FLORENCE — Seven township residents were charged with beating a man with a bat and brass knuckles early Saturday, police said Wednesday.

Kristie N. Carmignani, 24; Jason Darvas, 38; Matthew Gravner, 27; Ashley M. Onori, 22; Amerigo Paoline III, 31; Jerome B. Roach, 19; and Kevin J. Roach, 23, were arrested this week on charges related to the beating and robbery.

The victim was found 2:30 a.m. Saturday lying on an undisclosed township street with obvious injuries, police said. He told officers that he was attacked and assaulted with a bat and brass knuckles by a group of about seven people after a verbal altercation.

The victim, whose identity was not released, also claimed his iPhone was stolen by the group.

The victim was treated at an area hospital. His condition was not available Wednesday.

A set of brass knuckles was found in a nearby storm drain, police said. The seven suspects were identified and arrested after further investigation.

Kevin and Jerome Roach, Darvas and Gravner were  charged with robbery by force, aggravated assault, rioting to commit a crime, and endangering an injured person.

Kevin Roach and Darvas also were charged with possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

Onori was charged with rioting to commit a crime and endangering an injured person.

Carmignani and Paoline were charged with endangering an injured person.

All the suspects were sent to Burlington County jails in default of various bails.

Bail for Kevin Roach and Darvas was set at $150,000 each. Jerome Roach’s and Gravner’s bails were set at $100,000 apiece.

Onori’s bail was set at $25,000, Paoline’s at $2,500 and Carmignani’s at $1,000.

Kevin Roach previously served two stints in state prison for convictions of drug distribution near schools in Burlington County, according to New Jersey Department of Corrections records. He served close to a year in prison on the 2009 conviction and about a month on the 2010 conviction.

David Levinsky: 609-871-8154; email: dlevinsky@phillyBurbs.com; Twitter: @davidlevinsky

© 2012 phillyBurbs.com . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Article source: http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/burlington_county_times_news/man-beaten-with-bat-and-brass-knuckles-suspects-charged/article_0b68dcac-1fcf-53ac-8494-690f2b2bd58e.html

Montreal — The interests of management and the board of directors at SNC-Lavalin Inc. appear to be on different paths following the engineering giant’s revelation that it is probing $35-million of unexplained payments touching its construction unit.

The executive who led that unit, Riadh Ben Aissa, left the company earlier this month under a cloud of suspicion over his ties to the family of former Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. He was the top manager in charge of engineering and construction of infrastructure projects, amassing $900-million worth of work in Libya alone, before the company removed the work from its backlog in 2010 as the country plunged into civil war.

SNC-Lavalin’s so-called Office of the President, a group of 12 senior executives that includes chief executive Pierre Duhaime and chief financial officer Gilles Laramée, has hired law firm Norton Rose to represent it after the company’s disclosure Tuesday that its board has launched an investigation into inaccurate documentation of payments, according to various sources.

The investigation has forced the company to delay the reporting of its fourth-quarter and year-end financial results initially scheduled for March 2.

Companies that delay filing are monitored by the Toronto Stock Exchange, but the exchange does not keep aggregate statistics on the number of delays, said TMX Group spokeswoman Carolyn Quick.

SNC’s 13-member board, led by chairman Gwyn Morgan, founding president of EnCana Corp., has mandated its audit committee to steer an independent probe into the facts and circumstances surrounding the $35-million in payments. The audit committee, led by Canadian National Railway Co. chief executive Claude Mongeau, has hired an outside law firm to help its investigation.

“[This has gone] beyond management’s reach and we don’t know what they’ll find,” said Michel Magnan, an accountancy specialist at Concordia University’s John Molson School of Business.

“Some of these executives may need to be questioned. So I suppose that’s why they’re seeking legal advice.”

SNC spokeswoman Leslie Quinton would not comment on information that the Office of the President members had hired legal counsel.

An official with Norton Rose also declined to comment.

Norton has represented SNC-Lavalin in the past, notably in dealings with Cynthya Vanier, a mediator from Mount Forest, Ont. once hired by the engineering firm to assess the security situation in Libya. Ms. Vanier was subsequently arrested along with three others for allegedly plotting to smuggle Mr. Gaddafi’s son, Saadi Gaddafi, and his family to a Mexican hideway on false passports. She has denied the charges.

The mystery payments, the company stated in a news release Tuesday, were made in the fourth quarter of 2011 and were “documented to construction projects to which they did not relate.”

They have been subsequently treated as expenses, part of an $80-million net income cut expected on its results for fiscal 2011.

Revelations of the investigation has badly bruised investor confidence in SNC-Lavalin. On Tuesday, the company lost 20% of its market value. On Wednesday, the stock fell a further 2.7% to close at $37.40 in trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

SNC-Lavalin’s largest single investor is Montreal-based money management firm Jarislowsky Fraser Ltd., which holds a 14% stake of nearly 21.7 million shares. According to Bloomberg data citing a Dec.31, 2011 file date, Jarislowsky sold off some 3.8-million shares in SNC at an unspecified time last year.

Article source: http://business.financialpost.com/2012/02/29/snc-brass-hire-own-counsel-following-gaddafi-connection-claims/

(CBS News) Four Americans have been killed and at least 15 wounded in attacks in Afghanistan since last week when Islamic holy books were burned at a U.S. base there. Dozens of Afghans have been killed or wounded in riots. The U.S. says the Korans were burned with trash by mistake.

On Wednesday, “CBS Evening News” anchor Scott Pelley spoke to U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, Ryan Crocker, and Marine Gen. John Allen, the commander-in-charge of the war. An excerpt from the interview follows:

Pelley: Ten years in the country, sir — how can these Korans have been burned?

Allen: It is something we’re not happy about frankly, and before the sun went down that day, Scott, I issued an order from my headquarters that called for the retraining of the entire force to assist us in understanding the significance of the Koran and of the other religious materials to the Afghan people. That’s my obligation as a commander, that’s our obligation as a people.

Afghan violence not likely to change plans for U.S. drawdown of forces
U.S.: Military committed to Afghan mission
Afghan Koran backlash threatens U.S. mission

Pelley: Ambassador Crocker, the U.S. has been building a relationship in Afghanistan for more than a decade now, and I wonder how much has this relationship been set back by this incident with the Korans?

Crocker: Scott, clearly it’s been a bad week but I’m quite confident we’ll get through this. The pace of protest has slowed dramatically. A decade’s worth of relationships doesn’t go away in a single week, so we’ll move forward.

Watch the full interview with Ambassador Crocker and Gen. Allen below:

Article source: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57388008/u.s-official-on-koran-burning-well-move-forward/

RAFOTO

Twitter Mentality

Rachel Marsden

Posted: Wednesday, February 29, 2012 1:00 am
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Updated: 6:57 pm, Tue Feb 28, 2012.

Twitter mentality

Rachel
Marsden

Bryan Times

|
0 comments

In less than two weeks, Russians go to the polls for a presidential election exercise. The overwhelmingly likely outcome: Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will dust off the old stationery from his first two terms as president.
In the final run-up, Putin is publishing a series of position papers, the latest one focusing on reloading and reforming the Russian military. The most striking remark: “We need a response system for more than just current threats. We should learn to look ‘past the horizon,’ and estimate threats 30 or even 50 years away. This is a serious objective and requires mobilizing the resources of civilian and military science and reliable standards for long-term forecasting.”
When was the last time you heard an American politician talking about a 30- to 50-year grand vision? Most were born on the day of the last opinion poll and eagerly await the next one to see if their survival is guaranteed. Theirs is an anxious journey: lips fastened to their behind at any hint of any political turbulence. Their eyes otherwise glued to the seatback in-flight map, wondering why the plane graphic the size of Wyoming isn’t devouring the little pixels on the flight path faster. Fretting whether the five sandwiches purchased at the gate will be enough to get them through the next few hours. Wondering whether a single tweet ripping across the political landscape is headed straight for the belly of their plane, about to make everything moot.
This mentality explains in part why our political leadership is a revolving door of characters — tacticians rather than visionaries — with no depth at which to drop an anchor, as they blow around from one political storm to the next, clinging to dumb luck (emphasis on the “dumb”). These white-knuckled creatures are geared strictly for minute-to-minute survival — and we’ve made them this way because it’s how many of us now live and expect others to function. Quiet, patient, thoughtful visionaries don’t win in this game that favors hollow vessels making maximum noise as they flagellate themselves all over the social-media landscape
It’s precisely this kind of attitude — one of instant need for fulfillment through social-media “likes” and online comments, and a decreased tolerance for patience and planning — that will be the downfall of America and the West, and particularly its leadership. When our competitors and enemies — from Russians and the Chinese to the Somali pirates waiting calmly for a freighter to hijack — have all the patience in the world and plan long term, it magnifies our own deadly weakness.
We prioritize instant gratification above long-term vision, and we’re getting exactly the representatives who match those expectations hand in glove: clowns who can dance while we riddle the ground around their feet with bullets. Those clowns do not leaders make.
Mikhail Gorbachev’s policy of “Glasnost” and “Perestroika” — the openness and restructuring of the Soviet Union adopted in the 1980s — has, by contrast, given Russia the perfect excuse for patience, and the ideal cover of underestimation.
No one expected post-Cold War Russia to get its act together anytime soon. In recent discussions with colleagues, some were debating whether Russia’s military was so cash-strapped that the country’s security might have to be outsourced to a proxy ally. But not only is Putin now tripling military wages, he’s setting future pay on par with that of private-sector managers.
Putin explains that “by 2020, the proportion of new armaments should rise to at least 70 percent,” including “over 400 modern land and sea-based inter-continental ballistic missiles, eight strategic ballistic missile submarines, about 20 multipurpose submarines, over 50 surface warships, around 100 military spacecraft, over 600 modern aircraft including fifth-generation fighter jets, more than 1,000 helicopters, 28 regimental kits of S-400 air defense systems, 38 battalion kits of Vityaz missile systems, 10 brigade kits of Iskander-M missile systems, over 2,300 modern tanks, about 2,000 self-propelled artillery systems and vehicles, and more than 17,000 military vehicles.”
When did this happen, you ask? It’s amazing what some countries will do while we’re busy tweeting our lives away over whether Michelle Obama is eating “like some kind of hypocrite” today, or which GOP candidate will get the Sarah Palin endorsement.
Rachel Marsden is a conservative columnist, political strategist and former Fox News host who writes regularly for major publications in the U.S. and abroad.

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Wednesday, February 29, 2012 1:00 am.

Article source: http://bryantimes.com/opinion/editorials/article_ccb54312-626f-11e1-a77d-001871e3ce6c.html

Valuable brass candlesticks, crucifixes and other religious items have been stolen from a church by metal thieves.

The £5,000 haul was taken from St Joseph’s RC Church, on the Walsall-Sandwell border.

Parish priest Father Timothy Burke today branded the crime “disgusting” and said it had upset parishioners and left him unable to celebrate mass there. Worshippers arrived at the church, in Birchfield Way on the Yew Tree Estate, on Sunday morning to find a side door had been forced and brass items stolen.

Among the items taken were a tabernacle, a chalice and two silver plated ciboria.

Nativity figurines were also damaged as the thieves rifled through the church looking for precious metal.

Father Burke said: “I walked in to the church on Sunday morning and I was gobsmacked and a lot of people felt really upset. It’s disgusting really.

“I have been at this church for 45 years now, and it’s only a little church which I look after as well as Holy Cross in Stone Cross, and it’s the first time it has ever been broken into.”

Parishioners who arrived for mass at 9am on Sunday were forced to go to Holy Cross at 11am instead.

But Father Burke said he hoped to be able to say mass at St Joseph’s again on Sunday after kind donations to replace the stolen items by parishioners, other churches and local schools.

Police today pleaded with the thieves to return the items.

Pc Adam Harris, from West Bromwich police station, said: “Sentimental value and funding will make it impossible to replace these items. We are appealing for anyone who may have seen suspicious activity around the church overnight on Saturday and we ask for scrap and second hand dealers to contact us if they are offered any brass items that look like they belong in a church.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101.

Article source: http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2012/02/29/crucifixes-stolen-in-5k-metal-raid-on-church/

Dow, SP hit milestones on confidence, lower oilReuters

The Dow closed above 13,000 for the first time since May 2008 on Tuesday and the SP 500 also hit a milestone, …

Article source: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Olin-Present-Longbow-Research-prnews-3742054692.html

Before the season started, George Walton Academy girls coach Lori Hines wasn’t sure what to expect from her young squad.

“I didn’t know whether we’d be rebuilding or reloading,” Hines said.

That’s because, despite losing four senior starters, GWA returned a host of talented players who’d seen a lot of playing time.

“Turns out, we were okay,” Hines said.

The Lady Bulldogs (17-8) won the subregion, 8-A South, and earned their first bid to the GHSA state tournament. They were ousted in the first round last Friday night by Hancock Central, 44-38.

“It was disappointing, especially having to travel after we were a two seed coming out of the region tournament,” Hines said of the loss. “But we made state and that was one of our goals.”

In Hines’ four seasons at GWA, the program has made incremental progress.

 After losing 17 games her first year, the girls won 23 and their region the following season, GWA’s last as a member of the Georgia Independent School Association.

In their first year in the GHSA last winter, the Lady Bulldogs won their subregion but lost a game shy of the state tournament.

The next step is to go deeper into the state playoffs. With four starters and much of the bench expected back next season, the GWA girls should have a good chance.

The only loss to graduation will be forward Bre Atkism. But her cousin Ivey returns for her junior year and should provide the Lady Bulldogs with a solid inside presence.

She led George Walton with 16 points in the loss to Hancock despite facing a zone defense designed to limit her touches.

The Lady Bulldogs will need to improve their shooting, which was inconsistent for most of the season. In the first-round loss, the backcourt contributed just 14 points. Brooke Moon will be back as a third-year starter at point guard and will be joined in backcourt by Jada Williams and Jessie Allen.

“There were times during the season where we looked young,” Hines said. “But these girls will be a year older next year and we’re expecting big things.”

© 2012 WaltonTribune.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Article source: http://waltontribune.com/sports/article_308e6f0e-623d-11e1-b78b-001871e3ce6c.html

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Energy said Wednesday it has completed the reloading of the first set of fuel cards under the Pantawid Pasada program.

Energy Secretary Rene Almendras said the agency has reloaded P1,200 to fuel cards of public utility vehicles with plate numbers ending in zero.

Next in line are PUVs with plate numbers ending in one.

Almendras appealed to the program’s beneficiaries to be patient since not all fuel cards could be reloaded at the same time.

“We would like the drivers all over the country to immediately enjoy the load, as promised by our President, hence the process that we have employed.  We also do not want them to be hassled by going to and from gas stations only to discover the cards are empty, so to speak. That is a valid concern of our drivers,” he said.

The Pantawid Pasada Program, which started in May 2011, is an interim measure of government to cushion the impact of high fuel prices on public transport.

The reloading was ordered by President Aquino in response to the unabated fuel price hikes stemming from the continued tensions in the Middle East, coupled with increasing demand for oil from major consuming countries. 

Article source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/02/29/12/doe-completes-reloading-first-batch-fuel-cards

By Peter Urban
Stephens Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON — Top Air Force officials today defended proposed cuts to the Air National Guard that have drawn the strong opposition of 49 governors, including Mike Beebe of Arkansas.

In testimony before the House Armed Services Committee, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Air Force Secretary Michael Donley said budget constraints combined with a new strategic guidance requires the Air Force to trade size for quality.

“We will be a smaller, but superb, force that maintains the agility, flexibility and readiness to engage a full range of contingencies,” Donley said.

In a letter to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, 49 governors requested that he reconsider the budget proposal that they believe falls too heavily on the Air National Guard. Under the plan, the Guard would absorb 59 percent of the total aircraft budget reductions and about six times the personnel reductions of the active duty Air Force, they said.

“The nation’s governors strongly oppose the disproportionate cuts facing the Air National Guard,” the governors said.

While not responding directly to the governors, Donley and Schwartz faced similar questioning from members of the House panel today. They defended the plan as providing the “right mix” of active duty and reserve components for the Air Force to manage future deployments.

They also suggested that active duty forces have taken deeper hits in recent years, noting that they bore the majority of recent reductions to F16 and F15C fleets.

Several members of the Armed Services Committees complained about proposed changes to Guard units in their respective states.

U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin, R-Little Rock, questioned the decision to remove the A10 mission from the 188th Fighter Wing at Fort Smith given that the A10s were placed there after a Base Realignment and Closure review found it to be an “ideal” environment for the aircraft.

Schwartz said that a factor in the decision was that the Air Force wanted to maintain a flying mission in as many states as possible and that there is a substantial flying presence in Little Rock.

Donley also said that Fort Smith would not be shuttered but would receive a new mission.

The Air Force plans to replace the A-10 mission with an MQ-1/9 RSO element that would operate Predator/Reaper drones. The Little Rock Air Reserve would continue to have C-130s stationed at Little Rock Air Force Base but would eventually replace the current aircraft with an older model.

After the hearing, Griffin said he was not satisfied with the response.

“It sounds like they did not directly consider any of the natural advantages Fort Smith provides but made a relatively blind decision to move the A10s,” he said.

Article source: http://arkansasnews.com/2012/02/28/air-force-brass-defends-shrinking-air-guard/

Spanish Brass, an internationally acclaimed five-member brass ensemble, will bring their dynamic performance to Pike Auditorium on the campus of Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar at 3 p.m. Sunday. For those without season passes, tickets for the performance are available at the door for $20 for adults and $10 for university students.

Spanish Brass was created in 1989 by five Spanish musicians and quickly gained world renown for its performances, educational activities and creative collaborations. After winning the 1996 Narbonne (France) International Brass Quintet Competition, the most prestigious event of its kind in the world, trumpeter Bernard Soustrot said, “Of all the first-prize winners of the Narbonne Competition, Spanish Brass is the best since the competition was founded.”

Composed of two trumpets, trombone, French horn and tuba, Spanish Brass has enthralled audiences around the world with impeccable phrasing and collaborative chemistry. The group performs selections ranging from Bach and Mozart to flamboyant Hispanic works by Albeniz and Turina. Listeners marvel at the dynamic range and rhythmic intensity of this award-winning quintet. Their eclectic musical programs and elegant repertoire make Spanish Brass an audience favorite around the world.

Spanish Brass has also been in the forefront of international music education, giving courses and masterclasses at music schools and conservatories and with youth orchestras across Spain, the U.S. (including the Eastman School of Music), and around the world. Spanish Brass also runs two major brass festivals in Spain: the SBALZ Festival in Alzira and the Spanish BrasSurround Torrent. They have recorded over a dozen CDs, the latest being a 20th anniversary compilation, “The Best of Spanish Brass,” on the Marquis label.

“I cannot think of a better brass quintet in the whole world,” said Christian Lindberg, trombonist.

This is the final concert of the 2011-2012 Bolivar Live On Stage season. The schedule for the 2012-2013 season is still being finalized, and information about memberships for the coming season will soon be available. Keep watching Bolivar Live On Stage’s Web site at www.bolivarliveonstage.com or call 326-3128.

Bolivar Live On Stage has been providing live, high-quality and diverse professional entertainment through an affordable concert series for Bolivar and surrounding areas since 1947. Members of Bolivar Live On Stage may also attend concert association performances in Lexington at no extra charge.

Live On Stage Inc. provides acclaimed, affordable entertainment attractions and support services to an American community of concert presenters. For more information, visit www.LiveOnStage.biz

Article source: http://bolivarmonews.com/news/spanish-brass-to-perform-in-bolivar-march/article_212c6f62-6183-11e1-9cb0-001871e3ce6c.html

Scunthorpe assistant boss Chris Brass will not be betting against defender Paul Reid returning to action this week after breaking his nose twice in eight days.

Centre-half Reid, 30, is expected to be in contention for Wednesday’s clash at Sheffield United after breaking his nose for a second time in just over a week in Saturday’s goalless home draw with Brentford.

Brass told the club’s official website: “I’d be very, very surprised if Reidy doesn’t play in midweek.

“That’s the strength of his character – he just got on with it. He said it hurt more than the last one, but fair play to him. I know what it feels like when you’re nose gets broken.”

Brass added that midfielder Jimmy Ryan will also be back in the squad following a seven-week knee injury lay-off.

Article source: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/27022012/63/brass-betting-against-reid.html

February 27 2012 at 09:00am
By Kristen van Schie

Comment on this story

INLSA

White-out: Ready to roll, the CAT train prepares to depart for the nearly 300km trek from the Summer Station to Sanae IV, SA

Article source: http://www.iol.co.za/the-star/the-white-desert-1.1242974?ot=inmsa.ArticlePrintPageLayout.ot

The Cougars committed 10 turnovers in the first quarter as they fell behind 18-5 and never recovered.

“Even personally, I felt like I had an off-game tonight,” Central senior Taylor Voss said. “I think we were kind of scared seeing all of these bigger players up against us. We would have had to play stronger and handle the ball better in order to finish stronger against them.”

With a starting lineup that goes 5-foot-7, 5-foot-9, 5-foot-10, 6-foot and 6-foot-2, the Raiders are tough to shoot over.

The Cougars shot 24.4 percent (11-for-45) for the game.

“It was definitely hard to finish over them,” Voss said. “We work on post moves every day in practice, and to get over them, we had use what we knew.”

The Raiders got 18 points from 6-foot-2 guard Jordan Frericks.

While Frericks causes matchup problems herself, Rueter said it was the Raiders’ depth that really created a challenge for the Cougars’ defense.

“To me, it wasn’t necessarily the one, it was the three,” Rueter said. “When you go 5-10, 6-0, 6-1 or whatever, I felt like we matched up with two of the three, but not three of the three. That’s why we started off zone. I think the zone accomplished what we wanted to accomplish, but then we just didn’t rebound out of it. So we had to get out of it. If we were able to rebound out of it, I don’t know if they score as frequently as they did tonight.”

The Raiders outrebounded the Cougars 36-30. They had 17 offensive rebounds.

“When you get them to miss shots, but then give them easy rebound-and-score opportunities, that just makes it that much difficult to compete,” Rueter said.

The Cougars ended their season with a 30-6 record. They had a 12-game winning streak snapped in the title game.

For many of the Cougars, it was their third state trophy in 15 months.

Central’s volleyball team placed second in 2010 and third this past season in the Class 2A state tournament.

Nine members of the basketball team also played volleyball.

“It definitely feels good being able to go to state three times in two years,” Voss said. “Being able to look up in the gym and see all the numbers from this year and last year going up on the posters feels great knowing I was a part of it.”

With starters Maddie Timmermann, April Gebke and Torre Kohrmann back next session along with members of a strong junior varsity squad and talented incoming class of freshman, the Cougars could be reloading in short order.

“Maddie Timmermann and April Gebke and all of the subs that come in for us, they can do it next year,” Voss said. “They’re good.”

Rueter was more focused on bidding farewell to his four seniors than looking ahead to next season.

“We’re excited about the future, but now it’s about celebrating the four seniors that we graduate this season,” Rueter said. “The contributions they made to this program, the dedication and sacrifices they made over the past four years, we as coaching staff and as a community and a school are indebted to Taylor Voss, Taylor Wilken, Mallory Moss and Megan O’Brien for all they have given us.”

Article source: http://www.bnd.com/2012/02/27/2075533/cougars-ran-into-buzzsaw-in-title.html

The West Point Regimental Brass Quintet (shown in photo), of the United States Military Academy of West Point, N.Y., performed at the Wanaque School in Wanaque on Feb. 15 (later that day, the group played at the Haskell School). The Regimental Brass Quintet was founded in 1991 by members of the West Point Band. Since then, the group has played at various venues throughout the tri-state area, and started performing west of the Mississippi River in 1999.

Wanaque School students cheer to the music played by the West Point Regimental Brass Quintet when the group appeared at the school on the morning of Feb. 15.

Article source: http://www.northjersey.com/community/140526583_Getting_brassy.html

Mr Anderson said the report’s release was a key element of the law-and-order petition signed by more than 18,000 community members, and it should be used as an opportunity to shape policing numbers in the region.

He said there was certainly a need for more police in the community but he agreed with Mr McMahon in saying that a different allocation model would need to be used when distinguishing between regional and metropolitan LACs.

“For modern policing, we need to be smarter about the ways we do things – it’s not the same as it was 20 years ago,” Mr Anderson said.

He said it was important for the Oxley LAC, which includes Tamworth and Gunnedah, to maintain its autonomy.

“Those directly affected will be the boys in blue,” he said.

Mr Anderson dismissed claims that the report had been released on a Saturday, in the midst of the political competition between Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd, to avoid scrutiny.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Michael Gallacher said the report was the only one of its kind that had been carried out in the past 15 years.

“The 22 recommendations in the report are currently being examined by the NSW Police Force, with a formal response due to be handed to government in May this year,” Mr Gallacher said.

Article source: http://www.northerndailyleader.com.au/news/local/news/general/police-brass-in-line-of-fire-across-oxley-barwon-new-england-commands/2467920.aspx?src=rss

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Clinton head baseball coach Eddie Lofton is not sure whether this will be a rebuilding year or reloading year the Arrows. But one thing for sure, the Arrows will be fielding the youngest teams in a long time.

Arrow fans can get a close look at the team at Arrow Field on February 25th when CHS plays their first home game at 2:30pm. CHS will play Terry on the road Feb. 28 at 6 p.m.

After the graduation of 13 seniors from last year’s team, the Arrows have new faces at 8 of the 9 positions on the diamond. The graduation included the top 5 pictures in the rotation.

Despite all the new faces, Lofton is very optimistic about his team this season.

“We have a good group of guys that has worked very hard,” said Lofton, starting his seventh season at CHS. “Before the season is over, I think they will meet the challenge.”

Senior Catcher Heath Skelton is the lone full time starter back from last year . The only other player with a whole lot of experience is senior second baseman Benji Barham, who started as a sophomore.

Despite the inexperience, Lofton said the starters this year have seen considerable playing time from last season.

Lofton also feels defensively the team will be strong again the season.

Backing up Skelton behind the plate will be Michael Davis and Jim Hawkins.

Senior Cole Stewart, who missed a lot of last season with an injury, will start at first base. Backing up Stewart will be Baxter Howell, Matt Loper, and Chandler Williams.

Backing up Barham at second base will be, Tristen Wilkinson, and Jalyn Baker.

At shortstop, the starters depend on who is pitching. Chase Lunceford will start. When Lunceford is pitching, Jake Weathersby and Staton Todd will split time.

Evan Gelston will start at 3rd base. When not pitching , Cale Luke will see action at 3rd base along with Corbin Jamison.

The top outfielders include Kori Hawkins, Weathersby, , Anthony Williams, Trey Wilkerson, , Jim Hawkins, and Austin Pevey and Trip Williamson.

On the offensive side, Barham is expected to be the leadoff batter, followed by Luceford, Weathersby, Skelton in the clean up position, followed by Stewart. Next in the line up the designated hitter’s position will be split by Hankins and Pevey. Rounding out the starting batting lineup will be Gelston, and Hawkins.

Article source: http://www.clintonnews.com/article/20120225/SPORTS/120225002/CHS-Arrows-play-first-home-game

Sunday, 26 February 2012

Hugo Chavez receives military honors outside Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela (AP/Fernando Llano)

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Venezuela’s military high command reaffirmed its loyalty to President Hugo Chavez in a public show of support a day after Mr Chavez’s departure for Cuba to undergo surgery removing a possibly cancerous tumour.

Military leaders said they were praying for Mr Chavez’s health and were confident of a full recovery.

“With you, everything; without you, nothing,” Navy Admiral Anibal Brito said during a ceremony in the port of La Guaira to inaugurate a naval training vessel named after independence leader Simon Bolivar.

Military officers have used the phrase in the past to signal allegiance to Mr Chavez, who is scheduled to have his third operation since last June, when a baseball-size tumour was removed from his pelvic region.

The leftist president was given a clean bill of health last fall and had declared himself cancer-free, but last week Cuban doctors found a new, smaller growth in the same part of his body. Mr Chavez has said the growth is probably malignant but has not revealed what kind of cancer he has.

During 13 years in power, Mr Chavez has sought to shore up support in the military from the rank-and-file up to the high command, mindful of the country’s history of coups d’etats.

Mr Chavez himself led a failed coup in 1992 that catapulted him into the public consciousness and paved the way for his election in 1998. He survived an unsuccessful putsch against his own presidency in 2002.

In recent days, he has accused his political rivals of intending to spread rumours of discontent and division within the military during his absence from the country, and trying to stir intrigue about his health in an election year in which he is seeking a fourth term.

The presence of the military high command and vice president Elias Jaua at the ceremony sent a message of unity. “Today our commander in chief is here with us,” defence minister and General Henry Silva told cadets scheduled to sail on the Simon Bolivar. “His spirit as a revolutionary soldier is here.”

Mr Chavez, 57, flew to staunch ally Cuba on Friday after travelling by motorcade through the capital of Caracas.

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Article source: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/845/f/464365/s/1cf09633/l/0L0Sbelfasttelegraph0O0Cnews0Cworld0Enews0Ctop0Ebrass0Epledges0Eloyalty0Eto0Echavez0E161226750Bhtml0Dr0FRSS/story01.htm

Venezuela’s military high command has reaffirmed its loyalty to President Hugo Chavez in a public show of support a day after Chavez’s departure for Cuba to undergo surgery removing a possibly cancerous tumour.

Military leaders said they were praying for Chavez’s health and were confident of a full recovery.

“With you, everything; without you, nothing,” Navy Adm. Anibal Brito said during a ceremony in the port of La Guaira to inaugurate a naval training vessel named after independence leader Simon Bolivar.

Military officers have used the phrase in the past to signal allegiance to Chavez, who is scheduled to have his third operation since last June, when a baseball-size tumour was removed from his pelvic region.

The leftist president was given a clean bill of health last autumn and had declared himself cancer-free, but last week Cuban doctors found a new, smaller growth in the same part of his body. Chavez has said the growth is probably malignant but hasn’t revealed what kind of cancer he has.

During 13 years in power, Chavez has sought to shore up support in the military from the rank-and-file up to the high command, mindful of the country’s history of coups d’etats.

Chavez himself led a failed coup in 1992 that catapulted him into the public consciousness and paved the way for his election in 1998. He survived an unsuccessful putsch against his own presidency in 2002.

Photos released by the Venezuelan government and brief video aired on state television showed the socialist leader being greeted at the Havana airport by Cuban President Raul Castro.

Chavez said he planned to meet with Cuban doctors for medical tests on Saturday. The surgery is expected to take place early next week.

“I have faith that everything will go well,” Chavez told Venezuelan state television by telephone late Friday.

He said he brought with him a box of books to help pass the time, including the Spanish-language version of “TNT: The Power Within You,” a self-help book by Claude Bristol and Harold Sherman.

The book’s subtitle reads: “How to release the forces inside you get what you want!”

“It’s a book about the power of will,” Chavez said. “It helped me a lot.”

Article source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/world/13014524/venezuela-top-brass-vow-loyalty-to-chavez/

MESA, Ariz. — Despite appearances, two words not in the Cubs’ vocabulary this spring are “patience” and “rebuilding.”

Chairman Tom Ricketts and manager Dale Sveum disavowed any talk of using 2012 as a steppingstone to the future, suggesting they believe the team they’ve built is ready to contend now.

Sveum said his message to the team was that the “rebuilding” notion being spread by the media all winter is nonsense. He said he mentioned every starting position player, most of the starting pitchers and a few of the veteran relievers, and listed some of their accomplishments.

“I just let ‘em know that’s a team that can compete and do really well,” he said afterward. “We’re not here to rebuild. We’re here to try and win the World Series this year.”

Ricketts, who also spoke to the team before the first full-squad workout, reiterated his belief that this season is “not about patience,” though he didn’t go as far as to mention the World Series.

“We’ve got a good team and we’re going to have a good year,” Ricketts said.

With the new regime in place and the payroll having undergone some drastic cuts, most peg the Cubs as a fourth-place team at best. That thinking may be reflected in the Cubs’ decision to promote 9-packs and 6-packs of tickets to fans before individual tickets go on sale.

Ricketts said season ticket sales were “off the charts good” but conceded “we do have tickets to sell, in April and May in particular.” He’s not worried about a lack of interest in 2012 because of the lack of marquee players on the team.

“I think once people see how this team plays, we’ll be fine,” he said.

Sveum’s mantra of “accountability” has seemingly rubbed off on the Cubs’ owner, who said that would be a big part part of the so-called “Cubs way.” He also said the players are “going to be working I think a little harder than years past” in spring training, which could be interpreted as a shot at the last two managers, Lou Piniella and Mike Quade.

Whether or not that’s the case, there is little doubt Camp Sveum is not going to be a country-club atmosphere, and intelligent baserunning is one of the things he’s stressed to his players.

“Baserunning definitely gets lost,” he said. “Just for the lack of paying attention to it over your careers, or maybe not being held accountable for baserunning, making turns on the bases.”

The Cubs may not have many believers outside the clubhouse, but Sveum wants them to know that he and the new regime believe in every one of them. Ricketts said the hiring of President Theo Epstein and the team’s new philosophy of building with youth make this season a “new inflection point” in team history.

“I think we made some changes that are going to pay off in the short run with a great team on the field this year, and in the long run with a team that’s going to be competitive every single year,” he said. “I feel great about it.”

psullivan@tribune.com

Twitter @PWSullivan

Article source: http://chicagotribune.feedsportal.com/c/34253/f/622809/s/1cedcbca/l/0L0Schicagotribune0N0Cnews0Cct0Espt0E0A2250Ecubs0Echicago0E0E20A120A2250H0A0H80A4660A0Bstory0Dtrack0Frss/story01.htm

Scunthorpe assistant boss Chris Brass looked on the bright side after a goalless draw with Brentford.

Striker Jon Parkin went closest to breaking the deadlock in the 69th minute when he rattled the crossbar with a close-range header.

“It is frustrating, but there are plenty of positives we can take from the game,” said Brass.

“I think we are looking solid as a defensive unit and it is always good to keep a clean sheet.

“I think the character we have in the squad showed through. It is hard to win football matches in this division but we have to keep going until the end.

“To win matches you have got to be positive and I think we showed that approach. We got on the front foot and I think it is just that bit of confidence that is missing at the moment.”

Article source: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/25022012/63/brass-takes-positives.html

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Clinton head baseball coach Eddie Lofton is not sure whether this will be a rebuilding year or reloading year the Arrows. But one thing for sure, the Arrows will be fielding the youngest teams in a long time.

Arrow fans can get a close look at the team at Arrow Field on February 25th when CHS plays their first home game at 2:30pm. CHS will play Terry on the road Feb. 28th at 6pm.

After the graduation of 13 seniors from last year’s team, the Arrows have new faces at 8 of the 9 positions on the diamond. The graduation included the top 5 pictures in the rotation.

Despite all the new faces, Lofton is very optimistic about his team this season.

“We have a good group of guys that has worked very hard,” said Lofton, starting his seventh season at CHS. “Before the season is over, I think they will meet the challenge.”

Senior Catcher Heath Skelton is the lone full time starter back from last year . The only other player with a whole lot of experience is senior 2nd baseman Benji Barham who started as a sophomore.

Despite the inexperience, Lofton said the starters this year have seen considerable playing time from last season.

Lofton also feels defensively the team will be strong again the season.

Backing up Skelton behind the plate will be Michael Davis and Jim Hawkins.

Senior Cole Stewart, who missed a lot of last season with an injury, will start at first base. Backing up Stewart will be Baxter Howell, Matt Loper, and Chandler Williams.

Backing up Barham at 2nd base will be, Tristen Wilkinson, and Jalyn Baker.

At shortstop, the starters depend on who is pitching . Chase Lunceford will start. When Lunceford is pitching, Jake Weathersby and Staton Todd will split time.

Evan Gelston will start at 3rd base. When not pitching , Cale Luke will see action at 3rd base along with Corbin Jamison.

The top outfielders include Kori Hawkins, Weathersby, , Anthony Williams, Trey Wilkerson, , Jim Hawkins, and Austin Pevey, and Trip Williamson.

On the offensive side, Barham is expected to be the leadoff batter, followed by Luceford, Weathersby, Skelton in the clean up position, followed by Stewart. Next in the line up the designated hitter’s position will be split by Hankins and Pevey. Rounding out the starting batting lineup will be Gelston, and Hawkins.

Article source: http://www.clintonnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120225/NEWS/120225001/1001/news/Arrows-to-field-young-baseball-team

Wolves fans have their say online at www.expressandstar.com with Steve Morgan and Jez Moxey coming under-fire.

Solentwolves: “As we expected. There was little alternative considering how matters developed. It was the only way to draw a line under the debacle.

“I for one hope that there will be no sniping at TC – he now needs all the support we can give him. I know we must move on from Mick, but it is good to know that Sir Alex has found the time to commend his achievements with us – knockers take note.

“We have got to hope that TC can now achieve what is a tall order and keep us in the Premier League. If we go down, at least let us go down fighting.”

Breretonwolf: “So, relegation it is then. What an absolute joke! Moxey and Morgan should be deeply ashamed of this farce.”

Brightonwolf: “Just when you think things couldn’t get any worse,…… Super Terry Connor!”

ChrisT: “Fair enough. come on TC!! Come on you Wolves.”

jonboy: “They have finally lost the plot. God help us while this bloke owns our club.”

BALHAM WOLF: “After the debacle of the last 12 days this would seem the most logical solution. Personally, I wish Terry the best of luck and hope the team are up for the fight.

“Let’s deal with a long-term manager when there is sufficient time to appoint someone appropriate.

“Onwards and upwards…..hopefully.”

The Clipboard: “This is great news. Maybe Morgan will upgrade his clipboard to an iPad now?

“Start the meltdown!”

tonywolf: “Laughing stock. Shambles. Disgrace. “Who would want to work for us?

“Without doubt not only will we go down, we will finish bottom. After that, who knows?

“Will all the players jump a sinking ship? We’re gonna go down, down, down.”

Moxey’s hair gel: “Good luck Terry – wish you the best. We all need to pull together. Come on You Wolves.”

Mmatt Wolf: “An absolute Joke! Morgan and Moxey you have sent us down.

“Mick should have been sacked months ago leaving us the opportunity to attract someone.

“No-one wants the job because they have to work with a terrible points total and Mick’s sub-standard players.

“I cannot believe this news. Wonder how many Early Birds they will get now? Certainly not having my money.”

Chris – Northants Wolf: “What an absolute mess Moxey and Morgan have made out of this. They should have sacked Mick two months ago. The charade since Mick’s dismissal has been embarrassing.

“Good luck Terry.”

Rebel Hopkins: “We’re down! What a complete lack of ambition.We are the laughing stock of football. The Baggies will love this! Moxey and Morgan out.”

gold guvnor: “What a mess. Will support the lads and Terry till the end but the whole situation has been a complete and utter shambles to say the least. Pathetic work done from the top and someone needs to go.”

Article source: http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2012/02/25/molineux-top-brass-are-under-attack/

Don’t get Steve Somogyi wrong.

He doesn’t hate all brass finishes — just the really shiny, yellow-toned stuff that he thinks screams “Cheap!” when homebuyers notice it in light fixtures, switch plates, doorknobs, etc.

That brass tone was fashionable a couple of decades ago, but its day is done and it has to go if it’s in a house you’re trying to sell, according to Somogyi, a real-estate agent and interior designer in Chicago.

In prepping a small house for the market recently, he switched out every single brass light fixture, switch plate, door hinge and knob for ones with an oil-rubbed bronze finish that’s a very dark brown. Dark-toned fixtures and hardware may work to deformalize a room.

By buying the replacements from a big-box store and a website specializing in closeouts, the homeowner spent $300 to $400 for materials, he estimated, and a contractor/installer made the changes in a day.

In a larger home, such changes might be too complex or expensive to do throughout, but at the very least, sellers should take a hard look at the front-door hardware that greets potential buyers, he said.

“I spent a lot of the money on the door hardware in that house because I do believe that your buyer knows within a few seconds whether they’re going to buy,” Somogyi said. “When you feel an expensive door handle vs. a cheap handle, you can feel the difference.

“I try to sell an emotional experience, that the place has been loved,” said Somogyi, an agent for the North Clybourn Group brokerage. “That energy comes out.”

Although he’s a fan of dark-toned finishes , Somogyi said the general homebuying public continues to accept the recently popular satin-nickel tones as being “up to date” — though he suspects an appetite is brewing for the next big color.

Somogyi said not to overlook hardware details because buyers notice them.

“Those switch plates and outlet covers that have crusty paint on them? They only take a minute or two to switch out,” he said.

Article source: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/realestate/2017582718_realbrass26.html?syndication=rss

Don VanderVeen | Advance Newspapers, February 24, 2012 8:41 p.m.

What was supposed to be a rebuilding year turned into a reloading year for the Northview girls bowling team.

The O-K White Conference champion Wildcats added a state qualifying berth to their list of accomplishments by finishing runner-up to Ionia at Friday’s Division 2 regional at Lincoln Lanes. Ionia finished first with a 3,199 pin count, followed by Northview (3,154) and Fruitport (2,966).

“We’re very pleased to win our conference, and even more excited to go to the state finals again,” Northview coach Mike Anderson said. “We were neck and neck with Ionia and bowling right next to them.

“It was a good spirited, friendly competition.”

Northview advances to next weekend’s state championships at Century Lanes in Waterford. It marks the third consecutive state berth for Northview, which graduated four key bowlers from last year’s squad.

“We had only three returning bowlers – two juniors and a sophomore – and the rest of the team are all freshmen,” Anderson said. “We would rotate the freshmen in and out and go with whoever gets hot.”

Earlier in the season, the Northview girls completed a perfect season in the O-K White, going undefeated in head-to-head matches and winning both the pre- and post-season conference tournaments.

“It was actually a rebuilding year for us,” Anderson said. “We graduated four seniors from last year who were all four-year all-conference bowlers, and we did not have a senior on the team this year.”

Junior Sabrina Senninger and Jessica Zahm and sophomore Megan Stombaugh led the Wildcats, along with contributions from freshman Maria DeMario. Senninger had scores of 186 and 177, while Stombaugh had a high game of 171, DeMario a 169 and Zahm a 163.

“The three returning veterans all bowled their average or above and the freshmen we had out there kept their averages,” Anderson said. “We didn’t have any real low scores or real high scores, but they were just very consistent and bowled very well as a team.”

Article source: http://highschoolsports.mlive.com/news/article/5967064565191376465/northview-girls-bowling-team-rolls-to-state-for-third-consecutive-season/

A company’s own top management tend to have the best inside view into the business, so when company officers make major buys, investors are wise to take notice. Presumably the only reason an insider would take their hard-earned cash and use it to buy stock of their company in the open market, is that they expect to make money — maybe they find the stock very undervalued, or maybe they see exciting progress within the company, or maybe both. So in this series we look at the largest insider buys by the ”top brass” over the trailing six month period, one of which was a total of $1.7M by John A. Swainson, President at Dell Inc (NASD: DELL).

Click here to find out which other top insider buys by the ”top brass” you need to know about »

Swainson bets big on DELL:

Swainson’s average cost works out to $17.25/share. Shares of Dell Inc were changing hands at $17.56 at last check, trading up about 0.9% on Friday. The chart below shows the one year performance of DELL shares, versus its 200 day moving average:

Looking at the chart above, DELL’s low point in its 52 week range is $13.29 per share, with $18.36 as the 52 week high point — that compares with a last trade of $17.56.

DELL makes up 5.11% of the Active Mega Cap Fund ETF (AMEX: PMA)

Special Offer: Find out what Dave Moenning is holding in the ETF Channel Flexible Growth Investment Portfolio with a special 20% off coupon from Forbes and 30 Days Free.

Article source: http://www.forbes.com/sites/dividendchannel/2012/02/24/top-buys-by-top-brass-president-swainsons-1-7m-bet-on-dell/

A company’s own top management tend to have the best inside view into the business, so when company officers make major buys, investors are wise to take notice. Presumably the only reason an insider would take their hard-earned cash and use it to buy stock of their company in the open market, is that they expect to make money — maybe they find the stock very undervalued, or maybe they see exciting progress within the company, or maybe both. So in this series we look at the largest insider buys by the ”top brass” over the trailing six month period, one of which was a total of $1.7M by John A. Swainson, President at Dell Inc (NASD: DELL).

Click here to find out which other top insider buys by the ”top brass” you need to know about »

Swainson bets big on DELL:

Swainson’s average cost works out to $17.25/share. Shares of Dell Inc were changing hands at $17.56 at last check, trading up about 0.9% on Friday. The chart below shows the one year performance of DELL shares, versus its 200 day moving average:

Looking at the chart above, DELL’s low point in its 52 week range is $13.29 per share, with $18.36 as the 52 week high point — that compares with a last trade of $17.56.

DELL makes up 5.11% of the Active Mega Cap Fund ETF (AMEX: PMA)

Special Offer: Find out what Dave Moenning is holding in the ETF Channel Flexible Growth Investment Portfolio with a special 20% off coupon from Forbes and 30 Days Free.

Article source: http://www.forbes.com/sites/dividendchannel/2012/02/24/top-buys-by-top-brass-president-swainsons-1-7m-bet-on-dell/

Faced with opposition from neighborhood groups, plans to reopen the Brass Elephant have stalled. The restaurant’s owners asked the city’s liquor board on Thursday for time to regroup amid concerns that the cherished fine-dining restaurant would be converted into a nightclub.

“We would like to have legal representation,” said Stuart Teper, a representative of Charles Street Restaurant, Inc., the Brass Elephant’s holding company. The owners had been seeking to reactivate the Brass Elephant’s liquor license but instead asked for a postponement, which the Board of Liquor License Commissioners granted.

Known for its fine northern Italian cuisine and elegant atmosphere, the Brass Elephant closed in August 2009. The postponement is the latest stumbling block in the owners’ protracted attempt to sell the Mount Vernon business.

• Related

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  Find: Dining events in Baltimore

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  Pictures: 50 things Baltimore foodies must try

• Update: Is a buyer for the Brass Elephant in hand?

“In a predominantly residential neighborhood, we don’t need another lounge at this location,” the Mount Vernon Belvedere Association wrote in a letter to the liquor board. “Within one block today are six nightclub/lounges plus five restaurant-bars.”

Plans for a revamped Brass Elephant space were introduced to the association on Tuesday. The town house, they were told, would be leased by Walter Webb, who laid out his plans for a lounge and restaurant called Museum. Describing his background, Webb told the association he had been involved with Love Nightclub and Park at Fourteenth inWashington, D.C.

On Wednesday, the neighborhood association sent an email to its members pointing out Love’s troubles with Washington authorities, including a link to a video showing a brawl outside of the nightclub.

At Thursday’s liquor board hearing, Teper appeared to distance himself from Webb and his presentation.

“We are reopening,” Teper said. “That man was just our manager.”

“We’re not against liquor, and we’re not against good committed neighbors opening in Mount Vernon,” said MVBA president Jason Curtis, who added he would support the Brass Elephant’s reopening if the owners presented the full membership with “their true plans” and agreed to operate as a restaurant, and not a nightclub or lounge.

Article source: http://baltimore.feedsportal.com/c/34255/f/623016/s/1ce8a4a8/l/0L0Sbaltimoresun0N0Cnews0Cmaryland0Cbal0Ebrass0Eelephant0Epostponement0E20A120A2230H0A0H137990A0A0Bstory0Dtrack0Frss/story01.htm

Faced with opposition from neighborhood groups, plans to reopen the Brass Elephant have stalled. The restaurant’s owners asked the city’s liquor board on Thursday for time to regroup amid concerns that the cherished fine-dining restaurant would be converted into a nightclub.

“We would like to have legal representation,” said Stuart Teper, a representative of Charles Street Restaurant, Inc., the Brass Elephant’s holding company. The owners had been seeking to reactivate the Brass Elephant’s liquor license but instead asked for a postponement, which the Board of Liquor License Commissioners granted.

Known for its fine northern Italian cuisine and elegant atmosphere, the Brass Elephant closed in August 2009. The postponement is the latest stumbling block in the owners’ protracted attempt to sell the Mount Vernon business.

• Related

• 

  Going out guide: 100 best restaurants

• 

  Lunch reviews

• 

  Find: Weekly dining specials around Baltimore

• 

  Find: Dining events in Baltimore

• 

  Baltimore food porn

• 

  Pictures: 50 things Baltimore foodies must try

• Update: Is a buyer for the Brass Elephant in hand?

“In a predominantly residential neighborhood, we don’t need another lounge at this location,” the Mount Vernon Belvedere Association wrote in a letter to the liquor board. “Within one block today are six nightclub/lounges plus five restaurant-bars.”

Plans for a revamped Brass Elephant space were introduced to the association on Tuesday. The town house, they were told, would be leased by Walter Webb, who laid out his plans for a lounge and restaurant called Museum. Describing his background, Webb told the association he had been involved with Love Nightclub and Park at Fourteenth inWashington, D.C.

On Wednesday, the neighborhood association sent an email to its members pointing out Love’s troubles with Washington authorities, including a link to a video showing a brawl outside of the nightclub.

At Thursday’s liquor board hearing, Teper appeared to distance himself from Webb and his presentation.

“We are reopening,” Teper said. “That man was just our manager.”

“We’re not against liquor, and we’re not against good committed neighbors opening in Mount Vernon,” said MVBA president Jason Curtis, who added he would support the Brass Elephant’s reopening if the owners presented the full membership with “their true plans” and agreed to operate as a restaurant, and not a nightclub or lounge.

Article source: http://baltimore.feedsportal.com/c/34255/f/623016/s/1ce8a4a8/l/0L0Sbaltimoresun0N0Cnews0Cmaryland0Cbal0Ebrass0Eelephant0Epostponement0E20A120A2230H0A0H137990A0A0Bstory0Dtrack0Frss/story01.htm

Long range precision rifle shooting is one of the most rapidly growing segments of shooting sports. In the past 20 – 25 years there have been major advances in the degree of accuracy and repeatability for both high end precision rifles and ammunition and also for those that are affordable to the average shooter.

Huntington Station, New York (PRWEB) February 22, 2012

Guns such as the Winchester Model 70, Remington 700, Anschutz .22LR Rimfire rifles, and the Savage F/TR are now serious contenders. The sport is further supported with excellent ammunition from Lapua, Ely, Hornady, Speer, Barnes and Black Hills Ammunition Company; and barrel makers such as Hart, Bartlein, and Kreiger. Modern cartridge loadings such as, the 6.5 x .284 ( “From 600- and 1000- yard benchrest, to the tactical and F-class shooting disciplines, this round has made its grand entrance .” Accurateshooter.com. http://www.6mmbr.com/SixFive284.html), 6BR, (“A 6BR can set world records at 600 yards and even 1000 …we have a cartridge that delights both varminters and match shooters—benchresters and position shooters alike.” Accurateshooter.com. http://www.6mmbr.com/SixFive284.html), .308, 6 x 44 and .338 Lapua, have become the darlings of long range bench rest shooters. Unfortunately, top end precision shooting accessories such as, benches, rest bags, and rests, which are an integral part of the equipment required for consistency and accuracy, are expensive to the point of being beyond the reach of the average shooter. “…the least expensive, competitive custom rifle…costs a minimum of $2,500 before adding a scope…a front and rear rest would put you a bit over the $2,000 mark.” Jacob Gottfredson http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_3_55/ai_n31326587/. According to HYSKORE® (http://www.hyskore.com) spokesman, Ted Werner, “this creates an excellent opportunity for the introduction of full-featured precision shooting rests at prices that the entry level shooter can afford. With this thought in mind, HYSKORE® has developed the Bench Beast™ Integrated Competition Precision Shooting Platform.” “You just need good range conditions and a steady rest to get tight groups at the bench; a castle of ratty old sandbags just doesn’t cut it…If you have never used a good, traditional two-piece cradle system, you are in for a real treat.” Randy Wakeman http://www.chuckhawks.com/rock_rest.htm. The Bench Beast is modular and consists of 3 components. The #30195 Joy Stick Operated Front Rest, the #30196 Universal Rest, and the #30201 Linkage Set. These components can be purchased separately or together to form a complete integrated set that is, in effect, a one piece shooting rest. Either way entry level shooters can now enjoy the benefits of a world class competition bench rest.

The HYSKORE® (http://www.hyskore.com) #30195 Bench Beast™ Joy Stick Rest incorporates virtually all of the most advanced and useful features sought after by competitive bench rest shooters; these are evident in top end rests manufactured by SEB International, Farley, and Sinclair. In addition, The Beast has unique design features that set it apart from every other commercially produced rest available to competitive bench rest rifle shooters. One of the most significant differences between the Bench Beast™ and any other rifle rest is the compound scissor primary elevation system. The scissor mechanism is activated by a dial operated horizontal screw so that it requires no additional lock up and stays exactly where it is left without out drift, creep, or other movement. Controls are ambidextrous. It is further stabilized with Teflon linear motion bearings that ride on polished vertical shafts. The coaxial joy stick is used for fine adjustments in windage and elevation, and has a total range of 120 M.O.A. (minutes of arc http://riflestocks.tripod.com/moa.html) . Just like the elevation mechanism, the joy stick rides on Teflon linear motion bearings to provide liquid smooth motion in all directions. Once the ideal position is found, a secondary lock up holds the gun at the perfect point of aim. The rest is supplied with a custom, filled, leather rest bag that sits on a platform with adjustable end brackets that can be further adjusted for side tension to provide the perfect coefficient of friction so that the gun slides smoothly during free recoil. Projecting to the front is an adjustable forend stop. This is a screw operated referencing device that positions the gun at the exact same point for bullet release for each shot. The Bench Beast™ is also equipped with an adjustable ammunition shelf that can be mounted on either the right or left side. The purpose of the shelf is to keep the shooter’s ammunition in exactly the same place for each shot, and most importantly so the shooter only makes a minimum amount of movement to retrieve and exchange cartridges. The base is equipped with three point leveling, and a magnetic spirit level. This shooting rest is a far cry from using bean bags or a stack of rags as a gun support. “The bipod has always given good groups but when changing bull on a score target your POI is all over the place. The conventional pedestal front rest and rear bag works well but…The POI…moved somewhat.” Brian Harvey http://www.accurateshooter.com/guns-of-week/gunweek080/. All that is necessary is a rock solid shooting bench, an F class or bench rest rifle, and a willing shooter. If precision and repeatability are the objectives of the shooter this is the best front shooting rest.

The HYSKORE® (http://www.hyskore.com) #30196 Bench Beast™ Universal Rest was originally designed to be the rear rest of the integrated system, but can also serve well as a front shooting rest. Serious, top scoring, competitive bench rest shooters prefer to make their fine adjustments in windage and elevation from the rear of the gun rather than the front. …“you can also fine-tune your elevation by squeezing both ears…squeeze the ears with your thumb and first two fingers to adjust elevation and windage.” The Reloading Press http://blog.sinclairintl.com/2009/01/15/shooting-non-benchrest-rifles-from-the-bench/. By doing this, they are able to remain in a tight consistent shooting position with perfect sight picture, eye relief, and cheek weld through all phases of firing as opposed to having to reach forward to make adjustments. The Bench Beast™ Universal Rest has been designed for exactly this purpose. Just like the #30195 Joy Stick Rest, it uses a compound scissor mechanism for elevation, which means that it remains exactly where it is set without any drift, creep, or movement. This sets it apart from other rifle rests that utilize a threaded central column that wobbles, or a rack and pinion that requires secondary lock up. The upper platform rides on Teflon linear motion bearings and moves side to side by simply turning a knob. By using the elevation and windage adjustments the shooter can fine tune the point of impact and sight picture, but must remember that the gun sights will move in the opposite direction from adjustments made at the front end. The rest is equipped with a filled, rabbit ear, leather shooting rest bag, a magnetic bubble level, and three point leveling. Both windage and elevation adjustments are fully ambidextrous.

Some types of competition such as, air and rimfire rifle (World Rimfire and Air Rifle Benchrest Federation http://www.wrabf.com/) allow the front and rear rest to be integrated into a rigid, one piece shooting platform; other types of competition do not. (The United States Bench Rest http://usbr.benchrest.net/ and International Benchrest Shooter http://internationalbenchrest.com/index.php). The Bench Beast™ integrated shooting system has been designed so that the front and rear rest can stand alone or be joined together using the #30201 Linkage Set. In this manner they form a fully integrated rigid shooting platform making this one of the best shooting rests available to bench rest and F class shooters or just the most incredible rifle rest to set up on your bench at the shooting range or at the Firearms Industry Super Shoot.

Both rests will be available Summer 2012

A full range of long gun and handgun maintenance and shooting accessories including compression dampened recoil attenuating shooting and tactical / varmint rests is available from HYSKORE® http://www.hyskore.com. The line up consists of the DLX Precision Sighting Rest, the Dangerous Game® Machine Rest, The Bench Beast Precision Shooting Rest, the Dead Eye® Tactical Varmint Rest, the Parallax Cleaning and Sighting Rest, and the Black Gun® Machine Rest. These are all fully supported on the HYSKORE® http://www.hyskore.com website with instruction manuals, target down loads, and both demo and tutorial videos. Most importantly, these advanced shooting accessories are affordable to the average shooter.

About HYSKORE®

HYSKORE® is a registered trademark of Power Aisle, Inc. (Est. 1988) of Huntington Station, New York 11746, 631/673-5975. HYSKORE® manufactures a proprietary line of advanced, purpose built, tactical and sport shooting accessories including shooting rests, multi-function electronic hearing protection, pistol rests, pistol racks and sundry accessories. HYSKORE® products are available at numerous retailers including: Cabelas http://www.cabelas.com, BassPro http://www.basspro.com, Sportsman’s Guide http://www.sportsmansguide.com, Cheaper Than Dirt, http://www.cheaperthandirt.com, Brownells http://www.brownells.com, and Midway USA http://www.midwayusa.com.

###

Theodore Werner
power aisle, inc
(631) 673-5975
Email Information

Article source: http://news.yahoo.com/hyskore-introduces-bench-beast-precision-long-range-bench-080809877.html

Faced with opposition from neighborhood groups, plans to reopen the Brass Elephant have stalled. The restaurant’s owners asked the cty’s liquor board on Thursday for time to regroup amid concerns that the cherished fine-dining restaurant would be converted into a nightclub.

“We would like to have legal representation,” said Stuart Teper, a representative of Charles Street Restaurant, Inc., the Brass Elephant’s holding company. The owners had been seeking to reactivate the Brass Elephant’s liquor license but instead asked for a postponement, which the Board of Liquor License Commissioners granted.

Known for its fine northern Italian cuisine and elegant atmosphere, the Brass Elephant closed in August 2009. The postponement is the latest stumbling block in the owners’ protracted attempt to sell the Mount Vernon business.

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• Update: Is a buyer for the Brass Elephant in hand?

“In a predominantly residential neighborhood, we don’t need another lounge at this location,” the Mount Vernon Belvedere Association wrote in a letter to the liquor board. “Within one block today are six nightclub/lounges plus five restaurant-bars.”

Plans for a revamped Brass Elephant space were introduced to the association on Tuesday. The town house, they were told, would be leased by Walter Webb, who introduced his plans for a lounge and restaurant called Museum. Describing his background, Webb told the association he had been involved with Love Nightclub and Park at Fourteenth inWashington, D.C.

On Wednesday, the neighborhood association sent an email to its members pointing out Love’s troubles with Washington authorities, including a link to a video showing a brawl outside of the nightclub.

At Thursday’s liquor board hearing, Teper appeared to distance himself from Webb and his presentation.

“We are reopening,” Teper said. “That man was just our manager.”

“We’re not against liquor, and we’re not against good committed neighbors opening in Mount Vernon,” said MVBA president Jason Curtis, who added he would support the Brass Elephant’s reopening if the owners presented the full membership with “their true plans” and agreed to operate as a restaurant, and not a nightclub or lounge.

Article source: http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/bal-brass-elephant-postponement-20120223,0,3638032.story?track=rss

In less than two weeks, Russians go to the polls for a presidential election exercise. The overwhelmingly likely outcome: Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will dust off the old stationery from his first two terms as president.

In the final run-up, Putin is publishing a series of position papers, the latest one focusing on reloading and reforming the Russian military. The most striking remark: “We need a response system for more than just current threats. We should learn to look ‘past the horizon,’ and estimate threats 30 or even 50 years away. This is a serious objective and requires mobilizing the resources of civilian and military science and reliable standards for long-term forecasting.”

When was the last time you heard an American politician talking about a 30- to 50-year grand vision? Most were born on the day of the last opinion poll and eagerly await the next one to see if their survival is guaranteed. Theirs is an anxious journey: lips fastened to their behinds at any hint of any political turbulence. Their eyes otherwise glued to the seatback in-flight map, wondering why the plane graphic the size of Wyoming isn’t devouring the little pixels on the flight path faster. Fretting whether the five sandwiches purchased at the gate will be enough to get them through the next few hours. Wondering whether a single tweet ripping across the political landscape is headed straight for the belly of their plane, about to make everything moot.

This mentality explains in part why our political leadership is a revolving door of characters — tacticians rather than visionaries — with no depth at which to drop an anchor, as they blow around from one political storm to the next, clinging to dumb luck (emphasis on the “dumb”). These white-knuckled creatures are geared strictly for minute-to-minute survival — and we’ve made them this way because it’s how many of us now live and expect others to function. Quiet, patient, thoughtful visionaries don’t win in this game that favors hollow vessels making maximum noise as they flagellate themselves all over the social-media landscape

It’s precisely this kind of attitude — one of instant need for fulfillment through social-media “likes” and online comments, and a decreased tolerance for patience and planning — that will be the downfall of America and the West, and particularly its leadership. When our competitors and enemies — from Russians and the Chinese to the Somali pirates waiting calmly for a freighter to hijack — have all the patience in the world and plan long term, it magnifies our own deadly weakness.

We prioritize instant gratification above long-term vision, and we’re getting exactly the representatives who match those expectations hand in glove: clowns who can dance while we riddle the ground around their feet with bullets. Those clowns do not leaders make.

Mikhail Gorbachev’s policy of glasnost and perestroika — the openness and restructuring of the Soviet Union adopted in the 1980s — has, by contrast, given Russia the perfect excuse for patience and the ideal cover of underestimation.

No one expected post-Cold War Russia to get its act together anytime soon. In recent discussions with colleagues, some were debating whether Russia’s military was so cash-strapped that the country’s security might have to be outsourced to a proxy ally. But not only is Putin now tripling military wages, he’s setting future pay on par with that of private-sector managers.

Putin explains that “by 2020, the proportion of new armaments should rise to at least 70 percent,” including “over 400 modern land and sea-based inter-continental ballistic missiles, eight strategic ballistic missile submarines, about 20 multipurpose submarines, over 50 surface warships, around 100 military spacecraft, over 600 modern aircraft including fifth-generation fighter jets, more than 1,000 helicopters, 28 regimental kits of S-400 air defense systems, 38 battalion kits of Vityaz missile systems, 10 brigade kits of Iskander-M missile systems, over 2,300 modern tanks, about 2,000 self-propelled artillery systems and vehicles, and more than 17,000 military vehicles.”

When did this happen, you ask? It’s amazing what some countries will do while we’re busy tweeting our lives away over whether Michelle Obama is eating “like some kind of hypocrite” today or which GOP candidate will get the Sarah Palin endorsement.

Tribune Media Services

Rachel Marsden is a columnist, political strategist and former Fox News host.

Article source: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/ct-perspec-0224-twitter-20120224,0,2568509.story

INDIANAPOLIS – While 49ers general manager Trent Baalke is at this week’s Combine to scout and interview the 327 draft prospects on hand, he has a lot of house cleaning to address before the start of free agency March 13.

“We’re always going to try to take care of our own first. And we’re working through that process now,” Baalke said. “And, then, we’ll look to what else is available.”

The top two priorities are re-signing quarterback Alex Smith and cornerback Carlos Rogers.

“Alex is our guy, that’s well documented,” head coach Jim Harbaugh said. “When the quarterback is unsigned and a free agent, that causes some lost sleep.”

While Smith is fully expected to re-sign and build on his solid 2011 season, Rogers could prove more difficult to retain despite his stated desire to return.

“All the guys who went into us having the success that we had last year, they’re all a priority,” Baalke said. “Unfortunately, it is a business so you can’t have everybody back. We’re going to do everything we can with Carlos as we will with our other unrestricted free agents because we want to keep that locker room together.”

Other key free agents include right guard Adam Snyder, safety Dashon Goldson and linebacker Ahmad Brooks. The 49ers could put the franchise tag on Goldson at the relatively cheap price of $6.2 million. The 49ers reportedly offered Goldson a five-year, $25 million deal last season that Goldson rejected. That deal might have to be sweetened because of Goldson’s Pro Bowl season in 2011.

An area the 49ers need to fortify through free agency and the draft is wide receiver. Michael Crabtree had a career-high 72 receptions in 2011 and Kyle Williams has shown potential. But Braylon Edwards didn’t pan out and was released during the season and Josh Morgan is working his way back from a broken leg.

Ted Ginn had just 19 receptions during the regular season, so there is significant opportunity to improve the position group.

“Obviously, there’s some depth in the free-agent market this year,” Baalke said. “There are good players at every level of this draft. Some of those guys at the bottom end are going to end up being good players. You got to find out which of that group at the bottom of those 15 or 20 guys, which three or four are really going to springboard up and improve as a professional? That’s why we’re all here, to try to find that nugget that’s going to lead us to one of those guys.”

Baalke repeatedly referred to the locker room, and how the mix of players helped propel the 49ers to a 13-3 regular-season record in 2011. He has been busy huddling with the team’s scouts and preparing for free agency and the draft.

Too busy to watch film of the 49ers’ loss to the Giants in the NFC Championship Game or Super Bowl XLVI.

“Last year’s success doesn’t mean anything moving forward,” he said. “We have a lot of work to do. I feel very good about the systems that we have in place and the coaching staff having a full offseason to really work with these guys and to take the systems and the schemes to a new level and the understanding of those schemes to a new level.

“We’re going to do the same things we’ve done in the past — the same things we ask our players to do, come to work every day with the mindset of getting better. And I feel like we can get better. There’s a lot of things that have to happen for us to maintain and improve on what we did a year ago.”

Harbaugh is leaving the contracts up to Baalke, and focusing his time in Indianapolis on getting “knee-to-knee and eyeball-to-eyeball” with the prospects, many of whom he went through the recruiting process with at Stanford.

The Combine is just one element of what Harbaugh considers a critical time for the 49ers to improve from his first year with the franchise to the second.

“I’ve always felt the biggest improvement you can make is from year one to year two,” Harbaugh said. “There’s a window there where you can make your biggest strides.

“We’re chasing getting a mile an hour faster. Everything you’re doing, you’re doing it for the second time. You’ve experienced the potholes and the things that can come up. You have some muscle memory.

QUOTEWORTHY: “Have you ever played Spades? He’s holding a lot of aces in a lot of suits.” – Harbaugh on Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, NFLDraftScout.com’s No. 1-rated player in this year’s draft.

Copyright (C) 2012 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.

Article source: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/17408058/baalke-harbaugh-focus-on-reloading-for-2012

DALLAS/FORT WORTH AIRPORT

“I am a playoff guy. I am not winning the day in the room but I believe in a playoff.” — Mountain West commissioner Craig Thompson

“I am not a playoff guy. I never have been. I would suggest that a 16-team, or an eight-team, or anything that is like that, is a negative. It is not good for the regular season. It’s not good for the bowls and I don’t think it’s good for college football.” — Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany

Other than that little disagreement, how were the talks about changing the college football postseason?

What a crock of . . . BCS.

I dragged myself to Dallas-Fort Worth Airport on Wednesday because all of the college football conference commissioners had gathered to talk about, supposedly, a playoff. Whether they were there is not in question.

CONFERENCE CHAOS

Keeping track of college football’s changing landscape: <!– Big East raises exit fees for schools –>

• WVU clears suit, joins Big 12
• Big East may let two go early
• MWC, C-USA to form new league
• Missouri leaving Big 12 for SEC
• What’s the next expansion move?
• Big East authorized to add teams
• Texas AM to join SEC in 2012
• Engel: Cash grab exposes NCAA
• CFN: ACC move precedes free-for-all
• Triumph, Tradition Turmoil

Let me assure you, they are not talking about a playoff, not a playoff recognizable to anyone who watches sports. They are talking about a plus-one game, and even then a very bastardized version.

“A playoff is typically bracketed, seeded,” Delany explained when asked if a plus-one is a playoff. “And to the extent that you have that, I call that a playoff of some sort. And to the extent you don’t have that, it wouldn’t be as much a playoff.”

Maybe it is just me, but I equate a playoff with a bracket. And I equate sports with playoffs.

A lot of whys were given by Delany and others as to why a playoff is an abomination against all that is good and holy. Protecting bowl games, protecting academics (giggle) and protecting the regular season were mentioned most often.

“We are just cautious,” Delany acknowledged.

Then after a little pause, he added: “. . . to protect what we have.”

Say this for Delany, at least he’s honest. We all suspected this, that anti-playoff sentiment was deeply rooted in the very old white guy tradition of friends taking care of friends. God forbid, the bowl sports coats have to justify their existence. There seems to be a fear that a playoff will be so wildly successful it will force them to abandon struggling bowls, which someone wisely noted on Twitter is like Apple hesitating on putting out iPads for fear people buy them instead of, say, a MacBookPro.

As late Apple founder Steve Jobs loved to say: “If you do not cannibalize yourself, someone else will.”

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From how teams and athletes prepare to how we watch games, Apple technology has changed sports. Yardbarker examines Steve Jobs‘ influence on the sports world.

I have been rereading Walter Issacson’s fabulous biography on Jobs, which should be required reading in schools, and I highly recommend. How Jobs looked at life has changed how I look at life going forward, and I am wholly convinced he’d spend 20 seconds in a BCS meeting and walk away muttering about how many “B-players” he had been strapped with and what limited thinkers they were.

This was a guy who once a year took his most valuable Apple employees on what he called “The Top 100” getaway and had them tackle “what 10 things we should be doing next.” He did not take his buddies or guys who had been useful a long time ago. His criteria was “the people you would bring if you could take only 100 people with you on a lifeboat to your next company.”

What I noticed Tuesday was a lifeboat chock-full of men who believe in the status quo. They are not figuring out where this thing is going, rather fighting to keep it where it is.

That rarely works. Ask newspapers.

A playoff is coming to college football. And these dudes can either help shape what it looks like or be obstructionists intent on preserving what they have. This is so counterintuitive, hedging on creating a playoff system for fear it will be so popular it kills the old bowl system. And if the bowls can be killed that easily, they were weak to begin with — an idea backed by TV ratings and attendance numbers.

They should cannibalize themselves before Congress or a lawsuit or public sentiment does it for them.

Of course, this would require them to believe a playoff is inevitabile.

TEAM PLAY

Which schools picked up the best recruits? Scout.com ranks them.

And my back-and-forth with Delany on Wednesday does not suggest this is the case.

Me: Do you believe this is an inevitability?

Delany: “No, I don’t.”

Me: Why not?

Delany: “I just don’t believe that everything that happens in the NFL has to happen in our level of football. I kind of have a belief that you have to have balance between the postseason and the regular season. . . . I think expansion of a playoff to that extent could really damage the regular season. That is my belief.”

Me: Do you believe your belief is in line with public sentiment?

Delany: “I don’t know if it is or it is not. I think the American sports fan is conditioned to playoffs. I think they like more games, wild cards, larger fields.”

It is easy to demonize Delany and his SEC counterpart Mike Slive as well. Both were brutally honest about very anti-playoff sentiments in a time when public sentiment seems to be trending against them. I admire that kind of honesty and actually came away from my talk with Delany very impressed. He is ruthless. He is fiery. He is powerful. And he is smart.

The problem is these guys are using their power and smarts to play four-corners defense against an idea whose time has come. There will be a playoff, just not as long as these guys are in the room.

They are not talking about it. They are talking about talking about it.

“It may well be that a new system comes about. It may well be it doesn’t,” Delany said. “I couldn’t handicap it. But I could tell you, if you think there is a presumption that it will happen, you are probably optimistic.”

Article source: http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/Craig-Thompson-Mike-Slive-Jim-Delany-college-football-commissioners-fear-playoffs-for-wrong-reasons-022212

San Francisco Symphony horn player Jonathan Ring is so enamored of brass that in his limited spare time, he acts as a spark plug for a little-known group called the Bay Brass.

“I’ve always loved playing in a brass ensemble, with its huge variety of repertoire. It can be beautiful and subtle at one moment, then be the closest thing to rock ’n’ roll that you can get in the classical world, all in the same piece,” Ring says.

Even though the group of 13 major brass players has been around for 17 years, has performed many concerts and has a Grammy-nominated CD, the group hasn’t been publicized — at least in part because its members have been satisfied simply with making music.

But the Bay Brass is now stepping into the spotlight on behalf of a similarly self-effacing, but vitally important, participant in the local brass community.

On Tuesday, the ensemble will play a concert at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music to honor instrument repair expert and craftsman Dick Akright, who has provided essential support to the Bay Area and national brass player community for more than 42 years at the Best Instrument Repair Company in Oakland.

Called “Birthdays and Anniversaries,” the program features world premieres by trombonist Wayne Wallace; John Wesley Gibson’s “The Great Golden Gate”; and works by Debussy, Gabrieli, Philip Glass and others, all with special connections to the year 2012.

Proceeds from the concert will be donated to scholarships in Akright’s name for deserving young musicians to attend La Honda Music Camp, one of his favorite causes.

“Dick has been the foremost primary-care brass instrument doctor when repairs are needed,” Ring says, “helping his musical patients to achieve high-level performances whether in the local schools, symphony orchestras or jazz and rock bands.”

Ring’s designation as a spark plug is in lieu of an official title. Neither he nor anyone else is the head of Bay Brass, or its music director or permanent conductor. The democratic organization reflects the motivation of its members just to have fun.

“Bay Brass has allowed me to assume many roles which I never get to play in my work with the San Francisco Symphony,” Ring says. “Helping with the choice of programs, coming up with interesting new music, working with composers on commissions, and also arranging and conducting some of the music myself.”

In addition to Ring, other San Francisco Symphony musicians in Bay Brass include Glenn Fischthal (trumpet); Bruce Roberts, Robert Ward and Kimberly Wright (horns); and John Engelkes, Mark Lawrence and Paul Welcomer (trombones).

Musicians from the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra include Skip Wagner (trumpet), Jeffrey Budin (trombone) and Peter Wahrhaftig (tuba). Trumpet player David Burkhart is from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and James Dooley, also playing trumpet, is from Symphony Silicon Valley.

The ensemble prides itself on the diversity of its programming, combining traditional brass repertory with jazz and other contemporary styles, commissioning new works, and featuring a mix of large-scale symphonic brass ensemble works and compositions for smaller combinations of players.

Article source: http://www.sfexaminer.com/entertainment/2012/02/bay-brass-play-concert-honor-repair-expert

Several area high school football players are part of the 2012 recruiting class at the University of the Cumberlands.

This year, the Patriots are coming off of a season in which some would say is disappointing, but still very successful at 7-3 and 4-3 in the Mid-South Conference (MSC), arguably the toughest NAIA football conference in the country.  The Patriots did graduate 13 seniors this season, but have already started on reloading for the 2012 season.  Thirty-one new commits have inked with the Patriots thus far.

Twelve athletes from Georgia, twelve from Tennessee, six signees from Kentucky, and one from Ohio round out the 31 newly signed Patriots that will compete on the gridiron next year in Williamsburg. 

Head Coach John Bland commented, “We feel really good about our 2012 signee class thus far.  We are ahead of where we have been in the past, but are still recruiting extremely hard.  Prospects are comparing academics, football programs and facilities, location, and financial aid packages right now.  We hope to add to what we feel is already a very strong recruiting class for next season. “

A list of the newly signed Patriots follows:

Chandler Patrick – Tyner High School (Chattanooga, TN)

Drew Chambers – Signal Mountain High School (Signal Mountain, TN)

Eli Stout – Sequatchie County High School (Dunlap, TN)

Gray Bunch – Powell High School (Powell, TN)

Jake Ables – Soddy-Daisy High School (Soddy Daisy, TN)

Isaiah Hayes – Brainerd High School (Chattanooga, TN)

Phillip Patrick – Tyner High School (Chattanooga, TN). 

Blake Forrester – Johnson High School (Flowery Branch, GA)

Brent Copeland – Bremen High School (Bremen, GA)

Brian Stills – Fayette County High School (Fayetteville, GA)

Christopher Sharpe – Vidalia High School (Vidalia, GA)

David Kilgore – Central Carrollton High School (Carrollton, GA)

Jonathan Morrell – Perry High School (Perry, GA)

Julian Norman – Fayette County High School (Fayetteville, GA)

Keith DeVeaux – Atlanta Sports Academy (Atlanta, GA)

Lee Smith – Dawson County High School (Dawsonville, GA)

Randolph Cook – Valdosta High School (Valdosta, GA)

Rico Lyons – Mary Persons High School (Forsyth, GA)

Rico Ogletree – Mary Persons High School (Forsyth, GA)

Curtis Spears – Pulaski County High School (Science Hill, KY)

Ethan Lake – Madison County High School (Berea, KY)

John Hiles – Bryan Station High School (Lexington, KY)

Tyler Jackson – Pulaski County High School (Somerset, KY)

John Brewer – Leslie County High School (Hyden, KY)

Daryl McCain – Montgomery County High School (Mt. Sterling, KY)

Noah Burress – Buckeye Trail High School (Cambridge, OH)

Cody Ricker – Morristown East High School (Morristown, TN)

Jake Robbins – Sevier County High School (Sevierville, TN)

Drake Fox – Adamsville High School (Adamsville, TN)

Ty Johnson – Gibbs High School (Corryton, TN)

Caleb Melton – Grace Christian High School (Knoxville, TN)

Over the past six years, Bland has led UC to a 47-18 record with four straight Mid-South Conference Divisional Championships from 2007 to 2010.  The Patriots made it to the NAIA National Championship tournament all four of those seasons and were on the cusp of making it his other two. 

UC will open the 2012 season at James H. Taylor, II Stadium in Williamsburg as they take on Belhaven University in a MSC crossover game.  Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. 

Article source: http://www.chattanoogan.com/2012/2/22/220062/Several-Area-Players-Sign-With.aspx

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

THE Department of Energy (DOE) is in the process of reloading P1,200 to beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pasada Program for public utility jeepneys.

The DOE, in a media release Wednesday, said since there were about 100,000 cards issued, some cards will be loaded earlier than others.

“Reloading will be based on plate numbers starting from plates ending in zero until nine. News bulletins will be issued announcing the cards reloaded,” it said.

The Pantawid Pasada Program, which started last year in May, is an interim measure of the government to cushion the impact of high fuel prices particularly to the public utility jeepneys. (Sunnex)

Article source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2012/02/22/energy-office-reload-pantawid-pasada-cards-207477

Wilson Chandler’s list of possible destinations now extends beyond his former team in Denver, his agent, Chris Luchey, told SI.com.

Chandler, the five-year veteran and restricted free agent small forward who played in China during the lockout, visited Toronto on Tuesday and is considering joining the Raptors. Chandler is still waiting for his clearance to return to the NBA from the Chinese Basketball Association but was in Denver on Monday for a game against Minnesota, talking contract terms with Nuggets GM Masai Ujiri and even visiting his old locker room.

Luchey said the Raptors (9-23), who have salary cap room to add Chandler without the use of an exception, are in the mix and that he is talking to six other teams. Chandler made $2.1 million last season and had been hoping for a long-term deal with Denver.

“We are exploring all avenues,” Luchey said. “Our talks [with Denver] thus far have been OK. It’s just the nature [of free agency]. They have options and Will has options.”

Chandler has said for months that his intention is to re-sign with the Nuggets, but Ujiri — according to Luchey — has made it clear he has no interest in signing him for only the rest of the season and that he wants a long-term deal. If an agreement between the two sides can’t be reached soon, Chandler has two options.

He has until March 1 to sign an offer sheet with another team, then either join that club or return to the Nuggets if they match the offer. After March 1, Chandler can’t sign with any team but Denver for the remainder of the season. And because the Nuggets aren’t showing interest in that option, he could then be left to sit out the rest of the season and be a restricted free agent again in July.

Chandler spent his first four-plus seasons with the Knicks, but was sent to Denver as part of the Carmelo Anthony trade last February. He has averaged 13.9 points and 5.3 rebounds per game while shooting 45.1 percent for his career.

Article source: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/sam_amick/02/22/wilson.chandler/index.html?xid=si_topstories

Everything A Gun Enthusiast Would Want In A High-Capacity, Self-Defense Pistol — Inside GUNS Magazine April Issue

High-Capacity, Self-Defense Pistols – Inside GUNS Magazine 2012 April Issue

GUNS Magazine

San Diego, Calif. --(Ammoland.com)- In the April issue of GUNS Magazine, John Taffin admits that while he loves practicing with his older, beautifully customized sixguns, but if he was expecting trouble he would pack the Taurus 24/7 G2 instead.

He writes in the cover feature, “Day or Night,” that the gun seems like someone tried to include everything a gun enthusiast would want in a high-capacity, self-defense pistol.

“I’m not sure when they changed from being a follower to a leader, but Taurus has been both innovative and aggressive and shooters have benefited. A perfect example of the path Taurus is following can be seen in their newest semi-automatic pistol,” says Taffin. “Taurus obviously does not know how to do things in a small way.”

John Barsness writes about the differences in ammo and attitude of big-game hunters who fall into three categories: Traditionalists, Y2Ks and Averages. In his article “Classic or Modern,” he compares the pros and cons of sticking with ammo introduced before 1912, with that introduced after 2000, as well as the factory ammo that can be purchased everywhere.

In “Consolidation,” Mike “Duke” Venturino muses about semi-retirement and the need it would bring to cut back from reloading 48 different cartridges. Readers will find out which 17 firearms Duke would decide to keep — if he ever does retire!

Gun enthusiasts are also invited to visit www.gunsmagazine.com and read “Thunder Ranch HART” — this month’s exclusive online feature. American Handgunner editor Roy Huntington gives readers a glimpse of this High Angle Rifle Training course, originally designed for a group of SEALs.

In April’s Gun of the Month giveaway, readers can enter to win a PPS50/22 from Mitchell’s Mausers. The accessory package also includes a Titanium RAV 3 by Grayman Knives, Just Plugs hearing protection and a Three-Step Gun Car Kit from Mil-Comm.

GUNS all-digital edition is reaching more readers than ever. Finding the right article or resource is easier with the included hotlinks and search options. To sign up for a free digital subscription, visit www.gunsmagazine.com/digital-editions.

GUNS Magazine 2012 April

For more information, bonus features, expanded content and to read the April issue, visit www.gunsmagazine.com.

Distributed to you by - AmmoLand.com – The Shooting Sports News source.Tags: FMG Publications, Guns Magazine, Magazines, Self Defense Guns, Shooting Media News

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Article source: http://www.ammoland.com/2012/02/22/high-capacity-self-defense-pistols-inside-guns-magazine-2012-april-issue/

Gaming Law

According to a Reuters’ article posted today, MGM CEO Jim Murren expects online poker to be legal in the United States by 2012. In a statement made in a conference call Murren claimed “It’s not easy, not that it’s a complicated issue. It’s becoming a clearer issue. It’s because Washington is becoming more complicated.” He further states “We’ll be one of the first ones out of the gate when it’s approved.” This is pretty cool for online poker because the big casino corporations have lots of lobbying power in Washington and if they are pushing for online poker in America then for now they are a powerful ally to have on our side.

Reuters’ goes on to further say that many casino executives want a slice of the online poker pie. This is a pretty great thing for all poker players. Competition among the casinos can only bring benefit to poker players, professional and amateur alike. Competition breeds possibilities such as lower rake, good promotions for depositing and reloading as well as VIP systems. Eventually a few will rise to the top through a combination of good support, software, and VIP system but until then when online poker returns to America there will be a lot of potential for bonus hunting from all the big casinos attempting to compete with each other for the dominant market share.

Article source: http://www.flopturnriver.com/blogs/mgm-ceo-expects-online-poker-in-2012-16170

UVU Enters World of Competitive Bass Fishing with a Little Help from Sportsman’s Warehouse

Midvale 2/22/2012 04:06 PM GMT (TransWorldNews)

Sportsman’s Warehouse

Recent Submissions

Sportsman’s Warehouse to Hold Grand Opening in Redding, California

UVU Enters World of Competitive Bass Fishing with a Little Help from Sportsman’s Warehouse

Eastmans’ Trophy Deer Tour to Visit Reno Sportsman’s Warehouse

kseaman@sportsmanswarehouse.com
www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/

Article source: http://www.transworldnews.com/1017858/c6/uvu-enters-world-of-competitive-bass-fishing-with-a-little-help-from-sportsmans-warehouse

By Jed Horowitz

(Reuters) – While Wall Street slashes pay and freezes cash awards, Goldman Sachs Group’s top five executives may reap special bonuses of $10.5 million apiece if the firm hits historically easy profit targets over the next two years.

Many companies have long-term incentive plans, but Goldman’s program is notable for dangling hefty cash payouts at a time when banks are tilting toward deferred-stock awards.

Post-bailout anger at Goldman was still strong when the cash bonus plan was introduced a year ago, but the Occupy Wall Street movement had not yet made income inequality a hot-button political issue.

The program is now also playing out against stark internal conditions. Wall Street firms — including Goldman — are laying off thousands of employees, capping cash portions of bonuses and requiring repayment of past bonuses if profits prove to be fleeting, illegal or the result of excessive risk-taking.

Morgan Stanley this year capped cash bonuses for bankers and traders — who often receive millions of dollars in cash — at $125,000.

Bank of America limited its top bankers to $150,000 in cash.

In Europe, Credit Suisse Group cut bonuses by 41 percent and BNP Paribas Group by about 50 percent while Deutsche Bank AG lowered the cash component of its short-term bonus plan by 37 percent. Barclays PLC cut its bonus pool by one-third and Lloyds is pulling back 40 percent of its former chief executive’s 2010 share bonus as a result of an illegal insurance scheme.

GOLDMAN’S CASH PAYOUTS

By contrast, Goldman, which isn’t expected to disclose complete pay data until April, more than tripled Chief Executive Lloyd Blankfein’s base salary in 2011 to $2 million while cutting his stock-based bonus by 44 percent. The cash increase comes after a year when the firm’s profit fell 66 percent and its shares plummeted 46 percent.

In its proxy statement last April, Goldman couched the new cash-bonus plan as, in part, a peace offering for executives. They received little or no bonuses in 2008, 2009 and 2010, the compensation committee wrote, despite “outperforming” core competitors such as Bank of America, Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase and Morgan Stanley.

The plan provides Blankfein, President Gary Cohn, Chief Financial Officer David Viniar and vice chairmen Michael Evans and John Weinberg an initial $7 million each. They’ll collect if Goldman’s return on equity averages 10 percent in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and its book value per share rises an average of 7 percent. The grant is adjusted at the end of every year, based on an adjusted ROE, with bonuses awarded in January 2014.

At a maximum, they can pocket 150 percent of the grant –$10.5 million if it stays at $7 million — if ROE averages 15 percent or more and book value jumps at least 12 percent. On the low end, they’ll collect half the grant as long as ROE hits 5 percent and book value rises 2 percent over the three years. Each metric comprises half of the award, but anything under the bottom targets yields no bonus.

The quintet participating in the plan at its initiation do not have to be employed at Goldman to collect, according to the company’s 2011 proxy. That clause could create shareholder questions given rumors that Blankfein, 57, may be considering an early retirement.

EASY TARGETS

By historical standards, critics say, the compensation committee set marshmallow targets. Goldman’s ROE averaged 19.3 percent from its initial public offering in 1999 through 2010, and its book value compounded annually at 18 percent.

“The disclosed metrics appear designed to drive substantial rewards for historically average performance,” ISS Proxy Advisory Services wrote in an April report that counseled shareholders to vote against ratifying the compensation of Goldman’s executives. About 27 percent of shares were voted against the plan, more than any other proposal supported by the company.

Goldman’s 2011 proxy statement insists that executives won’t collect “if our firm generates low or negative returns.” That appears to bode ill given that last year the bank had a dismal ROE of 3.7 percent — the lowest since its 1999 initial public offering — and book value per share that inched up only 1 percent.

The compensation committee, however, gave itself wide discretion to make adjustments. For example, it deducted $5.7 billion paid last year to redeem preferred stock held by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway from the ROE calculation. That lifts ROE to 5.9 percent, sufficient to qualify over three years for a payout.

Shareholder activists are in a lather, meanwhile, over the committee’s failure to specify how it initially determined the base for the cash award.

“Seven million dollars is an extraordinary amount of money, even to America’s wealthiest citizens, and even on Wall Street,” said Charles Elson, director of the John L. Weinberg Center for corporate Governance at University of Delaware. (The center was named for a former senior partner of Goldman whose father also once ran the firm and whose grandson is co-head of investment banking and eligible for the cash bonus.) “Why aren’t they just using stock?”

Shareholders expecting updates on the plan’s performance targets in the 2012 proxy are likely to be disappointed. Goldman does not expect to disclose tweaks made to adjust for its weak 2011 results, said a person familiar with the proxy planning.

A Goldman spokesman declined comment about the plan and calls to the compensation committee’s pay consultant, Semler Brossy Consulting Group, were not returned.

The plan’s metrics and targets are more liberal than those of many competitors.

Morgan Stanley’s long-term performance plan pays only restricted stock and its ROE metric has a higher floor of 8 percent, according to its 2011 proxy. Citigroup’s plan pays out partly in stock. American Express Co is closest to Goldman in offering cash payments if three-year performance goals are hit, but restricts its chief executive’s award to stock and requires ROE to hit 25 percent to qualify him for some of his share grants.

Goldman’s executives also may have a second opportunity to hit their targets. The compensation committee will decide at the end of this year whether to extend the program through 2018.

“It seems to give them another bite at the apple,” said Joe Sorrentino, a managing director at Steven Hall Partners, a compensation consultant in New York.

(Reporting By Jed Horowitz; Editing by Alwyn Scott)

Article source: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/analysis-goldmans-top-brass-gun-181402873.html

Remember those “Down for Maintenance” signs? Seeing that on any site means something’s not going right. Behind every ‘Down for Maintenance’ sign is frustrated operations staff, sleep-deprived developers, and angry managers letting everyone know how much money the company is losing with every minute of downtime. With LiveRebel 2.0, you’ll never be down for maintenance again.

(PRWEB) February 21, 2012

ZeroTurnaround is pleased to announce the release of LiveRebel 2.0 (http://liverebel.com), a hot update solution for production environments that lets operations teams instantly roll out and roll back live deployed applications in production with zero downtime.

“With this 2.0 release, we are aiming to take a bigger share of the Continuous Delivery and Continuous Deployment sectors, which still have yet to see an overarching solution that can deliver what is promised,” explained Jevgeni Kabanov, ZeroTurnaround CEO and Founder. “LiveRebel 2.0 is an out-of-the-box solution to end slow, inefficient production deployment processes that often happen at 3 AM by overworked operations staff.”

LiveRebel’s new features include the ability to select various update strategies to meet the needs of a particular update plan. Updates can be done via hot patching, controlled rolling restarts, or by targeting selected servers for updating.

LiveRebel’s unique ability to hot patch live Java applications without downtime or losing user sessions is powered by Rebellion Technology, ZeroTurnaround’s unique proprietary method of instant class reloading that made JRebel the star of “not-redeploying-anymore” development teams all over the world.

In an ongoing survey on Java Productivity, ZeroTurnaround found that 9 out of 10 deployment processes are disconnected and implemented manually, including acceptance testing, application updates, database updates, and server management. With LiveRebel 2.0, ZeroTurnaround delivers a commercial solution that gets providers on the path toward risk-free, zero-impacting, fully automated production releases.

“ZeroTurnaround is prepared for the challenge of changing the way operations teams think about their deployment processes, making Continuous Delivery and Continuous Deployment a highly viable option for companies,” continued Kabanov. “Having won 3 awards in 2011, averaged 35% q-o-q growth since 2009 and having gained Bain Capital as investors, I think it’s time we let the Java community at large know that we have the tools needed to improve the way organizations develop, test and deploy applications.”

About ZeroTurnaround:

ZeroTurnaround’s vision is dedicated to improving the way the world develops, tests and runs Java applications. Powered by award-winning Rebellion Technology, JRebel and LiveRebel are revolutionizing the way Development and Operations teams work with Java. Thousands of engineers use JRebel to turn the laborious build/test/deploy phase of application development into a light-speed cycle as fast and iterative as Python or PHP, while LiveRebel, an instant rollout/rollback tool for live applications, is bringing Continuous Delivery to fruition for companies all over the world. Join the Rebellion: http://zeroturnaround.com

###

Oliver White
ZeroTurnaround
(420) 724513756
Email Information

Article source: http://news.yahoo.com/liverebel-2-0-down-maintenance-never-again-144217534.html

Remember those “Down for Maintenance” signs? Seeing that on any site means something’s not going right. Behind every ‘Down for Maintenance’ sign is frustrated operations staff, sleep-deprived developers, and angry managers letting everyone know how much money the company is losing with every minute of downtime. With LiveRebel 2.0, you’ll never be down for maintenance again.

(PRWEB) February 21, 2012

ZeroTurnaround is pleased to announce the release of LiveRebel 2.0 (http://liverebel.com), a hot update solution for production environments that lets operations teams instantly roll out and roll back live deployed applications in production with zero downtime.

“With this 2.0 release, we are aiming to take a bigger share of the Continuous Delivery and Continuous Deployment sectors, which still have yet to see an overarching solution that can deliver what is promised,” explained Jevgeni Kabanov, ZeroTurnaround CEO and Founder. “LiveRebel 2.0 is an out-of-the-box solution to end slow, inefficient production deployment processes that often happen at 3 AM by overworked operations staff.”

LiveRebel’s new features include the ability to select various update strategies to meet the needs of a particular update plan. Updates can be done via hot patching, controlled rolling restarts, or by targeting selected servers for updating.

LiveRebel’s unique ability to hot patch live Java applications without downtime or losing user sessions is powered by Rebellion Technology, ZeroTurnaround’s unique proprietary method of instant class reloading that made JRebel the star of “not-redeploying-anymore” development teams all over the world.

In an ongoing survey on Java Productivity, ZeroTurnaround found that 9 out of 10 deployment processes are disconnected and implemented manually, including acceptance testing, application updates, database updates, and server management. With LiveRebel 2.0, ZeroTurnaround delivers a commercial solution that gets providers on the path toward risk-free, zero-impacting, fully automated production releases.

“ZeroTurnaround is prepared for the challenge of changing the way operations teams think about their deployment processes, making Continuous Delivery and Continuous Deployment a highly viable option for companies,” continued Kabanov. “Having won 3 awards in 2011, averaged 35% q-o-q growth since 2009 and having gained Bain Capital as investors, I think it’s time we let the Java community at large know that we have the tools needed to improve the way organizations develop, test and deploy applications.”

About ZeroTurnaround:

ZeroTurnaround’s vision is dedicated to improving the way the world develops, tests and runs Java applications. Powered by award-winning Rebellion Technology, JRebel and LiveRebel are revolutionizing the way Development and Operations teams work with Java. Thousands of engineers use JRebel to turn the laborious build/test/deploy phase of application development into a light-speed cycle as fast and iterative as Python or PHP, while LiveRebel, an instant rollout/rollback tool for live applications, is bringing Continuous Delivery to fruition for companies all over the world. Join the Rebellion: http://zeroturnaround.com

###

Oliver White
ZeroTurnaround
(420) 724513756
Email Information

Article source: http://news.yahoo.com/liverebel-2-0-down-maintenance-never-again-144217534.html

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Wednesday said it is aiming to have all the cards reloaded under the Pantawid Pasada program by the end of March.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte confirmed that the Department of Energy (DOE) has started reloading the cards.

“The target for reloading all of the cards is end of March 2012,” Valte said.

Article source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/352210/palace-aims-reloading-of-pantawid-pasada-cards

MANILA, Philippines — Given recent developments in the oil market, the Department of Energy (DoE) announced that it will be reloading P1,200 to the “Pantawid Pasada cards’, serving as a band-aid measure to financially aid jeepney drivers in times of relentless oil price hikes.

The energy department said the ‘cash reloading’ will cover the 100,000 cards issued by the government to qualified beneficiaries.

“Since there were about 100,000 cards issued, some cards will be loaded earlier than the others,” the department has noted.

The DoE further explained that “reloading will be based on plate numbers, starting from plates ending in zero until nine.”

Energy Secretary Rene D. Almendras previously apprised media that the inter-agency energy contingency committee (IECC) has discussed “trigger mechanisms” which shall signal on when the government would start replenishing the Pantawid Pasada cards. He noted the discussions revolved around helping the jeepney drivers on how to prop up their take-home income even when continuing cost spikes manifest at the gas pumps.

“At the end of the day, it will boil down to what the real problem is: It’s not really the price, it’s the take-home pay of the driver who is unfortunately the one squeezed because as the fuel goes up, his cost also goes up,” Almendras said.

The search for a ‘trigger mechanism’, the energy chief emphasized, was a collaborative move with the affected transport sector, with their members giving suggestions on when they will actually need that “financial aid” relative to fuel cost movements.

Malacañang initially budgeted P450 million for the Pantawid Pasada program. Yet based on reports from the energy department, about P200 million has not been used up as of end-December.

Many drivers have complained of the rigorous requirements as to the availment of the ‘Pantawid Pasada’ cards; while some raised problems of technical glitches when they used their issued cards at the gas stations.

The government has not given any categorical timeframe as to when this ‘cash-aid program drivers” will be sustained. But as petroleum prices are seen rising even in the coming years, the government is being prodded to come up with a more permanent solution to the public transport sector’s woes. (MMV)

Article source: http://www.mb.com.ph/node/352225/doe-readie

MANILA, Philippines — Given recent developments in the oil market, the Department of Energy (DoE) announced that it will be reloading P1,200 to the “Pantawid Pasada cards’, serving as a band-aid measure to financially aid jeepney drivers in times of relentless oil price hikes.

The energy department said the ‘cash reloading’ will cover the 100,000 cards issued by the government to qualified beneficiaries.

“Since there were about 100,000 cards issued, some cards will be loaded earlier than the others,” the department has noted.

The DoE further explained that “reloading will be based on plate numbers, starting from plates ending in zero until nine.”

Energy Secretary Rene D. Almendras previously apprised media that the inter-agency energy contingency committee (IECC) has discussed “trigger mechanisms” which shall signal on when the government would start replenishing the Pantawid Pasada cards. He noted the discussions revolved around helping the jeepney drivers on how to prop up their take-home income even when continuing cost spikes manifest at the gas pumps.

“At the end of the day, it will boil down to what the real problem is: It’s not really the price, it’s the take-home pay of the driver who is unfortunately the one squeezed because as the fuel goes up, his cost also goes up,” Almendras said.

The search for a ‘trigger mechanism’, the energy chief emphasized, was a collaborative move with the affected transport sector, with their members giving suggestions on when they will actually need that “financial aid” relative to fuel cost movements.

Malacañang initially budgeted P450 million for the Pantawid Pasada program. Yet based on reports from the energy department, about P200 million has not been used up as of end-December.

Many drivers have complained of the rigorous requirements as to the availment of the ‘Pantawid Pasada’ cards; while some raised problems of technical glitches when they used their issued cards at the gas stations.

The government has not given any categorical timeframe as to when this ‘cash-aid program drivers” will be sustained. But as petroleum prices are seen rising even in the coming years, the government is being prodded to come up with a more permanent solution to the public transport sector’s woes. (MMV)

Article source: http://www.mb.com.ph/node/352225/doe-readie

He may have just won the world’s most prestigious brass solo
prize, but Otago Daily Times journalist John Lewis was
reluctant to blow his trumpet yesterday.

The 37-year-old cornet player won the Ern Keller Memorial
International Soloist of the Year on Sunday at the St Mary’s
Band Club in Sydney.

“I’d been working really hard for it. Just plugging away. I
didn’t take a Christmas break from playing because I was so
intent on winning it,” he said.

“It’s the only international solo event left in the world,
since the British Open ran out of funding last year.”

Lewis topped a strong international field with his 10-minute
rendition of Rustique, by Eugene Bozza.

“This prize was on my hit list, so it’s nice to knock it
off.”

And while the win put some brass in his pocket (about $1200)
and brought a huge trophy, that was not his motivation, he
said.

“I do it for the music and the prestige; not the prizes. It’s
all about the music to me. It puts balance in my life,” he
said.

The 38th Ern Keller Memorial International Soloist of the
Year was contested by world-class tuba, trombone, euphonium,
baritone, tenor horn and cornet soloists.

Lewis was the only New Zealander vying for the title, among a
dozen champion brass players representing Australia, the
United Kingdom and Japan.

He qualified for the annual competition after winning the New
Zealand cornet championship and champion of champion titles
last year.

Lewis has been playing cornet since he was 9 and has won the
New Zealand open championship cornet for the past two years
and New Zealand’s top solo brass music prize, the Festival of
Brass champion of champions title, last year.

He also won the champion of champions title in 2001 before
travelling to England to play with the Brighouse and Rastrick
Band for five years.

“If I could go back, I’d still choose brass. It has the
ability to turn the hairs on the back of the neck,” he said.

Lewis plays principal cornet with two of the top brass bands
in Australasia: Dalewool Auckland Brass and the New South
Wales Gunnedah Shire Band.

He will perform in concerts in Auckland, Sydney and
Melbourne, before the Australian national championships in
Melbourne at Easter and the New Zealand national
championships in Timaru in July.

Article source: http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/198654/plugging-away-brings-sweet-sound-success

Thieves have ripped copper and brass from street cars at the Connecticut Trolley museum, causing thousands of dollars in damage.

Tim Lesniak, secretary of the corporation that runs the nonprofit museum, says irreplaceable fixtures and electrical components were taken. He says the value is “in the tens of thousands of dollars.’’

The Hartford Courant reported ( http://cour.at/wXJdhw) that similar thefts have occurred across the state, including brass plates pried off war monuments, metal objects hacked from grave markers and old lighting fixtures stolen.

Article source: http://www.boston.com/news/local/connecticut/articles/2012/02/20/thieves_rip_metals_from_historic_trolleys_in_conn

How many teams will be allowed to play for the national championship is just one of the many issues being considered by the guys who run the BCS.

When the games will be played is a hot topic, too.

The 11 conference commissioners and Notre Dame’s athletic director met Tuesday in Dallas, along with BCS Executive Director Bill Hancock to resume discussing possible changes to college football’s postseason.

While there seems to be growing support for creating a four-team playoff to determine a champion, how exactly that would work and when the games would be played remains to be seen.

“It’s very clear the commissioners do not want the championship game to be played too late,” Hancock said in a telephone interview.

He couldn’t define too late, but in the past the BCS title game has been held as late as Jan. 10, and has regularly been played on Jan. 7 or 8 since it was implemented for the 2006 season.

Hancock added the commissioners were “resolute about not having BCS games in the midweek after Jan. 1.”

The Sugar, Orange and Fiesta bowls take turns being played after Jan. 1, but ratings and attendance for the weekday games have been sagging.

College football leaders were hoping when they implemented this version of the BCS that playing big bowl games in the middle of the week would give those games a TV stage with little competition. Also, that they would help build excitement leading into the national championship game.

Instead, the season seems to drag on after New Year’s Day.

Hancock said part of the 4-hour meeting was spent reviewing final exam schedules for all 120 schools. He said the commissioners would like to avoid playing games from early December to about Dec. 21, when most schools have finals.

The commissioners will meet again on Wednesday, but Hancock doesn’t expect them to start whittling down the long list of ideas for how to conduct the postseason yet.

“Sooner or later the group will have to begin to narrow the focus, but I think there will be plenty of time for that,” he said.

The commissioners will get together again in March, and another major meeting is scheduled for late April in Miami.

Hancock said he’d be surprised if the work was complete by then.

“I don’t want to put a timetable on it because I might get surprised,” he said. “But I can definitely say it will be a long and deliberate process.”

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

Article source: http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7600382/bcs-leaders-no-rush-pick-postseason-system

The University of the Cumberlands (UC) Football program is one of national recognition. When people think of college football at the NAIA level and speak about Cumberlands, people know who you are talking about. They know that UC is one program year in and year out that is going to compete for a spot in the NAIA National Championship tournament and have that chance of making a run for a NAIA National Title.

This year, the Patriots are coming off of a season in which some would say is disappointing, but still very successful at 7-3 and 4-3 in the Mid-South Conference (MSC), arguably the toughest football conference in the country. The Patriots did graduate 13 seniors this season, but have already started on reloading for the 2012 season and have done a remarkable job thus far. Thirty-one new commits have inked with the Patriots thus far and the class looks as promising as ever.

Twelve athletes from Georgia, twelve from Tennessee, six signees from Kentucky, and one from Ohio round out the 31 newly signed Patriots that will compete on the gridiron next year in Williamsburg.

Head Coach John Bland commented, “We feel really good about our 2012 signee class thus far. We are ahead of where we have been in the past, but are still recruiting extremely hard. Prospects are comparing academics, football programs and facilities, location, and financial aid packages right now. We hope to add to what we feel is already a very strong recruiting class for next season. ”

A list of the newly signed Patriots follows:
Blake Forrester – Johnson High School (Flowery Branch, GA)
Brent Copeland – Bremen High School (Bremen, GA)
Brian Stills – Fayette County High School (Fayetteville, GA)
Christopher Sharpe – Vidalia High School (Vidalia, GA)
David Kilgore – Central Carrollton High School (Carrollton, GA)
Jonathan Morrell – Perry High School (Perry, GA)
Julian Norman – Fayette County High School (Fayetteville, GA)
Keith DeVeaux – Atlanta Sports Academy (Atlanta, GA)
Lee Smith – Dawson County High School (Dawsonville, GA)
Randolph Cook – Valdosta High School (Valdosta, GA)
Rico Lyons – Mary Persons High School (Forsyth, GA)
Rico Ogletree – Mary Persons High School (Forsyth, GA)
Curtis Spears – Pulaski County High School (Science Hill, KY)
Ethan Lake – Madison County High School (Berea, KY)
John Hiles – Bryan Station High School (Lexington, KY)
Tyler Jackson – Pulaski County High School (Somerset, KY)
John Brewer – Leslie County High School (Hyden, KY)
Daryl McCain – Montgomery County High School (Mt. Sterling, KY)
Noah Burress – Buckeye Trail High School (Cambridge, OH)
Chandler Patrick – Tyner High School (Chattanooga, TN)
Cody Ricker – Morristown East High School (Morristown, TN)
Drew Chambers – Signal Mountain High School (Signal Mountain, TN)
Eli Stout – Sequatchie County High School (Dunlap, TN)
Gray Bunch – Powell High School (Powell, TN)
Jake Ables – Soddy-Daisy High School (Soddy Daisy, TN)
Jake Robbins – Sevier County High School (Sevierville, TN)
Drake Fox – Adamsville High School (Adamsville, TN)
Ty Johnson – Gibbs High School (Corryton, TN)
Caleb Melton – Grace Christian High School (Knoxville, TN)
Isaiah Hayes – Brainerd High School (Chattanooga, TN)
Phillip Patrick – Tyner High School (Chattanooga, TN).

Over the past six years, Bland has led UC to a 47-18 record with four straight Mid-South Conference Divisional Championships from 2007 to 2010. The Patriots made it to the NAIA National Championship tournament all four of those seasons and were on the cusp of making it his other two.

UC will open the 2012 season at James H. Taylor, II Stadium in Williamsburg as they take on Belhaven University in a MSC crossover game. Kickoff is set for 1:30 pm.

For more information on the Patriot football program as well as other Patriot athletics, please visit www.cumberlandspatriots.com.

Article source: http://www.wkyt.com/wymt/sports/headlines/Patriot_Football_Shows_Strength_in_2012_Signee_Class_139914913.html

By Elyse Kaner
Staff Writer

Lake Wobegon® Brass Band returns to its home at Anoka-Ramsey Community College to perform in concert as part of the group’s 20th anniversary celebration. Michael Halstenson directs.

Lake Wobegon® Brass Band will play at Anoka-Ramsey Community College March 4. The band is celebrating its 20th anniversary. (Photo courtesy of Kaye Bird)

The Spectacular Anniversary Concert will be held March 4, 2 p.m., at the college at 11200 Mississippi Blvd., Coon Rapids.

Expect to hear such pieces as Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man” and Meredith Willson’s “Seventy-Six Trombones” from “The Music Man.” The song features Mark Springer on trombone.

Springer, a music professor at State Cloud State University, has performed with such groups as the Minnesota Orchestra, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra, Madison Symphony Orchestra, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra and the St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra.

Other featured selections in the anniversary concert are James Curnow’s “Ceremonia Fanfare,” “The William Tell Overture” and “Ol’ Man River,” to name a few.

The second part of the program opens with a world premiere of Halstenson’s composition, “Spargens Mirum Sonum,” which translates to wondrous sound the trumpet flingeth.

As a bonus, the band will play British composer Philip Wilby’s “Beyond Far Horizons,” a special piece commissioned by LWBB.

Wilby premiered and conducted the piece Feb. 16, which LWBB performed at the Minnesota Music Educators Association’s Mid-Winter Clinic held at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Wilby also directed “Horizons” two days later when the band played in concert at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Mahtomedi.

Written specifically for brass bands, the eight-minute contemporary piece features “shimmering cornet sounds” simulating the flow of a river, said Gordy Nilsen, a founder of LWBB. The piece is about the River Severn in rural mid western England. But we’re also thinking of the Rum and Mississippi rivers’ convergence in Anoka, Nilsen said.

Band members first met Wilby when they performed on tour in England back in 2001.

Wilby has a reputation as a prominent brass band composer across the pond.

Halstenson, a composer in his own right, professional musician and orchestra teacher at Anoka High School, first hosted the LWBB years ago at Peace Lutheran Church in Coon Rapids when he was a choir director there.

“He expected six guys to show up and play a polka,” Nilsen said. “We showed up with 29 guys and a conductor playing some pretty sophisticated music,” Nilsen said, laughing.

Nilsen and Dave Peterson, both former band directors at Anoka-Hennepin School District, started LWBB. Charles Olson, former band teacher at Anoka High School, was the group’s first director. After a two-year hiatus, the band regrouped, a third founder Rick Perkins came aboard and LWBB was off to a two-decades gig. And still going strong.

Radio personality Garrison Keillor gave his blessings to the band’s name in exchange for their promise to play for one of his Prairie Home Companion shows.

Tickets for the March 4 concert are $10 and may be purchased by calling 651-587-4191 or e-mail dmiller@lwbb.org. Seating is limited.

For more information on the band, visit www.lwbb.org.

Elyse Kaner is at elyse.kaner@ecm-inc.com

Article source: http://abcnewspapers.com/2012/02/21/lake-wobegon-brass-band-to-perform-20th-anniversary-spectacular/

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Police are on the hunt for thieves who they say are targeting the front doors of various homes in the Society Hill section of Philadelphia.

At least 14 brass knockers have been snatched off doors from Society Hill homes in the last week and a half, according to police.

“They’re doing it very quickly, in a matter of minutes they’re going up to doors and taking it,” said Society Hill resident Sheila Brown. “Ours is not an antique knocker but yes it is an old brass knocker.”

“We had a couple people who say they went out for dinner and then when they came home from dinner they noticed their brass knob was gone,” said Philadelphia Police Captain Brian Korn.

Police say one of the more recent thefts happened over the weekend on the 300 block of Delancey Street in broad daylight.

“That is what is very astonishing,” said Brown, who lives on Delancey. “That’s a block with families coming and going. Broad daylight is very surprising.”

While some of the door knockers are unique antiques, police believe the thieves are stealing them and melting them down for money.

“Scrap metal is at an all-time high, brass is pretty high right now so it’s a quick buck,” said Captain Korn.

While police continue to investigate, some residents are taking matters into their own hands.

“I’m not sure of the history of the knocker itself,” said one resident. “All the more reason to just remove it and keep it safe inside until this whole thing blows over.”

“It’s really a sense of violation,” said Captain Korn. “You have something taken off your front door while you’re home and you feel violated. Your sense of security is violated.”

Police recommend Society Hill residents remove the door knockers. They also say they should keep an eye out for any suspicious activity.

If you have any information on the thefts, please call Philadelphia Police.
 

Article source: http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Thieves-Target-Society-Hill-Doors-Cops--139906363.html

EXCLUSIVE

Article source: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/district_members_scandal_change_hk9omuibVLQA7djlrVQHWI?CMP=OTC-rss&FEEDNAME=

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In less than two weeks, Russians go to the polls for a presidential election exercise. The overwhelmingly likely outcome: Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will dust off the old stationery from his first two terms as president.

In the final run-up, Putin is publishing a series of position papers, the latest one focusing on reloading and reforming the Russian military. The most striking remark: “We need a response system for more than just current threats. We should learn to look ‘past the horizon,’ and estimate threats 30 or even 50 years away. This is a serious objective and requires mobilizing the resources of civilian and military science and reliable standards for long-term forecasting.”

When was the last time you heard an American politician talking about a 30- to 50-year grand vision? Most were born on the day of the last opinion poll and eagerly await the next one to see if their survival is guaranteed. Theirs is an anxious journey: lips fastened to their behind at any hint of any political turbulence. Their eyes otherwise glued to the seatback in-flight map, wondering why the plane graphic the size of Wyoming isn’t devouring the little pixels on the flight path faster. Fretting whether the five sandwiches purchased at the gate will be enough to get them through the next few hours. Wondering whether a single tweet ripping across the political landscape is headed straight for the belly of their plane, about to make everything moot.

This mentality explains in part why our political leadership is a revolving door of characters — tacticians rather than visionaries — with no depth at which to drop an anchor, as they blow around from one political storm to the next, clinging to dumb luck (emphasis on the “dumb”). These white-knuckled creatures are geared strictly for minute-to-minute survival — and we’ve made them this way because it’s how many of us now live and expect others to function. Quiet, patient, thoughtful visionaries don’t win in this game that favors hollow vessels making maximum noise as they flagellate themselves all over the social-media landscape.

It’s precisely this kind of attitude — one of instant need for fulfillment through social-media “likes” and online comments, and a decreased tolerance for patience and planning — that will be the downfall of America and the West, and particularly its leadership. When our competitors and enemies — from Russians and the Chinese to the Somali pirates waiting calmly for a freighter to hijack — have all the patience in the world and plan long term, it magnifies our own deadly weakness.

Article source: http://townhall.com/columnists/rachelmarsden/2012/02/21/twitter_mentality_is_a_threat_to_america

The thieves who ripped copper and brass from street cars at the Connecticut Trolley Museum likely netted very little money compared with the damage they inflicted upon the historic vehicles.

Over the weekend, volunteers at the nonprofit museum tried to get a sense of the loss in both irreplaceable fixtures and electrical components.

“We know it’s in the tens of thousands of dollars,” said Tim Lesniak of Somers, the secretary of the corporation that runs the museum.

The theft matches a pattern of metal thefts across the state where people have pried brass plates from war monuments, hacked metal objects from grave makers, and stolen old lighting fixtures that they could trade to scrap dealers for a few dollars.

For the preservationists at the East Windsor museum, the theft and the damage left behind is especially frustrating.

“We’re here to promote the history, basically bringing history alive for kids who have never seen a street car, never seen a trolley car,” Lesniak said.

The trolleys at the museum, including those damaged sometime between early January and this weekend, were saved from the scrapper. The three cars damaged, and a fourth under renovation from which parts were taken, were built between 1905 and 1924. Two are Connecticut Co. cars. One traveled the streets of New Haven and the second ran in Waterbury. The third was used to haul freight, not passengers, and traveled the rails of the Centerville, Albia and Southern Railway in Iowa. The fourth is a former Chicago Transit Authority elevated car.

The thieves gained access to the car barn where the cars were stored by peeling back a piece of corrugated metal. Once inside they pried brass hardware such as window latches and handrail stanchions from the wood, and in the process the wood was damaged. They also cut electrical components containing copper from the control stands that are used to operate the trolleys over the museum’s track.

The missing window latches and brass pieces that held the wooden hand rails will have to be remanufactured at a cost that could run into the thousands of dollars, Lesniak said.

What makes the museum special, board member Xian Clere of Bolton said, is that the street cars and trolleys are authentic. They exist as they did when they were in service carrying passengers.

“The whole point was to say we’ve saved the cars from being scrapped,” Clere said. “To have the cars piecemeal scrapped under our feet, that hits at a personal level.”

East Windsor police were notified and an officer took a report, Lesniak said. A pair of garden shears that museum volunteers believe the thieves used to cut wiring remains on the floor of one car. Police did not dust for fingerprints, Lesniak said.

The officer investigating the burglary was not working Monday and could not be reached for comment. A dispatcher said no one was available to comment about the burglary.

The damage was discovered Saturday during a gathering of trolley museum volunteers from throughout the east. A group wanted to check out some of the trolleys in the collection and when they traveled to the car barn a short distance down the line from the museum’s main campus the damage and theft were discovered, Lesniak said. The car barn where the thefts took place was last checked in early January, he said.

Anyone with information, or who saw anything unusual on the museum’s grounds, is asked to call East Windsor police at 860-292-8240.

The museum plans a fundraising drive to begin to try to make repairs. People can call the museum at 860-627-6540, or send donations to the Connecticut Trolley Museum, P.O. Box 360, East Windsor, CT 06088.

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Article source: http://www.courant.com/community/enfield/hc-east-windsor-copper-thefts-0221-20120220,0,2663769.story?track=rss

  Recreational shooters and hunters — whether they live in Bellevue, Boise, Kalispell or Klamath Falls — have one thing in common besides firearms; they all face another hit to the wallet and the family budget with once-again sharply rising fuel costs.

 Rising fuel costs translates to rising costs for everything else, from groceries to reloading supplies, shooting and hunting accessories to clothing and shoes. You name it, and the price is dictated by the cost of transporting goods to stores or your doorstep.

 The Seattle Times talked about fuel costs Monday because of the BP refinery fire over the weekend. The Independent in the United Kingdom talks about fuel prices. Over at CNBC, they had this bit of cheer:

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At $3.53 a gallon, prices are already up 25 cents since Jan. 1. And experts say they could reach a record $4.25 a gallon by late April.—CNBC

 There was something else CNBC reported, which was surprising, considering that most media outlets other than Fox News, seem to be philosophically in the bag for the Obama administration, which does not seem to have a real energy policy.

Gas prices are already an issue in the presidential campaign. Republican candidate Newt Gingrich spoke several times this week about opening up more federal land to oil and gas drilling as a path toward U.S. energy independence — and lower pump prices.

“Our goals should be to get gasoline to $2.50 or less so that working families can actually get to work and retired families can travel,” Gingrich said at a campaign event in Los Angeles Thursday.—CNBC

 There are lots of ways that the administration and its allies can hammer down on gun owners, and hurting them at the gas pump is one of them. Think of the fuel costs associated with hunting trips, whether it involves spring turkey or bear hunting, summer prairie dog excursions, fall big game hunts, or trips to the gun range. It’s easier on the pocketbook when gas is $3 per gallon than it is when the price bounces above $4 a gallon, and some prognosticators are already talking about $5 gasoline in some places this summer.

 Gun rights activists may not like to discuss economic realities, but to ignore them is to live in denial. (This is in addition to the denial gun-owning Obama voters enjoy already, and you can bet this comment will bring some nasty reactions! That 2008 vote for Obama gave us Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, and we all know what they think about the Second Amendment.)

 How many gun owners are out of work in this country? How many have had salary increases to offset the rising cost of gasoline just to get to and from the workplace? Who cancelled a hunting trip because the money was better spent to put food on the table?

 The box of ammunition that cost $22 in November may be up to $23 or $24 this spring. That’s not just because the guy at the gun shop gave himself a raise, it’s because he has to pay more for the costs of getting those cartridges to his retail shelves.

 President Obama had an opportunity to bring some relief at the pump through the proposed Keystone pileline from Canada to U.S. refineries. Instead, he served his political base in the environmental community (you know, those folks who support wolf expansion, limited access to public lands and are more typically against hunting and gun ownership than they are for those things) and now Canada is looking at another market…in China.

 Here’s what USA Today said:

The pipeline should be built because of the steady stream of oil it would bring to refineries in the United States, which still imports almost half its oil. Environmentalists have raised strong objections to tar-sands oil, which is dirtier than ordinary crude and exacts a greater toll on the climate. But until the nation finds a better way to power the quarter-billion cars, trucks, buses and other vehicles on its roads, it needs reliable supplies of oil. And it’s not as if the Canadian oil will stay in the ground if Keystone isn’t built; the Chinese will be glad to buy it.—USA Today

 The Obama faithful, including many peole who consider themselves gun rights proponents, will say it’s not fair to blame the president for fuel prices. Why not? Four years ago, they were blaming George Bush for gas prices that were lower than they are right now. Heck, some still blame Bush; that must be some kind of reflex.

 If fewer people buy hunting licenses this year for themselves and their children because they dispose of their “disposable” income in the gas tank, that’s going to translate to lower revenues for fish and wildlife agencies. If they cancel hunting trips, that translates to lost revenue for all the businesses that benefit from such traffic, be they restaurants and motels to sporting goods and grocery stores.

 Some will call this simplistic, but in the final analysis, it is a spiral at the center of which is the price of a gallon of gasoline. It’s likely to become a bull’s eye issue by the time November rolls around.

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These Dogs Don’t Hunt: The Democrats’ War on Guns

Assault on Weapons: The Campaign to Eliminate Your Guns

Shooting Blanks: Facts Don’t Matter to the Gun Ban Crowd

Washington State Gun Rights and Responsibilities

Article source: http://www.examiner.com/gun-rights-in-seattle/economics-101-everything-revolves-around-the-price-of-fuel

20 February 2012
Last updated at 08:04 ET

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Bob Taylor is known in his home town as “Mr Music”

A 92-year-old Leicestershire brass bandsman is hoping to finally retire after more than 80 years of playing.

Bob Taylor, from Melton Mowbray, first picked up a horn when he was six years old and has played in almost 30 bands since.

He began playing with the Salvation Army when he was just seven years old and is currently a member of Tornado Brass which he formed in 1984.

He said he now hoped to take a rest – but only once a replacement was found.

“I want someone to come and sit beside me so I can get them into the ways of Tornado Brass before I pack up.

“I thought I might be playing until I was 100.”

Steve Warden, from Tornado Brass, said: “Locally he’s known as Mr Music because in Melton town he’s been associated with music for many, many years.

“So to fill Bob’s shoes, it’s not going to be done – fill his seat and play the tuba, that’s going to be a lot easier.”

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-england-leicestershire-17098283

PHOENIX (AP) — Kobe Bryant lashed out at Los Angeles Lakers management Sunday night for leaving teammate Pau Gasol wondering whether he’s about to be traded.

In a postgame monologue punctuated by a couple of profanities, Bryant said the Lakers either need to trade Gasol or come out and say it won’t happen.

Bryant’s comments came in the aftermath of a 102-90 loss at Phoenix on Sunday night. He said he doesn’t want Gasol to be traded but it’s unfair for his teammate to try to play when he doesn’t know if he’ll be somewhere else the following day.

As Bryant put it: “If they’re going to do something, I wish they would just … do it.”

“Listen, he’s been the consummate professional,” Bryant said. “He’s going out and he’s trying to do what he can. But let’s be real. If you didn’t know you were going to be here tomorrow, if your head’s on the chopping block and you feel like you’re just waiting, it’s tough to put all yourself in the game.”

Trade rumors about Gasol have circulated since the team thought it had shipped him to New Orleans in a three-team deal before the season that would have brought Chris Paul to the Lakers. But NBA Commissioner David Stern blocked the trade.

“It’s hard for Pau because of all this trade talk and stuff,” Bryant said, bringing up the subject even though no one asked him about it. “It’s hard for him to kind of invest himself completely or immerse himself completely into games when he’s hearing trade talk every other day. I wish management would either come out and either trade him or not trade him.”

Bryant said the Lakers have the foundation for another run at the NBA title with Gasol, who had 17 points and 12 rebounds in the loss to Phoenix.

“It obviously starts with myself and Pau and the emergency of Andrew [Bynum],” Bryant said, “but you can’t have one of our pillars not knowing if he’s going to be here or not. Do something. One way or another, do something. If they trade him at least you have some type of closure, he gets some type of closure.”

Bryant, as usual, was the last player to speak to reporters Sunday night. Gasol had already left after talking about the game but mentioning nothing about a potential trade.

“I talked to him a little bit about it,” Bryant said. “It’s just tough for a player to give his all when you don’t know if you’re going to be here tomorrow. So I’d rather them not trade him at all. If they were going to do something, I wish they would just … do it. If they’re not going to do it, come out and say you’re not going to do it. This way he can be comfortable, he can go out and perform and he can play and he can invest all of himself in the game.”

Bryant’s comments come as the Lakers adjust to new coach Mike Brown in a lockout-shortened campaign after all their years of success under Phil Jackson, who retired after last season.

Bryant touched on that, too.

“It’s a big challenge to fill those shoes, first of all,” Bryant said, “and still trying to figure out our team and our personality, how we think. I mean that’s tough to do in such a short schedule.”

Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Article source: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/basketball/nba/02/19/kobe.bryant.pau.gasol.ap/index.html?xid=si_nba

EAST WINDSOR, CT (WFSB) -

Thieves stole brass and copper parts from trolleys at the Connecticut Trolley Museum in East Windsor.

It was the second time in less than a year that the museum has been targeted by thieves.

The thefts including two cars which were ransacked for metal parts including one trolley that was the last of its kind to run in public service in the entire country.

A volunteer found the damage Saturday morning during a tour and called police.

But because the barn’s not frequently checked, the metal could have been stolen weeks ago and no one would have known.

Just last July someone vandalized the museum’s main buildings. 

Copyright 2012 WFSB (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.

Article source: http://www.wfsb.com/story/16975780/bross-copper-stolen-from-trolley-museum

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Calallen Wildcats Armando Arrevelo starts the game for the Wildcats against Mesquite Poteet Pirates in Thursday State Semi-Final game at Dell Diamond field in Round Rock.

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Calallen Wildcats Wyatt Mathisen and Tyler Neslony are two of Calallen’s seven returning starters.

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Calallen Wildcats Lee may Gonzalez goes over Moody Trojans play for a double play in the top of the 7th inning.

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Calallen Wildcats game vs Moody Trojans in 4A Regional finals Friday, June 03, 2011 in Calallen.

CORPUS CHRISTI —
Things change little in the Calallen High School baseball camp as the season approaches. There is the lofty ranking, tradition oozes on the Wildcats’ diamond and the expectations are as elevated as the No. 1 preseason ranking in the Texas High School Baseball Association poll.

There is a different twist this year, however. Instead of reloading from the equally talented subvarsity ranks, the Wildcats already have seven starters in their clip from the 39-6 team that reached the Class 4A championship game last June.

“We have, at different times throughout the years, had four or five starters back. But having six or seven starters back, that’s something basically new,” longtime Calallen coach Steve Chapman said.

New, and welcome.

“I can see that they are more focused definitely at our workouts and stuff,” Chapman said. “We’ve had really good workouts from Day 1.”

Winners of three state championships, the Wildcats are aiming for their 13th trip to the state tournament. On paper, they have the hitting and pitching to claim another District 31-4A title and earn another trip to Round Rock. Paper doesn’t swing a bat, field a hot grounder or deliver a clutch hit, however, and Chapman is stressing those points to his squad.

“First of all, we’re going to have a big target on our back all year long because of the fact we’re starting out ranked No. 1,” said Chapman, 810-183-2 in his 29 years at Calallen. “Everybody wants to beat Calallen. That’s understandable. We don’t get anything without putting hard work into it. Nobody’s going to give you anything.”

It starts with pitching, and the Wildcats have three in tow. Texas-bound Wyatt Mathisen (11-2), Armando Arevalo (12-1) and Desi Castillo (4-0) return to the hill. Castillo is coming off arm surgery and may not be at full strength until the middle of next month.

Tate Bammert (.383) moves behind the plate to catch the Calallen staff after serving as the designated hitter. Outfielders Tyler Neslony (.370) and Preston Dorsey (.390), third baseman Greg Hernandez (.257) and second baseman Lee May Gonzalez (.368) round out the returnees, with Mathisen (. 461) penciled in at shortstop when he isn’t pitching.

“I feel like our pitching ought to be a strong point if everybody stays healthy. But I also feel like our hitting should be just as strong, too,” Chapman said. “But you and I both know what gets you there is not the hitting, it’s the pitching.”

And the combination of both of those facets is providing optimism heading into the season.

“I’ve got a good feeling about them. Like I said, if they continue to keep the work habits they have now, stay hungry, stay focused, they’ll have a shot just like anybody else or all the other teams,” Chapman said. “They’ll have a shot at going a long ways in the playoffs.”

Article source: http://www.caller.com/news/2012/feb/19/cats-welcome-back-starters/

Men don’t have commitment issues. Not when it comes to wallets, anyway.

We will carry around the same genuine imitation leather carryall until there is more air than wallet enfolding our worldly goods.

That’s when it’s just getting broken in. Considering where we carry wallets, we need that well-worn tenderizing.

Most women I know carry purses – but hardly ever the same one for very long. They possess a whole fleet of purses in various sizes, colors and styles to swap out by outfit, occasion or for no better reason than they feel like it.

For a woman, a purse is a fashion accessory with function. For a man, a wallet is a security blanket.

Novelist Jonathan Carroll once remarked, ”Most men, no matter how well or badly dressed, carry overstuffed, beat up wallets that should have been replaced years ago. Why is that? Every time I see a guy take out a wallet anywhere, it looks like a piece of old melted chocolate cake-with strings.”

Why? Because we detest change. Worse is the very thought of unpacking one wallet and reloading everything into a stiff, fresh one. Since it won’t have the same configuration of slots, nooks and crannies, to replace a wallet would mean having to actually sort through all those scraps of paper lodged in the crevices of the old one.

We guys make a hobby of joking about the amount of stuff our wives cram into their purses. We’re worse. We use our engineering abilities to cram just as much junk into a much smaller space. Then we sit on it. Wallets are teeny, tiny suitcases.

I understand all this despite a rather embarrassing irony – I no longer carry a wallet.

I quit six or seven years ago on the advice of my chiropractor. My wallet was so side-heavy that it tilted my axis out of orbit. It was either jettison the pocket-sized backpack or enlist a second wallet as balance for the other pocket. I considered it. I needed the annex for the rest of my stuff.

I still have the wallet, of course. I may not carry it, but I’m still committed to it. The wallet dates back to the Truman administration, which is pretty impressive, considering I wasn’t born until Eisenhower and had no real need of a wallet – I called it a billfold, then – until Nixon.

The wallet remains loaded with pretty much everything except cash, which means nothing has changed. Peeking inside was like searching for treasure in a compact scrapbook.

Foggy photos of high school classmates whose names also are a bit foggy. Pizza coupons that expired in 1981. Credit cards for defunct stores. Scraps of my college ID. Enough receipts to start a campfire, including one for a Slurpee purchased in 1972. Ticket stubs for ball games I don’t remember. A mystery phone number that must be important but that I’m afraid to call because I never wrote a name beside it.

There are shirt buttons, paperclips, keys that probably unlock something, business cards, a piece of yarn (why?), a Monopoly playing piece (the shoe), and a list of things I was supposed to pick up at the grocery 13 years ago.

The heft of the old wallet felt good in my hand, like a well-oiled, well-used baseball mitt. I slipped it into my back pocket. Sweet.

With some rubber bands to hold it together, it would be good for another 10 or 15 years. Maybe 20.

It’s how a guy defines commitment.

—– If that’s your number in his wallet, let him know at burtseyeview@tribtoday.com. Or check the Burton W. Cole page on Facebook.

Article source: http://www.tribtoday.com/page/content.detail/id/568175/Guys-can-commit-to-old-wallets.html?nav=5135

PHOENIX — Kobe Bryant lashed out at Los Angeles Lakers management Sunday night for leaving teammate Pau Gasol wondering whether he’s about to be traded.

In a postgame monologue punctuated by a couple of profanities, Bryant said the Lakers either need to trade Gasol or come out and say it won’t happen.

Bryant’s comments came in the aftermath of a 102-90 loss at Phoenix on Sunday night. He said he doesn’t want Gasol to be traded but it’s unfair for his teammate to try to play when he doesn’t know if he’ll be somewhere else the following day.

As Bryant put it: “If they’re going to do something, I wish they would just … do it.”

“Listen, he’s been the consummate professional,” Bryant said. “He’s going out and he’s trying to do what he can. But let’s be real. If you didn’t know you were going to be here tomorrow, if your head’s on the chopping block and you feel like you’re just waiting, it’s tough to put all yourself in the game.”

Trade rumors about Gasol have circulated since the team thought it had shipped him to New Orleans in a three-team deal before the season that would have brought Chris Paul to the Lakers. But NBA commissioner David Stern blocked the trade.

“It’s hard for Pau because of all this trade talk and stuff,” Bryant said, bringing up the subject even though no one asked him about it. “It’s hard for him to kind of invest himself completely or immerse himself completely into games when he’s hearing trade talk every other day. I wish management would either come out and either trade him or not trade him.”

Bryant said the Lakers have the foundation for another run at the NBA title with Gasol, who had 17 points and 12 rebounds in the loss to Phoenix.

“It obviously starts with myself and Pau and the emergency of Andrew [Bynum],” Bryant said, “but you can’t have one of our pillars not knowing if he’s going to be here or not. Do something. One way or another, do something. If they trade him at least you have some type of closure, he gets some type of closure.”

Bryant, as usual, was the last player to speak to reporters Sunday night. Gasol had already left after talking about the game but mentioning nothing about a potential trade.

Article source: http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/17347244/kobe-criticizes-lakers-brass-says-trade-talk-affecting-gasols-game/rss

Richard Dale Jones was born February 6, 1945, in Ada, Oklahoma, to Richard A. and Dorothy Hood Jones. Richard passed from this life February 17, 2012, at Comanche County Memorial Hospital at the age of 67. He and Sherry Hutchinson were married December 24, 1963, in Wichita Falls, Texas. He worked as a railroad engineer. He enjoyed shooting, fishing, hunting, reloading, and 4-wheeling. He is survived by his wife, Sherry of the home in Waurika; his children, Richard ”Micky” Jones and wife Diana of Wichita Falls, Texas, Cliff Jones and wife Stacey of Iowa Park, Texas, and Jesse L. Jones of Iowa Park, Texas; sister, Carolyn “Birdie” Stottlemire of The Netherlands, Texas; grandchildren, R. J. Jones, Justin Jones, Jessica Jones, Cliffton Jones, and Cameron Jones; stepgranddaughter, Jennifer Anderson; great-grandchildren, Kross Jones and step-grandchildren, Jacob and Alyssa Anderson, and many other family and friends.

Funeral service will be Monday, February 20, 2012, at noon at the Dudley Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Mayfield, Keith Riddles, and Shawn Hutchinson officiating. Burial will be in the Waurika Cemetery under the direction of Dudley Funeral Home. Visitation will be Sunday from 1 to 8 p.m. with family receiving visitors from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Memorials may be made to Jefferson County Hospital. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.dudleyfuneralhomes.com.

Article source: http://www.timesrecordnews.com/news/2012/feb/19/richard-dale-jones/

Harry is reloading again. I can tell from those dreamy eyes. His brain’s movement-sensitive type M ganglion cells, which boys have a lot more of than girls, are activated. Either that or he has gone into neural rest. My science lesson is not connecting. Harry’s brain is either tracking alien monsters or is at rest in another universe.

“OK, class, time to do some stretches, some running in place, and then some jumping jacks. Harry, can you come to the front and lead the class in our usual routine?”

Harry is a boy, and he has a boy’s brain. His brain has less capacity to do cross-talk between hemispheres than a girl, who will probably tell herself to keep still and focus on the teacher. And therein lies the dangerous opportunity for Harry. Meanwhile his own brilliant, disorganized (for now), kinetic, spatial brain sits in torment in a girl-friendly classroom.

The national statistics are definitive (I could not find local data disaggregated by gender): In the mid 1990s, girls reduced the gap in math and more girls than boys took high school level biology and chemistry, while boys’ achievement fell. According to the U.S. Department of Education, two thirds of special education referrals are boys, and boys are five times more likely to be classified as hyperactive and referred for disciplinary action. The National Center for Education Statistics report that boys are 30 percent more likely to flunk or drop out of school. More boys dislike school.

Is the problem nature or nurture? In the first trimester of pregnancy, the boy brain is bathed by testosterone, which changes the brain wiring in dramatic ways that science is still trying to uncover. But some believe it affects the quality of connection between left and right hemispheres. The prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that helps organize complex thoughts, control impulses and connect behavior to consequence, reaches maximum thickness in girls by age 11, and continues to mature in the next few decades. But this process is delayed by 18 months in boys. Middle school boys use their brains less efficiently than girls. Boys, in general, enter school with less mature, less social and less verbal brains.

Who will solve the problem — the boy or the school? The average classroom is four-fifths language based and taught by women, with long periods of lecture and sitting still in stiff chairs. Are we treating boys as “defective girls?” asked Michael Thompson, co-author of “Raising Cain.”

Douglass Elementary School in Colorado found the statistics on underperforming boys so alarming that it changed its classrooms to be more boy-friendly. The statistics changed in just one year — for boys and girls. Foust Elementary School Principal Jeff Gray took a controversial course in brain development and then changed the first- and second-grade curriculum in his school. Scores went up. Roncalli Middle School assigned a random group of 50 sixth-graders to single sex classrooms.The result? The all girls class did best in math, English and science; the all-boys class came second; and the co-ed class came third.

The faculty and staff of these three schools received training from the Gurian Institute. Michael Gurian is the best selling author of “Wonder of Boys” and “Wonder of Girls.”

What are some small but important ways to help boys? Have regular stretches and movement in the classroom, including SAT-10 testing. Allow students, if they wish, to draw ideas before they write about them. Allow students to follow their interests in writing and reading. Provide a short pause between instruction — boys need more time to process information. Provide a soft area for tapping on the desk. Allow different sitting or standing positions. Allow opportunities to display courage and manliness while providing clear safety boundaries. Provide authentic male models of restraint.

When he grows up, Harry will be strong and fearless. He can be depended to confront a mysterious noise downstairs in the middle of the night. He will bravely ignore danger and run through a hail of bullets to save a band of brothers. He will navigate the complex brain wiring of a patient and deftly cut off blood supply from a tumor.

Yes, boys will be boys. Thank God for that.

Jeni Ann Flores’ “Teachers Edition” appears every third Monday. For more, log on to www.teachersedition.blogspot.com.

Article source: http://www.guampdn.com/article/20120220/OPINION02/202200316/Gender-plays-part-classroom

Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for seniors and college/high school students. For the matinees, eighth-graders and under can get in for $3 (half-price) and a canned good for a local food pantry. Reservations are not necessary (except for groups).

The box office opens a half-hour before showtime. Group tickets are $10 for parties of 20 or more and need to be arranged in advance.

Want to be on stage? The final production of their second season will be Neil Simon’s “Rumors.” Auditions are at 7 p.m. March 4 and 5. Performances are June 7-10 at Lindenwood’s Belleville auditorium. Roles are available for five men and five women.

Brass Rail Players also has two traveling troupes.

For information, visit its website, www.brassrailplayers.org, and sign up for its e-newsletter. You can reach executive director Lynn Venhaus at: lynn.venhaus@brassrailplayers.org or 618-917-8175.

Now, see how you do with another kind of play, questions from Brass Rail Players’ third annual trivia night.

1. Margaret Mitchell, the author of “Gone With the Wind,” set the Southern plantation Tara in what state?

2. In 1947, where in the United States did a UFO allegedly crash?

3. What kind of a dog is Snoopy?

4. Who were the two entertainers involved in the infamous “Wardrobe Malfunction” at the 2004 Super Bowl?

5. Bob Marley’s reggae song “Bad Boys” is the theme song for what TV show?

6. What musical that opened in New York on Sept. 16, 1925, enjoyed a popular revival in 1971? It includes the time-honored hit “Tea for Two.”

7. Who played Rick Vaughn in the movie “Major League”? What was the character’s nickname?

8. Who is the only president born in Illinois?

9. All U.S. locations of what Georgia-based chain — there’s been one at the mall since 1967 — are not open on Sundays?

10. What NFL quarterback holds the record for being named Super Bowl MVP three times?

11. Who recorded the pop hit “Snoopy vs. The Red Baron” in 1966?

12. What is the website that debunks Internet hoaxes and urban legends?

13. Founded in Champaign, only 17 of these drive-ins remain in the Midwest. They flourished in the ’50s and ’60s, with 850 at one point, with carhops serving Coney Islands and Texas Burgers.

14. What classic American play takes place in Grover’s Corners, N.H.?

15. What famous entertainer is credited with saying “A brass rail out to run down Belleville’s Main Street?”

16. What is the brand on the Catsup Bottle water tower in Collinsville?

17. Who was the original Georges in “La Cage aux Folles”?

18. Who is Schroeder’s favorite composer?

19. What great American novel has a bootlegger from North Dakota named James Gatz as its title character?

20. The myth persists that what iconic Hollywood figure is cryogenically frozen, even though he was cremated upon his death in 1966?

Answers:

1. Georgia

2. Roswell, N.M.

3. Beagle

4. Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake

5. “Cops”

6. “No, No, Nanette”

7. Charlie Sheen; Wild Thing

8. Ronald Reagan

9. Chick-Fil-A

10. Joe Montana

11. The Royal Guardsmen

12. Snopes.com

13. Dog ‘n Suds

14. “Our Town”

15. Bob Hope

16. Brooks

17. Gene Barry

18. Beethoven

19. “The Great Gatsby”

20. Walt Disney

Article source: http://www.bnd.com/2012/02/19/2060599/brass-rail-players-let-you-in.html

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Article source: http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2012-02-18/2012-college-football-spring-practice-schedule

Spring training is a time of renewal, as the baseball bards like to say, but for the New York Yankees that means a renewal of pennant pressure, even if it is only February.

That’s because anything less than a championship is considered a disappointment in the Bronx, whether that attitude is healthy or not, and that’s why the Yankees spend every winter reloading their juggernaut.

This offseason was no different as the Yankees addressed their rotation concerns by adding Michael Pineda and Hiroki Kuroda, and agreeing days before spring camp to trade A.J. Burnett to the Pirates.

The moves meant that their biggest camp question will be whether Phil Hughes or Freddy Garcia will be their No. 5 starter, a much more comfortable position than having to wonder if their starters beyond CC Sabathia are talented enough to carry a playoff-caliber team.

Now, on paper at least, they are, especially if Ivan Nova continues to develop.

There is little concern about stars such as Robinson Cano or Curtis Granderson staying healthy, but age has already started to affect Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez.

If both play regularly, the Yankees’ offense should be set. If they don’t, the Yankees will need help on the left side of their infield, which is why Eduardo Nunez could be a big factor on the 2012 team. He can play third and shortstop, and the Yankees like his offensive potential.

The Yankees have one other aging yet key component, closer, Mariano Rivera, who is 42. He has proven to be durable throughout his career and with the care and feeding the Yankees give him, there is little reason to believe he cannot close all year.

If he cannot, either Rafael Soriano or David Robertson could handle the job, but that would take one out of the setup mix, which would severely hurt the bullpen’s depth.

Article source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=sportsxchange-000572738_yankees-open-spring-with-team-they-hope-can-make-it-to-fall

Friday, February 17, 2012

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The Nashua Community Concert Association will continue its 2011-12 season at Elm Street Middle School at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, with Spanish Brass.

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Spanish Brass performs eclectic musical programs from an elegant repertoire to the delight of audiences everywhere. This award-winning quintet offers selections ranging from Bach and Mozart to flamboyant Hispanic works by Albeniz and Turina. Part of Nashua Community Concert Association’s 2011-12 season

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Courtesy photo
The Nashua Community Concert Association will continue its 2011-12 season at Elm Street Middle School at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, with Spanish Brass.

Enlarge

NASHUA – The Nashua Community Concert Association will continue its 2011-12 season on Saturday, Feb. 25, with Spanish Brass, which has spanned the globe, performing eclectic musical programs from a repertoire of classical to contemporary pieces.

The performance will be at 8 p.m. in the Elm Street Middle School auditorium, 117 Elm St.

Since capturing first prize in the 1996 Narbonne, France, International Brass Quintet Competition, this quintet – two trumpets, trombone, French horn and tuba – has enthralled audiences in festivals and venues around the world. Spanish Brass offers selections ranging from Bach and Mozart to flamboyant Hispanic works by Albeniz and Turina.

For tickets, call 318-1792 or 888-9158, or visit www.cityartsnashua.org. For more information, call, or visit www.nashuacommunityconcerts.org.

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Article source: http://www.cabinet.com/hollisbrooklinejournalhollisnews/950441-308/spanish-brass-in-nashua.html

More MLB News

• Papelbon ready to pen new chapter with Phils 
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• PR Academy alums chasing dreams in college 
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• Ichiro open to moving from leadoff spot in order 

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Article source: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120218&content_id=26749672&notebook_id=26749684&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc&partnerId=rss_chc

The following is a release issued Friday afternoon by the Enumclaw Fire Department.

Metal thieves have stolen the brass from at least five fire department connections outside businesses on the Enumclaw Plateau.

The connections are located next to or on the outside of a building. They allow crews to boost the pressure in fire sprinkler systems or provide water to fire hoses inside the buildings.

So far, the fire department has identified five businesses that have had their brass from fire department connections stolen, but more could have taken place.

An FDC (fire department connection) is typically located in a remote portion of a property and often is not readily visible. This makes it easy for thieves to steal the brass without being seen.

Thieves typically get $15 to $25 for each brass connection. Thefts have been rampant throughout the Puget Sound area.

The thefts pose a risk to the public and business if there is a fire.If the FDC is missing, firefighters will not be able to supplement the sprinkler system or get water to firefighting crews inside the building of multistory businesses.

The fire department offers the following tips to protect businesses from these types of thefts:

• Report suspicious activity by calling 911. No one except the fire department or a sprinkler installation company should ever be removing or working with an FDC. Theft of FDCs typically takes place late at night.

• Businesses should check their FDCs regularly to ensure they are in place. Again, theft should be reported immediately.

• Salvage yards should never accept any brass painted red, that states, “Fire Department Connection,” or that has threaded hose couplings.

• Anyone who sees where an FDC might normally be located but is not, should report the fact to the business. If the business is closed, call 911 to report the possible theft.

• Businesses can protect their property by purchasing a locking plug for their FDC. Information on approved plugs is available by calling the Enumclaw Fire Department fire marshal’s office at 360-615-5756.

Comment on this story.

Article source: http://www.courierherald.com/news/139553938.html

Article source: http://www.metronews.ca/edmonton/business/article/1101854--new-brunswick-nuclear-plant-licence-renewed

Spring training is a time of renewal, as the baseball bards like to say, but for the Yankees that means a renewal of pennant pressure, even if it is only February.

That’s because anything less than a championship is considered a disappointment in the Bronx, whether that attitude is healthy or not, and that’s why the Yankees spend every winter reloading their juggernaut.

This offseason was no different as the Yankees addressed their rotation concerns by adding Michael Pineda and Hiroki Kuroda, and agreeing days before spring camp to trade A.J. Burnett to the Pirates.

The moves meant that their biggest camp question will be whether Phil Hughes or Freddy Garcia will be their No. 5 starter, a much more comfortable position than having to wonder if their starters beyond CC Sabathia are talented enough to carry a playoff-caliber team.

Now, on paper at least, they are, especially if Ivan Nova continues to develop.

Beyond the battle for No. 5, there is little meaningful competition in camp, other than settling the bench and the way-back end of the bullpen. The other questions the Yankees might face don’t have anything to do with who will fit what role, but whether the men set in the lineup can stay healthy enough to remain there.

There is little concern about stars such as Robinson Cano or Curtis Granderson staying healthy, but age has already started to affect Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez.

Jeter will be 38 in June and Rodriguez, who hasn’t played more than 138 games in a season since 2007, turns 37 in July.

If both play regularly, the Yankees’ offense should be set. If they don’t, the Yankees will need help on the left side of their infield, which is why Eduardo Nunez could be a big factor on the 2012 team. He can play third and shortstop, and the Yankees like his offensive potential.

The Yankees have one other aging yet key component, closer, Mariano Rivera, who is 42. He has proven to be durable throughout his career and with the care and feeding the Yankees give him, there is little reason to believe he cannot close all year.

If he cannot, either Rafael Soriano or David Robertson could handle the job, but that would take one out of the setup mix, which would severely hurt the bullpen’s depth.

In all, spring camp should be relatively peaceful, at least as peaceful as things get for the Yankees. There are few jobs open and team officials are mostly concerned with playoffs getting ready for opening day and not getting hurt.

Copyright (C) 2012 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.

Article source: http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/story/17312250/yankees-open-spring-with-team-they-hope-can-make-it-to-fall

The melodic echoes of brass instruments reverberated through the
hallways of Hampton City Schools recently, as the Heritage Brass
performed for students and faculty at three area schools earlier
this month.

The ensemble, a five-member group from the U.S. Air Force
Heritage of America Band, visited Barron Elementary School,
Jefferson Davis Middle School, and one of Hampton’s newest
facilities, Phoenix Pre-K-8 School during the first week of
February. The musical presentations, designed to educate and
entertain, are a part of the Langley Air Force Base’s strategic
outreach to the local community.

The Heritage Brass, comprised of two trumpets, a horn, trombone
and tuba, allowed students and teachers alike to learn more about
the music they perform, and the instruments they play.

“The feedback from my students has been very positive. The group
touched on music as a career, something the students usually relate
only to the big music stars, “said Mary Gore, a music specialist at
Barron Elementary. “I was very pleased with the program.”

In addition to performing, the ensemble instilled life lessons
in their young audience members, including what it takes to be a
part of a highly-skilled team. Airmen fielded questions from
students about military life, and recognized students who have
parents, siblings or loved ones serving in the military.

“Servicemembers sacrifice so many things for our country and
alongside each of them are family members making similar
sacrifices,” said Tech. Sgt. Jason Foster, the group’s NCO in
charge. “Recognizing these children for their own sacrifices is
immeasurably important.”

According to Ray Landon, the band’s director of operations,
developing a bond with Hampton’s schools is “a high priority,” and
the band’s performances are one of many partnership opportunities
between the city and Langley AFB.

“We live and work here at Langley as partners within the
community, especially with Hampton, our closest neighbor,” Landon
said.

The Heritage Brass, formed in 1973, tours the Mid-Atlantic
region from South Carolina to Delaware, impressing and delighting
audiences with world-class musicianship and entertaining
showmanship. The quintet’s repertoire ranges from classical to jazz
and popular music, providing a variety of music that is as
educational as it is exciting.

The Heritage of America Band’s ensembles are currently planning
similar events for the months ahead. For more information, visit
www.heritageofamericaband.af.mil.

Article source: http://www.peninsulawarrior.com/news/article_946a8840-5983-11e1-b967-0019bb2963f4.html

This post was originally published last year. I’m travelling for a few weeks, so I’m reloading some of my favourite stories from 2011. Normal service will resume when I get back.

In 1990, in a depressed area of Buffalo, New York, eleven schoolgirls were raped. According to George Kelling, a criminal justice scholar, eight of these incidents could have been prevented. After the third case, police knew that a serial rapist was on the loose but, even though they had a description and modus operandi, they issued no warning to local parents. They saw their job as catching the criminal rather than preventing more girls from being raped.

Kelling argued that the cops hadn’t wilfully neglected their duties. Their actions were swayed by their views of police-work, which were in turn affected by metaphors. They saw themselves as crime-fighters who trod the “thin blue line” protecting innocent civilians from criminal marauders. With this role entrenched in their minds, they saw their job as catching the rapist, even at the expense of preventing further crimes. As Kelling said, the eight Buffalo schoolgirls “were victims, though no one realized it at the time, not only of a rapist, but of a metaphor.”

As with all complex issues, crime is suffused with metaphors. One common frame portrays crime as a disease, one that plagues cities, infects communities, and spreads in epidemics or waves. Another depicts crime as a predator – criminals prey upon their victims, and they need to be hunted or caught. These aren’t just rhetorical flourishes; they’re mind-changing tools with very real consequences.

In a series of five experiments, Paul Thibodeau and Lera Boroditsky from Stanford University have shown how influential metaphors can be. They can change the way we try to solve big problems like crime. They can shift the sources that we turn to for information. They can polarise our opinions to a far greater extent than, say, our political leanings. And most of all, they do it under our noses. Writers know how powerful metaphors can be, but it seems that most of us fail to realise their influence in our everyday lives.

First, Thibodeau and Boroditsky asked 1,482 students to read one of two reports about crime in the City of Addison. Later, they had to suggest solutions for the problem. In the first report, crime was described as a “wild beast preying on the city” and “lurking in neighbourhoods”. After reading these words, 75% of the students put forward solutions that involved enforcement or punishment, such as calling in the National Guard or building more jails. Only 25% suggested social reforms such as fixing the economy, improving education or providing better health care

The second report was exactly the same, except it described crime as a “virus infecting the city” and “plaguing” neighbourhoods. After reading this version, only 56% opted for more enforcement, while 44% suggested social reforms. The metaphors affected how the students saw the problem, and how they proposed to fix it.

And very few of them realised what was going on. The two reports both contained the same “shocking” statistics about Addison’s crime rates. When Thibodeau and Boroditsky asked the students to say which bits of text had most influenced their decisions, the vast majority circled the numbers. Only 3% noted the metaphors.

Thibodeau and Boroditsky confirmed their results with more experiments that used the same reports without the vivid words. Even though they described crime as beast or virus only once, and without any verbs to continue the metaphor, they found the same trend.

Compared to students who read about crime as a virus, those who read the “beast” report were more likely to suggest enforcement over social reforms. They were more likely to view police officers as people who catch and punish criminals, rather than people who deter crime or act as role models. They were more likely to look for more information about prisons and the size of the police force, than about poverty levels or youth programs. And as before, they thought the statistics in the report were more important than the language.

But these words have no weight on their own; it’s their context that gives them power. When Thibodeau and Boroditsky asked students to come up with synonyms for either “beast” or “virus” before reading identical crime reports, they provided similar solutions for solving Addison’s woes. In fact, the metaphors only work if they frame the rest of the text. If the critical sentence came at the end of the report, it didn’t have any effect.

So metaphors can influence opinions and choices, but how strong are their effects really? At the end of their experiments, Thibodeau and Boroditsky asked the students to state their gender and political affiliation. As you might expect, men and Republicans were more likely to emphasise enforcement, while women and Democrats leant towards social reforms. But these factors only created differences of around 8 to 9 percentage points. The metaphors, on the other hand, created shifts of between 18 to 22 percentage points!

These results show the hidden power that a simple choice of words can hold over our lives. Indeed, it’s virtually impossible to talk about complex issues like crime, the economy, health and so on, without resorting to metaphors. Some people even use these linguistic devices them as the basis of policy. In Chicago, an epidemiologist called Gary Slutkin is leading a crime-prevention programme that takes the crime-as-virus metaphor literally, treating it as a contagious disease whose spread needs to be contained.

These issues apply to science too. Metaphors about electricity as flowing water or teeming crowds can affect a student’s ability to wire up circuit diagrams. Good metaphors can make a complex and obtuse world seem exciting and accessible. A world of telomeres, epigenetic marks and enzymes can be brought to life by comparing them to shoelace tips, Post-it notes, locks and keys.

But bad metaphors can do a great disservice to the public understanding of science. The idea of the “evolutionary ladder” perpetuates the myth that evolution is about a steady linear march towards complexity. The militaristic metaphor of the “war on cancer” threatens to undervalue achievements in treatment that fall short of a total cure. The idea of the brain as a computer creates all sorts of misconceptions about how different parts of the brain work, how memories are stored and whether we will ever be able to download or upload our minds.

In a field where complex ideas must be conveyed simply but accurately, it couldn’t be more important for science writers to pick the right metaphors. Feel free to suggest your own best or worst examples in the comments.

Reference: Thibodeau Boroditsky. 2011. Metaphors We Think With: The Role of Metaphor in Reasoning. PLoS ONE http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0016782

Image by Alan Cleaver

More on metaphors:

• Heavy, rough and hard – how the things we touch affect our judgments and decisions
• Social exclusion literally feels cold
• Warm hands, warm heart – how physical and emotional warmth are linked
• The Lady Macbeth effect – how physical cleanliness affects moral cleanliness
• Clean thoughts can soften moral judgments
• Holding heavy objects makes us see things as more important
• Clean smells promote generosity and fair play; dark rooms and sunglasses promote deceit and selfishness

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February 17th, 2012
by Ed Yong in Uncategorized | 0 comments | RSS feed | Trackback

Article source: http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2012/02/17/is-crime-a-virus-or-a-beast-how-metaphors-shape-our-thoughts-and-decisions-2/

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The Yiddish word “chutzpah” could translate as “brass,” and Wednesday evening, the Jewish Congregation of Marco Island had a lot of brass. The Naples Philharmonic Orchestra Brass Quintet, a group of musicians with amazing chops, flawless tails and impeccable credentials, brought their artistry to JCMI for a repeat performance.

As orchestra general manager Charles Gottschalk pointed out to the sell-out crowd on hand, what was then the Naples-Marco Philharmonic Orchestra got its start on the island, and both the Phil and JCMI are celebrating 30th anniversaries this year. Some of the musicians’ tenures with the orchestra go back nearly as long; principal percussionist James Dallas, who joined as the sixth player for some of the pieces, has been with the Phil since 1983.

The group played a wide-ranging program, from J.S. Bach, interpreted as Bebop Bach, Cool Bach, and Dixie Bach, to lesser-known classical works, and jazz standards by George Gershwin and Duke Ellington.

That JCMI anniversary, by the way, will be celebrated in a gala dinner dance at the Marriott on Saturday, Feb. 18.

Article source: http://www.marconews.com/news/2012/feb/16/photos-polished-brass-jewish-congregation-marco-is/?partner=yahoo_feeds

A company’s own top management tend to have the best inside view into the business, so when company officers make major buys, investors are wise to take notice. Presumably the only reason an insider would take their hard-earned cash and use it to buy stock of their company in the open market, is that they expect to make money — maybe they find the stock very undervalued, or maybe they see exciting progress within the company, or maybe both. So in this series we look at the largest insider buys by the ”top brass” over the trailing six month period, one of which was a total of $2M by Per GH Lofberg, EVP and President, Caremark at CVS Caremark Corporation (NYSE: CVS).

Click here to find out which other top insider buys by the ”top brass” you need to know about »

Lofberg bets big on CVS:

Lofberg’s average cost works out to $42.99/share. Shares of CVS Caremark Corporation were changing hands at $43.88 at last check, trading up about 0.8% on Thursday. The chart below shows the one year performance of CVS shares, versus its 200 day moving average:

Looking at the chart above, CVS’s low point in its 52 week range is $31.30 per share, with $44.09 as the 52 week high point — that compares with a last trade of $43.88.

According to the ETF Finder at ETF Channel, CVS makes up 17.50% of the Retail ETF (AMEX: RTH) which is trading higher by about 0.1% on the day Thursday.

See what other ETFs contain CVS »
See what other stocks are held by RTH »

Special Offer: Find out what Dave Moenning is holding in the ETF Channel Flexible Growth Investment Portfolio with a special 20% off coupon from Forbes and 30 Days Free.

Article source: http://www.forbes.com/sites/dividendchannel/2012/02/16/top-buys-by-top-brass-evp-and-president-caremark-lofbergs-2m-bet-on-cvs/?feed=rss_home

This post was originally published last year. I’m travelling for a few weeks, so I’m reloading some of my favourite stories from 2011. Normal service will resume when I get back.
RM had his first out-of-body experience at the age of 16. Now, at the age of 55, he has had more than he can count. They usually happen just before he falls asleep; for ten minutes, he feels like he is floating above his body, looking down on himself. If the same thing happens when he’s awake, it’s a far less tranquil story. The sense of displacement is stronger – his real body feels like a marionette, while he feels like a puppeteer. His feelings of elevation soon change into religious delusions, in which he imagines himself talking to angels and demons. Psychotic episodes follow. After four or five days, RM is hospitalised.

This has happened between 15 to 20 times, ever since RM was first diagnosed with schizophrenia at the age of 23. He hears voices, and he suffers from hallucinations and delusions. Despite these problems, he managed to hold down a job as a reporter until 2002 and more recently, he has been working in restaurants and volunteering as an archivist. Then, about a year ago, he took part in a study that seems to have changed his life.

For around a decade, RM has taken part in several studies designed by Sohee Park, a neuroscientist from Vanderbilt University who works on schizophrenia. “He’s a very interesting guy,” says Park. “He has very deep insight into his condition.”

Park’s student Katharine Thakkar was testing the idea that people experience psychotic experiences because they have a weak sense of self. It’s an idea that others have suggested before but it seems like something that would be hard to test with experiments. But not so: over the last decade, psychologists have shown that our sense of self is far from the fixed, permanent feeling that we assume it is. Instead, it is disarmingly pliable. You can tweak it. You can study it. Our brain continuously constructs our sense of self using information from our eyes, skin and joints. By tweaking that information using simple illusions, scientists have warped and displaced our sense of self in the lab.

The most famous of these – the rubber-hand illusion – debuted as a party trick at a Halloween bash. Princeton scientists stroked a rubber hand in time with someone’s real hand, which was hidden out of sight. A few seconds later, the volunteer genuinely felt that they owned the rubber hand. Since then, scientists like Henrik Ehrsson have taken the illusion to new extremes, convincing people that they have gained a third arm, jumped into a mannequin or left their own bodies. But the rubber hand illusion is still proving useful.

Thakkar performed the trick on 24 people with schizophrenia, including RM, and asked them to describe their experiences on a questionnaire. Their answers revealed that they experienced the illusion more strongly that 21 people of a similar age and background, but who didn’t have schizophrenia.

Not taking their word for it, Thakkar tested for other signs that people had bought into the illusion: a feeling that their fingers had moved, and a drop in the temperature of their real hand. She found both, and to a stronger extent in people with schizophrenia than in those without. The results suggest that schizophrenia is accompanied by a weaker or more flexible sense of body ownership than usual. Indeed, Thakkar found that people who experienced the most severe hallucinations (and some delusions) also felt the rubber-hand illusion most strongly.

But even among the group with schizophrenia, RM stuck out. The synchronous stroking didn’t just convince him that he had a rubber hand – it brought about one of his full-on out-of-body experiences. He felt that he and Thakkar were both levitating a foot off the floor: back to the ceiling, turning in a circle, and watching themselves on their chairs. The effect lasted for a few minutes, before they landed again. Others have duplicated this effect in the lab, but with more complicated set-ups involving cameras and virtual reality headsets. The rubber hand illusion shouldn’t do anything quite that dramatic.

RM was worried that a psychotic episode was on the horizon, but Park’s team had no idea about his history and he didn’t mention it. “We were so excited when it happened the first time, and he’s very helpful,” says Park. When they asked him to come back and repeat the experiment, he agreed. He wanted to know more too.

When he returned, Thakkar duplicated the same experience and this time, RM actually found the experience to be quite pleasant and wanted the feeling to come back. That was when he told the scientists about his history. “We got really worried, because we’d just induced these twice!” recalls Park. But she didn’t need to worry.

After the experiment, RM wanted to know more, so Thakkar plied him with information and journal articles about out-of-body experiences. He learned that the phenomenon had a name. He learned that scientists could willingly duplicate the effect in a lab. He learned that they had identified parts of the brain that are associated with the experiences. The information was revelatory. “He gained a psychological cause for this apparently supernatural phenomenon,” says Park, “and he has used this knowledge to control his symptoms.” Since then, RM hasn’t had a psychotic episode.

This approach almost certainly won’t work for everyone – bear in mind that RM is high-functioning and self-aware. He is very eloquent and has an IQ of 120. Park notes that similar explanations might also help other people with unusual experiences like out-of-body effects, since these could exacerbate the other symptoms of schizophrenia. “If it feels supernatural, that just feeds into the delusions,” she says.

The study has broader implications for helping people with schizophrenia. Activities that promote a stronger sense of body awareness, such as yoga, dance or playing a musical instrument, might help to alleviate some of the symptoms of schizophrenia.

But for RM, it seems that learning more about his condition was enough. A year on, his diagnosis is unchanged, he still gets out-of-body experiences, and he still hears voices. But gone are the days when his experiences would require a stay in a hospital. He is now hoping to establish himself as a freelance writer, and he’s even had a paper on religion accepted in a peer-reviewed academic journal. For him, knowledge has proven to be a potent treatment. “We check up with him regularly and he’s been doing really well,“ says Park.

Reference: Thakkar, Nichols, McIntosh Park. 2011. Disturbances in body ownership in schizophrenia: evidence from the rubber hand illusion and case study of a spontaneous out-of-body experience.

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February 16th, 2012
by Ed Yong in Uncategorized | 1 comments | RSS feed | Trackback

Article source: http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2012/02/16/man-with-schizophrenia-has-out-of-body-experience-in-lab-gains-knowledge-controls-his-psychosis-2/

Enlarge Krissy Clark for NPR

Teacher Ruben Gonzalez conducts the South Gate High School band. According to Gonzalez, thieves passed up a computer as well as a stash of valuable flutes, saxophones and clarinets to get to the school’s tubas.

Krissy Clark for NPR

Teacher Ruben Gonzalez conducts the South Gate High School band. According to Gonzalez, thieves passed up a computer as well as a stash of valuable flutes, saxophones and clarinets to get to the school’s tubas.

The words “black market” usually summon images of drugs, guns or pirated DVDs — not tubas. Yet authorities in Los Angeles say the instrument is in such high demand that the black market may be what’s driving a wave of local tuba thefts.

Ruben Gonzalez is teaching an after-lunch band class at the scene of one recent tuba crime — the music room at South Gate High School outside L.A. He starts with a request only a band teacher would make.

“Make sure we rinse out folks — we don’t need any hamburgers or hot chilies coming through those instruments,” he says.

While the kids rinse out and tune up, Gonzalez points to a row of gashes along the door jamb. He and his students noticed them one morning earlier this school year. “I’m walking in, I’m like, ‘That was never there before,’ and I’m like, ‘You know what, guys? I think somebody tried to break in,’ ” he says.

Then Gonzalez noticed something else. Once the thieves got in, they bypassed a computer as well as a stash of valuable flutes, saxophones and clarinets. According to Gonzalez, “All they took were the tubas.”

It sounds like the punch line to a bad joke, but security cameras confirmed it with grainy footage of three guys in hoods lugging away two concert tubas and a sousaphone on wheels under cover of night. A couple months later, thieves broke into Gonzalez’s classroom again, stealing two more. Amazingly, that’s just the tip of the tuba-theft iceberg.

A City Of Tuba Aficionados

At least 23 tubas have been stolen from eight different high schools in and around L.A. in less than a year — not something these campuses can afford, given public school budgets these days.

As for where all these stolen tubas are going, there are competing theories. Some say they’re being sold for scrap metal. But police say more likely it has something to do with banda, a kind of tuba-heavy Mexican polka music that has become very popular around L.A. It’s so popular, in fact, that Los Angeles school police officer Omar Sanchez says an underground economy has sprung up.

Enlarge Krissy Clark for NPR

La Banda Rebelde charges twice as much per song as a band without a tuba charges. People have been known to throw hundred-dollar bills into the tubist’s horn to show their appreciation.

Krissy Clark for NPR

La Banda Rebelde charges twice as much per song as a band without a tuba charges. People have been known to throw hundred-dollar bills into the tubist’s horn to show their appreciation.

“If I just said, ‘Hey, I got a friend who knows a friend who knows a friend who has a tuba,’ you can easily sell it from word of mouth and the black market,” Sanchez says. “It’s big money. It’s just very popular music around here — in any Latino culture area. Me being a fan, I can understand. [I'm] a big tuba aficionado.”

At a Mexican restaurant in South Los Angeles, a group called La Banda Rebelde plays on a makeshift stage in the parking lot. People swarm around them just to hear the tuba. According to one audience member, “Once you put the tuba in there, it makes the whole song different — makes it better.”

But the tuba effect doesn’t come cheap. The band here charges $20 a song — almost twice as much as a group without a tuba. People have even been known to stuff $100 bills down the tuba’s bell.

Putting Bertha Back In Retirement

Back at South Gate High School, that kind of cash could go a long way. At $7,000 a pop, band teacher Ruben Gonzalez says, the tubas stolen from his band will cost more than $35,000 to replace. In the meantime, the band is relying on a 40-year-old sousaphone called Bertha.

“We’ve retired her a couple times, but we’ve brought her back because obviously now we have no tubas,” Gonzalez says.

The school hopes to raise enough money for new tubas in time for band camp this summer.

Article source: http://www.npr.org/2012/02/16/146987033/hold-on-to-your-tuba-brass-bandits-hit-l-a-schools?ft=1&f=1013

The University of Nebraska Brass Quintet will be in concert 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, at Kathleen Dover Theatre on the campus of Gardner-Webb University.

Tickets are $5 and can be purchased in advance by calling Kim at 704-406-4448 or can be purchased at the door.

The University of Nebraska Brass Quintet is comprised of the faculty from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Two members of the group are full-time performers in the Omaha Symphony and each member has played with orchestras, in jazz combos, in brass and woodwind quintets and other ensembles throughout the United States and Europe. As a component of the chamber music program at the University of Nebraska, the quintet is dedicated to the performance of original repertoire works and new music for brass quintet.

Recent concerts have featured works by Eric Ewazen, Jan Bach, Witold Lutoslawski, Rayner Brown, Anthony Plog, Desire Dondeyne, Andre Previn and Michael Kamen. The group also enjoys performing jazz, blues and pop transcriptions either by members of the group or by others. The University of Nebraska Brass Quintet recently commissioned a new work entitled “Copernicus for Brass Quintet and Wind Band” and performed the US and European premiers of the piece in Lincoln, Nebraska and Prague, Czech Republic, respectively. The University of Nebraska Brass Quintet maintains an active performance schedule and has toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe.

The concert tops off a day of clinics, masterclasses and performances by members of the quintet.  Discussions include careers and creating opportunities in music, how to practice, preparing for auditions and contest festivals, judging, jazz improvisation, massed brass ensembles for fest participants and more.

The fee for the BrassFest is $10/person and includes all day events / master classes and evening concert. Teachers receive continuing ed credit. To register, email kmurray1@gardner-webb.edu.

Article source: http://www.shelbystar.com/articles/quintet-62063-brass-nebraska.html

Loggins had “walked into the dark, abandoning his daughters” inside a GMC Yukon, and his two daughters could be heard screaming, according to the association statement. Before their father returned to the vehicle, his daughters told deputies that he had “been acting oddly,” the statement said.

When Loggins returned, he refused demands to get out of the vehicle and instead started to drive away, the association statement said.

Loggins was shot to prevent him from driving away and possibly hurting his daughters, the association statement said.

“It is unfortunate that his actions put his own children into immediate danger and resulted in his death,” said Tom Dominguez, president of the association. “The actions of our deputy clearly prevented serious harm from coming to Loggins’ two children and anyone else on the road that morning.”

Dominguez’s description of Loggins does not square with Marano’s.

“Sgt. Manny Loggins was a loved and respected Marine,” Marano said. “We have received an unprecedented amount of emails and phone calls this past week from current and former Marines who knew and loved Sgt. Loggins.”

Loggins, 31, who enlisted in 1998, is survived by his wife and three children. His wife is pregnant with their fourth child.

Friends have explained that Loggins often took his daughters to San Clemente High to walk and discuss the Bible. He was not armed.

The shooting is being investigated by the Orange County district attorney. The name of the deputy who fired the fatal shot has not been released, though he has been described as a former Marine.

RELATED:

Union blames Marine killed by deputy for fatal shooting

Marine killed by O.C. sheriff’s deputy had 3 good-conduct medals

Deputy killed Marine out of fear for children’s safety, officials say

– Tony Perry in San Diego

Article source: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/02/marine-commander-displeased-at-comments-about-marine-killed-by-deputy.html

On Jan. 30, 1862, a new weapon of war was unveiled at Continental Ironworks in the Greenpoint section of Brooklyn, N. Y. The weapon was the USS Monitor and it looked like no other vessel on the water. Designed by John Ericsson, the Monitor was the first warship constructed with a coating of iron. The vessel is an example of technological advances often made during wartime.

The need for such a vessel as the Monitor occurred in 1861 when Virginia seceded from the Union. As Federal forces evacuated the Gosport Navy Yard at Norfolk, Va., they scuttled ships there to prevent them falling into Confederate hands. One vessel, the Merrimack, was only burned to its waterline.

The Merrimack was raised and the Confederate Navy built a new upper works on top of the existing hull. The upper works of the vessel included an armored casemate. Once guns were added to the vessel, the Merrimack was rechristened the CSS Virginia.

Realizing the South was working on an armored vessel, Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles created a board of three naval officers to review and decide upon a design for an ironclad.

Seventeen designs were reviewed and three chosen. These were the USS Galena, USS New Ironsides and the Monitor. Ericcson’s design of the Monitor represented quirk of fate rather than a concerted effort by the Swedish engineer.

Cornelius Bushnell, the designer of the Galena, traveled to New York City to show his design to Ericcson. During Bushnell’s visit, Ericcson showed him a model of what would become the Monitor. Realizing Ericcson’s design was better than his, Bushnell tried to convince the Swede to present his design to the Ironclad Board. Bushnell eventually obtained permission to present Ericcson’s design.

The Monitor, which was described as a “cheesebox on a raft,” was different from virtually all vessels on the seas. The ship’s hull was almost totally underwater to protect it from cannon fire. Only the pilothouse and a round, revolving gun turret could be seen above the waterline. Layers of one-inch iron protected the turret and pilothouse, creating an armored vessel.

The turret, which could rotate 360 degrees, housed two 11-inch Dahlgren guns. Initially, it was designed to have metal shutters to protect the gun ports while reloading. These shutters proved troublesome to operate. Gun crews solved the problem by rotating the turret away from gunfire while reloading.

The rotating turret created another problem in that its momentum made it difficult to stop the turret and fire. Once again, crews chose to fire on the fly as the turret was rotating. This greatly reduced accuracy but the Monitor was usually so close to its opponent that precise accuracy wasn’t a huge issue. The primary concern in firing on the fly was not to shoot the pilothouse as the turret was spinning.

As the Monitor was unveiled in January 1862, those on hand celebrated the new unusual looking vessel. In less than two months, the Monitor would face the Virginia at Hampton Roads, Va., in an epic encounter.

Article source: http://www.sunherald.com/2012/01/30/3719260/union-unveils-new-weapon-of-war.html

This post was originally published last year. I’m travelling for a few weeks, so I’m reloading some of my favourite stories from 2011. Normal service will resume when I get back.

February 15th, 2012
by Ed Yong in Uncategorized | 0 comments | RSS feed | Trackback

Article source: http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2012/02/15/beetle-larva-lures-and-kills-frogs-while-the-adult-hunts-and-paralyses-them-2/

BY ROSALIND ROSSI
Education Reporter/rrossi@suntimes.com

February 14, 2012 9:28PM

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Article source: http://www.suntimes.com/10648321-418/cps-brass-cracking-down-on-big-payouts-for-sick-days.html

This post was originally published last year. I’m travelling for a few weeks, so I’m reloading some of my favourite stories from 2011. Normal service will resume when I get back.

The hagfish looks like an easy meal. Its sinuous, eel-like body has no obvious defences, but any predator that moves in for a bite is in for a nasty surprise. The hagfish releases a quick-setting slime that clogs up the predator’s gills, causing it to gag, choke and flee. Scientists have known about this repulsive defence for decades, but Vincent Zintzen has finally filmed it in the wild. His videos also prove that hagfish, generally thought to be scavengers of the abyss, are also active hunters that can drag tiny fish from their burrows.

Hagfish are sometimes classed as fish although that’s in dispute, for they lack both backbones and jaws. Instead, their mouths contain a wide plate of cartilage, armed with two rows of horny teeth. It uses these to rasp away at carcasses that sink from above. Watch a dying whale settle on the ocean floor, and it will soon be covered in writhing hagfishes.

They are disgusting feeders. They burrow deep into corpses and eat their way out, and can even absorb nutrients through their skin. And if they’re threatened or provoked, they produce slime – lots of slime, oozing from the hundreds of pores that line their bodies. The slime consists of large mucus proteins called mucins, linked together by longer protein threads. When it mixes with seawater, it massively expands, becoming almost a thousand times more dilute than other animal mucus.

A single hagfish can clog a bucket of water within minutes, and in 2006, Jeanette Lim showed that the slime can equally clog the gills of predators. But until now, no one had ever seen the animals use this defence against an actual predator. They have mostly been filmed at whale carcasses with remote vehicles; their predators had a glut of whale meat at hand, and may have been put off by the noisy, bright vehicles. Instead, Zintzen filmed hagfish in more natural conditions, using a network of baited cameras. “Our units are not moving, producing minimum noise and using lights emitting only in the blue to avoid deterring the fauna,” he says.

You can see the results below. The hagfish in the videos are attacked by sharks, conger eels, wreckfishes and more. In less than half a second, the predator’s mouth and gills are filled with slime. It leaves, gagging and convulsing, slime hanging in long wisps from its head. Even voracious seal sharks turn tail. The cameras didn’t follow the fleeing predators, so Zintzen doesn’t know if they eventually died or if the slime dissolved away. Either way, the hagfish, uninjured and oblivious, just carried on feeding. Its defence is so effective that it can totally ignore the fact that a shark just tried to bite it.

The slime could also give the hagfish a competitive edge among other scavengers. If many hagfish were feeding off Zintzen’s bait, it soon became draped in slime. The mucus puts off fish competitors, allowing the hagfish to monopolise their morsels.

Zintzen also filmed some hagfish hunting, a behaviour that had been suspected but never witnessed. While they’re typically regarded as scavengers, some scientists have suggested that their numbers are so great that they couldn’t possibly be sustained by corpses alone. On top of that, some people have found the flesh of prawns, worms and fish among the stomach contents of hagfish.

Zintzen filmed slender hagfish chasing after red bandfish, ensconced in sandy burrows. The hagfish completely ignored the bait that Zintzen was offering. Instead, they seemed to search the ocean floor for hidden burrows, using the whisker-like barbels on their faces. Once they found an entrance, they rapidly burrowed inside, emerging several minutes later.

“When I first reviewed this video, I thought: those hagfish are not very clever. They have the bait right above their head and they keep on searching the sediment for it.” Then, Zintzen noticed one particular hagfish that had stuck the front third of its body inside a hole. It twisted its body into a knot, using it for leverage to push against the sediment. Twenty seconds later, it withdrew from the burrow with a red bandfish, dead and motionless, in its mouth. “I then only understood what was actually happening: they were hunting!”

Hagfish are well known for their ability to tie themselves in knots, which can travel down the length of their bodies. This could help to clear their own bodies of slime (they can choke on their own mucus) or free themselves from the grip of a predator. Here, the knot seemed to give the hagfish leverage for pulling the bandfish from its burrow. Zintzen thinks that the hagfish may even have used its mucus as an offensive weapon, to choke the bandfish inside its burrow.

Hagfish have been swimming in the oceans for 300 million years, and there are 77 species spread all over the world. While the jawed fishes have undoubtedly taken over the seas, the hagfishes have clung on. They have a defence that makes them all but untouchable. Their only predators are either very large fish whose gills are too big to clog, or mammals, which don’t have gills and whose stomachs can easily digest or expel the slime. They also have a versatile style of feeding that includes scavenging, opportunistic feeding and active hunting.

“They are fantastic animals, but most probably, you need to be a scientist (and a somewhat strange one) to state this and love them,” writes Zintzen.

PS It’s sad that this paper didn’t come out on October 16^th, which was designated as Hagfish Day.

Reference: Zintzen, Roberts, Anderson, Stewart, Struthers Harvey. 2011. Hagfish predatory behaviour and slime defence mechanism. Scientific Reports. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/srep00131

Images and videos by Zintzen et al.

More on hagfish: When diving into food, why not absorb it through your skin?

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February 14th, 2012
by Ed Yong in Uncategorized | 1 comments | RSS feed | Trackback

Article source: http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2012/02/14/hagfish-filmed-choking-sharks-with-slime-and-actively-hunting-fish-2/

JAZZ: The REBIRTH BRASS BAND and New Orleans record label BASIN STREET RECORDS won the Grammy on Sunday night for best regional roots music album for “Rebirth of New Orleans.” It was the first Grammy for both. “It’s like New Orleans winning the Super Bowl all over again,” said co-founder Phil Frazier, who earlier said he’d rather win a Grammy than be rich.

JAZZ: New Orleans trumpeter and band leader DAVE BARTHOLOMEW received a Trustees Award Monday, one of the Special Merit Awards that the Grammys bestows on those who’ve made a significant contribution to popular music. The 91-year-old musician is best known for producing and writing Fats Domino’s hits.

JAZZ: More than 100 TULANE MEDICAL CENTER STUDENTS and STAFF shaved their heads to raise money for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a national charity that funds childhood cancer research. The event is organized by first- and second-year medical students, and has raised more than $250,0000 over the past four years.

Article source: http://www.nola.com/opinions/index.ssf/2012/02/rebirth_brass_band_and_basin_s.html

More than three-quarters of officers surveyed for a first-ever study of ethics in Canadian policing believe their agencies have good relations with their communities, according to a report released Tuesday.

However, front-line officers apparently don’t think as highly of their relationship with senior management.

Of the officers surveyed, 48 per cent expressed dissatisfaction with ethical leadership of their senior management. That could include whether senior management explains decisions to employees, or whether employees felt top management listened to them.

The study, which started in 2009, includes a national survey with over 10,000 respondents in 31 Canadian police services. It was conducted by Carleton University professors Stephen Maguire and Lorraine Dyke, with financial support from the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police and the Sheldon Chumir Foundation for Ethics in Leadership.

The police surveyed ranged in rank from constable to staff sergeant. They were asked about issues such as work environment and conditions, supervision, decision-making, management and community engagement.

Maguire and his team say it is important for Canadian police agencies to spend more time communicating about their agency’s programs and expectations.

“The good news is that I found very strong indicators of professionalism already within policing practices and programs across the country,” Maguire said in a release.

“Relationships with the community are strong. Where improvements need to be made, the most salient general recommendation is to improve support for and communication with the front line.”

Other findings in the survey include:

• 78 per cent of front-line police officers agreed that their agency had a good relationship with the community, while 20 per cent had no opinion and two per cent disagreed.
• 68 per cent of respondents felt citizen complaints were dealt with fairly, while 12 per cent disagreed and 20 per cent offered no opinion.
• 34 per cent of those surveyed expressed concerns about whether their organization cared about their well being.

Based on the report, Maguire and his colleagues made 52 recommendations to police agencies. They urged police forces to provide more support for the front line by providing training to supervisors.

“This study provided all Canadian police agencies with valuable insights,” Chief Dale McFee, the president of the CACP, said. “It underscored the importance of strengthening our commitment to ethical leadership, and showed us we need to do a better job of communicating that commitment internally to our front-line police officers.”

The CACP represents 90 per cent of the police community in Canada.

Article source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2012/02/14/police-ethics-report.html?cmp=rss

BELTON — Coach Matt Blackburn usually prefers the term “reloading” over “rebuilding” when discussing one of his Belton Lady Tiger softball teams the year after waving goodbye to a loaded senior class.

However, with a heavy youth movement invading the varsity this year to follow on a District 12-5A championship and a push to the Class 5A Region II semifinals, perhaps “reorganizing” is the more appropriate description.

“This year will be interesting,” said fifth-year coach Blackburn, whose team is ranked No. 13 in the state and opens the season at home against Elgin at 7 tonight. “The average age on varsity will be pretty young, like a sophomore. We have four freshmen who can start at two positions.”

Article source: http://www.tdtnews.com/index/sports/show/84269?title=Time+to+reload:+Belton+softball+loses+stars,+seeks+more+success+with+youth+movement

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Article source: http://www.fox8live.com/news/local/story/Rebirth-Brass-Band-wins-first-Grammy/reD73F5HyESz9_QQMwLp8A.cspx?rss=2085

A company’s own top management tend to have the best inside view into the business, so when company officers make major buys, investors are wise to take notice. Presumably the only reason an insider would take their hard-earned cash and use it to buy stock of their company in the open market, is that they expect to make money — maybe they find the stock very undervalued, or maybe they see exciting progress within the company, or maybe both. So in this series we look at the largest insider buys by the ”top brass” over the trailing six month period, one of which was a total of $106.9K invested across 4 purchases by Michael K. Simonte, CFO at American Axle Manufacturing Holdings Inc (NYSE: AXL).

Click here to find out which other top insider buys by the ”top brass” you need to know about »

Simonte bets big on AXL:

Simonte’s average cost works out to $8.22/share. Shares of American Axle Manufacturing Holdings Inc were changing hands at $12.28 at last check, trading up about 1.6% on Monday. The chart below shows the one year performance of AXL shares, versus its 200 day moving average:

Looking at the chart above, AXL’s low point in its 52 week range is $6.77 per share, with $14.88 as the 52 week high point — that compares with a last trade of $12.28.

According to the ETF Finder at ETF Channel, AXL makes up 1.05% of the Guggenheim Insider Sentiment ETF (AMEX: NFO) which is trading higher by about 1% on the day Monday.

See what other ETFs contain AXL »
See what other stocks are held by NFO »

Special Offer: Find out what Dave Moenning is holding in the ETF Channel Flexible Growth Investment Portfolio with a special 20% off coupon from Forbes and 30 Days Free.

Article source: http://www.forbes.com/sites/dividendchannel/2012/02/13/top-buys-by-top-brass-cfo-simontes-106-9k-bet-on-axl/?feed=rss_home

A company’s own top management tend to have the best inside view into the business, so when company officers make major buys, investors are wise to take notice. Presumably the only reason an insider would take their hard-earned cash and use it to buy stock of their company in the open market, is that they expect to make money — maybe they find the stock very undervalued, or maybe they see exciting progress within the company, or maybe both. So in this series we look at the largest insider buys by the ”top brass” over the trailing six month period, one of which was a total of $100.2K by Bruce L. Koepfgen, CFO at Janus Capital Group Inc (NYSE: JNS).

Click here to find out which other top insider buys by the ”top brass” you need to know about »

Koepfgen bets big on JNS:

Koepfgen’s average cost works out to $5.86/share. Shares of Janus Capital Group Inc were changing hands at $8.49 at last check, trading down about 1.9% on Monday. The chart below shows the one year performance of JNS shares, versus its 200 day moving average:

Looking at the chart above, JNS’s low point in its 52 week range is $5.36 per share, with $14.57 as the 52 week high point — that compares with a last trade of $8.49.

The current annualized dividend paid by Janus Capital Group Inc is $0.20/share, currently paid in quarterly installments, and its most recent dividend ex-date was on 02/02/2012. Below is a long-term dividend history chart for JNS, which can be of good help in judging whether the most recent dividend with approx. 2.3% annualized yield is likely to continue.

According to the ETF Finder at ETF Channel, JNS makes up 3.45% of the KBW Capital Markets Portfolio ETF (AMEX: KBWC) which is trading lower by about 0.2% on the day Monday.

See what other ETFs contain JNS »
See what other stocks are held by KBWC »

Special Offer: Find out what Dave Moenning is holding in the ETF Channel Flexible Growth Investment Portfolio with a special 20% off coupon from Forbes and 30 Days Free.

Article source: http://www.forbes.com/sites/dividendchannel/2012/02/13/top-buys-by-top-brass-cfo-koepfgens-100-2k-bet-on-jns/?feed=rss_home

Get your passports ready!! Come take a musical journey through space and time with the worlds best brass musicians at the Brass Band of Battle Creeks Spring Concert, Saturday, April 14th in W.K. Kellogg Auditorium at 7:30 p.m.

Travel across the wild west during the 1860s with Light Calvary, ride aboard the mysterious Orient Express, see the sun rise and set over the Alps, tap your toes to big band era favorites, travel to the edge of the universe in Music of the Spheres and even see Battle Creek, Michigan as you have never seen it before!

The BBBC Spring Concert will feature the music of composer Philip Sparke, a sentimental tune writer known for his vivid narrative musical works. The concert will also feature work by Battle Creek native Sy Oliver. The BBBCs guest conductor will be William Eddins, Music Director of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.

Tickets are on sale now! Reserved tickets are $29 and $39. General admission tickets are $16 and student tickets are $7. You can purchase tickets online at www.bbbc.net, by calling 1-888-71-TICKETS.

The Brass Band of Battle Creek looks forward to seeing you Saturday, April 14th!

Need more information? Visit www.bbbc.net or call 269-789-BBBC. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Article source: http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/article/20120213/NEIGHBORHOODS01/202130322/1075/RSS04

This post was originally published last year. I’m travelling for a few weeks, so I’m reloading some of my favourite stories from 2011. Normal service will resume when I get back.

Meet the world’s smallest farmer – a “social amoeba” that seeds new land with bacteria, which it then eats. Just as human farmers carry seeds and livestock when they move to new areas, the amoeba can prepare for harsh conditions by bringing a ready food supply with it. It joins ants, termites and humans on the list of creatures that practice agriculture.

The amoeba, Dictyostelium discoideum, is also known as a slime mould, but scientists who work with it sometimes use the more affectionate name of Dicty. Dicty spends most of its time as a single cell, oozing through the undergrowth in search of bacteria to eat. When they run out of prey, the amoebas unite to form a many-celled mobile slug. When the slug finds a good spot, it stretches upwards to form a ball at the end of a stalk. The ball is loaded with spores, which eventually blow free on the wind. When they land, they hatch into new amoebae and the life cycle begins again.

Scientists pieced together Dicty’s life cycle decades ago, but it still carries surprises. Debra Brock from Rice University captured 35 wild amoebas from Virginia and Minnesota and found that a third of them carried bacteria in their slugs and spores. The bacteria hail from a number of different species, and half of these are found on Dicty’s menu. When the spores land in new locations, their bacterial cargo start to multiply, which provides the amoebae with food.

When Brock scattered spores in a sterile dish, she found that the “farmers” fared better. By seeding the dish with their bacterial cargo, they had a ready source of food. If the spores didn’t have any bacteria, the amoebae hatched to find a famine awaiting them. Very few completed their life cycle. Sterile soils may be rare in nature, but Brock found that the farmers kept their advantage when they landed in soil that had the wrong kind of bacteria. Dicty is a fussy eater, so it pays for it to carry around its preferred morsels.

This is a more passive style of farming than ants, termites or humans. Dicty doesn’t actually do anything to grow its bacteria, short of taking it to the right place. By contrast, ants and termites grow fungi by keeping it in just the right conditions, feeding it with leaves, and pruning away weed. Humans do the same for the crops that they farm.

There are, however, many similarities between the amoebae and the ants. Both are social species that spend a lot of time around their close relatives. For the amoeba farmers, this is important. If family (actually, clones) didn’t stick close together, then non-farmers could easily eat the leftover bacteria, or freeload off the ones that are cultivated by the travelling spores. By sticking together, they ensure that their descendants (who share the same genes) reap the benefits of their prudence.

Brock found that the farmers aren’t a special offshoot of Dicty’s family tree; they aren’t more closely related to each other than they are to other amoebae. But they are special. When Brock disinfected all the amoebae with antibiotics, only the former farmers could pick up new bacteria. But if the bacteria are so beneficial, why is it that only a third of the amoebae carry them? Brock got the answer when she scattered spores in a dish that was full of bacteria. With such bountiful meals everywhere, the farmers actually did worse. They were less likely to complete their life cycle than non-farmers.

Brock thinks that these farmers were suffering because of their prior prudence. Dicty only forms spores once it exhausts its supply of bacteria. To bring bacteria along, it needs to stop eating before its food is finished, saving some for later while their peers clean their plates. If they land somewhere without much food, their disadvantage fades into irrelevance because only they can cultivate more meals. If they land in a place with bountiful meals, their weaker condition proves to be their downfall. For the amoebas, agriculture can be a double-edged sword.

In other cases of animal agriculture, the farmer and the crop have come to depend on one another. Some types of fungus only exist because they are farmed by ants, and some damselfishes tend to gardens of unique algae, which don’t have any free-living relatives. By contrast, Dicty has a far more distant connection to its ‘crop’ – most amoebae aren’t farmers, and the bacteria can grow quite happily on their own.

This is probably because the amoebae cultivate a wide variety of bacteria. From a bacterium’s point of view, the risk of being eaten by Dicty is only worth taking if its cousins (carrying the same genes) can hitchhike to new areas. If many species of bacteria go along for the ride, these benefits are diluted. Since Dicty plays host to a wide variety of bacteria, there’s little impetus for any individual species to evolve in tandem with it.

For now, no one knows how long Dicty has been farming for. To find out, Brock will have to look at a diverse range of other amoebas and slime moulds to see if they also carry bacteria in their spores. If they do, then the practice is very old indeed. Dicty belongs to an ancient group of living things that sit next to animals and fungi on the tree of life. Their ancestors were among the first creatures to invade the land. If they have been cultivating bacteria for all that time, they would be the planet’s earliest farmers.

Reference: Brock, Douglas, Queller Strassmann. 2011. Primitive agriculture in a social amoeba. Nature http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature09668

More on slime moulds:

• Predatory slime mould freezes prey in large groups
• Disease by coincidence – why we’re caught in the crossfire of a hidden war

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February 13th, 2012
by Ed Yong in Uncategorized | 0 comments | RSS feed | Trackback

Article source: http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2012/02/13/meet-dicty-the-amoeba-%E2%80%93-the-world%E2%80%99s-smallest-farmer-2/

Cooch Behar, Feb. 12: Power minister Manish Gupta today hauled up officials for the slow implementation of the rural electrification scheme in Cooch Behar and warned at least one engineer that he would be transferred to as far as the Sunderbans since his performance was not up to the mark.

The censure came at a meeting convened to review the progress of the Rajiv Gandhi Rural Electrification Scheme in Gupta’s home district.

Gupta, whose ancestral house is in Mathabhanga, asked officials why no time-frame had been set for the project that was introduced four years ago. He asked each of the dozen or so power officials present at the meeting where their homes were and how long they had been serving in the district.

“I am from Dinhata and I have been posted here for the past three years,” said a senior engineer connected to the rural electrification.

An angry minister then retorted: “So, you are from this district and that is why the rural electrification scheme is lagging behind in your area. I will see that you get transferred to Patharpratima in the Sunderbans.” The Telegraph was present in the room when Gupta asked the district magistrate to “note down” the engineer’s posting.

Senior administrative officials refused comment on the meeting. “It was a review meeting,” said an official. Asked if the district magistrate would send the “note” to Writers’, the official said: “Everything will go to Writers’. The minister does not take notes himself, somebody has to do it. Even the proposals were noted down.”

The minister later refused to say how many villages were yet to be electrified. “I, as a minister, am telling you that Cooch Behar is lagging, that is all,” he said.

This is not the first time that officials are being pulled up for their alleged inefficiency by ministers of the new government. At a meeting in Malda on February 7, irrigation minister Manas Bhunia came down heavily on engineers of his department, dubbing them “inefficient and useless” for “failing to get done even one-tenth of work” sanctioned under the central rural job scheme.

Two months ago, panchayat minister Subrata Mukherjee had pulled up senior officials for failing to provide work to villagers under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act.

Gupta asked the district magistrate to ensure that the rural electrification scheme was speeded up. “Please select specific areas and set a time-frame to finish the project,” he told district magistrate Mohan Gandhi.

Sources in the power department said the rural electrification scheme was being implemented in Bengal from 2008. They added that Mamata Banerjee had told Gupta during her administrative meeting in Nadia last week that the central scheme should be strictly monitored.

Kalyani Poddar, the chairperson of the Cooch Behar district primary school council, requested Gupta to look into the electrification of schools in far-flung rural areas.

“The minister has asked us to prepare a list of such schools and submit it to the district magistrate as soon as possible,” said Poddar.

Article source: http://in.news.yahoo.com/manish-cracks-shift-whip-power-brass-000000475.html

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