Irene Update 4 PM Saturday; Bay Bridge Tunnel Closed:

Irene Update 4 PM Saturday; Bay Bridge Tunnel Closed:
Bay Bridge Details:
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge (commonly known as the Bay Bridge) is a major dual-span bridge in the U.S. state of Maryland. Spanning the Chesapeake Bay, it connects the state's rural Eastern Shore region with the more urban Western Shore. The original span opened in 1952 and, at the time, with a length of 4.3 miles (6.9 km), it was the world's longest continuous over-water steel structure. The parallel span was added in 1973. The bridge is officially named the William Preston Lane, Jr. Memorial Bridge after William Preston Lane, Jr. who, as governor of Maryland, initiated its construction.The bridge is part of U.S. Routes 50 and 301, and serves as a vital link in both routes. As part of U.S. Route 50, it connects the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area with tourist destinations such as Ocean City, Maryland, Delaware's ocean resorts, Assateague Island, and Chincoteague, Virginia. As part of U.S. Route 301, it serves as part of an alternate route for Interstate 95 travelers between northern Delaware and the Washington, D.C. area. Because of this linkage, the bridge is heavily traveled and has become known as a point of traffic congestion, particularly during peak hours and summer months.
Update 4 PM Saturday Bridge Tunnel Closed:
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel connecting the southern tip of the Delmarva to mainland Virginia has been closed to all traffic until further notice as Hurricane Irene moved toward the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay late Saturday afternoon.President Obama has signed and Emergency Declaration for Maryland that allows the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate disaster relief with state and local officials.According to a release from the state Emergency Management Agency, the declaration allows FEMA to “save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the counties of Baltimore, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, Worcester, and Baltimore City.”Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency.  Emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent federal funding.
To day news The Bay Bridge travel restricted as winds increase:
BALTIMORE — A rescue crew from Coast Guard Station Annapolis, Md., assisted three people north of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge after their 23-foot boat began taking on water Saturday afternoon. The boater contacted Coast Guard Sector Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel is closed. by mema_admin August 27, 2011. Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel is closed until further notice authority of Virginia OEM. Tags: hurricane, virgina, roads · Hurricane · Comments (0). Contact the Office Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel is closed. by mema_admin August 27, 2011. Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel is closed until further notice authority of Virginia OEM. Tags: hurricane, virgina, roads · Hurricane · Comments (0). Contact the Office SANDY POINT The Chesapeake Bay Bridge and other Maryland Transportation Authority facilities remain open for traffic after a 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck Virginia and was felt up and down the Chesapeake Bay. "Operations staff have accessed all SANDY POINT The Chesapeake Bay Bridge and other Maryland Transportation Authority facilities remain open for traffic after a 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck Virginia and was felt up and down the Chesapeake Bay. "Operations staff have accessed all.”
 

Chesapeake Bay Bridge

Chesapeake Bay Bridge:
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge (commonly known as the Bay Bridge) is a major dual-span bridge in the U.S. state of Maryland. Spanning the Chesapeake Bay, it connects the state's rural Eastern Shore region with the more urban Western Shore. The original span opened in 1952 and, at the time, with a length of 4.3 miles (6.9 km), it was the world's longest continuous over-water steel structure. The parallel span was added in 1973. The bridge is officially named the William Preston Lane, Jr. Memorial Bridge after William Preston Lane, Jr. who, as governor of Maryland, initiated its construction.The bridge is part of U.S. Routes 50 and 301, and serves as a vital link in both routes. As part of U.S. Route 50, it connects the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area with tourist destinations such as Ocean City, Maryland, Delaware's ocean resorts, Assateague Island, and Chincoteague, Virginia. As part of U.S. Route 301, it serves as part of an alternate route for Interstate 95 travelers between northern Delaware and the Washington, D.C. area. Because of this linkage, the bridge is heavily traveled and has become known as a point of traffic congestion, particularly during peak hours and summer months.
Chesapeake Bay Bridge Details:
Chesapeake Bay Bridge traffic can get heavy at times, especially during summer weekends as people travel Route 50 to and from the beaches.  Here is some traffic information to help with trip planning.  We've provided links to current traffic condition and traffic webcams, as well as some tips on the best time to travel Route 50 and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to miss traffic jams, including the summertime Ocean City beach traffic.
Current Traffic Conditions:
Chesapeake Bay Bridge current conditions, live audio online.  Nice little service from the Maryland Transportation Authority.  You can also get the same information by calling 1-877-BAYSPAN.
Live Chesapeake Bay Bridge Webcams.  Check on traffic conditions before you leave home with these live webcams.
Maryland Transportation Auothority Travel Advisories.  The official word on Bay Bridge lane closures, etc., updated weekly. 
Toll:
$2.50 for two axle vehicles + $2.50 per additional axle.  Toll booth is on the Western Shore side.
Length:
4.2 miles.
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge, which takes Route 50 across the Chesapeake Bay between the Kent Island and Annapolis areas, is officially named The William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial (Bay) Bridge - but most locals refer to it simply as the "Bay Bridge."  The Bridge is 4.2 miles long - one of the longest over water structures in the world.  The Bay Bridge is actually two side by side bridges with two lanes of traffic on each span.  The first bridge (eastbound span) opened in July of 1952 and the second bridge (westbound span) opened in June of 1973.  The Bay Bridge is named after William Preston Lane, Jr., who was the Governor of Maryland when construction of the first span began. 

Norfolk Va

Norfolk, Virginia:
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach.Norfolk is located at the core of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, named for the large natural harbor of the same name located at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay. It is one of nine cities and seven counties that constitute the Hampton Roads metro area, officially known as the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC MSA.
2 Rescued From Distressed DailBoat:
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - A man, woman and cat were rescued this morning from a sailboat at 9th View in the Willoughby area of Norfolk.The sailboat was about 400 feet off the beach, according to Coast Guard spokesman John Miller.Miller said they couldn't get a small boat or an aircraft to get near it so a line-throwing gun was used to attempt to pull the people to shore.Norfolk marine patrol and fire and rescue units responded to the scene.
Norfolk Fire-Rescue swimmers rescue two in Ocean View:
PORTSMOUTH, Va. -- Norfolk Fire-Rescue swimmers rescued two people and a cat Saturday when their 30-foot sailing vessel ran aground off Ocean View Beach in Norfolk, Va., during the onset of Hurricane Irene. Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads command center received the initial report from a good Samaritan at approximately 8 a.m. that a sailboat was dragging its anchor 400 feet from the beach. Personnel from Norfolk Fire-Rescue, Virginia Marine Resources Commission Police and the Norfolk Police Department responded to the scene.The sailboat was homeported in Portsmouth, Va., but left Friday for Annapolis, Md., to escape the oncoming storm. When severe weather overtook them, they attempted to deploy their anchor.
Heavy seas and winds prevented rescue personnel from reaching the sailboat. It was ultimately pushed closer to shore and over a jetty, whereupon its keel embedded in the sand.Norfolk Fire-Rescue then deployed two rescue swimmers to the vessel, who after securing two lines to it, assisted the people and the cat through waist- to chest-deep water onto shore.Our rescue swimmers helped the people off the sailboat," said Norfolk Fire-Rescue Capt. Mike Marsala, "but it was an excellent joint effort with Norfolk Police, Virginia Marine Resources Commission and the Coast Guard. This operation shows how well our agencies cooperate in emergencies.
VDOT closes 2 tunnels in Hampton Roads:
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) - The Virginia Department of Transportation has closed the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel and the Midtown Tunnel because of Hurricane Irene.VDOT closed the Midtown Tunnel, which connects Norfolk and Portsmouth, at 10 a.m. because of the threat of flooding. They shut down the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel an hour late as tropical storm conditions hit the area..Other bridges are expected to remain open for traffic, although travel will become increasingly more hazardous. VDOT is encouraging motorists to stay off the roads until the storm passes.Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Hurricane Hazards: Storm Surge

Hurricane Hazards: Storm Surge:
A storm surge is an offshore rise of water associated with a low pressure weather system, typically tropical cyclones and strong extratropical cyclones. Storm surges are caused primarily by high winds pushing on the ocean's surface. The wind causes the water to pile up higher than the ordinary sea level. Low pressure at the center of a weather system also has a small secondary effect.
Storm Surge:
The greatest potential for loss of life related to a hurricane is from the storm surge!
Storm surge is simply water that is pushed toward the shore by the force of the winds swirling around the storm. This advancing surge combines with the normal tides to create the hurricane storm tide, which can increase the mean water level to heights impacting roads, homes and other critical infrastructure. In addition, wind driven waves are superimposed on the storm tide. This rise in water level can cause severe flooding in coastal areas, particularly when the storm tide coincides with the normal high tides. Because much of the United States' densely populated Atlantic and Gulf Coast coastlines lie less than 10 feet above mean sea level, the danger from storm tides is tremendous.The storm surge combined with wave action can cause extensive damage, severely erode beaches and coastal highways. With major storm like Katrina, Camille, and Hugo, complete devastation of coastal communities occurred. Many buildings withstand hurricane force winds until their foundations, undermined by erosion, are weakened and fail.

Virginia coast could face historic storm surge

Virginia coast could face historic storm surge:
Storm Introduction:
A storm surge is an offshore rise of water associated with a low pressure weather system, typically tropical cyclones and strong extratropical cyclones. Storm surges are caused primarily by high winds pushing on the ocean's surface. The wind causes the water to pile up higher than the ordinary sea level. Low pressure at the center of a weather system also has a small secondary effect, as can the bathymetry of the body of water. It is this combined effect of low pressure and persistent wind over a shallow water body which is the most common cause of storm surge flooding problems. The term "storm surge" in casual (non-scientific) use is storm tide.Along the coast, storm surge is often the greatest threat to life and property from a hurricane. In the past, large death tolls have resulted from the rise of the ocean associated with many of the major hurricanes that have made landfall. Hurricane Katrina (2005) is a prime example of the damage and devastation that can be caused by surge. At least 1500 persons lost their lives during Katrina and many of those deaths occurred directly, or indirectly, as a result of storm surge.
Virginia coast:
Storm surge estimates are rising, which means worse flooding for parts of Norfolk and Portsmouth as Hurricane Irene bears down on Virginia, according to Gov. Bob McDonnell.We are still right in the line of fire,” McDonnell said in an interview with MSNBC. “We've got two or four hours now we're expecting the worst part of the storm, the highest winds.The storm surge estimates have gone up in the last hour to now 5 to 7 feet, which means that some of the areas of Norfolk and Portsmouth will actually have 9 feet above mean low water mark, so it's going to be significant flooding in those areas.“We're still expecting as much as 12 inches of rain and maybe as high as 15 in some areas.”McDonnell said Virginia is up to about 650,000 customers out of power “which means about 1.5 million people, so it's a significant event (and) we expect more of that.”Virginians “have largely heeded the mandatory evacuation orders that we gave earlier,” he said.And they're staying off the roads, which is just great.

Storm Surge

New York City storm surge:
In an unprecedented move, New York City is evacuating nearly 400,000 residents of low-lying sections of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. Just as unprecedented, the city's airports and subways are being shut down, and Con Ed is warning that if it has to cut electricity to Wall Street, it could take three days to restore it

Storm Details:
A storm surge is an offshore rise of water associated with a low pressure weather system, typically tropical cyclones and strong extratropical cyclones. Storm surges are caused primarily by high winds pushing on the ocean's surface. The wind causes the water to pile up higher than the ordinary sea level. Low pressure at the center of a weather system also has a small secondary effect, as can the bathymetry of the body of water. It is this combined effect of low pressure and persistent wind over a shallow water body which is the most common cause of storm surge flooding problems. The term "storm surge" in casual (non-scientific) use is storm tide; that is, it refers to the rise of water associated with the storm, plus tide, wave run-up, and freshwater flooding. When referencing storm surge height, it is important to clarify the usage, as well as the reference point. National Hurricane Center tropical cyclone reports reference storm surge as water height above predicted astronomical tide level, and storm tide as water height above NGVD-29. Most casualties during a tropical cyclone occur during the storm surge.
 

 How high will the flood waters go?
The National Hurricane Center warned that hurricane Irene was still expected to arrive in New York Sunday night at or near hurricane strength.The big concern: Storm surge.The Miami-based National Hurricane Center has forecast a storm surge of up to 8 feet for Long Island and metropolitan New York when Irene passes, Reuters reports.Storm surge is caused primarily by strong winds pushing on the surface of the water, creating a higher than normal tide. Other factors contributing to storm surge can be large amounts of rain, and in this case, a full moon on Sunday.Higher than normal astronomical tides are occurring this weekend," said Daniel Brown, a meteorologist for NOAA's National Hurricane Center. "Coastal and river flooding will be highest in areas where the peak surge occurs around the time of high tide."A storm surge model developed by MIT, shows that areas around Manhattan, including lower Manhattan, could show a surge of four feet on top of the high tide.Another model by The Stony Brook Storm Surge Research Group at the State University of New York, offers an interactive map that's updated every 12 hours. It indicates that the peak surge for The Battery is at 5:15 am Sunday. If you click on the buoys on the map around New York, you can see the surge charted in specific areas over the next 12 hours.The Stony Brook site advises that this is a research model still under development and shouldn't be use for evacuation decisions.But clearly NYC officials are taking the storm surge threat seriously.Consolidated Edison said it wouldn't shut down the city's electricity pre-emptively, but could cut power early Sunday in low-lying parts of Manhattan, including to 6,000 homes or businesses south of the Brooklyn Bridge. The area includes New York's Financial District, according to Reuters.Con Ed officials say it could take three days to restore power in lower Manhattan, if power is shut off, reports The New York Daily News.

Melissa Gilbert Divorce: 'Little House On The Prairie Star' Files For Divorce

Melissa Gilbert Divorce: 'Little House On The Prairie Star' Files For Divorce :
LOS ANGELES — Court records show Melissa Gilbert has filed for divorce after 16 years of marriage to fellow actor Bruce Boxleitner. The former "Little House on the Prairie" star cited irreconcilable differences in her divorce petition, which was filed Monday in Los Angeles.The filing states the couple separated in January, shortlyaftertheir16thweddinganniversary.Gilbert served two terms as president of the Screen Actor's Guild, and Boxleitner has appeared in numerous movies and television series, including "Babylon 5" and both "Tron" films.
The couple has a 15-year-old son together.
Gilbert, who played Laura Ingalls on "Little House," is seeking joint custody of their son and no spousal support from Boxleitner.

Sara Gilbert splits from girlfriend:

Sara Gilbert splits from girlfriend:
Sara Gilbert, the Emmy-nominated star of Roseanne and The Talk co-host, revealed to People magazine that she and her partner of a decade, Allison Adler, are splitting up. They have been together since 2001 and have two children together. It has been a bad week romance-wise for the the Gilbert family. Sara’s sister, Little House on the Prairie‘s Melissa Gilbert, filed for divorce from her husband, Bruce Boxleitner, on Thursday.
 The Talk's Sara Gilbert, Partner Break Up:
After 10 years together, Sara Gilbert and Allison Adler have ended their relationship, PEOPLE has learned exclusively.The Talk co-host and actress, 36, and Adler, 44, will share custody of their two children, son Levi, 6½, and daughter Sawyer, 4.Gilbert and Adler, a television producer and writer, began dating in 2001.A rep for Gilbert confirms the breakup. "It's completely amicable," the rep tells PEOPLE.

Daily Buzz: Kris Kardashian On “The Talk”, Melissa Gilbert Files for Divorce, Ricky Gervais Heading Back to Globes:

Daily Buzz: Kris Kardashian On “The Talk”, Melissa Gilbert Files for Divorce, Ricky Gervais Heading Back to Globes:
Apparently the Kardashian buzz isn’t going to die down anytime soon — mama Kardashian Kris confirmed today that she’ll be filling in for fellow reality TV mom Sharon Osbourne on CBS’ “The Talk” this Fall. Oh, and she’s going to guest host on “The Today Show” too! This on the heels of “The Talk” cutting Leah Remini and possibly Holly Robinson Peete from their round-table. What do you think? Will Kris Kardashian be an equitable swap for the funny Leah Remini and personable Holly Robinson Peete?“Little House on the Prairie” star Melissa Gilbert and long-time hubby Bruce Boxleitner are calling it quits. The couple — both iconic stars from 70s and 80s television — have been together for 16 years and have a 15-year old son. Gilbert filed the papers in Los Angeles citing “irreconcilable differences.” The news comes at the same time as Gilbert’s sister, “The Talk” co-host Sara Gilbert announced that she too was separating from her long-time partner, Allison Adler.Will Ricky Gervais host the Golden Globes again this year? We hope so! Despite a less than stellar review of his hosting duties at last year’s ceremony, Gervais claims he has been asked to return to the Globes stage for a third year in a row. He told a Scottish television station that he, “love(s) NBC, I love the fact that they stuck by me through it.” Tell us: do you want to see Ricky Gervais host the Golden Globes again this year?

Jurassic Park

Jurassic Park is a 1993 American science fiction adventure film  directed by Steven Spielberg. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Michael Crichton. It stars Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, Martin Ferrero, and Bob Peck. The film centers on the fictional Isla Nublar near Costa Rica in the Central American Pacific Coast, where a billionaire philanthropist and a small team of genetic scientists have created an amusement park of cloned dinosaurs.Before Crichton's book was even published, many studios had already begun bidding to acquire the picture rights. Spielberg, with the backing of Universal Studios, acquired the rights before publication in 1990, and Crichton was hired for an additional $500,000 to adapt the novel for the screen. David Koepp wrote the final draft, which left out much of the novel's exposition and violence, and made numerous changes to the characters. Filming locations were in both Hawaii and California.Jurassic Park is regarded as a landmark in the use of computer-generated imagery, and received highly positive reviews from critics for such. During its release, the film grossed more than $914 million worldwide, becoming the most successful film released up to that time (surpassingE.T.theExtra-Terrestrial and surpassed 4 years later by Titanic), and it is currently the 19th highest grossing feature film (taking inflation into account, it is the 18th-highest-grossing film in North America). It is the most financially successful film for Universal and Steven Spielberg. It won the Academy Award for Best Sound Mixing, Best Sound Editing, and Best Visual Effects.Because of the film's success, two sequels were made, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, which was released on May 23, 1997, and Jurassic Park III which was released on July 18, 2001.
 

Cast:
 * Sam Neill as Dr. Alan Grant, a leading paleontologist and main protagonist.
 * Laura Dern as Dr. Ellie Sattler, a paleobotanist and graduate student of Grant's.
 * Jeff Goldblum as Dr. Ian Malcolm, a mathematician and chaos theorist.
 * Richard Attenborough as John Hammond, billionaire CEO of InGen and curator of Jurassic Park.
 * Ariana Richards as Lex Murphy, Hammond's granddaughter.
 * Joseph Mazzello as Tim Murphy, Lex's younger brother.
 * Wayne Knight as Dennis Nedry, the disgruntled architect of Jurassic Park's computer systems.
 * Bob Peck as Robert Muldoon, the park's game warden.
 * Martin Ferrero as Donald Gennaro, a lawyer who represents Hammond's concerned investors.
 * Samuel L. Jackson as Ray Arnold, the park's chief engineer.
 * B. D. Wong as Dr. Henry Wu, the park's chief geneticist.
 * Cameron Thor as Lewis Dodgson, the head of InGen's rival corporation Biosyn.
 * Greg Burson as the voice of Mr. DNA
 * Frank Welker as Vocal Dinosaur effects.
Awards and nominations:
* Academy Award
  o Best Visual Effects (Won)
  o Best Sound (Won)
  o Best Sound Effects Editing (Won)
* BAFTA
  o BAFTA Award for Best Special Visual Effects (Won)
  o BAFTA Award for Best Sound (Nomination)
* Saturn Award
  o Best Science Fiction Film (Won)
  o Best Direction (Won)
  o Best Special Effects (Won)
  o Best Writing (Won)
  o Best Actress (Laura Dern - Nomination)
  o Performance by a Younger Actor (Joseph Mazzello - Nomination)
  o Performance by a Younger Actor (Ariana Richards - Nomination)
  o Best Music (Nomination)
  o Best Costume (Nomination)
  o Best Supporting Actor (Jeff Goldblum - Nomination)
  o Best Supporting Actor (Wayne Knight - Nomination)
* MTV Movie Awards
  o Best Movie (Nomination)
  o Best Action Sequence (Nomination)
  o Best Villain (Nomination)
* American Film Institute
  o AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies - Nominated
  o AFI's 100 Years... 100 Thrills - #35
  o AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movie Quotes:
  + "Life will find a way." - Nominated
  o AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies (10th Anniversary Edition) - Nominated
  o AFI's 10 Top 10 - Nominated Science Fiction Film
* Czech Lion
  o Best Foreign Film (Won)

GCSEs:General Certificate of Secondary Education

GCSEs stand for: General Certificate of Secondary Education:
The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) is an academic qualification awarded in a specified subject, generally taken in a number of subjects by students aged 14–16 in secondary education in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and is equivalent to a Level 2 (A*- C) and Level 1 (D- G) in Key Skills. (In Scotland, the equivalent is the Standard Grade.) Some students may decide to take one or more GCSEs before or afterwards; people may apply for GCSEs at any point either internally through an institution or externally. The education systems of other British territories, such as Gibraltar,[1] and the former British dominion of South Africa, also use the qualifications, as supplied by the same examination boards. The International version of the GCSE is the IGCSE, which can be taken anywhere in the world, and which includes additional options, for example relating to coursework and the language used. When GCSEs are taken by students in secondary education, they can often be combined with other qualifications, such as the Business And Technology Education Council (BTEC), the Diploma in Digital Applications (DiDA), or diplomas.
Education to GCSE level is often required of students who study for the International Baccalaureate or to GCE Advanced Level (A-level). GCSE exams were introduced as the compulsory school-leavers' examinations in the late 1980s (the first exams being taken in the summer of 1988) by the Conservative Party government, replacing the Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE) and GCE Ordinary Level (O-Level) examinations.
History and format:
GCSE Grade     O Level Grade     CSE Grade
    Pre-1975 (numeric)     Pre-1975 (alphabetic)     1975 onwards    
A*/A     1     A     A     1
2     B
B     3     C     B
4
C     5     D     C
6     E
D     7     F     D     2
E     8     G     E     3
F     U (ungraded)     4
G     9     H     5
U (unclassified)     U (ungraded)
Special educational needs:
For students with learning difficulties, an injury/repetitive strain injury (RSI) or a disability, there is help offered in these forms:
* Extra time (the amount depends on the severity of the learning difficulty, such as dyslexia, disability or injury)
* Amanuensis (somebody types or handwrites as the student dictates; this is normally used when the student cannot write due to an injury or disability)
* A word processor (without any spell checking tools) can be used by students who have trouble writing legibly or who are unable to write quickly enough to complete the exam
* A different format exam paper (large print, Braille, printed on coloured paper, etc.)
* A 'reader' (a teacher/exam invigilator can read out the words written on the exam, but they cannot explain their meaning)
* A different room (sometimes due to a disability a student can be placed in a room by themselves; this also happens when an amanuensis is used, so as not to disturb the other candidates).
Subjects:
Core/Compulsory subjects.
* English (students can take one of two 'routes'):
  o Two GCSEs: English Language and English Literature
  o One GCSE: English
* Mathematics
* Welsh or Welsh Second Language (in all schools in Wales)
  o Many Welsh schools offer Welsh Literature along with the language course* Irish in Irish-medium schools in Northern Ireland
Science:
* Science (students can take a number of different 'routes'):
  o One GCSE: Science (which includes elements of biology, chemistry, and physics)
  o Two GCSEs: Science and Additional Science (a more academic course)
  o Two GCSEs: Science and Additional Applied Science (a more vocational course)
  o Two GCSEs: Double Award Applied Science (a very vocational course)
  o Up to three GCSEs: Biology, Chemistry and Physics as separate GCSEs (known as a Triple Award)
Languages:
Modern foreign languages
* Afrikaans
* Arabic
* Bangla
* Chinese (Cantonese or Mandarin)
* Dutch
* French
o Applied French, also known as Business French, a vocational course that aims towards an NVQ
* German
o Applied German, also known as Business German, a vocational course that aims towards an NVQ
* Modern Greek
* Gujarati
* Modern Hebrew
* Hindi
* Irish
* Italian
* Japanese
* Maltese
* Manx
* Panjabi
* Persian
* Polish
* Portuguese
* Russian
* Somali
* Spanish
* Turkish
* Urdu
* Welsh
Classical languages
* Classical Arabic
* Classical Greek
* Biblical Hebrew
* Latin
* Classical Sanskrit
Technology:
* Design and Technology
o Parametric CAD
o Electronic Products
o Electronics with Resistant Materials
o Food Technology
o Graphic Design/Products
o Product Design
o Resistant Materials
o Textiles
o Systems and Control
* Catering
* Electronics
* Engineering
* Engineering and Manufacturing (double award)
* Home Economics
o Food and Nutrition
o Child Development
o Textiles
* Manufacturing
* ICT
* Computing (ICT Functional Skills) (Pilot offered by OCR for first teaching September 2010)
Humanities
* Citizenship
* Classical Civilisation
* Economics
* Geography
* History
  o Modern World
  o Economic and Social
  o Schools History Project
* Humanities
* Religious Studies
  o Buddhism
  o Christianity
  o Hinduism
  o Islam
  o Judaism
  o Philosophy and Ethics
  o Sikhism
 People and society-related subjects
* Business Studies
* Applied Business (double award)
* Business and Economics
* Financial Services (to be withdrawn; last session summer 2010)
* Health and Social Care (double award)
* Hospitality
* Law
* Leisure and Tourism
* Psychology
* Sociology
* Travel and Tourism
 Expressive art
* Animation
* Applied Art and Design (double award)
* Art and Design
* Art and Design: Fine Art
* Art and Design: Graphics
* Art and Design: Photography
* Art and Design: Textiles
* Art and Design: Three-dimensional Design/Studies
* Dance
* Drama
* Digital Photography
* Expressive Arts
* Film Studies
* Media Studies
* Moving Image Arts
* Music
* Performing Arts
 Others
* Accounting
* Archaeology (no longer current)
* Astronomy
* Construction / Construction and the Built Environment
* Environmental Science
* Geology
* General Studies
* Human Physiology and Health
* IFS Personal Finance...
* Journalism
* Learning for Life and Work
* Motor Vehicle and Road User Studies
* Personal and Social Education
* Physical Education (PE)
* Physical Education: Games
* Preparation for Working Life
* Rural and Agricultural Science
* Statistics
GCSEs:
GCSEs are the main qualification taken by 14 to 16 year olds, but are available to anyone who would like to study a subject that interests them. You can take GCSEs in a wide range of academic and 'applied' (work-related) subjects.
GCSEs: what they are:
GCSE stands for General Certificate of Secondary Education. It's highly valued by schools, colleges and employers, so will be useful whatever you are planning to do afterwards.The qualification mainly involves studying the theory of a subject, combined with some investigative work. Some subjects also involve practical work. GCSEs are usually studied full-time at school or college, taking five terms to complete.GCSEs are at levels 1 and 2 on the National Qualifications Framework, depending on the grade you get. The framework shows how different types of qualifications compare, in terms of the demands they place on learners.
Types of GCSEs:
GCSEs are available in more than 40 academic and nine 'applied' subjects. The applied subjects are related to a broad area of work, such as engineering or tourism, and many are double the size of traditional GCSEs.You can also take many GCSEs as short courses. These are equivalent to half a full GCSE, so can be taken in half the time. However, if you learn more slowly than others, you can spread a short course out over the same length as a traditional GCSE.Short courses also allow more able students to take extra subjects, like a second foreign language.

Think carefully about your next steps after GCSE – there are many options:Any Time

Think carefully about your next steps after GCSE – there are many options:
With thousands of pupils set to receive their GCSE results today, Careers Wales is advising young people to take time to consider all the options available to them. In a difficult climate of unemployment, cuts and changes to university structure, many Welsh teens will be confused about the best path to take after compulsory education. Here, chief executive of Careers Wales, Trina Neilson, explains the wealth of possibilities open to young people questioning their next stepsIT is vital that young people take their time and put thought into their options, and where each path will lead to. For example, if you decide to stay in full-time education, think carefully about the subjects and courses you wish to take, make sure they are right for you, and look at where they will lead and how they will help your future employability.
There are also a variety of routes into the workplace, including apprenticeships which can be started at any age. It’s important that whatever route you take, at this stage you should ensure it includes some level of formal learning and qualifications.Careers Wales can help with more information on all the options available. There is a local, free advice service where a dedicated careers adviser will provide specialist advice and support for every individual situation.
Options available after GCSEs include...
Continuing in full-time education You may be thinking of continuing your studies, possibly at a sixth form or at a local college.There are different types of courses to choose from, so speak to your Careers Wales adviser if you need help and advice on choosing a course.If you want to study at A-level or Level 3 such as National Diplomas or NVQ Level 3 you will usually need a minimum of four or five GCSEs at grades A*-C or equivalent for entry.These courses usually take one or two years to complete and can lead on to higher education or different employment options, providing you get the required grades.If you haven’t got as many exam passes as you hoped, you can consider courses at Entry Level, Foundation Level or Intermediate Level such as National Certificates, NVQ Level 1 or Welsh Baccalaureate Foundation Level. These courses can all lead on to higher level courses or work and training.
Jobs and training If you are keen to get into the world of work, getting a job with training such as apprenticeships or foundation apprenticeships could be the answer.You will gain a recognised National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) or Vocationally Related Qualification (VRQ) and receive a learning allowance or wage. It is worth remembering that if you receive a learning allowance, your family will also be able to claim child benefit (call the Child Benefit Helpline 0845 302 1444).Apprenticeships are a respected route to starting a career – you will be paid, have a good grounding in that business or organisation and gain skills and qualifications. You will usually need at least four or five GCSEs at grade C or above. Vacancies for apprenticeships vary between areas – your Careers Wales adviser can tell you more about opportunities where you live or check out the Apprenticeship Matching Service and apply for vacancies direct at www.careerswales.com.
There is also the option of Pathways to Apprenticeship, which provides full-time training with work experience. It is a good option if employer apprenticeship places are not immediately available and will prepare you for a full apprenticeship. Speak to your Careers Wales adviser for more information on the types of pathways available or go online at www.careerswales.com.
Traineeships are also available which could help prepare you for an apprenticeship or further training. Again, there are different types and levels of traineeships available, which a Careers Wales adviser can tell you more about.Some employers also offer their own training schemes which can be an excellent option. When looking at jobs, always look at whether training is provided as that will offer you the best opportunities for success in the long term.
Self-employment
You may have a good idea for a business of your own – remember, you need to be very committed and determined to succeed, and to do a lot of research and planning. There are organisations that specialise in helping young people to set up businesses – talk to your Careers Wales adviser for more information.
Youth Gateway
If you need some extra help and support before applying for a course, job or training, Youth Gateway can help you with identifying and developing skills, job search, making applications and choosing suitable options.

GCSE results: one in four could get A grade:

GCSE results: one in four could get A grade:
Education expert predicts another record year of results as union leader warns against tinkering with league tables and targets.Nearly one in four GCSE entries could be awarded at least an A grade in what is expected to be another record year of results, it has been predicted.And around one in 12 exams could score a coveted A*, an education expert has suggested.Teenagers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland receive their GCSE results on Thursday (25 August).Last summer, the pass rate rose for the 23rd year in a row, with 69.1% of entries achieving at least a C grade.Professor Alan Smithers, of the Centre for Education and Employment Research at Buckingham University, suggested this could reach 70% this year.And the proportions of exams earning top grades could rise slightly, he said."I would say, that on the pattern of previous years, we could expect approaching 8% to get an A*."Smithers added that the percentage achieving at least an A grade could nudge up to 23%.In 2010, 22.6% of exams got an A or A*, while 7.5% were awarded an A*.As pupils anticipate their results, one union leader warned that tinkering with exams and league tables is damaging for students.Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), said: "The pressure on schools and teachers of the league tables has already led to too much teaching focusing on getting pupils through exams."The government's intention to devalue and limit vocational qualifications in future league tables will tie schools' hands and push many young people into qualifications that don't allow them to develop their talents and excel.In addition, this year the arbitrary introduction of new GCSE floor targets is pushing schools to concentrate their attention on borderline C/D pupils at the expense of other pupils."We need an education system fit for all, not the select few."
Under the government's new benchmark, all secondary schools should have 35% of pupils gaining at least five C grades at GCSE, including English and maths, and ministers are aiming to raise this to 50% by 2015.

Gcse

Graduates' pay premium has fallen, says ONS:
Employees with a degree earned 85% more last year than those educated to around GCSE level but the gap has narrowed, statistics show.The margin stood at 95% in 1993 when there were fewer graduates, the figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show.And one in five graduates at the end of 2010 earned less than the average for those educated to A-level standard.There has been a fall in the proportion of workers with no qualifications.In 1993, some 25% of those aged between 22 and 64 had no formal qualifications, compared with 11% in 2010.The ONS said this change was down to the number of people aged over 50 in 1993 who had not stayed on to sit exams when they were at school. By 2010, most of these people had retired.Over the same period, the proportion of people in the 22 to 64 age bracket with a degree rose from 12% to 25%.
Pay levels
he ONS statistics show that the pay difference had also narrowed when comparing those who completed higher education short of degree level with those with GCSEs or their equivalent.
Those with a higher education award earned 45% more than their less qualified counterparts in 2010, down from 54% in 1993.Those with A-levels or equivalents earned 15% more than those with GCSEs in 2010, down from 18% in 1993.In the final three months of 2010, the median average hourly pay for employees educated up to GCSE level was £8.68.This rose for those with A-levels to £10 an hour, for those with higher education qualifications it was £12.60, and for those with a minimum of a degree, median pay stood at £16.10 an hour.Those with no qualifications earned about £6.93 an hour and, for those with qualifications below C grade at GCSE, the median stood at £8.07.Reacting to the figures, TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: "The recession has hit graduate opportunities badly, the misuse of unpaid graduate interns has become widespread, and the living standards of even those with good qualifications has been squeezed as a small number of super-rich have taken an unfair share of the gains of growth.It would be a big mistake to conclude that the UK is producing too many graduates.Any sound economic future for our country in a globalised world will require a highly-educated and highly-trained workforce, working to their full capacity, rather than forced into jobs that do not require graduate skills."A spokeswoman for the Department for Business said: "A degree remains a good investment in your future. Our studies show that graduates earn, on average, around £100,000 more across their working lives, as well as other benefits such as greater rates of employment and improved health status."Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of Universities UK, which represents the institutions, said: "UK graduates are still in a better position to succeed and remain highly valued by employers, here and overseas.

J Cole

Did Rihanna & J. Cole Make A Sex Tape?

• Another day, another sex tape, this time starring Rihanna and J. Cole. Word on the street is that there’s a sex tape for sale which shows the “Rude Boy” singer and rapper J.Cole getting it in. Those who saw the screen shots confirmed that the woman with the fiery red hair looks a lot like a certain someone. And get this… J Cole recently lost his cell phone, so you already know.On a brief hiatus from her “Loud” world tour Rihanna joined both J. Cole and Trey Songz in Barbados recently as Cole was on the island to shoot his music video for his next single “Can’t Get Enough.

Rihanna & J. Cole Adult Tape: "We Have Seen It":
Rumors of a Rihanna and J. Cole sex tape are flying, and Hustler magazine claims to be in possession of the alleged tape."In an exclusive statement the porn magazine claims they are have an intimate video which allegedly features the "S&M" singer and rapper J-Cole. "Hustler are in possession of the Rihanna and J-Cole tape," said a rep for the adult company. "We have seen it and we do not know what we are going to do with it yet." While they refused to disclose any further details of the tape, the fact that it exists is sure to have Rihanna quaking in her stilettos."”

Whooping cough causes death in Snohomish:

A cough (About this sound pronunciation (help·info) Latin: tussis) is a sudden and often repetitively occurring reflex which helps to clear the large breathing passages from secretions, irritants, foreign particles and microbes. The cough reflex consists of three phases: an inhalation, a forced exhalation against a closed glottis, and a violent release of air from the lungs following opening of the glottis, usually accompanied by a distinctive sound. Coughing can happen voluntarily as well as involuntarily.
Whooping cough causes death in Snohomish:
The Times reported the rise of pertussis in Snohomish County and the death of an infant “Whooping cough rises, Snohomish infant dies,” NWFriday, Aug. 19]. This tragedy is being repeated in neighboring states and is ongoing in ours.Whooping cough is really an infectious Microbe Condition That's outcomes Typically respiratory system passages. the sickness Definitely is The majority.DES MOINES, Iowa -- As children head back to school, parents are reminded to make sure vaccinations are up to date, especially whooping cough and meningitis. Officials said that with whooping cough cases on the rise in Iowa, they're recommending a
Here we are again, that time of year. Time to watch Rex Ryan inch closer to his almost inevitable heart attack, and for Ray Lewis to absolutely crush the all time record for 'Most times being second guy in on a tackle'. As the NFL season approaches,View our list of safe and effective natural home remedies for kennel cough including honey, garlic, steam remedy, chicken soup and more.In 2007 the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine published the results.

Cough

A cough (About this sound pronunciation (help·info) Latin: tussis) is a sudden and often repetitively occurring reflex which helps to clear the large breathing passages from secretions, irritants, foreign particles and microbes. The cough reflex consists of three phases: an inhalation, a forced exhalation against a closed glottis, and a violent release of air from the lungs following opening of the glottis, usually accompanied by a distinctive sound. Coughing can happen voluntarily as well as involuntarily.
Treatment :
Treatment should target the cause; for example, smoking cessation or discontinuing ACE inhibitors. Some people may be worried about serious illnesses, and reassurance may suffice. Cough suppressants such as codeine or dextromethorphan are frequently prescribed, but have been demonstrated to have little effect. Other treatment options may target airway inflammation or may promote mucus expectoration. As it is a natural protective reflex, suppressing the cough reflex might have deleterious effects, especially if the cough is productive.
Classification:
A cough can be classified by its duration, character, quality, and timing. The duration can be either acute (of sudden onset) if it is present less than three weeks, subacute if it is present between three and eight weeks, and chronic when lasting longer than eight weeks. A cough can be dry or productive, depending on whether sputum is coughed up. It may occur only at night (then called nocturnal cough), during both night and day, or just during the day.
Differential diagnosis:
A cough in children may be either a normal physiological reflex or due to an underlying cause. In healthy children it may be normal in the absence of any disease to cough ten times a day. The most common cause of an acute or subacute cough is a viral respiratory tract infection.In adults with a chronic cough, i.e. a cough longer than 8 weeks, more than 90% of cases are due to post-nasal drip, asthma, eosinophilic bronchitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.The causes of chronic cough are similar in children with the addition of bacterial bronchitis.
Infections:
A cough can be the result of a respiratory tract infection such as the common cold, pneumonia, pertussis, or tuberculosis. In the vast majority of cases, acute coughs, i.e. coughs shorter than 3 weeks, are due to the common cold. In people with a normal chest X-ray, tuberculosis is a rare finding. Pertussis is increasingly being recognised as a cause of troublesome coughing in adults.
Gastroesophageal reflux:
In people with unexplained cough gastroesophageal reflux disease should be considered. This occurs when acidic contents of the stomach come back up into the esophagus. Symptoms usually associated with GERD include heartburn, sour taste in the mouth, or a feeling of acid reflux in the chest, although, more than half of the people with cough from GERD don’t have any other symptoms. An esophageal pH monitor can confirm the diagnosis of GERD. Sometimes GERD can complicate another respiratory process like asthma or bronchitis. The treatment involves anti-acid medications and lifestyle changes with surgery indicated in cases not manageable with conservative measures.
Air pollution:
Coughing may be caused by air pollution including tobacco smoke, particulate matter, irritant gases, and dampness in the home. The human health effects of poor air quality are far reaching, but principally affect the body's respiratory system and the cardiovascular system. Individual reactions to air pollutants depend on the type of pollutant a person is exposed to, the degree of exposure, the individual's health status and genetics. People who exercise outdoors, for example, on hot, smoggy days increase their exposure to pollutants in the air. Foreign body:
A foreign body can sometimes be suspected, for example if the cough started suddenly when the patient was eating. Rarely, sutures left behind inside the airway branches can cause coughing. A cough can be triggered by dryness from mouth breathing or recurrent aspiration of food into the windpipe in people with swallowing difficulties.
ACE inhibitor:
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are drugs used in diabetics, heart disease, and high blood pressure. In 25-10% of the people who take it, it can cause them to have a cough as a side effect. Stopping the drug is the only way to make the cough go away. Such medicines for hypertension are very common in use such as ramipril and quinapril. There are cases of "cough of unknown origin" who had resolution with stopping the drug.
Psychogenic cough:
A psychogenic cough ("habit cough" or "tic cough") may be the cause in the absence of a physical problem. In these instances emotional and psychological problems are suspected. However, other illnesses have to be ruled out before a firm diagnosis of psychogenic cough is made. Psychogenic cough is thought to be more common in children than in adults. A possible scenario: psychogenic cough develops in a child who has a chronically ill brother or sister.
Pathophysiology:
A cough is a protective reflex in healthy individuals which is influenced by psychological factors. The cough reflex is initiated by stimulation of two different classes of afferent nerves, namely the myelinated rapidly adapting receptors, and nonmyelinated C-fibers with endings in the lungs. However it is not certain that the stimulation of nonmyelinated C-fibers leads to cough with a reflex as it's meant in physiology (with its own five components): this stimulation may cause mast cells degranulation (through an asso-assonic reflex) and edema which may work as a stimulus for rapidly adapting receptors.
Diagnostic approach:
he determination of the cause of a cough usually begins by determining if it is specific or nonspecific in nature. A specific cough is one associated with other symptoms and further workup is dependent on these symptoms while a non specific cough occurs without other signs and symptoms. Further workup may include labs, x rays, and spirometry.
Treatment:
The treatment of a cough in children is based on the underlying cause with the use of cough medicine supported by little evidence and thus not recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.A trial of antibiotics or inhaled corticosteroids may be tried in children with a chronic cough in an attempt to treat protracted bacterial bronchitis or asthma respectively.
Complications:
The complications of coughing can be classified as either acute or chronic. Acute complications include cough syncope (fainting spells due to decreased blood flow to the brain when coughs are prolonged and forceful), insomnia, cough-induced vomiting, rupture of blebs causing spontaneous pneumothorax (although this still remains to be proven), subconjunctival hemorrhage or "red eye", coughing defecation and in women with a prolapsed uterus, cough urination. Chronic complications are common and include abdominal or pelvic hernias, fatigue fractures of lower ribs and costochondritis.
Epidemiology:
A cough is the most common reason for visiting a primary care physician in the United States.

Steve Wozniak

Stephen Gary "Woz" Wozniak (born August 11, 1950) is an American computer engineer and programmer who founded Apple Computer, Co. (now Apple Inc.) with co-founders, Steve Jobs, and Ronald Wayne. His inventions and machines are credited with contributing significantly to the personal computer revolution of the 1970s. Wozniak created the Apple I and Apple II computers in the mid-1970s.Wozniak has several nicknames, including "The Woz", "Wonderful Wizard of Woz" and "iWoz" (a reference to the ubiquitous naming scheme for Apple products). "WoZ" (short for Wheels of Zeus") is also the name of a company Wozniak founded. He is sometimes known as the Other Steve" of Apple Computer, the better known Steve being co-founder Steve Jobs. He is of mostly Polish ancestry.
Apple Computer:
n 1970, Wozniak became friends with Steve Jobs, when Jobs worked for the summer at a company where Wozniak was working on a mainframe computer. According to Wozniak's autobiography, iWoz, Jobs had the idea to sell the computer as a fully assembled printed circuit board. Wozniak, at first skeptical, was later convinced by Jobs that even if they were not successful they could at least say to their grandkids they had had their own company. Together they sold some of their possessions (such as Wozniak's HP scientific calculator and Jobs's Volkswagen van), raised USD $1,300, and assembled the first prototypes in Jobs's bedroom and later (when there was no space left) in Jobs's garage. Wozniak's apartment in San Jose was filled with monitors, electronic devices, and some computer games Wozniak had developed, similar to SuperPong but with voice overs to the blips on the screen. Wozniak carried electronic devices with him often, and would entertain party goers with novel devices.
Aircraft accident:
In February 1981, Steve Wozniak crashed his Beechcraft Bonanza while taking off from Santa Cruz Sky Park. The NTSB investigation revealed that Wozniak did not have a "high performance" aircraft endorsement (making him legally unqualified to operate the airplane), and had a "lack of familiarity with [the] aircraft." The cause of the crash was determined to be a premature liftoff, followed by a stall and "mush" into a 12-foot embankment. As a result of the accident, he had retrograde amnesia and temporary anterograde amnesia.
Employment with Apple:
Wozniak did not immediately return to Apple after having recovered from the crash. Instead, he married Clark and returned to UC Berkeley under the name "Rocky Raccoon Clark" (Rocky was his dog's name and Clark his wife's maiden name), finally earning his undergraduate degree in 1986. In May 1982 and 1983, Wozniak also sponsored two US Festivals to celebrate evolving technologies; they ended up as a technology exposition and a rock festival as a combination of music, computers, television and people.
Post-Apple career:
In March 2006, Wozniak attended the FIRST National Competition in Atlanta to show off Lego robots. In 2010, he attended another FIRST event, a regional event in downtown Phoenix Arizona at the Arizona State Fairgrounds.In February 2009, Steve Wozniak joined Fusion-io, a data storage and server company, in Salt Lake City, Utah as their chief scientist.On November 18, 2010, Steve Wozniak gave a speech at the Science & Technology Summit at the World Forum Convention Center in The Hague in which he predicted that Android would be dominant over the iPhone market-wise but the iPhone would retain the quality.
Philanthropy:
Since leaving Apple, Wozniak has provided all the money, as well as a good amount of on-site technical support, for the technology program in his local school district. Un.U.Son. (Unite Us In Song), an organization Wozniak formed to organize the two US Festivals, is now primarily tasked with supporting his educational and philanthropic projects. In 1986, Wozniak lent his name to the Stephen G. Wozniak Achievement Awards (referred to as Wozzie Awards), which he presented to six Bay Area high school and college students for their innovative use of computers in the fields of business, art and music.
Honors and awards:
Wozniak received the National Medal of Technology in 1985 (with Steve Jobs) from US President Ronald Reagan. In December 1989, he received an honorary Doctor of Engineering degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he studied in the late sixties. Later he donated funds to create the "Woz Lab" at the University of Colorado at Boulder. In 1997, he was named a Fellow of the Computer History Museum. Wozniak was a key contributor and benefactor to the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose; the street in front of the museum has been renamed Woz Way in his honor.In September 2000, Wozniak was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame, and in 2001 he was awarded the 7th Annual Heinz Award for Technology, the Economy and Employment. The American Humanist Association awarded him the Isaac Asimov Science Award in 2011.In December 2005, Wozniak was awarded an honorary Doctor of Engineering degree from Kettering University. He also received an honorary degrees from North Carolina State University and Nova Southeastern University, and the Telluride Tech Festival Award of Technology. In May 2011, Wozniak received an honorary Doctor of Engineering degree from Michigan State University.On June 22, 2011, he was awarded an honorary degree at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada.
Patents:
Wozniak is listed as the sole inventor on the following patents:
* US Patent No. 4,136,359 - "Microcomputer for use with video display" - for which he was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
* US Patent No. 4,210,959 - "Controller for magnetic disc, recorder, or the like"
* US Patent No. 4,217,604 - "Apparatus for digitally controlling PAL color display"]
* US Patent No. 4,278,972 - "Digitally-controlled color signal generation means for use with display.

REMEMBERING AALIYAH: BRIAN’S FAVORITE TRACKS

REMEMBERING AALIYAH: BRIAN’S FAVORITE TRACKS:
Aaliyah Dana Haughton (January 16, 1979 – August 25, 2001), who performed under the mononym Aaliyah (play /əˈliːə/), was an American R&B recording artist, actress and model. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, and was raised in Detroit, Michigan. At the age of 10, she appeared on the television show Star Search and performed in concert alongside Gladys Knight. At age 12, Aaliyah signed with Jive Records and her uncle Barry Hankerson's Blackground Records.
FAVORITE TRACKS LIST:
Admittedly, back in the day, I was one of the biggest Aaliyah fans. You can ask anyone that knew me. I had posters on my wall, owned all of her albums– I was just a huge fan of hers. Partially, because I had an older sister (who was a teenager when I was just a kid) who introduced me to her music back in the ’90′s. I have fond memories of riding around in my sister’s old car with the Age Ain’t Nothin’ But A Number cassette tape.In any event, I can gather a specific memory from each of Aaliyah’s albums. She was truly one of my favorites. So, I insisted to post some of my favorite tracks from Aaliyah’s albums. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed all of her music. But these are some of the favorites that just had a great impact on me.
Aaliyah – I Can Be :
This was the Aaliyah I loved. This song was edgy and dark and as a complete music head, I appreciated the interpolation of the what sounds like Michael Jackson’s “Dirty Diana” towards the end of the song. I felt like this was one of the most underrated tracks on her last studio album, Aaliyah, which dropped back in 2001. The track was written by singer/songwriter Tank and produced by Bud’da.
Aaliyah – Everything’s Gonna Be Alright:
This song just made me feel like jamming back in 1996. Although most of this album, Aaliyah worked with Timbaland, this was a track produced by the famed Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins. My favorite part, specifically is at the end of the second verse, where she sings, “You can do this baby/With the L-I-Y-A-H…
Aaliyah – Young Nation:
Young Nation” just reminds me of trying to kick with my sister and her friends, knowing I wasn’t grown enough to be chilling with them. Although Aaliyah’s first album was my least favorite of the three (I still love it though), it still makes me feel like summertime with jeeps.
Aaliyah feat. Static – Loose Rap:
Static and Aaliyah collaborated frequently on 2001′s Aaliyah. He had a hand in penning the bulk of the album, which came to no surprise, considering that he worked very closely with Timbaland. “Loose Rap” was a testament to Aaliyah’s musical styling being ahead of it’s. She cooes, “But we got somethin’ for all the fools/It ain’t just rhythm and blues…
Aaliyah – 4 Page Letter :
This has got to be, actually, one of my favorite songs ever. My love for the music video just amplifies my love for the song. Since I’m a hopeless romantic, I honestly still listen to this song. I was always a fan of Timbaland’s production and his innovative drum kits. I honestly thought that 1996′s One In A Million was ahead of it’s time.
Dame Dash Remembers Aaliyah 10 Years After Her Death:
Aaliyah's death 10 years ago stunned the nation, but no more than her boyfriend at the time, Dame Dash. The couple's magnetic relationship was apparent to anyone blessed enough to see them together, and Dame recently sat down with The Juice to dish on the time they shared together.She was intelligent and she caught me," Dash tells The Juice. "I'm the kind of guy who says things sometimes just to make myself laugh, but she would just catch me making jokes for me. I couldn't get anything past her. She had a very quick mind and a very kind heart."Both artists were on top of their game at the time of Aaliyah's death, so they didn't have a lot of physical time together during their relationship, but Dame cherished every moment of it."The energy we created together for people to observe was kind of crazy. We'd be in a room full of people talking to each other and it felt like everyone was listening but it would be just us. It would be like we were the only ones in the room," Dash says. "It was like something was going down in history every time I was with her. Every time I was around her I felt it was the place to be. Our time together meant so much that when we got more time, we felt like that [engagement] would be next. She was one of the best people I ever met. Even with the pain I felt, I would do it all over again.
Damon Dash Talks Losing Aaliyah: 'Nothing Prepares You for That':
To those who were dear and close to 22 yr. old baby girl, her passing was unbelievably heartbreaking. One of those close was her boyfriend, music mogul, Damon Dash. "My heart was broken. Nothing prepares you for that," Dash tells Billboard.com's The Juice.Dame and Aaliyah's relationship grew from a friendship that had sprung when they met through his accountant close to 2000. Soon thereafter the couple was inseparable, smooching in snapshopts and roaming from movie premieres, softball games to the Hamptons.Dame Dash To Celebrate Life Of Ex: The Late Aaliyah."She was intelligent and she caught me," Dash tells The Juice. "I'm the kind of guy who says things sometimes just to make myself laugh, but she would just catch me making jokes for me. I couldn't get anything past her. She had a very quick mind and a very kind heart."During most of their relationship, Dame and Aaliyah were working on individual projects. Quickly after wrapping up her first film "Romeo Must Die," which she also executive produced the soundtrack to, Aaliyah began working on her second film, "Queen of the Damned."
She was always working and shooting movies. She was always gone for like four months at a time, then come back and be gone for another month. She had to rehearse and I was doing my own thing, so it was really hard for us to get long stretches of time together. When you're with someone like that you buy into a life of being separate, but again, I couldn't help my feelings," Dame says.Despite their busy schedules the couple cherished every moment they did spend together. "The energy we created together for people to observe was kind of crazy. We'd be in a room full of people talking to each other and it felt like everyone was listening but it would be just us.  It would be like we were the only ones in the room," Dash recalls. "It was like something was going down in history every time I was with her. Every time I was around her I felt it was the place to be."Our time together meant so much that when we got more time, we felt like that [engagement] would be next," Dame says. "She was one of the best people I ever met. Even with the pain I felt, I would do it all over again."

Aaliyah remembered 10 years after her death: R&B star's top 5 music videos Read

 Aaliyah remembered 10 years after her death: R&B star's top 5 music videos :
Aaliyah Dana Haughton (January 16, 1979 – August 25, 2001), who performed under the mononym Aaliyah was an American R&B recording artist, actress and model. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, and was raised in Detroit, Michigan. At the age of 10, she appeared on the television show Star Search and performed in concert alongside Gladys Knight. At age 12, Aaliyah signed with Jive Records and her uncle Barry Hankerson's Blackground Records. Hankerson introduced her to R. Kelly, who became her mentor, as well as lead songwriter and producer of her debut album, Age Ain't Nothing but a Number. The album sold three million copies in the United States and was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). After facing allegations of an illegal marriage with R.Kelly, Aaliyah ended her contract with Jive and signed with Atlantic Records.Aaliyah remembered 10 years after her death: R&B star's top 5 music videos.She was "one in a million."Ten years ago today, R&B singer Aaliyah was killed when the twin-engine plane she was aboard crashed moments after takeoff in the Bahamas. She was just 22.And although her tragic death cut short a promising life and career, the legacy she left behind is still very much alive.With just three albums released -- the last, "Aaliyah," hit shelves just weeks before her Aug. 25, 2001 death -- Aaliyah still has an impressive collection of unforgettable songs both catchy and innovative for their time, thanks to her collaborations with Timbaland and Missy Elliott.At the time of her death, Aaliyah was also launching an acting career. She had just wrapped filming Anne Rice's "Queen of the Damned," which was released in February 2002.She was also prepping a music project with Trent Reznor, the singer for one of her favorite groups, Nine Inch Nails.
Although there was so much that could have been for Aaliyah, there is still so much that was.Amongst her 12 Top 40 hits, here are five music videos that stand out.

Aaliyah

Aaliyah Dana Haughton (January 16, 1979 – August 25, 2001), who performed under the mononym Aaliyah was an American R&B recording artist, actress and model. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, and was raised in Detroit, Michigan. At the age of 10, she appeared on the television show Star Search and performed in concert alongside Gladys Knight. At age 12, Aaliyah signed with Jive Records and her uncle Barry Hankerson's Blackground Records. Hankerson introduced her to R. Kelly, who became her mentor, as well as lead songwriter and producer of her debut album, Age Ain't Nothing but a Number. The album sold three million copies in the United States and was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). After facing allegations of an illegal marriage with R.Kelly, Aaliyah ended her contract with Jive and signed with Atlantic Records Aaliyah worked with record producers Timbaland and Missy Elliott for her second album, One in a Million; it sold 3.7 million copies in the United States and over eight million copies worldwide. In 2000, Aaliyah appeared in her first major film, Romeo Must Die. She contributed to the film's soundtrack, which spawned the single "Try Again". The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 solely on airplay, making Aaliyah the first artist in Billboard history to achieve this feat. "Try Again" earned Aaliyah a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female R&B Vocalist.
Personal life:
With the release of Age Ain't Nothing but a Number, rumors circulated of a relationship between Aaliyah and R. Kelly. Shortly after, there was speculation about a secret marriage with the release of "Age Ain't Nothing but a Number" and the adult content that Kelly had written for Aaliyah Vibe magazine later revealed a marriage certificate that listed the couple married on August 31, 1994, in Sheraton Gateway Suites in Rosemont, Illinois. Aaliyah, who was 15 at the time, was listed as 18 on the certificate; the illegal marriage was annulled in February 1995 by her parents. The pair continued to deny marriage allegations, stating that neither was married.Aaliyah was engaged to co-founder of Roc-A-Fella Records Damon Dash at the time of her death and had plans to marry him after the premiere of The Matrix.
Death, funeral and wrongful death lawsuit:
On August 25, 2001, at 6:45 pm (EST), Aaliyah and various members of the record company boarded a twin-engine Cessna 402B (registration N8097W) at Marsh Harbour, Abaco Islands, The Bahamas, to travel to the airport in Opa-locka, Florida, after they completed filming the music video for the single "Rock the Boat". They had a flight scheduled the following day, but with filming finishing early, Aaliyah and her entourage were eager to return to the United States and made the decision to leave immediately. The designated airplane was smaller than the Cessna 404 in which they had originally flown. Nevertheless, the whole party and all of the equipment were accommodated on board. As a result, when the aircraft attempted to depart, it was over its maximum takeoff weight by 700 pounds (320 kg) and was carrying one more passenger than it was certified to. The plane crashed shortly after takeoff, about 200 feet (60 m) from the runway. Aaliyah and the eight others on board, pilot Luis Morales III, hair stylist Eric Forman, Anthony Dodd, security guard Scott Gallin, video producer Douglas Kratz, stylist Christopher Maldonado, and Blackground Records employees Keith Wallace and Gina Smith, were all killed.
Filmographyp:
Film and television credits Title     Year     Medium     Role     Notes
New York Undercover     1997     TV series     Herself     Season 3, episode 65: "Fade Out"
Romeo Must Die     2000     Feature film     Trish O'Day    
Queen of the Damned     2002     Feature film     Queen Akasha     Posthumous release

Private Student Loan Lenders Offering Fixed Rates And Costs For These Tuition Assistance Options:

Private Student Loan Lenders Offering Fixed Rates And Costs For These Tuition Assistance Options:
Recently, there have been opportunities for students who are looking for loans to help meet their college tuition costs to take advantage of private lending opportunities as there are numerous banks that are looking to get back in the student loan game, despite the fact that many students often opt for a federal loan instead. What some of these student loans have been able to offer from private banks usually center around a low rate, but what some students overlook is that these low advertised rates typically come with a variable interest rate loan, and in some cases, students may see this rate increase to an affordable level.Also, there are some issues that students have when it comes to being able to plan for meeting these private student loan costs as adjustable rates and the lack of programs like income-based repayment plans, hardship assistance options, or even forbearance opportunities are not quite common in the private loan sector, but there have been some changes where students may be able to get fixed rate private loans to help meet college tuition costs. Obviously, students who are in a position where they may be able to borrow a fixed-rate student loan from a private lender feel that this could be advantageous it simply because they will have a better idea of what rate they will have to meet, what the monthly payment will be, and this can better help them plan when it comes to meeting these costs after graduation.
There have recently been some reports that are still cautioning students against private loans as there may be better options available, even when it comes to borrowing for college. One problem as some commentators feel comes with these private student loans, despite the fact that they have a fixed rate, usually centers around a higher rate that is associated with this particular type of loan. As an example, many federal loans typically do not take into account a borrower’s credit score or financial standing but will offer fixed rates to students, with the exception that there is a cap on the amount that can be borrowed each year.Obviously, students may be able to use these federal loans to their advantage because they will help with meeting student tuition costs but can be repaid at a more affordable level thanks to lower interest rates that are also fixed, and there are also potential opportunities that students may have for forgiveness down the line. However, students who are considering a private student loan are being advised by financial professionals to make sure they closely look at what rate they will be given, as private lenders will take a student’s financial situation into account more so than one of these federal loans may, and if loan terms are not to a student’s advantage, alternative options for borrowing or tuition assistance may be necessary.
How to Manage Student Loans:
Americans owe approximately $826.5 billion in credit card debt and owe a staggering $829.79 billion in student loans. This comes at no surprise when the average four-year degree from a public university or college costs about $50,000 for four years (before living expenses) and a private school can cost over three times that! To pay for this, most students are forced to take out loans. However, these loans can be managed and can actually help improve your credit over time.While in school, make sure that you are making wise decisions about which loans you will take out. Federal loans (including Stafford and PLUS) will always be the best option as these have the lowest interest rates. If possible, only get subsidized federal loans because the government will actually pay the interest on these loans while you are in school. This means that you will owe less on these overall.After subsidized loans, move on to unsubsidized federal loans. These will accrue interest while you’re in school. To help pay for these, consider taking a part-time job to cover the interest payments while in school. This can help to lower the monthly payments you will have after graduation. You’re last resort should be private loans as these have the highest interest rates.Once you graduate, it’s key to gather all the information about your loans. Find out how much you owe, what the rates are and what the minimum monthly payments will be. This information is available at the National Student Loan Data System, where you can log on using the PIN from the FAFSA process.Once you have this information, prioritize the payment of the highest interest loans first, which are typically the private loans. The faster you pay these off, the less interest you pay which can save you a considerable amount.If you have multiple loans and varying interest rates, you may want to consider consolidating your loans. Consolidating combines all your loans into one – one payment and one applicable rate. This can reduce the amount of the monthly payment. As an added incentive, some lenders may offer more discounts on the interest rate after consolidation. Lenders use a weighted average of the interest rates to decide what the applicable rate will be. If a student’s projected savings is at least one percentage point, they can benefit from the consolidation rates. For the student whose loans total $48,000, consolidation can offer an instant discount on the total of 1%, or $480.00.Even though they aren’t very pleasant to discuss, understanding your loans can get them paid off faster and save you thousands over time.

Can You Drop Your Mom From a Student Loan?

Can You Drop Your Mom From a Student Loan?
Dear Dr. Don,
I have about $13,000 in student loan debt. Of that, $9,000 is under my mother's name as she co-signed the loan from a federal loan program. If I release her as co-signer, will it hurt my credit score?Also, I am considering taking further loans for a professional certificate program. How do student loans affect my credit score?Know your loans. Most federal student loans -- except Direct PLUS loans -- don't require a credit check or a co-signer. It's more common with private student loans for the lender to require a co-signer.A PLUS loan is taken out by the parent as the primary borrower, so your mother wouldn't be able to remove her name from the loan. Before a Federal Plus loan is given, a credit check is done, but it's only to make sure there's no adverse credit history. If there isn't, the loan doesn't require a co-signer. If there is, a co-signer who doesn't have an adverse credit history is required.With private student loans, the lender will often permit the release of the co-signer from the loan after a series of on-time loan payments. It's common that you have to meet 24 monthly payments, but I've seen lenders require 36 months of on-time payments.If it is possible to remove your mother as a co-signer on your student loan, it helps her by increasing her capacity for new credit. It shouldn't have much impact on your credit score if you are the other responsible party on the loan. A credit score is based on the information in your credit report. Nothing has changed in your credit report, so your score shouldn't change. You were responsible for the payments. You still are. And the payment history is in your credit report.Taking out additional student loans to complete a professional certificate program will lower your credit score by tying up your credit capacity and by concentrating your debt in a particular type of borrowing. The following graphic shows how the information in your credit report determines your credit score.Once you get your student loans, the credit score question becomes: Can I finance my other life goals given my existing level of student loans? Qualifying for car loans or mortgages can become problematic if you're carrying large student loan balances.Get more news, money-saving tips and expert advice by signing up for a free Bankrate newsletter.Bankrate's content, including the guidance of its advice-and-expert columns and this website, is intended only to assist you with financial decisions. The content is broad in scope and does not consider your personal financial situation. Bankrate recommends that you seek the advice of advisers who are fully aware of your individual circumstances before making any final decisions or implementing any financial strategy. Please remember that your use of this website is governed by Bankrate's Terms of Use.