she has found that a good story can help these students become more confident in their own abilities. That greater self-confidence in turn could motivate more of them to graduate and move on to successful lives beyond college.
These days, Schrader is especially interested in sharing the untold stories of women and minorities who have become successful in the so-called STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
"Everybody knows the story of Alexander Graham Bell and the invention of the telephone," Schrader says. But similar stories about women inventors are less familiar. "In some academic circles, the impact of women in technological development is becoming clearer," she says. Beyond the walls of academia, however, "those stories aren't well-known. They're not woven into the fabric of our culture."
Schrader hopes to "bring the contributions of women in engineering and science to light, and to have those contributions become a part of the common knowledge of history." Ultimately, she would like to create an inspiring first-person monologue theatrical performance that could be presented at colleges and universities across the country.
Schrader's own story, from her days as an undergraduate student, might fit well into that monologue.
Share This
About this Story
Campus: Missouri S&T
Key words: Competitiveness, Engineering, Rolla Campus, Science, Technology, UM System,
County: Phelps


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Ultra Alpaca Fine is Berroco's newest addition to their best selling Ultra Alpaca family. Machine washable and available in 17 popular melange heathers, the finer gauge of Ultra Alpaca Fine is perfect for knitters who prefer sock and lace weight yarns.
We provide endless possibilities for you including yarn, knitting gifts, needles, kits, sale yarn, free knitting patterns, and more!Jimmy Beans Wool is Your Local Yarn Store... Online!


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What You'll Get
The Deal
- $39 for 60–75 classic comic books and 100 vintage baseball cards
Each package includes an assortment of classic Marvel and DC comics, including Superman, Spiderman, Batman, X-Men, and other popular superheroes, plus 100 vintage baseball cards with at least 10 cards of Hall of Famers. Each package also includes 1 Hall of Fame Rookie Card. Same day shipping is available on most orders.
The Fine Print
Promotional value expires 90 days after purchase. Amount paid never expires. May buy multiple. Online redemption required. Same day shipping on most orders. Shipping not included. The value of the deal represented is an industry average of the value of the entire value of books that will be included in each shipment. If not satisfied with the collection received, items are eligible for return and full refund from us. Merchant is solely responsible to purchasers for the care and quality of the advertised goods and services.
About Comic Book Headquarters
Comic Book Headquarters' comic curators seek out and buy sports and comics memorabilia from private owners, and in turn help customers bolster their own collections. Within their secured warehouse are more than a quarter-billion cards and 3.5 million comic books kept away from damaging hands and hungry household dogs weaning themselves off of homework. This stock of vintage goods also includes baseball, football, hockey, and basketball cards dating back decades, vintage titles from DC and Marvel, and sports equipment signed by famous athletes.


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And yet he endorses the Republicans.
'...he endorses the Republicans..', and talks to emthy chairs!
Love his past work, sorry for his decay....;p(
His daughter though is voting for "a different man" http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/19/clint-eastwood-daughter-mi...
Interesting. Why would we be interested in her voting preference? My interest only goes to the point of appreciation for her civic engagement/duty, her preference will not influence my choice.
It's heartening to know that Dirty Harry has not yet completely succumbed to old age dementia.
It's heartening to know that Dirty Harry has not yet completely succumbed to old age dementia.
If he loves Republicans and has this 'other' position, would that by definition imply dementia?
Just as we have conservative atheists (.com) there is the ability to harbor positions on ethics and morals that don't fall into the stereotypical fundamentalist conservative right wing agenda and this doesn't prevent you from still being aligned with the Republican party.
This man's views are enigmatic, imo - kk


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: News
New Russian nuclear submarine enters service
View Single Post
El Jefe
Don't tread on me.
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Where the peaches grow
Casino cash: $10672
To the DC in............
Urban Meyer: We're going to rotate them right away. We don't redshirt here at Ohio State. We're changing that up. We're going to have the culture out here that there's no redshirting. If you don't play here, it's because you're not good enough. It's not because we're holding you back. We're going to recruit the kind of player where we want them on the field right now. That's the approach we took at Florida, and it's the approach we're going to take here.
Posts: 8,479
El Jefe
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Celtics fall to Wizards, 106-99
Celtics fall to Wizards, 106-99
Avery Bradley played defense against John Wall in the first quarter.
Jordan Crawford shot and made a floater over Marcin Gortat.
Jared Sullinger drove to the basket while Kevin Seraphin guarded.
Crawford was late to defend as Bradley Beal hit a 3-pointer for the Wizards in the second quarter.
The Wizards' John Wall drew a foul on Sullinger.
Celtics coach Brad Stevens spoke with Jeff Green.
Wall stole the ball and assisted Trevor Ariza on a running layup off of a turnover in the third quarter.
Bradley made a jump shot over Otto Porter in the fourth quarter.
Lucky the Leprechaun made a dunk through the legs off of a trampoline.
The Wizards were able to tear down the Celtics' first-half lead and take a 106-99 win at TD Garden.


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You are about to exit for another SJM country or region specific website.
Please be aware that the website you have requested is intended for the residents of a particular country or countries, as noted on that site. As a result, the site may contain information on pharmaceuticals, medical devices and other products or uses of those products that are not approved in other countries or regions.
The website you have requested also may not be optimized for your specific screen size.
Contents: Guidewire (5 units per box)
Items cannot be manually straightened (404584, 404568, 404585, 404586, 404583, 404580, 404576, 404587,404582, 404616, 404618)
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Brief Summary: Prior to using these devices, please review the Instructions for Use for a complete listing of indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, potential adverse events and directions for use.
Unless otherwise noted, ™ indicates that the name is a trademark of, or licensed to, St. Jude Medical or one of its subsidiaries. ST. JUDE MEDICAL and the nine-squares symbol are trademarks and service marks of St. Jude Medical, Inc. and its related companies.
©2018 St. Jude Medical, Inc. All rights reserved.
Customer Support: 855-478-5833


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Photo courtesy of DSPICS.com.
Three members of the Harvard wrestling team are headed to the 2010 NCAA Wrestling Championships in Omaha, Neb. The NCAA announced all 284 qualifiers for the national championship Wednesday night along with seeds and brackets.
Senior co-captain J.P. O'Connor earned the No. 1 seed at 157 pounds. He is 30-0 on the season and won titles at the Binghamton Open, the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational and the EIWA Championships. He was named Co-Ivy League Wrestler of the Year and was a unanimous first-team All-Ivy League selection. O'Connor is the second Harvard wrestler to garner the No. 1 seed at the NCAA Championships. Jesse Jantzen did it in 2004. O'Connor, who is a two-time All-American is competing in his fourth NCAA Championships, will take on Vincent Salminen of North Dakota State.
Senior Louis Caputo is the eighth seed at 184 pounds. The native of Blue Springs, Mo., finished second at the EIWA Championships after receiving unanimous first-team All-Ivy League honors. Caputo, who is 22-3 on the season, is a two-time All-American and is competing in his fourth NCAAs. His first round opponent will be Austin Trotman of Appalachian State.
Steven Keith finished third at the EIWA Championships at 125 pounds to earn an automatic berth to the NCAA championships. Keith is 18-10 on the season. The Shoreham, N.Y., native will face the 12th seed Ben Kjar of Utah Valley State in the first round.
The 2010 NCAA Championships will begin Thursday, March 18 at the Qwest Center in Omaha, Neb. First round action gets underway at noon (EST). The first two sessions (Thursday) will air live on NCAA.com. ESPNU will sessions 3-5 (Friday and Saturday morning), while the finals (session 6) will be aired live on ESPN.


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Asher's Modern & Clean in Aberdeen
Name: Asher (one month)
Location: Aberdeen, Scotland
I was inspired by modern pieces and bright color. It was important to keep things nice and clean since the room is on the small side.
The white walls and big window keep the space from feeling small. We removed the sliding doors to the closet and fit the dresser/changing table in there, which allowed for some extra playing space in the room. The mobile and A to Z poster are the perfect touch of brightness for the white space.
Source List:
• Themis mobile
• The Indigo Bunting's A to Z print
• Oeuf Sparrow crib
• Baxton Studio Letterio White Cradle Chair
• Urban Outfitters curtains
Thanks, Casey! Readers, find Casey at her blog.
(Images: Casey Baudoin)
Apartment Therapy supports our readers with carefully chosen product recommendations to improve life at home. You support us through our independently chosen links, many of which earn us a commission.


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Seven Deaths Confirmed in Arkansas
Authorities have now confirmed seven deaths in Arkansas after a severe storm
< Manning Sentenced
Aug 21, 2013 10:10
Category: General News
Category: General News
Northwest Wildfire
A new fire a few miles from Leavenworth known as the Eagle Fire has grown past 500 acres. 21 homes have been ordered evacuated. The fire near The Dalles on the Columbia river gorge still has 50 homes under evacuation orders and has already burned two homes. Firefighters in Idaho on the Beaver Creek Fire near Sun Valley Idaho are gaining ground. That fire is about 30 percent contained, thanks to cooler weather yesterday. There's a chance of some rain there tomorrow, but today it's red flag conditions and over 1,200 homes are still evacuated.


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Schools & Colleges
The Business School offers the local business community many opportunities to connect and provide input for the purpose
of advising and providing intellectual resources related to the future
direction of the Business School. Many of our initiatives and centers have formed specialized advisory groups to advance their missions.
Members of the Business School Board of Advisors act as a sounding
board, consulting on the school's strategic plans for the future and
providing input on new projects and initiatives.
The school garners advice and support from executives and businesses across many of our disciplines with the help of advisory councils.
© The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate. All rights reserved.
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. All trademarks are registered property of the University. Used by permission only.


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"Lizzie Borden took an ax,
Gave her mother forty whacks.
When she saw what she had done
She gave her father forty-one."
If you don't recognize the above jingle, ask your mother or grandmother. It was a popular jump-rope rhyme among little girls for quite a while. According to Wikipedia, the rhyme was thought to originate among newsboys in 1892 to sell papers covering the sensational murder of Andrew and Abby Borden of Falls Rivers, Mass., supposedly by their daughter Lizzy Borden. In less than 50 years, a most heinous crime went from shocking to the subject of a nursery rhyme. And as time continues to pass, that nursery rhyme is fading into oblivion, also.
Even earlier in time, it was not uncommon for Egyptian pharos to hasten the loss of recognition of previous pharos by chiseling their names from the inscriptions on their tombs and other buildings. They figured that if a king or queen's name no longer existed, neither did their achievements.
Lately I have practiced clean eating and I feel so much better now that my body is not struggling with processing unnatural and possibly toxic elements. This past weekend I was on a technology fast - I didn't watch the news, or listen to the radio. I had no computer, Facebook or internet, and my mind feels so much better not having to process unnatural and toxic elements.
Those of you who know me read the previous paragraphs and just assume that my brain changed channels in mid-thought, but that is not so. This past weeks' glut of reporting on the Boston bombing has overwhelmed me with more info on the suspects than I can handle. The six pillars of journalism: who, what, when, where, why and how have been worn to a nub.
I'm not wanting to go all 1984 here; history is and you can't rewrite it. And I know that humans process events by talking about them. But this week I have seen folks not even remotely related to the bombings pontificating on the suspects, their motives, their backgrounds, their planning, and a lot of 'what ifs' that never did happen and probably never will. Everyone's entitled to their opinions and viewpoints, and we need the facts of an event to shape our opinions. But when the newspapers and the talk shows have thoroughly reported all the hard facts and folks not even remotely involved in the events are asked for opinions, the tragedy of a crime becomes seriously diluted.
When a criminal suspect's name is on every ones' lips and all over the news 24/7, they are being given honor and glory, if in a twisted way. Perhaps we are vilifying them, but we have given them a place of prominence in our thoughts and speech. And the glorification of criminals is not right. I wish that their names could be reduced to initials or a symbol or even just the word 'suspects'.
I know the bombings are not yet resolved according to the laws of our land, and we have to have some way to refer to the bombers, but their names should be regulated to the ash heap of history. Never forget what they did. Never forget the victims. Never forget the heroes of the day. But never remember the bombers' names.


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Gyrex/Contributor Guide/Builds
Gyrex builds are produced on the Eclipse.org infrastructure. It's also possible to build locally. We use Maven and Tycho as our build technology which is also the standard build technology recommended by CBI.
- 1 Really Quick HowTo
- 2 Prerequisites
- 3 Building on Windows
- 4 Build Environment Setup
- 5 Cloning Gyrex Source Tree
- 6 Running The Build
- 7 Build Process Insights
- 8 RelEng Project
- 9 Headless Build Process
- 10 Hudson Build Jobs
Really Quick HowTo
mkdir -p /tmp/gyrex-build cd /tmp/gyrex-build
git clone git://git.eclipse.org/gitroot/gyrex/gyrex-releng.git git clone git://git.eclipse.org/gitroot/gyrex/gyrex-platform.git git clone git://git.eclipse.org/gitroot/gyrex/gyrex-admin.git git clone git://git.eclipse.org/gitroot/gyrex/addons/gyrex-jersey-jaxrs.git git clone git://git.eclipse.org/gitroot/gyrex/addons/gyrex-search.git git clone git://git.eclipse.org/gitroot/gyrex/addons/gyrex-mongodb-persistence.git
cd gyrex-releng/aggregator mvn clean verify
The build is modular with build-order dependencies between the modules. We do not use a single "aggregator" project that aggregates the various Git repositories. But the build process expects that repositories are cloned into the same parent directory in order to allow relative path reference in build scripts/descriptor files.
Oracle Java 7 or higher
- Oracle Java 7 JDK installed
Note: Open JDK might work too but hasn't been tested yet. Feedback is welcome!
- Environment variable JAVA_HOME set to the JDK directory
- Please ensure that the java executable is available in the PATH!
Maven 3
- Download from http://maven.apache.org/download.html or use your Linux distribution provided version (whether it works depends on the distribution).
Note: At the time of writing, Maven 3.0.4 has been used and tested.
- Please ensure that the mvn executable is available in the PATH!
- Please ensure that a recent version of the git executable is on the PATH!
- Depending on your operating system the setup might vary. A good setup guide is available at Set Up Git (GitHub).
Building on Windows
In general, the build should also work on Windows. However, please be aware that there might be some limitations which make it a difficult to produce good results. For example, the path length is limited. Thus, the code tree should not be cloned into an exciting deep hierarchy of folders.
Additionally, builds on Windows can't produce the correct permissions in produced archives on Linux. Therefore, good quality builds for multiple platforms should not be produced from a Windows system.
Build Environment Setup
The following instructions are required to prepare your build environment. Unless otherwise stated, they apply to Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows platforms.
Maven Settings
To avoid getting hit by bug 365727 and to make sure your local environment configuration does not interfere with CBI build, make sure build user account does not have a Maven settings.xml
your_user@desktop:~$ ls -l ~/.m2/settings.xml ls: cannot access /home/your_user/.m2/settings.xml: No such file or directory
On Windows XP this is located in:
C:\Documents and Settings\your_user\.m2\settings.xml File should not exist, if it does delete it.
On Windows 7 this is located in:
C:\Users\your_user\.m2\settings.xml File should not exist, if it does delete it.
Maven Memory Consumption
It may be necessary to grant Maven more memory. In this case, 2GB of RAM should be enough.
export MAVEN_OPTS=-Xmx2048m
If you're using Windows:
SET MAVEN_OPTS=-Xmx2048m
Cloning Gyrex Source Tree
All Gyrex Git repositories must be cloned into the same parent directory.
git clone git://git.eclipse.org/gitroot/gyrex/gyrex-releng.git git clone git://git.eclipse.org/gitroot/gyrex/gyrex-platform.git git clone git://git.eclipse.org/gitroot/gyrex/gyrex-admin.git git clone git://git.eclipse.org/gitroot/gyrex/addons/gyrex-jersey-jaxrs.git git clone git://git.eclipse.org/gitroot/gyrex/addons/gyrex-search.git git clone git://git.eclipse.org/gitroot/gyrex/addons/gyrex-mongodb-persistence.git
Running The Build
From the aggregator directory (directory
'gyrex-releng/aggregator'), run:
mvn clean verify
Multiple Streams
If you build multiple streams on the same system, you'll want to add
'-Dmaven.repo.local=/some/directory/somewhere' to the end of each
'mvn' command to avoid collisions (using a different local repo for each stream). Most casual developers won't be affected.
Alternatively, you can add the additional argument to the
MAVEN_OPTS environment variable instead.
On Windows use
Building directly from Eclipse
Instead of using Maven and Tycho, it is also possible to simply use the PDE Product Export wizard that's available in Eclipse. It requires to have the target platform configured and all Gyrex bundles imported in your workspace. The export can be started via File -> Export... -> Product configuration menu.
Note, however, that this is not recommended for producing official, production build results (to be published on Eclipse.org). But it's a convenient way of testing a product setup.
Build Process Insights
RelEng Project
The root for all build related stuff is the Gyrex RelEng (Release Engineering) project. It contains:
Target Definition
The Target Definition is used for dependency management. All dependencies are listed as p2 repositories hosted at Eclipse.
Product Configuration and Features
The Product Configuration generates the various downloadable artifacts (eg. Gyrex Server ZIP). It references Eclipse Features which define collection of bundles that are meant to be build/deployed together. There are two types of features - regular Gyrex features and dependency-only features. Gyrex features collect Gyrex bundles. Dependency-only feature collect all dependencies. This makes it easy to customize Gyrex based products with different dependencies by using custom features.
Build Scripts and Map Files
The build scripts and map files are used to drive the automatic build and tagging process on Hudson. A cron script checks Git repositories regularly for updates. If new commits are found, a repository is tagged, the map file is updated with the new tag and a Hudson build will be started. PDE Build uses the map files to calculate a bundle qualifier.
Headless Build Process
The build process is entirely based on PDE Build (which is based on Ant). The main build script includes targets for calling from a plain Ant as well as from an Eclipse Ant. The plain Ant target bootstraps a PDE Builder from Eclipse CVS and then launches the Eclipse target using Eclipse Ant. There is also a shared external tool launch configuration that can be used for building from within Eclipse.
The build process if as follows:
- Bootstrap PDE Builder
- Build target platform from target definition (using p2 mirror functionality)
- Fetch sources using map files
- Build org.eclipse.gyrex.features.master
- Assemble Gyrex Server Product
- Produce final p2 Repo (including signing of artifacts when executed on Eclipse.org infrastructure)
- Publish to download.eclipse.org (when executed on Eclipse.org infrastructure)
In order to use the headless build locally, you need to clone the Gyrex Releng repository. You also need to have a working Ant, Git and CVS executable on your system and in your path (so that the build can invoke it). The build script to invoke is
org.eclipse.gyrex.releng/builder/build.xml. Please also create a local
build.local.properties before in order to set some important, required paths.
As part of the build process the Ant scripts bootstrap PDE Builder from Eclipse CVS repos. It then launches the PDE Builder with the same build script but this time calls the Ant target
runInEclipse. Of course, this target can also be called directly from a running Eclipse. However, you must have Eclipse PDE, CVS as well as the Git Fetch Factory for PDE installed in your running Eclipse. The Git Fetch Factory can be installed from http://download.eclipse.org/egit/pde/updates-nightly/.
Hudson Build Jobs
The nightly job is used for CI compile check builds. It monitors the full source tree for changes and kicks of a build every once in a while when somebody checked something into source control. However, it always uses HEAD when performing checkouts. The build results should not be used.
The integration job is used for producing I, S and R builds. Care must be taken when producing S and R builds. The results are automatically published to download.eclipse.org (when running on Eclipse.org infrastructure).


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About me
I was recently tagged by Angie of 5 Kids, My Husband, and Me. I'm supposed to tell six things about myself, so here goes:
- My favorite quick breakfast is toasted homemade rolls with peanut butter.
- Most rooms in my house are painted in shades of ivory. Will I continue this trend when I repaint the bathroom? Only time will tell.
- I wear the same pair of earrings most of the time, and most of my work wardrobe is built around black slacks.
- I prefer two-lane highways and backroads, paved or unpaved.
- I would love to take the next few months off from my job!
- I am a lifelong cat-lover, even though both our kitties are terribly disobedient and disrespectful.
I'm supposed to tag six other bloggers, but I don't usually have much luck with that. Instead, anyone is welcome to do the meme and let us know the link in the comments here. Thanks.


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Today I'm going to discuss a revolutionary new method that has been scientifically proven (study performed by UK University team) to bring blood sugar level down to normal in only ONE week and CURE type 2 diabetes in 7 out of 10 people in 8 weeks.
What's more, it's so simple you can learn it in two minutes (in this article). There are no complications and it doesn't cost a dime (may actually save you money).
But there is a catch… this method will test your will and determination to the max.
I'm sure lots of our readers are going to have a strong reaction to this article, so please read on and make your comment at the end.
This is not the first time I touch on this method. I've mentioned this and a couple of other studies a few times on this site. But this time I'm going to explain exactly how it's carried out and how exactly it works.
The method is simply to restrict calorie intake to only 600 calories a day for two months. This diet in the study consisted mostly of diet shakes and non-starchy vegetables. No carbohydrates, no sugars, no fats. No more to it.
Because of how simple this diet is, it also makes it easy to manage. You can calculate pretty much exactly how many calories you're eating and subconscious cheating is almost impossible.
Even if you believe this would be too tough for you to handle (true for 95% of us), read on to understand how this works and learn alternatives based on a similar philosophy, but a much easier approach.
How Does The 600 Calories Diabetes Diet Work?
According to the scientists that did the study, the main benefit people received was to remove fat from glands in the pancreas that block insulin production. In fact, the fat in the subjects' pancreas dropped from 8% down to 6%.
This method probably also removed fat that was blocking receptors on muscle cells that prevented them from accepting insulin messages, causing insulin resistance.
But I think there was more to this than that…
Type 2 diabetes is mostly a lifestyle disease. Although genetics play some role, most experts agree that diet, obesity, lack of exercise, pollution (including smoking) and other lifestyle factors, in essence, created it.
It's also a metabolic disease. Insulin is at the heart of the metabolic process. It tells your cells to take in glucose for energy and fatty acids for energy storage. When you develop type 2 diabetes, this process is interrupted so either not enough insulin is released or the cells in your body ignore the insulin message and refuse to take in the glucose from the blood.
Additionally, type 2 diabetes is an inflammation disease. Due to free-radicals and inflammation, your body attacks parts of itself (in this case the pancreas, muscle cells and the liver) seriously impacting their ability to release and use insulin.
Now, here is how I think this diet benefits:
I believe the 600-calorie diet gives the system a much needed "Time-Out". On 600 calories, the metabolism will drastically slow down. The body is only going to do the bare minimum. Don't plan to launch a big project while on this diet. You won't have the energy for it.
As you begin your diet, most of the glucose (blood sugar) is removed from your system. It's simply used up because 600 calories are drastically lower than what you need. Even if you have an extremely low insulin level in your blood, or many of your cells are insulin resistant, you'll still use more glucose than you put into your system. So there is no surprise or magic behind the fact that after one week, the participant's blood sugar was down to normal.
Our skeletal muscles use the majority of our energy. The more muscles you have, the more energy you need. That's why one of the first things your body does when faced with starvation (600 calories would count for mild-starvation) is to draw energy from muscles. This is the reason why most very low calorie diets don't work in the long-haul because the weight loss is rather muscle-loss than fat-loss. In this case, however, it may be beneficial since this reduces the need for insulin and glucose delivery to the muscles, adding to the "Time-Out" effect that we mentioned before.
One of the major factors believed to trigger the inflammation reaction is a stimulate food such as sugar, which creates spikes in blood sugar in the body. This is especially serious for type 2 diabetics since they have constant spikes in their blood sugar. Therefore, eating is constantly triggering an inflammation reaction that attacks the pancreas and other cells. This creates a deadly health-related spiral with only one end.
There obviously aren't any sugar rushes or blood pressure spikes on the 600 calorie diet. So as we've forced down the blood sugar, we also cut off this inflammation circle … giving the body time to restore itself: "Time-Out".
This is a little similar to what Christian Goodman calls a "Focused-Break" in the high blood pressure program. Christian has helped thousands of people to lower their blood pressure naturally – sometimes in as little as 9 minutes, using simple mind/body exercises that naturally force the blood pressure down- and therefore gives the body time to restore its system. His three exercises have worked for people who have tried everything else, no matter what they considered the cause of their high blood pressure to be. You can learn more about his exercises here…
[adrotate group="5″]The point I'm trying to make is that when dealing with various diseases naturally, often the best approach is to step out of the way and let the body deal with it without our constant intervention.
When an animal in the wild gets sick, it doesn't go out for a hunt. It doesn't run out to a doctor for medicine to make it feel a little better. It listens to its own body, lies down, eats little to nothing and just rests. It lets its body take care of the process and steps out of the way…
It's like when our computer freezes and slows down to turtle speed. The best thing to do is not to try to get into a bunch of different programs and settings and try to fix this and that. Just hit that restart button and let it reboot itself.
I think this is one of the main benefits of the 600 calorie diet. You're not adding in any triggering carbohydrates or fats.
Indian gurus have encourages using fasting for centuries to improve and maintain good health.
If you're considering taking on the 600 calorie diet to cure your type 2 diabetes, there are several things you must keep in mind.
Absolutely do not do this without consultation and the supervision of your doctor. If your doctor doesn't want to go through with this with you, seek another one that's more naturally focused. But make sure you have a doctor check up on you every few days.
The study participants ditched their medications when they began the diet. If you're on medications, it's even more important to have your doctor handy.
The participants used diet-shakes as the main substance of their meals. I'd usually not recommend the use of artificial shakes. This is, however, an extreme, time-limited method. Sometimes you have to use extreme tools when you're taking extreme methods.
The participants also loaded up with healthy, non-starchy vegetables, which I think was the key for them to get the basic vitamins and minerals they needed. In addition, you'll also want to take supplements.
Make sure you spend enough time outside in sunlight to load your body with vitamin D. This vitamin is essential to fight inflammation and you won't get it from the 600 calorie diet.
Finally, after the 8 weeks of the strict diet period was over, the study participants were given recommendations on a healthy diet. This is probably the key to fight the type 2 diabetes permanently. If you "cure" your diabetes in a few weeks and then go out and load up on a Big-Mac every day, the problem is going to raise its ugly face again. Eighteen months after the study, most of the participants were diabetes-free. The pain of the eight week, low calorie diet probably stuck with them as a reminder of never letting themselves go that far down again.
Now, you may not have to go into such extremes…
Although the study pushed the participants for eight weeks on this heavily restricted diet, there is nothing that indicates type 2 diabetes cannot be cured in a shorter period of time…or that only a few days of low calorie diet will drastically improve their health.
Many of my clients have done the low calorie diet for seven days. That's enough for everyone to bring their blood sugar level down to normal. After that they followed the diet plan in my 21-Day Guide to Beat Diabetes.
This plan is very easy to follow and stick to. Whereas 95% of people would give up on the 600 calorie diet before the end of eight weeks, almost everyone can stick to it for ONE week and then follow the easy plan in the 21-Day Guide to Beat Diabetes.
The 600-calorie diet works. But maybe it is unnecessary suffering. After all, my diabetes plan alone has helped thousands of people. And it's based on the same principles as I listed above, without major suffering.
What do you think? Would you be ready to take on the 600-calorie diet? Do you think it works? Please leave your comments below…


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Hello: Taco Charlton
Vidauntae "Taco" Charlton is a DE/OLB out of Pickerington (OH) Central, and last night during his unofficial visit to Ann Arbor he became the sixth player to commit to the Wolverines in one day. Charlton is one of the top defensive players in the state of Ohio for the class of 2013, and we all know how fun it is to snag elite prospects out of that particular state.
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Charlton was the sixth four-star prospect to commit yesterday, and all but one recruiting service expects him to wind up as a defensive end, though he plays outside linebacker as well at Pickerington Central. All four sites agree that he stands at an impressive 6'6" and weighs between 235-245 pounds. Unless Charlton doesn't add weight at all before he gets to Michigan, I think he'll play weakside defensive end for the Wolverines.
Charlton began to see his offer list grow after being named one of the top performers at last summer's Columbus Nike camp; here's Rivals.com's Brian Perroni after that event ($):
Strengths: Charlton has the prototypical frame for a weakside rush end. He is tall and has long arms that allow him to get separation from the offensive lineman on the pass rush. He is a basketball player as well so he definitely has very good athleticism.
Weaknesses: Charlton is very raw at this point. He plays too high and allows himself to get locked up by inferior offensive linemen. He needs to concentrate a little more on football.
Conclusion: Charlton is only a sophomore in high school so he has plenty of time to mature as a player. Should he make football a priority he has all the physical tools to be one of the top defensive ends next year. Many defensive ends in the Midwest seem to be shorter 'tweeners so he will garner a lot of attention because of his length.
Charlton is a standout basketball player for Central, so the praise for his size and athleticism should come as no surprise. He is a bit of a project at this point from a technical standpoint, though he's got great potential; both sentiments are echoed by Duane Long:
I continue to be very impressed with Centrals Taco Charlton. He is such an athletic kid for his size. He actually plays linebacker for Central. I saw him in coverage several times. He has a great first step and a top drawer burst. I doubt we ever see the big numbers out of Charlton because of how he fits in the Central scheme but this is one special athlete. He needs to work on using his hands better. He showed strength, standing up blockers and holding up to double teams but he got too tied up sometimes despite stuffing the blockers. His potential is unlimited.
Again, his athleticism is his biggest strength, and it allows him great versatility in terms of his role in a defense. You don't hear about many 6'6", 240-pound high school linebackers fluidly dropping into coverage. Bucknuts recently unveiled their top prospects list for Ohio's class of 2013, and Charlton comes in at #17 ($):
He is as physically a good looking player as there is in Ohio. He passes the eyeball test. He has no fat, he's athletic and he's long. Now, he is still growing and he is learning the game. He is freakish at times, but may need to develop some consistency in his game. He makes some flashes at times.
I'll never complain when a recruit is described as "freakish," and given Charlton's basketball background it's not surprising that he's got some work to do to polish up his game on the football field. Charlton, to his credit, is aware that he has a good deal of room to improve on his game:
"Right now I'm real good at pass rushing," Charlton said confidently. "I can get on the quarterback fast. My run (defense) is coming along. I'm starting to do good against that, too. … Whatever I can do to get better, I'm going to do it. I'm just trying to be a great player and do the best I can."
That was from a Sam Webb profile, and Charlton said something quite similar to me last September. He's very much a high-upside player, with his physical talents providing tantalizing potential, though he's clearly got a little work to do before he's ready to see the field in college.
Charlton held offers from Cincinnati, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Pitt, Purdue, Syracuse, and UCLA. He also had interest from the home-state Buckeyes as well as LSU, Michigan State, Wisconsin, and others.
Charlton had 60 tackles, seven TFLs, seven deflected passes, and two forced fumbles as a junior while helping lead Central to an appearance in the state title game.
Both Rivals and 24/7 list Charlton as running a 4.8 40-yard dash. Given his superior athleticism and the fact that the same time is listed on two sites, I'll give that just two FAKEs out of five.
Junior highlights from ScoutingOhio; it's a promo video, unfortunately, so the last couple minutes are just a photo montage:
Despite the lack of extensive film, you can see Charlton's signature athleticism, and he's clearly gaining experience playing with his hand on the ground. His initial burst upfield is quite impressive.
Charlton seems like a player who will likely need a redshirt year as a freshman, but I expect him to compete for a spot on the two-deep at weakside DE after that. There's a solid amount of depth at the position, with Frank Clark and Mario Ojemudia both slotted there for the moment, but it's distinctly possible that either Ojemudia or Charlton ends up as a strongside linebacker if both are pushing for playing time.
Charlton is athletic enough to play either position, though he could outgrow linebacker by the time he gets on campus; there's even a chance, with his 6'6" frame, that he bulks up enough to play on the strong side, though the depth is quite good there as well after the influx of defensive recruits in the 2012 class.
Nine recruits. 20-22 spots. You know the deal. A breakdown of the positions in the 2013 class: 1 QB (Morris), 1 RB (Shallman), 1 TE (Hill), 3 OL (Bosch, Dawson, Fox), 1 DE (Charlton), 1 CB (Lewis), 1 S (Thomas). Michigan's main priorities moving forward will be adding at least one more offensive lineman, a pair of playmaking wide receivers, an all-around running back to complement Shallman, depth at defensive tackle, and more generally depth across the board. With nearly half the class accounted for, the coaches have the luxury of picking their spots and going after elite prospects to fill out the class.


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A lot of kids are going to ask Santa for an electronic tablet this year. Whether they are 3 or 13 and want a LeapFrog or Kindle, parents will need to do some homework to help ol' St. Nick.
"It's going to be the war of the tablets," Laurie Schacht, chief executive and president of Adventure Publishing, told PC Advisor in September. Adventure Publishing issues the Toy Insider Hot 20 list — a kind of crystal ball for holiday gift giving.
There are a lot of tablets out there, from basic edutainment devices to full-fledged computers, so parents need to figure out the five hows: How old is the child? How will it be used — learning, gaming or both? How many kids and/or adults will use it? How rugged does it need to be? How much can they spend?
Suzanne Kantra, founder and editor-in-chief of the website techlicious, has three kids who have been tech-savvy since preschool. That goes with the territory since Kantra was technology editor for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, hosted "Living with Technology" on Sirius Satellite Radio and, before that, was technology editor for Popular Science Magazine.
Her kids have grown up with technology, since part of her job is to test and rate devices. Her daughter, now 11, and sons, now 8 and 4, learned on Macs in preschool. In fact, the preschool has added a course that teaches children to use educational apps. Her daughter got a Kindle a few of years ago and still uses it. All three use an iPad, Android tablets and Kindle Fire. The youngest also used a LeapPad.
"Students are Digital Age learners," said Aaron Weston, principal of Delaware Valley Elementary School in Milford. "I have an iPad2, and my 5-year-old-son has been using it for two years. It's amazing what kids can do."
Kantra suggested that adults figure out the device's purpose. "Tablets like VTech and LeapFrog have education behind them," she said. "The child will learn skills, and you can monitor their progress through parental tracking. Other devices are trying to be both fun and educational and are based on the Android operating system. They have an educational component but are geared to a little older child. They use applets and have more entertainment value."
VTech has a lot of education games, Westin said. "Most are encapsulated so you don't need Internet access or parental controls."
Jody LeVos, manager of LeapFrog's learning team, said that research shows that an adult will often use a tablet, such as an iPad or Kindle, with a child in a controlled and supervised manner. They will sit side by side or use it on a table together. Adults usually don't hand the device to a child and walk away. With child-targeted models, though, parents don't need to constantly monitor.
"A child can take a LeapPad into their room and play with it by themselves," she said.
Android-based devices, such as the Nabi2, have the same processor as adult counterparts, so they are de facto computers, giving your child the ability to browse the web, email and chat with friends. Games and educational programs (some come preloaded) are downloaded via Android apps.
"The Nabi2 has a good education experience and a decent processor for an older child," Kantra said, but "by and large, I'm not a huge fan of Android-based tablets since they aren't as good an educational purchase."
LeVos said that LeapFrog's toys are designed specifically with educational content in mind. The California company has a staff of learning experts, all with master and doctorate degrees in education and child development, who work with content and design developers. Devices are sent home to be tested by kids who give feedback along with their parents. The learning team also tries out competitors' models. "Many claim to be educational, but they are not at the correct level for kids," she said. "Our team members review and select all content."
If education is key to your purchase, then your local school could factor into the decision, too. Westin noted that Delaware Valley has a large library of downloadable books for kids to access. He added that many textbooks have an online component.
That said, it still comes back to purpose. "Do you need a Nabi2 or just go with a Kindle Fire HD or a Nook HD?" Kantra said. "Both the Kindle and Nook let you set screen time and limits, too."
LeVos said the adult should decide if the device will be used to supplement the classroom and provide extra tutoring, or will it be used to support personal-interest topics or will it be used to augment play patterns? Once that is decided, research can be done to see which companies offer the best choices.
Westin pointed out that parental preferences will probably come into play, especially if they decide on an adult tablet. "Are they an Apple person? Then they can download apps and upload them to multiple devices, from iPads and iPods to Macbooks."
The same goes for PC or Android-based devices, which can share across phones and tablets.
Both Amazon's and Barnes & Noble's e-readers allow multiple users, much like a computer. "You can load a Kindle Fire by kid with their books," Kantra said, thereby giving each member of the family their own virtual bookshelf.
The new generation of Kindles and Nooks are more than e-readers. Both allow you to download movies, TV shows and songs along with learning tools and games. Westin's 10-year-old daughter uses the family Kindle. He downloads books from Barnes & Noble for her to read.
Kantra suggests that if you're buying for a single child, look for a LeapFrog or VTech. If you have more kids, then pick either a Kindle or Nook (make sure they're HD) and set child profiles and locks so everyone can share.
Westin advised parents to hook the device to their account if kids can access the Internet. "That way, you can monitor the child's purchases," he said, adding that an outsider trolling online will find an adult's account, not that of a youngster.
"You can never be too safe," he said. "I'd rather someone find my profile than my children's."
Learning tablets, such as LeapFrog and VTech, are usually rugged and cheaper, since the audience is younger. They are designed for small hands and are built to last so they don't break if dropped. LeVos said her son has swung his LeapPad around by the stylus, launching it into the street. It survived.
She said that the company designs specifically for kids. Button placement and size are researched.
"A lot of tablets are designed for adults and are called 'child appropriate' because they have a bumper and parental locks," she said. "But that doesn't mean the content is truly age appropriate." She said that LeapFrog designs its hardware to last more than a few years while content can be freshened and upgraded.
Kantra also said that adults need to understand the product's life cycle, which is usually two to three years. "Think of your phone or tablet," she said. "Educational devices like LeapFrog can last four years, which would get your preschooler into kindergarten."
Because of use and — let's face it — the fact that a new generation seems to come along every six months, you need to decide how much you want to pay and how long the child will use it.
Android-based tablets allow the operating system to be upgraded (just like a computer), so they can grow along with the child as compared to self-contained edutainment tablets, which generally are targeted to preschool though second or third grade.
Also factor in degradation of the unit, Kantra said. Wear and tear and years will take their toll.
Then there is power. Does the unit take batteries? Does it have a charger? How much will you shell out for batteries?
"You need to decide if you want a lower-priced kid tablet or a higher-priced adult tablet," Kantra said. Then add in the extras, like more programs, carrying case, adaptors.
"Technology is at the point that whatever your family need is, there is something out there," Westin said.
Devices can range from $80 to $100 for basic educational tablets such as LeapFrog and VTech, all the way up to $200 for a Nabi2 or $499 for an iPad2. As Westin said, "Do you want to put a $900 device in the hands of a 5-year-old who can drop it?"
LeVos said that because there are so many choices, parents should watch trailers, read expert reviews and find out how many awards the company has won. "Brand and trust also play into it," she said.
Regardless of what you finally buy, Kantra also believes that there needs to be a balance between tech and non-tech.
"I certainly wouldn't throw out the blocks and touch-and-feel books for younger children," she said. "There needs to be a combination of digital and tactile."


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Have any questions? Call us.
| Public Programs
Free to all audiences
Exhibition admission is also free on this "First Sunday." The galleries are open 11 AM to 6 PM.
Come explore the many connections between music and art as we celebrate our fall exhibition, Blues for Smoke, with interactive spotlight concerts organized in partnership with Columbus's Jazz Arts Group, opportunities to make your own musical instruments and paint what music sounds like, and much more. Gallery admission and all activities are free, and Heirloom will be open from 12–5 PM.
12–5 PM: Art activities
12 PM: Spotlight on the Blues performance, Michael Cox and Kristin Eubanks
12:30 PM: Exhibition tour
1 PM: Writing the Blues activity/performance, Cedric Easton and Chris Gatton
1:30 PM: Exhibition tour
2 PM: Spotlight on the Blues performance, Michael Cox and Kristin Eubanks
2:30 PM: Exhibition tour
3 PM: Writing the Blues activity/performance, Cedric Easton and Chris Gatton
3:30 PM: Exhibition tour
In conjunction with this Super Sunday, the Wexner Center welcomes Brooklyn's The Sketchbook Project, a global, crowd-sourced art project and interactive traveling exhibition of handmade books. Check out their mobile library, which will be parked in front of the Wex 12–5 PM, as part of their cross-country summer tour, "Write, Right When You Get There." For more info, including how to get involved, visit www.sketchbookproject.com.
Michael Cox
Michael Cox joined the Columbus Jazz Orchestra in 1991 after moving to Columbus to teach full time as Professor of Saxophone in the renowned Conservatory of Music at Capital University.
Cox's path to full time musical occupation began more or less at "street level." He was active in school music programs and in the '70s he began playing paying gigs when he was 15 under the supervision of his older brother. Cox's educational achievements include independent studies with jazz luminaries Joe Lovano and David Liebman, a Doctor of Arts degree in Saxophone Performance and Jazz Pedagogy from the University of Northern Colorado, a Master's degree in Music Performance from Wichita State University, and a Bachelor's degree from Cameron University in his home town of Lawton, Oklahoma.
In addition to the CJO, Cox has maintained a continuous schedule as a freelance saxophone and woodwind soloist and performer. In Ohio, you may have seen him in the Columbus and Lancaster Symphonies, the Pro Musica Chamber Orchestra or such groups as Brasileira, the Science Gravy Orchestra, Magically Delicious, the High Street Stompers, Too Far North, the Powerhouse Trio, or more recently System Theory, Still Motion, and the Black Swamp Saxophone Quartet. Though he has eschewed "going on the road" in the classic sense, he has had the opportunity to play with groups such as the Count Basie Orchestra, rock artist Don Henley, and others too numerous to mention. In 1999 Cox released the highly acclaimed recording Abstractions, Dedications and Red Dirt featuring Matt Wilson on drums and the late Dennis Irwin on bass. Current recording projects include a new jazz CD and a CD of French classical chamber music by Pierre Max Dubois.
Kristen Eubanks
Eubanks has made a name for herself in Columbus working as a jazz and blues musician and it's no wonder. Her father, Ray Eubanks, founder of Columbus Jazz Orchestra, and her mother JoAnne Eubanks, of the Greater Columbus Arts Council, filled her life with music and art. Eubanks has most recently performed with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra under Guest Conductor, Matt Catingub, at the Women's Fund of Central Ohio Keyholders Tribute, and with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra with guest performer Bobby Floyd. Forthcoming is a CD released with the OSU Marching Band, under the direction of Jon Woods, reprising her strong performance of "As Time Goes By," from last year's Ohio State–Michigan game.
Eubanks is a graduate of the Ft. Hayes School for the Performing Arts and the Capital Conservatory of Music. She also studied extensively with her vocal coach and mentor, Michelle Horsefield Carney.
Cedric Easton
From the moment Cedric Easton could walk, he was playing the drums. At the age of four, Easton began playing in church and won his first regional music competition at age eight through the FOX KIDS television network.
A graduate of Columbus's Fort Hayes Metropolitan Performing Arts High School, Easton has performed professionally with both local and internationally recognized jazz musicians including the Bobby Floyd Trio, the Matt Adams Quartet, Wess Anderson, WycCliff Gordon, and Kenny Banks, Sr. Currently, Easton performs with national recording artist Christian Howes.
While Easton has been immersed in the music of jazz, he has always stuck with his instrumental roots—gospel music—and has also had the opportunity to perform with nationally recognized gospel artists such as Detrick Haddon, Dorinda Clark Cole, and Marvin Sapp. He serves as musical director of the New Covenant Believer's Church and is a faculty member of Jazz Arts Group's Jazz Academy.
Chris Gatton
Since he began studying music at a young age, Gatton has since studied with a wide range of teachers and earned a degree from Capital University where he focused on guitar performance, composition, and audio production. He currently teaches private guitar lessons for students of all ages and performs around Columbus with an amiable variety of local musicians. He has worked with Jazz Arts Group on various educational programs for kids and started the group guitar program at Vineyard Community Center. Gatton also spends time writing and recording music for himself and other artists.
Greater Columbus Arts Council
The Columbus Foundation
Nationwide Foundation
Ohio Arts Council
Super Sunday: Now Hear This!


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NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE: THE LOST TOWER On DVD And BLUE RAY
Description: VIZ Media brings back the world's most popular ninja in his 7th animated feature film. Anime lovers will love this action-packed time-travelling adventure as they take an amazing journey back in time as Naruto tries to save a noble Queen. In NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE: THE LOST TOWER rogue ninja Mukade is about to be caught by Naruto's team when he uses an ancient power to turn back time! Naruto gets caught up and is sent back in time to the city of Loran, known for its thousand towers, and encounters the future Fourth Hokage on a top-secret mission, and the Queen of Loran, whose rule is threatened by Mukade. Will Naruto will be able to return to his own time and if a chance encounter in the past save the future? Be sure to pick up this exciting new DVD to find out....(no spoilers here!) Includes special (hilarious) animated short - NARUTO AND THE THREE WISHES and the original Japanese theatrical trailers. Rated TV-14 DVD $19.98 U.S.-$24.98 Canada Blu-ray $24.98 U.S.-$27.50 Canada Naruto.com VIZ.com
Price: $19.98 to $27.50


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Thursday, April 22, 2010
It would seem the Jaffer/Guergis affair isn't having much impact, and while the Conservatives are down a couple percent since this blew up, the Liberals have received no benefit. I'd add, although we don't have the actual release, Angus Reid also went on record earlier in the week, stating their polling showed no change, the Conservatives still enjoy a decent lead. That reaffirmation does tend to demonstrate a inherent problem with the Liberal brand, but that's hardly news. Factor in a basic fact, namely that the Conservatives and Harper are eroding in terms of perception, the inability to capitalize becomes more acute. At the moment, it's a "least worst" proposition, which does provide opportunity, but also shows just how tarnished and entirely unmotivating.
The Liberals are doing a good job releasing bits of policy, and those announcements might bear fruit over time. Beyond that, it seems to me the imperative is actually rocking the boat a bit, grabbing attention, in a way that forces people to take a brief moment to notice. There's a certain blandness that hovers around the Liberals, and conventional tactics don't seem to bear fruit.
This isn't a doom and gloom post, because ultimately the more you criticize the Liberals circumstance, the more it highlights the failings of the Conservatives, that they can't take advantage (this works in reverse as well). On top of that, the NDP rarely achieve their 2008 percentage, further evidence that they aren't exactly resonating or capitalizing on discontent with the principles. Using the wide lens, it's a depressing picture, wherein voters simply find nothing to get behind in any compelling way, their bored silly and Ottawa is a distant irritant.
Coke and dubious characters sells newspapers, but when it comes to vote intention, it would appear it does little to reinvent the political landscape.
28 comments:
- Tom said...
Funny how when the LPC drops 1.7% its a minor change. If the CPC drops 1% its an avalanche. The LPC are in deep, deep trouble.
Culture of defeat!
- 9:38 AM, April 22, 2010
- Northern PoV said...
jeez I wish there was an edit function......
check our stormin norman
despite being a dink with a partisan purpose, he actually makes some good points today
- 9:42 AM, April 22, 2010
- Steve V said...
"despite being a dink with a partisan purpose, he actually makes some good points today"
No he doesn't. I laughed my ass off, hearing a complete and utter hack try to undermine a pollster. Funny how he's never asked any questions about Oopsos, despite their absymal track record. That's what I look at, the numbers, weird that way.
Well considering we went from the Cons biggest lead of the year to "neck and neck" last week, it's a bit different. Enjoy your bias.
- 9:46 AM, April 22, 2010
- Steve V said...
And yes, the Libs are in "deep, deep trouble", which makes you wonder why the Cons are stinking up the joint, 7% below the last election. Hello in there!
- 9:49 AM, April 22, 2010
- Gayle said...
The poll reflects how apathetic people are with politics in general. Unfortunately, apathy works in the conservatives' favour.
Harper needs people to ignore him. That way when he comes out with his juicy soundbites no one notices he's a liar and a hypocrite. Do you think if Canadians were paying attention they would ignore the fact he has become the most secretive and unaccountable PM in decades?
- 11:22 AM, April 22, 2010
- Ti-Guy said...
It bothers me that you think the Liberals should be reacting to these polls, which tell us nothing at all.
They don't even report the undecided anymore and they tell us nothing about what's motivating people to choose to vote one way or the other.
The only thing these polls do is determine the limits of "acceptable" opinion, which is another way of just telling the public to think a particular way because everyone else is.
Sorry for the rant...still smarting over that latest Ipsos fiasco, when I had to endure fatuous ninnies (including Tom Flanagan on the CBC) using it to proclaim that the Liberals were experiencing a precipitous drop in popularity, when in fact, they weren't.
- 11:22 AM, April 22, 2010
- Steve V said...
I think they actually tell us a great deal. As for undecideds, they vote less, so hardly any comfort.
I don't bother with Oopsos Reid anymore. The Rasmussen of Canada.
- 11:37 AM, April 22, 2010
- JimBobby said...
I reckon the elephant in the room is named Michael. The Liberals are stuck because the voters just can't warm up to Iggy. I don't think it's entirely impossible for Ignatieff to mount a major PR blitz aimed at making him not only likable but understandable vis-a-vis his/LPC's differences from the devil they know. Not impossible but dang difficult and he's had a lot of time now without gaining much support, if any.
Dion was probably too much the treehuggin' absent-minded perfesser but at least he was a likable sorta feller. I figger if you get up close to Ig, the smell of erudition an' pomposity gets a little thick.
Maybe the ivory towers of academia ain't the best place to find a political streetfighter who can take on the nastyass Cons.
- 11:41 AM, April 22, 2010
- Steve V said...
On the plus side, it's not like Iggy is burned into our souls, he's still pretty much a blank slate. I see room to define, people don't have strong opinions, like the other more established leaders.
- 11:50 AM, April 22, 2010
- RuralSandi said...
On April 16th I got a call from EKOS - polling. I said I would answer the questions. A voice tape/woman's voice asks the questions and you press "1", "2", etc. for your answer.
But I found interesting at the end of it all they asked if I was willing to answer more polling questions - I said yes and the voice said my telephone number was recorded and someone would phone me back in a few days.
Well, well - April 21st I get that call (EKOS showing on my call display) and the woman (real person this time) said that someone in my household said they were interested in doing polling questions from time to time. I said it was me, but I have some questions of my own. I asked what these polls were and she said they were a research firm. I asked if they would be political questions and she said yes. I asked who the research/polling questions were for......The Government of Canada under the company Probit - EKOS on my call display.
hmmmm.........taxpayers paying for Harper's polling
- 12:10 PM, April 22, 2010
- Tof KW said...
JimBobby said...
The Liberals are stuck because the voters just can't warm up to Iggy.
JimBobby, with all due respect, this 'likability' factor the media goes on about is a farce. You don't have to like a leader, you just have to respect them. Regardless of what his cheerleaders say, Canadians don't like Harper much at all, but somehow he still got the CPC in power didn't he?
Putting that whole 1968 Trudeaumania spell aside, old Pierre was really an arrogant SOB that was really out of touch with the middle-class. But he sure commanded everyone's respect, no matter if you voted for him or not.
For that matter there is another term Canadians call arrogant SOB's ...they call them Prime Minister. Diefenbaker, Mulroney and Chrétien all fit in this category.
And frankly, you have to be if you want to get involved in leading a political party. I think this was a huge part of Dion's leadership problems; he was an honest, intelligent person who wasn't an arrogant SOB.
This whole 'have-a-beer' thing is a pox on the governance of this nation. I don't want to have a beer with any of the people I vote for; I just want them to know at least as much about the world as I do (preferably more), to be competent at their jobs, and hope they follow through on at least some of their campaign promises.
By the way, Harper and the Reformatories fail on all three of the personal benchmarks I've just outlined.
- 12:22 PM, April 22, 2010
- Steve V said...
You should forward that to Spector ;)
- 12:25 PM, April 22, 2010
- Ti-Guy said...
I think they actually tell us a great deal.
No, they don't. Only data elicited from a survey tell us anything. The absence of data tells us nothing at all.
You can speculate, but that is in fact, quite often worse than knowing nothing. That's a big part of what's motivating the Tea Partiers, for one thing.
- 12:45 PM, April 22, 2010
- Steve V said...
Oh okay, I'm just speculating that the Libs aren't getting traction, Canadians haven't warmed to Ignatieff and we want out of Afghanistan. Leave me to my delusions.
- 12:53 PM, April 22, 2010
- Ti-Guy said...
Hear hear, TofKW. I want an SOB to deal with the other SOB's who run the World and ruin it for the rest of us, all the time.
I'm not sure that's Iggy though, but then, I don't look necessarily to the PM to be the one and only SOB. We do have cabinet government (for the time being at least) and there are others who can be called up to fill that role, when the need arises.
That said, all of this is a terrible way to run a democracy. I much prefer a consensus/collegial approach. But it's what we're stuck with.
- 12:56 PM, April 22, 2010
- Holly Stick said...
According to Leger, we think Peter MacKay would be a good leader.
- 1:51 PM, April 22, 2010
- Tof KW said...
Mon Dieu!!!
Bad enough that backstabbing weasel MacKay finished first (Charest doesn't have a chance, too many bridges burned now) - but Stockwell (the earth is 6000 years old) Day, and Epic Financial Fail Flaherty, both finishing ahead of Bernard Lord???
The Grits are living under gray skies now; but one day when the CPC is going though a leadership campaign you folks will be smiling again.
BTW - thanks for posting that Holly.
- 2:10 PM, April 22, 2010
- Steve V said...
"The Grits are living under gray skies now; but one day when the CPC is going though a leadership campaign you folks will be smiling again."
I know that day is coming, and I will enjoy every moment of it.
- 2:27 PM, April 22, 2010
- Tof KW said...
I know that day is coming, and I will enjoy every moment of it.
Actually that day may be sooner than many people realize, Harper's own hometown paper printed this. I'm making sure I got a full case of beer in the fridge that weekend - whenever it happens. :)
BTW - good for the Grits if Bernard Lord isn't the next leader. He's the only one of the lot that could get me voting for the CPC, provided he gets the manure smell of the Reformers out of the party.
- 2:54 PM, April 22, 2010
- Steve V said...
If the Libs can shave off 20-25 Con seats in the next election, Harper's mandate reduced significantly, that alone should fuel the fractures behind this united front veneer. I believe this is Harper's last election, barring a majority.
- 3:24 PM, April 22, 2010
- Tof KW said...
I believe this is Harper's last election, barring a majority.
After four kicks at the can as leader and still no majority, you can count on that. Even if he hangs on after a narrow win, the leadership challenges will be out in the open. They won't give him a 5th chance. That's why I think Harper is dangerous now, this is his political survival at stake; as the other elections were an aggregation of his popularity to win a majority.
- 3:45 PM, April 22, 2010
- ottlib said...
The Opposition Party leading the party in power in between elections is the exception not the rule.
The fact it has happened twice since this gang got elected in 2006 is the result of two honeymoons for the Liberal leaders corresponding with serious political missteps by Mr. Harper.
That is not likely to happen again before the next election (hopefully) so we should not be surprised that the Liberals are trailing the Conservatives.
Certainly Liberals would prefer if they were above the 30% mark but if that were the case the Conservatives would probably be above the 35% mark.
Instead the Conservatives find themselves mired in the 30 range four years into government. With each passing day it will become more difficult for the Conservatives to push that number upwards as more and more Canadians become fatigued by their government.
Mr. Ignatieff is doing exactly what he is supposed to be doing. He is attacking the government on its many scandals while introducing policy and beginning to delineate himself and the Liberal Party from Mr. Harper and the Conservatives.
This will not pay dividends now. The Liberals can forget about gaining any lasting "traction" before the next election. They might close the gap a little more and conversely the Conservatives might open a slightly bigger lead but in both cases they will short-lived.
- 7:34 PM, April 22, 2010
- Northern PoV said...
you are starting to sound like another nut that hangs around and bugs Steve about his over-indulgence in poll tracking. (that clutters-up an otherwise decent blog)
"The only thing these polls do is determine the limits of "acceptable" opinion, which is another way of just telling the public to think a particular way because everyone else is."
look out
- 10:27 PM, April 22, 2010
- Steve V said...
LOL. Hey, looks like Spector was a flyer, cuz Kory came prepared to swamp Graves this afternoon. Classless move.
- 10:56 PM, April 22, 2010
- Ti-Guy said...
you are starting to sound like another nut that hangs around and bugs Steve about his over-indulgence in poll tracking. (that clutters-up an otherwise decent blog)
It needs to be said. The problem reveals itself on election day or with other matters that rely on opinion (such as the state of the economy in terms of consumer confidence shortly before a catastrophic economic collapse that *no one* saw coming) and we find out how disastrously wrong everyone has been.
We make better decisions for ourselves when we're less concerned with what others are doing. And when we make better decisions for ourselves, we make better decisions in aggregate.
- 11:23 PM, April 22, 2010
- Sir Gallahad said...
I couldn't get in on the above thread.
Have a good camping trip, and enjoy the time with your son.
They grow up so fast.
- 12:44 AM, April 23, 2010
- Omar said...
Say hello to the black flies for me!
- 12:45 PM, April 23, 2010
- Steve V said...
To early for black flies.
- 11:43 PM, April 25, 2010


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I read an article not long ago that cited the TruTV program Hardcore Pawn as one of the biggest boons to Detroit's failing economy in a long time. The pawn shop depicted in the show, American Jewelry and Loan, located in the 8 Mile, has become famous in the town of Detroit and has become a notable tourist attraction, receiving hundreds of customers a day. I can't help but find it somewhat depressing that one of the town's biggest economic successes in recent times is thanks to an exploitative, unsubstantial Television program with almost no redeeming merits when it used to not need any assistance because of its unstoppable job growth thanks to its many factories. Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady's new documentary Detropia opens with a frightening statistic; in 1930, Detroit, often labeled "Motor City," was the country's most booming city because of its auto industry and manufacturing plants all across its land. Today, it is one of the fastest declining cities with over 100,000 vacated homes and lots. Its economy is in shambles, its townspeople exhausted and underpaid, and overall appearance mirroring that of a desolate wasteland. Clint Eastwood starred in a Super Bowl commercial about two years ago that informed citizens of the world that it's only halftime in America and our second half was to begin shortly. Tell that to the locals in Detroit who, in 2013, still, are waiting for the buzzer to go off and for the game to resume. "We're not in a recession, we're in a depression," says retired public school teacher Tommy Stephens, now owner of the Raven Lounge in Detroit. "They're just not saying it cause it would scare the American people." I would've loved to have this man as a teacher for any subject. He is one of the most friendly, charismatic, and intelligent documentary figures in recent memory and his final scene where he discusses the greatness of capitalism, yet recognizing its unfair treatment and exploitation of the poor is terrifically compelling. Stephens later attends a car show where he himself is being taught about how China can make an electric car appearing more stable than an American-made car for $20,000 and America makes and sells one for around $41,000. He informs the gentleman selling the $41,000 car, who is anything but happy. It is then he and we, as the audience, realize that the future may be outsourcing, but then where does that leave the United States? Looking like the metropolitan area of Detroit, I suppose. We are not given a central moral or theme in the film, but we do not need one. We have been bombarded with news about the economic standing of Detroit for several years now that we have subconsciously blamed whoever we feel responsible, rather it be the political left, right, the town's mayor, the unions, the townspeople, whoever. Ewing and Grady aren't here to give us a moral but a somber experience with little light at the end of the tunnel. We focus on various townspeople in Detroit, including a stressed and frustrated union manager whose American Axle plant has just been closed, townspeople who sit on their porch and mock all efforts of the politicians who are trying to bring Detroit back to its roots, a Vlogger on Youtube named Crystal Starr who attends many town hall meetings and explores the ruins of the town (she goes into an empty building and looks out at the desolation that has consumed the entire town and tells us, "this place used to be bangin'"), and even the mayor, Dave Bing, who is completely at a loss, unable to cope with the ruins of the town or the immense decrease in population. He proposes solutions, like relocating people to replace some of the urbanization with farmland, to which many people are understandably disgusted at. It's the unwillingness to input change and the unwillingness to carry out change that is ruining Detroit, yet where do you go and what do you do when you're bankrupt and desperate? Had it not been for the narration and statistics, I would've went out and assumed this was a film done by the filmmaker Frederick Wiseman, whose Titicut Follies I don't hesitate to call one of the finest American films ever made. The filmmakers do not put us in a position to judge, blame, or accuse, but simply give us an unbiased, objective look at the guttural decay and hopelessness Detroit has accentuated over a period of several years. Ewing and Grady's approach to this delicate material is similar to the way I believe Wiseman would've approached it, by letting the townfolk tell their stories and share their opinions and do not plan on sharing your own, even if you have the liberty to. The only faint light that we are provided with is the idea that Detroit will soon become the area of idealistic young people who want to emerge in careers of technology and the fine arts to hopefully revitalize the American spirit in the currently hopeless town. The marketing points for the film are the Coys, Steven and Dorota, respectively. They are two local artists who wear gold-painted gas masks and walk listlessly along the landscape of Detroit (which is photographed bleakly but beautifully) and hope to spread their creativity and vision throughout the land. More power to 'em. The question we are left with is the same one we emerged with and that is how will we keep Detroit alive in these rough times? The documentary doesn't provide an answer and neither can I. Better make some more reality TV shows. Hopefully one starring Tommy Stephens. Read the more complete review at http://stevethemovieman.proboards.com
The woes of Detroit are emblematic of the collapse of the U.S. manufacturing base. Is the Midwestern icon actually a canary in the American coal mine? DETROPIA is a cinematic tapestry of a city and its people who refuse to leave the building, even as the flames are rising.


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WILMINGTON – There was a lot going on with the Wilmington College football team this week, and Saturday's game with Muskingum can allow the Fightin' Quakers to get back to the goal at hand – winning football games.
Offensive coordinator Jay Niswonger has taken over for Ken Minor, who resigned this week, and WC is ready to get the focus back on the gridiron. Niswonger promises that the team will be more aggressive offensively, and that his focus won't be solely on the offense.
"I know our defensive schemes," said Niswonger. "If we need to make adjustments, we will make them."
Muskingum presents a challenge in the trenches as they employ multiple fronts. Unlike the previous teams, who either had odd or even fronts, the Muskies will play both even and odd – with variations to each. The addition of four-year starters along the front brings experience that the Wilmington quintet doesn't have. Wilmington's offensive line features four sophomores and a freshman.
However, the Quakers did unveil another aspect to its offense that Muskingum has to prepare for as WC used the option with some degree of success. Wilmington went over 100 yards rushing for the first time this season. In fact, the 110 yards gained nearly tripled the Quakers total output coming into the game.
Quarterback Brandon Arehart led the team with 44 yards, most coming on his 29-yard scamper down the sidelines. Running back March Jones, in his first start, added 33 yards on 11 carries. The 33 yards marked the most by any running back this season.
"We are still trying to get better," said Niswonger. "Right now we are not playing up to my standards. We have a lot more we can show, but we have to practice what we do best right now."
Saturday's game features the two teams in the Ohio Athletic Conference that are scoring the least amount of points and allowing the most points. The Muskies are ninth with 9.7 points, while Wilmington is scoring just 8.7 points per game. Defensively, Muskingum is allowing 34.7 points, but is coming off a 13-7 loss to #15 Baldwin-Wallace. The Quakers have yielded 147 points for an average of 49.0 points per game.
While they seem to be struggling, a deeper look into the Muskingum schedule may show details that express a different story. After an opening season loss to unbeaten Waynesburg (#27 in latest poll), they opened OAC season with #1 Mount Union and #15 BW.
Defensively, the Wilmington defense has four players ranked in the top eight in OAC tackling. Sophomore Gunner Calhoun is fourth with 10.7 tackles, while junior Trevor Hooker is fifth with 8.3. Sophomore Joe Joe Knecht and sophomore Devon Burton are tied for eight with 8.0 takedowns.


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Join over 80,000 others who are connecting with their cousins and common researchers!
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I'm interested in these families -
(1)Benjamin Hutchens and Elizabeth Roscrow married in Clare, South Australia. They came from St. Buryan in Cornwall in the 1860's.
(2)Caroline and James Bradshaw from Battersea in Surrey. He came to Australia in the 1880's and she came with the children in 1889. They are both buried in Broken... more...


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ROCK FALLS – Blackhawk Hills Regional Council will sponsor a free website workshop from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday at the Heritage Center, 106 S. Broad St., Lanark.
Melanie Flesch, assistant outreach coordinator for the council, will cover website basics, layout and content. The public is welcome to attend. Contact email@example.com or call 815-625-3854 to register or for more information.


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Officially, the short title of the law was "Copyright Act 1709 8 Anne c.19", while the long title was a bit more descriptive: "An Act for the Encouragement of Learning, by vesting the Copies of Printed Books in the Authors or purchasers of such Copies, during the Times therein mentioned". It was the first law of its kind, and is now seen as the origin of copyright.
It is very interesting to look at what, exactly, the goals of the Statue of Anne were. To understand those goals, we first need to dive into history even further, before the statue came into force in 1710.
Before the printing press was invented, copying books or works was an incredibly arduous and difficult task. They had to be copied by hand, a long process which was very prone to errors. The printing press enabled the fast production of copies, and as you can imagine, authorities (both the state and the church) recognised not only its potential, but also its danger.
Some may not realise it, but the invention of the printing press is one of the most defining moments in human history. It allowed ideas to be spread faster, cheaper, and wider than ever before, and authorities quickly realised they needed to regulate access to the new technology, or else "objectionable" ideas could spread quickly, posing a threat to the state and church.
So, authorities across Europe took control of the printers, requiring them to be licensed in order to print and sell books and other works. These licenses often meant that specific works were given exclusively to specific printers. In other words, only one specific printer was allowed to print "The Unicorn and the Dead Rose", and he was allowed to prevent other printers from printing that work. In England, works also had to be added to the register at the Stationers' Company, an organisation of printers across the country. This organisation was more or less given the monopoly on printing by the state in 1662.
As you can see, the goal was to exert control over which works were printed. The Statute of Anne encompassed that idea, but added something unique, something which is by far no longer a primary goal of modern copyright law: public access to books and works. "The Encouragement of Learning" isn't part of the law's title for nothing; under the Statute of Anne, books and works did not only have to be entered into the Stationer's Company's registry, but copies also had to be deposited at the King's Library, and the libraries of Oxford and Cambridge.
Thus, as old as the Statute of Anne may be, it was incredibly ingenious. Since books and works were registered, you could always find out quite easily to whom the copyright of a work belonged. In addition, and probably more importantly, the Statute recognised the vital importance of spreading knowledge by ensuring the public could access all books and works. In modern times, copyright has nothing to do with either of those two noble goals - copyright today is about profit, and profit alone.
The terms of the Statute of Anne were relatively reasonable. Works were protected for a term of 14 years, and terms could be extended for another 14 years if the owners of the copyright were still alive and wished to do so. Books already in print were covered by a 21 year term. Today, copyright usually covers the life of the author plus either 50 or 70 years.
Even though the Statute of Anne technically protected the rights of authors, basically every author "sold" their works to publishers. When the first 21 year terms started to run out in 1731, book sellers tried to extend copyright, and argued in favour of common law copyright, i.e., copyright was a natural right of creators; it was perpetual. This is the exact opposite of the Statute of Anne, whose goal was to regulate the book trade and promote learning.
This difference of opinion led to several high-profile court cases, but the House of Lords was almost unanimous in its rejection of common law copyright. It is incredible to see that the arguments against a perpetual copyright then, in the 18th century, are the same arguments proponents of massive copyright reform use today. From a 1735 pamphlet against perpetual copyright:
Written in 1735, but still the truth today - only you should replace "booksellers" with "record labels" and "movie companies". I'm even more impressed by the words of Lord Camden (fetching fellow, or what?), who said that "knowledge and science are not things to be bound in such cobweb chains". Just... Wow.
This struggle between the idea that copyright is either natural or legislation-driven is still very much relevant today. Even though copyright is indeed a legislation-driven right, a state-granted temporary monopoly, many people view it as a natural right. While something can be said for the latter, society and mankind benefit more greatly from copyright eventually being lost.
Sadly, modern copyright is no longer about promoting learning; it is now all about ensuring endless profit for content providers. People like Lord Camden or the author of that pamphlet would be horrified by the world we live in today; a world bogged down by copyright, causing valuable works to be lost to erosion because nobody knows who the rightsholders are.
I'm not sure if you want to break out the cake and party poppers, but there you have it - copyright turned 300 today. Whoopie.


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Courtesy Troy Plota
Take note, Jamie Foxx. Kirstie Alley, who is playfully unabashed in her ongoing quest for Foxx, is even more "shag-ready". In fact, after tipping the scales at 228 lbs. last year, the actress has dropped 50 lbs.–and isn't looking back. "THE GOOD NEWS….I've lost 50 lbs!!! THE BAD NEWS…I have 40 more to go!!! …lol…..at least I'm more than half the way there!!," she Tweeted on Oct. 4. What's her secret? Staying faithful to Organic Liaison, the weight-loss program she launched in March, as well as finding support and inspiration from fans who took the dieting plunge with her. "Thousands have now had huge success with my new weight loss program," Alley, 59, tells PEOPLE. "Nothing makes me happier than reading about their extraordinary triumphs…They inspire me to continue on my own journey and I am grateful for them." As the country's first USDA-approved organic weight loss plan that specifically targets cravings, curbs appetites and boosts energy, Organic Liaisons will soon be available at GNC stores, the first time its been available outside of the company website, www.organicliaison.com. Two years in the making, Alley says she wanted to create a weight-loss system that doesn't include "meals that I can keep in my closet," she says on the Organic Liaison site. "Also one that would actually improve mine and my kids health along with shrinking my awesomely ample bottom." As for her gradually shrinking body, Alley has perspective. Tweeting on Oct. 6: "I'm far from SKINNY….but I'm at least far from Shamu …no insult to Shamu intended." –Elizabeth Leonard


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DIXON – Teachers question the school district's claim that it does not have the money to meet their demands for a new contract, according to a statement issued by their union.
The Dixon Education Association is asking for a 6-percent raise every year for the next 5 years, while the Dixon School Board is proposing no salary increase and wants to increase the amount teachers pay for health insurance.
The union estimates its demands would cost the district about $2 million a year over the life of a 5-year contract. The board contends the demands would cost about $6.3 million a year.
No matter what figures are used, Superintendent Michael Juenger says money is not available to meet the teachers' demands.
The union points to the district's $11.8 million surplus and suggests it is missing out on other revenue. "What is the board's purpose for having $11.8 million in surplus?" the statement asked.
The union says the board has not replaced 25 teachers over the last 3 years, while enrollment has dropped just 40 students.
"When the board makes these huge cutbacks to the staff, the students have larger classes, fewer opportunities for electives, less individual instruction and less exposure to the arts and technology," the statement said.
Only the education fund can pay for the teachers' salaries, Juenger said, and that has a surplus of about $4.2 million.
If teachers demands are met, the surplus would disappear within 2 to 3 years, he said.
He is projecting a $1.6 million deficit this year and forecasting more of the same in the future. Without those staff cuts, the district would be in much worse shape financially, he said.
"This board believes in not cutting everything at once," Juenger said. "We want to have time to work through those savings over time, and that surplus gives us that opportunity to make the surgical cuts as time goes by."
The teachers union asked, if money is short, why did the Dixon School Board enter into a TIF agreement with the city giving away about $88,000 in annual tax revenue? Why would the board plan to build a sports and activities complex at a cost of $200,000 a year, spend $26,629 on negotiations and increase administrator's pay and benefits?
By extending the TIF, the union estimates in the next 12 years, the board will have given away a little more than $1 million in potential tax revenue "that could have been used for educating students."
Instead of a taxing body, such as the school district, taking the revenue, a TIF, or tax increment finance district, recycles those funds for infrastructure or redevelopment projects to attract new businesses to the community.
Juenger said it was a tough decision for the board, but members saw it as an investment.
"The more business you can bring to your community, the more families and students come into your district," Juenger said.
While the board pointed out the district cannot use any funds from the proposed 1-percent sales tax for running a sports and activities complex, Juenger said the potential revenue would have offset other costs in the operations and maintenance fund.
Also, the union says district administrators received a 4.78 percent raise in 2011-2012 when teachers agreed to their last contract of a 2-year soft freeze.
Juenger said after a 2-year hard freeze, $1,800 of medical insurance was paid by the district for principals and $600 for assistant principals in agreement for them to work 5 more calendar days. He is uncertain where the union's 4.78-percent figure came from.
In 2011, after 2 years with no raise, Juenger was offered a 4-year retirement package with a 6-percent raise each year. This year, Juenger will make a salary-plus-pension of $190,096. When he retires in 2015, his salary-plus-pension will be about $213,592.
Teachers asked why such a deal was given after the superintendent had worked in Dixon for only 2 years?
Juenger said that a competitive deal was part of what enticed him to the district and that the 6-percent retirement bonus also is given to teachers.
Representatives from the teachers union are scheduled to speak with Sauk Valley Media on Wednesday.
Have questions?
Representatives from the Dixon Education Association will be holding question-and-answer sessions for the public from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday at Books on First, 202 W. First St.