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Productization impacts value creation in a number of ways. This article is going to explore just one of these impacts.
Business acceleration is in many ways achieved though team autonomy. The basics have been covered for many years now under the Lean, Agile and DevOps paradigms. Practices like cross-functional teams, automation, Kanban WIP Limits, Cloud / SaaS platforms, containerization, waste elimination and many others serve to optimize the delivery pipeline. There are some common themes across all of these practices:
- They enable and/or require autonomous solutions and teams
- They decrease reliance on overbearing delivery process and related handoffs
- They establish greater levels of both delivery & operational accountability
API can also help to establish clear boundaries around the solutions and teams that support individual business capabilities. In this context, APIs become the primary means of exchanging data across these autonomous capability-based solutions.
Unfortunately, most companies embracing APIs still rely heavily on cross-team collaboration when integrating systems:
Today's business ecosystems are highly integrated and unfortunately none of these practices directly address the reality that team autonomy is eroded as ad-hoc demands for integration appear from other teams. Typically, the requesting team has known about the need for some time but the providing team had very little systematic or prior knowledge of the requirement. Individual teams generally do not take into account backlogs of other teams when planning development iterations.
The net result is that when unexpected requests for integration arrive backlogs get reprioritized & part of the delivery team needs to be pulled from the planned delivery line to facilitate the integration process (even if no development is required!). This frequently results in iteration scope changes, unplanned developer time expenditure, cross-team contention and slipping schedules.
Perhaps most significantly, this model tends to force the need to synchronize key releases across dev teams resulting in quite a lot of coordination complexity. All of this amounts to tighter coupling of dev teams (e.g. diminished autonomy), additional complexity, timeline uncertainty, and dramatically reduced agility.
These realities are compounded when the requesting team is an outside partner or client.
APIs provide a solution but only when productization is adopted. Look for the next article in this series to see how this works!
To learn more, explore our complete capabilities and thought leadership or contact us directly today!


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Please send Lake Latoka historical information to Chad Swanson at email@example.com for inclusion here.
History of Lake Latoka
Lake Latoka History
History of Alexandria Fireman's Lodge
Lake Latoka tidbits
1862 Civil War Diary by Carl Roos
What Does Latoka Mean?
By Darwin J. Casler
The short answer to the question is that despite investing considerable time and effort, I do not know the answer. What follows is a brief summary of my research and some of what I learned.
After moving to the shores of Lake Latoka late in 2000, my curiosity soon drove me to find the answer to the question. I thought a brief visit to the Douglas County Library would surely reveal the answer. Why the curiosity? Well, the word Latoka bears a remarkable resemblance to the word Lakota (sometimes Lakhota), which is one of the three language dialects of the Dakota (or Dakhota) Nation (commonly call the Sioux). The similarity seemed to me then, as now, to be more than mere coincidence.
Lakota not only identifies the language dialect, but also is the name given the sub-tribes who spoke the language. The Lakota includes among others, the Santee who occupied what is now western Minnesota and eastern South Dakota. By the way, these people had many fights with their neighbors to the northeast, the Ojibwa (now commonly known as the Chippewa) who gave the Dakhota people a name meaning "snake" or "enemy". That name, through a corruption of the equivalent French word, became "Sioux", a disparaging term understandably not preferred by the Dakhota people. Incidentally, the Dakhota word "minisota" means sky-tinted waters and "winona" means oldest daughter or first-born female child.
My search began at the Douglas County Library. There a small book seemed to hold great promise because it dealt with the origin and meaning of the Douglas County lakes. That proved to be a false hope. The book had nothing explaining the meaning of the name Latoka although the name of the lake was included. I thought surely the Minnesota Historical Society (MHS) in St. Paul would have my answer in spades in its library. One of the first places I looked was the Minnesota Place Names database. There I found a listing for Lake Latoka with the following notation: "Origin and meaning not ascertained." Other books and materials at the MHS also yielded nothing. Thinking that Latoka might have some linguistic or etymological roots, I send an email to a professor (of linguistics) at the University of Colorado who has a special interest in Native American languages. He consulted a linguist colleague who had edited a book on Native American Place Names. Unfortunately, neither of these men had anything other than some speculative possibilities to suggest, but nothing of substance. Similarly, an historian at the University of Nebraska who specializes in Dakhota history had no recollection of the word Latoka.
Finally, in the fall of 2001 I visited the Douglas County Historical Society on the occasion of their open house. There, to my surprise, I saw a map (copyright 1913 by the Minnesota Map Publishing Co.) On that tmap the name of our lake is clearly shown as Lake Lakota. I have so far made only one effort to find that company on the internet. Of course, after 89 years it is likely the company no longer exists. However, its records and documents could be archived somewhere, possibly the MHS or the University of Minnesota.
So we know that Lakota has a rich and documented history. On the other hand, the word Latoka, has appeared on numerous maps at least since 1879 as the name of our lake, but seemingly lacks any other history and has no apparent linguistic roots. I suspect that a mapmaking error lies at the bottom of this mystery. There is precedent. An effort in the definition of the border between Canada and the eastern half of Minnesota ultimately resulted in the Northwest Angle of Minnesota but the error took many years to resolve finally with a precise survey. Perhaps you have noticed that the new street in the Horizon Heights subdivision is named Lakota Heights Lane. Now I find that very interesting. Despite the lack of any solid evidence (thus far), I believe the 1913 mapmaker and the person who named the new street both have it right – the name of our lake should be Lakota. I wonder if that early mapmaker suffered from dyslexia. But whether the cause was dyslexia or mere human error, I suspect all later mapmakers except one followed blindly.
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History of Lake Latoka
By Art Johnson, 65-year resident of area
One of the most significant events that happened in the late thirties, when the water was so low, was the Alexandria Fire Department's try at rearing fish from a small pond on the northeast corner of the lake. Many of you don't realize that the Alexandria Fire Department was the first sportsmen's association in the area. They trapped fish with nets and transferred these fish to many lakes in the area. The fish were seined in Lake Agnes.
The Lake Latoka Pond was cleaned out of much of the weed growth and a ditch was dredged from this pond, which was spring fed, to the southwest. The machinery was pulled by oxen and a team of horses. The ditch was then dammed by using large stones. Male and female bass were put into this pond when spawning was finished. My job was to catch the adult fish and put them in the ditch on the other side of the stone barrier. In the fall the rocks were moved, a net was dragged through the pond and the small fingerlings were moved up the ditch.
Many of the watershed areas have been filled in and now have homes built on them. One is the area south of the Firemen's Lodge. There are now five homes built in that area. Another watershed area is where the Ledermann home is. There are now three homes built over this watershed. There are two homes built in the area we called Knight's Bay, just north of where Bill and Irene Bundy live. Another watershed area was in the south lake on the west side just south of the I-94 bridge.
Water clarity in the thirties and forties was absolutely fantastic. Anywhere on the lake in 15 ft. of water or deeper on a still day you could see various water bugs crawling on the bottom. Now, with the I-94 bridge and almost 90% of the watershed areas filled in, the clarity of our water has changed considerably. Before the Lakes Area Sanitary Sewer System, homes and cabins had septic tanks, so we have to believe that the sewer system has really helped keep the water at a clearer, cleaner level.
We had agricultural farming, dairy, beef and sheep. The runoff from the various farms actually helped fishing, because in any area that had runoff there was full fish feeding, and of course, larger fish came to feed on the bait fish. Many times my father and I found fishing better in and around these areas.
There always has been a boat landing on Lake Latoka at or near the swimming beach. The south access was put in during the late seventies as a commitment by developers that platted out that area. There has been no logging that I can recall.
Latoka Beach in its infancy was just a wild area with a nice sand beach that was used by many people for late night fun and for family weekend picnics.
At one time there were three small resorts on the lake. One of the resorts had a small store and our children would walk along the shore to the store to buy ice cream bars and candy.
There has been a considerable change in water depth that I can recall. At one time there was a diving board to the southwest from Lloyd Andres. People could dive into 10 to 15 ft. of water because of the drop-off. The highest water level was, I think, in 1975 and now at the present time.
I-94 was completed in the late 1960's. In order to build the bridge, an area over 100 yards in width was filled in. The area near the bridge was then 30 ft. deep and now it's 15 feet.
There has been a tremendous change in the lake over the years in the algae growth, which has affected the water clarity. With most homes now using fertilizer for their lawns and the fertilizer washing into the lake, this has in itself had much to do with the lake and its fishing.
Fishing in the thirties, forties, fifties and sixties was like falling off a wall. I can remember vividly the fish fries we had with our friends …. 20-25 people eating deep-fried walleyes, all caught in one day by one boat and cooked outside. I think today it would take many days to match this.
Over the years there have been many fish kills – generally in late July or August when the water turns over. Occasionally because of hot weather lake herring would come to the surface. The dead fish would smell for a long time.
Before 1950 there were mostly farms, some summer cabins and the three resorts. In the 1960's there were still the few summer cabins, the farms and three resorts and about 8 or 9 year-round homes. During the 1970's through the 1990's many of the year-round homes were built on Lake Latoka.
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Lake Latoka History
Unknown author and sources
Lake Latoka was named by the Indians of this area and also known as Pretty Lake. Water was always clear, as it is spring fed.
1870's – Land was opened up to settlements in the 1870's. Friendly Indians roamed the land and fished the lake as late as 1890. No logging was done but entire areas of Little Latoka was covered with hardwood trees such as elms, maple, oak, etc. The early settlers first cut the trees to make homes and barns, and then later cleared the area for farming.
1900 – The area of Latoka Bay and Latoka Narrows was claimed by Erik Torve where he built a log home and barn. He cleared the area and farmed until 1926.
1926 – The wealthy Munger family from Texas bought the Latoka Narrows and Little Latoka Bay area for $5,000 getting 160 acres. They were one of the many families that came up from Texas and the southern states. Being very wealthy, they brought their chauffeurs, maids, cooks and either built new homes or added on to the present one. They hired many local people to farm their land and work as yardmen and maids in the home. They lived on Latoka from May to September. The area was known as "Munger Campground" or "Little Norway" from 1926 to 1976.
1926-1929 – The Mungers hauled in tons of large rocks into the lake to make a Bass spawning bed that was successful for many years. In 1928 Mr. Munger unloaded two railroad boxcars of furniture and oriental rugs imported from England for their Lake Latoka home. In winter large blocks of ice were cut from the lake and stored between sawdust in the ice houses for use in the summers, as there was no refrigeration or electricity until the 1940's.
1930-37 – Water was extremely low due to the drought years.
· Sewage was seeping directly into the lake from most lake places until about 1935.
· The lake had beautiful sandy beaches all around in which the children and young people went through pastures and barnyards to get to the lake to swim and fish.
· Fishing off shore was plentiful getting bass, walleye, northern, and large sunfish with bamboo poles and worms.
1940-50 – The few farms let barnyard run off go directly to the lake. Lake accesses were on all open areas of the lake.
1964-65 – The I-94 Interstate bridge and highway was built over little Latoka. The lake under the bridge was filled in to only a small boat passageway.
1983 – Wind storm of 100-125 miles an hour hit the east side of Little Latoka uprooting trees and piling lake bottom debris to heights of six feet in some areas along the shoreline.
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History of Alexandria Fireman's Lodge
Lake Latoka
In 1921 the Relief Association bought seven acres of land with over 400 feet of lakeshore on Lake Latoka for $120 per acre. They later paid $30 for small parcel adjoining this property. The firemen constructed a large cabin now referred to as the "Lodge" and five smaller cabins on the property for the use of the members in lieu of receiving pay for their services as firemen. Today each firefighter and their family stays in one of the four remaining cabins four two weeks between Memorial Day and Labor Day. This is private property owned and maintained by the Alexandria firefighters. In 1985, a wind storm damaged the old lodge and a new one was built in 1988. It is a nice benefit for the volunteer firefighters and their families to enjoy through the years. This attractive property is a landmark on the lake. The Alexandria firefighters graciously allow the Lake Latoka Property Owners Association to use it once per year for their annual picnic.
If you have further history or stories about Fireman's Lodge, please send to firstname.lastname@example.com for inclusion on the website.
Lake Latoka tidbits
Coffee break with Natalie Johnson, Arlue Beheng, and Linda Petty.
Natalie and Art Johnson moved to Alexandria in 1967. There were only 14 homes on the big lake. When someone would have a party, everyone on the lake was invited and they would come by boat. Oh, the good 'ol days!
Another interesting tidbit that many of you probably already know is that the big lake is spring fed and the largest flowing water is approximately 10 ft. wide. This area is near Siffing's and Zakke's property.
Arlue's husband's family traces their property on Lake Latoka from many years back. The property their family owns was first sold to William Hicks in 1867 from the United States of America. Andrew Johnson was the president at the time. (He had been Abe Lincoln's vice-president until Lincoln was assassinated.)
In 1871 Theresa Hicks, wife of William Hicks, became the sole owner, due to her husband's death. In 1886 a portion was sold to Carl Christie. In 1889 Carl Christie sold it to Rasmus Stone for the amount of $1,728.25. Knute Nelson was the notary public at the time.
Mr. Stone sold the property to John H. Ekman in 1902 for the amount of $5,800. John and his wife Anie had nine children. When John died in 1954, the property was divided into 9 lots so that each of their children would have a parcel. This area of land was called "Ekman's Beach". Hannah Peterson and her brother Henry Ekman sold some of the property to Marlo and Arlue Beheng in 1962. (Marlo was their nephew.)
In 1973 Beheng's sold part of their land to Arthur and Natalie Johnson. Natalie currently lives there.
Today there are only a few heirs that have retained ownership of the original nine parcels.
1862 Civil War Diary by Carl Roos
Mike Rajdl has submitted the following history that he has been researching. The information is taken from the 1862 Civil War Diary of a soldier named Carl Roos.
Fri. 19th – From Sauk Centre, the houses all about were abandoned. Bigg
prairie consisting of small hills and small valley bottoms with water [courses],
grass and small lakes which ended in a proper lake, which is said to be 12 miles
long, that we came up to in the evening. Here we found still about several cows
and a pair of yoked oxen, which went about and grazed, and also 2 well-built
empty properties. Passed through woods and arrived at a proper prairie 5 miles
beyond the Alexandria woods whereat before us were camped a company of
the 10th Regiment and a squadron of cavalry. We also camped here overnight.
Sat. 20 – Marched through a young wood of ash, birch and linden for 5 miles.
Rested at a house located between 2 lakes. About in the middle of the woods, the
post office of Alexandria was located but now was mostly deserted. The woods
ended at Lielakevik, which is 14 miles long. Marched further on [out into]
the prairie country and camped by the Little Chippawa Lake (sic). The woods as
well as the prairie are so studded with small lakes.
3 days of beautiful weather.
Sunday 21 – Strange how old age goes together with poverty impacts differently
different nations. If I feel bad or my equipment goes astray, none of my
countrymen concern themselves about it in the least. Shall it be [the fault of]
anyone, so it [is] the Yankees. Perhaps saw proof of it today.
5 miles from our night camp [we] came upon a male headless body murdered by
the Indians. The house however was not burned, but some of the furniture and the
stove were smashed, and the house generally plundered. It appeared that the
murdered [man] ran a good ways from the house but was hit by a bullet. Also, he
was plundered of the most distinguished of the clothing [he was wearing]. He was
buried by the cavalry.
The whole day we marched out upon a prairie between 18 and 20 miles [in size]
sprinkled with small lakes and easterly of our path a larger lake. Camped for the
night by Pommederi. Our scouts ran across near the place, which was east of where the murdered man was found, an abandoned [Indian] night camp whereat they took a wagon, a pair of oxen and some other livestock and different effects, which the Indians here and
there ran away from in the morning. From fright, one of the campaigners shot off
a rifle salvo "in order to clean his gun".
In the evening after arriving at our camp place by Pomme de Terre some Indians
were observed who called to us from a distant hill.
(Illegible) lies between 2 small lakes and a grove of trees and has a pleasant
Mon. 22 Sept. – Broke up today very early and continued to march at the same
prairie as the previous 2 days. Crossed Ston (sic) Creek. Saw this day between .
40 to 50 Indians on horse on our flanks. Yet not all with the naked eye could be
Arrived at the Ottertail River which we must ford. The water reached up
almost to our waists. The station here with other buildings was quite recently
burned down by the Indians. Here also was the exchange for the post stage and
the men, [women] and children had been killed (sic) except [for] one woman,
[who although] injured had escaped and had then afterwards on hands and knees
crept 17 miles towards Abercrombie [and] was still alive when she was found,
which sounds somewhat unbelievable.
The [dead] had been buried by (illegible, possibly "the surviving") whites, but
most of the Red men (illegible) and dismembered.
A red flag was found here swinging in the wind on a small pole. It appears that
this (illegible) for the civilized use, as telling us as that we had to expect [to find]
a bloody head, otherwise [it] means (illegible) the flag of insurrection.
Camped here for the night (illegible – possibly "stood") there at on picket guard
[for the night].
To read the rest of the diary, click here: http://www.mnhs.org/library/findaids/m0273/Roos_Diary.pdf

subset: commoncrawl


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Meet Pasu! She is so much fun and she has the goofiest ears too! Pasu is a brindle dog with a heart of gold! She can't wait to meet you! See her at GAIN today!
MEET PASU: GAIN'S DOG OF THE WEEK
by Irish Olivares | Mar 4, 2013 | Announcements | 0 comments


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School Clubs
Clubs Details
It is important for children to have school clubs to attend that will help them find and discover their interests and talents. Clubs also help to broaden children's thinking and give opportunities for informal fun learning that sometimes the classroom cannot facilitate.
Clubs Information Feed
Our clubs details..
Address Information
Contact us using the information below either by post, phone or by email, whichever you find more convenient.
Contact Us Using the Following Details
Burton Pidsea Primary School
Church Street,
Burton Pidsea,
East Riding of Yorkshire.
School Office number: 01964 670518
Email: email@example.com
Admin Contact Name: Mrs L. Parsons
Contact Us
Use the form below to tell us what you like about our website and what else you would like to see.
Website Message
Hi everyone. We hope that you all have a fantastic time looking through this website and that it more than serves your needs in answering questions about our school and its facilities. If you want to send us some feedback why not use the online form above? It would be great to hear from you. There will be lots more materials added here over time so please come back regularly to see what's new or, even better, follow us on social media. That way you won't miss a thing. Enjoy. 🙂
High Contrast Menu


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Step 1 ⇒ Prepare Your Computer
This video offers an option to set up your filing system. We recommend keeping client's personal information (Name, Address & Contact Info) exclusively on your local machine and not in the Portal. Details used in the Portal are minimal, secure and should reference locally stored private data.
Step 2 ⇒ Capturing Quality Voice Recordings
GIGO: Garbage in, garbage out.
The microphone is the most variable and critical link between the voice and your final results.
This video shows you how to capture the best possible voice sample.
Step 3 ⇒ Preparing Voice Files for Upload
Use Audacity® a free audio recording and editing program to create audio files for Portal upload.
During every recording session, capture enough audio to produce two (2) 30 second voice files:
- Mundane: The person talks about anything that comes to mind.
- Health: The person speaks specifically about their symptoms or health complaints.
"Client" Page Functions
These Videos give an overview of what is available on the landing page and what you can do.
When logging in, you land on the "Client" page showing your list of client folders.
"Evaluations" Page Functions
Overview of what is available on the Evaluations page and what you can do.
All of your evaluations are listed on this page.
Step 4 ⇒ Creating a Client Folder
This video shows the simple step-by-step process of creating a new Client folder.
Client Folder Functions
This video shows the functions available to you in the client's folder.
Within the client's folder are three Tabs: "Voice Files", "Evaluations", and "Info".
Client's "Voice Files" Tab Functions
This video shows the functions available on the "Voice Files" tab.
Client's "Evaluations" & "Info" Tabs
This video shows the functions available on the "Evaluations" and "Info" tabs.
Step 5 ⇒ Uploading Voice Files
This video shows the simple step-by-step process of uploading voice files.
Step 6 ⇒ Creating Evaluations
This video shows the simple step-by-step process of creating evaluations.
Evaluation Functions (Part 1)
This video shows a portion of the many features used during evaluations including:
- Selecting a Template and Pulling Points
- "Wave" Tab manipulation
- "GNS" Tab details
Evaluation Functions (Part 2)
This video shows features used during evaluations on the Frequency Hits ("Freq Hits") Tab.
Step 7 ⇒ Creating Reports
This video shows how to export client reports for storage in your local machine.


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Paediatric Neurology and Neurodisability at the Great North Children's Hospital:
Reasons why it's Great!
- Great training opportunities! Paediatric EEG meeting, neuroradiology meeting, weekly educational meeting, weekly Grand Round and lots of opportunities for ward and clinic experience, attracting great GRID trainees to keep us on our toes. We encourage ERASMUS students, vacation students and student selected component (SSC) students to come and join us.
- Great vision! The paediatric neurology and neurodisability team is growing – we are building capacity for better access to neurological services and making available the very latest treatments and clinical trials for children in the North East of England.
- Great leadership! Paediatric neurologists at GNCH run nationally commissioned services for neuromuscular disease and mitochondrial disorders, represent paediatric neurology and neurodisability on national Commissioning Reference Groups (Neurology and Metabolic) and maintain a highly prominent profile within the British Paediatric Neurology Association.
- Great care! Ward 1B has a team of highly skilled nurses, therapists and doctors dedicated to the care and inpatient management of children with neurological conditions.
- Great environment! Ward 1B is a state-of-the-art modern ward with 9 cubicles and a 4 bedded bay area equipped with dedicated videotelemetry facilities, sensory room and a rehab robot!
- Great cross-speciality working! Colleagues in general and specialty paediatrics provide excellent support and there are especially close links with paediatric intensive care, immunology, neuro-oncology and neurosurgery as well as with adult neurology services
- Great networks! Northern Neurodisability Network; PENNEC (for epilepsy) – come to our meetings and see!
And finally…..Great Postcode! The Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle upon Tyne is to our knowledge the only hospital in the world to have a neurological postcode #NE1 4LP
Great research opportunities! Check out what we are up to through the following links
Head Injury rehabilitation research
Training in our region
Subspecialty Grid training centre
Special Interest (SPIN) training centre
For more information on the team see our GNCH web page: http://www.newcastle-hospitals.org.uk/services/childrens_meet-the-team.aspx
British Paediatric Neurology Association (BPNA) website for more information about UK paediatric neurology


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Chelsea FC re-opens megastore at stadium
Friendly to fans and emotional: Schwitzke develops and builds a new concept
Chelsea FC re-opened its flagship megastore at Stamford Bridge stadium. Schwitzke developed a branding and retail concept with lots of flair for the Premier League champions and re-built the 900 square meter fans' shop in an 8 week-period between the seasons. The implementation of the project within this extremely short period was successful thanks to the interaction of the various companies of the Schwitzke group - from the design development (Schwitzke & Partner), to in-store communication (Schwitzke ID) to turnkey removal (Schwitzke Project), the traditional club received full service. A better presentation of goods for increasing the turnover with stronger emotionalisation of the entire visual appearance is the backbone of the new retail concept. A visit to the store will quickly become an adventure tour; the lively showcased football world will appeal to the emotions of the fans and their love for their club.


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Romain Jerome Creates Watches From Pieces of the Titanic
References: romainjerome.ch & cnn
Ever wanted to own a piece of history? Well, now's your chance, providing you "sink" enough money into the venture. Just when we thought we thought the whole Titanic craze had finally died down (saving us from further repeated listening to that awful Celine Dion song), upstart watch-maker Romain Jerome has decided to unveil a line of watches that contain elements recovered from the the hull of the famous wreck. Several of the nine models in the debut collection are forged with steel from the Titanic's hull, and most models in the ultra high-end collection also include dials painted with coal from the luxury-liner, which sank in 1912. Romain Jerome has gone even further than most manufacturers might by artificially rusting the cases of several models to give them an aged look. Prices for the limited edition pieces will range from $7,800 to well over $150,000.


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Charles Oliver Nutter has been programming most of his life, as a Java
developer for the past decade and as a JRuby developer for over four
years. He co-leads the JRuby project, an effort to bring the beauty of
Ruby and the power of the JVM together. Charles believes in open
source and open standards and hopes his efforts on JRuby and other
languages will ensure the JVM remains the preferred open-source
managed runtime for many years to come. Charles blogs at blog.headius.com and tweets as headius on Twitter.
For information on exhibition and sponsorship opportunities at the conference, contact Sharon Cordesse at email@example.com
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iQoncept - Fotolia
FinancialForce ERP brings global consulting projects into sharper focus
OpenSymmetry says cloud-based financials and professional services automation help it deliver projects more efficiently and profitably.
Before adopting cloud financials, OpenSymmetry, a global firm that helps companies deploy the latest sales performance management software, had a siloed, partly manual accounting system with poor visibility into the consulting projects that are its bread and butter.
"We had somewhere between five or 10 different sets of QuickBooks files, each on different servers," said Jon Gingell, vice president of shared services at the company, which is based in Austin, Texas. "Getting the full picture of what was going on globally was very difficult. There was no integration between any of them."
But as a heavy user of Saleforce.com CRM, the company knew the value of software as a service (SaaS). So OpenSymmetry deployed FinancialForce ERP, an integrated suite of business applications that runs on the Salesforce1 platform. The vendor, San Francisco-based FinancialForce.com, is part-owned by Salesforce.com and UNIT4, a cloud ERP maker based in the Netherlands.
The professional services automation (PSA) module in FinancialForce ERP has proved crucial in integrating global operations for the nearly 200 people in seven offices in the U.S., U.K., Asia and Africa who help companies optimize their variable-pay processes. OpenSymmetry is also an implementation partner for vendors of sales performance management software, including Callidus Software, IBM and Xactly.
It previously used OpenAir, a PSA tool from NetSuite, a maker of cloud ERP software based in San Mateo, Calif. "Everyone around the world would put their time and expense entirely into that system, but then we would have to split that out into feeds into each of the appropriate QuickBooks," Gingell said. "It was still a very manual process. Everything took a very long time."
Swapping NetSuite for the FinancialForce PSA has allowed OpenSymmetry to link both ends of its workflow. "All of our consultants output their time and expenses for that project right into the same system that the sale came from," he said. "The visibility we have now is millions of times better."
Financials first
Having a comprehensive view into projects also helps to allocate labor more efficiently. "The management staff has been able to uncover additional delivery capability," said Chuck Albright, the company's director of professional services. For example, an employee who was only working part-time on a project could be assigned to two others until the first one ramped up fully.
FinancialForce ERP has also shortened the monthly financial close to within 10 days, down from nearly a month. The accounting transition was "quite straightforward," Gingell said. "We pretty much turned it on at the beginning of a financial year, so we started with an empty set of books and seeded it with the balancing values for each of the accounts. We didn't bring any history on."
Other financial processes, including accounts receivable and invoicing, are also streamlined. "We're able to send [our clients] an invoice much more quickly now, and the level of detail's very good on it," Albright said. "That used to be a much more labor-intensive activity." Clients have told him the quality of invoices is higher, and there's less churn.
This past summer, the company added SaaS vendor Anaplan for forecasting and budgeting. "Our controller basically runs any information he wants in FinancialForce reports, and then downloads that, and then imports it into Anaplan," Albright said, adding that he expects automated integration with FinancialForce ERP to come "a little further down the line."
The company lacks a true human capital management (HCM) system, relying instead on spreadsheets and a secure drive for documents, but was planning to deploy the FinancialForce HCM module. Albright expects it to help with vacation planning, succession planning and employee development.
Lessons from a smooth deployment
As a technology consulting company, OpenSymmetry had an advantage going in. "We've worked with CRM systems and PSA systems for our clients, so we already had a core understanding of how everything works," Gingell said. "We were actually able to do some of it ourselves."
Videos and other content on the FinancialForce Web community, along with on-site help from implementation partner NTT Centerstance, went a long way toward getting users trained, according to Albright. "We had kind of a combination of formal training, on-site knowledge sharing and then roll your own with the website," he said. Much of the training focused on the accounting staff, who were either new to the company or used to working the old way.
While the new software has worked well, OpenSymmetry has asked FinancialForce for improvements, such as the ability to offer different credit terms for each project managed for an individual client, rather than having uniform terms.
In retrospect, Albright wishes they had had a better security plan in place before adding on to Salesforce. The problem comes when user permissions that made sense in the beginning -- making everyone an administrator, for example -- aren't suited to modules like HCM that contain sensitive information. It can be hard to fix. Gingell recommends setting up permissions in a more structured way.
"You wouldn't have quite so many panicky moments where you suddenly realize, the whole world can see that," he said. "I think all the tools are there. It's stock Salesforce functionality, really. If you can lock it down ahead of time but keep the core CRM functionality operational for the sales guys, that will help."
Forcefully into the future
Albright said OpenSymmetry achieved 40% top-line growth this year while using FinancialForce ERP to keep back-office costs flat.
Next on the agenda: Salesforce and FinancialForce upgrades. Despite SaaS's reputation for automatic upgrades, the process is hardly a no-brainer. "We don't have a ton of customizations, but we do have to go through the process to see if anything needs to be tweaked," Albright said. "We have some custom [fields] that we put into Salesforce." He said the process should be pretty straightforward because the upgrades can be tested in cloud "sandboxes," and the FinancialForce tool, Click Link, automates much of the data mapping.
Cloud ERP: Game over?
OpenSymmetry's Chuck Albright sees cloud applications as enablers of the company's growth. It has recently built on its sales compensation expertise to add practices in HCM and corporate performance management and will use the FinancialForce platform for those practices, and helping clients with their own FinancialForce deployments.
As a veteran of on-premises JD Edwards, PeopleSoft and SAP ERP projects, Albright has perspective on the cloud debate.
"The Force platform, to me, seems to be very well architected," he said. "I've done a fair amount of SaaS implementations and used a lot of products across various vendors, and some of them started out as on premise and then moved to SaaS, and those are usually kind of ugly because there's a totally different architecture to them."
The Force.com applications provide performance, flexibility and graphical user interfaces that are working well for the company. Unlike the on-premises software he's worked with, "I don't see a lot of glitches and a lot of pain," Albright said.
Getting data out of older systems and providing integrated functionality is much harder than with SaaS. "The SAP data model is very complex," Albright said. "The transportability of data with the newer ERP systems and cloud-based technologies is actually easier."
For example, integrating SAP sales data with a third-party financial package "would be a fairly ugly process -- to unbundle that data out of the financial side." He was involved in a project that required integrating Callidus Software sales tools with SAP. "It was fairly complex. We realized as we were testing that we were picking the HR data at the wrong time, and it was throwing off our numbers. Getting into the ERP package was fairly complex, to get the data out properly.
"That's improved by the cloud-based technology because they have a conscious thought that you're going to be bringing data and in and out of these environments, and they've built better gateways for that."
--David Essex
Albright has his eye on the Salesforce Wave cloud analytics he saw introduced at this year's Dreamforce conference. "Our president has a saying: 'Run the company by the numbers.' Being able to slice and dice the numbers whatever way that we choose is something I'm looking forward to seeing."
The company has already started using the improved visibility from FinancialForce ERP to analyze the profitability of projects and subprojects, using reporting and analytics modules built in-house. "We've moved to where we do more 'sprints,'" Albright said. "Each one of those is a chunk of functionality that's basically a full lifecycle of a project. Any analytics would help us see where we can squeeze any more performance or delivery capability out of our current staff."
Next Steps
Read another FinancialForce case study
See a guide to SaaS financials
Understand the risks of cloud financial software


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Filing Nails
Nail milling is done with tools that are used to make filings in nail beauty treatments, as manicure or pedicure and reconstruction.
The "handle" of the milling cutter has the form of a large pen and is powered by a micromotor that has different power and speed, depending on the needs. Usually drills ranging goes from 22,000 to 30,000 rpm (the higher is the speed, the greater will be the power of the drill). The cutter must be made of special materials, as paper, carbon, diamond or of other metal alloys.
To the cutter can be alternatively applied different kind of "brushes", using a special door-tips swabs and a sort of sandpaper cards that grit different depending on the treatment that you have to take (slight grain, fine, medium, coarse). The cutter is used to make the treatment faster and easier and its use is recommended, in order to have beautiful and stylish nails.
The main fields of application of nail cutter are: - filing the nails made of gel or acrylic and "refill"(nail reconstruction) - Trimming the nail shape (both natural and reconstructed) - Shortening the length of the nail - Finishing the "C curve"nail.


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The Allegheny Valley Commuter Rail, a proposed commuter line serving the Pittsburgh region, faces another hurdle today. Allegheny Valley Railroad, a freight company which has made their rail corridor available for development into a commuter service, and Buncher Co., a real estate developer, will go before the Surface Transportation Board (STB) in Washington D.C. At stake is whether AVR owns an easement on property that Buncher holds. The easement is located in the Strip District neighborhood east of downtown and would be necessary for bringing trains into downtown stations.
AVR claims to hold a deed from 1995, conveying the easement to them, while Buncher denies that any easement exists.
According to Russell Peterson, CEO of AVR, if the STB rules in favor of Buncher, then the rail service will stop short of downtown, at 21st Street. This would put the success and feasibility of the commuter service in jeopardy. If the board rules in favor of AVR, Peterson believes Buncher will likely appeal to a higher court, entering a process that could take years.
Peterson does not, however, think this decision is a make-or-break situation for commuter rail. "It might limit our options," he says, "but it does not close the door."
"Even if Buncher prevails in appeals," Peterson says, "It doesn't mean there are not other ways to resolve the issue."
If AVR does eventually prevail in the hearing, the commuter service would still be many years away from breaking ground. According to Peterson, U.S. Representative Jason Altmire (a strong supporter of the service) has environmental impact study funding already in place. A study would be the next step in the process.
Peterson says AVR would likely sell their tracks to a publicprivate entity which would then develop the corridor and commuter stations. Peterson believes there would be at least half a billion dollars worth of development.
–Andrew Moore


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Handbook of Nonwovens
1st Edition
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Table of Contents
Development of the nonwovens industry; Dry-laid web formation; Wet-laid formation; Polymer-laid web formation; Mechanical bonding; Thermal bonding; Chemical bonding; Chemical and mechanical finishing; Characterisation, testing and modelling of nonwoven fabrics.
Nonwovens are a unique class of textile material formed from fibres that are bonded together through various means to form a coherent structure. Given their rapid industrial development and diverse markets, understanding and developing nonwovens is becoming increasingly important. With its distinguished editor and array of international contributors, the Handbook of nonwovens, offers a comprehensive review of the latest advances in this area and how they can be applied to particular products.
Initial chapters review the development of the industry and the different classes of nonwoven material. The book then discusses methods of manufacture such as dry-laid, wet-laid and polymer-laid web formation. Other techniques analysed include mechanical, thermal and chemical bonding as well as chemical and mechanical finishing systems. The book concludes by assessing the characterisation, testing and modelling of nonwoven materials.
Handbook of nonwovens is a valuable reference for those involved in the manufacturing and use of nonwoven products in such areas as; transport, medicine, hygiene and various branches of engineering.
Key Features
- Provides a comprehensive review of the latest advances in this important area
- Written by leading experts in the field
- Discusses different methods of manufacture, bonding and finishing
Those involved in the manufacturing and use of nonwoven products in such areas as: transport, medicine, hygiene and various branches of engineering
- No. of pages:
- 544
- Language:
- English
- Copyright:
- © Woodhead Publishing 2007
- Published:
- 22nd December 2006
- Imprint:
- Woodhead Publishing
- Hardcover ISBN:
- 9781855736030
- eBook ISBN:
- 9781845691998
Ratings and Reviews
About the Authors
S. Russell Author
Dr Stephen Russell is a Senior Lecturer in the Centre for Technical Textiles, University of Leeds and the Director of the Nonwovens Research Group (NRG), UK.
Affiliations and Expertise
University of Leeds, UK


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Karen with Concert Crap chats with Street Dogs at the July 9 date of Vans Warped Tour at the Xfinity Theatre in Hartford, CT. Lenny, Mike and Matt speak about their time on the tour, places they wouldn't get tattoos, and more.
Post and interview by Karen Shalev
What are your thoughts on Barb Wire Dolls? Comment below!
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Photo copyrights © Ricky Zehavi
You can call our Holiday Windows a study in maximalism. Called The BG Follies of 2012, this year's Holiday Windows windows were inspired by entertainments such as the Ziegfeld Follies, Vaudeville revues and Busby Berkeley's Hollywood musicals of the 1930s. They're a miniature revival of classic Art Deco style, touching upon the fantasy shows of the time — the solo act, the duo, group performance, novelty act (starring daredevil dogs) and more.
There's our black and white homage to Marilyn Monroe in Billy Wilder's Some Like It Hot (complete with silver ukulele) featuring a bird's eye view of fashion from Marc Jacobs, 3.1 Phillip and Elie Saab (among others) in Act I: By Request. Most impressive in this Act is its bird's eye perspective onto the scene — it's a trick beloved in the display world and is one our visual team enjoys sharing with its Fifth Avenue audience.
Called Naughty and Nice, Act II is a tribute to burlesque performer Sally Rand, inventor of the risque fan dance. Entirely white, the solo act exemplifies our visual team's obsessive artistry: it's covered in thousands (if not millions) of white feathers. The feathers are used as a mosaic and was constructed feather by feather. Every year our windows feature an antique collection of sorts (you may recall the twisting stairs from the Alice in Wonderland windows from a few years ago) and Act III showcases a collection of mid-century miniature American mannequins once used for display and merchandising, as well as for sewing practice. David spends months (if not years) building up these collections until the time is right, and this was the year to debut his miniature mannequins as 1920s Ziegfeld Follies girls on fifteen miniature stage reproductions made from replica 18th-Century wood moulding inA Cast of a Thousands.
Act IV, our Daredevil Act, is Fifth Avenue's novelty act featuring a runway look from Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen's Spring 2013 runway collection. As David said, every show needs a novelty act, and ours highlights 24 plaster dogs performing every trick under the sun. Our windows are a practice in making the impossible possible — in twisting complexities to new levels by using old-world craftsmanship and artistry. Every surface of Act IV is covered in gold and silver leaf. While many Holiday Windows feature moving objects and contraptions, ours rarely are seen in motion. For our Finale, Act V is the result of an idea brewing over the past year: a giant mirrored, rotating kaleidoscope. Prototypes were sketched and developed until the team discovered that beveled mirrors moving in both clockwise and counterclockwise movement created the best result. Approximately 1,000 individually beveled mirrors were used to create this kaleidoscope set into motion by 7 separate rotating motors. The effect should be dizzying, psychedelic… an homage to Busby Berkeley's overhead kaleidoscopic camera shot seen in Footlight Parade. To complement the mirrored effect in this duo act are two custom-created gowns from Naeem Khan. Every year Naeem works with our visual team to dream up a dress for our Holiday Windows and this year's creations dance in a way that mimics Berkeley's famous waterfall number.begin slideshow


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HeatPaxx - Germany's hottest brand
Since the year 2005, HeatPaxx is Germany's leading expert when it comes to warmers. We produce for you amazing
Toe Warmer, Body Warmer, Hand Warmer and Foot Warmer.
We welcome you to use this site to get to know us and our products a little better and to get in contact with us. Please either follow the hyperlink to the Shop or the B2B section to order your HeatPaxx products now.
The HeatPaxx Quality
We can look back on a long history of manufacturing warmers and the presence of our engineers at every production cycle ensures our high quality standards. This is what makes our HeatPaxx warmers so very special in comparison to other warmers available in this region of the world. We invite you to test us and our products - and we are looking forward to your feedback.
HeatPaxx products in stores and ecommerce
You can find HeatPaxx warmers in sports- and outdoor shops, hardware shops, pharmacies and many other shops throughout Europe. You can also find HeatPaxx on many ecommerce platforms such as Amazon, Ebay and many others. Your favourite shop around the corner does not have HeatPaxx warmers yet? Please invite them to contact us and we will arrange everything else for you.
HeatPaxx products for wholesaler, retailer and advertising agencies
We work hard to provide you the best prices and the best service in a very friendly and reliable way. Please contact us in the B2B section and join the HeatPaxx community today.
We wish you comfortable warmth - always and everywhere you go,
Jens Höltje and Dr.-Ing. Christian König
CEOs of the HeatPaxx OHG


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Federal Employee Defense Services
Federal Employee Defense Services (FEDS) provides federal employee professional liability insurance to the entire federal employee community. The potential liabilities and vulnerabilities that exist for all federal law enforcement officers are very similar. For instance, PLI becomes necessary when an agent is sued personally for a job-related action (i.e., Bivens action); becomes involved in a misconduct or administrative matter/investigation for a job-related action or a judicial proceeding; or is the subject of a criminal investigation for a job-related action. For more information about your professional and personal liability exposures, choose the link below that best represents your position or agency:
- 1811's & Special Agents
- Law Enforcement Officers with BEP, DHS (ICE, CBP), DIA, FBI, NIH, USFS, USPS, USCP, Uniformed Division of Secret Service, Border Patrol, Forest Service, FWS, Federal Protective Service, VA and other federal agencies
- Probation & Pretrial Officers
- Bureau of Prisons Officials
- TSA Employees
- Federal Flight Deck Officers
You can also view FEDS 7-minute PLI webinar. This brief webinar features FEDS President, Anthony Vergnetti, explains what FEDS' professional liability insurance policy provides and how it protects federal agents and officers against professional and financial exposures.
FEDS is recommended and endorsed by the leading law enforcement associations. To compare FEDS to other PLI carriers, read Is There a Difference?
"I have been representing federal employees and officials for over 18 years. The past 10 years of my practice has been spent with a focus on defending federal law enforcement officers and employees in various investigations, disciplinary proceedings, and at DOJ's request in Bivens suits. The work of federal law enforcement took a sharp and marked turn post-9/11 into the realm of our national security. No doubt federal law enforcement activities pre-9/11 were complicated, dangerous and subject to all forms of scrutiny. The post-9/11 landscape has taken the work and scrutiny of federal law enforcement to a whole new place, making it unlikely anymore to complete a career in law enforcement without having to answer to an allegation of wrongdoing. While the type of allegation may vary from your use of the GOV, loss of a weapon, treatment of a witness or source, information on a travel voucher, to something as serious as your handling of a law enforcement operation, what remains constant is the new post-9/11 level of scrutiny you will be subject to by your agency when the allegation surfaces. I have seen first-hand in my representation of hundreds of law enforcement officials how having experienced, tenacious and objective legal counsel has saved a career even in cases of what you think is a "minor" matter. Having objective and experienced legal counsel to deal with federal matters is simply cost prohibitive. It's remarkable to be able to purchase through an insurance policy that kind of protection as well as the protection for payments of personal judgments if you are sued. If you are engaged in any law enforcement or homeland security function, you have to ask yourself if you are willing to gamble your life savings when you can so readily purchase an affordable safety net."
--Debra L. Roth, Partner, Shaw Bransford & Roth P.C.


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Save Your Spot at BayCare Laboratories - Check In Online
Life is busy, and we know you don't have time to wait in line. That's why we're introducing Save Your Spot at many of our BayCare Laboratory locations. Just choose the location and time you'd like to come in and we'll send you a text message when it's time to show up. We'll be adding new locations to Save Your Spot, so be sure to check back to see where else you can make an online reservation for your lab work.
Looking for another BayCare Laboratory? See all of the BayCare Laboratory locations here.
Get started and Save Your Spot!
Don't Wait, Save Time.
Get in Line at BayCare Laboratory.
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orUse Current Location


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FANUC America offers its experienced team to help solve the most complex automation challenges for any size business.
FANUC has experience working with aerospace manufacturers and suppliers to automate their processes while ensuring the highest levels of quality and safety. We understand what is riding on each and every aircraft that takes off and we are proud to be a part of making that happen.
We'll help you find the right FANUC products to help fit your aerospace manufacturing needs.
Contact a FANUC sales representative today.
Contact Us
As the global aerospace and defense (A&D) industry experiences continued growth, more manufacturers are looking to robotic automation to meet production goals for increased precision, higher throughput and profitability. FANUC America and our authorized system integrators provide automation solutions for aerospace manufacturing that reduce the cost of materials and labor, remove workers from difficult and hazardous environments, increase the quality and throughput of products, and enable manufacturing of complex assemblies.
At FANUC America, we put "Service First." We're here to service your FANUC product 24/7.
We offer a wide range of automation training courses designed to fit your busy schedule.


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- Online Games
- Puzzle Games
- Earthbound
Related Games - continue your journey on Abroy.com with one of these games!
Download the free Flash Player. now!
Earthbound - Not something too innovative but good way to spend next 10 minutes of you life! I enjoy Puzzle Games and I like Stake Your Claim game. Hope you will do the same!


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Type a word or phrase in the search field below. If you are unable to find the information
you are looking for, please contact us.
Water waste violations include waste caused by equipment (e.g. sprinklers, A/C leaks, broken or leaking lines) malfunctions. Malfunction must be repaired or the flow turned off within 48 hours of the notification. Notifications will include a door hanger and an alert flag placed at or near the site of the malfunction. If a malfunction continues after the 48 hour notification expires a violation will be issued for non-repair. Malfunctions are documented on video. If you would like to obtain the video or wish to contact an inspector please complete the information on the form below.
If you have difficulties with this form or wish to speak to someone directly, please call the Water Waste Hotline at 842-9287 (option 5) or email us at email@example.com
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My guy is going gray. Is there an easy-to-use dye that I can buy for him? How should I pick one?
Salt-and-pepper strands can be sexy, but if you think your man would prefer his original color, pick up a hair-color kit for men. Choose a hue one or two shades lighter than his natural color (they always come out darker than you think they will), says Justin DePasquale, salon director at DePasquale The Spa in Morris Plains, New Jersey. An ammonia-free formula will give a more natural, blended look. Some great choices: L'Oréal Color Spa Moisture Actif for Men, $6.49, and Maxim Magazine Haircolor, $10. These kits work in 15 minutes, and the color lasts about six weeks.


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In today's day and age, the computer consultant is a field of ever-growing influence in the business world. The first thing a company needs to realize is that as a norm, this field of expertise is filled with people whose age is younger than most in the work force. Other names this type of consultant can be called are IT, Information Technology, technology, along with business and technology consulting.
Unlike other fields of expertise, the computer consultant is one that a person can start training on at a very young age. It is not uncommon for an IT expert to be in their early 20s. Many children start off with a computer or being exposed to one at or before the age of 5. This has become very common since the explosion of the internet back in the early 1990s.
Today, 20-year olds with 15 years experience on computers are not uncommon to find. Many of them have spent countless hours being curious on how a computer works and why. This is the leading reason so many graphic artists and computer programmers are so young and experienced. They have learned their trade from experience that came from the desire to acquire knowledge, and just plain curiosity.
The business world employs the computer consultant to assist them when there is a digital issue they cannot overcome themselves. This can be for a simple issue as loading a piece of software onto a set of computers, or as complex as building a private network for the company.
In some cases, businesses know of an independent computer consultant that they keep on retainer for an emergency situation. Since most business systems are now reliant on a computer and the software that runs them, they have become an integral part of conducting business in the modern era.
If you company is in need of a computer consultant, look at their experience and not their age. In many cases, the younger ones are the best in the IT business.


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New York City
When did you start getting engaged in photography? Did you start working intuitively or did you visit photography classes?
I started to get into photography when I was around 12. My first camera was a Canon Rebel so I shot a lot of imitation work, trying to find my niche. It wasn't until much later that I took my first digital photography class at the Parsons Academy of Design. But, for the most part, I started working intuitively and I then started to develop my own original work.
To you, what's the most fun thing about photography? On the other side, are there things you struggle with?
I really enjoy photographing people on the street, so I love the interactive aspect of photography because I often approach strangers and get to meet new people. That being said, I also value concept in my work so I always try and create something with a significant meaning. Developing work that can really invoke change in the way people view the world is probably the most important principle that I value. However, I often struggle with the question of what it means to be a photographer in a day and age where trillions of photos are being uploaded every day. In other words, how do you make a photograph that is 'art'?
Your latest series consists of portraits in black and white as recreations of Richard Avedon's photograph of a Blackjack dealer. What inspired you about Avedon's work?
When I made this series, I was really interested in individuality and identity. Aesthetically, Avedon's work was very attractive to me. The rich grey tones that he was able to produce using a large format camera, and the clean white backdrop that he employed worked harmoniously to create a beautiful image. However, conceptually I interpreted his work as being largely about identity and individuals. How the stark physical differences between the people of the American West represented the emotional realities between each subject. That's what really stuck out to me and I sought to recreate that feeling and to cultivate a culture of difference through my work.
For you, is the learning process in photography a steady one?
I think the fact that I love it so much makes exploring photography as an artistic medium easy for me. However, learning about art as a whole is difficult for me - as I think it is for any contemporary artist. Sometimes I struggle with creating concepts but usually when I have a stroke of creative genius, it comes naturally and is not forced.
Do you ever find it difficult to describe your thoughts behind images you took?
Not at all, because for me, it tends to be the reverse. I portray my thoughts through my images by first developing a concept, and then translating that into an aesthetic creation. However, sometimes, I will be working on a project that doesn't really come from any particular concept and it turns out to be very interesting when I see the connections that form between various pieces as I progress.
Which techniques interest you currently?
I love working with VHS cameras for cinema and for different digital glitch effects. This summer I will be exploring experimental film at the San Francisco Art Institute so I am really looking forward to that. I also am currently exploring a lot of different analogue techniques and am starting to work with different film formats like 4x5 and large format cameras. I find that nowadays, conceptual art is the most effective and most original medium to work with because it is often a very unique lens into society. One of my favourite artists is Hank Willis Thomas who illustrates contemporary issues in American race-relations and gender roles in our society through his work.
What's it like to live in New York City, especially from the perspective of a young aspiring photographer?
I honestly couldn't imagine living anywhere else. New York City is also such central place in terms of the current young creative movement. I take advantage of the wonderful art schools including Parsons and ICP. Street photography became one of my main interests largely because of living in NYC and my fascination with strangers and other people.
What are your plans for Summer 2015?
This summer I am going to the San Francisco Art Institute pre college program and I will be studying Black and White Photography and Experimental film. I will then be working in NYC as a photo editor for Musée Magazine and I will also be interning at a wonderful studio space in Brooklyn, Holyrad Studio.
Where would you like to see yourself in 10 years?
Creative director for a political campaign. Art director for The Fader Magazine. Or Photo Editor for Vice Magazine. I really want to continue to work in photography but I want to explore where creativity is applied in various industries including politics, advertising, and publishing media.


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John McIntyre, whom James Wolcott calls "the Dave Brubeck of the art and craft of copy editing," writes on language, editing, journalism, and other manifestations of human frailty. Comments welcome. Identifying his errors relieves him of the burden of omniscience. Write to email@example.com, befriend at Facebook, or follow at Twitter: @johnemcintyre. Back 2009-2012 at the original site, http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/mcintyre/blog/ and now at www.baltimoresun.com/news/language-blog/.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Manners maketh man
11 comments:
- AnonymousMarch 16, 2010 at 9:10 AM
I have wondered for years if it might have been a anti-Jewish thing to some small or large extent?ReplyDelete
I guess for me it comes down to a question of WHY would you wear a hat indoors, in the first place, courtroom or not?ReplyDelete
A hat is intended to protect one's head from the elements, or from things falling from above. Neither of those situations presents itself indoors.
- justinianscodeMarch 16, 2010 at 12:00 PM
I'm a trial court judge, and I definitely notice what people choose to wear in my courtroom (and whether they remember to remove their hats). I also understand that many of them have never learned the proper social conventions when it comes to appearing in formal proceedings, so I try to gently instruct those who may have missed the mark; it's a learning opportunity of sorts. Some clothing choices, though, are beyond my comprehension.ReplyDelete
One instance comes to mind. A gentleman on felony probation showed up for a hearing to review his progress. Those who do well continue with their probation, those not doing well may find themselves remanded to custody. This man appeared for his review wearing a T shirt with the words "If I wanted your opinion I'd give it to you" printed across the front. After conducting his hearing, I gently pointed out to him that he might want to choose a different shirt when he next appeared in front of a judge. To his credit, he agreed with me.
- Virginia MerchánMarch 16, 2010 at 2:16 PM
Chapeau! :)ReplyDelete
I like the analogy. Think I'll use it in my English class. If you don't mind, that is.ReplyDelete
- Jim SweeneyMarch 17, 2010 at 8:47 AM
One time when I was called for jury duty I started observing what others wore. Most people dressed up. (I wore a jacket and tie.) One guy wore jeans, a flannel shirt and a "Question Authority" button. He didn't get picked for the jury. Every time they called a juror number, a woman in the back row loudly asked the woman next to her, "what number was that?" Don't know if she was really hard of hearing, but she didn't get picked either.ReplyDelete
@Steve HallReplyDelete
One might say the same of all clothing. Yet we do not strip to the skin as soon as we step indoors (depending on what sort of party it is). Clothing, and its absnce, has both a practical and a symbolic function.
"If you are male and Jewish and Orthodox, you follow a completely different set of customs about headgear."ReplyDelete
Or Quaker.
'One guy wore jeans, a flannel shirt and a "Question Authority" button. He didn't get picked for the jury.'ReplyDelete
In the past I've managed to rely on being a lawyer, but just in case I'll have to remember that one next time I get called up for jury duty.
- AnonymousMay 21, 2010 at 1:50 PM
When appearing in front of a judge should you have your hands in front or back holding then together?? Would anyone have an idea?ReplyDelete
- AnonymousNovember 11, 2010 at 2:37 PM
Aren't manners and etiquette just another manifestation of the "baa baa" mentality? Take off your hat in this courtroom! Show some respect for the Law! No backtalk! Shut up! Why are we so motivated by fear of what other's think? In the courtroom scenario, because what one man thinks about your "appearance" could affect the status of your liberty (whether you go to jail or not). Doesn't anyone else see something fundamentally wrong with all this? Have you all been on the "ride" too long? Shut him up! We've got a lot invested in this ride! Manners and etiquette are just another form of social conformity which is a manifestation of totalitarian rule and tyranny! Dress how you want! Stop being afraid! Or just do what your told, take off your hat, and shut up. Your call.ReplyDelete


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What is dog agility? What are the rules, equipment, levels, and rules of etiquette? This is an all-around, general summary of dog agility for a newbie.
Music can give an agility handler's mental game a boost. This article explains some of the science behind this theory and also recommends a few song ideas to add to your dog agility playlist.
Learn why feeding your dog the right emotion in the ring can make your agility team more successful. Are you feeding the right emotions?
The exciting sport of dog agility can be played by everyone—from the athlete to the handicapped. With proper training of the dog, a handler with disabilities can be competitive.
Focusing on qualifying in dog agility can be detrimental to a handler's mental game. This article will teach you how to ignore the Q, increase your focus, and sharpen your mental control skills.
This op-ed piece examines whether or not the newer challenges in the sport of dog agility can be handled at large distances and if these challenges are excluding those with physical challenges.
Considered the "Last Great Race" on earth, the Iditarod takes place each March in the great state of Alaska. These amazing athletes are in their element as they retrace the historic Iditarod Trail.
To show a dog properly requires much more than simply buying a pure-bred dog with papers. It requires discipline, dedication, and above all, patience. And not just a bit of expendable cash!
Who are the Champions of the annual AKC Agility National Championship? You may be surprised to find that blue ribbons aren't what it's all about.
A dog's tail is used for more than just nonverbal communication. It's a balancing tool as well. This article uses pictures and text to show how active dogs use their tails to balance and turn.
Do you get lost on agility courses? This article will give you six tried and true memorization tips to keep you and your dog on course. Stay on course and earn more Qs!
The idea of safer competition surfaces for our agility dogs doesn't appear to be controversial, but it is. Is it important to push for safer surfaces, or should we continue as we always have?
Dogs' dew claws aren't the useless toes many people assume. Read how the active canine uses these unusual claws and how removal of these claws might cause injury in this photo-filled article.
Is winning the biggest achievement in canine sports? What is the most important benefit dog sports provide the human partner? This blog examines why winning isn't even close to everything.
This is a different sort of "What Every Agility Newbie Should Know" list. Whether you're new to the sport of dog agility or you have several Agility Champions, this odd list will have you thinking.
Training an agility dog to distance is hard! This article gives ideas and tips to both train and handle your dog at distance.


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This course is designed to enhance your interviewing skills by teaching you two highly proven methods of extracting accurate information from individuals: investigative statement analysis, a method for conducting a structured and systematic analysis of written or spoken words, and the cognitive interviewing technique, which can enhance the memory and recall of victims and witnesses.
Investigative statement analysis is used to gain valuable insight into a person's motivations, which can provide you with both psychological and tactical advantages during the interviewing process. You will learn how to ascertain if the narrative provided is a pure and uncontaminated version of the incident and how to determine if information is missing, whether the statement is balanced and evenly paced, and what inconsistencies in pronoun, verb, and adverb usage can reveal. Most importantly, you will learn how to identify areas to direct your investigation and focus detailed questioning during follow-up interviews.
We will also teach you the art of cognitive interviewing. We will describe the flow and primary components of cognitive interviewing while teaching you specialized techniques to maximize the strengths and minimize the weaknesses of the human memory. You will learn why the ability to ask open questions without interrupting the narrative and deploying active listening concepts are vital for gathering and assessing information during your interviews. We'll also discuss the stages of victimization, their impact on obtaining information and ways to overcome these obstacles.
Throughout the course, you will be required to participate in group and individual exercises to practice and demonstrate what you have learned.
Patrol officers, first responders, new and seasoned investigators as well as any others in the legal system who review or take written statements
40 hours
This course was previously titled Effective Interrogation and Statement Analysis.
Currently, there are no open enrollment classes scheduled for this course. Click here to continue searching for other courses.
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Now you know who can turn up at the Wildhorse Saloon
BILL ENGVALL and his many, many Peddinghaus friends!
Check out the photos maybe you were there!
Peddinghaus was proud to say Thank You to our many customers and industry partners at a special dinner in Nashville on April 2, 2008. The evening featured a genuine Nashville Honky Tonk the landmark Wildhorse Saloon; delicious southern cuisine that was prepared to perfection; a special thank you video from every Peddinghaus employee and of course the COMEDY EXPERTISE of BILL ENGVALL!!
We simply wanted to say thank you in a special way, commented Anton Peddinghaus, CEO, and we wanted to make it a memorable occasion for everyone.
It was our pleasure to greet so many of Peddinghaus customers and industry partners at this event, added Michael Sharp, President.
Was a good time had by all attendees? You better believe it! Here are but a few comments from attendees:
Fantastic great food, great beverage, great people and BILL ENGVALL, great comedian!
This is a night that my wife and I will never forget, thank you so much for inviting us!
Peddinghaus has done it again! A super night that everyone here appreciates very much!
I cant tell you how much we enjoyed tonight, Thank you Peddinghaus, for being such an industry leader!


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As you're no doubt aware by the number of Twitter and Facebook posts, today is not only Easter, but April Fools as well. With this in mind, Auto Repair Focus has rounded up some of the best automotive themed gags…
Ancient by-law means cattle & sheep now able to graze Castle Combe infield
Castle Combe's owners have been delving into the history books and have managed to unearth a series of unknown bylaws from the medieval period. Drafted around 500AD, the laws make clear that local landowners have the right to graze livestock in the field overlooking the ancient village of Castle Combe itself.
Keen to maintain its prominent position within the local community and only too aware the historical significance of its location, Castle Combe Circuit has opted to adhere to the newly uncovered bylaw, which means that, from the beginning of the 2018 motorsport season onwards, sheep and cattle will graze the infield of the circuit.
The safety of both drivers and animals is of paramount importance to Castle Combe's event organisers, and a number of precautions have already been enacted as a result. Extra signage can already be found throughout the Castle Combe track, with plans for cattle grids intended to bisect the Quarry corner area drawn up and ready for implementation. All drivers seeking to take to the track must also attend an expanded briefing, which explains how to avoid the animals by dynamic driving, and what to do if you come into contact with them. It's hoped that these alterations will help make Castle Combe safe and enjoyable for all, whether or not they have cloven hooves or Sparco race boots.
McLaren goes to new lengths to boost efficiency
McLaren Automotive, the British creator of luxury, high-performance sportscars and supercars, is introducing new measures to boost efficiency as it drives for another record year of sales.
Specially-trained staff have been brought in for a range of jobs that include daily monitoring of the water level in the lake in front of the McLaren Technology Centre (MTC). Other teams have been tasked with measuring each component of the award-winning building, right down to the floor tiles in MTC's Boulevard. Those that don't measure up – sometimes by as little as 0.01mm – are replaced.
New ideas developed with metronomic timing have been introduced to ensure staff move around the MTC complex far more efficiently than before … and with no risk of collision. Synchronised tea-drinking is another new initiative that has resulted in considerable time savings.
Peace at last: Škoda launches bicker-busting headrest to silence back-seat squabblers
Backseat bickering and sibling squabbles have been an ongoing issue for parents since the invention of children. But now, thanks to the introduction of an innovative noise-cancelling front seat headrest, parents can enjoy their journeys and concentrate on driving.
Featuring ŠKODA's new QuarrelKancel™ technology, the newest addition to the brand's range of accessories features in-built speakers that can be deployed by the driver within seconds of a rear seat fracas breaking out.
Available exclusively as an option for the all-new ŠKODA Karoq, the noise-cancelling headrests are activated at the touch of a button via the ŠKODA infotainment system. The system can also work in 'automatic' mode and can 'listen' for the first signs of an argument.
The system was conceived by ŠKODA's Chief of Family Relations, Professor Si Lence and Special Projects leader, Dr April Fürst. "To create this technology, we recruited a ŠKODA 'Scream Team' – a group of volunteers dedicated to solving this global parenting issue," explained Lence.
Seat unveils Arona Copper Edition – the penny-powered crossover that costs pence to run
SEAT has unveiled a world first with the latest version of its Arona Crossover; coined the Arona Copper Edition and powered by pennies, this latest SEAT is the first car ever that truly does cost pence to run.
Featuring a coin slot in the dashboard which activates the engine, the SEAT Arona Copper Edition is a direct response to the Treasury's push to scrap copper coins from circulation, and means drivers can jump in a sporty crossover with just a handful of change.
However, with its wealth of features, riders in the Arona Copper Edition certainly won't feel short-changed. The unmistakable silhouette is completed with eye-catching Eclipse Orange metallic paint and 17" alloys, while on the inside copper dash inserts complement a spacious interior that's crammed with tech, safety and connectivity equipment as standard.
Rhea Sonible-Price, product manager at SEAT UK commented: "Research shows that some of our customers are understandably brassed off that copper coins could disappear forever, but here at SEAT we're convinced there's a new lease of life to be had for these little bits of history as part of the workings of a cutting-edge, modern car.
Alpaca gives MG fuel for thought!
MG Motor UK has announced a new engine development programme to power its cars by alpaca waste in a move that will be a world first.
Technical engineers at MG have been researching the potential for using alpaca waste as a power source for several years. The revolutionary new fuel is produced using a process known as anaerobic digestion, during which microorganisms break down biodegradable material to produce pellets that can be used to power car engines.
Alpaca waste has been specifically chosen as it doesn't need to be aged before it can be transformed into a useable fuel.
Commenting on the new trials, Daniel Gregorious, Head of Sales & Marketing at MG Motor UK, said: "We have launched a pilot programme in the UK with the Faerie Tale alpaca farm in Kenilworth and the initial results are very impressive. Following our decisions to no longer sell diesel-powered vehicles in the UK market, we wanted to take it one step further and see what was possible using alternative fuels to develop low emission vehicles.
"We look forward to the day when people resign horsepower to the history books and refer to alpaca power. It really packs a punch."
Hyundai i30N development secrets unwrapped
Hyundai Motor UK has unwrapped the development secrets behind the i30N hot hatch's dynamic handling, with a special film recorded at its top-secret test track. The film uncovers the unique Cacao Corner, featuring a bespoke surface cooked up by Hyundai's engineers to capture tyre prints for dynamic analysis.
The bespoke high viscosity material has been produced in Hyundai's Research & Development facility using a selection of abundant natural and completely biodegradable components. Following months of testing, and the combination of hundreds of different ingredients, Hyundai settled on a mixture of just three…
Thanks to the unique properties of the corner – created by mixing cocoa, butter and milk – parts of Cacao Corner can be removed and refrigerated to create a long-lasting record of previous testing results. These samples are traditionally responsibly disposed of by Hyundai's engineers during Easter.
Hyundai's Chief Materials Engineer, Cara Mell, said: "At Hyundai we create almost everything needed to produce our cars, including the steel, the robots, and the ships to transport them. So, it only makes sense that we create our own track-testing surfaces, including the unique butter, milk and cocoa mixture used for Cacao corner. The team of people that develops the mixture is among the most dedicated in the business, but they do tend to go a bit quiet over the Easter period…"
Optician council develops prescription windscreens
Well we couldn't post the best fools stories without mentioning our own! Yep, in case you hadn't guessed – and we are sure you did – There is no UK optician council, no prescription windscreen and no search for garage partners… but it's all in the name of fun!


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For many clients, the investment in their business is the most significant financial asset they own. Our goal as trusted advisors is to help them increase the value of that asset and realize that value upon exit of the business. However, many clients either don't have a buy/sell agreement or have one that simply won't work as the shareholders expected. Some of these agreements can be "ticking time bombs!"
Ask Yourself These Three Questions:
- Do you have a buy/sell agreement?
- Do you know what your buy/sell agreement says?
- How is your buy/sell agreement funded?
We often find agreements are not current, have a price determination that isn't fair or workable for all parties and lack funding for triggering events. Those situations can result in protracted litigation and sometimes the demise of the business.
It may be time to pull that old agreement out of the drawer and read through it again. Buy/sell agreements may be critical to business owners considering exit planning. The four most common ways that business owners exit privately held businesses are to sell to a third-party, sell to employees, gift to family members or liquidate. Buy/sell agreements can provide guidance in all of these situations. Imagine each of these exit strategies and read through your buy/sell agreement to see if the language is clear and provides the results you want.
We've worked with many clients to identify trouble spots in their agreements. After working with clients through litigation and various disputes, we understand the importance of understanding how the buy/sell agreements work. Our review of buy/sell agreements focuses on three key areas: Triggering Events, Pricing and Funding.
Triggering Events
The agreement should define the process for triggering events, such as shareholder retirement, termination, death, disability, sales, divorce and bankruptcy.
Pricing is usually defined by a fixed price, formula price or an appraisal.
Fixed Price
- Fixed prices are easy to understand.
- Fixed prices are easy to set initially, but may be difficult to reset as time passes and interests diverge.
- Provisions are seldom updated and inequities are likely to result.
- Agreements are often out-of-date when inked.
Formula Price
- Formulas provide a mechanism to update the value based on various metrics in the business.
- Formulas selected at a point in time rarely provide reasonable and realistic valuations over time.
- Changes that occur in companies, industries, local, regional, national and world economies may impact the "true value" of an enterprise relative to any set formula.
- Formulas can be misinterpreted—or are subject to multiple interpretations.
- The valuation process can be known by all parties at the outset.
- All parties know what will happen when a trigger event occurs.
- Parties will always know the current value for the buy/sell agreement (helpful for planning all-around).
- Appraisers can incorporate key business drivers and risks into the value.
We ask our clients to consider appraisals of their businesses. Most of our business clients have some sort of profit sharing plan, such as a 401(k). You wouldn't have a 401(k) plan that doesn't provide current valuations to participants. You pay a percentage of the plan assets to manage and account for the plan funds. Why would a company not make a small investment to understand what their business is worth with an annual or periodic valuation?
The agreement should spell out how transactions will be funded in situations where the company buys shares back from shareholders or funding the buyout of other shareholders. Management should know and have a plan for:
Other deficiencies in agreements may include the lack of signatures of all current shareholders, the agreement has not been updated for several years, the level of value is not defined or the valuation date is not defined.
As you can see, there are a number of potential issues that could result in your buy/sell agreement being a "ticking time bomb." Used properly, the buy/sell agreement is a great tool to provide direction for all kinds of triggering events that affect shareholders. We encourage you to discuss these matters with shareholders and your attorney.
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Take a deeper dive into this Insight's subject matter.Transaction Advisory Business Valuation


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Silverstone Circuit is a British motor racing circuit next to the Northamptonshire villages of Silverstone and Whittlebury. The circuit straddles the Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire border, with the current main circuit entry on the Buckinghamshire side. The Northamptonshire towns of Towcester (5 miles) and Brackley (7 miles) and Buckinghamshire town of Buckingham (6 miles) are close by, and the nearest large towns are Northampton and Milton Keynes.
Silverstone is the current home of the British Grand Prix, which it first hosted in 1948. The 1950 British Grand Prix at Silverstone was the first race in the newly created Formula One World Championship. The race rotated between Silverstone, Aintree and Brands Hatch from 1955 to 1986, but relocated permanently to Silverstone in 1987.
On 30 September 2004 British Racing Drivers' Club president Jackie Stewart announced that the British Grand Prix would not be included on the 2005 provisional race calendar, and if it were, would probably not occur at Silverstone. However on 9 December an agreement was reached with Formula One rights holder Bernie Ecclestone ensuring that the track would host the British Grand Prix until 2009 after which Donington Park would become the new host of the British Grand Prix. However, the Donington Park leaseholders suffered economic problems resulting in the BRDC signing a 17 year deal with Ecclestone to hold the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.


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Maintenance Practices for LED Streetlights
This April 14, 2014 webinar answered important questions about the maintenance and reliability of LED streetlights, and how to take these issues into account when planning and preparing for a transition to LED street lighting. Presenters Glenn Cooper of the City of Boston, Stephen Crume of the City of Seattle, and Patrick Batte of the City of Las Vegas discussed actual field experiences of their respective LED street lighting programs and lessons learned along the way. They also reviewed failure rates and failure modes experienced to date and the associated best practices their programs have developed in response.
- View the presentation slides
- View the Seattle City Light Streetlight Photocontrol Standard
- View the text-alternative version


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Secretariat proves he's a unique breed
By Bruce Lowitt
Realistically speaking, the 1973 Belmont Stakes wasn't a horse race -- unless you count the four thoroughbreds racing for second place. This third jewel of the Triple Crown was the coronation of Secretariat as the greatest race horse of all time.
He had won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, each time beating Sham by 21/2 lengths.
Now it was June9. Most of the bettors in the crowd of nearly 70,000 at Belmont Park expected the first Triple Crown winner since Citation in 1948. Secretariat was a 1-10 favorite.
For the first 6 furlongs of the Belmont Stakes, Sham and Secretariat set a blistering pace. Then Sham faded rapidly.
For the rest of the 11/2 miles, Secretariat had the track to himself. He thundered down the homestretch, increasing his lead with every stride, and beat Twice A Prince by 31 lengths.
The burned-out Sham finished last, 45 lengths back, and never raced again. "Sham might have been a very good horse," Ron Turcotte, Secretariat's jockey, said almost apologetically. "We'll never know because he came along in the wrong year."
Secretariat was the Muhammad Ali, the Babe Ruth of thoroughbred racing. Ennui was overtaking the Sport of Kings. This son of Bold Ruler dispelled it.
"Being the first Triple Crown winner in a long time was a big part of Secretariat's fame," said Penny Tweedy, owner of Meadow Stable. "But there was also a political context that became a factor. Here you had this pure, clean horse, the All-American horse, coming along (during) Nixon and Watergate. The country was looking for something to feel good about, and they embraced Secretariat."
He made the cover of Newsweek, Time and Sports Illustrated, a magnificent red chestnut colt -- his nickname was Big Red -- with a sturdy barrel chest, perfect legs and a white star on his forehead. And he was perhaps the most valuable consolation prize ever won.
Bold Ruler was matched with Somethingroyal, part of an agreement made years earlier by Claiborne Farm's Ogden Phipps and Meadow Stable patriarch Christopher Chenery. Meadow Stable would send two broodmares every year to Claiborne Farm, to be bred to Phipps' Bold Ruler. Each stable would get one foal apiece. Every other year a coin flip would determine who got the first choice that year; the loser got the first choice the next year.
In 1969, Tweedy sent Somethingroyal and Hasty Matelda to be bred to Bold Ruler. Phipps won the flip and chose a filly named The Bride. She finished out of the money in six career starts.
The next year, Meadow Stable got her full brother, Secretariat.
As a 2-year-old, he won seven of nine starts and earned $456,404.
Before his 3-year-old season, Tweedy syndicated him for a then-record $6.08-million to raise money to pay the taxes on her father's estate.
When Secretariat finished third in the 1973 Wood Memorial behind Angle Light and Sham two weeks before the Derby, many among the 32 members of the syndicate wanted to retire him to stud. They were concerned that, as a son of Bold Ruler, he wouldn't be able to handle the 11/4-mile Derby distance.
Still, Secretariat went off as the 3-2 favorite.
He not only won the Derby, coming from last place and blowing past the competition with an eighth of a mile to go, but he did so in 1-minute, 59 4/5 seconds, the first and only horse to run it under two minutes. And each quarter-mile split was faster than the previous -- :25 1/5, :24, :23 4/5, :23 2/5 and :23.
In the 1 3/16th-mile Preakness, Secretariat was last out of the gate. But by the time he hit the backstretch he was in the lead. He coasted home.
And then came the Belmont.
Secretariat's time of 2:24 knocked 2 3/5 seconds -- the equivalent of about 13 lengths -- off Gallant Man's track record set 16 years before.
"Secretariat was a running machine," veteran trainer Harvey Vanier said. "All you had to do was head him the right way, and he'd take care of the rest."
Secretariat retired to stud at Claiborne Farm after the 1973 season. On Oct. 4, 1989, suffering from laminitis, an incurable hoof disease, Secretariat was led into a van. A concentrated barbiturate was injected into his jugular. Within a minute he was dead.
Dr. Thomas Swerczek, a professor of veterinary science at the University of Kentucky, performed the autopsy.
All of Secretariat's vital organs were normal in size except for the heart. The typical horse's heart weighs 81/2 pounds. Secretariat's weighed 22 pounds.
"This was a heart completely out of anybody's league," Swerczek said. "Looking back to what he had done, it was easy to put a connection to it. ... The heart was perfect. There were no problems with it. It was just this huge engine."
© St. Petersburg Times, published December 19, 1999
-- Information from the Sporting News, Sports Illustrated and Pure Heart by William Nack was used in this report.


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Testing Parameters
Our volunteer based water quality monitoring program focuses on the final 3-mile long stretch of the Spicket River as it flows from Steven's Pond at the Methuen line, to its confluence with the Merrimack River. On the third Tuesday of each month, Groundwork staff and a team of volunteers head out to test a number of different aspects of the Spicket's water.
Temperature - What is it? - Many aquatic organisms have tight temperature requirements in order to survive. Temperature also impacts the amount of oxygen available in the water. As water temperature increases, its ability to hold oxygen decreases. - In urban areas - Removal of trees along the banks of a river and nearby blacktop can increase water temperature.
pH - What is it? - A measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution. pH is measured along a logarithmic scale from 1 to 14. pH values below 7 are considered acidic, values above 7 are basic (or alkaline), while a pH of 7 is neutral. According to the EPA, water with a pH in the range of 6.5-9 is considered tolerable for most aquatic life. Slight changes in pH can have wide reaching impacts to an aquatic ecosystem, as pH becomes too high, or too low many organisms have serious trouble living, foraging, and reproducing. - In urban areas – pH can be dramatically altered by chemical runoff from industry, automobiles, and lawn products.
Conductivity - What is it? - A measure of the water's ability to pass an electric current. An increase in dissolved minerals, ions, or particulate matter can cause conductivity to rise. Conductivity levels typically fall between 300 and 700 us/cm in fresh water systems. - In urban areas – Salts and other particulate matter may enter a stream through stormwater, increasing conductivity.
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) - What is it? - The amount of oxygen present in the water. Aquatic ecysosytems, like terrestrial ones, both produce and use oxygen. All aquatic organisms require oxygen in order to undergo cellular respiration, and photosynthetic organisms produce oxygen. Dissolved oxygen quality criteria are as follows: >9.5 mg/L (AA - excellent), >8.0 mg/L (A - good), >6.5 mg/L (B - fair), and > 4.0 mg/L (C - poor). - In urban areas – DO is closely tied to water temperature and flow. In areas where water becomes stagnant or too warm, DO levels drop.
Turbidity - What is it? – Turbidity is a measure of the suspended and dissolved particulate matter in the water. The more turbid water is, the cloudier that water appears. High turbidity can lead to an increase in water temperature and a subsequent decrease in dissolved oxygen. It also dramatically changes the environment for aquatic organisms, it can make it more difficult to find food, clog gills, and smother eggs. Turbidity levels greater than 8 NTU (turbidity units) is considered unhealthy to aquatic life. - In urban areas – Particulate matter enters urban streams most often through storm water runoff, bank erosion, and excessive algal growth.
Nutrients (Nitrogen and Phosphorus) - What is it? – Nitrogen and phosphorus are vital components of all life. In terrestrial ecosystems nitrogen is generally the "limiting factor", while it is phosphorus in aquatic ecosystems. High levels of nutrients in stream water lead to unchecked growth of algae, a problem known as eutrophication. As algae grow and die, decomposition of the algae reduces dissolved oxygen and can cause a "dead-zone". Nitrate levels greater than 40 mg/L are considered unsafe for freshwater aquatic organisms, while the EPA recommends that total phosphorus not exceed 0.1 mg/L in streams and rivers. - In urban areas – Nitrogen and phosphorus most often enter streams through storm water runoff and combined sewer overflows (CSOs).
Bacteria (E. coli) - What is it? – Bacteria present in the guts of most terrestrial organisms. Presence of E. coli in a river environment generally points to sewage contamination and can lead to illness or disease. According to the EPA for healthy water quality the 30-day mean of E. coli should not exceed 126 organisms/100 mL, while a single sample should not exceed 406 organisms/100 mL. - In urban areas – Contamination by E. coli is most often caused by combined sewer overflows (CSOs), where sewer drainage and storm water drainage mix and enter the stream water.
Sampling Sites