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The challenge is real: you must eat.
But are you eating correct meals? It's a challenge most working people in Vinton struggle with. How do you possibly come up with the many hours per week it takes to plan, shop for, and execute meals that are actually great for you? In recent years, meal-subscription services in 96135 have been offered as a new solution. It's a whole new kind of "meals on wheels" trend in CA that looks as if it's here to last a bit longer in California.
With busy work schedules and limited moment to grocery shop for ingredients, weeknight meal prep can sometimes fall by the wayside...but not anymore! Presently, there are countless options for meal-delivery services that will help you plan delicious meals in advance, bring the ingredients to your front door, and encourage you in the kitchen. Despite your family's size, diet restrictions, or culinary chops, there's a meal-delivery kit out there that meets the exact needs of the consumer.
Customers in Vinton feel the need for speed, as home delivery tops new trend lists.
Feeling the urgency for speed, they have come to expect accessibility and immediacy in all of their brand interactions. To meet these demands in 96135, a number of brands are beginning to provide instant delivery of everything from clothing to cars to fresh produce in CA.
In addition to speedy product delivery in California, there is also an extraordinary volume of direct-to-your-door services popping up. As the demand of clients intensifies the swiftness with which companies must now act, brands should consider how they can utilize this service for the good of their business.
Despite the numerous delicious culinary possibilities that are in your vicinity, there will always be someone in your family or household who will not be agreeable to these food options.
For example, what if you've gotten a choosy consumer in your family...how will you inspire your child to eat? Here are some awesome ways to outsmart a picky diner.
When you've got whoever in your household who refuses to eat anything on her plate, anxiety often kicks in, leading you to make desperate offers of healthy dishes you know she'll fancy.
You've no doubt heard that it can take 10 or even 15 tries before a child will like new food, so keep presenting (but not pushing) the options.
Entice your child to the table by creating family dinners as inspiring. Study shows that kids will devour more fruits and vegetables when they're presented in visually interesting ways.
So....learning how to work with it maintains your cool and entices your child that food is something to be enjoyed.
But what if YOU are the picky eater? What if you've been struggling to lose weight and have very limited food options?
You might have been greatly sick and tired of diet trends that bring you nowhere close to your weight-loss goals.
Look no further! Along with countless food delivery choices in your area in California, here are 10 more tips to lose weight even faster:
Eat a high-protein breakfast.
Avoid sugary drinks and fruit juice. ...
Sip fluids a half hour before meals. ...
Choose weight loss-friendly foods. ...
Eat dissolvable fiber. ...
Sip coffee or tea. ...
Eat mostly whole, unrefined foods. ...
Eat your food unhurriedly.
You do not need to starve yourself to reduce weight. You can still consume good food until you feel full and still lose a ton of fat, as long as you modify your diet and lifestyle choices.
The demand is indeed real: you need to eat, you need it fast and you need it healthy and appetizing.
Why is it necessary to eat a variety of foodstuffs in Vinton?
Eating in Vinton a varied, well-balanced diet means partaking of a variety of foods from each food group daily, in the recommended amounts.
It is also important to choose a variety of foods from within each food group because various foods provide different types and amounts of key nutrients.
A healthy diet is the groundwork for a well-functioning body. Food is the starting point of energy for all of our bodily functions and directly affects how our bodies and minds function in every stage of life. There are a variety of reasons why a healthy diet is important, including disease prevention, management of a healthy weight and quality of life in Vinton.
Consume healthy food to stay healthy, because a healthy diet can lead to better overall proficiency of the mind and body.
Eating healthy does NOT have to be uninteresting. There is a great amount of food out there that are both healthy and tasty, and most of them are surprisingly palatable!
Healthy eating is not about rigid dietary limitations, staying impossibly thin, or depriving yourself of the foods you love. Rather, it's about feeling awesome, having more energy, enhancing your health, and stabilizing your mood. If you feel inundated by all the conflicting nutrition and diet advice out there, you're not alone. It seems that for every influencer in Vinton who tells you a certain food in 96135 is beneficial for you, you'll find another in 96135 saying exactly the opposite. But you can cut through the befuddlement and learn how to create a tasty, varied, and healthy diet that is as good for your mind as it is for your body.
We all notice that eating right can help you sustain a healthy weight and avoid certain health problems, but your diet can also have a profound effect on your mood and sense of wellbeing. Studies in CA have connected eating a typical Western diet in CA filled with processed meats, packaged meals, takeout food, and sugary snacks with greater rates of depression, stress, bipolar disorder, and anxiety.
Eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, cooking meals at home in California, and reducing your intake of sugar and refined carbohydrates, on the other hand, may help to improve mood and lower your risk for mental health problems. If you have already been diagnosed with a mental health problem, eating well can even help to manage your symptoms and regain control of your growth.
Food variety means eating a wide variety of foods, in the amounts recommended. Eating many different foods helps maintain a healthy and interesting diet which offers a range of different nutrients to the body. It also promotes good health and can help lessen the risk of disease.
Some foods in California should only be eaten occasionally. These 'extra foods' supplier and customer but can also be defined in terms of social and supply chain characteristics. Local food initiatives often build up sustainable and organic farming practices, although these are not related to the geographic proximity of producer and consumer.
Local food represents an alternative to the global food model, which often sees food traveling long distances before it reaches the consumer. A local food network involves relationships between food producers, retailers, and consumers in a particular place, where they work together to increase food security and ensure economic, ecological and social sustainability of a community.
To round these up, the clamor for healthy and local food in Vinton 96135 has increased. People are continuously hunting for local produce and healthy avenues by which a more healthy lifestyle can be achieved.


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Glitzy supermarket specials and fuel discount sweeteners are designed to lure in shoppers. But they should be carefully scrutinised before customers spend up large to cash in on savings. Teuila Fuatai reports on how to make the most of discount specials, but avoid being sucked into unnecessary spending
Fuel discounts offered by major supermarket chains earlier this month reached 40 cents a litre - one of the highest rates offered since petrol discount schemes were introduced by supermarkets in 2006.
PetrolWatch spokesman Mark Stockdale says drivers should make the most of specials, especially as petrol prices reached a national average of $2.21 per litre last week.
"Even if that means changing your brand loyalty or going to a different supermarket if your regular supermarket isn't offering [it] ... or changing your service station brand and going to the one that redeems that voucher."
At a discount of 40c a litre, a motorist buying 50 litres of fuel will save about $20.
"When you've got a big 40c docket, you might want to fill [the car] up totally so you're maximising the discount," Stockdale says.
The Foodstuffs fuel scheme, which covers participating New World and Pak'n Save stores, offers a standard fuel discount of 4c a litre if shoppers have spent at least $40.
However, drivers save very little under this rate - about $2 on a 50-litre fill - and would be better off using an AA SmartFuel card, which offers a standard discount of 6c a litre for $40 or more of petrol, Stockdale says.
Individual supermarkets may choose to offer a greater discount at different times. Last week, at least one North Island Pak'n Save was offering a 25c a litre discount if shoppers spent $200.
New World, Countdown and Pak'n Save supermarkets all offered a 50c a litre discount last year for customers who spent more than $400.
Foodstuffs spokeswoman Antoinette Shallue says fuel discount rates are set according to a variety of market conditions.
"[They] are a great way to support national, regional or store campaigns all designed to bring great rewards to our loyal customers."
A Countdown spokeswoman says fuel discounts are an additional way of rewarding shoppers. The promotions are highly valued by customers.
"We do see some customers changing their shopping behaviour to take advantage of these short-term promotions - particularly when the reward value is high (over 20c a litre)."
The Federation of Family Budgeting Services says people have to read the fine print around specials - on food and fuel discount offers.
"In some of the offers, to get the big amount off the petrol, you have to buy a certain amount of some brand product to qualify," chief executive Raewyn Fox says.
Shoppers benefited from a "price war" in recent weeks when the major supermarket chains offered the 40 cent discount if customers bought at least $150 worth of groceries. But the Countdown offer came with stringent conditions.
"You had to buy either nine Watties products in your trolley, or spend the $150."
And that could catch people out, Fox says.
The ensuing "price war" between supermarkets was great for consumers and demonstrated the importance of shopping around, Fox says.
Basic rules such as sticking to a grocery list and leaving children at home will help avoid unnecessary splurging.
Looking out for expiry dates, especially on foods being offered at a cheaper price in large amounts, is also important, Fox advises.
Stockdale warns many petrol discounts expire after a period of 10 days - though others are valid for a month. "If you're not going to use them, then offer them to someone else."
Reward schemes such as Fly Buys combined with the promise of cheaper petrol can put some shoppers into overdrive.
Although many families can easily spend $150 at the supermarket, buying certain products to clock up reward scheme points or doing the groceries just to qualify for a special fuel discount offer, is unwise, Stockdale says.
"Think about pairing up with family members and saying, 'Let's combine our shopping - but I'll pay this week's bill and I'll get the voucher and next week it's your turn'."
It's about utilising the discount without overspending, he says.

subset: commoncrawl


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Hi all – I was lucky enough to be in Singapore last week, and after a busy week of work found myself with half a day to kill on Thursday arvo.
Universal Studios has been open for more then a year now, but one of the signature attractions, Battlestar Galactica dueling coasters has been closed for nearly a year after experiencing seat / design issues. Call it fate, but my trip coincided with the recent re-opening of Battlestar – as a coaster nut I thought I would check things out.
Got there around noon, thinking that being mid-week it would be relatively quiet – HA! What I didn't know was that is was a holiday week in Singapore and the queues were massive!!!
It was 72 Sing bucks to enter (around 50 Oz) - once inside, I noticed that they have boards around the park indicating wait times on rides:
Canopy Flyer – 55 mins
Battlestar Galactica – Cylon – 50 mins
Battlestar Galactica – Human – 35 mins
Treasure Hunters – 1 hour 5 mins
Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure– 55 mins
The list went on,,,,
So I thought it was going to be a really slow day of lining up in queues, or a really quick day if I got fed-up and left.
I wandered to Revenge of the Mummy, and the wait time was 30 mins – thought what the hell – even the themeing of the queue line was hard to fathom – an underground labyrinth of what seemed 2 kms of line! Seemed like a lot longer than a 30 min wait – but OMG – that ride (an indoor coaster with EXTREME theming) was mind blowing!!!
I had noticed at the entrance to the ride, another line called "Universal Express", so I wandered to guest relations to suss out. For another 48 bucks (Sing) the express pass entitles you to basically front of the line access to all rides / attractions in the park – the catch is you can only use it once per ride. But with limited time, I thought what the hell – it certainly speeded up the process.
With Express Pass in hand – over to the Canopy Flyer – kind of a roller coaster / chairlift hybrid with weird cars – 4 per car: 2 facing forward – 2 facing backwards.
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Pretty cool, swinging out on the turns – not extreme, but a bit different and a lot of fun,
Next – to the Enchanted Airways Coaster – a junior coaster that was not worth people lining up for 55 mins – but thanks to the express pass – bypassed what seemed about 500 people in the queue!
Ok – getting the hang of the layout and when to use the pass….
Noticed that the Human side of Battlestar (red track) was down to 10 mins wait – raced over there and got on (must have been lunchtime) – speeds of 90kms an hour – and some good airtime – this trip was beginning to be a lot of fun!
Battlestar is neat in the sense that as you climb what you think is a traditional lift hill (with coasters side by side). They actually use Linear Synchronous Motors (LSM) and about half way up when they kick in you accelerate rapidly and fly over the edge. Both Human and Cylon intertwine across the layout, at times that close you think they will crash (it's that close, that you are measured for "tallness" in the queue – if you are taller than 6 feet, you can only sit in the inner seats – 4 to a row.
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Back to the Mummy – actually 3 different queues here: Express Pass, Single Rider (which I didn't see 1st time on) and normal queue. This time I was ushered into single rider line – honestly the underground maze seems to take a 10 min walk just to get to the ride load! Again – ride blew my mind (And managed to take in more around me after the initial shock / delight of my 1st ride).
Ok – off to the Treasure Hunters – a rather lame jeep / car ride on track (think Old Fashioned cars at Dreamworld) but this was thru an Egyptian landscape. I kind of felt guilty here – the normal line was one hour and 5 mins wait time – express pass – straight to the front. The poor Parents queuing for over an hour would have been pretty pizz'd at waiting so long for this.
Back to Battlestar Human – wait time had increased to 35 mins, so out with the Express Pass. Again, loved it.
Mummy for the 3rd time (with express pass) – I will never get sick of this ride…..
Got in Shrek in the 4th dimension (think Movieworld Shrek show), and an AMAZING back-lot special effects stage show.
Ok – time is running out – need to fly out that night,,,, 2 things left on my key things to do….
Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure – WTF? Ride experiencing technical difficulties (it was open earlier) – never got on (although I have ridden a similar ride at Universal Studios in the US, so wasn't that disappointed (and apparently you do get completely soaked)
And then finally,,,,,
Battlestar Galactica – Cylon (blue track),,,,,,,, This was the reason I came here, but now doubts were entering my mind,,,
I'm not as young as I used to be
This looks fn terrifying
What if I have a heart-attack and die mid-ride?
With Express Pass in nervous and sweaty palm, I thought it's now or never – straight to the front of the line….
The Cylon side of the coaster is similar to Lethal Weapon at Movieworld – legs dangling, inversions, loops, and some serious speed. (but without the head banging pain).
Absolutely mind blowing – I was shaking / laughing / but didn't die – which was a good thing! (I carefully avoided stepping over the pools of chunder from previous ride occupants as I exited the ride)
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Summary – Awesome Awesome Awesome Park. With new attractions to open later this year (Madagascar the Crate Ride which opens soon has to be seen to be believed with it's theming and size) – this park is a must do!


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Helena, Ark., soybean, rice and wheat producer Buron Griffin Jr. and your typical environmentalist both see green when Griffin's John Deere 8410 tractor runs across a field.
For the environmentalist the tractor, which runs on waste vegetable oil, is not polluting the air, causing global warming or using up a non-renewable resource. But for Griffin, the tractor is not burning up as much of the hard-earned green cash in his bank account.
Bill Kennerly, owner of Vegetable Fuel Systems, in Malvern, Ark., who installed a vegetable oil fuel system on Griffin's tractor, says waste vegetable oil could catch on in the agricultural community, once everyone figures out how cheap it is compared to regular diesel or biodiesel, or how environmentally friendly it is.
"In the past, restaurants have had to pay someone to come get the oil and haul it off. Nobody ever realized that it burned. There are hardly any pollutants coming out of the exhaust, very little black smoke."
Kennerly says running vegetable oil could be a good alternative for farmers looking to cut costs. "With veggie oil, you have to convert your truck or tractor. With biodiesel, you or the community has to spend money for a biodiesel plant and train someone to operate it. But as far as an environmental benefit is concerned, vegetable oil is the best, followed by biodiesel."
The waste vegetable oil that runs in Griffin's tractor is collected from restaurants, filtered and stored until delivery. Kennerly says to condition the oil, it is heated to 130 degrees, stored overnight, then pumped through a bag filter and then to another diesel filter. Then it's ready to burn.
The estimated cost of a veggie system for a tractor is around $3,500, according to Griffin. "At $2.45 for farm diesel, we need to run 6,000 to 7,000 gallons of fuel to pay for the conversion, which is not much considering how much these tractors consume."
The 100-gallon vegetable oil tank is a separate tank mounted on the front of Griffin's tractor. The tractor engine is started with regular diesel or biodiesel, whatever is in the tank of the tractor.
The heat from the engine is used to heat the vegetable oil until it reaches the proper viscosity. If the engine is started with vegetable oil when the oil is still thick, or if the vegetable oil is not flushed out of the engine when the engine is to be shut down for an hour or more, the vegetable oil will gum up the system in cold weather.
Inside the tractor cab are a couple of gauges and a switch for monitoring vegetable oil temperature and for switching back and forth between the diesel tank and the vegetable oil tank.
"We haven't seen any loss of horsepower whatsoever," says Griffin, who hopes to eventually run every engine on the farm, including center pivot engines, on vegetable oil. "The price of vegetable oil is fluctuating with the market, but it's a lot cheaper than diesel. We're also looking at using cottonseed oil."
Kennerly hopes to have a conversion kit for center pivot engines by spring. He's also making progress on filtering and preparing cottonseed oil for high volume users.
Kennerly has installed the system on tractors, pickups and big diesel trucks, most of which are out of warranty. Kennerly and Griffin note that engine manufacturers are hesitant about honoring all components of an engine's warranty if vegetable oil is burned in it. There could be problems if the oil is not filtered adequately, if the tractor is not equipped with the proper heating system, or if the engine is not purged with diesel before shutting down in cold weather.
Griffin's early 2000s-era 8410 John Deere tractor had about 4,000 hours on it when the conversion was installed. Griffin has two other large horsepower tractors on his 3,000-acre farm.
Kennerly's Dodge pickup truck is converted to vegetable oil, and he's converted several other pickup trucks. A Dodge conversion usually runs about $2,500, a Ford about $3,500.
As long as the price of diesel remains high, vegetable oil has an economic advantage for Griffin. "The key is the price of diesel. If the price comes down to $2 or $1.95, this business is going away. As long as we have $3 diesel or more, it's going to stay."
Currently, the Biodiesel Tax Credit administered by the IRS allows producers of biodiesel to claim a per gallon tax credit. The credit is valued at $1 per gallon of agri-biodiesel (biodiesel produced from new agricultural products such as soybean oil or animal fats).
Griffin would like to see the $1 tax credit extended to recycled fryer grease as well. Currently, the tax credit is 50 cents per gallon of biodiesel produced from other sources such as recycled fryer grease.
e-mail: [email protected]


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For many years, Molloy College's Division of Business hosted a trip to China for its first-year students. But for the first time, the business department held an essay contest about business ethics, the winners of which had their trip to China paid for by a scholarship.
Gareth Moore and Patrick Lisante, both first-year students in Molloy's Business Honors program, won first and second place in the essay contest, respectively. The essays were on one of two topics: addressing the question of social responsibility or a definition of what is the "right" thing to do in business.
"The reason we do ethics is because our position as the only Catholic college within the county of Nassau is something we take very seriously," said Stephen Bier, the dean of the division of business. "And we think ethics, just in general, is something that needs to be emphasized, with the scandals and fraud we've seen permeating the business headlines."
The scholarship was funded by professors in the business department. Moore, the first-place winner, had the full $2,200 cost of the China trip subsidized. Lisante received $1,100 for the trip, making it much more affordable.
"I think it's definitely a unique trip, because you usually hear about people going to Europe to study abroad," said Lisante. "You don't really meet a lot of students that get to travel to China."
Moore's paper was about the specifics of American financial history, particularly about families like the Rockefellers that amassed huge fortunes. He compared them to foreign business moguls who exploit cheap labor.
"I went on to say that in a society in America, much is given but much is expected," Moore said. "And we know better and ethics should be held at a much higher standard for that reason."
Lisante profiled the case of Ford v. Mann, where the Ramapough Indians sued the Ford Motor Company for dumping toxic waste on their reservation in the late 1960s.
"As time went on, almost every family in the reservation had some kind of cancer or related illnesses due to this toxic waste," said Lisante.


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Proximal Urethral Carcinoma clinical trials at UCSD
1 in progress, 0 open to new patients
Gemcitabine Hydrochloride and Cisplatin With or Without Bevacizumab in Treating Patients With Advanced Urinary Tract Cancer
Sorry, in progress, not accepting new patients
This randomized phase III trial studies gemcitabine hydrochloride, cisplatin, and bevacizumab to see how well they work compared with gemcitabine hydrochloride and cisplatin in treating patients with urinary tract cancer that has spread to other places in the body. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as gemcitabine hydrochloride and cisplatin, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Monoclonal antibodies, such as bevacizumab, may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. It is not yet known whether gemcitabine hydrochloride and cisplatin are more effective when given with or without bevacizumab in treating patients with urinary tract cancer.
La Jolla, California and other locations
Last updated:


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The Royal Society of Canada's (RSC) recognition of three Jewish studies scholars this year suggests that the field of Jewish studies is gaining respect and credibility in the world of academia.
McGill University's Gershon Hundert, as well as University of Toronto professors David Novak and Derek Penslar, all of whom are Jewish studies experts, have been elected by the fellows of the RSC to join their ranks.
Hundert, Novak and Penslar join 75 other fellows this year, and the nearly 2,000 others who were elected in previous years for their outstanding achievement in their respective fields.
Founded in 1882, the RSC is a national body of distinguished Canadian scholars, artists and scientists established to recognize academic excellence and outstanding contributions to Canadian culture.
Penslar, who was recognized for his work on controversial subjects including Zionism, the Arab-Israeli conflict, Jewish economic and political power and antisemitism, said he is thrilled to have received the highest honour a scholar can achieve in Canada.
"It is a great honour for me personally, and I also think it is a sign… when three scholars of Jewish studies get elected in a single year… that [the RSC] are willing to consider on equal terms scholarship in subjects that in the past may have been considered peripheral or so highly controversial that they didn't want to deal with it," said Penslar, the Samuel Zacks professor of Jewish history at U of T, who will take up his post in 2012 as Oxford University's first professor of Israeli studies.
Penslar added that in most universities, U of T included, Jewish studies does not have a department. McGill is the only Canadian institution that boasts a Jewish studies department, rather than a centre.
"A centre integrates 20 to 25 different departments and units. But people who do Jewish studies are full-fledged scholars of a discipline," he said.
"We were trained at secular universities, we know how to talk to our colleagues in a certain disciplinary vocabulary, we know how to reach students of any background."
Although Hundert said he couldn't be sure how many other Jewish studies scholars have ever made the RSC fellows list, if any, he agreed the inclusion of three Jewish studies scholars on this year's list "signals the maturation of the field of Jewish studies in the Canadian academy."
Hundert explained that as a discipline, Jewish studies is quite young, having been established at McGill and U of T in the 1960s.
"This is a signal that we've come of age and we have a place in the academy."
Hundert said that one of the most "satisfying" parts of being honoured by the RSC is that the nominations come from their colleagues.
"People at McGill put my name forward and suggested that I was worthy of this. That is especially satisfying."
Hundert suggested that he might have been recognized this year because of his role as the editor-in-chief of the YIVO Encyclopedia of Jews in Eastern Europe, which is now available free online at www.yivoencyclopedia.org.
"I had 450 scholars contributing from 17 countries – it's massive."
Novak, who holds the J. Richard and Dorothy Shiff Chair of Jewish Studies as a religion and philosophy professor at U of T, has also been honoured by the society for his research in natural law theory, Jewish-Christian relations and biomedical ethics.
Novak said the honour is significant because not long ago, "Jews were not all that welcome [on university campuses] let alone Jewish history being welcome."
He said it's important for people to know that Jewish studies isn't reserved for Jewish students, adding that a vast majority of his students are non-Jews.
"If we only appealed to Jewish students… we would be very marginalized. The fact that we have this wide appeal indicates that we're not," Novak said.
He said that while he's honoured by the recognition, what is most significant is the fact that Jewish studies are "not foreign in the larger Canadian cultural context."
This year's new fellows will be inducted to the RSC during a ceremony on Nov. 26 at the Ottawa Convention Centre in Ottawa.


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Aldermen OK slight tax hike
Starkville's budget woes may be solved, at least for this year.
From now until city officials adopt a budget, bookkeepers will be preparing a financial plan that includes a property tax increase of .45 mill and a $1.50 increase in sanitation fees.
Vice Mayor Sandra Sistrunk, who has, according to Mayor Parker Wiseman, worked "around the clock" on the budget, proposed a budget on Monday that would raise Starkville's current 19.55 millage rate to 20 mils and thereby allow city officials to staff the new Fire Station No. 5 and consolidate the landscaping division and the public services department with the sanitation department, creating an environmental services department.
No city employees would receive salary increases, but Sistrunk's proposal does address internal inequities in pay.
The proposed budget would also finance the salary of additional information technology (IT) staff, another building inspector and another city planner. The city currently only has one of each.
"This proposal starts to achieve the strategic plan the Board of Aldermen and the mayor agreed on over the course of several meetings shortly after taking office," said Sistrunk, whose recommendation also allows the city to keep its funding for outside contributions to local non-profit agencies and the Mississippi Horse Park, instead of reducing them or cutting them to zero — an annual suggestion from Ward 6 Alderman Roy Á. Perkins that was taken seriously by some aldermen during last week's meeting.
Discussions that involved cutting funds to entities such as the Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum and the Starkville Public Library bred an outspoken group of library supporters and employees, who entreated the board Monday to keep its contribution to "one of the basic
things that are offered here in America," in the words of Dr. Nancy D. Hargrove, president of Starkville Reads, which holds most of its functions at the library.
Sistrunk's plan would also pump more life in the deflated ending fund balance, which in three years decreased from $2.5 million to $230,000, and would create an contingency fund of $100,000, in case a time-sensitive need arises such as this year's sewage maim bust.
After Ward 5 Alderman Jeremiah Dumas seconded Sistrunk's motion, Perkins, who has repeatedly said he would not support a tax increase or supporting outside entities, immediately criticized the way Sistrunk's proposal was presented.
"It appears that the votes are already in place," Perkins said. "This is not the way to do the taxpayers' business."
Perkins said the board approved a budget committee of three, not one.
Ward 3 Alderman Eric Parker, who voted against Sistrunk's motion because he could not support a tax increase, responded to Perkins' claims, arguing that the board was not adopting a budget on Monday.
"Somebody needed some direction in putting these numbers down," he said.
Ward 1 Alderman Ben Carver said that he worked along with Sistrunk on the proposal, generating a laugh from Ward 7 Alderman Henry Vaughn.
"This is a time sensitive issue," Carver said.
Carver identified his support for Sistrunk's proposal as a bipartisan move.
"The millage rate in Starkville is ridiculously low," Carver said. "For cities our size, we're the lowest of anybody I could find."
Parker admitted that a $13 sanitation fee, which is what residents would pay if this budget is adopted, is standard in the area, and that he would support the creation of an environmental services department.
Various residents voice support for tax increase
One after another, citizens asked the board to increase taxes during Monday's meeting.
Milo Burnham bemoaned Perkins' suggestion to cut all outside contributions to zero, explaining that the Humane Society would have to cut back its spending on food and, thus, euthanize dogs and cats.
"I don't want that, but maybe Mr. Perkins does," he said.
Burnham argued that the city cannot be blamed for Oktibbeha County raising taxes or local public schools raising taxes.
Richard Mullenax lamented Starkville's low millage rate in comparison to its peers and cities in other states.
"We don't even pay taxes as far as I'm concerned," he said.
Jim Gafford, who chairs the transportation committee, said that Starkville is dealing with the sins of its past — those being past refusals to raise taxes.
"Either we are growing or we are dying," he said, explaining that the city already functions to its maximum capacity with substandard equipment and substandard space. "I don't see anywhere else that can be cut (in funding)."
Warren Housley said that he doesn't want his taxes to go up, but said he does want city services to survive.


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Ken Smith, Property 12069
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This wonderful main door property is situated on a quiet New Town street nestled between Edinburgh's main shopping streets and 'village' area known as Stockbridge.
Sleeps 5, located in a quite tree lined courtyard just off the Royal Mile. This luxurious apartment is a greatbase for visiting Edinburgh
Self-catering apartment by the Grassmarket in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town. Sleeps up to four. Clean, bright, and very well-equiped.
Sleeps 4. Great location in Edinburgh's Old Town.Close to Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace and the Royal Mile.
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Sharp Reaction
Melissa G. Meiselman 1/31/2007 7:23:06 AMThis is the original version. #597513
Karen Bacon 1/31/2007 7:34:23 AMWhat a fantastic macro shot Melissa!Those colors vibrate right off the screen. #3895687
Girish Vaghela 1/31/2007 7:37:30 AMLovey lines radiating from top, and horizontal lines of thorns breaking those vertical lines; and great effects, Melissa! #3895710
Shelly A. Van Camp 1/31/2007 7:40:11 AMVery "sharp" image!! Great macro and details! #3895726
Remi Trepanier 1/31/2007 7:47:44 AMGreat shot. It looks painful to touch!!! #3895771
Melissa G. Meiselman 1/31/2007 7:53:13 AMThanks Karen, Girish, Shelly and Remi for your great comments!!! #3895802
Colleen Farrell 1/31/2007 7:58:36 AMTerrific graphic design--and it looks like it's glowing with sunlight! #3895833
Nadine A. Lewis 1/31/2007 8:10:58 AMBEAUTIFUL, Melissa!!! LOVE your focus and GREAT enhancements!!! <>< #3895889
Rakesh Syal 1/31/2007 8:11:06 AMGreat POV on this image and editing, Melissa! #3895891
Melissa G. Meiselman 1/31/2007 8:15:21 AMThanks Coleen, Nadine and Rakesh for commenting on this image. Really appreciated!! #3895903
Joy Rector 1/31/2007 8:32:51 AMawsome #3895974
John Caruso 1/31/2007 8:36:54 AMMelissa--
Nice use of design to make an interesting photo. Your color experiments, too, paid off. (I have really enjoyed using Lightroom. I can't wait until it's out of Beta.)
Nice job! #3895993
Janine Russell 1/31/2007 8:39:34 AMMelissa, excellent colors, detail, lighting, DOF, textures and PS work. #3896008
Kathleen Brennan 1/31/2007 8:40:41 AMBeautiful color and lighting, Melissa! #3896017
Les Rhoades 1/31/2007 8:43:22 AMIt almost looks translucent.
I downloaded the program a few days ago, but have not played with it yet.
Paula Dwyer 1/31/2007 8:51:46 AMThe colors, lighting and details are so beautiful!!! You did an excellent job on this Melissa!!! :) #3896095
Beverly A. Wright 1/31/2007 8:54:25 AMWOW Melissa I have never been this up
Melissa G. Meiselman 1/31/2007 9:29:17 AMThanks Joy, John, Janine, Kathleen, Les, Paula and Beverly for your terrific comments!!! #3896277
Jim Huffield 1/31/2007 9:34:58 AMVery beautiful colors and clarity, Melissa. Jim #3896300
Katarina Mansson 1/31/2007 9:53:56 AMGreat colors and comp. Excellent detail and sharpness! #3896348
Melissa G. Meiselman 1/31/2007 9:58:44 AMThanks Jim and Katarina for commenting on this image!!! #3896371
Colette M. Metcalf 1/31/2007 10:48:09 AMWonderful colors and detail, Melissa!! #3896552
Paul Michko 1/31/2007 11:00:10 AMWonderfully done, Melissa. #3896628
Nadya Johnson 1/31/2007 11:01:39 AMA great close up, Melissa! And Lightroom really punches up the image! I have been deciding whether I should try it: now I think I'll have to! #3896638
Kitty R. Rodehorst-Hanna 1/31/2007 11:03:49 AMWOW!!!! SUPER macro, Melissa!!!! The enhancements really bring out the details and colors of this wonderful image!!!!! ^.^ #3896653
Jessica Jenney 1/31/2007 11:27:42 AMIncredible cactus macro, details and design, Melissa! #3896710
Cathy M. Gromball 1/31/2007 11:31:35 AMWonderful photo and effects, Melissa!
Cathy :) #3896723
Melissa G. Meiselman 1/31/2007 12:20:46 PMThanks Colette, Paul, Nadya, Kitty, Jessica and Cathy for commenting on this image!! #3896904
Manuel Barrera 1/31/2007 1:58:13 PMHave to look at that filter or software as the saturation is much different then what I have seen, well composed and gorgeous colors #3897150
Patricia Ronan 1/31/2007 2:14:07 PMGreat close up of the cactus Melissa and like everyone says the filter really adds to the lighting and colour.
Vladan D. Djordjevic 1/31/2007 2:24:59 PMGreat effects! Love the composition, lighting, detail, color! #3897273
Melissa G. Meiselman 1/31/2007 2:32:51 PMThanks Manuel, Patricia and Vladan for your great comments!! #3897286
Carol Sawyer 1/31/2007 2:52:10 PMFantastic details and color in this capture, Melissa!! very well done!! #3897333
Judy A. Lawhon 1/31/2007 3:14:41 PMI really like the look of this new software, Melissa...it gives so much defination!! #3897401
Ronald F. Fischer 1/31/2007 4:37:22 PMAll I can think of to say, Melissa, is OUCH!! That is one sharp capture!! #3897644
Claudia Kuhn 1/31/2007 6:01:23 PMVibrant colors in this one, great details and textures Melissa! #3897882
Ken Jarvis 1/31/2007 6:51:08 PMGreat colour and detail, Melissa! #3898069
Charlene Taylor 1/31/2007 7:54:10 PMThis is so delightful Melissa! The best shot of pricklies I've ever seen. #3898160
Arnie Horwitz 1/31/2007 7:58:14 PMGreat composition with beautiful color and clarity, Melissa! #3898173
Nancy L. Green 1/31/2007 7:59:30 PMSuperb clarity and lighting Melissa!! Beautifully done!! <>< #3898175
Raymond Pauly 1/31/2007 10:17:22 PMVery nice POV in this shot, Melissa! I like the original version, too! #3898422
Su Sana E. P 1/31/2007 10:33:13 PMMelissa, this is totally Awesome!! Sharpness of the image, layers of pattern, warm colors everything looks fantastic here. #3898454
Dominick M. Dimacale 2/1/2007 3:12:04 AMVery lovely image and great with the effects too...Dominick #3898840
Glenn E. Urquhart 2/1/2007 3:46:27 AMWOW.... Like the lines, color, pov, lighting... Beautiful Macro, Melissa!!! VERY Well Done! Cheers, Glenn. #3898967
Sharon King 2/1/2007 4:52:59 AMTerrific detail, nice effects, thanks for sharing the before and after. #3899198
Ray Thoms 2/1/2007 5:34:13 AMNice detail and colour Melissa....sounds like you're enjoy the new software! #3899387
Bill Wyatt 2/1/2007 5:48:30 AMTerrific results with the new program. Nice sharp image love the colors and lighting. #3899455
Chastity Abbott 2/1/2007 7:15:20 AMWOW!!!!! Awesome work!!! #3899786
Melissa G. Meiselman 2/1/2007 10:53:28 AMThanks Carol, Judy, Ronald, Claudia, Ken, Charlene, Arnie, Nancy, Raymond, Susana, Dominick, Glenn, Sharon, Ray, Bill and Chastity for commenting on this image.
This software is most useful when converting a RAW image, improving the exposure, white balance, heightening the vibrance of colors and all sorts of other things to individually edit color and light. #3900666
Emile Abbott 2/1/2007 3:26:49 PMAmazing clarity and detail and excellent use of the new software, Melissa. #3901479
Sam Britt 2/1/2007 5:10:01 PMGreat detail, color & enhancements on this macro, Melissa. #3901741
Graeme yew Chow 2/1/2007 5:52:06 PMWonderful transformation and great captured, Melissa. I got one shot of this won the 2nd place winner and I hope your make it too. #3901858
Alexis Yobbagy 2/1/2007 6:35:23 PMINCREDIBLE detail!!! So well done!!! #3901944
eileen bedford 2/1/2007 6:45:46 PMThat is beautiful Melissa, I like the way this software worked for you. So well done... #3901966
Kenneth Mucke 2/1/2007 7:53:19 PMBoth colorful and painful at the same time....Great full framed image with beautiful colors #3902244
Z. Banu 2/2/2007 12:52:42 AMFantastic capture wonderful macro nicely done!AWESOME Melissa #3902714
Melissa G. Meiselman 2/2/2007 7:49:11 AMThanks Emile, Sam, Graeme, Alexis, Eileen, Kenneth and Zaanat for your great comments!! #3903976
ALLEN O. HOWARD 2/2/2007 7:09:12 PMWonderful full frame cactus, Melissa! Not sure what the "Lightroom" is, but it added terrific enhancement! #3905854
Melissa G. Meiselman 2/2/2007 8:39:12 PMThanks Allen for you comment on this image. It is much appreciated!! #3906014
Michael Khoury 2/3/2007 2:17:19 PMso beautifully composed and rendered; well-done Melissa !...
Melissa G. Meiselman 2/5/2007 10:37:39 AMThanks Michael for your great comment!! #3914511
Al Ward 2/5/2007 1:36:46 PMI love it! Beautifully done. #3915205
Melissa G. Meiselman 2/5/2007 1:40:55 PMThanks Al for the most flattering comment coming from you...an instructor!!! #3915220
Morteza Safataj 2/5/2007 5:14:29 PMNice work Melissa!!well colored. #3915817
Dr. Harmeet Singh 2/5/2007 8:32:28 PMExcellent captureand beautiful colour setting.Nice work. #3916501
Richard Lynch 2/6/2007 9:32:22 AMMelissa,
Nice image.
I took a whack at the original (from a screen shot) because I was curious and applied some simple techniques I use in my courses for Photoshop and Elements (actually all of these techniques are in my PS101 course). It looks to me like the Vibrance tool in Lightwave balances tone while enhancing color. I think you'll see a similar result in what I did--and I did it in Elements mostly with a simple levels adjustment and a few additional layer-based enhancements. I think this would have been better working from the original with the original resolution.
I'd give more credit to your eye and the capture than the editing software! Really all I did was adjust exposure and the color/tone fell into place. #3918445
Melissa G. Meiselman 2/6/2007 12:01:01 PMRichard, you did a great job getting the same colorful effect that I got. #3918824
Janine Russell 2/15/2007 8:27:22 AMMelissa, congratulations on your feature in Digital Darkroom. #3950637
Melissa G. Meiselman 2/15/2007 9:17:05 AMThanks Janine for your congratulations...it came as a surprise for me, as well!! #3950844
Donna La Mattino Pagakis 2/15/2007 9:56:53 AMAmazing work on this featured image. Such great colors and contrasts! Congratulations! #3951008
Melissa G. Meiselman 2/15/2007 11:54:16 AMThanks so much, Donna, for your great comment!! #3951436
Sharon King 2/15/2007 4:11:48 PMCongratulations on your feature in Digital darkroom! You go Girl! #3952118
Melissa G. Meiselman 2/15/2007 6:24:15 PMThanks Sharon for commenting!! #3952421
Sheryl A. Hudson 2/15/2007 7:00:32 PMCongratulation on your feature in the newsletter Melissa! Beautiful work!!!! #3952495
Melissa G. Meiselman 2/15/2007 8:05:57 PMThanks, Sheryl. If I recall, you are in the same newsletter. Congratulations!! #3952706
Frank Zipperer 2/20/2007 6:13:42 PMMelissa, your barrel cactus image is great. Congratulations on your recognition in the Digital Darkroom.
To show a slightly different take, when I shot one of those plants, I converted it to B&W as shown here and in my gallery. #3969908
Melissa G. Meiselman 2/20/2007 8:14:18 PMThanks Frank for showing me your version of this subject in black and white...it works so well!! I will have to give it a try!! #3970224
Marijana Fajgl 2/24/2007 11:46:36 AMWarmest congratulations, Melissa! #3982719
Jim Huffield 2/24/2007 12:09:45 PMCongratulations on this very well deserved finalist, Melissa. Jim #3982901
Nadya Johnson 2/24/2007 12:18:09 PMCongratulations, Melissa! I had hoped to be first but my internet is not working very well (as usual!) A well deserved finalist and best of luck in the second round! #3983014
Susan Fox 2/24/2007 12:29:01 PMCongrats Melissa! Wonderful detail shot. #3983110
Colleen Farrell 2/24/2007 12:30:13 PMCongratulations on this terrific finalist, Melissa! #3983120
Melissa G. Meiselman 2/24/2007 12:50:18 PMThanks Marijana, Jim, Nadya, Susan and Colleen for your best wishes!! #3983371
Colette M. Metcalf 2/24/2007 12:51:55 PMCongratulations to you, Melissa!!! #3983390
Kitty R. Rodehorst-Hanna 2/24/2007 12:57:14 PMCONGRATULATION on your FINALIST, Melissa!!!!! GREAT JOB!!!!! :-) ^.^ Kitty #3983453
Wendy Stevenson 2/24/2007 1:00:54 PMBig Congrats on this great finalist Melissa! Love the abstract composition and great detail and colour! #3983490
Ray Clarke 2/24/2007 1:05:05 PMCongrats on this great finalist Melissa (ac) #3983529
Holly Shao 2/24/2007 1:05:57 PMCongratulations, Melissa, on this excellent Finalist!!
Holly #3983535
Terry L. Ellis 2/24/2007 1:34:27 PMMelissa, congratulations on your wonderful finalist! #3983837
Melissa A. Mannon 2/24/2007 1:36:13 PMcongratulations Melissa! #3983854
Jenny D 2/24/2007 1:36:56 PMCongratulations Melissa!! #3983863
Karen Bacon 2/24/2007 1:48:00 PMCongrats on your finalist Melissa! #3984017
Laurie Daily 2/24/2007 1:50:02 PMCongratulations Melissa on this great finalist! #3984048
Linda L. Ruiz 2/24/2007 1:50:04 PMWTG!!! Congrats. #3984049
RC Fritz 2/24/2007 2:04:46 PMBig Congratulations on your Finalist! #3984234
Janine Russell 2/24/2007 2:05:01 PMMelissa, congratulations on your finalist. #3984235
SaMi Martin 2/24/2007 2:19:16 PMWTG Congratulations Melissa; Good Luck next round! #3984385
Melissa G. Meiselman 2/24/2007 2:24:50 PMThanks to all who have left their congratulatory comments and best wishes!! #3984446
David Pratt 2/24/2007 2:54:45 PMCongratulations Melissa! A job well done! Good Luck! #3984685
Mary K. Robison 2/24/2007 2:56:09 PMNice work, Melissa ~
Jessica Jenney 2/24/2007 2:58:43 PMCongratulations, Melissa on this wonderful finalist image! #3984717
Patricia Ronan 2/24/2007 3:10:33 PMCongratulations on your finalist Melissa :) #3984835
Jenny Bosmans 2/24/2007 3:34:21 PMCongratulations on this beautiful finalist, Melissa! :) #3985043
Carol Sawyer 2/24/2007 4:17:24 PMCongratulations again, Melissa!! #3985438
Melissa G. Meiselman 2/24/2007 4:28:30 PMThanks David, Mary, Jessica, Patricia, Jenny and Carol for your best wishes!! #3985558
Denise M. Snyder 2/24/2007 4:32:15 PMCongrats Melissa!!! #3985606
Renee Doyle 2/24/2007 5:27:42 PMCongratulations Melissa! Great work!
Jeff Robinson 2/24/2007 5:41:03 PMCongrats Melissa on your excellent Finalist! Jeff #3986241
Claudia Kuhn 2/24/2007 6:06:43 PMCongrats Melissa! #3986508
Kristi A. Howson 2/24/2007 6:08:45 PMIncredible detail and texture captured here Melissa. Congratulations on this and your other outstanding Finalists and Best of Luck in the next round! #3986530
Kay E. Mahoney 2/24/2007 6:13:15 PMCongratulations on your finalist. Good luck in the next round. #3986588
Karen Slagle 2/24/2007 6:15:55 PMFantastic finalist, Melissa. I love all the details of this cactus. #3986628
Cheryl E. Molennor 2/24/2007 6:16:00 PMGreat image Melissa! Congratulations #3986630
eileen bedford 2/24/2007 7:32:50 PMCongratulations Melissa.... #3987393
Melissa G. Meiselman 2/24/2007 8:03:00 PMMy humblest thanks to you all!! #3987631
Jill Flynn 2/24/2007 8:19:36 PMThis really shimmers Melissa. A very cool presentation of this cactus! Congratulations on your finalist! #3987778
Barbara Waldoch 2/24/2007 8:20:05 PMCongratulations on this beautiful finalist, Melissa! #3987781
MARLON IGNACIO 2/24/2007 8:28:08 PMExceptional detail. Congratulations on your finalist, Melissa! #3987863
Dominick M. Dimacale 2/24/2007 8:38:49 PMCongratulations Melissa on your finalist image...Dominick #3987964
Steve M. Harrington 2/24/2007 8:59:33 PMTerrific image, Melissa. Congratulations.
Melissa G. Meiselman 2/24/2007 9:01:03 PMThanks so much Jill, Barbara, Marlon, Dominick and Steve!!! #3988129
Datha Y. Thompson 2/24/2007 9:27:05 PMCONGRATULATIONS Melissa!!! WTG!!! :0) #3988324
Cesar J. La Rosa 2/24/2007 10:16:53 PMMelissa, I'm so happy to see this beautiful photograph among the Finalists!!!
Marilyn K. Lincecum 2/24/2007 10:41:43 PMCONGRATULATIONS again on a well deserved finalist !!! #3988599
Chua Wee Boo 2/24/2007 10:59:52 PMCongrats Melissa! #3988629
Ken Jarvis 2/25/2007 3:19:36 AMCongratulations Melissa! Great macro. #3989017
Paula Dwyer 2/25/2007 4:06:23 AMCongrtulations Melissa!!! :) #3989144
Linda M. Walker 2/25/2007 4:33:32 AMCongratulations...excellent clarity #3989326
Cassie L. Woodlee 2/25/2007 5:49:34 AMCongratulations Melissa!!!! #3989697
Tarun Bose 2/25/2007 6:36:08 AMBig congrats Melissa on your finalist. #3990061
Ken Smith 2/25/2007 7:03:55 AMMelissa, congrats on your multiple finalists!! #3990220
Robert R. Goodman 2/25/2007 7:36:30 AMCongratulations Melissa!!!!!! #3990447
Melissa G. Meiselman 2/25/2007 7:38:03 AMThanks you all for your kind thoughs!! #3990457
Arnie Horwitz 2/25/2007 7:54:12 AMCongratulations on another great finalist, Melissa! #3990561
Graeme yew Chow 2/25/2007 8:02:41 AMCongratulation on this outstanding finalist, Melissa. #3990616
Cary Rogers 2/25/2007 8:20:52 AMWonderfully composed--and enhanced--image, Melissa! Congratulations on your FinalistS! :-) #3990787
Gail Vitikacs 2/25/2007 8:53:06 AMBig congratulations Melissa! #3991038
Melissa G. Meiselman 2/25/2007 8:57:44 AMThanks Arnie, Graeme, Cary and Gail for your best wishes!! #3991070
Jennifer Rennison 2/25/2007 9:43:25 AMExcellent detail and lighting, Melissa! Congratulations on your finalist, best of luck in the next round! #3991377
Z. Banu 2/25/2007 9:45:07 AMCongratulation!!!!Melissa on wonderful Finalist!!!!Best of luck .. #3991391
Carla Metzler 2/25/2007 10:11:58 AMCongratulations, Melissa!! #3991678
Melissa G. Meiselman 2/25/2007 10:17:39 AMThank you Jennifer, Zaanat and Carla for commenting! #3991730
Judyann Plante 2/25/2007 11:57:04 AMCongratulations on this awesome finalist, Melissa!
Judyann ><> #3992425
Sheryl A. Hudson 2/25/2007 1:36:59 PMCongratulations Melissa!!! #3992997
Susie Peek-Swint 2/25/2007 1:54:01 PMWonderful colour and detail Melissa ~ looks like a nice feature in lightroom ~ many congrats on your finalist! #3993074
Melissa G. Meiselman 2/25/2007 2:06:03 PMThanks Judyann, Sheryl and Susie for your great comments!! #3993127
Emile Abbott 2/25/2007 2:52:51 PMMy kind of finalist, Melissa and a sticky congrats to you my friend. #3993363
Remi Trepanier 2/25/2007 4:32:40 PMBeautiful capture! Congratulations! #3993678
Melissa G. Meiselman 2/25/2007 4:48:13 PMThanks Emile and Remi for you good wishes!! #3993756
Tamara K. Walker 2/25/2007 6:29:03 PMCongratulations. #3994154
Evy Johansen 2/25/2007 7:17:00 PMCongratulations on your beautiful finalist, Melissa! #3994481
Deborah Sandidge 2/25/2007 7:43:29 PMCongratulations on your exceptional finalist Melissa! #3994595
ALLEN O. HOWARD 2/25/2007 8:05:59 PMAnother BIG congratulations! #3994658
Melissa G. Meiselman 2/25/2007 8:19:03 PMThanks Tamara, Evy, Deborah and Allen for your best wishes!! #3994695
Raymond Pauly 2/26/2007 8:50:40 AMBig congratulations, Melissa! #3996931
Laurence Saliba 2/26/2007 9:18:12 AMI love cactus!! This is a splendid image and beautiful work Melissa! Congratulations!! #3997030
Virginia Leone 2/26/2007 10:06:48 AMBeautiful finalist, Congrats and good luck! #3997254
Rakesh Syal 2/26/2007 10:29:02 AMCongratulations again on your beautiful finalist, Melissa! #3997403
John V. Roscich 2/26/2007 12:03:03 PMVERY COOL IMAGE MELISSA
Hendrik Storme 2/26/2007 12:18:01 PMCongrats again! SUPER!!! #3997867
Melissa G. Meiselman 2/26/2007 8:56:52 PMThanks everyone on you congratulatory comments. I really appreciate each and every one!! #3999261
Debbie Hartley 2/26/2007 11:39:37 PMCongratulations on your wonderful finalist Melissa! #3999539
Tammy Scott 2/28/2007 3:25:56 AMCongratulations on a terrific finalist! #4005326
randy dannheim 3/1/2007 3:28:55 PMCongratulations on your wonderful finalist Melissa. #4012341
Melissa G. Meiselman 3/1/2007 4:23:41 PMThanks Debbie, Tammy and Randy for commenting!! #4012477
Ross Throndson 3/1/2007 11:54:28 PMCongratulations Melissa, on your Fantastic Finalist!! #4013302
Glenn E. Urquhart 3/4/2007 6:29:52 AMA late Big Congratulations on your award, Melissa!!! Well Deserved! Cheers, Glenn. #4019845
Cheryl E. Molennor 3/23/2007 9:30:02 AMCongratulations Melissa. Great enhancement work #4087484
Manuel Barrera 3/23/2007 9:41:31 AMcongratulations, well deserved. #4087544
Holly Shao 3/23/2007 10:20:39 AMCongratulations, Melissa, on this wonderful Finalist!! Beautiful colors and details!
Holly #4087767
Melissa G. Meiselman 3/23/2007 11:30:15 AMThanks for your congratulations!! #4088344
The colors in this image were greatly enhanced in the beta version of Adobe Lightroom.
The Vibrance feature of this software is very quite different from the Saturation of any editing software.
I am going to try to upload the original image
Uploaded on 1/31/2007 7:21:47 AM
Camera: Canon EOS 30D Digital SLR Camera
Copyright for this gallery photo belongs solely to Melissa G. Meiselman. Images may not be copied, downloaded, or used in any way without the expressed, written permission of the photographer.
Log in to follow or message this photographer or report this photo.


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From MeritBadgeDotOrg
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This training program follows the [http://www.scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/SearchPage.aspx?page=LIST&free_tex|=34162* Cub Scout Basic Adult Leadership Outdoor Orientation]
This training program follows the [http://www.scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/SearchPage.aspx?page=LIST&free_tex|=34162* Cub Scout Basic Adult Leadership Outdoor Orientation]
:''[[Tour Permit|Local Tour Permit]]'':
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|| '''''"I have in my possession a copy of the Guide to Safe Scouting, No. 34416, and have read it."'''''
|| '''''"I have in my possession a copy of the Guide to Safe Scouting, No. 34416, and have read it."'''''
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Revision as of 14:50, November 25, 2012
|"At least one adult on a pack overnighter must have completed Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO)."
In order for a Cub Scout Pack to have a campout, at least one leader must be BALOO trained. In addition, a Local Tour Permit must be submitted to the local council and at least one person must have read and have a copy of the Guide to Safe Scouting. Tiger, Wolf, and Bear dens may not have Den Campouts. Webelos Den Campouts require that at least one leader have completed Outdoor Leader Skills for Webelos Leaders.
Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) is a one-day training event that introduces den leaders, Cub Masters, other pack leaders, and parents to the skills needed to plan and conduct pack outdoor activities, particularly pack camping.
Participants who complete this training course will:
- Understand the focus of the Cub Scout level of the BSA outdoor program.
- Gain the skills needed to plan and carry out a successful Cub Scout-level overnight activity.
- Learn more about the resources available from the BSA for carrying out this activity.
- This training is required for any adult who is in charge of planning a pack campout.
This training program follows the Cub Scout Basic Adult Leadership Outdoor Orientation
Pack Overnighters
Pack overnighters are pack-organized overnight camping activities involving more than one family from a single pack, focused on age-appropriate Cub Scout activities and conducted at council-approved locations (use Pack Overnighter Site Approval Form, No. 13-508). If nonmembers (siblings) participate, the program must be structured to accommodate them. BSA health and safety and Youth Protection guidelines apply. In most cases, each youth member will be under the supervision of a parent or guardian. In all cases, each youth participant is responsible to a specific adult.
At least one adult giving leadership to a pack overnighter must complete Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO), No. 34162, and be present on campouts. BALOO trains participants to properly understand the importance of program intent, Youth Protection guidelines, health and safety, site selection, age-appropriate activities, and sufficient adult participation. Permits for campouts shall be issued locally, according to council policies. Packs use the Local Tour Permit Application, No. 34426.
See also
Online or classroom Leader Training
Youth Protection training (YPT) is required for all BSA registered volunteers and must be retaken every two years. Some councils and units may require more frequent (e.g., annual) retaking of YPT). Check with your local council and unit to find out what their policies are.
In addition to YPT, registered adults should complete the following courses online at https://my.scouting.org:
- Before the First Meeting
- First 30 Days
- Position Trained
Other training opportunities: Roundtable – University of Scouting – Teaching EDGE – pow wow
Outdoor Leader Training
In addition to fulfilling other requirements, some unit leaders need outdoor-specific training.
- BALOO – To have a Pack campout, or a Webelos Den campout, at least one unit leader must be BALOO trained.
- Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills – Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters -- at least one must be trained to have a campout.
- Wood Badge – Advanced Leadership skills for Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Venturing, district and council Scouters.
- Seabadge – Advanced Leadership skills for unit, district and council Sea Scouters.


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The cast includes several individuals from the Ocean Beach, Point Loma communities and greater San Diego.
Set in the mountains of Austria in pre-World War II, this was the final collaboration between legendary screenwriters Rodgers and Hammerstein.
Blended into a beautiful story of faith, joy, tears and courage, this music has and will endure through the years.
Guests will love the character of Maria, who sings the title song "The Sound of Music" like you have seldom heard it.
The seven von Trapp children are as much fun as children can be, and the Reverend Mother's powerful rendition of "Climb Every Mountain" will inspire. These and songs like "Do-Re-Mi," "My Favorite Things" and "Edelweiss" are classics of musical theater never to be forgotten.
They will all be on stage to experience, and guests might just leave the theater singing.
The cost is $17 for adults, $13 for seniors (over age 60) and for military and students, $10 for children 12 and under.
Tickets are available for the planned productions of July 17-20 and July 24-27.
Curtain time is at 8 p.m. for Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances and 7 p.m. for Sunday.
Guests are welcome to use Westminster's beautiful park for a picnic supper preceding the performance.
Westminster is conveniently located at the corner of Talbot and Cañon Streets in Point Loma.
Contact the box office at (619) 224-6263 or visit www.Vanguardsd.org for more information.


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Scalia flummoxed about natural born citizenship
Exclusive: Larry Klayman asks justice for definition of term used in Constitution
The Constitution is as clear as the nose on your face. According to Article II, Section 1, to be eligible to be president or vice president of the United States one must be a "natural born citizen." That means born in the United States to two American citizen parents. The framers, concerned about destructive foreign influences at a time of the founding of the nation, were wary that the foreign biases of parents could tragically influence the country's leadership, especially during its formative years. Being largely from England themselves, with British parents, the framers also knew and lived among Tories who did not want to see a new nation arise, but who, comfortable in their noble status and wealth under the British Crown, desired to continue to be ruled by King George III. They did their best to prevent the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, and sought to undermine and subvert the ensuing Revolutionary War effort. Later, not willing to give up, British of their ilk attempted to retake control of the "colonies" and invaded Washington, D.C., in 1812, only to burn down the White House, among other dastardly deeds.
Indeed, as depicted in Dinesh D'Souza's and John Sullivan's new documentary film, "2016: Obama's America," the framers were also anticipating that adverse if not evil foreign influences could infest our body politic later in the nation's history, such as has occurred with our current president, who identifies with his Kenyan, anti-neocolonialist, socialist, Muslim father. Obama's father of his same name not only despised the United States (particularly after he was deported, having been here illegally on an expired student visa) but, consistent with his Islamic roots, also Israel, Jews and Christians in general.
It is no wonder that many, yours truly included, view Obama as not only our first "gay" but also our first "Muslim" president. I have taken to calling him the "mullah in chief," given his all-too-apparent disdain for Israel and its leaders, his support of the Muslim Brotherhood, his endorsement of the Ground Zero mosque, his cancellation of White House celebrations of the National Day of Prayer, instead choosing to feast the Muslim holiday of Ramadan, his "slip of the tongue" reference to his "Muslim faith" in a 2008 television interview with ABC's George Stephanopoulos, his close associations with black Muslim leaders and anti-Semites, and a host of other anti-Judeo-Christian actions while in office. Obama can claim all he wants to be a patriotic Christian American, but anyone with half a brain and who is not comatose knows better. He is the Muslim version of the "Manchurian Candidate," in effect an Islamic mole who – aided and abetted by communists, socialists, radical gays, lesbians and feminists, Muslims, white-haters and others on the subversive fringe of American society – defrauded his way into the White House. As a result, after four years of what in effect is Obama's "reign of terror," we find ourselves not only on the precipice of economic disaster, but living the nightmare of having a charlatan "Muslim" socialist impostor as the head of the greatest nation on earth. The framers are more than turning in their hallowed graves.
The framers, while not God, were divinely inspired men who, with His grace, envisioned that crises such as we now find ourselves in would likely arise. To try to avoid another violent revolution, which could tear the country apart at the seams, they put into effect a new republican form of government, one they thought had checks and balances. The legislative branch was given the power to impeach, convict and remove a president found guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors such as treason. The judicial branch was given the power to rule over the politicians and insure that the "Rule of Law" was respected. Indeed, our Founding Fathers did not want a nation of men, but of laws, where these laws would be carried out and enforced "on the merits," not based on personalities and corrupt influences.
But our Founding Fathers also recognized that a government was only as good as the people who occupied it. John Adams, perhaps our greatest Founding Father and second American president, warned at the time of the signing of the Declaration of Independence that it does not matter how many times you change your rulers or forms of government – without ethics, morality and religion there will not be a lasting liberty.
Now, 236 years after its founding, our nation's ethics, morality and respect for God have degenerated – Sodom and Gomorrah style – into a cesspool of corruption. Neither the legislative nor judicial branches of government can serve as a check and balance over the executive branch run by a president such as Obama, because they are themselves a part of a corrupt establishment that "circles the wagons" to protect itself. In short, We the People no longer have a republic, because our leaders represent only themselves, not us – and that goes for both Democrats and Republicans no matter what kind of sideshow they offer up at their 2012 political conventions.
Last week, I had the occasion to cross paths with "revered" Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Scalia has been for many years the darling of conservatives, a judge who they believed had the guts to enforce the Rule of Law and the Constitution in the face of corrosive influences, foreign and domestic. I took the occasion to ask him a simple question, one he would be able to answer. I asked the "constitutionalist" Scalia what he believed to be the definition of "natural born citizen," without asking him to render an opinion on whether Obama was eligible to be president, given that Obama's father was not a citizen of the United States at the time he claims falsely that he was born here.
Looking like a deer in the headlights and stuttering sheepishly, Justice Scalia responded, "I don't know. Isn't a natural born citizen a person born in this country?" I pressed on, asking "then why are there separate references to 'citizen' and 'natural born citizen' in the Constitution?" Again, Justice Scalia, pulling back out of apparent fright at having to give a straight answer, responded in the same fashion, "I don't know."
Lower court judges, in myriad cases where the eligibility of Barack Hussein Obama has been challenged, have abdicated – for apparent political reasons to save their own standing in and among the establishment – their responsibility to rule that Obama is not a natural born citizen qualified to be president. Now, with the exit stage left of the one Supreme Court justice conservatives thought had the guts to enforce the will of the framers, and to protect We the People, it is clearer than ever that revolution can no longer be avoided.
Americans no longer have a government run by people with the ethics and courage to protect the nation, and we must now do it for ourselves, hopefully peacefully and legally and with minimal collateral damage to ourselves and our families. But, as the framers experienced in 1776 with a king who did not and would not take into account their grievances, we again have no choice.


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Practical & Pretty: Hardback Placemats
Hardboard, cork-backed placemats are decidedly Old School. All of my older relatives in Australia and England grew up with them. The appeal for my grandmother's generation was very clear: Hand-washing and ironing cloth linens must have been a real drag. But despite the advent of so many modern conveniences (wrinkle-proof linens, disposable paper napkins, polyurethane-coated tables!) I remain a big fan of these hard placemats.
We use them all the time because they are easy to clean, they protect the table from heat, spills and scratches, and they look nice! You don't have to go with the hardboard mats, though. There are other placemats, made from durable materials that can be simply wiped down and reused.
Pictured above:
- Ottoman Bottle Green from Hadley Table, $65 for set of 4.
- Daisy Round from Hadley Table, $65 for set of 4.
- For a more modern look, Cuban Rectangle in Smoke from Hadley Table, $65 for set of 4.
- Faux Bois placemat from MOMA Store, $13.
- Tuxedo Stripe mats and runners by Chilewich.
- Holly Stuart Designs via Quintessence; each mat is $28.
- Chippendale Blue & Gold from Monique Ogilvie.
- Marocco from Monique Ogilvie.
(Images: as linked above)


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13 -- Statesman of the Tribes
The War Chief of the Six Nations A Chronicle of Joseph Brant by Louis Aubrey Wood (1883-1955) 'Thayendanegea!' The name was taken from the great book of nature. It was a birth-name of the Mohawks meaning two sticks of wood bound together, a sign of strength; and the woman hoped that her tiny child might one day be a man of valour among the Mohawks. Could she have but known it, her desire was to be more than realized, for in vigour of mind and body he was destined to surpass all the offspring of his race. Joseph Brant was his English name and this is his story.


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Nationwide — Although the economic downturn has many manufacturers concerned, some fitness industry manufacturers are cautiously optimistic. Club owners are buying more conservatively and examining expenditures to make the most of every dollar, but some manufacturers say it's still possible for them to remain profitable.
"Club owners are still buying, and in particular, new clubs that have been in the planning stages have to buy new equipment so they can open their doors," says Randall Bergstedt, vice president of marketing for Star Trac. "We do see some conservative buying, such as smaller orders or a longer buying cycle, but we are fortunate enough to have launched new products that helped us generate a 15 percent revenue increase in 2008."
Troy Mosley, marketing manager for Sportsmith, agrees. "We've had a great January, which I think is more than we expected," he says. "I just read a report from the U.S. Department of Labor, and they're saying that jobs in the fitness industry are going to increase by 27 percent from 2006 to 2016. It leads me to believe we'll continue to see growth through 2009."
Dan Toigo, senior director of commercial sales for Precor, notes that keeping current members by investing in new equipment is a good way to avoid member attrition when a new fitness facility opens nearby.
And by buying new equipment early in the year, club owners can get ahead of the competition, Bergstedt says.
"The first quarter is a great time to use funds generated from January initiation fees to keep the club fresh and up to date with the latest equipment," he says. "Facilities that make investments in new equipment and improvements will be the first to benefit when the economy does start to recover."
Toigo says history has proven that record-breaking sales years happen after a down economy. He also says that owners who invest now will reap the benefits on the upside and have a stronger organization because of it.
While the economy remains tough, club owners are changing the way they do business. For instance, Hossein Noshirvani, executive vice president for MotionSoft Inc., says club owners are bringing billing processing in house to save money, connect with members and boost retention rates.
"I think there's been a shift back to providing service to members because people realize it's easier and less expensive to keep a member than to try to get new ones," he says. "Often, they were outsourcing billing and collections, but a lot of smart clubs are bringing those in house. Club owners are beginning to understand that there are places where they can cut costs by big numbers and still increase retention rates."
By keeping collections in house, club owners can take a softer approach on billing with members who have recently been laid off, he says. This change means a shift in sales for software manufacturers and billing companies.
"It's been a seismic shift in our industry," he says. "Everyone provides billing services, but the smart bet is on people handling those services on their own. We're not selling billing services anymore. We're selling software."
CSI Software, another club software provider, altered its own business model to address economic uncertainties.
"We started moving to a SaaS (Software as a Service) pricing model many years ago, and as a result, we don't need to rely on big new software purchases to maintain our growth," says Andy Wigderson, vice president of sales and marketing for CSI Software.
The bottom line is that successful club owners and manufacturers are open to adjusting their courses to ride out the wave of economic uncertainty.


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Anthony J. 'Nin' Angelo, famed bowler was a member of multiple Halls of Fame
July 5, 1927– April 4, 2013
Hall of Fame bowler Anthony J. "Nin" Angelo, whose exploits on television more than 50 years ago captured the imagination of many who were not devoted followers of the sport, died Thursday in Buffalo General Medical Center. A Lockport native who lived in Newfane, Mr. Angelo was 85.
Between Nin and his son Brad, the Angelos are one of Western New York's more prominent bowling families. A standout Classic League bowler, Mr. Angelo gained much of his fame from a 19-game winning streak on Channel 4's popular "Beat the Champ" weekly bowling show during the 1960-61 season. It helped make the show, hosted by the late Chuck Healy, become popular television fare here.
During his run, Mr. Angelo averaged 229.8 over the first eight weeks, remarkable for those times. The streak included a 299 game and a 760 series. He kept his streak alive by coming back from 78 pins behind to defeat M. Don Whelan by two pins. The following season he had another run of 12 weeks as the "Champ." The opposition sometimes included the best bowlers from outside Buffalo, including Hall of Famers such as Ed Lubanski and Carmen Salvino.
The "Little Left-hander From Lockport," as Mr. Angelo was known, is a member of the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame, the Greater Buffalo USBC Hall of Fame, the New York State Bowling Hall of Fame and the Lockport Bowling Association Hall of Fame. He won the Greater Buffalo USBC's most prestigious tournament, the George A. Obenauer Masters, in 1973, defeating Joe Konar in the title match.
He led the ABC Bowling Congress Classic Division for 2½ months in 1966 before finishing fifth and bowled in major national tournaments such as the BPAA All-Star, which became the U.S. Open.
A friendly man away from the lanes, Mr. Angelo was a fierce competitor on the hardwood. His time as an elite bowler ended with a construction accident that nearly cost him his life May 19, 1978. He was nearly buried alive in a cave-in while installing a water line in Barker, suffering serious pelvic and knee injuries.
With his own dreams cut short, Mr. Angelo turned a lot of his bowling attention to coaching his son Brad, who earned a place on Team USA in the 1990s before turning pro. In 1992, they won the Lockport City Tournament Doubles, the first time they bowled together. Brad was PBA Rookie of the Year in 2003-04 and led the Tour in points in 2005.
"Growing up, I was known as Nin Angelo's son. I could never understand the significance of what those words meant. He was just my dad, a wonderful man," said Brad Angelo. Besides his bowling, Mr. Angelo, a Navy veteran, was known around Lockport as a baseball player. As a first baseman and pitcher, he drew the interest of the Cincinnati Reds before suffering a knee injury. After his Classic League bowling days ended, Mr. Angelo, who had studied photography, opened his own sports photography business in the Lockport area.
In addition to his son, he is survived by his wife, the former Nancy Hausman; two other sons, Mark and Paul; and a brother, John.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 a.m. Thursday in All Saints Parish Oratory, 391 Market St., Lockport.
– Milt Northrop


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Throwback Freestyle Of The Week: Vado Back In 2001 Doing A Cypher!
"Camron's newest recruit spazzin on some other rappers from harlem. This video was recorded from a New York City Public Access show in 2001.".. s/o to Mahad
Please click the "Report" button below if the video on this page is not working properly.
Comments will only be displayed by verified emails. No Spamming or Racism.


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'Subversive' Site Aims to Be Pirate Bay of 3D Printing
Mar 13, 2013 11:55 AM PT
Computer printers aren't typically linked with the word "subversive," but that's the mission of a new site for 3D printer files.
Defcad was announced Tuesday at the South by Southwest Interactive conference. It is designed to give 3D printer enthusiasts access to files that allow them to create objects with their printers -- even if those objects are protected by intellectual property laws.
Defcad is backed by Defense Distributed, an Austin, Texas group that recently made headlines by offering 3D printer files to make firearm parts.
Cody R. Wilson, managing director of Defense Distributed, didn't respond to a request to comment for this story. Wilson did make his vision for the site clear in a YouTube video.
Object Anarchy
"Defcad stands against artificial scarcity, intellectual property, copyright, patentable objects and regulation in all its forms," Wilson said in the video.
"If 3D printing is going to be developed as a technology, we need specific tools to help get around industry, government and the collusive members of the Maker community," he continued.
"Maker community" is a reference to users of Makerbot 3D printers.
After Makerbot discovered that Defense Distributed was using its 3D printer to make parts for firearms, it forced the group to return the printer to Makerbot.
Makerbot also operates a website, Thingiverse, for sharing 3D files. Late last year, it purged the site of files for making firearm components, including a part for an AR-15 assault rifle.
Subversive Printing
Thinkiverse's approach to managing 3D printer files was rapped by Wilson in his Defcad manifesto video.
"Help us turn Defcad into the world's first unblockable, open source search engine for all 3D printable parts," he said.
"Can 3D printing be subversive? If it can, it will be because it allows us to make the important things -- not trinkets, not lawn gnomes, but the things that institutions and industries have an interest in keeping from us -- things like access, medical devices, drugs, goods, guns."
If Defcad becomes a Pirate's Bay for objects, it will risk running afoul of the law, according to David Mixon, a patent attorney with Bradley Arant Boult Cummings.
"The law doesn't care how you come up with a product -- whether you made it yourself in your garage, or whether you use a 3D printer, or whether you paid someone else to do it," he told TechNewsWorld. "If you have it and if infringes an apparatus claim, you infringe."
Enabling Infringement
Defending patents, though, will be more difficult in a world with expanded 3D printing, Mixon noted.
"Instead of having a few concentrated sources of infringement, you'll have a plethora of potential infringers," he said. "Anyone with this type of device could make an infringing component in his basement or garage. That would make enforcement much more difficult."
What are the prospects for Wilson's vision of 3D printing as a subversive technology?
"A 3D printer is a general purpose technology, so you can use it to make all sorts of things," Michael Weinberg, vice president of Public Knowledge told TechNewsWorld.
"It's easy when you first see 3D printing to get ahead of the technology -- to imagine things that it can't do, like printing out an iPhone," he said. "People are going to use 3D printers to make all sorts of things. Some people will be excited about those things. Some people will be concerned about some of those things. It's important to take it all with a grain of salt."


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River cruise ships along Europe's waterways are emerging faster than the springtime flowers can bloom.
The newest river cruise ship to hit the waters is the luxurious Amadeus Silver, the largest vessel ever constructed for Austrian-owned Amadeus by Lüftner Cruises (amadeuscruises.com).
Admittedly, there have been a lot of new ships launched this year, and that trend isn't likely to slow down any time soon. But Amadeus Silver has all the hallmarks of a ship that just might help to subtly redefine the way people look at river cruises.
The 135-metre long Amadeus Silver carries 180 guests in 90 chic staterooms, each of which has been designed with upscale luxury in mind. Even standard staterooms measure a generous 16 square metres and feature automatically controlled drop-down French balconies.
For those looking for even more space, the ship's 24-square-metre Balcony Suites feature a full-sized, step-out balcony to enjoy the passing vistas of Europe as they glide by.
Rooms are attractively furnished and elegantly appointed, with clean lines, premium furnishings and fixtures, and borderless floor-to-ceiling windows.
What really sets the Amadeus Silver apart, though, are some of the creative choices used in her interior design.
Space on-board any river cruise ship is at a premium, yet designers found a way to expand the physical well-being options on-board by creating a two-story fitness centre accessible by a decorative spiral staircase mounted to one side.
Rather than having to do away with the gym in deference to the all-mighty king that is passenger revenue space, the line actually created one of the best river cruise gyms afloat.
This creative approach to the Amadeus Silver also extends to the ship's other public spaces; for example, rather than having a staircase placed along the centre line of the ship, designers placed the central staircase in the ship's Reception Lobby along the port side of the ship, attractively flanked by a two-story wall of glass that offers a commanding view of the scenery.
Amadeus is also mindful of its Austrian heritage.
On-board Amadeus Silver is the Café Vienna, a traditional Austrian coffee house serving up Sachertorte specialties. There's also an open-air lounge known as the River Terrace located on the ship's bow that features stunning views of the river ahead.
For its maiden season, Amadeus Silver will sail the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers, in addition to voyages that explore the best of Belgium and Holland.
Next year, she will feature 30 departure dates spread across seven itineraries that explore some of Europe's most captivating cities, with visits to Amsterdam, Cologne, Salzburg, Vienna and Budapest.
In addition to on-board lectures, folklore shows and theme evenings with replete with live music, guests can partake in any of the included shore tours, along with complimentary bicycles that allow guests to explore Europe's scenic countryside at their leisure.
This is particularly noteworthy as not every river cruise line offers this amenity.
What is so exciting about this announcement from Amadeus, though, is that it continues to increase choice and provide value for consumers — that's you and me — who are looking to take a river cruise.
And that's always a good thing.
Visit fromthedeckchair.com for the latest ship tours and live travel reports!


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*A number of NBA stars have given President Barack Obama a huge assist in his reelection campaign with a new video in which they pledge support. [Scroll down to watch.]
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"I believe America is still the greatest country in the world," Alonzo Mourning says in the spot. "And I am voting for President Obama."
Also featured in the video: Dahntay Jones, Harrison Barnes, Etan Thomas, Kym Hampton, Vince Carter and Juwan Howard.
Meanwhile, on Team Romney, former NBA player Greg Anthony is starring in a new ad for the candidate. Though he voted for Obama in 2008, Anthony says he's "really lost faith in him" and now supports Mitt Romney.


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Subject: Fair Housing Home Loan Data System
Date: May 31, 1994
To: Chief Executives Officers, Department and Division Heads and all Examining Personnel
Description: Final Rule
This issuance announces the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency's (OCC) final rule, published in the Federal Register on May 20, 1994, which eliminates a duplicative recordkeeping requirement on home mortgage lending. A copy of the Federal Register notice is attached.
The final rule will eliminate the need for a national bank subject to the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) to also maintain home mortgage loan information under the Fair Housing Home Loan Data System (FHHLDS). HMDA reporting is required for national banks with total assets exceeding $10 million that originate mortgage loans and have a main office or branch located in a metropolitan statistical area (MSA). FHHLDS recordkeeping applies to national banks with 50 or more home loan applications annually.
National banks subject to the FHHLDS but not the HMDA will have an option to maintain home loan information under either the FHHLDS or the HMDA loan/application register (HMDA-LAR). All national banks will be required to update the information within 30 calendar days after the end of each calendar quarter. The OCC had proposed monthly updates but changed the final rule to quarterly updates in response to commenter concerns about the burden of monthly updates.
To assist OCC's efforts to detect lending discrimination, national banks subject to HMDA will also be required to record the reason(s) for denying a mortgage loan application on HMDA-LARs and to report their completed HMDA-LARs in accordance with the reporting requirement of Regulation C (See 12 CFR 203.5(a)). Recording the reason(s) for denial was previously optional, but most national banks voluntarily reported the reason(s) for denial.
The final rule is effective June 20, 1994, and implementation of the final rule should occur as follows:
Questions concerning this bulletin should be directed to the Compliance Management Division, (202) 649-5470.
Stephen M. Cross
Related Links


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Researchers hope to predict premature births with at-home test
SEATTLE -- A device as simple as a home pregnancy test could soon be used to tell expecting mothers around the world if they are at risk of delivering their baby early.
More than 15 million babies are born prematurely around the world every year, including 10,000 in Washington state, reports Seattle Children's Hospital. Of those, 1 million do not survive longer than one month, and millions more suffer long-term health effects.
University of Washington researchers are investigating one of the primary causes of preterm births - bacterial infections. With a $1.4 million grant from Seattle Children's Global Alliance to Prevent Prematurity and Stillbirth, they will try to identify which vaginal bacterial infections are associated with preterm births and develop a test to identify those bacteria among pregnant women.
Dr. Kristina Waldorf, a lead researcher on the project, said about half of early preterm births can be linked to infection or inflammation. She explained changes in vaginal bacteria can disrupt the immune system and allow bacteria to invade amniotic fluid and the fetus, leading to preterm labor.
To discover which bacteria are causing premature births, Waldorf and her partner, Dr. David Eschenbach, will study the vaginal fluid of women who have healthy pregnancies as well as those delivering preterm in Africa and South Asia.
"We are hoping to discover certain signatures in the microbiome that would predict a preterm birth well in advance and allow for treatment to prevent it," she said.
Once the bacteria are identified, Waldorf hopes to develop a test similar to a home pregnancy test that will allow women to determine whether they are infected with any of these bacteria. Expecting mothers would apply vaginal fluid to a stick or strip and then send a photo of the result to a laboratory via text message.
"We want to identify these women very early in their pregnancies and put them on therapy early on to prevent preterm labor," Waldorf said.
The test will be designed to be affordable and convenient for women in less-developed parts of the world. Waldorf said bacteria-related preterm labors are far more common in South Asia and Africa but do occur in the United States. One infection - bacteria vaginosis - infects approximately 50 percent of African women, while 12 to 20 percent of women are infected in the United States.


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Crossing Jordon: Season One (US - DVD R1)
Fans of this show: Gabe doesn't like it, please feel free to skip this review...
Dr. Jordan Cavanaugh (Jill Hennessy) is an angsty and angry medical examiner who finds herself in a tight spot thanks to her antisocial behaviour. She returns to Boston, the city in which she was raised by her police detective father, and murdered mother. Jordon finds employment, but her new employers (who happen to be her old employers) don't fully trust her. Her father has also found a new companion, which rubs the eternally bristled Jordon the wrong way.
I've gotten more ravenous and angry responses to negative review of TV series then motion pictures. I thought about it and think it probably has to do with the amount of investment television runs require. It is with this knowledge that I very cautiously say that Crossing Jordon is one of the most well made terrible television shows I've ever seen. The production values are sharp and spectacular, the actors are mostly on, and the cinematic nature is effectively thrilling. Unfortunately every word of every script is so blatantly clichéd I can't help but be constantly revolted.
Characters speak like bad pulp paperback characters without a lick of irony, their character traits so frightfully unoriginal they're practically moldy. An pretty, adult tom boy (with a male name, in case we freaking missed it) who refuses to play by society's rules, disapproving of her nice as grilled cheese, widowed father's new girlfriend? A troubled boss who struggles with her while supporting her? Wacky, mixed-race sidekicks who aren't given a dramatic arc? I'm not surprised that these boring stereotypes are popular, but is this really a critically acclaimed series?
If I were one of the generally solid actors I'd be insulted by these exhausted tropes, and bad dialogue, but mostly I'd hate myself for being a part of something that awkwardly tries to piece together the most popular elements of Law and Order and CSI, and aim them at a Lifetime Network audience. Lead Jill Hennessy is really trying, I can see it (though her snide smile start to hurt a bit), Miguel Ferrer is actually very good (but what else is new), and the comic relief sidekicks are genuinely amusing, but the actors simply can't overcome their characters.
I can take the flagrantly ridiculous plots, I can take their holes, I can take the way Jordon figures things out without hardly any logical explanation (she's like a superhero, I get it), I can take the forced attempts at oddness (really, really forced), but I just can't take the cookie cutter dialogue and story elements. Despite the impressive production values, effective performances, and cinematic cinematography, I really hated every minute I spent with this series.
Perhaps my eyes have been spoiled watching high definition television as of late, but this video presentation strikes me as particularly weak. The overall look of every episode is very, very soft, and if a dollop of Vaseline were smeared across the lens. Details look decent in nearly still close-up, but as soon as objects and people begin moving further from camera everything tends to blend together. Surprisingly enough, there isn't a whole lot of compression noise or grain, save for low-lit sequences. The black levels are a bit on the warm side, and skin tones are often noticeably reddish.
The shows clichéd and uninspired streak smears right into the soundtrack, which is bubbling with the same pop tracks we've heard a million times in television and film since the turn of the 1990s (the music is apparently to blame for the seven years it took the show to get to disc). It's like being lectured by some music school dropout working at a small time record store trying to convince you he's an expert on pop music. The last straw comes at the end of the final episode, when they use Amiee Mann's 'It's Not Going to Stop' from Magnolia. The original music is equally uninspired, but it's well produced, and sounds pretty good on the Dolby Surround track. The overall sound is exactly as expected
If I sort of disliked the series while watching it normally, I ended up despising it by the time I was done listening to the commentary tracks, featuring creator Tim Kring, producer/director Allan Arksush, and composers Lisa Coleman and Wendy Melvoin. Basically these people do nothing but talk about their own 'genius'. It's so frustrating I began to feel like I no longer held the capacity to review this set effectively. I was starting to feel like I knew these people, and that they were going out of their way to make me furious. My objectivity is in question. Seriously, fans, stop reading this. The top of the bottom comes at the end when the commentators actually comment on how good it is to not allow television characters too much evolution. I just about swallowed my own face my jaw opened so wide when I heard that. Wow. I suppose that would be why I didn't like this show. I should've just listened to the commentary tracks from the beginning. There are a total of four commentaries.
Next is a collection of interviews, which are spread over all five discs. Actually, they're more like discussions around a meal. These discussions are set up to look all quaint and homey, but the charm only shines when they speak to the actors. Participants include creator Tim Kring, producer/director Allan Arkush, producer Dennis Hammer, and actors Miguel Ferrer Steve Valentine, Ravi Kapoor and Kathryn Kahn. The group actor discussions are the most endearing, Arkush is pretty warm, and Kring has an air of staggering self importance. Ten episodes also feature a couple of deleted scenes, none of which are particularly riveting, or series shattering.
Yuck. This is not for me. I apologise to fans for not liking their show, and for being so tardy with this review (the set was sent to my old house, and I didn't find out until an old neighbour found it). Besides my general dislike of the series itself, I'm disappointed with the video quality, but assume that fans should enjoy the extra features.
Review by Gabriel Powers
David Blackwell Senior Member Join Date: February 2004 Location: United States Posts: 2,835
Interesting review even though I like the series.
Always entertaining even I don't agree with you, Gabe.
Always entertaining even I don't agree with you, Gabe.
Don Jariyasunant Member Join Date: September 2005 Location: United States Posts: 519
Highly disagree with your review. Crossing Jordan was one of the best procedurals on NBC. You nit picked on the multi-racial cast mentioning stereotypes. That's a bunch of B.S. I thought it was a very eclectic mix of very unique characters. Bug and Nigel were very funny and charming co-stars who I thought had great chemistry with all the leads.
Gabe Powers Editor Join Date: September 2004 Location: United States Posts: 4,721
You obviously didn't read the promo item...
rebel-scum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 1,101
I'd like to cross Jordan...Meow!!
This product has not been rated
Disc Details
Release Date: 7th May 2008
Discs: 5
Disc Type: Single side, dual layer
RCE: No
Video: NTSC
Aspect: 1.78:1
Anamorphic: Yes
Colour: Yes
Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo English
Subtitles: English, Spanish
Extras: Commentary, Deleted Scenes, Interviews
Easter Egg: No
Feature Details
Director: Various
Cast: Jill Hennessy, Miguel Ferrer, Steve Valentine, Ravi Kapoor, Kathryn Hahn
Genre: Drama
Length: 1017 minutes
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