text:
Are Hormones Causing Your Sleeping Problems?
Maylin Rodriguez-Paez, RNmenopause, there's a good chance you're not sleeping as well as you used to.
In fact, sleep disturbances may affect 38% of women after "the change."1
At least part of it has to do with your hormones, in particular, progesterone.
As women age, they tend to produce less, with the sharpest declines seen right after menopause.
This could produce a host of problems like insomnia, for example.
But don't despair. If a hormone imbalance is indeed causing your problem, then taking progesterone may be very helpful.
Progesterone Calms your Brain and Restores SleepProgesterone has a calming effect on the brain. It modulates GABA receptors2 which induce sleep and relaxation. Many sleeping pills work by modulating these receptors, but progesterone doesn't come with their undesirable side effects.
To evaluate the effect of progesterone on sleep, scientists enrolled 10 post-menopausal women in a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study.3 These women were healthy and didn't have sleep problems.
For 21 days, half of the women took 300 mg of micronized progesterone pills while the other group received a placebo.
After a two-week washout period, the groups switched treatments. Each woman was hooked to a machine which recorded her sleeping patterns. They also filled out questionnaires which evaluated their sleep quality.
The results were significant. The women taking progesterone slept better and they didn't have cognitive problems in the morning, which is a typical side effect of sleeping pills.
They also spent less time awake and had increased REM sleep, which is restorative and essential to well-being. More importantly, though, the progesterone was very well-tolerated and no side effects were reported.
Other studies have shown similar results, with women experiencing deeper more restorative sleep while taking progesterone.4
Bio-identical Progesterone is SafeMany women are concerned about taking progesterone and hormones in general.
Their fears generally stem from the Women's Health Initiative, a landmark study that showed the dangers of conventional hormones, including an increased risk for cancer5 and other health problems.
The study produced negative results because the researchers used conventional hormones, which don't look or act exactly like the hormones produced by the human body.
In contrast, bio-identical hormones look and act just like your own. In fact, research has shown that they are safe and may even decrease the risk of cancer.6 This is the type of hormone we suggest you consider.
Test Your Progesterone Levels Before Taking ItBefore you begin taking progesterone, it's important that you test your blood levels. That way your doctor can prescribe an appropriate dose and monitor your response to therapy.
Also, be careful about the form of progesterone you use. Ask your doctor for progesterone cream rather than pills. The creams absorb directly into your bloodstream and bypass the liver's modifying effects. For this reason, they are a safer bet.
What You Need to KnowHormone imbalances are an often-overlooked cause of sleeping problems. For this reason, if you're having trouble sleeping, you may want to discuss progesterone therapy with your doctor.
Remember, it's safe, well-tolerated, and highly effective.
Do you have any experience with progesterone therapy? If so, please share your comments below!
- Menopause. 2003 Jan-Feb;10(1):19-28.
- Physiol Behav. 2009 Apr 20;97(1):58-61. Epub 2009 Feb 7.
- Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2008 Sep;33(8):1124-31. Epub 2008 Aug 3.
- J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2011 Apr;96(4):E614-23. Epub 2011 Feb 2.
- JAMA. 2002 Jul 17;288(3):321-33.
- Postgrad Med. 2009;121(1):73-85.


text:
North American textile manufacturer Victor acquired the brand, design and collection of Pennsylvania-based Craftex Mills, boosting employment prospects at its Fall River operation and solidifying its place in the residential and commercial fabric industry, officials said.
North American textile manufacturer Victor acquired the brand, design and collection of Pennsylvania-based Craftex Mills, boosting employment prospects at its Fall River operation and solidifying its place in the residential and commercial fabric industry, officials said.
"Our goal is to transition here as rapidly as possible," said Paul Bennotti, Victor director of marketing for the Canada-based manufacturer. The company purchased assets and equipment of Quaker Fabric 1½ years ago after what was once the city's largest employer shut down.
The acquisition was made Monday through a "secured creditor" sale and did not include buying the mill business, he said.
The high-end Craftex textiles will be made at the city's plant at 81 Commerce Way, where there are 136 employees, 105 in manufacturing, Bennotti and Human Resources Director Rose Pedro said. Most are former Quaker Fabric workers.
During economic times when holding one's own in the Spindle City with a crushing 16.2 unemployment rate shows progress, Bennotti said there would be more work.
He could not pinpoint how that might translate into new jobs on their three shifts.
"It does add to our business," he said Wednesday during a visit to the Fall River operation. "We're hopeful this will lead to a more normal work schedule."
He and Pedro, who also handled personnel at Quaker, said the Craftex acquisition will enable the company to rebound from reductions about four months ago.
At that time, Victor laid off eight workers, bringing its work force to 136, where it remains now. They also needed to reduce work weeks and pay to retain as many people as possible, officials said.
Many of those former 40-hour shifts needed to be scaled back to 24- and 32-hour work weeks. Manufacturing jobs pay an average $13 to 17 an hour.
Craftex, a three-generation, 100-year-old company., similar to the lineage of Victor's in Saint-Georges, Canada, offered a line of highly styled fabrics for upholstering furniture. Its specialties have included jacquard textiles, in which the design is woven into the cloth.
Both are privately owned and Victor assumes the customers of the smaller Craftex operation, Bennotti said.
"This acquisition creates a more diverse product offering for Victor, and offers stability for customers of the Craftex brand during a challenging economic time for the entire textile industry," Bennotti said. "The Craftex brand is going to give Victor broader exposure in both the contract (commercial) and residential markets, and deepens our product offering." He said Craftex has a reputation for high-quality, higher-end products.
The Fall River company, recently renamed Victor Residential, is one of Victor's two United States service and warehouse facilities — along with Grand Rapids, Mich. — and one of two design studios, the other is in New York City. The parent company was founded in 1947.
E-mail Michael Holtzman at firstname.lastname@example.com.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
When Ressurrection Graves found herself homeless and looking for shelter in 2011, she probably didn't understand how much the experience would bless her. Now she and her husband bless other people facing homelessness.
When Ressurrection Graves found herself homeless and looking for shelter in 2011, she probably didn't understand how much the experience would bless her. It was in a Washington, D.C., homeless shelter she found a roof over her head, a bed for rest and something most people search many other places to find - her future husband. "I had this guy staring at me," Graves said in a "Today" article. "It felt like he was looking into my soul. It's certainly not what you're expecting in the environment I was in." Prior to this point, Graves was a certified massage therapist and entrepreneur with a massage center. She lived in a 1,000-square-foot home but was in a poor relationship. She eventually closed her massage business, left the relationship and lost the home to foreclosure. "When you have too many not-so-good months, what usually happens is you end up closing, and unfortunately that was my story," she said in a StoryWorks YouTube video. "I closed a 2,000-square-foot massage center. Subsequently, I had to foreclose on my home and ended up homeless for three years as a single mother." The man she met at the shelter, Deven, was an Army military veteran who ran into hard luck when he came back from service. The situation he was in included homelessness and underemployment. Everything changed when he met Ressurrection. "For me, it was magical," Deven said in a "Pay it Forward" article from Fox News. "It was a spiritual moment for me and I had to at least say 'hi.' " They played a game of chess together. He asked her to look over his résumé. Her first priority was getting of the shelter, so after a month of saving enough money to leave, they had their first date. Deven proposed five months later. Their wedding was Aug. 28, 2013, the 50-year anniversary of the March on Washington. Instead of a reception, they handed out food to homeless people in a couples of park, and they've kept helping people since. Together, the couple started Glory Soldiers Global, a foundation to help people overcome poverty and homelessness. "The couple's prayer for this organization is that people will take an individual responsibility for the welfare of others, without depending on government to solve issues that can be resolved with goodwill, charities, salvation armies, and the Glory of God through His Soldiers, in a Global capacity," according to the foundation's website. The organization runs on donations and, among other services, focuses on "healing, advocacy, employment opportunities, entrepreneurship training (and) financial support." Now Ressurrection and Deven help others with the compassion and understanding that come from their experiences. "It's a wonderful feeling for me to help them see that people really do care and other people have compassion. That's one thing we need more of in this world, compassion," Deven told "Today."%3Cimg%20src%3D%22http%3A//beacon.deseretconnect.com/beacon.gif%3Fcid%3D145133%26pid%3D46%22%20/%3E


text:
Essential Budapest - 2 Night Stay in a Central Located "Party Quarter" Apartment with Airport Transfer, Szechenyi Spa + Spa Gear and Sunset Cocktail Cruise on the Danube
Planning a short holiday in Budapest? The Essential Budapest package includes all the necessities to have an amazing time in the city.
Enjoy your stay in one of the 4 luxurious Souper apartments in the city centre and experience the famous Hungarian hospitality. One of the most fundamental elements of a Budapest holiday is a rejuvenating day in one of the city's several thermal spring spas. Sink into the warm healing waters of Széchenyi, the largest thermal bath of the country. Take a few rounds in the hot open air pools of the historical venue even in wintertime and don't miss the different sauna facilities for the detoxicating effect. Essential spa gear will be provided for the ultimate spa experience.
The package also includes a 2 hour long river cruise where you will learn why the city is called the pearl of the Danube. The evening Cocktail Cruise will present you with the uncanny sight of the UNESCO awarded panorama of Budapest to enchant you with its illuminated sights while you sip your favourite cocktails on-board.
To top it all up, a free airport transfer service will make your arrival and departure as classy and safe as it can be.
Join us and get the most out of your weekend in Budapest!
- 2 Night stay in one of the following Souper apartments: Jurma, Cazuela, Sambar, Bisque
- Airport transfer to the accommodation, and from the accommodation to airport
- Szechenyi Bath skip the line entry tickets with private cabin, flip-flop, take away towel, mineral water, 2in1 shampoo & shower gel
- Sunset Cocktail Cruise on the Danube from 7pm


text: Tuesday, May 15, 2012 APTA Seeks PTs Involved With Summer Olympics The 2012 Summer Olympic Games are fast approaching. During the games, APTA would like to spotlight member physical therapists (PTs) who have helped the nation's elite athletes prepare to compete on the world's biggest stage. If you work with Olympic athletes and/or will be heading to London to serve on an Olympic team's medical staff, contact Erin Wendel, senior media relations specialist, by e-mail or phone at 703/706-3397 by Monday, May 28, for more details. APTA also intends to use this opportunity to promote the physical therapist's role in helping athletes of all ages and skill levels reach their goals by preventing and treating sports-specific injuries. Comments Hi Erin, We are located in the Seattle area, and see numerous athletes who qualified for the Olympic Trials. Last year I went with one of our athletes, Mike Sayenko, to the IIAF track and Field World Championships in Daeg, South Korea. It was the highlight of my career! This year, in addition to the several athletes who are competing at the Track and Field trials, we also have three players on the US Eagles, the 7's National Team - 7's will be an Olympic Sport in 2016. Feel free to reach out to me at 425/643-9778 to discuss. Posted by Neil Chasan -> AGUbD on 5/21/2012 1:20 PM Only for PTs not PTAs? Posted by D. Butler on 5/22/2012 9:18 AM


text:
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Equality constraints in prediction
Mplus Discussion
Growth Modeling of Longitudinal Data
Maria Llabre
posted on Tuesday, September 09, 2003 - 11:21 am
I am comparing two LGC's obtained for the same sample under two experimental conditions. Initially I tested nested models sequentially constraining the mean intercept & slope, the variances and covariance equal between conditions. Using a chi-squared difference test I found that the trajectories between the two conditions were comparable. I next added a predictor of the intercept and slope. Here is where I got confused. When I maintain all the previous equality constraints between experimental conditions(now the mean constrain becomes an intercept constrain), the results indicate that the predictor influences both intercepts in the same way, and both slopes in the same way. However, if I relax the earlier constrain on the means (leaving equal variances and covariance), the results indicate the predictor influences the slope and intercept for one condition but not the other. I don't quite see how fixing the means(the path from the constant)to be equal would have any influence on the paths from the predictor. Can you explain?
posted on Tuesday, September 09, 2003 - 4:49 pm
If the intercepts in the regressions on the predictor are held equal when in reality they are not, then it would seem possible that the significance of the paths from the predictor can change in this way when relaxing the intercept equality. If you draw a scatterplot of y related to x for each of two data sets with one scatterplot indicating a higher intercept and only a small positive slope and the other a lower intercept and a large positive slope, holding the regression intercepts equal across the data sets could cause the first slope to be larger and perhaps significant.
thormod idsoe
posted on Monday, November 10, 2003 - 6:09 am
It is said that "to establish complete measurement invariance of factors, the intercepts of continuous outcomes or the thresholds of categorical outcomes and the factor loadings should be held equal across time. Deviations from these equalities result in partial measurement invariance". I'm struggling to understand why it makes sense to require complete invariance over time. Loadings are OK - but why does it make sense to have equality-constraints on indicator intercepts? Isn't this to expect no difference in average level (for the whole group) over time? Or is it possible to have mean-differences at the factor-level when constraining indicator-intercepts? As I "feel" there is something here I don't understand, do you know any paper explaining this?
Linda K. Muthen
posted on Monday, November 10, 2003 - 6:40 am
Yes, it is possible to have factor mean differences together with measurement intercept invariance and still have observed variable means changing across time. The intercepts/thresholds represent what in IRT are referred to as difficulty parameters. Invariance of these parameters represents differential item functioning (DIF). If an item or variable behaves differently across levels of a covariate or factor, I think it would be difficult to argue for measurement invariance.
posted on Sunday, November 28, 2004 - 7:27 pm
I am running some growth curves as well as some autoregressive models in MPlus 3.01. The data is poisson distributed so I am running the analyses using MLR and intergration algorithms (type depending upon dimensions of integration). My question is threefold:
1) If I wish to test nested models, for instance fixing autoregressive coefficients as equal versus freely estimating them, how should I utilize the H0 Chi-square statistic in the output? Ordinarily for MLR estimation of non-count data I would use the scaling coefficient to calculate the appropriate chi-square and chi-square test statistic, however I don't detect this item in the output.
2) For comparison of non-nested models, do you have any recomendations (papers or otherwise)regarding the meaningfulness of the size of the differences between the different information criterion measures?
3) In evaluation of the fit of the model implied to the observed covariance matrix and mean vector, is there any way to extract any standard fit measures like the CFI or RMSEA from the MPlus output for poisson data analyses?
Linda K. Muthen
posted on Monday, November 29, 2004 - 8:03 am
1. Use 2 times the loglikelihood difference. This is distributed as chi-square.
2. I think Nagin discusses BIC in a 1999 Psych Methods paper.
3. No.
Gerald Lackey
posted on Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - 12:09 pm
I have a conditional multivariate growth curve model with categorical ordinal outcomes for one of the growth curves and a measurement model with categorical indicators for the other growth curve. I believe that by default the model is identified by standardizing the y*'s of each of these categorical outcomes. I am trying to follow the suggestion raised in Bollen and Curran's (2006) LCM book (page 234) that suggests freeing the mean/variance of these latents and identifying the model by fixing the first two thresholds to 0 and 1. I can easily set these threshold constraints, but I am having trouble freeing the mean/variance. When I simply put it [indicator_name]; I get an error telling me it is ignoring this command. Am I confused about something or is there a way to free the means for these y*'s? Thanks.
Linda K. Muthen
posted on Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - 12:36 pm
It is hard to understand what is happening without seeing your model. Please send your input, data, output, and license number to
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text:
McCain Criticized for Slur / He says he'll keep using term for ex-captors in Vietnam
2000-02-18 04:00:00 PDT Greenville, S.C. -- Editor's Note: This article was published on Feb. 18, 2000. In 2008, at least three national web sites posted links to it. As a result, it appeared in the list of SFGATE's Most Read articles. In 2018, this article once again resurfaced and landed on SFGATE's Most Read articles, in the wake of Sen. John McCain's death on Aug. 26 after a battle with brain cancer. He was 81. To read his obituary, head here.
Arizona Sen. John McCain refused to apologize yesterday for his use of a racial slur to condemn the North Vietnamese prison guards who tortured and held him captive during the war.
"I hate the gooks," McCain said yesterday in response to a question from reporters aboard his campaign bus. "I will hate them as long as I live."
McCain, a former Navy pilot who spent five years in a Vietnamese prisoner of war camp, was questioned about the language because of a story last month in the Nation magazine reporting his continued use of the slur.
Since then, reports of McCain's language have been circulating on Internet chat sites and e-mails among Asian Americans, many of whom find the the term offensive and inappropriate for an elected official.
McCain's appeal to voters has been as a wartime hero and a feisty politician who speaks his mind and damns the consequences. But his comments on the eve of the key South Carolina primary show the candidate's vaunted "straight talk" in another light.
"The use of a racist slur can't be acceptable for any national leader, regardless of his background," said Diane Chin, executive director of the San Francisco-based Chinese for Affirmative Action. "For someone running for president not to recognize the power of words is a problem."
While McCain's words may have little effect in conservative South Carolina, where few Asian Americans live, they could come back to haunt him in other states.
"Historically, straight talkers who say things off the top of their heads eventually hang themselves with those sorts of remarks," said Bruce Cain, a political scientist at the University of California at Berkeley.
"While it might not hurt him now, Democrats are not going to have any hesitation about using this stuff to string him up later."
McCain made no apologies yesterday.
"I was referring to my prison guards," McCain said, "and I will continue to refer to them in language that might offend some people because of the beating and torture of my friends."
McCain made it clear that his anger extends only toward his captors. As a senator, he was one of the leaders of the postwar effort to normalize U.S. relations with Vietnam.
Campaign officials do not expect the controversy to hurt McCain, either in tomorrow's South Carolina primary or later in the campaign.
"If people understood the context, they wouldn't be upset," Mike Murphy, a senior adviser to the campaign, said last night.
But the racial slur used by the senator has a long, painful history that is felt by many Asian Americans.
The word "gook" was first used in 1899 by American soldiers fighting Filipino insurgents. During the Korean War, the term was aimed at Koreans and Chinese. It was directed at the Vietnamese when Americans were fighting in Vietnam. It is now used as a slur toward any Asian or Pacific Islander.
The Arizona senator prides himself on running an open campaign. He is surrounded by reporters, television cameras and tape recorders perhaps more than any presidential candidate in history. Reporters are given full access to the candidate between each campaign stop on a customized bus purposefully dubbed the "Straight Talk Express."
The bus, which also carries his top staff and often his wife, Cindy, is crammed with network anchors and local newspaper reporters, who endlessly engage McCain in what amounts to a news conference on wheels.
The comments are usually recorded and always on the record.
Sometimes the questions are pointed and serious. Sometimes they are not.
McCain has declared on his bus, "I hate the French." He often begins meetings with Californians joking, "I hate Californians," noting that they steal Arizona's water and lure his constituents away in the summer.
But those comments are clearly in jest. Yesterday's were not.
McCain was captured after his A-4 Skyhawk was shot down over Hanoi on Oct. 26, 1967. During the time he was held, he was brutally tortured by his captors, finally reaching the point where he was unable to resist signing a "confession."
McCain and his fellow prisoners suffered terribly in the prison camp. In the crowd at yesterday's rally in Greenville was retired Adm. Robert Fuller, who was in prison with McCain at the infamous "Hanoi Hilton."
Fuller, who lives in Jacksonville Beach, Fla., spoke informally of the despair of living in single cells, where the only form of contact was by an ingenious code devised by the prisoners. Fuller said prisoners were sometimes tortured for as many as six days. When they returned, he said, the others would send messages of support by tapping on the wall.
"They would be put in ropes for six days, and they would confess," Fuller said. "When they came back to their cell, guys would tap on the wall, 'We love you. I wish we could give you a hug.' "
The horrors of the past cannot be an excuse for hurting people in the present, said Guy Aoki, president of the Media Action Network for Asian Americans, an anti-defamation group.
"If Sen. McCain had been captured by Nigerians, could he call those people 'niggers' and think he wasn't going to offend everyone who is black?" Akoi asked. "We can all feel for what he went through, but if that's his level of sensitivity, I'm very disappointed."
McCain usually treats his experience as a prisoner of war as a terrible time in his life, but a period he has moved beyond. At times, he even uses it as a punch line for jokes.
At a pancake breakfast recently, he said he had gone with his daughter to the MTV Music Awards, "and that was the greatest assault on my senses since I was in prison."
Yesterday's comments made it clear that McCain had neither forgotten, nor forgiven, his captors.
"I will call right now, my interrogator that tortured me, a gook," McCain said. "(I can't believe that) anybody doesn't believe these interrogators and prison guards were cruel and sadistic people who deserve the worst appellations possible."
McCain said he does not consider the comment an epithet.
"Gook," he said, "is the kindest appellation I can give."
McCAIN IN THE POLLS Here are some results from new national polls that show Republican Sen. John McCain faring better than or as well as GOP rival Gov. George W. Bush against Democrat Al Gore.
CNN-USA Today-Gallup McCain 55% Gore 39% Bush 50% Gore 45%
PEW Research Center for The People & The Press McCain 49% Gore 41% Bush 46% Gore 45%
CBS-New York Times McCain 42% Gore 41% Bush 50% Gore 44%
Source: Associated Press


text:
Navy SEAL shoots self with gun believed unloaded
PACIFIC BEACH, Calif. - Police said a Navy SEAL is on life support after accidentally shooting himself in the head with what he thought was an unloaded gun.
CBS Affiliate KFMB reports that the unnamed 22-year-old was gravely wounded early Thursday at his Pacific Beach home while trying to convince a female companion that the pistol he was showing off was safe to handle.
The shooting left the sailor on life support at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, according to San Diego police. Authorities initially reported that the man had died.
The serviceman, who had been drinking with a woman at a bar before they returned to his residence, was showing her his 9mm handgun when the accident occurred, San Diego Police Officer Frank Cali told KFMB.
The man (who mistakenly believed the gun was unloaded) offered to let his friend hold the weapon, according to Cali. When she declined, he tried to demonstrate how safe it was by putting it to his head and pulling the trigger.
The sailor, whose name was not released, had recently graduated from the Navy's Sea, Air and Land Teams program, which trains elite special-operations tactical units.
In a statement, Commodore Collin Green said the Naval Special Warfare community is saddened by the incident and extends "our hearts and prayers" to the family in this difficult time.


text:
+ taxes & licensing
1620 King Street East, Kitchener, ON N2G 2P1
+ taxes & licensing
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1620 King Street East, Kitchener, ON N2G 2P1


text:
Russian Beauty: With Brains To Boot
The statuesque and cerebral young actress sat down with us in Los Angeles recently to keep us up-to-date on her burgeoning career.
Splash Magazine: You are originally from Russia. What was it like growing up in the city of Yaroslavl?
Veronika Kurshinskaya: It could be tough for anyone who has big dreams to grow up in a small city, whether it is in Russia or in America. From an early age, I knew I wanted to be an actress. I grew up writing and performing my own original mini-shows, singing and dancing for street crowds and was well-known for being different. After school, when my classmates went to play, I went home and watched films. Next day, I pretended to be a main character and walked around my neighborhood freaking people out. No one really believed I would ever leave Yaroslavl and move to Hollywood. It sounded absurd! However, I did. I was very fortunate to have loving family who have been very supportive of my big dream through all these years.
SM: After moving to Los Angeles in 2008, you studied with Margie Haber and then completed the Theatre Program at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, before graduating from the Master's Acting Program at the New York Film Academy. How important has technical training been to you?
VK: I think that the key to being a working actor is a combination of training, hard work, discipline and natural talent. Technical training helps you free your imagination, opens you up to bigger choices and deeper emotions, assists in getting rid of bad habits, teaches you to stay present and use your energy efficiently. And, it makes you much more confident! I remember, at the beginning of my career, the most difficult thing for me was dealing with rejection. But I learned that it's almost never personal. You are either right for the part, or you're not. And the best part is that if you come prepared well for your audition and make clear choices, even if they are wrong, you will be remembered. And, most likely asked back for a role you are right for. In my opinion, the learning process never ends. I still take on-going acting classes because I believe that constant professional training is the only way to build a long-term successful career.
SM: You were voted "Miss Photogenic" at this year's Miss California United States, where you represented the city of Los Angeles. Do you have any other modeling goals in the future, or are you more focused on acting at this point in your career?
VK: It was a big surprise and incredible honor to be selected as Miss Los Angeles in Miss California United States 2012. The Pageant itself was very challenging and took a lot of preparation, but it was also very rewarding. I made a few professional connections and definitely improved my pubic speaking skills. However, at this moment, I want to focus on acting only. That's the reason I came to the United States to begin with!
SM: Your comedic portrayal of Mrs. Rosdale in the SPQR Stage Company production of Bill Sterrit's "Modern Drama" got some great reviews this summer. Do you ever pay attention to what the critics say?
VK: I consider reviews to be the greatest learning tool and regularly monitor them in order to learn about my strengths and weaknesses as an actress. Any constructive criticism points out what areas need more work. And, every positive review makes me feel good and forces to work even harder.
SM: What projects are you currently involved in? Where can we see you?
VK: I just booked a principal voice-over role in a new animated series called "Lunatics." I am playing a lunar farmer, Anya Titova, one of the founders of the first colony on the moon. The creators did an amazing job with the graphic design and the writing is incredibly witty. The pilot is coming out in October 2012, and I honestly can't wait. In addition to that, I have two feature films in development. The first one, "Once Upon A Time In The East: A Fistful of Bullets" is scheduled to start shooting at the end of this year. I have the lead role of a Russian sniper, Gavrila. The second film is tentatively scheduled to begin shooting in summer 2013, and is called "Grace Under Fire." It is about the untold American heroes during the Cold War in Europe. I was cast in the lead role of Nadya - she works for US Intelligence in Ukraine.
SM: Thank you, Veronika - "Break A Leg" out there!
Top photo: © Sara Corwin. Middle photo: © Anacapa. Bottom photo: © Maxximages.
Published on Sep 12, 2012


text:
.This N.Y. Egyptian-American ACTIVIST Asyat Oraby on MEMRI TV
Muslim woman is the typical hatred ignorant Muslim.
She said;
The Copts trying to establish a Coptic mini-state within Egypt?!!
First, the Egyptian authorities could not prove, even close, that
there was anything like that in progress.
Second, Egypt is OUR country that means ALL of Egypt.
Third, IF there was such movement the vast majorities of Copts in Egypt and all over the world Would not accept it and fight against it.
She said:
.The churches store weapons!!
What a stupid accusation! Our churches do not allow anyone to enter the church carrying any kind of weapon. Here also, the authorities proved that this is a false vicious lie which was spread by the Muslim BH and fanatic Ignorant and hateful imams.
She said:
The church 'gang'!
Shame on you Muslima. You forgot that you are addressing the most honorable body in Egypt. You are confusing it with your Mohammad and his true gang. Killing, raping and mass destruction of innocent peaceful people.
She said:
4.5 Million Copts in Egypt?! You are either misinformed or playing the Islamic takkya.
The Copts of Egypt are over 30 (thirty) million proven by churches records of the new born, baptism certificates, marriage certificates and death certificates. It is the largest Christian community in the Middle East.
I don't blame your ignorance and hate for us. Your evil Koran is to be blamed for that.
She said:
The crescent over the holy Cross!!
This is a new one. You should sit down, relax and think with whatever is left of your brain and ask yourself why you hate us that much.
Read the Holy Bible. The extreme love to the point of "love your enemies" vs your Koranic surahs kill the infidels (all non-Muslims) where ever you find them. Look around you and ask yourself who is doing the killing around the world? You should NOT miss this one, if put aside the Islamic mentality and apply some honesty. I know this is a very challenging task, but try for your own sake. Muslims are trying extremely hard to annihilate the Copts from the day they invaded Egypt.
The Muslims are getting frustrated because the ugly truth about Islam is widely exposed. Their agenda of Islamizing the world is diminishing fast.


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This might rub some furry-pet lovers the wrong way, but feathered friends are rising in popularity.
Pets Weekly made raising backyard chickens one of its "Top 10 Pet Trends of 2013."
"We have noticed a marked increase in the number of people who keep chickens in an urban setting," the February article reads. "What started as a rise in preppers keeping poultry for survival purposes has now become a statement by the general populace that we demand high-quality, safe food supplies."
BackYardChickens.com has a community of more than 160,000 chicken owners. Backyard Poultry magazine prints and distributes nationally an average of 75,000 copies per issue. According to Mother Earth News, pastured chickens lay eggs that contain four to six times as much vitamin D as typical supermarket varieties. The eggs have a third less cholesterol, a fourth less saturated fat, two-thirds more vitamin A, two times more omega-3 fatty acids, three times more vitamin E and seven times more beta carotene.
So what's the big deal if a Northeast Florida resident wants to build a backyard coop and raise chickens for home egg consumption?
If you live in St. Augustine, go for it. If you live in Jacksonville, it's illegal and a neighbor ratting you out can result in some pretty heavy fines until you find a new home for your flock. This is exactly what happened to Jacksonville resident Lauren Trad.
"In 2009, we went on a family vacation to Costa Rica and stayed on a working dairy farm," Trad said. "The place had just built a coop and my daughters became obsessed with the chickens."
A few months later, Trad built her own backyard coop at her home in the San Jose area where she lives with her husband, Chris, and daughters Leena, 9, and Cassidy, 6. She acquired four hens, or female chickens, for her brood. Male chickens are called roosters.
"My kids lost interest in a month or so, but I was completely hooked," she said. "I'd go out and feed them scraps from the kitchen and talk to them."
It wasn't long until Trad found out that backyard chickens are illegal to house on residential property in Jacksonville.
"Originally, I wanted someone else to get vocal about this ordinance, so we could change it," Trad said. "I thought if I got vocal, then I'd be cited and they'd take away my chickens."
Trad's biggest fear came true. It could have been a sighting by a neighbor or a city worker, but her hens were discovered. Trad received a citation saying she had 10 days to remove the coop and chickens from her home. If she didn't comply, she'd be charged a $250 fine per day.
Luckily for Trad and her fowl, her husband's family owns Trad's Garden Center on San Jose Boulevard. There have been wild chickens on that property since before the livestock ordinance was written in the 1960s, so the garden center is grandfathered in and allowed to host a coop and its residents.
But not everybody welcomes feathered flocks with open arms. Jacksonville resident Roberta Thomas is adamant that livestock and poultry belong in agriculturally zoned areas.
"I really resent the heck out of the city of Jacksonville attempting to rezone the property of my land or my single-family residential neighborhood," Thomas said. "The city has designated areas where chickens are currently allowed. Those who want hens should move to the already-approved, already-zoned areas and raise their hens."
East Arlington resident Ethel "Eddi" Parsons agrees. She had a personal experience back in 2004 when her neighbors started housing chickens in their backyard.
"We realized something was going on over there because of the odor," Parsons said. "As soon as the chickens went, so did the odor."
A vocal opponent of changing the existing ordinance, Parsons suggested that people who want to raise chickens for fresh eggs should form a co-op and tend to them on agriculturally zoned property.
On May 14, City Councilmembers Doyle Carter and Don Redman met with supporters and opponents to discuss a proposal to extend the ability to raise and keep hens for backyard egg production in residential zoned areas of the city. Dylan Reingold, a lawyer from the General Counsel's office who specializes in land use and environmental law, drafted the legislation.
As described in the meeting minutes, Carter and Redman showed concern regarding how far a chicken coop would be placed from the property line, as well as concern about poultry disease and waste. Redman stated that the legislation should go before the Public Health & Safety Committee and the Land Use & Zoning Committee.
Email and phone calls to Redman, Carter and Jacksonville City Planner Paul M. Davis were not returned by press time.
On a warm, sunny day at Trad's Garden Center, Lauren Trad, donned in a brown sundress and sandals, approached the coop and called out, "Hi, ladies." Five of six hens ran over to her, looking for any scraps she might have brought for them. "Hi, ladies," she cooed again.
"Jacksonville used to be named Cowford," Trad explained, picking small pieces of weeds and feeding them to her flock. "This was the crosstowns of cow country. In the 1960s, people wanted to get away from being known as agricultural hickdom, and so the government wrote ordinances regulating and restricting livestock on residential property."
According to the green-living resource Sustainable North Florida, "Currently, livestock is prohibited inside the city limits without agricultural zoning. But that hasn't stopped chicken coops from showing up all over prestigious urban neighborhoods like Riverside, San Marco, Springfield and throughout the suburbs, as more families search for healthy, affordable, local, sustainable food options."
When Trad was cited for having her flock of backyard hens, she said it was time to get vocal and fight the ordinance. "I was, like, 'I'm going to be loud and obnoxious.' "
In February 2011, Trad founded Hens in JAX, a grassroots, nonprofit organization aimed at gathering support to help propose — and pass — a new ordinance allowing hens in residential low density (RLD) zones and in conjunction with a single-family dwelling in residential medium density (RMD) zones.
The University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) recommends that the size of a flock house (coop) should be based on a minimum of 3 square feet of floor space for each bird. This means 25 chickens will require about 75 square feet of floor space.
"Our current version of the proposal actually allows hens in conjunction with any single-family dwelling," Trad said. The proposed ordinance would allow each residence to have eight hens. For properties larger than one acre, eight hens would be allowed per additional half-acre. Roosters — those noisy boys — would be allowed only in agricultural (AGR) and residential rural (RR) areas.
Duval County residents can find the zone they live in through a property appraiser search here.
Elena Smith, a homeowner in St. Augustine's historic Davis Shores neighborhood, doesn't have to hide her hens or bribe nosey neighbors with fresh eggs. That's because it's not illegal to have chickens — even roosters — on residential property within city limits.
"It shall be the duty of each and every person to keep all chickens, geese, turkeys, ducks and other domestic fowls in an enclosure to be built with such suitable materials as to keep such fowls in the enclosure, such enclosure shall only be situated upon private property," according to the city of St. Augustine code of ordinances.
"Keep in mind that the city code does not say 'chickens are allowed,' " explained St. Augustine Vice-Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline, of the code that was established and enacted in 1964. "Instead, it just says chickens have to be in pens. It is assumed that chickens are allowed since they are not prohibited."
The Department of Agriculture reported recently that in four of America's largest cities — New York, Miami, Los Angeles and Denver — nearly one home out of 100 keeps chickens either for a fresh egg supply or as pets. Other cities that currently allow residents to keep backyard hens include Sarasota, Austin, Charlotte, San Francisco and Baltimore.
Smith has been raising her St. Augustine-based flock of three hens since they were only a few days old.
"They were living on the back porch until I felt comfortable enough to let them live in the coop in the wide outdoors," she said. "The construction of the coop was fairly easy, for a structure already existed in my backyard; I just had to close in the front with chicken wire and attach a hinged door with locks."
Now two years old, Smith's hens have forged relationships with her dogs and cat and spend time roaming freely in her pesticide-free yard.
"I have wanted to have my own chickens and small 'urban farm' since I was a little girl and played with the animals on my cousin's West Virginia farm," she said. "I bought my house in this location because I knew that it was possible to keep chickens."
Chicken-keepers say there are many pros to allowing hens on residential property, but naysayers argue that chickens smell, are loud, carry disease and don't belong in an urban or suburban setting.
"I don't want the overwhelming stench of broken eggs or chicken poop, the fleas, the mites, the communicable bird diseases, the cackling or noise, the eyesore coops in the front and back yards, the electrical wire eyesores strung across properties to the coops for light or heat like a trailer park camp," explained Thomas of her opposition to the ordinance changes.
HensinJax.com aims to dispel those "misconceptions."
"An average dog produces a lot more waste than a chicken. A well-kept coop has almost no smell," the website explains. "Only roosters are loud, and we are not advocating for roosters."
"Chickens are no more likely to carry disease than any pet bird," HensinJax.com states.
"They are like my children, as much like all my animals," Smith said. "But these ladies serve a purpose — they provide me with amazing eggs, bug/pest control in the yard, and entertainment. I do not have cable TV, and that helps keep me outside where I belong. My neighbors all love the chickens, and I think it adds such vibrancy to the neighborhood."
In the city of Jacksonville code of ordinances, a household pet is defined as "an animal including, but not limited to: dog; bird; domesticated cat; rodent, such as a gerbil, guinea pig, hamster, domesticated mouse, and domesticated rat; domesticated or European ferret; rabbit; fish; nonvenomous reptile and amphibian; that is kept as subordinate to residential use for the purpose of providing human companionship."
The ordinance says poultry is not considered a household pet and describes poultry as "domesticated birds, such as chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, guineas and pigeons, that are usually raised for eggs and/or to provide food for humans."
Popular chickens for residential coops include the Buff Orpington hen, Barred Rock hen, Rhode Island Reds, White Leghorns and New Hampshire Reds. "Rhode Island Reds have a great temperament and are great layers. That's why I always preferred them," Trad said. "Plymouth Barred Rocks are a little more skittish, but are great layers. The mix we have at the garden center is due to the hens that we have been asked to take in, more than anything else."
Trad's flock at the garden center now includes six hens — Snowy, Big Buff, Feather Legs, Burrito, Pepper and Broody — all named by her two daughters.
"They're definitely creatures of habit," Trad said. "They like structure — laying eggs around the same time each day. Each chicken lays about six eggs per week and takes one day off. Isn't that what the Bible says?"
The Trad family donates the eggs and fruits and vegetables grown on the property to United Community Outreach Ministry (UCOM), a Southside not-for-profit charitable organization that organizes food drives.
"I can go to the grocery store," Trad said, "but there's a lot of people in our community who can't."
Trad's efforts to change the existing local ordinance to allow a limited number of hens to be kept on private property within Jacksonville have not gone unnoticed. She's met with members of the City Council, has more than 740 likes on the Hens in Jax Facebook page and continues to garner support from Avondale to Springfield.
"Nothing moves slower than government except city government," Trad joked. "Chicken-keeping people have a lot of pride, and I feel confident that we'll be able to change the ordinance to allow backyard hens on residential property."


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Running Ubuntu Server 11.10 on a laptop. I would like to find a way to have the lcd display power off when I close the lid. Don't want to burned it out. Tried search for an hour, but couldn't find a solution anywhere. At least not for the server version.
Please note, this is the Server version I am asking about. There is no GUI.
Tried searching for "ubuntu server" with words like "power management", "lid close", "display power", etc.
New: I found a way to detect if the laptop lid is closed with the acpid daemon. Is there any kind of power management command that will power off the display?


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Thanksgiving is a time to be with family…. and to eat turkey. I mean no disrespect to my vegetarian friends who don't eat meat, and pseudo-vegetarian friends who don't eat meat, but do eat seafood —you've no doubt heard of the traditional Thanksgiving salmon — but going without a big, juicy Butterball on turkey day would put me in a fowl mood!
Thanksgiving is a time to be with family…. and to eat turkey.
I mean no disrespect to my vegetarian friends who don't eat meat, and pseudo-vegetarian friends who don't eat meat, but do eat seafood —you've no doubt heard of the traditional Thanksgiving salmon — but going without a big, juicy Butterball on turkey day would put me in a fowl mood!
We're traveling to Pennsylvania for Thanksgiving with my family. Right off the bat, my mom told me that we would be a smaller group than usual. My two older brothers wouldn't be dining with us this year. One of my brothers would be visiting early in the day, and then going on to a Thanksgiving repast with his girlfriend's family. My eldest brother would be tailgating at Lincoln Financial Field and then watching some real turkeys – the Philadelphia Eagles – take the turf in a match up against the Arizona Cardinals.
His absence came as somewhat of a relief, because my eldest brother is anti-turkey, if you can believe it. He's a "foodie" with a keen knowledge of cuisine and wines, and how to pair them perfectly. If he had his way he'd be working my mother over in the weeks before Thanksgiving, trying to convince her that medium rare lamb chops and a tasty pinot noir was the perfect menu for the day. Forget the fact that I hate lamb — I don't even like movies referencing lambs, "Silence of the Lambs" freaks me out — but lamb chops have no business sharing a Thanksgiving table with my homemade pumpkin pie.
So with the unabashed "turkey hater" distracted by other birds tossing pigskin on Thanksgiving, I could relax and begin to anticipate that delicious golden brown gobbler dressed in my mother's homemade gravy, right?
My mother informed me that with a considerably smaller guest list, she was planning to order a small capon instead of a turkey this year.
"That way there won't be so many leftovers," she offered by way of explanation, over the phone two weeks ago.
"Capon?!" I repeated back to her with some disdain, and agitation in my voice.
"What is a capon, anyway?" I asked, although familiar with that particular poultry.
"It's a chicken, right?"
"Yes," she acknowledged that a capon was indeed more chicken than turkey, but then began singing the capon's praise, telling me how tender and delicious it would be and how I would enjoy it so much more than turkey.
Her capon pitch fell on deaf ears.
"We CAN"T have chicken for Thanksgiving, mom," I protested.
I'm not sure there is any tryptophan in chicken, which would surely upset my Thanksgiving nap routine and possibly throw off my entire sleep cycle for the weekend.
"And what's so bad about leftovers?" I wanted to know.
"I can eat turkey sandwiches for days – just watch me," I promised.
My protestations caught my mother off guard. And while I had reason to suspect her too, of being anti-turkey, she reluctantly said she'd cancel the capon.
I admit I felt embarrassed about my petulance, considering my mom was being good enough to take on Thanksgiving dinner, which after all involves far more than just the turkey or capon. With two of her three grown children planning to be elsewhere for dinner, she could just as easily have made reservations rather than a multi-course, labor-intensive meal.
But that's not my mom. Anyone who knows her will agree she is one of the most generous, accommodating and giving people they know. And I am thankful — whether it's capon or turkey on the table Thursday — to have such a wonderful mom.
"We are having turkey, right?"
Alice Coyle is the managing editor of Gatehouse Media New England's Raynham, Mass. office. She can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Envoyer vs Heroku: What are the differences?
What is Envoyer? A brand new way to deploy PHP and Laravel applications with zero downtime. Envoyer deploys your PHP applications with zero downtime. Just push your code, and let Envoyer deliver your application to one or many servers without interrupting a single customer. In this series, we'll discuss each feature of Envoyer, demonstrating how to use them with a sample project.
What is Heroku? Build, deliver, monitor and scale web apps and APIs with a trail blazing developer experience. Heroku is a cloud application platform – a new way of building and deploying web apps. Heroku lets app developers spend 100% of their time on their application code, not managing servers, deployment, ongoing operations, or scaling.
Envoyer and Heroku can be categorized as "Platform as a Service" tools.
Some of the features offered by Envoyer are:
- GitHub / Bitbucket Integration
- Seamless Deployment Rollbacks
- Deploy To Multiple Servers
On the other hand, Heroku provides the following key features:
- Agile deployment for Ruby, Node.js, Clojure, Java, Python, Go and Scala.
- Run and scale any type of app.
- Total visibility across your entire app.
What is Envoyer?
What is Heroku?
Why do developers choose Heroku?
- Easy setup185
Sign up to add, upvote and see more prosMake informed product decisions
What are the cons of using Envoyer?
What are the cons of using Heroku?
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Sign up to get full access to all the companiesMake informed product decisions
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I use Heroku, for almost any project of mine. Their free plan is awesome for testing, solo developers or your startup and its almost impossible to not cover you somehow. Adding an add on is a simple command away and I find it easy to use it both on my Windows PC or my Linux laptop. Their documentation, covers almost everything. In particular I have used Heroku for Spring, Django and AngularJS. I even find it easier to run my project on my local dev with foreman start, than ./manage.py runserver (for my django projects). There is no place like Heroku for the developer!
Can't beat the simplicity of deploying and managing apps, the pricing is a bit high, but you are paying for those streamlined tools. However, after several experiences of tracing issues back to Heroku's stack, not having visibility into what they are doing has prompted moving two applications off of it and on to other more transparent cloud solutions. Heroku is amazing for what it is, hosting for early stage products.
I've been using Heroku for 3 years now, they have grown super fast and each time they're improving their services. What I really like the most is how easily you can show to your client the advances on you project, it would take you maximum 15 minutes to configure two environments (Staging/Production). It is simply essential and fantastic!
I liked how easy this was to use and that I could create some proof of concepts without have to pay. The downside for NodeJS is remote debugging. Pretty much have to depend on logging where Azure allows remote debugging with Node Inspector.
Using Heroku takes away all the pains associated with managing compute and backing services. It may require a little extra optimisation and tweaks, but these constraints often make your app better anyway.
Not having to deal with servers is a huge win for us. There are certainly trade-offs (having to wait if the platform is down as opposed to being able to fix the issue), but we're happy being on Heroku right now. Being able to focus 100% of our technical efforts on application code is immensely helpful.
Two dynos seems to be the sweet spot for our application. We can handle traffic spikes and get pretty consistent performance otherwise.
We have a total of four apps on Heroku: Legacy Leanstack, StackShare Prod, StackShare Staging, StackShare Dev. Protip: if you're setting up multiple environments based on your prod environment, just run heroku fork app name. Super useful, it copies over your db, add-ons, and settings.
We have a develop branch on GitHub that we push to dev to test out, then if everything is cool we push it to staging and eventually prod. Hotfixes of course go straight to staging and then prod usually.
Heroku runs the web and background worker processes. Auto-deployments are triggered via GitHub commits and wait for the Buildkite test build to pass. Heroku pipelines with beta release phase execution (for automatically running database migrations) allowed for easy manual testing of big new releases. Web and worker logs are sent to Papertrail.
As much as I love AWS EC, I prefer Heroku for apps like this. Heroku has grown up around Rails and Ruby, massive set of add-ons that are usually one-click setup, and I once had to perform an emergency app scale-up a that I completed in seconds from my mobile phone whilst riding the Bangkok subway. Doesn't get much easier than that.
With its complimentary SSL (on *.herokuapp.com) we can test everything. Our dev branch is built and deployed out to Heroku. Testing happens out here. not production cause $20/mo is TOO much to pay for the ability to use my own SSL purchased elsewhere.


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Skipjack tuna and bycatch caught in the net of the Ecuadorean purse seiner 'Ingalapagos', which was documented fishing on a fish aggregation device (FAD) by Greenpeace in the vicinity of the northern Galapagos Islands. Bycatch included; juvenile bigeye tuna, juvenile yellowfin tuna, black marlin, Spanish mackerel, wahoo, triggerfish, mahi mahi, Green turtle and Olive Ridley turtle.
© Alex Hofford / Greenpeace
1 - 5 of 1090 results.


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John Makely / NBC News
Residents of Newtown, Conn., embrace outside St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church prior to a vigil for victims of Friday's massacre at the Sandy Hook Elementary School -- the second-deadliest school shooting in U.S. history.
NEWTOWN, Conn. – Unexpected and unwelcome, gun violence tore through this hilly, wooded New England town on Friday, claiming more than two dozen lives – many of them just beginning – and shaking what one resident called a "small lovely village" to its core.
"How can we be protected from people like this?" Jack DeFumeri wondered out loud, saying he moved to Newtown – founded in 1711 – years ago from much-larger Danbury because he wanted to raise his three daughters in a safe environment.
"I don't know anymore," he said before entering a vigil Friday night at St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, as the church's bell's tolled from above. "You take precautions, but how can you see this coming? I can't imagine what the parents are going through, especially this time of year."
Friends and family from nearby towns flocked to Newtown to share the town's grief and offer support after a gunman rampaged through the Sandy Hook Elementary School, killing 20 children and six adults.
The gunman, identified as Adam Lanza, 20, was found dead at the scene, law enforcement officials said. The body of a woman believed to be Lanza's mother was found at their home in Newtown, authorities said.
Elementary school massacre: 20 children among 28 killed in Connecticut slaughter
This small city of 28,000, with its tidy clapboard homes and steeple-topped churches, feels farther from New York City than the 90 minutes it takes to reach the metropolis. Residents from surrounding villages expressed similar disbelief that this most modern of crimes had intruded on their quiet corner of the world.
"It's a picture-book, storybook town," said Joan Demato of nearby Brookfield, who was part of the overflow crowd that attended the St. Rose vigil, running the gantlet of news trucks bathing the church entrance with floodlights. "I don't know if there are any safe places left in this world."
After the vigil, Monsignor Robert Weiss told reporters gathered outside that six or seven kids who had attended the church were among the 20 children who died at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
"I think the families are very broken," he said. "I'm sure that they're still wondering and questioning. I think some of them are still hoping that this really didn't happen. The rough days are just ahead of them."
The shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School that killed more than two dozen, 20 of them children, left the quiet community of Newtown, Conn., desperately trying to understand what happened. NBC's Kate Snow reports.
Just a short drive away, parishioners at Trinity Episcopal Church shed tears and wrapped their arms around one another during a solemn prayer service. The quiet crying grew louder when the Rev. Kathleen Adams-Shepherd announced that two children, members of the congregation, were among those killed.
Adams-Shepherd had spent much of the day at the fire station with the families of some of the presumed victims – though formal identification hadn't yet been made.
"You've got to keep them in your prayers," she said, later adding, "I don't think we'll ever be the same."
See more video on the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary on NBCNews.com
"There are no words," the Rt. Rev. James Curry said in the prayer service. "There is nothing that we can say but instead we cry out. We cry out in shared grief and pain for the loss of so many children, so many adults .... We do not understand, and we cannot imagine why someone would murder. We cannot comprehend."
Among those attending the service were the Elken family.
"We just really felt the need to come in and say a prayer for all of the families," said Heather Elken, 47, an elementary school nurse, who attended with her husband, Karl, 48, and daughter Liia, 17.
"We moved here 10 years ago," she said. "We researched where to go for months and picked Newtown over anywhere else in Connecticut, and this is where we've raised our kids from seven years old through high school. We've lived here for the most important 10 years of our lives. We just don't understand."
John Makely / NBC News
Heather and Karl Elken and their daughter Liia, 17, talk about life in Newtown, Conn., scene of Friday's mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, as they leave a prayer service at Trinity Episcopal Church.
She said she and her husband learned about the shooting when Liia texted her from her high school at 9:46 a.m.: "Lockdown. Not a drill."
"It was the longest day, just the longest day," Heather Elken said.
Earlier, Peter Hugens, 78, had a hard time finding words to describe how the unspeakable tragedy that unfolded hours earlier at the nearby school would change the town that he has called home for 11 years, since moving from Brooklyn, N.Y.
"We moved up here – like many people – to get away from the so-called horrors of the city," he said, standing on his front lawn and looking out over the undulating Connecticut countryside.
He said his new hometown, just a couple miles from the Housatonic River, has "gotten bigger" over the years. "But people work very hard to keep a place like this a small lovely village," he said. "... They move here with a sense of optimism and hope. And they have every right to feel that way."
Outside a Dunkin Donuts store at a local shopping center, Kenneth Knapp said he was only beginning to process the horrific crime.
"It's going to take a long time to soak in, that's for sure," he said. "Last night I'm looking in the sky for meteors, tonight I'm watching helicopters flying around."
The heartbreaking mass murder at Sandy Hook Elementary School was met with disbelief and tears as people across the country reacted to the tragic news. NBC's Kevin Tibbles reports.
Knapp, an inspector in a machine shop, said Newtown wasn't paradise, citing a criminal case still widely known locally as the "wood-chipper murder." In that grisly case from the late 1980s, local resident Richard B. Crafts, a 50-year-old airline pilot, was convicted of murdering his 39-year-old Danish wife, Helle, then dismembering her body and disposing of it in the dead of night with a wood-chipper.
"You'll see a lot of things this town has probably gone through, a lot of things, but nothing to this magnitude," he said.
His friend, Tom Adams, 66, who has lived in Newtown since he was 8, said that his 5-year-old granddaughter was in a classroom adjacent to the ones where Adam Lanza, a troubled 20-year-old, allegedly carried out the massacre, but she escaped unharmed and, so far, untroubled by the horrific crime.
"She doesn't know anything," he said. "There was some noise. They took her out of school. That's all."
He said that he was on his way to see her. "I just want a hug, that's all I want," he said.
John Makely / NBC News
Theresa Swift and her son, William, outside St. Rose of Lima church in Newtown, Conn.
But older, more aware youngsters, even some who were far from the shooting, weren't immune to the trauma.
Theresa Swift, 47, and her 10-year-old son, William, who attends another Newtown school, were already contemplating what would happen when the alarm sounded on Monday morning.
Asked outside the St. Rose vigil if he would feel OK about going to school again next week, the clearly shaken boy replied, "I'm afraid they're going to come for me."
His mom quickly reacted, reaching to touch William with a steadying hand.
"I don't know," she said of the school question. "We'll cross that bridge when we get there."
NBC's Alex Moe contributed to this report.
Michelle Mcloughlin / Reuters
The second deadliest school shooting in U.S. history sent crying children spilling into the school parking lot as frightened parents waited for word on their loved ones.
Related content from NBCNews.com:
- Elementary school massacre: 28 killed, including 20 kids
- Vigils, services honor school shooting victims
- Video: 'Our hearts are broken,' Obama says
- Gunman's mother owned weapons used in massacre
- 'Screams were coming over the intercom'
- Video: School shooting reignites gun control debate
- Massacre leaves America shocked and grieving ... again
- Connecticut school shooting is second worst in US history
- Authorities ID gunman who killed 27 in elementary school massacre
Follow US news from NBCNews.com on Twitter and Facebook


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Made for serious play.Now there's a notebook PC made for the way you play. In fact, the HP Pavilion dv6 comes with software that lets you start playing right out of the box. With amazing graphics, audio, and video, plus a wide array of options, the HP Pavilion dv6 Entertainment series notebook delivers power and performance to match your fast-paced lifestyle.
It's always showtime.Exclusive HP MediaSmart software gives you instant access to the music and movies you love. Immerse yourself in videos, games and intensive graphics on the high-definition 15.6" diagonal HP BrightView LED display. Look your best in any light with the HP TrueVision Webcam and sound great with integrated dual-array digital microphones for improved noise reduction. With the large hard drive, you can store volumes of data, movies, and music.- VISION Technology from Amd with AMD Turion II Dual-Core Mobile Processor P540 gives you a smooth, fast experience doing the things you love to do.- Sync and print wirelessly with Bluetooth-enabled smart phones and printers up to 30 feet away.- Get up to 5 hours and 15 minutes of life with the 6-cell 55WHr Li-Ion battery.
Impressive inside and out.The Pavilion dv6 notebook offers style with substance, featuring an attention-getting HP Imprint finish. Built for longevity with higher-quality components, the Pavilion dv6 also includes a comfortable, responsive island-style keyboard. An easy-to-use, oversized Clickpad supports multi-touch gestures to keep you operating at maximum efficiency.
Do it all at the speed of life.The latest mobile processors provide the performance you need. Longer battery life makes it last. With integrated WiFi and Bluetooth technology, you'll never feel out of touch. And if you hit any bumps along the way, HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection can help save your valuable information.
Digital entertainment that moves you.With Dolby Advanced Audio and integrated Altec Lansing speakers, you can surround yourself in sound. Whether you're watching movies, enjoying tracks from your own collection and Rhapsody within HP MediaSmart you'll hear the difference. You'll also see the difference with high-definition content from integrated partners such as Hulu, Netflix and Roxio CinemaNow.
Relax With 24/7 SupportEnjoy the lifetime use of HP Support Assistant to keep your PC up to date, troubleshoot problems, and get assistance when you need help. While your PC is within Warranty, HP Care Pack Support gives you access to complimentary help whichever way you prefer.
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
PROCESSORVISION Technology from AMD with AMD Turion II Dual-Core Mobile Processor P540
PROCESSOR SPEED 2.40GHz
PROCESSOR CACHE 2MB L2 Cache
BUS SPEED Up to 3.6 GT/s system bus running at AC/DC mode 25 watt
MEMORY 4GB DDR3 System Memory (2 DIMM)Max supported = 8GB
VIDEO GRAPHICS ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4250 Graphics with 128MB Display Cache Memory with 128MB DDR3 (sideport memory) with up to 2045MB total graphics memory
HARD DRIVE500GB (5400RPM) Hard Drive (SATA) with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
FINISH AND FEATURESHP Imprint finish with the link design in champagneHP TrueVision Webcam with integrated digital microphone
MULTIMEDIA DRIVELightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD?R/RW with Double Layer Support
DISPLAY15.6" diagonal High-Definition HP BrightView LED Display (1366 x 768)
NETWORK CARD Integrated 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 connector)
WIRELESS OPTIONWireless LAN 802.11b/g/n WLAN & Bluetooth
DIGITAL MEDIA5-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader for Secure Digital cards, MultiMedia cards, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, or xD Picture cards
AUDIODolby Advanced Audio with Altec Lansing speakers
KEYBOARD 101-key compatible with island-style full-size keyboard
POINTING DEVICE HP Clickpad with On/Off button
EXTERNAL NOTEBOOK PORTS4 Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0, 4th port shared with eSATA1 HDMI1 eSATA + USB 2.01 VGA (15-pin)1 RJ -45 (LAN)1 Headphone-out1 Microphone-in
DIMENSIONS14.88" (L) x 9.65" (D) x 1.21" (min H) -1.37" (max H)
WEIGHT 5.35 lbs
SECURITY Kensington MicroSaver lock slotPower-on passwordAccepts 3rd party security lock devices
POWER 65W AC Adapter6-Cell 55WHr Lithium-Ion Battery
WARRANTY AND SUPPORT1-Year Limited Hardware Warranty with Toll Free Support (NA)1-Year Free Hardware Technical Support30-Days Free Limited Software Support with 1-Year (from date of purchase)Free Limited Software Support with Product Registration.
SOFTWARE SECURITY AND SUPPORTSymantec Norton Internet Security 2011 60-day TrialHP Power ManagerHP Recovery ManagerSun JavaHP AdvisorHP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection (3D DriveGuard)HP Support Assistant
PRODUCTIVITY AND FINANCEMicrosoft Office 2010 preloaded (purchase of a Product Key required to activate a full Office 2010 suite)Microsoft Silverlight
MULTIMEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENTeBayHP MediaSmart:- HP Music Store by Rhapsody- Snapfish- Facebook- Flickr- Hulu- Netflix- Roxio CinemaNow- MTV- NickelodeonHP Games Powered by Wild TangentSnapfish Picture MoverHP Photo CreationsAdobe ReaderAdobe FlashWindows Live Photo GalleryHP Barnes and Noble e-reader New York Times e-Reader
INTERNET SOLUTIONSHP SetupISP Partners (in HP Setup)HP Wireless AssistantWindows Live MessengerWindows Live MailNorton Online Back-Up Bing ToolbarMicrosoft PortalAccellor (Broadband Aggregator in HP Setup)


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H2O GOES SNOW: Anyone who has taken in "World of Color," the nightly spectacular -- or wet-tacular? -- at Disney California Adventure, has a favorite bit. Watching all of the "Glow with the Show" Mickey ears light up in unison is one popular sight, as is seeing your favorite film suddenly shimmer to life on the giant wall of water (we're looking at you, Captain Jack Sparrow, and you too, Merida of "Brave"). Us? We like spying Mickey's Fun Wheel through all of that splashy haps, and, yes, we like getting occasionally spritzed, just a little, when we stand near the front. Now fans of the wall-of-water extravaganza are in for a new treat, a treat that bowed on Friday, Nov. 15. Yep, World of Color is still around, but now it has something of a seasonal theme, with scenes and characters from the new animated film "Frozen," among other icy additions. And the new name? "World of Color -- Winter Dreams."
HOLIDAY HIGH JINKS, TOO: It won't be all brrrr all the time with the new show; there shall be holiday froofrafra as well. But maybe you heard that Disneyland Resort and the end-of-the-year celebrations are a classic pairing? Yep, you heard. Check out the video below if you want the requisite sneak peek, or just be inside California Adventure after dark if you want to watch the whole thing frozen. We mean, er, fresh (but, yes, bundle up, as even Anaheim gets nicely brisk at night come the cooler months).


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Twenty years ago Lucie Bowen left Marrow Island; along with her mother, she fled the aftermath of an earthquake that compromised the local refinery, killing her father and ravaging the island's environment. Now, Lucie's childhood friend Kate is living within a mysterious group called Marrow Colony—a community that claims to be "ministering to the Earth." There have been remarkable changes to the land at the colony's homestead. Lucie's experience as a journalist tells her there's more to the Colony—and their charismatic leader– than they want her to know, and that the astonishing success of their environmental remediation has come at great cost to the Colonists themselves. As she uncovers their secrets and methods, will Lucie endanger more than their mission? What price will she pay for the truth?
Marrow Island was a lyrical and deeply strange book. When I read the blurb about a month ago, I thought it would be something similar to the film The East (which I love), but it was a very different kind of story.
I don't understand much about ecology or environmental issues, but reading about people living different kind of lives has always amazed me and that's why I'm always drawn to books about cults or closed communities. This novel was about a woman, Lucie Bowen, who decides to visit a friend who's living in a small eco-commune (Marrow Colony) in order to write about their project. But what seemed at first sight an idyllic ecosystem turns out to be something much more sinister. Lucie did live on the island when she was a kid but an earthquake that caused the dead of her father made her leave Marrow and settle in the city.
Marrow Island won't be a book for everyone, but it's definitely one I loved reading. It was so different from my usual thrillers that I found myself completely captivated by the island, its rich history and the fascinating relationship between Lucie and Kate. I even learnt some stuff about species and ecology.
The writing was flawless and I couldn't stop turning the pages, but at the same time I felt like the story could've been better if it had focused more on the island itself. My only issue with Marrow Island is that, after a perfect and immediately mesmerizing prologue, the book focused too much on the aftermath of what happened instead of the actual event.
And wouldn't it have been better if we spent more days in Marrow Island? Exploring the surroundings, learning more about the members of the Colony, about Sister J… Giving Lucie time to become much more attached to it. I don't know, it felt like the author had missed an opportunity here.
Have you read Marrow Island? I'm very curious to know what you thought about this book and if you share my opinion. I'm so glad I got to read this short book that managed to surprise me and leave me wanting for more.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2016
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.


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Although the Burt Reynolds movie-inspired Cannonball 2000 may place first in the self-indulgent department — the five-day, five-city tour across Europe is "drenched in luxury with no expense spared" and a "carnival atmosphere," minus, of course, a schizophrenic Dom DeLuise donning a satin cape and mask — and does boast its fair share of costumed competitors, 2012's top "motoring lifestyle event" is pretty mild — and dare we say, classy and decidedly less dangerous — when you think about some of the other long-distance road races and charity-supporting endurance rallies out there.
Below, we've rounded up six extreme and unusual road rallies and track races from around the globe, ranging from charity-supporting banger events to a gleefully low-budget take on France's 24 Heures du Mans to a 10,000-mile trek where participants are asked to "imagine you're lost in a massive desert, hundreds of miles from civilization, driving a car your granny would be embarrassed by." Eh, we think we'll pass.
Is there an unusual race or rally we left out? Tell us about in the comments section, especially if you participated.
Does driving a $500 beater around a racetrack for an entire weekend sound more appealing than gallivanting across Europe in a fancy vintage sports car for five champagne-drenched days? Well then, meet the 24 Hours of LeMons (get it?), an aggressively, borderline annoyingly cheeky American take on France's iconic endurance race held outside of the city of Le Mans. What started out as a singular event held at California's Altamont Motorsports Park, this self-described "breeding ground for morons" has morphed into a series of nationwide events.
Although most 24 Hours of LeMons races don't actually last a full 24 hours (more like 14.5 with breaks at night for "eating, sleeping and Band-Aid application"), participating vehicles must truly be lemons and entrants are limited to spending $500 to purchase, modify and/or track-prep their cars for the race. Clarify the event organizers: "Cars that 'should be' worth $500 don't count; cars that "were worth $500" before you spent another $2000 to fix them don't count; cars you've owned for 20 years and spent more than $500 on during that time don't count; 'it would have been worth $500 if it didn't already have a cage' doesn't count. Five hundred dollars means five hundred frickin' dollars." (Required safety equipment along with brakes and tires are exempt from the $500 limit).
24 Hours of LeMons races are also famous for their ridiculous rules and humiliating black flag penalty punishments (i.e. the "Why Am I Upside Down? Rule" and the "Lousy Driving Rule"). However, punishment for some less serious violations can be avoided by making a tax-deductible donation to the event's chosen charity. Cash prizes, some worth up to $1,500, are paid out to the winners in nickels. Yes, nickels.
Oh you know, just another one of those leisurely jaunts from the England to Mongolia. One of several truly-not-for-everyone adventure rallies organized by the Adventurists — rickshaw expedition across Indonesia, anyone? — the Mongol Rally, as described, terminates in the Mongolian city of Ulan Bator. Unlike typical "banger rallies" that place a cap on a participating vehicle's worth, the humanitarian-minded Mongol Rally is open to all vehicles registered after 2004 provided that their engine displacement is less than 1,200 cc (oddball vehicles such as ambulances, taxis and hearses are also permitted as are motorbikes with an engine displacement of less than 125 cc). Participating teams, most composed of two to four people, are also required to raise £1,000 ($1,624.90 today) for charity in addition to paying an entry fee. A total of 297 teams participated in the 2012 Mongol Rally.
But back to the whole England-to-Mongolia bit. Teams begin the journey either in the U.K. or in another Western European country before making their way to the Czech Republic for a raucous kickoff party. From there, well, it's up to each team on how to proceed along the event's "un-route." Explains the Adventurists website: "Some teams plummet south through Iraq, Iran or Afghanistan, others rise up north through the Arctic Circle, still others surge straight through Central Asia and countries that don't even legally exist." Although it varies by "un-route" taken, most teams complete the trek within three to four weeks after having driven 8,000 to 10,000 miles. If a team happens to finish the drive and make it to Ulan Bator, their car is auctioned off or donated.
And on the topic of making it to Mongolia, the Adventurists website makes it abundantly clear that the Mongol Rally is a "genuinely dangerous thing to do." Reads the "WARNING" section: "Your chances of being seriously injured or dying as a result of taking part are high. Individuals who have taken part in previous Adventurists adventures have been permanently disfigured, seriously disabled or lost their life." True story.
California Melee
It may seem torturous to embark on a scenic three-day trek through Napa, Mendocino and Sonoma Counties without pulling over for a pit stop at a winery or spa, but the participants of the California Melee wouldn't have it any other way. Unlike the fancy-schmancy California Mille, an annual endurance race in which the handpicked vehicles must be historic designs from 1957 or earlier (the final year of Italy's famed Mille Miglia race), the California Melee is open to sports and touring cars in all conditions provided that they're pre-1975.
And although the California Melee winds through the same stunning Northern California scenery as its upscale counterpart that kicks off at San Francisco's swanky Fairmont Hotel, the organizers "understand the cost of building and running old cars, so we have always believed that an event shouldn't cost more than a set of used tires, or maybe a homemade wiring harness."
So what does that translate to in terms of the actual experience? The California Melee home page sums it up best: "Sure, chances are you won't see pre-war Alfas, or enjoy a catered lunch at a winery, but you will have the thrill of running with oil burning E-types, and enjoy a sleepless night at a seedy motel. Remember what we lack in pedigreed machinery and gourmet cuisine we make up for in pure grass roots enthusiasm and fun."
Roof of the World Rally
Ever get the urge to drive from London to Tajikistan? Yeah, neither have we. But some brave motorists out there are indeed up to the task, which explains the existence of the Roof of the World Rally. An unpredictable 8,000-mile trek from the U.K. to the Tajik city of Qurghonteppa — geography reminder: Tajikistan is a small, landlocked country bordered by China, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan; it's also Central Asia's poorest country — over four suggested routes, the Roof of the World Rally is all about spreading the love of tea. No, seriously.
Explains the event website: "We aim to deliver possibly the greatest beverages to the people of the world, with the aim of meeting just a few of them. Over the years the Rally has been finessing the tea strategy and finding out with works best on road and with the locals — we've found out that tea bags (too strong) are not ideal but loose tea hits the spot. Therefore we send off teams with plenty of loose tea and tea strainers. You'll be surprised at just how popular tea can make you."
As with similar adventure-based charity rallies, participants needn't be behind the wheel of a fancy vehicle ("… you are allowed to take anything from a small 1 litre hatchback to a fully pimped Land Rover and everything in between"). There's also the palpable sense of danger and zero backup assistance ("you head out on the rally going bravely into the unknown with nothing but a toothbrush and a spare wheel to fight off marauding bandits."). And, of course, there's the altruistic aspect, as the rally itself is organized by a nonprofit organization called Go Help. A bulk of funds raised through the event — teams are required to generate 1,000 pounds ($1,624.80 on this day) for charity in addition to forking over an entry fee, vehicle deposit, import tax, etc. — are donated to either Save the Children or SWODE-Teppa, a Tajikistan-based organization specializing in poverty-reducing sustainable development programs. And once teams eventually reach Qurghonteppa, their well-traveled vehicles are donated and put to good use in the community.
The one prerequisite of the Banjul Challenge is that your car must be a banger, or, in non-auto speak, a giant piece of crap. Seriously. A really low-budget take on the famed Dakar Rally, entrants who make the epic, three-week trek from southern Spain (no, the race doesn't technically start in the seaside British town of Plymouth) to the Gambian city of Banjul must do so ideally in a vehicle worth not much more than the 375-pound ($607.35 on this day) entrance — fee the original 100-pound-worth limit has since become a touch more generous.
Founded by Julian Nowill in 2002 when the original finish line was Dakar, Senegal, this ridiculous not-really-a-race has spawned several spin-offs including the Timbuktu Challenge and the Petra Challenge. As with the original challenge, any vehicles that actually manage to make it to the final destination are donated or auctioned off to charity, and if a vehicle breaks down at any tough point in the journey … well, tough luck — there's no roadside assistance provided.
The event's website sums everything up beautifully: "… if you have a pile of excrement on your drive which needs scrapping and the local car scrapdump does not fill you with excitement, then buy some cable ties and gaffer tape, and some cases of vodka and Pot Noodle and jump in and go south or north or somewhere. You will have no support and backup, and mechanical knowledge is frowned upon."
The Dumball
The Dumball differs a bit from other banger endurance rallies in that the organizers do lend a bit of a helping hand to foster a not-entirely-grueling experience: Accommodations, meals and, of course, parties are arranged and included in each destination city in lieu of participants fending for themselves. That said, drivers are completely own their own while out on the open road: "There is no support network whatsoever covering the Dumball. You are on a mad-cap adventure not a school holiday: which means there are no support vehicles, no medical arrangements and no arranged back-up to get you to your destination."
And while there are no prizes for coming in first — remember, this isn't a race — the Dumball is still a competition of sorts and the team of Dumballers who show the most "passion, courage and madness" during the trip are rewarded with the event's top honor: a monkey statute carved out a coconut. Or, impeccably attired participants can take home the coveted Dame Edna Award.
Click for photo credits
Mongol: The Adventurists/Flickr
Melee: bradleyolin/Flickr
Roof of the World: MurrayJ3/Flickr


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When in doubt throw it in the Everything else section just because it is everything else doesn't mean you can't discuss gaming in there. Everything else stand for anything that doesn't fit very well into other sections. If worst comes to worst and you put something there that would be better served somewhere else it will be moved no harm no foul.
but the solution to that problem is not to deny us a section that we actually need.
This forum has a very wide variety of interests you could almost make a science thread and it would be rather popular. I'd never advocate it my self simply because it's just clutter sure it might get plenty use but we don't need it. A section of gaming that doesn't fall into any current category would probably be quieter than the Portable gaming forum. It don't matter which area you put a topic about a company merger. PC console or Everything else would all fit fine. Sure not a perfect fit but you shouldn't expect one.
Quote from: Sub on December 25, 2007, 09:33:37 pmbut the solution to that problem is not to deny us a section that we actually need.Ah yes, but your wanting of this proposed section does not constitute a need.If, for example, you want to discuss the Activision-Blizzard merger then I would suggest you make a topic. I do not think you would be crucified by your fellow forum members for doing such a thing and if you were I think you would have most of us (Myself included) and the administrative team on your side. While there were issues with topics like this in the past, the forum has grown quite a bit (I'm not talking numbers) and there is an understanding that not everything will be able to fit perfectly. You are looking for the best fit for a topic and it need not be perfect.As for your statement, Gec, I would look back at an old proposal that we had a couple years ago. The idea was to merge either the Movie section with the TV section, the Movie section with the Music section, or the TV section with the Music section and then place an Art section in the empty slot. We thought that it would be best to not make another section on the forum because of clutter issues. I agree that there should be an art section.
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Robotics Industry News
New TOUGH GUN™ G2 Series Robotic MIG Gun Provides Accuracy, Durability and Repeatability
Tregaskiss Posted 03/10/2010To maximize durability, repeatability and accuracy on demanding robotic welding applications, Tregaskiss has enhanced all the top features of its popular TOUGH GUN™ MIG Guns in its new sleek and durable air-cooled TOUGH GUN G2 Series Robotic MIG Gun. The TOUGH GUN G2 Series features a next generation QUICK LOAD™ Gooseneck System with resilient, thick-walled aluminum armor that resists bending in the event of a collision, and its superior alignment features maintain an accurate, repeatable TCP (tool center point) to ensure quality welding performance. Tregaskiss has also merged the clutch (or solid mount) with the connector housing to increase the gun's working envelope, while also improving joint accessibility and providing excellent performance—no matter how challenging the weld.
To ease routine maintenance and reduce downtime, the gun's QUICK LOAD Robotic Gooseneck System incorporates a hand nut mechanism that requires no tools during neck replacement. Tregaskiss also offers quick-change unicables for the TOUGH GUN G2 Series that can be replaced quickly by removing a single fastener.
The TOUGH GUN G2 Series uses Tregaskiss' Common Consumable Platform based on its TOUGH LOCK™ System and QUICK LOAD™ Liners. These products are common across Tregaskiss Semi-Automatic, Automatic and Robotic MIG Guns allowing users of multiple styles of guns to simplify and reduce their overall inventory of welding consumables.
At 60 percent duty cycle, the TOUGH GUN G2 Series provides 500-amps of air-cooled welding capacity using mixed gases.
For more information on Tregaskiss Products, call 1-877-737-3111 or fax 1-877-737-2111 in Canada & USA, write Tregaskiss, 2570 North Talbot Road, Windsor, Ontario, Canada, N0R 1L0. Internationally, call +1-519-737-3000 or fax +1-519-737-2111.
Tregaskiss is an industry leader in the development and manufacturing of MIG welding guns and peripherals, and offers its products worldwide. Its brands include TOUGH GUN™ Manual, Robotic MIG Guns and Peripherals, TGX™ MIG Guns and TOUGH GARD™ Anti-Spatter. Tregaskiss is a wholly owned subsidiary of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW), Glenview, Ill. ITW is a diversified multinational manufacturer of highly engineered components, assemblies and systems.


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General Information
The Doris K. Colby Memorial Archives collects, preserves, makes accessible, and interprets/exhibits materials related to the establishment and operations of Aurora University and George Williams College and their predecessors; the people associated with these institutions; and institutional relationships with surrounding communities, affiliated religious denominations, and national organizations.
Creation of the Colby Archives
The archives for Aurora University was created by an Aurora College graduate and longstanding employee of the school who devoted a lifetime of service to the institution—Doris K. Colby. The archives was created in the 1970s when Doris Colby, a librarian at the Phillips Library, went about systematically collecting historical materials, dating back to the Mendota years, from around the campus. After she died in 1983, the university archives was named in memory of Doris Colby for her role as creator of this collection which is so important to understanding the legacy of Mendota College/Aurora College/Aurora University, and George Williams College.
Building the Colby Archives — Materials Needed
An institutional archives, by definition, is mainly concerned with preserving the records of the institution that created it—the operational records of its various leaders and offices once those records are no longer active. However, there are certain materials that the Colby Archives is always interested in acquiring from outside of the institution—materials related to student life and alumni activities and accomplishments. We are especially interested in photographs, student scrapbooks, material from student organizations, student publications, and memorabilia related to campus activities/life, organizations and sports, etc.


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Statements to the thirteenth session of the General Conference (7-11 December 2009)
Statements are posted as provided and may differ from those actually delivered. Therefore, they need to be checked against delivery. Statements are available in pdf format only.
Monday, 7 December 2009
Opening statement by Mr. Kandeh K. Yumkella, Director-General
Speech by Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, EGH, M.P., Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya
Keynote address by the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho, The Right Honourable Mr. Pakalitha Mosisili
Statement by Honourable Mizengo P. Pinda (MP), Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania
Keynote speech by the President of Iceland, H.E. Mr. Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson
Message from the United Nations Secretary-General
Intervention de S.E. le Dr Jean Ping, Président de la Commission de l'Union Africaine [French only]
Statement by Mr. Reinhold Lopatka, State Secretary, Austria
Déclaration de l'Ambassadeur du Maroc, S.E. M. Omar Zniber (Président de la 12ème session de la Conférence Général) [French only]
Welcoming statement by H.E. Ambassador Soltanieh (President of the 13th session of the General Conference)
Speech by the Deputy Prime Minister, H.E. Ms. Maud Olofsson, Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications, Sweden
Statement by Mr. Jan Kubis, Executive Secretary of the UNECE
Remarks of the Chinese Delegation
Statement by Mr. Marcin Korolec, Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Economy, Poland
Statement by H.E. Dr. Rob Davies, Minister of Trade and Industry, South Africa
Statement by H.E. Mr. Aliakbar Mehrabian, Minister of Industry and Mines, Islamic Republic of Iran
Statement by H.E. Mr. Takeshi Nakane, Permanent Representative of Japan and Head of the Japanese Delegation
Déclaration de S.E. Madame Amah Marie Tehoua, Ministre de l'Industrie et de la Promotion du Secteur Privé [French only]
Statement by H.E. Mr. Ali Ahmed Osman, State Minister, Ministry of Industry, Sudan
Tuesday, 8 December 2009
Statement by Argentina on behalf of the Group of 77 and China
Statement by Sweden on behalf of the European Union
Statement by Angola on behalf of the African Group
Statement by Pakistan on behalf of the Asian Group
Statement by Brazil on behalf of GRULAC [Spanish only]
Statement by H.E. Mr. Adib Farhadi, Deputy Minister of Commerce and Industry, Afghanistan
Statement by Morocco [French only]
Statement by France [French only]
Statement by H.E. Mr. Alexander Yakovenko, Deputy Foreign Minister, Russian Federation [Russian only]
Statement by Spain [Spanish only]
Statement by Egypt [Arabic only]
Statement by the Syrian Arab Republic [Arabic only]
Statement by H.E. Mr. Mike Bimha, Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, Zimbabwe
Statement by H.E. Mr. Kiala Gabriel, Deputy Minister of Industry, Angola
Statement by H.E. Mr. John Gyetuah, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ghana
Déclaration de S.E. M. Ahmadou Abdoulaye Diallo, Ministre de l'Industrie, des Investissements et du Commerce, Mali [French only]
Wednesday, 9 December 2009
Statement by Lebanon [Arabic only]
Statement by H.E. Mr. Zoljargal Khadbaatar, Vice-Minister for Food, Agriculture and Light Industry, Mongolia
Statement by Jordan [Arabic only]
Statement by Ukraine on behalf of GUAM States
Statement by El Salvador [Spanish only]
Statement by Uruguay [Spanish only]
Statement by H.E. Mr. Timur Nurashev, Vice-Minister, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Kazakhstan [Russian only]
Statement by Cuba [Spanish only]
Statement by Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) [Spanish only]
Statement by Costa Rica [Spanish only]
Statement by H.E. Mr. Humphrey Abbah, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Nigeria
Statement by the Republic of Korea
Statement by Guatemala [Spanish only]
Statement by H.E. Mr. David O. Carew, Minister of Trade and Industry, Sierra Leone
Statement by Algeria [French only]
Statement by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Statement by H.E. Mr. Stevin Kamwendo, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Malawi
Statement by Colombia [Spanish only]
Statement by Libyan Arab Jamahiriya [Arabic only]
Statement by Iraq [Arabic only]
Thursday, 10 December 2009
Statement by Argentina [Spanish only]
Statement by the Sovereign Military Order of Malta
Statement by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Statement by the Arab Industrial Development and Mining Organization (AIDMO) [Arabic only]
Statement by the Institution for the use of microalga spirulina against malnutrition (CISRI-ISP)
Joint statement by the International Federation of Business and Professional Women (IFBPW), the International Council of Women (ICW) and Soroptimist International (SI)
Statement by the Society for International Development (SID)
Statement by the Association of Former United Nations Industry and Development Experts (AFIDE)


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- This event has passed.
June 17, 2018 @ 3:00 pm - 9:00 pm
|Recurring Event (See all)
An event every week that begins at 3:00 pm on Sunday, repeating until December 30, 2018
We now meet every Sunday, starting at 3p and often going until The Cup closes. Not everyone has a yarn project, not everyone crochets or knits. Some bring mending or work on jewelry crafts or sketch. Mostly, we want to gather together in creative fellowship and caffeine! 🙂 Please join us, everyone is welcome!
Location: The Cup, 1606 W. University Ave., Muncie, IN 47303