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Goosebumps is BACK!
Popular tales of terror reunite in Horrorland Theme Park
Revenge of the Living Dummy is the first Goosebumps book R.L. Stine has published in almost a decade.
Goosebumps HorrorLand: Revenge of the Living Dummy
By R. L. Stine
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Mass Market Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks (April 1, 2008)
Revenge of the Living Dummy is the first Goosebumps book R.L. Stine has published in almost a decade. And he's brought back one of the series' most memorable characters: Mr. Slappy, an evil ventriloquist's dummy.
This time his victim is Britney Crosby. Poor Britney. Her bratty cousin Ethan has come to live with them and brought his creepy ventriloquist's dummy with him. His official name is Mr. Slappy, but Ethan calls him Mr. Badboy. And he lives up to that name.
Britney's first introduction to Mr. Slappy is when he whacks her on the forehead and warns her "I'm a BAAAAAAAD boy!" Things only go downhill from there as Mr. Slappy proceeds to make Britney's life a living hell. He bullies Britney, pulls pranks, and causes all kinds of trouble. Worst of all he sets things up so that Britney takes the rap for his nasty exploits.
Throughout the course of the book, the dummy digs up a grave, insults a group of elderly people during a performance at a senior center, and tries to make Britney his slave.
At first Britney blames Ethan for all the trouble. But after a few unexplained incidents, Britney begins to wonder if it is the doll acting on its own.
Terrified, Britney tells her parents, but they think she's making it up. Britney enlists the help of her best friend, Molly Molloy, to find out the truth and put an end to Mr. Slappy's reign of terror.
In addition to this tale, the book features the first part of a serial story called HorrorLand. It starts when Britney and her family get an invitation for an all-expense-paid week-long trip to the HorrorLand Theme Park.
After checking in at their hotel, Britney and her friend Molly go to their room on the 13th floor while Britney's parents go to their room on the second floor. But there is a horrible surprise in store for them.
This book is full of suspense and occasionally quite funny. It's a kinder, gentler version of "Chuckie," suitable for kids.


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For the third time, Cybex International, Medway, MA, has received a non-compliance notice from the NASDAQ Stock Market where it is traded, even as some analysts expect the company to be in the black this year.
Last year, Cybex had a net loss of $58.2 million in 2010. That loss included fourth quarter 2010 litigation charges stemming from the Barnhardt vs. Cybex International case in which Cybex was found 75 percent liable in a $66 million judgment related to a piece of its equipment. However, Zacks.com says that analysts expect the company to turn a profit in 2011.
Despite those predictions, the company's stock has fallen below $1 for more than 30 consecutive business days, which led to a June 16 notice from NASDAQ that if the stock does not rise to $1 or more for at least 10 consecutive business days, Cybex could be delisted from NASDAQ. Cybex has 180 days (or until Dec. 13, 2011) to bring the stock's closing bid above $1.
In January, Cybex received its first notice that its stock had fallen below $1 for 30 consecutive days and risked being delisted. The company's stock rose above $1 on April 6 but remained there for just two business days. It jumped back to $1 on April 13 and remained above $1 until May 2, satisfying the 10-day requirement at that time. The stock price then improved to $1 on May 3-4, but it has closed below $1 since then. On Monday, it closed at 65 cents.
On April 5, NASDAQ sent a non-compliance notice to Cybex for another reason that could affect its listing. NASDAQ requires that companies traded on its floor have a minimum stockholder equity of $10 million. Cybex had negative $15 million in stockholder equity at that time. The company has until Oct. 3 to regain compliance in this matter.

subset: commoncrawl


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Calendar Maintenance Tonight: 5-7pm (2/12)
February 12, 2013
- We are updating our backend CMS/calendar this evening.
- The www.law.upenn.edu web site/calendar will be available but you will not be able to add new events or manage existing events in the calendar during the maintenance window.
Please us know if you have any questions. As usual, we will be "live tweeting" the systems status on the ITS Alerts Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/pennlawitsalert


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Rhubarb-strawberry sorbet
Rhubarb and strawberries unite in a delicious sorbet with results that yield a refreshing treat for a warm summer's night. It's a cool way to end a meal.
Total time:
20 minutes, plus freezing time
Makes 1 1/2 quarts
Adapted from David Lebovitz's "The Perfect Scoop." If your rhubarb stalks are more than an inch wide, slice them in half lengthwise.
3/4 pound rhubarb (5 or 6 thin stalks), trimmed
3/4 cup sugar
10 ounces fresh strawberries (about 1 1/2 cups)
1/2 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1. Cut the rhubarb
into half-inch pieces. In a medium, nonreactive saucepan, bring the rhubarb, two-thirds cup water and the sugar to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer until the rhubarb is tender and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Cool to room temperature.
2. Slice the strawberries
and purée them in a blender or food processor with the cooked rhubarb mixture and lemon juice until smooth.
3. Chill the mixture
thoroughly, then freeze in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Each serving:
60 calories; 0 protein; 15 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram fiber; 0 fat; 0 cholesterol; 1 mg. sodium.


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Aston Villa are through to the quarter-finals of the Capital One Cup for the third time in four seasons after Christian Benteke scored a late winner against Swindon at the County Ground.
Villa looked to be cruising to victory as goals from Benteke - a £7million summer signing from Genk - and Gabriel Agbonlahor earned them a 2-0 half-time lead.
But the npower League One side, who had already overcome Stoke in this season's competition, fought back through two goals from substitute Miles Storey before Benteke had the final say.
It was his third goal in two games and Villa boss Paul Lambert will hope his side can build on this success after their worst start to a league campaign in 43 years.
Stephen Ireland also impressed in the play-maker role and set up the opening two goals.
Lambert made five changes from the side which drew at home to Norwich at the weekend but there was again no place in the starting line-up for £18million club record signing Darren Bent.
Benteke was again preferred as the main striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation and the Belgian had the first effort on goal, a downward header which was comfortably saved by Wes Foderingham.
Barry Bannan curled a 25 yard drive wide but there was little to choose between the sides in the opening quarter of the game.
Villa were indebted to a goal-line clearance from full-back Matt Lowton in keeping out a shot on the turn from Paul Benson after 26 minutes.
It proved to be crucial as Villa took control with two goals in the space of 10 minutes before half-time.
Ireland created the opening goal when he got to the by-line and his cross was headed home in powerful fashion by Benteke for his second goal in two games.
Villa were forced into a change when central defender Chris Herd limped out of the action and was replaced by Enda Stevens.
But the visitors were starting to look more menacing and a superb strike from Agbonlahor doubled their lead.
Once again Ireland was the creator with his perfectly weighted pass although Agbonlahor still had much to do before cutting inside and unleashing a powerful 20 yard shot which flew past Foderingham.
The Swindon keeper produced a fine reflex save on the stroke of half-time to turn over Andreas Weimann's volley.
Swindon needed to make inroads into Villa's advantage at the start of the second period and a dangerous low cross from Simon Ferry just eluded Benson.
Gary Roberts headed over from a Collins centre and was then guilty of squandering a golden chance to reduce the arrears.
Matt Ritchie delivered a pinpoint ball across the box into the path of the unmarked Roberts at the far post but he headed against the outside of a post.
Villa started to reassert themselves, with Ireland continuing to impress, and Foderingham blocked a shot from Benteke with his feet.
But Swindon turned the tie on its head with two goals in two minutes.
With 11 minutes remaining, substitute Storey converted a centre.
Storey drew the home side level when he back-heeled a low ball into the box from Andy Williams past Shay Given.
But Benteke broke Swindon's hearts with seconds remaining when he hammered home a cross from Eric Lichaj.


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Sanitizing Mumbai?
Holder's Defense: 'I was played for a sucker by a lobbyist!' From the NYT today , the lawyer for Attorney General nominee Eric Holder defends him in the Marc Rich Pardon scandal:
"There's no question that [Marc Rich lobbyist Jack] Quinn played him and it was astute by Quinn because he did catch Eric unawares."
Creative defense. Unfortunately, the NYT story makes it pretty clear that Holder knew too much about the case to have been unwillingly played. Seems more like the buddy system at work. ...[ Thx to reader J. ] 12:10 P.M.
Undernews Alert: Rezko sentencing set for January 6. The Tribune story suggests this means he is not cooperating with prosecutors (if he was cooperating it would be delayed). ... [ via NewsAlert ] 11:47 A.M.
On Warren Olney's To the Point , LAT veteran Doyle McManus says Robert Gates
is in the unusual position of being a cabinet member who can't really be fired because if the President and the Secretary of Defense were to end up at loggerheads on an issue, that could be politically very damaging for the president. [E.A.]
This seems astonishingly wrong. Obama can fire Gates more easily because Gates is a Bush holdover, no? Obama won an election by opposing Bush's policies. ... Maybe Sam Zell had a point about McManus. ... 2:14 A.M.
Monday, December 1, 2008
'You should never have made those loans groups like us pressured you to make!' The National Community Reinvestment Coalition, a "community-based organization," is suing Wall Street ratings services for approving bonds backed by home loans to African American and Latino home purchasers with "insufficient borrower income levels."
The firms "knew or should have known" that subprime loans disproportionately were marketed to minority consumers -- a process known as "reverse redlining" -- and that those borrowers would ultimately default and go into foreclosure at high rates, according to the coalition's complaint.
Hmmm. Didn't community-based organizations push for exactly this sort of reverse-redlining? I think they did . It's one thing to argue that they maybe weren't the major cause of the subprime meltdown . It's another for them to pose as victims wronged by the very system they worked hard to set up (including the securitization that enabled banks to keep up "reverse redlining"). ... 2:21 A.M.
Here's a Saturday Belfast Telegraph story about Sebastian D'Souza, the photographer who took a now-famous photograph of one of the Mumbai terrorists in the process of gunning people down in a train station:
But what angered Mr D'Souza almost as much were the masses of armed police hiding in the area who simply refused to shoot back. "There were armed policemen hiding all around the station but none of them did anything," he said. "At one point, I ran up to them and told them to use their weapons. I said, 'Shoot them, they're sitting ducks!' but they just didn't shoot back." [E.A.]
Here's a Sunday New York Times front pager about the "troubling questions" the attacks raised about India's "ability to respond":
[T]he most troubling question to emerge for the Indian authorities was how, if official estimates are accurate, just 10 gunmen could have caused so much carnage and repelled Indian security forces for more than three days in three different buildings.
Part of the answer may lie in continuing signs that despite the country's long vulnerability to terrorist attacks, Indian law enforcement remains ill-prepared. The siege exposed problems caused by inexperienced security forces and inadequate equipment , including a lack of high-power rifle scopes and other optics to help discriminate between the attackers and civilians. [E.A.]
Read the Times story and you'll see a numbing litany of "systemic" problems with Indian security, including " Ill-paid city police [who] are often armed with little more than batons," and " little information-sharing among law enforcement agencies" and all that inadequate equipment, including "old, bulky bulletproof jackets" and lack of thosehigh-power scopes and " no technology at their disposal to determine where the firepower was coming from ..." [E.A.] It reads like the budget-increase proposal submitted by the Mumbai police bureaucracy --The Indian Omnibus Anti-Terror Funding Act of 2009. Nowhere in the NYT story will you learn what American blog readers learned a day earlier when Instapundit (among others) linked to the Belfast story: Police had lots of guns, and no problem seeing who and where the terrorists were, but they wouldn't shoot at them.
I'm used to a sort of Liebling-like hierarchy of news sources, with twitterers and bloggers being fastest, but maybe less reliable, while the grand institutions of the MSM weigh in later with more comprehensive and accurate accounts. But that's not what is happening with this Mumbai story. The "fast" sources are telling you what happened. The "slow" MSM sources are using their extra time to sanitize what's happened, to build euphemistic assumptions into their very reporting of the events themselves --in this case, it just so happens, liberal assumptions: 1) the idea that there is no problem that can't be solved by greater funding for government bureaucracies and more interagency taskforces** 2) the predisposition to think widely-distributed small arms and a willingness to use them can never be a good idea and 3) an antipathy to any suggestion that an aspect of foreign culture is inferior to nasty American culture. (Maybe we Americans are trigger happy. But do we think that a handful of terrorists could have gone on a similar rampage in New York City without quite quickly encountering a fair number of cops who would have shot back--let alone armed civilians who did the same)? ...
**--Substitute "lousy test scores" for "vulnerability to terrorist attacks" and you have the stereotypical liberal MSM template for reporting on inner-city education failure: insufficient spending leads to ill-paid teachers who lack the latest technology! ... 1:27 A.M.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
A friend of mine who occasionally visits the Taj Mahal hotel in Mumbai tells me that earlier in November the hotel bristled with security, including aggressively manned checkpoints--security that had been absent a few months earlier. Apparently the security was withdrawn before terrorists attacked the hotel this week. ...I don't know what to make of this, but it at least suggests that the attacks might not have been "a complete surprise," as the headline on Slate 's home page (but not the article to which it links ) claims. ... Maybe they were anticipated but on an earlier date? ... Maybe the extra security caused the terrorists to postpone them. ... If so, were they originally planned for before the U.S. election? ...
Update: Hotel's owner says "we did have such a warning, and we did have some measures," which were relaxed before the attacks. But he argues they wouldn't have made a difference because ... the gunman didn't go in the front door.
However, [Tata Group chairman Ratan] Tata said the attackers did not enter through the entrance that has a metal detector. Instead, they came in a back entrance, he said.
"They knew what they were doing, and they did not go through the front. All of our arrangements are in the front," he said.
Reminds me of the time I visited Hyannis Port when JFK was staying at the family compound there. The Secret Service was protecting it closely, except for a one-way street leaving the area, which was left unguarded--apparently on the theory that an assassin wouldn't go wrong way down a one-way street. ... More: kf 's friend says that during the early-November high-security period the rear doors to the hotel were locked. Not that that would necessarily have stopped the terrorists. Still, they seem to have preferred low-security to high-security. ... 1:21 A.M.


text:
You might see this error message when the Windows image is too large to fit on the temporary partition or flash drive that Boot Camp Assistant uses to install Windows. For example, Windows 10 Flash install media that's been converted to an ISO file will be too big, because it contains both 32-bit and 64-bit install images.
This error also might appear if you're attempting a new installation using the October 2018 edition of Windows 10 on a Mac that's running an earlier version of macOS.
To fix this issue, download the Windows 10 April 2018 Update from the Microsoft download page. Then use Boot Camp Assistant to install Windows, making sure to use the April 2018 ISO file. After the installation is complete, you can update to the October 2018 edition using Windows Update.
Learn more
See Install Windows on your Mac with Boot Camp for instructions on installing Windows 10 using an image downloaded from Microsoft's website.


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- or -
Glass Doctor provides only the highest-quality service. Let us show you some great reasons to call us.
Current Offers
From priority scheduling, preferential pricing, exclusive savings, and more. Save with Advantage Plan.
Save on Glass Services
Shower head sputtering? Like you, your shower head needs the occasional cleaning. Over time, mineral deposits and other gunk can clog spray holes, robbing you of a pleasant shower and increasing the amount of time it takes to remove soap and shampoo due to lackluster pressure. Luckily, you can...Read more
Did you recently install a glass shower door? This upgrade makes a world of difference in your bathroom, both in terms of aesthetics and comfort. If you want your shower door to look...Read more
A beautiful shower has the power to completely transform your bathroom. When given a little extra attention, your shower can easily become the focal point of your space. When renovating your shower, there are several trends to keep in mind, such as dual showerheads, body jets, built-in seats and...Read more
You hear all the time about how some features add to the value of your home while others do not. If the goal is to increase your ROI when selling your home, you need to choose the right renovations. Is an updated shower one of them? Yes, but with some stipulations. Here's how to tell what...Read more
Are you shopping for a new patio door? You have many options to choose from, but in the end, a sliding glass door could be the best decision. Glass Doctor® recommends selecting a sliding glass door to bring more light into your home and help you make the most of your outdoor space. Here's a...Read more
Are you looking to add a little vintage flare to your home, but you're not sure where to start? Consider incorporating the classic look of glass doorknobs into your space. Glass doorknobs and pulls are timeless and can add something special to your otherwise modern décor. Continue reading to...Read more
It's been a rough and wild ride for the Declaration of Independence since its 1776 inception. One of the most importance documents in the history of democracy, it leads one to question why efforts to preserve it were largely ignored for 127 years. On display in the rotunda of the National...Read more
Summertime is travel time, and whether you're off to the airport for that cross-country getaway or headed to your "stay-cation" across town, chances are you'll use your car to help you get there. Properly maintaining your car with regular service check-ups is essential in getting from "A to B"...Read more
They seem cool, and your car salesman will likely try to sell you a package that includes one, but do you really need a sunroof on your car? Take a deeper look at the purpose of sunroofs and whether they live up to all the hype surrounding them.
Looking for the perfect way to treat yourself or someone else? Why not put together the ultimate car washing kit?
You will love the ability to deep clean, wax, and polish your car with the best tools and gadgets available. Here are some car wash supplies you should put together for your...Read more


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Combine corn heads, soybean headers, nitrogen applicators and crop sensors (see photo) are popular equipment buys today. If you are in the market for any of this equipment, come to the free Farm Industry News seminars held on three days of the show. Manufacturer representatives will discuss their companies' equipment in each of these areas for show attendees.
The seminars are designed to help you understand the diverse products and the technology used by different manufacturers. This may help you narrow your search for the equipment you want to see at the show.
Scott McPheeters, a commercial farmer from Gothenburg, NE, will moderate the sessions. He has tested new equipment for Farm Industry News for many years. He will lead the discussions and help direct questions to keep the seminars relevant to commercial growers.
Cookies and coffee will be served at the seminars.
Crop Sensors
Wednesday, February 16, 4:00 p.m.
South Wing B 104
Optical sensing systems measure crop vigor and then adjust nitrogen rates in real time. Representatives from companies that sell crop sensors, like Ag Leader, Topcon and Trimble, will explain the technology and features of their products.
Combine Corn Heads
Thursday, February 17, 1:00 p.m.
South Wing B 104
The combine corn head market has been hot as farmers seek ways to handle heavy crop residue. More than a dozen exhibitors will explain how their chopping or non-chopping corn heads differ from the competition.
Soybean Headers
Thursday, February 17, 4:00 p.m.
South Wing B 104
High-priced and high-yielding soybeans have driven a strong market for new combine soybean headers. The major manufacturers of the headers will describe the features and technology of their products.
Nitrogen Applicators
Friday, February 18, at 1 p.m.
South Wing B 104
The market for dedicated nitrogen applicators has expanded in the past couple of years. Major manufacturers of the equipment will describe the applicators' major features and explain how they operate.


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An unusually heavy rainfall in Ripton on Saturday night washed out major parts of the North Branch Road, the Dugway and many private drives, as well as the a bridge on the North Branch Road, stranding at least four families. Crews from Ripton and Middlebury, as well as numerous residents and volunteers, are working on repairs that likely will total in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not more.
Many readers sent photos of the damage they observed in Ripton, more photos than we could include in our print edition. Here is a smattering of some of the photos.
Subscribe to Online Edition
Online PDF Print Edition
Copyright 2011 Addison Independent | 58 Maple Street, Middlebury, Vt. 05753 | All Rights Reserved
Site Development by Surf New Media


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94 N. Main Street, Jasper, GA - (706) 253-2457
Infant Tobi Lathery
Infant Tobi Allen Cotner Lathery, age 3 months, passed at the residence early Wednesday, April 16, 2008.
Survivors include the parents, Samantha Cotner and Kelly Lathery, Jasper; grandparents, Gladys and Roland Combs, Connie Payne, Kim Clark and Leo Shirey, and Frank Lathery, Sr., all of Jasper, and James and Athena Bruner, Ellijay; great-grandparents, C.L. and Barbara Payne, Canton, and Raymond and Margaret Ward, Jasper; brothers, Dalton Riley and Ashton Lathery, all of Jasper; sisters, Jody Lathery, Lily Cotner and Allyson Childers, all of Jasper; uncles and aunts, Frank and Holly Lathery, David and Glenna Newson, Paul and Tammy Lathery, Katrina Welch, Chris and Jessy Estes, Dakota and Ashley Estes, Brett and Missy Estes, Dustin Estes Wendy Estes, Bud Clark, Jake and Ashley Clark, BooBoo Clark and Eric and Susann Shirey. A number of cousins also survive.
The funeral service was held Friday, April 18 at 2 p.m. from the Chapel of Cagle Funeral Home with the Rev. Frank Lathery officiating. Interment followed in Sunrise Memorial Gardens.
Stanley W. Brown
Mr. Stanley William Brown, age 41 years of Fairmount, Ga., passed away Friday, April 18, 2008 at his residence following a heart attack.
Stanley was born Nov. 13, 1966 in Pickens County, Ga., the son of Mary Jo Edwards Brown and the late Stanley Brown. He was employed by Pilgrim Pride Farms of Ellijay, Ga.
Survivors include his wife, Teresa Annette Brown; daughters and son-in-law, Elizabeth and Derek Blankenship, Ranger, and Brionna Brown of Adairsville, Ga.; sons, Stanley Brian, Timothy Joe and William Casey Brown, all of Calhoun; grandchild, Kyla Blankenship; mother, Mary Jo Brown, Adairsville; step-sons, Brent Mann, Cartersville, Ga., and Aaron Mann, Calhoun, Ga.; sister, Stacey Cochran and husband David, Calhoun, Ga., and brother and sister-in-law, Stanley Lessie and Keisha Brown, Resaca, Ga. A special friend, Rhonda Allison, and aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.
The funeral service was held Tuesday at 11 a.m. from the Chapel of Max Brannon & Sons Funeral Home with the Rev. Frank Truett officiating. Pallbearers were: Brent Mann, Neal Huggins, Quintin Stepp, Chris Brown, Sandy Hudspeth and Danny Fields.
www.maxbrannonandsons. com
Joseph Warren
July 17, 1935-April 19, 2008: Joe is survived by his wife of 32 years, Mrs. Nanette Warren of Jasper; sons, Heath Warren and his wife Melissa and their two children, Noah and Jonah, Jasper, and Timothy and wife Lee Ann and their son, Levi, Canton; daughters, Judy Warren and Carolyn Huffaker and her two sons, Daniel and Michael, all of Arkansas.
Joe was born in Jacksonville, Fl. He spent his teenage years in Palm Beach, Fl. He was a college graduate and spent two decades in the electronics industry. Ultimately, Joe came to enjoy the real estate business. His most recent venture being the opening of his own real estate company and being able to be the managing broker. Joe was known by his congregation and the community for his kind and humble manner. He loved traveling and enjoyed the game of golf. Joe will be missed greatly by all those who were privileged to know him.
A memorial service for Joe will be at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 26 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah?s Witnesses located at Kingdom Drive and Cove Road. There will be a reception at the Warren home, located directly behind the Kingdom Hall, immediately following the memorial. All who knew Joe are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that small donations be made to the Jasper Congregation of Jehovah?s Witnesses. Cagle Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.


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I just purchased a ricecooker so I can make my onigiri fresh in the morning, instead of making a whole batch and freezing them. Now I'm wondering whether or not I have to wrap them in clingfilm while still hot when I make them fresh or not. Or if I can just put them warm in a box (with just the onigiri, nothing else in it).
Can anyone help me out? Thanks!
I suspect Maki's advice about wrapping onigiri whilst still hot to then nuke in the microwave assumes that you will be reheating the onigiri (the plastic wrap would lock in moisture that would otherwise be lost).
I don't have or use a microwave but I do have a rice cooker. Personally, I just make up onigiri, allow them to cool and only then pack them.
So I would suggest neither option - wrapping them in clingfilm while still hot or just putting them warm in a box - try to have them cool a bit more than 'warm' first.
The main thing is to avoid any kind of condensation in your bento - a major cause of spoilage (water on food can provide an ideal environment for bacteria and molds to grow and multiply).
Thanks Loretta! I just tried my cooker for the first time and I love it!
I made some onigiri to eat today or tomorrow and froze the rest for later... great!
Thanks again for the advice, it's hard sometimes to know how to keep the foods you like in the fridge or freezer the longest possible.
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Send Results to This Email:
Street Address:
Street Address:
Dana and Ray Brandon
Ray's Take: It was a great holiday. The decorations sparkled, the food was opulent, and the gifts were worthy of the best Santa Claus. However, in a tradition nearly as old as the holiday itself, now the mailbox is stuffed with bills and your bank account is depleted.
It's certainly easy to go overboard on spending. Everywhere you turned, you encountered reminders to spend more on those you love. The season has become an enormous current that sweeps most of us along with it.
Now it's "the morning after" and many of us are left with a financial hangover. What's the cure? We all know what we should do – change our habits now to dig out of this credit hole and then avoid any repetition. But knowing and doing are very separate things.
Start with the basics. Pare your credit cards down to no more than two, and store one in the freezer. Avoid after-holiday sales. Stay away from online shopping. Start a budget now and pay cash.
Make paying off credit cards your No. 1 priority – starting with the ones with the highest interest rate. If you received any cash gifts, use those to help eliminate balances. That's a gift to yourself that will save on costly interest for months to come. Make a financial plan to have all your holiday spending debts cleared completely no later than April.
Finally, start saving specifically for holiday spending now. The holidays are not a surprise and don't sneak up on you. They're the same time every year. Every week, put aside a specific amount in cash and then use that cash and that cash only when the 2014 holidays come around. Not only will you have a specific spending budget then, you'll have reason to smile when you open the mailbox this time next year.
Dana's Take: You may actually find some financial relief in the gifts you received. Not only can cash gifts help to pay down debt, gift cards can be used to further reduce spending. If you've received gifts you don't really want, return them. Save the store credit to buy a necessity or an important gift. That's certainly better than letting unwanted possessions add to closet clutter.
In fact, why not rummage through closets and drawers to identify other things you don't want or need but someone else might? Then sell them using tools like eBay or Craigslist. You'll have extra cash to pay bills and more space for the possessions you really value.
Of course, the best course to avoid the dreaded holiday hangover is not to spend so much in the first place. It's too late for that now, but you could start preparing your family and friends for future holidays with more emphasis on time together and less emphasis on gifts.
Ray Brandon is a certified financial planner and CEO of Brandon Financial Planning (www.brandonplanning.com). His wife, Dana, has a bachelor's degree in finance and is a licensed clinical social worker. Contact Ray Brandon at email@example.com.
Copyright 1995 -
by The Daily News Publishing Co. Inc. - All Rights Reserved


text: A stir-fry is a simple, healthy meal that you can throw together in just a few minutes. But if you're not paying attention, you can end up with a sloppy mess. In this video recipe, Lisa Lavery, CHOW.com's kitchen editorial assistant, shares a foolproof method for making a great weeknight dinner using our Easy Chicken Stir-Fry recipe.


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Milk Chocolate
How we tested
Dark chocolate has been in vogue for more than a decade. Now, milk-chocolate manufacturers are taking their cue from dark chocolate, reformulating recipes and developing new milk-chocolate bars complete with cacao percentages on the label. Is milk chocolate just getting fancy? Or is it getting better?
To find out, we bought 10 national brands of top-selling milk chocolate (from a list compiled by the market research firm SymphonyIRI Group), including our previous favorite, and we asked 21 staffers to taste them plain and in chocolate pudding. Colors ranged from tan to deep mahogany, textures from waxy or gritty to lush and creamy. A few samples had the mild, sweet, milky taste we expected; others were deeper, cocoa-y, and less sweet—dead ringers for dark chocolate.
Why so different? Milk-chocolate makers have lots of latitude. Federal standards require milk chocolate to contain at least 10 percent cacao, which is the actual chocolate in the candy bar. (Cacao, also called chocolate liquor, is roasted, ground-up cacao beans, containing both cocoa solids and cocoa butter.) In comparison, dark chocolate, both bittersweet and semisweet, must have at least 35 percent cacao. Those percentages are the legal minimums, but most chocolate brands contain more. In fact, we tasted several brands of milk chocolate that would qualify as dark chocolate if not for the presence of milk. Note: Our figures for cacao content also included the milk protein (ranging from 4% to 7%), which is difficult for laboratories to isolate in milk chocolate. Therefore our cacao measurements cannot be exact.
Beyond the amount of chocolate, manufacturers can choose among cream, whole or reduced-fat milk, and powdered, condensed, or evaporated milk. The dairy ingredient is heated with sugar to caramelize it and remove water before it's blended with cacao. Manufacturers may add extra cocoa butter or milk fat, lecithin to keep the fat from separating, and flavors such as vanilla or malt. (Some companies even add a sour flavor compound that's present in spoiled milk.) The liquid chocolate goes into machines called conches, where heavy rollers grind it and coat the solids with fat. The longer chocolate is conched—from a few hours to several days—the finer, creamier, and mellower it becomes. Finally, the chocolate is tempered—heated and cooled to create a crystalline structure for the perfect "snap" when it's bitten or broken.
Our tasters preferred smoother chocolate and downgraded brands for grittiness. We sent samples to a lab (chocolate makers never divulge recipes or methods) and learned that the chocolates we liked were also higher in fat. Cocoa butter melts at body temperature, adding to the creamy sensation you get when you let chocolate melt in your mouth. But milk fat is also present in milk chocolate. Chocolates with less milk fat are firmer, to the point of being "hard." Abundant milk fat creates a super-creamy softness but can overwhelm chocolate flavor without proper balance. Tasters preferred plenty of both fats: Our recommended chocolates have at least 31 percent total fat.
But creamy texture wasn't everything. Our three top-ranked milk chocolates shared one thing: intense chocolate flavor. Classic milk-chocolate lovers praised one brand, while those who secretly wanted dark chocolate in milk-chocolate clothing singled out another for its roasted-chocolate taste. Extra cacao was no guarantee either. Case in point: One milk chocolate in our lineup had a high cacao percentage and low scores. Each maker processes cacao beans to create distinctive nuances. This chocolate's characteristic fruity, acidic notes may suit dark chocolate, but apparently not milk chocolate. Finally, too much sugar was a turnoff even in milk chocolate. The brand with the highest total sugar fell to the bottom of our rankings.
Once again, one milk chocolate topped our taste tests for its full chocolate flavor, creamy texture, and moderate sweetness. But two other brands were close behind, introducing dark-chocolate characteristics and scoring points with chocolate lovers.


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What the Western wildfires should teach you.
Maybe you're a movie star, maybe one of the newly rich e-commerce cadre, or just a member of the transient elite who drifts from trend to trend.
You've moved to a pristine mountain valley in western Montana, leaving your home in Dallas for the pastoral life offered by the West's wide-open spaces - sheltered from the masses in your new earth-tone home.
As bluebirds flitter to their little houses and a grizzly prowls in the distance, you vow this splendid scene will remain yours forever. You're used to taking control. You crowd out a rancher and import a wolf, buy a mountain bike and close a road, and teach your 2.2 kids that trees have feelings, too.
Now that your life is centered around preserving the resources you think you've adopted, you ask how everyone else can be such terrible managers. Your answer is to let nature take its course - and let it go back to the way it was.
Well, pal, there isn't anything natural about what's happening in the West this summer. You've preserved and sanctified and saved and guarded to the point where you can't see the forest for the trees.
Timberlands have become crowded jungles of stunted trees and deadfall that sap every molecule of water from the sky and soil. Ungrazed forest meadows have built huge loads of tinder-dry grass, brush and weeds. Roads have been closed or abandoned, leaving no access for any purpose.
You've allowed the creation of monuments - literally and figuratively - that deprive people of the opportunity to build livelihoods from resilient and renewable resources. With your good intentions, you have added fuel to one of the nation's biggest tinderboxes and set the stage for what's happening today.
I'll just be kind and say that you're not stupid, you're just ignorant.
Now we have before us an unconscionable waste of property and resources. We know wildfires can never be prevented, but with appropriate resource management, they can be kept to a dull roar.
Yep, I'm pointing my finger at you. Didn't 1988 and Yellowstone teach you anything? Do hundreds of your neighbors' homes have to burn for you to get a clue?
And, buddy, don't even begin to blame the drought. In fact, in a semi-arid region where "wet years" are the aberration, "drought" shouldn't even be a part of your vocabulary.
Okay, so now you have to live with your mistakes and the ghostly remnants of the blazes. Question is - will you just move on and create your next little sheikdom, or will you pitch in and help clean things up?


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Quantitative, Kinetic Models of Cellular Circuits
Published on
Michael Brent earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics in 1985 and a Ph.D. in computer science in 1991 from MIT. He then served as Assistant and Associate Professor of Cognitive Science at the Johns Hopkins University, where his research focused on computational models aimed at explaining how children learn language. He brought these interests to the Department of Computer Science at Washington University in 1999, where he developed a second research program in computational biology. In 2006 he was named the Henry Edwin Sever Professor of Engineering.
Cite this work
Researchers should cite this work as follows:
EE 118, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN


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NHL Game Night: 11-16 Lightning at Coyotes
The Lightning get a solid road win.
Mike Smith played well allowing 1 goal on 31 shots. He's back in the fight.
First Period
TB 5:59, Lecavalier 3 (Malone, Krajicek)
TB 14:44, Tanguay 4 (Malone, Stamkos)(PP)
PHX 19:20, Aucoin 3 (Lepisto, Upshall)(PP)
Second Period
TB 4:30, St. Louis 4 (Lecavalier, Tanguay)
Third Period
TB 11:46, Lecavalier 4 (Tanguay)
The Lightning did well to capitalize on some early penalties to stake themselves to a 2-0 lead and they never really looked back. Phoenix had a bit better play at even strength, but the Lightning turned it up when they needed to in order to salt the game away in the third. NHL teams should beware: the Lecavalier line is starting to click.
Steve Downie had 1 hit in 15:19.
Zenon Konopka had 1 hit in 10:49 and was 62% on draws.
Paul Szczechura was +1 with 1 shot and 1 hit in 13:21.
James Wright had 2 hits in 13:55.
Victor Hedman was +1 with 2 hits and 1 blocked shot in 21:10. Light night for the big Swede.
Box score and extended statistics from NHL.com.
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Find out what to do when the image on your TV does not display clearly when you use your Xbox 360 console.
When you use the Xbox 360 console with a TV, you might experience one of the following symptoms:
These symptoms can be caused by the following:
Some games have features that might appear to be a display problem but are actually part of the game's special effects. To find out if a display problem is specific to a particular game, try playing a different game to see if the same problem happens.
Note Games for the original Xbox console are no longer supported and may have display problems when played on an Xbox 360 console. For more information, see Play original Xbox games on your Xbox 360 console.
Note Use either the Xbox 360 VGA HD AV cable or the Xbox 360 Component HD AV cable to correctly view high-definition content on a high-definition television (HDTV). If you use a composite cable, do not try to set any HDTV settings. If you try to set HDTV settings, you may lose the picture.
Some display issues can be caused by the way the TV is set up. To confirm that this is not the case, please check your TV's settings. For more information about how to check your TV's settings, see the owner's manual.
In your TV's settings:
Note These features may have different names depending on the make and the model of your TV. To determine whether your TV has these settings, contact the manufacturer.
If your TV's settings are correct, try connecting your Xbox 360 console to another TV to see whether the same display issues occur.
You may also try resetting your TV to its factory settings. For information about how to do this, see the manual that came with your TV.
If the display problem is still not resolved, reset the display settings of your console. Here's how:
Note If you are using an Xbox 360 Wireless Controller, turn on the console by using the Guide button on the controller. Make sure that you use the player 1 controller when you do this. The player 1 controller will have the upper-left light illuminated.
If the problem is still not resolved, your console might need to be repaired. Start the repair process online.
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Published November 30, 2015
When Kent Walker walked through his dusty fields one morning this spring, the ominous signs were right there at his feet. His wheat crop that should have been thick, dark green and thigh-high was thin, brown and barely covered the top of his shoes. It looked like the start of an ugly rerun.
Last year, most of his cotton crop was destroyed by drought. In 2011, almost all his cotton and wheat were stunted or shriveled. Walker sold about a third of his cattle then because he didn't have water and feed. Now, more dry months — compounded by four deadly freezes this spring — threaten once again. And after surveying his fields, white cowboy hat shading his eyes, he sums up his frustration.
"Dadgummit," he says. "... It's very trying. It tries your patience. It tries your faith. Bottom line: Every day you just have to go out and trust in God that all will be fine ... and roll on to the next day."
Walker's resilience echoes across the southwest corner of Oklahoma as fears of a third straight year of drought ripple through this vast prairie where the dry spell has left visible scars: Ponds that are nearly or totally empty. Dead cedar trees. Sprouting weeds, fewer cows, bald pastures that resemble dirt roads instead of lush, green fields.
"You always know that there's going to be a year when you have a failed crop or some sort of disaster," Walker says. "Normally you can manage one year, but when you go to two or three years, you're left questioning your choice of occupation. It can set you back on your heels."
Still, he remains an optimist. Though as much as 80 percent of his wheat may be damaged from the drought and freeze, he sees any losses as a temporary setback. "We won't shut down," says Walker, who farms with his father. "We will get through this one way or another."
The merciless drought that ravaged large sections of the Midwest and Plains is over, disappearing this spring in a dramatic weather reversal: heavy rains and floods swamping fields with mud in many areas. But some farmers and ranchers in parts of the West and the Plains, including southwest Oklahoma, are pondering the prospect of another year of a desert-like landscape and a disappointing harvest.
It's far too soon for predictions. Rain this winter and spring blanketed central and eastern Oklahoma, bringing relief to a state that marked its hottest year ever in 2012 and its driest May-through-December on record, according to Gary McManus, associate state climatologist. But the western third of Oklahoma, including the Panhandle, remains gripped by drought, along with stretches of the central Plains from South Dakota down to west Texas and parts of New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming and Nevada.
For some, this year may be a tipping point, says Mark Svoboda of the National Drought Mitigation Center. "A drought really tests your coping capacity," he says. "You either adapt or you sell out and move on. .... If you're going on year three — those places that are set up best, they're going to survive it — and the others won't."
Two years of heat and far too little rain already have drained Oklahoma agriculture of more than $1.1 billion in direct losses, according to Oklahoma State University. In that time, farmers and ranchers sold nearly one in five of their cattle as ponds and creeks dried up and feed became scarce.
It's a scenario Oklahomans know only too well and dread — parched earth, blowing dust, burned crops. During the Dust Bowl era of the 1930s, boiling dark masses of dirt, some thousands of feet high, rolled along, blotting out the sun. That ecological disaster, coupled with the Great Depression, triggered a mass migration west. In the 1950s, there was another devastating dry spell.
This time around, it has rained, just not enough.
In Jackson County, northwest of here, a lake that supplies water for irrigation is only 17 percent full, says Jantz Bain, manager of Humphreys Cooperative in Altus. "For virtually 50 years," he says, "the good Lord has been consistent in letting the lake fill up, and now ..."
His cotton gin hasn't made enough money to break even the last two years, he says, and the drought and freeze packed a one-two punch, already dooming a lot of the county's wheat. "So far, everybody is hanging on by their fingernails," Bain says. "We can't take much more of this ... These people want to grow a crop. That's what they do. It's no different than a doctor with no patients."
Keeff Felty, a fourth-generation farmer in Altus, hasn't been able to grow cotton the last two years. "It's getting old, it's really getting old not being able to harvest anything," he says. "You give it everything you have ... and there's nothing more frustrating than spending all day out there and not having anything to haul away."
Like most farmers, he can tick off good and bad years, just like an avid sports fan remembers his team's winning and losing seasons. There were boom times in 2010: That's when the co-op where he's part-owner processed about 122,000 bales at its cotton gin, he says. The next year, there wasn't enough to run the gin. And in 2012, he says, there were a meager 7,000 bales.
Crop insurance is a safety net — and a salvation — for many farmers. "I don't know anyone who could have stood the last two years without it," Felty says. But it doesn't cover the full costs of replacement or measure how a disaster in the fields ripples down Main Street.
Here in Tillman County — a land of big skies, postcard-sized Western silver belt buckles and relatively few people (9 per square mile) — everyone has a stake in the weather. It's more than farmers and ranchers who suffer from drought.
It's the cotton gin workers with little or nothing to do. The truckers who have less grain to haul. The gas station owner who sells less fuel. The tractor dealer who watches his inventory sit on the lot. The banker who makes fewer loans, resulting in less interest. The merchants who cut back on 4-H donations. The hundreds of wheat harvesters who travel here each summer — and now may now cut their stay short.
And on and on until it reaches the door of the Subway shop owned by Jim Ard, who can measure the number of foot-long sandwiches he sells by how wet or dry it is in any planting season.
"It's very much the domino effect," says Ard, who, like almost everyone here, has a hand in farming (he owns a few cows). "The drought touches everybody, whether you're young or old, no matter what you do."
But it's not always obvious in this county 20 miles north of the Texas border. Drive along and you'll see green horizons, but a few inches below, the soil is dry and hard as concrete, says Aaron Henson, the county's agriculture extension agent. If the drought ended tomorrow, he says, it would take another three to five years for the pastures to fully recover.
With the wheat harvest and cotton planting approaching, nerves are frayed. "People wonder how many times will the crop fail again before someone won't give me more money to buy more time," he says.
Henson says that in the past two years, ranchers in the county — which endured 101 days of 100-degree-plus weather in 2011 — have sold or moved more than half their cattle to greener pastures, elsewhere in Oklahoma or out of state.
Last year, hay became valuable enough to steal. But with just five deputies to patrol 900-square miles, the sheriff's office turned to technology to find the culprits. A global positioning device was tucked in a 1,200-pound bale. When the hay started rolling off a farm, the sheriff was alerted. He followed a pickup, waited until two men hauled away another bale, then made the arrests.
Those thefts are over, but the hope for rain and the danger of more drought loom everywhere.
This spring, one rural preacher has been holding pray-for-rain services every Sunday night. He frequently turns to the New Testament, 2 Chronicles: "If ... I shut up heaven that there be no rain ..."
The city manager has been warily eyeing two lakes that supply Frederick's water; they're now at 37 percent of capacity.
And Ard, the local merchant, has been thinking about the future of Frederick, where the population, nearly 4,000, has shrunk by about 15 percent since 2000.
"This town could dry up," he says. "We have an opportunity to grow or die. Many communities up and down this highway have already died. They're shadows of what they once were. Everybody is running to the city for a better economy. A drought comes along and it can be another nail in the coffin."
It's a legitimate concern, says Ryan McMullen, state director of USDA rural development. In some counties north of here, the oil and gas boom has helped offset drought-related losses. But in towns solely reliant on agriculture, the outlook is dire.
"Everybody has watched this population decline for generations," he says. "There has been a long-term sense of despair, but it now feels this latest drought might be too much to overcome. That's saying a lot for communities that have maintained a population since the Dust Bowl. These are tough, salt-of-the-earth folks that don't call it quits easily."
Louis Box isn't going anywhere. Sitting in his office in a cowhide leather chair, wearing cowhide boots, watching a cattle auction from a live video feed on his computer, the 74-year-old farm supply store owner isn't worried. In more than a half-century of growing wheat and raising cattle, he's seen it all — tornadoes, droughts, hailstorms, insects — sometimes, he says, all in the same year.
"It hasn't been a death blow. Not at all," he says. "I think it's going to slow things down, definitely. If you come back in six months, I might talk differently. But you've got to be an eternal optimist or you wouldn't be farming. ... People are not selling out and leaving. ... There's greater opportunity to make money AND go broke than there ever has been."
Clint Abernathy is staying put, too. At 54, the fourth-generation farmer now has a fifth — his two adult sons — at his side.
Farming, he says, is all about understanding cycles.
"After a long run of good years, we all expected a bad one," he says. "We just didn't expect anything to be so severe.... I'd be lying if I said I don't worry. I do. But you can't let it get the best of you. If this would have happened in my 20s, I would really be taking it hard. Being a bit older, you realize there's nothing you can do."
With two bad years — and possibly a third — Abernathy presses on.
"It gets in your blood," he says. "We'll do it for nothing. We'd never give up. We'll keep trying. It'll turn around. It always has and it always will."
Sharon Cohen is a Chicago-based national writer. She can be reached at scohen(at)ap.org.


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We spent spring break at home last week, and I have to admit I dreaded it a tiny bit. My kids usually have a gang of friends in our neighborhood to hang with, but it seemed like they all flew south for a taste of warm sun, leaving my brood in a state of social withdrawal. I imagined long rainy days stuck inside while their boredom escalated to deafening levels.
Fortunately, my sister-in-law L flew in from Portland to entertain and play with us – happiness all around!
I came home one afternoon to find her in the kitchen with the kids, applying lashings of creamy frosting to the tops of just-baked little chocolate cupcakes, something I know an attentive Mrs. Cleaver might attempt with her family, but I never seem to. That must be what aunts are for, I think.
The cupcake recipe is from Dorie Greenspan's fantastic book Baking: From My Home to Yours. Dorie is a perfectionist, and her recipes are crafted to a precise "T". Perfect recipe instructions are especially important in baking recipes; those chemical reactions that happen in the oven rely on exact measurements of ingredients, time and temperature.
These cupcakes are no exception; they turned out just as promised – dark, moist, not too sweet – glazed with a shiny, bakery-like chocolate frosting. L sprinkled some colored candy sprinkles on the cupcakes, reserving a few with a sprinkle of sea salt, a just reward for the adults in need of a chocolate fix.
Hi there! I'm Karen, a mother of two and a professionally trained cook certified in holistic nutrition.
As the recipe developer, photographer and publisher of Familystyle Food, I share recipes and tips for making easy seasonal meals that are healthy and flavorful. Learn more about me here.
Check out the full recipe index.
Have a question or feedback on a recipe?
Join the conversation and leave a comment below, or send me an email — I love hearing from you!


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How to get the most from the U.S. Boat Shows
Annapolis may call itself the Sailing Capital of the World, but the United States Boat Shows make it the Boating Capital.
The Sailboat Show came first, introducing Chesapeake Country to in-the-water boat shows in 1970. The Powerboat Show came in 1972. For 40 years, the Sailboat Show has traditionally led, with the boats arriving the first full week of October.
This year the Sailboat Show takes second billing, at least on the calendar.
Powerboats get first booking this year, with opening day October 3. They reign through October 6. The quick turnaround that follows is a show in itself, as hundreds of powerboats speed out to make way for the arrival of hundreds more sailboats October 10.
Whichever you favor you'll see an awesome show, with up to 360 boats in the water, tethered along a mile and a half of floating docks, all contained in an area of roughly five acres. Next to the boats are tented bazaars featuring hundreds of exhibitors of almost every known type of boating equipment, gadget and apparel. Food and drink are plentiful along the show's peripheries as Annapolis restaurants race to feed 100,000 hungry boaters.
More than a means to sell boats, these big annual shows are spectacles in themselves.
A crew more than 150 strong assemble this city on the water, supported by 58 temporary, newly driven pilings, 600 bolts, 1,400 feet of fire hose supplying fresh water to boats, 350 tents, 600 wooden floor sections covering nearly an acre of land and six miles of wire for electrical power to land and sea.
Into this city hundreds of boats maneuver.
They're waiting for you in foot-aching numbers and variety.
You'll see catamarans, tugs and trawlers. Fishing machines and luxury yachts. Dozens of boats in the most popular range, 30 to 40 feet. From the little inflatable 3.2-meter Tiwal you can pack in your trunk to giants. Biggest of the Powerboat Show is the 63-foot Sunseeker, though a rare Trumpy 60-Chesapeake is not far behind. A 90-foot Orion dominates the Sailboat Show.
New boats come to the shows, especially the Sailboat Show, where you'll see brand-new models from Archambeault, Beneteau, Dufour, Nordhavn and two new catamarans by Nautitech and Outremer.
Old boats debut this year at the Annapolis Brokerage Show simultaneous with and down the creek from the Powerboat Show. Ride to St. Mary's Cove by water taxi or e-Cruisers from the U.S. Powerboat Show to see gently used and carefully maintained powerboats by manufacturers including Albin, Carver, Cruisers, Grady White, Grand Banks, Sea Ray, Silverton Tiara, plus such special-interest boats as a 46-foot Nordhavn motorsailer and a PDQ 34 Powercat. One ticket is good for both shows.
Most boats you can board to inspect at your own pace with plenty of face time with manufacturer reps who know and can explain their products.
All that's missing is your chance to drive or sail the boat of your dreams. So if you're serious about a boat, ask if there'll be an opportunity to go out on it. Many of the boats stay in Annapolis for dealers to provide demonstrations in the weeks following the boat shows.
With so much to see, you'll be glad there's a program. Magazine-sized, it's produced by Chesapeake Bay Magazine and included in the price of your ticket.
To describe the tent exhibits as a gala array does not do them justice. You'll find the latest electronic equipment on display as well as numerous gadgets, often at special Boat Show prices. This is a competitive environment, and many boat manufacturers and dealers offer discounts on boats and equipment. Some packages make it nearly irresistible to making a deposit on the boat while at the show.
Custom equipment such as furniture, rigging, sails and canvas can be ordered at reduced cost. You'll find good prices on clothing for yachting and for foul weather conditions. Many other items, such as gold and other jewelry, are also displayed.
You'll also find yachting charters and vacations in the islands and around the world.
Other valuable distractions are the seminars offered during the two shows. Find seminars on cruising near and far (including for couples), weather, rigging, power management, diesel engines, and iNavigation. (Sailboat show on the hour Friday to Sunday, 10am-4pm; Powerboat Show Friday and Saturday, 11am to 4pm.)
Sailboat Show visitors learn more at Cruising World Magazine's seminars this Thursday through Sunday on subjects ranging from planning your dream voyage to parachute sea anchors and storm drogues. A Sailboat Show highlight is Gary Jobson's celebration of sailing at 2pm Friday, October 11.
Presented by experts, seminars are free and open to all — until the room fills up — at the Annapolis Marriott Waterfront Hotel.
The Powerboat Show is four days, Thursday through Sunday. The Sailboat Show runs five days, Thursday through Monday. Even so, docks are almost always crowded.
Is there a best day to visit?
You pay a premium to be an early bird, with $35 VIP opening day tickets costing twice the price of the $18 daily ticket for adults. On VIP days, lines to get on the boats are shorter. You get to see more, easier.
Others prefer the last day of each show. These days are often less crowded. Many of the exhibitors are packing up and may be amenable to haggling. No exhibitor wants to haul lots of unsold gear back home.
At about 6pm on the last day, each show offers a parting benefit, known as change over on October 6 and breakdown on October 14. These are the days that the show, dock and on-shore setup must be moved, changed or removed entirely. In a few hours, at the end of the last day, this boating city on the water suddenly disappears.
The spectator sport, viewed from shore side, is to watch the mayhem of strings of floating docks, boats under speed and workers detaching with high precision all of the many attachments. The boats maneuver adeptly to leave, often with a show of speed to please the cheering crowd.
Wear layers of clothing that can be tied around the waist. Non-scuffing boat shoes that are easy to slip on and off are a must because many boats sporting varnish and other sensitive surfaces do not allow shoes when you go aboard for a tour.
The boat shows are in their third year of going green, so you can recycle what you don't want at eco-bins set up throughout the show by Green Annapolis and supported by grants from the BoatUS Foundation and Baltimore Gas & Electric.
A small amount of cash is useful for quick food purchases, but for the most part, credit cards will do — even for a deposit on a 70-footer.
Getting to the Annapolis boat shows is easy if you follow the well-planned program. Drive from U.S. Route 50 to Rowe Blvd., following signs for parking at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium. Parking is $10, and a bus will transport you to the gates at Randall and Compromise streets.
In town, parking is tight and restricted to two hours if you can find a meter. Eastport Elementary School, a five-minute walk across the Spa Creek Bridge, offers parking for $20.
A bit farther on the Annapolis side of the bridge, try the Knighton and Park Place garages ($10), off West Street near the Westgate Circle. Both are served by the city's free and frequent Circulator, which take you to the gates.
Navigate your way and buy your tickets with the Annapolis Boat Show Mobile App. Download at iTunes or Google Play; go to www.usboat.com; or call 410-268-8828.


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Are you a seasoned running veteran and/or a new runner prone to injury? Have you recently read Born to Run and inspired to run barefoot, buy Vibrams or finally take on that ultra out west?
Do you want to keep running in your 70's or 80's?
If so, read on.
We are born to run, but at a certain point, injuries like stress fractures, IT band, knee, hip pain, and plantar fasciitis hamper our progress as well as increase medical expenditures and stress. I think we all know how it feels when you want to exercise but are sidelined due to to injury!
As a soccer player and runner, I was always injured at some time or another. By age 30, I experienced "the boot", pain in my metatarsals, IT band pain, super tight hamstrings and a lovely ganglion cyst f on my right ankle. Despite a number of visits to doctors, x-rays, orthotics, massage and pain medication, the injuries eventually came back - just in a different form. I assumed it was a rite of passage as part of "being a runner" but I was oh so wrong.
Seven years ago I learned about ChiRunning. My running life (and therefore my life) drastically changed. I learned how to run more efficiently and with less pain and injury. I have not been injured running since - and have only fallen once (that is another blog)! Clearly, this is no fad!
Here is the scoop. If you want to prevent injury, you must focus on your form. Good posture and proper body alignment are the foundation of good walking, running and life in general.
Stand up right now and look down at your feet. Are they splayed? Hmm. That might explain some knee and hip issues. Now take a look at your running shoes. Are the heels built up? Are they worn on certain sides? Are your shoes heavy, tight and laces constricting?
If you are wearing Vibrams do your calves or toes hurt?
When running are you hunched over or super upright? Do you have a side-to-side (lateral) sway with your hips or arms? Do you have knee pain when you run? Or do you ruminate about your job, the kids, competitors, and your to-do list?
If you answered yes to any of the above, it is time to make a change. Yep, pull back on the endorphin rush for a moment . Running does not have to hurt! I would not be running now in my 42 year if I had stayed on the "running injuries are a rite of passage" path.
As a "Chi Runner" I have avoided injury, increased my cadence and have significantly reduced stress (ask my friends and family!). I also wear very light racing flats (that actually wear out less frequently) and have have more fun running then ever. I even run barefoot at times.
Being mindful of your form at any age and stage is a small price to pay if it will enable you to run, walk and move comfortably in the years ahead.


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The Natural Aquarium Handbook
Barron's, 2000 - Pets - 159 pages
Beginners and experienced aquarium hobbyists will find a wealth of advice on maintaining a balanced aquarium that supports a wide variety of freshwater fish, animals, and plant life. Advice covers everything from maintaining a clean aquatic environment to selecting compatible fish varieties for your tank. Titles in Barron's popular Pet Handbooks series instruct pet owners on health care, proper feeding and housing, and other facts important to owners and their pets. All books in this series have high quality, full-color photos, instructive line drawings, and run to an average of approximately 140 pages.
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WaterThe Natural Environment of Fish
Aquarium Equipment
Setting Up the Aquarium
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African algae alkaline anal fins angelfishes Aponogeton aquar aquarium fishes aquarium hobbyist aquarium plants aquarium water armored catfishes bacteria Barb behavior bottom gravel bottom material brood bubble nests carbon dioxide characins chemical cichlids clean color community aquarium community tank contain Cryptocoryne cyprinids debris decorative deposits discus fishes disease dorsal fin dry food eggs feed female fertilizer fish and plants floating plants food flakes genus Geographical origin gill glass Gourami grow Habitat heater hiding places inches 20 cm inches 8 cm keep killifishes labyrinth fishes larvae leaves light live food livebearers loaches male medium hard mouth mouthbrooding Neon Tetras nitrate nitrogen nutrients open waters organs oxygen parasites peat pectoral fins plastic pump remove rocks roots slightly acid snails soft spawn species aquarium spiny substrate suitable swim tap water temperature territorial Tetra tion tropical fish types varieties water conditions water surface young


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Major Section: PROGRAMMING
For non-negative integers,
(integer-length i) is the minimum number
of bits needed to represent the integer. Any integer can be
represented as a signed two's complement field with a minimum of
(+ (integer-length i) 1) bits.
The guard for
integer-length requires its argument to be an
Integer-length is defined in Common Lisp. See any
Common Lisp documentation for more information.


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We have been down this path before.
Perhaps she needs a little non-parental encouragement...
If you were given the task of encouraging a potential student to learn karate, what would you say?
A student and instructor of Okinawa Kenpo Karate and Kobudo. Thoughts on Karate, Tai Chi, ACL Reconstruction and the Challenges of Parenting.
When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.
In other words, hard as it may seem, I think the best approach would be for you to not encourage her at 12 yrs old. Let her find her own way. If she chooses to attend, that's great.
Of course you should answer her questions, and give advise on technique, etc. In fact, if it appears she is going to stick with it this time, you may even want to suggest that if she has any questions, she should feel free to ask you.
I agree with Jim. At 12, she may be becoming rebellious anyway. The best encouragement she'd probably be seeking is her friends.
But who knows...
When my kids were young my wife and I exposed them to a variety of activities, sometimes more than once.
The ones they took to where the ones they took to.
You can't push a rope.
Thank you for your comments!
Jim: Thank you for commenting. Taking class was her idea. She asked me about it a few weeks ago. I asked her to think about it for a while to make sure she was interested. I think you are right about letting her find her own way. Last night she went to the movies with her cousin. Without being prompted, she made sure she was back home in time for 7:00 class. I was surprised when she walked in the dojo.
Marshall Artest: You are right about the "becoming rebellious" phase. My friends with older children tell me it could last 4-6 years. :( I think part of the reason she has a renewed interest is the several new students in the dojo around the same age.
Rick: Same here. I am glad Erin has a wide range of interests and the opportunity to explore them. Her current interests are space science, community theater, anime, flute and softball. Next week, it could be something else...
Don't spend the energy trying to persuade a person to do it. Even if your successful it will not last.
This is one of those things the individual must decide for themselves and not for anyone else or anyone else's reasons.
Charles James: Thank you for commenting. I definitely agree with you that the reasons must be your own.
Erin will make her own decision about karate. I will keep giving her a gi and the opportunity when she expresses an interest. :)
Michelle, that makes sense to me now .... thanks.


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Recipe for beef short ribs with orange gremolata
Serves 4
Braise short ribs with Provencal seasonings like herbes de Provence (thyme, basil, fennel, marjoram, and lavender), olives, and oranges, then elevate the modest cut with an Italian gremolata of orange rind, parsley, and garlic. At the end of cooking the meat is fall-off-the-bone tender. Use larger, meatier short ribs, called English-style, so you can serve one bone to each guest. Let the dish sit overnight so you can skim the fat from the surface before reheating.
|long, meaty short ribs
(about 3 pounds total)
|Salt and pepper, to taste
|tablespoons olive oil
|medium leeks, thinly sliced
|carrots, cut into ¼-inch dice
|stalks celery, cut into ¼-inch dice
|cloves garlic, chopped
|tablespoon herbes de Provence
|Grated rind of 1 navel orange
|cups dry red wine
|cups water
|medium tomatoes, chopped
1. Set the oven at 300 degrees.
2. Use parchment paper to cut out a round or oval the same size as a large flameproof casserole; set aside.
3. Sprinkle the ribs all over with salt and pepper. In the casserole over medium heat, heat the oil. Add the ribs in a single layer and cook without disturbing for 5 minutes. Turn and brown the other side for 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
4. Pour off and discard all but about 2 tablespoons of fat from the pan, if necessary. Add the leeks, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and herbs de Provence and cook 1 minute more. Add the orange rind and wine, stirring with a large spoon for 1 minute or until all the sediment in the pan dissolves.
5. Return the ribs and any accumulated juices to the pan. Add the water and tomatoes. The liquid should almost cover the ribs; add more water if necessary. Bring to a boil, remove from heat, add the parchment paper, and cover with lid.
6. Transfer to the oven and cook, turning every 30 minutes, for 2½ hours, or until the ribs are falling off the bone. If the pan seems dry during cooking, add more water.
7. Remove the meat and vegetables from the pan and transfer to a container. Tip the liquid into another container. Cool; refrigerate both overnight.
|navel orange
|cup chopped flat leaf parsley
|cloves garlic, finely chopped
|cup pitted Nicoise olives
1. Skim off and discard the fat from the liquid. Return the meat and liquid to the pan. Set over high heat and bring to a boil. Simmer for 15 minutes or until the meat is heated through.
2. Grate the orange. In a bowl combine the rind, parsley, and garlic. Mix well.
3. Cut a slice from each end of the orange and set it upright on a cutting board. With a serrated knife, cut down the sides, removing the white pith. Cut inside each membrane to remove the segments, discarding any seeds.
4. When the ribs are heated, stir in the olives and orange segments. Taste for seasoning and add more salt and pepper, if you like. Serve the meat with the cooking juices. Garnish with gremolata.
Valerie Ryan


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You can stream music, pictures and video to your Xbox 360 console from your computer by using Windows Media Player, Groove or Films & TV.
Note For more information about using Windows Media Center to stream content from your computer to your console, see Xbox 360 Windows Media Center support.
If you've already connected your console to your network, you can go to "Step 2: Set up Windows Media Player" below. If not, connect your console to your home network using a wired or wireless connection. Then, test to make sure that your Xbox console connects successfully. Here's how:
If the network status shows as Connected, go to Step 2, below. Otherwise, select More Info on your console and follow the suggestions.
Which version do you want to use?
Play music
Play videos
For more information about using the Groove app, see Groove app on Xbox 360. To learn more about the Films & TV app, see Films & TV.
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Provide feedback for this topic
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In the fall of 2004 I had the privilege of interviewing Yanar Mohammed, founder of the Organization of Women's Freedom in Iraq (OWFI). We talked about how things had changed and become worse for women in Iraq in the aftermath of the U.S. invasion. As we observe the 10th anniversary of the beginning of the war, several pieces have been published that make all too clear that things have deteriorated badly for the women we promised to liberate.
As Rania Khalek writes, women continue to be trafficked. Women have been widowed and children orphaned by the millions. Millions of women live in vulnerable circumstances without reliable income and are forced into marriages and killed for 'honor'. Women's representation in the government is a sham and education all but impossible and as CNN points out, civil family laws have been replaced by religious ones that deprive women of rights.
For a few years, there was much concern about the welfare of women in Afghanistan and then Iraq. That interest has faded but we need to remember the shameful legacy we have left behind in these countries. I wish in re-reading my interview with Mohammed that it did not still seem so relevant. But it does and so I am reprinting it here:
Our Lives Are Worse Now: Yanar Mohammed Talks With Lucinda Marshall About the Impact of the US Occupation on the Lives of Iraqi Women
June, 2004
Author's Note: I first started corresponding with Yanar Mohammed, founder of the Organization of Women's Freedom in Iraq (OWFI), early this spring when I received a frantic email from Jennifer Fasulo of the Working Committee in Support of Iraqi Women's Rights explaining that OWFI urgently needed funds to rent a shelter in Baghdad for women at risk of honor killings. The letter asked that checks be made out to Ms. Fasulo personally, so that she could wire the money directly, because the usual method of donating via the internet would not be fast enough. Although I was familiar with OWFI's work, I had never heard of Ms. Fasulo, so I emailed Ms. Mohammed to ask if this was a legitimate request. She promptly assured me that it was, explaining that some expected funds had fallen through, leaving OWFI without enough funds to pay the annual rent of $3200 needed for the shelter. Shocked at how little was needed, I immediately sent a check to Ms. Fasulo and am happy to say that the funds were raised. Over the course of the spring, Ms. Mohammed and I continued to correspond, and I was struck by how easily we communicated, two women, who had never met, half a world apart. In a true example of how communality transcends borders, it turns out that both of us are in our mid-forties with teenage sons. We both have degrees in architecture and have spent most of our working lives as artists turning our energies these last few years to ending violence against women, she by founding OWFI and I by founding the Feminist Peace Network. Ms. Mohammed, a long time activist, working against the Baathist regime as well as for women's rights, was born in Baghdad in 1960. Finding that she could no longer make a living with the economic sanctions against Iraq in the 1990s, she moved to Canada and continued her activism from there. Last spring she returned to Iraq for four months to work directly with women during the U.S. occupation of Iraq. We spoke recently about her trip, the current the situation for women in Iraq, and what she was able to accomplish while she was there.
Lucinda Marshall: First if you could, tell me about the goals of OWFI.
Yanar Mohammed: The first goal is to achieve equality between women and men and the way to that is a secular constitution and a separation of mosque and state. The second goal is to have equal representation of women and men in all councils, both social and political. Third, we need to end the compulsory veil, to have some laws that protect a woman's right to the dress code of her choice. Last, our goal is to end segregation in the schools.
LM: What are the most important issues for women in Iraq right now?
YM: The first issue is security in their day-to-day lives. The second is that the women need a secular Constitution that equals them to the men. For the time being, it has been announced quite clearly that the temporary Constitution that has been written will be based mainly on Islamic Sharia (fundamentalist Islamic laws). If one man can marry four women, this gives you an indication of a woman's position if this Constitution is based on Sharia.
LM: What are the conditions for women since the American occupation of Iraq? Are they better or worse than they were before?
YM: Try to imagine that in your house there is not one single penny to spend, there are five children to feed, there is a man who has married a second wife and a third wife and you are not allowed to leave the house and work because the man thinks it is un-Islamic, is your life better or worse? Conditions for women were deteriorating before, but they have deteriorated much more since the war because there was work for women before, the factories were working. So a woman who was able to bring income to the house is not able to do that anymore. And if the Americans say that unemployment is over, that is a big lie. Seventy percent of the people in Iraq are unemployed and most of those are women. And just imagine how many children are being affected. You know who gets hurt the worst? The mothers. You take your own food and you give it to your children, you sell whatever gold or jewelry you have left, you give everything possible to the children.
LM: What if anything did the CPA (Coalition Provisional Authority) do to alleviate these conditions?
YM: I met the person the Americans put in place as the consultant to the ministry of Labor and social affairs and I told him that hundreds of thousands of women are widows, they don't have husbands, and they have lots of children. Social insurance needs to be given immediately, this is an emergency. This man looked at me and said we know what to do and when to do it. We need to make a census from north to south to decide who to give it to and are you here to confront with me or are you here to collaborate?
LM: What about the new Constitution, will that be beneficial to women?
YM: 25% of the government will be women, and I think that's a very good thing and it is justified, but it is not our main demand. Our main demand is that women get respected in the Constitution, to be equal to men. What's the use of a Governing Council that is even 50% women if their policies are not women- friendly? You have some political groups that have their women's organizations and these women's organizations are responsible for honor killings or for preparing the lists of women to be killed. So for us, if a woman is taking over, it doesn't always mean that she will bring women-friendly policies.
LM: What you just said is very shocking. There are lists prepared of women to be killed?
YM: The people who usually take these matters into their hands are the nationalist groups and tribal heads. They give much importance to the honor of the family, honor of the tribe and eventually it becomes the honor of the nation. When a woman commits adultery or un-allowed love or somebody has suspected she is pregnant (by someone other than her husband) she gets killed so as to restore the honor of the family. It happens all over Iraq, but it depends on the political parties and whether they are encouraging it or not. In the 1990's in the Kurdish northern part of Iraq, the ruling party was not only encouraging the practice, they were organizing it as well.
LM: The party itself was organizing it?
YM: Yes. Surprisingly, the head of this party is part of the American formula now. Our President now is a tribal head and the Prime Minister is an Arab Nationalist, a previous Baath person.
LM: I am at a loss of words just because it is truly unspeakable to even think about.
YM: Yes, Why does nobody speak out? You know that in Iraq, it is a taboo. If a woman goes against the will of the family, she needs to be canceled from life, she needs to be canceled from the knowledge of anybody who knew her so that nobody should ever speak about it. That is one side of it. But from the human rights side, why doesn't anybody speak of it? It is because the American have favored this political group, they have relied on them in this campaign of war against Iraq and they have made them part of this Governing Council and they don't care if they have killed thousands of women.
LM: While you were in Iraq, threats were made against your life. Can you tell me what happened?
YM: At the time, the Governing Council had proposed a resolution that said Islamic Sharia overrides everything in the civil law. What this meant was that men can marry four women, that all the rights are given to men in marriage and in divorce and in the custody of children and that there is no minimum age for the marriage of women. For example, a nine-year-old child can be given to a sixty-year-old husband. Under Islamic Sharia law, women are thought of just as breeders. So, turning civil law into Sharia law would have ended all rights for women in Iraq. We were one of many groups who spoke out against Resolution 137. I spoke very strongly with no compromise at a demonstration and they put it on all the local television channels, it was heard by many people. I got many good responses, especially from women, they were so happy for me to speak. But the next day, I received this letter by email. It described what I was saying as psychologically disturbed ideas to influence the women of Iraq in immoral ways and if I continued doing what I was doing, they would need to kill me under Islamic Sharia.
LM: That must have been absolutely terrifying.
YM: The internet cafe was close to my office, a five minute walk, but at the moment I read that letter, I cannot describe to you…
LM: Yet you continue your work, that takes much courage.
YM: Yes, but you know, it is life or death for Iraqi women. If I don't do it, if other women don't do it, we are falling into this dark pit, the darkest actually in the world right now. If women are being raped and nobody knows about it in the prisons and women are being abused in their houses, somebody needs to be brave and stick their necks out.
LM: What can be done to help women in Iraq without further endangering them?
YM: This issue of women being raped in prisons is horrific but also women are being raped and killed outside the prisons. The first thing is to make sure this Constitution protects the rights of women. It needs to be secular. One thing that many people do not know is that the previous civil law in Iraq encouraged honor killing, the criminal code did not put into prison a man who had killed a woman in his family because of honor reasons. So women have not previously been protected from honor killings by civil law. Even though it was civil law as opposed to religious law, that didn't really matter. The civil law is based on religious law in many of its parts. And when Americans came and amended parts of these laws, they did not care about this part. For them, the lives of women and an article of law that encouraged the killing of women were not a priorities.
LM: I know this is one of the reasons you have worked so hard to open shelters for women at risk of honor killings, What have you been able to accomplish and what still needs to be done?
YM: We have just opened the first shelter in Baghdad that will take women threatened by killings and in Kirkuk we have also opened secret rooms where we also have a few women we have saved. In the coming month we will rent a house that will officially be a shelter for women in the city of Kirkuk. So then we will have 2 shelters.
LM: In all of Iraq, there are only two shelters that serve women at risk of honor killings?
YM: And these shelters are run by us, Lucinda, in very harsh situations. Managing the security for it, the expenses for it and we mostly have to work with volunteers. For months I had heard that the Americans had set up a women's shelter and many women were asking where it was. It turns out they had decided to set it up in the Green Zone. The Green Zone is a location that nobody in Baghdad can dream of reaching, if you are a battered woman or a threatened woman, it is out of the question how you would get there.
LM: So it seems obvious that one the things OWFI needs is funds to run and expand the shelters.
YM: You know, even minimal funds translate into a number of women's lives saved, otherwise there is no alternative. Just imagine a country that has no precedent of a woman's shelter and you are beginning from scratch. That is what we have done in Baghdad and in Iraq in the last few months.
LM: Share with me your thoughts about what has happened at Abu Ghraib, the role of the women soldiers and what has happened to the women prisoners.
YM: In those same prisons, so many things happened against human rights (under Saddam) but it wasn't as sexualized. It makes you wonder. I don't approve of putting the women soldiers in the forefront of all these pictures, because most of the abuse was being done by men. It reminds me of the religious mentality. Whenever something bad happens, there is a big attempt to blame it on women. It's like the honor killings, it perpetuates misogyny when you blame the victims. Under religious and political Islam and also under capitalism, wherever you go, it is not friendly for women.
LM: Given all the problems since the American occupation, what do you think would be the best course of action now?
YM: It would be a good idea to support substituting United Nations troops for U.S. troops. The American troops have to leave right away and they cannot leave if there is no peacekeeping force. The UN peacekeeping forces are more qualified in handling post-war zones; in administrative matters and even in political ways, they are more neutral. We do not want to see the Americans impose their political agenda on us anymore. They are bringing the most backward political groups to the forefront, imposing their political will on us, which is out of the question. The American plan of favoring some groups over others is taking us down the drain, especially women.
LM: What's next for you, do you plan to go back to Iraq?
YM: Yes, but first I need to raise funds for our work. In the last few months we opened many offices, some we were able to pay the rent for, some are in the houses of our women activists, so we need money for rent, we need more money to distribute our newspaper more widely, we need help for the shelters. We need to make the base of women activists a bigger one so nobody can marginalize us anymore.


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Santa Cruz resident Catherine Philipovich placed in the top 20 among women and Scotts Valley's Steve Croft placed in the top 30 overall in the Morgan Hill Marathon last weekend.
Philipovitch finished the marathon in 3 hours, 53 minutes, 44 seconds to be the top female runner from Santa Cruz County. She was 17th among women and 79th overall.
Croft crossed the finish line in 3:28:38 for 28th place overall and 23rd among men.
Also with top 30 finishes, Capitola resident Kelly O'Rourke placed 23rd among women and 292 overall in the Morgan Hill Half Marathon — which was run in conjunction with the full marathon — finishing in 1:49:15, and Aptos resident David Delucchi placed 26th among men and 26th overall in 1:31:42.
Results included in this report are from the Morgan Hill Marathon results page.


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Note that the below awards were done prior to Texas' dual meet against Auburn.
Student-athletes from three league schools were recognized with the first swimming and diving weekly awards of 2014 based on performances from Dec. 10 through Jan. 5. Cooper Robinson (TCU) was honored with the men's swimming award while Cory Bowersox (UT) garnered the diving accolade. On the women's side, Imelda Wistey (ISU) was named the swimmer of the week while Maren Taylor (UT) was awarded the diving honor.
Taylor picks up the eighth Big 12 weekly honor of her career while Bowersox, Robinson and Wistey all notch their second awards.
Men's Swimmer of the Week
Cooper Robinson, TCU, Jr., Katy, Texas
Robinson scored 22 points for the Horned Frogs – 14 in individual events and eight in relay competition – in a dual with Missouri State. He posted TCU's top individual finish in the 200 backstroke.
Women's Swimmer of the Week
Imelda Wistey, Iowa State, Sr., West Des Moines, Iowa
Iowa State's top breaststroker, Imelda Wistey, rewrote history as she helped take down four records against in-state rival Iowa on Dec. 13. Wistey, who broke her own record in the 100-yard breaststroke, went on to tackle the school record in the 200-yard breaststroke and the Beyer Hall pool record in the 200 medley relay alongside teammates Bre Loeschke, Kaylee Kucera, and Amanda Paulson.
Men's Diver of the Week
Cory Bowersox, Texas, So., Fairfax, Va.
Bowersox notched a pair of top-five finishes and ranked second in the final individual high-point standings at the USA Diving Winter Nationals.
Women's Diver of the Week
Maren Taylor, Texas, Sr., Arlington, Va.
Taylor's victory in the three-meter event at the USA Diving Winter Nationals landed her a berth on the U.S. roster for the 2014 FINA World Cup in Shanghai, China. She also claimed the 3m synchro event with former Ohio State diver Cheyenne Cousineau. Taylor resumed collegiate competition on Jan. 4 and swept the one-meter and three-meter springboard events against No. 3 Stanford.
2013-14 Big 12 Men's Weekly Awards
|Oct. 23
|Bryce Bohman, West Virginia, Sr.
|Liam McLaughlin, West Virginia, Sr.
|Nov. 6
|Tim Squires, West Virginia, Jr.
|Michael Hixon, Texas, Fr.
|Nov. 20
|Clay Youngquist, Texas, Jr.
|Cory Bowersox, Texas, So.
|Dec. 11
|Bryce Bohman, West Virginia, Sr.
|Michael Hixon, Texas, Fr.
|Jan. 8
|Cooper Robinson, TCU, Jr.
|Cory Bowersox, Texas, So.
2013-14 Big 12 Women's Weekly Awards
|Oct. 23
|Samantha Tucker, Texas, Sr.
|Emma Ivory-Ganja, Texas, Jr.
|Nov. 6
|Gretchen Jacques, Texas, Jr.
|Haily VandePoel, West Virginia, Jr.
|Nov. 20
|Imelda Wistey, Iowa State, Sr.
|Elyse Brouillette, Iowa State, So.
|Emma Ivory-Ganja, Texas, Jr.
|Dec. 11
|Chelsie Miller, Kansas, So.
|Emma Ivory-Ganja, Texas, Jr.
|Jan. 8
|Imelda Wistey, Iowa State, Sr.
|Maren Taylor, Texas, Sr.
The above is an unedited press release submitted by the Big 12 Conference


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J-School Legacy
Out of Missouri's storied newspaper history evolved two forces that would shape the future of journalism: Walter Williams (1864-1935) and the Missouri Press Association (est. 1867). Both played integral roles in the founding of the world's first school of journalism in the most unlikely of places – the middle of Missouri.