Monday, November 1, 2010

'No Ordinary Family' Recap: "No Ordinary Vigilante"

Cynthia a. Almanzar

Jim is tracking down a vigilante who is taking justice into his own hands by shooting down criminals. Jim goes to the park to search for the vigilante. however, things take a wrong turn when a couple finds Jim looking over the body and confuse him with the shooter. The next day, the couple goes to the police station and Jim has to make a sketch of the criminal that just happens to look a lot like him. George thinks the shooter is Andrew Myers, a man whose son was killed. The killer walked and was shot down a year later. There were suspicions that Myers was the one to kill him. Cordero brings Myers in, but there is not enough evidence to keep him so Myers walks.

At work, Stephanie finds out that her lab is open. Dr. Francis Chiles appears and explains to Stephanie that since her research on the plant is top priority, he was brought in as her lab partner. Later, Kathy and Stephanie realize that the lab results on Jim and her were left out. as she looks into some data, Stephanie learns that DND between her family and the plant is a match. Later, Chiles confronts Stephanie about her research, which isn't confined to the plant. he warns to stop looking into washed-up scientist Dr. Douglas Volson's work since he discovered chromosome mutations long ago and his research was shot down. Chiles tells her to focus on the plant or her funding might go to more worthy hands. at night, Kathy calls Stephanie to tell her she's been looking into Dr. Volson's work, which, includes cutting-edge research about alienating weaknesses in the DNA. Kathy tells Stephanie that Dr. Volson is dead.

J.J.'s teacher is suspicious of his improved performance in school and is keeping a close eye on him. Later, J.J. is watching football practice when he realizes new aspects of his powers. he can see the math involved in football. he decides to use this knowledge to get into the football team. Jim and Stephanie are concerned about this and Jim asks J.J. if he thinks he has what it takes to play. J.J. is hurt. Jim and Stephanie meet with J.J.'s teacher and the principal, who suggest that J.J might be using performance-enhancing drugs. Jim and Stephanie confront J.J. they ask him if he's either using drugs or has any powers. J.J. is even more upset because his parents don't believe in him, but doesn't say anything about his powers.

Meanwhile, Daphne uses her mind-reading abilities to learn the location of a very exclusive party. she reads Bailey's, the hostess’, mind and later tells her friends that she went over, asked and Bailey volunteered the information. Daphne goes to the party and finds J.J. there, who was invited because he's part of the football team now. she encourages J.J to tell the truth about his powers because he has become an all-around fraud and she doesn't like having to keep his secrets. Bailey sees Daphne and tells her she shouldn't be there. in an attempt to be liked by the other kids, Daphne offers to get alcohol for them. at the store, she tries to blackmail the cashier into selling her the booze. Earlier, she read his mind and discovered he takes money from the register. he says that if she doesn't have a way to prove it, he is calling the police.

Stephanie and Jim are mad with Daphne. she says she didn't drink anything and they don't believe her. J.J confirms that she didn't drink and confesses that he was at the party as well and that he lied about being at Declan's. after the kids leave, Stephanie and Jim have a confrontation about the kids and the way they are behaving. Stephanie suggests they go back to their system but Jim is not pleased. He’s got something to do now and maybe it's time that Stephanie takes care of the kids.

Jim goes back to search for Myers and finds him at his favorite bar. Jim sympathizes with him when Myers tells him that his kid died because he didn't pay attention to him; that there was always something more important. Myers tells Jim that he doesn't blame anybody for his son's death but himself. Myers tells Jim that if he really loved his children so much, he should be with them and not at a bar with Jim.

The next morning, Jim arrives in the living area and gives his family a talk about why they did all those things. he tells Daphne that she used her powers because she wanted to feel good about herself. he admits that he has done the same thing. he adds that J.J. doesn’t have powers so he worked hard to make himself feel special. Daphne stares at J.J., but he doesn't reveal his powers. Jim adds that they shouldn’t use their powers as crutches and should behave like J.J. he says that they are all going to J.J.'s football game tonight.

At the football field, J.J. gets to play when another player is injured. Meanwhile at the park a woman is being mugged. When the vigilante arrives, the police appear. it was a trap. they shoot the vigilante and it's revealed that it was in fact Myers. at the football game, J.J. shoots a perfect throw and the crowd celebrates. J.J. looks conflicted as everyone cheers on.

Originally Aired on 10/19/2010

'No Ordinary Family' Recap: "No Ordinary Vigilante"


criminals, match

Online Fashion � The Recommended Yoga Equipment

When deciding to purchase yoga equipment in a online store or shop it usually wise to have a look at the gear they are selling and check price points. There is a number of kit that you can buy for yoga. There are mats, clothing, chairs and bolsters. This is just to name a few yoga products others include books, videos and music. with yoga growing more popular the amount of equipment that can be got is greatly increasing. Now that it is recognised as a great way to improve health and fitness more people are willing to part with their money to buy the right kit.

One good thing about yoga is that it can be practiced almost anywhere and by all people of all ages. When doing yoga it is best to wear loose and comfortable clothing. Yoga is traditionally done and practiced barefoot, but if this does not suit you, you can just wear socks or soft-shoes.

It is also best to practice yoga on an empty stomach. empty your stomach, clean your nostril and throat, and consume a glass of warm water 15 minutes before you start. You may drill on energy bars, fruits or drink a glass of water an hour before class to avoid getting hungry or dehydrated during yoga sessions.

It is said earlier that you basically don’t need anything in order to practice yoga. All you need is the desire and the attitude to really be into yoga and expand your self awareness. There is equipment out there that can help you to practice your yoga postures better.

It helps you achieve the proper alignment, balance and makes the pose a little bit easier to do. The use of Yoga equipments also lessen out the stress and strain from doing your yoga positions. There are yoga accessories out there that will help you support your muscles and refrains you from any muscle injuries. This kind of gear also help to save energy by exerting less effort on a pose.

After a thousand of years in existence, Yoga has already been part of everybody’s lifestyle from any part of the world. From India, yoga has evolved through the years and reaches the United States and other countries extending a different yet proven effective form of achieving self balance that results to utmost health be it physical, mental or spiritual.

Now millions of people around the world practice Yoga to cope with stress, feel renewed and energized, release tension, achieve a healthier and fitter body and gain a deep sense of self-knowledge. Doing yoga is not just about postures, there is also one vital part of yoga that we can never live without, and these are yoga equipments.

When starting out yoga, the basic equipment that you will need are

Mats: these yoga equipment provides cushioning on a hard floor, this specially needed if your yoga studio floor is made up of cement or hard wood floor.

This will help you to provide traction for your hand and feet thus prevents you from slipping or sliding on a wrong position when your doing your yoga postures

Bolsters: This provides support for your spine, abdomen and legs in a number of different poses.

Yoga bolsters helps you achieve the utmost result of your practice.

Blankets: this will help you to feel relaxed and comfortable which is essential in the practice of yoga.

Straps: this will either be made out of cotton or nylon. This allows you to grasp your body part which you cannot.

Yoga straps give you added flexibility and holds your pose a little bit much longer.

Such yoga gear may not be a requirement for doing yoga but through times they have been proven to be helpful in their own simple ways.

They have been useful to yoga practitioners especially to those who are suffering from ailments and the elderly. most are made to provide support to help you feel relaxed and feel deeper into the pose or do a pose better.

Online Fashion » The Recommended Yoga Equipment


Fitness, fruits, HEALTH, music

Winter yoga retreats, 2010/11

Longing for some rejuvenating yoga on retreat this Winter? take a look at our round-up of Winter retreats in the UK and overseas. (We cover Christmas/New Year yoga retreats 2010/11 in a separate article: click here).

Yoga Abode’s sister company, YA Retreats, runs yoga & wellbeing escapes designed to be accessible and inclusive. our monthly day retreats are held within an hour’s travelling distance of London and include a vegetarian, home-cooked lunch, and a daily yin and yang yoga session. Weekend retreats include restorative and dynamic yoga. Join us in over January  29/30 (just £95) for a’ detox and restore’ retreat: re-group and get on track after Christmas. Click here to read more.

This Winter, join the AdventureYogi team on one of our adventures – there is plenty of choice on offer. for relaxation and rejuvenation come on WellbeingYogi in Somerset from 26th-28th November. Places are going fast so book now! If you are looking for a New Year: New you then the AdventureYogi team introduce “BootcampYogi.” Click here.

Join Tabitha Dean from 25 February – 11 March 2011 for The India Yoga Journey of a Lifetime. Are you ready for unforgettable experiences that will cause your soul to be touched, moved and inspired? Highlights include: live classical Indian classical music concerts, exploring Delhi through a the eyes of a former street child, a visit to where Ghandi was shot, sacred chanting at the foothills of the Himalaya, candlelit ceremonies at the mouth of the Gange. Click here.

Scaravelli Inspired Yoga Weekend in Sussex: 25-27 February 2011. Join Catherine Annis for a weekend of yoga and relaxation high on the Sussex coast. Set on the brow of Seaford Head, surrounded by wild landscapes, magical gardens and sea air, you will leave this retreat deeply rested and revitalized. From £299 earlybird rate. The yoga is inspired by the work of Vanda Scaravelli, and classes are typically 2 hours long, to give plenty of time for individual attention. Click here.

Yoga and the ancient Indian science of Ayurveda are closely linked. A stay at one of the Barberyn resorts in Sri Lanka is a fantastic introduction to this ancient Indian life science. it is also a sound choice for those with a health condition or in need of deep rejuvenation. Guests stay on a full board basis, or buy an Ayurvedic package. Click here.

More Winter yoga retreats are listed on our directory. If you are running a Winter retreat and would like to include it in this round-up, please contact Lucia here.

Winter yoga retreats, 2010/11


detox, winte, yoga retreats, yoga session

Blekko launches the biased search engine � Technology Articles

You know how you always slow down to rubberneck when you pass acar wreck on the freeway? I’m that way with new search engines. I slow down, I look for the pool of blood, and then I resume my normal Google speed and forget the twisted metal in the rear-view. Previous wrecks include Cuil, Hakia, Powerset (wrapped into Bing), Clusty, and RedZ–each had a special trick, but they’ve all faded from memory, some after crashing in flames, some after making their founders rich. And some still plod along in the breakdown lane, while the real traffics blasts past them.

But wait, here’s another: Blekko, whose name means, according to CEO Rick Skrenta, Our naming firm sucked, so we went with this instead.

Blekko’s technology is quite clever, and the economics of search are such that it might actually work as a business and pay back the $24 million that’s been invested in the company so far. Blekko’s challenge is not to unseat Google but to simply not fade into obscurity.

Blekko returns refreshingly different results than Google. sometimes better — but not always.

(Credit:Screenshot by Rafe Needleman/CNET)

Here’s how Blekko will try to do that: this search engine keeps lists of categorized sites that can be applied to queries. for example, if you’re searching for medical information, your query can either automatically or manually be restricted to just sites that are actual, bona fide sources, not just spam farms. Blekko has seven main categories (health, automotive, lyrics, colleges, personal finance, recipes, and hotels), and users can also create their own. If you search for “cure for headaches,” for example, Blekko gives you a good set of results from WebMD, the NIH, etc. Google’s results, in comparison, are less focused. however, that’s a query that Blekko provided to me. on some others (try, “Boxer’s fracture”), I found Blekko no better than Google.

You can also tilt your search results in the direction you like by using a category of bias, like “liberal” or “conservative.” Categorization lists are applied by appending a “slashtag.” The query, “climate change /conservative” will give you politically slanted results, for example. “Climate change /science” will restrict your results to hits from scientific Web sites.

Users can also create their own slashtags, and other users can contribute to those lists, if their creators allow. Blekko is potentially a great search engine for curators and researchers. (This has been done before, though: see Rollyo.)

One very cool part of the Blekko technology is that it uses spam as a signal of significance. If a result returns a lot of hits from known automatic linkfarms or spam sites, the Blekko engine uses this data as an indicator of the importance of the query and aggressively filters out the less-than-useful returns.

as a business, Blekko is no Google, and Skrenta has no illusions that it will put a dent in it. he says, “We’d like to be the No. 3 search engine,” and believes that the site could be profitable with 1 million to 2 million queries a day (out of the over 1 billion now done on the Web). The site’s not running any monetization schemes or advertising at the moment.

Blekko may in fact win enough repeat users to make it a going business, but it won’t have a real, Web-wide impact unless its concept–that bias is good and more aggressive search filtering is needed –gets some traction. There’s nothing to stop Google from becoming more Blekko-like and starting to return results even more user-specific and location-specific than they already are. until then, though, Blekko is a solid alternative to Google and Bing for anyone, and more importantly it’s got great potential for researchers, librarians, journalists, or anyone who’s willing to put some work into how their search engine functions in order to get better results.

Blekko launches the biased search engine · Technology Articles


blekko, hakia, redz

Tracy Press - Remember When Twice Told Tales

Today's Remember when "mystery photo" shows six members of a local service club getting their legs limbered up for an upcoming event in November 1987. What was the event, and who were those in the photo? Last week's Remember when "mystery photo" showed Carbona apricot grower Tony Traina with a pile of apricots spread on the ground in 1960. The 'cots were dumped after cannery workers in Northern went on strike, closing all food-processing firms. By the time the strike was over, many apricots were too ripe to send to the canneries. Alyssa Traina identified her grandfather in the photo.• if you know the answer or can't wait until next week to get it, e-mail shm@tracypress.com or call 830-4234. TWICE-TOLD TALES 10 years ago — 2000 The Tracy City Council has given its approval to Shea Homes' 377-home residential project, coupled with a small business park, in south Tracy. The land was formerly industrial property owned by Bank of America.Brittany Goodwin, a sixth-grader at Williams Middle School, performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation on a 2-year-old toddler who had fallen into a swimming pool, saving the child's life.Services have been held for Alfonso "Al" Gomez, 63, retired warden of Deuel Vocational Institution. The 1955 Tracy High graduate started as a DVI correctional officer in 1960.Bob Cabral of Escalon, who has represented the Tracy area on the county board of supervisors, has died at the age of 62. he was a strong advocate for the Altamont Commuter Express. 25 years ago — 1985 Running back Paul Zaragoza led the Tracy High Bulldogs to a 30-6 win over Valley of Sacramento. Quarterback Mark Stroup fired two touchdown passes in the win.a power plant that would burn orchard cuttings has been proposed for a site near the Owens-Illinois glass-container plant west of town.Jeff Mason, 29, has been chosen to be the fourth captain with the Tracy Fire Department, according to Chief Dan Watrous.Tracy residents are joining those up and down the state in trying a hand at winning cash in the newly opened California State Lottery. 50 years ago — 1960 The American Sisalkraft reinforced-paper plant has been sold to St. Regis Paper Co. of new York.The Caron & Oliver farm-implement firm is being sold by Fred J. Caron to Frank Coelho and Lindy Bacchetti, both of Tracy.The Tracy High Bulldogs downed San Ramon Valley of Danville, 19-14, in the opening game of the 1960 football season.Costumed Tracyites took part in the "Gold Rush Days" evening at the Tracy Elks Lodge.Three Tracy High Future Farmers, Dan Bertolotti, Harold Petersen and Joe Roza, are attending the National FFA Convention in Kansas City, Mo. 75 years ago — 1935 Federal funds have been approved for the construction of an overpass above Southern Pacific tracks on 11th Street east of town. Work on the $185,000 job is set to begin soon.Natalo Martinet of Merced has purchased the Mann Jewelry Store on Central Avenue.The Piggly Wiggly Market in Tracy has become the local Safeway store. both market chains have been under the same ownership for some time. 100 years ago — 1910 a queen contest has been launched for the Tracy Street Fair and Carnival scheduled Oct. 20 through 22 on front (Sixth) Street.a local Socialist Party unit has been formed in Tracy. Meetings are held at the Odd Fellows Hall.• Information for this column is gathered from Tracy Press archives.

<a href="http://www.tracypress.com/view/full_story/9827217/article-Remember-When-Twice-Told-Tales?instance=home_our_towntag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.tracypress.com/view/full_story/9827217/article-Remember-When-Twice-Told-Tales?instance=home_our_townFri, 08 Oct 2010 02:41:01 GMT 00:00″>Tracy Press – Remember When Twice Told Tales


apricot, local service, shm

Blekko launches the biased search engine

You know how you always slow down to rubberneck when you pass acar wreck on the freeway? I’m that way with new search engines. I slow down, I look for the pool of blood, and then I resume my normal Google speed and forget the twisted metal in the rear-view. Previous wrecks include Cuil, Hakia, Powerset (wrapped into Bing), Clusty, and RedZ–each had a special trick, but they’ve all faded from memory, some after crashing in flames, some after making their founders rich. And some still plod along in the breakdown lane, while the real traffic blasts past them.

But wait, here’s another: Blekko, whose name means, according to CEO Rick Skrenta, Our naming firm sucked, so we went with this instead.

Blekko’s technology is quite clever, and the economics of search are such that it might actually work as a business and pay back the $24 million that’s been invested in the company so far. Blekko’s challenge is not to unseat Google but to simply not fade into obscurity.

Blekko returns refreshingly different results than Google. Sometimes better — but not always.

(Credit:Screenshot by Rafe Needleman/CNET)

Here’s how Blekko will try to do that: this search engine keeps lists of categorized sites that can be applied to queries. for example, if you’re searching for medical information, your query can either automatically or manually be restricted to just sites that are actual, bona fide sources, not just spam farms. Blekko has seven main categories (health, automotive, lyrics, colleges, personal finance, recipes, and hotels), and users can also create their own. If you search for “cure for headaches,” for example, Blekko gives you a good set of results from WebMD, the NIH, etc. Google’s results, in comparison, are less focused. However, that’s a query that Blekko provided to me. On some others (try, “Boxer’s fracture”), I found Blekko no better than Google.

You can also tilt your search results in the direction you like by using a category of bias, like “liberal” or “conservative.” Categorization lists are applied by appending a “slashtag.” the query, “climate change /conservative” will give you politically slanted results, for example. “Climate change /science” will restrict your results to hits from scientific Web sites.

Users can also create their own slashtags, and other users can contribute to those lists, if their creators allow. Blekko is potentially a great search engine for curators and researchers. (This has been done before, though: See Rollyo.)

One very cool part of the Blekko technology is that it uses spam as a signal of significance. If a result returns a lot of hits from known automatic linkfarms or spam sites, the Blekko engine uses this data as an indicator of the importance of the query and aggressively filters out the less-than-useful returns.

as a business, Blekko is no Google, and Skrenta has no illusions that it will put a dent in it. he says, “We’d like to be the no. 3 search engine,” and believes that the site could be profitable with 1 million to 2 million queries a day (out of the over 1 billion now done on the Web). the site’s not running any monetization schemes or advertising at the moment.

Blekko may in fact win enough repeat users to make it a going business, but it won’t have a real, Web-wide impact unless its concept–that bias is good and more aggressive search filtering is needed –gets some traction. There’s nothing to stop Google from becoming more Blekko-like and starting to return results even more user-specific and location-specific than they already are. until then, though, Blekko is a solid alternative to Google and Bing for anyone, and more importantly it’s got great potential for researchers, librarians, journalists, or anyone who’s willing to put some work into how their search engine functions in order to get better results.

Blekko launches the biased search engine


breakdown lane, ceo, cnet, founders, memory, search engine

Portland Trailblazer Enforcer Maurice Lucas Passes

Maurice Lucas, the fierce power forward known as “the Enforcer” who helped lead the Trail Blazers to the 1977 NBA title, died at his home in Portland, Oregon after a long fight with bladder cancer. he was 58.

Mr. Lucas joined Portland in the 1976 ABA dispersal draft and led the 1976-77 championship team in scoring with a 20.2 average.

He served as an assistant coach with the Blazers for six seasons, but he left the team last year to undergo surgery before having a setback last November.

The five-time All-Star averaged 14.4 points and 8.8 rebounds in 12 NBA seasons (Portland, New Jersey, New York, Phoenix, the Los Angeles Lakers and Seattle) and 15.2 points and 10.8 rebounds in two ABA seasons (St. Louis and Kentucky).

Portland Trailblazer Enforcer Maurice Lucas Passes


aba, bladder cancer, dispersal draft, enforcer, power 102, rebounds