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American Physical Society Sites|APS|Journals|PhysicsCentral|Physics
- American Physical Society Sites
- Publications
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- Careers In Physics
- Newsroom
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"For their leading contributions to the discovery of the long b-quark lifetime with the MAC and Mark II experiments at SLAC. The unexpectedly large value of the b-quark lifetime revealed the hierarchy of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa quark mixing matrix."Background:
William Ford earned his B. A. degree in physics at Carleton College in 1963, and PhD. in physics at Princeton University in 1967, with a thesis setting a limit on direct CP violation in the three-pion decays of charged kaons. After postdoctoral positions at Princeton and Caltech, he joined the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania as Assistant Professor. With the HPWF collaboration at Fermilab he participated in the early observations in neutrino interactions of weak neutral currents and the dimuon signature for charm production. Since 1976 he has been a member of the physics faculty at the University of Colorado where he is a Professor. Most of his research in the last three decades has been in electron-positron annihilation experiments, with the MAC experiment at PEP, Mark II at SLC, CLEO at CESR and BaBar at PEP-II. He led the design and construction of the MAC tracking chamber and served as spokesman of the collaboration. He made measurements of the lifetimes of tau leptons and B hadrons, and of the weak neutral current asymmetry in muon pair production. His current emphasis is in B meson decays, where his group has discovered a number of charmless modes and measured their CP violation parameters. He is a Fellow of the American Physical Society.
Ian Shipsey (Chair), Jim Brau (12/05), Arie Bodek ('04 winner)(12/05), Hugh Montgomery (V. Chair)(12/06), Bob Cousins (12/06)


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Australia's parliament has voted to allow same-sex marriage across the nation.
The decision follows a bitter debate settled by a much-criticised government survey of voters that strongly endorsed change. The public gallery in the House of Representatives erupted with applause when the bill passed.
It changes the definition of marriage from solely between a man and a woman to "a union of two people" excluding all others. The legislation passed with a majority that was not challenged, although five politicians registered their opposition.
The Senate passed the same legislation last week 43 votes to 12. After royal assent and other formalities, the law is likely to take effect in about a month, with the first weddings expected about a month later.
Champagne and tears flowed in the halls of Parliament House as gay celebrities including Olympic champion swimmer Ian Thorpe and actress Magda Szubanski hugged politicians and ordinary people in a party atmosphere.
"What an amazing day, I'm a little bit delirious, it's extraordinary," said Ms Szubanski, who sat in the public gallery during Thursday's debate.
Thorpe thanked "our straight brothers and sisters" for strongly backing marriage equality in the two-month postal survey.
"Quite literally without them voting for us, this would never have happened," Thorpe said. "It means that we've created an Australia that is more equitable, it's more fair, it's more just."
Amendments meant to safeguard freedoms of speech and religion for gay-marriage opponents were all rejected, though those issues may be considered later.
The government has appointed a panel to examine how to safeguard religious freedoms once gay marriage is a reality in Australia.
Politicians advocating marriage equality had argued that the national postal survey in November mandated a change of the marriage definition alone, so changing the law should not be delayed by other considerations. Gay marriage was endorsed by 62% of voters who responded to the postal ballot.
"It is now our job as members of parliament to pass a fair bill that does not extend or create any new discriminations," an emotional government lawmaker Warren Entsch, who helped draft the bill, said.
"It is a strong bill that already strikes the right balance between equality and freedom of religion."
"It's an historic day for Australia today and I think the celebrations around the country when we finally … achieve marriage equality are going to be immense," Janet Rice said before the vote.
Ms Rice is a minor Greens party senator who was only able to remain married to her transgender wife of 31 years, Penny, because Penny remained listed as male on her birth certificate.
Penny Wong, an opposition Labour Party senator who has two children with her lesbian partner, said: "I am feeling happy."
Most gay rights advocates believed the government should have allowed marriages years ago and saw various ideas for a public survey as a delaying tactic.
The UN Human Rights Committee had called the ballot survey "an unnecessary and divisive public opinion poll".
The current bill allows churches and religious organisations to boycott gay weddings without violating Australian anti-discrimination laws.
Existing civil celebrants can also refuse to officiate at gay weddings, but celebrants registered after gay marriage becomes law would not be exempt from anti-discrimination laws.

subset: commoncrawl


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My family has always been politically active - whether as voters or candidates. Politics and elections were always discussed (and cussed) at our dining room table. No surprise that political science was one of my minors in college.
|Mayor Bill Kelly
Greenwood, Nebraska
Below is a clipping from the Lincoln (NE) Evening Journal of April 8, 1959, when my grandfather Bill Kelly was defeated in his run for the Greenwood (NE) village board. Well, he showed them! A few years later, he was elected Mayor of Greenwood, where he served during the town's centennial.


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Non-Matriculated Students
A maximum of nine (9) Nursing graduate credits may be taken at Neumann University as a nonmatriculated student. Students who wish to pursue this option must first submit official undergraduate transcripts to the Office of Admissions. For additional information, please refer to the Non-Matriculated Status section of the Neumann University Graduate Catalog.
Continuation in the Program
To earn the Master of Science Degree, the student must maintain a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.00 and receive no more than two grades of "C" in Program courses. If a student receives a grade of "C" in NUR 607, Advanced Pharmacology, NUR 611, Advanced Pathophysiology, or NUR 612, Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning, the course must be repeated; and a minimum grade of "B" must be earned in order to progress in the Program. Students will be dismissed from the Program if more than two grades of "C" are earned. The maximum period of candidacy spent in pursuit of the Master of Science degree is five years. Exemption to this time limitation must be applied for in a written request to the Division Dean. Graduation from the Program is contingent upon submitting a signed Application for Graduation form to the Registrar on or before the date specified in the Academic Calendar and completing all Program requirements while maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00.
Upon acceptance into the Master of Science Degree Program in Nursing, students must be continuously enrolled during the academic year, i.e., Fall and Spring semesters. Students not pursuing course work during either the Fall and/or Spring semesters need to apply for a Leave of Absence (please refer to the Leave of Absence section of the catalog).
Clinical Practice
All graduate students are advised that agency and faculty availability may require clinical attendance during weekdays, weekends, and/or evenings to assure that all who are registered for a specific course meet the course/clinical objectives during the semester of enrollment.
Professional License
RNs must provide evidence of a current RN license for practicum states.
Basic Life Support Certification
Prior to the first clinical course, each graduate Nursing student is required to present proof of certification in Basic Life Support for the Health Care Provider (American Heart Association) or Basic Life Support for the Professional Rescuer (American Red Cross). Thereafter, evidence of current recertification must be presented at the first class session of each clinical course.
Health Standards
Health evaluations must be completed and reports submitted to the University Health Services Office at the time of admission to the graduate Nursing Program and, thereafter, be annually updated. Students are to obtain the appropriate health forms from the University Health Services Office. The student is responsible for maintaining current health insurance and for notifying the University Health Nurse immediately of any changes in his/her status of medical insurance coverage. These Health Standards policies apply to all students, both full-time and part-time, who have been accepted into the graduate Nursing Program.
Students may be required to submit to substance abuse screening prior to clinical placement, or during clinical experiences, in selected health care agencies. Students testing positive will be referred to Counseling and Health Services for assistance with a substance abuse problem. Such referral, however, will not preclude the University from taking other disciplinary actions, up to and including, removal from the clinical placement (which may result in failure to meet degree requirements) and/or expulsion from the Program/University, depending upon the circumstances. Students are responsible for costs incurred from these screenings. For additional information, please contact the Dean of Nursing and Health Sciences.
Students are also required to apply for, obtain, and present to the Dean of the Division of Nursing and Health Sciences a completed Request for Criminal Record Check, as well as Child Abuse and Elder Abuse History Clearances prior to their participation in clinical courses. A criminal record and/or a history of child or elder abuse may prohibit clinical placement and, subsequently, result in failure to meet degree requirements.
State Boards of Nursing may deny or revoke licensure when the applicant "has been convicted, has pleaded, has entered a plea of nolo contendere, or has been found guilty by a judge or jury of a felony or crime of moral turpitude; or received probation without verdict, disposition in lieu of trial or an Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition in the settlement of felony charge." Similarly, "possession, use, acquisition, or distribution of a controlled substance or caution legend drug for other than an acceptable medical purpose" may be cause for denying application for professional licensure. (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Professional Nursing Law, Act 69, Section 14)
Each graduate Nursing student is responsible for transportation to and from clinical practice sites through the entire Program. Transportation requires that each student has personal access to a car.


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Miller hurls 3-hitter; softball team advances, 7-1
Star pitcher strikes out 11 and drives in the winning run
Caroline Miller '12 struck out 11, allowed just three hits over seven innings of work and drove in the game-winning run with a two-run double to lead the top-seeded Judges past No. 8 seed Daniel Webster College, 7-1, in the opening round of the 2012 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III New England Softball Championship Tournament yesterday.
With the win, Brandeis improves to 24-16 overall on the season and will host the rest of the tournament over the weekend. Daniel Webster's most successful season comes to a close with a 23-20 mark.
Miller faced just four batters more than the minimum for the game and allowed base runners in just two of the seven frames. She set down the first 12 Eagle hitters in order, eight by way of strikeout. She allowed three straight hits in the fifth, when Daniel Webster scored its lone run, then retired nine of the final 10 hitters, improving her record to 14-7 on the season.
Miller's 11 strikeouts were one short of her career high and marked the third game of the season and fifth of her career with at least 10. She moved into second place on the Judges' career strikeout list with 302, making her only the second player to reach the 300-mark for her career. Her 146 this season are within 17 of Kaitlin Streilein '08's single-season record.
Miller also drove in what proved to be the game-winning run as part of a four-run first inning for the Judges. After Brandeis loaded the bases with one away, Anya Kamber '15 opened the scoring with an RBI grounder to second base. Miller then followed with a double down the left-field line, her eighth of the season, to score two more runners. Left-fielder Megan DeNubila '12 followed with another double, to right-center field, giving the Judges a 4-0 lead.
Daniel Webster pitcher Amanda Wilson (12-11) settled down after that, allowing just one hit over the next three innings.
Brandeis scored again in the bottom of the fifth on DeNubila's second RBI of the game, making it 5-1. The Judges added two more runs in the sixth on a single by third baseman Brittany Grimm '12 and sacrifice fly by center-fielder Lauren Porcaro '12 to make the final 7-1.
In addition to Miller's big day, Grimm finished 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. With 14 hits in her last 19 at-bats, Grimm has raced up several of the Judges' career lists. She is now in second place in career hits, with 183, and is in a three-way tie for sixth for most hits in a season, with 56. She is just one RBI shy of becoming the seventh player in school history with 100 for her career, and has moved into fifth place in career runs scored with 118.
DeNubila, who finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs against Daniel Webster, was the game's only other multiple hitter; the other seven Brandeis starters all had one hit each.
Brandeis will host the remainder of the ECAC Division III New England tournament on Marcus Field.
The Judges will take on fifth-seeded Rivier College at 10 a.m. Saturday. The Raiders upset fourth-seeded Plymouth State University, 5-3, in the opening round.
Two other quarterfinals -- #2 Salve Regina vs. #7 Simmons and #3 Endicott vs. #6 Worcester State -- were postponed yesterday and will be played tomorrow. The winners of those two contests will play at noon Saturday. The winner of that game and the winner of the Brandeis-Rivier contest will play 4 p.m. at Saturday.
Categories: Athletics


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Ryerson Sales Representative - Entry Level | Denver | Starting 01/2019 in Denver, Colorado
Position Description: Joseph T. Ryerson & Son, Inc., a leader in metals distribution and fabrication in the U.S., is currently seeking Inside Sales Representatives to join our team in January 2019 during our twelve (12) month training program, Ryerson Academy, and in a sales market thereafter. Ryerson Academy, which takes place in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is designed to introduce and solidify knowledge related to all facets of the metal industry, Ryerson as a company, and inside sales. During the Ryerson Academy, employees will learn from experienced employees throughout the Company, meet Ryerson's senior management and executives, and will be coached one-on-one by current Inside Sales Representatives on the sales desk. Upon completion of the Academy, employees are relocated to one of Ryerson's facilities located throughout the U.S.
Roles and Responsibilities
Attends and participates in classroom-based and hands-on training, covering topics such as sales skills, negotiation skills, product training, etc.
Interacts frequently with a large customer base across multiple geographic markets on contractual, transactional and fabrication business
Responds to customer quotation requests, needs, inquiries, and complaints/concerns
Processes customer requests (i.e. quotations and order entry)
Sources for items that Ryerson does not stock
Generates sales leads through proactive communication and marketing efforts
Understands the goals and concepts of our business and incorporates business goals to achieve sales and profitability
Works closely with different departments throughout the Company (i.e. credit, procurement, operations)
Performs other duties as assigned
Position Requirements:
Bachelor's degree
Customer service or sales experience preferred
Ability to relocate after completion of the Academy training
Microsoft Office proficiency (Word, Excel)
Attention to detail while balancing multiple tasks/priorities
Results-focused, competitive and self-motivated attitude
Strong interpersonal communication skills; ability to connect quickly with a diverse group of people
Problem solving and negotiation skills; understanding of value creation and opportunity
Ability to work well within a team or individually
Ambitious attitude with potential and desire to grow within the organization
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.
Job ID: 4860
Functional Area: Sales - Inside
Position Type: Full-Time Employment
Experience Required: None
Location: CO-Denver
Department: Ryerson Academy
Education Required: Bachelors Degree
Relocation Provided: Limited


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With the world economy still struggling and workers being fired left, right and center, many people turn up to work each day wondering if it will be their last. All it takes is for a few rumors to start circulating about restructuring or downsizing and before you know it the entire workforce has the jitters.
So the last thing you want to see in your work inbox is an email giving you your marching orders — especially if the email has been sent in error. But that's exactly what happened to workers at UK-based insurance company Aviva Investors on Friday.
An email with leaving instructions meant for one employee was accidentally sent to the company's entire global workforce of 1300 people. It told staff to hand over all property belonging to the company, together with security passes, as they left the building.
It was almost half an hour before the human resources department realized its mistake, though presumably by that time employees were already halfway through clearing their desks.
Company spokesperson Paul Lockstone confirmed the distressing mix-up, saying, "It was intended that this email should have gone to one single person," Lockstone told Bloomberg. "Unfortunately, as a result of a clerical error, it was sent to all of the Investors staff worldwide."
He said that most people at the company quickly realized that it had been sent in error, adding, "From time to time, things go wrong."
However, a Daily Telegraph report said there was a "stunned silence" throughout at least one of the company's offices as staff read the email.
Part of the correspondence said: "I am required to remind you of your contractual obligations to the company you are leaving. You have an obligation to retain any confidential information pertaining to Aviva Investors operations, systems and clients."
The email closed with: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and wish you all the best for the future."
Once the human resources department realized its error, it sent out another email — presumably to 1299 people — explaining its error.
[Image: Andrija Markovic / Shutterstock]
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Patents Getting In The Way Of Saving Lives; Fabry Disease Sufferers Petition US Gov't To Step In
from the patent-problems dept
They're not trying to completely strip Genzyme of the patent. They're merely asking the government to let others produce the drug, and pay Genzyme a mandated 5% royalty. Now, I know the typical response from patent system supporters: without the patent, perhaps this drug wouldn't even exist. The only problem with that is that it's almost certainly not true. The actual research for Fabrazyme was actually done by the Mount Sinai School of Medicine financed by the National Institute of Health. Yes, you read that right. This drug was discovered with taxpayer money... but they were still able to get a patent and then license it to Genzyme.
Chances are this petition won't be approved. These petitions are never approved. But it does highlight the ridiculousness of the current patent system potentially putting people at risk. It's a travesty that federally funded research has been locked up under a patent and limited to only one producer, leading not only to very high prices for the drug, but also excessively limited supply that is putting people lives in danger, and may have already killed one person.


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Featured as the April 2014 message of the month as A Man Named Cornelius.
Acts. What a name for a book! And what a theme for a convocation! We tackled the Gospel of John at last year's convocation, and that brought us right up to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. When it came time to choose a book and theme for this year's convocation, the choice was, well, easy. It would be Acts, of course. After all, what happened after the resurrection? What came next? What happens in the "sequel?" The Spirit falls, the church is born, the message spreads, and the world is turned upside down, all by the power contained in just two words: Jesus Only!


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Trainer Todd Pletcher is pointing the 3-year-old son of Tapit to the 1
1/8-mile Florida Derby, Gulfstream's signature race which carries a
total of 170 qualifying points for the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1), with
100 to the winner.
"He's doing very well and we're planning to run him in the Florida
Derby," Pletcher said. "It was really just a matter of picking out which
race we were going to run in. I think he's been very impressive in both
of his starts, so it was just a matter of trying to pick the correct
Derby prep for him. This time of year they're all
Owned by WinStar Farm and Twin Creeks Racing Stable, Constitution did
not race as a 2-year-old. He made his debut in a seven-furlong maiden
race at Gulfstream on Jan. 11, winning by a length in 1:23.36 after
hesitating at the start.
Constitution returned with a front-running victory in a 1 1/16-mile
optional claiming allowance on the undercard of the $400,000 Besilu
Stables Fountain of Youth (G2) Feb. 22, hitting the wire in 1:42.19.
Meet-leading jockey Javier Castellano was aboard for both
Based with Pletcher at Palm Meadows, Gulfstream's satellite training
facility in Palm Beach County, Constitution had his first work since the
most recent win on March 8, going four furlongs in 50.60
Among the horses headed to the Florida Derby are Miller Lite Holy
Bull (G2) and Nashua (G2) winner Cairo Prince, Hutcheson (G3) and
Fountain of Youth winner Wildcat Red, and Gulfstream Park Derby winner
General a Rod.
"We just felt like he's home, he's 2-for-2 over the track, and even
though it looks to be a very tough race with Cairo Prince pointing for
it, we felt like it was the right spot for him," Pletcher said. "He's
passed every test so far, but this will certainly be the biggest test
he's had."
Pletcher is also thinking Florida Derby with another Tapit colt, Alto
Racing's Anchor Down. Like Constitution he went unraced as a juvenile
and has won each of his two starts at Gulfstream this winter, a
six-furlong maiden event on the Holy Bull undercard Jan. 25 and a
seven-furlong optional claiming allowance on March 1.
in a similar position with Anchor Down," Pletcher said. "He's run
twice, and he's 2-for-2. We're looking to stretch him out in a Derby
prep. We haven't decided which one it's going to be, but the Florida
Derby is under consideration for him, as well."
Undefeated multiple graded stakes winner Onlyforyou is expected to
come back in the $300,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) for 3-year-old
fillies on March 29, Pletcher said. He is also considering Dame Dorothy,
Get Lucky, In Tune, My Miss Sophia and Stopchargingmaria for the
nine-furlong Oaks.
"There's races in New Orleans that day and Aqueduct the following
week, so we'll see how everyone's doing," Pletcher said, "but Onlyforyou
is definitely headed that way."
Champagne (G1) winner Havana, program favorite for the $150,000 Swale
(G2) at Gulfstream on March 1, is progressing well after being
scratched the morning of the race with a quarter crack in his right
front foot.
"His foot looks good. We've got him back under
tack, and we hope to maybe be back on the work tab next week," Pletcher
said. "It healed up well; we just didn't want to rush things and make
sure we get it right. As far as quarter cracks go, it was a pretty minor
Havana will continue to train at Palm Meadows and could make his next
start in the seven-furlong Bay Shore (G3) at Aqueduct on April 5,
Pletcher said.
The Maryland Stadium Authority's report recommendi...
China Horse Club International, WinStar Farm, Star...
The 2019 Pegasus World Cup and Pegasus W...
There are four things that could hurt Inspector Ly...
Last weekend's stakes action was led by much-hyped...
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Friday, October 18, 2013 - Jarmil and Mirek - FULL CONTACT
Introducing a BRAND NEW WEBSITE SWNude.com
We are proudly introducing a brand new Nude Submission Wrestling website SWNude.com
A membership website for fans of nude submission wrestling.
We will be posting a wrestling match each Friday there, anouncing it here in the WH Newsletter. So there will be always a new content available to the SWNude.com website members for weekends ;-). At present there are 55+ nude wrestling matches on the SWNude.com website and there will be always a new one each Friday while our production is at present shooting at least two completely new nude wrestling matches in a month.
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Pavol Zbynek vs Igor Premsyl
Pavol Zbynek and Igor Premsyl face off in this wrestling match. Igor, the larger of the two seems to hold the obvious advantage, but the quick Pavol looks to have a trick or two up his sleeve. Locking horns they grapple with each others writhing body as the rounds go by. Only one however can be named champion, but just which one it will be you will have to watch and see.
Open Pavol Zbynek vs Igor Premsyl at SWNude.com


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The Argentine superstar stepped up as the match winner for the Blaugrana, grabbing a pair of goals to give his team a commanding advantage in the first leg
Lionel Messi, fresh off of breaking Gerd Muller's record for goals in a calender year, was the difference once again for the defending champion, scoring in either half to take his 2012 tally to 88 goals and put his side in pole position to advance to the quarterfinals ahead of its their Segunda Division opponent.
The Argentine opened the scoring 11 minutes into the game with a tap-in from close range and rounded off the win with his second goal 16 minutes from full time to end the resistance of Cordoba, which will be disappointed in the result after fashioning many chances in a fine attacking display.
Victor Valdes, Cesc Fabregas and Andres Iniesta did not make the trip to Andalusia, as Jose Pinto, Thiago and Alex Song were chosen to start in their stead.
All the early momentum belonged to Cordoba, with a powerful drive from Fede forcing Pinto into an acrobatic save, before Sebastian Dubarbier crossed towards the far post, where Pedro drilled just wide.
But Barca would survive the early test of its character, and began to hit back at the other end of the pitch. Thiago crashed a 20-yard half volley off the frame of the goal, and with 11 minutes gone, the Catalans would make the breakthrough.
With the Cordoba defense surrounding him, Pedro showed good awareness to pick out the unmarked David Villa on the left, who had ample time and space to square to the equally unmarked Messi for a tap-in from a few yards out.
The hosts thought they had equalized within minutes of the restart, but after Fede's excellent cross was turned home by Vincenzo Renella, the linesman flagged for a narrow offside to chalk off the effort.
The home side saw another opportunity go begging two minutes into the second half, as Carlos Caballero took aim from the edge of the area, only to see Pinto make the save at his post.
The attacking momentum displayed by Cordoba in the first half was nowhere to be found, as Barca was able to control possession and play through the middle in its usual manner.
With 20 minutes to go, Messi seemed set to put the match beyond doubt after latching onto a brilliant through pass from Gerard Pique, but after being put in the clear, could not beat the onrushing Saizar with his finish.
But Messi would make no such mistake four minutes later, as he sprinted in unmarked at the far post to slide home after an incisive cross from substitute Alexis Sanchez to put the Catalans two goals ahead.
Saizar was called into action again late on to deny the Argentine his hat trick, but Barca had already done enough to seal the win, and will take two away goals into the second leg at Camp Nou on Jan. 9.


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The shapes of plants in your yard can affect the look of your home. As noted in the previous Garden Gate article, your choice of weeping, round, pyramidal, columnar or horizontal plants in your yard will make a world of difference in your home's appearance. Have something to hide, like a bad roof? You can direct the viewer's eye away from "the offender."
Hopefully by now you have made several copies of a photo of your home from the front yard and marked it with plant shape options to see the change. Garden Gate magazine suggests that the next step is to decide which plants to use. Of course, ask the most basic questions first: How large is it when full grown? No matter what the shape of plant that you need, you don't want a 25-foot (when mature) tree planted 12 feet from your home. The mature size of your plant choice becomes an important factor. You probably don't want plants to cover the windows of your home when they are mature. So as a rule, keep the taller shapes at the corners of your home. Keep taller plants at the roof line or slightly below as a matured specimen.
As you consider the plants to revive or transform your landscape, keep the sun vs. shade needs of the plants in mind. A beautiful red rounded Japanese maple tree may sound lovely, but it would not like you at all if you placed it in a location with hot afternoon sun.
Weeping plants pull the eye down, so you don't spot all of the wall and roof angles of a home. Some lovely weeping options are the cherry trees with their white flowers. They are heat and cold tolerant to zone 8 and will grow 8-15 feet tall. Flowering crabapple has pink flowers in the spring and loves full sun and grows 8-10 feet tall. In addition, consider the mulberry tree, juniper tree, or redbud.
Plants with horizontal lines can almost point visitors to the front door. Some options are creeping juniper, cutleaf sumac, viburnum, Japanese maple or cotoneaster. Columnar plants placed at the corner of a home can make it look larger. Look for columnar options of arborvitae, flowering crabapple, ginkgo tree, or Japanese holly.
Round plants like abelia, boxwood, dwarf Korean lilac, smooth-leaf hydrangea and viburnum can soften strong lines of your home. Pyramidal shapes like American holly or dwarf Alberta spruce (heat tolerant to zone 8) can balance the look of your home. Whether you choose to make a major overhaul or just dress up your yard, remember the power of the plants you choose to create the look you want.
Joette is an avid gardener and prides herself on staying up-to-date on the latest gardening activities and tips. To share your gardening news with Joette, call (409) 832-1400 or fax her at (409) 832-6222. Her e-mail is joreger [at] msn [dot] com.
[1] http://theexaminer.com/user/62
[2] http://theexaminer.com/sites/default/files/blog/gardengate-shape.jpg
[3] http://theexaminer.com/features/outdoors
[4] http://theexaminer.com/tags/garden-gate


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Renaissance Man: The Gubbio Studiolo
If you've looked at Maxwell's entry for the Bloomingdale's Big Window Challenge 2010, you'll notice his trompe l'oeil bookshelf wall, painted by Mark Chamberlain, which was inspired by the Studiolo at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (image 1). The Studiolo happens to be my favorite room in the Met, so let's take a look at this tiny microcosm of Renaissance humanist values and artistic accomplishment.
The Studiolo is a room relocated to the Met from Gubbio, Italy, from the ducal palace of Federico da Montefeltro, Duke of Urbino, who commissioned the space around 1476. Federico (image 2) was a fascinating character, a never-defeated soldier and an enlightened leader who governed based on humanist values of equality and education. His studiolo is on the one hand completely unique within its category, while at the same time fulfilling all the expectations of that type of space.
In 15th century Italy, the studiolo, or study, was found in many Italian courts, an inner sanctum for private contemplation and for privileged visitors. It belonged solely to one person, and was created from scratch, composed consciously in order to reflect the owner's ideal self as a collector and person of letters. Renaissance studioli therefore took on a significant aspect of display.
The contents of studioli were pretty standard: they were designed to hold and display the owner's collections: antiquities, books, natural curiosities (like coral and semi-precious stones), manmade arts (painting, sculpture, gem carving, musical instruments, metalwork, etc.), and scholarly accoutrements.
Studioli, then, were opportunities for prominent patrons to show off their erudition and accomplishments and, therefore, their worthiness as leaders. For Federico da Montefeltro, this aspect of propaganda was very important. He had achieved his ducal position as a condotierro, or a mercenary soldier, and so he felt some pressure to legitimize his authority through humanistic patronage, as well as by adopting all the outward expressions of the Renaissance leader. The well-educated illegitimate son of a count, Federico used his wealth and military victories to turn Urbino into an important humanist center. He filled his library with important manuscripts (some plundered after successful battles) and commissioned the best artists of his day to paint portraits of historical figures like Dante, Euclid and Homer.
Federico da Montefeltro's studiolo is typical in terms of what objects he chose to display there. What is highly unusual (to put it mildly) is how he displayed them. He commissioned the da Maiano brothers, who ran the leading intarsia workshop in Florence, to create a trompe l'oeil version of an ideal studiolo (image 1, 3-10). Intarsia is the art of inlaying woods to create a pattern or an image. The da Maianos used different woods to create their design, and they would use special techniques, like singeing the edges to produce the illusion of three-dimensionality. Using recently-developed perspectival practices, the da Maianos used the windows that actually existed in the room as the perceived light source within their intarsia design, so the shadows cast were rational to the eye. The intarsia work depicts a study lined with latticed cabinets, many of which open to reveal symbols of Federico's erudition, military prowess, virtue and intelligence.
This unique approach to studiolo decoration was successful on a few levels. One, it was a visual joke, a cerebral wink at the expectations and practices of Federico's peers, but one that by no means undermined the traditional studiolo — his was, like everyone else's, evidence of his considerable wealth, intelligence and taste as a patron, but in his case, he was the patron of this fine intarsia workshop. At the same time, he was able to put anything he wanted in his studiolo, so the construction of his ideal self was not limited by the realities of what was in his physical collections (image 3).
In Federico da Montefeltro's studiolo, then, we can see all the components of the ideal Renaissance man. There is an emphasis on mathematics and engineering, because Federico considered geometry "the most important of the Liberal Arts, as well as the very foundation of architecture," so there are several engineers' tools of measurement, an hourglass that measured an equal hour, and so on (image 4), as well as an armillary sphere depicting the Ptolemaic universe. The studiolo contains many musical instruments in various cabinets, both as emblems of mathematical truth in music and as symbols of Federico's patronage of music and musicians (image 5).
Other cabinets refer to Federico's merit as a leader and a soldier. One cabinet opens to reveal his parade helmet, shin guards and a mace, as if the duke had just come in and tossed the stuff in his cubby (image 6). The ermine (image 7) was a common symbol of purity, while the ostrich with a spearhead in its beak represented Federico's ability to withstand adversity. The caged parrot, then a highly prized and unusual pet from far-flung lands, placed Federico among a small group of elite leaders — popes, kings, dukes — who could have owned such a creature (image 8). The jeweled garter, whose "shadow" is rendered in dark wood, was perhaps the most important symbol of all, a reference to Federico's admission into the Order of the Garter, the highest English chivalric honor (image 9). An expression of Federico's prominences as a statesman and a military leader, he displayed the symbol of the garter prominently, including on his leg in a c. 1475 portrait (image 2). The final cabinet is, poignantly, related to Federico's 1482 death (image 10), including a reference to his son and heir, Guidobaldo, and an image of Virgil's Aeneid on a lectern, open to a passage describing the death of Pallas, a young soldier.
Students of the decorative arts often like to argue that the objects people buy and surround themselves with are somehow windows onto their identity, or at least onto the identity they want to project. Federico da Montefeltro's studiolo is one interior that perfectly illustrates that concept: a self-conscious construct, the ideal personal space for the ideal leader.
Images & Sources: 1, 3-10 Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. I recommend going to visit the tiny studiolo in person, but the Met's website has a fabulous section that explains the elements of the studiolo in much greater detail than I have done here; 2 Portrait of Federico da Montfeltro with his son Guidobaldo (who would inherit his title at his death in 1482) Pedro Berroguete (1480), Galleria Nazionale delle Marche, Urbino, via Museumsyndicate.


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I'm tired. Really tired of seeing how the XXXXX's-vendor SDK is not compatible with YYYYY's-vendor implementation. For instance, if you compile a program with the ATI's SDK it won't run using a NVIDIA card. Also, the Intel's SDK eats the NVIDIA's DLLs and registry keys...
I think the solution is that Khronos should release not only the .h files but also the OpenCL.lib/.a to find the ICD DLL, load it and get the clXXXXXXX function pointers.
It's very easy: for Windows, you should release a OpenCL.lib that finds the ICD in the registry, then call LoadLibary and get the function pointers with GetProcAddress().
I really think this is the only valid solution because IHVs seem to be very occupied fighting against them and, who looses, is the poor programmer who simply cannot write a truly multivendor-compatible OpenCL app with guarantees.


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Hacking Old Laptops Into DIY Projectors
LCD projectors are great to watch movies and to play games. Having tried them out ourselves in a few different settings, we can say that there's nothing quite like having your own home movie theater, especially when it includes one of these projectors. How about making your own?
While not a lot of people have the extra money to just go out and purchase one, a lot of people have old and broken laptops that are just accumulating dust. Once you've upgraded, a lot of them just become worthless, especially after 3-6 years.
That's why we really liked this hack we found on Lifehacker. This hack involves taking apart the screen of a laptop, sticking it onto a projector and using it to project stuff. The most important thing that you have to remember is that the projector generates quite a lot of heat. You have to cool it so that it doesn't melt the screen of your laptop. The screen should have its backlighting removed and it should be placed on spacers, not directly onto the surface of the projector.
This build will cost you $150 or less, which is pretty impressive for creating your own projector. You can fit an IR and UV filter onto your bulb to protect your laptop screen from yellowing. This is a sensible protection. This great idea comes from Randy Sarafan from Instructables.
[via Lifehacker, images by Randy Sarafan, Villa Peura, and Paul Stamatiou]


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Rudyard Kipling
Rudyard Kipling (30 December 1865 – 18 January 1936 / Bombay)
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The Ballad Of The Red Earl
It is not for them to criticize too minutely the methods the Irish followed, though they might deplore some of their results. During the past few years Ireland had been going through what was tantamount to a revolution. -- EARL SPENCER
Red Earl, and will ye take for guide
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- 6 garlic cloves, unpeeled
- 1 small white onion, sliced 1/4-inch thick
- 6 ounces (1 medium-small or 2 to 3 plum) ripe tomatoes
- 3/4 teaspoon black pepper, preferably freshly ground
- 1/8 teaspoon cloves, preferably freshly ground
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 to 4 tablespoons Essential Sweet and Smoking Chipotle Seasoning Salsa or 2 to 4 tablespoons very finely chopped canned chipotle chiles, drained before chopping
- Salt, about 1/2 teaspoon
- 2 pounds (about 50) medium-large shrimp
- 3 cups cooked long-grain white rice, warm
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves
- ROASTING THE FLAVORINGS: On an ungreased griddle or heavy skillet set over medium, roast the garlic cloves, turning occasionally, until soft (they will blacken in spots), about 15 minutes. Cool and peel. While the garlic is roasting, lay the onion out on a small square of foil, set on the griddle and let sear, brown and soften, about 5 minutes on each side.
- Roast the tomatoes on a baking sheet set 4 inches below a very hot broiler until blackened in spots and soft, about 6 minutes; flip and roast the other side. Cool and peel, collecting all the juices with the tomatoes.
- THE SAUCE: Combine all the roasted ingredients in a food processor or blender, along with the pepper, cloves and 1/4 cup water. Process to a medium-smooth puree. In a very large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. When hot enough to make a drip of the puree sizzle noisily, add it all at once. Stir for several minutes as the mixture sears and darkens then reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to cook, stirring regularly, until very thick, about 5 minutes. A tablespoon at a time, stir in the Chipotle Seasoning Salsa (or chopped Chipotle), tasting until the thick salsa suits your own penchant for spiciness. Taste, season with salt and remove from the heat.
- THE SHRIMP: Peel and devein the shrimp, leaving the final joint and the tail intact. Return the skillet with the sauce to medium-high heat. Add the shrimp, then slowly stir and turn for about 3 to 4 minutes, until the shrimp are just cooked through. Season with salt if needed. Serve the shrimp with the rice. Garnish with cilantro.
Recipe Details
- Source: Emeril Live EM1C51
- Dish Type: Entree
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We just got in the Backy Mounts in yesterday, haven't got to test them in good wind yet. Pretty stoked at the possibilities.
Maybe somewhat true for heavy freestyle, but for waveriding they are used now and gives a good viewC Johnson wrote:I know these types of mounts used to be really popular back in the old school kiting days. then they all disappeared seemingly overnight as the pro's started doing unhooked tricks.
My concern with this type of mount is that it could somehow get wrapped up in the lines during inverts, spins or possible during a bad crash. Be careful. Hopefully that's not an issue.
yes, but only few tricks.OceanAdventures wrote:Toby, did you use this view in your DVD that you have coming out soon?
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Smoking kills, and in this case, searching for a loose cigarette in his mother's car got Roy Middleton a bullet in the leg -- from police who thought he was a thief.
Middleton was in his driveway in Warrington, Florida, when a neighbor saw him searching his mother's car and called 911.
Escambia County Sheriff's deputies arrived as Middleton, 60, was stooped over the car, and told him to "get your hands where I can see them."
Middleton said at first he thought it was a neighbor joking around with him, until he turned his head and saw the deputies.
Middleton says that he slowly backed away from the vehicle with his hands in the air, but claims that police began shooting as soon as he turned around.
"It was like a firing squad," Middleton said. "Bullets were flying everywhere."
The deputies, who have not been identified, are on paid administrative leave while the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigates the shooting.
"I'm just glad they didn't hit me here or here," he said, pointing toward his head and chest. "My mother's car is full of bullet holes though. My wife had to go and get a rental."
A teenage girl who witnessed the incident said she never saw Middleton provoke the deputies. "He wasn't belligerent or anything," she said. Neighbors said they heard the commotion, but weren't sure why officers opened fire.
Middleton doesn't understand why he was shot, either. "Even if they thought the car was stolen, all they had to do was run the license plate," he said. "They would have seen that that car belonged there."


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Gluten free hypo-allergenic Rotation Diet Menu: Apricot glazed Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe
This week the Gluten-Free Menu Swap is hosted by Celiacs in the house with a theme of squash. I've included a plan for a tasty, low-carb spaghetti squash "pasta" dish in my lineup. I just love the mild taste and texture of spaghetti Squash. What's your favorite way to prepare it? I'd love some new ideas! Below is my menu, but don't forget to check out more menus at Org Junkie.
Monday: Italian
Spaghetti Squash "pasta" with eggplant tomato caponata
Tuesday: Chinese
White Jasmine rice with Veggie stir fry
Wednesday: Indian
Aloo Jeera Recipe (Potato with Cumin), Spiced Okra Recipe, Chard Chips
Thursday: Vegan
Brown Rice Pot Pie with Kidney Beans
Friday: Vegan
Mashed Smoky Sweet Potatoes, Veggie Soup
Saturday: Chinese
White Fried Rice and Veggie Stir Fry
Sunday: American Breakfast
Fried Potatoes and Onions, Slow Simmered Greens
This week I thought I would share a seasonal recipe for apricot glazed Brussels Sprout that is perfect for Thanksgiving or other Fall celebrations. I happened to have some apricot jam, which is odd as I have never liked apricots all that much, and some brussels sprouts begging to be used. Somehow it occurred to me that brussel sprouts might be nice glazed in apricot jam… and you know what? They were quite delightful! I took heart and inspiration from the blog Veggie Venture's experiment with apricot glazed brussels sprouts, but I always roast brussels sprouts whenever I can rather than boil them. I have By the Bay to thank for that- and her savory Roasted Brussel Sprout Recipe is a favorite in our house. If you haven't had brussel sprouts lately (or ever)- why not try one of these tasty recipes?
Other Book of Yum Gluten-free Brussels Sprouts Recipes:
Chinese Szechuan Brussels Sprouts Recipe
Gluten-free beer glazed Brussels Sprouts Recipe
Indian Mustard Brussels Sprouts Recipe
Sweet Caramelized Brussels Sprouts Recipe
*note: While strictly speaking the following is not TED, those doing extreme protein elimination diets may find it useful. Brussels Sprouts are also high in Calcium, which is nice for breastfeeding moms, although some moms reportedly have trouble with the "gassiness" of this kind of vegetable. Luckily, we seem to tolerate vegetables well.
Apricot Glazed Roasted Brussel Sprout recipe
1 lb- 1 1/2 lb. brussels sprout
olive oil
dried dill to taste
1/2 cup apricot jam (i use a no-sugar variety)
Clean sprouts and shake off water, or fold in a towel. Cut in half, horizontally, and place in medium to large bowl, drizzling with olive oil. Season with dill, salt, and pepper and place flat on cookie sheet. I think that it is easiest if you put them all one way, either flat, cut side face down or round exterior face down. Place in 425 F oven and bake for 15 minutes and then check. If one side is nicely browned, turn over. Otherwise, put back in oven for another 10-15 minutes or until browned on one side. (This will depend on size of the brussel sprout) When this one side is brown, turn the sprouts over and bake for 5-10 minutes or until done to your preference. I like them more done than my DH- My favorite part is the crispy, paper-like exterior. yum! He likes them lightly browned but not papery. To each their own.
While sprouts finish browning, put your jam, lemon juice, and zest in a heavy bottomed, small soup pot. Bring to a simmer and let it come to a liquid like texture. Then turn off the stove and reserve glaze.
When brussel sprouts are done, put in a pretty, medium sized serving bowl and drizzle generously with glaze, stirring if necessary. Serve and enjoy!
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TSA Bad At Security; Leaves Security Status Data On Boarding Passes Unencrypted
from the these-people-are-supposed-to-make-us-feel-safe dept
Of course, security experts long ago pointed out that any such system now becomes a target for terrorists, who can focus on getting into that special line and use that lesser security to cause trouble. One response to this is that, even for passengers who qualify for such a program, they're still subject to "random" conventional screenings. However, aviation blogger John Butler realized that the bar code printing on your boarding pass reveals whether or not you'll be "selected" for further scrutiny, and that it's not difficult to check ahead of time to see if you'll have to go through stricter security because the TSA has apparently never heard of encryption.
As Chris Soghoian pointed out, knowing this info ahead of time could allow plotters to plan accordingly:
"If you have a team of four people [planning an attack], the day before the operation when you print the boarding passes, whichever guy is going to have the least screening is going to be the one who'll take potentially problematic items through security," said Soghoian, now a senior policy analyst at the American Civil Liberties Union. "If you know who's getting screened before you walk into the airport, you can make sure the right guy is carrying the right bags.I guess, when you've always been in the business of "security theater" rather than actual security, it shouldn't come as a surprise that you don't know the first thing about basic security.
"The entire security system depends on the randomness," he said. "If people can do these dry runs, the system is vulnerable."


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Sitting at Moe's Original Bar B Que in downtown Denver, Mark Bell talks about the beginning of his musical career.
"One day I just picked up the harp, and it came to me," he said.
Bell remembers the actual day: On June 2, 1973, he started playing harmonica, and has been making music ever since with other performers.
"I've been around musicians all my life," he said.
Bell will be seeing musicians he knows well while playing at the Little Bear in a couple of weeks — a performance he calls his homecoming.
"Little Bear was always a blast," he said while talking about past gigs at the Evergreen saloon where Willie Nelson, one of his favorite musicians, used to play.
"I used to hitchhike from Breckenridge to Evergreen to Little Bear," he said.
Adding to the sounds of Jay Boy Adams, the Jolley Brothers and White Mountain Express, Bell played his harmonica in a variety of styles from blues to rock 'n' roll.
Among the musicians Bell has known and played with are Stevie Ray Vaughan and Bo Diddley, one of the founders of rock 'n' roll.
"He would always hire me to play with him," said Bell. "I would drive up from Colorado and play New York."
Among Bell's most memorable experiences with Diddley was playing in the 1986 Chicago Blues Festival with him.
He also met well-known musicians of the day including Chuck Berry and Keith Richards, as well as a daughter of Diddley, whom Bell said he almost married.
Bell also has fond memories of Diddley, who died several years ago after a long career.
"He was a gentleman and took care of his family," said Bell.
During his lifetime as a musician, Bell also has encountered performers who were participating in protests. In 1978, he met singer Bonnie Raitt at Rocky Flats, where she and others were engaged in an anti-nuclear demonstration.
Bell said he also ran for mayor of Red Cliff while working there.
"In '93 I moved to New York," said Bell. "I made a lot of noise in New York in a short time."
Before going to New York, Bell played with the Randy Handley Band, and with a group in the Florida Keys where he lived on a sailboat.
A Texas native, Bell has also lived in Los Angeles, New Orleans and in Europe, from which he has recently returned.
"Denver's home," Bell said. "It's the place where you can pick yourself up."
On Thursday, May 30, the well-traveled harmonica player will pick himself up and head to the Little Bear, where he will perform a mix of rock and blues with a group called Mark Bell and His So-Called Friends from 7 to 11 p.m.
Contact Sandy Barnes at firstname.lastname@example.com or call 303-350-1042.
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The Dodge Dart has long held a place in automotive lore for its sleek, space-age design and 16-year run as Chrysler's ultimate compact car, ending in 1976.
Thirty-six years after it ceased production, it's back. On Monday at the North American International Auto Show [NAIA] in Detroit, Chrysler unveiled a resurrected Dodge Dart, which is now a compact, four-door sedan designed to target pragmatic buyers interested in low upfront costs and long-term fuel savings.
The refurbished Dart is a sign of shifting priorities set by the domestic US auto industry. While two bankruptcies and rock-bottom sales appeared to shake the foundation that General Motors, Ford Motor Co., and Chrysler once stood for – a reliance on large, gas gulping trucks and SUVs – the automakers appear to be directed to a steady comeback that is sustainable and tailored to what cash-strapped consumers ultimately want.
The combined sales of all three companies in 2011 increased US market share, the first annual increase since 1991. While all three enjoyed double-digit sales bumps, Chrysler had the greatest rate increase, jumping 26 percent over 2010, resulting in 1.4 million vehicles sold in the US alone.
The year-end numbers, released last week, are buoying this year's NAIA, the largest in North America. It opens to the public Saturday and runs through Jan. 22 at the Cobo Center in downtown Detroit.
"The mood of the show is a lot better than it has been in the past. There's a pretty strong sense of optimism," says Jessica Caldwell, a senior analyst for Edmunds.com.
Foreign manufacturers' market share shrank last year, primarily due to the earthquake and tsunami in Japan in March and the flooding in Thailand in November, resulting in production shutdowns for Toyota, Honda, Subaru, and other automakers. Since then, the domestic three in Detroit have unveiled vehicles they promise to market heavily this year with hopes to maintain their market strength.
How is this happening? Through an emphasis on having strong models in the compact and midsize segments, as much as the luxury, large trucks, and SUV segments that have sustained the industry for years.
"Today the automakers are intent on having big complete model portfolios, more than they had in the past. So if gas prices go to $4 a gallon, they are ready with cars that fit that need, and if gas prices go to $1 a gallon, you can still compete and not have to worry so much on external factors," says Ms. Caldwell.
By the end of this year, all three automakers will have unveiled a range of compact and midsize vehicles.
Examples include the revamped, luxury-minded Ford Fusion, Chevrolet's hybrid model of the Malibu Eco, and the Cadillac ATS, a compact sedan designed to compete with luxury brands from Mercedes and BMW. The hope is that the new models launched at NAIA will take advantage of slipping sales of the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, two of the best-selling vehicles in the US market.
The US market is expected to continue growing this year. According to economists presenting at the annual Society of Automotive Analysts conference in Detroit Sunday, unit sales for light trucks and cars are expected to total between 13.5 million to 14 million; last year sales reached 12.8 million, a 10 percent increase from 2010.
Even though sales are growing in Brazil, India, and China, as well as in Europe, the US market is poised for the most significant growth due to pent-up demand, stiffening used car prices, and rising gas prices.


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Building partnerships for conservation
16 October 2012 | Video
"Together we aim higher" – this is the outcome of the event organized during the IUCN World Conservation Congress by IUCN Regional Office for Europe and partners to present experiences of regional cooperation on nature conservation in South-Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus.
"IUCN is committed to supporting its Members and partners in South-Eastern Europe in pursuing common conservation goals. We have to make sure that our voice is heard much beyond conservation circles, reaching out the broadest possible range of stakeholders. Only by working together we can expect to meet our objective," says Boris Erg, IUCN Director for South Eastern Europe.
The first part of the event was opened by Mrs. Keit Pentus-Rosimannus, Minister of the Environment of Estonia, and followed by a panel discussion comprised of IUCN Members and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. Successful examples of cross-border conservation from the new milestone publication "Initiating effective transboundary conservation: A practitioner's guideline based on experiences from the Dinaric Arc" launched at the event were presented.
The discussion made clear that significant progress on regional cooperation in nature conservation has been made over the past years, yet it revealed numerous obstacles in meeting conservation goals and reiterated the need for better coordination, a stronger commitment of the decision-making community, and strengthened NGO-government interface.
The second part of the event was dedicated to the Caucasus eco-region and the importance of diversely governed and effectively managed protected areas through partnerships in the South Caucasus.
Tamar Pataridze from the Georgian Agency of Protected Areas and newly elected IUCN Councillor said that while various mechanisms such as the Transboundary Joint Secretariat (KfW) and the Caucasus Nature Fund are already in place, "There is need to coordinate efforts with the aim of sustainably financing existing protected areas and planning for the future. Continued support from outside the region is indispensable to build capacities and transfer knowledge."
IUCN NGO Member representatives from the three South Caucasus countries shared experiences on their work with local communities in the buffer zones of protected areas, and emphasized that all sides would benefit from increased exchange and cooperation at the regional level.
"Regional platforms for enhanced conservation – experiences from South-Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus" was held on 11 September at the 2012 IUCN World Conservation Congress, with the support of the MAVA Foundation. The event was jointly organized by the IUCN Regional Office for Europe and the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) with involvement of KfW's Transboundary Joint Secretariat for the Southern Caucasus, as well as IUCN Members from South-Eastern Europe and the Caucasus.
For more information please contact: Aleksandra Nesic, IUCN Programme Office for South-Eastern Europe or Marika Kavtarishvili, IUCN Caucasus Cooperation Centre.


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Virtual Developer Workshop: Containerized Development with Docker
DescriptionCStaticCounter is a CStatic derived control that displays a LED style counter - without using bitmap resources
- No bitmap resources are needed
- Digits' height width and 'weight' are proportional to the size of the control
- Uses memory compatible DC to produce flicker-free display
void SetColorBackGround(COLORREF crColor)
void SetColorForeGround(COLORREF crColor)
void SetDrawFaded(bool bState)
void Display(int nNumber)
How to Implement
- Add the StaticCounter.h and StaticCounter.cpp to your project
- Add a normal static control to your dialog box and assign a unique ID, e.g. IDC_STATIC_COUNTER
- Use classwizard to create a control member variable - say, m_staticCounter
- In your dialog class' header file, change the "CStatic m_staticCounter" to "CStaticCounter m_staticCounter"
- Include the header (StaticCounter.h) in your dialog class' header & implementation files
- Call the Display() function to change the number displayed.
DownloadsDownload Sample Executable - 67 Kb
Download demo project - 19 Kb
Download source - 4 Kb


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Stylish Maternity Clothes
9 Online Maternity Stops For the Expectant Fashionista
9 Online Maternity Stops For the Expectant Fashionista
Pregnancy comes with a host of physical and mental challenges, but none is as universal as the enduring question of what to wear! While maternity clothing has come a long way since our moms' day, it can still be tough to live up to your pre-pregnancy style while you're sporting a sizable bump — not to mention expanding hips and thighs. Even celebs fess up to sweating their style while pregnant, but we've got a list of 9 online shops (you don't even have to leave the house!), where you can find incredibly chic looks, all designed to complement your blooming bod.


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General Atomics ASI Tests Drone as Electronic Warfare Platform
Friday, August 16, 2013
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. disclosed recently that it was testing its Predator B unmanned aircraft as an electronic warfare platform.
It reported a successful test in April at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma.
GA-ASI participated with a company-owned Predator B aircraft, equipped with a jamming pod containing a Northrop Grumman digital receiver and exciter. Pilots controlled the aircraft with a GA-ASI ground control station.
More tests are planned.
The Poway business suggested in a news release that unmanned aircraft may one day take electronic warfare assignments away from aircraft with pilots on board.
— SDBJ Staff Report


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The EDA editorial brain trust today is the topic of our continuing conversation with Richard Goering and Brian Fuller.
ED: What is the EDA editorial brain trust these days?
RICHARD: Not sure how you're defining "brain trust," but if there is one, it's with the vendors and the independent on-line publications.
ED: Who makes up the EDA editorial brain trust?
RICHARD: If you add it all up, there are still a number of editors with deep EDA and semiconductor experience – they're just no longer with print publications.
Additionally, there are now a number of writers and bloggers who didn't start as journalists but who turned in that direction during the transition away from print.


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Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. is a developer of thin-film photovoltaic modules with substrate materials that can be more flexible and affordable than most traditional solar panels. Ascent Solar modules can be directly integrated into standard building materials, space applications, consumer electronics for portable power or configured as stand alone modules for large scale terrestrial deployment. Ascent Solar is located in Littleton, Colorado.
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Ubisoft, ARUSH Publishing and Groove Games have chosen to move the launch of Playboy: The Mansion to Q1 2005 in order to deliver an outstanding product/game.
Playboy: The Mansion blends state-of-the-art social simulation with traditional role-playing and empire-building gameplay. As Hugh Hefner, you build the Playboy mansion and magazine into a dynamic cultural icon and powerful brand. Rub shoulders with stunning women and stimulating celebrities as you pursue the ultimate Playboy lifestyle. Grow famous and gain exclusive access to the Playboy Archives.


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I have looked.
All I find are widgets and other b.s. applications to try help with what I want.
I would like some code, which will deliver in ticker form on a web page cricket news.
I have searched and cannot find it.
Anyone know of such a site to retrieve said code?


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I am a bit fuzzy about how a new Toyota might help "save" (or save more) animals. Might that not statistically merely serve to increase the probability of running over more animals? Doing something else, for example, such as (say) putting little animal huts or incubators outside the animal welfare facility might help to encourage people to anonymously drop off their (or their neighbours') unwanted animals, 24/7.This type of approach seems to be working quite well in hospitals in Europe, where hospitals have started to put incubators outside the facility, so as to encourage people to anonymously drop off their (or someone else's) "unwanted" babies, 24/7.It's apparently becoming quite a growing trend.-IainB (June 10, 2012, 09:06 PM)
It is a means to enable us to fulfill our mission by transporting animals and equipment and increasing our humane education efforts. (1) Humane education for children at local schools and organizations. (2) Pet Parenting Program motivates families to unchain dogs and overcome obstacles to integrating the pet into the famiyl; includes putting up fencing and doing in-home training. (3) Pick up dogs and cats to bring to our shelter. (4) Women Offering Obedience & Training (WOOF) Program requires transporting to Lowell Correctional Institution for inmates to train the dogs making the dogs more adoptable. (5) Deliver dog and cat food to local organizations and pick up donations. (6) Transport animals to various activities and events throughout Marion County. (6) Transport donated building materials to improve shelter and for Pet Parenting Program. Our current truck is old. We pass up opportunities when transport is not available. A new Toyota would help us help homeless animals.
That WOOF programme looks pretty innovative too.-IainB (June 10, 2012, 09:42 PM)
That WOOF programme looks pretty innovative too.-IainB (June 10, 2012, 09:42 PM)Yes, and it has been quite successful in helping both the inmates and the dogs that they train (both were happier and better behaved after the experience).-------------------------------------Thak you to all that voted.-Stoic Joker (June 11, 2012, 06:36 AM)
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What we need at this early stage, IMO:
- A Sonic model, with proper animations
- Basic level geometry
Neither of these have to be fancy at all. The Sonic model could be pure crap, for all we. Pretty simple, right? Of course, we will have to test these in various model formats to make sure they work correctly, but baby steps. As we move along in development, we'll need more assets to test the engine and eventually showcase it, but that's a while off, yet.


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Since 2009, the green space at the corner of 88th Street and 74th Avenue has been maintained through various outreach programs from the Kiwanis of Glendale and Greater Ridgewood Youth Council, and last weekend the park was back in full swing for the summer.
Dorie Figliola, a staff member for Assemblyman Mike Miller, said the park has become a community staple for the students and families in the surrounding neighborhood.
"It was just a vacant lot, with all weeds and garbage," said Figliola, who was instrumental in creating the garden, which began with a $3,000 grant from Home Depot.
Figliola said that programs like the I.S. 113 Builders Club and the park have both benefitted from community outreach.
"Since then, the Kiwanis club has been the sponsor for the garden, hosting events with the local Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and children from local schools," Figliola said.
Gian D'Elia spends every day of the "growing season" in the garden. He helped build the original composting bins in the park, and recently filed for a $750 Citizens Committee for NYC grant to build new ones.
"While this is going to be a thing that eventually everybody is going to have to do, we just want to extend the operation here a little to get more individuals involved," D'Elia said.
Gerry Gonzalez, president of the Glendale Kiwanis Club, has a positive outlook for the future of the garden and anticipates yet another successful summer full of activities.
"It's a collaborative effort from a variety of organizations," Gonzalez said. "Everybody just does what they can to make it happen and it works."


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Today in A State of Trance 779 new tracks by Andy Moor, Cold Rush, Duderstadt, Genix, Local Heroes, MaRLo, Ruben de Ronde with MUVY and many more! Plus new Future Favorite and Tune of The Week! Enjoy! asot 779
Artist: Armin van Buuren
Title: A State of Trance 779
Date Of Release: 01-09-2016
Source: DI.fm (Trance Channel)
Genre: Trance
Quality: MP3 / Joint Stereo
Total Size: 275.81 Mb [SBD 320kbps]
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Immigration & Visas
Those who intend to study in the U.S. are generally admitted under the F-1 student visa classification. Under special circumstances, international students may also be admitted on J-1 sponsored student or M-1 vocational or technical student visas. In each of these visa categories, a spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 may accompany the international student to the U.S. Generally, these dependents may not be employed in the U.S. but may attend school as either part-time or full-time students. The prospective F-1 student must complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application, Form DS-160. The prospective student must also present the following papers to a U.S Consulate:
- Passport, valid for at least six months
- I-20 form (Some foreign nationals are required to present an I-20 showing acceptance into academic classes at a college or university level. The Culture and Intensive English Program cannot issue such an I-20.)
- Receipt for I-901 SEVIS fee
- A Machine Readable Visa (MRV) Receipt to show payment of the visa application fee
- One 2x2 photograph
- A financial statement or financial guaranty report
- Transcripts or diplomas from current or previous institutions
To retain F-1 visa status, a student must attend a full course of study (20 hours per week) in the Culture and Intensive English Program. Students must complete a year of study or have completed the highest level of the program before being allowed to take time off from study. Failure to be enrolled for a full course of study is considered a violation of the F-1 student status and places the student in a deportable situation.
Employment opportunities are limited for international students. F-1 students are only allowed to work under specific circumstances. On-campus employment is permitted up to 20 hours per week; however, off-campus employment is limited to internship or other work-study programs that may be required for a specific degree.
Prospective students must enter the U.S. on a student visa. Persons with permanent resident status and those already in the U.S. with diplomatic or other visas may also be eligible for the program if study is not the main purpose of their stay in the United States.
Additional information on student visas can be found on the website for the U.S. Department of State.
On September 1, 2004, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security began charging a nonrefundable $200 SEVIS fee for those seeking an F-1 visa from an embassy or consulate abroad for initial attendance at a school approved by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). For more detailed information on the fee payment process, go to http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/index.htm. The I-20 form is needed before you can complete the I-901 form. The CIEP includes the SEVIS charge in its application fee. However, students or others are welcome to pay this fee themselves.
A receipt showing fee payment must be presented to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate before the F-1 visa will be issued. The Culture and Intensive English Program will send the SEVIS receipts with the I-20 form to prospective students after the students' application form and documents have been processed.


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Sesame Workshop Partners with van Gogh Museum to Celebrate Sesamstraat Anniversary
By Graydon Gordian
On this date in 1853, Vincent Van Gogh was born in Zundert, Netherlands. In October 1888, Van Gogh painted his first version of Bedroom in Arles, an iconic work of post-impressionist art. In December, 2011, Bert, Ernie and Elmo made a couple of… "improvements" to Van Gogh's masterpiece.
To celebrate the 35th anniversary of Sesamstraat, the Dutch version of Sesame Street, Sesame Workshop partnered with the Amsterdam-based Vincent van Gogh Museum, where Bedroom in Arles hangs, to recreate a version of the famous painting featuring Elmo, Bert, Ernie and the beloved Sesamstraat MuppetsTM Ienie Mienie, Tommie, Purk and Pino. The special painting, which was unveiled by Sesamstraat actor Frank Groothof, was on display at the museum in December 2011.
To keep your good ear to the ground and learn more about Sesamstraat and all of our international co-productions, visit Sesame Workshop's "around the world" page.


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SAPC, last year's Southeast Regional Cross Country champion finished 23rd at the Division II Cross Country Nationals, their best ever finish at the NCAA meet. The 2007 roster features a strong core of letter winners who will look for their third consecutive trip to the D-II cross country national meet.
Holding down the second spot is
Coming in at number three in the men's Southeast Regional preseason poll are the Trojans of Anderson University. A fourth place finish at last year's regional should be improved upon as the Trojans added depth to their roster this past offseason.
Spots four through ten consist of Lees-McRae,
Mars Hill's women, last year's third place finishers at the Southeast Regional, come in at number two in the preseason poll.
Completing the women's Southeast Region preseason poll are Wingate, Carson-Newman, St. Andrew's, Lenior-Rhyne, Catawba,
To view the release with a complete listing of all regional rankings, visit www.ustfccca.org.
Division II Southeast Regional Men
1. St. Andrew's
2. Mars Hill
4. Lees-McRae
6. Lenior-Rhyne
7. Coker
8. Wingate
10. Limestone
Division II Southeast Regional Women
2. Mars Hill
3. Lee-McRae
4. Wingate
5. Carson-Newman
6. St. Andrew's
7. Lenior-Rhyne
8. Catawba
10. Barton


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Houston Zoo performs root canal on rescued bobcat
Veterinarians performed a root canal this week at the Houston Zoo on a bobcat, who was found emaciated and ill in a rural area near Friendswood six weeks ago.
The adult bobcat was taken to the zoo Wednesday for the two-hour long procedure by a Houston SPCA and a zoo doctor, according to the Houston Zoo. The procedure, which involved six root canals, was necessary to prevent infection, wildlife specialists said.
Since the bobcat's rescue on Dec. 12 by the Wildlife Center of Texas, he has recovered from flea infestation, a bacterial infection and sarcoptic mange and gained 15 percent of his initial body weight.
After Wednesday's surgery, the bobcat was taken back to the Houston SPCA headquarters and he is being monitored by veterinary staff, officials said.


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Both the good and the bad of boxing were in evidence in the HBO world title tripleheader Saturday night.
Both the good and the bad of boxing were in evidence in the HBO world title tripleheader Saturday night.
The bad came in the opening bout between WBO junior lightweight champion Roman "Rocky" Martinez (26-1-2) and challenger Juan Carlos Burgos (30-1-1).
I didn't score the fight, choosing to just relax and enjoy the fights for a change, but there was no doubt in my mind that Burgos won the fight. I know, I should know better.
Burgos didn't lose, but he didn't win, either, thanks to two incompetent judges, one of whom scored the fight 116-112 for Martinez, while the other saw it even at 114-114. That, of course, made the official verdict a draw, allowing Martinez to keep the title.
The third judge had Burgos winning, 117-111, which was the same as HBO judge Harold Lederman's scorecard (9-3 in rounds). So it wasn't just me that thought Burgos was a clear winner.
The bottom line, however, is that Burgos was denied the world title for which he had worked so hard and so richly deserved. It was Burgos' second bid for a world championship (he lost the first one on a close decision to Hozumi Hasegawa in Nagoya, Japan, in 2010) and who knows if he will ever get another title shot.
It's just not right.
Helping me get rid of the bad taste in my mouth from that judging debacle was the performances of two emerging superstars in the other two title fights — middleweight Gennady Golovkin and featherweight Miguel Angel "Mikey" Garcia. The latter is the little brother of trainer Roberto Garcia, who also trains super bantam champ Nonito Donaire among others.
Golovkin (25-0, 22 KOs) successfully defended his WBA middleweight title with a seventh round TKO over "King" Gabriel Rosado (21-6).
The knockout artist from Kazakhstan couldn't put the tough Rosado on the canvas, but Rosado paid the price as his face was a bloody mess by the time his corner threw in the towel. He was cut over the left eye and bleeding from the nose and mouth.
What was impressive about Golovkin in this fight (we already knew about his power) was his jab, a hard, jolting jab that opened the cut over Rosado's eye in the second round. That and his footwork.
As guest commentator Andre Ward, who is recovering from shoulder surgery, pointed out, Golovkin is never off balance and always in position to punch with power, even when he's retreating, which is seldom.
But Rosado proved a worthy challenger, especially considering the fact he had only 11 amateur fights (8-3). He's still a work in progress.
The 30-year-old Golovkin, on the other hand, had more than 200 amateur fights, including a world championship in 2003 and a silver medal in the 2004 Olympics.
Equally impressive was undefeated Mikey Garcia (31-0, 26 KOs) in winning the WBO featherweight title with an eight-round technical decision over Orlando Salido (38-11-2).
Don't be misled by the "technical" part. Garcia was in charge of this bout from the opening bell, putting Salido down four times, twice in the first round and once each in the third and fourth rounds.
The fight was stopped after the eighth round due to a broken nose suffered by Garcia from an accidental head butt, which sent the verdict to the judges' scorecards.
Garcia has a good jab, power in both hands and the calm patience of a seasoned champion. Like Golovkin, he is the complete package. Look for big things from both these guys.
Former middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik is retiring, according to his hometown newspaper, the Youngstown Vindicator, but considering his past track record, don't be surprised if he changes his mind.
Shane Mosley announced his retirement after his loss to Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, but has already reconsidered and will challenge WBA welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi April 27 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Also scheduled for the Barclays Center will be Bernard Hopkins' bid to break his own record for being the oldest fighter to win a world title.
Hopkins, who turned 48 earlier this month, takes on IBF light heavyweight champion Tavoris Cloud March 9. This will be Hopkins' 33rd title fight in his 25th year as a pro. He set the age record by decisively beating Jean Pascal at age 46.
Demetrius "Boo Boo" Andrade of Providence (18-0, 13 KOs) takes a big step toward a world title fight Friday when he meets former world title challenger Freddie Hernandez (30-3, 20 KOs) for the vacant WBO Intercontinental belt in Huntington, N.Y.
The buzz is that the winner may get a world title shot. The fight will be carried on Showtime TV.
Framingham welterweight Danny O'Connor (19-1, 7 KOs), meanwhile, takes on Derek Silveira (8-0, 4 KOs) at TD Garden in Boston Saturday night.
The Filipino press reports a possible super bantamweight showdown between WBO champ Nonito Donaire (31-1, 20 KOs), a top-five pound-for-pound fighter, and WBA champ Guillermo Rigondeaux is in the works. No details yet, but Top Rank promoter Bob Arum is reportedly looking at April 27.
Rigondeaux is something of a living legend in Cuba. As an amateur, he was two-time world champion and a two-time Olympic champion. He won the WBA title in his ninth pro fight. Now fighting out of Miami, he's 11-0 with 8 knockouts.
It looks like the long awaited rematch between IBF super middleweight champion Carl Froch (30-2, 22 KOs) and WBA champion Mikkel Kessler (46-2, 35 KOs) will happen April 27 in Great Britain.
In their first meeting in the Super Six Tournament, Kessler took Froch's WBC title with a unanimous decision, but then had to pull out of the tournament and vacate the title because of an eye injury. He came back to win the WBA belt last December with a third-round TKO over Britain's Brian Magee.
Froch, meanwhile, won the IBF belt from Lucian Bute in Nottingham, England.
Wait, there's more. Adonis "Superman" Stevenson (19-1, 16 KOs) had hoped to get a title shot against Froch, but is now targeting a possible interim title fight.
If he is successful, that would mean he would fight the next ranked fighter for the interim belt, which would probably pair him with Edwin Rodriguez of Worcester (22-0, 15 KOs). And that, boys and girls, would be a helluva fight.
Bob Hanna covers boxing for The Standard-Times. Contact him at email@example.com


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Kelly Clarkson Does 'Call Me Maybe' Pose With Carly Rae Jepsen + Justin Bieber
Kelly Clarkson met both Justin Bieber and Carly Rae Jepsen while across the pond in London. The newly-blonde 'Duets' judge tweeted a photo of the threesome (along with several other folks) doing the 'Call Me Maybe' pose.
What's the 'Call Me Maybe' pose? Simple. You use your hand like a telephone receiver. An old-fashioned telephone receiver, mind you. Could this "trend" take off, like planking did last year? Remember planking? That trend faded quickly as these things tend to do. But perhaps Call Me Maybe-ing could be 2012′s planking and have some staying power, since it is accompanied by a smash song? You never know.
While we love that the three pop stars posed together, mimicking the lyrics of Jepsen's infectious and addictive hit song, we wish that they would have maybe engaged in an impromptu a capella version of the song and then posted video footage so we could enjoy that! Now that would have been amazing. But we'll take the photo for now!
Below is Clarkson's tweet, featuring the adorable photo.
Met @carlyraejepson & @justinbieber at Ball in London! Both are so sweet! Here's our "call me, maybe" pose ha! twitter.com/kelly_clarkson…
— Kelly Clarkson (@kelly_clarkson) June 9, 2012


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Students learn about potatoes
BLACKFOOT — Farmers brought potato products to the Irving Kindergarten Center in Blackfoot Tuesday.
"We're doing this because it's important to this community," said Irving Kindergarten principal J Thayne. "Students get to see where potatoes really come from.
"In the past, we would get students out into the fields but because of budget cuts, there are no field trips," Thayne said.
The Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) organized "Spud Day."
Students learned how potatoes are raised.
"Potatoes need soil dirt, rain and sun," said kindergartner Karson Lindsay.
Students "taste-tested" potatoes. Students sampled hash browns, potato chips and French fries.


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Braves after top talent, not specific player, in Draft
ATLANTA -- After spending most of Thursday discussing and evaluating their targets, Braves scouting director Tony DeMacio and a number of his top scouts escaped from the bowels of Turner Field to watch batting practice and interact with some of the Major Leaguers they have found for the organization.
As they watched the Braves roll toward Thursday night's convincing win over the Blue Jays, the scouts were staring at the fruits of their labor. Six members of Atlanta's starting lineup were homegrown products, and two others -- Justin Upton and Chris Johnson -- were acquired from the D-backs in exchange for five players the Braves had developed.
ATLANTA -- After spending most of Thursday discussing and evaluating their targets, Braves scouting director Tony DeMacio and a number of his top scouts escaped from the bowels of Turner Field to watch batting practice and interact with some of the Major Leaguers they have found for the organization.
As they watched the Braves roll toward Thursday night's convincing win over the Blue Jays, the scouts were staring at the fruits of their labor. Six members of Atlanta's starting lineup were homegrown products, and two others -- Justin Upton and Chris Johnson -- were acquired from the D-backs in exchange for five players the Braves had developed.
After 2009 first-round selection Mike Minor tossed seven strong innings, Alex Wood ended Thursday's game with a scoreless ninth inning in what was his Major League debut. One year earlier, Wood was completing his days at the University of Georgia without any clue that he was just a few days away from being drafted by the Braves in the second round.
"I think our guys have done a great job of recommending the right guys," said DeMacio, who has overseen each of Atlanta's past three Drafts.
The Braves lost their first-round selection in this year's First-Year Player Draft because they signed free agent B.J. Upton this past winter. But because they also lost Michael Bourn via free agency, they were compensated with what will be the 31st overall selection.
"We're going to go with who we believe is the best available," DeMacio said. "If it's a pitcher, we'll go with a pitcher. If it's a player, we'll go with a player."
The 2013 First-Year Player Draft will take place Thursday through Saturday, beginning with the Draft preview show on MLB.com and MLB Network on Thursday at 6 p.m. ET. Live Draft coverage from MLB Network's Studio 42 begins at 7 p.m., with the top 73 picks being streamed on MLB.com and broadcast on MLB Network. Rounds 3-10 will be streamed live on MLB.com on Friday, beginning with a preview show at 12:30 p.m., and Rounds 11-40 will be streamed live on MLB.com on Saturday, starting at 1 p.m.
MLB.com's coverage includes Draft Central, the Top 100 Draft Prospects list and Draft Tracker, a live interactive application that includes a searchable database of Draft-eligible players. You can also keep up to date by following @MLBDraft on Twitter. And get into the Draft conversation by tagging your tweets with #mlbdraft.
With four of the first 133 selections in this year's Draft, DeMacio and his staff will be looking to find the best available talent within a pool that is not as deep as it has been the previous few years.
The Braves selected hard-throwing right-hander Lucas Sims from suburban Atlanta's Brookwood High School with their first-round selection last year. DeMacio's first selection in the 2011 Draft was Florida State University's Sean Gilmartin, a left-hander who is currently a part of Triple-A Gwinnett's starting rotation.
"The overall talent throughout the country is not as deep as it has been the last couple of years," DeMacio said. "But you still have to pick them, and somebody has to play in the big leagues."
In about 50 words
With an abundance of impressive young pitchers already in Atlanta and others existing within their farm system, the Braves could attempt to strengthen their farm system with offensive players. Looking toward the future, some positions that could draw interest include second base, third base and each of the outfield spots.
The scoop
"You've just got to keep taking the best guys you can for the organization. You don't worry about needs. You just keep taking them and hope there is enough to fill the needs for the Major League club." -- DeMacio
First-round buzz
In his first Mock Draft, MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo predicted the Braves would take Travis Demeritte, a third baseman out of Georgia's Winder Barrow High School, with their first selection. In his second Mock Draft, Mayo believed that this pick will be used to take Tim Anderson, a shortstop from Mississippi's East Central Community College.
Money matters
Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, each team has an allotted bonus pool equal to the sum of the values of that club's selections in the first 10 rounds of the Draft. The more picks a team has, and the earlier it picks, the larger the pool. The signing bonuses for a team's selections in the first 10 rounds, plus any bonus greater than $100,000 for a player taken after the 10th round, will apply toward the bonus-pool total.
Any team going up to five percent over its allotted pool will be taxed at a 75-percent rate on the overage. A team that overspends by 5-10 percent gets a 75-percent tax plus the loss of a first-round pick. A team that goes 10-15 percent over its pool amount will be hit with a 100-percent penalty on the overage and the loss of a first- and second-round pick. Any overage of 15 percent or more gets a 100-percent tax plus the loss of first-round picks in the next two Drafts.
The Braves' allotted bonus pool will total slightly more than $4.52 million. The approximate average of the bonuses given to the first 10 players they select will equate to approximately $452,000. The suggested bonus figure for the 31st overall selection is $1,704,200.
Shopping list
While Johnson will make his bid as he now serves as Atlanta's everyday third baseman, there is not a clear-cut third baseman of the future within the organization. Joey Terdoslavich was moved to the outfield last year, and Edward Salcedo's defensive shortcomings at third base might also move him to the outfield. The need to find catchers has been minimized as Evan Gattis has found immediate success in the Majors and Christian Bethancourt has shown signs of life with his bat.
Trend watch
DeMacio has essentially gone with what the Draft has provided him over the past three years. He resurrected the organization's tradition of taking top local talent by taking Sims and Wood with last year's first two selections. He took college players with each of his first 10 selections in 2011 and with seven of his first 10 selections last year.
• Recent Draft History •
Rising fast
The Braves are very appreciative of the determination veteran scout Brian Bridges showed as he fought for Wood to be selected in last year's second round. The left-hander with an unorthodox delivery made a solid first impression during Spring Training and got the quick call to the Majors last week to strengthen Atlanta's injury-depleted bullpen. He might be a starting pitcher in the future. But he has already shown the capability of being a solid late-inning option for Atlanta.
Cinderella story
There is no story better than Gattis, who spent four years away from baseball before veteran scout Gerald Turner convinced the Braves to take him in the 23rd round of the 2010 Draft. Gattis' tremendous power and flair for the dramatic have enabled him to become one of the top early National League Rookie of the Year candidates. He will likely serve as Atlanta's starting catcher by the start of the 2014 season.
In The Show
The last remaining member of the Baby Braves, Brian McCann was taken in the second round of the 2002 Draft. With two of their top four selections in 2007, the Braves selected Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman. One year later, they used their third-round selection on their dominant closer Craig Kimbrel. With its earliest selection since '91, Atlanta used the seventh overall selection in the '09 Draft on Minor, who arrived at the big league level one year later. Simmons, Gattis and Wood have all made their way to the Majors after being drafted within the past three years
Braves' recent top picks
2012: Lucas Sims, RHP, Class A Rome
2011: Sean Gilmartin, LHP, Triple-A Gwinnett
2010: Matt Lipka, SS, High-A Lynchburg
2009: Mike Minor, LHP, Atlanta Braves
2008: Brett DeVall, LHP, N/A
Mark Bowman is a reporter for MLB.com.


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Unorthodox Ways to Lose Weight
By Jo Ann LeQuang
It's weight-loss season and no matter how much you know about diets and exercise, you cannot help but get caught up in the hype. Yes, we all know that crash diets don't work. Yes, we all know that plans made in January are jettisoned in February. But we can't help ourselves. So instead of denying ourselves this seasonal ritual, let's go with some new approaches. Here are seven unusual ways to help you lose weight.