TN implements sixth pay commission recommendations

May 31 About 12 lakh Tamil Nadu Government employees will receive a 30 per cent hike in wages with the government deciding to adopt the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission. The revised pay scales will be implemented with immediate effect and employees will get the revised pay next month, State Finance Secretary K Gnanadesikan told reporters here today. The Government would incur additional expenditure of Rs 5,155.79 crore per annum due to the revised scales which will hike salaries of the employees by 30 per cent, he said." Currently Rs 14,000 crore has been incurred by government on salaries per annum while for pensioners it is at Rs 7,000 crore totalling a sum of Rs 21,000 crore. After the revised pay, it will be Rs 26,155.79 crore", he said Giving some salient features of the revision, he said,"emoluments like House Rent Allowance and City Compensatory Allowance will be doubled, while the same are granted for the first time to all employees on Special Time Scales of Pay including the noon meal workers". As part of accepting the long pending request of employees, pensioners and family pensioners, the existing Medical Allowance has been revised from Rs 50 to Rs 100 per month. Stating that ceiling limit of Death-cum-Retiring Gratuity has been enhanced from Rs 3.5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh on par with Central government, he said arrears in the pay revision after adjustment of interim arrears will be paid in three equal instalments. Daily allowance has also been doubled.

The thin line between art and design

Fine arts seniors exhibit final design pieces after months of preparation

Elizabeth Moskowitz/The Daily Texan

Caleb Miller/The Daily Texan

As the sun was setting, the last few rays of light sparkled off the brilliant pink and purple hair windswept into her face. Delicately scrawling a number “2” into my reporter’s notebook with an art pen, Sarah Hood described why she was so fascinated with typography.

“I fell in love with ITC Tiffany Heavy,” Hood said while sketching the number in her favorite font with careful trepidation. “For me, everything needs to be as ornate as possible. My whole senior project and thesis was about stimulation. I need something that’s constantly stimulating — bright lights, color, crazy noises. So simple, clean, sleek fonts — they’re lovely and well-designed — but they can’t keep my attention for very long.

Where to draw the line?

Hood, who will soon graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in design, is among 17 seniors exhibiting their work this weekend at the Creative Research Lab. The program itself, Design in Conversation, is an attempt to transform the works of these design students into person-to-person dialogue. The CRL, normally reserved for art exhibitions, will have a dedicated space for design students’ work — but don’t call the designers “artists.”
“Oh no,” Hood said, “Don’t ever call a designer an artist. That’s a huge debate in the design community right now: Where do we draw the line between artist and designer?”
Yet Hood’s work in the exhibit seems to border on the abstract. In one piece, a video shows the process of melting ice cream, Bomb Pops popsicles and whipped cream, with each medium shaped in the form of a font. Hood said the aim of her work was to stimulate an almost perverse perspective for people watching the video.

“I melted Bomb Pops down into molds, re-froze them and videotaped them melting,” Hood said, grinning with enthusiasm. “It’s making you sit down and watch the melting process from beginning to end, and it’s kind of masochistic and sadistic. You rush home from the grocery store because you don’t want your ice cream to melt, for example, but sitting down and watching a video of the process, you’re like, ‘Oh no no don’t melt.’ It’s enjoying to watch, like a kid with a magnifying glass on ants.”

Cult typography

As she finished scrawling the “2,” Hood described why she is drawn to psychological stimulation in her design pieces.

“I need something to distract me and keep me busy,” Hood said. “I was always the one in class who didn’t do everything black and white, sleek, minimal — I’m so the opposite of that. As I got more into typography, it helped me realize how I want to design — to be mature but with more personality.”

At a South by Southwest screening of the horror film “A Haunting In Connecticut,” audiences were ecstatic and genuinely frightened. A movie that would have probably received a standing ovation ended with credits typed in Papyrus font — causing audience members to groan and scoff in disapproval. One man, who had previously been jumping in fright at quick cut-scenes throughout the film, called out “amateur!” when the credits rolled. That kind of impact, Hood affirms, is why she was drawn to typography in the first place.

“There are whole cults behind fonts, like huge petitions to ban Comic Sans,” Hood said with a laugh. “There’s always typography drama. Like, if a design student goes to the mall and sees a business sign in a bad font, they wonder who would pay money to see that.”

Designers get ready

Rachel Tepper, exhibit committee head for the program, said the goal of the show is to inspire discussion about the designers’ work.

“We spend the entire semester preparing for the show,” Tepper said. “I think it’s important to know that our program is a liberal-arts approach to design, so we take design theory and history classes and ground our work in thinking, not just design. We took action words like ‘provoke’ and ‘explore’ and grouped our work under these categories to trigger conversations, to make people think about why does this provoke or how does this explore.”

Tepper, a designer herself, also focused on typography but was more interested in the history behind fonts. Her work centers on revisiting and updating a font originally created by Elizabeth Friedlander, a Holocaust refugee who was forced to leave Germany in the 1930s. Friedlander never received credit for the typeface she created, so Tepper decided to pay homage to her legacy by transforming the font into Sans Friedlander, a sans serif font.

“I like to create pieces that are very thorough, with a light, soft touch,” Tepper said while averting her eyes and smiling. “I think that I design well that way because it kind of reflects my shyness. It’s understated.”

Design in Conversation

Opening reception: Saturday, 6 p.m.
Exhibit: May 9-May 30; noon-5 p.m.
Creative Research Lab
2832 E. MLK Blvd.

Spelling Bee 2009: Kavya Shivashankar Wins on Laodicean

Kavya Shivashankar, an eighth grader from Olathe, Kansas, correctly spelled L-a-o-d-i-c-e-a-n to win the 2009 Scripps National Spelling Bee Thursday night. Kavya won at the end of a championship round in which runner-up Tim Ruiter was eliminated on "maecenas" and third-place finisher Aishwarya Pastapur was eliminated on "menhir."

Making her fourth appearance in the national bee, Kavya looked calm and collected throughout, never wavering as she spelled words like "phoresy" in the championship round. (The other championship round words that were spelled correctly were antonomasia, bouquiniste, oriflamme, guayabera, isagoge and sophrosyne.)

In earlier rounds, Kavya effortlessly rattled off seemingly challenging words like "hydrargyrum," "blancmange" and "baignoire."

Having finished in the Top 10 each of the last three years, Kavya was considered one of the favorites entering the bee. A student at California Trail Junior High School, Kavya enjoys playing the violin, bicycling, swimming, and learning Indian classical dance. She plans to become a neurosurgeon.

Spelling Bee Photos

South Florida Cake Boutique Featured on CNBC's 'The Oprah Effect'

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., May 25 /PRNewswire/ -- On Thursday, May 28th at 9PM ET & 10PM PT, We Take The Cake will be one of the businesses featured on the CNBC special titled "The Oprah Effect." Carl Quintanilla explores the secrets of getting on Oprah, the impact on businesses of being featured by Oprah and how this so-called Oprah Effect transforms brands into big business.

We Take The Cake, a boutique bakery located in Ft. Lauderdale Florida, was fortunate enough to have had its Gourmet Key Lime bundt cake selected as one of "Oprah's Favorite Things" in 2004. The impact of having had a product or business featured on Oprah has since become known as "The Oprah Effect." "People are fascinated by 'The Oprah Effect,'" said Lori Karmel, We Take The Cake's owner. "Nobody can put a company on the map the way Oprah Winfrey can."

Lori Karmel purchased We Take The Cake, a sleepy cake business, in 2002. Karmel knew the business because she had bought her son's birthday cake there. The business struggled after 9/11 and made its first modest profit of $19 in June of 2004. Then came "the call" from The Oprah Winfrey Show. The bakery's gourmet Key Lime Bundt Cake with key lime cream cheese frosting was being considered by Oprah as one of her Favorite Things. When the cake made the final cut for the show, "It was like winning the lottery," said Karmel. Karmel had no idea what would happen when the "Oprah's Favorite Things Show" aired. The impact was immediate and within hours We Take The Cake's website was overwhelmed.

Almost 5 years later, We Take The Cake is still thriving. Its gourmet cakes have been featured on The Food Network's "Challenge," "Unwrapped" and "Road Tasted." This past December, In Style Magazine selected We Take The Cake's Prize-Winning Chocolate Layer Cake as one of "the best mail order cakes." Now their beautifully decorated cupcakes are available for national shipping too.

We Take The Cakes' gourmet items can be found on-line at www.wetakethecake.com, at all Florida Whole Foods Markets, at NeimanMarcus.com, NormThompson.com and Field of Flowers stores. We Take The Cake will also soon begin testing a new "cupcake and ice cream" creation at ten Kilwin's confectionery shoppes.

    We Take The Cake
   1021 N. Federal Highway
   Fort Lauderdale, Florida
   33304
   888-901-2253

www.wetakethecake.com

SOURCE We Take The Cake

Kavya Shivashankar | Wins National Spelling Bee 2009

WASHINGTON | At last.

Kavya Shivashankar, a 13-year-old word wizard from Olathe, finally captured the Scripps National Spelling Bee championship Thursday.

After six years of inhaling dictionaries word by word, memorizing their meanings, studying their roots and perfecting their pronunciations, she bested 292 competitors and aced 40 words to capture a prize that has eluded her in three previous final appearances.

“It’s been my dream for so long, I just can’t believe it’s actually happened,” Kavya said afterward.

The eighth-grader from California Trail Junior High School maintained a cool confidence throughout all 16 rounds of the competition.

Kavya Shivashankar, 13, was all smiles Thursday after she won the National Spelling Bee in Washington. Her parents, Sandy and Mirle Shivashankar, celebrated.

She appeared to know every word as soon as she heard it, asking only a few questions about roots and meanings.

Indeed, only one word back in the fourth round, “ergasia,” stumped her. It means any form of activity, especially mental.

“But I came up with the root and was able to get the word,” she said.

Then came her trademark scribbling of the word with her finger across the palm of her hand to check herself. Then she nailed it.

“She has incredible poise and composure,” said Paul Loeffler, a former competitor who serves as ESPN’s color analyst for its bee coverage. “Rarely do you see her look nervous or panicked. She has a grace about her that I think all the other competitors recognize and look up to.”

Kavya’s triumph before a nationally televised audience on ABC and against some stiff competition came down to “Laodicean,” an indifference to religion or politics.

Kavya paid tribute to her father and coach, Mirle Shivashankar.

“My dad really helped me,” she said. “I couldn’t have done this without him.”

“Wonderful” is how he described his daughter’s achievement. But he had butterflies throughout.

“No matter how many years we come,” he said, “it’s always there.”

Kavya, who hopes to become a neurosurgeon, which elicited a loud applause from the audience during a post-bee interview, will take home $30,000 in cash, a $5,000 scholarship, a $2,500 savings bond and an Encyclopaedia Britannica reference collection.

Plus a big gold trophy.

The National Spelling Bee has become every bit the tension-racked sporting event.

Spellers ranged in age from 9 to 15. Nearly half were in eighth grade, but one was in third. The girl-boy split was nearly even.

They pumped their fists when successful and sometimes buried their faces in their hands when they were at sea. They all knew their limits.

“I tried my best,” said Kennyi Kwaku Aouad, 13, of Terre Haute, Ind., after missing a particularly troublesome “palatschinken,” a jelly pancake.

Thirteen-year-old Neetu Chandak of Seneca Falls, N.Y., took a stab at “derriengue,” but quickly added, “Ding,” providing her own error bell before the real one rang.

Dealt the tongue-twister, “hydrargyrum,” which means the element mercury, Kavya solved it by also asking, “Does it come from the Greek ‘hydro,’ meaning water?”

Earlier in the day during the semifinals, things got rugged quickly. The 293 had been whittled to 41.

Words like Barbotte. Skeuomorph. Gastaldo. Dansant. Kichel. Eurostomatous. Hyalithe. Macle. Sievert. Crystophene.

Noah Webster might have even thrown in the towel.

Only one out of the first 10 spellers in the second semifinal round survived. And things didn’t get any easier.

Credits to DAVID GOLDSTEIN

Spread Heads | Albertville

I was reading an article a while ago about new innovation and invention of kitchen and eating stuffs and I really liked one of those listed on that article. That thing was called Spread Heads.

This product is really creative, funny and will definitely add a happy moment with you together with your kids or friends. Spread Heads come in two available designs, Ketchup Charlie and Mustard Marvin. This two unique products are actually a bottle top topper and all you have to do is put it in your ketchup or mustard bottle and then squeeze it. FYI Rachel Ray, Joan Rivers and Jay Leno have demonstrated this one on TV. To see that TV Show and know more about this product, visit the official site of Spread Heads today!

Credits to The Green Man

A heavy LI presence in lacrosse title game - George Boiardi

FOXBOROUGH, Mass.

Two stadium workers wheeled out a box on which someone had written, "If win, Cornell''; it was the one full of championship hats and shirts the Big Red never would wear.

Soon thereafter, Max Seibald, perhaps the best, most respected player in college lacrosse, walked through the same tunnel, leading teammates into what he later called a locker room of "silence and tears.''

Thus ended one of the sport's most storied four-year terms, but not before a turn of events that will haunt the players for a lifetime - Seibald as much as any of them.

Cornell led 9-8 with 27.6 seconds left Monday at Gillette Stadium in the NCAA Division I final when Seibald picked up the ball off the end line.

"I probably should have just run it out myself,'' the former Hewlett High star said. "I'll probably never forget that.''

Instead, he passed it upfield.

Thus began a stunning sequence during which Cornell twice lost control of the ball and Syracuse's Matt Abbott eventually tossed a blind pass to Kenny Nims, who tied it at 9 with 4.5 seconds remaining, completing a comeback from a 9-6 deficit against an opponent famous for holding leads and milking the clock.

Syracuse won it 1:20 into sudden-death overtime.

The bizarre finish led Seibald, a four-time first-team All-Ivy League player and two-time Tewaaraton Trophy finalist, to recall Cornell's 2007 semifinal against Duke, which the Big Red also lost in the final seconds.

"I wouldn't trade this group of guys for a national championship,'' he said, his voice breaking. "The experience I've had with these guys for the last four years and this last year, I wouldn't trade it for a ring - never.''

As tough a loss as it was for Cornell, it was a good day for lacrosse in general and Long Island lacrosse in particular.

In a region that never has produced an NCAA Division I champion, a crowd of 41,935 turned out to see the first overtime final since 2001.

And in an era in which the sport is spreading as never before and Cornell has players from 14 states, the District of Columbia and two Canadian provinces, it was the program's longtime Long Island pipeline that led it to the near-championship.

John Glynn (Lindenhurst) jump-started the team in the first half and finished with three goals and two assists. Seibald had two goals and Rob Pannell (Smithtown West) had a goal and an assist.

Another Long Island standout, Pat Perritt (Sachem East), scored a goal for Syracuse.

Cornell has not won a championship since 1977 and had not reached a final since 1988.

Since then, it had gotten as much attention for the losses of two iconic figures - 1970s star Eamon McEneaney, who died in the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, and George Boiardi, who died when struck in the chest by a ball in a 2004 game - as for its lacrosse accomplishments.

This was better.

"In the end, it's a big win for our program,'' said David Lau, who played at Cold Spring Harbor and whose father, George, played at Sewanhaka and on Cornell's 1976 and '77 title teams.

Seibald never won a championship but took his place in the program's history.

"That's a tough thought to swallow,'' coach Jeff Tambroni said when asked to reflect on Seibald's final game. "There have been very few people who have invested as much as he has, had such a dynamic personality and drawn so much attention to our program and handled it so well.''

Pannell said an early second-half play on which Seibald ran over a Syracuse player directly in front of the Cornell bench epitomized a player Syracuse coach John Desko once compared to Larry Csonka.

"It's plays like those that distinguish him from everyone on the field,'' Pannell said.

Someday, such accolades will gladden Seibald. Monday was not that day.

"Right now, the instant shock, it's tough to take it all in,'' he said. "Knowing we had that in our hands and let it slip, it's hard.

"I think everyone would have taken something back on that last possession."

Credits to Newsday's Neil Best

Jon Gosselin: I Take Full Blame

Jon and Kate Gosselin addressed the reports swirling around their troubled marriage in the season premiere of TLC's "Jon & Kate Plus 8."

Jon reacts on the show to stories of his infidelity with a 23-year-old woman saying it was "nothing but hanging out."

"I take full blame. ... I didn't think it would escalate into what it's become," Jon said of the media coverage. "My fear would be that my kids would not believe me."

When asked if he would like to say anything else about the situation, Jon responded, "I'd like to apologize to my family for my actions."

Kate also responded on the show to the sudden publicity surrounding her family, "I've been dealing with this for probably six months now," Kate said. "Just the allegations make me furious."

She continued saying she thinks Jon is starting to "resent" the attention they've received from having their own reality show.

When the couple is asked what they think the future holds for their marriage Kate responded, "I wish I knew."

"Very swiftly we turned into two different people," Kate said somberly.

"Jon & Kate Plus 8" airs on TLC Sunday nights at 9 p.m. Eastern.

Credits to The Insider

Susan Boyle, Britain's Got Talent-a youtube-and-the-likes sensation

Susan Boyle. What a sensation! She was an instant celebrity after her performance on Britain's Got Talent. Could it be because of You Tube? 50 million views within weeks of her 'debut' on youtube.com. Her May 24 video is now in the top 10 searches on google.com. You could very well say that it's because of you tube, and communication via computers.

Today, Susan holds five of the top 100 search positions on google.com. She is #3 for "May 24 video," #4 for "site youtube.com," #19 for "britains got talent," #28 for "u tube," and #30 for "2nd performance" searches. Google rates its searches according to how hot they are, and the May 24 video is rated "on fire." Susan Boyle certainly has become very popular overnight. The way she became popular is becoming more commonplace all the time.

In a very short time, her first video had more than 50 million views. I recently heard a speech given by John Garbett, the producer of Shrek. He stated that about as many people had seen Susan Boyle's youtube performance within weeks after it came out, than have seen the move Shrek. But Shrek has been out for years.

The communications we have today are certainly amazing. We can see a movie on demand. We can check our bank balance and pay bills while waiting for a movie to start. We can twitter, email, IM and have a dialog almost anywhere with our cell phones, iPhones and Blackberries. We can take pictures at an event and instantly send it to friends. Communication anywhere, anytime is ubiquitous. And we see new types of communication almost daily.

Some are concerned about these new communication media. But then again, some were concerned that the telephone was going to be a problem because people "weren't going to talk face to face" anymore. As technology progresses we may be nervous about how it affects us and our relationships. But I believe we will just get used to it, with no major psychological side effects. And it will help people like Susan Boyle share talents around the world.

Who knows - if Susan Boyle had been born in the 1600s, maybe she would have been a famous person only in the UK.

Watch VEDIO HERE

Credits to Examiner

ROCK OF AGES To Perform 5/25 On The Today Show For Toyota Concert Series

On Monday, May 25th (Memorial Day), the new, smash hit, 5-time Tony Award Nominated musical ROCK OF AGES will perform three numbers as part of the Toyota Concert Series on NBC's The Today Show.

8:45am: 1st Segment: Cast performs DON'T STOP BELIEVIN' (Journey)

8:52am: 2nd Segment: Cast performs HIGH ENOUGH (Damn Yankees!)

Constantine & Amy are interviewed.

8:55am: 3rd Segment: HERE I GO AGAIN (by Whitesnake) Cast performs (LIVE to tape) "Here I Go.." to be aired later in the program.

The "totally awesome" cast for Broadway's new, smash hit musical stars Constantine Maroulis, ("American Idol" Season 4, Broadway's The Wedding Singer, RENT) reprising his critically acclaimed role as "Drew", is now joined by Broadway's best 1970's & 1980's period actors Amy Spanger (The Wedding Singer, Kiss Me Kate) as "Sherrie" and James Carpinello (Saturday Night Fever, VH1's "So NoTORIous") as "Stacee Jaxx".

Also featured in the cast are Adam Dannheisser (The Coast of Utopia, Twelfth Night), Mitchell Jarvis (Fiddler on the Roof), Michele Mais (Roza), Lauren Molina (Sweeney Todd), Paul Schoeffler (Sweet Charity, Nine), Wesley Taylor (See Rock City), Ericka Hunter (Flower Drum Song, 42nd Street), Jeremy Jordan (Little Dog Laughed tour), Michael Minarik (Les Miserables), Angel Reed (Saturday Night Fever tour), Bahiyah Sayyed-Gaines (Pal Joey, The Color Purple), Katherine Tokarz (White Christmas, A Chorus Line ), Andre Ward (Xanadu, The Producers), Savannah Wise (Les Miserables), Tad Wilson (The Full Monty) and Jeremy Woodard (Glory Days).

Rockin' in the on-stage band, ARSENAL, are Music Director/ keyboardist Henry Aronson (Theatre: Rocky Horror, RENT ), lead guitarist Joel Hoekstra (Night Ranger), drummer Jon Weber (The Orion Experience, Theatre: Hedwig), bassist Winston Roye (Ace of Base, Theatre: Bright Lights, Big City) and guitar player David Gibbs (Counting Crows, Film: That Thing You Do), who also wrote the original arrangements. The Music Supervision, Arrangements & Orchestrations are by Ethan Popp (Tarzan; Europe: We Will Rock You, Mamma Mia)

The show is written by Chris D'Arienzo (writer and director of the upcoming film Barry Munday), directed by Kristin Hanggi (Bare, Pussycat Dolls on the Sunset Strip) and choreographed by Kelly Devine (Jersey Boys - Associate Choreographer).

"Live with Regis and Kelly" is executive produced by Michael Gelman, and is distributed by Disney ABC Domestic Television. Produced by WABC-TV in New York, "Live with Regis and Kelly" airs in more than 200 markets across the country. To get more info go towww.bventertainment.go.com.

Following an extremely successful off Broadway run and the sale of the film rights to New Line Cinema, ROCK OF AGES opened on Broadway, Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at Broadway's Brooks Atkinson Theatre (256 W. 47th Street).

Previews began on Tuesday, March 17, 2009. All tickets (including VIP Green Room and Premium Seats) can be purchased via Ticketmaster.com/ 212-307-4100 or in person at The Brooks Atkinson Box Office, 256 W. 47th Street.

Credits to Broadwayworld

Kathy Coleman 2009 Alumni Award Winner

Alumni Weekend is fast approaching and boasts a schedule to interest everyone – and one of the premier events is the celebration of this year’s alumni award winners. All of the award winners plan to be present on Hiram’s campus, where they will accept their awards during Saturday’s reception. The Alumni Executive Board awards these honors. We welcome you to join us in recognizing and celebrating these deserving alumni.

Mandy Mehlman ’02 is the winner of the Recent Graduate Service to Humanity Award. Menlman, who was nominated by Amber Pasternak ’01, is a Homework Help Coordinator at the Worthington Public Libraries, and is also a volunteer with Court Appointed Special Advocates of Franklin County.

Pasternak tells us of Mehlman’s accomplishments. Mehlman participated in Teach for America and spent two years teaching fifth grade in an underserved school in New York City while earning her master’s degree. Her commitment to humanitarian service continued, says Paternak, noting that Mehlman “joined the Peace Corps and was assigned to a site in Guatemala. There she worked with local schools to help solve hygiene issues. She stayed several months beyond her two year commitment so she could see a project through to completion.” Mehlman’s background in education, fluency in Spanish and familiarity with Latin American culture have served her well in her missions.
For her extraordinary service to humanity, Mehlman had earned this award.

Alumni Achievement Award is presented to Thomas Reuschling ’64. Reuschling, who was nominated by David Majick ’65, is professor of business and president emeritus, Florida Southern College, Lakeland, Fla. In fact, for the better part of the last 40 years, Reuschling has been successfully serving higher education as a professor, director and dean of several colleges and universities. He has received numerous awards, fellowships and honoraria for teaching and leadership.

Majick noted in his nomination of Reuschling that, “As Tom’s teammate [at Hiram], I came to realize that Tom would live a life that, at its core, would center on the leadership of people.” As professor, president or president emeritus of Florida Southern College, Reucheling has, since the mid ’90s, indeed been a leader. “I came to notice an interplay,” explained Majick, “between Tom and the people of Florida Southern College. He sincerely enjoyed all segments of the college, especially the students. … Students always felt free to approach Tom with a smile and say ‘hello.’ As we moved about the campus maintenance people would acknowledge Tom; and faculty would greet him warmly. People just seemed to gravitate to him and he to them.”

Hiram College therefore awards the Alumni Achievement Award to Tom Reuschling, and congratulates on this well-deserved recognition.

Jonathan Estrin ’69 is also receiving the Alumni Achievement Award, as well as the 2009 Distinguished Alumni Award.

Considering Estrin’s varied career path, it is not surprising that his roots stem from a college once called the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute. Estrin’s journey included positions as a television producer, writer, director and college dean. He has won awards and nominations for work on projects as disparate as “Cagney & Lacey” and Danielle Steele’s “Jewels.” He has been an active volunteer, writing material for political campaigns (including Clinton/ Gore) and chairing the board of the international relief agency Operation U.S.A. His notable career included a 2006 visit to Hiram for the world premiere screening of “The Water is Wide” for which he wrote the teleplay.

Today, Estrin is the president of the Constitutional Rights Foundation, an organization devoted to our nation’s youth, instilling in them a deeper understanding of citizenship and the importance of their active participation as responsible members of society (not unlike Hiram’s Garfield Institute for Public Leadership).

Congratulations on these well-deserved awards.

Kathy Coleman ’87 is the 2009 recipient of the Alumni Volunteer Award. In addition to Coleman’s generous philanthropy, she contributes a tremendous amount of service to College. As a graduate of the Weekend College, Coleman lends a hand to them whenever they need it—whether to endorse a letter or be listed in a publication. Coleman is a member of the board of trustees and co-chairs the institutional advancement committee. She has also taken on multiple fundraising efforts on the College’s behalf, traveling both locally as well as to New England and the Southeast. When alumni make gifts, Coleman will often come into the development office and make calls of thanks or to write notes to alumni, writing personal notes of thanks when she knew the person.

Coleman makes it her job to re-introduce alumni back to the College; she researches what may interest individuals, and then follows up. She participated in Hiram’s alumni trip to Greece. She made sure that she was meeting with each person individually, sharing information on the latest happenings at Hiram, and making sure they were forming a relationship with the College while they were in Greece.

Coleman noted that she – and her late husband Les – love places that built a sense of community – and that is what Hiram is all about.

Thank you to Coleman for her volunteerism, and congratulations on this deserved recognition.

Put this Alumni Weekend on your calendar, and see people from you class year – maybe one of this year’s award winners is from your class! All of them have been notified, accepted and will be in attendance, so plan on joining us!

Credits to Nhatky

Could Tracy McGrady Be Traded to the New York Knicks?

Some rumors that come across my inbox just don’t make any sense, but every once in a while, you could see it being a good match.

According to the NY Daily News, the Rockets' Tracy McGrady could be shipped to MSG this summer. T-Mac, who will be in the final year of his contract next season, would see his $22 million contract come off the books next year and could wind up possibly playing sidekick to a new teammate in the summer of 2010 (LeBron James, Dwyane Wade).

What would the Knicks have to give up? Nothing more than the expiring contracts of Larry Hughes and Cuttino Mobley. Not much to ask for rolling the dice on a former All-NBA player.

In other news, with the Sixers announcing yesterday that interim coach Tony DiLeo won’t be retained as head coach, Philly has shifted their focus to Eddie Jordan.

The Sixers will be competing with the Sacramento Kings for Jordan’s services and are expected to be high on Jordan’s wish list. The Kings' backup plan if Jordan bolts to Philly is Paul Westphal, who they will be interviewing after Jordan later this week.

Credits to Bleacher Report

UFC 98 Live Results and Play-By-Play & Photos

MMAWeekly is on location from the MGM Grand Garden Arena for tonight's "UFC 98: Evans vs. Machida" in Las Vegas, bringing you live results and round-by-round play-by-play.

Light heavyweight titleholder Rashad Evans will put his title on the line for the first time in a historic match against Lyoto Machida. It will mark the first time two undefeated fighters have competed in the storied Octagon with a belt at stake. The co-main event features a grudge match that has been brewing for years between former UFC welterweight titleholders Matt Hughes and Matt Serra.

The first preliminary bout is scheduled to being at 7:45pm EST/4:45pm PT. Refresh the page often for the latest results and blow-by-blow coverage.

PLAY-BY-PLAY

-Rashad Evans (16-0-1; #1 Light Heavyweight in the World)* vs. Lyoto Machida (14-0; #2 Light Heavyweight in the World)*

R1: The fighter start out cautious like expected. They are both testing the distance and looking to find their range. Evans misses a low kick as Machida starts to stalk him. Neither fighter is committing to much until Machdia lands a punch. Evans misses with a hook as Machida stalks him. Machida lands a body kick and then a staright punch as Evans comes in. Evans seems to be having a hard time with Machida's karate stance. They clinch breifly only to seperate. Machida drops Evans with a punch and follows up but Evans survives and gets back to his feet. Machida goes for a head kcik as Evans circles around. The round ends with the fighters stalking one another.

MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Machida

R2: Evans starts the round with a step in his feet as Machida stalks him. A lot feinting between the fighters as they look for their openings. They clinch up for a bit but seperate quickly. Machida lands a low kick as he stalks Evans. Machida lands a combination and Evans returns fire but can't touch him. The fight slows done as they continue to stalk one another. Machida drops Evans with an uppercut and pounces on him. Evans surviving the barrage of punches and gets back to his feet. Machida landing at will on the feet and Evans is trying to stay alive. Machida lands a huge left hook and knocks Evans out cold.

Lyoto Machida def. Rashad Evans by KO at 3:57, R2.


-Matt Hughes (42-7; #6 Welterweight in the World)* vs. Matt Serra (11-5; #7 Welterweight in the World)*

R1: Hughes the aggressor with some jabs as Serra circles around looking to find his range. Serra drops Hughes with a right hook but can't finish him. Hughes is still hurt and Serra lets him back to his feet. Serra tags him with more hooks and drops him again. Hughes struggles to survive by getting a takedown but eventually recovers and clinches along the fence. They seperate and the action slows a bit. Hughes charges in and gets a clinch then slams Serra to the ground. He gets Serra's back and goes for the choke but Serra is defending well. Serra escapes and gets back to his feet. Serra ends the round with kicks as Hughes goes for a takedown. The crowd is absolutely going nuts for this fight.

MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Serra

R2: Hughes lands a jab to start the round. Serra lands a nice hook but Hughes avoids the follow-up. Hughes lands a body kick then gets a takedown. Hughes controlling the action from the top with some ground and pound. Hughes starts to work the body with punches as Serra is unable to mount any offense. The action is starting to slow a bit until Hughes lands some elbows and moves into half guard. The action slows and the referee stands it up. Serra going for broke as the round comes to an end.

MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Hughes.

R3: Like in the previous two rounds, Hughes starts off with a jab. Serra looking to land his big shot but Hughes gets another takedown. Serra using the rubber guard. Hughes controlling the action from to as Serra switches back to guard. Hughes looking to pass but gets caught in a triangle choke that he escapes. The crowd gets restless as Hughes controls the action from the top. The fight is stood up and Serra presses forward. Serra motions for Hughes to hit him. They clinch up and Serra takes Hughes down. Serra working with away with punches but Hughes gets to his knees and the fight ends with Hughes going for a takedown.

MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Hughes and the fight 29-28 for Hughes.

-Drew McFedries (7-5) vs. Xavier Foupa-Pokam (20-10)

R1: The fighters circle to start the round and then McFedries pounces, dropping Foupa-Pokam with a left hook. He follows up with punches but Foupa-Pokam is able to get back to his feet, where is tagged again with punches and falls back to the mat. McFedries follows up with more punches that forces the referee to stop the fight.

Drew McFedries def. Xavier Foupa-Pokam by TKO at 0:37, R1.

-Dan Miller (11-1) vs. Chael Sonnen (21-10-1)

R1: Miller comes out aggressive on the feet, Sonnen goes for a takedown and gets caught in a tight guillotine choke. He is able to escape after some tense moments and drops a couple shots on Miller. Sonnen starting to work some solid ground and pound. Miller goes for a leg but Sonnen is defending well. He escapes and gets side mount, where he drops some elbows on Miller. Miller retains half guard then guard as Sonnen drops punches. Sonnen stands up and drops some solid shots on Miller. Sonnen continues to work from top with solid shots as the round comes to a close.

MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Sonnen.

R2: Miller lands a straight to start the round, which forces Sonnen to go for a takedown that Miller defends. Miller lands some more shots that makes Sonnen clinch up. Sonnen picks Miller up and slams him but is caught in a guillotine choke that he is able to escape. He starts his ground and pound attack once again. He lands some hard shots that seem to bother Miller. Sonnen continues the attack but Miller goes for an armbar that Sonnen is able to escape. Sonnen starts to slow down a bit but is still controlling the action from the top. Sonnen ends the round on top of Miller.

MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Sonnen.

R3: Miller getting the better of the stand-up as he lands a nice combination that hurts Sonnen. Sonnen then goes for and gets a takedown. Sonnen controlling the action from top but not doing too much. Not much action as the crowd starts to get restless. Sonnen starts to get a bit busier but not by much. Miller is unable to do anything as Sonnen controls the action from the top. Miller looking for submissions but Sonnen is able to thwart his attacks. The fights ends with Sonnen controlling Miller from the top.

MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Sonnen and the fight 30-27 for Sonnen.

Chael Sonnen def. Dan Miller by Unanimous Decision (30-27 on all three cards).

-Sean Sherk (33-3-1) vs. Frankie Edgar (9-1)

R1: Edgar starts with a head kick that Sherk blocks. They trade shots with neither landing too much. They both start to land a bit more but nothing too significant. Edgar lands a nice one-two combination that gets a reaction from the crowd. Sherk returns the favor as he starts to press the action. They trade combinations and Edgar goes for a takedown that Sherk defends. Sherk lands a low kick but is dropped by an Edgar straight punch. Edgar has a hold of Sherk's head who works for the takedown. They seperate and start striking again. They continue to trade at abrisk pace. Edgar lands a kick and Sherk lands a combination, they start to trade with both fighters landing as the round ends.

MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Edgar.

R2: Edgar lands a jab to start the round and Sherk fires back. Edgar landing some good shots as Sherk presses on. Edgar goes for a takedown but is tagged by Sherk with punches. They trade some vicious shots as both fighters lands. Edgar lands a head kick that gets a reaction from the crowd. The pace of the fight slows a bit as they trade shots. Sherk lands a nice combination that backs off Sherk. Edgar charges back with a combination of his own. Edgar seems to be getting the better of the stand-up. Sherk lands a vicious combination that hurts Edgar for a bit. Edgar goes for a takedown but then misses a head kick. A close round.

MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Edgar.

R3: The two fighters starts where they left off. Sherk seems to be pressing the cation more as he lands some good strikes. Sherk gets a takedown but Edgar gets back to his feet shortly after. The pace of the fight starts to slow down as Sherk continues to press, while Edgar lands shots. Edgar looks the fresher of the two fighters. Sherk goes for a takedown but Edgar defends and misses a head kick. They are trading shots but Edgar is getting the better of it. Sherk lands a nice combination and Edgar a jab. Edgar still getting the better of the stand-up exchanges as he seems to have more in the tank. Sherk goes for a takedown but is caught in a guillotine choke that Edgar squeezes till the fight ends.

MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Edgar and the fight 30-27 for Edgar.

Frank Edgar def. Sean Sherk by Unanimous Decision (30-27 on all three cards).

-Brock Larson (25-2) vs. Mike Pyle (17-5-1)

R1: The fighters start the fight cautious as they test the distance. Not much action until Larson gets a takedown. Pyle working for leg locks but Larson defends well and gets on top. He lands a couple of punches before Pyle grabs a leg. Some nice ground work as the fighters trade positions. Larson goes for a side choke and moves over to the side. He locks it on and Pyle taps out.

Brock Larson def. Mike Pyle by Submission (Side Choke) at 3:06, R1.

-Tim Hague (9-1) vs. Patrick Barry (4-0)

R1: Hague comes out aggressive, while Barry looks to keep the distance with kicks. Barrry lands a high kick then punches that stun Hague. He tries to finish the fight but Hague is able to get a takedown. Hague locks on a guillotine choke and Barry taps out.

Tim Hague def. Patrick Barry by Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 1:42, R1.

-Phillipe Nover (7-1) vs. Kyle Bradley (13-6)

R1: The fighters trade shots with Bradley landing a one-two
combination and Nover landing a solid body kick. Bradley gets the clinch and lands some knees that drop Nover, Bradley pounces with punches that knock Nover out but he comes to and rolls to his back as the fight is stopped. Referee Yves Lavinge is later seen telling Nover "I'm sorry that I stopped the fight".

Kyle Bradley def. Phillipe Nover by TKO at 1:03, R1.

-Andre Gusmao (5-1) vs. Krzysztof Soszynski (17-8-1)

R1: Soszynski pushes the action against the cage but Gusmao is able to escape. Soszynski lands a couple good shots then Gusmao responds with a combination that stuns Soszynski. Gusmao lands an errant kick and the action is halted for a bit. Action resumes with Soszynski pressing forward with punches. Gusmao working the kicks as Soszynski looks for an opening. Soszynski taggs Gusmao with a nice combination and is landing punches but Gusmao escapes danger. Soszynski presses the action and lands a combination that stuns Gusmao and knocks him out with a straight right.

Krzystof Soszynski def. Andre Gusmao by KO at 3:17, R1.

-Yoshiyuki Yoshida (10-3) vs. Brandon Wolff (7-3)

R1: Fighters start the fight rather cautious withe neither throwing a strike. Wolff lands a couple of punches as Yoshida pushes Wolff against the cage. Yoshida gets a guillotine choke and drops down to finish it. He has it while mounted on Wolff. Wolff taps but the referee doesn't see it and Yoshida secures it from his guard and Wolff taps again to end the fight.

Yoshiyuki Yoshida def. Brandon Wolff by Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 2:24, R1.

-George Roop vs. Dave Kaplan

R1: Both fighters trade shots but nothing significant landing. Roop pressing the action with combinations, while Kaplan loads up on kicks. Kaplan lands a nice one-two combo and starts to find his range. Kaplan begins to press the action and Roop keeps him at bay with kicks. Roop lands a nice combination that bloodies Kaplan's nose. Kaplan responds with one of his own as the two fight at a brisk pace. Kaplan lands a couple of low kicks but Roop responds with a straight right. Kaplan gets a takedown but Roop gets back to his feet after some struggling. They trade shots as the round comes to an end.

MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Roop.

R2: Roop lands some kicks to start the round as Kaplan circles around. kaplan goes for a takedown and Roop lands a knee but is soon on his back. After some inactivity, Kaplan gets up and lets Roop up. Roop using his reach well with kicks and punches. Kaplan pushes Roop against the cage and gets a takedown. Roop gets back to his feet after a bit and Kaplan attacks with low kicks, while Roop lands punches. Kaplan goes for another takedown but Roop struggles before finally going down. Roop being the aggressor from the bottom with elbows as Kaplan works the body with punches. Close Round.

MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Roop.

R3: Kaplan working the low kicks as Roop looks to use his hands. Roop lands a good series of punches that force Kaplan to go for a takedown. Kaplan is able to work to mount but Roop gets him back into half guard then gets back to his feet. Roop then goes for a head kick and lands a straight punch. Roop looks a bit tired as he lands some solid knees. Kaplan pushes Roop against the cage but Roop defends the takedown well. Kaplan finally gives up and the meet in the center of the cage. Kaplan looks winded as Roop controls the action with kicks. Kaplan gets the action along the cage again. He misses a big overhand right as Roop attacks with punches. They end the fight trading shots. Another close round.

MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Roop and the fight 30-27 for Roop.

George Roop def. Dave Kaplan by Split Decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27).

Main Card Bouts:
-Lyoto Machida def. Rashad Evans by KO at 3:57, R2.
-Matt Hughes (42-7; #6 Welterweight in the World)* vs. Matt Serra (11-5; #7 Welterweight in the World)*
-Drew McFedries def. Xavier Foupa-Pokam by TKO at 0:37, R1.
-Chael Sonnen def. Dan Miller by Unanimous Decision (30-27 on all three cards).
-Frank Edgar def. Sean Sherk by Unanimous Decision (30-27 on all three cards).

Preliminary Card Bouts:
-Brock Larson def. Mike Pyle by Submission (Side Choke) at 3:06, R1.
-Tim Hague def. Patrick Barry by Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 1:42, R1.
-Kyle Bradley def. Phillipe Nover by TKO at 1:03, R1.
-Krzystof Soszynski def. Andre Gusmao by KO at 3:17.
-Yoshiyuki Yoshida def. Brandon Wolff by Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 2:24, R1.
-George Roop def. Dave Kaplan by Split Decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)

Main card airs on pay-per-view at 10pm EST/7pm PT for $44.95 in the United States

CREDITS To MMAWEEKLY

CNET Navy Advancement Center advancement.cnet.navy.mil!

The CNET Navy Advancement Center unfortunately has crashed today. This is the second time the site has crashed, last time on November 19, 2008

Advancement.cnet.navy.mil features downloads of all the Naval Correspondence courses that include:

Nonresident Training Courses
Knowledge Online, Redirect Medals
SIPS Provides Sailors Round the Clock Access

Says the Navy’s official site:

The following is an alphabetical listing of what is available on this, the official web site of the United States Navy. If more information is available at other web sites, those links have been provided to better serve our users. For a list of Navy commands with web sites, please see our list of Navy Web sites. To find a subject here, select the first letter of the subject from the right-side menu bar.

The Navy also suggests the following sites:
Navy College Program
Naval Postgraduate School
Naval War College, Newport, R.I.
Voluntary Education Programs

Fleet Week in New York City: May 20-25, 2009

Fleet Week in New York City begins on Wednesday and lasts through Memorial Day. There are many military demonstrations, performances and events throughout Fleet Week, as well as the opportunity to see sailors all around New York City. The USS Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum hosts many events during Fleet Week making it a popular destination with visitors, but it is also a great place to visit throughout the year.

Credits to NY DAILY, <----GO HERE TO GET A SLIDE SHOW

Heather's New York City Travel Blog

Rihanna Making Out With Drake?

Aubrey Drake Graham: Rihanna's New Beau?

I'm going to hold my nose, and report the shameless...

The New York Post is reporting that Rihanna's new love interest appears to be former child actor and rising hip-hop star Aubrey Drake Graham. They were spotted "making out all night" while she drank "whiskey and apple juice" by the Post's "spy."

You may remember Aubrey Graham as the character Jimmy Brooks from Degrassi: The Next Generation. Nowadays he goes by just "Drake" as a stage name. Oh yeah, and he's Canadian.

Canadian rappers? Apple juice and Whiskey? These are "things" now?

Rihanna’s is in New York supposedly working on her next album. Yesterday the gossip was she went to a strip club today it is a bowling alley. According to PageSix:

RIHANNA is officially over Chris Brown. The Barbadian beauty showed up with a group of friends Monday at Lucky Strike Lanes & Lounge on West 42nd Street, but spent most of the night locking lips with Canadian former child actor-turned-rapper Aubrey “Drake” Graham. “She was drinking whiskey and apple juice and making out with him all night,” says a spy. “They were really cute together.” Rihanna, who’s also been spending time in town with Katy Perry, peeled off with Drake at about midnight.

Wonder if Drake is the same dude from the strip club she was making out with or if it’s a different guy for different days?

Kathryn Darden - Former Braves pitcher John Smoltz gets married

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (AP) — Former Atlanta Braves and current Boston Red Sox pitcher John Smoltz has married Kathryn Darden, the second marriage for each.

The wedding was Saturday night at Smoltz's house in Alpharetta in front of about 70 family and friends.

Smoltz had four children by his previous marriage and she has two.

The couple is in Fort Myers, Fla., where Smoltz is rehabilitating from shoulder surgery.

Oscar Mayer Coupons: Free Hot Dogs! ,

Continuing our streak of free stuff announcements this week, today Oscar Mayer is handing out free hot dogs. The Oscar Mayer coupons (sometimes mistakenly called “Oscar Meyer coupons”) are available online as of Wednesday morning.

Oscar Mayer Coupons

Oscar Mayer’s coupons are good for a full pack of the company’s “Jumbo Beef Franks.” Oscar Mayer says it’ll hand out up to $1 million worth of the coupons before ending its promotion.

All you have to do to get yours is head over to OscarMayer.com and enter some basic info (name, e-mail, and mailing address). The company will then send the coupon your way in four to six weeks.

The Oscar Mayer hot dog giveaway is a result of the company’s apparent win in a national taste test. Whatever the reason — and whether you choose to call them “Oscar Mayer hot dogs” or “Oscar Meyer hot dogs” — they’re free, and that’s one price almost always worth paying.

Credits to inquisitr .

"MISSING LINK" FOUND: New Fossil Links Humans, Lemurs? , Google’s 47 million years old ‘missing link found’ logo is the Darwinius masillae

Yesterday, scientists found the missing link in evolution, a 47 million years old called Ida. They call it the Darwinius masillae ( Darwin’s theory of evolution ), which is also knows as the missing list between humans and apes. With this occasion, Google is using a special logo that features, Ida, the fossile.

John Hurum is the scientist who studied the fossil and he said Ida will be seen in textbooks for the next century, being more important than the Lost Ark and the Holy Grail.

Credits to SoftSailor

Meet "Ida," the small "missing link" found in Germany that's created a big media splash and will likely continue to make waves among those who study human origins.

In a new book, documentary, and promotional Web site, paleontologist Jorn Hurum, who led the team that analyzed the 47-million-year-old fossil seen above, suggests Ida is a critical missing-link species in primate evolution (interactive guide to human evolution from National Geographic magazine).

(Among the team members was University of Michigan paleontologist Philip Gingerich, a member of the Committee for Research and Exploration of the National Geographic Society, which owns National Geographic News.)

The fossil, he says, bridges the evolutionary split between higher primates such as monkeys, apes, and humans and their more distant relatives such as lemurs.

"This is the first link to all humans," Hurum, of the Natural History Museum in Oslo, Norway, said in a statement. Ida represents "the closest thing we can get to a direct ancestor."

Ida, properly known as Darwinius masillae, has a unique anatomy. The lemur-like skeleton features primate-like characteristics, including grasping hands, opposable thumbs, clawless digits with nails, and relatively short limbs.

"This specimen looks like a really early fossil monkey that belongs to the group that includes us," said Brian Richmond, a biological anthropologist at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., who was not involved in the study.

But there's a big gap in the fossil record from this time period, Richmond noted. Researchers are unsure when and where the primate group that includes monkeys, apes, and humans split from the other group of primates that includes lemurs.

"[Ida] is one of the important branching points on the evolutionary tree," Richmond said, "but it's not the only branching point."

At least one aspect of Ida is unquestionably unique: her incredible preservation, unheard of in specimens from the Eocene era, when early primates underwent a period of rapid evolution. (Explore a prehistoric time line.)

"From this time period there are very few fossils, and they tend to be an isolated tooth here or maybe a tailbone there," Richmond explained. "So you can't say a whole lot of what that [type of fossil] represents in terms of evolutionary history or biology."

In Ida's case, scientists were able to examine fossil evidence of fur and soft tissue and even picked through the remains of her last meal: fruits, seeds, and leaves.

What's more, the newly described "missing link" was found in Germany's Messel Pit. Ida's European origins are intriguing, Richmond said, because they could suggest—contrary to common assumptions—that the continent was an important area for primate evolution.

(Related: National Geographic-funded study of human "missing links.")

Credits To Brian Handwerk

Read More On This Topic:

• Missing Link Found - Ida, The 47 Million-Year-Old Fossil
• Google is down, outages and slow loading including Gmail, Analytics, Adsense
• Ivy Bean is the oldest Twitter user, at 104 years old

Palm Pre to arrive June 6 for $200

Sprint Nextel and Palm announced on Tuesday an official release date and pricing for the Palm Pre.

The Pre will be available nationwide on June 6 for $199.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate and with a two-year contract on Sprint's Everything Data plan or Business Essentials with Messaging and Data plan. In addition to Sprint stores, the Pre will be sold online and at Best Buy, RadioShack, and some Wal-mart stores.

Accessories for Palm's Web OS-based smartphone will also be available on June 6, including the Touchstone Charging Kit (Touchstone dock and Touchstone back cover), which will retail for $69.99. Alternatively, you can buy the dock and back cover separately for $49.99 and $19.99, respectively. The Pre will provide access to such Sprint content as Sprint Navigation, Sprint TV, and Nascar Sprint Cup Mobile Live.

Interestingly, the release date is a Saturday, which in some ways is a good move since it allows for weekend sales. Making the Pre available at other retailers is also a nice move. However, June 6 is two days before the start of Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference, where we'll most likely see a new iPhone announcement.

That said, I'm curious: will you wait to hear about the new iPhone before making a purchase? What do you think about the Pre's pricing? Are you like me and just happy to finally know the price and release date? Please share your thoughts.

Credits to Bonnie Cha

New personnel tracking system to get workout, ‘All hands’ accountability exercise planned for Team Andrews

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- As the Air Force gears up for its second test of the Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment System, Air Force Materiel Command leaders are reminding people to participate during the May 19-21 exercise.

The new system is designed to improve the way the Air Force keeps track of its people. It will be used whenever a situation arises, such as a natural disaster, that calls for commanders and supervisors to account for their people. Airmen and their families, as well as civilians, can call or log into the system to report their whereabouts and well-being.

Once submitted, the information is accessible to a variety of pre-approved trusted agents, who then use it to gauge accountability force-wide.

"The May exercise will evaluate AFPAAS to ensure the Air Force is truly ready for the 2009 hurricane season," said Tim Beyland, Air Force Manpower and Personnel assistant deputy chief of staff.

The Air Force implemented the system April 1 and plans to test it in the upcoming exercise. The requirement to report in using the system applies to active-duty Airmen, their family members, Guardsmen, Reservists, and contractors overseas. Non bargaining-unit employees should update their information and participate during the exercise.

However, civilian employees in bargaining-unit jobs are not required to use the system. For the upcoming exercise, bargaining-unit employees should report their status according to already-established procedures, such as an office recall plan, and follow local policies. To find out more about local policies and procedures, employees should ask supervisors or contact their local civilian personnel flight.

"Protection of privacy is paramount, and only pre-approved trusted agents, commanders and their designated representatives with CAC access, roles and permissions can view personal information," said Brian Angell, Air Force Personnel Center Personnel Readiness Cell Operations chief.

The AFPAAS helps speed up the process to help those in need of assistance. It helps commanders identify and verify eligibility for assistance and aid and entitlements for affected personnel and their families prior to or immediately following a disaster. The program was designed to synchronize Air Force reporting with the Department of Defense's accountability system. The Air Force system meets combatant commander and DoD requirements for personnel tracking.

The system was tested force-wide during an exercise March 16-20. This trial allowed Air Force leaders to identify lessons learned and work out some conflicts before the program went live April 1.

"When they get the bugs worked out, this system is going to be fantastic," said Tech. Sgt. Angelia Weldon, AFMC readiness. "It will allow our bases to give personnel updates in real time, which will speed up the accountability process."

As of April 1, Air Force personnel and family members can log into https://afpaas.af.mil or call 1-800-435-9941 to report individual and family-member status if affected by a disaster or crisis.

"AFPAAS is a simple and secure system for all users. Anyone can input their details from any internet connection or telephone world wide, increasing the access and ease of use for all personnel and family members," Mr. Angell said.

Web-based AFPAAS training is available for leadership, commanding officer representatives and readiness personnel, as required, and can be scheduled through major command personnel directorates.

For more information, visit the website at https://afpaas.af.mil, or contact your unit commander.

Airmen are required to use all mechanisms available to communicate their status to their unit of assignment in the wake of a natural disaster, terrorist attack, or any event that could separate them from their unit. With the 2009 hurricane season just a few months away, Air Force District of Washington is scheduled to conduct a final test of its accountability processes using the new Web-based Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment System, called AFPAAS.

The ‘‘all hands” exercise is scheduled take place May 19 through 21 for all Airmen and civilians assigned or attached to AFDW.

AFPAAS allows commanders and units to account, assess, manage and monitor the recovery and reconstitution process for personnel and their families affected and⁄or scattered by a wide-spread catastrophic event, every step of the way.

The system is user-friendly, and accessible worldwide for use by active duty, guard and reserve Airmen, Air Force civilians and family members to report their status throughout a disaster or crisis event. The Web security allows for log-in from any computer, however, only approved readiness personnel and commanders with CAC access can view personal identification information.

‘‘AFPAAS provides valuable information to all levels of the Air Force chain of command, allowing commanders to make strategic decisions that facilitate a return to stability after a crisis,” said Maj. Gen. Ralph Jodice, AFDW commander. ‘‘The system also speeds up the assistance process so we can locate and help our affected Airmen and their family members prior to or immediately following a disaster.”

During the exercise, Airmen not able to update AFPAAS or contact their unit by telephone must contact Headquarters Air Force Personnel Center at 1-800-435-9941 to report their status.

(Courtesy of the AFDW Public Affairs office).

KTS Syndrome: Carla Sosenko‎

Carla Sosenko‎ was born with a potentially fatal disorder known as KTS, or Klippel Trenaunay Syndrome. Her condition has begun to take a turn for the worse, so she has come out publically to announce that she has it.

Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS) manifests itself in many different ways; for Carla, it is visible in the fact that her right leg is larger than her left and trails slightly when she walks.

In a recent article for Marie Claire Carla describes it: “My back is an uneven, fatty slab with a dense lump above the waist (which a guy in high school once called a meatball); and a gigantic port-wine stain reaches around my broad torso and down toward my right thigh. I know it could have been worse. I might have been blind; I might have needed amputation. I know that I'm lucky.”

Until recently Carla Senoko has kept her struggle growing up with KTS hidden, and just as well, it is a private and embarrassing matter for many people who are afflicted with it. Carla writes with an attitude towards men that implies she keeps them at a distance in order to hide her ‘defects’, however she can’t always keep the cool that she is known for. “Sometimes…my desire to be understood is overwhelming. “ She writes.
Carla writes candidly about her condition and eventually finds some sort of peace with her decision to go public.

She describes herself as more than a person with KT Syndrom: “My story doesn't begin or end with K-T. I have a full social calendar, a job that I love, excellent clothes, a teeny-tiny nose ring, a filthy mouth, and a badass triangle pose.

By publically coming out of darkness and baring herself to the public, Carla finds acceptance, and will hopefully give courage to those who are still hiding an affliction with KTS in their everyday lives.

Credits to Dan Sevigny, Community Contributor

Subterranean Mediterranean at Vutera in Williamsburg

I'm not big on atmosphere. I'm the type who prefers phenomenal food to phenomenal décor. I'd take a great steak over a great scene any day. But even I was put off by the grungy entryway to Vutera, a restaurant that opened in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, a few months ago.

Open the door, and you're standing in a dark hallway with a whole mess of concert posters taped to the walls. Just ahead, there's another door with two hand-scrawled signs in light boxes hanging over it. The sign with the arrow pointing right reads: "For Drinks or Music." That takes you to Rose Live Music, a bare-bones bar where alternative Brooklyn bands perform most nights. The sign with the arrow pointing left - the one that says, "For Food" - that's the one you want to follow.

Down an uneven flight of stairs and past a bodega-type ATM is Vutera. Wandering into Vutera is like one of those great "Alice in Wonderland" falling- down-the-rabbit-hole moments. Suddenly, you're in this subterranean sanctuary with low-wood beam ceilings, vintage wine crates along one wall, stone along another. Colorful tulips, old-fashioned candlestick holders, granny plates, dish towel napkins and mismatched chairs and silverware at every table.

Really, the only thing Rose Live Music and Vutera have in common is the same entrance and owners. Brother-and-sister team Carlo & Gina Vutera started serving no-frills food in what they used to call the "restaurant downstairs" about a year ago.

Now it's Vutera. They serve striped bass with sauteed mustard greens, pine nuts, and Meyer lemons shipped from the the chef's mother's house in California. Molly Del Monte, the chef, used to work at Little Giant and Savoy, two well-liked restaurants in downtown Manhattan.

At Vutera, she makes Mediterranean cuisine in the basement of a bar, in a kitchen with no gas. Del Monte makes the most of the four electric stoves. I'm not sure how she manages to pull off such a crispy-skinned poussin with cremini mushrooms, and crispy spaetzle squiggles. Or how she can cook the bavette steak to a perfect medium rare - just as I ordered - and still have time to feed the rest of the guests, all on four electric stoves. The table favorite was a tender, red wine-braised lamb shank with baby carrots and polenta.

But twice I tried the parsnip gnocchi, and twice it was a bust. It sounded good - homemade gnocchi with beet green "pesto," shiitake mushrooms and Valdeon blue cheese. No dice. The gnocchi arrived undercooked in a curiously bland "pesto," made from sauteed beet stems, beet greens, pine nuts and caramelized onions. And the Spanish mackerel escabeche was pickled to death by much too much grapefruit, salt, cumin, coriander and pickled onions.

As for dessert, the apple tart was dry and the almond panna cotta sour, but there's a terrific cheese selection. So do what the Italians do and order cheese and wine to finish. I like when a restaurant features wine by the glass, quartino or bottle, and Vutera offers its entire wine list by all three. My favorites: a spunky 2007 Domaine de la Pepiere Muscadet and a 2006 Aldo Marenco Dolcetto.

There's a lot of neighborhoods and a lot of restaurants, but I live in midtown Manhattan and I'll be back to Vutera.

Credits to Danyelle Freeman

More than $38 million in unclaimed property available, list to be published Tuesday

The State of Maryland has more than $38 million in unclaimed property that Comptroller Peter Franchot wants to give to the rightful owners.

The state's annual list of unclaimed property will be published in the Tuesday edition of The Frederick News-Post.

The list includes 54,000 new accounts. About 1,100 Frederick County residents have about $755,000 to claim, according to Christine Duray, the comptroller's office spokeswoman.

For those who can't wait until Tuesday, they may search the entire list of individuals and businesses at www.marylandtaxes.com or www.missingmoney.com, or call 410-767-1700 in Central Maryland or 1-800-782-7383.

Last week, 37 people who visited the comptroller's unclaimed property unit at Ocean City's SpringFest were reunited with more than $26,000 in unclaimed funds.

Attendees were able to check comptroller files for their names to see if they had any unclaimed property with one lucky person finding more than $5,000.

"In these tough economic times, it is our duty and our pleasure to return unclaimed property to its rightful owners," Franchot said.

The comptroller's unclaimed property staff next move to the Baltimore City African American Festival scheduled for July 3 through 5 and the Allegany County Fair from July 19 to July 26.

Agency officials will attend other county fairs and festivals in Frederick , Anne Arundel, Montgomery counties through October, as well as the Maryland State Fair from Aug. 28 through Sept. 7.

"I encourage anyone on the Eastern Shore who couldn't visit our booth to log onto my website, www.marylandtaxes.com, to search our records," Franchot said. "You never know when you might find some hidden treasure of your own."

Credits to Ike Wilson

In honor of the New Moon poster release: some of the best fan-made posters

In honor of the official film poster release issued by The Twilight Saga: New Moon studio Summit Entertainment this morning, here are a few of the best fan-made posters (meaning, not official in any way, despite their beauty and excellence) out there on the web.

Ranging from mock-ups of stars such as Dakota Fanning to illustrations of certain sequences from the book by Stephenie Meyer, these posters are quite lovely to look at.

So, tell us, which is your favorite? Comment below and let us know which one and why!

Be sure to check out the new official one-sheet for The Twilight Saga: New Moon here!

Poster courtesy of jangsara at deviantART, and slideshow posters credited individually.

Credits to Amanda Bell