Luke_Wilbur

I know that the Agence France - Presse reported in January Sixteen that a court in Rural/Shaanxi Province, Yulin City sentenced 27 farmers to varying prison terms for illegally gathering and disturbing public order. The farmers organized multiple protests of up to 500 villagers in response to local government abuses in acquiring village lands.

Astronomers at the Space Telescope Science Institute today unveiled the deepest portrait of the visible universe ever achieved by humankind. Called the Hubble Ultra Deep Field (HUDF), the million-second-long exposure reveals the first galaxies to emerge from the so-called "dark ages," the time shortly after the big bang when the first stars reheated the cold, dark universe. The new image should offer new insights into what types of objects reheated the universe long ago. This historic new view is actually two separate images taken by Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) and the Near Infrared Camera and Multi-object Spectrometer (NICMOS). Both images reveal galaxies that are too faint to be seen by ground-based telescopes, or even in Hubble's previous faraway looks, called the Hubble Deep Fields (HDFs), taken in 1995 and 1998.

Here is a picture of the Chinese Yuan Renminbi.

A Chinese official rejected U.S. pressure for an early end to China's currency controls and said Washington should take action on its soaring trade deficits instead of blaming other countries, state media reported Monday. The deputy director of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, Wei Benhua, speaking Sunday at a forum of Asian political and business leaders, denied reports that Beijing plans to change its exchange rate policy by mid-2006, according to the reports. The United States and other Chinese trade partners say China's fixed exchange rate for its currency, the yuan, is too low and gives Chinese exports an unfair price advantage. They want Beijing to let the yuan trade freely on world markets. "This (trade deficit) is your problem. You need to put your own house in order before you blame your neighbour,'' Wei said at the Boao Forum for Asia, according to the China Daily newspaper. The newspaper said Wei's comments were "clearly directed at the U.S. Congress and its proposal to take punitive measures'' over China's currency policies. Chinese leaders say they plan to let the yuan trade freely on world markets, but they say doing so immediately would damage the country's frail banks and financial industries. "China has no time schedule for the reform,'' the official Xinhua News Agency quoted Wei as saying. The government "cannot decide a proper time until the basic conditions mature.'' Wei blamed the U.S. trade deficit on "a flawed US economic policy'' and said China would make currency decisions based on its own economic needs, the reports said. Do you want to know the current is the unit of money in China? http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/time-zone...na/currency.htm

It is nice to see you human. I have heard that Shanghai has become the Paris of Asia. I am just worried for the younger Americans. It is going to be alot tougher to compete. One of my friends is excited that China is going away from the US Dollar. Then again, he makes his money in the currency market.

Is anyone worried about the U.S. China trade deficit hit a record $617 billion, about 5.3 percent of the total value of all goods and services produced in the United States, known as gross domestic product. The gap has continued to expand in the first two months of this year, up to $119.5 billion from $91.7 billion a year before.

Potomac Paddlesports Newsletter April 27, 2005 -- In this issue: *FUNDRAISER A BIG SUCCESS! *WOMEN'S ONLY CLINIC SATURDAY! *GREAT BLUE HERON ROOKERY TRIP SUNDAY! *PRIVATE LESSON SALE! *ANOTHER PARTY AT TOM AND DEBRA'S SATURDAY NIGHT! -- *FUNDRAISER A BIG SUCCESS Potomac Paddlesports would like to thank everyone who came out for Saturday's Open House and Potomac River Fundraiser. Over 300 folks attended and the event raised $6171.30 for river conservation and access. The bands were AWESOME, the food was great, and the weather was perfect. Special thanks are in order to Gorge-A-Thon participants who raised $1963.30 with $1085 of that total coming from 10 year old Jordan Poffenberger. Geoff Calhoun won the Gorge-A-Thon completing six laps in 2:50:53. A very special thank you also goes out to all the volunteers including those who ran the swap. Great job to everyone! *WOMEN'S ONLY CLINIC SATURDAY Are you a female paddler interested in improving your skills? Women have a different center of gravity and require specific training to compensate. Join the Potomac's own Kristen Podolak (1st in US Team Trials and #2 in the World) this Saturday April 30 for an intensive and fun five-hour women's only clinic! Discuss gear, get tailored feedback, learn balance, how to use and read features, and more! Kristen's down to earth nature and professional teaching standards will help you combine strength, mindset, and technique to take your paddling skills to the next level! Register by 6 PM on Thursday April 27 and get $10 off. Click here for more details: http://www.potomacpaddlesports.com/whitewa...r/playgirls.asp and call 301-831-8270 to register. *GREAT BLUE HERON ROOKERY TRIP SUNDAY The weather looks great for Saturday's Great Blue Heron Rookery tour on the Potomac. If you have done our "Discover the Potomac" trip but not when the Heron nests were active, YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS TRIP! Come celebrate spring as the Heron's prepare their nests and raise their young (just don't paddle under the nests or you'll have a "suprise" drop on you)Space is limited! Click here for details: http://www.potomacpaddlesports.com/recreat...es.asp#discover and call 301-831-8270 to register today! *PRIVATE LESSON SALE Are you still having trouble with your roll? Want to get a huge jump on the paddling season? Why not consider a private lesson with our expert instructors? In just two or three hours, our top notch team of professional instructors can offer you the tailored feedback you need to take your paddling skills to the next level! Work on rolling, strokes, and more! Sign up for a two-hour private lesson before Friday, April 29 and save $50 off the regular rate. Call 301-831-8270 to discuss your specific goals and to register. You'll be glad you made the investment! *ANOTHER PARTY AT TOM AND DEBRA'S SATURDAY NIGHT Are you and your significant other going to join us at Tom and Debra's Spring Fling Party on April 30 from 7:30PM 'til midnight or so? Among other things, we will be celebrating the kick off of the kayak paddling season and any other reason you want to make up!! Just come and be prepared to have a great time. There will be live acoustic music by some local musicians, great food, fantastic people, plus a continuous showing of kayak adventure movies. There will be beer on tap, wine and soft drinks plus grilling food (veggie as well as meat burgers, hot dogs, etc. - you do the grilling) and snacks. RSVP via email tverratti@msn.com or debraw@mac.com or call (H) 301 320-0926 to leave a message. Here are directions to their place from Old Anger's Inn: Proceed south (down river) on MacArthur Blvd for approximately 5.5 miles. Go one half mile past the stop sign at The Irish Inn at Glen Echo and turn LEFT onto WALHONDING RD. At the bend in the road take a SOFT RIGHT (DOG LEG) onto TUSCARAWAS and then take the first and IMMEDIATE HARD RIGHT onto WISSIOMING RD and go up a steep hill and proceed straight for 3 blocks (counting from the left). Just past the third block at WYOMING CT our house is on the LEFT at 5119 WISSIOMING RD. If you get lost, call them at 301 320-0926 and they will talk you in. We hope you can make it! HAPPY PADDLING EVERYONE! See you on the water! Sunny -- Be Safe! Be Skilled! Sunny Pitcher President / American Canoe Association Instructor Potomac Paddlesports Inc. Potomac River Access Foundation ACA River Kayak Committee Potomac Whitewater Festival Committee http://www.potomacpaddlesports.com Direct: 301.831.8270

DCUrbanMix, Can you put a link back to DCpages.com? Thanks

Is the Parrot Head Club for fans of Jimmy Buffet?

Where are you located?

Travelers and visitors to Reagan National Airport will be able to enjoy more than 300 works of art by students in District of Columbia Public Schools that are on exhibit at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport through May 31st. The theme, "Icons of Understanding," is reflected in the works of students from 150 schools in the city - pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The exhibition is located on the lower (baggage) level of Terminals B and C. "We are very pleased to continue our relationship with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and to have this opportunity to show Washington, D.C. and travelers from all over the nation and the world, the artistic achievement of our students," said Paula Sanderlin, Art Director for D. C. Public Schools. The exhibit includes drawings, paintings, collages, prints, computer graphics, mixed media and three-dimension constructions. Terminals B and C also incorporate the work of 30 professional artists and artisans as a permanent part of its design. "We are pleased to be able to showcase the work of young artists in the District of Columbia along with our own architectural enhancement program. This program has grown into a wonderful community event and this is the sixth consecutive year it's been held at the Airport," said James E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Airports Authority.

Roman, How can you be upset at the U.S. for fighting Communism in Korea and Vietnam, when you make statements against Communism. I am a bit confused here. I do not think you support Communism or Facism. It is clear you do not support Liberalism. I am not sure if you follow Conservatism or an Aristocratic form of government. What ideology do you support? And why?

A baseball fan was critically injured in a fall from the top level at RFK Stadium after the Nationals defeated the Braves, 2-0, on Wednesday night. The Associated Press reports that the 35-year-old man, who was not identified, fell from a ramp on the 500 level of the stadium while looking over a railing, hit several ramps and railings on the way down, and landed on the concourse of the 100 level, according to Alan Etter, a spokesman for the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services. The man, suffering from multisystem trauma, was flown to a hospital in a U.S. Park Police helicopter. The Nationals were not available for comment.

The Telecommunications Service Priority (TSP) Program provides national security and emergency preparedness (NS/EP) users priority authorization of telecommunications services that are vital to coordinating and responding to crises. Telecommunications services are defined as the transmission, emission, or reception of intelligence of any nature, by wire, cable, satellite, fiber optics, laser, radio visual or other electronic, electric, electromagnetic, or acoustically coupled means, or any combination thereof. Are the national security and emergency preparedness (NS/EP) users under Homeland Security?

Opening Game was one to remember. Take a sneak peak at the Washington Nationals gallery we are working on. http://dcpages.com/gallery/view_album.php?...ionals-Baseball Let us know what you think

DCpages covered the 2002 National Grand Prix http://dcpages.com/Autos/National_Grand_Prix/ It was fantastic. But, the neighborhood complained about the noise, so future races were cancelled.

mm4662, What are you interested in doing?

As the Washington Nationals prepare for their home opener at R.F.K. Stadium this Thursday, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) is also preparing to handle the anticipated crowds with extra trains and personnel, and reminding everyone to have enough money on their farecard or SmarTrip card when leaving Metro that evening. "Metro has a distinguished history of providing safe, reliable and convenient service for large crowds, and this event is no different from other events in Washington, D.C.," said Richard A. White, Metro's CEO and General Manager. "Everyone at Metro is excited about the return of Major League Baseball to the nation's capital, and we are honored to be able to provide fans with service to and from the game." On Thursday, patrons can expect the following services from Metro: Metro will operate its full rush hour service with six-car trains starting at 3 p.m., continuing up until game time (7:05 p.m.). Patrons attending the game should utilize the Stadium-Armory Metrorail station on the Blue and Orange Lines. After the game, Metro will have up to 14 six-car trains available to transport attendees from Stadium-Armory. Metro will have free brochures available that provide simple walking directions to R.F.K. Stadium from Stadium-Armory, as well as information on Metrobus service and parking. (The free brochure is available to view on Metro's Web site at www.metroopensdoors.com) Metro will have additional station managers, rail supervisors, and Transit Police at Stadium-Armory to assist customers with service questions, and how to get to and from R.F.K. Stadium. Metro volunteers will be at the following six stations to answer questions: Franconia-Springfield, Greenbelt, Largo Town Center, New Carrollton, Shady Grove, and the Vienna/Fairfax-GMU Metrorail stations. The volunteers will also remind patrons to check their SmarTrip card or farecard to ensure they have enough money to enter or exit the Metrorail system. These special volunteers will be wearing blue Washington Nationals baseball hats and Navy blue t-shirts that say Metro Staff and "Thanks For Taking Us Out to the Ball Game." Metro will make special on-board train announcements and station announcements reminding people that they must have a SmarTrip card when exiting a parking facility, and telling them which direction customers should walk toward when exiting the Stadium- Armory Metrorail station. Metro personnel will be on hand to sell farecards and SmarTrip cards at Franconia-Springfield, Vienna/Fairfax-GMU, Shady Grove, New Carrollton, Greenbelt, Largo Town Center through the afternoon peak period, and Stadium-Armory from 4 p.m. to the conclusion of the baseball game to help reduce lines at the farecard machines and to remind customers to have the appropriate value on their SmarTrip cards to exit Metro parking facilities. Metro will have additional station managers and supervisors throughout the entire system starting Thursday afternoon and into the evening to assist where needed. "Metro will be ready to provide safe, reliable, and convenient service not only for Thursday's Washington Nationals opening home baseball game at R.F.K. Stadium, but throughout the entire season," concluded Mr. White.

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT), in conjunction with the Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), will strictly enforce a two-part curbside parking strategy* around RFK Stadium, April though October 2005, on Washington Nationals and DC United game days. Vehicles registered within certain Ward 6 and Ward 7 parking areas will receive a special RFK Stadium Parking Permit from the DC Sports and Entertainment Commission. The permit is available at the RFK Stadium Administrative Office on the 4th Floor of the Stadium 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Special RFK Parking Permits are required for Ward 7 vehicles east of 19th Street and south of Florida Avenue; and Ward 6 vehicles south of C Street and east of 16th Streets, NE/SE, and north of Pennsylvania Avenue. Any vehicle without a special RFK permit or a valid visitor's pass in these areas will be ticketed and/or towed during a DC United or Nationals game. In addition, there is a secondary area of high Residential Parking Permit (RPP) enforcement in Wards 6 and 7. In these areas, only persons with a valid RPP may park during game days. There is no two-hour grace period for non-RPP holders on game days. This applies to Ward 6 registered vehicles in the following area: east of 19th Street, NE/SE, south of Maryland Avenue and Florida Avenue, NE, and north of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. It also applies to the Ward 7 River Terrace in Northeast. Residents with guests within these zones must obtain a visitor parking permit from the Metropolitan Police Department local precinct. New signage to implement these parking regulations will be placed on the affected neighborhood streets beginning Monday, April 11, 2005. District government agencies will continue to monitor the effectiveness of this curbside parking strategy and make adjustments as required to ensure that local residents have priority access to curbside parking in their neighborhood.

Please join (John Hanshaw) this Sunday, April 17th for the second meetup of the GUERRILLA CINEMA CLUB! The idea is to take in a film and join other film-lovers for drinks and/or dinner before or after the screening (depending on the time of the show you attend). Tell John DCpages.com sent you. ************************ SCREENINGS: roughly 5 and 7pm shows (depending on film) E St. Cinema 555 11th Street, NW Washington, DC 20004 (entrance on E Street between 10th and 11th Streets, NW) 202-452-7672 DRINKS AND/OR DINNER: 6 - 11pm Les Halles 1201 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW (across from the Reagan Bldg) Washington, DC 202-347-6848 (From E St. Cinema just walk down 11th St, take a right on PA Ave and walk one block; Les Halles is at 12th & PA Ave.) One of the producers of VOICES IN WARTIME, JAG BHALLA, will come by LES HALLES before and after the 7:45pm screening to discuss the film and meet the audience.

Roman, Just a little guidelines on how to use this forum. Please keep your responses with the topic being discussed. This way you can post topics that interest you and have people respond to them appropriately. Thanks in advance for your consideration.

Asha, Are you located in the Washington DC area?

Using the filibuster to delay debate or block legislation has a long history. In the United States, the term filibuster -- from a Dutch word meaning "pirate" -- became popular in the 1850s when it was applied to efforts to hold the Senate floor in order to prevent action on a bill. In the early years of Congress, representatives as well as senators could use the filibuster technique. As the House grew in numbers, however, it was necessary to revise House rules to limit debate. In the smaller Senate, unlimited debate continued since senators believed any member should have the right to speak as long as necessary. In 1841, when the Democratic minority hoped to block a bank bill promoted by Henry Clay, Clay threatened to change Senate rules to allow the majority to close debate. Thomas Hart Benton angrily rebuked his colleague, accusing Clay of trying to stifle the Senate's right to unlimited debate. Unlimited debate remained in place in the Senate until 1917. At that time, at the suggestion of President Woodrow Wilson, the Senate adopted a rule (Rule 22) that allowed the Senate to end a debate with a two-thirds majority vote -- a tactic known as "cloture." The new Senate rule was put to the test in 1919, when the Senate invoked cloture to end a filibuster against the Treaty of Versailles. Despite the new cloture rule, however, filibusters continued to be an effective means to block legislation, due in part to the fact that a two-thirds majority vote is difficult to obtain. Over the next several decades, the Senate tried numerous times to evoke cloture, but failed to gain the necessary two-thirds vote. Filibusters were particularly useful to southern senators blocking civil rights legislation in the 1950s and 1960s. In 1975, the Senate reduced the number of votes required for cloture from two-thirds (67) to three-fifths (60) of the 100-member Senate. Many Americans are familiar with the hours-long filibuster of Senator Jefferson Smith in Frank Capra's film Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, but there have been some famous filibusters in the real-life Senate as well. During the 1930s, Senator Huey P. Long effectively used the filibuster against bills that he thought favored the rich over the poor. The Louisiana senator frustrated his colleagues while entertaining spectators with his recitations of Shakespeare and his reading of recipes for "pot-likkers." Long once held the Senate floor for fifteen hours. The record for the longest individual speech goes to South Carolina's J. Strom Thurmond who filibustered for 24 hours and 18 minutes against the Civil Rights Act of 1957.

Joe, Here is an image of Wilkerson when he was playing for the Expos.

Where and what is Bobby Van's Steakhouse ?