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Hey there!
I'm brand new here, and I tried searching through the archives but couldn't find quite what I was looking for. My boyfriend has complex partial seizures. Usually he gets an aura, vision changes, dizziness, and a whole slew of other symptoms. He's currently trying to figure out what meds work best for him. A lot of times, in the middle of a seizure, he just goes quiet and curls up, and I'm struggling to find a way to support him without overwhelming his senses. He's not sure what will necessarily help him in those times, and has a hard time communicating in those moments what he needs/feels.
When you're going through a seizure, what do you wish others would do for you? I read a bit here about "just let them ride it out," but I was wondering if there was more variation on that? Do you want comfort? Somebody speaking to you? Somebody to just not make it a big deal? What are your thoughts when you're going through a seizure (those of you that don't "black out,")? What are your thoughts/feelings/needs after you come to?


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Rick A. Alvarez, better known as Raa (pronounced "raw"), is quite the icon in San Diego, California, and in the nearby border town, Tijuana, Mexico. As a first generation American-born U.S. citizen, Rick knows a lot about Mexican culture and its history firsthand through his Mexican-born parents and grandparents. Visiting family and friends in Tijuana is a regular routine for him and he does it with ease since Tijuana is in very close proximity to his San Diego home. As he gets around both sides of the border, people have definitely noticed him, his unique RAA Leatherworks business, or one of his three lowriders painted in the same metallic brown color.
Rick lived in Santa Ana, California, as a kid and recalls his godfather, Ramon Navarro, always cruising around in his cool '56 GMC pickup, known as "La Chichona." Rick took a liking to that truck and was fascinated with the attention it drew out on the streets. When Rick turned 10 years of age, the family moved down to the barrio of San Diego. He had it in his mind that he was going to own a custom car of his own one day and knew that he had to start saving money to do so. Rick gathered up some rags and a bucket and went down to the do-it-yourself car wash centers where a lot of the lowrider guys would go to shine up their rides before hitting the cruise strip on Highland Avenue in the National City area. He offered to help them out for a little money. The gig worked well and his time and effort paid off, not only in monetary terms, but also in the great connections he made within that custom car scene.
An opportunity came up one day for Rick to buy a '50 Chevy Deluxe. He affectionately calls the car "La Adelita;" a common term that refers to a woman soldier of the early 1900s Mexican Revolution. As the makeover began, the restoration definitely revolved around the theme of its name. During this time however, Rick's dear godfather, Ramon, unfortunately passed away. Ramon's prized possession, the GMC truck, was graciously handed down to Rick. Although he liked the truck in the state that he always remembered it, Rick decided to tear it down and restore it; much in the same way he was doing with the Deluxe. Despite the changes, Rick did decide to keep the original airbrushed mural underneath the hood out of respect and to Ramon's memory. The truck was painted in the same color as Rick's other project, the Chevy Deluxe.
Aside from Lowriding, Rick has also had a passion for motorcycles. Many of Rick's older cousins would roll up on bikes back in the '70s, so he knew that one day he would have to follow in their footsteps and have a two-wheeled beast of his own one day. Finally, the day came when Rick went out and bought himself a brand new Harley Davidson. As with the car and the truck, the bike also went through a makeover; receiving Rick's trademarked Chicano brown paintjob and revolutionary-style airbrushed murals. This bike, known as "El Revolucionario," features a custom airbag setup, which allows it to have that mean lowered stance just like Rick's other two rides.
These days, Rick can often be spotted cruising around San Diego or Tijuana in one of his unique brown rides, but it's not always for pleasure! Business keeps him pretty busy, as he works long hours running his own one-of-a-kind leatherworks service. RAA Leather, as it is known, specializes in custom leather creations like leather upholstery and intricate, handcrafted pieces of artwork fully done in 100 percent genuine leather. Rick's work can be seen on the seats of all three of his rides. Custom made leather backing plates are also on his hydraulic pumps in the Chevy Deluxe, and even Rick's personal iPad cover bears his custom leather! The company's incredible work is simply amazing and has been seen on movies and TV shows like "Sons of Anarchy." One of Rick's other popular creations is what he calls the "RAAZA Roll." These custom bedrolls have been a hit in the California biker community. It's a simple yet stylish way to wrap up an authentic Oaxaca blanket near the handlebars. These blanket rolls are sold in many Harley Davidson stores and other motorcycle lifestyle shops. More recently, Rick also started dispatching his Viclista Wear T-shirts to his vendor booths at local car and bike shows. Rick says that his business is doing well and that he works very hard to get his hustle on with both the shirts and the leatherwork.
Rick sends out special thanks to his abuelo, Ramon Navarro (rest in peace), his Uncle Juan, Mo, Carlos de Baca, brother Tato, and Victor Cordero for all their help and support with his rides and/or his business duties.
"La Adelita"
Owner: Rick A. Alvarez (a.k.a. "Raa")
Vehicle: 1950 Chevy Deluxe
City/State: San Diego, CA
Club: Cabrones, San Diego
Engine: 1950 216-cid engine with "three on the tree" transmission.
Body/Paint: Lil' Rojo, over at Rojo's in Tijuana, Mexico, smoothed out the body and prepared it for paint. "Chicano brown" was the name of the color used for the vehicle's exterior finish. Victor Cordero, of Cordero Pinstriping in Chula Vista, CA, was the talented airbrush muralist enlisted to spray historic scenes featuring beautiful revolutionary women and ominous bandana-wearing biker skulls.
Interior: Rick's own RAA Leather took care of the interior needs, creating one-of-a-kind designs within the Guadalupe Posada inspired leather seats.
Setup: Two pumps with custom RAA Leather backing plates were installed by Steve Tavo, of SA Hydraulics in San Diego. Four deep-cycle batteries power the system which allows the front and back suspensions to raise and lower at the hit of a dash-mounted switch.
Tires: 155/80/13 Hankook wide whitewall tires
Wheels: True Spoke bolt-on spoke wheels
"La Chichona"
Owner: Rick A. Alvarez (a.k.a. "Raa")
Vehicle: 1956 GMC 100 pickup truck
City/State: San Diego, CA
Club: Cabrones, San Diego
Engine: 400-cid V-8 built by J. Camargo, of Camargo's Auto, in San Diego.
Body/Paint: Wicho Customs in Tijuana, Mexico sanded down the body before spraying the "Chicano brown" metallic paint finish.
Interior: RAA Leather styled the leather bench seat with an intricate all-leather handcrafted centerpiece.
Setup: SA Hydraulics, in San Diego, installed an airbag setup on the Camaro frontend and rear clip.
Tires: 175/70/14 Hankook whitewalls
Wheels: 14×7 Supremes
"El Revolucionario"
Owner: Rick A. Alvarez (a.k.a. "Raa")
Vehicle: 2006 Harley Davidson Deluxe
City/State: San Diego, CA
Club: Cabrones, San Diego
Engine: Stock V-Twin
Body/Paint: G-Customs in Tijuana, MX, used a chrome base before spraying down the final finish in a metallic "Chicano brown" color. Victor Cordero, of Cordero Pinstriping in Chula Vista, CA, pinstriped fine lines before airbrushing murals depicting Rick's daughter and deadly revolutionaries on the tank and saddlebags.
Interior: RAA Leather, of San Diego, stitched up the seat to be the official flagship saddle of Rick's majestic iron horse. The seat features an all-leather hand-crafted design depicting a sombrero-wearing skeleton revolutionary bordered by Aztec designs.
Setup: Air Ride Hi-Lo airbag system
Tires: 21-inch Metzeler whitewall
Wheels: 21-inch diamond-cut spoke chrome wheels

subset: commoncrawl


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The HYUNDAI ELANTRA for 2020, with style that raises the bar. An evolutionary design with an improved coefficient of drag of 0.27 to provide you with up to 38MPG. This sixth generation of the Elantra has a stiffer and quieter unibody due to doubling the amount of high-strength steel and improved bonding adhesives. A more spacious and refined interior. Available in four trim levels...SE, ECO, Sport, and Limited. All deliver a quiet, comfortable ride with good driving characteristics. The ELANTRA SEL sedan with the optional carpeted floor mats, cargo tray, cargo net, and alloy wheel locks. An IIHS Top Safety Pick. Come see for yourself. The manufacturer with America's best warranty, backed with quality vehicles that are highly tested. It's a company that's supplying over 94,000 jobs in the USA. Hyundai. A brand name that you can truly trust.
Limited powertrain warranty- 10 years/100,000 miles or whichever comes first. Limited new vehicle warranty- 5 years/60,000 miles or whichever comes first. Anti-perforation warranty- 7 years/unlimited miles. 24 hour roadside assistance- 5 years/ unlimited miles.
Call C & S Hyundai toll free at 866-212-8718 or locally at 319-291-7321.
2020 Hyundai Elantra SEL
Stock# HY8176
2020 Hyundai Elantra SE
Stock# HY8079
2020 Hyundai Elantra SEL
Stock# HY8197
2020 Hyundai Elantra SE
Stock# HY8117


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Eclipse Embedded Day Stuttgart 2010/SessionAbstracts
Erfahrungsbericht zum Einsatz von Eclipse Model 2 Model Transformation mit ATL In einem Validierungsframework für Modelle
Dr. Oscar Slotosch, CEO of Validas AG
Abstract: The need for the application of validation suites for tools that may be used in safety critical processes that conform to international standards like ISO26262, DO178b,IEC61508 is growing, especially if the output of the tools shall be trusted, e.g. code generators, target compiler, or test tools.
In the talk a method is presented that systematically generates input and expected output values for tools with corresponding ecore models (reengineered or developed) in Eclipse EMF. The specification of the models in the validation suites is done using a DSL (based on xText), the generation of the tests is done using M2M (ATL). The end of the tests is determined using a model-projection mechanism that shows that all elements of the model that are used in reference projects have been tested. The method has been successfully applied by Validas AG to build two different validation suites for different code generators of leading modelling tools used in automotive sector. Further information is published at www.validas.de
Dr. Oscar Slotosch, Born 1966, Munich, Phd in Computer Science (Formal Methods), Leader of the award-winning academic case-tool AutoFOCUS, Founder and CEO of Validas AG, Expert for model-based development, model-based testing and Code-Generators.
Visual Tools for Analysis of Embedded Applications
Dr. Fridtjof Siebert CTO, aicas GmbH, Germany
Abstract:This presentation will explain visual tools for the analysis of embedded and time-critical applications. Short live demos will give an insight into the use of these tools during everyday development. The tools that will be shown are VeriFlux and aicas ThreadMonitor. VeriFlux is a JVM independent static analysis tool for Java thatperforms a program-wide analysis using abstract interpretation. As results, it finds possible run-time exceptions or deadlocks.Several views are used to browse through these errors: A source-code centric view highlights errors at package, class, method, source-codeand byte-code level, while a problem-centric view enables browsing through the errors detected and zooming down to the corresponding source positions. aicas ThreadMonitor enables remote recording of events that occur ina JVM running on an embedded device. These events include thread-switches, Java monitors, garbage-collection, user events, etc. The time-scale of these events ranges from hundreds of nanoseconds up to seconds or minutes, such that data at timeresolutions that are many orders of magnitude apart need to be displayed properly. The techniques used for the visualization andbrowsing through this data will be demonstrated together with specific tools such as worst-case execution time determination froma run-time measurement.
Dr. Siebert received his Diploma (MSc) in computer science at theUniversity of Stuttgart, Germany, in 1997. He worked for 2 years asa research engineer on compilation and optimization for embeddedJava at the The Open Group research institute in Grenoble, France. In 2001, he received his PhD at the University of Karlsruhe on thesubject of real-time garbage collection for Java. This technology became the basis of the JamaicaVM real-time Java implementation. Dr. Siebert is one of the founding partners of aicas GmbH that develops and distributes Java tools VeriFlux and JamaicaVM. He is Chief Technology Officer at aicas and technical leader of the JEOPARD project that addresses multicore real-time systems.


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Litvinenko was murdered, super assassin style by poisoning his coffee with polonium,
now Litvinenko is a former KGB agent... now how many people did he kill in this way?
hasnt is always been live by the sword, die by the sword?
how does the media manage to portray it in such a way to take only livenenko's side of the story?
too much cold war movies? british media cant get over bambi?
come on now... but which journalist would have the guts to ask such question?
all journalists follow the same suit, no mind of their own, always follow the same brand
untill something crack, some one protests, then the journalists mind sway and they
write something opposing the generaly held view......does the press really have freedom of speech?


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Many U.S. retail bond investors would like more information about how individual bonds are priced and the way that they're sold, according to a recent report released by Charles Schwab. The study found that 73 percent of bond investors surveyed want pricing details, 44 percent can't figure out how much their bonds are "marked up" and 24 percent do not understand how their bond firm is compensated.
"Investors are tired of being kept in the dark. It's time for this industry to take a fresh look at how to talk about bond prices and broker fees, and reevaluate whether there is the right transparency and straightforward information available for investors," said Peter Crawford, senior vice president of Charles Schwab, in a statement.
Schwab developed the "Bond Investor Study" to explore the thoughts of individuals about investing in the U.S. bond market. Conducted in September, it entailed online surveys of more than 500 individuals, each with at least $250,000 in total investable assets and $25,000 in bonds that were purchased within the past two years. The average investor surveyed had $486,000 invested in individual bonds and about $1.8 million in household savings and investable assets.
Two-thirds of respondents say they believe that it's very important to receive competitive pricing, and half say it's very important to have a clear understanding of all mark-ups and fees. Also, 60 percent of bond investors understand that bond prices vary across firms, while 35 percent believe they always get the best price from their bond broker.
Furthermore, 40 percent say they do not know how to get the best price on bonds, and roughly 40 percent claim it is either too complicated or too time-consuming to shop for the best price.
According to the Schwab study, half of investors surveyed confirm that they pay some type of additional fee when they invest in bonds. But only 27 percent know what they pay, though they estimate that on average there is about a $6.10 mark-up on the base price of a $1,000 bond.
"Investing in the bond market shouldn't be an act of faith," Crawford explained. "It's clear that bond investors find the fixed income markets opaque and confusing, which is why we have worked to help demystify what they pay and how they can invest."
Schwab says that its $1.00 mark-up per bond on domestic U.S. bonds is a fee structure that's simple to understand, among the lowest in the industry, and provided immediately with quoted prices.
Looking for Info
The study revealed that investors have a strong appetite for becoming more knowledgeable about their bond investments, either by relying on advice from financial professionals for bond-buying decisions, doing their own research and analysis, or some combination of both of these.
Two-thirds, or 66 percent, say it is very important to know about issues or risks associated with specific bonds, and 75 percent use online resources when making bond-investment decisions, using online research and ratings on specific bonds most frequently, followed by search and filter tools.
More than 45 percent of investors surveyed say that access to a knowledgeable bond specialist is extremely important. And 46 percent say it is extremely important to know that their brokerage has no conflicts of interest because it does not underwrite any bonds.
"Is there any other marketplace where a consumer would purchase something without being clear on the costs or understanding what they are buying?" asked Crawford. "We are committed to shining a bright light on the bond market so that individual investors can know more about what they are buying."
For more details on the study, go online to www.aboutschwab.com/press/research/bond_investor_study. •


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How to Get Free Shipping on Your Holiday Gifts
Take advantage of Free Shipping Day on December 16 to get guaranteed delivery by Christmas Eve from thousands of online retailers.
Save big on your unfinished online shopping for holiday gifts by waiting to make your final purchases on Friday, December 16. That's when about 2,000 online retailers will offer free shipping with guaranteed delivery by Christmas Eve as part of the fourth annual Free Shipping Day.
At least 60% to 70% of participating retailers will provide free shipping on all orders, not just certain items or purchases above a particular dollar amount, says Luke Knowles, creator of Free Shipping Day and founder of FreeShipping.org. Plus, he's working with retailers to get them to offer special discounts on Free Shipping Day.
Knowles expects that most major retailers will participate. Big-name merchants such as Macy's, Nordstrom, Best Buy, Barnes & Noble and Lands' End have already signed on, along with hundreds of small merchants that sell unique items. And this year eBay and Bonanza.com sellers will participate for the first time (Bonanza is an online marketplace for homemade and specialty items). The homepage of Freeshippingday.com lists all the participating merchants, so it's easy to find retailers you know and discover new ones.
The Freeshippingday.com site also will have a new feature (available only on December 16) that will allow shoppers to see which merchants are offering free shipping on all orders.
Before jumping at a free-shipping deal, though, make sure you're getting the best price for an item. Use a price comparison site, such as Amazon.com, PriceGrabber.com or the relatively new Extrabux.com, to see whether another retailer is offering a similar item at a price that's low enough for you to come out ahead even without free shipping (if it isn't offered).


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Recipe Source: Shanavi's mom
1.Green plantain - 1
2.Red chillies - 3
3.Fennel seeds - 1 tsp
4.Pepper corns - 1/2 tsp
5.Coconut - 3 to 4 pieces
6.G&G paste - 1/2 tsp
7.Turmeric pwdr - 1/4 tsp
* Grind the ingredients from 2 thru 5 and keep it aside.
* Peel the skin and slice the plantain .
* Take a mixing bowl ,add the grinded mixture,turmeric pwdr and G&G paste.
* Mix it well with salt.
* Now apply the mixture to the green plantain and keep it aside for half an hour.
* Take a pan add 1/4 cup of water and cook the marinated green plantain ,till it is 80 % done.
* Carefully take each piece and fry it in a separate tava.
Serve with sambar,rasam or curd rice.Delicious green plantain fry is ready in minutes.
Sending this to Aipi and Priya's Bookmarked Recipes event


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MWC 15 Special
One of MultiIE 3.0's strongest features other than the ability to load up
multiple windows in Pocket Internet Explorer is its Quick URL Builder and its
Enhanced Go button.
These two additions to MultiIE definitely makes it easier to input address
without having to type out http://www or .com, .net,
.co.uk and the like ever again.
The best feature about this new addition is that it is user configurable and can
be made to behave in different ways.
In this article, we look at how these features work and how they can be modified
by the user to enhance their mobile Internet experience.
First is the definition of the entry point of the user inputted data. The second
is the placement of the generated address. The third is the option to
automatically launch the address entered.
By default, MultiIE 3.0 has its Quick URL Builder divided into 4 groupings:
The Edit General grouping takes care of cursor control and allows you to
either clear an address bar of its entries or to move to either the start or
end of an address.
The Domain Part grouping is where the usual http://www and .com
patterns are placed.
The Domain Suffix grouping is where additional entries such as .uk,
.de, .jp and the like are stored.
The file part takes care of file extensions such as .htm, .html,
.asp, .php, and the like are stored.
MultiIE 3.0 makes use of symbols to instruct the Quick URL Builder as to how it
should perform. The basic symbols and symbol combinations are:
Let us take a look at one of the default Quick URL Builder entries
for the Domain Part. You will see that it is set to Clear the address
field as it enters http://www. and .com and then inserts
the cursor right between www. and .com.
With a basic entry as such, you will have to enter the address after
this preset has been launched then all you have to do is tap on the Go
button to launch the site.
Similarly, if you needed to enter an extension to this address, say a
.tw or a .ph at the end, you can pull down the list and
tap on the Domain Suffix grouping and select the needed suffix. The
suffix is written this way in the settings.
This means that the suffix is entered after all the data in the
address field. So in practice, if you wanted to type in an address such
as http://www.smart.com.ph, you would have to select
<]http://www.|.com first, type out the body of the address, then
select >.ph from the Suffix list and then hit Go. Of course, you
can also modify the preset URL builder entry to have the complete
pattern of <]http://www.|.com.ph ready for use.
As another approach, you can also set the Quick URL Builder to work
in a different fashion. In the address field, enter the address body,
then select on the desired Quick URL Builder pattern and automatically
launch the site. Now this is not in the default setting but has to be
done by editing the presets. No hacking necessary since the presets can
easily be edited via the settings of MultiIE.
So let's say you wanted to view http://www.ppcw.net but you
want to type only ppcw and let the Quick URL Builder do the rest.
All that is needed is to rearrange the command symbols so that it places
the necessary Domain Parts in the correct positions.
In the Address bar macros which is in the MultiIE Options
under the tab called Bars, select the grouping which you intend
to modify. This can be selected form the first drop down list. Select
URL Insert: Domain Part and edit the entry.
From the default <]http://www.|.net,
what needs to be done is to edit the commands which will then dictate
the behaviour of the URL Builder. So from
you will have to change the pattern to instruct it to enter
http://www. before the pre-entered text and add .net to the
end of the pre-entered text in the address field and then automatically
launch the site simulating the pressing of the Go button. The
pattern then will show as such:
Default: <]http://www.|.net
Modified: http://www.#.net^
Your changes will then appear on your drop down list and reflect the
changes that you've made.
This actually duplicates the Ctrl + Enter command for Internet
Explorer on the Desktop PC but gives you a multitude of patterns to
choose from.
Similarly, the Enhanced Go button behaves in a similar way.
As you type in the subject that you would like to search for in
Google, all that is needed is to select which type of Google search is
required and as soon as it has been selected, it launches itself
As an example, the default Google Web search pattern is written as
such: http://www.google.com/ie?q=#^;-Search
Web - Google, where all text after the ;
is basically used as a title for the drop down list.
If we wanted to modify this to make use of the MSN Search site, we
would have to edit the field in the Address bar macros which is
in the MultiIE Options under the tab called Bars, select
the grouping which you intend to modify. This can be selected form the
first drop down list. Select Open Button: Search and edit the
Default: http://www.google.com/ie?q=#^;-Search
Web - Google
Modified: http://search.msn.com/pass/results.aspx?q=#^;-Search
Web - MSN
When this is done, the title in the drop down list will then reflect -Search
Web - MSN and will use the newly configured preset for web searches or you
can simply add this as an option to the Google search which is preset.
All other fields found in the Address bar macros can be modified this way. So it
really is up to the user as to how ho or she would want to configure the macros
of MultiIE 3.0.
Happy web browsing with MultiIE!
Mabuhay! ~ Carlo
Related Articles HOW TO Taking full advantage of MultiIE 30s URL Builder and Enhanced Go button
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Jason Smith and Doug Gottlieb (Filling in for Dan Patrick) spoke with NBA insider Ric Bucher to discuss where the Lakers stand after their loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday. One thing Jason Smith has observed from LeBron James is that he still seems like a hired gun and the Lakers are still at arm's length as far as his overall dedication. Smith brings up the point about how in a recent interview around the trade deadline LeBron James said:
"There's nothing I need to get in this league that I don't already have. Everything else for me is just like icing on the cake." I love the process of everything I go through to be able to compete every single night and put teams in position to compete for championships. But there's nothing I'm chasing or feel like I need to end my career on."
Ric Bucher responded saying the following:
I'm leery of buying totally into anything LeBron says at any given time. I believe if you go back to his decision to come to LA (this is the prevailing feeling around the league), he didn't come there to play for the Lakers. He didn't come there to win championships because if he did, as he has in every other place, there would have been prerequisites for him coming...He's always held and utilized his leverage to get the team structured the way that he wanted. He didn't do any of that this time.
Ric Bucher explains more in the audio below.


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Looking for something?
Tag Archives: Wiccan prison chaplain
Prison Chaplaincy in Canada
On Friday, the federal government announced that it would be cancelling the contracts of ALL non-Christian chaplains at federal prisons. Frankly, I am shocked. Continue reading
Posted in Articles Tagged interfaith, interfaith dialogue, prison chaplain, religious acceptance, religious similarities, wicca, Wiccan prison chaplain Comments Off on Prison Chaplaincy in Canada


text: This model examines the mechanics of a scissor lift. A pressure source supplies liquid through the bottom leg via a spool valve that is initially open. A one-way valve prevents liquid flowing back into the sump from this leg.This liquid actuates a hydraulic cylinder, which transforms the hydraulic energy into translational motion, actuating the hydraulic ram. Near the end of the simulation, a control signal is fed back to the spool valves which closes the bottom one and opens the top on. Fluid then drains back into the sump.


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Occupy's Pledge to FIGHT BACK
We Didn't Start the Class War
Kathy Kale pledged on to fight back against the 1% by doing the following:
- Come out in the streets when Occupy calls for a day of action.
- Help promote #occupy news and actions via social media.
- Donate what they make in one hour to an Occupy-related project.
3873 others also signed the pledge. Will you pledge to fight back too? Click Here


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Tony Williams (Kanye West's G.O.O.D Music Artist) - Dreaming Of Your Love [Contest Submission]
*Update*. We was told this is not the official video. Just a submission from one of the contestants on some contest going on. Music video for Kanye West vocalist Tony Williams new single "Dreaming of Your Love" from his upcoming album "King or the Fool" on G.O.O.D. Music. Song produced by Kanye West
Please click the "Report" button below if the video on this page is not working properly.
Comments will only be displayed by verified emails. No Spamming or Racism.


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(that banner is supposed to move)
that banner is from Walk SanFrancisco
did you know that our very own Jason Meggs is the man behind the BCLU?
I did not know that
I may have known that at one time
as I did trace Jason's involvement some time back
we need activism like Jason's on this coast
he is a man behind making things happen
one of his big claims to fame here in the bay area is getting a bike lane designed in to the new bay bridge. they are replacing the bay bridge (from oakland to SF) and had designed it, as before, as cars only. jason successfully lobbied them to include a bike / ped path. an amazing feat of battling city hall.
I recall following their rogue efforts
very impressive
and me
I blog
which is either impressive
or depressing
depending on your perspective
today I intended to ride
instead I blogged
that is depressing
okay... actually I was hanging with my kids with intermittent blogging
but I still wish i had been able to ride
but the wind and the cold with the wet earth stole my desire to go mountain biking


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The Top Unusual Gifts That You Can Give Men of 2014
Men love unique presents. What most men love about presents is the fact that they can have something that is eye catching. To have something that is unique would sometimes mean that it doesn't have any practical value. But of course, this isn't always the case. There are a lot of presents out there that can have a good practical value on our day to day life.
If you are looking for the unique and unusual gift, this list is for you. Here, we will be providing some of the presents that will surely be loved by the male demographic. These are some of the top unusual gifts for men of 2014.
Shock Proof Phone Case
When it comes to smart phones, these are one of the most fragile items out there. Men use phones on a day to day basis. Whether they are socializing or going to work, the phone becomes a must have. There are a lot of phone cases around the market today. What makes some phone cases unique is the fact that it can withstand drops. These shock proof phone cases for iPhones and other phone models can save a lot of gadgets.
Virtual Laser Keyboard
One of the complaints that men have about the tablets is that they do not have for keyboard. Though there is a keyboard that would appear on the tablet, most of these devices can be smaller and therefore can't accommodate the size of the fingers of most men. A virtual laser keyboard under $100 can be a good buy considering this can easily be set up anywhere.
GPS Pet Tracker
Whether men love dogs or cats, a GPS tracker can come in handy. This can give men peace of mind when it comes to their pets. This can be installed easily and would have a decent battery life that will allow pet owners to locate the dog or cat wherever they may be.
Shot Flask
Ever wondered about the vintage gifts? Shot flask with a leather package can definitely be a good purchase. This can be a good container of liquor, which can definitely put class in how they take their drink.
Funny Mugs
Men love coffee. Most men love to make their own brewed coffee in their office or home. This means that they use their own mugs or tumbler on a day to day basis. Funny designs on mugs can easily give men a good start for their day. There are some mugs that can stand out in the market. What makes this unique gift idea a good call is that it can be a perfect gift at any given time of the year.
There are a lot of products that can be useful and unique. These are some products that can easily be a good present for any occasion. Since these products are unusual, this can be a good thing. These gifts can easily become memorable for the one receiving it. Whether for your family member or for your loved one, these presents can easily be one of the best out there this year.


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Charlotte's near-freezing temperatures Thursday morning seemed like quite a shock after weeks of 70s and 80s in March and early April, but it could have been worse.
In fact, it has been worse.
Mecklenburg County commissioner Bill James, who has a real interest and a good understanding of all things meteorological, passed along an item he found in a history book of Mecklenburg County. It was an excerpt about a big snowstorm on April 15, 1849.
I found several other accounts of the same storm, and interestingly, it appears to have developed in a year much like 2012. Temperatures had been unseasonably mild in March and April, but very cold air spilled into the South in the second week of April. It's not clear exactly what happened, but based on the results, we can guess.
There are published accounts of a big snowstorm that struck April 14 and 15 in parts of Louisiana, Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. So we can assume that low pressure formed in the Gulf of Mexico and tracked across the Deep South, into the cold air that had pushed southward.
Mid-April snow in Florida? Just imagine that!
But the Carolinas took a hit.
The Mecklenburg County account, in the book that Bill James found, describes it this way:
"Everything in the way of vegetables was well advanced in the spring of 1849. The farmers were ready to give corn its first plowing when the snow came. It fell very gently, no crust on top.
"It was so piled up in the apple blossoms that they looked like snow balls. All vegetation was killed, no fruit that was in bloom escape being killed. The great crop of Mecklenburg blackberries alone escaped, of all our fruits.
"It was not until mid-summer that the trees made a respectable shade, or the cattle could make a tolerable living in the range at large."
That account says 5 inches of snow fell.
Meteorologist Don Sutherland, who has published a number of books and blogs, notes an account of the storm in the Camden (S.C.) Journal:
"It commenced with a slight fall early in the morning (April 15) and continued to increase in quantity until 2 or 3 o'clock in the afternoon, when it fell in large flakes, as in mid-winter ... The housetops were covered with snow, which had not melted on Monday morning (April 16). A mid-winter scene in early spring is a sight that we do not remember to have seen at any former period."
The S.C. Department of Natural Resources says 6 inches of snow was measured in that storm in Columbia.
So it appears the April 15, 1849, event was a storm that hit South Carolina and the southern edge of North Carolina.
The National Weather Service's records for Charlotte go back only to the winter of 1878-79. Since then, the record snow in April was 3.5 inches, on April 9, 1880.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
The Great April 15 Snowstorm
Charlotte's near-freezing temperatures Thursday morning seemed like quite a shock after weeks of 70s and 80s in March and early April, but it could have been worse.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Cool weather? We knew it was coming
Everyone has been saying it for the last few weeks, as we experienced day after day after day of temperatures far above seasonal averages.
"It'll cool down eventually. We'll get a cold snap in April."
And here it comes, although it's not clear exactly how cold it will get.
Canadian high pressure will take control of Charlotte-area weather Friday, and we'll notice the difference. Temperatures will struggle to get out of the 50s, unless enough sunshine breaks through the overcast Friday afternoon to allow a recovery into the low 60s.
Then we'll have morning lows in the upper 30s to near 40 degrees Saturday, and the low to mid 40s Easter Sunday. Afternoon temperatures won't be bad, with highs around 70 Saturday and in the mid 70s Sunday.
But there won't be a return to 80 degrees next week. Instead, another cold front is forecast to push across the area late Monday or Tuesday, holding afternoon highs to the 60s again for Tuesday and Wednesday.
National Weather Service meteorologists are closely watching for the possibility of frost on those chilly mornings. The unseasonably warm weather in March and early April caused strawberries to ripen early and fruit trees to blossom several weeks before they normally do. A freeze could be devastating to farmers.
The good news? At this point, it appears as if morning temperatures won't quite dip to freezing levels in areas where trees have blossomed.
Forecasters have predicted April will be warmer than average, overall, and that could happen, despite next week's cool down. Accu-Weather forecasts call for a return to the low 80s by late next weekend or early in the week of April 16.
Monday, April 2, 2012
March 2012 ... one for the record book
We've just completed the second-warmest March in Charlotte weather history, but that was nothing, compared to what happened over much of the continental United States during the month.
Dozens of cities, from Maine to Wyoming, broke records for the warmest March ever.
Some cities set daily high temperature records for a week in a row. In one Michigan city, a daily high temperature record was broken by 42 degrees -- and even the morning low was warmer than the previous record high for the date.
More of the same is expected in April, although the start of the month might be a bit cooler than we've seen in recent weeks.
In Charlotte, the average temperature -- calculated by averaging out the daily highs and lows at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport -- was 61.3 degrees. The only March that was warmer was in 1945, when the average was 61.6.
We had 10 days with highs of 80 degrees or warmer, which tied a record for the month.
But several Carolinas cities had the warmest March on record. And it was the same over much of the nation, except for the West Coast, the Southwest, Alaska and Hawaii.
Tampa set a record for the warmest March. So did Riverton, Wyo. So did Portland, Maine. For that matter, so did Winnipeg, in the Canadian prairie province of Manitoba. In fact, the average temperature in March for Winnipeg was 20 degrees warmer than usual.
Perhaps the most amazing event came March 21, when it climbed to 81 degrees in Marquette, Mich., up along Lake Superior on the U.S.-Canada border. The former record high for March 21 was 49 degrees. 49! And the high for the date was 81!
NOAA's forecast for April is a continuation of above-average temperatures in most of the East, although meteorologists also expect the month to be dry. March, while very warm, produced average rainfall totals in much of the Carolinas. The next week or two is expected to be cooler than average in the Carolinas, with a warm-up afterward.
Incidentally, before you get started on the Global Warming Chorus, be aware that March was very chilly on the other side of the globe. It was cold and wet over much of the United Kingdom and Europe.


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Prior to my trip to Tanjung Sepat, I heard a lot of hype about the famous bao (bun) at Tanjung Sepat. Some even claimed that the business was so good till customers have to pre-order via telephone beforehand. Otherwise, they have to wait for 2 hours to purchase those buns. Even celebrities from Hong Kong came and ate the famous bao, which is a testament of how good the buns must be.
Located at Jalan Pasar, Hai Yew Heng was indeed a standout from the rest of the shop there. I supposed the house where the buns were produced has undergone a recent renovation judging from the fresh coat of paint and air-conditioning facilities.
Inside, workers are busy preparing the buns on a large piece of metal table.
Ingredients such as 'mui choi' and 'choi bao' were seen lying next to the table.
There was an old coffee shop just opposite the road, which I presume belongs to the same owner since we could also order the bao from there.
Each bun came with a piece of paper underneath with the name and address printed out.
I had the pork meat bao (RM 2.20). Inside there was a big chunk of meat and a piece of boiled egg.
While some people like it, it was only average for me. After hearing so much hype about the buns, I was rather let down by it. Not that it tasted bad, but it wasn't as good as I imagined it to be.
The rest of the bao sold are salted vegetable bao (RM 2.00), red bean bao (RM 1.40), kaya bao (RM 1.40), peanut bao (RM 1.40) and vegetable bao (RM 1.40).
Hai Yew Heng
No. 405, Jalan Pasar
42800 Tanjung Sepat
Kuala Langat
Selangor Darul Ehsan
Tel: 012-272 9009
Location Map


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Star Trek's Q to lend voice to Quantum Conundrum
John de Lancie will be adding his voice to Square Enix's upcoming Quantum Conundrum
If he wasn't irritating Captain Picard on the USS Enterprise, he was causing mischief in other dimensions or different parts of the galaxy. His pompous arrogance is what made John de Lancie's Q character such a wonderful foil for Patrick Stewart's reserved Jean Luc in Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Now, de Lancie is part of a new project, lending his voice to the upcoming Quantum Conundrum, from Portal co-creator Kim Swift and Airtight Games. De Lancie will play Professor Fitz Quadwrangle, who is lost in another dimension. The character is described by publisher Square Enix as brilliant and eccentric, common attributes for Q in Star Trek.
"The professor's character is funny, a bit bizarre, and a great joy to perform," de Lancie said. "If players have half as much fun with the game as I did playing the character, then they'll be having a great time."
Quantum Conundrum will be coming via download to PC, Xbox Live Arcade and the PlayStation Network sometime this summer. Be sure to check out Garnett's preview of the game.
John Keefer posted a new article, Star Trek's Q to lend voice to Quantum Conundrum.
John de Lancie will be adding his voice to Square Enix's upcoming Quantum Conundrum


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1 Tammuz
R' Kalonymus Kalman ben R' Ahron Halevi Epstein of Krakow (1823) was a talmid of the Rebbe Reb Elimelech of Lizensk. He was the first to spread chassidus in Krakow. His sefer, Meor V'shemesh, is one of the essential and most used seforim of chassidus.
R' Shlomo ben R' Meir Noson Halberstam, the first Bobover Rebbe (1905)
R' Yisroel ben R' Moshe Najara, talmid of Arizal, wrote the famous Friday night song, Koh Ribbon Olam. Wrote sefer Lekach Tov. (There seems to be some confusion between him and his father, who I listed yesterday. I'm not sure whose yahrzeit it really is and what date)
2 Tammuz
R' Shmuel ben R' Yechiel of Cologne HY"D (1096) He was killed by the crusaders.
R' Nachman Horedenker ben R' Yitzzchok (1761) Talmid of the Baal Shem Tov and grandfather of R' Nachman of Breslov. For more see Reb Nachman Horedenker - Longing For Eretz Yisroel
R' Avrohom Twersky, the Trisker Magid (1889) He wrote Magen Avrohom and was the son of R' Mordechai of Chernobyl.
3 Tammuz
R' Yissachar Dov Illowy (1814-1871) one of the great Rabbonim who came to the USA in the 1800's. See here for his bio.
R' Yaakov HaLevi Sapir, Rov in Saana, Yemen, author of Even Sapir
R' Yosef Chaim Shneur ben R' Ahron Kotler, Lakewood Rosh Yeshiva(1982)
R' Menachem Mendel ben R' Levi Yitzchok Schneerson (1994), the Seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe. He was the son-in-law of the previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, R' Yosef Yitzchok Schneerson. They are buried right next to each other in Queens, NY, minutes away from JFK Airport. These are probably the most visited kevarim outside of Eretz Yisroel and are accessible 24 hours a day. There is a visitor's center adjacent to the Ohel with a Shul and place for people to sit and have refreshments. See here for information and directions. For those that live too far away you can send a kvitel through their website.
4 Tammuz
Rabbeinu Tam, R' Yaakov ben Meir (1100-1171)
R' Pinchos Halevi Horowitz of Frankfurt (1730-1805) ben R' Tzvi Hirsch of Chortkov. One of the great talmidim of the Magid of Mezrich, together with his brother, the Rebbe Reb Shmelke of Nikolsberg. He wrote Sefer Haflah, Sefer Hamkeneh and Panim Yofos and was the Rebbe of the Chasam Sofer.
R' Yisroel Ezriel Hildesheimer (1820-1899), Rov in Germany, talmid of the Aruch La'ner
R' Eliyahu Lupas (1938), Rov in Yeshiva Porat Yosef, wrote Sefer Imrei Pi and Ben Avichayal
R' Chaim Moshe Mandel, mekubal in Bnei Brak (1996)
6 Tammuz
R' Chaim De la Rosa (1786), Talmid of the Rashash and author of Toras Chochom
R' Moshe ben R' Yaakov Shimshon of Kosov (1855 - 1925) author of Leket Ani
R' Moshe ben R' Yaakov Shimshon of Kosov (1855 - 1925) author of Leket Ani
R' Shmuel Majar (1848) Av Beis Din in Yerushalayim and Rosh Yeshiva of Chasidei Beis El.
R' Yisrael Yaakov Algazi (1756) Great Mekubal who lived in Turkey and Eretz Yisrael. He was the Rosh Yeshivah of Neveh Sholom Bris Avrohom and Beis El and was Rov of Yerushalyim
7 Tammuz
R' Boruch Frankel-Tumim (1828), author of Boruch Taam, father-in-law of R' Chaim of Sanz
R' Gedalya Schorr (1979), Rosh Yeshiva in Torah Vodaas, author of Ohr Gedalyahu
R' Simcha Bunim Alter of Ger, the Lev Simcha (1992) son of R' Avrohom Mordechai, the Imrei Emes. Became Rebbe after his brother, the Beis Yisroel, passed away.
8 Tammuz
R' Shlomo ben R' Yehudah HaKohen (1827) Great Mekubal who wrote Yafeh Sha'ah
R' Meir ben R' Eliezer Horowitz of Dzikov (1877) Imrei Noam
R' Eliyahu Manni (1899) Great Mekubal who was Rov of Chevron and wrote Zichronos Eliyahu
9 Tammuz
R' Yekusiel Yehuda ben R' Tzvi Hirsch Halberstam (1994), the Klausenberger Rebbe. See: The Klausenberger Rebbe's Visits to Kivrei Tzadikim.
R' Dovid Lifshitz (1993), Suvalker Rov
R' Yosef Shlomo Dayan (1985) Talmid of R' Mordechai Sharabi
R' Zalman Sorotzkin (1966) Lutzker Rov, wrote Oznaim L'Torah
R' Moshe Chevroni (1975), Rosh Yeshiva of Chevron Yeshiva, Talmid of the Chofetz Chaim and wrote Masaas Moshe.
10 Tammuz
R' Eliezer of Neustadt ben R' Tzvi Halevi Horowitz (1843) grandson of the Chozeh of Lublin
11 Tammuz
R' Tzvi Hirsch of Zhidachov ben R' Yitzchok Issac Eichenstein (1831) See: Reb Tzvi Hirsch of Zhidachov and His Great Brothers
12 Tammuz
R' Yaakov ben R' Asher, Baal HaTurim (1270-1340) son of the Rosh
R' Eliyahu Yosef ben R' Aryeh Leib Rivlin (1805-1865) Taught Chabad Chassidus in Yerushalayim, wrote Ohalei Yosef
13 Tammuz
R' Elchonon Bunim HY"D (1941) ben R' Naftali Beinish Wasserman See: Chosen to be Korbonos
R' Aryeh Leib ben R' Mordechai Halevi Epstein (1775), author of Hapardes
R' Chaim HaCohen Rappaport, Rov of Lvov
R' Mordechai of Kremnitz (1820) ben R' Yechiel Michel of Zlotchov
R' Moshe ben R' Naftoli Hirsch Rivkash (1671), the author of Be'er Hagolah on Shulchan Aruch
R' Chanoch Henoch Dov ben Elazer Rubin (1920), Sassover Rebbe of London
14 Tammuz
R' Yosef ben R' Moshe Trani, Maharit (1639)
R' Mordechai Attiah (1978) Great Sephardic Rosh Yeshiva in Yerushalyim
R' Yaakov Yitzchok ben Yehudah Leib HaLevi Ruderman (1987) Founder and Rosh Yeshiva of Ner Yisroel of Baltimore, talmid of the Alter of Slabodka
R' Yaakov Yitzchok ben Yehudah Leib HaLevi Ruderman (1987) Founder and Rosh Yeshiva of Ner Yisroel of Baltimore, talmid of the Alter of Slabodka
R' Yitzchok Issac Rosenbaum, Zutchka Rebbe (2000) son of R' Isamar of Nadvorna
15 Tammuz
R' Chaim ben R' Moshe Ibn Atar, the Ohr HaChaim HaKodosh (1743)
R' Aryeh Leib ben R' Asher Ginzberg, the Shagas Aryeh (1695-1785) One of the greatest minds of his time. The Vilna Gaon said that the Shagas Aryeh was greater than him in nigleh, but not in nistar.
R' Amram Blau, head of Neturei Karta in Yerushalayim (1974) This "Neturei Karta" is not to be confused the one in the news recently. The shita of the real "Neturei Karta" was basically the same as that of the Satmar Rebbe. He fought against the desecration of Shabbos in Eretz Yisroel and was respected by the Chazon Ish and many other gedolim of the time. His brother was R' Moshe Blau of Agudas Yisroel.
16 Tammuz
Chur, son of Kalev and Miriam (1309 B.C.E.) Was killed trying to prevent the making of the Eigel
R' Yitzchok Leonini Azulai, grandson of the Chida
R' Aharon Yosef Bakst, Rav of Shavel, HY"D(1941)
R' Avrohom Yehoshua Heschel ben R' Yitzchok Meir, Kapitchnitzer Rebbe (1967)
17 Tammuz
R' Yehuda ben R' Asher, son of the Rosh
R' Shmuel Yaakov Weinberg, Rosh Yeshiva of Ner Yisroel (1999)
R' Chaim Meir Yechiel ben R' Dov Beirish Shapiro (2007) Naroler Rov who passed away just shy of his 100th birthday
19 Tammuz
R' Yitzchok Issac ben R' Yoel Leib Halevi Herzog (1959), Chief Rabbi of Ireland and Eretz Yisroel, wrote Heichal Yitzchok
R' Eliezer Yehuda ben R' Nosson Tzvi Finkel, Rosh Yeshiva of Mir (1965) His father was the Alter of Slabodka.
R' Yona Stenzel, initiator of Halacha and Mishnah Yomi
R' Bentzion Abba Shaul ben R' Eliyahu (1998), Rosh Yeshiva of Porat Yosef, Great Sephardic tzadik who was recognized as one one of the greatest halachic authorites of his time.
R' Eliezer Yehuda ben R' Nosson Tzvi Finkel, Rosh Yeshiva of Mir (1965) His father was the Alter of Slabodka.
R' Yona Stenzel, initiator of Halacha and Mishnah Yomi
R' Bentzion Abba Shaul ben R' Eliyahu (1998), Rosh Yeshiva of Porat Yosef, Great Sephardic tzadik who was recognized as one one of the greatest halachic authorites of his time.
20 Tamuz
R' Nosson Nota Hanover HY"D (1683) ben R' Moshe was a talmid of the Maharshal and author of Yaven Metzula and Shaarei Tzion, a very popular kabalistic sefer of tefilos and minhagim. He was killed by a stray bullet.
R' Avrohom Yitzchak Bloch HY"D ben R' Yosef Leib, Telzer Rosh Yeshiva (1941) Killed by the Nazis y's
R' Avrohom Chaim Noeh (1954) was one of the leading poskim in Eretz Yisroel. His "shiurim" for units of measure are among the most well known, even by those that don't use them. He is the author of Ketzos HaShulchon, Shiurei Torah and Gesher HaChaim.
R' Chaim Shaul Karelitz (2001), nephew of the Chazon Ish, Mashgiach Ruchni of Yeshiva Beis Meir and Talmud Torah Tashbar
21 Tamuz
R' Shlomo Machlama, author of Merkaves HaMisheneh on Rambam
R' Avrohom Mattisyahu ben R' Menachem Nochum Friedman of Shtefanesht (1933)
22 Tamuz
R' Shlomo HaLevi of Karlin HY"D (1792) ben R'Meir was a talmid of the Magid of Mezritch and R' Ahron HaGadol of Karlin, who he succeeded as Rebbe. After his passing R' Ahron HaGadol's son, Reb Asher, became Rebbe.
R' Avrohom Grodzinksi HY"D (1942), Mashgiach Ruchni of the Slabodka Yeshiva
R' Levi Yitzchok ben R' Avrohom Noach Bender (1989) was a talmid of R' Avrohom Chazan and was one of the great Breslov leaders of his time. See here for more and links at the bottom of the page to fascinating excerpts from his sefer.
23 Tamuz
R' Moshe ben R' Yaakov Cordovero, the Ramak (1570) was one of the most famous mekubalim. He studied nigleh under R' Yosef Caro and kabala under his brother-in-law, R' Shlomo Alkabetz. He wrote several seforim, including Pardes Rimonim and Tomer Devorah. The Satmar Rebbe had a kabala from the Divrei Chaim of Sanz that the sefer Tomer Devorah is a segula for the "known disease" – may Hashem save us, and if one isn't able to learn it himself, he should have someone read it in front of him. (It is available in English translation)
R' Gedalia Ahron ben R' Elazar Mordechai Kenig (1980), one of the leaders of Breslov, was a talmid muvhak of R' Avrohom Sternhartz, who encouraged him to establish Kiryat Breslov in Tzefas. His son, R' Elazar Mordechai Shlita, is the current leader of the community. R' Gedalia wrote Chayei Nefesh, on R' Chaim Volozhiner's Nefesh HaChaim, proving that there is no argument between Chassidim and Misnagdim on the principles and foundations of Yidishkeit, as they are beyond dispute. Parts have been translated into English by Rabbis Dovid Sears and Dovid Zeitlin, of The Breslov Center, and are available for download (PDF) - Part 1 and Part 2. They are quite fascinating and explain a lot.
R' Yechezkel Katzenellenbogen, the Knesses Yechezkel (1749)
R' Shaul Moshe Zilberman, the Rov of Viereshov, author of Pardes Shaul
24 Tammuz
R' Yaakov Yosef ben R' Dov (1902), the first and only Chief Rabbi of New York. He was a talmid of the Volozhiner Yeshiva and was known as "Reb Yaakov Charif" because of his sharp mind. He is buried in Queens, NY at Union Field Cemetery. Large crowds go to daven there on the yartzeit, and the cemetery opens earlier and closes later on the yartzeit. The Satmar Rebbe encouraged people to go to his kever. People also go there throughout the year to daven for yeshuos. See here for more on this great leader, who gave his life for Yiddishkeit in the late 19th century.
25 Tammuz
R' Meir HaLevi of Apta ben R' Shmuel (1827), author of Ohr LaShomayim. He was the Rov of Apta after the Ohev Yisroel, who moved to Mezibuz, after sensing that R' Meir was supposed to become Rov of Apta. He was a talmid muvhak of the Chozeh of Lublin. One of his most famous talmidim is the Tiferes Shlomo of Radomsk.
R' Ahron Brachya of Modina, author of Maavar Yabok
27 Tamuz
R' Shmuel Rozovsky, Rosh Yeshiva in Ponovezh
28 Tamuz
R' Elazar of Lizhensk (1806) was the oldest son of the Rebbe Reb Elimelech of Lizensk. He put together his father's sefer, Noam Elimelech, which has several letters of R' Elazar in the back. His sons were R' Naftali of Lizensk and R' Mendel Ber of Pshevorsk and his son-in-law was R' Chaim Meir Yechiel Shapira of Moglenitz.
R' Moshe ben R' Tzvi Hirsch Teitelbaum of Uhel (1841), author of Yismach Moshe, was a talmid of the Chozeh of Lublin. He said he remembers himself in a previous gilgul in Mitzraim and could even describe what the house that he stayed in looked like. He said that when the machlokes of Korach took place he didn't take any sides; he stayed in his tent until the machlokes ended and only then came out, when it was determined who was correct. R' Meshulam Igra said on him: "Moshe Emes v'Toraso Emes". The Sighet and Satmar dynasties descend from him.
R' Shlomo ben Yosef Ganzfried (1886), author of Kitzur Shulchan Aruch See Kitzur Shulcha Aruch online in Hebrew and KSA Yomi.
R' Nachman ben R' Chaim Aryeh HaKohen Kahana (1904) was the Av Beis Din of Spinka. He was the son-in-law of the first Spinka Rebbe, the Imrei Yosef. He wrote sefer Orchos Chaim on Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim.
R' Yaakov Shaul Elishar (1906) Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Eretz Yisroel, the Givat Shaul neighborhood in Yerushalayim is named after him
R' Chaim Friedlander (1986), Mashgiach in Ponovezh (1986) author of Sifsei Chaim
29 Tamuz
R' Yochonan Hasandler, Tanna
Rashi, R' Shlomo ben R' Yitzchok (1105) Interestingly, he was 33 generations from R' Yochanan Hasandlar, whose yartzeit is the same day. See: How to gain access to Rashi's Chamber in Gan Eden.
Rashi, R' Shlomo ben R' Yitzchok (1105) Interestingly, he was 33 generations from R' Yochanan Hasandlar, whose yartzeit is the same day. See: How to gain access to Rashi's Chamber in Gan Eden.


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163 Photos
Hello there, my name is Joe Cashin. I am a photographer based in South Kilkenny, near Waterford City and Carrick on Suir, Ireland. To date my work has received many awards and prizes. My pictures have been featured on nine book covers, National and local newspapers as well as being featured in many books, magazines and publications. I am presently a relief photographer with The Munster Express in Waterford City.
On My Flickr web site my pictures have recieved over three and a half million visits and an average of 1,700 hits a day.
My pictures have also been used on National , International and Satellite TV stations, web sites, greeting and special event cards, post cards, party invitations, wedding invitations, calendars, photo books, Irish Tourism, Obituary cards, CD cover, etc. Most of my pictures are used as office decor and gifts for all occasions.
One of the most instantly recognised buildings in Ireland, Kilkenny Castle has been an important site since Strongbow constructed the first castle, probably a wooden structure, in the 12th century. William the Earl Marshall built the first stone castle on the site, which was completed in 1213. This was a square-shaped castle with towers at each corner; three of these original four towers survive to this day
Lokofoto - 12" x 8.5"
*Printed photograph will appear exactly as displayed here. (including watermarks, signatures etc.)


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Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Was resurrection story inspired by the cloth?
Holy Shroud! Was resurrection story inspired by the cloth?
Alan Boyle
The Shroud of Turin has been seen as many things over the past 620 years, ranging from true burial cloth of the risen Jesus to clever medieval fake, but Cambridge art historian Thomas de Wesselow puts together a 448-page-long case for one of the lesser-known theories in his new book, "The Sign": that the shroud's negative image of a naked, bloodied man was really produced by Jesus' decomposition, and that the stories of his resurrection were inspired by the display of that cloth to his earliest disciples.
"The message really is that the Shroud of Turin is authentic," de Wesselow told me. "This is the only rational way of understanding this image. It can be understood entirely naturalistically. There's no reason to invoke a miracle to explain the image."
De Wesselow acknowledged this could be a hard sell for believers as well as for skeptics. "There are two big things I am arguing against," he admitted.
He's already taking flak from both sides.
"It's breathtakingly astonishing," said Joe Nickell, a senior research fellow at the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry who has written extensively about the shroud. "He's clearly not a doubting Thomas. He's come up with some rather silly ideas, and then as people often do, he's fallen in love with them."
Meanwhile, in a column about the shroud, the Catholic Herald's Francis Phillips basically brushed off de Wesselow's views, saying they were "too eccentric to reproduce here."
Legends and lore for Easter
"The Sign" is the latest example of shroud lore that comes out during the Easter season, just around the time when millions of Christians are dwelling on the story of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. (I'm linking to other examples at the end of this item.) The Shroud of Turin has a clear line of provenance going back to around 1390, but when you try to go further back, you can easily get swept up in tales of the Knights Templar and legendary relics like the Veil of Veronica and the Holy Mandylion.
De Wesselow comes at the story from his background in art history. He's been researching the story of the shroud full-time for the past five years, and has woven together an explanation from scientific findings that seem to support the shroud's authenticity, plus perspectives on the animist beliefs of ancient peoples.
"I've studied images, what they mean and how they affect people," de Wesselow said. "In the old days, people saw images as potentially alive. They had potentially a consciousness. ... That type of thinking was absolutely standard before the modern age. It has nothing to do with an optical illusion, and it has nothing to do with people being stupid."
De Wesselow picks up on the idea that the shroud is actually a "vaporograph," colored by a chemical reaction between the gases exuded by a dead body and the carbohydrate deposits on the surface of Jesus' burial cloth. Blood stains were left on the cloth as well. When the shroud was taken from the body, the ghostly image remained behind — and de Wesselow said Jesus' disciples could have interpreted that image as the spiritual manifestation of their leader.
"The appearances of the risen Jesus were simply viewings of the shroud image," he said.
Here's what de Wesselow thinks happened next: After a series of viewings in the Holy Land, the shroud was and taken to the city of Edessa in modern-day Turkey, where it came to be folded up, framed and venerated by the Byzantine Christians as the Mandylion. The cloth was transferred to Constantinople in the 10th century, and disappeared in the year 1204, only to turn up again in France in the 1300s. The shroud was transferred to Turin in 1578, and it's been there ever since.
Holes in the theory?
What about the biblical references to the risen Jesus conversing with the apostles, or eating fish to prove he was really real, or letting St. Thomas touch his wounds? De Wesselow noted that the first accounts of the crucifixion and resurrection were written down decades after they supposedly occurred. "In that time, there's plenty of room for all the legends to be added to the story... These are stories written by sophisticated individuals later on to prove the point that there was a physical resurrection," he said.
Is there any evidence that dead bodies could actually produce the sort of vaporograph that de Wesselow is talking about? "We haven't got anything precisely similar," he acknowledged, "but I don't think that's surprising."
He pointed to a phenomenon known as the Jospice Imprint: In 1981, a cancer patient died at an English hospice and left a partial imprint of his body and face on a mattress cover. "It seems to have been formed from urine pooling around his body," de Wesselow said. That's not what he thinks happened in Jesus' case, but he nevertheless cited the imprint as "another example of a strange image."
De Wesselow totally buys into the evidence provided by the Shroud of Turin Research Project, to the effect that the image is not an artistic forgery but the real imprint of a battered man from centuries ago. That's a huge leap of faith right there. If you accept that, there are only so many types of explanations for the shroud you can come up with. De Wesselow said his explanation addresses the shroud mystery as well as the roots of belief in Jesus' resurrection.
"There are explanations involving a miracle, or that Jesus was spiritually resurrected and appeared in visions to his disciples," de Wesselow told me. "Since the 18th century, scientists have tried to explain the resurrection, and they've basically given up. They've basically forgotten about the whole problem. What I think I can do is provide a fairly coherent explanation which is completely naturalistic. It's a better alternative to the traditional Christian view."
A skeptic speaks
Nickell, however, prefers to stick with his own skeptical view. "I think the resurrection appearances can be seen as pretty much the same kind of thing we have today with apparitional experiences — ghosts, if you will," Nickell said. "We could see ourselves in such a situation with, say, Elvis sightings. You can understand them as experiences that people had but were illusory."
The way Nickell sees it, the biggest argument against de Wesselow's "cloth-as-Jesus" hypothesis comes from the scriptures themselves: There are only vague references to burial cloths in Matthew, Mark and Luke. The gospel of John, meanwhile, refers to Jesus being covered by separate cloths for the face and the body, which is "fatal to the Shroud of Turin," Nickell said.
"The bottom line for me is, if this author were correct, and Jesus' shroud had survived, surely one of the holy evangelists would have made note of it," Nickell said. "If it had been kept and had a remarkable picture of Jesus on it, we would have known about it. And we don't."
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Among recently filed Michigan lawsuits:
• The family of Lisa Kindl has filed a wrongful death suit against the Berkley Police, on allegations that Kindl slipped into convulsions in her cell at the city police lockup and died of alcohol withdrawal.
The Detroit News reports that the 47-year-old, who was known to the court system and police as a "chronic serious alcoholic," repeatedly asked officers for help during her July 2010 holding.
The suit alleges that 15 officers, including the police chief, may have had similar knowledge of her medical needs, and she was denied proper emergency medical care for hours despite complaints to officers.
The lawsuit was filed July 9 in Oakland County Circuit Court by Southfield attorney Mark Boegehold, and assigned to Judge Daniel O'Brien.
• Richard Bernstein of The Sam Bernstein Law Firm in Farmington Hills is asking that the former General Motors Corp. headquarters be renovated to comply with American with Disabilities Act standards.
According to MLive, his client, Jill Babcock, who works for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, moved into the building in October. She said that, while some adjustments have been to accommodate her wheelchair, such as the addition of a button-operated bathroom stall, not nearly enough has been done for disabled access building-wide.
The suit was filed July 10 at U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
• Flint attorney Tom Pabst is contending that Brian Fairchild, former police sergeant for Flushing Township, was fired for retaliatory reasons because of his involvement in a campaign to oust trustees from office.
MLive says that Fairchild claims his rights under the Whistleblower Protection Act were violated, because he actively participating in a recall campaign against trustees Michael Gardner and Bill Noecker, who are named as defendants. The township, its Supervisor Terry Peck, and trustees Scott Minaudo and Mark Purkey also are named.
Peck contends that Fairchild's termination was for budgetary reasons.
The suit was filed in Genesee County Circuit Court and assigned to Judge Geoffrey Neithercut.