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Sunday, July 25, 2010
Scanning the radar: Midfielders
Without further delay, I have prepared two list of 'sleepers': those who I think will perform above expectations for the upcoming season, and those who don't quite warrant consideration yet but might if one or two things go there way. I have tried to stick to my statistical basis for the predictions but some are also based on a bit of a 'feeling' and so carry a bit more risk.
Under the radar
Theo Walcott (7m)
I can't honestly believe I am typing these words as I have been a major downer on Walcott's career to date, going so far last season as to call him Wenger's second worst ever signing after the disastrous Francis Jeffers deal (who incidentally may be back to bite me too as he looks to secure a deal at newly promoted Blackpool). Anyway, if Walcott can stay fit and keep a spot in the team his fantasy production is useful given the pundits love for Englishmen and his pace allowing him to catch the eye. At last season's production levels he would notch 7 goals, 5 assists, 12 bonus points and 155 points if he were to play 30 games this year. That would have placed him 6th among midfielders in last year's final stats. He isn't a lock to produce and I would want a decent bench player to reduce the risk of rotation but he definitely deserves some attention.
Charlie Adam (5.0m)
Adam managed 16 league goals last season and impressed many pundits following his arrival from Rangers, where to be fair he had enjoyed some success back in 2007. Still only 24, it is not unreasonable to suggest that Adam is still maturing and might be one of the select few who manage to transfer lower league form into EPL success. For 5.0m Adam will give you penalties, free kicks and a guaranteed play every week which as fantasy veterans know, is not to be taken lightly at this point of a uncertain season.
Lee Chung-Yong (5.5m)
There isn't much I don't love about Lee and although I obviously want him to stay at the Reebok, a move to Liverpool would put his value through the roof. Lee had a great World Cup to follow up his fine first season in England and stretching his numbers over a 30 game season would see him add 4 goals, 7 assists and 118 points. Those numbers are conservative given that he has had a full year to settle in to England along with the arrival of the once prolific Martin Petrov (see below) to relieve some pressure in Owen Coyle's side. At 5.5m there is little downside here and if he can catch the eye of the pundits he could enjoy a real breakout season.
David Silva (9.0m)
Okay it's hard to class a £25m signing as under the radar but Silva is currently held but just 3% of managers, likely due to a combination of his recent arrival and manager's distrust of new arrivals. Indeed, I preached caution above when it comes to new arrivals. However, Silva fits into that category of players who will simply excel wherever they play. At 9m you are backing Silva to outscore the likes of Kuyt, Milner and Valencia but I don't see that being a problem for the World Cup winner. City should be one of the higher scoring team this year and they absolutely need to qualify for the Champions League so should be going all out for Mancini or he could face the boot by Christmas. When the season draws to a close I would not be surprised to see Silva up with Lampard and fellow Spaniard Fabregas among the season's top points scorers.
Jonas Gutierrez (5.0m)
Gutierrez caught my eye during his time in the Premier League with Newcastle and I was surprised he stuck around in the Championship with them last year. After a so-so World Cup playing at right back under Maradona's somewhat unorthodox system, Gutierrez should resume his place on the wings for the Magpies and at 5m I like his upside. He should be able to contribute in all categories though he managed just 4 goals last term and 0 in 30 games in the EPL last time so his upside is probably somewhere around Steve Pienaar last year.
Sanli Tuncay (5.5m)
I liked Tuncay after his move to Stoke last season and many would consider that trust to be misplaced after failing to impress last year. However, I feel those criticisms are misplaced and Tuncay actually produced when he was able to get on the field. Expanding his stats over a full season in which he played in just 30 games, he would have added 8 goals, 4 assists, 23 bonus points on his way to 161 total points (more points than Steve Gerrard). I know not much can be gained from pre-season games against Newcastle Town but Tuncay's hatttick can't have hurt his grasp on a first team place in Pulis's side. At 5.5m he is great value and I like his to contribute to a team all season in a mid-price midfielder rotation role.
Thomas Hitzelsperger (5.5m)
I've always been a fan of 'The Hammer' and it seems he is back to old tricks after rifling in a free kick for the Hammers on Friday. He should play every week, contribute goals and assists and may even threaten the bonus category in a West Ham team that lacks too many players to catch the eye. Carlton Cole - who also played with Hitzelsperger at Villa - is already impressed and sounds like his ready to pay the mere 5.5m to get him in his team this year. Expect to hear the words "trademark strike" several times this year.
Just off the radar
Yaya Youre (5.5m)
Toure's fantasy success really depends on the role Mancini has in mind for the former Barcelona man. If he plays him alongside De Jong he should be able to get forward sufficiently to give some fantasy value at 5.5m along the lines of a Bowyer or Diaby from last season. If however, he is the anchor man then much like other talented defensive midfielders like Mascherano and Palacious, he will struggle to make a fantasy impact. At £28m though, he is at least assured to play pretty much every week.
Martin Petrov (6.0m)
It wasn't long ago that Petrov was shining in a so-so City side, turning heads with his direct style and powerful shooting on his way to an impressive fantasy total of 153 points. The arrival of stars like David Silva has rendered him surplus to requirements and he has been wisely picked up by Owen Coyle (to my delight). At 6m he isn't an absolute steal and does carry some risk (his knees have been unreliable to say the least) but if he can prove his fitness in the off season and continue his good form then he deserves at least a thought to make your opening day squad.
Solomon Kalou (7.5m)
Kalou is not 'off radar' in the sense that we haven't heard off him, more that we aren't picking him: his current ownership is just 1.3%. If you extrapolate Kalou's numbers over a season (playing a modest 30 games) then he would contribute 14 goals, 11 assists and 209 points, despite failing to catch the eye of the bonus pundits. Obviously the arrival of Benayoun hurts his value a touch, but with Drogba's fitness uncertain, Anelka should shift into a forward position giving Kalou at least a few weeks to prove his worth. Kalou's second half displays were as good as anyone last year and at 7.5m his value has a long way to go if he starts off this season in similar form.
Stay tuned for further posts on the forwards and defenders I like for the upcoming season, though they may not be up until the 1st August as I head back to China from Hong Kong, where my Twitter and Blogger access is blocked. As always thanks for reading and please comment below or @plfantasy.
13 comments:
- sapporo star said...
According the fixture of GW1 to GW12, Arsenal and Chelsea also have a easy fixture. Which team you think they are more easier ? I am planning to put 3 players from chelsea or Arsenal in the GW1 to GW12.
BTW, it is good to see you again !!
Take care !
- July 26, 2010 at 6:50 AM
- sapporo star said...
I may not said it clearly.. I mean I would pick 3 players from Chelsea or Arsenal either ~
- July 26, 2010 at 7:00 AM
- David said...
So prelim RMT, I think this is pretty balanced, 14 teams represented! thoughts?
JCollins\Dawson\Nelsen\Van Damme (Al-Muhammadi)
Lampard\Arteta\MPetrov\N'Zogbia (Adam)
Rooney\RVP (Carroll)
Haven't fully decided on the best 9m keeper combo.
- July 26, 2010 at 7:06 AM
- Craig B said...
Hi Chris - Nice write up. I was curious to see if Jarvis would make your list. I know you were a fan of his last year, has a favorable opening run of games and just 1.4% ownership. What do you think of him for this season? Also any tips on a good place to look at week by week historical fantasy production from last year?
- July 26, 2010 at 5:24 PM
- Andrew said...
@David - I've decided to stay away from Birmingam defense and thus, Foster. A HUGE part of why they were so good last year was Hart (just look at his save count!) Also, if I remember correctly, Foster rotates best with Hahnemann and I wanted to get a wolves defender.
I ended up going with Jaskelainen and Robinson for my rotating keepers. There were only 3 games in the first 15 where I was iffy about starting either of them, so they rotate pretty well.
- July 27, 2010 at 9:16 PM
- Ryan said...
@Andrew - I totally agree with you on Hart's influence on Birmingham's defence last season. Having said that, Foster is still my tentative main goalie as I can't think of many value-for-money alternatives. Sorensen (Stoke) and Carson (WB) both have nasty opening fixtures.
By the way, does anyone know the code to join this website's mini league?
- July 28, 2010 at 3:47 PM
- July 28, 2010 at 5:29 PM
- Craig B said...
@Ryan - I am sure it will be posted soon but I lifted this from a post last year.
code 51315-1622o - I can't remember but I think that last digit is a zero rather than the letter o.
- July 29, 2010 at 10:41 PM
- Ryan said...
Thanks Craig but I'm afraid it doesn't work. The code for any mini league changes every season when the administrator renews/refreshes it.
Looks like we'll have to wait for Chris's post.
- July 30, 2010 at 10:16 AM
- 李家黃喬盈榮 said...
- July 31, 2010 at 8:35 PM
- travelnotes said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- August 1, 2010 at 9:57 AM
- travelnotes said...
Code to join our league is: 638-335
- August 1, 2010 at 9:59 AM
- Jimp25 said...
Brilliant blog, my first time and I think it's great. No mention of Arshavin though, I though he was a good bet with Arsenals start not being too bad and his great record against Liverpool. I've also used www.fantasyfootballassistance.com which I would recommend to readers as the information is concise and, based on results from previous season, accurate. Do like this blog as well though so I'm an advocate for using both. Good luck everyone for the coming season :)
- August 1, 2010 at 12:19 PM


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Double First for Aeristech at BEEA Awards Ceremony
Aeristech was delighted when it was presented with the "British Engineering Excellence Award" for "New Product of the Year 2018"at a ceremony on 4th October.
It was the first time the Company had put forward its Fuel Cell Air Compressor for an award. This is a rerun of last year when the Aeristech "Sole Charger" won. Richard Wall CEO said,
"Winning is not just an ego trip. Independent recognition of our achievement provides confirmation for our investors and customers that we really are are onto something".
Of course better confirmation came a month ago when Aeristech signed its first £1million contract for these compressors.
NOTE; 25% of a fuel cells output is used to pressurise the air supply. Aeristech's compressor is cheaper, smaller, lighter and significantly more efficient than any current fuel cell compressor.

subset: commoncrawl


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Free screenings at 11am and 3.30pm. Including the first ever scenes of tanks in battle, the film also conveys, with power and artistry, the difficulties experienced by the British Army as it fought on over ground beset in a sea of mud. Over one hundred years later, this unique film from IWM's collection, is being shown to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War.
©IWM still from The Battle of the Ancre and Advance of the Tanks (1917) © IWM 116
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Using the elasticity of rubber to explain the basic principles of gunfire
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Ask the Western Front Association (WFA) experts who will be able to source any relatives army records and print out memorial scrolls.
Staffed by WWI experts who will be pleased to identify and discuss any contemporary WWI items visitors bring along.


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I can't get enough of Chanails! Each month for the MISS Nails Did 2012 Calendar we choose a different designer product to feature and well, we can't get enough of Chanel. For the third month this year we are featuring Chanails – but I'm not sure we're ever going to be able to top this!
August marks the month of our patron saint "Santa Coco" otherwise known to you as Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel. The famous Leo had an affinity for astrology and you will find lions all over her apartment at 31 Rue Cambon, as well as emblazoned on buttons and fine jewelry. The way we dress today as modern women all dates back to Coco Chanel – tans, the color black, pants, little black dresses, the iconic quilted bag, sailor stripes, costume jewelry, tweed and jersey for women's clothing – these were all made popular by Coco Chanel. She not only blazed trails for fashion, but defined what it meant to be a powerful, successful independent woman. Join us as we kneel and pray at the altar of Santa Coco with our Chanails.
Download the free MISS August 2012 "Nails Did" calendar and desktop by clicking here.


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Monday, 29 June 2015
Thunder (1970)
Thunder was a very short lived comic launched in October 1970. It lasted just 22 issues in what was then a very crowded market before merging with Lion. It's one of those titles I obviously missed as a kid since I don't remember it all but having purchased the first few issues I have to say worth reading and not too difficult to collect given it's short run.
The stories in this comic are fairly standard fare for the time but quite enjoyable all the same.
The first issue opens with The Terrible Trail To Tolmec described as "the most dangerous journey in the world, Tom Taylor goes in search of his missing father using a map (of sorts) which indicates a number of obstacles and dangers the traveller must fact to get to Tolmec, the forbidden city of gold, oddly situated somewhere in the "Asian wilderness". So off he sets with Dr Wolfgang and his treacherous manservant Troll. Yeah I know... but this was the seventies and this was aimed at kids!
Black Max came up next with an adventure set in the skies of World War One. This featured the evil Baron Maximelien Von Klor who's dark secret is a giant bat he uses to destroy allied aircraft.
Then there was Adam Eterno, "doomed never to die, he wandered the earth for centuries on end" as a result of betraying his "master" all those years ago. He could only be killed by a weapon of pure gold, however such things are never as simple as they seem, hence his longevity.
Other features included the rather charming Fury's Family about a circus boy who takes their animals to a safe haven "hidden" in the hills of England. Comedy with the Spooks of St Luke's and the Steel Commando, a tongue in cheek story about a robot in World War Two teamed up with the only person who can control him the layabout Ernie Bates.
Like all anthologies there are some strips that didn't really appeal like Dusty Binns (whose dad wouldn't let him play football) and Cliff Hanger which was corny even for the seventies.
There's also a surprise in the form of Sam which is a renamed reprint of Biff from Power Comics Wham!
Sunday, 28 June 2015
DC War: Our Army at War #161 (1965)
Our Army at War #161 (DC Comics)
One of DC's longest running war comic titles was Our Army at War which became best known for introducing the world the the iconic Sgt Rock character. This issue published in 1965 is fairly typical fare containing Sgt Rock in the lead story with an eye on a "green" addition to Easy Company whose brother was shot for cowardice.
Add a secret Nazi multiple rocket firing position holding up the advance of the American army and you have average war story about sacrifice and redemption that would be familiar to readers of the genre both in the USA and UK.
What did differ in this particular issue was the back up story set in the Korean war. MiG Bait tells the story of a group of jet pilots who set up one of their colleagues as "bait" to draw out the reds MIG 15 fighters so they can pounce on them.
Not a safe position for any pilot to be in and our hero takes exception to the role.
Our Army at War ultimately ran for 301 issues until 1977 when it's title was changed to Sgt Rock who now had the comic to himself.
Not as well remembered as Sgt Fury of Marvel Comics (and didn't survive the war like his more famous counterpart) but many of his adventures are worth reading.
Saturday, 27 June 2015
DC Western: Bat Lash #3 (1969)
Bat Lash #3 (DC Comics)
Will he save the West or ruin it?
So ran the headline above the short lived Bat Lash title from 1968 to 1969. Not a comic I picked up as a kid, but certainly one that I recall being advertised across DC's line of comics around that time. So I thought it time to pick up a copy.
Bat Lash is a comedic western tale about an outlaw who is a wee bit of a womaniser and small time thief who always manages to get himself into and out of a fix. This issue was published at a time when writing and art credits were not published, which is a pity because this story is fun and has very good artwork.
Opening with the obligatory gunfight and a pretty gal pleading for his life of our "hero" shoots into the sunset only to find himself drawn to the beautiful singing of a woman in the local creek.
Yes of course he gets caught, falls in the water gets frogmarched back to her place where he awaits the return of her husband the local sheriff. Whilst waiting he befriends her gets fed then hubby comes home.
Oh dear.
Add a corrupt and somewhat barking mad judge (who thinks he's Nero), a lynch mob and the story rounds off with a bang.
Worth adding a couple of issues of this to your collection and I say that as someone who hasn't been a fan of the genre for some years.
Except for Jonah Hex....
Friday, 26 June 2015
Preview: Aliens vs Vampirella!
The latest issue of Previews the comics catalogue contains a solicitation for one of those unusual cross-overs that can only happen in comic books!
We have recently had a string of Star Trek crossovers with Doctor Who, Planet of the Apes and currently Green Lantern with IDW. Now Dynamite Entertainment brings Aliens vs Vampirella.
The solicitation reads:
Humans have begun to colonize Mars, but something ancient and sinister got there first. Now Vampirella is faced with a mystery only she can solve, and the bloody realization that some monsters should never be awakened.
On sale 2nd September. I've pre-ordered mine. Do you dare to join me for the horror?
Tuesday, 16 June 2015
The New DC: Constantine The Hellblazer #1
Constantine: The Hellblazer #1 (DC Comics)
Ming Doyle & James Tynion (w) Riley Rossmo (a)
John Constantine is a bastard.
Everyone knows that, especially some of his mates who now follow him around as ghosts after they found themselves used and abused after Constantine wielded his various magics.
Everything and everyone he touches seems to get hurt so you'd think people or even demons would learn a lesson or two from his reputation.
Nah, not even Blythe as she enters a bar where our Mage is having a drink.
You just don't try to trick a trickster. Does't end well....
The relaunch of Constantine with a new number one issue is a welcome development. This version with it's quirky artwork and near Vertigo style of presentation works much better than the short lived series of (almost) the same name that came with DC's now defunct "New 52" relaunch.
Hopefully this will attract both new fans and some of the lost readers from the long running Vertigo line that ended a few years back when DC decided to make John Constantine very much a major player in their "shared" universe.
Unsurprisingly this gets a Teen + rating and pushes the boundaries of that rating just a wee bit.
Next issue, how does someone kill a ghost exactly?
Monday, 15 June 2015
Marvel UK Flashback: Blockbuster
Blockbuster (Marvel UK)
Every so often I come across an unknown comic and Blockbuster was certainly one I'd never heard of as I went through the back issue bins in my local comic shop. The first two issues at a quid each. What's to lose?
Containing three strips, two of which I'd never read before (one by choice if I'm honest) this black & white monthly lasted just 9 issues from June 1980 until February 1981. Not surprising considering it contained two b-list stories Iron Fist and The Inhumans plus the rather odd and sometimes over looked Omega.
The first issue runs with what I assume is the first storyline from Iron Fist's own US title and weaves the origin of our hero as he returns to the city in search of his parents murderers. Not bad but I was never (and am still not) a fan of martial arts stories.
It was the Inhumans tales that caught my attention and the two-parter in issues one & two was worth the entry fee in itself. Not sure what series this was perhaps a reader could enlighten me?
Blaastar returns to Earth to raise the Kaptroids to harvest and enslave the Inhumans on behalf of the Kree the militaristic alien race who genetically engineered these (In)humans way back in time...
As for Omega the Unknown.... this comic only publishes very short excerpts from the US edition which I'll cover as a separate review since i have the entire (short) run plus it's belated conclusion in the Defenders.
Sunday, 14 June 2015
Tiger & Hurricane (1966)
Tiger & Hurricane (Fleetway)
Whenever you saw the words "Great news inside pals" you knew this meant the comic you were reading was going to merge with another title and your "favourite strips" would continue in the new combined comic. Tiger & Hurricane was one of these.
The main comic Tiger was the stronger of the two comics and got the lead having been published since 1955 and was part of the same publishing group that included Lion and Valiant.
Hurricane however was a short-lived newcomer having lasted a mere 63 issues in 1964/65.
To be honest neither was a main stay of my comic reading though I did get a couple of Hurricane Annuals which continued to be published even after the comic itself had been long gone. Typhoon Tracy is probably one the best known features.
Tiger however lasted 1,555 issues until it was finally merged with the re-launched Eagle in 1985.
The advert below gives you an idea of the material that appeared in this comic of which I purchased a few issues from January 1966 simply because I had none and wanted to see what it was like. The most famous (and one I skipped over due to a lack of interest in football) was Roy of the Rovers who eventually got his own comic.
One strip that amused me mainly because I'm a bit of a political animal was Nelson Lord T.I.G.E.R Agent. This was the initials of The International Group for the Elimination of Revolution. Nuff said! Trotskyists beware!
More entertaining though was The Coming of the Skull starring Val Venture which showed an alien craft in the shape of a Trojan Horse appearing in Trafalgar square. what danger lurks inside?
You will find science fiction in the form Jet Ace Logan crime stories with Mick of the Manor..a police dog!
Worth picking up for the nostalgia!
Saturday, 13 June 2015
Giant Size Chillers featuring the Curse of Dracula #1 (1974)
Giant Size Chillers featuring the Curse of Dracula #1 (Marvel Comics)
Marv Wolfman (w) Gene Colan (a)
With the relaxation of the (now defunct) Comic Codes Authority after a confrontation with Marvel over a four part Spider-man drugs story, horror comics began to re-appear. Marvel in particular took advantage of this and launched a whole line of titles such as Werewolf by Night, The Living Mummy, The Frankenstein Monster and of course The Tomb of Dracula.
The latter was their most successful and longest running horror title but one until now I had never read.
This was the first of a short lived run of "Giant-Sized" comics that Marvel experimented with in the seventies. The title proved unwieldy and it became simply Giant Size Dracula for the rest of it's five issue (quarterly) run.
If this issue is anything to go by, Giant Size Dracula and the regular Tomb of Dracula series look like a good candidate for collecting.
In issue one we see the rebirth of Dracula's daughter Lilith in an old English "castle" as the undead one himself looks for a new place to "rest". The Wolfman/Colan team certainly delver a memorable tale and there is a two page prose history of Dracula at the end of the extra long main feature for people like me who are not familiar with Marvels take on the character.
As a bonus there's a couple of old horror reprints in this issue.
Methinks I will be seeking out further copies of these Marvel series!
Tuesday, 9 June 2015
Meeting Alan Class
On Sunday afternoon courtesy of 30th Century Comics I had the pleasure of meeting Alan Class the now retired publisher of those black & white anthologies that I used to buy in the sixties and seventies and were published until 1989.
Being first to arrive (very unusual, usually late me) I got the opportunity for a chat with Alan who was a charming man full of stories about his life with comics. One story he related was his purchase of the rights to the Fantastic Four when it first came out. After being given the printing plates and a copy of the first issue he had to take the cover off so the printer knew what colours to use.
The true horror! But without this his comics would not have made the mark they did! The FF along with other Marvel heroes made their appearance in the various titles he published over the years. I also got my introduction to T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, many Fly and other Archie Superhero tales from Alan's comics.
But most of all the horror!
I took along Tales of Suspense #24 to be signed which he did, but on the back as he didn't want to ruin the cover! This was an edition I have only recently (re)purchased from the shop and hadn't read since I was what 8 or 9 can't remember exactly, though the stories in this issue from the likes of Steve Ditko and others I did remember having read the comic several times as a child!
Great stuff!
Alan Class Comics included: Tales of Suspense, Secrets of the Unknown, Astounding Stories, Out of This World, Sinister Tales and Creepy Worlds.
You can get copies of these great titles from:
30th Century Comics
18 Lower Richmond Road, Putney, London SW15 1JP
020 8788 2052
Monday, 8 June 2015
The New DC: Batman Beyond #1
Batman Beyond #1 (DC Comics)
Dan Jurgens (w) Bernard Chang (a)
A lot of people (myself included) were only familiar with Batman Beyond as a cartoon series that was set in Gotham's future with a retired Bruce Wayne and a new, more technologically enhanced "Batman" in the form of young Terry McGuiness.
Then suddenly he appeared in Futures End a tale supposedly set five years later in Earths future. Terry came to stop Brother Eye and not only failed but dies in the process. His legacy is continued back in the future by Tim Drake, better known as Red Robin to regular DC readers.
Of course getting ones head around future realities that changed and have ceased to exist through time paradoxes are further confused by the changing of reality itself in the recent Convergence multi part series.
So what's the deal?
Whether this is really is the future of the DC universe is debatable, more like it's an alternate Earth. If it isn't then DC's comics have just a few years to run before they all (or at least most of them) turn into the robotic nightmares we now see outside Neo-Gotham, possibly the last refuge of humanity.
Then again we have Justice League 3001 which doesn't tie into even perceived continuity in any way. In this there has been a "great disaster" and Earth is a prison planet. No Legion of Superheroes in sight even though we know they are out there somewhere having been seen in Justice League Unlimited.
And anyway since the earth 2 survivors went to a new world rather than Earth much of the premise of Futures End never happened.
Maybe DC will explain all this one day...
Meanwhile enjoy the ride while it lasts. The story shows great potential in it's own right and I'm looking forward to the ride.
Just try not to think about how we got to this point and read the adventure for what it is.
A comic, and a rather good one at that!
Sunday, 7 June 2015
Truth: Clark Kent's secret is out!
Action Comics #41 (DC Comics)
Greg Pak & Aaron Kuder (w) & (a)
On the run, with low power levels and unable to fly or even jump over tall buildings Superman stumbles out of the wilderness into civilisation.
But all is far from well.
Clark Kent's secret is out. The world knows he is Superman.
Everyone is after him. Super villains, the police, state security and even his bank accounts and credit cards have been cancelled. Some people even want to sue him for property damage...
This is the story you thought you'd never see.
But Jimmy Olsen is still there for him and Clark's on his way home to Metropolis to the block where he used to live. After fighting red-necks and even the police he makes it but what new dangers await.
At least some people stand with Superman.... right?
To be continued across the Superman line of titles on a weekly basis.
Saturday, 6 June 2015
World's Finest Double Feature: #110 (1960) & #166 (1967)
Worlds Finest #110 (DC Comics)
Various (w) & (a)
This is one of the oldest comics now in my collection. Not one I would have been able to read when it was published (I'd be three years old), but did contain a story that I'd seen advertised in one of those 80 page Giants that DC used to publish in the sixties. Alas I never got that either.
However a copy came my way this week for a mere fiver in "Fair" condition, a more than acceptable grade to collect comics in if you want them to actually read rather than seal forever in plastic as some so-called collectors do.
Comics were made to read and I read them because they are great fun. But I digress.
The story The Alien Who Doomed Robin is one of those wacky alien stories that used to feature in comics back in the late fifties and sixties that are (usually) a joy to read.
And absurd.
An alien who uses his technology to shrink buildings for his exhibition comes to Earth in search of new items. Bullets bounce off but Superman/Batman & Robin team up to stop him. In the process in order to stop Kal from punching him out absorbs part of Robins life force. If Superman hits him Robin will share the pain.
How do they get out of this? With gasoline fumes to interfere with the process. No, me neither. This was 1960 and much simpler times.
Oh and there also Tommy Tomorrow and Green Arrow short stories in this issue.
Worlds Finest #166 (DC Comics)
Various (w) & (a)
The Danger of the Deadly Duo takes the reader to the year 2967 where Muto and The Joker menace our heroes of that Era. This Superman is vulnerable to sea water instead of Kryptonite. Go figure.
As Muto commits a crime in space his loot is hijacked by The Joker. Not the one we know but his descendant. After the inevitable stand off between the two villains they discover they decide to switch adversaries. The Joker will battle Superman and Muto will go after Batman.
As trouble erupts Klar Ken T5477 switches from his secret identity to Superman.
And the adventure begins.
Worlds Finest ended some years back, but Superman and Batman continue to team up to this day.
Thursday, 4 June 2015
Archie #666 The last issue(?)
Archie #666 (Archie Comics)
Tom Defalco (w) Dan Parent (a)
So the end is here. After 666 issues the Archie title, one of the longest running American comics finally comes to an end. Sort of.
The three chapter story takes us through the life and antics of Americas perennial teenager plus his gals and pals in preparation for the new Archie!
It's not really the end.
There's Afterlife with Archie which has become a big hit.
And in July there's Archie!
The new look for the modern comics world.
Who would you choose; Betty or Veronica?
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Garden Globe PedestalMarch 19th, 2010 in member junk
hangonharvey, member
Lamp Hardware turned garden pedestal I just took the lamp apart, turned the parts upside down bolted them together and then added some paint
Pattern or design used: My Own Design
posted in: member junk, metal
Comments (7)
MelHow writes: It is beautiful - simple and to the point - always good. Posted: 4:38 pm on March 24th
suewhitney writes: What a clever idea! This is a stunning piece for your garden. Great job!
Be Well,
Sue Posted: 8:16 am on March 23rd
Be Well,
Sue Posted: 8:16 am on March 23rd
junktiqueboutique writes: I love this. very unusual Posted: 6:59 pm on March 20th
alicemom writes: That is such a good idea! Clever bean!
smiles, alice Posted: 1:43 pm on March 20th
smiles, alice Posted: 1:43 pm on March 20th
chippingcharm writes: Very clever! Laurel Posted: 10:06 am on March 20th
ninnarae writes: Very cool pedestal! Lots of possibilities! Posted: 9:33 pm on March 19th
curlyrachel writes: i really like this! what is that gazing ball made of? it's like a milder version of a disco ball! Posted: 9:20 pm on March 19th
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A new political party made its way to California Monday, hoping to throw a fresh-faced candidate into the presidential race next year.
Americans Elect qualified for the November 2012 ballot in California after qualifying in 11 other states around the country. The privately-funded group says it's fed up with partisan gridlock. A third party candidate would stir the pot enough to get the country back on its feet, organizers said.
The party won't select an actual candidate until June 2012, when registered voters will choose him or her on the party's website.
While Democrats and Republicans in Washington quibble over the payroll tax extension, the news of the new political party may be a refreshing thought for voters, said Darry Sragow, senior advisor to Americans Elect, in a statement.
"The people of California are desperate for their elected representatives to stop clinging to their ideological differences at the expense of helping Californians weather the worst economic downturn in decades," Sragow said.
However that newcomer, whoever he or she may be, might actually enhance partisan gridlock, said Gary Jacobson, UCSD political science professor.
"Suppose their president won – how could he possibly govern? He would have supporters in neither party on the Hill," Jacobson said.
Plus, there's a chance the candidate will pull votes away from one party, depending on how progressive or conservative the candidate is. In an already tight election, this can be extremely risky.
Jacobson doesn't believe the new party will amount to much, and if anything, could become a vehicle for protest. However Californian voters who like the idea of choosing a fresh new candidate can afford to take the risk, as the primaries here won't be nearly as close as they will be in other states, he said.
"Californians can have fun with it," Jacobson said.


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I am an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Purdue University. Previously, I was an Assistant Professor of Global Politics at Humboldt State University and a Andrew Mellon Foundation and American Council of Learned Societies doctoral fellow.
I research how public and private relations produce power in global politics. I have three ongoing research projects. One examines sovereign power in security contractors, business associations, and NGOs. Another investigates the English East India Company as a great power. Finally, my latest project explores global corporate power and political responsibility.
I received a Ph.D. in Political Science from Northwestern University, where I was also affiliated as a graduate fellow in the Center for Legal Studies and the Buffett Institute for Global Studies.
Swati Srivastava


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Brigantine Beach Information
Beach tags are required from June 15th to Labor Day during the hours of 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Tags are on sale now & can be purchased at the Brigantine Beach Community Center, located on 42nd Street and Brigantine Ave. If the beach is in operation you can purchase tags on the beach from the Inspectors.
Brigantine Community Center 609-264-7350 X1
Beach Tag Fees
Daily - $10.00
Weekly - $15.00
Seasonal (during May) - $15.00
Seasonal (beginning June 1st) - $20.00
Senior 60 to 64 ($8.00 in May) - $20.00 after June 1st
Senior over 65: Come in with identification for a free tag. 1 tag per ID
Active Military Members: tags are free (4 per family).
Veterans: beach tags are free for only that veteran.
Children 11 years and younger are free
Parking permits for municipal parking lots can be purchased for $25.00 for the seasonal permit or $8.00 for daily permits
2nd Street & Roosevelt Blvd
16th Street & Ocean Ave
34th Street & Ocean Ave
38th Street & Ocean Ave
Driving a four-wheel drive is permitted on the beach, as long as a permit is obtained. Applicants should present a valid driver''s license, auto registration and proof of insurance. Permit holders must follow rules and regulations of permit. Permits can be purchased at the Brigantine Beach Community Center on 42nd Street. Call (609) 266-2891 for more info.
4 Wheel drive permit - $175.00 (if purchased before February 28th) - March 1st and thereafter - $200 (comes with two beach tags)
Vehicle owners 65 and over - $85.00 (before March 1st - $80)
Military Vets - FREE
Replace lost permit - $30.00
Additional info here
4 Wheel Drive Entrances to the Beach
South End at the end of Lagoon Blvd. (The Cove)
Seaside Road (off of Harbor Beach Blvd) (Jetty Beach)
14th St. North (North End Beach) - NO LONGER ALLOWED AS THE STATE HAS TAKEN OVER THE NORTH END
Go to www.njparksandforests.org to apply for a North End fishing permit (allows access to the north end to fish only) Limited number of permits available.
Swimming is permitted at the following beaches:
10th Street North
16th Street South
5th Street North
20th Street South
2nd Street North
22nd Street South
2nd Street South
26th Street South
4th Street South
28th Street South
7th Street South
32nd Street South
14th Street South
34th Street South
38th Street South
43rd Street South
Bramble Drive
Surfside Road
Sandy Lane
Surfing is permitted at the following beaches:
12th Street North
10th Street South
North of South End Jetty
South of the Sandy Lane bathing area
Fishing Areas
North of 14th Street North (Brigantine's All Natural North End Beach)
South of Jetty (Inlet)
45th Street South
Brigantine Bridge
Just North of Seaside Road
Barbecue grills are permitted on any beach in Brigantine from Memorial Day & Labor Day between the hours of 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM as written in resolution 2004-72 . The public must follow ordinances of the City of Brigantine and all State and Federal laws. Barbecues will be permitted provided that all fires are contained in a commercial type grill or barbecue, and are tended to during the cooking of food and left to extinguish itself in the grill upon completion of cooking. All individuals are responsible for the removal of any such barbecue equipment and any and all trash which is generated as a result of said barbecues. Open fires such as bon-fires or charcoal grills are strictly prohibited on the beach.
Did you know you can ride your horse on one of the most beautiful all natural beaches in New Jersey? Brigantine's North Beach is 2 1/2 miles of untouched beach located at the tip of Brigantine Island. Horseback riding is open to the public by permit from October 1st through March 30th from 7:00 AM to 8:30 PM. For permit information call 266-7600 ext. 220


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Formal Wear for Men Augusta GA
Simon's is a trusted name in formal wear for men. Based in Augusta GA, we are a family owned formal wear shop serving the needs of men who have a variety of preferences. As a provider of formal attire, we are dedicated to making just about every style available to you, whether you want vintage, semi-formal, dressy, retro or nouveau.
Everyday Menswear to Formal Wear
We offer formal wear for men for a variety of occasions, from weddings and proms to formal parties, special events, cotillions, and everything in between. The specialty rental brands at our store include Calvin Klein, Perry Ellis, Allure by Jean Yves, Hardwick Clothes and Larr Brio.
We have a finger on the pulse of the latest styles to keep you looking sharp every day, identifying new brands with quality merchandise. We can confidently say that our catalog of branded tuxedos, suits, and everyday menswear is unbeatable, making Simon's the best tuxedo shop in Augusta GA.
Simon's Makes Men Look Dapper!
There is some debate over the history of the tuxedo. Some trace the history of this formal attire to the American aristocrats attending the Autumn Ball in Tuxedo Park, New York. Others claim its origins date back to 1865 and King Edward VII. The tuxedo has held its allure through world wars and recessions and witnessed a resurgence thanks to the nostalgia for a debonair look sported in the 1930s and 1940s (and popularized by period drama "Mad Men").
At Simon's Formal Wear, we have an eye for style and a passion for all things formal wear. Our inspiration comes from many sources, and we're quick to add every new look to our style book. Whether you want traditional formal wear for men, something avant-garde, or a trending tux, we've got you covered.


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Roundwood/Sawnwood» More news on Roundwood/Sawnwood
USNR supplying band-saw line to Fiskarhedens Trävaru
23.05.2018 −
US Natural Resources (USNR) is supplying a band-saw line to Swedish Fiskarhedens Trävaru. The line, which is replacing an existing plant, being delivered by the Swedish subsidiary USNR and has a quadrilateral reducing unit upstream of the first saw. All of the bandsaws are being equipped with adjustable blade guides, high-speed band wheels, and USNR's patented CAR feeder. A newly-developed version of a LogPos S4 log feeder is also being installed upstream of the saw. All log and model rotations are performed and controlled in four 750E rotation units.
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previous − Spain: Further decline in softwood lumber imports


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When it comes to the art of sign making, we've got it covered! At Imagine SignWorks, we offer a variety of commercial sign and graphic products. Whether you need a sign that will promote your business, increase your visibility, or provide warnings or information to the public, we are sure to have just what you need.
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TAG Heuer Limited Edition Team USA Oracle Aquaracer
Wear this watch like the members of defending America's Cup champ Oracle Team USA do, and you can take advantage of its mechanical movement, regatta countdown, and rotating bezel. It also has 500 meters of water resistance (which we hope you'll use in a scuba scenario and not in a boat race). [$5,500; tagheuer.com]
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The biochemical pathway of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) metabolism (http://www.bh4.org/). Tetrahydrobiopterin is synthesized from guanosine triphosphate by the enzymes guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase I (GTPCH), 6-pyruvoyl-tetrahydropterin synthase (PTPS), and sepiapterin reductase (SR) in a 3-step pathway. After reacting with the aromatic amino acid hydroxylase as an active cofactor, BH4 is oxidized to pterin-4α-carbinolamine (4α-OHBH4). It is then regenerated by pterin-4α-carbinolamine dehydratase (PCD) and dihydropteridine reductase (DHPR) to BH4. H2NTP indicates dihydroneopterin triphosphate; GTP, guanosine triphosphate; NO, nitric oxide; NOS, nitric oxide synthase; PAH, phenylalanine hydroxylase; qBH2, quinonoid dihydrobiopterin; TH, tyrosine hydroxylase; TPH, tryptophan hydroxylase; and 6-PTP, 6-pyruvoyl-tetrahydropterin.
Customize your JAMA Network experience by selecting one or more topics from the list below.
Liu K, Liu T, Lee N, Cheng L, Hsiao K, Niu D. Long-term Follow-up of Taiwanese Chinese Patients Treated Early for 6-Pyruvoyl-Tetrahydropterin Synthase Deficiency. Arch Neurol. 2008;65(3):387–392. doi:https://doi.org/10.1001/archneur.65.3.387
© 2019
To report the long-term results of early initiation of treatment of 6-pyruvoyl-tetrahydropterin synthase (PTPS) deficiency.
Between 1988 and 2000, 12 newborns with PTPS deficiency who underwent early treatment at our hospital were identified. All patients received tetrahydrobiopterin replacement in a daily dosage between approximately 2 and 4 mg/kg. The dosages of levodopa replacement were 10 to 15 mg/kg/d, which is considerably higher than the typically recommended dosages of less than 7 mg/kg/d for patients aged younger than 2 years and 8 to 10 mg/kg/d for patients aged 2 years or older. Replacement with 5-hydroxytryptophan varied widely among patients.
Taipei Veterans General Hospital.
Twelve newborns.
Treatment with tetrahydrobiopterin, levodopa, and 5-hydroxytryptophan.
Main Outcome Measure
IQ score.
The mean (SD) IQ score of our PTPS-deficient patients was 96.7 (9.7; range 86-119), which is considerably higher than previous reports of other populations of PTPS-deficient patients. All patients reached a normal IQ on high daily dosages of levodopa replacement, without developing apparent long-term levodopa-induced adverse effects. We also observed a correlation between long-term IQ score and genotype, birth weight, and age at initiation of treatment.
An effective newborn screening referral program and early initiation of appropriate therapy preserved the IQ scores of PTPS-deficient patients.
Hyperphenylalaninemia is the most common inherited disorder of amino acid metabolism. It may be caused by a deficiency of phenylalanine hydroxylase or tetrahydrobiopterin, an important cofactor involved in the biogenic syntheses of tyrosine, levodopa, 5-hydroxytryptophan, nitric oxide, and glycerol (Figure).1 Tetrahydrobiopterin deficiency may be caused by defects in the enzymes involved in its biosynthesis or in its regeneration. In white individuals, the overall prevalence of hyperphenylalaninemia attributable to tetrahydrobiopterin deficiency is only 1% to 2% of all cases.2,3 According to the International Database of Tetrahydrobiopterin Deficiencies database, which includes patients of various races, 6-pyruvoyl-tetrahydropterin synthase (PTPS) deficiency (OMIM 261640) represents approximately 60% of all tetrahydrobiopterin deficiencies.4
6-Pyruvoyl-tetrahydropterin synthase deficiency in humans may not only produce the typical phenylketonuric phenotype but may also be the source of neurological signs and symptoms due to impaired syntheses of levodopa and serotonin.5,6 6-Pyruvoyl-tetrahydropterin synthase deficiency's extrapyramidal manifestations, including, among others, truncal hypotonia, increased limb tone, postural instability, hypokinesia, choreic or dystonic limb movements, gait abnormalities, hypersalivation, and dysphagia, may resemble the signs of Parkinson disease.7,8 The disease is treated by tetrahydrobiopterin, levodopa, and 5-hydroxytryptophan replacement. However, choosing the proper amounts of precursors of neurotransmitters for replacement is challenging. While lumbar puncture is key in the diagnosis and monitoring of pediatric neurotransmitter disease,9 the choice of dosages of these precursors based on the concentrations of neurotransmitter metabolites in the cerebrospinal fluid might not always be optimal, as the patient's metabolism might not systematically reflect the clinical status of PTPS-deficient patients.10-12 In addition, the invasiveness of lumbar puncture limits its serial use in routine clinical practice. There are few outcome studies of patients undergoing early treatment for PTPS deficiency, particularly over long periods of observation. Several reports have described adverse outcomes in a large percentage of patients with PTPS deficiency, despite its detection by newborn screening and the institution of early treatment.13,14
In Taiwan, where the disease's prevalence (1 in 132 000) is considerably higher than in white individuals (1 in 1 000 000),14,15 PTPS deficiency is the cause of approximately one-third of all cases of hyperphenylalaninemia. A recent study at another Taiwanese medical center reported a mean (SD) IQ score of 76 (14) in 10 patients with PTPS deficiency detected by newborn screening.14 In contrast, we found a significantly higher (P < .001) mean (SD) IQ score (96.7 ([9.7]) in 12 patients whose disease was detected by similar screening. Because these 2 groups of patients were from similar genetic backgrounds, we hypothesized that different treatments were major determinants of their different outcomes. Our article describes the main characteristics of the early treatment administered to our PTPS-deficient patients and examines the putative factors related to their outcomes ascertained by IQ scores.
Between 1988 and 2001, 10 screened newborns found to have elevated serum phenylalanine concentrations were referred to Taipei Veterans General Hospital and confirmed to have PTPS deficiency. A prenatal diagnosis was made in 2 other fetuses whose siblings were known to be PTPS deficient. The diagnosis of all patients identified by newborn screening was confirmed by (1) a tetrahydrobiopterin loading test,8 (2) analysis of urinary pterins,15 (3) enzyme assay of dihydropteridine reductase,16 and (4) mutational analysis of the PTS gene.17,18
Treatment with (1) tetrahydrobiopterin, (2) levodopa with a decarboxylase inhibitor, and (3) 5-hydroxytryptophan was initiated after confirmation of the diagnosis of PTPS deficiency. The administration of each neurotransmitter was based on the clinical response and the development of adverse effects observed during ambulatory follow-up. The initial dosage of tetrahydrobiopterin was approximately 3 to 4 mg/kg/d and was subsequently adjusted to keep serum phenylalanine concentrations below 120 μM. The initial dosage of levodopa with a decarboxylase inhibitor was 2 mg/kg/d, then increased every 2 to 5 days in 1-mg increments to a target dosage of 10 to 15 mg/kg/d. Beginning in 1996, serum prolactin concentration was measured at 1-month intervals in patients younger than 6 months and at 3-month intervals in older patients to guide the dosage of levodopa. When the concentration of serum prolactin exceeded 888 μg/L, the levodopa dosage was gradually increased until prolactin returned to less than 888 μg/L. However, in the absence of clinical manifestations of levodopa insufficiency, a dosage greater than 15 mg/kg/d was never administered, even in the presence of a persistently elevated prolactin. In the event of irritability or dyskinesia, the dosage of levodopa was lowered for several days, then increased again more slowly to the target dosage. 5-Hydroxytryptophan was initially administered in a dosage of 1 mg/kg/d, then increased every 2 to 5 days in 1-mg increments to a 5 mg/kg/d target dosage. As with levodopa, the dosage of 5-hydroxytryptophan was lowered when nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain developed, then was slowly increased to the target maintenance dosage. Levodopa and 5-hydroxytryptophan were administered together in 4 divided doses before meals.
IQ was measured by the Leiter International Performance Scale or the Binet-Simon test in children 3 to 6 years of age, the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–III in children between the ages of 6 and 15 years, and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Revised, or the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale–III in patients older than 16 years.
Correlations between IQ scores and several variables, including genotype, peak serum concentration of phenylalanine and urinary concentrations of pterin at the time of diagnosis, birth weight percentile, and age at initiation of treatment with tetrahydrobiopterin, levodopa, and 5-hydroxytryptophan, were also analyzed in this study.
All values are expressed as mean (SD). Correlations between IQ and several variables were examined using the Mann-Whitney test and Pearson correlation. P < .05 was considered statistically significant.
Demographic characteristics, results of biochemical tests and mutation analyses, and IQ outcomes of our study population are detailed in Table 1. The mean duration of follow-up was 11.7 (3.3, range, 7.2-19.0) years. The mean final full-scale IQ of the 12 patients was 96.7 (9.7). Patients 2 and 10 had PTPS deficiency diagnosed before birth, and patients 7 and 10 are siblings. Excluding patients 2 and 10, the mean initial peak serum concentration of phenylalanine was 2249 (709) μM, which is considerably higher than in Taiwanese patients in whom hyperphenylalaninemia is caused by phenylalanine hydroxylase deficiency (798 [534] μM; P < .05).14 The mean age at diagnosis was 20.0 (6.3) days. Patients 6 and 7 are dizygotic twins from 2 different families. Because twins' body weights are regularly low at birth, we excluded these 2 patients from the birth weight analysis. The mean birth weight was 2669 (349) g, which is significantly lower than in Taiwanese patients in whom hyperphenylalaninemia is caused by phenylalanine hydroxylase deficiency (3447 [492] g; P < .001).14 The allele frequencies were 54.2% (13 of 24) for N52S, 35.7% (9 of 24) for P87S, 4.2% (1 of 24) for R25G, and 4.2% (1 of 24) for F40L.
All patients maintained serum concentrations of phenylalanine below 120 μM with a 2 mg/kg/d replacement dosage of tetrahydrobiopterin. Replacement with 10 to 15 mg/kg/d of levodopa was well tolerated by all patients. Treatment with levodopa caused occasional irritability and dyskinesia during the early part of replacement in the neonatal period, though they rarely occurred thereafter. In contrast, general hypotonia with ptosis, drooling, slurred speech, drowsiness, or nausea occurred regularly when replacement with levodopa was delayed or omitted. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain occurred regularly during replacement with 5-hydroxytryptophan. In 1993, a shortage of 5-hydroxytryptophan in Taiwan forced the interruption of treatment for up to 6 months in our patients. Because no significant neurological change was noted during that interruption, or because of fear of adverse effects of 5-hydroxytryptophan, some of our patients abandoned this replacement or lowered their dosages to less than 2 mg/kg/d without apparent adverse neurological or intellectual consequences. Most patients were prescribed levodopa and 5-hydroxytryptophan to be taken in 4 divided doses per day. However, some patients changed their schedule to doses twice daily to avoid having to take medication while at school, without experiencing an on/off phenomenon or adverse neurological manifestations. This is in contrast with our observations in PTPS-deficient patients whose treatment was delayed in whom the on/off phenomenon occurred more commonly when they changed their medication schedule to 2 doses per day. The dosages of levodopa and 5-hydroxytryptophan administered to our patients at the ages of 2 months, 1 year, and the age at last follow-up are summarized in Table 2.
The 3 mutations identified in this study (N52S, P87S, and R25G) have been observed to cause prominent phenotypical expressions of PTPS deficiency.8 However, their various combinations were associated with variably prominent expressions of the phenotypes. For example, before treatment, the patients with N52S/N52S or P87S/R25G genotypes whose treatments were delayed had the most prominent phenotypical disease manifestations. These patients were all bedridden and in a vegetative state before treatment initiation. On the other hand, in patients with N52S/P87S genotypes whose treatments were delayed, the disease manifestations before treatment onset were milder. They could eat, walk (albeit with an unstable gait), and articulate several single words, such as papa or mama. We also found that the patients with N52S/P87S genotypes who underwent early treatment had higher mean IQ scores (101.4 [9.8]) than patients who had other genotypes (90.0 [4.7]; P = .03).
After the exclusion of patients 2 and 10, we found no correlation between the initial peak phenylalanine concentrations and the full-scale IQs of our patients (Pearson r = − 0.421; P = .23). Because PTPS deficiency impairs the synthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin and its metabolites, we examined the correlation between initial urinary biopterin concentrations and full-scale IQ, though we found none (Pearson r = 0.045, P = .9).
After adjustment of the birth weight to the gestational age to calculate the birth weight percentile compared with the standard birth weight curves of healthy babies or twins (for patients 6 and 7) in Taiwan,19 we found a correlation between the percent birth percentile and full-scale IQ (Pearson r = 0.642; P = .03).
No correlation was found between age at the time of onset of treatment with tetrahydrobiopterin, levodopa, or 5-hydroxytryptophan and full-scale IQ (tetrahydrobiopterin, Pearson r = 0.170, P = .6; 5-hydroxytryptophan, Pearson r = − 0.021, P = .95; levodopa, Pearson r = 0.069, P = .83). Finally, we found no correlation between dosages of levodopa or 5-hydroxytryptophan administered at ages 2 months, 1 year, or at the last follow-up and full-scale IQ (Table 2).
Our study indicates that (1) an effective referral system based on neonatal screening and (2) early appropriate therapy can preserve a normal IQ in PTPS-deficient patients. Therefore, similar disorders of neurotransmitters, such as aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency, that are systematically associated with a poor prognosis might have better outcomes if they were treated early.
Unexpectedly, we found no correlation between age at the time of onset of treatment with tetrahydrobiopterin, levodopa, or 5-hydroxytryptophan and full-scale IQ. However, because all our patients were very young when treatment was initiated, the range of ages at the time of treatment initiation was narrow. Therefore, we repeated the analysis after the addition of data from 10 patients from another Taiwanese hospital's report (age range at onset, tetrahydrobiopterin, 0.2-7.4 months; levodopa, 0.2-5.8 months; and 5-hydroxytryptophan, 1-57 months).14 This new analysis revealed correlations between age at onset of each medication and full-scale IQ (tetrahydrobiopterin, Pearson r = − 0.655, P = .001; 5-hydroxytryptophan, Pearson r = − 0.780, P < .001; levodopa, Pearson r = − 0.645, P = .002). This observation suggests that the IQ did not vary significantly among PTPS-deficient patients whose treatment was initiated within 1 month of age, whereas persistent encephalopathy was likely to have developed in patients whose treatment was initiated later.
While there is little doubt that the early initiation of treatment can improve long-term outcome, there is no consensus with respect to the dosages of neurotransmitters to be administered to PTPS-deficient patients. An on/off phenomenon and levodopa-induced dyskinesia often develop during long-term therapy with levodopa in patients with Parkinson disease,20,21 and similar fluctuations in motor function and dyskinesia have also been observed frequently in PTPS-deficient patients.10,22 Some caregivers have abandoned the administration of high dosages of levodopa in favor of low daily replacement dosages because of frequent dyskinesia.22 In our experience, an insufficient daily replacement with levodopa facilitates the development of the on/off phenomenon. Unlike in patients with Parkinson disease, in our patients, dyskinesia regularly disappeared after a period of accommodation. This indicates that, in PTPS-deficient patients, dyskinesia is more likely caused by hypersensitivity of the end organs than by the peak-dose or diphasic effect observed in Parkinson disease.21,22 In Parkinson disease, the synthesis, storage, and reuptake of levodopa in the nigrostriatal system is impaired owing to the loss of dopaminergic neurons in contrast with PTPS-deficient patients, in whom only the synthesis of levodopa is impaired. This may explain the lower incidence of fluctuations in motor function and levodopa-induced dyskinesia in our early-treated patients than in patients with Parkinson disease undergoing prolonged therapy. Therefore, we believe that every effort should be made to continue neurotransmitter replacement therapy, because it is a reliable means of gradually overcoming the end-organ hypersensitivity.
While we found no correlation between the dosages of neurotransmitter replacement at different ages and full-scale IQ, it is noteworthy that, except for the dosage of patient 1 at the age of 2 months, the dosages of levodopa administered to our patients were consistently higher than the recommended dosages (< 7 mg/kg/d for patients younger than 2 years of age and 8-10 mg/kg/d for older patients).1 This absence of correlation might thus be limited to the high range of dosages.
On the other hand, some of our patients received 5-hydroxytryptophan late or in very low dosages, and some discontinued it for several years. Therefore, the absence of correlation between 5-hydroxytryptophan dosage and full-scale IQ might indicate that replacement with this drug was not an important determinant of full-scale IQ in our PTPS-deficient patients. Consequently, we believe that replacement with 5-hydroxytryptophan in the recommended daily dosages is not indispensable, particularly when major adverse effects develop.
Given that our patients are all Taiwanese Chinese, some patients from other populations might have even more severe genotypes. Consequently, their response to treatment might be different than that observed in our patients. Furthermore, because our study did not include a control group treated with low daily dosages of levodopa, we cannot prove that replacement with high dosages of levodopa improved our patients' clinical outcomes. However, all our early-treated patients had favorable outcomes, and we observed no adverse effects caused by the long-term administration of levodopa in high daily dosages. We hope that these observations will prompt other caregivers to reconsider the dosages of neurotransmitters, with the goal of optimizing the clinical outcomes of PTPS-deficient patients.
The systematically lower mean birth weight of patients presenting with PTPS deficiency than that of normal individuals3,8,14 suggests prenatal effects of PTPS deficiency. The positive correlation between birth weight and IQ observed in our study also raises the issue of a possible prenatal effect on the brain development of PTPS. However, because of the many factors confounding IQ, the correlation between birth weight and IQ in our patients remains uncertain, particularly in light of (1) the small number of observations and (2) the presence of an outlier in this analysis (patient 4) whose birth weight percentile was 0.36. We believe that more data, contributed by multiple medical centers, are needed before a conclusion can be drawn regarding a possible correlation between birth weight and IQ in PTPS-deficient patients.
Correspondence: Dau-Ming Niu, MD, PhD, Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Bldg 201, Section 2, Shih-Pai Rd, Taipei, Taiwan 112 (firstname.lastname@example.com).
Accepted for Publication: December 1, 2007.
Author Contributions:Study concept and design: T. Liu, Hsiao, and Niu. Acquisition of data: K. Liu, Lee, and Cheng. Analysis and interpretation of data: K. Liu and Niu. Drafting of the manuscript: K. Liu. Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: T. Liu, Lee, Cheng, Hsiao, and Niu. Statistical analysis: K. Liu. Administrative, technical, and material support: K. Liu, Cheng, and Niu. Study supervision: T. Liu, Hsiao, and Niu.
Financial Disclosure: None reported.
Additional Contributions: Chia-Chuen Chang from the Department of Labor and Human Resource Management, Chinese Culture University, assisted with the statistical analyses.
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About the event:
The Sustainability Institute (SI) is an international living and learning centre providing learning experiences in ecology, community and spirit. The SI was established in Lynedoch Eco-village in 1999 to provide a space for people to explore an approach to creating a more equitable society. At the core of the SI's work has been finding ways of living that sustain rather than destroy the eco-system within which all society is embedded.
At the SI we focus on food systems, social innovation, optimal resource flows and transformative learning from birth. The Lynedoch Eco-village is pioneering approaches to creating socially diverse ecological communities. It is an emerging ecologically designed, socially mixed community from diverse racial and social economic groups built around a learning precinct, and this unique experience has generated insights into what it means to build up from below the foundations for a more sustainable world.
The village is a financially and economically viable community requiring no external funding to sustain itself. It is a working example of a liveable ecologically designed urban system that challenges the notion that sustainable development and ecological building is too expensive. We invite you to come and learn more!
Please RSVP to Amelia Pretorius at firstname.lastname@example.com to book your seat
Location: The Sustainability Institute
Off Baden Powell/R310, Lynedoch Road, Lynedoch, Stellenbosch, 7603, Western Cape


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Archipelago Botanicals Excursions Jar Havana Candle 244g
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Archipelago Botanicals' Havana candle, inspired by the sights and sounds of Cuba, will infuse your home with the rich and enticing fragrances of bergamot, Cuban tobacco leaf and ylang ylang. Each candle is hand-crafted using essential oil blends that are aged in small barrels for maturity and a superior fragrance experience. Housed in a clear vintage-style apothecary jar with a lid, the single wick scented candle is crafted from premium soy wax with a lead free wick.
Burn time: Up to 60 hours
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Please check the stock availability notice on your item when placing your order. This item is: Sold out
Please remember to add postal time (2-3 working days) to obtain a complete estimate of delivery to your door.
How will I know it has been sent?
You will receive an email to confirm when your item has been sent.
You can also check the status of your order and individual items by accessing My Account details and following the prompts.
Please allow 10 working days from dispatch of your order before notifying us of any late deliveries.
It may be advisable to check with your neighbours to see if a parcel has been left with them, check any outhouses you might have where it may be left if it cannot fit through your letterbox and contact your local sorting office to see if the item has been returned to the depot as undelivered and awaiting collection.
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The first day walking the Camino Francis, one of the popular routes to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, involves walking through the Pyrenees Mountains. St Jean Pied de Port to Roncesvalles 24km, and is said to take 7 to 9 hours. We have made this trip twice now, our first days were both days were were at least 8 hours on the road.
During the day we climbed from St Jean Pied de Port at 200 metres above sea level to just above 1,400 meters then descend steeply back down again into Roncesvalles at 900 metres, which can be hard going on your knees and shins. Pack a lunch, while there is often a coffee truck on the road the options for food and water are limited.
More Monochrome image on Leanne Cole's Monochrome Madness weekly blog. Prints are available on Society6.


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Quinn Emanuel is generally recognized as one of the premier firms in the United States for high-stakes business litigation. With more than 650 lawyers and 11 offices worldwide, it is the largest law firm in the world whose practice is devoted exclusively to business litigation.
The firm's largest practice area by far is intellectual property litigation. Its regular IP clients include technology leaders such as Cisco, Google, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, Motorola, Roche, Samsung, SONY, Symantec and many others. The American Lawyer, the leading US legal periodical, recently gave the firm the prestigious Intellectual Property Firm of the Year award.
Quinn Emanuel offers the same high quality IP representation in Germany, which is the epicenter of EU patent litigation. In Hamburg and in Mannheim (the location of one of the most important patent infringement courts in Europe), the firm specializes in both intellectual property and related antitrust litigation.


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Monday, November 29, 2010
She Smells the Dead by E.J. Stevens - Reviewed
Author: E.J. Stevens
Release Date: August 2010
Publisher: Sacred Oaks Press
Pages: 184
Target Age: Young Adult
Summary: Shelfari
It's the beginning of senior year and Yuki's psychic awareness of ghostly spirits is threatening to ruin her life. Her ability to sense spirits of the dead isn't glamorous like the ghost hunting on television. SHE SMELLS THE DEAD. The smell impressions are becoming stronger. Yuki is being visited in her dreams, and she suspects that her friend Calvin is involved in something strange. To make matters worse her crush on Garrett is going unrequited, Yuki's friend Emma is on a rampage against bee oppression, and annoying Calvin Miller mysteriously disappears. Will Yuki be able to focus her powers in time to save the lost soul who is haunting her? Meanwhile, who will save Yuki from following the spirits into the light?
What I loved:
The characters: Yuki took me the longest to fall in love with, but I was instantly in love with Cal and Emma, her best friends. I think Cal just might be what every young girl should wish for in a guy, well...except for that one little thing. You'll see. (you know I don't do spoilers) Emma is amazing! I love a girl that believes in things that go against the mainstream and trust me Emma walks the walk. Poor Yuki is so overwhelmed at times that she borders on whining occasionally. I have faith that she is going to step it up and be a wonderful heroine. She was very believable as a character with this flaw and that had me loving her as well.
I loved that there is NO love triangle. Now don't get me wrong, I love a good triangle as much as the next girl. However, it's been a bit over done lately and it was refreshing to have a romance that is strong for a change.
I loved the story. It definitely has the feel of a first book in a series, lots of set up and getting to know the world that is being created and the rules of that world. It totally worked though.
What I didn't love:
The ending!!! UGH how could you do that to us E.J. Stevens? I can't wait to read the next book! ( I guess that's a good thing too.)
Reading this book was fun and at the end frustrating (what a cliff hanger). I would definitely recommend reading She Smells the Dead. I keep telling people that if you liked Kelly Armstrong's The Darkest Powers Series then I think you would like She Smells the Dead. I'm not exactly sure why I think this. For some reason I just thought it had that kind of feel to it. Trust me, coming from me that is a VERY good thing. So grab a copy of She Smells the Dead get comfortable and enjoy. You might not be able to get up till you've finished.
Posted by Shari at 1:49 PM
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US News and World Report…by Kathleen Peddicord
The Case for Retirement in Mexico
Puerto Peñasco's sandy beaches are accessible and affordable.
Puerto Peñasco, Mexico, was an unknown fishing outpost until the 1920s when Arizonan John Stone opened a hotel and casino targeting Americans who wanted to escape prohibition. Today, this town is known as Puerto Peñasco in Mexico and Rocky Point north of the border. Surprisingly, it got its English name first, in 1826, from a retired Royal Navy admiral who was in the area scouting for precious metals. In the 1930s, the Mexican president renamed the town Puerto Punta Peñasco, later dropping the "Punta."
Perhaps the biggest appeal of Puerto Peñasco to American retirees is that this spot is only 62 miles from the U.S. border. That's just over three and a half hours by car from Phoenix, Arizona, or six hours from San Diego, California.
We Americans often overlook Mexico, because it's right next door. Sometimes it feels too convenient to qualify as a retire overseas destination. However, that convenience factor is exactly why certain spots in this country can be perfect for both expat retirees and second home owners.
I am Robin Miller, the "Mexican Beach Bum" and Broker-Partner of Rocky Point Living, Realtors® in the beautiful resort city of Puerto Peñasco, Mexico, where the desert meets the ocean. Just 210 miles from Phoenix or Tucson, and where beach condos start at $95k.
I have been in the Mexico Real Estate Industry for 9 years, assisting clients with their Mexico vacation home buying and selling decisions in Puerto Vallarta and Puerto Peñasco/Rocky Point.
As a licensed broker (as required by the State of Sonora), a member of AMPI, the Mexican National Association for Real Estate Agents, and a member of NAR, the U.S. National Association of Realtors®, and with access to the MLS, I am qualified to represent, and PROTECT BUYERS as they search for and purchase the perfect vacation home.
It is important that a foreign buyer connects with a properly qualified licensed agent for their real estate search and purchase transaction. Licensed agents, AMPI and NAR members are held to high ethical standards; attend continuing education classes, and keeping up to date on current issues so they can help guide their clients through the buying and selling process in Mexico.
Ask me for my FREE guide to safely purchase Mexico real estate.
Contact me:
Office: (602) 539-3124
Mexico Cell: 011-521-638-109-0443


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40 Reasons to Homebirth
Reason Number 32: Photos and videos wont be restricted.
A picture does certainly tell 1000 words. That's why we love them.
We can look at a photo and be transported back in time to a place, an event and recall what was happening, who we were with, the atmosphere, the experience and so much more.
Just look at Lilyanna here less than 24 hours old, so wise yet vulnerable.
Photos and videos are real evidence of an event, a tangible memory captured for ever.
In my post 40 Reasons to homebirth, I listed as number 32: Photos and videos won't be restricted.
While not everyone wants to photograph or film the birth of a their child, many do. A birth is a magical, memorable event. That special day our beloved new baby joined the world, our family and our hearts.
I know myself in looking at photos recently of my own children's birth I was transported back to those birth days and was able to recollect so much more than my memory alone could provide.
However, you may be surprised to learn that there are restrictions, documented in writing, to your right to photograph or video a birth.
This is a real exert from a current hospital services brochure found online using a quick search, today.
Photos and videos
The use of video cameras or mobile phones is not permitted to film videos during the birth of your baby or during medical or emergency procedures.
Using a camera or mobile phone to take still photographs is permitted. Before you take any photographs, please ask permission from the doctors and midwives present.
Why do the rules (hospital policies) say no to photos at birth?
So why don't health care workers in hospital want you to record the birth? What is the big deal? It is not because they are shy, or don't like blood, or think you are weird. It is certainly not because they don't care about your experience.
Sadly any photographic evidence can of course be used in a law suit. In this day and age litigation in healthcare is rising and maternity and obstetric services are among the most highest at risk of litigation. Hospital staff do not want you taking any photos or videos in case something goes wrong and you capture it as evidence.
There is no other reason.
I fully understand this. For the past few years I have worked in hospital administration, been the author of many hospital documents and know with certainty the purpose of a high number of policies and procedures.
When you birth at home, there is no policy or procedure dictating your rights to photograph or video the birth. I am fairly certain this has never been a woman number one reason for choosing to homebirth. I would consider it one of those additional benefits.
What this does illustrate is that the decision to choose to home birth, is the choice to be accountable for all decisions.
Just for good measure, here are a few amazing birth moments each captured in a single photo.


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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Richards is a proven successful entrepreneur and visionary strategist and a co-founder of the company. He sets the corporate goals and leads the development of business and market strategies. Previously, his leadership has led Blackboard Connect (formerly The NTI Group) to be the number one provider of hosted, time-sensitive mass notification services focused on assisting government and civil leaders to communicate quickly and efficiently with their constituents using multi-modal technologies.
Honored as a Readers' Favorite in Inc. Magazine's 2007 Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Mr. Richards has also received Customer Interaction Solutions Magazine's Lifetime Achievement Award and the LAVA (Los Angeles Venture Association) Award for Best M&A. He is a member of several boards, including LASEC (Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission), Morehouse College Board of Trustees, and the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business - Board of Leaders.
Prior to forming The NTI Group Inc., he served as the CEO of Vivendi Universal Net USA, an entity created to oversee the U.S. Internet-related companies owned by Vivendi Universal. Mr. Richards was also the founding president and chief operating officer as well as a director of MP3.com, Inc., the Internet's first and preeminent digital music provider that had the largest IPO for an independent Internet company at that time. He was the lead negotiator in the sale of MP3.com to Vivendi Universal.
Previous to MP3.com, Mr. Richards served as managing director of Tickets.com, Inc., an Internet ticketing service company that was sold to Advantix. He was the founder, president, and CEO of Lexi International, the largest tele-services and database management company in the United States by mid-1991 and appeared twice on the Inc. 500 Fastest Growing Companies list. The company was successfully sold to Thayer Capital.
Mr. Richards currently serves as president of the Chase Foundation.
Mr. Richards holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University and attended Whittier College School of Law.
Co–Chairman, President and Chief Operating Officer
Mr. Ouyang is a co-founder and responsible for the overall execution of corporate strategies and operations including finance, technology, client services, marketing, legal and general administration.
Mr. Ouyang successfully built several start-up ventures into high growth companies that either went public or were sold to strategic partners. He has been directly involved with over $15 billion of strategic and financial transactions.
Previously, Mr. Ouyang was the co-founder, President and COO of The NTI Group, Inc., the premier SaaS based time sensitive mass notification system that was later sold to Blackboard, Inc. in 2008. Prior, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Vivendi Universal Net USA, a subsidiary of Vivendi Universal in online entertainment, and also served as its Chief Operating Officer. As Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of MP3.com, Inc., Mr. Ouyang played a key role in the sale of MP3.com to Vivendi Universal after orchestrating what was, at the time, the largest initial public offering for an independent Internet company. Mr. Ouyang has also served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Tickets.com, Inc. that was acquired by Advantix and held a similar position at Cheap Tickets Inc. He was a Managing Director of Corporate Finance at KPMG Peat Marwick LLP and a Vice President in Investment Banking at J.P. Morgan & Co.
Mr. Ouyang is currently a director of Huntington Hospital, Internships Holding Corporation, and a trustee of the Collis P. and Howard Huntington Memorial Trust. Previously, he was a director of Bluebeam Software, Inc., the NTI Group, VU Net USA, FastSoft, Inc., Southern California Healthcare Systems, SeeUthere.com, and a trustee of the Chandler School. His family established and funds scholarship programs at several academic institutions including Amherst College, Yale University, and the Wharton School. He also gives talks on entrepreneurism at the University of Southern California.
He received his Master of Business Administration in Finance and a General Electric Fellowship from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Amherst College.
Vice President of Finance
With over 20 years of experience in the Finance, Strategic Planning and Accounting arena, Mr. Wang is currently responsible for all finance functions in the company.
Prior to joining the company, Mr. Wang oversaw all financial, human resources, and administrative functions for MeziMedia, a start-up company in the on-line shopping and deals space. He was part of the executive leadership team that was responsible for the sale of MeziMedia to ValueClick (NASDAQ: VCLK) in 2007 and stayed on in a senior operational role subsequent to the sale.
In addition, Mr. Wang has worked in a financial and analytical capacity in a variety of industries, including such Fortune 500/multi-national Companies as Yahoo! (NASDAQ:YHOO), PPG (NYSE:PPG), and Nestle (OTC: NSRGY.PK). He began his professional career at Price Waterhouse Coopers where he earned his CPA.
Mr. Wang holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics-Accounting-Psychology from Claremont McKenna College.
Chief Technology Officer
As the Chief Technology Officer of the company, Mr. Christie is responsible for overseeing all technical aspects of the organization, including product development, infrastructure management, system integrations, and vendor selection and management.
Prior to joining the company Mr. Christie ran Engineering for Spark Networks (NYSE:LOV) a leading provider of online personals services in the United States and internationaly. While at Spark Networks he built the product development process into a repeatable, highly successful program tied directly to the company's strategic objectives. He also drove the design and construction of a new enterprise wide purchasing platform used across all 31 of the company's properties.
Previous to Spark Networks Mr. Christie has built and run technology organizations ranging from small teams for startups to teams spanning seven locations around the globe for companies like AIG (NYSE:AIG). His industry experience includes banking, entertainment, mortgage fraud detection, insurance, brokerage, and publishing. Mr. Christie has a broad technical background building systems and teams around architectures in Ruby on Rails, .Net, LAMP, Java, and C/C++.
Mr. Christie received his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Cornell University.
Chief Marketing Officer
Mr. Riemer is responsible for leading the company's marketing and product strategy.
He was previously a founding team member at Amuzu, a SaaS mobile solution for higher education institutions, where he led product, marketing and business development efforts.
In the venture capital industry, Mr. Riemer performed due diligence on potential investments, analyzed market characteristics, and presented research findings and recommendations to a team of angel investors, primarily focused on SaaS startups. Earlier in his career as a strategy consultant at Putnam Associates, Mr. Riemer worked with Fortune 50 companies on Business opportunity sizing, growth strategy, sales & marketing analytics, and joint ventures.
He received his Master of Business Administration from Bar-Ilan University in Tel Aviv and his Bachelor of Arts from Vanderbilt University.


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All Videos
Sitting near the top of northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia is the unassuming town of Port McNeill. This is the starting point of our Orca and Humpback expedition tours. During these tours, you spend 4-to-6 days kayaking in the infamous Johnstone Strait in search of majestic whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals and sea lions. If you're lucky, you might have me as your guide!


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Cr Larissa Hale
Cr Larissa Hale
Councillor Larissa Hale is serving in her first term with Cook Shire Council, having been elected in 2016.
Born in Mareeba, Cr Hale spent most of her childhood in Cape Flattery, where she completed her primary schooling. After completing high school at Blackheath and Thornburgh College in Charters Towers, Larissa returned to Cape Flattery to take up an administrative traineeship.
She went on to work for Centrelink in Mareeab and Cairns, before moving to Cooktown with her husband and children to further develop the Yuku Baja Muliku Corporation. During this time Cr Hale worked as an employment services officer in Cooktown and Hope Vale, before taking on the role of Caring for Country Co-ordinator for Balkanu.
Cr Hale was instrumental in founding the Yuku Baja Muliku Ranger Program and junior ranger program and Archer Point Turtle Hospital.
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« Indiana Chief Seeks Clarification From Feds Over Title I Funding for Charters | Main | Ark. Chief Backtracks, Says State Will Use PARCC's Cut Scores for College Readiness »
What Counts as Proficient on the PARCC Exam? Arkansas Moves Up the Limbo Stick
Arkansas has decided that students can be deemed on track college- and career-ready in math or English/language arts if they score at Level 3 on PARCC's five-level test. That's despite PARCC's own decision that a student isn't on course for college- and caree-readiness until they've scored at Level 4 or higher.
Arkansas' decision, announced last week, is similar to the one Ohio made last month. As you might recall, Ohio set a cut score on the PARCC exam for its own accountability purposes that is different (and lower) than PARCC's own definition of college- and career-readiness, or being on track for it.
On Oct. 8, the Arkansas education department released statewide scores for the PARCC exam for high school students for the 2014-15 academic year. The PARCC exam, which measures the Common Core State Standards, has five performance levels. The PARCC consortium considers students scoring at levels 4 and 5, the top two levels, to be demonstrating college- and career-readiness.
But the consortium can't order states to report those scores in the same way for their own purposes. And Arkansas has decided to tell the public that state students scoring at level 3 are also on track for college- and career-readiness.
The data released by Arkansas shows how proficiency rates would have been very different if it had used the same cut scores that PARCC, as a consortium, decided on.
Although the Arkansas department also reported the percentage of students scoring at level 4 and above, the share of students PARCC would consider meeting or exceeding expectations for the test, the department stated that, "For Arkansas schools, students scoring at levels 3 and above are considered on track for college and career readiness."
As far as PARCC is concerned, students at level 3 are considered to have "approached expectations."
In case you're interested in a couple of comparisons between 2014-15 and 2013-14 scores in Arkansas: 74 percent of the state's students were considered proficient or better on the end-of-course Algebra I exam in 2013-14, and 75 percent of students achieved at least proficiency on the Geometry exam in 2013-14. (The state doesn't plan to release PARCC scores to the state board for grades 3-8 until next month.)
In the department's press release, state K-12 chief Johnny Key said, "It is my hope that the results of these assessments will prompt such conversations throughout the state."
However it all shakes out, it appears this is a time-limited debate, since neither Arkansas nor Ohio will give the PARCC exam in 2015-16; Key successfully pushed to have a common-core-aligned test from the ACT replace PARCC. Ohio, meanwhile, will switch to a test developed by the American Institutes for Research.
Don't miss another State EdWatch post. Sign up here to get news alerts in your email inbox. And make sure to follow @StateEdWatch on Twitter for the latest news from state K-12 policy and politics.


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October 23-25, 2018
The Westin Houston, Memorial City – Houston, TX
Engage & Excel is a conference for community leaders, mental health professionals, law enforcement and stakeholders from across Texas who are working to improve their local behavioral health systems. Participants come together to share best practices, inspire collaboration, and learn from each other.
Past Events
Southeast Texas Okay to Say Community Launch
On May 16th Southeast Texas introduced their community to Okay to Say. The launch at the Event Centre in Beaumont welcomed members of the press and the general public, inviting them to share their stories and show their support for mental health awareness.
Okay to Say: Women Speaking Up & Speaking Out About Mental Health
Okay to Say and NAMI Austin celebrated Mental Health Month with a storytelling event featuring women and their mental health related tales. The May 24th event at the Hyatt Regency in Austin focused on women as mothers, wives, leaders, sisters and daughters, speaking openly about mental health to help us take better care of ourselves, and be a stronger support for others.
Launch of the Panhandle Behavioral Health Alliance
Amarillo officially launched the Panhandle Behavioral Health Alliance on February 15, 2017 at the Happy State Bank's Virgil Patterson Auditorium. With input and assistance from community leaders, the Institute conducted an assessment of local behavioral health systems across the Panhandle's 26 counties and provided a list of recommendations to enhance and improve behavioral health in the Panhandle. Through the launch of the Panhandle Behavioral Health Alliance, the region is initiating these recommendations.
Rapid Integrated Group Healthcare Team (RIGHT Care) Program launches in Dallas
The innovative RIGHT Care pilot program, launched in January, transforms response to mental health emergencies through dispatching teams comprised of a police officer, a paramedic, and a mental health professional. Made possible by a grant from the W. W. Caruth, Jr., Foundation at Communities Foundation of Texas, and planned with research and guidance from the Institute, the program is a collaboration of Parkland Health & Hospital System, Dallas Fire-Rescue Department, and Dallas Police Department.
Engage & Excel 2017 Conference Highlights
The second annual Engage & Excel Conference, hosted by The Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, was held in Austin at the AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center on September 20-22, 2017. Highlights included keynote speaker United States Senator John Cornyn and Texas Representative Four Price.
Okay To Say™ Sponsors Sherman-Denison's First Annual Community Behavioral Health Conference
January 20th, along with NEWCO of Grayson County and the Texoma Health Foundation, we sponsored a one-day conference to engage members of the Sherman-Denison community to talk about mental health and supporting members who facing mental health challenges. Guest speakers, Tommy Nelson, Senior Pastor at Denton Bible Church, and Eric Nadel, the "Voice of the Texas Rangers," shared their own stories of mental health struggles impacting their lives. The conference also featured panels comprised of local thought leaders from diverse backgrounds discussing collaboration, taking action, and the future of mental health in their community.
Okay to Say: Healing After Harvey
On March 8th, our Okay to Say awareness campaign brought together a panel of mental health professionals from the University of Houston School of Social Work and Baylor College of Medicine along with the disaster relief organization Americares to provide education about the triggers and warning signs of possible mental health issues that may have developed after traumatic events like Hurricane Harvey. Additionally, "Matilda" star and Okay to Say supporter Mara Wilson described her own personal experiences with mental illness by sharing her story of hope through recovery.