Monthly Archives: May 2012

Bullets, Booze, Brazil: HEALTH on Scoring 'Max Payne 3'

Posted: May 20, 2012 at 3:11 am

HEALTH

The road to Max Payne 3's release earlier this week for Xbox 360 and PS3 (the PC version releases May 29) has been a long one, both for fans of the titular badass and the world-weary character himself. For the uninitiated, Rockstar Games, of Grand Theft Auto fame, first introduced Max Payne in 2001. He's a hard-boiled New York City cop seeking answers for his wife and child's untimely demise at the hands of junkies addicted to a designer drug. Max's Mickey Spillane-esque story leaves him framed for murder and embroiled in a grand conspiracy involving a secret society called the Inner Circle, the game's version of the Illuminati.

A 2003 sequel followed, wherein Max battled Russian mobsters with ties to the Inner Circle who are bent on silencing him. Despite his survival at the end of Max Payne 2, Max is left a broken man. Now a full-blown alcoholic addicted to painkillers, Max, continues a downward spiral that leads him to Brazil, where he works security for a wealthy family in the grimy streets of Sao Paolo, searching for a new life or at least a fitting end to his current one. And as those who have followed his story over the last 11 years can attest, the perpetually bedeviled Max once again ends up with more questions, and dead bodies than he does answers.

A dark and brutal story set in a vibrant, stylish world, Max Payne 3 is far and away one of the most enthralling action games ever made. And like all of Rockstar's titles, the music is integral to the overall experience. But how do you convey the tragic, ber-noir nature of Max Payne while ensuring the player feels like a cinematic action hero painting Sao Paolo's favelas with the brains of a thousand thugs?

Enter HEALTH. Rockstar called on the experimental L.A. band to create a dynamic score for Max Payne 3 that would ebb and flow along with whatever was happening on screen, a method Rockstar successfully incorporated into 2010's critically acclaimed western Red Dead Redemption. SPIN spoke with HEALTH's John Famiglietti on what is was like scoring a Max Payne game 7.5 million copies, countless ersatz bullets, and one Mark Wahlberg movie after the last one.

How did you get involved with Max Payne 3? Rockstar kind of cold-called us. We heard that they wanted to talk to us and then they came to our show in New York.

Were you familiar with Max Payne or Rockstar before? Yeah, totally. I play video games, I know all that stuff!

Do you have any favorites now? I like Dark Souls. It's super-hard. That's why it's so cool.

Max Payne 3 is also quite challenging itself. It is. I'm really stoked on the difficulty. It's really satisfying.

Game development is often quite secretive. Did you see much of the game before starting on any music? Yeah all the music we did was to video captures of someone playing the level or, like, a game tester playing through it really fast. Anything we'd record, we'd play to the video to see if it sounded good.

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Ancient group casts for new blood

Posted: at 3:11 am

Grand Master Robert Parsons, seated, with Deputy Grand Master Stephen Mikalak in the Grand Lodge on North Tce. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe. Source: AdelaideNow

GOOGLE "Freemasonry" and you're likely to find a host of websites about conspiracies, secrecy and the illuminati.

But the truth, according to the Freemasons, is that the group is about symbols, rituals, allegories and metaphors that help men live a better life.

South Australia and Northern Territory Grand Lodge Grand Master Robert Parsons and Deputy Grand Master Stephen Michalak say that far from being a secret society, the Freemasons simply has an image problem.

They are now focusing on ways to attract younger members keen to give back to their community.

"In the past, going back 10 or 15 years, I believe, in our attempts to attract men to Freemasonry, we've been too old-fashioned," said Mr Parsons, who has been a Freemason since 1968.

"We have not kept up with the times inasmuch as the way to go about it," he said.

"Now we are experiencing a good influx of men, both young and older, who are joining and it's because we have changed our ways with technology.

"It's about time that we did and up until about three years ago we were struggling - we're still struggling as far as membership goes - but it has increased quite considerably over the past couple of years."

Building foreman Jarrod Acres, 25, who joined two months ago, said he wanted to give back to the community.

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Hampshire OKs changes to aid Lakewood Crossing subdivision

Posted: at 3:10 am

By Denise Moran For The Courier-News May 18, 2012 2:50PM

Updated: May 19, 2012 5:25PM

HAMPSHIRE The village board has approved a second amendment to the annexation agreement for the Brier Hill Crossing property in a move officials believe will help the owner sell homes there.

Known as the Lakewood Crossing subdivision, the property is north of Big Timber Road, west of Route 47 and south of I-90. Ryland Homes took over the subdivision after its previous developer lost the unsold parts of the development to its mortgage holder. The subdivision includes both single-family and duplex homes.

Ryland Homes came before the board earlier this year asking to reduce the rear yard setbacks on eight duplex lots in order to allow models to fit within the buildable area. It also sought relief from impact and transition fees.

By approving the second amendment to the annexation agreement, Village Administrator Doug Maxeiner said this past week, the village has brought the fees back to what they were in 2005 when the subdivision was originally approved and annexed.

We will keep this rate for two years, Maxeiner said.

By the village agreeing to this, said Trustee George Brust, we are trying to kick-start the economy.

In other news:

The board unanimously approved three proposed improvements to Hampshire Memorial Park, at the southeast corner of Route 72 and Getzelman Road.

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Judge overturns free speech law after ACLU suit

Posted: at 3:10 am

Court Dispute dates back to 2005.

A federal judge has approved an agreement between the state and a coalition of free speech plaintiffs in a long-running lawsuit, ensuring those who post adult content on the Internet cant be prosecuted for failing to label it as "harmful to minors."

U.S. District Judge Dee Benson approved the agreement earlier this week in a lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah, local artist Nathan Florence, trade associations, publishers of graphic and comic books and librarians who all argued the law infringed on free speech rights.

Bensons order states adults dont need to label content they post as harmful to minors. The law does allow prosecution of those who intentionally send material deemed harmful to minors to a specific minor or someone whose age hasnt been determined.

The outcome marked a win for First Amendment rights, said plaintiffs attorneys.

"This declaratory judgment makes clear that adult-to-adult communications on the Internet, and through other electronic means, cannot be restricted simply because minors also access the Internet and other electronic communications," said David Horowitz, executive director of Media Coalition, an organization that represents the trade associations of booksellers, publishers, graphic and comic books, and librarians.

Assistant Attorney General Jerrold Jensen said the harmful to minors statute remains the same, and that it had only been misinterpreted by the plaintiffs.

"It does not apply universally, it has to be a one-on-one encounter," Jensen said Friday. "That was our position from day one."

In 2005, the ACLU filed a lawsuit arguing the wording of the law violated the First Amendment for adults by making it illegal for adult-to-adult communications on the Internet on the basis that a minor might access the website or blog.

In 2007 the statute was amended, but the plaintiffs argued it still barred certain forms of visual art, photography and graphic novels, without posting it would be harmful to minors. It also didnt allow for information about human sexuality and the health rights of the LGBT community, according to the lawsuit. In response, the law was amended again in 2008.

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Free speech-language screenings at Addison Gilbert Hospital in Gloucester and Beverly Hospital in Beverly

Posted: at 3:10 am

May is Better Speech & Hearing Month. The Speech-Language Therapy Department at Beverly Hospital will sponsor free pediatric speech/language screenings at Addison Gilbert and Beverly and hospitals through May 31 for children 11 months-18 years

Screenings will be conducted by a member of the Speech-Language Therapy Department, which will take approximately 20-30 minutes to identify if a child is developmentally appropriate in terms of their speech, language or feeding skills. If a child qualifies for further evaluation, a speech/language pathologist will assist parents in scheduling a comprehensive speech/language evaluation.

Screenings will take place in Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine at Addison Gilbert Hospital, 298 Washington St., Gloucester, and at Beverly Hospitals Speech-language Therapy Outpatient Clinic, directly on Herrick Street in Beverly.

Times available by appointment only. Call 978-283-4000, ext. 141 (Addison Gilbert Hospital) or 978-816-2690 (Beverly Hospital) to schedule a free screening. For questions or comments, e-mail sgriffin@nhs-healthlink.org

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Bush: Freedom not just another word

Posted: May 17, 2012 at 12:24 pm

President George W. Bush had plenty to say about freedom during a rare public speech Tuesday he uttered the word about two dozen times but noticeably absent was a single mention of Afghanistan or Iraq, or of President Barack Obama.

No advance of freedom is inevitable. And any gain can be lost. But there is a reason for the momentum of liberty across the centuries: Human beings were not designed for servitude. They were created for better things. And the human soul is forever restless until it rests in freedom, Bush said at a George W. Bush Presidential Center event titled A Celebration of Human Freedom.

Speaking just a block away from the White House, Bush made no mention of the buildings current occupant, or of the two wars he launched while in office. Instead, the former president spoke in generalities, cautiously greeting the Arab Spring the broadest challenge to authoritarian rule since the collapse of Soviet communism, he said while warning of its challenges, and also promoting freedom as an American value that should be universal.

America does not get to choose if a freedom revolution should begin or end in the Middle East, or elsewhere. It only gets to choose what side it is on, the 43rd President of the United States said one of 23 times he uttered the word freedom, according to prepared remarks.

In promoting freedom, our methods must be flexible. Change comes at different paces in different places. Liberty often arrives not in leaps, but in steps. Yet flexibility does not mean ambiguity. The same principles must apply to all countries, he added.

Bush appeared relaxed, and even opened with a joke about his own freedom.

I actually found my freedom from leaving Washington, but its good on occasion to be back and see old friends, quipped Bush. The members of the Bush administration the mighty Bush administration thanks for showing up.

Bush made his remarks before an introduction, by former first lady Laura Bush, of Burmese dissident Aung San Suu Kyi . The pro-democracy activist, recently sworn in to the Burmese parliament, appeared via Skype video-conference.

Suu Kyi said she doesnt oppose Sen. John McCains (R-Ariz.) suggestion to suspend sanctions against Burma.

Im not against the suspension of sanctions I do advocate caution though, I sometimes feel that people are too optimistic about the scene in Burma, said Suu Kyi.

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Florence Freedom prepares for opening night

Posted: at 12:24 pm

FLORENCE, Ky. - Twenty four baseball players with big league dreams are stepping out on the field for the first time Thursday night at the home of the Florence Freedom.

The Florence Freedom are preparing for opening night Thursday and many players are hoping the independent league team will help them hit it big. The players only make $600 to $1,600 a month, but many play for the exposure.

"All these guys are very fresh, very hungry to get to the affiliate level to make their major league debut," said General Manager Josh Anderson.

Anderson says at any given game, there could be a few major league scouts looking for the next big player.

He says there's more than just baseball action kicking off at the ball park Thursday.

"There's so much else going on besides the game itself. Kind of a circus breaks out in a baseball game, so to speak," said Anderson.

On Thursdays, the team is offering dollar beers, dollar hot dogs, and dollar sodas.

On Fridays, expect a free fireworks show.

And after every Saturday game this summer, a live local band will entertain you. The concert is free with regular admission to the game.

Anderson says the team also has a new program for families. On Saturdays, parents can enjoy some alone time listening to a live band while the Florence Freedom entertains your kids on the baseball field for free.

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Liberty Jet is Proud to Announce That Revolution Air is Now Part of the Liberty Family.

Posted: at 12:23 pm

ISLIP, N.Y., May 16, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Liberty Jet Management, one of the fastest growing operators in the Northeast announced today that Revolution Air, one of the premier aircraft charter brokers in the country is now part of Liberty Jet's retail division. Liberty Jet is pleased to welcome Mr. Joe Bacci and his team from Revolution Air to head up this rapidly growing private jet charter division. Christian Deputy, President of Liberty Jet commented that "having a seasoned veteran like Joe will be a welcomed addition to Liberty's continued growth that it is experiencing on all fronts." Deputy also said that, "there is a great synergistic effect between Joe, his team, and the current Liberty Jet personnel already in place." Terms of the deal would not be disclosed.

Liberty Jet's corporate offices are based at their state of the art 60,000 sq ft facility at Long Island's MacArthur Airport with sales offices in Chicago, Philadelphia and Boca Raton manage aircraft from heavy to light aircraft throughout the United States.

For more information please contact Julian Schulman, Director of Client Services at 800-879-2345 or visit our website at http://www.libertyjet.com.

Christian Deputy Liberty Jet Management, 1-800-879-2345, cdeputy@libertyjet.com

News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com

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Liberty Interactive Corporation to Present at the Barclays Global Technology, Media and Telecommunications Conference

Posted: at 12:23 pm

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Liberty Interactive Corporation (Nasdaq: LINTA, LINTB) announced that Greg Maffei, President and CEO of Liberty Interactive, will be presenting at the Barclays Global Technology, Media and Telecommunication Conference on Wednesday, May 23rd at 2:45 p.m., Eastern Time at the Sheraton New York Hotel in New York City, NY. During his presentation, Mr. Maffei may make observations regarding the company's financial performance and outlook and the proposed creation of the Liberty Ventures tracking stock.

The presentation will be broadcast live via the Internet. All interested persons should visit the Liberty Interactive Corporation website at http://www.libertyinteractive.com/events to register for the webcast. An archive of the webcast will also be available on this website for 30 days.

About Liberty Interactive Corporation

Liberty Interactive (Nasdaq: LINTA, LINTB) owns interests in a broad range video and online commerce businesses including QVC, Provide Commerce, Backcountry.com, Celebrate Interactive, Bodybuilding.com, Evite, Expedia and TripAdvisor.

Additional Information

Nothing in this press release shall constitute a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell shares of Liberty Interactives proposed new tracking stock or Liberty Interactives existing common stock. The offer and sale of shares of the proposed tracking stock will only be made pursuant to an effective registration statement. Liberty Interactive stockholders and other investors are urged to read the registration statement filed with the SEC, including the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus contained therein, because they contain important information about the issuance of shares of the proposed tracking stock. Copies of Liberty Interactives SEC filings are available free of charge at the SECs website (http://www.sec.gov). Copies of the filings together with the materials incorporated by reference therein will also be available, without charge, by directing a request to Liberty Interactive Corporation, 12300 Liberty Boulevard, Englewood, Colorado 80112, Attention: Investor Relations, Telephone: (720) 875-5408.

Participants in a Solicitation

The directors and executive officers of Liberty Interactive and other persons may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of proposals relating to the approval of the issuance of the new tracking stock. Information regarding the directors and executive officers of Liberty Interactive and other participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be available in the proxy materials to be filed with the SEC (a preliminary filing of which has been made with the SEC).

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Liberty Dialysis Celebrates Milestone 1,000th Patient in Peritoneal Dialysis Program

Posted: at 12:23 pm

MERCER ISLAND, Wash., May 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Liberty Dialysis (www.libertydialysis.com), owner and operator of more than 260 dialysis clinics nationwide, is celebrating its 1,000th patient to participate in its Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) program. Liberty Dialysis is known for its strong commitment to home therapies for End Stage kidney disease patients, making this a particularly special milestone for the company. The 1,000th PD patient was trained in just two weeks, by nephrology specialists at the Liberty affiliate INS Statesville clinic to perform PD treatment independently.

What is PD? Peritoneal dialysis allows End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients to treat themselves at home, work and even while traveling. Like hemodialysis, PD is a way to remove waste products from the blood when the kidneys can no longer perform this function. During PD, a catheter attached to the patient's abdominal lining (peritoneum) delivers fluid (dialysate) to the blood vessels. This fluid flows into and out of the peritoneal space, performing the kidney's function.

PD vs. HemodialysisThe majority of patients with severe chronic kidney disease are treated with hemodialysis, which typically takes place in a hospital or clinic under the supervision of specialized staff, such as nephrology nurses and technicians. In some cases treatment can be performed at home by a patient or caregiver. While PD treatment is not an option for everyone, many patients are candidates for this type of treatment. More ESRD patients are choosing this method for its many benefits, including:

"Celebrating Liberty Dialysis' 1,000th PD patient is a particularly special milestone for us," stated Ron Sawyer, Chief Operating Officer at Liberty Dialysis. "The commitment to providing home dialysis has always been an important cornerstone of our organization. Everyone at Liberty is committed to making home dialysis an option to more patients."

About Liberty Dialysis With more than 260 dialysis clinics in operation across the U.S., Liberty Dialysis is dedicated to providing outstanding care for patients with kidney disease and a rewarding career experience for its trained caregivers. Liberty has a history of developing clinics in underserved communities in cooperation with local physicians and non-profit organizations. Liberty also forms partnerships with local nephrologists and hospitals to develop and operate these centers. For more information, visit http://www.libertydialysis.com.

Media Contact: Alia Henson 316-619-4245

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