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Dobje 20a
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Phone: +38637471966
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Library details: Dobje Primary School Library is a School library.
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Beachwood Sports ArchiveA monthly look back
Beachwood Sports VideoPlease Stop Believing 99 Years of Cub Losses The 1908 Song Blame It On Bartman We Can't Wait 100 Years Dusty Must Get Fired
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Reminiscing With Bobby Winkles
Bobby Winkles had been kicking around the White Sox organization for seven seasons, with stops in places like Colorado Springs, Waterloo, Memphis, Tulsa and Indianapolis, when in 1958 the old catcher Walker Cooper, who was the Indianapolis manager, called him into his office and said, "There's just one thing that's keeping you out of the major leagues."
"You tell me, and I'll work on it," replied the eager young infielder.
"Your ability," deadpanned Cooper.
Soon after, Winkles' days as a player were finished.
The book hardly closed on Winkles' baseball career when the Sox released him, though; He eventually made it back to the big leagues after establishing himself as one of the greatest college coaches ever.
The year was 1959, and Arizona State was starting a baseball program. The university turned to Winkles.
"I started the team," Winkles, 82, told me last week at the Hot Stove League Luncheon in Palm Desert, California, hosted by a retired Los Angeles Times baseball writer. "I started with no scholarships, and we had to build a field. They didn't have one."
Meanwhile, archrival University of Arizona in Tucson was a national powerhouse. "When we played them when I first got there, we used to hope that we could get in nine innings before dark because they'd have so damn many runs," said Winkles. "Four years later we caught them."
Not only did Winkles and the Sun Devils catch Arizona, but he recruited the likes of Reggie Jackson, Rick Monday and Sal Bando to ASU, resulting in national titles in 1965, '67, and '69. After leaving ASU in 1971, Bobby was elected to the College Baseball Hall of Fame, and the field at Arizona State bears his name.
Then the Swifton, Arkansas, native quickly returned to the diamond as a coach with the California Angels.
"I never applied for a job in 43 years," said Winkles. "Somebody always came to me. And that's what I feel proud about."
Angels owner Gene Autry promoted Winkles to manager in 1973, and the Angels went 79-83 as attendance rose by more than 300,000. With Nolan Ryan leading the pitching staff, Winkles was confident that the Angels were going to take off.
"They had terrible teams because Mr. Autry wouldn't spend any money," Winkles lamented. "When we won 79, I think he's going to make some trades, and we're going to get some players because we had the pitching."
But no moves were made, other than replacing Winkles midway through the '74 season.
If Winkles thought he was working for a cheap, quirky owner in Autry, his next stop was Oakland where Charley Finley had depleted his championship teams of the early 70s. The former college coaching legend managed the A's for parts of the 1977 and '78 seasons.
"I just couldn't take his crap anymore," Winkles said. "[I'd be up] every morning at 6 o'clock. When you're the manager, you get home at 12 or 12:30 every night. At 2 o'clock he's calling, 'Why didn't you do this, why didn't you run that guy?' We're leading the league by two games. So I said, 'Well, I'm going to quit on top. Now's the time I'm going to do it.' He was a miserable guy."
Finley didn't appreciate his manager walking out on him. "Mr. Finley said, 'That little Arizona State SOB is not gonna get another job 'til November because he quit on me. He's a quitter," said Winkles.
No doubt much to Finley's chagrin, White Sox general manager Roland Hemond came calling right away, hiring Winkles as third-base coach.
The next season, 1979, Bill Veeck named Don Kessinger, the former standout shortstop with the Cubs, as player-manager.
"I was the third-base coach, but I did all of the spring training for him [Kessinger]," said Winkles. "I did everything for him. Finally it got to him. About July he said it's not worth it. I can't do this anymore. So then they brought in Tony [LaRussa], and I was with Tony for three years as a third base coach."
These were memorable times in Sox history with LaRussa, just 34, beginning his long, successful managerial career, and the Sox being sold in 1981 to Jerry Reinsdorf, who entered just in time for the players to strike from June until the end of August.
"When we had the strike, the White Sox kept paying the coaches, and they sent us to the different [minor league] teams," remembered Winkles. "They sent me to Appleton, WI. One day we're sitting in the stands, and I get a call from Roland Hemond. He says, 'Bob, I'd like to have breakfast with you tomorrow.'
"I don't know what he's doing. Am I doing something wrong here or whatever? He says, 'We got a proposition for you. Jerry [Reinsdorf] said to me, "Roland, I'm tired of paying these big babies money. I want you to get the best teacher in the United States, and we're going to raise our own." So Roland looked at him and said, 'Well, you got him coaching third right now,' which was quite a compliment for me."
The Sox made Winkles director of player personnel and named current Tigers' president-general manager David Dombrowski, a native of Palos Heights who already was working in the Sox front office, as scouting director. Players like Ron Kittle, Greg Walker, Britt Burns, and Richard Dotson were schooled in the Sox farm system and later contributed to the 1983 team that won 99 games, running away with the division by 20 games.
"When I took the job [the Sox farm system was rated] 24th," according to Winkles. "Three years later we were third. David Dombrowski and I were partners. We just got along like that. I still call him. He was in his 20s and just getting started."
Bobby Winkles seems like he's always just getting started. The down-home, good-ol'-boy humor, the enthusiasm and energy propel him from one story to the next.
Like the night while managing the Angels when Nolan Ryan, having thrown more than 160 pitches, was tiring in the eighth inning of a one-run game.
"He walked the first two guys, and I went out there," Winkles said. "I say, 'Nolan, you're getting the ball up. Managers know the ball starts getting up, you're getting a little tired. Looks like I ought to take you out.' He says, 'Can I ask you a question?' I said, 'Oh yeah, go ahead.' He said, 'Would you rather have a tired Nolan Ryan or that guy you got warming up?' I said, 'Go get 'em, Nolan.'"
By this time the room had emptied out so that only Winkles, myself, and one other listener remained. I got the impression the venerable baseball man was just getting warmed up. "Baseball's all about the stories," Winkles concluded. And you would be hard-pressed to find anyone who tells them better.
Roger Wallenstein is our man on the White Sox. He welcomes your comments.
The Beachwood Radio Sports Hour #235: Bears, Cubs Hangovers
Both teams and their fans suffering, but in very different ways. Including: There Is No There There; So, A Chiefs-Saints Super Bowl!; Manny Mania; Wrong Way Ricketts Wrecking Ball; Boiberg; and Bleak Blackhawks.Continue reading "The Beachwood Radio Sports Hour #235: Bears, Cubs Hangovers" »
Posted on Jan 18, 2019

subset: commoncrawl


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U.S. Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission
Meeting of July 18, 2012 – Public Input into the Development of EEOC's Strategic Enforcement Plan
Madam Chair, Commissioners Barker, Feldblum and Lipnic. Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on the EEOC's Strategic Plan for 2012-2016. Long-term strategic planning is a necessity for any organization. Without goals and objectives there can be no direction. As with all strategic plans though, the devil, as it were, is in the details.
At the outset, let me say that I have on occasion been a critic of the Commission and, perhaps at times, even a caustic critic. That doesn't mean that I do not deeply appreciate the service that you give to this Commission in its important mission and, in turn, the service that you render to our nation. I thank you for that service and for your contributions. I criticize, because like you, I care and I care deeply about enforcement of our employment discrimination laws.
Federal sector EEO has long been in need of significant reform. Last year, in an interview with Commissioner Feldblum for the preface of my annual EEO Guide, I described the latest reform effort via a proposed rulemaking as putting a band-aid on a patient who is hemorrhaging. As I recall, Commissioner Feldblum did not dispute that characterization of the federal sector process. Many of us in this field have participated in past reform efforts—most recently, a task force on the hearing process headed by former Commissioner Ishimaru and one on the quality and timeliness of investigations as well as the potential conflict of interest in agencies investigating themselves headed by former Commissioner Griffin. Suffice it to say that there has been little in the way of results from those efforts. If you sense a degree of frustration in my comments, your perception is correct. While I realize the past failures at federal sector reform did not occur on your watch, the fact that there is no specific individual to blame for those failures does little to ameliorate the frustration. Confidence in the federal sector system continues to erode and I sit before you today knowing that your best intentions will do little to abate that erosion. Immediate and concrete actions are required.
This is not the time for studies or amorphous long-range plans with lofty goals that lack detail. More studies will only reveal what past studies have already confirmed. As terms expire and appointments are confirmed, Commissioners come and go. In the past, this has meant that we study the same problems that have already been studied. Studies take time. Recommendations must be developed from those studies and, again, that takes time. Then, of course, those recommendations need to be implemented through rulemaking and the issuance of management directives and other guidance. That takes even more time. By then, we have a substantially new Commission and the process starts all over again. In the meantime, we continue to be plagued by some of the problems that have haunted the process for not just years, but decades.
Your strategic plan with an objective of developing a new case inventory system that categorizes cases is certainly a worthy objective, as is having in place a To Be Determined percentage of hearings and appeals evaluated under a new Federal Sector Quality Control Plan. However, on some level, I can't help thinking about the Bluth family from Arrested Development and their attempts at a fundraiser for a disease To Be Announced. But this is not a sit-com. Four-year plans with vague goals and objectives that leave details to be filled in later will not stop the patient from hemorrhaging. There are some things I think that can and must done immediately irrespective of any strategic plan.
I have come to believe that the most pressing issue in the federal sector is clear and definitive guidance on the role of agency counsel during the agency processing of an EEO complaint, particularly during the investigation stage. The agency head is charged under 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-16(b) with complying with all rules, regulations, instructions and orders issued by the EEOC to discharge its statutory mandate in the federal sector. By regulation at 29 C.F.R. § 1614.108(b), an agency is required to prepare an "impartial and appropriate" factual record of an EEO complaint. EEOC Management Directive 110 further makes clear that agency heads must not permit intrusion by the legal defense arm of an agency into the EEO investigative process.
Despite what is a clear prohibition on agency defense counsel intruding into the investigative process, in far too many agencies and in far too many instances agency defense counsel routinely insert themselves into the investigative process. That intrusion takes various forms from agency defense counsel determining what questions an EEO investigator can ask of agency witnesses to reviewing the under oath statements of agency managers prior to submission to the investigator to actually drafting under oath statements for agency managers to submit to investigators. When drafts of those statements are sought by complainants, agency defense counsel assert attorney-client and attorney work product privilege. In addition to both the impropriety and appearance of impropriety that these practices create, precious resources go into motions to compel discovery, motions for sanctions, and motions for reconsideration of rulings of the administrative judge.
These practices go to the very heart of the integrity of the EEO process. Little will be accomplished by improving the timeliness of case processing, including the timeliness of the completion of investigations, if this practice is allowed to continue unabated. Simply having quicker investigations will not restore confidence in the system unless we also have investigations that are fair and unbiased in fact and appearance. Because the Commission's current guidance is obviously not sufficient for those who engage in these practices, we need definitive, emphatic and crystal clear mandatory guidance on the role of agency counsel in the EEO process.
There is, in my estimation, no role whatsoever for agency defense counsel in an EEO complaint prior to the request for a hearing with one exception. Management Directive 110, Chapter 3, VII, A, already contains an exception that "both parties" are entitled to representation during Alternative Dispute Resolution. I believe that there is a proper role for agency defense counsel, and indeed a highly beneficial role, in ADR and other resolution efforts. During settlement discussions both the complainant and the agency benefit from legal advice on the proper scope of remedies, the proper parameters of settlement and the legality of any resulting agreement.
I want to be clear that this is not some campaign against agency defense counsel. I hold many I have worked with over the years in the highest regard. Their integrity is beyond reproach. But as with all things a few bad apples can spoil the barrel. It's time to rid the barrel of those apples before all confidence in the system is lost.
It is my understanding that draft guidance on this subject has existed for years but has never been issued. That guidance should be issued without delay.
I also believe that we need to revise the manner in which the EEOC issues decisions in federal sector cases. Quite simply, the Office of Federal Operations issues too many written decisions. We have seen vast improvements in the quality and consistency of federal sector decisions issued by OFO under the direction of Carlton Hadden. Yet, we still see OFO issue decisions, which at times are conflicting and other times contain muddled and unclear analysis. This is not, in my estimation, a quality problem. It's a quantity problem. By the time a case reaches OFO, the parties already have a written decision in the form of a Final Agency Decision or a decision of an EEOC Administrative Judge. In the majority of cases, another written decision does nothing to clarify or advance the law. There is, in my opinion, no reason to expend precious resources writing yet another decision when the decision below is correct. A short-form decision affirming the decision below would suffice. Utilizing short-form decisions would allow OFO to free up resources to write decisions that are concise and focus on those cases that would resolve conflicts in existing Commission case law or advance the existing case law. Greater precision in the case law translates into improved predictability as to the outcome of cases for those of us involved in the process. In my opinion, improved predictability would result in fewer complaints being filed, fewer complaints being pursued whether it's by the complainant or the agency and more cases being settled.
While the Commission has now issued several decisions imposing default judgment on agencies as a sanction, it continues a practice of not imposing a similar sanction on complainants who engage in contumacious conduct during the processing of their complaints. The harshest sanction levied against such complainants is a cancelation of their hearing request and a remand to the agency for a final decision on the record. Of course, that decision also comes with appeal rights to the EEOC. It makes no sense that an agency's resources should continue to be expended on a complainant who engages in contumacious conduct. Dismissal of the complaint should be the sanction. Yes, that complainant would still have EEOC appeal rights but we would eliminate the unnecessary step of having the agency issue a final agency decision on the record. This is particularly an unnecessary step given the fact that such complainants have little or no chance of succeeding on the merits of a final decision on the record.
The federal sector EEO process is significantly different from the private sector EEO process. Yet, those who administer the federal sector process are split between the Office of Federal Operations and the Office of Field Programs. Notably, the Commission's Administrative Judges are assigned to the Office of Field Programs even though it is the Office of Federal Operations that, in a sense, monitors the quality of the work of those Judges through the appellate process. One way to achieve greater consistency in the Commission's processing of federal sector complaints is to have one organizational entity that contains all federal sector functions. I fully understand the organizational "turf wars" that such a move can engender. But, organizational "turf wars" and internal resistance are not sufficient reasons to sacrifice improving the quality and consistency of federal sector operations.
Finally, I return to the recommendations of Commissioners Ishimaru and Griffin and the notion that we don't need more studies. What we need are actions. The Commission should appoint a task force with an outside deadline of no more than six months to work from those recommendations and bring forward a comprehensive proposal for reform of the federal sector process. In turn, the Commission must impose a similar deadline on itself to bring forward the necessary proposed rulemaking, management directives and other guidance to fully implement significant federal sector reform.
As Commissioners, you must disabuse yourselves of the notion that general consensus can be achieved on these reforms. This notion has continually derailed past reform efforts. The interests represented in the federal sector are simply too diverse to achieve general consensus. Can we achieve consensus on some issues? Certainly. In other areas what is needed is not consensus, but leadership. Leadership sometimes requires making hard decisions that will make some people unhappy. It is, however, the commitment you made when you took the oath of office. We look to you now for that leadership.
I genuinely thank you for the opportunity to share my views with you.


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The History of Castine
Though not officially established as a town until 1796, Castine's history stretches back to the earliest North American exploration. Samuel de Champlain, the great French colonizer, first marked the peninsula on a geographic chart in 1612. A group of English colonists from Plymouth, Massachusetts established a trading post in the 1620's, and about a decade later, the French built Fort Pentagöet on the Bagaduce River (the site is marked today with a cross near the Roman Catholic chapel). The Castine area – known as Majabigwaduce at that time - changed hands many times during the next 70 years as French, English, and Dutch colonial powers battled over territory.
In 1674, authorities in Quebec sent French nobleman Baron Jean Vincent d'Abbie de St. Castin down to recover parts of the Penobscot River lands from the Dutch. After the Dutch were expelled, St. Castin stayed on to set up a trading post in Majabigwaduce, and married into the indigenous Tarratine Indian tribe. Over the next 25 years, St. Castin played an active role in Maine during the North American Colonial Wars - even earning a poetic tribute from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow as "The Baron of St. Castin." He eventually returned to France, where he died in 1707. The town of Castine was officially named after the adventurous Baron in 1796, and continues to bear that moniker more than two centuries later.
The first permanent settlers appeared in Castine during the 1760's. By then, the area was under mostly English authority, and remained occupied by British forces during the American Revolution – including the construction of Fort George in 1779. The Treaty of Paris that ended the Revolution, however, relocated the geographic boundary between British and U.S. territories, and most of Castine's English settlers had left for Canada by 1784. After another brief occupation during the War of 1812, the rest of the British military finally departed in 1815.
Between then and the start of the American Civil War, Castine enjoyed great prosperity from fishing, lumber transport, and the salt trade. (In fact, one source in 1850 noted Castine as the second-wealthiest U.S. town per capita.) When the Civil War began in 1861, Castine sent 157 men to serve under the Union flag. The statue standing today on the Village Green was erected in 1881, in memory of those soldiers and sailors.
Castine's seafaring prosperity declined after the Civil War, as railroads and steamboats made sailing ships obsolete. The 1880s and 1890s brought tourists and "rusticators" to the peninsula instead, and Castine thrived as a summer community of hotels, elaborate homes, and leisure attractions (including the current 9-hole golf course). By the 1920s, however, automobiles began replacing railroads and steamboats, and Castine's tourism slowly changed.
The founding of the Maine Maritime Academy in 1941 finally gave Castine a new start as a year-round community. Today, the town harbors a population of about 1,300, about half of which are college students at the Academy. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, Castine's population more than doubles with summer residents and visitors by land and sea.


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Mr. Dreier ("Pastor should apologize for remarks," June 15) unfairly castigates the good pastor Griem for anti-Semitism. Unfortunately for Dreier, the rising tide of worldwide anti-Semtism can't be laid at the feet of Griem.
The ever-increasing hatred of the Jewish people rests upon several factors.
First, as our world increasingly rejects individualism and turns ever more collectivist, racism grows because racism is the primitive form of collectivism. Anti-Semitism is the oldest and most traditional form of racism so it easily resurfaces; but why, specifically, worldwide anti-Semitism? Certainly not because of a small religious cult in Montrose headed by Griem.
The answer lies in the ever-rising tide of Islam. Islam as such is not strictly a religion. It is a totalitarian ideology bent on imposing worldwide Sharia law. The Koran, available at any local bookstore, is read by few people outside of Islam. From nearly every page, the Koran commands believers to kill the infidel, kill the sodomite, kill the Jew and dominate women into complete submission. The evermore frequent terrorist attacks on westerners and Jews with the killers screaming "Allah Akbar" cannot be ignored. If we do, then our civilization is doomed.
So perhaps Dreier should turn his attention to a more promising target.
Ray Shelton


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Use of a biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) taken either with or without a non-biologic DMARD was associated with a small but nonsignificant increase in high-grade cervical dysplasia or cervical cancer in women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a large population-based study found.
In a cohort of women enrolled in Medicaid, the risk for women on a biologic agent developing either high-grade cervical dysplasia or cervical cancer was 25% higher than for their counterparts taking non-biologic DMARDs, with a hazard ratio of 1.25 (95% CI 0.78-2.01), reported Seoyoung C. Kim, MD, ScD, of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, and colleagues.
Among those enrolled in a commercial health plan, the hazard ratio was 1.63 (95% CI 0.62-4.27), and when the Medicaid and commercial plan groups were pooled, the hazard ratio was a nonsignificant 1.32 (95% CI 0.86-2.01), Kim and colleagues reported in Arthritis & Rheumatology.
In addition, rates of gynecologic procedures associated with cervical dysplasia were similar in the biologic and the non-biologic DMARD groups as well as between women in Medicaid and those enrolled in a commercial health plan.
"Persistent infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) is a risk factor for high-grade cervical dysplasia ... and cervical cancer. It has been hypothesized that viral reactivation from a latent state and/or impaired innate and cellular immune responses in patients with immunocompromised conditions or on immunosuppressive treatment such as biologic or non-biologic DMARDs would reduce clearance of HPV infection and thus lead to persistent HPV infection," the researchers noted.
"We hypothesized that the risk of high-grade cervical dysplasia or cervical cancer and the use of cervical dysplasia-related gynecologic procedures would be higher in patients initiating a biologic DMARD than in those initiating a non-biologic DMARD."
The team used data from Medicaid as well as from two commercial health plans to identify women with RA who were new users of a biologic agent with and without simultaneous use of a non-biologic DMARD. Those identified were then paired with users of non-biologic DMARDs alone.
The final cohort included 14,729 propensity score-matched pairs of women from Medicaid who had started either a biologic or a non-biologic DMARD and 7,538 propensity score-matched pairs of women from the commercial health plans. The mean age in the Medicaid cohort was 46, compared with 50 for the women in the commercial health plan cohort.
Over 92% of the biologic agents used by women in the two cohorts were TNF inhibitors, and the mean duration of treatment with a biologic was 2 years for women on Medicaid and 1.7 years for women in the commercial health plans.
"During 73,388 person-years of active treatment with either biologic or non-biologic DMARDs, 95 cases of high-grade cervical dysplasia or cervical cancer occurred in the two cohorts," the researchers reported.
The incidence ratio of high-grade cervical dysplasia or cervical cancer per 1,000 person-years was 1.59 (95% CI 1.20-2.11) among women on Medicaid given a biologic compared with 1.21 (95% CI 0.83-1.76) in women treated with a non-biologic DMARD. Among women enrolled in commercial health plans, the incidence ratios were 1.12 (95% CI 0.66-1.89) and 0.70 (95% CI 0.31-1.56), respectively.
The incidence ratio per 1,000 person-years of a woman undergoing a gynecologic procedure related to cervical dysplasia was 135.8 (129.1-142.8) for biologic users in Medicaid and 192.3 (95% CI 184.8-200.2) for biologic users in a commercial health plan. The incidence ratios for women not taking biologics were 137.3 per 1,000 (95% CI 128.9-146.2) and 188.6 per 1,000 (179.6-198.1), respectively.
Limitations of the study included the use of a claims-based algorithm to identify patients with RA and the relatively short follow-up time.
In addition, since approximately 60% of patients taking biologics were also on methotrexate or other conventional DMARDs, the researchers were unable to determine what the risks might have been when analyzed by biologic use alone.
"The absolute risk of high-grade cervical dysplasia or cervical cancer was low in both treatment groups," Kim and colleagues concluded. "Since cervical cancer is preventable and may be slightly more common in women using biologic DMARDs, it remains important to have continuous efforts to maintain both patients' and physicians' awareness of the importance of HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening. "
Asked to comment on the study, Sunanda Kane, MD, of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., pointed out that the effect size from the biologics as assessed in this study was less than two-fold and some even less than 30%, making the clinical relevance of the findings "suspect."
"Biologics are extremely effective at treating many chronic inflammatory conditions, including RA, inflammatory bowel disease [IBD], and psoriasis," she told MedPage Today in an email. "And prior work in women with IBD and biologic exposure has not demonstrated an increased risk [in cervical dysplasia]."
Where the risk lies is with the use of the thiopurines including azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine, as both of these agents suppress a patient's ability to fight off viruses, she added.
"As pointed out by the study authors, it is HPV that drives the risk for cervical dysplasia and cancer."
The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health.
The authors disclosed financial relationships with Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Lilly, Genentech, Aetion, Novartis, Genentech, Boehringer Ingelheim, AstraZeneca, Amgen, and the FDA.
Kane reported financial relationships with UCB and AbbVie.
- Reviewed by Henry A. Solomon, MD, FACP, FACC Clinical Associate Professor, Weill Cornell Medical College and Dorothy Caputo, MA, BSN, RN, Nurse Planner
last updated


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If I get the time, and my trusty associate Dan is on MSN, I'll also be relaying some tweets from people about the debate. If you're reading this, you too can join in the fun! Tweet me at @ewarwoowar86 with something funny/interesting about the debate and I'll endeavour to put it up on here. Shit man, we're going interactive!
19:54 Now that I've introduced myself, it's time to introduce the protagonists.
In the RED corner - Our Supreme Leader, Gordon Brown. The hard man from Scotland, Gordon is looking to preserve his place as Prime Minister. To do so, you can't help thinking he'll need a good night tonight. You also can't help thinking that's unlikely.
In the BLUE corner - David "Dave" Cameron. The man who your Granny would see on the TV and say "Oooh, isn't he a nice man?" - David is the leader of the Conservatives, as well as being married to the towering monolith that is "SamCam". He is the bookies favourite to not only "win" this debate, but also to win the election.
In the YELLOW(?) corner - Nick Clegg. He is a Liberal Democrat. They elected him as their leader, as Vince Cable was too busy being a National Treasure. Clegg is in a good position tonight, as at least 3m people will turn on to watch the debate, turn to their partner and say "Who's he then?!" and at the very least get some exposure.
Moderating - Alastair Stewart. He would like to be known as being a presenter on News at 10. I know him as the guy who was sacked from the splendid "Police! Camera! Action!" show, for drink-driving.
20:06 20 minutes to go, and I imagine that the contenders are feeling pretty nervous right now. Hell, I'm nervous for them. Hey, did anyone see the look our Dark Lord Mandelson gave Nick Robinson today when he asked Brown a slightly amusing question? It was splendid.
20:10 The odds from William Hill in terms of the public's winner:
David Cameron - 5/6
Nick Clegg - 15/8
Gordon Brown - 7/2
20:13 Okay, the debate is 17 minutes away. I'm just going to take a brief time-out, and get some snacks and drinks ready, as this promises to be an exhilarating night.
Oh, by the way - if you're expecting heavyweight politics from me tonight, forget that right now. The very nature of live-blogging means that I'm strapped for time, so I tend to rush out any old nonsense, and I'm certainly not into politics the way others are. Let me put it this way - I'm essentially trying to make this whole thing seem vaguely humorous. It won't be easy, but stay with me.
20:20 A packet of Wotsits and a can of Coke. I know you were wondering.
20:30 Oh my god oh my god oh my god oh my god!
20:32 We're starting late. Boooooo.
20:33 Alastair Stewart's tie is fucking atrocious.
20:35 How interesting, we're starting with "opening statements" which I wasn't expecting. Clegg = good. Brown = rambling about the economy. Cameron = "we're in this together" blah blah.
20:37 It's Gerard Oliver, a retired toxicologist!
20:40 David Cameron wants to lower immigration? Easy - get rid of those Gurkhas!
20:42 "I keep on waiting for Henry Kelly to run out and shout 'Who Am I?'" - Emma Kennedy, @EmmaK67.
That's a reference to the fact that the set looks a bit...err.....dated.
20:48 I'm liking David Cameron addressing the person asking the question by their name. Yes, I'm impressed by the little things.
20:52 Blimey.
20:55 Interesting tie situation - Gordon Brown has plumped for a pink tie, and not a red one. A desperate attempt at the gay vote?
20:56 BROWN THROWS IN A COMMENT ABOUT LORD ASHCROFT! Boom, headshot.
20:58 Goodness, Alastair Stewart is dreadful. Now, next question...it's Helen Ellwood who runs a pub!
21:02 I think Cameron is on the ropes here, you know! Not really helped by his earlier comment of "I met a black man a few days ago".
21:06 Alastair Stewart is absolutely woeful. "MR CLEGG! MR CLEGG!" hollering like a teacher who has lost his class. Dreadful.
21:08 NICK CLEGG LAYING THE SMACKDOWN ABOUT MPs EXPENSES!
21:09 Stewart apologises for making a mistake. I cannot stress just how bad he is.
21:09 WE HAVE A JEW! We have a Jew asking a question!
21:15 Nick Clegg is winning this, y'know! Sorry I can't go deeper than that currently, but he is, trust me.
21:16 Betting in running:
David Cameron - 4/5
Nick Clegg - 13/8
Gordon Brown - 9/2
21:23 "The economy question. We're right at the heart of this election. This is the serious bit. Then we see the candidates in swimwear." - Armando Iannucci, @Alannucci.
21:29 David Cameron is splendid at talking a lot, and saying nothing.
21:33 "After some consideration, I think ITV should have stuck with the original Paddy McGuinness/Take Me Out format for this." - Nat Coombs, @NatCoombs.
21:36 Make no mistake - Tony Blair would have shat on all of these tonight. Not literally.
21:41 David Cameron's notes.
21:44 ITV Poll:
Clegg 51%
Brown 31%
Cameron 18%
I completely agree, Clegg is winning this.
21:45 "Apparently Cameron met a black man. You'll pardon me for not considering that a coherent immigration policy." - Ben Judge, @benjaminjudge.
21:51 Last 10 minutes. I'll be honest, this has been a real trudge - no advert breaks, 90 minutes solid of debating. Well, not debating, more trotting out some party rhetoric and then throwing in an anecdote about someone they've met out and about on the campaign trail.
21:56 Final few minutes. It's been emotional, folks. Hang on....this is only Debate 1 out of 3?! ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
22:00 Oooh, closing statements!
22:04 You know who we need to end this debate? Yes, that's correct.
22:06 In the words of wrestling commentator Jim "JR" Ross - "Bah Gawd, it's over!" A slightly eggy moment at the end there where Brown went to shake hands with audience members, where Clegg and Cameron just stood on the platform like lemons.
22:17 I'm not going to lie - that has left me absolutely shattered. Good luck to whoever wishes to live-blog the other two debates, because it won't be me, that's for sure.
Thanks for all the readers who have read along with me tonight, and the comments so far. God speed to you all - I'm off to bed.


text:
Caffeine is a popular stimulant that helps people to get up and going in the morning. It helps them to wake up and feel alert, and it increases concentration and productivity. Caffeine however, is very addictive and a withdrawal from it often causes headaches, including severe migraines. The headaches usually occur within 12 to 24 hours from the time the last dose of caffeine was taken, and can last anywhere from three to nine days, depending on how bad the individual is hooked on the caffeine.
According to a study done at the John Hopkins School of Medicine, the headaches occur as a result of changes in the brain's electrical activity and changes in the blood flow to the brain. Caffeine constricts blood vessels, and thus stopping caffeine increases the blood flow, which is said to be a factor in causing the headaches.
Other studies have shown that caffeine has a molecule similar to a neurotransmitter, known as adenosine. Since the molecule is similar, it is able to fit perfectly into the adenosine receptors and thereby block the effects of adenosine. Caffeine and adenosine may have a similar molecule, however they have total opposite effects on the body.
Caffeine can cause the blood vessels to constrict, and thereby it increases the release of neurochemicals, which stimulate the body. Adenosine acts as a natural tranquilizer or painkiller when it is within the nervous system, and outside of the nervous system it can cause pain such as headaches and migraines. In large quantities, it can cause the blood vessels to dilate, particularly in the head and neck areas.
When caffeine is consumed for a long period of time, the body becomes more sensitive to adenosine, as the adenosine receptors are occupied by caffeine. This causes the body to release more adenosine and activates more receptors. In addition, the body also slows down the rate at which the adenosine is eliminated from the body. According to medical findings, those who suffer from headaches have higher numbers of adenosine circulating around the head and neck area.
As a result, caffeine can cause headaches and migraines when it is taken in excess amounts, as well as when it is stopped abruptly. A caffeine withdrawal headache is an indicator that too much caffeine is consumed, and the individual should consider reducing the amounts gradually. The headaches caused by caffeine withdrawal are generally harmless, as they will go away as soon as caffeine is reintroduced into the body, or when the effects of it wear off in the body.


text:
DENTON - As redevelopment continues, several new tenants have been signed at the 765,000-sf Golden Triangle Mall.
Buckle is set to occupy 5,040 sf when it opens fall 2013. New food court eateries include Italia Express, Tobu Oriental Eatery and Smoothie Paradise.
Golden Triangle Mall is currently undergoing a total renovation as part of a joint venture between The MGHerring Group and Cencor Realty Services. After completing a $1.25 million interior remodel in late 2012, construction has started on a complete renovation of the East and West mall entrances and the addition of an all-new food court, full-service restaurants and a major fashion retailer.
The $3.5 million renovation is scheduled for a summer 2013 completion.
Read more at GlobeSt.com.
Our twice-weekly e-newsletter provides a quick overview of Texas real estate markets. Because your time is valuable.


text:
Verizon Perspective:
The Business of Risk Management
About this POV Series:
Verizon provides industry-leading IT, security, and communications solutions and consulting services to
businesses, government agencies, and educational institutions around the world. Working closely with a variety
of multinational corporations, we're in a unique position to observe, note, and analyze many of the trends
impacting global enterprises. In this paper, one in a series of point-of-view (POV) papers, we focus on one of the
critical business issues confronting CIOs and other executives, and examine the best ways for them to respond.
Identifying risk and prioritizing risk are standard
practices for all enterprise organizations. What's changed
dramatically is the environment around us. The advance
of technology, the accelerating pace of business, and
exponentially greater degrees of globalization and digital
connectedness all contribute to the growing complexity
of threats and opportunities facing organizations today.
More and more, enterprises are recognizing the
importance of managing all forms of risk—and their
interactions—in a structured way across the organization.
Unfortunately, many fail to understand that implementing
risk management software will only get you so far.
Human behavior must be taken into account when
evaluating the effectiveness of any risk management
program or activity. Incentives and controls are necessary
to motivate decision making in the best interests of the
organization, rather than personal considerations, which
can lead to overly aggressive risk taking—or avoidance—
by key individuals within the company.
Risk and Reward
Business thrives on balancing risk against opportunity.
Organizations that push the boundaries of risk and
explore the margin with some degree of comfort usually
outperform their rivals. The trick is to clearly define your
organization's risk appetite, and then manage against it.
The most effective risk management programs focus on
managing data and behavior to ensure that the right
decisions are being made in all areas of the organization.
Imagine a company that decides to pursue a new business
initiative that relies heavily on partners. Non-disclosure
agreements are required for each company they want to
talk to during the vetting process. Contracts must be signed
before any activity can begin. Lawyers are brought in to
make sure each company is protected from harm in the
relationship. Reviewing contracts and non-disclosure
agreements is a time intensive process. Each redlined
change creates a new review cycle between lawyers on
each side. Some negotiating points are critical to the success
of the relationship; others are less important. Companies
struggle to get through the process in time for partnership
activities to have maximum impact in the market.
When one party is pushing and the other (in the same
company) is worried, either can create a short document
that clearly spells out the potential liability and also
expresses the expected benefit. Both parties keep a copy
and a third is put in a mutually acceptable place. If a loss
occurs, each party is protected from recrimination,
simply because they thought it through and documented
their thinking. This process has proven to be very
effective in various industries. Pilots routinely fill out a
similar NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS)
form whenever they make operational errors. Doing so
provides a similar immunity function by protecting them
from most punitive consequences, and pilots are able to
provide critical operational data that helps drive overall
system safety.
A similar process could also be applied to business
decisions that create risk in terms of data integrity or
information security. Between IT and the business, who
owns the risk and the liability if something goes wrong?
The analysis should always be centered on risk to the
organization, but too often business decision makers
unwittingly push for or resist changes because of potential
risk to themselves. Lawyers are trained to protect the
company against any potential negative outcome of the
agreement. Business leaders weigh the potential revenue
or profit loss associated with a specific negotiating point
against the total value of the relationship. Too often, an
organization's people unknowingly negotiate against the
company's own best interest. A potential loss of $1
million due to a situation that's occurred 2 percent of the
time in the past seems like a reasonable risk to take on an
opportunity with a $20 million in profit.
Being responsible for losing a million dollars of the
company's money is a frightening prospect for a staff
lawyer who worries that it could potentially cost his or
her job. To the business owner, the small risk of losing
some of the profit is negligible compared with losing the
contract. To resolve this conflict, consider putting a
system in place that allows either the business owner or
the lawyer to create an "immunity" form.
This is something to carefully consider and proactively
manage to keep initiatives from bogging down in
functional disputes.
Toward an Enterprise View
One promising approach to managing risk consistently
across the organization is Enterprise Risk Management
(ERM). This isn't a new form of risk management. It's simply
a recognition that risk comes in many forms and the most
appropriate response is open to some interpretation.
Looking at the interplay between operational, financial,
and strategic risks within a business unit provides an
additional layer of insight that isn't possible when risk is
discussed and managed in functional silos.
Done correctly, Enterprise Risk Management could be
one of the most transformative things a company can do
to improve business performance. But ERM is not about
software. It is about transformative decision-making.
With an ERM approach to a risk-based decision, risk
identification and the management of that risk must be
embedded throughout the organization. Managers and
even line personnel need to develop the ability to
identify roadblocks, opportunities, or hazards that could
interfere with strategic organizational goals. Teaching
managers how to evaluate risk to the company, how to
evaluate relative risk, and how to remove themselves
from the equation can be an effective driver of both
empowerment and increased success.
The challenge we see is that many companies are
focusing on the IT issues related to ERM data management
and analysis. It's tempting to focus on data and software
because this is familiar territory. However, the real work lies
in understanding your staff's current behavior related
to risk-taking and changing it so they make better
decisions on behalf of the company. It is about training,
empowerment, and trust in operational risk. Risk aversion
often costs the company significantly more than most
managers believe because it slows decision-making or
sacrifices opportunities—and ultimately revenue. Learning
to trust risk-based decision models and to accept
inevitable but occasional losses at the cost of larger gains
can be empowering to the whole organization.
So, it comes down to training and incentivizing people in
the organization to change the way they approach
decision making. We consistently stress this to clients
who look to our solutions to improve data flow, integrity,
and/or integration for Enterprise Risk Management.
Implementing an ERM system isn't going to improve
decision making if internal cultures and behaviors
aren't addressed.
All businesses are susceptible to losses from uncontrolled
risk. However, those risks can be managed effectively in
order to exploit new opportunities and reduce negative
impacts. To achieve better risk management, organizations
must do more than rely on better information management
and stronger analytics capability. They need to establish
clear lines of accountability and incorporate training and
incentives into the overall risk management process.
© 2010 Verizon. All Rights Reserved.
The Verizon and Verizon Business names and logos and all other names, logos, and slogans identifying Verizon's
products and services are trademarks and service marks or registered trademarks and service marks of Verizon
Trademark Services LLC or its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks and
service marks are the property of their respective owners.
Visit our website at verizonbusiness.com/thinkforward to
explore more strategies related to risk management.
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text:
Tons of people get auto insurances relying on friends and family advice without looking at other insurance companies which is a bad move.
There are many insurance companies that don't provide what they offer, are expensive, have bad customer service or charge unnecessary expensive fees (Thankfully, there are many insurance companies that are good too). This is why you shouldn't get an insurance from a company without checking reviews of it and comparing it to others.
If you are planning to get an auto insurance your best bet is to compare all of the insurance service companies that provide services in your area so you can choose the one that fit your needs while also being the cheapest relative to what you get.
This might be a too laborious task for some and there aren't many websites that compare insurance companies for you. Luckily for you, www.insuus.com exists.
They are a website where you just type your ZIP code and get a list of all insurance companies that work in your area with a quote for each company and useful insurance information which helps you find the best policy.
How To Make Online Quotes
One of the best things about Insurance is that getting quotes is as simple as typing your ZIP code. Here are the steps you have to take to get auto insurance quotes from insuus.com:
- First, go to their website: www.insuus.com
- There you will see a box which says enter ZIP code. Type your ZIP code in the box beside it
Press the green box that says "QUOTE"
- After you click the box, you will be taken to the quoting page where you will need to wait while the site matches you with the best providers.
- You will then be presented with the best prices from multiple companies
If you are not the type of person who enjoys doing online procedures or if it is not convenient for you, you can simply call them at this phone number: (855) 000-0100 to get a free quote.
When calling, our customer servicers will take care of you and explain you the whole process as well as give you the best auto insurance quotes.
→ Advantages of Online Quotes
You may be wondering why should you get car insurance online if you can just get quotes and do it in person.
Well, if you don't already know, getting auto insurance quotes online at www.insuus.com is really simple which is already a great advantage from getting one in person.
Getting quotes in person is really laborious because you have to go directly to the company or representative just to get a quote from that company.
If you want to get the best deal, you have to compare other insurance policies. But doing it in person can take days to even get a decent amount of information about different insurance policies.
Getting auto insurance quotes online is quite the opposite. It is the most convenient way because you can get them at the comfort of your couch, bed, office or wherever you are. And thanks to service, you can compare multiple insurance policies without having to look through many companies' pages. You just have to type their website, then your zip code and that's it!!


text:
When parents Natasha and Daniel Dumais
had trouble finding modern nursery furniture to suit their modern
taste, they decided to create their own.
And so… ubabub was born.
Ubabub (pronounced über-bub) is a line of Australian designed modern nursery furniture. Initially only available throughout Australia, this high-end brand has now come to the US, via a new partnership with The MDB Family. MDB will be adding ubabub to their list of distinguished brands. Call our store locations for a list of Ubabub items on display
Über stylish and practical, ubabub offers a line of ultra-safe, durable and ecologically friendly cribs and furniture. With a distinctly modern aesthetic, the carefully designed and constructed pieces not only add a streamlined modern edge to the nursery, but also bring extra comfort and freedom to parents and babies.
A bit about our family life That's us in the photo above with our three adorable girls (though we are little biased!) Bianca, Sabine and Uma. Our life, probably like yours, is full of love, laughs and LOADS of chaos. Mind you, we wouldn't have it any other way. In between all of this, we're with our 'other' baby ubabub, busy designing thoughtful products to inspire you. Do enjoy!
All our products strictly adhere to American safety standards to provide parents with peace-of-mind that they have invested in a nursery piece that offers optimum safety, practicality and freedom for their baby.
Cots available with our strong and durable clear acrylic panels keep little limbs inside their cot whilst providing parents and bubs with greater visibility and security.
All ubabub cots and beds are low height and contain no side mechanism, thus reducing potential hazards.
- Each piece meets industry standards for child safety.
- Highest quality construction.
- Non-toxic timber finishes.
- Proven to withstand the rigours of child's play.


text:
So I have been very occupied recently and now can finally see the light of day. I haven't been doing too much polymer recently but did manage to fashion some beads and button to enhance this woven purse....I started it during the summer. I have three others to finish as well, but this one is in colours I don't usually go to.
The bag is large enough to encase a standard I-phone and I sewed a pocket into the lining to hold a credit card or keys. The strap is rather long, but that way it can go cross body, an option some people are interested in.
Unfortunately, the huge load of stuff I usually carry in my own purse wouldn't normally fit in this bag, but I tend to carry a "lot" of baggage, lol.


text:
Well it is Monday the 29th and here we are in the Island paradise of Buka. The sun is shining, exotic birds are singing', happy young couples are walking hand in hand through the coconut groves and along the white sand beaches. There is power here so we are enjoying cocktails freshly made at the bar on the beach and the condensation on the frosty glasses sparkles like translucent pearls in the rich tropical sunlight.....
Actually no :-(
We are still on Nukutoa.... a storm has been raging for a few days meaning we are out of solar power and have had to borrow a generator while we wait for the Sankamap to return from Tasman Island where it has been since about last Wednesday or Thursday. First the boat stayed a night at Tasman as it always does and should have left the next day, then there was a party so they stayed another night (most of the crew are from Tasman), then they developed engine trouble and stayed another night then the engine trouble mysteriously went away much like those mysterious headaches one gets after consuming lots of alcoholic beverages. Then it was raining so they couldn't load the cargo. Now finally they're ready go the next day except now the storm is upon them.
Yesterday (Sunday) they tried to load the ship but must've failed due to the weather. Overnight they lost all three of the ship's anchors so now the boat can't keep in position for people to board. Apparently it has to leave the choppy Tasman lagoon and go into the ocean where it will wait for the passengers to come out over the reef in small boats and board the ship in the gentler ocean swells. Going over the reef is no small feat. According to Richard you stand in waist deep water beside your boat on the lagoon side of the reef then when the boat driver feels there is a gap in the breakers everyone clambers in and you head full speed through the waves to the Pacific Ocean beyond.
If this happens successfully today at Tasman the ship will begin the 24 hour trip to Takuu (that's traveling at 6 knots in fair conditions - it will probably be longer with the weather). If the lagoon is calm when it arrives in Takuu, the ship will come through the channel from the ocean and, unable to moor due to lack of anchors, it will steam slowly round the lagoon while we chase it in small fibreglass boats and attempt to board it while still moving....That's plan A.
Plan B (The B is for Ballsy): If the lagoon is choppy we will have to brave the reef as outlined above. Sponsors need have no fear though, because all the gear is insured....right Lyn??? (Ed's note – yes, of course, absolutely).
Luckily my will is up to date. My sister Renee will do very well in the event of a reef crossing calamity, however I fear my wishes for my ashes may go unfulfilled ;-). I'm afraid Briar's next blog may have to be the bequeathing of her worldly possessions.
Meanwhile on Nukutoa Briar is making use of extra time here to get more of our footage translated (although I think our translator Sio is hiding from her) and we will have the chance tomorrow to film the kids back at school, which reopened today after the holidays. At the moment I'm being slowly asphyxiated as I type beside the smokey generator while keeping one eye on my lunch to make sure Briar's rat doesn't eat it.
After lunch Briar has organised to interview Apava, both the oldest and scariest man in the village; he's kind of a cross between Grandpa Sinpson and Hannibal Lector.
Anyway as this is probably my last blog ever and sometime either tomorrow or the next day my body will be dashed to a bloody pulp against the razor sharp coral lying beneath the monster waves that crash upon Takuu's outer reef (affectionately known as 'The Widowmaker'), I have to say to any rich, attractive girls reading who have unspoken desires for me, this may be your last chance to express your true feelings.... Well I'm not really expecting a huge response there, but it's worth a shot.
That is all for now....And perhaps forever..DUMMM DUMMM DUMMMMM (that's my dramatic music outro)
Zane out.
"The Widowmaker" and the wreck of the last ship that tried what we will attempt.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Takuu transport trials continue unabated
Posted by Briar March and Lyn Collie at 1/31/2007 05:32:00 pm
1 comment:
Well, if THAT isn't the most horrible thing to write home to your family and friends half way round the world I don't know what is!!
Lyn, please tell us the moment they are safely on Buka soil and not "dashed to a bloody pulp against the razor sharp coral" as Zane so charmingly puts it.
- 6:46 pm
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text:
Luzerne County Man Sentenced To 12 Years In Prison For Attempting
The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a 29-year-old Forty Fort resident was sentenced today to serve 12 years in federal prison by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Edwin M. Kosik for to attempting to produce child pornography.
According to United States Attorney Peter J. Smith, Joshua Campbell, was previously indicted by a federal grand jury in Kansas in June 2012 for persuading a 12-year-old female to take sexually explicit photographs of herself and transmit them to the defendant via computer. This activity occurred during 2008 and 2009.
The charge against Campbell resulted from an investigation by special agents and task force officers of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Kansas and Scranton, and detectives from the Lackawanna County District Attorney's Office. The indictment against Campbell originated in Kansas and was later transferred to the Middle District of Pennsylvania for prosecution. Campbell subsequently pleaded guilty to attempting to produce child pornography.
Judge Kosik also ordered that Campbell be placed on supervised release for life following his prison sentence and pay a fine of $500. Campbell must also receive sex offender treatment and comply with sex offender registration and notification requirements.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa.


text:
So I wasn't tagged to do this, but I just stole it from another blog because I'm bored...
1. Make a list of things you can see without getting up: My work bulletin board with all my pictures, my work phone, two large planters on the top of my half wall to my cubicle, my desk calendar, my Coke Zero, a stack of wedding packages for the hotel, an air filter, the fax machine.
2. Favorite football team: Professional football...The Ravens of course!! Still a little bitter about the playoffs. For college football, I really like USC and the Terps (MD Pride)
3.What are you wearing now? Black Turtleneck sweater from J.Crew, khakis and my black boots.
4. What's the last thing you read/are currently reading? I recently finished Twilight...I loved it! I will be starting the rest of the series soon!
5.Who was the last person you hugged? Jake this morning
6.What's your current obsession/addiction? Wedding Planning!
7. What was the last thing you said aloud?: "I just cannot answer my phone right now. That bride is seriously driving me absolutely CRAZY and I am not going to deal with her right now" to my co-worker who sits across from me. I'm dealing with a mega bridezilla who calls me 10 times a day. I've started screening...hehehe!
8. What was the last thing you bought? Groceries yesterday
9.What are you listening to right now? office sounds and my phone ringing off the hook from bridezilla calling me.
10. What is your favorite weather, and why? Summer...I love warm weather!
12. What is your most challenging goal right now? Getting motivated to work out and trying to save as much money as possible
13. If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Probably the ability to fly.
14. If you could have a house–totally paid for, fully furnished–anywhere in the world, where would you want it to be? Hmmm...this is so tough! Someplace fabulous, warm and tropical like Key West or Hawaii.
15.Favorite vacation spot? Outer Banks, NC! We go there every summer with my entire extended family and rent a huge house. I hope to continue that tradition with Jake and our future kids.
16. What is your favorite children's book? I used to love those "choose your own adventure" books when I was little. I had a bunch of them and was totally obsessed with them!
17. Name one thing you just can't resist no matter how bad it is for you: M&M's....such a weakness!
18. Favorite hair product? My Sedu Hair Dryer and my Chi straightener.
19. What was the first tape or cd you ever bought yourself? Wilson Phillips! The CD, when I was like 10. I was so obsessed I listened over and over and danced around my room. Awesome.
20. Describe your perfect day: Waking up at like 9am, going for a long walk with Jake and Spencer, coming home and making a huge brunch with mimosas. Spending the rest of the day relaxing, reading and shopping of course! Going out for a nice dinner and then a cocktail or two afterwards.
If anyone wants to steal this for their own blog, it's all yours!!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
1 comment:
- The Pink Tutu said...
Hey! I did get to see Bekah. It was so fun to catch up with her!! She seems to be doing well in Charleston. How fun that you're coming down to visit Colleen!! I have a dance performance on Feb. 21 during the day, but maybe we can try to figure out something. I haven't talked to my big in forever!
- February 3, 2009 at 6:25 PM
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text:
Mark Schultz (born June 7, 1955 near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American artist of books and comics. His is perhaps most recognized for his self-created and owned comic book series, Xenozoic Tales, about a post-apocalyptic world where dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures that co-exist with humans.
He has also been the current writer of the Prince Valiant comic strip.
He was an artist for Cadillacs & Dinosaurs role-playing game.


text:
G Plan Watson Electric Recliner
Product Description
The comfortable Watson sofa range combines exceptional comfort with modern, sleek features. Its split back cushion detail and lumbar support help to complete the look, while topstitching across the leather version complements a large variety of recliners throughout the whole collection.
Finely tailored arm pads are an added touch which is sure to go down well. Comes in fabric or leather.
In Store
Please note: Not all items shown online are on display in store. Please call ahead on 01293 224859 to check which stores have the item on display.
Delivery Information
Furniture and small goods delivery available throughout mainland UK.
Free delivery is available on orders delivered to Surrey, Sussex and parts of Kent when you spend over £299. We also offer delivery to the rest of the UK at a flat rate of £60. Scotland post codes have a delivery charge of £90.
Small goods delivery is £4 to mainland UK. All charges are applied at checkout. Collection from any store is free. Please call 01293 224859 if you'd like to arrange collection of an item.
When you order online, any unwanted goods must be returned in a fully resalable condition and any tags must be intact. Extra care must be taken with fabrics, such as bedding and cushions; please ensure you are not wearing any make up, fragrance or deodorant that may leave a scent or mark.
Please check our delivery and returns guide for more information.
Item: 9000174021
Available (allow 10 weeks for delivery)
This item is made to order.
Home Delivery
Free Local Delivery
- Function: Electric Recliner
- Dimensions: Leather Grade P: W 100.3cm x L 101.6cm x H 102.9cm
You can also...ask a question print this page add to wish list write a review bookmark and share
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text:
|Project by archwwc
|posted 12-24-2014 04:00 PM
|1538 views
|1 time favorited
|2 comments
Just finished, this morning, my Christmas presents to my family members. 6 end grain cutting boards using maple, purpleheart, walnut, and cherry.
This was my first attempt at making these. I watched a lot of videos (I mean a lot of videos) and finally pulled the trigger to do it. Rather than make one and learn, I made all six at once. Many errors with using a planer and even smashed a board through it. But, I'm happy with it.
For anyone looking to make one, I heavily suggest watching The Wood Whisperer's video. I learned quite a bit. Also, I watched every video from MTM Wood (based out of Russia I believe). Both of these resources were invaluable through the learning process.
Merry Christmas to everyone. Hope you all have a safe and relaxing holiday!!!


text:
Slumberland Gold Seal Plaform Top Ottoman
Product Description
The Gold Seal Mattress from Slumberland boasts a 2200-pocketed dual spring system with the latest gel latex filling technology. All of this is combined with high quality materials; wool, tencel silk, bamboo and alpaca – the perfect fusion between comfortable sleeping and a breathable mattress.
- Total spring count: 2200
- Comfort layer 1: Wool, cashmere, and silk; Comfort layer 2: Wool, tencel silk, bamboo, and alpaca
- Quilted
- Soft-touch knitted sleeping surface
- Handles for easy rotation
- Easy-care, no-turn
Headboard not included
Options explained:
- Four Drawer: The four drawer option includes four same-sized drawers covering the length of the divan. (two on each side)
- Two-Plus-Two: This option includes four drawers, but the top drawers on either side are smaller to accommodate two bedside tables
In Store
Please note: Not all items shown online are on display in store. Please call ahead on 01293 224859 to check which stores have the item on display.
Delivery Information
Furniture and small goods delivery available throughout mainland UK.
Free delivery is available on orders delivered to Surrey, Sussex and parts of Kent when you spend over £299. We also offer delivery to the rest of the UK at a flat rate of £60. Scotland post codes have a delivery charge of £90.
Small goods delivery is £4 to mainland UK. All charges are applied at checkout. Collection from any store is free. Please call 01293 224859 if you'd like to arrange collection of an item.
When you order online, any unwanted goods must be returned in a fully resalable condition and any tags must be intact. Extra care must be taken with fabrics, such as bedding and cushions; please ensure you are not wearing any make up, fragrance or deodorant that may leave a scent or mark.
Please check our delivery and returns guide for more information.
Item: 9000207763
Available (allow 6 weeks for delivery)
This item is made to order.
Home Delivery
Free Local Delivery
- Divan Storage Type: Ottoman
You can also...ask a question print this page add to wish list write a review bookmark and share
More from this collection...
From £1,199.00
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text:
Huk Performance Fishing Men's Phenom Long Sleeve Shirt
Item # 268T64
- Huk Performance Fishing Men's Phenom Long Sleeve Shirt
- Item # 268T64
$54.99 Online Price
Additional Information
Product Features & Description
Huk Performance Fishing offers top-notch innovation with modern edge and style. This Men's Phenom Woven Long Sleeve Shirt is made from a woven fabric blend featuring superior breathability with mesh panels under-arm and on side-back for the ultimate comfort and flexibility. This anti-microbial active men's shirt also features moisture transport and stain-release technology so that you'll feel every bit as fantastic as you look when you're out on the water for the day.
- Stain-release and anti-microbial construction
- Moisture-transport technology
- Long sleeve
- Two chest button flap pockets
- Solid with logo embroidery
- Button down collar
- Mesh under-arm and side-back
- Woven fabric blend
- Button front placket


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Over the past week I have been having serious thoughts about why I choose to live in this freezing cold country.
And almost every child I treated last week had a cold, with so many different germs being coughed, drooled and spluttered all of me, I was pretty much guaranteed of catching a cold too. And I did.
Last Wednesday, a friend of mine emailed me an invite to the opening of a new Art Exhibition in Shoreditch for Friday night, and asked if me or any of my friends wanted to go.
I took one look at the Artist's website and knew that I definitely wanted to go and see this. And after a few emails, myself, Nikki, Robs and Chez were on the guest list.
And what a fabulous evening it was.
The exhibition was held in the Hoxton Gallery at the Arch, in Shoreditch, and the rustic looking venue complimented the artist's incredible work, perfectly.
Conrad Engelhardt creates amazing works of art out of old wine corks that a number of local restaurants collect for him.
The colours in the pictures are created by the naturally stained colours of the cork from the wine that it's sealed. These wine shades of cork together with placing the corks at different heights, create images that can be difficult to distinguish from very close, but once looked at from a different angle, are brilliant.
We got to chat to Conrad himself, and he said that a picture usually takes him a few months.
Marilyn, on the other hand, took only weeks, as he said each cork fell into place so naturally.
Conrad also has a PhD in Organic Chemistry, and says on his website:
My background in chemistry has always given me a deep appreciation for the complexity of wine - the interactions of hundreds of individual chemical compounds. Together with diverse colors and aromas, these components in wine work together to achieve a unique and characteristic taste sensation.With regards to art I wanted to find a medium of expression which incorporated a natural media..
Drinks and delicious snacks were provided.
And after a few hours of chatting, eating and drinking in the presence of truly unique pieces of art.
We then braved the cold outside and jumped in a cab towards home.
This is why we live in London, cold or not, for evenings like these. And the happiness that I get from hanging out with these girls...
For more information about Conrad, look at his website
Or email him at:
conrad at corkbycork.com
And if you are in the market for a truly unique piece of art, you have to meet him and see his work.


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Mallorca Auto Safari Zoo
The Auto Safari is on the outskirts of Sa Coma, on the road leading into Cala Millor and Cala Bona, is the Auto Safari Zoo. Here you have the choice of driving around the 4km circuit in their own car, or taking the zoo's own mini train, although having seen the damage a group of hungry monkeys can do in a matter of seconds I think the mini train could be the better option!
Auto Safari
Besides the monkey enclosure, the park also has a number of giraffes, zebra, and elephants along with cages of lions, tigers and other big cats. Getting there from either Cala Bona or Cala Millor is very easy on the parks own courtesy bus which leaves regularly throughout the day from 9am to 7pm.
Auto Safari Admission
Admission to get to Auto Safari is quite reasonable at only 10€ for adults and 7€ for children
Address: Sa Coma
Tel: +34 971 810 909
Fax: +34 971 810 484
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- Mallorca Airport
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Problems relating to pH and total alkalinity.
Increase ph, increase TA. Reduce pH, reduce TA.
pH chemistry advice and techniques for the pool.
Increase ph, increase TA. Reduce pH, reduce TA.
pH chemistry advice and techniques for the pool.
2 posts • Page 1 of 1
Re: TA
griffb1968 wrote:whats the reason for high TA.
A couple of things from the top of my head:
(1) Pool owner added to much sodium bicarbonate, error in calculating quantity to use or wrong pool volume (been there, done that);
(2) Using well water: high in CO2 content from decaying organic matter. This high CO2 content increases the bicarbonate content:
CaCO3 + CO2 + H2O -> Ca+2 + 2HCO3-
(3) Using sodium bisulfate as a method to increase pH, this also increases TA;
(4) Failing to adjust TA figure to take into account a high CYA (CYA is another buffer system and when high enough it may influence the TA test);
If I think of anything else I'll post back.
2 posts • Page 1 of 1
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$1,420—$1,710 1—2 bed 30598 Independence Ave, Redlands CA, 92374
from $1,420 1—2 bed
30598 Independence Ave, Redlands, 92374
Commute to Downtown Redlands
The rent at Del Flora Apartments ranges from $1,420 for a one bedroom to a $1,710 two bedroom. Apartments in this building are about 1% more expensive than the Redlands average. This is a pet-friendly apartment.
This apartment is in Redlands. Nearby parks include Crafton Park and Crafton Park.
Del Flora Apartments has a Walk Score of 28 out of 100. This location is a Car-Dependent neighborhood so most errands require a car.
Free Application Fee! Discover Del Flora Apartment Homes for rent in Redlands, CA. The city was named for the color of the adobe soil, located in San Bernardino County in the heart of the Inland Empire. It's the quintessential "big town" with "small town" charm. At Del Flora Apartment Homes enjoy such amenities as central air and heat, private patio/balconies, lighted tennis courts, pool, therapeutic spa, gourmet kitchens and vaulted ceilings.Del Flora Apartment Homes features one and two bedroom floor plans and is located in a peaceful neighborhood community just minutes from schools, shopping and parks. Our professional staff ensures that the Del Flora Apartments are maintained to the highest standards. The comfort, convenience and atmosphere at Del Flora Apartments will make living here a pleasure.
Pets allowed:
Owner/manager tools | Report bad listing | From apartmentlist.com
Redlands, California, 92374
Most errands require a car.
Explore how far you can travel by car, bus, bike and foot from Del Flora Apartments.
Bus lines:
0.4 mi
0.7 mi
View all Redlands apartments on a map.
Search for homes in Redlands or find a Redlands real estate agent who knows walkable neighborhoods. Links will open on our partner site Redfin.com.
Del Flora Apartments is in the city of Redlands, CA. Redlands has an average Walk Score of 36 and has 68,747 residents.Learn More About Redlands


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The Ashanti Regional First Vice Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has lost his plush three-bedroom house to a ferocious inferno.
Nana Kwasi, who is currently gunning for the Ashanti Regional NDC chairmanship position, witnessed the horrific spectacle of fire consuming his house at about 1:00 pm on Thursday.
The posh-looking house, which is situated at Achiawkrom near Ejisu in the Ashanti Region, was totally gutted by the blaze, which according to eyewitnesses, ran at top speed.
Personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) reportedly rushed to the place to help douse the inferno but the damage had already been done by the time they arrived.
Eyewitnesses who spoke to this paper said Nana Kwasi and his family were in the house when suddenly the fire started from one of the rooms.
What triggered the blaze could not readily be figured out, but people who rushed to the scene to offer assistance suspected an electrical fault.
They said some people in the neighbourhood saw a thick smoke and so they rushed to the house and assisted Nana Kwasi to take his children to safety.
According to them, some few items were also taken from the house but attempts to douse the inferno failed to yield the intended results as it consumed the house.
Nana Kwasi is one of the key NDC men in Kumasi and the Ashanti Region in general, and intends to contest for the chairmanship position of the NDC in the region.


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Foreclosures vs Short Sale
Short Sale vs. Foreclosure: How They Affect Your Credit?
I'm certain you have heard that in most cases the short sale process is a lengthy one. The short sale path is less damaging than a foreclosure is to you in the long run. Why? You know how crucial your credit score is, especially now a days. Actually, short sales are not as damaging as foreclosures are on your credit score. A foreclosure on your record can reduce your credit score anywhere from 250 to more than 300 points and typically affects that credit score for 2-3 years. On the other hand, if the homeowner has late payments on the mortgage only and no other payments are late, short sales may only lower a credit score as little as 50 points and usually affect the credit score for as short as a 12-18 months.
Also, were you aware that you could possibly be overlooked for a job position or not hired for a new job because you have a foreclosure on your credit score? Sounds crazy, but it could happen. Another benefit on the short sale side is that a short sale is not reported on a credit report. A short sale is usually reported as "paid in full" or "settled". Therefore, you would not have to worry about losing your job or future employment opportunities.
Consider this…
1. Any homeowner who loses a home to foreclosure is ineligible for a Fannie Mae-backed mortgage for a period of 5 years. Any homeowner who successfully negotiates and closes a short sale will be eligible for a Fannie Mae-backed mortgage after only 2 years or less in some cases.
For further information, contact:
Luigui Corral


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Katie Woltner, the Essex County student delegate picked to go to Albany this spring, shakes hands with the Plattsburgh League of Women Voters president Sally Sears-Mack as (from left) Betty Little, Janet Duprey and Dan Stec look on.
Two student delegates from the North Country were selected to attend the Students Inside Albany Conference from April 14-17.
The delegates, one from Clinton County and one from Essex County, will be Nate Casey of AuSable Valley Central School and Katie Woltner of Keene Central School.
Their alternates are Tegan Belrose of Beekmantown Central School and Corinne White of Elizabethtown-Lewis Central School.
The Plattsburgh League of Womens Voters sponsors one student for the all-expenses-paid conference and the Plattsburgh Sunrise Rotary and the North East Area Labor Council will provide the funding to sponsor the other student.
Katie Woltner's history teacher picked her for the conference, and she won the thing!
Woltner is on her school's green team and is in the process of helping to start a new environmental activist group called Unity Earth.
"A lot of what we're doing right now is raising awareness on hydro fracking," Woltner said. "We really don't want to see it in New York State because we don't think it's a good practice."
Her involvement with the group has made her more interested in how government works, and she said the Students Inside Albany Conference will help give her a window into that process.
The winners name's were drawn from a basket at the end of the third-annual "Meet Your Legislators" event, sponsored by the Plattsburgh League of Women's Voters and held at Peru High School on Saturday, Jan. 26.
Thirty three student delegates representing 15 North Country high schools were picked to attend the event, although some delegates were absent.
Participants gathered in the auditorium at the high school, which felt like a press conference as the students took turns asking New York State legislators questions.
Some of the questions were contentious, touching on topics like Governor Cuomo's new gun control law, safety in schools and same sex marriage, while others explored issues, like whether or not increasing the power of the federal government is beneficial to the United States.
Assemblywoman Janet Duprey (R-Peru), Assemblyman Dan Stec (R-Queensbury) and Sen. Betty Little (R-Queensbury) took the podium one at a time to respond to the student delegates.
Each legislator opened by explaining how he or she got to their position.
For one of them, the event was a homecoming.
Duprey, a graduate of Peru High School, has been a politician for 38 years, and has been involved in every Meet Your Legislators program since it began.
"If you have a dream, you work at it and you can accomplish it, no matter what small town you come from and no matter who you are," Duprey said.
Duprey has been a member of the Plattsburgh League of Women's Voters since the 1970s, and applauded them for their research and non-partisan approach.
Lilly Sullivan, a junior at Peru High School and one of the event's hosts, said Duprey was the guest she wanted to see most due to her history of not voting on every issue according to Republican party lines.
It is something Duprey has been applauded–and criticized–for.
"This event is a good experience to learn more about how government functions," Sullivan said. "I think voting strictly according to party lines keeps positive change from happening."
Rachael Wnuk, a junior at Beekmantown High School, heard about the event through her guidance counselor, who recommended it based on Wnuk's interest in obtaining a Reserve Officer Training Corp through the Navy.
Her goal after high school is to start with nursing and work her way up to becoming a trauma surgeon.
"You're going to save that person's life, and that's what I want to do," Wnuk said. "It's intimidating, but I work good under pressure. That's my thing."
Wnuk said she most looked forward to meeting Senator Betty Little, and was also inspired by Duprey's local roots.
"It's like the American value, where you can start so little and build yourself up," Wnuk said.


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Welcome to SwapnilKarekar.com! Meet a Success Coach with purpose to inspire and empower. "My Purpose of life is to inspire and empower everyone using creativity and coaching to live the best life, fulfilling dreams with love and fun." – Swapnil Karekar
Living by the spirit of creativity and continuous learning Swapnil Karekar has always loved to share the knowledge of living the best vision and improving self to higher levels of happiness and success. Learning and living by the principles of life which have been passed on by our culture and leaders who have achieved successful and happy lives for themselves and others.
Swapnil observed and analyzed the environment and situations understanding people and systems from the early start of his career as faculty for software training. With his fast learning skills and love for communication and sharing dreams with people he keeps learning and teaching. With wide exposure in fields like software, training, graphic designing, animation, architectural modeling, creative concepts, digital marketing, web strategy also cricket community development Swapnil always coached and used his creativity to inspire and empower those who he worked or trained with.
Working with individuals, businessmen, professionals and organizations, Swapnil has always coached and communicated in ways that inspires the listener and his trainings and coaching empowers to open the person's heart and mind to reach for the purpose. It is amazing to see him interact and engage with students, teachers, management and technical professionals, architects and environmentalists, event designer and sports coaches, players as well as various businessmen and entrepreneurs.
Swapnil has moved ahead happily and successfully as a trainer, coach, strategist, visual designer, speaker, sportsman and has build his business and also founded global cricket community. He is always ready to learn and share, giving credits to the source and also being grateful to every moment that makes it a better day and better way to be happy and successful.
Success Principles, Leadership, Team building, Creativity, Lateral thinking, Life Purpose, High Performance, Goal Setting, Time Management, Self Development and Relationship Communication are some of the topics for which Swapnil can customize workshops and deliver keynotes that brings the best out of the moment to inspire and empower those involved.
Swapnil puts a lot of love and fun in the keynotes, trainings and workshops that he does for any individuals and groups or organizations. Living by the principles and models that he coaches… Swapnil always strives to Grow and Gain each day. Be Happy & Have Fun... Here is your chance to live your best way… INSPIRE & EMPOWER… from Happiness to Success…


text: Hi, I need to have a text document on my home PC that is accessible and editable on the Droid. I don't care what format it is in -- MSWord or Google Doc or .txt or pdf, whatever. I just need to be able to access it and edit it from the PC and from the Droid. It would be nice if I could do a word search it from both, but it would be acceptable for me to be able to search for a given word on just the PC like you can do with Word or Windows. How do I do this? I have made an initial attempt with google apps and with GDocs, but apparently I am not bright enough to figure this out. Thanks for any help, Bob


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Danny Ray Smith
Danny Ray Smith
Age 64, of Weston, WV passed away on Monday, June 11, 2018 at WV Veterans Nursing Facility following an extended illness.
He was born in Lewis County, WV on January 14, 1954: son of the late Willie Ersel Smith and Retha Emma (Reeder) Smith.
Mr. Smith is also survived by one daughter: Chera Smith of Weston, one grandchild: Chaeli Gum, three brothers Donald Smith of Weston, Glen Smith of Buckhannon, WV and Larry Smith of Weston, three sisters: Patricia Garrison of Weston, Brenda Rittenhouse of Weston and Carol Cayton of Clarksburg, WV and a special friend Judy Dennis. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Danny was preceded in death by one brother.
Mr. Smith was in both the Army and Navy were he proudly served and a Glassworker were he skillfully mastered various trades within. Danny was a Christian by Faith. He loved to fish, spend time with the family as well as his nursing home family. He totally enjoyed the outings the nursing home provided.
Family and friends will be received at the Hardman-Paletti Funeral Home 730 N. Main Avenue Weston on Thursday, June 14, 2018 from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM.
Funeral service will be held the same day at 1:00 PM from the H-P F.H. chapel with Dan Hoover officiating.
Interment will follow services in the Peterson Cemetery.
Full military honors will be conducted by the United States Army and the Lewis County Honor Guard.
Hardman-Paletti Funeral Home of Weston is honored and privileged to serve the family of Danny Ray Smith.


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I just a slow cooker. For those of you who grew up in the mid-west, or in a family of home cooks, its also called a crockpot. My mother's had a red brick pattern on it that reminded me of the 70's. Which is probably when she got it. Probably as a wedding present. I have to admit a little bias here. I love my mother's cooking, but it always reminded me of a farm. Not in a bad way, but in a down-home, rustic sort of way. I spent most of my adult life moving in the exact opposite direction. Living in a foreign country, eating things like foie gras and escargot, learning to cook veal Prince Orloff (with 2 different stuffings), living in a glass and stone penthouse apartment, traveling the world, and generally trying to be more worldly than my mother's cooking. And I'm certainly not saying the I've abandoned the desire to spend my days overlooking the Med and eating caviar and blinis (or at least quite a few days doing that) but I suppose I've started to see some of the value in rustic food. And maybe even that sense of farm land and family and permanence. After all, a slow cooker is a pretty permanent investment. It takes up a lot of space on your counter, and if my mother's is any indication, this thing will last forever. I'll be slow cooking the cockroaches that are left after the apocalypse. As long as they have some good red wine to braise them with, I think we'll be fine.
However, since we aren't at the end of the world and I do have more options than cockroaches, I've decided to make chicken in a white wine, garlic, and thyme sauce. The smells coming from the kitchen actually remind me of a farmhouse in Burgundy. I think that's probably the right level of combination for me. A little homey and a little exotic, all mixed up in my own kitchen. Now, I think I'll enjoy my glass of American Chardonnay and pet my French Bulldog while I wait for dinner to be done.
Chicken in Wine in a Slow Cooker
1 C wine (or 2 cups, start with 1 for yourself)
1/3 C flour
1 1/2 t thyme
1/2 onion
4 garlic cloves
4 chicken breasts
1T olive oil
Salt and pepper chicken. Make sure the wine is the right level of slightly oaked and slightly grassy. Taste again just to make sure. Brown the chicken in olive oil. If your slow cooker has this function too, use it. I'm all for keeping cooking juices in the same pot. Are you sure the wine is right? Better check again. Take the chicken out. Lay onion, garlic, and thyme on the bottom of the slow cooker. Put the chicken on top. Mix the wine and the flour together and pour on top of the chicken. Put on the lid and set to cook for a few hours. Maybe until its dinner time. Taste the wine again. Freak out that you forgot to change the setting from "brown" to "slow cook for a long time." Adjust to slow cook. Take a couple sips of wine while you try to figure out when you husband will come home and want to eat. Decide that you should cook it for 5 hours so it will be ready you want to eat. Take another sip of wine. Make sure you have an extra bottle in the fridge, because its always nice to drink what you cooked the meal in.


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Activision announces Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Content Collection #2, saying this will come to the Xbox 360 edition of the military shooter sequel on May 22nd, preceded by a pair of free maps they will release next week. Word is: "All content will be available on other platforms at a later date." Here's a trailer and here's word on the collection:
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Research Collaboration
More than a learning system, the Sakai project is designed to support collaborative projects, including effective collaboration between academic researchers. Sakai provides a rich toolset for communication, collaboration and knowledge-sharing within a single environment.
Academically-oriented, Extensible and Intuitive
As a software suite developed by and for the higher education community, Sakai is well-suited to the unique needs of academic networks and collaboration across geographies, organizations and disciplines. Researchers can readily extend this environment to include additional tools and capabilities using standards-based integration approaches such as the IMS Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI) standard. Because project collaboration sites are so easy to set up and operate within Sakai, many researchers establish and use project sites without requiring support from central IT services.
A Common Environment for Learning, Teaching and Research
For many institutions, Sakai simplifies the digital ecosystem by providing a common environment for learning, teaching, academic research and other types of collaboration. Faculty members and students benefit when instruction and research take place within a familiar collaboration platform that encourages research-informed teaching. At the same time, Sakai's open design reaffirms the freedom of choice for each institution to select the right tools and capabilities for its needs.
- Sakai Features and Functionality: Sakai provides versatile support for research and project-related communication, collaboration, and administration.
- Extending the Sakai project: It's easy to extend Sakai using contributed tools from the Sakai community or by integrating learning tools of choice using common industry standards.
- Language Support: Sakai can be deployed in more than 20 languages, with language preference selectable at both the system and course/project site levels.
- Sakai Stories: Organizations around the world are using the Sakai CLE to facilitate academic research and networking.
- Who's Using Sakai for Research Collaboration? Colleges, universities, research organizations and academic networks use Sakai for research and collaboration.