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University of Rochester

Rochester Review
January–February 2014
Vol. 76, No. 3

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The University's Strategic Plan 2013–2018

The Next Five Years
sp4DATA DRIVEN: About 650 faculty members, students, and research staff from more than 40 departments conduct research with the support of the University’s Center for Integrated Computing. Established in 2008 as a collaboration between the River Campus and the Medical Center, the center helps researchers use computational science and computing technology to conduct data-intensive research in such projects as modeling astrophysical fluid dynamics (top), simulating antimicrobial peptides (left), and analyzing the engineering science of ancient Rome (right), and dozens of others in medicine, engineering, and the biological and physical sciences. (Photo: Center for Intergrated Research Computing)

United States research universities today are among this nation’s greatest comparative advantages—centers of innovation, creativity, and training of new generations of leaders, professionals, artists, and scholars. As former Columbia University Provost Jonathan Cole memorably wrote in The Great American University:

[I]t is the thousands of scientists, scholars, and administrators who have been dedicated to their work on a daily basis that have truly put our universities at the top. Their ambition to excel and their fierce competitiveness to be “the best” have led American research universities to become the engine of our prosperity. The laser, magnetic resonance imaging, FM radio, the algorithm for Google searches, Global Positioning Systems, DNA fingerprinting, fetal monitoring, scientific cattle breeding, advanced methods of surveying public opinion . . . all had their origins in America’s research universities, as did tens of thousands of other inventions, devices, medical miracles, and ideas that have transformed the world. In the future, virtually every new industry will depend on research conducted at America’s universities. . . . The universities have evolved into creative machines unlike any other that we have known in our history—cranking out discoveries in a society increasingly dependent on knowledge as its source for its growth.

That research enterprise, placed firmly in a residential educational setting, also contributes immeasurably to the strengths and distinctiveness of undergraduate education.

Other nations throughout the world increasingly are competing with the United States research university model. Several nations, including China, India, Brazil, and Singapore, are making enormous investments in research universities that are transforming global higher education in ways that both provide challenges and opportunities. International universities compete for outstanding faculty, but they also partner with research universities in the United States to provide increased support for global collaborative research.

We begin this period with a comparative advantage in undergraduate and graduate education. For the foreseeable future, we anticipate an acceleration of outstanding domestic and international students seeking admission to the most academically successful United States universities and colleges.

At the University, our largest undergraduate program in Arts, Sciences & Engineering in recent years has seen validation of our approach in the systematic growth of its applications, quality measures, and diversity. We believe that the ever higher level of outstanding applicants is consistent with a widespread belief that higher education is a fundamentally important investment in students’ futures and that education at a leading research university or college is the best type of educational investment.

Our opportunity in the 21st century is to accelerate our progress by building on our greatest strengths—our faculty, our outstanding academic departments and schools, and our multidisciplinary programs.

Our challenge is to harmonize these strengths with our resources. The University today has approximately 2,500 faculty and more than 10,000 students in seven schools, with a total annual budget of approximately $3.0 billion and net assets also of approximately $3.0 billion. Compared to our key peer group of private universities with medical centers who are members of the Association of American Universities (AAU), we are smaller in terms of total students, tenured and tenure-track faculty, and aggregate endowment.

We intend throughout the next five years to focus on enhanced support for our faculty and students and to develop additional support for existing and future programs where we particularly can make a difference in the quality of our research, scholarship, learning, clinical care, and the creative arts consistent with our resources.

The Digital Revolution

Advances in information technology are having an immense impact on all aspects of university life. Throughout the University, the transition to a digital future is well advanced. Faculty, students, and information services have been particularly affected by the digital revolution. Increasingly, faculty and students rely on digital rather than hard copy resources. New data management systems already have transformed our ability to reach out to our alumni and in the future will give us critical management tools to better employ financial reporting and student information systems.

Profound changes are also being driven by the explosion in the availability of data and the tools to deal with data. In 2013, Science Daily estimated that approximately 90 percent of the world’s data have been generated in the past two years. The University is responding to this challenge by investing in the emergent discipline of data science and the high-performance computing resources it requires.

In 2008 we created the Center for Integrated Research Computing through a collaboration between the River Campus and Medical Center faculties and administrators. Today the center includes 650 faculty, students, and research staff from more than 40 departments supporting computational and data-intensive research activities.

For the University as a whole, the creation of an internationally distinguished campus-wide Institute for Data Science is a top priority. Initially the institute will focus on three domains for research: predictive health analytics, cognitive systems, and analytics on demand. In data science, we build on enormous strengths, including the Health Sciences Center for Computational Innovation, the Department of Computer Science in Arts, Sciences & Engineering, biostatistics in the School of Medicine and Dentistry, historic achievements in machine learning and artificial intelligence, and more than 100 principal investigators who have been awarded $307 million in research relying in part upon high-performance computation during the past three years. Between 2013 and 2018, the further development of a University-wide data science program will include expanding faculty across several schools by 20 tenured and tenure-track professors and constructing a new facility to bridge data science across critical disciplines.

Rapid changes in technology are driving changes in the new curriculum. Arts, Sciences & Engineering has introduced new programs in digital media studies, computer science, and a biomedical engineering master’s degree with a concentration in medical technology innovation; developed humanities laboratories to introduce students to the use of technology in the service of humanities scholarship; and currently is developing an increasing number of experiential learning components in traditional courses, including more active use of online resources to assist students in entry-level courses. The School of Medicine and Dentistry has begun a transition to an online/iPad–based curriculum. The Simon School is developing programs in data analytics.

Equally important changes are taking place in the way we deliver education. We envision major opportunities for master’s and certificate programs that employ online formats. This has already begun. For example, our School of Nursing has had success offering hybrid courses combining online and in-class teaching. For the 2012 academic year, 32 percent of all courses in nursing and 28 percent of the school’s tuition revenue came from online courses. In the new generation of strategic plans, the school intends to amplify its online efforts. Other schools, including Arts, Sciences & Engineering, the Warner School of Education, the Eastman School of Music, and the Simon Business School, will increase or begin online programs.

For undergraduate programs we believe that the current residential teaching model will remain dominant for the foreseeable future, and that ensuring its continued high quality is a key to our future success. But we anticipate that the residential undergraduate teaching model will evolve during the next five years at research universities such as Rochester with increased complementary use of new technology in undergraduate teaching and ancillary programs, allowing faculty to devote more time to working with students in laboratories, workshops, and discussion sessions rather than lecture formats.

International Engagement

Major universities are increasingly global institutions, drawing students from all over the world, competing internationally for the most talented faculty, and establishing international partnerships that extend their potency in research.

Substantial international engagement is an indispensable part of a first-rate undergraduate and graduate education, providing diversity for our students that will mirror future employment and life experiences, and strengthening our financial base. Knowledge knows no boundaries. In the 21st century the most successful higher education programs will be those that have a global reach.

We are already a university characterized by a global student body and faculty and a growing number of international programs.

Our enrollment of international graduates and undergraduates has grown from 1,050 students in fall 2000 (13 percent) to 2,080 students in fall 2012 (20 percent). International undergraduate enrollment in Arts, Sciences & Engineering notably has increased, from 2.8 percent of the entering class in fall 2004 to an expected 19 percent this fall.

The percentage of our tenure-track faculty that is foreign born similarly has grown from 8 percent in 2008 to 11 percent in 2012.

We anticipate that the next five years will be a period of increasing international engagement for the University, principally in the expansion of international partnerships in research and in the expansion of opportunities for our students to study and work abroad. We have already taken steps to establish strong research linkages with emerging major universities in China, Hong Kong, and Singapore, and the Medical Center has completed a memorandum of understanding for educational programs with the Apollo Hospital Group, one of the largest health care systems in India. We are undertaking a major expansion of study abroad opportunities in Asia, Africa, and the South Pacific, mainly through exchange programs.

Fundamental Challenges

During the next five years, three fundamental challenges will dwarf all others at the University: the transformation of health care, the decline of sponsored research, and the cost of higher education.

The Transformation of Health Care

The American health care system faces mounting pressures for cost containment, quality improvement, and public accountability. The 2008–09 recession and the subsequent enactment of the Affordable Care Act have initiated fundamental change in the health care system. This transformation includes consolidation of hospitals and the development of broad health care systems in which incentives are shifted from the current dominant fee-for-service model to bundled or population-based annual fee or “capitated” models that reward the combination of better service and lower cost rather than high procedure volume. It is reasonable to anticipate that there will be significant future reductions in third-party payor support for our hospitals and physicians as a result of implementation of lower cost insurance products through health care exchanges and a systematic effort to “bend the cost curve” in Medicare and Medicaid. As a result of these changes, the Medical Center faces substantial financial challenges to its clinical enterprise. Health care reform portends fundamental change in the way hospitals deliver care, the way clinicians are trained, scientists discover therapies and cures, and insurance companies and health care providers compete in offering health insurance.

The University long has had a major role in health care through its hospitals, School of Medicine and Dentistry, School of Nursing, and health care research programs. Approximately 83 percent of the consolidated University $3.0 billion budget in 2013 originated in the Medical Center. Sixty-eight percent of the overall University budget involved patient care.

The Medical Center’s objective in the next five years is to change the way it cares for patients by developing an integrated system of robust services across the health care continuum that delivers the highest quality care at the lowest cost. The Medical Center will continue evidence-based practices to provide the highest quality of care to its community; develop research programs of excellence to accelerate discovery; adopt new skills and competencies for practitioners; and help evolve its educational system to meet the demands of a transformed health care landscape.

Sponsored Research

In the 2011–12 academic year, 14 percent of the University’s overall budget, or $348 million, originated in federal, state, and corporate and foundation sponsored research. The majority of this total came from federally sponsored research programs, most significantly the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, and Department of Energy.

The decline in support for sponsored research has affected all aspects of research throughout the University. In the School of Medicine and Dentistry, which in 2013 was awarded $132 million from NIH, reliance on institutional support for sponsored research recently has ranged between 40 and 45 percent of the school’s budget. As real dollar support for sponsored research has declined, the school increasingly must rely on its endowment (which is smaller than many of our AAU peers with medical centers) and margin transfers from Strong Memorial Hospital.

The school today is developing a comprehensive plan to address how best to diversify its funding sources and otherwise respond to a probable period of stagnant federally sponsored research support.

Other parts of the University reliant on sponsored research such as the Laboratory for Laser Energetics have developed similar contingency plans.

sp4STUDENT SESSION: President Barack Obama talks about higher education with Wesline Manuelpillai ’16 (to Obama’s left), Brandon McDonald ’13 (across the table), and other University students during lunch at Magnolia’s Deli & Cafe during Obama’s visit to Rochester last August. (Photo: AP Images)

The Cost of Higher Education

We cannot be complacent about the high cost of education at our University, particularly for undergraduates. In recent years, the rising cost of higher education has been a focus of intense public discourse. In the 2012 national elections, for example, both leading political parties emphasized reducing the rate of increase or absolute cost of higher education. In August 2013, President Barack Obama proposed linking federal financial aid to students to college and higher education quality metrics.

These types of initiatives have prompted research universities to engage in systematic efforts to achieve greater cost efficiency and reduction in the rate of increase of undergraduate tuition. The University has been unrelenting in its efforts to be cost efficient and to moderate the rate of tuition increases. Between 2004 and 2008, for example, the rate of tuition increases at our schools, when adjusted for inflation, averaged 4.2 percent; during the last five years, inflation-adjusted tuition increases have averaged 2.1 percent at Rochester. During the period of our next generation of strategic plans, the University’s commitment to cost efficiency will continue to be unswerving.

We, however, do not believe that online or for-profit education will be an effective substitute for the residential model used in our undergraduate programs—even if some believe that there are potential cost savings—because of the fundamental differences in the quality of these programs and the lesser success in online and for-profit institutions in graduation and job placement. We believe that the recent growth in for-profit educational institutions and generally increased use of online teaching models such as MOOCs (massive open online courses), along with declining state support for public universities, will continue to widen the gap between the most outstanding research universities and liberal arts colleges and other postsecondary institutions.


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2010-03-19 / Columnists

The Progressive

Feminist Legacy
By John Paul Culotta

Every March, feminist historians dedicate the month to women in history. Many people in other countries celebrate on March 8, the international day dedicated to women. This is appropriate and shows recognition of the contributions women have made throughout humanity’s cultural, social and economic history.

We all recognize the contributions and sacrifices our mothers have made to our development. Today, society reflects on professional career advancements women have made in medicine, law, politics and business. These advancements do not diminish the arduous work of the women who remain at home bringing their children to school, soccer games, the doctor; all while maintaining a household and sometimes having a dead end part-time work that is not as glamorous. Most Americans see only economic and social success as the goal of life. How sad that is. Many men and women working in thankless, unrewarding difficult labor to maintain a family, with hope that the future for their children will be better, also deserve recognition and praise.

This reminds me of why March was selected for feminist recognition. On March 25, 1911, 146 workers, the large majority of whom were women, died in a fire caused by their employer’s insistent disregard for their safety. This happened here in New York City. These workers, mostly Jewish and Italian immigrants or of immigrant stock, worked that Saturday (the Jewish day of rest) for the hope this nation gives all foreign born workers – a life that will allow a future for their children. Many of the victims’ families did not have the resources to bury them in a dignified style.

As I write this I am forced to reflect on how we sometimes disregard the contributions the women and men in occupations that are considered humble, make for all of us. When I enter a hotel room I often check out the cleanliness but I forget the room attendant who cleaned the room. I sometimes admire the clean streets after a snow storm but I forget the sanitation worker. This is only natural.

Those workers who perished in that fire almost one hundred years ago did contribute to the development of this nation. Their deaths lead to many improvements in worker safety. As a result of the fire, the American Society of Safety Engineers was founded. Labor unions grew in strength, especially the International Ladies Garment Workers (ILGWU). Some say the New Deal started in that fire. Frances Perkins, Al Smith and Robert F. Wag-ner, with the clout of Tammany Hall, began to agitate for the dispossessed.

We need that type of agitation today. Bankers are not the only segment of society that needs relief.

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Upper Tier, The

RSS FeedClick on "Routes" to subscribe to a RSS feed of all new routes added to this category. Click on "Ascents" for a RSS feed of all new ascents recorded in this category. Routes | Ascents

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About Upper Tier, The :

Upper Tier, The
Nearest town or city: Westlake/Thousdand Oaks
Directions: Four approaches lead to The Upper Tier. 1-scramble over the huge polished boulders 10 yards upstream from "Xanadu" and exit the wash to the right on a faint climbers trail. 2-Approach via the Mishe Mokwa Trail and follow trail toward Balanced Rock from Split Rock, hike east until one can descend toward The Upper Tier. 3-Scramble up the gully described in Louie Anderson's guide, left of the base of "Bushed Coyote." 4-Climb the route "Stinger," clip the anchor and continue climbing up to a belay bolt at the base of "Welcome to Echo."
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SequenceSequence numbers indicate the left (L) to right (R) order of the routes. Rating Route Difficulty Ascents
1 Average Rating = 2.00/5 AKC 5.7 1
2 Average Rating = 3.50/5 K-9 5.10b 2
2 Average Rating = 3.50/5 The Barkley 5.10b 2
3 Average Rating = 4.00/5 Blackie 5.9 2
3 Average Rating = 4.00/5 Welcome to Echo 5.10a 1
4 Average Rating = 4.00/5 Reverb (1) 5.10a 1
5 Average Rating = 5.00/5 Sasha 5.10c 2
6 Average Rating = 4.00/5 Walter 5.10c 2
7 Average Rating = 4.00/5 Puppy Feet 5.7 1
8 Average Rating = 3.33/5 Doggie Style 5.10a 3
9 Average Rating = 4.00/5 Man's Best Friend 5.10d 1

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OldArchive / Rick's Report

Gathering On The Shores Of Tragedy

I would rather be writing about anything other than the recent flood in my column this week, especially after summing up a trite experience with Hurricane Irene just two weeks ago.

The Flood of 2011 took almost everyone by surprise. Maybe a sense of denial that a disaster on the scale of the Agnes flood could never happen again made us hope for the best when the prognosis for this past week’s flooding took a turn for the worst. It was a fast-rising flood compared to both ’72 and ’75, and it came far too quickly on the heels of not only Irene but also moderate spring flooding, as well as significant flooding events in 2004 and 2006.

When I got up at 6 a.m. on Thursday, after a nearly sleepless night due to the same pounding rains that everybody else was trying not to hear, I started packing a two-night bag with the hope that I could get across the river to Wyalusing from Terry Township one time with the acceptance that I would likely get stranded on the borough side of the river until at least late Friday night. The truth is that nobody’s Thursday went as planned

I called the office once at 6:55 a.m., but no one was in yet. (We officially open at 8:30 a.m.) I thought of a few more items that I thought I’d need on the other side of the river and pushed them into my bag, and I prepped the cat with one extra bowl each of food and water. Nancy Keeler phoned me at about 7:10 and told me that there was no way that I could get to the Rocket-Courier office. “Take pictures safely, if you can,” she suggested.

Having some personal and familial concerns of my own about the flood, I was left a little disoriented by the sudden change of events and was feeling helpless. I began to realize that, in addition to not being able to cross the river, there was no completely safe access to Dushore via Wilmot Road, New Albany via SR 2010, Mehoopany and Tunkhannock via Route 87, nor Durrell via Route 187. I was stranded in Terry Township, so I did what most of the people there did. I drove to the river bridge to watched nature’s drama unfold.

Wyalusing New Albany Road at the bridge became quite the community gathering place during the course of the four days that we could not cross the river there. There was nervous laughter among people who could not check on other family members or property they had in other places. At the same time, there was a lot of sharing of information, and not all of it was true. For a number of reasons, I preferred to take a fly on the wall approach to the situation, so I didn’t speak up and correct people who were spreading frightening rumors. I also didn’t feel like making my way through the growing crowd with pad and pen asking ignorantly, “So, what do you think about the flood? Have you lost anything yet?” I believe I absorbed more of the human experience by remaining fairly anonymous. Everyone was taking photos, so few people noticed that I was too. I also scanned the ever-changing audience several times with the camera in the video mode.

Parents brought their children to witness something that will be seared into their memories, even though many of them were unable to comprehend the full scope of the situation. Most of the kids were excited about being out of school after barely beginning the new year, and they challenged each other to see who could throw rocks the farthest. More than a few people brought their dogs to the river, and I soon realized that canines love floods. What dog doesn’t love loud, splashy water with sticks in it and people standing en masse along the shoreline?

When I finally had an opportunity this week to sift through some of the 300 images I captured in at least eight municipalities over the course of six days and to watch the video segments, I got stuck on one from Terry Township that I want to upload to the website as soon as I have the time to. I’ve come to call the 35-second piece “The Silence.” I shot it late on Thursday, slowly turning 360 degrees from the river to the road full of people behind me and back to the river.

Nobody realized that I was shooting video, but nobody was speaking. Debris continued to hammer at the river bridge, and we feared that a mobile home or other large structure would be just enough to seriously damage it or knock a span into the river. The smell of propane was as heavy in the air as the smell of the muddy water itself. We had run out of jokes. There was nothing humorous about that moment.

We had not, however, lost our sense of awe. But in that video, I can see that something inside of us had changed. Awesome had become awful. There was no mistaking at this point that we were suffering a major disaster and that we all had friends and family who were experiencing untold suffering because of the flooding. It was a sick feeling, and I’m grateful that I wasn’t alone with it.

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 Sermon and Liturgy for The Third Sunday of Advent - Year A
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Sermon and Liturgy for The Third Sunday of Advent - Year A
Isaiah 35:1-10; Matthew 11:2-11
"Being Prepared: Giving and Receiving The Gift of Joy"

READING:  Isaiah 35:1-10; Matthew 11:2-11
SERMON :  "Being Prepared: Giving and Receiving The Gift of Joy"

Rev. Richard J. Fairchild
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     The following is a more or less complete liturgy and sermon
     for the upcoming Sunday.  Hymn numbers, designated as VU are
     found in the United Church of Canada Hymnal "Voices United".
     SFPG is "Songs For A Gospel People", also available from the UCC.
     Please note that this is a White Gift / Sunday School Pageant
     Service and so is missing some of the elements you normally look
     for each week.

GATHERING AND MUSICAL PRELUDE                            (* = please stand)

L  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,
   and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
P  And also with you
L  Come once more, with eager longing, to receive the promises of God.
P  Out of the desert places of our lives we gather with joy and gladness.
L  Happy are those who help is the God of Jacob,
   whose hope is in the Lord their God.
P  Our God has promised that lonely places and deserts will be glad
   and blossom as the rose.
L  The Lord has promised that the blind will be able to see,
   the deaf will hear, the lame will leap and dance,
   and those who cannot speak will shout for joy.
P  Our God, who made heaven and earth and all that is in them,
   keeps faith forever.
   He sets the prisoners free nd brings healing to those who seek him.
L  The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down
   and watches over strangers.
   He upholds the orphan and the widow.
P  Our God executes justice for the oppressed
   and gives food to the hungry.
L  Come once more, with eager longing, and bless the holy name of our God.

* INTROIT O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel,
          that mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear.
          Rejoice!  Rejoice!  Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

VOICE  - Today is the third Sunday of Advent - the Sunday of Joy.

VOICE  - Our joy is in God and in his son Jesus Christ.  Like hope and
       peace, joy is a gift from God.  It overtakes us and fills us when we
       remember what God has done and what he has promised to do.

VOICE  - We light this candle today to remind us that Christ came, and  is
       coming, so that all people might have a rich and abundant life.  We
       thank God for the hope he gives us, for the peace he bestows, and
       for the joy he pours into our hearts.

Light the First, Second, and Third Candle

VOICE  - Let us pray -- O God of Joy, Emmanuel, send your light into our
       hearts.  Help us to be ready for day and hour of Christ's appearing.
       Fix our hearts and our minds upon those things you have done and
       those you have promised to do that we may have the joy you have
       promised.  As we worship you, strengthen us so that we may always do
       your will and so bless you and the world you have made.  Amen.

   A candle is burning, a candle of joy.
   A candle to welcome brave Mary's new boy.
   Our hearts fill with wonder, and eyes light and glow
   as joy brightens winter like sunshine on snow.

- Welcome and Announcements
- Birthdays and Anniversaries
- Special Matters
- Sharing Joys and Concerns

  Open my ears that I may hear voices of truth thou sendest clear
  and while the wave notes fall on my ear, everything false will disappear,
  Silently now I wait for thee, ready, my God thy will to see.
  Open my ears, illumine me. Spirit divine!

   (NRSV) On that day the wilderness and the dry land shall be glad,
   the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall
   blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing.  The glory of
   Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.
   They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God.

   Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.  Say to
   those who are of a fearful heart, "Be strong, do not fear!  Here is
   your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense.  He
   will come and save you."  Then the eyes of the blind shall be
   opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap
   like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.  For
   waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the
   desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground
   springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp, the
   grass shall become reeds and rushes.

   A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the
   unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God's people; no
   traveller, not even fools, shall go astray.  No lion shall be there,
   nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found
   there, but the redeemed shall walk there.  And the ransomed of the
   LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy
   shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and
   sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

L  This is the word of the Lord.
P  Thanks be to God.

Today, the Youth Choir brings to us four songs - progressing from the
secular to the sacred.  Let us welcome them with our applause:

  Skate Board Song
  Take These Wings
  First Noel

   (NRSV)  When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he
   sent word by his disciples and said to him, "Are you the one who is
   to come, or are we to wait for another?"

   Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the
   blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed,
   the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news
   brought to them.  And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me."

   As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John:
   "What did you go out into the wilderness to look at?  A reed shaken
   by the wind?  What then did you go out to see?  Someone dressed in
   soft robes?  Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces.
   What then did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I tell you, and
   more than a prophet.  This is the one about whom it is written,
   'See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your
   way before you.'  Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one
   has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the
   kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

L  This is the gospel of our risen Lord.
P  Praise be to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

CHOIR ANTHEM:  "When Will The Little King Come"

HOMILY:  "Being Prepared: Giving and Receiving The Gift of Joy"

Today is the Sunday of Joy.  The joy of God.  As we saw in the last two
week, in preparing for the coming of the Christ - we are called to keep
alive the vision which provides us with hope and to seek the Peace of God -
that peace that only God can give - that peace which comes when we turn,
and walk in the path that Jesus has shown us.

Joy is not something that we can seek,
it is something that overtakes us when while we are working to keep the
vision alive
and walking on the path that Jesus has set before us.

As we walk that path - joy happens to us,
we gain glimpses of what it is that God is about
we encounter situations where we see God's promises coming true,
and we have, suddenly this great joy in hearts.

Imagine if you will for a minute John the Baptist, in prison,
Herod is about to kill him - and undoubtedly John is aware of this
though the particular circumstances of his death are still to be shaped by
Herod's wife and daughter

John is uncertain about whether his ministry is completed or not,
uncertain about whether or not Jesus is the Messiah that he has proclaimed
the coming of.
And he sends messengers from prison to ask Jesus -
"Are you the one who is to come, or should we wait for another"

And imagine if you will for a minute how he heard the answer
  the feeling that must have overcame him when his disciples reported to
him what Jesus said:

   "Go and tell John what you hear and see.  The blind receive their
   sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the
   dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them.
   Blessed  are they who take no offense at me."

Imagine how John felt when he heard that all that he yearned for as a child
of Abraham was in fact happening,
   that God was working a great work through through Jesus, the child of
   Mary, the kind of work that Isaiah spoke of in our first reading this

Joy should not be confused with happiness,
   which, according to their constitution, the citizens of the great
country south of us pursue;
for it is not happiness - nor even contentment.

Joy rather is something rather overwhelming,
it is what happens when we witness God at work,
whether it is in our family relationships,
in our church,
or in our community and in the wider world.

I called today's homily "Being Prepared, Giving and Receiving The Gift of
Joy", not only to as a means of keeping together our Advent theme,
   that theme suggested by the light of the candles upon our wreath,
but to highlight one of the realities of the gift of joy -
   that reality which relates to the fact that while it cannot be sought,
the gift of joy can be given and received by us.

When we see the works of God being done - we receive the gift of joy.
And when we allow God to do his works through us - we give the gift of joy
or at the very, very least - it's possibility.

That is part of what White Gift Sunday is about -
its about doing the works of God
the work of caring,
and praying joy may come with the giving,
that the hand of God may be seen.

Joy is a wonderful thing,
a thing that overtakes us when we are on the path shown to us by Christ.

It is not continuous - at least in this world -- but it pops up whenever we
see God at work healing the sick, curing the lame, giving sight to the
blind, and proclaiming good news to those who are poor.  It pops up when we
do the work of God - and understand that God is doing his work in the
circumstances around us.

Everlasting joy comes, so testifies Isaiah on the day of Christ's second

   On that day, he testifies, the wilderness and the dry land shall be
   glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall
   blossom abundantly, on that day,  the ransomed of the LORD shall
   return, and come to Zion with singing; and everlasting joy shall be
   upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and
   sighing shall flee away.

There is a day coming which we are called to be prepared for,
   a day coming, of an eternal joy,
       a joy which we receive a taste of in the here and now when we
       receive the gift of seeing God at work,
          and when we do the works of God and thereby make it possible for
          others to have the joy of seeing him.

Blessed be the name of God, day by day.  Amen

* HYMN:   "It Only Takes A Spark"                                  - VU 289

WHITE GIFT PAGEANT PRESENTATION                             - Sunday School
As our White Gift Sunday Pageant presentation assembles I want to take this
opportunity to thank Wendy Oszust, Mickey Balas, and all the members of the
Sunday School and their helpers like Maxine and Polly for the work they
have done since mid-summer.  Our Sunday School is growing - our children
are happy - and the Lord is being praised.  We have needs for more helpers
in music, in teaching, and in the nursery - and we ask that you would pray
on those needs - and give thanks to God for how he has answered us thus
far.  Let us show a sign of appreciation to our God - and to our Sunday
- - Pageant - -

* HYMN: "Once in Royal David's City"                                - VU 62

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE          (first intercession based on a prayer of
                               Henri Nouwen from "Be With Me Lord: Prayers
                               and Reflections For The Advent Season)

Gracious Lord, born in a manger, now our King above - when you walked among
us and shared our life in all its good and evil, you said - "take my yoke
upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart".  How
often Lord, we complain about our yokes and hear others complain about
theirs.  So often we consider life and its many tasks burdensome and we
spend much time and energy expressing our annoyance and irritation.  Help
us, dear Lord, remember that you did not say "I will take your burdens
away", but "I invite you to take my burden".  Your burden is real.  It is
the burden of all human sin and failings.  Your carried that burden and
died under its weight.  You make it into a light burden.   O Lord, let us
carry your burden in union with you.  We know that only then will we
overcome the temptations of bitterness and resentfulness and begin to live
joyfully and gratefully in your presence.   Lord, hear our prayer

Gracious Lord, we heard the scriptures speak this morning about John the
Baptist being in prison, and we will hear later of how Jesus and Joseph and
Mary were forced to become refugees in a strange land due to the violence
that was in their land.  We pray today, O God, for the prophets and the
saints were are imprison this very day - and for all those forced to flee
from their native land.... Lord hear our prayer...

Compassionate God,  there are many in our world - and indeed in our
community, who have difficulty in naming their blessings this day -
difficulty because the external circumstances of their lives are far more
harsh than our own, difficult because their hearts are weighed down with
tragedy and grief.  We pray O God for these less fortunate ones at this

We pray for the older people who pension cheques cannot stretch far
For the single parents who are forced to choose between paying rent and
buying food...

For men and women who find themselves without work...

For employers who barely make the payroll from month to month...

For employees whose brave smiles hide their fear of getting a pink slip...

For families forced to abandon their homes for a new community where no one
knows their names...

For all others who circumstances we do not know - but who need a special
blessing at this time....  Lord hear our prayer...

Lord, hear our prayer as well for those particular persons and situations
who were lifted up by this congregation of your people in our time of
sharing   Lord, hear our prayer...

Life Giving God, we ask you to unleash your abundant life among all your
people.  May your Spirit give us the faith and the courage to live as
visible signs of the new life you offer.  Help us to receive the gifts that
Jesus offers us - and to offer the gifts that Jesus would give through us.
We ask it in his name.  Amen.

ANTHEM:  "Away in A Manager"

In the year 1904 the wife of a Methodist Episcopal minister in Paineville,
Ohio was thinking about the White Gift Legend of Kublai Khan, the ruler of
Cathay in the thirteenth century.  Despite his reputation as a great
warrior, he was loved by his subjects, whom he treated well.  In addition
to building the city of Peking, he also improved the public works in much
of his kingdom - all to the benefit of his people

To celebrate his birthday one year all his subjects agreed to hold a great
celebration and bring gifts wrapped in plain white paper.  That way the
simplest and the most elaborate gifts looked the same and the intent of the
giver, rather their gift, became the most important thing.

At the suggestion of the minister's wife, the church in Painsville asked
the children to bring gifts to Jesus, wrapped in white paper, which would
be distributed to the less fortunate people in the community.

So began the tradition of White Gift Sunday - a tradition that has gone
everywhere in the world.  Herbert Wernecke, in his book "Christmas
Traditions Around the World" writes this about White Gift Sunday in Brazil

   While many of the people are poor, they generally know of others
   ware are in still greater need.  So each person brings a little gift
   of food, a bit of rice, a potato or two, if he can spare no more -
   anything to help make a Christmas dinner for some poorer person in
   the community.  Children and adults come with enthusiasm and joy.
   All gifts are wrapped in white paper and there, in the front of the
   church, around a crude little manger filled with straw and a small
   light, symbolic of "the light of the world", they walk to the front
   with their gifts, singing as they go!  The learn and express that
   not receiving but giving is the real spirit of Christmas.

So it is.  As it was in 1902 in Painsville, so it is here today.  The white
gifts you bring will help those who are in still greater need than
ourselves.  After our prayer litany for the offering, I ask you to come
forward, as do our brothers and sisters in Brazil and other places, with
enthusiasm and joy and make your offering to Jesus.  Here today - we will
sing as our offering is completed.

* SHARING GOD'S BLESSINGS: A Litany For Our Offering
L  Many children do not have bread.
P  We want to share our bread with those who hunger.
L  Many children do not have clean water to drink.
P  We want to help find clean water for those who thirst.
L  Many children are cold.
P  We want to share our warm clothing.
L  Many children do not have homes.
P  We want to help them build homes.
L  Many people do not have seeds to grow their own food.
P  We want to share our seeds.
L  Let us share now the gifts of God that we have brought this day.
       Please bring forward your tithes and offerings to place on
       the plates on the Communion Table - your white gifts all
       around it and return to your seats and remain standing.  When
       the last person has returned to their seat we will sing the
       Doxology (Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow - VU 541)
       and continue with the Prayer of Dedication.

L  We give these gifts, O God - in thankfulness for your love.
P  We offer these offerings, O God, for the work of your kingdom.
L  We ask you to bless them on their way.
P  We ask you to use them and us in your service.
L  Through Christ our Lord we ask it - praying as he taught us.
P  Our Father...

* DEPARTING HYMN:  "I Am The Light Of The World"                    - VU 87

* COMMISSIONING (Unison): In the power of the Holy Spirit we now go forth
   into the world, to fulfil our calling as the people of God, the body of

Go in peace,
- and may God, our three in one, the source of true hope, peace and joy,
gift you with open hands so you are able to both give and to receive his
- may he impart unto you an open heart so that you are able to welcome him
in whatever form he takes
- and may he grant you an open mind, so that you are able to recognize his
presence even in the midst of this world's darkness,
this both now and forevermore.

* CHORAL BLESSING:  "Go Now In Peace"                              - VU 964

copyright - Rev. Richard J. Fairchild 2004
            please acknowledge the appropriate author if citing these sermons.

Further information on this ministry and the history of "Sermons & Sermon - Lectionary Resources" can be found at our Site FAQ.  This site is now associated with christianglobe.com

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text:
Skyrim: Giant Carried Off By Dragon

Man, I guess some of you lot saw that on the E3 livestream, but that was fairly awesome. The player fighting with a giant, which was then carried off and dropped to Earth by a Dragon. Spectacular. Other stuff: factions/guild returning, “three hundred hours” of game. And it sounds like you will be able to talk to the dragons. Or some of them, anyway. Great stuff.

Also: mammoths! Sorry, but I am nerding pretty heavily over here. Also scheduling some announcements for later. One of them is bananas (about 11:30 tonight UK time.)

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  1. Premium User Badge

    Daiv says:

    Nature, red in tooth and claw and fiery breath.

  2. Demiath says:

    “The next Elder Scrolls is going to be the one that really satisfies me as an RPG gamer” is something I’ve been saying since Daggerfall way back in 1996, and my prediction has never quite turned out to be accurate (looking at the extended family of very obviously ES-related titles, New Vegas arguably came the closest but that was Obsidian and not Bethsoft). Just for the sake of tradition, though, I have to say that the next Elder Scrolls is going to be the one that really satisfies me as an RPG gamer.

  3. Shakermaker says:

    “I am nerding pretty heavily over here.”

    Same here. That looked uncut awesome.

  4. GoliathBro says:

    Yes, but are they still unlimited? Unless there’s unlimited dragons I’m not interested.

    • unlimitedgiants says:

      Are there unlimited giants? It would be a shame if there weren’t enough giants to be carried off by dragons! Just think of those poor dragons who were left out of the carrying-off!

  5. The Army of None says:

    What?! Skyrim footage?! I demand (politely request) immediate (whenever you get around to it) links!

  6. Duke Nasty VI says:

    I liked how he emphasised that it was possible to look at plants.

    It was cool, though. Looking forward to it!

    • _Jackalope_ says:

      Excellent, I was always disappointed when I tried to look at the plants in Morrorwind or Oblivion and my eyeballs fell out of my skull. Every damn time.

  7. Linfosoma says:

    When is this releasing? I wants it.

  8. Salt says:

    The difference in animation on the player character compared to Oblivion is just huge.

    Fun to see glimpses of the excessive ragdoll physics from Oblivion. Wolves flipping hundreds of feet down hills here we come!

    Looking just great.

    • Duke Nasty VI says:

      3rd person looked playable as well, unlike Oblivion where it was just a vanity camera

    • Urthman says:

      Huh? In Oblivion I was constantly using 3rd person for melee combat, particularly if there was more than one enemy to keep track of or someone behind me.

  9. McDan says:

    It was AWESOME

  10. Khann says:

    Can’t wait to scale me some mountains.

  11. Vinraith says:

    Looks promising, possibly as a game unto itself and certainly as a platform for some brilliant modding. I worry a bit about the lack of statistical substance, but trust that won’t be too difficult to fix. The world itself looks genuinely compelling, so that’s encouraging.

    • TillEulenspiegel says:

      I’m praying they’ve ditched the old mod system entirely, with its broken dependency tracking and its shitty scripting language. Lua + a powerful API = all kinds of awesome.

      People praised Oblivion for its mod-ability, but you couldn’t even recreate Morrowind’s inventory/trade UI.

  12. _Jackalope_ says:

    For the moment, there is an iphone capture vid of the interview on youtube. Even on this is looks great.

    • Sic says:

      I hope there are more than 3 factions/guilds, that sounds ridiculously low compared to Morrowind (and even Oblivion, if you count the smaller factions).

      To be honest, that was one of the most fun parts about Morrowind. The world was so big, complex and full of diverging peoples and cultures that you had this feeling of a never ending world.

      I truly hope they get some of that back with Skyrim.

    • Xerian says:

      The thing theres 3 of is guilds, not factions. And you can bet theres a decent amount of factions as always.

  13. Davee says:

    I watched it live. Oh man, scaling those mountains… Giants taking flight… EPIC NERDGASM!

    And oh, Batman: Arkham City looks good too. The air-gliding physics are bonkers though, and not in a good way :/

  14. Premium User Badge

    cliffski says:

    300 hours puts me off big time.
    Give me 10 hours of really good stuff. I don’t have 300 spare hours this deacde, let alone this year.
    Sometimes more isn’t better, it’s just more.

    • leeder krenon says:

      yet some people do want a massive, sprawling epic game / time sink. fortunately developers are happy to appeal to more than one type of gamer.

    • Pointless Puppies says:

      Then you’re looking at the wrong series, pal. This is the series that consistently puts out multi-hundred-hour games. Hell, this is the series that still has the biggest game map of all time.

    • Casimir's Blake says:

      But how much of that game map is worth visiting?

      The only reason I will be buying Skyrim is that it at least partially should be playable as a first-person dungeon crawling RPG.

      Why is NO ONE ELSE (except a couple of mobile devs) making such games any more? ARGH!

    • FunkyBadger3 says:

      link to

    • Nick says:

      So play a different game.

    • Vinraith says:

      Funny, I was just thinking 300 seemed a little on the small side for a TES game. How many hours was Morrowind advertised to be, anyone remember? I got better than a thousand out of it, I hope I’ll be able to do the same here (over the course of many years and many mods, of course).

  15. SprintJack says:

    Just go link to
    and set time to 2h:18m
    Looks awesome

    • _Jackalope_ says:

      Ah thanks, that’s much better! My characters always end up being Nords so the setting looks fitting.

  16. Blackseraph says:

    I hope you are able to talk to those dragons and not just kill them.
    In fact I’d rather hope that you couldn’t kill them at all. I mean they are dragons after all?

    • Iokanaan says:

      apparently, there are dragons with whom the player can converse. Wikipedia redirects to this interview with Todd Howard (link to with a beautiful musical intro (with the theme of Oblivion recurring – no wait, it actually looks like the PotC theme, darnit!).
      directly from Wikipedia:
      “The legendary dragons have a particular influence on gameplay and story, and are a challenging opponent for the player. Different races of dragons are encountered throughout Skyrim, either alone or in small groups. They can speak directly to the player character in the world’s native language of Draconic. Dragons can attack cities and towns at random, “merrily [ravaging] towns without warning”; often, dragons nose-dive to the ground, march through city streets and breathe fire, which engulfs and causes significant damage to city structures. Not every dragon will be hostile, and some can be communicated with.”

  17. Drake Sigar says:

    Skyrim’s about 2 hours 18 mins in.

    I want that Cookiemonster game. It must be good if Tim Schafer’s making it.

  18. Freud says:

    So are all the infinite dragons played by the same voice actor?

    • Iokanaan says:

      Sean Connery, myes.

    • Pointless Puppies says:

      That’d be quite amusing.

      *In elaborate, highly echoed, booming god voice*

      *click rumors*

      *generic male voice*
      “there’s been a terrible incident in the chapel of Anvil! OMG!”

    • Teddy Leach says:

      I absolutely loved that film and I’ve no idea why.

  19. Iokanaan says:

    the flying animation still looks a bit weird, though. at least the design is good and convincing, too often dragons look like dumb agressive beasts.
    I can’t wait to wander through pine forests and suddenly hearing the low beating of a dragon approaching and seeing its shadow pass over you. epic!

  20. paterah says:

    Just a quick link I found on tweets:
    not too long though
    Not too good with codes so not sure if I made the link correct.

  21. Tehewok says:

    Oh Darn. I went to get a cup of tea and missed the Skyrim clip. This means now I have to rewind and all you lot saw it before me. How can I live this down..

  22. Teddy Leach says:

    Yes. It looked AMAZING. The animations were good. The dragons left trails in the ground when they went down. Desperate. Your turn.

  23. Khemm says:

    Looks the same as Oblivion. Or Fallcrap 3. Identical gameplay, only the graphics and animations are more shiny – and they focus on it in this presentation, instead of actual role-playing, knowing they have nothing to show there.
    Like all Bethesda games – nice tech demo, shiny graphics, large world to grind in, no actual content, laughable writing, no choices to make. Your average FPS loving dude will enjoy it, MMO fans will enjoy it since it’s more of the same, people who actually play some decent RPGs will yawn trying to actually find something to do in this game other than killing stuff and exploring every corner hoping to find something interesting other than rocks or plants. 300 hours of gameplay? LOL, sure. I can do nothing in World of Warcraft for 300 hours, too.
    You know this game will be like this, don’t deny it. I’ve installed hundreds of mods for Oblivion and still always fall asleep after a few hours of wandering pointlessly around.
    But hey, it’ll win RPG OF TEH YEAR awards anyway. Bioware’s and Bethesda’s games always do, regardless of quality.

    • Iokanaan says:

      I guess this is a lot of people hoping things change.
      though Fallout 3 (FallOUT! you got it wrong there) really was one of the best games I’ve played. ever. it had a lot to do with the ambience (e.g. listening to The Inkspots while sneaking up on some raiders. must’ve been in-ear plugs, come to think of it).
      but Oblvion was indeed boring: it shone and was colourful like a girl’s barbie collection, the story was trite, the environments unconvincing and the people.. God, the ‘people’!

    • gorgol says:

      Oblivion was crap but Morrowind was great. The reason people are excited over this is because it promises to be more like Morrowind. So until you play Morrowind your arguments are invalid.

    • Khemm says:

      @gorgol – actully, I DID play Morrowind. And Arena. And Daggerfall. Morrowind was a dumbed down Daggerfall, Oblivion was a dumbed down Morrowind.
      Daggerfall is the best TES game to date, though still nowhere near my favourite RPGs.
      Fallcrap 3 isn’t worthy of having anything in common with one of the best RPGs of all time, even the title.

    • Davie says:

      Bethesda games have always put the setting before the story–I’m not sure why you expected something different. They’re intended to allow the player to feel like they’re actually living in a world, and while they do have their faults, they do a far better job of this than many RPGs, which have a great story, but make the player feel like they’re just reading through someone else’s lines. Commander Shepard never felt like “my” character, but my Dunmer woodsman in Oblivion certainly did.

      Somewhere along the line, the term RPG came to mean stat blocks and dialogue wheels instead of actually playing a role. This is strange to me. A good Dungeons and Dragons session isn’t the players constantly checking their character sheets, it’s exploring and talking and doing whatever the hell you want, maybe with a good fight or two thrown in. The Elder Scrolls and Fallout 3 both do an excellent job of portraying that experience, and if that’s not your cup of tea, so be it, but they excel at what they do.

      Honestly, you sound a bit blinded by nostalgia.

    • gorgol says:

      Khemm, hmm, fair enough, but at least it looks like this will be less dumbed down than Oblivion. The fighting and exploration elements, coupled with the graphics and animation make it interesting enough to be worth a try. It also looks like it has good character development. Further, if I’m not mistaken they are using new technology designed to make characters and quests interesting and dynamic.

      I’m no fan boy, and I also disliked Oblivion and Fallout 3, but this game has me interested and excited. Which is very unusual in me for a big name title these days.

      EDIT: also what Davie said. Very well put.

    • gwathdring says:

      Thank you Davie. I am also uncertain as to why RPG’s that focus on statistics are seen as a more defining part of the genre than games that really capture a role.

  24. gwathdring says:

    That was awesome ….

    It was sort of disappointing when I looked at one of the other games I’m looking forward to, Arkham City–the animations for Catwoman felt so empty and hollow and tacked on. But this looks incredible; it of seems like what Oblivion was advertised as. Battlefield 3 is also looking better and better to me. It has it’s own visual edge whereas Call of Duty seems to be going for raw graphical power … of course, that could be mostly the trailers being well edited for one and poorly edited for the other. Overall, games seem to be going more for the design than the raw power at this E3, which excites me. Maybe the age of endless upgrades will finally end.


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Ledge Hill Wingtip

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Rated 5 out of 5 by from My goodness - these are comfortable This is the third pair of Ledge Hill shoes that I've bought in the last 6 months and I wear each regularly. I have two pair of wingtips that I rotate for work and one saddle that draws admiring comments, trust me. This latest pair is the tan wingtips. The leather on my pair is a little less "pebbled" than the photo but that's a very minor quibble. They are extremely light, flexible, and simply comfortable from the first wear. After a half-dozen wears, the leather uppers become even more flexible. I have no criticism whatsoever except that they are becoming hard to find. That's why I bought three different pairs - I'm worried that I won't be able to replace them in the future.
Date published: 2014-09-30
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Typical Rockport Purchase For Me Rockports are the most comfortable shoes I own. I choose a style I like of course, starting with the category such as casual or dress, and then pick the style itself. But I wouldn't even consider keeping them if they weren't comfortable. I've bought 5-6 pairs online within the last several months, and they're all perfect. They're light, comfortable and look great. I already have a few other pairs I'd bought in a Rockport store, and in a department store. I obviously keep coming back for more, and recommend them all the time. They are just great shoes all around, and last me literally years.
Date published: 2014-10-11
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Excellent shoe, go casual or formal This is a great shoe. Extremely comfortable and lightweight. I have worn it with jeans, khakis , and when in a suit and tie. Many compliments on the look from others. I have always worn this brand for its look and comfort, and this shoe meets all the criteria.
Date published: 2013-05-23
Rated 5 out of 5 by from 3rd time's a charm this is my 3rd pair of rockports. i looked high and low for a great looking pair of wingtips. i'm retired and my wardrobe consists of 21 pairs of jeans and about 50 or so casual shirts. i wanted a pair of wingtips that looked good with my wardrobe. everything i saw was either too dressy or too far out looking for me. these were PERFECT. they look good and they fit good. just like my other 2 pairs. i don't really care for much of what rockport shows but sometimes they come out with a winner. these are winners. (if you shop around you can find them for alot less than $135)
Date published: 2013-03-20
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Perfect casual work shoe I love this shoe. Very comfortable and stylish casual work shoe. I can wear them in nice khakis or jeans. The heel inners are comfy and the soles are cushy. This is my fourth pair of Rockports. I'm currently trying to come up with a reason to buy another pair...a reason that I can "sell" to the wife, that is!
Date published: 2012-12-21
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Very Comfortable and Versatile!!! I was looking for a comfortable casual shoe I could wear daily at work. These are by far the most comfortable business casual shoes I have. Many compliments when I wear them and they pair up with jeans very nicely.
Date published: 2015-01-05
Rated 5 out of 5 by from 1st pair - will buy more Thought about buying Rockport for a while, but never managed to see a pair in my size that I 'wanted'. Was out shopping for a pair of formal/casual brogues (boot or shoe) with a maximum price of $400.  Could not find anything that 'took my fancy'. I had just about given up when my wife spotted these. Tried them on and wow! Comfortable, smart enough for semi formal. Comfortable enough for everyday wear. I walk a lot and like to carry as few pairs of shoes when travelling - these will be ideal. Fit is true to size and I got the wide fit.
Date published: 2013-11-03
Rated 5 out of 5 by from They ain't sexy, but... The rare case when comfort truly trumps style; not that they're unattractive, but there is an "old man" aspect according to my girlfriend (which I get). However, they are, far and away, the most comfortable dress shoes I've worn, which is why I wear them to the office every day. I have very wide feet and walk a lot for my commute and while I'm at work, so having an extra wide option was a huge factor in my decision to purchase these. The only major con is that the color scuffs off immediately, and I mean immediately. After the first day of wearing them, it looked like I'd taken a highlighter marker to the toes and heels. The good news is that they look even better after a proper shoe shining than out of the box, so my hope is that they'll continue to age gracefully.
Date published: 2014-09-09
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Presia Tied Mary Jane

Item # K72313 Rockport

Select Size

Select Width
Presia Tied Mary Jane - Women's Heels Presia Tied Mary Jane - Women's Heels Presia Tied Mary Jane - Women's Heels Presia Tied Mary Jane - Women's Heels
360 view

Highly shock-absorbent cushioning protects the heel at impact

Resilient forefoot cushioning provides a responsive, dynamic push-off

Add a little flair to your fall wardrobe with the new Presia Collection. Dramatic black suedes and on-trend exotic prints on a 100mm heel will surely turn heads, while a rubber sole, breathable polyurethane cushioning, and adiPRENE and adiPRENE+ by adidas sport technologies support a superbly comfortable stride wherever life takes you.

Highly shock-absorbent cushioning protects the heel at impact

Resilient forefoot cushioning provides a responsive, dynamic push-off

Presia Tied Mary Jane is rated 3.7333 out of 5 by 15.
Rated 3 out of 5 by from Gorgeous but not super comfy I got the leopard version of these shoes and they are incredibly gorgeous but unfortunately not super comfy. I know they are a heel and that is usually the price one has to pay, but I was hoping that for the rather expensive price tag and the Rockport name and 'philosophy' there would be a higher comfort level. So to just walk around for a small amount of time they are fine but to truly wear, not so much...I am still happy but a bit disappointed, I really wanted to be able to wear these shoes a bit more.
Date published: 2012-12-14
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Beautiful print and SO comfortable! STYLE: I bought this shoe in the exotic blue color to wear with a navy dress. It is such a different print that no one would have the same shoe as you and truly is beautiful. Perfect to go with my navy dress but could absolutely be worn with jeans to dress up a look. Love! COMFORT: I love Rockport shoes for their comfort level, but the added strap in this mary jane style brings this shoe to the next level. I sometimes have discomfort wearing heels because my foot is lifting out of the shoe (even happens with some other Rockport styles!) but this little strap keeps your foot in place. I would absolutely recommend if you are looking for a beautiful yet insanely comfortable shoe! i want every color!
Date published: 2012-12-10
Rated 3 out of 5 by from Cute & comfy heels - but snug These heels look great and are generally comfortable (as comfortable as a 4" heel can be, anyway). However, they are not as wide as I'd hoped. I have a wide foot and ordered the wide width, but it is still quite tight and I have only been able to wear them 4 hours at a time. Have tried stretching them and am hoping the break in a bit more so I can make it through a work day. Other than width, great shoe!
Date published: 2013-02-14
Rated 3 out of 5 by from Gorgeous but too big! I was so excited to get these shoes, I love a high-heeled Mary Jane shoe because you can actually walk without them feeling like they will come off when you walk like traditional pumps. I wear an 8, but these were really big and my heels didn't touch the back. So, I bought heel pads and also got Dr. Scholls high heel inserts, thinking those would make them a little tighter. No luck. I wore them and worried I my feet would come out as my heels slipped up and down. I wore them once, so can't return them. An expensive mistake.
Date published: 2013-04-07
Rated 4 out of 5 by from gorgeous and comfortable! love them! got them in the beet snake color - they look fabulous and are pretty comfortable for a 4-inch heel. not as comfortable as the seven-to-7 pumps, but still pretty good. they do run a touch small, so don't size down (as is recommended for some other rockport pumps).
Date published: 2014-01-04
Rated 2 out of 5 by from Pretty but Uncomfortable I love Rockport shoes and was very disappointed in this one. The upper is so hard that it is very uncomfortable to wear. Also, I am not a fan of the cracks between my toes showing. They do on these shoes. I am returning them.
Date published: 2013-01-03
Rated 2 out of 5 by from Attractive shoe but.... I purchased these in the purple snake color and the color was not consistently dyed onto the skin. They appeared to have been previously worn (not on the soles but on the sides of the toe box, as if they had been scuffed); each shoe had these issues and thus I will be returning them. I wish I could keep them as they are a very attractive shoe overall. Not the quality I expect from Rockport.
Date published: 2014-10-02
Rated 5 out of 5 by from sexy and comfy! I got these in the blue exotic and absolutely love them! Rockport does a great job in combining great colors and patterns with comfort! I usually wear a 9 1/2 to a 10 just depending on the toe of the shoe so a 9 1/2 worked with these. I have a slight arch and it doesn't quit lay snug but with minimal standing and walking in these, my feet have not hurt yet!
Date published: 2013-01-10
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text:
Rock's Backpages Library Rock's Backpages
Rock's Backpages

It's a bit early for New Year predictions, but here's one: Al Jarreau

Vivien Goldman, Sounds, 13 December 1975

TO EVERYONE who's raved over Al Jarreau's Warner Bros album, We Got By, the identity of the man has remained an enigma that demanded solution. With the punctilious assistance of Dave at Warners over here, Al was finally tracked to his lair, an apartment somewhere in the heart of L.A.

Total word count of piece: 900


text:
Rockstar Game Tips: Max Payne 3 Arcade Modes

Posted on July 11 2012, 12:03pm | Author: R* K | Filed Under: Games

Our latest edition of Rockstar Game Tips, inside pro tips straight from Rockstar developers, takes an in-depth look at Max Payne 3’s Arcade Modes - intense shootout challenges designed to test both your accuracy and your grasp of Max’s signature abilities, Bullet Time® and Shootdodge™. There are two Arcade modes to master: Score Attack, which unlocks as you complete chapters in Story mode; and New York Minute, which is available upon full completion of the Story and also comes in Hardcore flavor.

When you complete a stage, you’re awarded a Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum rank depending on your performance - and your score will determine your place on the Global leaderboard. In-game, you can also view a Leaderboard of players in either your Friends List or your Crew. Reaching certain milestones in these modes will unlock character avatars for Multiplayer Deathmatch like Fabiana Branco, Passos and more.

Score Attack Breakdown

In Score Attack, players blast through the full Story campaign, chapter by chapter, earning points for their precision and their panache. Each time you take down an enemy, you receive points based on the nature of the kill. Points are broken down as follows:
Headshot: 100
Bodyshot: 10
Kill: 50
Explosion Kill: 200
Melee: 100
Vehicle Destruction: 250

To rack up a truly impressive score though, you need to take advantage of Hit Streak Multipliers and Action Multipliers. A Hit Streak is an unbroken succession of bullets successfully hitting enemies. If you miss, the Hit Streak ends and the multiplier is reset.  Points earned are multiplied by whatever your current Hit Streak Multiplier is at that moment, in addition to any Action Multipliers that are in effect.

Kill Streak Multiplier Bonuses
3 Hit Streak: X2
6 Hit Streak: X3
12 Hit Streak: X5
24 Hit Streak: X10
Action Multiplier Bonuses
Shootdodge: X2
Prone: X3
Bullet Time: X2
Max Payne Moment: X2
Last Man Standing: 1-6

For example, If you’re currently sitting on a 6 Hit Streak (X3) and you score a Headshot (100 points) while prone (X3) and with Bullet Time active (X2), that adds up to a X8 multiplier and you’ll get 800 points in total for that kill: 100 X (3 + 3 + 2) = 800

You’ll also want to avoid certain actions that will deduct points from your total as follows:

Points Deductions
Getting shot: -5
Take Painkiller: -50
Enter Last Man Standing: - 200
Kill Innocent Bystander: -150
Pro Tips
•    Build up your Hit Streak multiplier and maintain it for as long as possible – if you’re using an automatic weapon, then consider firing in short bursts for the sake of accuracy.
•    Combine your multipliers. There are game states that will always reward the player, like being in Shootdodge or using Bullet Time, and these can be combined with Hit Streak multipliers. If you are strategic about how you use these, then you can score highly. For instance, if you have an enemy to kill, you could first Shootdodge onto the ground, then trigger Bullet Time, and THEN shoot the enemy.  This would give a x3 multiplier for being prone plus an additional x2 for being in Bullet Time, multiplying any points scored by 5.
•    Don’t always aim for headshots first as each shot racks up points. Shooting enemies repeatedly in the body before finishing them with a headshot is often the best approach, as each shot will score points and add to your Hit Streak multiplier (provided you don’t miss of course).
•    Monitor your health and take Painkillers rather than go into Last Man Standing, as this will only take away 50 points, as opposed to 200.
•    Pay attention to your environment, particularly any items or vehicles to use for those lucrative Explosion Kill and Vehicle Destruction scores.
•    Whenever Bullet Cam is activated, don’t forget that you can keep firing bullets into your enemy, picking up points for each one that finds its mark. It’s a good idea to have an automatic weapon and a full clip when you’re approaching the last enemy in the area.
New York Minute Scoring
New York Minute is the classic speed-run mode from the original Max Payne and it's unlocked in Max Payne 3 upon completion of the single-player story. At the start of each chapter, you have a minute on the clock and the goal is to finish the chapter with as much remaining time as possible, adding precious seconds by dispatching enemies as follows:

Kill: +5 seconds
Headshot kill: +6 seconds

Expert Tips
•    Unlike in Score Attack, you’ll want to aim straight for the head as this will take the enemy out of the equation quickly and add an extra precious second.
•    Memorize each stage, paying close attention to where enemies appear and in what numbers. Knowing where your enemies are going to be will help you ensure you’re in the right position to pick them off quickly.

Anything else related to Max Payne 3's Arcade Modes that you'd like some inside tips with? Any other aspects of Max or any other previously released Rockstar title that you'd like our developers to help you master? Just give a shout in comments or to and we'll have a look for future editions of Rockstar Game Tips.

Previous Max Payne 3 Game Tips:

  • CriTic25on September 10 2013, 3:56pmReplyFlag
    There are fake scores in Score Attack, Scores like 999999999 which are impossible to get, it's not fair when you try as much as you can to get high score on leaderboard but there are fake scores... Please do something about it
    • Jarsstonon September 2 2013, 11:55amReplyFlag
      R* please, do something with New York Minute Hardcore. Put one checkpoint after chapter 7, this should be fair. Not everyone have 4-5 hours to play this mode, and when die to repeat this from chapter I. It is very frustrating when you die and play again from beggining. I very like this game, but trophy "The shadows rushed me" is like "no live achievement/trophy".
      • Meyus-007on July 25 2013, 6:39amReplyFlag
        Damn, man. New York Minute Hardcore is really pain in the ass... Any other tips?
      • Christian21Jon June 2 2013, 12:13pmReplyFlag
        so,are you going to add 1 single checkpoint?
        • Luis_Sartaon January 7 2013, 8:28amReplyFlag
          Ok, one more time, after 6 months.

          Can you put a checkpoint after the chapter 7, in the New York Minute, Hardcore. Many people don't have 3 or 4 hours to spend for try beat this mode.
          BTW Max Payne 3 it's the best action game I've played!
          • Legacy_Tomon January 16 2013, 4:29pmReplyFlag
            @Luis_Sarta If you don't have that time to play, then you don't deserve to unlock the achievement. Those are the requirements, deal with it. If you can't get it, find time or get more skilled at the game.

            I agree though, what a fantastic game. This achievement was a highlight for me. Really separates the dedicated and skilled players from the rest. Thanks so much for it Rockstar, I really appreciate it.
          • Luis_Sartaon January 23 2013, 8:37amReplyFlag
            @Legacy_Tom Tom, I have 45 years old. I have anothers obligations im my life, but I played whenever some time.
          • Luis_Sartaon February 3 2013, 11:52amReplyFlag
            @Luis_Sarta Come on Rockstar! Another freeze in my run at NYMHC. I'm in the chapter 7 and the game freeze, I have to restart my PS3 agaaaaain... and I'm piss** with this. If we have one save point, this situation was not so frustrating. Please Rockstar consider this.
            Best Regards!
          • thethumb1on February 9 2013, 11:25pmReplyFlag
            @Luis_Sarta i agree, i stopped playing because of my gun wouldn't shoot or i'm stuck in the wall. trying it again to see other glitches now, glad others got the trophy, but wasting 3 hrs. to glitched out again is crazy. 1 mid game save would only be fair, and then we can go on with dlc more, but won't give another dime until rockstar fixes or give a save. i'm sure tom will run his mouth about being good enough or something....
          • talltanon June 23 2013, 2:33amReplyFlag
            @Luis_Sarta I've unlocked and beat NYMHC. Look if you're having a hard time, mesmerize painkiller locations and always use bullet time! Try out that checkpoint and also know where the enemies come from, they have set spawns! I saved up my painkillers and bullet time for intense moments on the last few chapters. Just get to know the A.I. spawns and painkiller locations and you'll get it! Good luck.
        • Celidor_Aramuson December 31 2012, 2:58pmReplyFlag
          I'm amazed to hear people saying they would rather not have bought a game if they had known that getting all of the "achievements" would be extremely challenging. How are the achievements more important than the gameplay? By saying you'd rather not buy a game for this reason implys that the game wouldn't be worth playing if it didn't even have any achievements. Which is ridiculous. I bet these people would have bought the game and had little complaints if it simpy had no achievements to complain about in the first place. It's ludicrous.
          • ElixirHuskyon November 25 2012, 4:36pmReplyFlag
            You know, this (NYM hardcore) is really a crazy requirement for a trophy. It's spoilt getting the platinum for a lot of people. I wouldn't have even bother spending time getting the other trophies if I'd know what this one involved. Not everyone has four+ hours straight spare to play a game and of course not everyone has that skill. Trophies should be for hard work and skills but not complete transcendence. This together with GTA4's AWP trophy are really Rockstar Games' lowest points. Are you trying to make the game elitist because if that's the case I'll skip buying them from now on? There was a similar trophy in Dead Space 2 which was totally unrealistic for most people.
            • Legacy_Tomon December 2 2012, 8:59pmReplyFlag
              @ElixirHusky Stop crying, if you don't have enough skill or time to get it, you don't deserve to have it. Getting all the achievements is NOT an entitlement. If you can't get one, tough luck. Get better or don't get it. Not buying a game over it is pathetic.
            • ElixirHuskyon December 3 2012, 10:25amReplyFlag
              @Legacy_Tom Obvious troll.
            • NIxSO2415on December 28 2012, 9:23pmReplyFlag
              @Legacy_Tom Great post. I agree completely.
          • thethumb1on October 27 2012, 12:41amReplyFlag
            once again, chapter 13 and the damn gun won't shoot, built up 12 minutes, going to take my time and glitch, twice in the game i was stuck behind things and can't get out, i did tap X twice and the last time it release me, the other time, had to go into last man standing to get shoot and it put me on my back. please fix this, none of these things happen until the last update. i'm about to say hell with ROCKSTAR, no saves and glitches, i don't have 4hrs everyday to waste, much less my sanity for a trophy......
            • Legacy_Tomon December 2 2012, 8:57pmReplyFlag
              @thethumb1 No one cares, stop making excuses because you're not good enough to get it.
            • thethumb1on December 9 2012, 9:04pmReplyFlag
              @Legacy_Tom glitches are not poor playing, when i'm stuck to a wall and being killed, that's not poor playing, when your gun want shoot, that's not poor playing, your a idiot
            • chrisli128on January 12 2013, 5:42pmReplyFlag
              @thethumb1 Hope you can done this in one day :D

              Today I finished again(2nd successful run) and took me near 84 mins to complete it(Around 3-4 hours real time)
              But I also get stuck sometimes,especially Chapter 13...Have to use bullet time+roll to get out of cover,nearly die,quickly take pain killer to survive...

              Gladly,today I haven't see any lag issue of my run lol and build up near 60 mins after shoot the Victor Plane...
            • thethumb1on February 10 2013, 11:45pmReplyFlag
              @chrisli128 read and saw your time, man you wore it out, bravo, wish you were my neighbor, love to have seen you beat this that fast....
            • chrisli128on February 11 2013, 10:20amReplyFlag
              @thethumb1 Thanks man.New York Minute Hardcore recently become one of my favourite mode(although I haven't play the game as much as before),successful finished 4 times out of 9(44%)...And my fastest time is 78 mins right now.

              I agree,NYM:HC is hard due doing everything in a single setting,is quite crazy.In later chapter that will have some unexpected glitch like lag,cut-scene not loaded,get stuck(fixed) and many other glitch in NYM:HC.

              I really have to say,Chapter 7 is one of the most glitch chapter I have ever seen...The lag issue is bad enough in this chapter.After enter the warehouse in the middle of the game,you pulled up to the top level and enter the small house,shoot out the enemy which come from other side and went out of cover.The window have some "magic",fixed itself and then the game become lag,very lag...(2 times in a row in my recent walkthrough!)

              Other Chapter don't have big issue,but in past,I have some problem when crossing the canal of Chapter 11,the camera view.When I want to shoot the right hand side of the enemy,so I switch my camera,but the dead body make me can't aim of them(blocked),so I have to use the gun like blind fire,but at least I still can shoot all enemies at last.(Recently I don't have to deal with this problem)

              And we get stuck in past,mostly in Chapter 13,near becker office,is quite annoying of get stuck and there have a little lag problem but not worse than Chapter 7.

              If you have any other problem when trying to complete New York Minute Hardcore,feel free to ask me:)
            • thethumb1on March 12 2013, 7:49pmReplyFlag
              @chrisli128 saw you play last chapter last night on youtube, WOW, you almost meleed everyone, it was amazing, still making stupid mistakes, i'm really burned out on this game, won't give up, the time to do this and the burn out is working against me, but of everyone i've seen play this, bro. your the best by far....BRAVO GAMER
            • chrisli128on March 13 2013, 1:01amReplyFlag
              @thethumb1 Thanks bro,that mean a lot for me!

              Agree,I really have some "stupid" mistakes in that video like can't spot the enemy at the middle.But a prefect video is not easy to make,there always have something that you unexpected will happen during you play.

              The great story and New York Minute(hardcore) are the reason for me keep playing this game,without these two,I think I already give up this game.(I start play this game from June of last year)

              I still playing the hardcore story walkthrough(Chapter 11 now) and I am trying to play my 12th time of New York Minute Hardcore this week, also make some suggestion of Arcade Mode(Leaderboard,summary screen,earn xp in NYM:HC,etc...)
            • thethumb1on March 17 2013, 6:51pmReplyFlag
              @chrisli128 yea chapter 7 got me right after the little bar fight, you go outside and the lag started and no-one to kill, wouldn't let me go in the warehouse. this is getting old, will get my last trophy and i'm going to bury this ---, where do you live, i'm from tennessee, usa
            • chrisli128on March 18 2013, 10:45pmReplyFlag
              @thethumb1 I watch some video in youtube and find the same problem like this,the door wouldn't open...

              Me?Another side of Pacific Ocean...Hong Kong.

              My last achievement/trophy in single player is Payne in the ass(hardcore story) and I am working on it,another hard achievement!
            • Tactical_Ninjaon July 28 2013, 2:16amReplyFlag
              @Legacy_Tom Lol first world entitlement.
          • thethumb1on October 25 2012, 3:37pmReplyFlag
            october 23,2012, since r latest update 1.06, thanks for giving us back explosion bonuses, but now i'm getting stuck behind things and can't move or shoot, another glitch were it's about time to give us a save or everyone should toss this crap away, got ever trophy except nym hardcore, can't get it because of glitches, i'll even give you $1.99 for a save because i don't have 4hrs. every day to waste any longer. please respond,,THANKS
          • thethumb1on October 7 2012, 2:36amReplyFlag
            another reason for saves, got to chapter 7 and half way through it there was no one to kill, and door won't open, and my time just ticked away. if you guys care about gamers, rockstar game fans, give us saves and lets have fun again, love a challenge but glitches, are killing this when you have to start all over again.
            • thethumb1on October 5 2012, 1:51amReplyFlag
              nym hardcore, come on guys, as a player who platinum all my games, this is to much and i don't want to look at trophies to see if i should buy a game, please add a save at least in this game, THANKS
              • Campion1on October 3 2012, 4:47amReplyFlag
                Rockstar, please fix the arcade leaderboards on the xbox. None of my scores are updating, whether I complete a stage, or beat my old score.
                • Legacy_Tomon August 26 2012, 4:51pmReplyFlag
                  I just beat New York Minute Hardcore and got a completion time of 96 minutes, I was just wondering if there is a separate leaderboard for overall NYM:H overall times to see how I compare to the other people who have done it?
                • n1nja74on August 17 2012, 11:59amReplyFlag
                  Best shooter for a long time. usually prefer ego shooter but the game is incredible just New York Minute Hardcore is far too heavy. I also want my platinum and with increasing age after the reflexes have. Please fixes the problem and adds a memory points.
                  Greetings and many thanks for the amazing multiplayer
                  • Luis_Sartaon August 16 2012, 8:43amReplyFlag
                    Hi Rockstar!
                    Hello from Portugal, I am 45 years old, and a big fan of electronic games.
                    This year, Rockstar featuring one of the best stories/games I've ever played, along with some of the most detailed environments and amazing shooting mechanics, Max Payne 3.
                    But... beat the New York Minute Hardcore in one sitting is insane.
                    I have lost accounts to unsuccessful attempts to beat NWM HD.
                    I speak for myself, I don't have the skills when i was 20 years old (joke!), but I want the platinum in this great game.
                    Why you don't launch a patch to make possible the gamers make one save point?

                    Best Regards!

                    Luis Certã - LuisSarta
                    • LudensByteon July 28 2012, 7:54amReplyFlag

                      Great tips ,why did i not think of that myself.

                      Seriously, this is the first game i have in years where i know for sure most people won't get platinum.

                      I have all the multiplayer trophees, but i know i won't be able to beat the singleplayer.

                      It is way too hard, you have to play the whole game without dying and in a very short period of time.

                      It would take all of my free time for the next year and even then.

                      It is a nice game but this is insane.

                      I am thinking of quiting it and wait for patches that will make it less difficult.

                      By the way i have got a tip for you R* to make it even harder, if you get hit by one bullet you're dead!
                      • BIGTIME213on July 25 2012, 4:11pmReplyFlag
                        hey rockstar will there be a zombie mode to the max payne3.zombies worked out really great in red dead redemption loved the story in zombie.
                        • R* Yon July 26 2012, 8:32pmReplyFlag
                          @BIGTIME213 Glad to hear you enjoyed Undead Nightmare, and thanks for the suggestion!
                      • dedsetmadon July 21 2012, 1:43pmReplyFlag
                        Excellent rules...and I normally aren't big on rules.
                        • Vladislav.K.on July 21 2012, 11:33amReplyFlag
                        • NUBDGEon July 19 2012, 5:08pmReplyFlag
                          • R* Yon July 20 2012, 12:25pmReplyFlag
                            @NUBDGE Please contact so they can look into the matter, be sure to include as much detailed information as possible as this helps when we prepare fixes for our games
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Suzuki Suspension

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U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan, D-N.C.

U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan, D-N.C.

Hagan agrees to three U.S. Senate debates

The Associated Press

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GREENSBORO — U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan has agreed to participate in three debates — fewer than the minimum of 10 that Republican challenger Thom Tillis wanted for their fall campaign.

Hagan’s campaign said she accepted Wednesday an invitation from the League of Women Voters and WECT-TV for a debate in Wilmington. The campaign says she already agreed to two debates by the North Carolina Association of Broadcasters Educational Foundation.

Tillis had already accepted invitations by the League and broadcasters’ foundation. Hagan’s debate adviser wrote Tillis saying three debates were held in the 2010 Senate race.

Tillis campaign manager Jordan Shaw says it’s “totally unacceptable” Hagan wants just three debates, saying it’s limiting opportunities for the public to hear them. Shaw says Hagan should compromise and agree to six.