// highlight anything with the class "save_message"
	var highlightSave = function(){
		$$(".save_message").each(function(elem){
					new Effect.Highlight(elem, {duration: 1.5});
				});
	}	

	Event.observe(window, "load", highlightSave, false);

	//implements maxlength for textareas
	//use like this: 
	//  	<textarea id="Comment" name="Comment" maxlength="250" onkeyup="return truncateToMaxLength(this)" ></textarea>

	var truncateToMaxLength = function(obj){
		var textarea = $(obj);
		var maxLength = textarea.getAttribute ? parseInt(textarea.getAttribute("maxlength")) : "";
		if (textarea.getAttribute && textarea.value.length > maxLength)
			textarea.value = textarea.value.substring(0, maxLength);
	}
	
	String.prototype.trim = function() {
		return this.replace(/^\s+|\s+$/g, '');
	}