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MOBILE, Ala. (AP) Denard Robinson's transition to wide receiver includes some new habits and adjustments.
The former quarterback has to get better at running routes and getting separation, but he's not about to start tying his shoes.
During his Michigan career Robinson was known for his speed, long runs and untied shoes. All those traits have been on display heading into Saturday's Senior Bowl - even his position coach has taken to calling him ``Shoelaces.''
``A couple of offensive linemen in the huddle are like, `Your shoes are untied,''' Robinson said. ``I thought he was playing but he was like, `No, seriously, your shoes are untied.'''
Robinson insists he's not about to start tying his shoes.
However, everything else about his game is changing.
His future in the NFL won't be as a quarterback, whether he lines up in in the Wildcat position, fields kicks or catches passes. Or all of the above.
Robinson was limited to non-contact the first two days of practice by nerve damage in his right elbow that accelerated his position switch since he finished his college career playing running back and some receiver.
He said receiver is where he wanted to be for the Senior Bowl.
North coach Dennis Allen of the Oakland Raiders said Robinson's explosiveness and ability to run with the ball has been evident on the practice field.
His openness to learning is another positive.
``He has a lot of confidence in his ability but at the same time he understands that he doesn't know everything that he needs to know about playing the wide receiver position,'' Allen said. ``But he's very willing to learn. That's the biggest thing, is guys understanding and being willing to put forth the effort to try to learn the position.''
Robinson said North teammates like Baylor's Terrance Williams have helped him along the way. He's also gotten calls from Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner, receiver Roy Roundtree and cornerback J.T. Floyd with advice.
Floyd's message, Robinson said: ``You've got to be smoother coming out of the breaks.''
He said the biggest lessons he has gotten concern how to use his hands to get separation from defensive backs off the line.
``I want to be good already,'' said Robinson, who is also working as a return man. ``I want to be great already, so of course I thought I could be better. I'm always striving to be better.''
North Carolina State quarterback Mike Glennon's early glimpses of Robinson as a receiver were promising, even restricted by the elbow.
``He's a heck of an athlete,'' Glennon said. ``I've seen him on TV plenty of times, and he can really play. Just the way he moves, I'm sure he'll make the transition well.''
Robinson's running abilities were on display throughout his college career. His 4,495 rushing yards broke Pat White's NCAA record for quarterbacks.
White stayed put at quarterback during the 2009 Senior Bowl and was named the game's MVP before being drafted in the second round by the Miami Dolphins. He was cut after one season.
Robinson is hoping his career turns out more like Antwaan Randle El and Green Bay's Randall Cobb, who began his Kentucky career as a quarterback but has thrived as a receiver and return man.
Randle El, then the major college career leader for QB rushing yards, made the switch at the 2002 Senior Bowl and wound up catching 370 passes for 4,467 yards and 15 touchdowns in his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington Redskins.
Robinson seems to have maintained a positive attitude about the position move.
``I don't live my life with regrets, he said. ``I made this choice and I've got to make the most of it.''


text:
Select a worry-free warranty:
»» Description:
Arctic Armor Leaf Net traps even the smallest leaves before they reach your winter cover. Arctic Armor In-ground leaf nets have an extra 4-foot overlap and include a cable and winch to hold it securely in place over your winter cover. Black mesh fabric. Your cover will be virtually leaf free and spring clean-up will be a snap. Arctic Armor leaf nets are made from durable woven polyethylene and carries a 5 year warranty. Place the cover on your pool when you close it, remove before first snow, leaves easy cover removal when you open. Eliminates that messy swamp of decaying leaves!
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»» Features:
Great economy style - Great Price
Arctic Armor In-ground leaf nets include everything needed -cable and winch
Made from durable woven polyethylene black mesh
We Guarantee we have the lowest price around. Click here for more info
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4 year warranty
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
Adobe has added new profiles in Device Central including those for the Samsung Galaxy S and the Samsung Galaxy Tab. These profiles can help you easily create projects that target these devices and test them in Device Central. To see the new profiles simply launch Device Central and browse the Device Library.
[via Scott Janousek Blog]


text:
Tommy Robinson's supporters assault Speakers' Corner veteran Heiko Khoo
whilst claiming to defend free speech 18 March 2018.
"We walked through Hyde Park looking for Speakers' Corner, which – especially for us as East Germans – was legendary, the very symbol of free speech. I hope that is not an insult to you, the members of the British Parliament."
Speech by Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel in London to both Houses of the British Parliament 27 Feb 2014
Speakers' Corner Movement
Speakers' Corner is the most famous location for free speech in the world. It symbolises popular struggles in Britain for the right to vote, speak and assemble.
It exists since the 1872 Parks and Gardens Act.
We believe that the redesign of Speakers' Corner by the Royal Parks which they will officially launch at a press conference at Speakers' Corner at 8.30am on June 19th undermines Speakers' Corner. The Royal Parks' claim that their change to the layout enhances Speakers' Corner; in fact it appears designed to destroy it, because:
1. The area has been significantly reduced in size
2. The redesign is structured around then needs of pop concerts not public oratory
3. No consultation took place with anyone from Speakers' Corner
4. The toilet facilities in Marble Arch have been taken away and no new facilities provided
5. In this way, the overall redesign of both Marble Arch and Speakers' Corner takes no account of the needs or feelings of its users
Sadly, the planning and implementation of the redesign was imposed by the Royal Parks and it completely excluded the Speakers' Corner community from participation. The redesign fundamentally undermines the traditional Speakers' Corner as a place of free speech and significantly reduces the size of the area.
Over the last two decades the Royal Parks have, by intent or incompetence, systematically undermined Speakers' Corner.
First, they installed a merry-go-round, which resulted in a campaign of civil disobedience.
Then they increasingly used the land designated by statute, as the "Speakers' Area" for commercial events; consequently, "Speakers' Corner" is frequently drowned out by the incredible noise levels generated.
The toilets in Marble Arch were closed a couple of years ago, so the nearest public toilet is now 500 meters away. This means that the area is used a public toilet by homeless people and the smell of faeces can be overpowering.
The refreshment cafe charges extortionate prices. This excludes the less well off, many of who have been regulars at Speakers' Corner for decades, from being able to afford a tea of coffee.
Despite increasing tension and violence there are no longer any uniformed police at Speakers' Corner. Only a few years ago, the police used to reduce the incidences of violent outbreaks and encourage tolerance and both the speakers and the Speakers' Corner community knew them. This is no longer the case.
The Speakers' Corner redesign, which is to be officially opened on Thursday 19th June 2014 at 8.30am will be opposed because: rather than protect the area from sound pollution it significantly reduces the speakers area; and is it specifically designed for vast commercial projects, like pop concerts.
This directly conflict with Speakers' Corners' statutory role and spiritual and heritage role as the world's oldest and most famous area specifically designated for free speech.
We demand that the Royal Parks
1. Not an inch from Speakers Corner! Restore the traditional Speakers' Corner area to its size in 2013!
2. We are not cattle! Remove the new gates!
3. We want tolerance! At least one uniformed police officer should be present during peak times at Speakers' Corner on Sunday afternoons
4. Reopen free public toilets within 200 meters of Speakers' Corner
Any enquiries about the campaign can be directed to Heiko Khoo the issues will be debated on a regular basis at Speakers' Corner every Sunday.
Heiko Khoo is a Speakers' Corner speaker who has spoken at Speakers' Corner since 1986. He produces the Speakers' Corner radio show for London's arts radio station Resonance 104.4 fm broadcast weekly since 2003.
The Speakers' Corner Movement was set up in 1997 to defend Speakers' Corner and to promote free speech around the world. Its original signatories included Tony Benn and Lord Soper.
www.speakerscorner.net is the website of the speakers' corner community: we speak in the park, archive its voices, images and sounds. We produce the weekly Speakers' Corner Radio show for resonance FM and offer training in public speaking and consultancy about films, performance and research on Speakers' Corner. You can contact firstname.lastname@example.com or firstname.lastname@example.com tel 07722523629


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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) — On Thursday, kids at the Hot Springs Intermediate School got a lesson in state history they will not soon forget.
It was about the haunted legends that lurk throughout Arkansas, and it got us here at THV11 thinking– what are some spooky stories here in Little Rock?
Many will tout the Allen House in Monticello or the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs as the scariest. And while they might be, it doesn't take away from the ghouls that creep around one bed and breakfast here in Little Rock.
"You know it's home to me," said Sharon Welch-Blair, who owns the Empress of Little Rock Bed and Breakfast in Little Rock. "It was built with a lot of love and a lot of revenge."
Welch-Blair has owned the old Victorian-style home on the corner of 22nd and Louisiana since 1993.
It used to be a nursing home before the Blair's took it over and turned it into what it is today; a 4-diamond bed and breakfast that is ranked one of the top 10 in the nation.
But the reputation doesn't come lightly.
"[Shortly after we opened one guest] said that she heard some footsteps coming up the stairs and that the handle on the door started twisting back and forth and the door swung open and there was nobody there."
Several guests, as well as Sharon's husband Bob claim to have seen ghosts.
"Bob said he saw an older man in a dapper suit stare at him from the staircase while we were building [the home]," she explained. "He said he looked at him as if to say 'Do well by this house.'"
From spirits wandering the halls, to others standing in doorways guests say multiple spirits have wandered these halls. But one of the most notable cases comes in what they call the card room.
It was the old owner's secret space and came when a carpenter was working.
"He stepped out to get more stain and when he came back, and the door has no lock, it was locked and he couldn't get in," Welch-Blair said.
So you be the judge– real or fake?
"You know I can cohabit with a few ghosts. If they're good with it I'm good with it," she joked.
Just know there's no way to disprove what some have said they saw.
The home is currently on the market for sale.
Tags: Haunted Houses in Little Rock, Haunted Little Rock, Haunted locations in Arkansas, Haunted Tours in Arkansas, Real Haunted houses in Little Rock, The Empress Haunted Tour


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Oct. 24, 2006
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - MIT's varsity heavyweight crew took advantage of beautiful weather and a home course advantage on Sunday to post their best-ever finish in the Head of the Charles "Collegiate Eights" race. The big boat started 22nd out of 58 crews, and had to row through heavy traffic to finish in sixth place.
First and second places went to Canadian schools, making MIT the fourth American finisher. Since the Collegiate Eights race was introduced in 2002, MIT had never finished higher than 14th.
MIT's second boat, rowing as Beaver Boat Club, collided with Peking University's crew under the Weeks footbridge. The impact sank the Chinese boat and turned the MIT boat perpendicular to the racecourse. While no one was hurt, the MIT boat lost significant time and finished 55th.
The crew travels next to Princeton, New Jersey, for the Princeton Chase, on October 29, where they will race against Yale, Princeton, Navy and other Division I top-10 crews.


text:
How would one draw 3D amoebas in real-time in OpenGL? The key components I'm looking for are:
- Curved closed surface that changes shape
- Generally transparent
- Something translucent inside showing the volume is occupied
It has to be in real-time, and be able to handle many (100's) of these moving and animating on screen simultaneously.
What techniques might one use to accomplish this?


text:
madhornet needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 37 designs submitted by 18 freelance designers.
I need a nice clean logo for our new e-commerce store.
In Style Patio
leave room or try you hand at one.
Desired Color Scheme:
match the colors of the current site design
Accepted File Formats:
Standard Web Formats (.jpg, .gif or .png); Vector Formats (.eps, .pdf or .ai); Layered Formats (.psd or .tiff)
Looking for a professional clean logo for our new e-commerce store InStyle Patio.
Logo must match the colors of the current design andfit in well with the overall look &Â feel. The logo will be placed at the top left area of the header of the site. You can see the image of our current design here:
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


text:
Calphalon Elite Nonstick Wok
- Only at Williams Sonoma
- Free Fast Shipping
- Exclusive
Easy, hassle-free returns online and in-store for eligible items.Learn More
Earn 5% Back in rewards4 plus free standard shipping3every day when you shop with your Williams Sonoma credit card at Williams Sonoma.Apply Now Learn More
- Summary
Developed through a unique collaboration between Calphalon and Williams Sonoma, the Elite cookware collection sets a new standard for nonstick performance. Metal utensils won't damage the release performance of the durable, triple-layer nonstick interior, and the specially textured surface excels for searing foods—two key features that set this collection apart from other nonstick cookware. Made in the USA and exclusively ours, Elite cookware is also PFOA-free and dishwasher safe.This wok is ideal for searing, stir-frying and frying foods. The high sloping sides of this flat-bottom wok are ideal for containing ingredients when you're searing and stir-frying, and its depth also maked it perfect for deep-frying tempura and other foods.
- Premium hard-anodized aluminum ensures excellent heat conduction and uniform cooking.
- Triple-layer nonstick surface is durable enough to withstand metal whisks, spoons and spatulas.
- Textured Sear nonstick interior seals in flavor when browning or searing foods.
- PFOA-free.
- Polished stainless-steel handles are riveted.
- Ergonomically shaped handles offer a secure grip and comfortable lifting.
- Low-profile tempered-glass lid lets you view contents during cooking.
- Dishwasher safe.
- Dimensions & More Info
- 13" diam., 4" high.
- 6 lb. 5 oz. with lid.
- Made in USA.
- Use & Care
- Ideal for gas and electric cooktops (not induction compatible).
- Safe for use with metal spatulas, spoons and whisks as well as nylon, silicone, coated or wooden utensils.
- Do not use other types of metal utensils, such as forks or knives.
- Oven safe to 500 degrees F.
- Do not use aerosol cooking sprays; buildup over time will cause foods to stick.
- Allow pan to cool before washing.
- Dishwasher safe.
- Avoid using steel wool, steel scouring pads or harsh detergents.
- Stubborn food residue and stains can be removed with a nylon scrubbing pad and a fine-powdered cleanser.
- Shipping
Shipping Information
UPS can deliver most in-stock items within 3–5 business days. UPS is unable to deliver to P.O. boxes.
Shipping Rates
The shipping rate varies depending on your order total and shipping destination. View Shipping Options and Charges.
Next Day Delivery
For an additional charge of $26 per address, we can expedite delivery to most destinations. This service is not available for some oversize items, items shipped directly from the supplier (including perishable and custom-manufactured items), out-of-stock items and items to be shipped outside the contiguous 48 states.
Orders received by 9:00 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday will arrive the next business day; orders placed Friday through Sunday will arrive on the following Tuesday.
Return Policy
At Williams Sonoma, we take great pride in the quality and craftsmanship of our products. Attention to design, materials, safety and construction are our priority. Upon receipt, please inspect your purchase and notify us of any damage; we will arrange for a prompt replacement.
If within 30 days, you are dissatisfied for any reason, you may return your purchase for a refund of the merchandise value. An original receipt or gift receipt is required for all returns and exchanges. Returns with a gift receipt will be refunded in the form of a Merchandise Credit for the amount indicated on the gift receipt. Returns with original receipt will be refunded in the original form of payment, cash and check refunds over $100 will be issued as a company check (may take 14 business days from time of request).
For all cutlery returns (knife sets, single knives, cutting boards, knife sharpeners and knife storage), please contact us at 888.922.4108 to initiate the return.
We cannot accept returns on monogrammed, personalized, special-order items, custom upholstery, food, items shipped direct from the vendor or on items damaged through normal wear and tear. Final sale items ending in .97 or .99 cannot be returned.
Made to Order and Final Sale Furniture items are non-returnable and cannot be cancelled once the order is placed.
For returns of items purchased from your Williams Sonoma Gift Registry, we will gladly provide a refund or exchange for the merchandise within 90 days of your event or within 90 days of purchase, whichever date is later. View Full Returns Policy.
- Price Match Guarantee
Williams Sonoma Price Match Guarantee
At Williams Sonoma, we're committed to bringing you the best quality at the best prices.
If you find a lower price on any of our products, we'll match it—guaranteed. Click here for details.
Rated 2 out of 5 by HomeCook from Non-Stick Surface Failed I've had this for some years now. I love the way it cooks, and have used it for most things - making chili, curries, stir fry, scrambled eggs, etc. I always use wood or silicone/rubber coated implements to stir, never metal. About 50% of the time I wash it in the dishwasher, and 50% by hand using soft, non-abrasive sponge. I've noticed scratches on it for some years now, but I wasn't worried about it until this morning, where after one final run through the dishwasher, I saw that the non-stick coating was actually flaking off in places, as if it had been gouged by a fork or knife. Since I don't want to eat the non-stick coating, I'll have to throw it out now.Date published: 2018-02-04Rated 2 out of 5 by Internationalcook from Looks nice I purchased this almost a year ago. It is a nice looking wok but does not work well on a gas stove. it has a flat bottom - but does not balance well on the burner and tips easy. If you have electric or induction - any flat top stove it would work well. This is my first wok and I kept it but will continue to look - in person -Date published: 2017-12-23Rated 5 out of 5 by Hermine from A Welcome Addition to my Kitchen Its sturdy construction and convenient handle make it work perfectly as a wok. But to my surprise, its size and its lid allow me to do many other things such as steaming 3 or 4 artichokes at a time. I love it!Date published: 2016-03-05Rated 2 out of 5 by Berry09250718 from 3-layer nonstick surface not durable enough!! The wok looks good and is good to use, but not as durable as advertised. It says the triple-layer nonstick surface is durable enough to stand up to metal spatulas. Well I only used it to cook veggies and with rubber/wooden spatulas, but I saw scratch marks on the wok after 2nd use and have seen more scratches on the wok ever since. I only clean with sponges and light detergents as advised.Date published: 2015-08-01Rated 5 out of 5 by LSpeed from GREAT WOK !! I never thought I could cook with any wok other than my old rolled-steel and certainly never a "flat-bottom" but when I moved into a hi-rise and an electric cooktop was my only option, a change was necessitated. I did some research and thought a collaboration between Calphalon & Wms Sonoma was probably a good bet. I'm pleased to report this wok exceeds expectations. The even heating and the ability to move food up the sides to accommodate new ingredients is great. It's a snap to clean up too. I love it.Date published: 2015-07-18Rated 5 out of 5 by Tibble from Best Wok Ever I am so impressed with this wok! It is the perfect size, so that you can really stir your ingredients around and stack them up the sides when needed. It conducts heat quickly and evenly. And washing is a quick and easy process. The lid fits perfectly and balances nicely if you should want to do a partial cover. This is my first Calphalon Elite Nonstick pan, and I am considering buying another....maybe smaller. Because, this wok has become my favorite pan. Everything I have cooked or even deep fried in it, has been successful. Great wok! I use it several times a week, it is very versatile and still looks like new! :-)Date published: 2014-05-31Rated 5 out of 5 by choogee from Great wok for stir frying I use it on my 30,000 BTU wok burner for stir frying anything.and it works very well. The non-stick surface holds up to the high temperatures and I am very satisfied with it.Date published: 2014-04-03
Does this come with the lid?Hi Kimberly, This wok includes a lid.Date published: 2018-12-12


text:
There's no actual mention of Microsoft in the today's Dilbert strip, but it doesn't take a genius to see the comic taking a swing at the Redmond-based software giant.
With his latest creation, cartoonist Scott Adams has a pointy-haired character talking to Dilbert's C.E.O. about the company's "long slide toward irrelevance."
"But if you redesign your logo and produce a tablet computer that no one buys, at least it will look like you're trying," he says.
Who exactly is this guy? Tim Cook? A tech fortune teller?
Nope. He's "The ugly truth. Most people just ignore me."
Microsoft certainly redesigned its logo and also recently unveiled its tablet computer, the Surface. Why exactly Adams feels this way is unclear — perhaps he just thinks people are ignoring the fact that Microsoft is headed toward oblivion.
As Venture Beat points out, the claims that Microsoft will be irrelevant and that no one will buy the Surface are slightly ridiculous. But that's certainly a topic for debate.
UPDATE, 2:30 p.m.: Thanks to our readers and my lack of Dilbert knowledge for pointing out that neither of the characters in the strip are Dilbert or his boss. I've made the changes above.
Previously on GeekWire: Confirmed: Microsoft retiring Messenger, shifting to Skype


text:
Criminologist Author Jennifer Chase Gets Interrogated on the Child Finder Trilogy
I have two thriller novels out, Compulsion and Dead Game. In Compulsion, Emily Stone doesn't have a badge. But that hasn't stopped her from tracking down some of the West's most dangerous child-killers. Armed with a digital SLR camera, laptop computer and her trusty Beretta, Stone uses her innate gift for detective work to identify the perps — and then anonymously e-mail the evidence to the cops.
Now, the hunt for two brazen serial killers on the loose right in her own coastal California town threatens to expose Stone's identity — unraveling her carefully constructed cover and jeopardizing her life's work. But when she gets too close to the action, this razor-sharp hunter becomes the hunted. Cooperating with the handsome local police detective could be the only hope for stopping the rampage directed at unsuspecting young women — and saving herself. Can they piece together the clues in time?
Compulsion mixes CSI-style investigation with a ripped-from-the-headlines plot and a dose of romance for a keeps-you-guessing, fast-paced and savvy thriller, right up until the shocking finale.
Dead Game is another Emily Stone Novel. In her independent efforts to catch child killers, Emily Stone discovers the evidence that the cops can't—or won't—uncover. Now, this covert investigator is back on the hunt for the world's most sick and twisted murderers. But even with help from ex-police detective Rick Lopez, this time she's facing her most dangerous opponent yet.
The headlines in the San Jose Mercury News blare updates on a serial killer who seems able to slaughter with impunity. Men, women—it doesn't matter; the victims serve only to satisfy a perverted need to kill. The killer watches the moment of death on multiple computer screens, over and over again. The only connection is that they're all devotees of the latest video-game craze—a sophisticated brain-puzzler called EagleEye.
When the killer goes after Lopez's law-enforcement mentor, Lopez and Stone decide to give the cops a little extra, unsolicited help. What follows takes them deep inside a shocking high-tech world, a kind of social-networking community for serial killers. But when they start getting too close to the truth, all hell's going to break loose.
Now, Stone and Lopez become the killer's next target as Stone must make a difficult decision to leave the ones she loves in an all-or-nothing effort for survival. Can they stay alive long enough to blow the whistle on this unlikely perpetrator? Read More


text:
SACRAMENTO (Reuters) - A Christian legal group urged a federal judge on Friday to halt a landmark California law that bars a controversial therapy aimed at reversing homosexuality from being used on children and teenagers, calling the law a violation of privacy and free speech.
California's Democratic Governor Jerry Brown signed the ban into law in September, making the nation's most populous state the first to ban so-called conversion therapy among youths. Gay rights advocates say the therapy can psychologically harm gay and lesbian youths.
"What we have here is the state coming into the doctor-patient, client-counselor relationship and saying that you can only present one viewpoint," attorney Mathew Staver, the dean of the evangelical Liberty University law school, told the court in seeking an injunction to halt the law pending legal challenges.
He was arguing on behalf of the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality and the American Association of Christian Counselors, as well as unnamed individuals who sued shortly after the law was signed.
The law, due to go into effect on January 1, bars therapists from performing sexual-orientation change counseling with children and teenagers under 18 and was supported by the California Psychological Association among other groups.
Passage of the law marked a major victory for gay rights advocates who say the treatment, also called reparative therapy, has no medical basis because homosexuality is not a disorder.
Lawyers for the plaintiffs in the case argue that the law violates constitutionally protected rights to free speech and freedom of religion, and denies the rights of parents to choose how to raise their children.
Attorneys for the state were joined by lawyers from Equality California, which was a sponsor of the bill, in arguing that there is substantial evidence that the practice causes harm to those who undergo it.
The judge in the case, Kimberly Mueller, expressed concern during the hearing that banning licensed practitioners from offering the therapy would only drive parents to seek out the treatment from "unlicensed quacks" or out-of-state providers.
She said she was likely to rule next week in the case, filed against Brown and other state officials. Another similar suit seeking a separate injunction against the law will be argued in federal court on Monday.
Reporting by Mary Slosson; Editing by Cynthia Johnston and Mohammad Zargham


text:
Food & Drink
Some passengers will have to power up electronics at U.S. airport checkpoints
By Mike Ahlers, CNN • Updated 10th July 2014
A very limited number of airline passengers flying in the United States will be asked to turn on electronic devices while going through airport checkpoints, in an expansion of a security protocol implemented last week at some overseas airports, a U.S. official tells CNN.
The new procedure will be used for travelers on the "Selectee List" -- who are already getting enhanced screening because they are on U.S. government watch lists, the official said.
The change was implemented domestically Tuesday, and was first reported Wednesday by NBC News.
The U.S. government
last week required the stepped-up security measure
at airports in Europe, the Middle East and Africa to address concerns that terrorist groups are looking for new ways to sneak explosives onto aircraft. The procedure helps assure that electronic devices haven't been modified to conceal an explosive.
The change expands the protocol to include a very limited number of people on domestic flights.
From a security perspective, travelers generally fall into one of three groups -- passengers in the Pre-Check program who have been pre-cleared by the TSA; general travelers; and "selectees," those on government watch lists. Selectees are already subjected to enhanced screening, typically pat-downs and a more thorough examination of carry-on luggage.
It is this third group that will be targeted by the change, the official said.
If a selectee's electronic device is not capable of being turned on, they will be given the option of continuing without the item or of not flying, the official said.
Electronics to be scrutinized under new TSA security measures
Tighter security ordered for some U.S.-bound flights
The biggest threat in the air is... you
A year of the world's
Best Beaches
There's a perfect beach for every week of the year. Join us on a 12-month journey to see them all
Go to the best beaches


text:
major macro economic indicators
|GDP growth (%)
|Inflation (yearly average, %)
|Budget balance (% GDP)
|Current account balance (% GDP)
|Public debt (% GDP)
(f): forecast
- Market of 38 million people
- Proximity to West European markets
- Price competitiveness; qualified and cheap labour force
- Integrated into the German production chain
- Diversified economy (agriculture, variety of industries, services)
- Resilient financial sector
- Inadequate level of investment; domestic savings rate too low
- Weakness in R&D
- Developmental lag of Eastern regions
- Structural unemployment; low level of female employment
Extended recovery fades out
In 2019, Poland will likely experience a slight slowdown in economic growth after two years of accelerating activity, with GDP growth rates reaching their highest levels since 2011. Household consumption remains the main growth driver, thanks to the buoyant labour market. The unemployment rate is the lowest in 28 years, wages are set to keep growing at fair rates, the central bank's rate is at its lowest point in history, and consumer sentiment indicators remain high. Moreover, a rebound of fixed asset investments brings additional support for growth. Investments are still supported by an inflow of EU funds, which have enhanced investments by at least 2 percentage points. Nevertheless, growth of domestic activity will stabilise, and the trade balance is likely to be negative in light of the weaker economic expansion of eurozone (the main trading partner) – exports represent over 50% of GDP. This will lead to the Polish economy being less robust in 2019.
Although the labour market situation is beneficial for households, companies have perceived it as a constraint. Labour shortages have become a drag in current business activity and its further expansion, and have been reported by an increasing number of companies across all sectors. A lack of workforce is especially evident in the manufacturing, construction and transport sectors. In addition, the insolvency law enacted in 2016 has favoured the increase in business restructuration proceedings, which have accelerated since then.
The budget deficit remains low despite social measures
The general government deficit remains on a decreasing path: it is estimated to have reached 0.9% of GDP in 2018 after recording 1.4% in 2017. Costly social measures – such as child benefits and the lowering of the statutory retirement age in 2017 – have been offset by the robust macroeconomic performance, which brought an increase of revenues from personal and corporate income taxes (the structural deficit, i.e. excluding effect from the cycle amounted to 2.0% of GDP, according to the European Commission's estimation). The improved tax collection has brought sizeable and positive effects to the Polish budget balance, as further such measures will likely do in 2019. The favourable labour market contributes to strong growth of social contributions. Public investment expenditure will continue to grow as Poland hosts a series of elections: municipal in late 2018, domestic and European parliamentary in 2019, and presidential in 2020. The public debt is expected to remain on a manageable level, benefitting from a low budget deficit and the relatively solid GDP growth of Polish economy.
The current account balance turned slightly negative in 2018. Whereas trade in services continues to perform well supported by transportation services abroad, trade in goods is affected by solid demand from Polish households and companies importing for improving their production capacities. Indeed, imports have been more dynamics than exports: in the first nine months of 2018, exports increased by 3.8% compared to the same period of previous year whereas imports surged by 6.8%then.
Challenging political and social situation
The conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party won a majority of seats in the Sejm (the lower house of Polish Parliament) in the latest legislative elections in October 2015 (37.6% of votes), ahead of Civic Platform, the main opposition party. Since taking office, the PiS has conducted a series of disputable reforms that have undermined the country's democratic institutions and worsened the relationship with the EU. The European Commission has triggered Article 7 of the Union Treaty, which could provide for the suspension of certain rights, including the right to vote, in case of a clear risk of serious violation of the rule of law. Such actions have also generated social discontent within segments of the population, and have polarized public opinion. In the latest municipal elections in October 2018, the PiS increased its hold on regional parliaments, but failed to win mayoral contests in most of the country's largest cities.
Although the current government has successfully achieved a higher collectability of taxes and is enjoying a favourable macroeconomic environment, the political climate is relatively gloomy. This has contributed to a higher level of uncertainty compared to previous years, and has also affected investors' attitudes. On the other hand, stable fundamentals, Poland's integration into Western European value chains, and attractive yields have convinced foreign entities to not withdraw their direct and portfolio investments from Poland.
Last update : Februay 2019
Standard bills of exchange and cheques are not widely used, as they must meet a number of formal issuing requirements in order to be valid. Nevertheless, for dishonoured or contested bills and cheques, creditors may resort to fast-track procedures resulting in an injunction to pay. There is, however, one type of bill of exchange that is commonly used – the weksel in blanco. This is an incomplete promissory note bearing only the term "weksel" and the issuer's signature at the time of issue. The signature constitutes an irrevocable promise to pay, and this undertaking is enforceable upon completion of the promissory note (with the amount, place, and date of payment), in accordance with a prior agreement made between the issuer and the beneficiary. Weksels in blanco are widely used as they also constitute a guarantee of payment in commercial agreements and the rescheduling of payments.
Cash payments were commonly used in Poland by individuals and firms alike, but under the 2004 Freedom of Business Activity Act (Ustawa o swobodzie działalności gospodarczej), companies are required to make settlements via bank accounts for any transaction exceeding the equivalent in Polish złotys of €15,000, even when payable in several instalments. This measure has been introduced to combat fraudulent money laundering.
Bank transfers have become the most widely used payment method. Following phases of privatisation and consolidation, leading Polish banks now use the SWIFT network.
Debt collection
Amicable proceedings
Amicable debt collection is the first step of the debt recovery procedure in Poland. These actions include reminders and/or demands for payment. These communications usually serve to obtain repayment of outstanding debt, to warn the debtor of further official actions, to obtain acknowledgment of the debt, to conclude an agreement between the creditor and the debtor based on the acknowledgment of its debt and to obtain a commitment to the repayment agreed.
As of 2004, interest can be claimed as from the 31st day following delivery of the product or service, even where the parties have agreed to longer payment terms. The legal interest rate will apply from the 31st day until the contractual payment date. Thereafter, in the case of late payments, the tax penalty rate will apply. This is very often greater than the legal interest rate, unless the contracting parties have agreed on a higher interest rate.
A bill to implement the 2011/7/EU directive of 2011 on "combating late payment in commercial transactions" provides the contracting parties with maximum payment terms of 60 days. Similarly, default interest is due the day after the deadline, without the need for a formal notice. By implementing the EU Directive, Poland introduced new rules regarding compensation for payment defaults in commercial transactions. These rules oblige debtors to pay the costs of recovery when the payment term expires. The defined amount is a lump sum of €40 – but it is possible to demand a larger amount if the costs of recovery prove to be higher.
Legal proceedings
Fast-track proceedings
Creditors can seek an injunction to pay (nakaz zaplaty) via a fast-track and less expensive procedure, provided they can produce positive proof of debt (such as unpaid bills of exchange, unpaid cheques, weksels in blanco, or other acknowledgements of debt). If the judge is not convinced of the substance of the claim – a decision he alone is empowered to make – he may refer the case to full trial.
As since 2010, the district court of Lublin has jurisdiction throughout Poland to handle electronic injunctions to pay when claims are indisputable. The clerk of the court examines the merits of the application, to which is attached the list of the available evidence. He then, using an electronic signature, validates the ruling granting the injunction to pay. This procedure appears, at first glance, to be fast, economic and flexible, but in reality the sheer number of cases mean that this process can be slow and drawn out.
Ordinary proceedings
Ordinary proceedings are partly written and partly oral. The parties file submissions accompanied by all supporting case documents (original or certified copies). Oral pleadings, with the litigants, their lawyers, and their witnesses are heard on the main hearing date. During these proceedings the judge is required to attempt conciliation between the parties.
Standard court procedures can be also fast and effective when the creditor can provide documents that clearly show the amount of debt and the confirmation of delivery of goods (or proper performance of services), especially if the documents have been signed by the debtor. The court issues an order for payment which states that the debtor should pay the amount of the debt in two weeks, or return a written argument within the same period of time. However, in standard procedures, it is quite easy for the defendant to postpone the case. When the defendant argues the order of payment during this kind of procedure, it can take a long time to obtain the final verdict, due to the lack of judges and large backlog of cases.
Enforcement of a legal decision
When all appeal venues have been exhausted, a judgment becomes final and enforceable. If the debtor does not comply with the judgment, the creditor can request that the court orders a compulsory enforcement mechanism of the decision, through a bailiff. For foreign awards rendered in an EU country, specific enforcement mechanisms such as the EU Payment order or the European Enforcement Order can be used for undisputed claims. Awards rendered in non-EU countries are recognised and enforced, provided that the issuing country is party to a bilateral or multilateral agreement with Poland.
Insolvency proceedings
Restructuring proceedings
The 2015 reform on polish insolvency law introduced four new types of restructuring proceedings which aim to avoid the bankruptcy of insolvent or distressed businesses.
The "arrangement approval proceedings" is available to debtors who are able to reach an arrangement with the majority of creditors without court involvement and where the sum of the disputed debt does not exceed 15% of total claims. The debtor will continue to manage its estate but it will be required to appoint a supervisor, who will prepare a restructuring plan. The creditors approve the proposal through a vote.
Accelerated arrangement proceedings are also available if the sum of the disputed debt does not exceed 15% of total claims. The procedure is simplified in relation to the allowance of claims carrying voting rights. Creditors can only make reservations via a list of claims prepared by the court supervisor or administrator. The debtor's estate will continue to be managed by the debtor-in-possession, but a court supervisor will be appointed to supervise its management.
The "standards arrangement" proceeding is available for disputed debts exceeding 15% of the total claim. With these proceedings, the court secures the debtor's estate by appointing a temporary court supervisor.
"Remedial" proceedings offer the broadest restructuring options and scope of protection of the debtor's assets against creditors. The appointment of an administrator to manage the debtor's estate is mandatory.
Bankruptcy proceedings
Bankruptcy proceedings can only be declared when a debtor has become "insolvent". There are two test of insolvency – the liquidity test and the balance sheet test. Both aim to liquidate the estate of the bankrupt company and distribute the proceeds among its debtors. The entire procedure is court-driven, although the 2015 reform has given creditors holding major claims a right to influence the choice of (or a change to) the court-appointed trustee.


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Obama said he'd pursue it, but opted out
"We've made the decision not to participate in the public-financing system for the general election." Barack Obama, June 19, 2008
Sen. Barack Obama's decision to opt out of the public financing system marked a milestone in modern presidential politics: the first time a major nominee has declined public financing since the system was created after Watergate. Obama's announcement on June 19, 2008, prompted swift criticism from Sen. John McCain's campaign that Obama had flip-flopped.
"The true test of a candidate for president is whether he will stand on principle and keep his word to the American people," said McCain communications director Jill Hazelbaker. "Barack Obama has failed that test today, and his reversal of his promise to participate in the public finance system undermines his call for a new type of politics."
The group Let Freedom Ring made a similar charge in July 2008 with a TV ad. We explore the group's other claims in the ad in this story. Here, we'll examine the allegation about public financing.
When we talk about public financing, we're talking about candidates agreeing to skip private fundraising and instead run their campaigns using a pot of public money that comes from taxpayers who direct $3 to the fund on their tax returns. The upside is that candidates don't have to spend time seeking contributions, but the downside is that their spending is limited to an amount set by the Federal Election Commission. This year's general election limit is $84.1-million per candidate, but the spending period is limited to the two months between the nominating conventions in late August and early September, and the Nov. 4 election.
To explore whether Obama made a full flip-flop, let's go back a year to 2007 shortly before he announced his candidacy.
On Feb. 1, 2007, Obama requested an opinion of the FEC on whether he could privately raise money for the general election but reserve the right to use public financing if he returned what he had raised. A month later, the FEC issued an advisory opinion that said it was okay as long as his campaign kept the contributions separate.
The day of the FEC decision, McCain's campaign said he would commit to public financing. "Should John McCain win the Republican nomination, we will agree to accept public financing in the general election, if the Democratic nominee agrees to do the same," Terry Nelson, McCain's campaign manager, told the New York Times.
Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton responded by saying: "If Senator Obama is the nominee, he will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election."
In the fall of 2007, Obama elaborated on his position when he answered a questionnaire sent by the Midwest Democracy Network, which asked the candidates if they would participate in public financing." "Yes," Obama said in his response. "In February 2007, I proposed a novel way to preserve the strength of the public financing system in the 2008 election. My plan requires both major party candidates to agree on a fundraising truce, return excess money from donors, and stay within the public financing system for the general election. ... The Federal Election Commission ruled the proposal legal, and Sen. John McCain has already pledged to accept this fundraising pledge. If I am the Democratic nominee, I will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election."
The message seemed clear: Obama and McCain wanted a publicly funded general election. But then both campaigns saw tactical advantages to getting out of the public financing system.
McCain filed a letter with the Federal Election Commission on Feb. 6, 2008, saying he wanted to withdraw from public funding for the primaries. McCain's private fundraising had improved after his early primary victories, and his strategists were concerned that they would be hamstrung by spending limits if they stayed in the public system.
But that effort stalled because of vacancies on the FEC. Chairman David M. Mason sent a letter to McCain on Feb. 19, 2008, saying he needs four members seated to make a ruling.
Obama repeated his commitment in a Feb. 26, 2008, debate in Cleveland, Ohio, when moderators pushed him to explain why voters shouldn't consider his position on public financing to have changed. "What I've said is, at the point where I'm the nominee, at the point where it's appropriate, I will sit down with John McCain and make sure that we have a system that works for everybody."
In the meantime, Obama's campaign had benefited from an unprecedented tidal wave of private contributions, especially from donors who gave less than $200. The small contributions not only fueled the campaign in the early primaries, but the donors could be tapped again (and again) before they hit the $2,300 limit for individuals.
As they considered their plans for the general election, a factor for both campaigns was the money spent by independent groups known as 527s, named after the section of the tax code that governs them. Groups on both sides were expected to spend tens of millions of dollars, but if those contributions were lopsided, a candidate who had accepted public financing could be at a disadvantage because of the spending limits.
So as the money flowed in, Obama campaign strategists made a calculation: They decided they could raise so much from private contributions that they were better off avoiding the private system.
"It's not an easy decision, and especially because I support a robust system of public financing of elections," Obama said in a video to supporters. "But the public financing of presidential elections as it exists today is broken, and we face opponents who've become masters at gaming this broken system." He said McCain's campaign and the Republican National Committee are largely bankrolled by "Washington lobbyists and special interest PACs. And we've already seen that (McCain is) not going to stop the smears and attacks from his allies running so-called 527 groups, who will spend millions and millions of dollars in unlimited donations."
Asked whether they pursued an agreement with McCain, the Obama campaign pointed us to a news account that said Bob Bauer, an attorney for Obama, met with McCain lawyers to discuss how both campaigns could operate in the public financing system.
But that account was sketchy and didn't sound to us like the "aggressive pursuit" that Obama had promised. The fact is that Obama said he would pursue public financing, but decided it wasn't in the campaign's tactical interest. So we find the ad's claim to be True.


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A guest student is one who is regularly enrolled at, and eligible to return to, another college or university but who wishes to earn credit from NMU to transfer to their home institution.
The following stipulations must be met for admission:
- Applicants may not register as degree candidates at NMU.
- Applicants must have the NMU courses they wish to take approved in advance by the registrar of their home institution.
- Applicants must understand that falsification of any part of a
guest application may result in cancellation of admission or
registration at NMU.
- Applicants must arrange to have any credit earned as guest
students sent from NMU to their home institutions. NMU will not do this automatically.
- Applicants are limited to a maximum of two regular semesters
or 32 credit hours and must submit a new guest application
for the second semester.
Application Instructions
- Apply - Complete a Michigan uniform undergraduate guest application
- Application Fee - Submit the non-refundable $35 application fee. Students may mail a check or money order or can pay by credit card by calling 1-800-682-9797 or 1-906-227-2650. You may also pay online.


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Accounting: In-Demand
Every organization, public or private, needs professionals with accounting knowledge and computer skills. Learn to understand and organize financial data for careers in accounting.
Career options include accounting clerk, accounting assistant, bookkeeper, and accountant. Learn accounting fundamentals, managerial and payroll accounting, and income tax preparation.
Why Choose a Career in Accounting?
Exceptional: the best word to describe the career potential for today's accounting students. Management decisions require the increasing use of accounting information, creating a real demand for employees trained to understand and organize financial data.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, accounting will be one of the hottest job fields through 2014. Other hot job fields include health care, education and computer technology.
Edmonds Community College is well known throughout the region for its strong accounting programs. Our programs incorporate courses to teach you computer application, communication, problem-solving skills and accounting expertise.
Start Your Bachelor's Degree Here
Take the first two years of your bachelor's degree at Edmonds Community College and then transfer to a university for your junior and senior years. With a four-year degree, you can find career opportunities in public or private accounting, management, consulting, tax preparation, manufacturing, government or non-profit organizations.
- Associate in Arts Degree also available completely online
Jump-Start Your Career with a Professional-Technical Program
Choose from a variety of classes and certificate and degree programs to prepare for jobs ranging from office managers to accounting assistants, from payroll accountants to receivable or payable clerks to bookkeepers.


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Houston is a bright and booming, growth-oriented city that has shed its cow-country image and turned into the corporate showplace of the great Southwest. As evidence of this, more than 150 companies have moved corporate headquarters, subsidiaries, divisions or branch offices to Houston in the six-year period prior to 1974. With these moves, more than 8,000 executives and management personnel entered the city's corporate arena. Between 1950 and 1970 the population of metropolitan Houston more than doubled. It now stands at nearly two million, ranking Houston in sixth place among the country's major cities. What's more, the population is young and modern in outlook. The median age is only twenty-six, providing what many Houstonians consider a more rigorous and talented work force than is found in other large cities. The spirit of optimism so prevalent in the area today can be traced back to the speculative birth of the city. In the spring of 1836, the famed battle of San Jacinto, in which General Sam Houston and his Texian troops defeated Mexican General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna's army, cleared the way for the establishment of the Republic of Texas. Just four months later, the brothers Augustus and John Allen, enterprising land speculators from upstate New York, bought 6,642 acres of land for $1.40 an acre and staked out a townsite on the muddy banks of Buffalo Bayou. Shortly thereafter, when General Houston became the first president of the Republic of Texas, the city named in his honor became the first capital. Cotton, so well suited to the simmering Brazos River bottomlands, sparked the initial economic growth of the area. When the famed Spindletop gusher blasted Texas into the oil business in 1901, and other prolific fields were found in the Houston area shortly thereafter, the economy boomed. Houston's businessmen soon felt the need for a shipping outlet to the Gulf of Mexico. By the linking and dredging of three natural waterways, Buffalo Bayou, the San Jacinto River and Galveston Bay, a fifty-mile ship channel was made. This foresight has enabled Houston to become one of the world's major seaports, ranking third in the country in total tonnage and still undergoing extensive capital improvements. It was foresight of a similar nature that contributed to the feeling of spaciousness in the downtown business area. When the brothers Allen laid out the city, they wanted, in spite of criticism, streets that were wide enough for a wagon to turn around in, thus avoiding the congestion that plagues many other growing cities today. Haskins & Sells' presence in Houston goes back to 1937, when an office was opened there largely for the convenience of handling participating work for clients of other offices. Up until 1963, less than half of the practice was originating. H&S merged that year with the prominent firm of Phillips, Sheffield, Hopson, Lewis & Luther, which had a large local practice and a significant tax practice. Today more than 75 percent of the Houston office practice is originating. Tax work now comprises about 20 percent of the total practice. Small business services are becoming more and more important, and the Management Advisory Services group is growing rapidly. The home of H&S in Houston is the twenty-sixth floor of the Houston Natural Gas Building in the heart of the central business district. The growth of the practice has made it necessary to lease half of the twenty-fifth floor and the Tax Department has moved to new quarters there. The partner in charge in Houston is youthful and energetic Robert J. Cruik-shank, a man whose progressive outlook and enthusiasm are reflected in the office's exceptionally high morale and professionalism. "We put a lot of emphasis in our office on communication with our staff and on recruiting and development," Bob says. "We believe that if we keep our people aware of our efforts and desires, they can address themselves to helping us achieve our goals and, in turn, the goals of the Firm. As for recruiting, our livelihood depends upon our ability to hire bright, aggressive people who can provide top-quality service for our clients and who can eventually become the leaders of our Firm. We are also establishing programs to ease the burden upon our people in making the transition from college to the business world. "I have been involved in recruiting for many years and have always believed one of its biggest rewards to be the satisfaction that comes from participating in and monitoring the professional development of our people. The techniques and attitude necessary to recruit well can also be very useful in dealing with clients and in managing an office. "We try to encourage independent and creative thinking by attempting to implement new ideas that will benefit the office and the practice. For example, partner Jim Dunn and our librarian Jo Susa came up with the idea of having classes in office English for secretaries and clerical people. Jo has two classes of a dozen women or so each that she teaches one morning a week. The classes are well prepared and well received, and I'm sure they will be helpful in our continuing efforts toward clear and concise communication." Bob Cruikshank grew up in DeQuincy, Louisiana, and his entrance into the accounting profession was somewhat Office Profile ,^<4^K^i2^**,jar" USTOTC "...for a place in the sun.'


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Swedish Wood Shelving-Utility Cart with Wheels
- Only at Williams Sonoma
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Easy, hassle-free returns online and in-store for eligible items.Learn More
Earn 5% Back in rewards4 plus free standard shipping3every day when you shop with your Williams Sonoma credit card at Williams Sonoma.Apply Now Learn More
- Summary
The stability, durability and strength of our Swedish shelving set the standard for modular storage. This coordinating four-shelf cart makes it easy to transport dry goods, portable appliances and other essentials in the pantry, kitchen or laundry room.
- Convenient mobile storage for kitchen, utility or workspace that's easy to assemble.
- Smoothly milled wood can be painted, stained or left unfinished (will age to a golden patina).
- Shelves are 18" deep and adjust up or down in 4 1/2" increments.
- Shelves are reinforced with concealed steel rods and each supports up to 50 lb.
- Solid white pine, sustainably forested in Sweden.
- Includes 4 shelves, 4 uprights, steel support rods, brass-plated fasteners and 4 smooth vinyl casters.
- Simple assembly required.
- A Williams Sonoma exclusive.
- Dimensions & More Info
- 27 1/2" x 19 1/2" x 34" high.
- 18"-deep shelves.
- Supports up to 50 lb.
- Made in Sweden.
- Shipping
Shipping Information
UPS can deliver most in-stock items within 3–5 business days. UPS is unable to deliver to P.O. boxes.
Shipping Rates
The shipping rate varies depending on your order total and shipping destination. View Shipping Options and Charges.
Next Day Delivery
For an additional charge of $26 per address, we can expedite delivery to most destinations. This service is not available for some oversize items, items shipped directly from the supplier (including perishable and custom-manufactured items), out-of-stock items and items to be shipped outside the contiguous 48 states.
Orders received by 9:00 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday will arrive the next business day; orders placed Friday through Sunday will arrive on the following Tuesday.
Return Policy
At Williams Sonoma, we take great pride in the quality and craftsmanship of our products. Attention to design, materials, safety and construction are our priority. Upon receipt, please inspect your purchase and notify us of any damage; we will arrange for a prompt replacement.
If within 30 days, you are dissatisfied for any reason, you may return your purchase for a refund of the merchandise value. An original receipt or gift receipt is required for all returns and exchanges. Returns with a gift receipt will be refunded in the form of a Merchandise Credit for the amount indicated on the gift receipt. Returns with original receipt will be refunded in the original form of payment, cash and check refunds over $100 will be issued as a company check (may take 14 business days from time of request).
For all cutlery returns (knife sets, single knives, cutting boards, knife sharpeners and knife storage), please contact us at 888.922.4108 to initiate the return.
We cannot accept returns on monogrammed, personalized, special-order items, custom upholstery, food, items shipped direct from the vendor or on items damaged through normal wear and tear. Final sale items ending in .97 or .99 cannot be returned.
Made to Order and Final Sale Furniture items are non-returnable and cannot be cancelled once the order is placed.
For returns of items purchased from your Williams Sonoma Gift Registry, we will gladly provide a refund or exchange for the merchandise within 90 days of your event or within 90 days of purchase, whichever date is later. View Full Returns Policy.
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At Sushi Momo on Duluth Ave. Japanese cuisine is accompanied by a huge selection of intricate vegan sushi.
Food: A rainbow of vegan maki at new restaurant Sushi Momo
If asked to picture vegan sushi, images of conventional makis like avocado, cucumber and pickle likely leap to mind. Tasty but simple.
Not at new restaurant Sushi Momo on Duluth Ave., where the Japanese cuisine is accompanied by a huge selection of intricate vegan sushi. Momo is a casual eatery that offers clients over 35 different alternatives to the typical sushi menu. Traditional sushi lovers will enjoy two pages of vegetarian and seafood-based creations.
Why the no-meat emphasis? "I'm vegan at home myself," says founder and owner Christian Ventura, who named his restaurant after his nickname (Momo also means dumpling in some Asian countries). Ventura practices yoga at Luna Yoga in Old Montreal, which has a large population of vegan students. "I had so many people coming up to me in class, asking why I didn't make vegan sushi," continues Ventura. "And I thought, what a good idea. I've eaten vegan sushi in New York, and I thought it might work here."
Avocado and cucumber maki are still on the menu as traditional favourites—the avocado with mayo is amazing—but so are vegan specialties like the Volcano, featuring sweet tofu, cucumber, avocado, asparagus tempura and panko zucchini. Or the Paradise, with mock shrimp (the only mock meat on the menu) and green onion tempura, avocado, sweet potato and red pepper wrapped in soy paper. Seafood versions of both are also available. Prices start at $3.50 per roll and top out at $14.95 for the Royal, a choice of tuna or salmon steak slightly fried and served with ginger citrus sauce.
Ventura has been a sushi chef for eight years, ever since he immigrated to Canada from Mexico. Sushi became his passion when he obtained his first job at a sushi restaurant in Repentigny called Okinawa. He started at the bottom and worked his way up. Ventura co-owned restaurant Kiso in Chateauguay before branching out on his own, attracted to Japanese food because of the importance of beauty. "You eat with your eyes, so everything has to be beautiful," says Ventura.
Exposed brick and ceiling beams add charm to Momo's cosy atmosphere. Grab a seat by the wall with Ventura's artwork for the best view. Bench seating for 15 makes this spot a great place to grab lunch – the special is only $11.50 with tax and includes a soup, salad and 10 pieces of maki – eat in or takeout. Lunch and dinner are served from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day except Monday.
Situating his restaurant in the Plateau on picturesque Duluth was an easy choice for Ventura. "When I moved here from Mexico, I came to the Plateau, and it was love at first sight. It's my favourite neighbourhood."
8 Duluth Ave., 514-825-6363, www.facebook.com/sushimomomontreal


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Wolfe Islander III
The Wolfe Islander III runs ferry service between Kingston, Ontario, and Wolfe Island in Lake Ontario.
Cool Blades
WInter Lake
Winter Forest
Depot Creek
Irish Coffee
Image done for a technical presentation on creating images using smoke photographs. Presentation happened to be on St Patrick's Day.
Snow Geese
Ben Chee Chee could awe, inspire and amuse with a few brush strokes. I hope to honor his memory with these images.
Taking Off
I can remember back in the days of film, when I first saw the work in Ben Chee Chee, my reaction was "I wish I could do that with a camera!". Technology has advanced to allow me to emulate the Ojibway masters using the images available to me.
In honor of Ojibway artists like Ben Chee Chee, whose inspired minimalist representations of wildlife have made a lasting inpression on me.
Drum Circle
The concept for this smoke wheel was inspired by a local aboriginal women's drum circle who had me do PR and album photography for their first CD. The sound of their music was echoing through my head as I created this image.
The chained maiden, Andromeda was chained to a boulder at the edge of the sea as a sacrifice to the monster Orca.
Smoke Wheel
This smoke wheel would be suitable to grace any bright waiting area.
This is a smoke mandala suitable for zen enthusiasts.
Riding the Wave
This surfer doesn't have a care in the world; the embodiment of freedom.
Smoke Demon
This photomontage has a South Pacific or Carribean look, with a certain motivational appeal.
Smoke Thistle
The pieces of this image just fell into place and the thistle almost created itself.
Demon Rising
Demon rising from curls of smoke, this colorful smoke montage with its soothing cool tones would be perfect for any commercial waiting area.


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So Long, From Sabernomics
Well folks, I'm afraid it's come to an end. What started as an experiment nearly seven years ago became more than I anticipated. For the past seven years I've had a place to explore my whimsical ideas on baseball in public, and I've enjoyed having the outlet.
The New Year offers a good time for change. My work responsibilities are expanding, and I'd like to drink my morning coffee without my hands on the keyboard. I still have Twitter to pass on links and opinions, and that's all I want to do for a while. My research continues, but I won't be blogging about it. I might write an occasional article in other places, but it's time to move on from the blogosphere. The website will remain for the time being.
I'd like to thank everyone out there for reading my work. I wish you the best.
21 Responses "So Long, From Sabernomics"
Thanks for always being enlightening, informative and entertaining. Best of luck with all that you do next.
What a shame for us, but thank you and good luck with your other projects!
Best of luck and thanks for blogging.
I'll keep your feed in my Reader in case you decide to provide a link to new articles (or books) in the future. (Sorry, I just won't do Twitter.)
Good luck sticking to quitting; it may be diffficult.
Go forth and research and work and have fun with the family. You done good, and should keep doing so, in whatever format is most appropriate.
Sorry to see you stop blogging. Always enjoyed your posts.
Do you attend Owls' baseball games? If so, I'll see you next season.
J.C. – The baseball blogosphere will miss you. Your research was interesting and at times controversial. I thank you for being the second Designated Hitter at Baseball Analysts. Your Mazzone Effect Revisited article in March 2005 was well-researched and thought provoking. Best wishes going forward.
Sorry to hear you're ending the blog. Best of luck!
Thanks, J.C. Will miss your insights. All the best. Jay
@King Krak… Not sure what you have against twitter, but you can also get anything JC tweets in Google Reader – subscribe to http://twitter.com/statuses/user_timeline/jc_bradbury.rss
[And thanks to JC for this blog!]
Sorry to see you go JC. I always found your perspective as an economist refreshing and informative.
Best luck with your new endeavors, and if you ever want to do a some guest posts and need an outlet, you're always welcome at TYU.
You will be missed…
Would love you to contribute at my site, if you wish…
Two years later, I still miss Fire Joe Morgan, and I'm sure it won't be long before I start missing Sabernomics…blogs come and go, but I am sad to see this one leaving…
I've always enjoyed your work, so I'm sorry to see you go. But I wish you the best of luck and thanks for sharing so many of your insights over the years.
Thanks for all the hard work. I'm sorry to see you go, but I wish you luck on your future endeavors.
I can only offer the baseball equivalent of "So long and thanks for all the fish." Your weblog was interesting and informative; I'll hope to come across your writings elsewhere. Best of luck in whatever you do.
[…] J.C. Bradbury will cease blogging with the new year. He will be missed. […]
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Tracy Tran. Tracy Tran said: RT @jc_bradbury: So Long, From Sabernomics http://bit.ly/eEPW5g […]
[…] J.C. Bradbury is ending his Sabernomics blog, to spend his time on other projects. Bradbury was an unusual voice in the sabermetric community, often presenting opinions at odds with common sabermetric approaches, such as his dislike of the idea of replacement-level players. […]
[…] The same, though, cannot be said of Sabernomics. As of New Year's Eve, J.C.'s blog has come to an end. What follows is J.C.'s last blog post: […]
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SONOROUS CODES Atmogen 1.02 (Win)
Sonorous Codes has brought MetaSynth-like capabilities to the Windows desktop with the release of its atmogen "visual additive synthesizer." The program gives you enormous sound-design potential, allowing you to use tools that are more closely associated with image editing in order to generate and process sound files.
FIG. 1: Atmogen''s project windows contain graphic images that control the generation of sound. Each row of pixels shows the frequency, amplitude, and stereo position of an individual oscillator.
Atmogen imports and exports bitmap and audio (WAV only) files. You can create an image from scratch using a large number of drawing tools. Individual pixels on the screen control the frequency, amplitude, and pan position of separate "global waveforms." By default, the global waveform is a sine wave, but you can make your own complex waveforms for that purpose using up to 32 harmonically related partials. Images can be up to 1,024 pixels in height, and there are numerous ways to change how the waveforms evolve over time — suffice it to say, there's a massive amount of pixel power here to manipulate.
Early Impressionisms
Atmogen is not a real-time instrument that responds to user input while it plays. Instead, you must render every new sound and all changes that you make before you'll hear anything. As a result, you need to have a very fast computer for working with the program. The manufacturer's minimum system requirements are Windows 2000 SP2 or Windows XP, a 1.4 GHz or faster processor, and 256 MB of RAM. You should also have a large hard drive, because you will generate lots of material in no time. You'll also need a free USB port for the copy-protection dongle.
I tested atmogen under Windows XP on a dual-processor Pentium 4/3.02 GHz with 2 GB of RAM and a single Pentium 4/2.2 GHz computer with 1 GB of RAM. There wasn't a single crash or any unexpected behavior during the test period.
Atmogen's interface combines one or more project windows and whichever Tool palettes you're currently displaying. The resizeable project windows contain the images that drive the oscillators which generate the waveforms (see Fig. 1). The program allows you to work on multiple projects at once, and you can freely copy and paste data from one project window to another. Though you can autoarrange or tile all open project windows, the Tool palettes can't be arranged automatically, and the screen can get cluttered quickly. There are, however, simple keyboard shortcuts to toggle the display of the Tool palettes.
Once you import a bitmap file, you can render it prior to any modification to hear what it sounds like. Atmogen uses the brightness of each pixel to control amplitude, color to control pan position (green is left, yellow is center, and red is right), and the vertical position of the pixel for frequency. The resolution of the sound rendering is completely user adjustable. For example, an image can be "quantized" to produce just a few sine waves, or it can control up to 1,024 complex waveforms simultaneously.
FIG. 2: When you import an audio file, atmogen does an FFT analysis and displays the resulting spectrograph. The image can be modified before it is used to resynthesize the sound.
When importing a WAV file, atmogen analyzes it based on analysis settings that you determine, and then displays a two-dimensional spectral plot ready for resynthesizing (see Fig. 2). You can improve the analysis by raising the FFT Length value, but that will add to the time the analysis takes. The other two settings are FFT Mode, which is the windowing type the analysis uses, and FFT Overlap, which determines how much the frequency ranges of the analysis bins overlap (see "Square One: Look Through Any Window" in the July 2004 EM for a good introduction to spectral analysis). The range of options, though limited, gives you enough flexibility to handle many types of audio.
Sounds can be as long as 60 seconds, and a project window can be as wide as 1,024 pixels. As a result, a very small window can represent a relatively long sound, and a very wide window can represent just a few seconds of time. In the latter case, you could draw a detailed curve or shape that lasts only a second, but then you could change the image's duration so that the sound it generated evolved over a 60-second time frame (see Web Clip 1). This capability, which is reminiscent of Xenakis's UPIC system, is quite powerful and can result in endless variations on the same basic material.
Magic Markers
One of the keys to creating unique sounds is atmogen's Markers feature. Markers, like keyframes in a video editor, define settings for specific points in the project; they are assigned to a project by clicking along the timeline that appears at top of the project window. Atmogen interpolates between those settings, insuring smooth transitions from one segment of the project to another.
Markers determine the frequencies of the oscillators that are used to render an image into sound. Clicking on the timeline brings up a screen that contains a frequency table. This table has the same number of entries as the number of vertical lines (up to 1,024) in your project, and has a variety of controls that affect the frequency values in the table (see Fig. 3). If you have the time, you can alter the default values (an exponential distribution from 20 Hz to 20 kHz) individually, but no doubt you'll prefer to use some of the table modifiers that atmogen provides.
Among the available tools for altering a table are Randomize, which offsets values by as many as 96 and one-half (50 cents) semitones, and Harmonize, which converts all the table entries to frequencies that are harmonic to a user-defined fundamental. Harmonizer will generate frequencies as high as only 22.05 kHz, so if you type in 1,000 Hz as the base frequency and you have, say, 200 frequencies, each harmonic frequency (1,000 Hz, 2,000 Hz, 3,000 Hz, and so on) up to the limit will be repeated multiple times.
FIG. 3: The base frequency and waveshape of atmogen''s oscillators are determined in the Frequency Table. The table in this figure contains over 400 oscillators, though only the first 30 are showing.
In addition to altering the Frequency Table, Markers have another powerful feature: they let you set the duration of project segments, and can force the program to play through individual segments (or the entire project) in a nonlinear fashion. For example, if you enter a positive number in the Segment Acceleration field, playback will accelerate from one segment to the next. If you enter a negative number, playback slows down. Using this option changes just the individual segment you're editing, and not the total duration of the segment or of the entire project.
Some changes you make in one Marker can be applied to all Markers. For example, you can change the duration of all Markers simultaneously by specifying a duration in any open Marker and enabling the Imply All Markers setting. But you can't assign a set of random frequencies created in the Frequency Table to the table in other Markers. To do so, you'd have to save the Table to disk, then reload it in all the other Markers.
Tools of the Trade
Atmogen's workbench consists of 14 tools for editing project images. If you've worked with a program such as Photoshop, you'll be familiar with many of them. The Paint Brush, for example, is a nifty device that puts two colors at your disposal — one under the left mouse button and one under the right. You can choose from a variety of entry modes — adding to an existing image or overwriting, among others — and also set the opacity and pixel spacing for your drawings.
The Paint Brush is quite useful for creating granulated textures. By setting the opacity to High and using a large pixel spacing, I could draw multicolored "grains" all across the screen (see Web Clip 2). The Spray tool, which can deliver up to three colors simultaneously, adds a Density parameter to the mix. Like several other tools, Spray can use the program's global-envelope feature to determine some of its settings. As you'd expect, the envelope changes the value of a parameter as you're working with it. For example, if you assign the envelope to Density and draw a straight line, the line could become thicker or thinner as you draw it.
Other tools are meant to alter existing images. The Line Shift tool raises and lowers all the pixels in a defined area by a certain amount, effectively "transposing" the pitch of the resulting waveforms. It can also shift pixels left or right, changing their position in time. (The Move tool works in a similar fashion). The Pipette tool is used to capture the color value of any spot on the screen, and then assign it anywhere it might be needed. The Monitor tool lets you hear individual lines of pixels in real time as you move the tool over them.
Also on hand is the Filter tool, which selectively affects individual frequency regions by altering their color values. There are a large number of presets (Notch, LPF, Band Pass, and the like) that produce results comparable to their corollaries in other audio applications.
Lay It on Me
Atmogen supports layers, which can be used like "clips" in a sequencer. Once you define a layer using the Layer tool, you can move it freely around the project window horizontally and vertically. Using a layer, you can produce looping sounds that transpose with each repetition or build massively thick ambient textures. Many of the processing options that the program offers can be applied to a layer that is independent of the rest of the project, and a dedicated Layer menu adds even more ways to manipulate them.
The program won't automatically play just the layer you're working on, so when you make a change to a layer, you'd normally have to render the entire image to hear it. But if you switch to the Selection tool, you can play any part of the image, including a layer, separately. The Selection tool renders only the chosen part of the image.
Abstract Expressionisms
Atmogen's Image menu gives you many ways to alter images and the sounds that they produce. Rotate, Flip, and Reverse produce the results that their names imply, and Dynamics is, in effect, a brightness control. The Transformation Matrix — which acts as a user-adjustable transfer function (think waveshaping) for the colors in your image, and serves as a good way to make dramatic changes to the spatial position of a sound — is also found here.
The Effects menu offers yet another set of options for tweaking images, some of which resemble common audio-processing features. EQ, for example, offers 100 adjustable bands, and Reverberation/Delay uses distance in pixels as the increment for its delay-time parameter. Rhythm/Gater and Rhythm/Shredder give you various chopping effects — as elsewhere, the duration for the step size is specified in number of pixels. Mosaic can turn a single sine wave into a set of closely spaced waveforms that beat in a variety of ways (see Web Clip 3), and Edges removes the center frequencies from an image and leaves only the outer frequencies intact (see Web Clip 4).
The three options under the Noise effect (Diffusion, Granulation, and Noise Generator) produce similar results on an image. Only Diffusion has any adjustable settings, and I had to use Granulation and Noise Generator several times in sequence to produce an impact on several images (your mileage will vary). Static Spectrum has four options for modifying a sound. All "freeze" the frequency content based on either the sound's most prominent frequency component (Frequency), the component with the highest amplitude (Amplitude), an average of all components (Average), or a frequency chosen at random (Hazard). The results are typically dramatic, though a sound with a frozen spectrum probably won't hold your attention for long (see Web Clip 5).
Though the number and range of the Effects is impressive, most are not well documented, and no usage tips are given as a rule. But with a little trial and error, you can figure out their functions and how they might be useful.
Atmogen's Undo command is called Snapshots, and it makes returning to any point in a session easy. Snapshots records up to 128 user actions, and displays them in a list format. At first, I thought Snapshots would be similar to Photoshop's Actions, in which you can record a series of user actions and the program will replay them as needed, for example, on a new image. But such an option isn't available in atmogen.
Multipoint Perspective
Atmogen is a deep program, with layers and layers of controls. It's hugely adaptable to experimentation and can provide endless raw material for your sonic explorations. It will take some time to get past the all-too-frequent, additive-synthesis "signature" sound that results from many of the more basic procedures, but before long, you'll be developing custom techniques to produce the types of sounds you want.
There are a lot of enhancements I'd like to see, some of which I've already mentioned. Most importantly, however, would be additional documentation and tutorials that are more thorough. The included manual is slim and doesn't give many usage tips, and the short tutorials, while useful, don't get you very far along. (You'll find more information at the company's Web site, along with several dozen example files to get you started.) Also be prepared to wait while long and dense images render — there's a lot of math involved with the complex calculations the program requires, so if you're after instant gratification, better look elsewhere.
Yet for anyone on the PC who is interested in exploring a wholly new approach to working with sound, atmogen is a great resource. There are a few other image-to-sound programs available (Rasmus Ekman's Coagula comes to mind), but atmogen has far more power. The program is so ripe for interactive experimentation that you just might want to put away the manual and spend a few hours (make that, a few days!) uncovering atmogen's many treasures.
EM Associate Editor Dennis Miller is active both as a composer and animator. His motto is "Music and pictures play well together."
atmogen 1.02software synthesizer $306
PROS: Massive toolset for generating and processing sounds. Unique approach to sound design. Ability to import and export bitmap and WAV files. Custom tools for image processing.
CONS: Sound-rendering time can be extensive. Manual and documentation not thorough.
sonorous codes


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mobeamer needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 78 designs submitted by 38 freelance designers.
A logo is needed for a real estate company David A. Boags Realty.
The site template can be found at http://www.templatemonster.com/webs…14187.html
There exists a template.
Looking for a minimalistic but elegant design.
Submissions will be rated 1 (ok) to 3 (awesome) with feedback.
Open to suggestion
Desired Color Scheme:
See template
Desired Style:
Minimal and Elegent
Accepted File Formats:
Standard Web Formats (.jpg, .gif or .png)
A logo is needed for a real estate company David A. Boags Realty.
This logo will be placed within this template:
The logo on the template is OK but I want something better.
The following wording is ok:
David A. Boags Realty
David A Boags Realty
Please keep the image in at least 300 dpi.
I am not set on any particular design so I leave it up to you.
We provide real estate listings for Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
Optional: I'd like to see a version with and version without the .com.
Optional: I'd like to see black and white and color version
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.