When pollen coats the water surface of Lake of the Ozarks, Mike Malone knows it's time to throw a floating worm. The pollen coating on the surface signifies bass are bedding on Malone's home lake, but the tournament veteran suggests you can use other signs of spring in your region to determine when bass are spawning. When the spawn is on, Malone opts for the floating worm, a finesse bait that has produced for him for 20 years. "It's a stealthy, finesse bait that doesn't make a lot of noise when it hits the water," he says. "You are able to skip it under cover such as boat dock ramps, cables and tree limbs, etc. in a real quiet presentation. It works best during the spawn when the fish are pretty skittish." "Many times I have been able to fish behind guys who were flipping a jig, a worm or a tube and catch multiple fish with the worm," Malone says. "I have had many 20-pound bags throwing that worm. It's just a timing deal to catching the big ones and it is a pretty deadly bait for three or four weeks in the spring." The local angler will throw the floating worm in sunshine or overcast weather but wind creates problems for him since it tends to blow his line and unweighted worm too much. "Wind is taboo," he says. Finding the spawning banks is the key to Malone's floating worm technique. On Lake of the Ozarks, Malone looks for pea gravel pockets or clay banks protected from the wind. He also throws the worm along indentations of bluff banks that hold spawning bass. Malone's favorite bait for this presentation is a 6-inch Zoom Trick Worm in bright hues such as yellow and bubble gum but occasionally he will throw a green pumpkin or bullfrog color worm to imitate bluegills. He recommends experimenting with different colors until you find one the fish seem to prefer. "The fish do get conditioned to seeing stuff over and over again, so anything different is probably going to work," he says. The Trick Worm is rigged wacky style by impaling a 1/0 Gamakatsu Drop Shot Hook slightly above the worm's egg sack which gives the worm a fluttering action. "I want that worm to pulsate at both ends when I twitch it," Malone says. His floating worm tackle consists of a 6-foot, 8-inch St. Croix Legend Elite medium action/extra fast tip spinning rod and Lew's Tournament Pro Speed Spin spinning reel filled with 10- to 20-pound test Toray braided line in a low-visibility green. Making long-distance deliveries is a key to Malone's floating worm tactic. "It is pretty important to make long, long casts if the water is clear because typically those fish will see you by the time you see them," he says. "If I can just make a long cast into an area where I can see beds but I don't really see any fish that is a good thing because those fish are just in the shadows just off the beds. Nine out of 10 times I can catch one there." He also turns off his electronics to prevent spooking these shallow fish. Even though rigged without a weight, the Trick Worm sinks slowly throughout Malone's presentation. Most of the time Malone retrieves the worm similar to a jerkbait with a twitch-twitch-pause cadence. He usually lets the worm sink for a second or two before repeating the sequence. The tournament competitor notices some days the fish want the worm moving but on other days he has to let it sink down to depths of 4 to 6 feet to trigger bites. Since bigger bass usually inhale the worm, Malone sets the hook immediately when he feels a tick. "I reel up the slack and I pop them," he says. If he notices a bluegill biting on the worm, he lets the sunfish pull until it drops the worm and then gets ready for a bigger bite. "A lot of times that is when I catch a good bass because they hate bluegill," he says. The floating worm also serves as a good follow-up lure when a bass blows up and misses a Luckycraft Gunfish topwater plug Malone also likes to throw during the spawn. "Those big fish if they don't kill (the topwater lure), they slap at it," Malone says. "So they are exposed then and I drop my Talons (shallow-water anchors) and I throw that floating worm on them. Seventy-five percent of the time I am going to catch them then." When the floating worm bite is on, Malone recommends having plenty of worms on hand since you might be going through three to four bags of your favorite colors while catching 50 to 100 fish a day. The worm will produce both numbers and quality fish during the spawn. "I have caught a bunch of fish between 4 and 6 pounds on it," says Malone, whose biggest bass caught on a floating worm was a 7-pounder. For information on lodging and other facilities at the Lake of the Ozarks or to receive a free vacation guide, call the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-FUN-LAKE or visit the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitors Bureau web site at funlake.com. For copies of John Neporadny's THE Lake of the Ozarks Fishing Guide call 573/365-4296 or visit www.jnoutdoors.com.
The spring crappie fishing outlook should be good to excellent whether you decide to dunk a minnow or pitch a jig at Lake of the Ozarks. Crappie abound throughout the lake and springtime crappie fishing heats up in early March and continues to excel on some parts of the lake until almost Memorial Day. Lake levels remain fairly constant throughout the years at Lake of the Ozarks so crappie reproduction is pretty consistent most years. Warm spells of two to three days in February can trigger some good shallow-water action, according to guide Terry Blankenship. "One of the most fun patterns for me in February is bobber fishing," he says. "You can catch large numbers of fish in February because the crappie are starting to prepare for their spring fattening up for the spawn." "That time of year the shallower long coves and creek arms will warm the quickest," Blankenship says. "If there is a lot of south wind warming the water and rolling it onto the north banks, the baitfish will go to those shores which will bring in gamefish. " Blankenship suggests you can catch the biggest fish of the year as shallow as 2 feet deep during the warm days of February and early March. His favorite lures to stick below a bobber are Bobby Garland Baby Shad and Baby Shad Swim'R soft plastics on 1/16-ounce jigheads. He also relies on a Bobby Garland 3-inch Slab Slay'R for dock shooting in the early spring. The veteran guide rates the Grand Glaize, Niangua and Little Niangua arms and Indian Creek on the Gravois arm as the best areas to try for early spring crappie action. Prespawn crappie usually bunch up in brush piles 8 to 15 feet deep in the coves throughout March and early April. The spawn begins on the upper reaches and tributaries of the lake in early April and spreads down lake to the dam by the end of April. Ideal spawning areas are pea gravel pockets laden with boat docks or laydowns. For information on lodging and other facilities at the Lake of the Ozarks or to receive a free vacation guide, call the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-FUN-LAKE or visit the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitors Bureau web site at funlake.com. For copies of John Neporadny's THE Lake of the Ozarks Fishing Guide call 573/365-4296 or visit www.jnoutdoors.com.
Most winters lately in this area have been mild with Lake of the Ozarks remaining nearly ice-free allowing anglers to fish throughout the winter. However during the coldest winters, ice buildup limits access to the lake and anglers have to wait for a thaw to get back on the water. When "ice-out" occurs, you might have to break through a thin layer of ice at the boat ramp or to get to a sweet spot, but it will be worth the trouble because you'll have your best chance to catch some of the biggest bass of the year. During most winters on this lake, the ice starts thawing and breaking up in February. Bass are usually their heaviest this time of the year, so most of the fish you catch will be chunks. The best structure to try after the thaw is a little creek channel bend. Small pockets near the river or creek channel bands are also productive areas. Bass spend the winter in the channel bends and in the pockets as well. During the first warm spell, bass move up from deeper water to brush piles that are 6 to 10 feet deep in the pockets. Look for banks on the northern side of the lake that receive the most sunlight because the water in those areas will warm faster. Key on clear water areas because it's harder to catch bass from cold, muddy water. Boat docks are also good places to fish for ice-out bass at Lake of the Ozarks. Some bass spend the winter under docks that have deep brush piles and are near the channel bends so look for docks that are along the bends of creeks. Fish a set of docks along one bend and then move across the creek to another row of docks on the opposite channel bend. Water temperature is not really a key factor during this time of year. I have caught bass during this time by throwing a suspending stickbait in areas where there would still be ice in the pockets. Warm, sunny weather activates bass this time of year and coaxes the fish to move up shallow. Sometimes it only takes one sunny day to get the fish to move into those shallower brush piles. A small hair jig tricks plenty of bass during ice-out. Another lure to try is a shad-colored tube jig, which looks like a dying shad when it falls to the bottom. A slow fall works best now so use hair jigs and tube bait jigheads in 1/8- to 1/4-ounce sizes. Let the lures flutter into the brush piles and slowly retrieve the baits through the cover. Working suspending stickbaits with a twitch-and-pause retrieve over the tops of the brush piles also triggers strikes from bass hanging around the brush. When the lake starts to thaw and heavyweight prespawn bass start migrating to the shallows, it's prime time to be fishing Lake of the Ozarks to catch a lunker bass. For information on lodging and other facilities at the Lake of the Ozarks or to receive a free vacation guide, call the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-FUN-LAKE or visit the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitors Bureau web site at funlake.com. For copies of John Neporadny's THE Lake of the Ozarks Fishing Guide call 573/365-4296 or visit www.jnoutdoors.com.
Topwaters have long been considered lures for fishing in warm water, but a Lake of the Ozarks pro knows surface lures will trick bass—especially big bass—when the water temperatures are chilly. Whether it's springtime when the water struggles to reach 60 degrees or fall when the water temperatures plunge into the 50s, a lure moving slowly across the surface is an easy target for even listless Lake of the Ozarks bass. So when bass are shallow in chilly water, a topwater lure remains a viable option. FLW Tour pro and Lake of the Ozarks guide Casey Scanlon throws a Heddon Zara Spook One Knocker or a Reaction Innovations Vixen in the spring when the water temperature climbs into the upper 50s and he starts seeing bass cruise the shallows of the spawning areas. He sticks with the same plugs in the fall when the water is even colder. "As opposed to the spring when the bass are still heating up, the fish are still active in the fall so when that water temperature starts dropping it seems like their activity level is still higher," Scanlon says. "So I have caught them (on Spooks) in upper 40 water temperatures." The local guide favors the versatility of a topwater walker in cold-water situations. "You can start it and stop it and fish it however fast you want," Scanlon says. "You can also make it almost walk in place to where you don't have to move the bait very far but it still has a lot of action. The other thing I like about it is when a bass misses it, if you resist the urge to jerk on the lure then, a lot of times they will come back and get on it." A steady retrieve works best for Scanlon walking the surface plug in chilly Lake of the Ozarks waters. "In the springtime I twitch it slower but I keep a steady walk towards me," he says. "In the fall I will fish it more erratically where I will twitch it real fast then slow it down for a few walks, the n twitch it real fast so it almost makes the lure break cadence and kind of come out of the water like a shad fleeing." For information on lodging and other facilities at the Lake of the Ozarks or to receive a free vacation guide, call the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-FUN-LAKE or visit the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitors Bureau web site at funlake.com. For copies of John Neporadny's THE Lake of the Ozarks Fishing Guide call 573/365-4296 or visit www.jnoutdoors.com.
Unsuccessful autumn bass fishing elicits a common lament from hard-luck anglers at the Lake of the Ozarks. Whether they're tournament veterans or weekend warriors, they blame the lake turnover for their unlucky days on the water. During the summer, surface water is warm and light, while the lower layers are cooler and heavier. The top and bottom layers contain less oxygen than the middle section, so the fish tend to hold in the oxygen-rich middle. In autumn, the surface water cools and sinks, mixing with the lower layers. The process causes currents, which mix the sinking surface water and the colder layers below. Wave action from fall winds result in the circulation of the various layers (turnover) and the mixing of the whole lake. By late fall the water has cooled off to 39 degrees from top to bottom. The change causes a good supply of oxygen at all levels of the lake, and the fish will tend to spread out and seek new habitat. Savvy anglers are unsure what happens to bass during the turnover on their home lake, but they agree that the fish are affected. Some local experts think it almost affects bass like a cold front situation and disorients the fish a little bit. Before the turnover, fishing tends to improve with the cooling water conditions. During and after the turnover, however, fishing tapers off. The average fisherman can use the turnover as a good excuse for a poor fishing trip, but they don't have to. At times, it's probably the No. 1 reason people don't catch fish for a certain period of time. It's not that they're doing a whole lot wrong, it's just that the fish aren't biting very well at all. So if they haven't made adjustments, they're not going to catch them. If anglers can make the proper adjustments, though, bass can be caught. The turnover makes bass tougher to catch and makes them hit differently, but you can still catch them. If an angler feels uncomfortable fishing in turnover conditions, he has some options. The majority of the time you can try to avoid the turnover. You can pull into one cove and it can be turning over, and you can run three or four miles down the lake and you do not have the turnover problem. Even if you're locked into one cove, there's going to be certain areas in that cove that the turnover isn't going to affect as much. The back half of a cove will turn quicker, or it might be unaffected by the turnover if a creek is flowing into it. If you've got good current, more than likely you're not going to have turnover. Current is absolutely great for avoiding the turnover. Anglers can merely glance at the water to tell whether or not they're fishing the dreaded condition. The affected area almost looks like sewer water with decaying material releasing from the bottom and floating to the top. Turnover water will have a different color (usually pea green) and "foamy stuff" from the rocks will be floating on the surface. You can follow that right down the lake and get ahead of it and generally catch more fish than you would fishing right in the middle of it. The affected area will look like a watery graveyard--devoid of fish and fowl. So if you can find an area that's got the water birds and shad, it's a good indication that it hasn't turned over yet. The length of time the turnover affects fishing at Lake of the Ozarks varies. It can knock fish for a loop for two to three weeks. A real protected area can be real messed up for quite a while. Severe cold weather, wind and current accelerate the turnover. While fishing in the turnover, try to find the most stable water, which is usually in the 1- to 2-foot range. That little layer of water hasn't really changed a whole lot, so get to the bank and beat the shoreline. Concentrate on the shallow brush, which usually holds more active fish. If the weather conditions have been bad, get in tight to whatever cover you can find, whether it's a shallow boat dock or lay-down tree. The turbid water caused by the turnover can actually work to the fisherman's advantage in this situation. Limited visibility prevents bass from detecting anglers working closer to the bank. Once you find the active fish, determine which lures and retrieves will work best. As a rule, just slow down. Sometimes it takes 10 to 12 casts to the same brush pile before a bass will strike. Fish smaller baits, such as 1/8- or 1/4-ounce crankbaits and jigs. The weather also determines lure choices. If the weather is stable, throw a 3/8-ounce chartreuse or white buzz bait and retrieve it slowly around stumps and lay-downs. In an area that receives heavy fishing pressure, switch to a 3/8-ounce buzz bait with a clacker because it produces more noise to agitate the fish. If you're getting a few strikes on something or not a lot, or if you're missing some fish, or if the fish aren't really taking the bait, then you need to experiment with sound, size or color. If you've got two guys in the boat, one guy should be throwing something different than the other. When the weather turns nasty, switch to a blue or black 3/8-ounce jig and a black plastic chunk in clearer water, or a black-and-chartreuse or black with bright green combination in murkier water. Flip the jig into the heaviest cover you can find. A third option is to cast a 3/8-ounce chartreuse or white spinnerbait with gold blades and a 4-inch plastic trailer. Slow roll the spinnerbait through the shallow cover. When the turnover ends, don't expect a fishing bonanza. The fishing usually improves gradually after the turn. For information on lodging and other facilities at the Lake of the Ozarks or to receive a free vacation guide, call the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-FUN-LAKE or visit the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitors Bureau web site at funlake.com. Copies of John Neporadny's book, "THE Lake of the Ozarks Fishing Guide" are available by calling 573/365-4296 or visiting the web site www.jnoutdoors.com.
Lake of the Ozarks bass anglers need to "go with the flow" to get in on the best fishing action during September. By September, the summer heat has generated bath-water temperatures and depleted oxygen levels in the shallows of lakes and ponds throughout the state. These conditions make for some tough fishing during the month, but anglers can still catch plenty of fish at Lake of the Ozarks by seeking waters with plenty of current. When fishing the headwaters of the lake, bass anglers will discover the current in these waters create a cool, oxygen-rich environment that makes bass more aggressive feeders. So Lake of the Ozarks anglers should "go with the flow" for the best bass action at the lake during early fall. When September arrives, veteran tournament angler Mike Malone starts running up the Osage arm of the lake to catch bass. "Those fish are moving at that time and the baitfish are moving and bass get predominantly on those mud flats (on the upper Osage arm)," he says. "If you can figure out what area of that upper reach is on you are going to catch a bunch." The Lake Ozark angler keys on the main lake flats rather than back in the creeks because current is more predominant there. "There is usually a two- to three-hour window where they turn on the water (at Truman Dam)," Malone says. "As long as there is movement to the water, those fish get positioned and are very predictable as to where they are going to be and how to catch them." Malone usually finds bass around boat docks where the fish remain less than 4 feet deep. "I have a milk run where I might hit 30 to 40 docks up there starting at about Proctor Creek all the way up to the 88-mile marker," he says. "Sometimes the fish are on the outside ends of the docks. If they are not running current the fish might be on the backs of the docks." Malone's favorite lures for throwing around the docks include a black/red flake flipping tube, black/chartreuse jig with blue plastic chunk, a 1/2-ounce white/chartreuse spinnerbait and black/chartreuse wake bait. Anglers unfamiliar with this section need to be cautious while navigating the upper lake because it contains lots of shallow mud flats on the main lake and in coves. "It's not an area where you want to go fast if you don't know where you are going," Malone says. He recommends using good electronics and mapping to navigate safely in this section of the lake. For information on lodging and other facilities at the Lake of the Ozarks or to receive a free vacation guide, call the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-FUN-LAKE or visit the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitors Bureau web site at funlake.com. For copies of John Neporadny's THE Lake of the Ozarks Fishing Guide call 573/365-4296 or visit www.jnoutdoors.com.
The heat and humidity of a summer day in Missouri make fishing a survival test rather than a relaxing time on the water. Combine the steamy weather and searing sun with rolling waves from an armada of pleasure boaters and your fishing day becomes a hot and frustrating experience. The heat, sun and boat traffic must have about the same affect on largemouth bass as well, because the fish seem reluctant to bite on busy Lake of the Ozarks during a summer day. All is not lost though if you want to catch bass during your summer vacation at one at the lake. Changing your fishing time schedule to take advantage of the night life of Lake of the Ozarks allows you to avoid the heat and recreational boat traffic and experience the best bass action of the summertime. Everything changes for the better once the sun sets on the lake. The air cools down, the pleasure boats disappear and the bass become more aggressive in the low-light conditions. Now's the prime time to be casting to your favorite bass spot even if you can't see it. Limited visibility can make night fishing hazardous, but you can make it a pleasurable experience by taking some precautions and carrying the proper equipment. Missouri state law requires that any fishing boat when underway must exhibit red and green sidelights that are visible for at least one mile on a dark clear night. The boat must also have an all-around white stern light that is visible for at least two miles on a dark clear night. All boats are required to use a white light visible from all directions whenever the vessel is anchored between sunset and sunrise. The best way to minimize navigation problems after dark is to scout the areas you plan to fish a couple of hours before sunset. Use your electronics to determine the structure and depth you will fish that night. Ideal summertime structure to look for on the lake includes drop-offs and river or creek channels. Sunken brush piles at depths of 10 feet or deeper make ideal starting points for a night trip. While scouting spots in the daylight, look for familiar landmarks on the bank that you will be able to find again after dark. Plan a milk run of spots and pay close attention to the route you take to each spot so it will be easier to find your way around once the sun sets. Starting at your favorite spot at sunset is another way to minimize your nocturnal movements. Special equipment you should use for nighttime tactics include flashlights and a black light that you can position on the bow of your boat. Using a black light and high visibility line in blue fluorescent or solar green hues makes strikes easier to detect since the black light illuminates your line and makes it look like a laser beam shooting through the inky darkness. Flashlights or headlamps are handy for finding tackle in the boat or tying knots. Carrying insect repellent in your boat is also recommended because mosquitoes can ruin your nocturnal outing if you leave your skin unprotected. I usually wear long pants and long-sleeve shirts to deter the mosquitoes as well. A bunch of tackleboxes and rods and reels strewn out all over the boat's deck after dark can result in broken tackle or a quick trip overboard. So keep your boat deck clean and prevent any mishaps by picking a handful of productive lures for nocturnal bass. Minimize your lure choices to plastic worms, soft plastic creature baits, jigs and plastic trailers and spinnerbaits for your nighttime trip. Before darkness sets in, you should have your boat organized with plenty of walking space available and lights positioned in strategic locations. A moonlit night increases your visibility, but it isn't a necessity for catching nocturnal bass. I've caught bass at night in the rain and in the moonlight. The type of day probably affects the night fishing more than the nighttime weather. If the day has been cloudy or rainy, the best fishing sometimes occurs during the late evening or the first couple of hours after sunset. If there has been a few weeks of real hot weather with nothing but sunshine and bluebird skies, the fish tend to bite all night long on some reservoirs. Heavy boat traffic makes the lake nearly impossible to fish during a summer day, yet it is probably one of the best lakes to fish at night. Lights from hundreds of docks and heavily developed shoreline makes it easy to see and navigate after dark and a plethora of sunken brush piles provide plenty of nocturnal haunts for bass. In the middle of summer, Skip Surbaugh of Lake of the Ozarks Guide Service, targets brush piles he has planted on the lower end of the lake from the dam to the Lodge of the Four Seasons. "I probably don't fish as deep of brush piles as a lot of guys do," admits Surbaugh. "I fish brush piles from 10 to 15 feet generally located close to deep water (channel drops of 25 to 40 feet). On calm nights, Surbaugh opts for dark-colored 10-inch Berkley Power Worms or 5-inch Berkley Power Hawgs that he Texas rigs with a 5/8-ounce weight. "I want the weight heavy enough that I can get the bait down into the bottom of the brush piles, so I work it real slow in the brush," describes Surbaugh. "I like to hit every limb as I am bringing it out." If the wind blows at night, Surbaugh switches to a black 3/4-ounce spinnerbait with a number 7 or 8 gold or black Colorado blade. He throws all of his nighttime lures on 15-pound test line. The guide believes the key to successful night fishing at Lake of the Ozarks is to make a milk run of brush piles rather than counting on one brush pile to produce several keepers. The night action here produces plenty of bass in the 5- to 6-pound range. "We actually catch some of our bigger fish at night than we do during the day," says Surbaugh. "This lake right now is loaded with 4- to 5-pound fish." The night life was good for Surbaugh's clients last summer. "We would catch about 15 to 20 fish a night with about two-thirds of them being keepers," says Surbaugh. "There were lots of nights last year where we were catching 30 to 40 fish a night with 20 keepers." When the sun sets and the air cools, take a break from the summer heat and enjoy the bass fishing night life at the lake. For information on lodging and other facilities at the Lake of the Ozarks or to receive a free vacation guide, call the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-FUN-LAKE or visit the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitors Bureau web site at funlake.com. Copies of John Neporadny's book, "THE Lake of the Ozarks Fishing Guide" are available by calling 573/365-4296 or visiting the web site www.jnoutdoors.com.
Even though the trees were cleared by workers during the construction of Bagnell Dam in 1931, the Lake of the Ozarks now contains plenty of fish-attracting brush. SuLake of the Ozarks Full of Manmade Fish Attractors nken brush piles abound throughout the lake, thanks to resort and property owners and other anglers who construct and sink the fish attractors. The brush piles are mainly put in to attract crappie, but they also serve as cover for largemouth bass. Groups of resort owners on the Niangua arm of the lake have ben sinking brush piles for years to attract customers to their area. Sinking brush piles is more of an individual effort on other arms of the lake though. These are more secretive projects done by dock owners or anglers wanting to establish their own honey holes for crappie or bass. But since everyone has the right to fish the lake, these sunken treasures are available to you as well if you can find them. One crappie fishing expert who knows how to find sunken brush piles on Lake of the Ozarks is Guy Winters of Camdenton, Mo. The most obvious places to find brush in Lake of the Ozarks are the docks. There are plenty to choose from on this lake, but not all docks have crappie beds. "You can read the docks to tell whether or not it has a brush pile around it," Winters says. The best indicator on the dock is a well-kept fish-cleaning station. "That tells you there are fishermen who live there," says Winters. Other signs include a live box and minnow buckets on the dock. Once you find a likely looking dock, then you have to determine where the brush is located along it. "That's where a locator on your trolling motor is valuable," says Winters. "It only takes a few minutes to run around that dock with the trolling motor to find where the brush is." Remember that the brush will most likely be within casting distance from the dock. If you don't have a depth finder on your boat, there are other ways to tell where the brush is located along the dock. Corners of docks and inside the dock wells are always good spots to look for brush. Rod holders on the docks are usually positioned near the brush pile and sometimes you'll see a rod that has a line out with a bobber, which is usually floating over the top of the brush. Winters notes that some dock owners also have a light hanging off the end of their docks, which is positioned over the top of the brush for night fishing. Another key to finding the location of brush piles is to look at the direction chairs on the dock are facing. "If the chairs point towards the well, that's where the brush is at; if they point the other way, then the brush is on the outside of the dock," Winters says. A shallow dock will be unproductive most of the time, even if it has plenty of brush near it. The best year-round docks are either in or near deep water. Even a deep-water dock with sparse cover will produce more often than a shallow dock with lots of brush. Sunken brush piles lie in other spots on the lake, but these are the most difficult beds to find. Some type of depth finder is essential when looking for these sunken trees. "I wouldn't fish without one," says Winters. "It's one of the most important tools a fisherman can have. Any cove I'm not familiar with, I just leave my locator on and normally try to keep the boat in 12 to 15 feet of water." Winters concentrates his search on the channel side of the cove or the main lake. The most likely places to hold sunken brush are pea gravel banks and bluffs. Any type of rocky or gravel pocket is also worth investigating. When the lake level is low, any brush found 14 to 15 feet deep produces best in the spring, fall and winter, the crappie expert says. Telltale signs along the bank also help you find brush piles. Look for a stump, which usually indicates the rest of the tree is somewhere below you. Sunken small sycamore trees have a different indicator. "There won't be a stump," says Winters. "There will be a piece of trunk standing up about 2 1/2 to 3 feet tall with a bunch of little limbs growing out of it. That's one of the signs that a lot of people overlook." Also watch for old, black telephone cables running down the bank which are usually tied to brush piles. This method of sinking trees is usually done along bluffs or other areas close to a river or creek channel. While the Lake of the Ozarks appears to be barren of fish-attracting cover on the surface, underneath lies thousands of brush-pile condos for crappie and bass. For information on lodging and other facilities at the Lake of the Ozarks or to receive a free vacation guide, call the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-FUN-LAKE or visit the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitors Bureau web site at funlake.com. Copies of John Neporadny's book, "THE Lake of the Ozarks Fishing Guide" are available by calling 573/365-4296 or visiting the web site www.jnoutdoors.com.
On May 23, 1997, Governor Mel Carnahan signed a bill designating the channel catfish as the official fish of Missouri. The governor's choice was a wise pick considering channel catfish can be found in nearly all waters throughout the state including Lake of the Ozarks. Blue and flathead catfish are also abundant in the lake so Lake of the Ozarks anglers have plenty of opportunities to catch some type of catfish, especially in the summertime. Fishing for Mr. Whiskers in June can be great or tough since catfish can be in various stages of the spawn throughout the month and are more concerned with building or protecting nests than eating. Drift fishing is the best way for the clients of Lake of the Ozarks guide Jack Uxa to catch catfish in June. Uxa sets up his clients with 7-foot medium-heavy spinning rods and spinning reels filled with 30-pound SpiderWire line. He has his clients drift with a magnum drop shot rig of a 6/0 Gamakatsu octopus hook followed by a 1 1/2-foot drop line tied to a 1-ounce barrel weight. The guide baits his hooks with chunks of freshly cut bluegill, green sunfish or shad. Finding baitfish with his side-imaging unit is the key for Uxa in setting up a successful drift. Since baitfish tend to roam, Uxa checks out flats or points on the main lake and in coves. He prefers drifting areas that have consistent depth, usually in the 20- to 35-foot range. Uxa favors drifting the middle section of the lake from the Hurricane Deck Bridge down to the toll bridge. His drifts during June produce "some bonus channels" but mostly blue cats in the 3- to 5-pound class. "You never know what you are going to catch though," he says. "Sometimes you can catch 20-, 30- or 40-pounders." Limb-lining along bluffs and channel swing banks with live crawfish, green sunfish or large goldfish works best for bigger flathead cats. Anglers can also catch flatheads tight-lining with a big wad of nightcrawlers other other live baits. Tight-lining off of docks is a productive tactic for catching channel catfish throughout the summer. Productive baits for channel cats include live green sunfish, cut bait, prepared baits and nightcrawlers. For information on lodging at the Lake of the Ozarks or to receive a free vacation guide, call the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-FUN-LAKE or visit the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitors Bureau web site at funlake.com. Copies of John Neporadny's book, "THE Lake of the Ozarks Fishing Guide" are available by calling 573/365-4296 or visiting the web site www.jnoutdoors.com.
Plop, plop, plop. Ka-Woosh. Any Lake of the Ozarks angler who has experienced the thrill of topwater action knows these sounds of a plug popping across the surface followed by the attack of a largemouth bass. All other tactics for catching bass pales in comparison to the excitement of a largemouth busting the surface to engulf a topwater bait. Lake of the Ozarks bass can be coaxed into attacking topwater lures from late spring to late fall but late April through May is the prime time for surface action. During this time bass will be feeding heavily before going on the nest, guarding a nest or guarding fry which makes them vulnerable to any lure buzzing, popping or walking above them. During the summer, you have to throw surface lures early and late in the day to trigger strikes, but I have experienced good topwater action all day long—even on sunny afternoons—during May. Water clarity often dictates which topwater lure works best. Buzz baits generally produce best in murky water while a variety of surface plugs catch bass in stained to clear water. Largemouth on my home lake usually start busting surface lures in late April when the fish are on the beds, and the topwater action heats up in May during the postspawn. My favorite topwater for Lake of the Ozarks is the Heddon Zara Spook in either baby bass or flitter shad (known locally as the Christmas tree color). The Spook is so effective because it can be worked at various speeds, but I have found the best presentation is a steady walk-the-dog retrieve. On many occasions I have seen fish follow the lure and I have drawn more strikes by speeding up my retrieve rather than stopping the lure. I prefer fishing the clear-water section of the lake from the Gravois arm to the dam area where I key on the protected gravel pockets during early May. Male bass will either be on nests behind dock cables or along sea walls from 3 to 6 feet deep, but the hefty females will usually be suspended along the sides of the docks. You can catch plenty of 2-pounders working the Spook along the sea walls and open banks, but you need to walk the plug along the back or the shady side of a dock to catch 4- to 5-pounders. This is the only time of the year when I prefer fishing topwaters on sunny afternoons. The sunshine warms the water to activate bass and baitfish and the bright conditions position the bigger fish in the shady areas under the dock, which makes them susceptible to the Spook sashaying in front of them. From the middle to the end of May bass have moved out to either secondary or main lake points. The fish will still hit a Spook, but these open areas tend to have more wind so a Rebel Pop-R usually works better. On the windiest days, I switch to a Gilmore Jumper, a large double-blade prop bait that produces a lot of splash when jerked hard. For information on lodging at the Lake of the Ozarks or to receive a free vacation guide, call the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-FUN-LAKE or visit the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitors Bureau web site at funlake.com. Copies of John Neporadny's book, "THE Lake of the Ozarks Fishing Guide" are available by calling 573/365-4296 or visiting the web site www.jnoutdoors.com.
Find a shallow brush pile and drop an anchor. Cast out a couple of minnows with bobbers and start hauling in crappie. Springtime crappie fishing used to be that easy, but heavy fishing pressure has caused many anglers to change tactics. Prime spawning spots get worked over daily. If you're the first angler to dunk some minnows at one of these spots, you have a chance to catch some fish. But if you arrive after the area's been visited by four or five other boats, your chances diminish drastically. This trend has led some anglers to adopt bass fishing's run-and-gun philosophy of moving around to several spots and firing off a couple of casts in each area. Aggressive fish can be taken this way, but complicating the situation are detractions such as high pressure weather fronts and falling water levels. During these conditions crappie tend to leave the shallows or cling to cover and develop a case of lockjaw. There are some techniques to overcome tough conditions you face during the crappie spawning cycle at Lake of the Ozarks. You can track down fish in three different stages of the crappie's procreation cycle. The stages are pre-pre-spawn, pre-spawn and spawn. In the pre-pre-spawn, the fish suspend in schools along the mouths of creeks and coves. The fish will suspend at various depths depending on the weather. On warm, sunny days, the fish will be up higher. Crappie in the first stage are least affected by weather conditions and falling water levels since they reside in deep water (20 to 30 feet). But they can still be hard to find and even more difficult to catch Your electronics make the search much easier. Watch your graph and keep a marker buoy in hand while cruising along potential staging areas. When you find a school of crappie, drop a buoy and start fishing over it. Either fish vertically over the school or use your trolling motor and the wind to drift your lure through the mass of crappie. Keep track of the school and determine the depth of the fish of fish by constantly watching the fish finder on the bow of your boat. After determining the depth of the greatest concentration of fish, set your lure at that depth to keep it in striking range. After catching a fish, work the area thoroughly because you have a good chance to catch some more. When you have that many fish together, some of them are going to hit. If you're lucky enough to be out there when they're feeding, you can catch one about every time you drop your line in. To increase your odds, use a dual jig setup, which sometimes results in catching two fish at one time. Tie on a plastic-skirted jig with a 1/32-ounce head first, then adds a 1/16th or 1/8th-ounce plastic-skirted jig of a different color 18 inches to 2 feet below the first lure. The selection of jig colors depends on water clarity. In clear water, select bright colors such as yellow or fluorescents. The best hues for murky water include red or purple. The first phase of the spawning migration usually lasts one to two weeks. During stage two (pre-spawn), the crappie move back into the coves and closer to the bank. They're not actually in the spawning beds yet; they just relate close to them. The fish will be staging 12 to 16 feet deep. Some will be suspended and others will be moving in and out of the shallows checking on spawning conditions. Crappie in the second stage tend to be more moody. Let the fish tell you how to fish for them because sometimes they want the jig held perfectly still and other times they'll want a horsehead-type jig with a blade on it reeled steadily. You should try different colors and different retrieve speeds until you find what triggers the fish. High barometric pressure or cold fronts push the fish into deeper water. You have to slow your presentation down and stick it right in front of their nose then. During these periods, you might have to resort to vertical jigging and drifting methods or a "dead fall" technique. When you cast and retrieve, the jig moves a lot faster than it does on a dead fall. The "dead fall" method resembles a light-tackle version of bass fishing's flipping technique. Trade in your dual jigs for a single 1/16th-ounce jig then. Before flipping, measure out about 10 to 12 feet of line. Flipping the jig propels it to the shallows pulling along the unspooled line. A longer rod helps keep slack out of your line and gives you a better feel of the lure as it falls back towards the boat. Most of the time, you impart little or no action to the lure as it drops. The slow-falling jig tempts crappie into investigating the intruder that has moved into their domain. Since fish don't have hands, the only way a fish can tell what something is, is to swim up and grab hold of it with their mouth. When you feel the fish need coaxing, try twitching the lure to trigger a fish into hitting. Crappie think it's trying to get away or is injured and other times they hit it out of curiosity more than out of a desire for food. Using the "dead fall" method, you can catch fish that are suspended when the lure sinks and also take fish on the bottom as the jig drags along after it has fallen back toward the boat. Sometimes you can let the jig drag along the bottom while flipping out another line. By keeping track of both lines you can catch fish cruising in the shallows and the crappie staging in the deeper water next to the spawning bank. Catching crappie gets easier when the fish move into the spawn stage because the fish hit at anything that moves into their bedding area. When the fish are spawning, they're not really feeding, they're protecting their territory. They grab hold of your bait and try to get it out of there. The spawning period offers the best opportunity to catch fish shallow, but the fishing can be spotty at times. One day you'll work along the bank and load up the livewell, but the next day its as if the fish disappeared. Remember that not all the fish move to the bank at one time, and there will be crappie in the 10- to 12-foot range near by. If you work the shore and don't catch any fish on the beds, back up a little bit. There will be fish out a little bit deeper from where you caught them the day before spawning. Probing the deeper water can also result in catching larger crappie. If you continually catch small fish along the bank, turn your boat around and start working the same area in a little deeper water. Bigger fish usually spawn first and they usually spawn deeper. When the fish establish themselves in the shallows, they usually stay put. Once it gets to where conditions are right, it's hard to keep them from spawning. Rather than abandon the shallows during high pressure or cold fronts, the crappie will burrow into the thickest cover they can find. Since casting to these areas usually results in your lure becoming a brush pile decoration, flipping becomes the most effective way to haul the reluctant fish out of the cover. Look for the best looking cover available along the spawning bank. The bigger fish always get the choicest spawning and feeding spots. If you fail to catch a fish or take only small fish along the outer edges of the cover, flip your jig into the middle of the brush where you can usually catch slab-size crappie. If your favorite spawning bank fails to produce this spring, remember that the fish are still there and can be caught by slowing down your presentation and maybe fishing a little deeper. For information on lodging and other facilities at the Lake of the Ozarks or to receive a free vacation guide, call the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-FUN-LAKE or visit the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitors Bureau web site at funlake.com. Copies of John Neporadny's book, "THE Lake of the Ozarks Fishing Guide" are available by calling 573/365-4296 or visiting the web site www.jnoutdoors.com.
Spring provides some of the hottest bass fishing action of the year and probably the best chance for catching that once-in-a-lifetime lunker at Lake of the Ozarks. The action heats up first in the tributary sections of the lake such as the Gravois, Grand Glaize and Niangua arms and then spreads throughout the rest of the lake as the spring weather continues to warm and the hours of daylight increase. My home lake always has a good population of largemouth bass because it consistently has stable water levels in the spring which insures good reproduction every year. Electroshocking sampling by MDC Fisheries Biologist Greg Stoner indicated that his catch rate per hour of legal-size bass (15 inches or longer) has remained about the same for the last five years. The MDC relies on a metric known as RSD15 which is the percentage of legal size largemouth sampled during electroshocking. During a recent spring electroshocking on the Grand Glaize arm the RSD15 for largemouth bass was 20 percent. "One out of five fish is good," Stoner said. "There were fair numbers of 4- and 5-pounders (in the sampling) and fewer 6-pounders and a 7-pounder every once in a while but nothing over that. We are never going to produce loads of 7- and 8-pound fish." March is a prime time for catching heavyweight prespawn bass moving out of their winter sanctuaries to the spawning banks. Alabama rigs, suspending stickbaits and slow-rolling spinnerbaits are the best choices for catching these fish along chunk rock transition banks. Running a Storm Lures Wiggle Wart in a crawfish hue along pea gravel banks in the coves is one of the most effective ways to catch Lake of the Ozarks bass in early April. Twitching soft plastic jerkbaits in the shallow pockets and dragging Carolina-rigged plastic lizards along the sides and in front of boat docks also tricks bass during the late stages of the prespawn. The spawn traditionally starts in mid-April and lasts until the first week of May. Sure signs of the bass spawn at Lake of the Ozarks are a full moon and dogwood trees blooming. During the spawn try a variety of soft plastics including lizards, tubes, finesse worms, craws, stickworms and jerkbaits in green pumpkin or watermelon hues in the clear water or black, blue and dark red colors in murky water. The moon phase is also a key to determining when bass are spawning on the lake. Some of the biggest bass in the Lake of the Ozarks might spawn on a full moon in March but most bass throughout the lake will spawn around the full moons in April or May if the water temperature is right (usually in the mid-60s to low 70s). The increasing hours of daylight in the spring also triggers bass into nesting. Many sources such as calendars and solunar charts in fishing magazines show the moon phase for each month. Weather apps for mobile phones are another good source for finding the moon phases. For information on lodging and other facilities at the Lake of the Ozarks or to receive a free vacation guide, call the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-FUN-LAKE or visit the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitors Bureau web site at funlake.com. Copies of John Neporadny's book, "THE Lake of the Ozarks Fishing Guide" are available by calling 573/365-4296 or visiting the web site www.jnoutdoors.com.


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text:
Local groups and societies
London Society of Chartered Accountants
London Accountant
Questions raised over family farmland sale
Agricultural land deal between a son and his parents raises questions of value, tax and potential conflicts, a recent London Tax Discussion Group meeting hears.
This month, one of the Croydon and South East London Tax Discussion groups' queries concerns an elderly couple who own agricultural land and buildings in Surrey. The land is currently used by their son's sole trader business and has potential residential property development value.
They explained their son had agreed to acquire the land and buildings from them at the market value. However, there were a number of issues arising from the situation.
The query that they had was that their son had also confirmed that he would like to pay the taxes due on the property. They were also unsure regarding the market value of the land as well, given its agricultural value and potentially redevelopment value.
They had acquired the land and buildings for £50,000 in 1998 and they consider that the value of the property could be worth significantly over £250,000, if planning permission had been obtained to develop the site. However, no planning permission had been obtained and furthermore the land and buildings were restricted to agricultural use only.
The initial discussion concerned the market value of the land. Tax legislation sets out the value of the land and buildings should be valued at the time and with the conditions applying at that date, as though the transaction was between a willing buyer and willing seller with full information.
Accordingly, the market value of the land would be higher than the agricultural value, but only include an element of the development value for the "hope" that planning permission would be granted.
The second area discussed concerned the reimbursement of the elderly couple for the taxes due. This would not be an allowable cost for the son, either against his sole trade income or against the base cost of land and buildings. The monies would be a gift to his parents.
The final area which was discussed was whether the accountant involved could act for the son as well as his elderly parents. It was felt that provided the family recognised that they were engaging the same accountant to advise each of them with regard to the transaction, and that there could be an inherent conflict between them, it could be acceptable to act on behalf of all of them, but all should be wary of any potential conflicts.
Each month, with the exception of July and August, the Tax Discussion Groups in Croydon and South East London meet to discuss client tax issues on a no-names basis. These meetings are free to attend and normally cover over a dozen tax issues raised by those attending. If you are interested in attending, please contact megan.fitzpatrick@icaew.com.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Viking View: Out with a bang
by Mike Marek
Last year wrapped for the Vikings as one of their most improbable seasons in recent memory. This year looks bright as well, with chaos becoming the normal at all of our division opponents' buildings. The Packers are trying to figure out their front office and defensive coordinator position. The Lions inexplicably are getting rid of Jim Caldwell who was able to get them one game out of the playoffs. If the same situation had played out in Cleveland, he would have been given the keys to the city and been heralded as a war hero. In Detroit, apparently it gets you fired. Chicago came into Minneapolis hoping to escape the year with a shred of dignity.
The Vikings hosted the Bears on Sunday in what was their crowning moment as King of the Northern Division, finishing the year with an impressive 13-3 record including a 5-1 record within the division.
The Bears came out waving a white flag in what turned out to be head coach John Fox's last game at the helm. Outside a controversial punt return for a touchdown by the Bears, they were never really a threat to the home team. The Vikings manhandled them in terms of ball and clock control. At no point in the game did the outcome ever feel in doubt.
Fueled by Sunday's victory, the Vikings enter into the postseason with one of two coveted bye weeks in the NFC. During this week off they will be able to take the opportunity to get healthy, and to prepare for their next opponent. Among the contenders, my money is on the Rams punching their ticket to Minnesota for a week 11 rematch.
During the first rendition of the Rams versus Vikings this season, the Vikings handled the Rams 24-7. This also doubled as the first big win for the Vikings during 2017. Since tackling the Rams, it's been all go for Minnesota. Little has been able to be put in their way that they have not been able to handle, which leads to the inevitable question: what can go wrong? The answer — overconfidence.
In order to succeed, Zimmer needs to continue to drive into his team that they haven't accomplished anything yet. He has been doing a great job of this at every turn of the season, not allowing his team to become complacent. This type of underdog, chip-on-the-shoulder mentality has been the rallying call for this team the entire season. One needs to look no further than the surprising success of Case Keenum at quarterback to see that this team is built amongst a collection of guys who know they have to work for everything they get in this league.
With a little more grit, work, and luck the Vikings should find themselves among the elite at the end of the year. The stars have aligned to have the Super Bowl land in Minnesota this year, combined with on the weakest NFC playoff fields in recent memory. With these factors in place, the Vikings have moved into the favorite position to be representing the NFC in Minneapolis in February.
Winstars take on State Softball Championships
WSHS' Herczeg named All-American
2 holes-in-one at Cedar Valley
Sportsmen's Club trap league results


text:
using System;
using System.Configuration;
using Microsoft.VisualStudio.TestTools.UnitTesting;

namespace MultiSafepay.IntegrationTests.Transactions
{
    [TestClass]
    public class Transactions
    {
        [TestMethod]
        public void Transactions_CreateARefund()
        {
            // Arrange
            var url = Settings.MultiSafePayUrl;
            var apiKey = Settings.ApiKey;
            var client = new MultiSafepayClient(apiKey, url);

            // Act
            var result = client.CreateRefund("546dd9aeb49aa", 100, "EUR", "This is a refund");

            // Assert
            Assert.IsNotNull(result);
            Assert.IsFalse(String.IsNullOrEmpty(result.TransactionId));
            Assert.IsFalse(String.IsNullOrEmpty(result.RefundId));
        }

        [TestMethod]
        public void Transactions_CaptureOrder()
        {
            // Arrange
            var url = Settings.MultiSafePayUrl;
            var apiKey = Settings.ApiKey;
            var client = new MultiSafepayClient(apiKey, url);

            // Act
            var result = client.CaptureOrder("62756f57-f24d-403e-b6ed-3c53961dc801", 500, null, "Order Shipped");

            // Assert
            Assert.IsNotNull(result);
            Assert.IsNotNull(result.TransactionId);
        }

        [TestMethod]
        public void Transactions_VoidOrder()
        {
            // Arrange
            var url = Settings.MultiSafePayUrl;
            var apiKey = Settings.ApiKey;
            var client = new MultiSafepayClient(apiKey, url);

            // Act
            var result = client.VoidOrder("62756f57-f24d-403e-b6ed-3c53961dc801", "Order Canceled");

            // Assert
            Assert.IsNotNull(result);
            Assert.IsTrue(result.Success);
        }
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
6 Reasons PHP is a Mutant Toolbox
July 1, 2021 January 25, 2022 |Dan Horne
Development Wordpress
"Imagine you have a toolbox. A set of tools, looks okay, standard stuff in there. You pull out a screwdriver, you see it's one of those weird tri-headed things, okay?… Everything in the box is kind of weird and quirky, but maybe not enough to make it completely worthless. There is no clear problem with the set as a whole. It still has all the tools. – Ian Baker, eev.ee
PHP is one of the most used yet most dreaded programming languages of the modern era. A Stack Overflow industry survey ranks PHP second to last on the most loved languages list and fifth on the most dreaded language list. So that's a pretty lousy reputation across the board.
Usually, when you ask a software engineer about PHP, you'll get one of two responses.
They use it and hate it.
They haven't used it, but they've heard they'll hate it.
You don't really get any other opinions.
So why is PHP so bad?
1. PHP is Popular on the Web
"There are so many awful things involved in this abomination of a high-level programming language, it outright exceeds full-blown ridicularity. […] Its popularity is completely undeserved and I repeatedly find myself facepalming, thinking about how it is possible that this piece of junk gained even the slightest hint of acceptance.- Why Does PHP Suck
A lot of us hate PHP for the same reason that we hate JavaScript – because it's the most popular. After all, 80 percent of the web runs on PHP.
If you look at the top languages on the web right now, you see JavaScript at number one and Typescript at number three, but that's really just a version of JavaScript. Python is at three, but PHP is still right in there at number four.
Massively popular Content Management Systems (CMS) built on PHP like WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, Magento, ExpressionEngine have been around for decades. PHP is everywhere because it hosts these easy-to-use sites.
There are also so many frameworks for PHP, including Laravel, CodeIgniter, Symfony, Cake, Yii, Zend, PHPixie, and tons more.
PHP's ease of use has allowed it to become the number one de facto language used on the internet. So is the bad reputation deserved even beyond the fact that it's just the most popular?
2. PHP is Unpredictable
"I really don't like programming. I built this tool to program less so that I could simply reuse code. I don't know how to stop it. There was never any intention to write a programming language. I don't know how to write a programming language at all. I just kept adding the next logical step." – Rasmus Lerdorf, the creator of PHP
That is kind of the whole thing about PHP. There was never a plan, and so PHP is unpredictable.
For example, there's a function called mysql_escape_string, which is defined as, "It escapes a string for use in a mysql query." But there is also a function called mysql_real_escape_string, which is defined as "Escapes special characters in a string for use in a SQL statement."
You have to dig into the documentation to find out the real difference between the two. It's incomprehensible.
They have 13 different functions just to sort an array. And speaking of arrays:
Arrays are yet another weird quirk that you must endure in PHP. Instead of being just numerically indexed, arrays are a terrible amalgamation of pretty much everything. They can be treated as an array, a list, a hash table, a dictionary, a collection, a stack, a queue, and probably more. – Ian Baker, PHP: a fractal of bad design
3. Inconsistent Naming Conventions
PHP has inconsistent naming conventions. There is strpos for the position of a string, but str_replace with an underscore to replace text in a string. Those begin with STR, but other string functions do not: trim has no STR, and substr has the STR at the end. The naming conventions for string functions are all over the place.
You've got urlencode without an underscore versus utf8_encode with an underscore. You've got html entities versus html_entity_decode with and without underscores. You've got disagreements in their verb-noun or noun-verb naming, array_merge versus get_class.
What else do we have?
4. Case-Sensitivity
Variables, constants, and array keys are case-sensitive. But keywords, functions, and methods are NOT case-sensitive.
Order of arguments: strpos has a haystack and a needle. But array_search has a needle and a haystack. So the order of their arguments is inconsistent. They're just arbitrary.
That's just a small example of some of the problems with PHP. However, most of these issues have been around since the early days of PHP. But PHP, like JavaScript, has come a long way since version five.
5. The Legacy Code from 1995 is Still There
PHP started as just a basic templating tool that Rasmus Lerdorf used to manage his own personal website. He never intended for it to be a programming language, but he posted it to a Usenet group in 1995 and said, "Hey, look what I made." In that first post, he called it PHP/FI.
Other people started hacking on it and released PHP/FI2 in 97. Then, in 98, they released PHP 3, which was the first time it actually resembled a programming language. Then PHP 4 came in 2000.
PHP 5 came in 2004, and here's where development hit a roadblock. PHP 5 hung around for ten years before the next version was released. They went through six versions of PHP 5, and they added all kinds of nice stuff to it during that time. But it was a ten-year cycle.
During that time, they were working on PHP 6, but there were all kinds of development problems. PHP 6 went into development hell, and it wouldn't see the light of day due to issues with the way they were implementing unicode support. They were also trying to work on the i18n and the l10n issues they had for foreign language support. They basically spent several years going in absolutely the wrong directions before they finally scrapped PHP 6 altogether.
They finally released PHP 7 in 2015, eleven years after PHP 5 was released. First off, they made a lot of improvements in PHP 7. Then, finally, it started to resemble something real, something usable. They added things like the null coalescing operators, scalar type declarations, return type declarations, the spaceship operator, constant arrays, anonymous classes, unserialize, closures, all kinds of things. And they ended up turning it into a darn fine language.
PHP 8 was released in November 2020, and it's got a new just-in-time compiler. They've made lots of improvements to the type system to make the weird typing things that PHP used to do a thing of the past. In addition, there's a nullsafe operator. So there are lots of great things to explore in the newest versions of PHP.
But all that legacy PHP stuff is still there.
6. A Language Full of Problems
"Imagine you have a toolbox. A set of tools, looks okay, standard stuff in there. You pull out a screwdriver, you see it's one of those weird tri-headed things, okay?… Everything in the box is kind of weird and quirky, but maybe not enough to make it completely worthless. There is no clear problem with the set as a whole. It still has all the tools.
The carpenters show you the houses that they've built with it, where every room is just a pentagon and the roof is on upside down and you knock on the front door and it just collapses inwards. And they all yell at you for breaking their door.
Well, that's, what's wrong with PHP." – Ian Baker, eev.ee
Since PHP 8 has not been rewritten completely, most of the old problems are still there. So those functions still have to be used. And because of the incomprehensible way they're put together and designed, you pretty much have to have the PHP documentation open at all times so that you can look up how to use all of it. It's illogical.
Even though you're using this nice new syntactic sugar that they've put on top of it, the base remains broken.
And that's why developers like me hate using PHP.


text:
Trick 'r Treat: Collector's Edition (Blu-ray Review)
Reviewed by: Dr Adam Jahnke
Review Date: Nov 28, 2018
Michael Dougherty
2007 (October 9, 2018)
Warner Premiere/Warner Bros. (Shout!/Scream Factory)
Film/Program Grade: A-
Video Grade: A
Audio Grade: A
Extras Grade: A+
While there is no shortage of spooky fare to liven up your Halloween, it's a bit surprising how few movies deal specifically with the holiday itself. After all, you can only watch the adventures of Michael Myers so many times, especially when the desired number of viewings for some of those later installments is less than once (I would, however, put in a vote for the unfairly maligned Halloween III: Season of the Witch... well worth checking out despite its reputation). Michael Dougherty attempts to fill the void with Trick 'r Treat, a film that was scheduled to be released way back in 2007 and had been in virtual limbo until Warner Bros. decided to push it over to the direct-to-video Warner Premiere label.
Despite its less-than-confidence-inspiring history, the film built up tremendous anticipation among horror fans thanks to positive festival screenings. Was it worth the wait? Absolutely. Dougherty's film is a little gem and an instant new Halloween classic.
The film is a Creepshow-flavored anthology with a twist. The individual stories bleed into each other, with characters from one story appearing in another and narrative leaps that allow us to revisit characters after they've met their demise. Dylan Baker gets top billing as a school principal who hands out more than candy to neighborhood kids. In another story, four kids play a prank on an introverted classmate (Samm Todd) that goes horribly awry. In a third, Anna Paquin dons a Little Red Riding Hood costume and finds herself targeted by a masked and caped Big Bad Wolf. And finally, Brian Cox appears as a Halloween Scrooge tormented by the spirit of the holiday itself, a pumpkin-headed trick-or-treater named Sam (Quinn Lord).
For those of us who grew up loving creature features and things that go bump in the night, Halloween is wrapped up in more emotional childhood memories than any other holiday. The world seemed different on Halloween. If there was even the slightest chance that the fantastic stories we loved could come true, then this was the one night a year it might happen. There's a childlike sense of play about the holiday, shared by young and old alike, but it's also extremely ritualized. We might not have understood why we carved pumpkins, dressed in costume and asked for candy from strangers, but deep down we felt that we were participating in an ancient rite. Michael Dougherty gets all that. More importantly, he nails the unique feeling of wonder and excitement that Halloween brings.
Scream Factory gives Trick 'r Treat a second go round in a Collector's Edition Blu-ray release, which contains a "new 2K scan of the original film elements supervised and approved by director Michael Dougherty" – what those elements are aren't mentioned, but since the film was shot relatively recently on 35mm film, it would be safe to assume that the original camera negative was involved. The previous Blu-ray was released in 2009, and surprisingly, this new release gives it a bit more punch. Everything appears solid and clean throughout with good contrast and deep blacks. The color palette is varied, but a bit more solid in places, particularly when it comes to reds and oranges. Flesh tones are a little pinker and there are no damage or instability issues whatsoever. The audio comes in two options: English 5.1 and 2.0 DTS-HD, with optional subtitles in English SDH. Both tracks offer up plenty of sonic clarity. Dialogue is clean and clear, but score and sound effects get more of surround push on the 5.1 track, particularly ambient activity. Overall, this is an excellent A/V presentation, and a nice upgrade over its original high definition counterpart.
The extras selection includes a mix of new and old material, including an audio commentary by director Michael Dougherty, concept artist Breehn Burns, storyboard artist Simeon Wilkins, and composer Douglas Pipes; a new series of interviews conducted by Ballyhoo Motion Pictures with Dougherty, Burns, Wilkins, Pipes, and podcaster Rob Galluzzo, which act as an hour-long, pseudo-making of: Tales of Folklore & Fright: Creating Trick 'r Treat (16 minutes), Tales of Mischief & Mayhem: Filming Trick 'r Treat (20 minutes), Sounds of Shock & Superstition: Scoring Trick 'r Treat (11 minutes), and Tales of Dread and Despair: Releasing Trick 'r Treat (8 minutes); Season's Greetings, the original 4-minute animated short that inspired the film, with optional audio commentary by Dougherty, which is presented via a "new 2K scan of the original 16mm elements"; Trick 'r Treat: The Lore and Legends of Halloween, a 30-minute documentary narrated by Brian Cox about the origins of Halloween and how they inspired the film, which includes interviews with many members of the cast and crew; School Bus FX Comparison, which is a visual effects breakdown of the school bus crashing over the cliff; 17 minutes of additional scenes with optional audio commentary by Dougherty; a storyboard and conceptual artwork gallery containing 229 images; a behind the scenes still gallery with 158 images; an 18-page recreation of the Monster Mash story from the Trick 'r Treat: Days of the Dead graphic novel; all 15 Fear.net promotional shorts; and the film's theatrical trailer.
Trick 'r Treat is unadulterated spooky fun and the most purely enjoyable horror film I've seen in years. The genre has been unrelentingly grim for too long. I think these dark and grimy horror flicks have a place but I'm delighted to see someone rediscover the lighthearted pleasures of simply telling a well-crafted scary story. Scream Factory's new Blu-ray release of it is quite solid and essential Halloween viewing. Highly recommended!
– Dr. Adam Jahnke (with Tim Salmons)
2007, Adam Jahnke, Alberto Ghisi, Anna Paquin, anthology, Bad Hat Harry Productions, Ballyhoo Motion Pictures, Blu-ray, Blu-ray Disc, Breehn Burns, Brett Kelly, Brian Cox, Britt McKillip, Bryan Singer, C Ernst Harth, Christine Willes, Collector's Edition, Connor Levins, Daniel Griffith, Douglas Pipes, Dr Adam Jahnke, Dr_ Adam Jahnke, Dylan Baker, Gerald Paetz, ghosts, Glen MacPherson, horror, horror anthology, Isabelle Deluce, James Willson, Jean-Luc Bilodeau, Keanen Schnoor, Laura Mennell, Lauren Lee Smith, Legendary Pictures, Leslie Bibb, Michael Dougherty, Moneca Delain, Patrick Gilmore, portmanteau, Quinn Lord, review, Richard Harmon, Rob Galluzzo, Robert Ivison, Rochelle Aytes, Samm Todd, Scream Factory, Shout Factory, Shout! Factory, Simeon Wilkins, spirits, supernatural, Tahmoh Penikett, The Digital Bits, Tim Salmons, Trick r Treat, Trick 'r Treat, vampires, Warner Bros, Warner Bros_, Warner Premiere, werewolves, zombies


text:
Cecilia Blondet Montero (Lima, 7 de julio de 1951) es una historiadora peruana. Fue Ministra de Promoción de la Mujer y del Desarrollo Humano durante el gobierno de Alejandro Toledo.

Biografía
Hija de Carlos Blondet Goicochea y Marta Montero Muelle; estudió en el Colegio Sagrado Corazón Sophianum de la ciudad de Lima.

Estudió Literatura y Humanidades en la Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, en donde se especializó en Historia. Del mismo modo, cuenta con estudios en la Universidad de Wisconsin-Madison y en la Universidad Femenina del Sagrado Corazón.

Fue consultora de la Agencia de los Estados Unidos para el Desarrollo Internacional (USAID), de Telefónica del Perú y Hoschild Mining en temas de descentralización y desarrollo de comunidades.

Ha sido Directora Ejecutiva de la ONG Proética (2006-2015) así como Directora General del Instituto de Estudios Peruanos (1995-2000), miembro de la Comisión Iniciativa Nacional Anticorrupción y Presidenta del Tribunal de Ética del Consejo de la Prensa Peruana.

Es miembro del Consejo Directivo de la Asociación Civil Transparencia y del Instituto de Estudios Peruanos.

Actividad política
El 21 de enero de 2002, Blondet juramentó como Ministra de Promoción de la Mujer y del Desarrollo Humano en el gobierno de Alejandro Toledo. Permaneció en el cargo hasta julio del mismo año.

En julio de 2016 presidió la Comisión de Transferencia en el Ministerio de la Mujer y Poblaciones Vulnerables, luego de la elección de un nuevo gobierno, el de Pedro Pablo Kuczynski. Se le mencionó también entre las probables candidatas para hacerse cargo de dicho ministerio, pero finalmente fue designada Ana María Romero-Lozada, que fuera también ministra de dicho sector en el gobierno de Toledo.

Publicaciones
Es autora de varios libros sobre política social y la participación política de la mujer.
Cucharas en alto: del asistencialismo al desarrollo local: fortaleciendo la participación de las mujeres (2004)
El encanto del dictador. Mujeres y política en la década de Fujimori (2002)
Lecciones de la participación política de las mujeres (2001)
Las mujeres y la política en la década de Fujimori (1999)
Percepción ciudadana sobre la participación política de la mujer. El poder político (1999)
La emergencia de las mujeres en el poder. ¿Hay cambios? (1998)
Hoy: menú popular. Comedores en Lima (1995)
La situación de la mujer en el Perú 1980 - 1994 (1995)
Mujeres Latinoamericanas en cifras (1994)
Democracia, Paz y Desarrollo en el ámbito local urbano (1993)
Las mujeres y el poder. Una historia de Villa El Salvador (1991)
Mujer y Sociedad. Perspectivas metodológicas (1987)

Véase también
 Gobierno de Alejandro Toledo

Referencias

Enlaces externos
 La emergencia de las mujeres en el poder. ¿Hay cambios? (Publicación de 1998).

Nacidos en Lima
Ministras de Promoción de la Mujer y del Desarrollo Humano del Perú
Políticas de Perú
Alumnado de la Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Lawyer Michael Avenatti Indicted on 36 Charges, Including Embezzling Settlement Money From a Paraplegic
Stephen A. Crockett Jr.
Michael Avenatti at one point was looking like a young Jon Snow, posed to take down the Trump administration. And…
Michael Avenatti Charged With Extortion Against Nike: Report
I assure you that I never talk like this but, "Ohhhhhh, bitch!"
#ThemToo: Michael Avenatti Says R. Kelly's Employees and Managers May Also Face 'Criminal Liability'
Tonja Renée Stidhum
It was the top of the year 2019, and Surviving R. Kelly evoked an array of emotions from its viewers: sadness,…
Crime 2/22/19
R. Kelly Indicted on 10 Counts of Aggravated Sexual Abuse, No-Bail Arrest Warrant Issued [Updated]
There were decades of allegations. There was a criminal trial on charges of child pornography. There were hashtag…
Lawyer Michael Avenatti Confirms Existence of Third R. Kelly Tape with Underage Girl
When he's not preoccupied with being a thorn in Donald Trump's side, celebrity lawyer Michael Avenatti occupies his…
A New and Eerily Similar R. Kelly Sex Tape Has Reportedly Surfaced. Let's See What Happens This Time
Deja vu—a new sex tape involving R. Kelly and an underaged girl has reportedly surfaced. And it's been turned over…
Politics 9/26/18
As New Accusations Emerge, It's Time for Brett Kavanaugh to Sit His Ass Down Somewhere
White male privilege is an intoxicating drug and Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh is high as a giraffe's ass.
Lawyer Michael Avenatti Claims 3 More Women Were Paid to Keep Quiet About Donald Trump: Report
Michael Avenatti, the attorney for Stormy Daniels—you know, the porn star who claims to have spanked the president's…
Wait, Stormy Daniels Lawyer Might Be Running for President? Don't Say This Is So
I get it, Michael Avenatti, the attorney for Stormy Daniels, is a good looking guy. This isn't my personal opinion…
Stormy Daniels' Lawyer Michael Avenatti Wanted Evidence of Rudy Giuliani's Porn Habits. Looks Like He Found It
The lawyer beef started sometime last week after the president's newest counsel, Rudy Giuliani, went on a…
Michael Avenatti vs. Anthony Scaramucci: Coming Soon to a Television Near You?
Monique Judge
Would you watch a television show that featured Michael Avenatti—the attorney who is suing Donald Trump on behalf of…
A Storm's a-Coming: Porn Star's Lawyer Says Trump 'Will Be Forced to Resign'
Angela Helm
It looks as if the bumbling and untruth-filled presidency of Donald Trump has met its match in an adult-film actress…
Wait, Did Stormy Daniels' Lawyer Just Hint That a $1.6 Million Abortion Payout May Have Been for Trump and Not That GOP Donor?
Attorney Michael Avenatti, the lawyer for porn actress Stormy Daniels, is having quite a day. That's because…
Stormy Daniels' Lawyer Says He Has Disc Proving Alleged Affair With Trump
Terrell Jermaine Starr
Stormy Daniels' lawyer Michael Avenatti told CNN's Wolf Blitzer that he has a disc with evidence proving his…


text:
Q: AWS Opswork Chef Fatal Error We are trying to install python using OpsWork. Installation happens correct but in the end we get the message:
Ran "bash"  "/tmp/chef-script20140715-9783-k2dw6u" returned 2
[2014-07-15T10:29:19+00:00] FATAL: Chef::Exceptions::ChildConvergeError: Chef run process exited unsuccessfully (exit code 1)
What can we be doing wrong?
Final Snippets of the output is below:
Compiling /usr/local/lib/python2.7/xml/sax/__init__.py ...
Compiling /usr/local/lib/python2.7/xml/sax/_exceptions.py ...
Compiling /usr/local/lib/python2.7/xml/sax/expatreader.py ...
Compiling /usr/local/lib/python2.7/xml/sax/handler.py ...
Compiling /usr/local/lib/python2.7/xml/sax/saxutils.py ...
Compiling /usr/local/lib/python2.7/xml/sax/xmlreader.py ...
Compiling /usr/local/lib/python2.7/xmllib.py ...
Compiling /usr/local/lib/python2.7/xmlrpclib.py ...
Compiling /usr/local/lib/python2.7/zipfile.py ...
STDERR: configure: WARNING:

By default, distutils will build C++ extension modules with "g++".
If this is not intended, then set CXX on the configure command line.

libpython2.7.a(posixmodule.o): In function `posix_tmpnam':
/var/lib/aws/opsworks/cache/Python-2.7.1/./Modules/posixmodule.c:7346: warning: the use of `tmpnam_r' is dangerous, better use `mkstemp'
libpython2.7.a(posixmodule.o): In function `posix_tempnam':
/var/lib/aws/opsworks/cache/Python-2.7.1/./Modules/posixmodule.c:7301: warning: the use of `tempnam' is dangerous, better use `mkstemp'
*** WARNING: renaming "crypt" since importing it failed: build/lib.linux-x86_64-2.7/crypt.so: undefined symbol: crypt
*** WARNING: renaming "nis" since importing it failed: build/lib.linux-x86_64-2.7/nis.so: undefined symbol: yp_master
*** WARNING: renaming "crypt" since importing it failed: build/lib.linux-x86_64-2.7/crypt.so: undefined symbol: crypt
*** WARNING: renaming "nis" since importing it failed: build/lib.linux-x86_64-2.7/nis.so: undefined symbol: yp_master
make: *** [libinstall] Error 1
---- End output of "bash"  "/tmp/chef-script20140715-9783-k2dw6u" ----
Ran "bash"  "/tmp/chef-script20140715-9783-k2dw6u" returned 2
[2014-07-15T10:29:19+00:00] FATAL: Chef::Exceptions::ChildConvergeError: Chef run process exited unsuccessfully (exit code 1)

A: I've had that error happen before.
Solution 1 - I needed to upgrade make tools. Also needed to ensure that the python wasn't already installed.
Solution 2 - ( horrible one ) Also if all things fail, simply add the line into the BASH stanza:
bash "install python...." do
  ..
  ignore_failure true
  ..
end

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Aryan Surana
Aug 14, 2019 IST
The Indian team
Recovering speedily from a traumatizing elimination in the penultimate fixture of the World Cup 2019, the India team has shifted its focus to lifting the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia which commences on 18 October 2020.
Barring the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup where the MS Dhoni-led India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan in a nail-biting decider, the Men in Blue have never crossed the finish line in the showpiece event.
India suffered heartbreak in the World Cup semifinal, at the hands of New Zealand
Experimentation has been the buzzword for India lately, which has helped shape the T20 squad well. The panel of selectors have gambled with numerous alternatives for various positions in the recent past in both departments, batting and bowling.
"Our vision is very clear. We have to build a team for the World Cup. We have a core team ready and there are those who are on the fringe. We have to try out a few more players. Once we have tried enough players, four months before the World Cup, which is about 12 months from now, we will play with the main team. If there are 25 T20s maybe in 10-12 we will experiment," chief selector MSK Prasad said while speaking about India's plans for the T20 World Cup in a press conference after India's shocking exit from the WC 2019.
With the preparations already underway for the T20 bonanza, let us look at three specific things India should do to prepare for it:
1. Banking on Rishabh Pant's X-factor
Rishabh Pant is key to the Indian batting unit.
After providing him with umpteen opportunities, the management seems to have ultimately decided to give up on veteran Dinesh Karthik. Talented youngster Rishabh Pant has finally cemented a place in the squad, replacing the exuberant middle-order batsman - thanks to his displays of brilliance in the IPL.
Considered as one of the most destructive batsmen of the modern generation, the flamboyant southpaw could turn into an essential part of the Indian setup. He is a ferocious striker of the cricket ball, which is unarguably a rare commodity.
The dynamic player has often been at the receiving end of criticism for his shot-selection in crunch moments, as he tends to recklessly throw away his wicket in an unnecessary search for the glory shot even when the situation demands sensible batting. However, a composed 65 in the final T20 encounter against West Indies silenced the doubters, and presenting a slight glimpse of a transition from an immature prodigy to a responsible batsman.
If Pant can effectively mold the technical aspects of his game, combining his stroke-making prowess with a touch of caution, he can prove immensely beneficial in the anticipated showpiece event.
Also see - Live cricket score
ICC T20 World Cup Indian Cricket Team Shreyas Iyer Rishabh Pant
5 questions that India need to answer before the 2020 T20 World Cup
5 iconic India-Australia clashes in World Cup cricket
Do we need a T20 International Cricket League?
Why India must keep both MS Dhoni and Sanju Samson in the reckoning for the T20 World Cup
T20 World Cup 2020: The ideal top 6 for India
ICC T20 World Cup: 5 men with most runs in tournament history
3 players India can groom for ICC T20 World Cup 2020
Reliving India's glorious T20 World Cup win
5 contenders for the Indian pace-attack at ICC T20 World Cup
Why India must not tinker with the lineup too much ahead of the T20 World Cup


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Jodie has raised an outstanding £30k for The Sick Children's Trust and is now dedicated in supporting her local hospice that she attends!
We are raising awareness of "Ehler's Danlos Syndrome' a rare connective tissue disorder that Jodie has been diagnosed with and fundraising for Jigsaw Cumbria's Children's Hospice.
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She also contends with an ileostomy stoma as her large bowel has been removed, bladder failure meaning a second stoma urostomy with removal of her bladder and a gastrostomy tube. She suffers with chronic pain/fatigue/blackouts and dislocations, alongside a whole host of other complex medical issues.
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Their dedicated work and special care never stops.
Jodie has previously raised an incredible amount of £30k for The Sick Children's Trust and is now dedicated to raising money for Jigsaw and we truly appreciate the love and support given!


text:
Posted by: Mike Cornelius | June 7, 2020
The Great Game On The Brink
It now seems likely that major league baseball games will be played this summer. That may come as a surprise to fans who have only focused on the headlines of owners and players locked in a bitter struggle over the terms of a shortened 2020 season, with neither side showing any inclination to compromise. But the precise phrasing of that first sentence is intentional.
Under the agreement MLB and the MLBPA signed in March, commissioner Rob Manfred can order a season of any length, provided the players are paid their full prorated salaries for the number of games played. In the absence of any real negotiating between the parties, the popular rumor this week was that Manfred was prepared to impose a 50-game schedule, presumably beginning sometime in July. The rumor may be nothing more than management's latest negotiating ploy. But if such a schedule does prove to be the resolution to the current impasse, then there will be games played at major league parks across the land. But there is little chance that the collection of those games would be looked upon as a legitimate season by either players or fans.
Fundamental to the nature of the Great Game is the length of its season. One hundred sixty-two games, played across widely varying conditions through spring, summer and fall, is a test unique to baseball. Within that long framework every individual player and every team goes through periods of success and failure, hoping of course that the former outweigh the latter by the time the final out is recorded. While it's a given that this year's campaign will be shortened, truncating the schedule to less than one-third of its normal length introduces an element of chance contrary to the spirit and essence of the game. Fans of the reigning world champions can attest to that, for it was the Nationals that finished the first fifty games of last season with an unsightly record of 19-31.
There is also the very real possibility that at least some players would approach such a schedule with a less than enthusiastic attitude. Were it to happen, Manfred's decision would be seen as a heavy-handed attack on the Players Association, conceding its demand of full pro-rated salaries only by establishing a schedule that leaves every player with barely more than thirty percent of their contracted pay. Fans would be tuning in to watch members of an embittered workforce going through the motions of their job, and in some cases perhaps not even that.
As Buster Olney speculated for ESPN, players who already feel they have been used by management might not play at all. Olney used the theoretical example of Houston's George Springer. The Astros made no attempt to disguise their intent to manipulate Springer's service time when he wasn't called up from the minors in September 2013 and then again when he was left off the Opening Day roster the following year. That gave Houston an extra year of Springer's services, at a cost of tens of millions of dollars to the player. Now Springer is one season away from free agency. With the March agreement guaranteeing him a full year's service time if he plays at least one game, Olney wondered if Springer might consider doing exactly that and no more. Would other pending free agents join him in developing a mysterious injury or finding another urgent reason why they couldn't play?
In short, a faux short season unilaterally imposed by management might well do more harm to baseball than no season at all. At the very least, the two options are in close competition for the most damaging to the sport. But the reality is that time is now truly short for owners and players to bridge what still appears to be a yawning chasm of disagreement. The idea of an early July date for Opening Day is all but by the boards, with the consensus being that players, especially pitchers, will need four weeks of work during "Spring Training 2.0" to prepare for meaningful games. Owners, players, and fans are now all at the eleventh hour.
History is full of stories of seemingly implacable disputes between labor and management that were resolved even as the proverbial clock was striking midnight. And it's worth noting that there appear to be several issues on which the parties agree, including expanded rosters, use of the designated hitter in both leagues, a regional schedule to limit travel, and more teams in the postseason. But these are ancillary to the core questions of health protocols and pay, and the last one especially will only be resolved when both sides accept that each must yield from its current position. Perhaps after a week in which the owners of several franchises were embarrassed by players who either individually or as a group stepped in to fill the void when teams announced plans to end the modest stipends paid to minor leaguers, management may have an incentive to compromise.
Even if that happens, there are many pundits who say that the delay and the ugly exchanges between players and owners mean baseball has squandered an opportunity to lead in the country's recovery from the pandemic. That notion always seemed hyperbolic to this writer, in part because a central factor in the catharsis provided by all sports is the role played by a stadium full of passionate fans, something that will not exist anytime soon. Still there is no question that the focus on salaries at a time of enormous economic deprivation for so many has been harmful.
The Great Game could mitigate that by taking the lead in addressing an issue far more pernicious than any virus. Whatever there is of a 2020 baseball season should be dedicated to raising awareness of and combating the systemic racism that has spurred thousands to action in the past two weeks. Already individual players have started to use social media to speak out. That list includes African-American stars like Aaron Judge and Dexter Fowler, but also a growing list of white players, including Pete Alonso, Justin Turner, Bryce Harper, and Sean Doolittle. MLB should encourage and promote more of this while incorporating anti-racist messages into every television broadcast and at every ballpark once fans return.
Like all professional leagues, MLB does a very good job of promoting causes, the "Stand Up to Cancer" campaign being an obvious example (interestingly, no one ever complains that the phrase should be "stand up to all diseases"). Just as that effort will not by itself eradicate cancer, a commitment to anti-racism by MLB will not expunge the nation's original sin. But every voice is important, and the Great Game's is loud. Nor is there money in it, no higher salaries for players or increased ticket sales for owners. But the reward for our most important work is measured not in dollars but in grace, as was written more than twenty-five centuries ago – "they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Surely both owners and players could agree on that.
Posted in Baseball | Tags: Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, Buster Olney, Dexter Fowler, ESPN, George Springer, Justin Turner, MLB, MLBPA, Pete Alonso, Rob Manfred, Sean Doolittle, Washington Nationals
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text:
class AddDistancesAchievedToManeuverParticipants < ActiveRecord::Migration
  def change
    add_column :maneuver_participants, :distances_achieved, :string
  end
end


The wedding planning process, from engagement to vows, is filled with all kinds of fun pre-wedding events for you, friends and family. Of course, you're focused on the wedding right now and rightfully so! However, it's important to remember that you'll need to create guest lists for other celebrations, too. Deciding whom to invite to what celebration can be a little tricky.
We've put together a simple breakdown of wedding events and a general guideline to help you decide who is invited to what. Remember, ultimately the decision is up to you. So if this list doesn't suit your needs exactly, switch it up! Your wedding is about what makes you happy.
Let's talk through the categories of invitees.
Bridal Party – The bridal party often refers to the bride's attendants such as the maid of honor and bridesmaids.
Wedding Party – The wedding party refers to all attendants: maid of honor, bridesmaids, best man, groomsmen, ushers, ring bearer and/or flower girl.
Family – Family includes your side of the family and your future spouse's side of the family. You may invite more or less of each depending on the size of the event.
Close Family Members – this usually means immediate family of the bride and groom, like parents and siblings. Some people might have an aunt or cousin they consider close family. It all depends on your relationship to the person.
Friends – Friends can be childhood besties, college buddies, coworkers, longtime neighbors, etc. This category is big for a reason!
Out of Town Guests – Some of your guests may be traveling long distances for your wedding. Many couples choose to invite them to the rehearsal dinner or brunch as a thoughtful gesture.
Other – This category includes people you're inviting that may not fit into a specific category: coworkers, bosses, parents' friends, business partners, etc.