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The "field of dreams" the family of slain East Palo Alto police Officer Richard May has hoped to build in the city since his death on Jan. 7, 2006, can move forward, the East Palo Alto City Council voted Tuesday night (Feb. 8).
The field, which is located at Bay Road near St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, would be a memorial to May, his stepfather, Frank Merrill, said.
The family wanted to build a safe, state-of-the-art playing field to provide a healthy outlet for youths so they wouldn't engage in crime and end up like May's killer, Alberto Alvarez, Merrill said.
Alvarez, 23, was a drug dealer and former gang member who was convicted of first-degree murder on Dec. 22, 2009. He shot May while trying to run away, after the officer stopped to question him about a fight at a nearby taqueria.
The proposed playing field is not without its critics. Council members split 3 to 2 in favor of granting a building permit, and former mayor Sharifa Wilson has said the council is not following proper protocol because it has not conducted an environmental study of the potential impacts of the field.
Councilman A. Peter Evans, who voted against the permit, said he was against strangers coming into the city to build the field. May was an employee who did not have any allegiance to the city, Evans said at the meeting.
Councilman David Woods, who also voted against the permit, said he had the opposite view of May but felt the study of potential impacts should be done prior to granting the permit.
Mayor Carlos Romero, Vice Mayor Laura Martinez and Councilman Ruben Abrica voted in favor of the permit.
Tami McMillan, May's sister, said the family was thrilled with the decision.
"I think this will be a great thing and a sense of pride for young athletes of every sport in East Palo Alto. I can't even be more ecstatic than I am," she said.
Wilson, who is president of the Ravenswood City School District board, said Thursday that she wanted to be clear that her opposition had nothing to do with her connection with Ravenswood, past or present. But she was speaking in her capacity as a homeowner who lives a half block from the field site.
"I'm disappointed the council did not make its priority safety and concern for the quality of life of residents," she said.
The project is bigger than she expected and goes beyond the scope of just the kids, she said.
"Everyone could accept a soccer field for the kids -- I was not against a soccer field. But now it's much, much larger. Kids could bike and walk to a soccer field, but an adult rugby field has other impacts," she said.
"Whenever there's a project, (the council) is obligated to do a negative declaration to evaluate if there is a need for an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). They did absolutely nothing.
"They decided it's already an existing use. But my contention is it never had 60-foot lights or was open until 9:30. Those things would trigger the need for an EIR," she said.
In the past, Wilson has threatened lawsuits if a study was not done. On Thursday she said she is giving herself time to reflect.
McMillan said field proponents don't want to do anything that would upset residents. Getting the permit was key to getting donations, some of which can be used to fund the study.
"That's been the tightrope all along," she said.
The impact study would be done prior to any ground breaking, she said.
When the council voted affirmatively, McMillan said the contentiousness of the meeting disappeared.
"I was almost numb. I thought I would be mad at Evans. But when I saw how many youth came out and how many speakers were in favor of the field, I thought, 'Let's just move forward and make this happen.'"


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At this week�s Lenoir County School Board meeting, several schools were recognized for their efforts in grant writing and working to improve student behavior.
Lenoir County Public Schools Superintendent Stephen Mazingo acknowledged the achievements during his report at the beginning of the meeting.
On Oct. 21, Tri-County Electric Membership Corporation, a Touchstone Energy cooperative in Goldsboro, held its annual awards banquet for Bright Ideas instructional mini-grant winners, Mazingo said. Winners were selected from Duplin, Wayne and Lenoir counties.
LCPS secured 23 of the 67 mini-grants awarded, he said.
During the �best of the best� portion of the evening, Sandy West from Frink Middle School, Traci Howard from Pink Hill Elementary School, Carol Edwards from Banks Elementary School, Erin Berg from North Lenoir High School and Joseph Noble from South Lenoir High School received additional recognition for their work.
Mazingo said he was pleased with the results.
�It means we have teachers and principals who are going out there every day and doing the best job they possibly can,� he said.
Mazingo also acknowledged several schools for earning the designation of being a Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support school.
�I will tell you,� he said, �from the superintendent point of view, PBIS has a tremendous impact on the school. It really does help you move forward academically and help with behavior problems.�
Schools were divided into different levels of achievement. Green Ribbon schools, such as Frink and North Lenoir, had an evaluation of 80 percent and Implementation Level One.
Model schools, which included Kinston High School, had an evaluation of 90 percent and Implementation Level Two.
The last category of Exemplar school, which had an evaluation of 95 percent and Implementation Level Three, included Banks and La Grange elementary schools.
Kristie Brennan, principal at La Grange, said her school has been a Green Ribbon school in recent years and she was excited to have achieved Exemplar status. She attributed the success to the hard work of her teachers and focusing on kids who had behavioral issues.
In other business, the board approved out-of-state trips for Kinston High and Woodington Middle Schools.
Noah Clark can be reached at 252-559-1073 or firstname.lastname@example.com. Follow him on Twitter at @nclark763.

subset: commoncrawl


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Posted by on 08/31/09
The 2009 Canadian National Downhill Team is made up of thirteen riders. Eleven of those riders hail from BC!
Elite Men
Steve Smith - Vancouver Island
Simon Garstin - Vancouver Island
Dean Tennant - Vancouver Island
Jamie Biluk - Manitoba (currently living in Vancouver)
Rob Fraser - Ontario
Elite Women
Claire Buchar - Whistler and Squamish
Micayla Gatto - West Vancouver
Miranda Miller - Squamish
Junior Men
Kyle Marshall - Vancouver Island
Chayse Marshall - Kamloops
Remi Gauvin - Vancouver Island
Trenton Zoobkoff - Nelson
Tyler Allison - Whistler (riding in both Downhill and X Country)
Junior Men 4 X
Kye Walstrom - Vancouver
Cameron Woods, Katrina Strand, Danice Uyesugi and Rebecca McQueen are also BC riders selected to the team, while from Quebec Hans Lambert, Jonathan Lefrancois and Anne Laplante also met qualification requirements, but for various reasons they were unable to attend.
Local rider Rebecca McQueen is still recovering from a broken collar bone - "It's disappointing for sure," she said "but it also goes with the territory. I am stoked that I could have been on the team and I'll look forward to having another opportunity at Mt. Ste Anne next year."
"The whole selection process is hard," says National Team Manager and Coach Geoff Pendrell. "In order to fulfill the CCA's selection criteria, we have to wait late into the season before confirming our team, but that can make it really hard for members to free themselves up from work and other obligations." In addition, riders cover their own costs and this can be a daunting bill.
All the junior men, one elite male and two of the elite female riders have all been part of the Cycling BC DH Team. Coach and Manager Dave Hord is proud to have been involved with the riders and organization for the last two seasons. "Team BC really bends over backwards to see how they can help riders - even this year during tough times, they have been able to provide important race and training support. Offering a team base and a structure from which to be able to put together your best race is so helpful to a rider - I think our results at a national level really reflected this." (BC had riders that took top 5 in Elite Women, 3 out of 5 of the Elite Men, 4 out of 5 in Junior Men, and the lone Junior Woman was from BC.)
Coach Dustin Adams agrees. "The Nationals was my first race with the riders and I was truly impressed by the depth of ability. Just look at the National team Juniors - every one from BC and, I assure you, more coming up through the ranks with equal strength. We have the chance to grow a team that is a force to be reckoned with internationally."
The elites are lead by 'veterans' Claire Buchar, Steve Smith and Micayla Gatto. With several years of riding on the World Cup circuit these riders bring international recognition and intense know-how to the team.
Micayla Gatto, a young Cycling BC gun, has been blazed the way for up-and-comers. She has been performing better and better at International events and has cracked the top ten twice at world cups this year. Miranda Miller has been a part of the Cycling BC family for five years. At 19 she has won two major international races this year - the US Open and the Garbanzo Downhill at Crankworx in Whistler, having had to miss the Nationals and two world cups due to illness.
"This," says Hord, "is an example of what our athletes can achieve with support. What we give at the moment is very limited. Only imagine what we could manage with a fully funded program."
Pendrel agrees. "Some money behind the downhill riders would be so welcome! I rode the circuit for years myself and there is only so far you can go without some serious sponsorship - it gets super expensive. I am full of admiration for the fire and determination of these young riders. They work like crazy to get their dollars together for their season. The support that Cycling BC gives is important and I hope to emulate their example. This year we were able to offer a couple of camps and the opportunity for young riders to take part in the World Cups in Quebec. I'd love to grow the program."
Pendrel and the Canadian Cycling Association hosted camps at the World Cups in Mt. Ste. Anne and Bromont this year to provide young riders with an opportunity to race at a world level. It should be noted that, in his first ever world cups, Kyle Marshall (a first year junior) qualified in both while other juniors were only a second or so shy of entry.
"This was a valuable chance to check out who else is 'out there' at a world level and gain some understanding of what will be required at the Championships," explains Pendrel. "The more we can do this, the more we will see Canada cracking those top spots."
The team has gathered at The 2009 World Championships in Canberra, Australia. The race is on Sunday, September 6, 2009 and can be watched at freecaster.com.
Courtesy Tamsin Miller, Downhill Coordinator, Cycling BC
|Return to Canadian Cyclist homepage | Back to Top


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Election filings closed at noon Friday for the October municipal elections in New Bern, with seven candidates running for New Bern mayor and 16 running for New Bern Board of Aldermen seats.
Election filings closed at noon Friday for the October municipal elections in New Bern, with seven candidates running for New Bern mayor and 16 running for New Bern Board of Aldermen seats.
Aldermen Sabrina Bengel, Dana Outlaw and Denny Bucher all filed to run for the mayoral seat that will be left vacant by Mayor Lee Bettis, who did not file for re-election. In turn, their board seats are now up for grabs.
The other candidates running for mayor are Edwin Vargas, an civilian employee at Cherry Point air station; Dale Simmons Sr., a facility maintenance/coordinator specialist with the Fleet Readiness Center East; Barbara Lee, a former New Bern alderman; and Tharesa Lee, a retired city employee.
Meanwhile, all six wards are being contested.
Three Board of Aldermen candidates, Dallas Blackiston, Alfred Barfield and Tony Bonnici, are running for Bengel�s Ward 1 seat.
In Ward 2, Alderman Victor Taylor is seeking re-election and facing a challenge from Micah Grimes, a local bail bondsman.
Ward 3 has two candidates, Susan Namowicz and Patricia Schaible, running for Bucher�s seat.
In Ward 4, Alderman Johnnie Ray Kinsey will face two challengers: Robert Natella and Bee Mayo.
Alderman Bernard White is running for re-election in Ward 5 and will face challenges from Sammy Dodd and Jamara Wallace.
In Ward 6, Barry Evans, Ashley Smith and Jeffery Odham are vying for Outlaw�s seat on the board.
Eddie Fitzgerald can be reached at 252-635-5675 or at firstname.lastname@example.com. Follow him on Twitter @staffwriter3.
New Bern Mayor:
Dana Outlaw
Sabrina Bengel
Edwin Vargas
Dennis Bucher
Dale E. Simmons, Sr.
Barbara Lee
Tharesa Chadwick Lee
New Bern Aldermen Ward 1
Dallas Blackiston
Alfred (Popeye) Barfield
Tony Bonnici
New Bern Aldermen Ward 2
Victor J. Taylor
Micah Grimes
New Bern Aldermen Ward 3
Susan A. Namowicz
Pat Schaible
New Bern Aldermen Ward 4
Johnnie Ray Kinsey
Robert (Chick) Natella
Bee Mayo
New Bern Aldermen Ward 5
Sammy Dodd
Jamara (Bay-Bay) Wallace
Bernard W. White
New Bern Aldermen Ward 6
Barry Evans
Ashley Smith
Jeffrey Odham


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The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is expected to feature a 1440 x 2560 QHD display, Exynos 5433 SOC, 16 megapixels rear shooter with OIS, and protection from liquid and dust, just like the Samsung Galaxy S5.
"PowerPoint formats are not supported by Samsung Galaxy Note 4, how can I view PowerPoint presentations on my Samsung Galaxy Note 4?"
Is there a way to convert PowerPoint to Samsung Galaxy Note 4 supported formats? PowerPoint to Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Converter is an easy-to-use PowerPoint to Samsung Galaxy Note 4 converter which can convert PowerPoint (*.ppt, *.pps, *.pptx, *.ppsx, etc.) to Samsung Galaxy Note 4 compatible MP4 format in several clicks, while retaining all the original PowerPoint effects, including fonts, languages, background music, inserted video clips, dynamic transitions and animations! By converting PowerPoint to MP4 video, you can view PowerPoint on Samsung Galaxy Note 4 like the original PowerPoint presentations.
Free download and install PowerPoint to Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Converter on your computer. It works with Microsoft PowerPoint Version 2000/2002/2003/2007/2010 and is compatible with Windows 7/Windows 8/Windows 8.1 blue. Then follow the general steps to convert PowerPoint to Samsung Galaxy Note 4 as below:
Step 1: Load PowerPoint files.
Run the program and click Add button to import PowerPoint source files. Save your time by converting several PowerPoint files to videos at one time, without number limit.
Step 2: Output sittings for Samsung Galaxy Note 4.
Choose a video format from the "Profile" drop-down list, like "HD Video" → "HD H.264 MPEG-4 AVC Video (*.mp4)", to make full use of Samsung Galaxy Note 4's HD screen display.
For advanced output video settings, just click Settings button on the right. In the pop up window, you may change the video codec, audio codec, quality, bit rate, frame rate, video size, etc. to better match your Samsung Galaxy Note 4.
Step 3: Convert PowerPoint to Samsung Galaxy Note 4.
When all the settings are ready, click "Start" button to start the PowerPoint to Samsung Galaxy Note 4 video conversion. You will get the output videos for viewing on Samsung Galaxy Note 4 in no time.


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Memphis City Council member Janis Fullilove pushed hard for $1.5 million in city funding for the renovation of Southbrook Mall in Whitehaven.
So hard that as the council voted on the appropriation of the money earlier this month, she taunted Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. for not being present.
"Where is the mayor? Why is he not here?" Fullilove said numerous times at the Oct. 1 council meeting where the council voted to fund the project but made it conditional on a legal opinion from the City Attorney's office on whether the federal funding for streetscape improvements along Elvis Presley Boulevard can be used for the mall as well.
The legal opinion is still a work in progress, which caused the council last week to pull it from the minutes of the meeting. An item isn't considered final until it is approved as part of the minutes of a meeting.
Fullilove's aggressive push for that and her continued vocal opposition to the Smart Meter program of Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division are raising questions about whether she has crossed the legal boundary that separates the council's legislative duties from those of Wharton and the city's executive branch.
City Council chairman Edmund Ford appointed a three-member council ad hoc committee last week to look at council policies and procedures on the matter. The committee is to report in November on whether the rules should be changed or whether they need to be re-emphasized.
"It has been brought to my attention particular behavior and, as well, individuals possibly directing other administrators," Ford said, referring to council rules that prohibit council members from ordering city employees to do something or pursue a course of action or interfering in a course of action.
If the misconduct rises to the level of formal charges in a court of law and a conviction, the council member can be removed from office.
Ford also specifically cited council rules that give the chairman, who assigns committee chairmen, the right to remove a committee chairman.
"I make the decisions," he said. "But I want it to be known that we're grown folks."
Earlier in the day Oct. 15, during council committee session, Fullilove grilled MLGW president Jerry Collins in what has become a regular feature of the MLGW committee Fullilove chairs.
City Council member Janis Fullilove has been critical of the MLGW Smart Meter.
(Daily News File/Lance Murphey)
Although a negative committee recommendation cannot stop the full council from considering a measure, Fullilove has used her committee to delay votes on utility funding items including funding for the further expansion of the Smart Meter pilot program.
The full council approved the funding to expand their use in August.
When Collins responded to what Fullilove claimed was a case of an unnamed judge who got a Smart Meter but didn't want it and had trouble opting out of the program, Fullilove pointed to his earlier hesitancy to answer the allegation.
"He couldn't answer the question," she said as council member Bill Boyd insisted she hadn't given him a chance to answer. "It was like crickets. Duh."
Collins said the allegation about a judge was "fictitious" and "patently false."
"How do you know a judge has not received a Smart Meter?" Fullilove asked Collins a few minutes later.
"We checked every judge," he said.
"A judge might have a girlfriend," Fullilove replied. "How do you know who's what? "How do you know I am Janice Chalmers?" she added, bringing up the disclosure earlier this year that Fullilove, whose real name is Chalmers, had a Smart Meter and that despite her claim that it caused her utility bill to go up, it did not. The utility disclosed her bills after a public records request from News Channel 3.
"That's an invasion of privacy," Fullilove said last week. "You don't know who that judge's name is … unless you guys are doing something that's not right."
"A false allegation was made," Collins said at the end of the tirade.
"No, it wasn't a false allegation," Fullilove shot back. "It was an allegation. Are you like the CIA or the FBI and you sit up and check on people and you keep track of what they are doing?"
After the lively committee session, Ford expressed concern in general but did not mention Fullilove specifically or any other council member by name.
Others on the council, including Lee Harris, said the question of where council responsibilities end and the role of the executive branch begins isn't always a simple matter.
"What does it mean to have decorum in a council committee meeting and who is responsible for enforcing decorum?" Harris asked. "I don't know. Are there rules and norms of decorum?"
Ford named council members Wanda Halbert, Bill Boyd and Myron Lowery to the committee. Fullilove was absent from the executive session discussion.
Copyright 1995 -
by The Daily News Publishing Co. Inc. - All Rights Reserved


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The Lion and Sun Flag: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow0 comments - published on Tuesday, November 23, 2010
When I started my blog almost four years ago I decided to call it "Shiro-Khorshid Forever" (Lion and Sun Forever), because of the unifying aspect of the Lion and Sun Flag. One of the first things the Islamic Regime did after coming to power was to change the symbols of our national flag (Lion and Sun) and replace it with Arabic Symbols in an attempt to strip us of our history and nationality.
The Regime was not successful in its quest, and 31 years later Iranians from almost all political fractions including monarchists to modern leftist groups to those who support a republic to armed opposition groups such as the MKO all unite under this flag. All these groups and organizations may have different beliefs and ideologies which divide them, but the Lion and Sun, this unifying symbol always brings them together under one umbrella.
It is exactly this unifying aspect of the Lion and Sun which has instilled great fear in the heart of the Regime. It is this unifying aspect which has caused former Regime Agents turned "activists" to attack our flag, our history and to try to cause a division within the real opposition.
Today I had the pleasure of listening to a short speech by Roozbeh Farahanipour, the founder and the Executive Director of the Marzeporgohar Party (Glorious Frontiers Party) which sums up my sentiments on the Lion and Sun Flag very well. I invite everyone to listen and hopefully enjoy it as much as I did.
Lion and Sun Flag, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
Down with the Islamic Regime in Iran
Long Live Freedom in Iran
Remembering Kurdish Political Prisoner Awaiting Execution in Iran0 comments - published on Thursday, November 18, 2010
While there are hundreds of political prisoners and non-political prisoners in Iran who are awaiting execution, these days the focus has been shifted on only one person, leaving everyone else, especially political prisoners far behind.
While it may be easier and more politically correct to jump on a single popular band wagon, I think it is crucial for us to keep in mind the fact that these hundreds (if not more) prisoners and in particular political prisoners are at risk of imminent execution. This is especially so because while all eyes are on the campaign for Ms. Sakineh Ashtinani, it is much easier for the Regime to execute other political prisoners without having to worry about a negative reaction from the international community.
As a pro-democracy activist I see it as my duty to remind everyone that there are many political prisoners who could use the help of the international campaigns, and if we remain silent today, tomorrow might be too late. In the past year alone at least 6 Kurdish political prisoners Ehsan Fatahiyan, Farzad Kamangar, Shirin Alam Holi, Fasih Yasamini, Ali Heydariyan and Farhad Vakili have been executed by the Islamic Regime.
Currently there are at least 19 Kurdish prisoners who are currently awaiting execution. Let's remember them.
1. Ms. Zeynab Jalaliyan
2. Habibollah Latifi
3. Habibollah Golparipour
4. Shirkuh Moarefi
5. Ramezan Ahmad
6. Farha Chalesh
7. Rostam Arkiya
8. Rashid Akhkandi
9. Ali Heydar
10. Hossein Khazari
11. Aziz Mohammadzadeh
12. Sami Hosseini
13. Jamal Mohammadi
14. Hassan Talei
15. Ahmad Pouladkhani
16. Mostafa Salimi
17. Iraj Mohammadi
18. Anvar Rostami
19. Mohammad Amin Aghooshi
Down with the Islamic Regime in Iran
Long Live Freedom in Iran
Islamic Regime is Warning against Canada Travel-What's next?0 comments - published on Wednesday, November 17, 2010
I came across a very amusing news article titled "Iran Warns Against Canada Travel" in Press TV website today. As many of my readers may be aware Press TV is closely linked to the Islamic Regime and follows and carries out the Regime propaganda.
I found the article amusing because a government like Islamic Regime which is a government of fear, terror, imprisonment, rape, torture and murder is criticizing Canada and the Canadian Government. The article among other things states "Many Muslims, particularly Iranians, are deprived of their social and political rights and Canadian police have proved to be incapable of following the cases filed by Iranians residing in Canada, the statement added."
As a lawyer I have the opportunity to witness democracy and Justice in the Canadian courtrooms everyday and feel fortunate to be living in a country with due process, right to legal counsel, right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure, right to remain silent and so many other rights which does not exist within the Islamic Regime's so called "judicial system."
The irony of this article is that if the Canadian Embassy in Tehran decided to give out visa's to ordinary Iranians they would be flocking to the Embassy, as many Iranians are eager to get out of Iran which has become a big prison for most Iranians.
This article is not to be taken seriously because it is SERIOUSLY OBSURD, I wonder what will be next, Saudi Arabia criticizing women's rights in Canada?
Down with the Islamic Regime in Iran
Long Live Freedom in Iran
Last year on this day Ehsan Fatahiyan a Kurdish political activist in Iran was executed by Islamic Regime officials. Ehsan spent 18 months in prison before his execution and was subjected to torture for many months in order to force a false confession from him, however he never confessed. He had originally been sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment on the charges of being a "mohareb" (enemy of god) however; on appeal the death sentence was imposed.
Days before his execution a global campaign was started to stop his execution, thousands of signatures were gathered only in a few days, and people from all walks of life came together in an attempt to stop his execution. Unfortunately the campaign was not successful and on November 11, 2009 the execution was carried out in the central Sanandaj Prison.
Today I honour Ehsan's memory as well as the memory of all Iranian freedom fighters that in one way or another have stood up against the Islamic Regime and have fought for an Iran where all Iranians regardless of their ethnicity, religion, sex or sexual orientation can live in peace and harmony.
Today I stand in solidarity with the families of all Iranian freedom fighters who have suffered a great loss but have not been defeated.
In memory of Ehsan, long live his memory,
Down with the Islamic Regime
Long Live Freedom in Iran
By: Sayeh Hassan
Behrouz Javid Tehrani Lashed by Islamic Regime Officials-Gohardasht Prison-Iran0 comments - published on Wednesday, November 10, 2010
According to news reports from Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran this morning at 10:00am Behrouz Javid Tehrani, a long time political prisoner and pro-democracy activist was sentenced to 74 lashes, and the sentence was immediately carried out by Hassan Akhriyan a notorious prison official.
Behrouz Javid Tehrani is a pro-democracy activist who has spent most of his adult life in the notorious Islamic Regime prisons. Behrouz was first arrested in 1999 during the pro-democracy student protests. He was released in 2004 and immediately resumed his pro-democracy activities and was arrested again in 2005 and has been in the Gohardasht Prison in Karaj since his arrest.
Gohardasht Prison is known for its brutal conditions and for housing extremely dangerous convicts. Behrouz has been subjected to systematic torture and has spent extensive time in solitary confinement over the past five years.
Although the Islamic Regime agents have tried very hard to break Behrouz's spirit, they have not been successful. Behrouz has continued his pro-democracy activities from prison in spite of great risk to his safety and well being.
I stand in solidarity with Behrouz and thousands of men and women like him who have managed to remain strong and fight for what they believe in the face of great injustice.
Down with the Islamic Regime in Iran
Long Live Freedom in Iran
Stopping Iran0 comments - published on Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Following is my letter which was published in the National Post in response to the Article titled: Re: Only Military Threat Can Stop Iran: Netanyahu, Nov. 8.
I disagree with the assertion that the only way to stop the Islamic regime in Iran is the threat of military intervention. Such a threat will be counterproductive; as much as the Iranian people are unhappy with the Islamic regime, they will stand behind it against any foreign military intervention. This will set back the pro-democracy movement in Iran which has been stronger and more alive than ever in the past year-and-a-half.
A more productive way of stopping Iran is oil sanctions. Oil exports make up almost 85% of Iran's current annual income, and without that money to pay government workers, and the Revolutionary Guard, the regime will collapse within months.
Tough oil sanctions and international support for the pro-democracy movement inside Iran is the only way to stop the Islamic regime from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Sayeh Hassan, Toronto.
Click here for the original letter
WHY WAS CANADA'S RCMP PROMOTING AN EXTREMIST PRO-IRANIAN CONFERENCE ?0 comments - published on Wednesday, November 03, 2010
Sayeh Hassan, a Toronto criminal lawyer and activist for the Iranian democratic movement told the Winnipeg Jewish Review that "The Iranian professors that were scheduled to speak at the conference"are closely linked to the Iranian regime and are not dissidents."
She said that the Iranian NGO the Islamic World Peace , which Amari leads, is "an extremely anti-West and anti-Semitic organization, and "as can be seen from their website this organization is a mouthpiece for the Islamic Regime."
Click here to read the article


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Larger U.S. Magazines to Report Per-Issue Data to AAM
By: Press Release | AAM
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (March 19, 2013) – As a result of media buyers' increased interest in timely data, the Alliance for Audited Media's board of directors approved a new rule that requires U.S. magazines with circulation of 250,000 or more to report per-issue data via AAM's Rapid Report online tool. Beginning with July 2013 issues, approximately 240 magazines will provide issue-by-issue data covering print and digital subscriptions and newsstand unit figures. Until now participation in the reporting tool had been optional. It will remain an option for publications with circulation under 250,000.
The data will be available in AAM's newly redesigned database, the Media Intelligence Center. For more information on Rapid Report filing guidelines, visit the AAM website.
Key Newspaper Actions
The AAM board agreed that U.S. daily newspapers should no longer be required to report five-day averages. As newspapers modify their publishing plans and expand their cross-media distribution channels, the board recognized that circulation averages may vary greatly from one day to another, making it a challenge to provide industry-comparable figures. If given final approval in July, reporting five-day and other daily combination averages will be an option with September 2013 statements. Newspapers with circulation greater than 50,000 will continue to be required to report individual daily averages.
Following AAM's acquisition of the Certified Audit of Circulations in November, the two organizations agreed to work toward a database that would serve as a single resource for newspaper data. To help unify the AAM and CAC report formats and data elements, the board endorsed a plan to include nonpaid circulation on AAM reports beginning with the September 2014 reporting period. The board will consider new prototype reports, labels, and rules for approval at its July 2013 meeting.
Other Key Magazine Actions
The AAM board reaffirmed its position that digital use metrics for tablets and mobile devices are a vital part of a magazine's total brand view and should be audited by AAM and reported in its Media Intelligence Center. AAM will continue to work with the MPA, the 4A's, and other groups to evaluate how key metrics are audited and reported. AAM's digital audit team has extensive experience in this area and is working with the MPA to help sharpen existing definitions and establish technical parameters to make them auditable and comparable across the industry.
The board also gave its final approval to create an allowance for U.S. magazine newsstand sales that are lost when not properly scanned or accounted for by retail outlets. The new U.S. rule will take effect with 2013 first-half magazine publisher's statements.
New Directors Join AAM Board
AAM welcomed three new directors who were appointed to the North American board:
· Stephen Bernard, vice president of advertising, The McClatchy Company
· Debra Sklar, vice president, director of print services, Horizon Media
· David Strome, vice present of media services—Americas, LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton
The board also elected as its treasurer Kirk Davis, president and COO of GateHouse Media. The AAM board of directors meeting was held March 14-15 in Miami. For a complete summary of board actions, visit AAM's website.
About the Alliance for Audited Media
The Alliance for Audited Media (AAM) is a not-for-profit organization that connects North America's leading media companies, advertisers and ad agencies. Founded in 1914 as the Audit Bureau of Circulations, the AAM is a preeminent source of cross-media verification and information services, providing standards, audit services and data critical to the advertising industry. The organization independently verifies print and digital circulation, mobile apps, tablet and website analytics, social media, technology platforms and audience information for newspapers, magazines and digital media companies in the U.S. and Canada. In November 2012, the AAM joined forces with Certified Audit of Circulations. To learn more about the Alliance for Audited Media, visit the AAM website.


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A security flaw in Microsoft's MSFT, +1.35% Internet Explorer browser revealed this weekend "could lead to the complete compromise of an affected system," the Department of Homeland Security says. Officials recommend that users use alternative browsers until Microsoft fixes the issue and releases software updates.
The vulnerable Internet Explorer versions make up more than 56% of the browser market, according to NetMarketShare.com. And those who use the estimated 300 million machines running Windows XP won't even be getting a fix: Microsoft stopped supporting XP on April 8, meaning there won't be software updates. (Microsoft does offer a separate "toolkit" to help shield computers from hackers and says that software can mitigate attacks in this scenario.)
Whether or not Internet Explorer was already dead depends on which data you look at. NetMarketShare says Internet Explorer dominates the browser world, reigning over 58% of the market, with Google's Chrome and Firefox near-tied at 17%. Other estimates, though, give Internet Explorer a lot less love. The web development site W3Schools.com estimated that Chrome ran on the lion's share of devices in March, at 58%, with Firefox trailing at 26% and Internet Explorer sitting at less than 10%.
Hacking attacks stemming from the flaw have so far been limited and are targeting specific groups and firms, Satnam Narang, a security response researcher at Symantec, says. But with the vulnerability now public, others could exploit it as well — and through stealthier means than phishing scams that ask users to click on a link.
"They're essentially inserting this malicious code onto a website and if you happen to visit that website at the time when that malicious code is there, your computer is at risk," Narang says.
Also see:
5 rules for using the Internet after 'Heartbleed'
Firefox was bleeding users long before boycott


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In Cairo, weeks before the 2011 revolution, Police Detective Noredin is working in the infamous Kasr el-Nil Police Station when he is handed the case of a murdered singer.
Upon realizing the involvement of Egypts power elite in the case, Noredin slowly changes sides to those who are defenseless against it.
A political thriller based on a true story.
Written & Directed by: Tarik Saleh
Cast: Fares Fares, Mari Malek, Yaser Aly Maher
Produced by: Kristina Åberg
Winner Sundance 2017 World Cinema Grand Jury Prize.
Showing At:
Aberdeen, Belmont Filmhouse (From 30/03/2018 )
Edinburgh Filmhouse (From 30/03/2018 )
Glasgow Film Theatre (From 23/03/2018 )
Hebden Bridge, Picturehouse (From 02/04/2018)
Inverness, Eden Court (From 30/03/2018 )
Leicester, Phoenix Square (From 02/04/2018)
Nottingham, Broadway (From 23/03/2018 )
Stockton, ARC (From 31/03/2018 )
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Well it's not exactly free, it will cost 1€ with a 2 year-contract (20€ per month only) on O2 in Germany & the device is not even sim-locked! Google Navigation is replaced by a 60-days trial of MotoNAV and you'll get Multi-Touch enabled unlike the Motorola Droid on Verizon.
Source: O2 Germany thanks for the tip Ugo


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Hi guys,Alex123 wrote:Maybe today more Devas are being downgraded as humans. So more humans does not mean that overally beings morality improves.,alan... wrote:interesting. with the absurd surge in population perhaps the buddha was talking about the present time for him (500 BCE) and today there are a lot more people born in the human realm since morality is higher than it was in ancient times. couple this idea with the idea that the "human realm" may comprise many planets, not just earth, and we have a much higher number of beings being born in the human realm. perhaps more like 5% or even 10% which seems a lot better than 1%.
No offence intended - but I can't help thinking MN2 might be applicable to such speculation :
Kind regards,"This is how he attends inappropriately: 'Was I in the past? Was I not in the past? What was I in the past? How was I in the past? Having been what, what was I in the past? Shall I be in the future? Shall I not be in the future? What shall I be in the future? How shall I be in the future? Having been what, what shall I be in the future?'
Or else he is inwardly perplexed about the immediate present: 'Am I? Am I not? What am I? How am I? Where has this being come from? Where is it bound?'
"As he attends inappropriately in this way, one of six kinds of view arises in him:
The view I have a self arises in him as true & established, or the view I have no self... or the view It is precisely by means of self that I perceive self... or the view It is precisely by means of self that I perceive not-self... or the view It is precisely by means of not-self that I perceive self arises in him as true & established, or else he has a view like this: This very self of mine — the knower that is sensitive here & there to the ripening of good & bad actions — is the self of mine that is constant, everlasting, eternal, not subject to change, and will stay just as it is for eternity.
This is called a thicket of views, a wilderness of views, a contortion of views, a writhing of views, a fetter of views. Bound by a fetter of views, the uninstructed run-of-the-mill person is not freed from birth, aging, & death, from sorrow, lamentation, pain, distress, & despair. He is not freed, I tell you, from suffering & stress
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html


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A Look at Tuesday's Ballot Issues
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri's primary election ballot on Tuesday includes six statewide offices, numerous congressional races and a proposed constitutional amendment.
Among the races is a Republican U.S. Senate primary that has been closely contested. The campaigning has been less vigorous in many other primaries, such as state treasurer, that essentially have been decided.
Election officials estimate that one-quarter of Missouri's registered voters will cast ballots. The polls will be open from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Democrat: Claire McCaskill
Republicans: Todd Akin, Jerry Beck, Sarah Steelman, John Brunner, Mark Memoly, Mark Patrick Lodes, Robert (Bob) Poole, Hector Maldonado
Race Overview: Few substantive policy differences separate Republican candidates Congressman Todd Akin, businessman John Brunner and former Missouri Treasurer Sarah Steelman. They each condemn the federal health care law and promise to cut taxes and spending. Instead, the three have highlighted their backgrounds and claimed to be the most reliably conservative. Akin is endorsed by former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, Steelman is backed by former vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin and Brunner is supported by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Brunner has spent more than $7.5 million of his own money during the campaign. Steelman also has used some of her own money, and is backed by an independent political committee.
In a campaign ad, Steelman mocked Brunner's St. Louis roots and a donation by his family's foundation to an animal organization. Brunner questioned the conservative bona fides of his opponents by pointing to Steelman's votes in the state Legislature and Akin's support for certain federal spending items. Akin asserts he is Missouri's most conservative member of Congress and his ads feature a testimonial from Huckabee.
Democratic U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill faces no opposition in the primary, and her campaign is running ads criticizing all three Republicans, including one that calls Akin "too conservative."
Though many districts feature contested primaries, few have grabbed as much attention as the 1st District, where incumbent William Lacy Clay Jr. will face 3rd District Rep. Russ Carnahan. The unusual battle came about after Missouri's Legislature was faced with reducing the state's nine congressional districts to eight following the 2010 Census. The cut came in heavily-Democratic St. Louis, and Carnahan's former 3rd District was wiped off the map -- forcing Tuesday's showdown.
Democrats: Jay Nixon, Clay Thunderhawk, William Campbell
Republicans: John Weiler, Dave Spence, Bill Randles, Fred Sauer
Race Overview: Several Republicans, largely unknown until launching their candidacies, have tapped their own finances, but the winner may face an uphill battle in November against a Democratic incumbent who also served in the state Senate and won four terms as attorney
The Republicans have focused on the economy and called for making Missouri a "right to work" state, in which union dues cannot be collected as a condition of employment. Businessman Dave Spence promises to create jobs and limit liability lawsuits. Attorney Bill Randles wants to strip state agencies of their authority to make new administrative rules and replace state income taxes with an expanded sales tax. Anti-abortion activist and businessman Fred Sauer also calls for reinstating campaign finance limits.
Gov. Jay Nixon has pointed to how he managed Missouri's finances with regular reminders about the state's credit rating and that taxes have not been increased. He faces nominal opposition in the primary.
Democrats: Susan Montee, Dennis Weisenburger, Fred Kratky, Becky Plattner, Judy Baker, Sara Lampe, Jackie Townes McGee, Bill Haas
Republicans: Charles Kullmann, Brad Lager, Peter Kinder, Mike Carter
Race Overview: The Republican campaign between Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder and state Sen. Brad Lager has been the most personally combative, while a crowded field of Democrats has received little attention.
Kinder decided last year to skip an expected gubernatorial campaign and is running for a third term. The decision came after he personally reimbursed the state more than $54,000 for lodging expenses for hundreds of nights in St. Louis hotels. He also has acknowledged frequenting an Illinois strip club in the 1990s. Both issues have appeared in campaign ads.
Lager is accused of obscuring his professional background, and a Kinder ad suggests Lager personally profited from the health overhaul through his job at a health care technology company.
Lager says the private sector generally is better than government programs and that the state needs new leadership. Kinder argues his office operates under-budget and points to his efforts to block the federal health care law.
The eight Democrats in the race include the former state auditor, five current or former state lawmakers, a Conservation Commission member and a school board member.
Democrats: Jason Kander and MD Rabbi Alam
Republicans: Scott Rupp, Shane Schoeller, Bill Stouffer
Race Overview: Three Republicans support a requirement that voters show a photo ID at the polls, arguing it would help combat potential fraud. Sen. Bill Stouffer and Rep. Shane Schoeller have sponsored recent legislation to implement the requirement, and Sen. Scott Rupp also proposes to implement technology, such as electronic poll books.
Democratic Rep. Jason Kander announced his candidacy minutes after Democratic Secretary of State Robin Carnahan announced she would not seek a third term.
Democrat: Clint Zweifel
Republican: Cole McNary
Race Overview: The contest essentially has been decided. Treasurer Clint Zweifel is seeking a second and final term, and state Rep. Cole McNary, a Republican from St. Louis County, is the challenger.
Democrat: Chris Koster
Republicans: Ed Martin and Adam Warren
Race Overview: Ed Martin, the former chief of staff to Republican Gov. Matt Blunt, has adopted a general election posture since stepping away from a congressional bid. Martin has criticized Attorney General Chris Koster and sought to link him to President Barack Obama. Livingston County Prosecutor Adam Warren is the other Republican candidate.
Four years ago, Koster emerged from a Democratic primary with three main candidates. He faces no opposition Tuesday.
The measure would expand an existing section of the Missouri Constitution to state that people can pray in public if they do not disturb the peace, and that a prayer is allowed before government meetings. It would state that students cannot be compelled to participate in school assignments or educational presentations violating their religious beliefs.
Supporters contend it reinforces the right to pray and protects students. Opponents argue the measure could cause confusion over what is allowed and is likely to trigger lawsuits.


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This week I leave for what will very likely be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I'm saying "adios" to the U.S. as I embark on a journey to Uruguay and Argentina, where I'll be bringing some unique coverage to you about the agriculture industries in each of those countries. The event is the 2013 International Federation of Agricultural Journalists Congress in Argentina, but first up is the pre-tour stop in Montevideo, Uruguay.
70% of Uruguay's exports are agricultural. Beef is the primary agricultural export, and farmers in Uruguay also produce wool, vegetables, dairy, poultry and hogs. So there should be plenty to learn about the production of each of these commodities, but there will also be some unique opportunities. For instance, one stop we'll make is at Ruta del Olivo, which is a company focused on olive-growing enterprises in the country.
After a couple of days in Uruguay, we'll travel to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where the main program will start. Agricultural journalists from around the world will convene in Buenos Aires, where we will learn all about the country's thriving agriculture industry.
Half of Argentina's industrial exports are agricultural in nature. The major agricultural exports include soybeans, corn and wheat. We will visit farms where some of these items are produced, and we'll learn about Argentinian agriculture as we travel from Buenos Aires, to a few hours away in San Pedro, and finally Rosario city. I'll spend a day taking a grain tour and I hope to bring to you comparisons on what Argentinian grain production looks like compared to our practices in the U.S.
Farm Industry News has brought you international farm show coverage before, but I hope to bring you a different view of what agriculture is like internationally through my experiences in Uruguay and Argentina. I hope to do that through the conversations I'll have with farmers, political leaders, local media and more. And here's hoping that second major in Spanish from Iowa State pays off, too.
Stay tuned to hear more about my foreign adventures.
One organization that made it possible for me to attend the Congress was the American Ag Editors Association through their Professional Improvement Fund. Thanks to AAEA for providing this opportunity to bring you some very unique coverage and help spread the message about agriculture's importance.
Like what you're reading? Subscribe to Farm Industry News Now e-newsletter to get the latest news and more straight to your inbox twice weekly.


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How is the Dynasty Warriors engine? I'm not really experienced with the games. I'm guessing it allows for more fluid and complex animations?
I was really happy with Ayesha -- I hope we get this.I wonder if the gameplay will compensate to make Rosy more about battle system and Eska more about the alchemy??


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Luke DeCock
DeCock: Canes coach takes the high road in face of uncertain fate
Kirk Muller took the high road Wednesday. He could have burned the village right to the ground. He had every right to blast the players who expressed tepid support for him a day earlier, every opportunity to vent.
Instead, the Carolina Hurricanes coach talked about what went well this season, including an improved overall defensive performance and the growth of the youngest players. He refrained from blaming the team – or its leaders – for the endless series of slow starts for which they alone face responsibility, or pointing out the Hurricanes beat four playoff-bound teams in April without Alexander Semin in the lineup while losing the other three with him.
That's just an unassailable fact, not an attempt to single out Semin, who was one of too many underperformers. But Muller refused to single out anyone. Instead, he acted like a man who expects to be back next fall, even if it remains unclear who exactly will end up making that decision.
"I believe if we come back next year, in training camp, and we are a healthy group, with the way we finished, we have a team that can change things here," Muller said. "I'm optimistic."
A day earlier, the players weren't quite as optimistic. No one stood up for Muller, not even the ritual "It isn't the coaches' fault." Instead they threw out hazy platitudes like "Everyone's under the microscope" and "This group is good enough to win."
Cam Ward, who had the temerity to imply that Muller was to blame for his poor season because he didn't give him enough playing time, was asked whether Muller's message had difficulty getting through in the dressing room.
"For me, obviously," Ward said, then stopped and changed tack. "Yeah, I'm going to avoid that one."
It was a non-answer that said as much as an answer. Ward's message didn't have any difficulty getting through.
Muller, given the opportunity to respond Wednesday, shrugged all of it off.
"I don't see any problem with any of them," Muller said. "It's natural, if you call them older players or experienced players or whatever, if you don't make the playoffs a few years in a row, there's a lot of pride with pro athletes. There's frustration that kicks in. It's not fun. We have to keep pushing here to achieve our goals. I hope there are some players that are unhappy and not complacent and want to get this thing turned around."
Whether Muller is retained or not, there has to be some way to send a meaningful message to an entitled group of players that long ago became accustomed to getting its own way. That monster – and the playoff drought it has engendered – is the creation of a front office that handed out too many long-term contracts and no-trade clauses and a marketing effort that put star players ahead of the team in an attempt to sell tickets, both unintended consequences of otherwise benevolent intentions.
Peter Laviolette couldn't get this group back over the hump. Paul Maurice did, with a team tooled by Laviolette, but stalled after that. And now Muller faces a similar fate after the playoff drought was extended to five years and seven of the past eight seasons.
With Jim Rutherford's expected imminent departure and his replacement as general manager uncertain, it may be some time before Muller's future is determined. If Wednesday was his last public stand, he went out the right way, respectful of his team, hopeful for the future.


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ABACUS - Assembly of Basic Applications for Coordinated Understanding of Semiconductors
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Object #1006897 from MS-Papers-0032-0296
5 pages written 20 Apr 1869 by Morgan Stanislaus Grace to Sir Donald McLean in Hawke's Bay Region
From: Inward letters - Surnames, Gor - Gra, Reference Number MS-Papers-0032-0296 (31 digitised items). Correspondents:J E Gorst, Grammar School, undated letter; Edward Gorton, Auckland, 1869 & 1874 (2 letters); H Goulstone, 1863 (1 letter); Henry Govett, Taranaki, 1869 & 1871 (5 letters); Margaret Govett, Taranaki, undated letter; Morgan Stanislaus Grace, Wellington, 1869-1876 & undated (10 letters & enclosure); Thomas S Grace, Tauranga & Auckland, 1870-1873 (3 letters); Mrs Grace, undated (6 letters)
Tikiake i tētahiPDF taumira pāpaku or taumira teitei PDF
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Inward letters - Surnames, Gor - Gra, Reference Number MS-Papers-0032-0296 (31 digitised items)
Series 1 Inward letters (English), Reference Number Series 1 Inward letters (English) (14501 digitised items)
McLean Papers, Reference Number MS-Group-1551 (30238 digitised items)
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kid-made gift for daddy this Christmas.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
* Dad's Homemade Christmas Gift Surprise! "Back Massage" Shirt
Shhh....this project is a surprise.
My husband is under strict orders to NOT read my blog post today!
The girls and I always try to make a gift for Geoff that is useful as well as creative.
This year, while trolling Pinterest, I came across
an image of a back massage t-shirt and knew it was the perfect
kid-made gift for daddy this Christmas.
kid-made gift for daddy this Christmas.
You draw a map on the backside of a t-shirt and the kids
drive cars all over daddy's back to give him a "massage"
I predict there will be lots of giggling Christmas morning.
provided templates but we like to do things our own way.
We raided one of Geoff's white t-shirt style, 100% cotton, undershirts.
Then, we folded up some newspaper and put it inside to keep the ink
from bleeding through to the front of the t-shirt.
We thought about using fabric crayons or markers but decided to use what was in the house
and it's probably not going to be worn or washed that much anyway!
So, we got out our permanent markers.
I marked off some roads and "E" got to work adding the yellow dotted lines.
Then, both girls colored houses, a coffee shop,
parking lots, a football stadium (On Wisconsin!), a playground and traffic lights.
So many fun details.
They named it "Dad-Ville"
After all of the details were in,
we put it in a gift box with some new Matchbox cars.
The idea is that Geoff will wear the shirt and lay down on the floor
while the girls drive cars all over his back! : )
We had fun working on it and I know their daddy is going to love it.
Happy Homemade Gift Making!
For more homemade gift ideas,
check out my Pink and Green Mama Crafts
pink and green mama
Posted by pink and green mama MaryLea
Labels: Christmas, Create, DIY T-Shirt, Holidays, Homemade Gifts, Permanent Marker
Blog Archive
- ► 2013 (74)
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- * Can You See What I See? Toyland Express! Book Re...
- * Toilet Paper Tube Craft: Homemade Angry Birds!
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- * Semi-homemade Teacher and School Friend Holiday ...
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- * Cholula Hot Sauce Cap Decorating Giveaway
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Some games are easier to admire than to actually enjoy. Sometimes you have to give developers points for their vision and their ideas, especially when they try something new and creative. WorldShift is just such a game, one based on an interesting core concept that attempts something unique by melding the gameplay of an RTS with the persistence of an MMO. However, good intentions don't necessarily make for fun gameplay. As clever as WorldShift's core concept may be, the gameplay is as flat as its "technology versus magic" story.
Set in a post-apocalyptic world dominated by the technology-based humans, nature-worshipping Tribe and sinister Cult, WorldShift is, at its core, a very simple RTS with all base-building elements removed. You control a group of characters that you steer around the map, right-clicking on everything you want to kill along the way. The twist to the gameplay is that you discover artifacts in every game mode that you can use to permanently buff your units, so you're constantly improving the abilities of your army, which you can then take online to battle with or against other players. That's the concept, anyway.
WorldShift was clearly designed with multiplayer in mind (you have to create an online account to even launch the game), and the single-player campaign is so bad that few players will muscle through it before heading online. Removing base-building may make the gameplay easier for new players, but removes any sort of strategy at all – there's no balance between attack and defense; you'll simply always be massing your forces into one large offensive unit and hunting down the bad guys. The story is cliché and boring, and the mission objectives are laughably bad, often involving avoiding enemies with stealth – no easy feat with your units' broken pathfinding.
Multiplayer removes some of the campaign's frustrations like the pitiful enemy AI, only to swap it for a major new problem: balance. Since WorldShift feature an MMO-style skill progression, the more you play, the more powerful you can make your units. But new players won't be stepping onto a level playing field; WorldShift was released a year ago in many European countries. To make matters worse, WorldShift features no kind of level-based matchmaking system, you won't know if you're playing against a newbie player or a veteran with high-level units until you meet them on the battlefield. In one match, your skill may help you overcome a player of your same level. In the next, no amount of strategy will help you overcome the swarm of massively powerful tanks your opponent sends your way.
Even when you lose a match you get to keep the artifacts you discover along the way, but only victories reward you with reasonable amounts of "battle points," which you'll need to need to improve your skills. With the uneven playing field, it will take new players a long, long time to buff their armies to the point where they can reasonably compete.
If you can find some even-matched players to compete with amongst WorldShift's small community (the most players I ever found online was 29), then there is some fun to be had with the online component. WorldShift's maps are large and dense, with random item drops that award exploration even in the middle of a deathmatch. Better still is the co-op mode, in which you can team up with other players against AI enemies in objective-based missions similar to MMO raids. As with all other modes, co-op games provide you with artifacts and battle points used to improve your units. Unfortunately, most of the online community seems to focus on deathmatching, so finding an available co-op game can be a rarity.
The entire package is wrapped in a presentation that can only be described as "underwhelming." The graphics are bright and eye-catching, but character designs are bland and your units are small and lack detail even at the tightest zoom level. The menus are dull and unhelpful, and good luck to you if you downloaded the digital version and have a question – there's no in-game help at all, not even a list of hotkeys. The game script is terrible, featuring characters like "Frank N. Stein" and a plot that swings between bland and incomprehensible. Fortunately the music is nicely orchestrated, although it's often ruined by horrid unit voice work.
The Verdict
The worst thing about WorldShift is its unfulfilled potential. The concept of an RTS with an online RPG is a great one, but too many factors hold it back from reaching the height of that concept's appeal. Even if there was a more fair matchmaking system, the core gameplay is just too simple for experienced RTS players. There's little strategy to the matches other than using the small handful of special abilities against the toughest enemies first. With some more depth to the gameplay and a better online matchmaking mechanic, WorldShift could have been an interesting evolution in the RTS genre. As it is, it's just another mediocre game that began with a great idea.


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Bill Huber from Packer Report has got the goods:
Do-it-all Spencer Havner worked out in front of team officials on Tuesday, FoxSports.com's Adam Caplan told Packer Report. Havner, who was released by Detroit last month because of an injured hamstring, took a physical for the Packers last week. The continued interest signals that the Packers very likely will re-sign Havner, perhaps as soon as Monday, when the team gathers for its first practice following the bye.
Havner would be a welcome addition to a tight end group that has been inconsistent at best since losing starter Jermichael Finley for the season over a month ago.
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"She seems like a stalker that convinced producers to let her on the show. She even admitted she was "obsessed" with Kelly and Max. I got the feeling that Sonja had sex with Max just because she had watched Max and Kelly date last season. Um, gross. Something about her is just too desperate. I don't know, I haven't put my finger on it yet…" – April 23, 2010
"You know who I don't know though? Sonja. I've never met her, and she's newer than me, so she hasn't said nasty things about me (yet) so I can't possibly be biased against her, right? I'm just going to watch and judge. (Isn't that Bravo's tagline? Watch And Judge?) And here's what I think: Crazy Old Whore…" – April 16, 2010
"She bragged about how much she loves sex, how much she has sex, how many young guys she has sex with… I'm not buying it. First, let's look at the facts. She's not married, so all that screwing around does make her a whore. Secondly, she has a 9-year-old daughter, whom I'm assuming has heard of TV. How very Danielle of her to brag about being a whore on a show that will eventually show her daughter with her…" – April 16, 2010
"Thirdly, she's too old to be screwing around like that. She's not even a cougar; she's like a cougar's mom. And finally, she was married for 10 years to a guy who was 77 when they got divorced (I had to look him up, it was killing me). Don't act like you're all sensual and into sex when you married your grandpa. Bitch…" – April 16, 2010
Above are all statements made by Teresa Giudice of the Real Housewives of New Jersey, regarding NYC Housewives' Sonja Morgan. All of the above statements were taken from Teresa's Bravo blogs for the NYC Housewives show. Keep the above quotes in mind as you read this story.
This was the big story that was supposed to be posted on Saturday but unfortunately, Teresa's huge bankruptcy news came out the same day. On Friday, Teresa posted her NYC Housewives weekly blog for PEOPLE magazine, but this week was a little different, as Teresa just completely decided to trash Bethenny Frankel of the Real Housewives of NYC.
Teresa first began her blog and sort of sided with Jill, saying Bethenny was too cold and unforgiving. Okay fine, nothing wrong with her honest opinion. Things however took a very ugly turn when Teresa posted the following –
"Bethenny also claimed she wouldn't play the pregnancy card, but that's all she's done in the press all season. I know, I know, you all love Bethenny. And that's fine. You can love her. You don't know her. As I make the rounds for my book Skinny Italian — third week in a row on The New York Times Bestseller List! (insert Gia scream here) — I'm meeting all the same reporters, producers and even make-up artists that Bethenny regularly interacts with. And they all have the same thing to say: "She used to be a fun, regular girl, but after she got successful, she became a total bitch." I know she acts sweet to her fans on Twitter, but as an insider, I'm here to tell you, it's an act. She is not sweet. She is calculating and cold."
Whoa there Teresa! Where did that come from? seemed to be the reaction of I and most of the viewers who read that. A lot of the comments posted on Teresa's blog were negative in defense of Bethenny, causing Teresa to then post the following rants on her twitter –
"She's in a swimsuit for a mag shoot 3 WEEKS after her baby? I don't like that b/c I think it puts abnormal pressure on regular woman."
"Bethenny is not normal. She has a full-time baby nurse. She had a 4 lb baby a month early. Please do not compare yourself to her!"
But how does Teresa know Bethenny has a full-time baby nurse? More importantly why is it of importance to her? And oh yeah, Teresa has since deleted the tweets. Once Bethenny and non-Bethenny fans began to ask Teresa what gives? Teresa first claimed her reason for bashing Bethenny is because Bethenny continues to trash her fellow NYC castmates. I'm guessing those housewives are Jill Zarin and Kelly Bensimon. So evidently Teresa cares about Jill and Kelly so much, to the point of trying to collect dirt from random people to try to use against Bethenny in their defense? Yeah, the fans weren't buying it either causing Teresa to then change her reason.
Teresa went on to say the reason for her comments were because Bethenny said some mean things about her last year. The mean comments Teresa's referring to came from Bethenny's blogs on the first season of the NJ Housewives.
Teresa even went as far as to collect all of Bethenny's disses against her from last year and post it in a link to her twitter followers. Which includes Bethenny asking if Teresa is "a total moron" as a result of Teresa saying the non existence word – "Cleansi-ness" last season. Other Bethenny insults include calling Teresa stupid, a drunken mess, and classless for the infamous table flipping act.
So according to Teresa (who also bashed Bethenny last year by saying she was "disgusted" by her nude PETA), it was wrong for Bethenny to bash her in her Bravo blogs. So then why did Teresa decide to do the same exact thing, even worse, to Sonja Morgan, who Teresa even admits has never wronged her? And clearly Teresa's insults to Sonja were much worse than what Bethenny had to say. Teresa called Sonja "desperate," "a stalker," a "crazy old whore," and "a bitch."
Bethenny's comments are based on Teresa's actions on the show, and have been echoed by I and many others who watch the show, while Teresa's comments in her PEOPLE blog seem to be based on a personal and rather unhealthy vendetta Teresa has against Bethenny, who to my knowledge, has yet to speak a word about Teresa to the press since her blogs. And before I'm accused of choosing sides, I must say I've always liked both Teresa and Bethenny. I do however feel that Teresa's attack on Bethenny was a bit below the belt. It wasn't a Bethenny is a moron or stupid kind of insult, it was almost like a call to Bethenny's fans, telling them not to support this woman's businesses because she is an alleged fraud and a "total bitch," based on her "insider" information. Plus why is Teresa spending her time trying to get dirt from people who have worked with Bethenny? Surely she has more important things to do with her time, considering she has 4 kids to take care of and a $11 M debt.
By the way, here's what NYC freelance photographer Sara Jaye Weis had to say about working with Bethenny –
"I beg to differ on Teresa's take on Bethenny. I am a photographer who has been assigned to shoot Bethenny on several occasions over the years. Bethenny is nice, normal, and accommodating to everyone on set and is a team player. That has not changed. I've photographed quite a few divas and not-very-nice celebs who make the day horrible for the entire crew. Bethenny has always been kind and respectful to all. I've witnessed Bethenny do some very kind things for people that provide no 'upside' for herself. I just feel the need to point out that I, too, as an actual 'insider' know a very different Bethenny than the one that Teresa describes."
I'm still a bit taken back by Teresa's comments. Perhaps this was a deliberate attempt by Teresa to make headlines knowing the bankruptcy news about her $11 M debt would be coming out the next day. Something about Teresa's comments was just a tad bit vindictive.
And no, by no means is Bethenny a saint, and I have criticized her in the past for her mean comments towards others. However, I will say she has toned it down a whole lot in the past 8 months or so, perhaps having learned that her words do have the power to hurt others.
As for Bethenny's reply to Teresa? Well she appeared to take the high road and simply thanked her fans for their support. Of course, the question now is who's side are you on?


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From beginner to seasoned pro — we are all looking to get better at what we do — always looking for an edge. It's our defining characteristic.
This podcast episode is here to help you locate the resources you need to master this "agile startup" marketing stuff.
And by stuff we mean…The Digital Revenue Engine.
It's the system Starbucks and McDonald's used to corner the coffee and hamburger markets. It's the same system Amazon uses to dominate ecommerce. It's how Best Buy, P90X and Sports Illustrated have become household names.
This system works for small business and enterprise. It works for mom-and-pop start ups and billion dollar online retailers. It works whether you sell traditional products, digital products or business services.
This system works because it exploits each and every aspect of the irrefutable law of business growth …


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For more information, please contact Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation 6600 N. Harvey Oklahoma City, OK 73116
Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation
Information Services Division
Data Collection and Reporting Section
Oklahoma Statistical Analysis Center
Selected Findings
June 2011
Crime Victimization in Oklahoma, 2010
The Oklahoma Statistical Analysis Center recently
conducted the first statewide crime victimization survey.
As part of the survey, staff asked respondents about
their personal experience with crime. The full report is
located on the SAC website, which is at
An estimated 500,000 crimes occurred in Oklahoma
in 2010, at an approximate cost of one billion dollars
in damaged and stolen property
Twenty-four percent of Oklahomans reported that they
were the victim of at least one crime incident in 2010
(table 1). Last year, Oklahomans lost an estimated one
billion dollars due to crime, including $868 million in
stolen property, $70 million in vandalized property, and
$98 million in damaged property (other than vandalism).
Most crimes that occurred in Oklahoma were
reported to law enforcement; overall, the victim filed
a police report 50% of the time
According to respondents, an estimated 62% of violent
and property crimes were reported to law enforcement in
2010, including 100% of motor vehicle thefts*, 89% of
burglaries, 54% of simple assaults, and 38% of
Crime victims filed a police report 47% of the time. In
68% of reported incidents, the police came to the scene
of the crime. The victim went to the local law
enforcement agency in another 16% of reported crimes.
Most of the time, local law enforcement arrived on
the scene of the crime in less than an hour; the first
officer to arrive rarely arrested a suspect for the
Once dispatched, the officer's response time was less
than an hour in 80% of incidents, including response
times of less than five minutes in approximately 8% of
incidents. Once they arrived, officers completed a crime
report 100% of the time. Police questioned witnesses or
suspects 59% of the time, and they collected evidence
(e.g., fingerprints or inventory) 28% of the time. An
estimated 26% of crimes required further investigation.
During the initial response, officers arrested a suspect
one percent of the time. Overall, victims reported that an
offender(s) had been arrested 10% of the time. In
another 12% of incidents, victims did not know if an
arrest had been made or charges filed.
*Motor vehicle thefts based on 5 or fewer cases
Table 1. Criminal victimization in Oklahoma, numbers
and rates, by type of crime, 2010
Type of crime
Number of
victimizations Rate
All crimes
564,254 ~
Violent crimes 96,248 34.1
Simple assault 96,248 34.1
Domestic abuse 17,004^ 6.0
Property crimes
468,006 320.5
Motor vehicle theft 50,361^ 34.5
Burglary 139,948 95.8
Larceny (theft) 277,697 190.1
Vandalism 119,352 81.7
Note: Total population age 18 or older was 2,821,685. Total number of
households was 1,450,460.
~Not applicable.
^Estimate is based on five or fewer sample cases.
Victimization rates are per 1,000 persons age 18 or older or per 1,000
Includes simple assault, motor vehicle theft, burglary, and larceny (theft).
Includes motor vehicle theft, burglary, and larceny (theft).
Click tabs to swap between content that is broken into logical sections.


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Event Cleaning in Chelsea, New York
When planning an event, you'll want everything to be perfect; the guest list, decorations, menus, the entertainment - and you can't forget about the venue. Chances are, you're finding it difficult to make the time to clean before the event, after the event or both.
Here at Klean All USA Inc., we don't think you should have to! As a reputable cleaning company since 2008, residents and businesses continue to rely on Klean All USA Inc. for event cleaning in Chelsea, New York. Whether you're planning a birthday party, wedding reception, business networking event, or any other special occasion, you'll want everything to be perfect, and the venue is no exception.
Free Estimates
Pre-Event Cleaning in Chelsea
Planning an event can be stressful. The pressure to ensure the event is a success can be overwhelming. You assume the venue where the event will take place will be clean and ready to welcome your guests, but what if it's not? Klean All USA Inc. understands that the details matter most. Cleanliness is a top priority when welcoming friends, family or coworkers to an event your planning.
Simply call (347) 254-7017 to speak with our Chelsea event cleaning specialists. We are happy to arrive prior to the event to clean the venue to your exact specifications. Knowing you have enough on your plate, Klean All USA Inc. will work around your hectic schedule and tailor a pre-event cleaning checklist suited for your exact needs. Our event cleaners in Chelsea have 11 years of cleaning experience and welcome the opportunity to help make your event a success!
Some Common Events Klean All USA Inc. Offers Chelsea Event Cleaning for Include:
- birthday party
- wedding reception
- entertaining clients
- business networking event
- anniversary party
- charity / benefit
- and much more!
Post-Event Cleaning in Chelsea, NY
The party may be over, but there's still a lot left to do. If you've rented a space for your event, cleaning up once the event has ended is essential to make sure there isn't anything to deter getting your deposit back. Once the event is over, call Klean All USA Inc.. Our Chelsea event cleaning crew will follow a strict, thorough checklist leaving no corner missed. We will remove any debris on the floor, sweep and vacuum all hard and soft floor surfaces, wipe down all flat surfaces, dust, and fully sanitize the space.
With over 11 years in the cleaning industry, event cleaning in Chelsea has become a specialty of Klean All USA Inc.! Rest assured that our skilled event cleaning professionals have the attention to detail to turn any space back into its pre-event condition, or better! Call (347) 254-7017 today to schedule your event cleaning in Chelsea, NY.
Call for FREE Event Cleaning Quote
(347) 254-7017
★★★★★ - "I love the service, specifically Hector. He and his team are professional, polite and detailed people. I couldn't be happier I found them."
Kim Fuller, Apartment Cleaning in Manhattan, NY2018-02-06
★★★★★ - "Hector has been the best in cleaning my apartments, communication is so easy and he is always on time."
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Justin in New York, NY2018-01-25
★★★★★ - "Great job. Very clean, like every time."
John in New York, NY2018-01-25


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Brussels, 12 July 2010
Commission proposes package to boost consumer protection and confidence in financial services
As part of its work creating a safer and sounder financial system, preventing a future crisis and restoring consumer confidence, the European Commission has today proposed changes to existing European rules to further improve protection for bank account holders and retail investors. Furthermore, the Commission has launched a public consultation on options to improve protection for insurance policy holders, including the possibility of setting up Insurance Guarantee Schemes in all Member States. For bank account holders, the measures adopted today mean that in case their bank failed, they would receive their money back faster (within 7 days), increased coverage (up to € 100 000) and better information on how and when they are protected. For investors who use investment services, the Commission proposes faster compensation if an investment firm fails to return the investor's assets due to fraud, administrative malpractice or operational errors, while the level of compensation is to go up from € 20 000 to € 50 000. Investors will also receive better information on when the compensation scheme would apply and get better protection against fraudulent misappropriations where their assets are held by a third party - such as in the recent Madoff affair. The proposals, fully in line with the EU's commitments under the G20, are now passed to the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers for consideration.
Internal Market and Services Commissioner Michel Barnier said: "The adoption of today's package marks the Commission's latest endeavour to bring transparency and responsibility to Europe's financial system in order to prevent and manage future crises. European consumers deserve better. They need reassurance that their savings, investments or insurance policies are protected no matter where in Europe they are based. To make this a reality, I now call upon the European Parliament and the Council to make rapid progress in approving today's package."
Protecting your savings
The recent financial crisis illustrated once more how banks are susceptible to the risk of "bank runs" – i.e. when bank account holders believe that their savings are not safe and try to withdraw them all at the same time. Since 1994, a Directive (94/19/EC) ensures that all Member States have in place a safety net for bank account holders. If a bank is closed down, national Deposit Guarantee Schemes are to reimburse account holders of the bank up to a certain coverage level.
When the financial crisis hit in 2008, some quick-fix amendments were made, notably to increase the coverage level to € 100 000 (in two steps) and to abandon the possibility to have co-insurance in place (i.e. that bank account holders are not fully repaid, but are to bear a certain percentage of their lost sum - even when the lost amount would be lower than the coverage limit). However, as other shortcomings were detected in existing schemes, the Commission now comes forward with a proposal to fully amend the 1994 Directive and ensure that all lessons are learned from the crisis.
The key elements of the proposal are as follows:
Not only will Europeans have better protection for their savings, but they can now also choose the best savings product in any EU country without worrying about differences in protection. Banks will benefit from the proposal since they could offer competitive products throughout the EU without being hampered by such differences. Moreover, taxpayers benefit from a better financing of schemes – rendering state intervention much less likely.
Most improvements could already come in effect by 2012 and 2013 and would apply in all EU Member States as well as in Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, once incorporated in the European Economic Area Agreement.
See also MEMO/10/318
Protecting your investments
Since 1997, the Investor Compensation Scheme Directive (97/9/EC) has protected investors who use investment services in Europe by providing compensation in cases where an investment firm is unable to return assets belonging to an investor. This might occur for example where there is fraud or negligence at a firm or where there are errors or problems in the firm's systems. It is not a protection against investment risks at such. There are now 39 investor compensation schemes in place in the EU's 27 Member States.
In recent years, the Commission has received numerous complaints about the Directive's application in some Member States. These complaints have concerned issues such as schemes having insufficient funding to pay out claims or lengthy delays in paying out claims.
Today's proposal is intended to ensure that the rules on investor protection are more efficient, that there is a level playing field concerning the type of financial instruments that are protected and that there is appropriate funding and the necessary arrangements to make sure that investors are compensated.
The key elements of the proposal are as follows:
Most improvements could already come in effect by end 2012 and would apply to all EU Member States as well as Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, once incorporated in the European Economic Area Agreement.
See also MEMO/10/319
Improving protection for insurance policy holders
Insurance Guarantee Schemes (IGS) provide last-resort protection to consumers when insurers are unable to fulfil their contract commitment, offering protection against the risk that claims will not be met if an insurance company is closed down.
IGS can offer protection by paying compensation to consumers, or by securing the continuation of their insurance contract through, for example, facilitating the transfer of policies to a solvent insurer or the guarantee scheme itself. As opposed to the banking and securities sectors, there is no European legislation on guarantee schemes in the insurance sector today. Currently, 12 Member States operate one or more IGS which cover life and/or non-life insurance policies. They not only vary in terms of protection and eligibility, but also on when they are to intervene or how they are to be funded for example.
In the White Paper that was adopted today, the Commission sets out different options to ensure a fair and comprehensive level of consumer protection in the EU as well as to guard against the need for taxpayers to foot the bill in case an insurance company is to collapse. In particular, it proposes introducing a directive to ensure insurance guarantee schemes exist in all Member States and comply with a minimum set of requirements. The White Paper on Insurance Guarantee Schemes is up for consultation and all interested parties are invited to submit their comments and further input by 30 November 2010.
See also Memo/10/320
More information:
Deposit Guarantee Schemes:
Investor Compensation Schemes:
Insurance Guarantee Schemes:
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L'Oreal recently asked a few blogs if they would be interesting in hosting a hair dying party in honor of L'Oreal Feria's new and improved formula and their bold new look.
I was lucky enough to receive the invitation and I accepted. I'm glad I did because my friends and I had a lot of fun and some of us have a new look to boot. We all had different objectives when it came to dying our hair but in the end I think the results were all great.
We had a great time! L'Oreal was kind enough to provide us with the dye, black hair towels, goodie bags filled with enough L'Oreal makeup to last us the next few years and refreshments for the evening. We played with our makeup, sipped some wine, had some pizza then spread out in my dining room and kitchen dying our hair while we chatted. It was a fun way to have a girls night.
I was happy to see that L'Oreal Feria wasn't runny at all. I had laid out all my "dying towels" and was dressed in my "dying shirt" prepared to get dirty but really didn't have anything drip down on to them at all. I was impressed with how the dye stayed in place as it was on and saved me some laundry duty in the end. As for shine and conditioning, the new Built-In Silk & Shimmer Conditioning Technology certainly did it's job. The shine is definitely there and my hair has not felt this soft and silky since I got my highlights months ago.
Want to see our "before and after" shots?
I have to apologize for these pictures in advance, it wasn't very good thinking on my part to take our before pictures outside. The lighting wasn't too good in the apartment though. Plus it was a nice afternoon and I had my camera in hand so it is what it is…
This is Alana and her main objective was to cover up her gray. You may be asking "what gray" but like me, her gray is a little undercover. She chose #51- Brazilian Brown, a shade a little darker than the color she had before so it was a subtle change but it did it's job and banished her gray.
This is Desirae and she opted to go with a shade that was drastically different from her current shade. She chose #45 – Deep Bronzed Brown and I think it was a great choice. To top it off, we played with some of the makeup L'Oreal sent along. I used True Match foundation on her face, a little Bare Naturale as a bronzer/blush, HIP Jelly Balm in Plush on her lips and HIP Bright Shadow Duos in Riotous on her eyes. Now I'm only a wannabe makeup artist but she claims she liked it. 🙂 What do you think? Did I do ok?
This is Jenny and she wanted to cover up her gray and touch up her roots. She went with #62 – Light Iridescent Brown and her mission was accomplished. Along with Alana, Jenny's hair didn't really change that much but sometimes dying your hair is all about maintenance, covering up your gray and touching up your roots so that's exactly what Jenny did.
Now here's my before and after shot. I chose #68 – Rich Auburn. I was a little hesitant about covering up my blonde and caramel highlights. I started sporting them around Memorial Day and I was at the point where I really needed to go in for a touch up or do something else. I chose to do something else and go with a darker color for the fall. The change was a bit shocking for me at first but now I'm really loving it and thinking of ways to jazz up the red.
So that's it! What do you think of our transformations?


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The Hope College men's soccer team is a close second in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Preseason Coaches Poll announced today.
The Flying Dutchmen finished in the coaches poll with 14 points — one fewer than reigning MIAA champion and preseason favorite Calvin College. Hope and Calvin each received three of eight possible first-place votes. Coaches could not vote for their own team.
Third-place Kalamazoo College picked up the other two first-place votes and totaled 21 points. Fourth-place Olivet College, which advanced to the championship game of the MIAA tournament in 2012, came in fourth in the poll, followed by Adrian College, Alma College, Trine University and Albion College.
Poll Results (first-place votes in parenthesis): 1. Calvin (3) 13 points. 2. Hope (3) 14. 3. Kalamazoo (2) 21. 4. Olivet 22. 5. Adrian 32. 6. Alma 36. 7. Trine 39. 8. Albion 47.
MIAA teams begin non-conference action Friday, August 30. Hope hosts Oberlin (Ohio) at 7 p.m. at Van Andel Soccer Stadium. They will follow a 5 p.m. match between Allegheny (Pa.) College and Concordia (Mich.) College.
On Saturday, August 31, Hope then plays Allegheny at Van Andel Soccer Stadium at 7 p.m. They will follow the 5 p.m. match between Oberlin and Concordia.