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The bright lights of the big city are getting a little bit duller with just a hint of green.
Motion sensors ensure that unoccupied offices, storerooms and canteens go dark after workers and cleaning crews leave at night. Dimmers soften overhead lights that once could burn only bright or not at all. Timers guarantee that buildings fade to black while the city sleeps.
Gone are the days when cheap electricity, primitive lighting technology and landlords' desire to showcase their skyscrapers kept floor after floor of the city's highest towers glowing into the night. Now, rising energy costs, conservationism, stricter building codes and sophisticated lighting systems have conspired to slowly, often imperceptibly, transform Manhattan's venerable nightscape into one with a gentler glow.
Instead of tower after tower shining at all hours the World Trade Center stayed aglow long after its occupants went home the skyline is becoming a patchwork of sparsely sparkling buildings decorated with ornamentally lighted tops.
"The tall tower with the illuminated floors on all night long is probably a thing of the past," said Randy Sabedra, the owner of RS Lighting Design, who is helping to create a new map of the city's most prominently lighted buildings. "You're not relying on the glowing floors to have the building presence. It is relying on the crown of light."
Since electricity set it ablaze more than a century ago, the skyline has dimmed a number of times. During World War II and the energy crisis of the 1970s, New Yorkers considered it patriotic to turn out lights. But such frugality disappeared once times were flush again (though the current troubles could leave more office space vacant, and thus dark).
The building boom of the last decade, the ever-expanding electronic billboards of Times Square and unshielded traffic lights have solidified New York's status as one of the country's most light-polluted cities, according to the International Dark-Sky Association, which has pushed for city and state legislation to turn the lights down.
New York scores a 9 on the 9-point Bortle Dark-Sky Scale, the association's favored measure, along with other major cities like Houston and Las Vegas; a typical suburban sky ranks a 5, while Tucson, which has stringent outdoor lighting codes, is also a 5.
Illumination Overkill
"The light bulb has not really gone on in their head yet," Susan Harder, who runs the association's New York section, said of city officials. "We'll always have an iconic skyline, but we don't need this big glow over the city."
To that end, the State Assembly passed legislation in June requiring that new outdoor lighting have shields that reduce glare and waste; the bill's sponsor, Assemblywoman Linda B. Rosenthal, a Manhattan Democrat, said it would most likely be taken up by the State Senate if the Democrats manage to win a majority on Tuesday (Republicans currently hold a one-seat advantage).
City Councilman Alan J. Gerson has introduced a variety of similar measures to require full streetlight shields and motion detectors in all commercial and government buildings, and to mandate more efficiently lighted billboards. The first of the proposals could be taken up as early as this month.
"The sky won't be totally dark," Ms. Rosenthal said. "But it's 2008, so we have to take into account energy concerns."
In many ways, the business community is ahead of the politicians. Several of the city's newest skyscrapers incorporate cutting-edge technologies that appeal to environmentalists and those eager to keep energy costs down. Landlords have found that meeting stiffer energy efficiency standards in their new and refurbished buildings is a selling point with tenants, especially those that pay their own electricity bills.
"This time, the difference is that we're more conscious of what we're doing and the lighting industry is more advanced," said Meg Smith, a manager in New York for Lightolier, a manufacturer that specializes in lighting fixtures and controls.
Incentives to Change
As demand for electricity in New York rises and global competition drives energy prices higher, the cost of the technology that makes better use of daylight and reduces electricity use at night motion sensors, software-driven timers and the like is falling. In some cases, it takes just two years to recoup the investment in this equipment, down from five years not long ago, according to Mark Roush, director of New York marketing for Acuity Brands Lighting, the nation's largest maker of lighting fixtures.
That includes the growing number of rebates from state agencies and utilities, which are trying to reduce consumption to relieve stress on the electric grid and put off building expensive power plants and substations.
Con Edison, for instance, has asked the state for permission to offer businesses a variety of rebates for installing efficient lighting as part of its efforts to cut demand in New York City and Westchester County by 500 megawatts by 2015.
At the new 91,000-square-foot downtown offices of Incisive Media, which owns about 30 publications, including The American Lawyer magazine, the two floors are divided into four zones for overhead lighting so not all of the space has to be lighted or dark at a given time.
Individual offices are equipped with motion sensors; on a recent evening, lights automatically shut off as workers left for the day. The cleaning crew was gone by 8 p.m., but because a handful of editors worked later, a timer tucked in a small closet turned off the remaining lights at 11 and would turn them back on at 6 a.m.
"We have to balance the administrative time versus the energy savings," said Allison Hoffman, an Incisive Media executive who oversaw the construction of the space, at 120 Broadway. "We'll be constantly adjusting."
To qualify for tax credits and rebates from the State Energy Research and Development Authority, Incisive's architects, TPG, designed a system that emits less than 0.78 of a watt a square foot (1.1 watts a square foot are allowed under the building code for refurbished offices). They used fluorescent bulbs that are five-eighths of an inch in diameter, about 40 percent smaller than the previous generation of bulbs, and use 28 watts of electricity, compared with 42 to 48 watts for the old lights. Less-frequented areas like hallways have small halogen lights spaced far apart.
At the National Audubon Society's offices on Houston and Varick Streets, lights-out is set for 7 p.m. Ten minutes before, a warning flash alerts employees who need to work late that they should go to a light switch to reset the timers.
Clay Nessler, vice president of global energy and sustainability at Johnson Controls, helped develop a more complex system for the Citigroup tower in Long Island City, Queens, that helps keep cleaning crews on schedule. "It's going to increase productivity and lead to more efficiency," he said.
At the Renzo Piano-designed new headquarters of The New York Times, on Eighth Avenue, the rows of single 28-watt fluorescent bulbs that line the ceilings are connected to a computer network that lets maintenance workers quickly scan which ones need replacing or repair, rather than trolling the floors.
Like Incisive Media, The Associated Press divided its Manhattan headquarters, which covers two acres of floor space, into zones, allowing groups of workers to tailor the lights to their liking and preventing large banks from burning when just a handful of people are around.
Such zones require a bigger initial investment because more circuits, outlets and other equipment need to be installed, but the system, Lightolier's iGEN, helped cut energy use by 28 percent in the first year, Ms. Smith said.
Footing the Bill
Because of the expense, advanced lighting systems are being installed primarily in new buildings or offices being retrofitted for new tenants. So changes to the city's nightscape will come gradually over many years.
But more and more, building owners are writing leases that require tenants to pay for their own electricity, leading many tenants to install more efficient lights. A lot of the new energy-efficient fixtures were designed to fit into the ceiling spaces that now hold older fixtures, making the upgrades easier and cheaper.
"Lights will diminish," said Guy Geier, senior partner at FXFowle, an architecture and interior design firm in Manhattan, "because over 10 or 20 years, those leases are going to roll over and the incentive is going to be there to start installing newer lights."
This is not the first time innovations in technology and construction have been visible in the nightscape. In the early 20th century, many buildings lacked air-conditioners, so most workers sat near the windows; that meant the yellowish light from the incandescent bulbs hanging above their desks flooded through open windows into the street.
Evolving Consciousness
As central air-conditioning and fluorescent lights spread after World War II, architects could build skyscrapers enclosed in glass, which gave off a cooler light; at the same time, more interior space was now viable, though lights there were less visible from the outside.
But as tall towers multiplied, the volume of light in Manhattan increased: Many buildings had only a few light switches on each floor, so if even one person was in the office, large swaths were aglow.
James Sanders, who used to work for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, recalled arriving at work one Sunday in 1985, finding only two switches on the entire 84th floor of one of the World Trade Center towers, and discovering that a janitor had to be called to flip one.
"They had to switch a half-acre of lights on just for me," he said. To his bosses, who were the landlords, leaving lights on all evening "was in part a symbol of power," he said.
These days, such landlords can light perimeter offices while keeping the center of a building dark. Others are installing more efficient LED lights outside buildings in place of older floodlights. Still others are focusing on the tops of their towers, joining the Empire State Building, whose color-coded homages are a New York icon.
Con Edison itself has adopted several of these techniques at its 26-story headquarters near Union Square, installing 344 LED fixtures on the clock tower in September. The fixtures, which are meant to last 15 years, use 63 percent less energy than conventional lights, and can be programmed to produce millions of colors without the need for filters (like those used at the Empire State) or other equipment.
Such ornamental statements will most likely become more prominent as the interiors of buildings continue to dim over time.
"New York City's skyline will always be a magical thing," said Mr. Sabedra, the lighting designer at work on the nightscape map. "It's something wonderful and beautiful about the city when it transforms at night, its building glow, its glowing canyons. It's a wonderful sight."


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SCOTTISH scientists have made a significant breakthrough towards the development of a vaccine to prevent malaria after it was successfully tested on mice.
Edinburgh University tested a preliminary form of a vaccine against the disease, which is spread by the bite of the mosquito and kills more than 600,000 people a year.
They hope to develop the vaccine for further testing, with the aim of producing a therapy effective in humans. Scientists say there is a pressing need for new treatments, as many forms of the disease are becoming resistant to drugs. Children and pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa are particularly at risk.
A vaccine must incorporate key proteins from the malaria parasites, which will trigger production of antibodies by the immune system. These proteins have a complex, intricate structure that is hard to reproduce.
However, the Edinburgh scientists have now found a novel way to produce proteins that could lead to malaria vaccines being easy and cheap to manufacture.

subset: commoncrawl


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If things were normal, if *I* was normal (cue hysterical laughter here), then I might be happy to let things chug along as they were and see what happens. But things (my body and I) are far from normal and so I feel like I need to make a decision either way. Which really sucks and makes me feel a renewed sense of frustration, irritation and mourning for the sorry state of affairs of my reproductive bits.
What next?
We'll repeat my Day 3 blood work with this cycle (which was only 24 days) and in the new year, at some point, we'll move forward with IUI. I would have thought that with this decision I would feel some sense of hope. Some sense of "this
My last two cycles have been 28 and 24 days and one of the first signs of poor egg quality, fertility and the approaching end of your child bearing years, is shorter cycles. This is my current reality and while it's sucks, it's my reality...the only one I have and there's just no way around that. No easy fix. No magic pill.
This brings me to my dilemma...
If you were me (aren't you thankful you aren't!), what would you do? Shut the factory down and get on with your life or keep the rusty machinery going just a bit longer. Just in case? What say you, oh wise and wonderful ones?


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The Indian Premier League gets a lot of flak. Some say it is not real cricket, others say it's just a big carnival, an insult to the sport. There's just too much cricket these days they say. The purists lament that the IPL is killing test cricket. Then there are allegations (and some evidence too) of corruption.
But the truth is that the IPL is wildly popular and has endured. It has become stronger and is today an established brand. Like anything else, it's had its share of ups and downs, but thankfully it seems to be here to stay.
Overall, the IPL has been a great addition to India's landscape and has heralded the dawn of a new era; it deserves our respect. Here are a few things we must give it credit for.
1. It has put Indian sports leagues on the world map. Though it features only eight teams and runs for less than two months, it has a high profile and brings in a lot of money. It's by far the largest cricket league but it's also steadily catching up with the biggies of other sports in North America and Europe in sheer numbers.
The benefits reach everyone -- from the billionaire team-owners to the humble autowala ferrying spectators to the stadium and the snack vendors outside the grounds.
2. It generates economic opportunities for a lot of people across the spectrum. Many players, who would otherwise struggle to make a living, get paid quite handsomely. There is excellent business for travel and hospitality providers, media, marketing, management, and allied services while the league is on. The benefits reach everyone -- from the billionaire team-owners to the humble autowala ferrying spectators to the stadium and the snack vendors outside the grounds.
3. Talent from around the world comes to Indian shores to showcase their skills. India becomes a destination, the aspiration for a whole generation of budding cricketers across the world. It also gives Indian cricketers a chance to rub shoulders with the best in the business. Win-win again!
4. It's opened the doors for other sports leagues. We now we see leagues mushrooming for kabaddi, football, badminton etc. The trail blazed by the IPL gave some comfort to investors in these other leagues. This might just be the birth of a real sporting culture in India.
The IPL leverages the national passion for cricket, and gives many Indians a taste of pan-Indianism in that sense.
5. It's uniting India beyond ethnic lines. A Delhi boy is the star player of the Bangalore team, a Jharkhand lad became the darling of Chennai and a Tamil is playing match-winning innings for Punjab. As India matures into a modern nation, it is vital that our regional and ethnic identities become secondary. The IPL leverages the national passion for cricket, and gives many Indians a taste of pan-Indianism in that sense. The rivalries become geographic and not ethnic, and therefore a lot less combustible.
So let's enjoy this sporting spectacle and allow it to evolve and flourish as it enthralls us with great fielding, spectacular hitting, some sharp bowling and many tight finishes!
Contact HuffPost India
Also see on HuffPost:


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Seasonal Safety Tips for Walkers
- Time matters: The American Heart Association's Summer Walking Guide advises against walking outside during the hottest part of the day, typically 10 a.m. to 3 or 4 p.m. Walk early in the day or late. If it's too hot outside, try walking at a large mall or join a gym.
- Stay hydrated. Make sure you drink enough to avoid thirst. Take water with you even if you don't think you will need it. You will become thirsty faster in hot weather.
- A note on hydration: On average, a person who exercises may need an extra 1.5-2.5 cups of water a day to make up for fluid loss, according to the Mayo Clinic.
- Keep water cool: Fill a water bottle halfway and then place it in the freezer the night before a hot summer walk. In the morning, fill the rest. This will keep your water colder, longer.
- Take a break: If you are walking in the sun, take frequent breaks in shady spots.
- Apply sunscreen: Did you know you can get a second degree burn from the sun? Prevent blisters, burns and skin cancer by applying sunscreen before an outdoor run. Use a sweat-proof sunscreen and apply it generously 30 minutes before you go outdoors, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- Smart feet: Warmer weather calls for shoes that breathe well and are made with mesh-type fabrics. Mesh will keep your feet cool and help the sweat dry faster, which will keep you from getting smelly shoes later. Keeping your feet cool and dry, will also help prevent blisters and chafing. Wear socks that wick moisture away from the skin to help prevent this, as well. Running socks work well. You may also experience extra moisture under your arms and between your thighs. Moisture-wicking shirts or shorts with polypro or CoolMax® can help with this, but you may try an anti-chafing lubrication product, such as those found on this site, to prevent armpit discomfort and/or chafing thighs. Learn more about preventing chafing on our chafing page.
- Listen to your body: Pay attention to these warning signs of heat illness (from WebMD):
- Cramps that suddenly begin in the hands, calves or feet
- Hard, tense muscles
- Fatigue and/or weakness
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Excessive thirst
- Muscle aches and cramps
- Confusion or anxiety
- Drenching sweats, often combined with cold, clammy skin
- Slow or weak heartbeat
- Dizziness and or fainting
- Agitation
- Hydrate: Just because it is cooler, doesn't mean you aren't losing fluids when you sweat. Remember to drink when you're thirsty. Sip hot chocolate or cider to warm you from the inside, suggests writer Brad Viles in an article in the Bangor Daily News.
- Time change: Don't forget that it will get darker earlier. Pack a working flashlight or headlamp and extra batteries. If you are walking on trails, remember it will get darker faster because trees block the sun, reminds Viles.
- Changing weather: It may be cool when you start your walk, and heat up during the day (and then get very cold as the sun goes down). Layer clothing according to the weather conditions.
- Watch for animals: If you plan to walk on trails, don't forget you are sharing them with wild animals, especially bears that are binge-eating in preparation for winter. Here is some advice from the Colorado Division of Wildlifeon what to do should you come across a coyote, snake, bear or mountain lion:
- Coyotes: Use a loud, authoritative voice and walk towards a coyote. They will typically run away.
- Bears: The most common species of bear in the U.S. is the black bear. Brown bears (Grizzlies) live in the northwest U.S. and in Alaska. If you are in bear country, be sure to make plenty of noise so you don't surprise a bear. If a bear acts aggressively, give it a "wide berth by stepping off the trail on the downhill side." Tyler Baskfield, Communications Manager for the Colorado Division of Wildlife, says you should, "Look as big as possible, talk to the bear, and back away slowly…Don't run or climb a tree because that's prey behavior." If attacked, the general advice is to play dead.
- Mountain lions: Baskfield says people who are on trails should pay extra attention to their surroundings. Don't wear hats, visors or headphones, and if you see a mountain lion, you should react as you would in a bear encounter. "Look as big as possible. If you're wearing a coat, hold it out. Raise your arms slowly. You want to look like a formidable opponent to a mountain lion." If you are attacked, fight back. Try not to crouch or turn your back, but Baskfield says you should throw things, fight, and go for their eyes.
- Snakes: Watch where you step. Snakes can usually feel the vibrations of the ground and will leave the area, but if you see one, tap a stick on the ground. It will most likely slither away. Baskfield says in the spring, snakes often sun themselves on rocks, so avoid rocky untraveled areas.
- Stay hydrated: Sometimes it's easy to forget to drink in the cold weather months, but your body is still losing sweat. Remember to drink when you're thirsty.
- Walk slower: An article by Weight Watchers suggests walking slower during the winter months since roads and sidewalks can be slippery or icy. "The bigger your strides, the higher your risk of falling."
- Wear layers: Wear a thin synthetic layer underneath a breathable shell layer made of nylon or Gore-Tex®. The first layer will wick the cold sweat away from your skin and the second layer will keep out the cold. If it's very cold, you may also need a middle layer, such as fleece. Avoid wearing cotton as it will keep cold moisture close to your skin. Remember to avoid overdressing as it can cause excessive sweating. Don't forget to wear reflective clothing so vehicles can see you through snow and rain, or in the dark.
- Protect hands and feet: Mittens will keep hands warmer than in gloves as the fingers insulate one another in mittens. If it's really cold, you can try putting hand warmers inside your mittens. Cold-weather sports or running socks will wick moisture to keep feet dry and warm. Some companies, including Drymax, make dual layer running socks for very cold weather.
- Protect your head: We lose up to half of our body heat through our heads. On his website, running expert and Olympian Jeff Galloway recommends choosing a hat that covers your ears and your entire head. Hats made with moisture-wicking materials work best. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from snow-blindness if there is snow on the ground.
- Appropriate shoes: Wear shoes with more traction. An article on the Weight Watchers website suggests light hiking books (but not big, heavy boots for climbing) are a good option, too. Or buy treads you can fasten to your regular shoes, like Polar Cleats.
- Start slow: If you haven't been walking much over the winter, make sure you build up your mileage slowly to avoid injuries.
- Watch for animals: Springtime means wild animals are outside again. See Fall Walking Safety Tips for advice on what to do if you encounter an animal.


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Stephanie R. Morain, MPH, PhD; Charles Flexner, MD; Nancy E. Kass, ScD; Jeremy Sugarman, MD, MPH, MA
Financial Support: Dr. Morain received salary support from the Hecht-Levi postdoctoral fellowship at the Berman Institute of Bioethics. Drs. Kass and Sugarman were supported by the Johns Hopkins Center for AIDS Research, funded by the National Institutes of Health (1P30AI094189).
Disclosures: Disclosures can be viewed at www.acponline.org/authors/icmje/ConflictOfInterestForms.do?msNum=M14-1683.
Requests for Single Reprints: Stephanie R. Morain, MPH, PhD, Berman Institute of Bioethics, Johns Hopkins University, 1809 Ashland Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21205; e-mail, email@example.com.
Current Author Addresses: Drs. Morain, Kass, and Sugarman: Berman Institute of Bioethics, 1809 Ashland Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21205.
Dr. Flexner: Johns Hopkins University, 600 North Wolfe Street, Osler 503, Baltimore, MD 21287-5554.
Author Contributions: Conception and design: S.R. Morain, C. Flexner, N.E. Kass, J. Sugarman.
Analysis and interpretation of the data: S.R. Morain, C. Flexner, N.E. Kass, J. Sugarman.
Drafting of the article: S.R. Morain, C. Flexner, N.E. Kass.
Critical revision of the article for important intellectual content: S.R. Morain, C. Flexner, N.E. Kass, J. Sugarman.
Final approval of the article: S.R. Morain, C. Flexner, N.E. Kass, J. Sugarman.
Collection and assembly of data: S.R. Morain, C. Flexner.
Morain SR, Flexner C, Kass NE, et al. Forecast for the Physician Payment Sunshine Act: Partly to Mostly Cloudy?. Ann Intern Med. 2014;161:915–916. doi: https://doi.org/10.7326/M14-1683
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Published: Ann Intern Med. 2014;161(12):915-916.
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Day School: Light Ages
Ref: C3744535
This course explores how scientific knowledge was transferred from Ancient Greece to Medieval Europe via Islamic (Arabic) philosophers, who held the torch of learning and scholarship while the light of European intellectual activity was almost extinguished during the (so-called) "Dark Ages". 1. Influence of Ancient Greek thought on modern culture - the Arts, Science and Religion. 2.. The significant influence of Aristotle and other Greek philosophers on Arabic science, and thus early medieval university curricula. 3. The "Dark Ages" in Europe (and how they didn't happen). 4. The rise of Islam and the impact of Islamic scholarship. 5. The recovery of Greek thought by Latin Europe from Arab sources. 6. Humanism, the revival of classical antiquity thus leading to: The Renaissance, and the Scientific Revolution
Additional information about this course
This course is not supported by the Education Skills Funding Agency and does not have a fee waiver but concessions may be available - contact the Branch for further details.
Course aim
This course provides students (particularly those who studied history in the British tradition) with a more accurate and nuanced view of the way in which European science and culture developed.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- No skills or experience needed
- This course is suitable for beginners and improvers
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- Discuss the ways in which history has been taught in schools in the British tradition, and the extent to which that teaching has neglected the influence of Arab scientists and philosophers on modern science and culture.
- Identify and discuss the some influences of medieval Islamic science on modern science and culture.
- Identify the main characters of medieval science (both Arabic and European) and understand (in broad terms) their individual role in the development of medieval Islamic science.
- Identify some of the routes by which Greek science was transferred to European scientists via Islamic scholars, and the particular influences on recognised European scientists including Copernicus, Galileo and Kepler.
- Discuss the the extent to which Islamic scholarship provided stimuli for the Renaissance and the Scientific Revolution.
How will I be taught?
- The WEA tutor will use a range of different teaching and learning methods and encourage you and the group to be actively involved in your learning
- Some readings will be suggested for further development.
What kind of feedback can I expect?
- A range of informal activities will be used by the tutor to see what you are learning which may include quizzes, question and answer, small projects and discussion
- You will be encouraged to share your work with the group and discuss your learning
What else do I need to know?
- Nothing else is needed
Pre-course work, reading and information sources
- No pre reading or pre course work is required
- No pre-course work is necessary, although the following works provide accessible introductions: Science and Islam (Ehsan Masood, 2009) Pathfinders: The Golden Age of Arabic Science (Jim al-Khalili, 2010) Aladdin's Lamp (John Freely, 2009)
What can I do next?
- Progress to another WEA course
- Become involved with the WEA in a range of voluntary work and other activities including campaigning as a WEA member


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In this enchanting computer-animated fantasy, set in a world where the dinosaurs never went extinct, an amiable young Apatosaurus named Arlo (voiced by Raymond Ochoa) loses his father in a storm and is swept away by a vicious river current, stranding him in a frightening new place far from his home. He soon embarks on a journey to reunite with his family, and befriends a prehistoric human child known as Spot (Jack Bright) along the way.Peter...more
76 out of 100 Metascore®
Generally favorable reviews
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Movies.com, the ultimate source for everything movies, is your destination for new movie trailers, reviews, photos, times, tickets + more! Stay in the know with the latest movie news and cast interviews at Movies.com.
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The Wake Forest Museum of Anthropology (MOA) received a North Carolina Museums Council (NCMC) Award of Excellence for website design during the NCMC Annual Meeting in Raleigh. NCMC Awards of Excellence recognize, encourage and promote outstanding achievement in the museum community across the state.
The Museum of Anthropology was recognized for its new website, https://moa.wfu.edu, which was introduced to the public in May 2012. Museum staff, working closely with Wake Forest's Office of Communications and External Relations (CER), created the site. "We are greatly indebted to CER for their technical knowledge and design skills which made it possible for us to complete this project," said PR, Marketing and Membership Coordinator Sara Cromwell.
The website has a number of new features:
The North Carolina Museums Council's mission is to enhance public education by improving the administrative, interpretive and collections practices of museums, historic sites, science centers and related facilities in North Carolina; and to stimulate public support for the work performed by these facilities. This is the North Carolina Museums Council's 50th year of providing a unified voice for museums and museum professionals in North Carolina.
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RussMatt Baseball welcomes The Florida Baseball Ranch as a 2018 sponsor. Located in nearby Plant City the Florida baseball Ranch is a full service, state of the art, rehab and training facility designed specifically for baseball players.
Hello and welcome to sunny Florida!
The Florida Baseball Ranch is proud to be an official sponsor of the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational. We welcome you and your team to central Florida and wish you the utmost success at the tournament and during the upcoming 2017 season.
My name is Randy Sullivan and I am the owner and CEO of The Florida Baseball Ranch. I've been a physical therapist and a baseball coach for over 23 years. I've coached at nearly every level of the game, and each of my 3 sons has played collegiately.
As you well know, some of the most important facets of the game are arm health, throwing power and accuracy. Strong, accurate arms at every position can be a game changer, and when it comes to post-season success, the team with the most viable arms at the end of the season usually wins.
Safely developing arm strength is a complex endeavor that requires individualized assessment and multi-dimensional training plans. But if you're like most of the college coaches I know, you simply don't have the time to individually assess every player or to create customized training plans for each guy.
That's where we come in.
We just announced our new special RussMatt FBR Cavalry Charge.
It's a one day Precision Strike Evaluation and Training Session. We require a minimum of 5 players for your team to attend.
Here's a look at what we'll do when you get here.
Each player will receive a full head-to-toe physical assessment to identify any physical constraints in scapular control, shoulder mobility, thoracic mobility, hip mobility, ankle mobility, trunk stability, and motor control.
- We'll conduct a high-speed video analysis of every player's throwing motion to identify any movement pattern constraints that might be limiting his velocity, command, or arm health.
- We'll provide hands-on training for all the corrective mobility and stability exercise to allow the athlete to rapidly erase any physical deficits.
- He'll get hands-on training for all throwing drills to correct any mechanically inefficient patterns that might be holding him back or increasing his risk of injury.
- We'll wrap it all up with a comprehensive, multidimensional, individualized training plan that he can use to guide his process throughout the season and into the summer.
And if you're among the 15 teams to sign up we'll throw in a free 30-day follow up video assessment for every player.
This a program that usually sells for $750 per person, but because of our desire to work with highly motivated, collegiate level teams and their coaches, we are offering it to you at a grossly reduced price of only $200 per player.
But it gets better than that!
For the first 15 teams that register at least 5 players, we'll discount that price even further to an absurdly low $150 per player.
CLICK HERE to learn more about this incredible opportunity, or simply call us at 866-STRIKE3 (866-787-4533) and we'll tell you all about it.
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Greeks: Situation is a call to action
Currently, the future of the Interfraternity (IFC) and Panhellenic Council (PHC) Associate Vice President (AVP) positions on THON's Overall Committee is uncertain.
However, this situation should not be a time for hostility – such action is not befitting of our community nor is in the best interest of our cause. Rather, we should question the nature of this issue and what we can do to resolve it–not only in our best interest, but in the best interest of THON and, most importantly, the kids.
We should view this moment as an opportunity to bring the discussion and the first steps of aggressive and positive change to our community.
As just over 10 percent of the student population, Greeks raised roughly 40 percent of the total money donated to THON.
We firmly believe that the IFC and PHC AVP positions should be a part of the THON Overall Committee. Yet, at the same time, we recognize the need for proactive ideas to shape the roles and responsibilities of the positions. To achieve this, IFC and PHC have called for the creation of a joint committee, which will actively collaborate with the THON Overall Committee to bring substance to the positions.
In an act of good faith–and with the interest of the kids in mind–Greeks before us never treated THON as a Greek-only philanthropy event. Because of our willingness to be inclusive, THON has grown and flourished beyond even its founders' expectations and dreams. At this time, with this same faith and the principles Greeks founded THON upon in mind, we call upon our community to strengthen our relationship with the organization we hold so dearly in our hearts and minds.
When thoughtful and creative ideas are brought to the table we can only trust that they will be heard and that the same good faith will shown to us in return.
Opportunity is born out of this time of uncertainty. In 1973, Greeks created THON. In 2009, Greeks have the opportunity to make it better.
This article was contributed by the Executive Council members of the Interfraternity Council and the Panhellenic Council. Luke Pierce is the President of the Interfraternity Council and can be reached by e-mail at email@example.com. Mairys Joaquin is the President of the Panhellenic Council and can be reached by e-mail at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Acacia Fraternity 'One Of The Leaders' At Penn State
Acacia fraternity held a special dinner last night which President Graham Spanier, Vice President for Student Affairs Damon Sims and Director for Greek Life Roy Baker attended. Acacia held the dinner as a "thank you" for an earlier dinner at Mr. Spanier's house this semester.
This article, which appeared today in The Daily Collegian, offers one more great example of how greek life at Penn State is on the verge of a renaissance. In this rare instance, Safeguard Old State and Mr. Spanier can both agree: Acacia represents "one of the leaders" in greek life at our university.
Spanier Eats Dinner At Acacia Fraternity – The Daily Collegian – "Yes, you have great parties," [Roy] Baker said. "But you also raise a lot of money, do a lot of service, do a lot of good." He added that Acacia "consistently helps us change the fraternity culture at Penn State."
Acacia member Jared Wolfe (senior-biochemistry) said he had misconceptions about fraternity life before coming to Penn State.
"Fraternities do have their problems," he said. "Being able to develop positive aspects of fraternities would really benefit the greek system."
Sims said it is important for fraternities to reach out to the Penn State community to dispel misconceptions about greek life, adding administrators want to help support greek life at the university.
"If any fraternity on this campus fails, it's our failure, too," he said. "It's very important for you to know you have a place where can seek such support."
Over the past few months, I've grown to appreciate immensely the unique contributions of various leaders in greek life at Penn State. High on my list is Luke Pierce, head of SAE.
Luke appreciates the special relationship his fraternity must have with the wider campus and community if it is to be successful, and has a remarkable grasp of the kind of long-term strategic thinking necessary for the continued success of his fraternity.
What Are You, Greek?
Let's face it: these are not the golden years of Greek Life at Penn State.
That's not to say this is the dark ages of Fraternity and Sorority Life, either. No, quite the contrary.
The 1950s, 60s, 70s and early 80s were the pinnacle of Greek Life at Penn State. Greeks enjoyed an experience that was life-changing, enriching their undergraduate experience and molding freshmen boys and girls into Greek men and women. Those who joined the Greek community shared traditions and experiences which had been in place for, in some instances, more than 50 years.
Today, however, things are different on Fraternity Row.
On many campuses nationwide, the image of Greek Life fell hard as the keg-standing, roofie-dropping Animal House replaced Fraternity Chapter Houses, leaving only a specter of the organization that truly belonged.
Denying the existence of this once popular stereotype is unrealistic. However, to say that this image is still being encouraged and perpetuated at Penn State today is insane.
Under the leadership of the current Interfraternity Council (IFC) Executive Board and the Director for Greek Life, Dr. Roy Baker, the Greek community has taken great strides in the advancement of the traditions which their organizations hold most dearly. Fraternity used to mean something, and the leaders of Penn State Greek Life are realizing this.
And while Greek organizations are now using the social aspect of Greek Life to further sell potential membership, know that we don't have to.
No, today, the Greek experience is enriching the lives of thousands of students who choose to embrace this spirit of change and the challenges it brings. And starting today new members are being recruited. September 8 marked the beginning of the Fall IFC Recruitment Period.
The future of the Greek community rests in the hands of its current leaders to select good men to further Greek Life and the values which each Fraternity espouses. This year the Recruitment process is focusing on providing quality interaction with potential members and will provide potential members greater exposure to all of the Greek organizations on campus.
As a concerned leadership selects a group of like-minded men for candidates for membership, the rate at which positive change and commitment occur will grow. Educated by these leaders, new members will one day lead their respective organizations with greater care than their predecessors. The current cycle is firming.
Registration for Fall Recruitment are nearly double the final Fall Recruitment numbers for the previous year. The buzz around Greek Life is undeniable.
What other place would better serve as a breeding ground for the future leaders of Penn State than Greek Life? Greek Life offers you the chance to develop lifelong friends, bound together in brotherhood.
Of the $6.6-million raised for the 2008 Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon the some 5,200 Greek students raised $2.5-million. That means the other 37,800 odd independent students didn't even double the efforts with $4.1-million raised.
Greek Life may have seen a bottom in our life time. Today, however, the future is bright.
This re-invigoration of the values and traditions of the Golden Years in Greek Life at Penn State will, I promise you, prove to be successful. And you can be a part of it. Go Greek.
Luke Pierce is a contributor to Safeguard Old State. He is the President of the Penn State Chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and is the Director of Greek Life and Outreach for the University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA). He can be reached via e-mail.
Will Spanier Destroy The House That Atherton Built?
Over the past few weeks, there has been much controversy over Phi Delta Theta, with everyone from Dr. Roy Baker, Director for Greek Life, to Gavin Keirans, PSU Student Body President, chiming in to make their voice heard. In fact, the University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA), unanimously passed a resolution calling for the administration to back off its overly aggressive attempts to acquire the brothers' house.
A number of us here at Safeguard Old State have chimed in on the matter, and I'd like to take this opportunity to offer some background on why we are advocating, first, for the brothers' to be given a second chance, and second, for the administration at Penn State to preserve their house rather than demolish it if the brothers do end up being evicted later this summer.
So, again, we are not condoning the misdeeds of the brothers at Phi Delta Theta, but supporting them out of a belief that they deserve a second chance. While I am not a member of any fraternity, I am a great admirer of the Greek system and the contributions of the Greek community over the course of our history at Penn State. These contributions include the early development of a strong tradition of pride in ourselves and pride in our community here in Happy Valley.
We hope the brothers at Phi Delta Theta are able to resolve their dispute with their national chapter and regain their charter with Penn State University. I don't mean to condone their misdeeds or their breaking of the rules, because that's not something any of us at Safeguard Old State were happy to hear.
More than anything it's important for us at Safeguard Old State that the house at 241 South Burrowes Street not be destroyed if the administration obtains control of the land. Their house was completed in 1905; it has graced the face of our campus with its stately presence and architectural beauty for over 100 years, and was finished in time for President George Atherton to admire its beauty before he died a year later.
I often find myself talking about the importance of preserving our traditions at this University. I do this because, while I appreciate that customs and people change with each generation, it's our common traditions that help unite each class of Penn Staters as one body and buttress our faith in this school as genuinely unparalleled.
Our common spirit is embodied in the traditions we share with our alumni and will share with future generations of Penn Staters. These traditions, flowing out from that common spirit and certain universally held values, have survived world wars and riots, protests and controversy, near financial ruin and the rise of the modern land-grant University as a powerhouse among its peers throughout the nation.
Do we now, in this Nittany Valley, accept that the traditions and values we have held dear since practically our founding are now fit for the bulldozer?
To be a Penn Stater is to celebrate that certain values are timeless, even if not certain institutions, from our faith in the importance of the Greek system and the way of life and thinking it makes possible for so many students, or our love of student initiative and its historically transformative power to give rise to everything from student philanthropies like the Dance Marathon to student newspapers like The Daily Collegian to student radio like The LION 90.7fm.
So it is with a deep appreciation of these universally held and deeply moving values in youthful student initiative, sportsmanship, fair place, academic excellence and the genuine pursuit of excellence in discovering truth through a liberal and practical education that we call on the administration to stay true to these values that have built and nourished Penn State as we now it.
In this instance, that will mean preserving and restoring the house that Atherton built if the brothers at Phi Delta Theta should lose their appeal and the administration comes to legally acquire the property. That house represents something greater than mere brick and mortar, and to destroy it would to go one step further down the dark road in dismantling and disgracing the physically and historically significant parts of a glorious University campus.
Phi Delta Theta Pres. Kevin Haslam on The LION 90.7fm
I don't mean to inundate the blogs with media appearances from The LION 90.7fm, but I do want to feature one other recent interview that is relevant to one of the campus controversies to which we've been devoting ongoing coverage.
As readers of Safeguard Old State's Greek blog will know, we've been covering Phi Delta Theta's struggle to regain their charter and recognition from both their national headquarters and the administration at Penn State University.
On April 24, The LION 90.7fm's public affairs talk program, Radio Free Penn State, welcomed Phi Delta Theta President Kevin Haslam on for an exclusive in-depth interview on the entire controversy. The interview last for just over one half hour and is well worth your time if you're interested in learning more about the greek system in general at Penn State and Phi Delta Theta's history at our university.[audio:http://www.tomshakely.com/media-archives/talk-radio/RFPS2008.04.24-Thu-Phi-Delta-Theta-Segment.mp3]
The Greeks: Ebony & Ivory Week
The National Pan Hellenic Council is comprised of eight chapters: Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Delta Sigma Theta, Phi Beta Sigma, Zeta Phi Beta, and Sigma Gamma Rho.
The brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. started a tradition 25 years ago called Ebony & Ivory Week, and they have continued to make this tradition a successful annual event. One of the main goals of Ebony and Ivory Week is to bring together the Penn State Community through holding a week worth of programs from Monday to Thursday, in addition to a social event at the end of the week.
They attempt to address issues related to race and bringing people of all colors together to celebrate being different and what we can learn from our differences. Alpha Phi Alpha is at the forefront in building the bridge between NPHC and the rest of the Greek community along with getting the Penn State community involved in promoting race relations.
Since the Greek community is highly regarded on this campus they use this to their advantage to diffuse the boundaries of color and work towards a better tomorrow for those in the present and our future offspring.
This year, Alpha Phi Alpha has teamed up with Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., Delta Sigma Iota Fraternity, Chi Upsilon Sigma Sorority, and Delta Zeta Sorority to make Ebony and Ivory week a great success.
It will be held from March 31 – April 3 for a couple of hours each day. More information on the times of each day will come soon!!
For The Kids
Well, we're at the last canning weekend before the 2008 IFC/Panhellenic Dance MaraTHON which will be held from February 22-24th.
If you go to Penn State, you definitely know what THON is and know what it's all about. BUT, for those of you who might not, THON is an amazing fundraiser that students not only from University Park participate in, but students from the other commonwealth campuses as well. All of the money raised at THON is transferred to The Four Diamonds Fund to help those diagnosed with cancer at the Penn State Children's Hospital in Hershey, PA.
All of the sororities pair up with a fraternity, and many different organizations leave Penn State for four weekends during the school year to can anywhere from Canada to Maryland. What does it mean to "can"?? It means that students go to various intersections or strip malls with cans asking people for money to support this great cause.
1973 marked the first year to have THON and it was held in the HUB raising over $2,000. THON has been expanding ever since and has been moved from the HUB to the White Building to Rec Hall and then to the Bryce Jordan Center for it's second year. Penn State's THON has become the largest student-run philanthropy in the world and in 2007, we raised $5,240,385.17. The most yet!!
My sorority pairs up with Delta Tau Delta and have two THON children, Dylan Moser (8 years old) and Allison Smoluk (17 years old). This is Allison's first year to be a THON child and it happens to be her 18th birthday on Friday! Last year, our sorority and fraternity were not in the top ten, but did raise $65,000 For The Kids. Zeta Tau Alpha sororityand Alpha Tau Omega fraternity have been the top money raisers for THON for the past 12 years earning $293,591 in 2007.
Even though each sorority/fraternity pair raise money to donate solely from their organizations, I think it's amazing that Greek Life raises HALF of the money raised at THON.
Good luck this weekend! FTK!!
Sororities 101
Hi everyone! Seeing how it's that time again for the Greeks, I thought I'd talk a little bit about recruitment. Every fraternity and sorority goes through recruitment in the fall and takes a new member class to add to their organizations, and many go through it again in the spring. However, fall and spring recruitment are run differently, and seeing as I'm only very educated on how the sororities run it, I'll only talk about that.
Fall recruitment is a stressful two-week period (and completely dry) where you have all the potential new members register through Panhellenic, and each sorority holds little "parties" in their suite. We call them parties, but what I mean- is having about 20 new girls come in at a time and have them meet about 50 of us and just get to know each other, learn about our philanthropy, etc.
There are 3 rounds (Open Houses, First Rounds, and Second Rounds) of circuiting all the different sororities, each consisting of about 3 days, then Preference Night- where the potential new member attends her three favorite sororities and participates in a nice ceremony/ritual that the sisters have set up. Then of course, you rank your top three while the sororities compile a list of the girls that we want as their sisters, and then Bid Day, the most exciting part, comes.
If you've ever been in the HUB in the early Fall and seen hundreds of girls all wearing different colors, holding big signs, and yelling so loud that you probably can't think? That's us. All the new girls receive their bid acceptance from the sorority they match up with, and then run out on the lawn to meet them and their newest pledge class. This day is easily the most exciting of any part of recruitment and you get a certain feeling of relief that the two week process is over and won't return again until the next year.
Then comes spring recruitment. Like I said before, it's completely different than fall. The sororities who want to participate (everyone doesn't have to) hold events in their suite and invite girls that they know are interested in joining one. This only continues for about a week with each sorority only holding a few events. This process if FAR less stressful and way more casual than fall.
When they've met all of the girls that they want to, they hand out bids to join their spring pledge class! I know almost half of the Panhellenic sororities took spring pledge classes this year and we're all very happy with them.
In case anyone was wondering how Panhellenic sororities choose their members and how it actually becomes a sorority, there ya go!
'Going Greek': What It Means To Me
I'm Hillary Gupta and I'll be writing here for the rest of the semester. I'll start off by giving y'all some info about myself: I'm a sophomore majoring in business marketing and minoring in Spanish. I am very involved with Greek life and the University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA). I've been an At-Large representative of UPUA for the past two years and am currently the Special Events and Programming Committee Chair. I am also a sister of the Delta Zeta sorority. Last year I was the Risk Manager and I was just installed as the 2008 President.
I have found that being in both UPUA and Greek life has been extremely beneficial for me as a student. I can bring information that I learn in both places to the other. It's very nice for UPUA to have Greek input seeing as we do make up about 12% of undergraduate life here at Penn State.
Going Greek is one of the best decisions I have ever made and has always been something I wanted to do. I'm from Texas where fraternity/sorority life is HUGE (and completely different) and is very popular to rush. When a student has left for college, the typical order of questions from family friends are in the following order…"How does she like school?" "Does she miss home?" and "What sorority did she pledge?"
It's completely understood that one has gone Greek. As much as I love everything else that I'm involved in, my sincerest devotion is to Greek life.
When 'Sorry' Isn't Good Enough
I hate complaining. Even when it is clearly beneficial to find something/someone else to blame for my error(s), I still find it difficult to wholeheartedly believe that I was not, to some degree, responsible for my current state of affairs. What it all comes down to is this: accountability.
Few have it these days. It seems as though, and this is generalizing, that many people feel entitled to their own opinion. This might seem like the pot calling the kettle black, coming from someone broadcasting their voice generically over the internet; however, humor me for a second and understand that I will freely admit when I have erred.
My only request is that the criticisms come from a well positioned and logical viewpoint. While logic may lie in the eye of the beholder, healthy discourse is how we all learn from each other and how I come to know that I'm wrong. That being said, there are instances where it's fairly obvious a mistake has been made. Take for instance the OSU fan-pelting that took place at Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) fraternity on OSU game day.
I can't think of anyone who was particularly pleased with being unfairly lumped into a category which condones that sort of behavior – things were even more embarrassing for fraternity members. Most people really can't tell the difference between all of our organizations.
To some, our letters are the same Greek letters that made lives miserable in math class. That's not so great for Greeks. It is easy and convenient to lump us all into one big group. That is eternally frustrating. We all have stereotypes. I presented some of my own and of others so far, but what is more important is how we all react in crisis situations. That is where the leadership of Pi Kappa Alpha, the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, and the Interfraternity Council has been a great boon to our campus.
There are instances where "sorry" just isn't good enough. If you would have talked to most people on the day the news broke about OSU fans being harassed and assaulted, you wouldn't find too many people in any fraternity's corner, let alone Pike's. The incident will forever be a stain on our football fans and fraternity culture in general. A simple apology wouldn't make things better and for that matter wouldn't change things.
The strategy of the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, under Dr. Roy Baker, is that of an apology means nothing if you're going to make the same mistake again. The fraternity was called in and leaders sat down to have a powwow about accountability for ones actions and learning from mistakes. From there, a comprehensive action plan was developed and noticeable steps have been taken to prevent future foul behavior. How brilliant.
My feeling is that it is impossible to eradicate stupidity. That being said, our Greek community stands at the ready with well qualified leadership where it counts and the creativity needed to approach situations and find innovative solutions. As I see it, isolated incidents will remain just that – isolated – giving everyone less to complain about. This is the best of all possible worlds because I hate complaining – not that I'm complaining.


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Kirby Nelson
"There's a fine line between passion and obsession. I should know, I've crossed over it enough."
There is an art and a science to creating great beer. Fortunately, there's Kirby Nelson. 50% mad scientist, 50% passionate artist, 100% brewing alchemist and tireless advocate for the craft beer industry. Kirby has been developing beers for over 25 years now. Along the way, he's created some of Wisconsin's most beloved and iconic brews and took home over 100 local, regional and global tasting titles. His passion for brewing speaks for itself — you can see it in his eyes, hear it in his voice, taste it in his beers.
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We'll drink to that.


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Sugar flogs Spurs(.co.uk) to BSkyB
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Alan Sugar's favourite football club has sold its Web site www.Spurs.co.uk to Rupert Murdoch's BSkyB for an undisclosed sum. BSkyB will gain access to Tottenham Hotspur's fan base, apparently the second richest supporters in the UK after Chelsea's. Spurs will get a share of the profits from the merchandising and other e-commerce ventures on the site. Yesterday, the club reported pre-tax profits down 26 per cent to £2.1 million for the six months ended 31 January. Sales were up 33 per cent to £29.7 million, while players wages jumped 35 per cent to £17.9 million. ®
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August 2012
Jessica Henkle
The Dangers of Proximal Alphabets by Kathleen Alcott
Loving someone since infancy -- it's the stuff of dreams, but for Ida and Jackson, it's reality. Introduced as babies, the two form an instantaneous bond that only becomes fiercer as the years barrel past. As Ida puts it, "The majority of our lives we were an exhausting display that others looked on, confused and ashamed to be watching." The "others" include Jackson's younger brother, James, the boys' mother, and Ida's father. These characters make up Kathleen Alcott's debut novel, The Dangers of Proximal Alphabets, and what a stunning debut it is. With language as sharp and rich as the story, Alcott probes the ties that bind us to family, both the ones we're born into and the ones we create, and questions just how much strain those ties can take before they snap.
Narrated by Ida, the novel encompasses twenty-plus years of personal history, and it isn't told chronologically. Rather, the narrative jumps around in time, giving the reader a taste of what it means to participate in this convoluted life that Jackson and Ida share. Despite the story's slippery nature, we never lose our footing. With the first sentence, Alcott grips her readers by the hand and carries us through all the rewinds and fast-forwards with the kind of skill that makes it look easy. The novel begins, "Our parents liked to say that the first time Jackson and I met, we concentrated our focus so intently, grew so still, that they worried our little bodies might have forgotten we'd exited our watery beginnings, neglected the duty to breathe in and out." From page one, we're aware the ride will be rough, and so can brace ourselves for the hills, valleys, and hairpin turns ahead.
During their childhood, Jackson, James, and Ida form a ragtag unit and are rarely, if ever, apart. Though the boys are the two linked by blood, it's Jackson and Ida who are the most attached. Ida says, "Officially, I'm Ida, though Jackson has called me I as long as I can remember. The symbolism is sickening." Ida and Jackson's lives overlap so excessively that there aren't many experiences they don't go through together. She practically lives at the brothers' house, spending most nights on the floor between their beds. It's there that Ida first witnesses Jackson and James walking and talking in their sleep -- and not just talking, but talking to one another. These nighttime narratives reveal a secret world the boys share -- one that Ida can't access -- which only makes her cling to the brothers all the more.
While James stops sleepwalking at twelve, Jackson doesn't. As Jackson ages, his somnambulism gets more and more intense, leading to violent, unconscious outbursts that often leave Ida with bruises. Upon waking, Jackson is apologetic and disgusted -- and not just with himself. Ida says, "I remember that look. Though he wouldn't come out and say it, Jackson believed I had something to do with it, because why else would I go on forgiving him?" But for her, not forgiving him isn't an option. She says, "We'd shared everything since the beginning, and I couldn't see how his nightmares weren't mine." It's precisely in trying to share Jackson's nightmares that Ida begins to lose him and learns there is a dividing line between the two of them after all.
Much about this novel shouldn't work, from the way it's told to the almost fantastical act of Jackson and James's night murmurings and wanderings, down to the fact that Jackson and Ida's bond thrives as long as it does. Yet, when brought together, these elements not only work, but work so well that we buy every word. It is a rare writer, indeed, who can pull off such a feat, and Alcott has created a gem in Ida, who is at once a willing participant in this strange universe she's built with Jackson and is also acutely aware that it is, in fact, very strange. There's something unnatural about their intense brand of love continuing beyond childhood, and Ida knows it. She says, "It's this fierce, often pathetic mourning of love so innocent, which for good reason cannot exist in adulthood, that drives people to buy those posters of two six-year-olds pursing their lips on a beach about to kiss, or sharing the sound of the ocean coming from a seashell." Ida and Jackson's relationship is precisely this kind -- the kind that shouldn't escape the clutches of teendom. No wonder it starts to go sour.
Heartbreaking, honest, and wholly engrossing, The Dangers of Proximal Alphabets dredges the depth of love that divides us, unites us, and folds in on itself until we're nearly crushed under the sweet ache of its weight. As a child, Ida reveals a fascination with ghosts, which begins with a longing for her dead mother. She says, "Ghosts: I knew plenty about those, having made a lifelong practice of reaching for my mother, standing in the room where she took her last breaths and whispering benign details about my day into the coffee cup my father said was her favorite." This reaching out for what's been lost echoes throughout the rest of Ida's life, but how can she sever bonds that formed before she even learned to speak? Alcott's book will dig into the heart of anyone who's ever wanted too badly, felt too deeply, or sought explanations beyond the tidy definitions that never satisfy. When Ida's father explains to her, at age six, that James and Jackson are not her brothers, she breaks down in tears, "feeling, for the first time the pain in trying to understand the word that should be simple: family. If not my brothers, then what, I asked? And he taught me another word that should be simple: friends." It's never simple, but if complicated is what produces a novel like this one, we should be grateful for the messy, the broken, and the quiet graces they birth, the camaraderie that can find us in even the most isolating of nightmares.
The Dangers of Proximal Alphabets by Kathleen Alcott
Other Press
224 pages


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The Phased Development Agreement for Sandown finally passed Council on Nov. 3, 2014. It has been the vision of many that the agricultural land that would be given to the municipality could be once again returned to food production and the support of farming.
But for that to happen, we have to elect a Mayor and Council who will support that vision.
With the election only days away, we wanted to let you know the candidates whom we've identified as being supportive of agricultural pursuits on the 83 acres of soon-to-be municipally-owned land – and those who haven't.
Click here to see that report.
Click here to see that report.


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In the case of natural disasters the group additionally gives members with grants in order that they'll 'get going' once more and are in a position to face troubled instances. SBA's Office of Capital Access will discuss alternatives to accessing capital, and the way SBA mortgage programs ( together with new Jobs Act tools ) can help.
Indeed, your money move is an important indicator of your business and it needs to be correctly managed to ensure that your small business to prosper. To discover a lender in your area, please name the Vectra Financial institution Enterprise Services Hotline at 1-866-483-2872 or comete the form under.
Usually, any business eligible beneath the SBA's regular guaranty program will be eligible. Green Business Alternatives Acquire access to inexperienced contracts, grants, and partnerships with authorities agencies. The SBA can assure as much as eighty five{b23d1cbd705352cee57d772f0a7f172e6bc55515ff2afb6ea059938e7275c3e7} of loans for $one hundred fifty,000 or much less and seventy five{b23d1cbd705352cee57d772f0a7f172e6bc55515ff2afb6ea059938e7275c3e7} of loans for greater than $a hundred and fifty,000.
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I ran a PR and Marketing workshop with Rob Shepherd MD of The Press Dispensary at the Really Useful Business Show in Brighton yesterday for members of Sussex Enterprise.
It was flattering to be asked by the organizers to explain how SiteVisibility and previously AI Digital and Academy Internet had punched above their weight in terms of press / media exposure but I thought it would aid the credibility of the presentation to have a PR Expert like Rob to explain some of the science.
It's difficult to communicate everything we've learned about promoting your business on a budget in less than 20 mins but we hope the audience was able to take away at least one actionable piece of advice by spending their valuable time on ideas like:
- Write a press release
- Research journalists to receive a press release and send it
- Maintain your blog
- Write an award entry
- Join and post to an online forum/community
- Maintain your Twitter account
- Manage your Facebook fan page or LinkedIn profile
- Create a video for YouTube
- Record a podcast
- Write a White Paper
- Comment on some blogs
- Set up a survey
- Analyse a survey
- Arrange a competition /promotion with a newspaper/trade magazine
- Write an article for a website / magazine
- Write a letter to the editor of your trade magazine
- Etc
My key message is to have a plan, to know your budget in terms of time and cash and to then focus on achieving your goal without being distracted and then regularly check what your achieving in terms of results . I recognize that's often easier said than done but am happy to discuss further via email@example.com


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Just a little poem
to remind you that today is a day
when you can live,
you can love,
you can share something you have to give.
And even though there is no guarantee of positive return,
It's always better to embrace today with hope
than recall the disdain from the day before.
Because we are simple creatures
in an unecessarily complex web of life.
And needs are basic; kindness, respect
and most of all love.
Give if you can, take if you need.
and know that what did not happen yesterday,
and what may happen tomorrow
simply does not matter today.


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Michelin starred Indian chef Vikas Khanna, also one of the judges of MasterChef India Season 5, is affable and inspiring in equal measure. He talks about his mentor chef Sanjeev Kapoor, his food awakening moment, writing poems and much more…
Your association with Masterchef India is long. How do you think the show has changed India's perspective towards food and chefs?
I think today's food scene of India is dramatically changed. Thanks to shows like MasterChef, the viewer is eating out a lot, travelling a lot, experimenting a lot, has more knowledge than what he knew 10 years ago. I think the impact of the show is very significant.
Tell us something about the new season of MasterChef India.
I think we have grown together with our viewers. The markets, the information, the cookbooks, the chef's influence and the mind of home cooks have evolved with time. There is so much more global influences and yet much deeper cuisines and regional research on the show. Sometimes we will bring something new in the challenge and sometimes a very ancient cooking technique or dish becomes our inspiration. We also have contestants from Dubai, New Jersey, San Francisco, London and lot of Indian cities. I am sure this season will change the way cooking is perceived in our society.
How is your chemistry with Chef Kunal Kapur and Zorawar Kalra on set and otherwise? Are you in touch with ex judge Sanjeev Kapoor?
Chef Sanjeev Kapoor will always be my mentor and guide. Any time I need information or research or clarity, I pick up my phone and call him. He is my lifeline in so many ways. Kunal is like my younger brother, we have both grown on the show together and appreciate the influence of the platform mutually. He has a heart of gold. I have been inspired by Mr Jiggs Kalra all my life, and Zorawar is not only continuing the legacy but he has also taken it forward in the most sophisticated and honourable way. We all think-breathelive food and on this stage we all decide everything together, mutually and equally.
Tell us something about your kitchen art museum.
The museum is dedicated to my father (who bought me my first tandoor). It will be one-of-a-kind Kitchen Arts Museum. It's all about teaching history and our transformation through utensils. The building is coming up in full swing.
Your journey in America has been inspiring. What is your biggest takeaway?
Dignity of labour. That was truly one of my first observations. I worked as a dish washer and the American at the bar was a son of a billionaire who wanted to make it big on his own. I think I went to America at the right time. India was rising and so was the interest in India. Many Americans were travelling and due to boom in IT industry, many Indians were visiting America. This all helped to create interest in Indian cuisine in the West. I was just standing at the right place and the right time as the American food scene was becoming more Indian flavoured.
How does writing help you spread your purpose?
I think Americans love literature and their respect for a new kind of work is very high. My book Return to the Rivers was very impactful in spreading the culture of Himalayan Cuisine in the US. Literature is a great part of our legacy.
What was your first food awakening moment?
Going to Maurya Sheraton and seeing the midnight buffet. I cried like a child, well I was a child at that point and it was also my moment of truth. All my earliest memories were in Amritsar.
written by :- Karan Bhardwaj


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SODA House Inspiration - Kids Room
So the SODA house is under going building work again which means its back to the drawing board with the interiors. I am starting from the top down with the new loft rooms. Our gorgeous (and naughty) boys are going into one room so I have been working overtime on Pinterest, looking at lots of amazing kids rooms to inspire me.
Trying to decide on a direction is hard work. Am trying to be inventive with a small budget, incorpating fun ideas but also want to keep it minimal and cool…. It's not an easy task…
I do know it will involve a dark grey wall, plywood and some splashes of neon - is this sounding familiar ?? Very SODA !!!
While I crack on with my mood board - here are some inspiring pics from Pinterest that are shaping my ideas.
Watch this space for more SODA house updates, next week bathroom tiles - oh yeah.


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Morristown Rotary Embarks on an Ambitious International Project
Posted by P. J. Thurkauf
The Rotary Club of Morristown, NJ has partnered with the Rotary Club of Colombo West in Sri Lanka on a new endeavor named Project Joy, to fund equipment to local physicians treating epilepsy in Sri Lanka. It is the Children's Epilepsy Project's goal to provide equipment to local physicians to assist them in making accurate diagnoses for the selection of the most appropriate therapy. This approach to treatment of children with epilepsy gives them a chance for a normal life. Learn more at our dedicated Rotary Project Joy Website: www.rotaryprojectjoy.com


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Monday, May 14, 2012, 4:42 pm
Arms Shipments to Bahrain Resume, Despite Continued Repression of Pro-Democracy Activists
Over the weekend, the United States decided to resume part of its arms shipments to Bahrain, more than one year after a $53 million deal with the country was suspended during violent crackdowns on peaceful protests in the country last year. This follows news that prominent Bahraini human rights activists Nabeel Rajab, head of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, was arrested last week on unspecified charges. These events closely follow major series of "days of rage" protests by opposition groups that coincided with the Formula 1 grand prix the gulf nation hosted at the end of April, which was successful in scaring off many tourists and bringing attention to the abuses of the regime of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
Like Syria, Bahrain's protests have been ongoing since February 2011, when protestors took to the streets to demand democratic reforms. After clashes with the police left 35 people dead and many more injured and in prison, the Khalifa regime cleared the occupation in Pearl square and tore down the symbolic Pearl Monument. (The regime has gone to great lengths to banish even the memory of the square by tearing down the monument and even taking the 500 fils coin, which bore the monument on one of its sides, out of circulation.)
The big thorn in activists' sides is the Khalifa monarchy, which has been in control of the country for 200 years. The current prime minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has been in power since 1971, making him the longest-serving prime minister in the world. When asked about this rather undemocratic aberration by German news magazine Der Spiegel, Prime Minister Khalifa argued that every democracy is different in its own way.
But calling Bahrain democratic is misguided. Though they have a Parliament of elected officials, that body has very little actual power compared to that of the Khalifa family. Though there are some reformist members of the family, such as Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, it is hard to see the family relinquishing power quietly considering that 70% of the country's Muslims are Shia and have been victims of discrimination at the hands of the regime for many years.
In response to the protests, the government's argument has been two-fold: that the government has made concessions and are willing to work with peaceful groups but that outside agitators, particularly Iranian interests, have been stoking factional fires for their own goals. The regime has been pointing to the growing violence of some members of the protest movement—particularly the using of Molotov cocktails—as a sign of the entire movement's hostile intent.
But a clear look at the opposition groups shows a number of different interests and ideological backgrounds. Al-Wefaq, the leading Shia opposition group, want a constitutional monarchy. Other groups, such as the Coalition for a Bahraini Republic, are looking for more radical democratic reforms, including regime change. There is also the National Union Gathering, which was founded at Bahrain's largest Sunni mosque, Al-Fatih, which is agitating for more democratic reforms while also criticizing what it sees as the anti-Sunni bias of some Shia opposition movements.
The U.S. seems to have two tracks of action against repressive regimes. On the one hand, there is the strong and swift denunciation, followed by sanctions and military action, which we have seen in countries such as Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan and, to a lesser degree, Syria. Then there is the reluctant or behind-the-scenes criticism reserved for equally repressive regional allies that the U.S. does not want to alienate unless they don't have any other choice, such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Egypt. The U.S. response to Bahrain has been of the latter kind. There are a number of reasons for this:
- First, Bahrain is very close to long time U.S. ally Saudi Arabia. In fact, the countries are set to agree on a "broad security and economic union" this week to further unite the two states.
- Second, the U.S. Navy has the United States Fifth Fleet stationed on the site of a former British Navy base, now called Naval Support Activity Bahrain, which enables it to occupy a strategically important position in the Persian Gulf as well as easy access to the region and the western part of the Indian Ocean.
- Third, continued concern about Iran means that many in Washington are sensitive to the Khalifa regime's arguments regarding possible influence of Hezbollah among the Shia opposition.
As long as the U.S. chooses to coddle some repressive regimes while attacking others, it is only confirming that spreading democracy is only shorthand for the U.S. doing whatever it wants wherever it wants to. With a different policy towards the legitimate democratic concerns of regime opponents in Bahrain, the U.S. has an opportunity change its image in the region.
More by David Szydloski
- Arms Shipments to Bahrain Resume, Despite Continued Repression of Pro-Democracy Activists
- The Limits of Military Intervention in Syria
- We Already Know the Result of eBook Pricing Lawsuit: Either Way, You Lose
- The Prelude to a Long Future in Afghanistan
- The Affordable Care Act on Trial: Why the Individual Mandate is Important


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Hi there lovelies! I know that many of you mamas are back to school with those littles and are looking for a healthy treat to round out those lunch boxes. Today I decided it was time for me to share another of my family's favorite cookie recipe. This one is perfect to toss into any lunch and it's healthy too!
Whether we are adding it as a treat after lunch or a fun snack for the afternoon, we love to whip up a batch of yummy cookies. My family likes to go egg-less and throw in a bit of flax seed and raisins when we're making cookies. Going egg-less is a great way to stretch your eggs a bit further. These things are getting expensive, so when I can throw in a puree or a bit of flax seed as an egg substitute in a recipe, I jump at the chance. Adding flax seed also gives your cookies a protein punch. Oh and I can't forget the bit of fruit I get into my kids when adding the raisins. Any good stuff I can get into my kids, makes me do my own little happy dance in the kitchen. Football players have touch down dances. Mamas have the "I got them to eat a fruit/veggie and they didn't make a stink face" dance. Those are my favorite dances:)
Do you use raisins a lot? Raisins are a pantry staple in our house. They are inexpensive to purchase and have a great shelf life.
We love to add them to salads, tuna/chicken salad, quick breads, coleslaw, pancakes, and pretty much any baked good I can get away with throwing them in (carrot cake, spice cake, etc).
California Raisins are an all-natural, dried-by-the-sun fruit you can feel good about giving to your kids. My kiddos love to grab these for a snack in the afternoon. I love the fact that when we look at the package it has one thing listed in the ingredients: Raisins. No guesses there with what you are putting into your kids. California Raisins has made it a bit easier on us moms. Oh and they have zero fat, no cholesterol and no added sugar. Plus, raisins offer 9% of your daily fiber and potassium, and 6% of your daily iron. Awesome right?
I can see why my Mom always bought the easy portable containers for me to take to school. They were an easy peasy snack, with a healthy kick. Although my kids may not be running off to school, I love to have them as an easy snack that little hands can grab during lessons....especially for Miss Priss. She is my snacking diva. You would think I never feed her. She is a bottomless pit!
Now that you know why I love to have raisins stocked up in my pantry, are you ready to see how I throw them into cookies?
Let's get to it!
Chocolate Chip Deluxe Raisin Cookies
2 sticks margarine or butter, softened
2 tbl ground flax seed + 6 tbl water
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar
1 tbl vanilla
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 1/4 cups flour
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 tbl ground flax seed + 6 tbl water
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar
1 tbl vanilla
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 1/4 cups flour
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup raisins
Cream butter and sugars together. Add flax seed, water, and vanilla. Mix well. Add dry ingredients and mix. Fold in chocolate chips and raisins. Bake at 375' for 10-12 minutes.
These things are addicting, but with the extra whole grains and fruit added, you don't feel quite so bad adding a few extra into the littles lunch boxes:)
Have a beautiful day lovelies!!
XO Danielle
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube Channel!


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If you're a Kamilia like me then you probably know this already, but for those who don't, I'm here to give you some bad news: PURETTY is done. Disbanded. Dead. One is studying, one is pursuing a career an actress (the bizarre-looking alien version of Hara that served as PURETTY's flawless visual), and the remaining three are now part of the greatest talent competition since MTV's Making The Band, The KARA Project.
As you probably know, The KARA Project has gathered seven fresh young thangs (christened "BABY KARA") to compete to fill the two empty spots left by Nicole and Jiyoung in Asia's most sweet and charming girl group. The whole thing reminds me of a mix between Jewelry and Morning Musume, and I'm behind it 100%. The project is getting a lot of hate, but that's just the usual petty negativity that's so prevalent in the K-pop fandom. As far as I see it, any KARA is better than no KARA at all. Also, the fact that PURETTY is part of this makes it even more exciting.
For those unfamiliar with PURETTY, they were basically just a perfectly cloned version of KARA that DSP Media debuted in Japan at the height of the hallyu wave to try and cash in on KARA's mind-boggling success at the time. They released just two singles during the time they were active — both of which were shameless KARA knock-offs, and both of which bombed on the charts like you wouldn't believe (their second, "Shuwa Shuwa Baby," only reached No. 116 on Oricon).
I'm not sure if I'll ever quite get over PURETTY disbanding, but I'm relieved that they can have a second chance to slay Asia as part of KARA. I like almost all of the KARA babies though, so I really don't care who makes it into the group as long as it isn't Chae Won or Yoo Ji. The rest are fly (even Chae Kyung who looks like a teenage Sungah in her teaser video), but I simply cannot with the last two.
Anyway, R.I.P. PURETTY. You'll be missed.
[Via Korea Boo]


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Well I'm not sure about where you live but its been a fantastic couple of days weather wise as well as having a few cheeky weekends of sunshine as of late meaning we have been able to get out and about as a family and enjoy some of the outdoor places we love… Rather than take our usual stroller, we made one fundamental change… we took D's Little
Ever since we had the opportunity to spend the day with Olympic Long Jump Champion Greg Rutherford and his family using our 4 in 1 Deluxe Trike, we have continued to use it over the past year through the seasons and through D's development.
As we love our Trike so much, we were lucky enough to be one of five families challenged by Little Tikes to stroller swop and video ourselves out and about, well more importantly our Little Triker out and about enjoying breaking free from the usual pushchair or stroller and feeling like they are on the adventure with us rather than being stuck bored in their usual stroller.
I do admit I was expecting to find filming our impatient 19 month old to be a "challenging" experience however from the moment we popped her into the Trike, she transforms into a mini queen.. waving, smiling and clearly enjoying being close to the action and exploring the world at a whole new level.
We use our Trike for various things whether that be:
- Trips to the shops with the help of the the trikes usual storage bucket
- Trips to the local park
- Picking H up from school
- Off roading on a Sunday afternoon walk
- A car journey further afield to some of our favourite county attractions
- Chasing after the Ice Cream van
It doesn't matter if your going nearby or further afield, the Little Tikes Trikes take up just the same amount of space as a standard stroller in your car boot so why stick with the norm… change really is good with Little Tikes and Little Trikers….
Growing with your child from 9 months to 3 years+, any one of Little Tikes 5 different Trikes help your little one learn how to ride, steer and finally pedal. Their latest 5-in-1 Deluxe Ride & Relax Recliner Trike not only adjusts to three different positions to ensure comfort, it also reclines to allow for a nap too! Throw in a whole host of features such as detachable easy grip handle for parent control, 5-point seat belt harness and safety bar, padded soft seating, removable shade canopy, durable quiet-ride tyres, convenient beverage holder, packing bag or storage bucket for additional trike storage. You can find more about the 4 stages which the Trike can turn into as your toddler grows as well as the other Trikes available by checking out the Little Trikers site.
If you need an excuse to ditch your stroller in the Summer months ahead then this is it!
You could WIN your explorer one of 20 Trikes…
In fact, Little Tikes want to invite you to do just that… You could win your explorer one of 20 Trikes they are giving away and let them become a Little Triker too by posting a video or photo on Little Tikes Facebook page of your family enjoying some fun days out. This competition starts today and runs until Monday 2nd May 2016 (Bank Holiday Monday) with the winners announced on the following day so not long!!
As for the final cut of our video….. Well you'll have to keep checking on Little Tikes own Little Trikers microsite for ours and the four other families having adventures of their own.
What are you waiting for? Get uploading your photos or videos on Little Tikes Facebook page now and maybe you could win your Little Triker their own set of wheels before the summer arrives…!
Until Next Time
Jim x
NB: We are part of the Little Trikers Team and collaborative post to raise awareness about getting outdoors as a family this summer as well as being part of Little Tikes promotional video for the Little Tikes "Little Triker" campaign. All opinions of the Trike remains my own.


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I am not a Big Hummus person...but this hummus was so flavorful and delicious ..that anyone will go in for a second helping!!
A mentioned that she got the recipe from this site and did slight modifications.
Her additions:
In addition I also used siracha sauce. I garnished it with half cherry tomato and cucumber and drizzled some Mediterranean seasoning.