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Need for emergency donations at all-time high
"I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25: 40).
This message from Matthew describes the guiding principle for the more than 30 volunteers who provide assistance, compassion, a listening ear, and comfort to those families who come to the Cedar Springs Community Food Pantry, at Cedar Springs United Methodist Church, on the corner of Main and Church Streets.
The Cedar Springs Community Food Pantry, a staple in the community for 26 years, was started at the Cedar Springs United Methodist Church in 1985 for families who had suffered a house fire. More volunteers were needed to help as the pantry began to assist more clients in need. Today, up to 30 families a week, from all parts of Northern Kent County, can be referred to the pantry by North Kent Service Center to receive a week's work of food and essentials.
Today the pantry "store" is located in the basement of the Cedar Springs United Methodist Church, in several converted nursery rooms and the choir robe storage room. Several freezers and refrigerators hold baked goods, chicken donated by church members, venison donated by area hunters, and hotdogs, hamburger, and other meats. The pantry shelves are stocked with food and staples bought by pantry volunteers, food from a faithful volunteer who has a "coupon mission," foods from government commodities, and donations from individuals and food drives in the community.
However, with the distressed state of the economy and the job market crisis, the need for emergency food support is at an all time high. Food prices and transportation costs have sky rocketed. Children will soon be out of school for the summer adding to the need for extra food for families.
The pantry needs help! In addition to food items or cash donations, the pantry is always in need of personal care items such as dish soap, laundry soap, tooth brushes, toothpaste, bar soap, toilet paper, facial tissue, deodorants, shampoo, and feminine hygiene items.
Donated items or money can be dropped off at the Cedar Springs United Methodist Church office any time during office hours Monday through Friday. The pantry accepts checks made out to the Cedar Springs United Methodist Church, and in the memo line put "Community Food Pantry."


text: Hi, I was just wondering if anyone can help identify this Iron Man figure for me. I only know it's 3.75" but I don't know from which line, series, or manufacturer its from... I've been trying to find out for a couple of days now and it's driving me nuts. Thanks!

subset: commoncrawl


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Our Top Shops
(in no particular order)
More From Bicycling
The Devil's Gear Bike Shop
New Haven, CT
Forget the sinister name: This shop is doing good work. By organizing monthly bike-to-workdays (during which employees hand out free breakfasts) and hosting frequent repair and technique clinics, The Devil's Gear is growing the sport one ride at a time.
Intown Bicycles
Mike Goodman has been selling bikes for nearly 30 years and his approach is as simple as it is timeless: Offer excellent service, welcome first-time cyclists, and mix in generous helpings of Southern hospitality.
East Burke Sports
East Burke, VT
No trip to Vermont's renowned Kingdom Trails is complete without a stop at East Burke, which offers insider trail advice, gold-standard rentals, and even a coin-op bike wash.
Belmont Wheelworks
Belmont, MA
The flagship location of this family-run chain sprawls across seven adjacent storefronts. While the store's inventory is staggering, its service department is equally impressive--the catalog of maintenance classes is so thick it could have been borrowed from nearby Harvard.
Drummond Custom Cycles
Enfield, NH
Not only will his shop repair cracks in your carbon-fiber frame, but owner Dick Drummond can also build you a completely custom bike if you desire.
Cycle Smithy
This classic shop's collection of vintage cycles includes everything from futuristic midcentury cruisers to 100-year-old wood-rimmed race bikes.
American Cyclery
San Francisco
Renowned six-day track racer Oscar Juner founded this shop 70 years ago, and visitors can still catch glimpses of its early patrons in the black-and-white photographs that line the walls. Many of his bikes are still on display, too, and their hard, straight tubes contrast with the sinuous contours of modern carbon road bikes, though the store's inventory of custom steel-frame models helps bridge the gap.
After all those decades in business, the place is redolent of worn tire rubber and old grease, and its history is forever on display in other ways: Mechanics patiently wrap handlebars with cork tape on the same raised platform on which their predecessors once troubleshot the first Simplex derailleurs in the 1940s.
Above Category
Mill Valley, CA
For lovers of high-end custom road bikes, Above Category is the ultimate shop--the kind of place where Fausto Pinarello has been known to drop by for a ride, and where one of the pro-level mechanics is also a pro-level racer. Forgoing cafes and rental fleets, the store has a laserlike focus on selling upscale products.
Owner Chad Nordwall is a dyed-in-the-wool bike geek who as a kid once saved the money he earned mowing lawns to buy a pair of Assos bib shorts. These days, on Marin's coastal roads, Nordwall and his small staff thoroughly test every part the shop sells. That intimate product knowledge has earned Above Category a legion of customers who won't shop anywhere else.
Fit Werx
Waitsfield, VT
The rustic exterior of this Green Mountain shop belies its vast selection of high-end products. Plus, owner Ian Buchanan is a bike-fit magician who has customers riding with less pain--and more power--after one session.
Sports Garage
Boulder, CO
Sports Garage's employees are passionate riders and yet they still provide first-class customer service--a rare combination. Plus, the store occupies a metal Quonset hut. That's pretty rare, too.
Nashville Bicycle Lounge
Nashville, TN
Like at an old speakeasy, the entrance to NBL is hard to find (hint: look around back), but once inside visitors reap their reward. The shop offers free WiFi, a cozy lounge, and a fridge full of Yazoo microbrew.
The shop stocks only a few prebuilt bikes from Jamis, Linus, and Surly; the rest of its bicycle sales are made-to-order custom beauties.
Fair Wheel Bikes
Tucson, AZ
Fair Wheel made headlines recently for creating its own Di2 electronic mountain-bike drivetrain, but the shop is no flash in the pan--it has been servicing Arizona riders for more than 35 years. Its Saturday Shoot Out rides can draw upwards of 200 riders--including several Cat-1 sandbaggers.
R&A Cycles
Brooklyn, NY
The demand for R&A's elite-level products is so strong that employees can, at times, exude a little snobbery. But those who roll with the Soup Nazi– like customer service are treated to a mind-boggling selection of hard-to-find bikes and components.
Las Vegas Cyclery
Las Vegas, NV
Sin City has earned its reputation for decadence and depravity, but Las Vegas Cyclery owner Jared Fisher sees beyond the Strip to an outdoor nirvana. His shop is the best in town, his mountain-bike tour company uses trucks that run on veggie oil, and he spends his free time lobbying for bike lanes and adding to Vegas's extensive network of trails.
The Path
Tustin, CA
This SoCal mountain-bike shop sells more high-end frames in a month than many stores do in a year. The secret to The Path's success? A staff of pro-level riders who navigate the sales floor as adroitly as they descend rutted trails.
Bike Gallery
Portland, OR
This independent chain offers some of the best selection and service in the Northwest. Even more impressive is that all six stores are equally well regarded by Portland's discerning cycling population.
Passion Trail Bikes
Belmont, CA
Located south of San Francisco, miles from the nearest trailhead, this mountain-bike-only retailer sees few walk-in customers. But discerning riders find their way here, lured by an extensive demo fleet, frequent group rides, and a vast selection of premium brands.
Monkey Wrench Cycles
Lincoln, NE
A top shop on the Nebraska prairie? Believe it. Monkey Wrench offers world-class service and an eclectic mix of bikes from Hunter, Ibis, Moots, Salsa, and Surly.
White Pine Touring
Park City, UT
Even locals have a hard time navigating Park City's 350 miles of singletrack, which is why White Pine offers affordable guide services covering the area's best trails. The store also rents top-notch bikes and sells everything you need for a day in the mountains, from a new Yeti to replacement derailleur hangers.
Cascade Bicycle Studio
Instead of relying on heavy walk-in traffic, founder Zac Daab prefers one-on-one customer consultations, which cover everything from personalized fittings to the purchase of a $15,000 custom road bike.
Bike & Bean
Sedona, AZ
This Sedona institution sits at the intersection of two trailheads that access hundreds of miles of red-rock singletrack. The owner is also a partner in a neighboring bike-friendly resort. Stay the night, grab an espresso, rent a Santa Cruz Heckler, and explore world-class trails. Vacation has never been easier.
River City Bicycles
Portland, OR
River City's shrine to Eddy Merckx--complete with framed photos and votive candles--might be the first clue that it's no ordinary bike shop. Or maybe the realization strikes earlier, when you first walk through the door and an employee greets you with a complimentary Americano.
This Portland landmark also boasts one of the area's largest selections of bikes and components. The 180 bikes on hand range from kids' models to $14,000 Colnagos--each displayed on beautiful handmade wooden trays.
Still questioning River City's obsession to customer service? Follow the sounds of rolling tires upstairs, where an indoor track allows would-be buyers to test-drive their dream bike even while it's pouring outside.
Trail Head Cyclery
San Jose, CA
Modern mountain biking was born in the hills of Marin County, California, but on the other side of the bay sits a modern testament to the sport's steady growth. Trail Head is a 4,300-square-foot fat-tire emporium. Glass display cases are stuffed with the latest hubs, brakes, cranks, and pedals. Dozens of high-end frames hang from timber beams, and the shop's tire selection is among the nation's most expansive. While Trail Head stocks a few road bikes, most of its inventory is comprised of top-flight trail models from Ibis, Intense, Specialized, and Yeti.
The staff helps the sport to keep growing by treating entry-level riders with respect. Want proof? Mechanics put almost every bike they sell through an exhaustive, 114-point checklist that includes chasing and facing bottom-bracket threads and removing tires and tubes to properly true, tension, and dish wheels. Now that's service.
Wheat Ridge Cyclery
Wheat Ridge, CO
Think of Wheat Ridge as FAO Schwartz for cyclists--at 30,000 square feet, it's one of the largest shops in the country.
The store stocks more than 1,500 bikes and its team of certified fit specialists operates out of six dedicated bays. Still, Wheat Ridge manages to retain a shop-next-door vibe by hosting movie screenings and organizing popular women's events that draw hundreds.
July might be the best time to visit, and not just because of the weather. Second-generation owner Ron Kiefel is a seven-time Tour de France finisher and often serves up live race commentary over coffee and croissants. Let's see a toy store pull that off.
Bicycle Therapy
What this compact shop lacks in square footage its employees more than make up for in exuberance. Whether they are leading a discourse on carbon-fiber wheels or dishing out straightforward advice to first-time commuters, the staffers at Bicycle Therapy speak with passion and expertise.
The Outdoorsman
Butte, MT
Owner Rob Leipheimer (yes, he's Levi's brother) offers such reliable service that his store has become a regular stop for the hundred or so riders who travel through Butte during the annual Great Divide race. Rob repairs bikes while Ma Leipheimer dishes out homemade cookies to weary racers.
First Flight Bicycles
Statesville, NC
First Flight encourages its visitors to look up. Hanging from 14-foot ceilings (and filling the entire second floor) are the 450 bikes that comprise one of the world's largest vintage mountain-bike collections.
The Hub (and Pisgah Tavern)
Brevard, NC
This shop on the edge of Pisgah National Forest is a launching point for riders venturing onto the area's steep, technical trails.
Smart riders also stop on their way back: The Hub has six beers on tap.
Budget Bicycle Center
Madison, WI
BBC has so many bikes, components, and accessories that its sprawling inventory occupies four separate storefronts: Two are stocked with new bikes, a third is dedicated to parts and service, and the fourth contains more than 2,000 vintage and used bikes--from turn-of-the-century high-wheelers to reconditioned track fixies.
Power House
Hailey, ID
Power House may be the only shop in the land with a full-service restaurant (try the grass-fed burgers) and liquor license (choose from more than 140 beers). Owner Billy Olson is a former elite amateur road racer and veteran mechanic who provides exceptional fitting services.
Metropolis Bikes
North Hollywood, CA
Metropolis does one thing, and does it well: sell a boatload of cruisers. More than 300 balloon-tire models occupy the sales floor, and any of them can be pimped out with custom paint jobs and pinstriping.
Recycled Cycles
Back in 1994, commuting was booming in Seattle and demand for used bikes was surging, yet Craigslist and eBay were still ones and zeros in their developers' minds. So business partners Steve Donahue and Scott Martini created Recycled Cycles to fill the void.
At first, the small shop fit into a quaint space cut into an old boathouse on the edge of the city's University Marina. Today Recycled occupies the entire waterfront building and sells hundreds of used bikes a year.
Despite its growth, the shop still promotes self-sufficiency: It hosts popular after-hours maintenance classes, and on weekends it's not uncommon to find a Microsoft executive standing alongside a University of Washington student, tilling through wooden bins of used quill stems and bottom brackets.
Over the Edge Sports
Fruita, CO
Thousands of riders travel to southwest Colorado every year to sample Fruita's famously intoxicating singletrack. And nearly every one of them makes a pilgrimage to Over the Edge.
Inside, bar tables inlaid with trail maps help riders choose from an extensive menu of local rides. There is also a well-worn leather couch and a service area manned by ace mechanics who often create their own tools to solve hard-to-fix mechanicals. Vintage mountain and road bikes dangle from the high ceilings, but the spacious sales floor is reserved for carefully curated boutique models from Ibis, Knolly, Santa Cruz, and Turner.
"We aren't just trying to funnel people through the shop," says OTE founder Troy Rarick. "We want you to hang out." For 14 years, mountain bikers have been doing just that.
Johnny Sprockets
Owner Manuel Tenorio has staffed his shop with knowledgeable, passionate cyclists who can skillfully sell fenders to first-time riders during the week and lead advanced, shop-sponsored cyclocross clinics on the weekend.
Absolute Bikes
Salida, CO
Located in a former feed store that abuts the Arkansas River, Absolute has become another trusted stop for weary Great Divide racers. Riders with more time can hire one of the in-house guides and explore the fabled Monarch Crest Trail.
Bicycle Trip
Santa Cruz, CA
Its mission is simple, and displayed prominently on a plaque inside: "To get you riding and keep you rolling by offering the best products and service possible." The Trip backs up that lofty goal with bike safety, maintenance and education classes, frequent group rides, and regular film screenings.
Chili Pepper Bike Shop
Moab, UT
From its fleet of top-shelf rental bikes to a staff that treats out-of-towners like locals, this shop has everything visitors to Moab need. And if the technical terrain takes its toll on your bike (and it will), Chili Pepper's service department will mend it with the efficiency of a wartime field hospital.
Great Lakes Cycling And Fitness
Ann Arbor, MI
This megashop caters to everyone from neighborhood kids to pro riders looking for a hand-built wheel. Stop by for Free Beer Friday, or at any other time, for that matter--the 24-hour vending machine out front is stocked with tubes, energy bars, and other essentials.
Kraynick's Bicycles
Parts are piled high on all three floors of this quirky shop and customers often need a flashlight to navigate its narrow aisles. Prices are low, but bring cash: Kraynick's doesn't take American Express or any other credit card.
Mellow Johnny's
Austin, TX
When Lance Armstrong opens a bike shop, it's bound to be a big deal--Texas big. Case in point: The brick structure that Mellow Johnny's calls home once housed a sprawling Pearl Beer warehouse. Inside, everything is designed to create a welcoming atmosphere, from the precise placement of display cases to fine architectural features like the exposed I-beams overhead. In one corner, sunlight pours from expansive picture windows to illuminate a collection of Lance's Tour de France bikes.
The store attracts plenty of competitive riders, but the sales floor brims with nearly as many basket-clad cruisers as it does carbon race models. And as Armstrong himself might say, it's not just about the bikes--the store also offers Austin commuters showers and storage space.
Nebo Ridge Bicycles
West Carmel, IN
Nebo hosts some of the largest group rides in the country, and its three weekly rides attract as many as 200 cyclists--from first-timers on hybrids to pros training for national-level races.
Sellwood Cycle Repair
Portland, OR
Dozens of bikes hang from Sellwood's ceiling like a colony of bats. That's because Sellwood's entire floor is given over to a team of mechanics who churn through countless repairs a day.
Fitzgerald's Bicycles
Jackson Hole, WY
This store bills itself as a neighborhood cycling pub and has the interior to back it up: Mechanics ply their trade from behind a long bar top, and dark mahogany fixtures frame the many road and mountain bikes for sale. Fitzgerald's group rides are legendary, partly because they begin and end at Jackson's Snake River Brewery next door.
The Pedal House
Laramie, WY
Adorning the exterior brick wall of this former saloon and brothel is a two-story-tall mural of Thomas Stevens, a onetime local who 124 years ago became the first man to ride a bike around the world. Pedal House keeps his adventurous legacy alive, handing out free trail maps to customers, doling out great advice to beginners, and supporting local racers.
Freeze Thaw Cycles
State College, PA
Six years ago, two ambitious Penn State students began refurbishing used bikes in their dorm and selling them to fellow undergrads. Eventually, that homespun business evolved into Freeze Thaw, which is operated out of a bustling store in downtown State College.
Although business is expanding, the shop owners still pride themselves on offering excellent service. Specialized frame-prep tools hang on a green tool board and are used to assemble every bike that passes through the shop, and the mechanics are meticulous about wheel builds. While the vast network of singletrack nearby helps sustain healthy mountain-bike sales, Freeze Thaw's employees are as enthusiastic about selling commuter bikes as they are full-suspension models.
Fat Tire Farm
Portland, OR
This mountain-bike shop has one of the nation's largest selections of suspension forks, disc brakes, and knobby tires. And its service department is so good that the other 60 shops in town have been known to bring its mechanics their hardest suspension fixes.
Bicycle Habitat
New York City
There was a time when riding in New York meant dodging taxis and avoiding wheel-swallowing potholes.
Thankfully, the recent influx of bike lanes has improved the situation somewhat. Few people have worked as tirelessly to catalyze that positive change as Bicycle Habitat's Charlie McCorkel. His store on Lafayette Street has been a key force in pushing for a more bike-friendly New York since it opened in 1978.
Visitors are greeted by 5,000 square feet of showroom space where mechanics in the open-air service area operate with the vigor of short-order cooks, efficiently turning out gleaming new bikes--many going to new riders. For more than 30 years, the Habitat has been making New York more bike-friendly. It's great to see the city is finally catching up.
Velo Cult
San Diego, CA
What began as a garage-born hobby restoring and selling classic bikes has turned into an institution in downtown San Diego. Veteran mechanic Sky Boyer opened Velo five years ago and now caters to commuters, tourists, and other urbanites.
Wheel and Sprocket
Hales Corner, WI
Cycling trade groups routinely rate this six-store chain as one of the best outfits in the country. While Wheel and Sprocket's size and profits may garner recognition, its community programs bring customers back: The shop supports more than 20 charity rides and sponsors seven race teams.
Bike Peddler
Santa Rosa, CA
Three decades ago, the Peddler became the first shop outside Marin County to sell production mountain bikes, and it recently doubled down on the category, moving all road bikes to its sister shop, NorCal Bike Sport. Service manager Abe Driedger has been there for 35 years, which means there's absolutely nothing he can't fix.
Research by Kayla Chagnon


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Welcome To AlbumLinerNotes.com
"The #1 Archive of Liner Notes in the World!"
Your Subtitle text
Home Page
Artist List
The Del McCoury Band
The Family (1999)
The Promised Land
It's Just The Night
The Del McCoury Band
Biography by Sandra Brennan
Among the most distinguished practitioners of traditional bluegrass, Del McCoury was the epitome of the "high lonesome sound" for over three decades. Born Delano Floyd McCoury, he was raised in Bakersville, North Carolina. In 1941, he and his family moved to Glen Rock, Pennsylvania, where he got his start as a five-string banjo picker with Keith Daniels & the Blue Ridge Ramblers. Later he played with Jack Cooke's Virginia Mountain Boys in Baltimore. McCoury got his first big break in 1963 when Bill Monroe hired the Virginia Mountain Boys to play a few New York gigs. Monroe was impressed by the young banjo player and invited him to join his Blue Grass Boys. Shortly after accepting Monroe's offer, McCoury became the group's lead vocalist and took up rhythm guitar. In early 1964, he recorded one single with Monroe, but a month later returned home to marry.
Following his marriage, he and fiddler Billy Baker spent three months in California playing with the Golden State Boys. Upon his return back east, McCoury began playing and recording with the Shady Valley Boys. McCoury left the group in 1967 and founded the Dixie Pals with Bill Emerson, Wayne Yates, and Billy Baker. McCoury & His Dixie Pals, which underwent several membership changes, played together for over 20 years and recorded on such labels as Rounder, Revonah, Leather, and Rebel. In 1987, the unit was renamed the Del McCoury Band following the additions of his sons Ronnie on mandolin and Robbie on banjo along with fiddler Tad Marks and bass player Mike Brantley.
The period following the formation of the Del McCoury Band proved to be very productive, with several terrific releases for Rounder. The band carefully bridged the gap between the interesting song choices and instrumentation of the best progressive bluegrass groups, while still retaining the high lonesome style of traditional bluegrass. In early 1999, the band reached a whole new group of listeners when it backed singer/songwriter Steve Earle on his successful traditionally themed album The Mountain. Around that time, McCoury and sons amicably ended their relationship with Rounder, moving to Ricky Skaggs' Ceili label for the Family and Del and the Boys records. The band released It's Just the Night in 2003, followed by The Company We Keep in 2005, the gospel-influenced Promised Land in 2006, and Family Circle in 2009. Old Memories: The Songs of Bill Monroe appeared on LP in 2011 and on CD early in 2012.
Content provided by All Music Guide. Copyright 2013 All Media Guide, LLC.


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Inbox: How will Haren's rotation void be filled?
Beat reporter Bill Ladson answers Nationals fans' questions
With right-hander Dan Haren going on the disabled list, is it possible the Nationals will try and trade for left-hander Cliff Lee or another top-of-the-rotation pitcher near the Trade Deadline?
-- Noah L., Aldie, Va.
The Nationals would have to give up a top prospect or several players for Lee. In the past, they had to trade quite a bit when they acquired Gio Gonzalez and Denard Span. However, for now, I could see the Nationals going to the farm system and calling up a player such as Taylor Jordan, who is the leading candidate to replace Haren in the rotation. Taylor is having the best year of his professional career, going a combined 8-1 with a 0.95 ERA between Class A Potomac and Double-A Harrisburg.
Does Wilson Ramos remind you a bit of Jesus Flores -- a promising young catcher who can't seem to stay off the disabled list?
-- Alex C., Montreal
I see your point. But unlike Flores, I don't see Ramos' stock dropping considerably. Ramos is really missed in that lineup and the Nationals can't wait for him to get back, which will be after the All-Star break. The Nationals feel he will improve the offense once he comes back.
Is there any chance we might see Ryan Zimmerman at second base?
-- Kenny L., Washington
This is a question that is always asked. Zimmerman is staying at third base and is not switching to first or second base. Zimmerman will be the first to say that his right shoulder is not 100 percent. In fact, he expects the shoulder to be in rehab mode for the rest of the season, but it will not keep him out of the lineup. Zimmerman's surgery on his AC joint was much more serious that anyone expected. That's why he is having problems throwing the baseball.
What do you think of the Nats' start this year, compared to last? Are they a stronger team?
-- Michael M., Stoney Creek, Ontario
Obviously, based on the record, last year's team performed better early on. Going into the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline, the Nationals need to acquire a bat more than they need a pitcher. They are hoping that Ramos and Bryce Harper will make a difference once they are off the disabled list. They also need a right-handed hitter off the bench.


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How to address low fertility fears? Invest in young people
- 16 July 2014
Instead, she became the first-ever university graduate in her extended family. She then went on to become a lawyer and a human rights advocate.
Ms. Borisova attended a recent conference in Prague, where experts and policymakers from Eastern Europe and Central Asia gathered to discuss solutions to the region's population challenges. Among the issues under discussion was building 'human capital' – the knowledge and abilities that make people productive in their communities. Ms. Borisova's unlikely path illustrates the power of increasing young people's human capital.
She managed to convince her father that girls' education matters, though many relatives remained sceptical. "In the end, he was the best father to think about the future of [his] daughter and not about what the community would say," she said.
Highly educated, economically independent and empowered to shape her own life, Ms. Borisova is now contributing to her country's development.
For many young people, however, such opportunities remain a distant dream. "In my country, 50 per cent of Roma are young, and most of them are uneducated and unemployed," she said at the conference.
The solution: young people
It is increasingly apparent that investing in people like Ms. Borisova is the solution to a thorny demographic problem: Many see the stubbornly low fertility rates and ageing populations in Eastern Europe as an impending crisis, one that will place huge burdens on social systems.
Policies focusing narrowly on increasing birth rates have largely failed, said Heimo Laakkonen, UNFPA's Regional Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and studies show that there is little chance fertility rates will grow significantly in the near future.
"Low fertility is now a global phenomenon, and expectations to get fertility rates back up above replacement level are quite unrealistic," said Tomas Sobotka, one of Europe's leading demographers, referring to the average number of 2.1 children per women that is widely seen as necessary to maintain the size of a population. This means that population ageing will continue at a fast pace.
But experts say there is little to worry about – provided governments make the right policy choices and invest in young people.
As Mehmet Ceylan, Türkiye's Deputy Minister of Development, said: "Ageing is inevitable, but it is manageable."
Return on investment
In what Nikolai Botev, the director of UNFPA's sub-regional office in Central Asia, called a major paradigm shift, policymakers in Eastern Europe and Central Asia are increasingly looking to build the 'human capital' of their populations, rather than pursuing population targets.
But by investing in the health and education of people, governments can expect huge returns, because a better educated and healthier workforce will increase productivity, nurture innovation and decrease burdens on social systems. Countries can also expect to see returns from increasing gender equality and reducing discrimination.
A 2010 World Bank study calculated that in Bulgaria, for example, the expected fiscal gain from providing one Roma child with an education is eight times higher than what the state spends on education per pupil. The inclusion of all Bulgarian Roma in the workforce could lead to productivity gains of 526 million euros annually, or 1.8 per cent of the country's gross domestic product.
Other age groups also require attention. "With an ageing population, we need to extend employment opportunities for older people through lifelong education," said Natalya Fedorovych, Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Social Policy.
Window of opportunity closing fast
There is a window of opportunity in which to make these investments, Mr. Laakkonen said. Countries in the region could realize a 'demographic dividend' – economic gains that can occur when fertility rates fall and working-age populations grow – if they act now. Demographic dividends have helped catapult a number of countries, mostly in East Asia, out of extreme poverty.
"But governments must act fast and decisively. The window is closing quickly, by approximately 2030 in the case of Eastern Europe, as populations are ageing rapidly," Mr. Laakkonen added. "Even for countries with struggling economies, investing in human capital will never be more affordable than it is now."
Ms. Borisova also insisted that disadvantaged populations not be overlooked. Discrimination makes it difficult for even the most educated young Roma to find jobs, she said.
Her own career path has already led to concrete changes. Emboldened by her example, more than 10 other young women from her community have managed to attend university in recent years, she said.
"Now all of us have better chances in life, despite all the obstacles," Ms. Borisova said, "and more opportunities to realize our potential."
– Jens-Hagen Eschenbaecher


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16-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today:
Monday, January 1, 1912: Not getting tired in the least of keeping a diary even if I do not travel or do anything as interesting. I will still continue to write down the happenings as the days go by, as I did last year. Understand this is not the beginning of a new diary, but simply a continuation of the old one, guaranteed to be full of numerous mistakes and blunders, much to the writer's annoyance.
This is leap year and rightfully belongs to old maids and maidens, especially the neglected ones, like my snappy sister, etc.
January brings to us a new born year,
To do with as we will
So each worthy deed be done
And every glad and hopeful thought fulfilled.
New Year's day for me had a rather doleful beginning, but brightened up as the day passed on. Carrie came over this afternoon and we went a skating or rather she did the skating and I the tumbling. I was just experimenting, being the first time I really tried to skate. Maybe I'll buy a pair of skates pretty soon, as I haven't any of my own. But the learning, however, isn't much fun.
Ruth and I went up to Oakes this evening. It is so grand these evenings. One I could most read by moonlight.
Her middle-aged granddaughter's comments 100 years later:
I've now been posting these diary entries for one year—and like Grandma I'm not getting tired in the least. I enjoyed posting entries in 1911 and look forward to learning more about Grandma and her times during the upcoming year.


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Breast Care Center and Hadley Foundation Imaging Seeing Patients in New Location
The Breast Care Center and Hadley Foundation Imaging Center have moved from Oak Park to a new area at HaysMed, 2200 Canterbury, located just inside Entrance C, the Main Entrance. Renovations began earlier this year and both the Breast Care Center and the Hadley Foundation Imaging Center have moved into the new location. Patients will now have access to American College of Radiology (ACR) certified digital mammography, ACR certified ultrasound for breast and breast biopsy, breast MRI, stereotactic breast biopsy and ultrasound guided breast biopsy all located at the hospital.
This move allows patients to complete routine breast exams and imaging tests at the same location. In addition the BCC also provides risk analysis for women who have not been diagnosed with cancer along with genetic counseling and testing. Survivors will be afforded more in-depth health monitoring and counseling for lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise. Any side effects resulting from cancer treatment can also be monitored. The breast care center is a third year recipient of a Susan G. Komen grant funding which allows for survivorship educational programs, outreach breast awareness programs and a gas card program.
A new Nurse Navigator, Ashley Bauck, RN, BSN has been added to the center to facilitate coordination of care. The Nurse Navigator will guide patients through each step of the health care system from breast biopsy, diagnosis, treatment to survivorship. She will also identify barriers to care such as transportation or financial issues, language barriers and help link patients to resources that will help overcome these barriers. Additionally, the Nurse Navigator will help identify patients who are at high risk for breast cancer and link them with resources to help them manage their increased risk. Lastly, the Breast Health Nurse Navigator will help raise awareness of the needs of cancer survivors.
The Breast Care Center is overseen by Dr. Anne P. O'Dea, Oncologist, Medical Director and A. Nicole Spray, APRN.


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In yet another repudiation of its predecessor, the Obama administration this week migrated the White House Web site to Drupal, the popular open-source Web site management software. By dumping the Bush administration's proprietary system and embracing software authored by the community and available to everyone, the consensus holds, the White House embodies the very essence of the new politics.
I wish Drupal and the White House nothing but happiness. But I have a feeling this story ends badly. If the administration had conducted a few polls among the swing demographic of Web site administrators, it would have realized that Drupal is pocked with political landmines. To wit: Drupal represents everything the Obama team does not want to project. Allow me to elaborate.
Drupal knows best. It's not that Drupal thinks you're evil. It just thinks you're ignorant. In a basic setup, the software is suspicious of everything you try to do. Should you, say, go completely rogue and try to add some Javascript in the body of a page—a 14-year-old technology that controls interactive components like buttons—the platform will have none of it. rooting around in the API"> The message: "That's dangerous stuff, and you probably don't know what you're doing." Better to outlaw something altogether, Drupal figures, than simply ask you if you really want to use it. If Drupal ran the Food and Drug Administration, it would ban high-fructose corn syrup. This is just the sort of straitjacketed paternalism that half the country is convinced the Democrats are hell-bent on imposing on us all.
Drupal is impenetrable. Even the software's defenders admit that it is hostile to newcomers—or at least indifferent to their plight, as a University of Baltimore study found. The apologists will tell you that, once you scale the learning curve, it gets much easier. This is probably true, but a lot of ordinary, code-fearing people who just want a simple Web site are getting left behind. If Drupal were an employee of the federal government, it would be the person who answers the phone at Immigration and Customs Enforcement who is unable to help you and unable to tell you who can. If you suspect government is the problem, not the solution, this sort of bureaucratic sprawl is your worst enemy.
Drupal hates change. Want to modernize Drupal by upgrading to a newer version? Ask these guys how that worked out for them. If Drupal were a piece of legislation, it would be the farm bill: desperately in need of an overhaul but unlikely ever to get one because entrenched interests keep the forces of reform at bay.
Drupal is disorganized. Instead of displaying your pages in folders that you can browse, like you do on your personal computer, Drupal provides a nightmarish content list. To find what you're looking for, you have to search for it. And unlike most content management systems, Drupal doesn't have a convenient way to prevent two people from accidentally editing the same page at the same time. This is exactly the kind of rudderless confusion that small-government types have always said defines the federal government.
Drupal is righteous. The open-source movement has done wonderful things for the Web. But at its core, it remains a religion. If you went to DrupalCon in Paris last month, then you would have almost certainly come across proselytizers of one the movement's fundamental tenets: Drupal doesn't break Web sites. People with Drupal break Web sites. Most problems with Drupal stem from people who "don't get it" or aren't using it correctly. This is probably true, but it's not much consolation when you spend 45 minutes trying to upload a photo. Drupal's defenders are eerily reminiscent of those movement Democrats who were constantly knocking at your front door in the summer of 2008. Granted, they did get Obama elected, but it's a miracle they didn't cost him the election in the process.
As a cautionary tale, the WhiteHouse.gov administrators might look to Recovery.gov, which is devoted to tracking stimulus spending. The site originally used Drupal but soon hired a private contractor—at a reported cost of $18 million—to rework the site. Perhaps the White House site's administrators have learned from their colleagues' mistakes.
But I can't help but think the new software represents the triumph of hope over experience. Drupal looks great in theory: It's a powerful way to govern a Web site that is born out of the collective efforts of the community. In practice, it tends to be a bit of a mess. Does that sound like any particular form of government to you?
(Disclosure: Slate sister sites The Big Money, DoubleX, and The Root run on Drupal. The author is not directly involved with any of those sites or their content management.)


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September 30th, 2011
While you were working...
Today's news you might've missed:
September 30th, 2011
Weeklies cheat sheet: Royalty from Camelot to the U.K.
In this week's roundup of celebrity magazine covers, we've got royalty from Camelot to the U.K., plus potential marriage news for Jennifer Aniston.
September 30th, 2011
Crystal Harris's ring from Hefner to be auctioned?
Hugh Hefner's former fiancee Crystal Harris has said she didn't know what to do with the diamond engagement ring Hef let her keep, but it seems she's figured it out.
According to TMZ, Harris has put the 3.39 carat rock up for auction at Christie's in New York. The bauble, estimated to be worth $90,000, will be sold to the highest bidder next month. A listing is estimating that the ring will rake in somewhere between $20,000 and $30,000.
Anonymous sources tell TMZ that Harris just couldn't bear to keep the jewelry, since looking at it brought back "bad memories." Crystal herself, however, has tweeted in response to a remark about her keeping the ring, "don't believe everything you hear."
Harris, if you'll recall, is the Playboy Playmate 85-year-old Hefner was on track to wed in June. They never made it down the aisle, however, because aspiring singer Harris called off the wedding five days before the ceremony.
September 30th, 2011
Jack Osbourne's getting hitched
Ozzy and Sharon are getting a daughter-in-law: Jack Osbourne has popped the question to aspiring actress Lisa Stelly and she said yes, CNN has confirmed.
Former reality star Jack, 25, had been dating Lisa, 24, for just four months before proposing, reports MTV.
On Thursday, the future Mrs. Jack Osbourne took to Twitter to announce the engagement: "The most amazing man I've ever met asked me to marry him....and he wasn't joking! Crazy, right?"
September 30th, 2011
It's all about Amy on 'The Big Bang Theory'
Let's face it, everyone.
Thursday night's episode of "The Big Bang Theory" was owned by Amy Farrah Fowler.
Yes, Sheldon was there, prattling on about toy trains. And it finally dawned on Bernadette that marrying Howard meant living with his mother (I'm guessing these two won't make it down the aisle).
September 30th, 2011
Gwyneth Paltrow suffers post-birthday hangover
Gwyneth Paltrow may have gone a little overboard celebrating her 39th birthday on Tuesday, if her Twitter account is any indication. Wednesday morning, the actress alerted followers to her "horrific hangover," reports E! Online.
"Nursing a horrific hangover at the jfk," Gwynnie shared early Wednesday. "Nothing like starting an overseas flight dehydrated. Where is the dog, I need the hair."
Paltrow's "Contagion" co-star Ali Wentworth hinted at the source of the birthday girl's sickness, replying, "Happy Hang-over!!!! Heard it was Crazy! Next year Paris!"
About this blog
Our daily cheat-sheet for breaking celebrity news, Hollywood buzz and your pop-culture obsessions.


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Quantity Updated
Please note, the order volume has been updated. This is due to package and minimum order quantities.
Please note, the order volume has been updated to. This is due to package and minimum order quantities.
Hilti Button for Smart™3D and PDMS™ is a design and planning tool for pipe, cable tray and HVAC duct supports, used in chemical, power, mining, oil, and gas construction projects.
It's available as a plug-in to two widely used design software programs, Aveva PDMS™ and Intergraph Smart™3D.
It also helps your team to collaborate, enabling all project team members to access designs, bills of materials, virtual reviews, interference checks and construction planning.
This can all help to minimize risks and changes on the jobsite.
Integrating your team's work process
You can use Hilti Button for Smart™3D and PDMS™ throughout your design, procurement and build process, sharing information and data throughout your project team.
Engineering design
If you'd like help with your design your local Hilti team is ready to help.
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Associate Professor
National Astronomical Observatory of Japan
National Institutes of Natural Sciences
Dr. Omer is affiliated to National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, National Institute of Natural Sciences, where Dr. Omer is currently working as Associate Professor. Dr. Omer has authored and co-authored several national and international publications and also working as a reviewer for reputed professional journals. Dr. Omer is having an active association with different societies and academies around the world. Dr. Omer made his mark in the scientific community with the contributions and widely recognition from honourable subject experts around the world. Dr. Omer has received several awards for the contributions to the scientific community. Dr. Omer major research interest involves Physical Sciences, G Stars and Stellar Physics.
Research Interest
Physical Sciences, G Stars and Stellar Physics


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Auto Bits: Tire confidential: Tips on picking the right one for you
Tip of the Week
To most people, a tire is a tire is a tire. To the naked eye, that's absolutely correct: They are black and round. However, upon further inspection, tires are one of the most technologically advanced parts of a car, influencing the braking, steering, comfort, handling, safety and fuel efficiency. They are also the only parts actually touching the road.
Whether it's the daily commute, family road trip, cruise to the beach, off-road adventure or grocery run, tires absorb constant pounding over all sorts of surfaces in all kinds of weather conditions. Thanks to stout engineering and technology, they continue to perform with amazing effectiveness and last longer than ever.
However, no matter how long-lasting tires are, there's a time when you'll need to replace them, and picking the right one for your vehicle can be challenging. "Cornering, acceleration, wet road traction, tire wear, ride, styling and fuel economy can be modified by changing tires," says Alan Holtschneider of Yokohama Tire. "Knowing what types of tires are available is important because it can save money and fuel and vastly improve a vehicle's ride and handling."
Holtschneider said the first step to selecting the right tires is to consider how you will be using them.
* Think about how far (and fast) you normally drive and add in the weather and road conditions you generally encounter.
* Determine how you want your vehicle to perform.
* Calculate how much money you want to spend.
* Decide how long you plan to keep the vehicle.
With countless tire sizes and types, there are a few things to know, according to Holtschneider. The three basic tire categories are all-season, summer and winter.
* All-season tires are the most popular because they can work all year, depending on where you live. All-season tires can even handle moderate snow.
* Summer tires are generally more performance/handling-oriented and are not recommended for winter/snowy conditions.
* Winter tires are great in the snow but don't perform as well in non-wintry conditions.
There are sub-categories, too, like ultra high performance, light truck and grand touring tires, says Holtschneider. "For example, the AVID Ascend GT fits into the grand touring segment. It's a highly advanced all-season tire delivering improved wet/snow braking and handling, long mileage and superior comfort."
After selecting the tire that best meets your needs, Holtschneider suggests keeping them properly maintained. Here are some tips:
* Check tire pressure at least once a month - this takes about five minutes. Consult the vehicle's owner's manual or placard on the driver's door to determine proper tire pressure. Tire pressure should be checked when the tires are cold.
* Check your tread depth by placing a penny upside down into a tread groove. If you can see all of Lincoln's head, your tire's tread has worn down to the legal limit and you need to buy a new tire.
* Tires should be replaced when the tread is worn down to 2/32 of an inch, the lowest legal limit. It's best to replace them before they reach 2/32 for optimal performance, especially in bad weather.
— Brandpoint
Auto News
Governors Highway Safety Association recently released a report that found there's an average of 328,000 drowsy-driving crashes every year in the U.S., with more than half caused by drivers younger than 25. The report, titled "WAKE UP CALL! Understanding Drowsy Driving and What States Can Do" concluded that the recognition of drowsy driving as a significant public health and traffic safety issue is new as drowsy driving has up until recently been socially acceptable. It called on officials in the public health and traffic safety sectors to "engage the public in recognizing the seriousness of the problem and take the necessary steps to prevent it."
—More Content Now
Did you know
Nearly 83 percent of older drivers report never speaking to a family member or physician about their safe driving ability, according to new research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
—AAA News


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Released on : 27 June 2017
Applies to Version : 8.3 (All Builds)
EventTracker On-demand Correlator feature add-on package.
Who should read this document
Customers who use 8.3
Affected software
EventTracker Web, EventTracker Reports
Non-affected software
EventTracker Agent, EventTracker Scheduler, EventTracker Alerter, EventTracker EventVault, EventTracker Receiver.
Process to apply Update
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Unlock the Night
With the introduction of the Athlon XP we saw an increase in performance up too 15% at same clock speed compared to the Athlon Tbird. But not all was good; unlocking your CPU with a pencil was no longer possible. You had to use a silver pen/paint to connect the L1 bridges on the XP. This can take a while and the risk for making a mistake increased 10 fold!
Luckily we saw some manufactures take some good actions by releasing all-in-one Unlock Kits. They include all the tools necessary to connect the bridges that would cause the CPU to be unlocked.
The Athlon XP is now being replaced by a smaller, faster and cooler CPU, the Tbred. These CPU´s also have some bridges cut and unlocking can only be done with silver paint.
And that is exactly what I´m going to do here. To unlock the Tbred you need the connect the last L3 bridge, this will result in making the lower multipliers available (up to 12.5x). This way you can really push the FSB to the limit!
The Tbred Unlocked:
What you need:
- Silver paint/pen : The silver paint can also be found in carshops named Rear Window Defrogger kit.
- Wax color pencil : The one used by children to draw on almost anything.
- Sharp needle
- Tape & Cutter
- Nail Polish Remover (NPR) : to correct any mistakes that are made, removes the silver with ease.
- a Q-Tip : to be used with the NPR
- Good light source : cause it´s hard to see things in the dark :)
What you need to do:
Connect the last L3 bridge
- Clean the surface around the last L3 bridge with the NPR and Q-Tip.
- Use the wax color pencil to fill the hole between the 2 contacts.
- Clean the contacts with the needle (be carefull and be gentle :) )
- Use the cut some pieces of tape (4 to be exact) and place them in a way so that will mark the area that will be painted
how to isolate the bridge (example on AXP)
- Use the silver paint/pen to make it look all shiny, wait 5 minutes.
- Gently remove the tape and check your work!
The Movie:
I recorded my little unlocking adventure using my camcorder and a R8500AIW to get the images onto the PC.
Download/Fullscreen -click here
If you have any questions / remarks , don´t hesitate to ask right here


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SETRA city buses leasing
Set leasing payments schedule
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Initial price: 15900 EUR
Germany, Rohrbach/Pfalz
910 774 km
Number of seats: 41
Germany, Rohrbach/Pfalz
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At present, it is approximated that there are over a million Americans coping with Aids. This means that more than one out of every three hundred folks is carrying this infection. The terrifying thing is that you simply may never know that an individual is having HIV except if they inform you as the early stages of your disease often have no symptoms at all. Consequently, if you do not have never engaged in unprotected sexual activity or else you simply have been with completely respected companions, you may have been open to this illness. Also, you can deal with HIV through sharing tiny needles or through unsanitary body art studios, unprotected anal gender, or another process that could expose you to definitely afflicted physical liquids. As a consequence of most of these avenues of illness and the point that HIV infection is fairly popular, it is extremely important to get analyzed for HIV if there is an opportunity in any way that you may have been revealed.
Thanks to superior medication, HIV is already actually readily treatable in its initial phases. Because of this if you achieve tested early and examination positive, you might still have the ability to enjoy a very long, good quality existence. The key level, nonetheless, is early on evaluation. The previous you catch the HIV contamination, the greater chances you will possess at remaining wholesome. You should also get analyzed without delay if you think there may be even the slightest probability of an Aids disease since you might be unknowingly moving this malware through to other folks. Through getting tested, you can acquire the assurance of being aware that you are not affected or start taking the right health care techniques and sexual safeguards to hold you together with any lovers wholesome.
For most of us, the two main hesitations in relation to getting tested for HIV: are anxiety in regards to the outcomes and anxiety about others determining about getting analyzed. If these aspects are trying to keep you from receiving the testing you will need, you should think of employing confidential STD Evaluating services for the HIV check. The corporation has centers throughout the entire nation and provides very rapid and fully personal testing services for all types of STDs including Aids. Once you decide to obtain tested by way of a confidential STD Tests assistance, you just phone their toll-free number, set up a scheduled appointment (usually within 24 hours) and then check out a local business office for testing. The tests method is easy and quick along the outcomes are offered within only a little time. Because the evaluating solutions focus just on screening for STDs, there are actually employees extremely informed about any concerns you might have and they are equipped to deal with the emotionally charged aspects of acquiring evaluation.
Some of the STD screening services possess the important qualification to be 100% private. Due to the fact acquiring examined for Aids is undoubtedly a stressful and anxiety-making experience as well as a highly personal one particular, you may possibly not like to use your household doctor or nearby medical center to have this testing accomplished. Private STD Screening providers will provide you with a method to get these crucial assessments accomplished without the fear of someone you know determining concerning the test. You can trust the best evaluating professional services to maintain your information and facts completely secure in order that you don't need to worry about it finding yourself inside the incorrect palms.
Receiving an examination for HIV is an extremely important key to taking charge of your overall health and can present you with either satisfaction or with all the essential understanding that you should start to get dealt with HIV. Slowing down receiving an evaluation can be extremely unfavorable for you, so make sure to make an appointment for testing right away. Recall, personal STD screening services are always available for testing and can provide you with the confidential, convenient, and compassionate support that you desire.
Have you been afraid about your sex wellness but desire to sustain your level of privacy? Simple STD Evaluating offers confidential evaluation for those sexually transferred ailments with fast outcomes.
Inspired by: ezinearticles


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When it comes to fashion, I make my own rules. I love all white any time of the year.
These photos taken before Labour Day in Bryant Park (NYC). It looks like I'm wearing a dress but it's actually a long blouse to wear over pants or leggings. There are no buttons from the waist down.
Imitating the mannequins in the window display.
Walking over to Midtown, Times Square is the famous site of the annual New Year's Eve ball drop. It's an electric feeling surrounded by huge LED billboards and towering buildings, you realize you're in the most visited place in the world! Take a look at my video to get a feel of it.
Time for some more window shopping.
Browsing through Marimekko, I bought some fabric. The same print of a dress I had in the 1960's. It's from Finland and this print is still being made.
Ok, how do we get to the Flatiron Building? This 22-story triangular skyscraper is over a hundred years old and has become an icon of NYC. One of the tallest buildings in its day. Nowadays, skyscrapers are more than 40 stories.
Everywhere I go I'm experiencing deja vu, like I've been here before.
Last time in Washington Square was with my daughter Jean.
Washington Square has a triumphal arch.Violet the Cockatoo was in the park, love how we match.
Back home; great way to dress up jeans.
Do you wear white after Labour Day?
Violet wears white all the time.


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First homestand almost in the books
Hey everyone! Dave here. Well, tonight is the last night of the opening eight game homestand. Right now we're on a hot streak as we've won 4 in a row and rolling. We had an exciting walk off win last night on a Tyler Henley single in the 10th inning.
On a different note, I actually got to live a life long dream on Wednesday by being a ball boy.
My first big goal in life was to play professional baseball, but that dream died a loooong time ago so I moved on to wanting to be a ball boy. Unfortunately, a ball never really came my way, but I'm still glad I did it.
It was an 11:00AM start so the kids were out in full force. I got to sign some autographs, and it was fun seeing the smiling faces on a gorgeous Wednesday afternoon.
We look forward to seeing everyone at AutoZone Park!


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January 8th, 2009
What can I do for relentless back pain?
As a new feature of CNNhealth.com, our team of expert doctors will answer readers' questions. Here's a question for Dr. Gupta.
Asked by Jerry, Naperville, Illinois
"I had neck surgery with fusion a year and a half ago for triple-herniated cervical discs. About two months post surgery, I started having whole-body neuropathy pain that continued to get worse. The numbness, pins and needles, electrical discharge and cramping make life terrible for me and my family. I take pain pills as well as pain injections but nothing seems to help. I cannot imagine living like this another 30 years. Any ideas or suggestions? I am age 59, male, and in otherwise good health."
Jerry, I am so sorry to hear about your terrible pain. As you may know, I am a neurosurgeon and specialize in diagnosis and treatment of spinal disorders. Let me first say that there is almost no reason to continually suffer in pain.
For those who are not familiar with the condition, herniated cervical discs can cause several different types of problems. Besides pain, which is what usually brings someone to my office, patients may also have arm weakness or numbness. In addition, cervical spine or neck problems can cause pressure on the spinal cord, which can cause difficulty walking and reflex problems, which can be diagnosed by your doctor.
In your case, Jerry, it sounds as if there were three separate areas causing troubles, and the surgeons need to make a decision as to whether decompress and fuse from the front of the spine or the back of the spine. Unfortunately, it sounds as if you may have a persistent compression of the spinal cord, based on what you are describing. First step is to get an updated imaging study.
If an MRI cannot be performed, then another study such as a CT myelogram might help determine whether another operation may be of benefit. It sounds like oral medications and injections have not been of much help, and I would recommend seeing someone in a pain clinic and possibly a neurosurgeon who specializes in the treatment of pain. Nowadays, there are operations such as spinal cord stimulators and pain pumps, which may be of some help to you as well.
Good luck Jerry. Be strong and don't give up hope.
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About this blog
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love.


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Parmarth Ashram, Sapt Sarovar Margh, Opp. Bharat Mata Mandir, Motichur, Haridwar, Uttarakhand 249 411.
|2 Bed AC Room
Parmarth Ashram in Haridwar has been welcoming YatraDham.Org guests since November 2018.
Near Shantikunj in a quiet and peaceful area, Parmarth Ashram is a good place to meditate and do yoga. They offer two. Three and four bedded AC and non AC rooms. Ideal for families and groups. The bus stand is 6 km from the ashram.
Penance and meditation are at the core of Hinduism. Saints, sages and ascetics have been doing exactly that in Haridwar for millennia. Situated at the foothills of the mighty Himalayas where the Ganga river enters the plains. Spiritual energy comes alive in Haridwar.
Places to visit in Haridwar near Parmarth Ashram
Distances from Haridwar
Haridwar Map :
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Nice facility
Good stay
Family visit
Loved the location
Good place to stay
Cleanest and best ever room
Near to ganga
Overall best
River view location
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Justin Williams leads LA Kings past Boston
Kings 4, Bruins 2
Justin Williams had a power-play goal and an assist in his 800th career game, Jonathan Quick made 20 saves and the Los Angeles Kings slowed their recent slide with a 4-2 victory over the Boston Bruins on Thursday night.
Jeff Carter, Alec Martinez and captain Dustin Brown also scored for the Kings, who won for just the second time in eight games with a largely dominant effort against the Atlantic Division leaders. Quick earned his second win since his return from a 24-game injury absence, allowing just four goals in three games.
Justin Florek scored his first career goal for the Bruins, who have lost on the first two stops of their three-game California road trip. Tuukka Rask gave up three goals on 18 shots before Chad Johnson replaced him.


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By David Crane defrev (at) gmail (dot) com All photos contained in this article were taken by DefenseReview.com, and are copyrighted. DefenseReview.com owns the copyright on these photos. The photos were shot with a Canon PowerShot S90 10-megapixel digital camera (still camera with video capability). February 2, 2010 Colt Defense just introduced its new Colt Tactical line of semi-auto-only tactical …Read More »
Tag Archives: hk usp
High-Capacity 'Tactical Plastic' .45 ACP Pistols: Choices, Choices…
By David Crane defrev at gmail.com If you've been thinking about acquiring a production high-capacity/double-stack polymer-framed .45 ACP tactical pistol, now might just be the right time, considering that you've never had more choices. Here's DefenseReview's list to look at: Glock 21 (G21) series (including the new Glock 21SF a.k.a. Glock 21 SF) and Glock 30 (G30), Springfield Armory Xtreme …Read More »
HK45 and HK45 Compact (HK45C) Pistols: Future USSOCOM Combat Pistol (CP) System?
by David Crane [email protected] Gunwriters David Fortier (David M. Fortier) and Ken Hackathorn have both recently written articles about the HK45 and HK45C .45 ACP combat pistols, and both articles can be viewed at the Vickers Tactical Inc. website (VickersTactical.com). The articles are in PDF format and are downloadable. Vickers Tactical, Inc. is owned by gunsmith/pistolsmith and retired U.S. Army …Read More »
SIGARMS and Heckler & Koch/HK Defense Win Major Pistol Contracts with DHS
by David Crane [email protected] Sigarms, Inc. and Heckler & Koch, Inc./HK Defense) both recently won monster pistol contracts (in 9mm, .40 S&W, and .357 SIG calibers)–for up to 65,000 pistols, each–with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Sigarms' pistol contract is worth $23.7 million. The SIG-Sauer pistols chosen by DHS are the SIG P226R-DAK, SIG P229R-DAK, and SIG P239-DAO (double-action-only). …Read More »
Russian KBP GSh-18 Pistol and 9mm PBP AP Ammo for Special Applications
by David Crane [email protected] While we're on the subject of Russian firearms, we should perhaps also mention a pistol that looks really intriguing. It's manufactured by KBP (Equipment manufacturing Design Bureau) in Tula, Russia, and it's called the GSh-18. The KBP GSh-18 pistol basically appears to be a polymer-framed hybrid pistol that incorporates design and material aspects of previous pistols …Read More »
HK USP45 Compact Tactical Pistol Replacing SIG-Sauer P226 for U.S. Navy SEAL's?
by David Crane [email protected] October 25, 2004 It's possible that the Heckler & Koch (HK) USP45 Compact Tactical .45ACP pistol will soon be replacing the SIG P226 9mm pistol as the standard issue pistol/sidearm for the U.S. Navy SEAL's. This information is unconfirmed, as yet. The HK USP45 Compact Tactical pistol is apparently a Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) USP45 Compact pistol …Read More »
Corner Shot. 'Cause You Never Know What's Waiting for You Around the Corner.
by David Crane [email protected] Man, this is a cool product. I recently got the opportunity to handle it and see it demonstrated at SWAT Round-Up 2003 in Orlando, Florida, and came away from that session extremely impressed. The Corner Shot was designed and developed by Corner Shot's CEO, Amos Golan, to allow military Spec-Ops/Counterterrism and LE SWAT personnel to be …Read More »


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Which is your "love language" — words of affirmation, gifts, acts of service, quality time or physical touch?
Interesting piece in The New York Times about The Five Love Languages, a best-selling book that's sold 7.2 million copies in North America and been translated into 40 languages:
"Each of us has a primary love language," Dr. Chapman said, and often secondary or tertiary ones. To help identify your language, he recommended focusing on the way you most frequently express love. What you give is often what you crave. Challenges in relationships arise because people tend to be attracted to their opposites, he said. "In a marriage, almost never do a husband and wife have the same language. The key is we have to learn to speak the language of the other person."
I read this book a while ago and think it's an interesting argument. My husband grew up in a family whose behaviors were profoundly different from mine — and in many ways much healthier and happier. The only son, and the youngest, of a Hispanic family, a surprise baby who arrived to a 49-year-old mother and a preacher father, he grew up secure in their love.
My mother, who has suffered bi-polar illness for decades, sent me to boarding school and summer camp when I was 8, places that offered physical and emotional security, (all good) but which left me wondering why she didn't want me around. In our family, love showed up as stuff: great clothes, jewelry, material objects. No one was, or still is, very good at saying "I love you" or hugging. Entire years have gone by between visits to either one of my parents and acts of service? Hah!
So it's been an interesting experience being with a man who is (thank you!) extremely generous with gifts, but whose primary love language is verbal, words of affirmation. Not a day goes by without him saying "I love you" several times, for which I'm deeply grateful.
Because I still can't say it easily, and rarely do.
But he knows I love him deeply.
Because…I clean house. I detail the car. I buy groceries and cook delicious meals. I make our home as lovely as I possibly can so that when he walks in the door after a 12-hour absence he feels welcomed and valued.
My primary "love language" is different from his. Given my own emotional matrix and upbringing, and ongoing ways of relating to my parents, it's tough to completely shift gears in this respect. My father is not a huggy, verbal guy when it comes to showing affection, but does come to visit us whenever he can and that helps. He recently spent two days with us and we finally talked about some stuff we've never even discussed, a bold and scary step for both of us.
This difference in emotional style is very common amongst married and committed couples — and a frequent cause of conflict — but knowing it and talking about it openly can make a real difference. It has for us, certainly.
How does this play out in your relationships or marriage?


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I send out a number of Christmas cards every year. Many years I include a Christmas letter, so that I can focus on writing a personal note in the card instead of an update on what's happening in our lives. As frequent blog-readers, all y'all (Hey, I'm in Georgia right now! It's allowed!) know most of this stuff anyway, but here it is!*
Dearest Friends,
This year feels like it stretched out long and full – like a cat in a sunbeam. The year has been full of moments caught and enjoyed. After a two year tenure at a life sciences company, I switched to become a Solutions Architect at a software company that creates software. I took the job for more than just a great title, and have been incredibly busy and very satisfied. Adam is still with a healthcare non-profit and among other things has had fun working on mobile applications.
As our sons grow older, there's also been a little more time for other things in our life. I had started Grey on guitar lessons, but he did not enjoy them. During one frustrating lesson, I took over for him. Now, nine months in, I'm getting pretty decent. I can read three kinds of notation and play several songs almost in tempo. It's a completely different skill than trumpet, and downright exhilarating to learn! I also continue to blog at http://mytruantpen.com, and started a new blog at http://technicallypretty.com .
Adam and I spent our twelfth anniversary idylling in Ashland Oregon. We watched Henry V in the Elizabethan, followed the political trials of Lyndon B. Johnson, played "Lords of Scotland" while eating pizza next to Lithia Creek, and white water rafted the Rogue (which was awesome!). The boys didn't miss us at all as they went to Camp Gramp with their cousins. The winter was mild and easy. Spring was short and sprightly. The summer was full of camping, canning and beaches. The fall was birthdays and apples and games and storms.
The only cloud on the year was the loss of our two kitty cats. Magic died in the spring of old age, leaving a legacy of love and cat hair. Justice – an indoor/outdoor cat with a strong penchant for adventure – died with his boots on during his adventures. I'm grateful that he was able to come home and rest in the back yard he once prowled. They are both missed by large and small in our home.
Grey began first grade this year. He continues as a strong reader with a particular preference for those odious books intended for pre-adolescent boys (think "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" and "Captain Underpants"). Happily, he also branches out into less nauseating literature, such as "Alice in Wonderland". The great passions of his 7 year old life are Legos and drawing cartoons. The cartoons are quite good. He'll come home with stacks of "collectible cards" he and his friends drew at after-school. He does an amazing job of following Lego building instructions, and his room is practically carpeted in Legos. He is still in aikido, and has earned his green belt.
Fortunately for filial peace, Thane is also completely Lego-obsessed right now. I swear he wills his four-year-old fingers to the fine movements required to work with "little Legos". He spends an astonishing amount of time for a child his age creating objects. I even caught him successfully following the instructions to create a kit. He's not reading yet, but still loves to be read to – especially books about his beloved Scooby Doo. He's silly and sweet. He likes to pretend he's a baby bird. He still considers Puppy (a bunny rabbit) his best friend. I'm savoring the last lingering babyness with all my might.
We have had a wonderful year, with bright horizons for the coming one. We hope you, and your family, are the same. Merry Christmas to you all!
Brenda, Adam, Grey & Thane
*Some information changed to preserve internet anonymity!


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Acer Aspire One D260, GMA 950
Reviews for the Acer Aspire One D260, GMA 950
Source: HardwareLuxx DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 01/08/2011
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 950: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 is an integrated (onboard) graphic chip on Mobile Intel 945GM chipset. It is a faster clocked version of the GMA 900 and supports no hardware T&L (Transform & Lightning) accelleration (which is required for some games).
These graphics cards are not suited for Windows 3D games. Office and Internet surfing however is possible.
» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.
Intel Atom: The Intel Atom series is a 64-Bit (not every model supports 64bit) microprocessor for cheap and small notebooks (so called netbooks), MIDs, or UMPCs. The speciality of the new architecture is the "in order" execution (instead of the usual and faster "out of order" execution). Therefore, the transistor count of the Atom series is much lower and, thus, cheaper to produce. Furthermore, the power consumption is very low. The performance per Megahertz is therfore worse than the old Pentium 3M (1,2 GHz on par with a 1.6 GHz Atom).
Intel Atom CPU for Netbooks with integrated memory controller and GMA 3150 GPU. The performance of the system should be only minimally faster than the previous Atom N280 / GMA 950 combination.» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.
This is a typical display size for tablets and small convertibles.
Large display-sizes allow higher resolutions. So, details like letters are bigger. On the other hand, the power consumption is lower with small screen diagonals and the devices are smaller, more lightweight and cheaper.
1.3 kg:
In former time,s this weight was typical for big tablets, small subnotebooks, ultrabooks and convertibles with a 10-11 inch display-diagonal. Nowadays, often 15 inch laptops weigh as much.
Acer: The company was founded under the name of Multitech in Taiwan in 1976 and renamed to Acer or Acer Group in 1987. The product range includes, for example, laptops, tablets, smartphones, desktops, monitors and televisions. Gateway Inc. and Packard Bell also belong to the Group and sell their own laptops.
While Acer still had the third largest global market share in the notebook segment in 2008, it ranked 6th in 2016 with a market share of 6% after they had continuously lost market shares.
There are dozens of Acer laptop reviews per month, the ratings are average (as of 2016). Gateway, which has an own laptop line-up, has also belonged to the Acer Group since 2007.
» Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.


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📣 As the U.S. is recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, many transit agencies may continue to have reduced or suspended service. Route information on this site may not reflect all COVID-19 related service changes. Check Twitter feeds for transit agencies for current service updates prior to travel. CDC recommends riders to wear face covering or mask on public transportation.
Bensenville Station
City: Bensenville
This station is served by the Milwaukee District West line. Waiting room is available. Tickets may be purchased from a station agent during available hours. Otherwise, purchase tickets online, through the Ventra mobile app, or onboard the train from conductors. This station features side platforms. Trains to Chicago board on the south platform.
|Metra lines at Bensenville Station
|Next stop
|Next stop
|Wood Dale
West to Big Timer Road
|Milwaukee District West
East to Chicago
Grand Avenue
River - York Roads
Parking is available at this station.


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(Sheinside sleeveless chiffon top, Rag & Bone jean legging in goetz print, Tibi Amber high heel sandals, stylebymarina sequin clutch, ASOS claw ring & spike stretch bracelet, also loving this one)
As you can see, I continue on my quest to wear every bright color imaginable. Funny, I never used to be such a fan of brights. For years, my wardrobe was dominated by black, white and various shades of navy. Ok, maybe it was dominated by black a little more than everything else. I started to introduce new shades in a way of accessories fairly recently. I think bright accents are probably one of the easiest ways to wear color. Of course, those few bright accents led to more color in my wardrobe in general. And now, well, now I am a complete color addict. What a difference a few years make:)
Keep on smiling,


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There are many varieties of papaya . The kamiah papaya is a genetically modified variety from Hawaii. The Mexican red is very sweet and larger than the Hawaiian varieties. The Mexican yellow has a firmer texture than the Mexican red and is not as sweet.
The Solo is the most common variety of papaya and is bisexual (not kinky in the plant kingdom.) The solo papaya plant will not produce any male trees so each plant will provide fruit. However, much of the solo variety is from Hawaii. It seems that most papaya from Hawaii is now genetically modified due to cross-contamination.
Our papaya tree produced prolifically for us over the past two years, but… we want to plant more. The papaya tree peaks in the second year and usually declines after that. We have two red maradols (Caribbean red) and a Hawaiian sunrise planted for this year. We obtained our Hawaiian sunrise variety from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co. They only sell organic and non-GMO seeds. We bought two young red maradols from Echo Nursery in N. Ft. Myers, Florida that are bisexual.
We will be able to plant the seeds from these and there is a high probability that the seeds will be bisexual too. These red maradols are not supposed to be genetically modified , but I wouldn't bet the farm on it. They are, however, a hybrid, which is different from being genetically modified.
Papaya is usually grown from seed. The plant will reach about 10-15 feet in height and should give you fruit (a berry) within the first year of planting because it grows quickly. The papaya tree has high water requirements and shallow roots. It must have warmth throughout the year and needs at least 10 months of heat to set fruit. They grow well in a container.
Some papaya plants have only short-stemmed female flowers. Other papaya plants may have only male flowers on long stalks. Some plants have both male and female plants (bisexual). Sometimes the plant will change from male to female after being beheaded (garden language – don't be scared.) Pollination is usually necessary for fruit set and is done so at night by moths (and you thought all they did was fly around light bulbs.)
Only female plants produce fruit. One male plant is needed for every 15-25 females (bulls, roosters and papayas… every man's dream life.) If you have a bisexual papaya plant (solo variety), it will act as its own pollen source for its flowers and nearby female flowers and will give you fruit.
The non-GMO Hawaiian sunrise seeds that we germinated will be an assortment of male and female plants. We are germinating all of them. When they start to flower, we will compost all the males except for one (the dream ends here.) We don't have to do that with our red maradols. Only one plant is needed to produce fruit.
There are many pests that attack papayas in each region they grow. In Florida they are susceptible to webworms, papaya fruit and white flies. Florida also has a problem with nematodes in the soil that cause damage to the roots. Mulching helps with the nematode problem. Fungal and viral diseases can also be problems.
I expected to have difficulties when we started growing papaya because we lots of pests and nematodes. So far we have had no problems and a bountiful harvest.
The orange-ish yellow fruit is ready to be harvested when the tip turns yellow. I like my papayas to be really ripe, so I wait until they don't look so picture-perfect on the tree anymore. They bruise easily when they are ripe so they must be handled with care.
Now… don't you feel berry educated about this fabulous fruit?
Come grow with us!


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February 11th, 2013
Why pope will be remembered for generations
By Timothy Stanley, Special to CNN
Editor's note: Timothy Stanley is a historian at Oxford University and blogs for Britain's The Daily Telegraph. He is the author of "The Crusader: The Life and Times of Pat Buchanan."
(CNN) - Journalists have a habit of calling too many things "historic" - but on this occasion, the word is appropriate. The Roman Catholic Church is run like an elected monarchy, and popes are supposed to rule until death; no pope has stepped down since 1415.
Therefore, it almost feels like a concession to the modern world to read that Benedict XVI is retiring on grounds of ill health, as if he were a CEO rather than God's man on Earth. That's highly ironic considering that Benedict will be remembered as perhaps the most "conservative" pope since the 1950s - a leader who tried to assert theological principle over fashionable compromise.
The word "conservative" is actually misleading, and the monk who received me into the Catholic Church in 2006 - roughly a year after Benedict began his pontificate - would be appalled to read me using it. In Catholicism, there is no right or left but only orthodoxy and error. As such, Benedict would understand the more controversial stances that he took as pope not as "turning back the clock" but as asserting a living tradition that had become undervalued within the church. His success in this regard will be felt for generations to come.
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About this blog
The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.


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N'Gai Croal and Andre Vrignaud have seen the future of video games. They don't want you to be scared even though things are about to be very different.
The former Newsweek reporter and the former Xbox platform strategist and PC gaming strategy director for Intel are now video game consultants, which means they fly around the world giving video game creators advice. They settle internal debates by providing an outsider's voice. They're generally trying to help people make better video games.
They do their consulting on games you or I haven't played yet. They're doing it for games that won't be out until next year or maybe beyond.
They've therefore seen the future. They're willing to tell us about some of it.
I must admit that I know N'Gai Croal very well. He's a close friend, though one who is stellar at keeping secrets. Since he stopped working as a video game journalist a few years ago, he greatly reduced his willingness to tell me where he's flying off to all the time, who's paying his bills and which games that I'm telling him are awesome or terrible were—yawn—games he played in an undisclosed location a year ago. Or maybe it was two years ago.
"We prefer to operate in the shadows, and our clients like it that way as well," he told me yesterday during the first phone call we've ever had that we'd classify as an "interview." So N'Gai kept his secrets during our call but did tell me that Hit Detection worked with five of the top 10 revenue-generating publishers of console and PC games around the world. The occasion of our chat was the first press-push to explain what Hit Detection is and to signal the hire of Vrignaud, one of the early Microsoft platform strategists who worked heavily on Xbox Live.
Vrignaud knows gaming and hardware, and he knows how to follow-up N'Gai's set-up that the gaming world is about to change big-time.
"On the game side of our business, we're in an environment that is increasingly competitive and undergoing radical transformation," N'Gai said, citing everything from the onset of new consoles to the rise of mobile gaming on console-powerful devices. His Hit Detection team even sees big changes in the relationship between those who play games and those who make them, a relationship made closer by the push from publishers to drip new content out for their biggest games on a regular basis. Our games are becoming our entertainment services. And therefore we're expecting more and more often.
Part of the big change will involve how our gaming hardware works, and that's where Vrignaud, the Microsoft, Intel and Amazon veteran comes in. Hardware and services are his thing and he knows how important it will be for game creators to get this stuff right.
"It's very unclear to the industry what the next generation is," Vrignaud elaborated. "What we've got is a crazy amount of changes."
Gaming hardware, Vrignaud argued, is "becoming irrelevant" as even cell phones run games that a few years ago would only seem graphically possible on consoles or computers. Even more significant is the change in climate coming from gaming's increased connections to "cloud" computing, in which games don't exist on your local gaming device but, like Gmail, are accessed via a machine you are using from some remote location.
"On the one hand, some of the streaming guys [like OnLive and Gaikai] are saying 'We're going to put everything in the cloud.'" Vrignaud explained. "[They're saying,] 'Basically, we can send down a video stream to any device and you can play perfect games. And you don't need to have any CPU power or capabilities on the local side.'
"The problem with that, if you look at OnLive or Gaikai, is that you have visual artifacts, latency that comes to play because you're bouncing it between the server. There are issues with it. It's pretty impressive stuff, but it doesn't work perfectly with everybody.
"The thing you have to remember is that the MIPS—the millions of instructions per second—the CPU, just the raw power that is going to be in your local client device, whether it's a quad-core cellphone or whether it's going to be called what we call a next-generation console, whether it's a TV [with an upgradeable CPU], when you have that much local CPU power, it makes a ton of sense to use it for local rendering on the screen, high-fidelity graphics, low-latency interaction, etc. Those are two extremes.
"I think what you're going to see is—depending on the needs of the experience—you're going to find hybrids, where some games might do some local rendering and farm off some pieces to the cloud because they may not need to have that locally or as low-latency tolerant as others and that's going to be where a lot of experimentation is going to happen. Think of a first-person shooter for a core gamer, that's probably going to be basically rendered locally and you're just going to be sending very little data packets, as we do now, of the game state. On the opposite side, imagine an MMO like World of Warcraft. There's no reason that an MMO like World of Warcraft, which was designed from the ground up to be latency-tolerant couldn't be a completely a streaming game. That would probably work fine for the vast majority of people playing it."
That sounds different, but not so bad. And yet a period of radical transformation sounds scary.
Here's some of the scary stuff about next-gen gaming, from N'Gai: "The feeling is that the production pipelines are not going to change radically," he said, making things not sound too daunting at first. "Last time, [from the PS2 era to this one] there was a real sort of rendering shift going to shaders primarily on the graphical side. Here, it's still going to be shader-based for the most part. The other change last time was going to multi-core CPUs. What you're going to see in this coming generation is just going to be more aggressively multi-core. That means there's going to be some re-thinking of things, but for the most part people have a rough handle on that kind of coding and they'll just be refining that and getting better at it. That said, as people are expecting the cost of asset creation to continue to increase as a result of increased graphical resolution, that's going to increase costs and put more pressure on developers."
There's the fear. The hits will have to be bigger. And that means?
All of this raises the stakes. Hits need to be bigger. And those games that won't be hits, well... they're in trouble. "If the fear that gamers have is that marginal titles ... that they love may go away, evolve or transform in order to survive, yes that's a very real risk," N'Gai said. "That is happening."
We'll see fewer beloved games that aren't ready-made blockbusters? Terrible! And yet there is good news, he says: "If you look at some of the biggest franchises people love. That could be Skyrim. That could be Mass Effect. That could be Call of Duty or whatever, those games are finding ways to provide more content, more stuff, Game of the Year editions that wrap everything up… they still drop price, so people can find a pricepoint to get in at, they can find the pricepoint they want. Consoles are having to evolve to provide that. It wouldn't surprise me if in the next generation the content you'll see in the next generation, the content that you're going to see in the Fallout Creator or the Skyrim Creation Kit is going to be available on console as well so that stuff can grow."
Hit Detection works on this big-picture level. They're also helping developers with more specific things. For example, N'Gai talked vaguely about helping a non-American development studio modify their game's lead character from a freedom-fighter-type to more of an outlaw, as his team decided that would resonate better with an American audience. In big ways and small ways, with the caveat that they're not the ones toiling to make these games and therefore don't want much credit, they're there to help.
The seas may get rough a year or two into video games' future. Their job is to keep people on board.
"If this was just a hardware transition it would be relatively straightforward to navigate," N'Gai concluded. "But because you've got hardware, an increasing emphasis on services and the business model and the audience are changing radically, all of that creates openings for new entrants and makes things challenging for existing ones.
"You've got to keep your eyes on where things are going, but pay as much attention to the speed of the hardware and what specs they're going to have as on what the business models of the various platforms are and on the audience itself.
"All of that is going to have a huge impact on the Game of Thrones for the next generation."
(Top photo: Shutterstock)


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How Small Treasury Teams are Sculpting Success: 2023 Alexander Hamilton Small Company Excellence Awards
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