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Words: Steve Nicholls | Fotos: Brendon O'Hagon | Date:
Six Rapha Continental riders have just touched down on the western tip of New Zealand's north island. Finding themselves in a region called Taranaki, they are about to embark on the first Continental ride in New Zealand. Anxious eyes eagerly check out the unloading of the planes precious cargo: six gleaming machines, carefully packaged. It's close to dusk, and everyone's priority is making sure their bikes are assembled and functioning. Only once everything is in place are we permitted to venture out for a meal, and the anticipation of what is to come begins to build. Tomorrow we will roll out from the coast, with little knowledge of where and what we will discover over four days of riding.
Day 1: Taranaki to Ohura
217km, 2600m elevation gain
Dawn, and the sun stumbles through the clouds. Bleary eyed riders roll out to our designated start point. The wind whistles at Taranaki's rugged coast. Winding along the picturesque bike trails that meander up and down the west coast, everyone is excited to get started. As we cross a small bridge a glance back shows a majestic view of Mt Taranaki, perfectly framed above lush green fields dotted with cattle. Taranaki was one of the earliest settlements in New Zealand, with the first Maori taking advantage of plentiful seafood, bush and fertile ground. In the 1800s European settlers arrived and set up a bustling whaling port.
The hard life of the sea wasn't for everyone, and gradually attention turned inland. The dense bush that covered the hills, and rich alluvial soils from the volcanic cone that towers over the landscape, were identified as prospective farmland. Now the second biggest dairy factory in the southern hemisphere, alongside more recently discovered oil and gas reserves, powers the local economy.
We leave behind the quiet pathway, and turn inland, criss crossing busy arterials, and bracing ourselves against the wall of wind that accompanies occasional milk tankers and stock trucks. We reach the town of Stratford and turn up the mountain. The landscape is bathed in clear spring sunshine, the early wisps of cloud have gone. We emerge from the bush lined avenues that make up the early stage of the climb, with each bend allowing a glimpse of glorious vistas, a blissful breath for air before the suffering of the climb washes back over them. After climbing for 40 minutes we reach the end of the road, having cashed our oneway tickets. We stand in glorious spring sunshine ogling a snow capped peak and a horizon of endless green fields. Spirits are high, and down the twisting descent we head to find coffee.
Next we follow old roads that were marked out by early pioneers, hacked into by hand and foot, then hoof, then wheel. Towns sprung up with infrastructure suited to thousands. As technology has advanced the way we live, the need for regular trading posts has diminished, once roaring places where farmers carted out their wool by horse and oxen, are now empty and abandoned. Old outposts used by railway men, employed to look after a now empty track, sit slowly rusting along the highway. Towns once bustling with populations of over 30,000 people, now reduced to a hardy few souls, in virtual ghost towns.
After several hours of blissfully quiet and undulating roads we reach the Republic of Whangamomona. What was once a busy town of more than 20 businesses in it's heyday, now only a solitary hotel stands as a spot to quench the thirst and reenergize. The hotel was first built in 1905, burnt down the same year, and the current building stands as it was, rebuilt in 1911, a testament to the eternal optimism of the pioneers that constructed these townships.
After refueling, we set off again, through the gorge, and onto the first section of gravel and although we are grateful for the views from the top, the legs are starting to complain as we draw nearer to Ohura. There is an obligatory sprint into town, but once we arrive at the prison gates, riders collapse onto the nearest available grassy verge. Beers are passed around and we celebrate having made it through a testing first day. A truly magnificent ride.
Ohura Prison, our first night's accommodation, has garishly colored doors and the hallways are lined with postcards of classic cars. Our dining room decorations include a painting of four mystical horseman riding out of the canvas. Cheesecake was on the menu.
Day 2: Ohura – Ohakune
160km, 2500m elevation
Washed out faces greet each other over cereal and coffee in the prison kitchen the next morning. The mood is subdued, and a steady patter of raindrops accompanies the meal. A cold, wet day awaits. We roll into town for a "by appointment only" visit to the Ohura Museum. A treasure trove of antiques, including a faithful reproduction of the old post office, and plenty of historical artifacts from a time when the town thrived. At it's peak Ohura, built on a successful mining boom in the early 1900's, housed 30,000 people. Now the population barely scratches 300, and the only businesses are the prison and the local cossie club, where we shared a beverage or two with some of the locals the previous night.
Charlie, owner of the museum, is very keen to show off his workshop, and some of the restored original machinery and aging tractors. Then he asks "you guys are not interested in seeing my bike Museum are you?"
It's Ohura, and we are not expecting much, but there are an odd assortment of machines, including a old racing bike, and Charlie's own touring machine. He's clearly spent some time exploring the country, self-sufficient. As we talk about his riding and our current adventure it is easy to see a gleam in his eyes, a thirst for adventure by bike, and a pang of regret that he would not be riding with us. The rain is still falling, but we can no longer delay our departure, so we wave goodbye to Ohura and continue along this forgotten highway.
Continuing along this long-forgotten highway, our journey takes us towards the Central Plateau of the North Island. There is a coldness to the air, and with frequent burst of rain, zips are drawn up against the cold. Mossy fence posts frame the road, and suddenly in front of the riders is a spooked cow. Crazily careering down the centre of the highway, six riders in pursuit. After a bizarre couple of kilometres, the frenzied animal finally finds a driveway to pull into, and we continue on in search of coffee and warmth.
After hot beverages, food and a roaring fire, we roll out of Taumarunui and head into the Mountains-to-Sea trail network. It's wet, and before long, we hit gravel. Cue puncture. Frozen hands struggle to change tyres. We ascend up narrow, turning, twisting roads, a long 500m climb to the start of the Central Plateau. There are no cars, the crunch of tyres on gravel is the only soundtrack. The North Island Volcanic Plateau (often called the Central Plateau) is a volcanic plateau covering much of the central part of the North Island with volcanoes, lava plateaus, and crater lakes. While strictly not a desert, the harsh landscape is sparsely vegetated mainly due to the the 20,000-year-old Taupo eruption, which swept white-hot ignimbrite through this valley.
Turning onto the main highway, we skirt the mountains, hidden behind dense curtains of rain clouds. The rain slowly, steadily, increases its rhythm, a harsh cross wind lashes at faces, rain becomes sleet. Now, riding through almost barren plains, exposed to the elements, all thoughts turn to surviving the day. There are no more impromptu excursions, no desire to explore our unique surroundings in search of adventure. Just desperation for warmth and shelter.
Ohakune, a small ski town nestles itself beneath the bulk of Mt Ruapehu on the Central Plateau. Our host asks if anyone would like to use the spa and soon, half-fozen and half-naked bodies pile in. Beer, pies and a spa pool make the exertions of the day quickly forgotten. We spend the evening in the local tavern, watching the Aussie Rules grand final, gossiping to locals, replaying the day's ride and finally stumbling home to bed.
Day 3: Ruapehu – Taihape
100km, 1400m elevation
It is about 3 or 4 degrees celsius when we awake the next day, and rain falls from concrete coloured skies. No one is in a hurry to go outside and check the temperature. Breakfast becomes a lazy affair. Outside, the weather doesn't seem to know what it wants to do. Raindrops glisten, in patchy light, sparkling on fresh spring blossoms. Periodically the rain stops, the air feels like the day might warm up and clear. Or perhaps pack in and rain. Who would know?
We make an executive decision to retreat to a cafe, have "proper" coffee, and give the weather a chance to make up it's mind. Through the weather, the weight of the mountain – Ruapeh – makes its presence felt. It's slopes are not seen behind the curtain of grey clouds, but we know it's there. Sitting sipping coffee, safe from the elements, two riders decide, enough is enough. They will not sit blithely waiting. Carpe Diem. As we start to ride up through the wet bush that covers the lower slopes, patches of blue sky struggle to poke through the clouds. Gradually the rain eases, then stops. Warm rays cause layers to be peeled off and the riders start to go about their work. Steam starts to rise off the road, creating a surreal image as bikes seem to disappear into the clouds.
Through snow covered roadsides, we emerge at a wide expanse of the ski area. Acknowledging it has been conquered, the weather eases, and the mountain throws off the cloud cover that has kept it from view for the last two days. As we roll across the flats, a tail wind pushes us into Taihape, and the sun burns off the clouds surrounding the mountain. There are not too many towns that would proudly proclaim themselves the gumboot capital of the world. But Taihape is one of them. It's annual gumboot day in March features the fiercely contested Gumboot throwing competition, bringing together the locals, rural community, and visitors from all around the country. We avoided any boot-shaped missiles as we rolled into town.
Day 4: Taihape – Napier
The Gentle Annie: 170km, 2600m elevation
We rise to a stunning clear crisp morning, and an early start. Taihape slumbers on, oblivious to our departure as we snake out of town, and head for the coast. Sunlight streams through trees standing like an endless row of sentries marking our progress up the first of many climbs for the day. We climb through rugged farmland, high country sheep stations suited to Merino farming. We pass through Erewhon, (an anagram of nowhere) taking it's name from the 1872 Samuel Butler novel. It is an apt name for such a remote place. There are no stoppages, no cosy cafes, nothing but the tussocky land, endless climbs and the lost highway.
The Gentle Annie takes its name from the steep descent from the Central Plateau into the Kaweka forest. The exhilarating descent draws exclamations of delight. As we near the coast the air begins to warm, and the landmarks of the region begin to reveal themselves: Cape kidnappers, Te Mata Peak. Finally we arrive to the crunch of limestone paths framed by vineyards. We have reached the Hawke's Bay. The presence of civilisation evokes a strong urge for food and drink, and we desperately try to find an open cafe to slake thirsts and silence rumbling stomachs. Pitstop completed, paths take us through the outskirts of town and the uncertain spring weather opens the heavens and heavy rain falls in a rush.
Wet, tired, caked in mud, a bedraggled group of riders finally emerge at the coast. Mud encrusted frames honour a journey along paths less travelled. A concrete path meanders alongside a picturesque coastline, until we reach our destination, Napier. There was a certain symmetry to finishing along a coastal path three days after starting along one. These roads, this forgotten highway, now dwindles into wilderness. The riding has been tough and our exhausted bodies make it seem as if we have shared in the physical toil that marked the settling of this land.


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It happens every once in a while. We see a deep blue garment, tailored and seamed with hardware and a crisp fit, and we want so badly for it to be denim. Sometimes it is, sometimes it ain't. But this time, we had to blog it anyway. The Queen of the Caribbean strapless dress is a playful, sexy option for summer nightlife outings that your friends won't soon forget. The careening zipper seams and tiered contours will lend a powerful edge to your figure. Top it off with a crocheted shawl some blinding white sandals, or a floppy hat and sheer cardigan. It may be latex and poylester, but that doesn't mean we can't pretend! You can score this beauty for $106 at Tobi.
—DT Staff
Tags: cant believe its not denim, caribbean queen, fall style, hardware, strapless dress, summer style, wish it was denim, zipper seams

subset: commoncrawl


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Think you're paying a ridiculously high price for home insurance?
If you haven't reviewed your policy in a few years, or unknowingly have errors in your credit report, there's a chance that you may be paying more than you need to.
So, before you spend a dollar more than you need to on home insurance, check out these reasons why your rate may be high, and more importantly, how you can fix it.
Reason #1: You Have a Low Deductible
If a tree falls on your house or your kitchen catches fire, how much will your insurance policy require you to pay out of pocket as a deductible? If your answer is below $500, then you're likely facing a hefty premium.
Here's why: If you carry a low deductible, the insurance company offsets their risk by charging you a higher premium, says Amy Bach, executive director of United Policyholders, a non-profit organization that offers consumer information on insurance issues.
However, "the higher your deductible, the more money you save on your premium," says the Insurance Information Institute's (III) website. "Consider a deductible of at least $500. If you can afford to raise it to $1,000, you may save as much as 25 percent," adds III.
[Do you want to raise your deductible? Click to compare rates from multiple providers now.]
Reason #2: Your Policy is Outdated and You're Paying for Coverage You Don't Need
Did you sell that boat? Or did you take advantage of a special offer for expanded coverage at a discounted rate - which has now expired? If so, you're not alone.
All too often, people pay for coverage they don't need, and even for items they no longer own, Bach says.
For that reason, Bach suggests doing an annual check-in with your agent to review your coverage.
"Make sure you don't have any extras that you don't need, and that you're taking advantage of any discounts that you qualify for," she says.
Another thing to keep tabs on is the value of your items. For example, the III points out that you could still be paying top-dollar to insure a fur coat that's no longer worth the $5,000 purchase price. If this is the case, III recommends reducing or canceling your "floater," which is the extra insurance paid for high value items, like jewelry.
Lifestyle changes are another factor that could change the amount of coverage you need, according to III. For example, if your children have packed their bags and moved out of the house, this decreases the amount of belongings that must be covered by your policy.
In addition to affecting your home insurance, lifestyle changes also impact your health insurance needs. Make sure to do your research and update all insurance needs.
[Ready to update your home insurance policy? Click to compare rates from multiple providers now.]
Reason #3: You Have a Low Credit Score or Errors in Your Credit Report
"A lot of people don't realize that your credit score impacts what rate you're getting," Bach says, but a lower credit score means you're a greater risk for an insurer, Bach says.
Essentially, insurers use your credit score to generate an "insurance score" when determining home insurance rate, according to the III. Why? Because, "actuarial studies show that how a person manages his or her financial affairs, which is what an insurance score indicates, is a good predictor of insurance claims."
So the lower your credit score, the higher your home insurance rate.
For this reason, Bach suggests that you "check your credit report occasionally to make sure there are no errors that could put you in a higher-risk category," she says.
According to New York-based insurance agent Eustace Greaves, Jr., potential factors or errors in your credit that could cause you to pay more include "repossessions, collection items, judgments, late payments, [or] bankruptcies in the last five years," he says.
If you find that your credit score causes you to be a risk to insurers, try to improve your score. On the other hand, if you find errors in your credit report, the Federal Trade Commission's website recommends sending a written dispute to both the credit reporting agency and the creditor.
[Think you deserve a lower home insurance rate? Click to compare rates from providers now.]
Reason #4: Your Home isn't Safe
Is your home lacking deadbolts, a smoke detector, or a burglar alarm?
Besides increasing your family's safety, adding security elements like these could also save you at least 5 percent on your premium, according to the III.
Simply put, increased safety means there's a decreased risk that you will need to ask your provider to cover the damage from a burglary or fire, for example. As a result, they'll reward you with a lower premium.
In fact, "some companies may cut your premiums by as much as 15 or 20 percent if you install a sophisticated sprinkler system and a fire and burglar alarm that rings at the police, fire or other monitoring stations," notes the III.
However, because every alarm system differs, the III recommends checking with your insurer on which type meets their requirements and how much it will reduce your premium.
[Think you're eligible for a home insurance discount? Click to compare rates now.]
Reason #5: You Haven't Consolidated Your Coverage
More is less? Insurance companies seem to think so.
"Some insurance companies will reduce your premium by 5 percent to 15 percent if you buy two or more insurance policies from them," notes the III. However, it adds that you should ensure the bundled price is indeed lower than if you were to receive coverage, like homeowners and auto, from different insurers.
Often times, you'll see some significant savings - as much as 30 percent - according to data from Consumer Reports' 2012 "Homeowner insurance buying guide."
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) adds that some providers aren't as forthright about promoting "multiple-policy discounts," so make sure to ask - and ask for specifics on how much you could save. You also shouldn't be afraid to haggle, the NAR says. If you've found lower rates with other companies, your insurance company may be willing to provide a lower quote to keep you.


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Charles. D. Hyatt Player
Inducted in 2006
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee 1959
As a University of Pittsburgh sharpshooter, Hyatt was a two-time All-American. He scored 27 of the Panthers 37 points in a two point win over Montana State to take the 1930 National Championship. Hyatt was named Helms Foundation Player of the Year in 1930 and went on to an outstanding AAU career with the Diamond Oilers and the Phillips 66 Oilers.
Where They Were
University of Pittsburgh 1928-1930


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Related Products
Ask a question
Product Questions
No the pumps are sold per pump. To have two pumps to dose two liquids you would need to purchase a quantity of two pumps.
It sure is. You can find the replacement tubes at the link below:
You can use either. The rigid tube doesn't bend as easy but holds its shape better, wheras the soft tube is easier to route around corners, etc but kinks a bit easier. Feel free to use either in whichever application is better suited.
Input/output tubing are the same and both are 1/4" though its a compression fitting so its fairly forgiving if your close.
This stuff will do the trick just fine (most use clear).
While this pump is very consistent in dosing, due to the rotational cycle, there tend to be natural pauses as the rollerblocks take turns in compressing the tubing, which results in variation in fluid dosing speed during a single 1 minute rotation. As a result, when run for full minute cycles, you'll see good consistency, but it will not be very effective at running for less than a minute when trying to dose very small amounts of fluid. For this, we would normally recommend a pump with a high precision stepper motor or at the very least a dosing pump with more than two rollerblocks, such as the Drew's Doser, in order to reduce the momentary pauses during rotation.
Have a great day!
Most likely the issue is the tubing leading to the pump or the tubing inside of the pump is not air tight which allows the suction to break. You will want to inspect all tubing to ensure there is not air leaks for the siphon to break.
These will last quite a while from 3 years and up without over use or abuse. They come with a one year warranty. Currently there are replaceable tubing however no electronic or mounting replacements.
It certainly can however depending on the placement of the tubing if you are not using a specially DIY fridge to keep the tubing from sitting in the open the pump will draw food and as it stops the food that remains in the tubing will begin to rot and cause big issues. You will want to checkout some forum posts on building a fridge with a venturi to grab the food into a separate feed pump which circulates in the fridge keeping the frozen food cooled until it enters the tank. Feel free to let us know if you have any further questions!
It depends on what you are doing. Assuming you want to dose something like two part, this doser would be the best route to go because of the relatively small quantities being dosed.
This can be used with a timer to dose a small amount of NoPox throughout the day. Feel free to let us know if you have any further questions!
The pump itself doesn't have any programming. It just doses 1.1mL for every minute it is turned on. You adjust how much it doses by changing how long a timer turns it on. As for how much to dose, what were you planning to dose?
It measures 4" x 3.5" x 4" Tall
The dosing pump can be used with the reefkeeper as long as it is plugged into the relay outlet which has the ability to power the pumps. Feel free to let us know if you have any further questions!
To prime the pumps you will simply attach the full amount of tubing from the container to the aquarium, You will then turn the pump on and allow it to fill with the solution. Once the solution starts coming out the other side you will want to run it for a few minutes to remove and air gaps. Keep in mind this can take some time and we recommend pumping it into another container instead of the tank itself.
I have the nano cube 28 with stand, and was wondering if I could place the 2 part solution in my stand, and have the pumps deliver the water into the sump area of the back of the nano cube. The water would need to be pushed about 48 inches up. Thanks!
These pumps can pump up to 20ft of head pressure. Going up from the stand to the tank would be no problem at all!
These pumps do not include any sort of timer. They will need to be controlled with a digital timer capable of operating at 1 minute intervals (or less) or an aquarium controller like the ReefKeeper of Neptune Apex.
Here are the digital timers we carry.
I hope this helps!
Have a great day :)
The dimensions of our 1.1 ml/min and 50 ml/min dosing pumps are 3 1/4" W x 4" H x 4" D.
The mounting plate should allow for flush mounting on the wall so the depth measurement will remain the same.
I hope this helps!
Have a great day :)
The physical motor will last a long time and as long as it is spinning it will work well. The surgical tubing inside however may wear down and crack. If the pump is ever not able to draw liquid up you will want to inspect and replace the tubing inside. Additionally over time this tubing will stretch and change the amount of liquid dosed and measurement will need to be taken to test how much it is dosing. This can be a s simple as taking the tubing out of the tank, turning the doser on for 10 minutes and measuring how much liquid is dosed in 10 minutes.
The 1.1 mL Dosing pumps will need to be physically plugged into an outlet to turn on. With some aquarium controllers they use different types of outlets to turn the outlet on and off. TRIAC switches can switch power very quickly and silent, where a relayed outlet makes a clicking noise and takes about a half a second to react. TRIAC outlets can have a hard time detecting power and turning the dosers and other low power consumption items on and off reliably, where the relayed outlets are very reliable for almost all items. If you don't have an aquarium controller it shouldn't be a concern since most digital and analog timers are going to be relay driven. If you are using an aquarium controller just refer to the controller's manual to know what outlets are TRIAC and which are relayed.
That isn't a problem at all :-)
Variability is to be expected with dosing pumps and the 1.1 mL is an average rating of the pumps. Overall it is best to measure the flow to find the accurate dosage depending on power, lifespan of the tubing and several other factors. Often remeasuring once a year will help to keep the flow accurate.
That won't be a problem. The pump shouldn't have any issue pulling solution up anywhere within a normal sized aquarium stand.
In most applications it is but I would still recommend using the relay outlets on 1 & 4 just to be safe!
Full Details
BRS 2 Part Doser Specs
- Silent operation
- 20ft max head
- Extremely accurate
- Will not back siphon
- Dimensions: 4" x 3.25" x 4.5"
- 12 month tube life (at 4 hours of use per day)
- 12 month Bulk Reef Supply warranty on pump motor and head
- Includes 17ft of 1/4" OD tubing, mounting bracket, and directions
- Santoprene tube
BRS 2 Part Dosers are intermittent duty pumps and not meant for continuous operation. We recommend on/off cycles under a few hours to maximize life span. You will need two pumps in order to dose both calcium and alkalinity. When used with controllers like the ReefKeeper or Apex, we recommend connecting these to a mechanical relay outlet, and not a TRIAC outlet on the controller's powerbar.
Old Reliable. By Robert on 1/9/2017Robert would recommend this product to a friendI have had my pumps going on 5 years now. I use them to dose fertilizers for planted tank. Still going strong with original tubing. I only dose 1 ml per day. on each pump. Would definitely recommend.
Calibrate first. Closer to 2ml/minute rate By Biggen on 1/4/2017Biggen would recommend this product to a friendThe pump is advertised as 1.1ml/minute dosing rate. However, in reality, mine is double that. I tested multiple 10 minute intervals and, each time, it doses about 1.9ml/minute or 19ml per 10 minute interval. This isn't big deal but I think they should change the product description to reflect its true dosing rate. I rate it 4 out of 5 stars because of this.
I'm happy with them By Dave on 12/11/2016Dave would recommend this product to a friendI use it with my Reef Keeper Plus and BRS soda ash and CaCl and I've been able to hit my targets easily.
Perfect By Karen on 10/29/2016Karen would recommend this product to a friendThis made my dosing life easier, as I'd often forget to dose! It is also handy when I go away for a few days as well. It's small and easy to hide away in the the cabinet.
Great dosing pump By Brad on 10/17/2016Brad would recommend this product to a friendI ordered the 2 part kit that came with 2 pumps. The system Work's flawlessly to deliver the alkalinity and calcium to my tank. Beats doing it by hand even though I only have a 90 gallon tank.
1.8ml pumps By Ramon on 10/15/2016Ramon would recommend this product to a friendI bought 2 of these for 2 part dosing. They make a loud click when first turned on. Which is nice so I know it's on. After that, I don't hear them over the return pump.
It's been working great controlled by Apex for the last 5 months.
Like others have said, they dose more 1.1 ml per minute, both mine were 1.8 ml.
Makes life easy. By Rich on 9/29/2016Rich would recommend this product to a friendI had been dosing kalk using a container and gravity to feed my tank. While it did work, there were times it would stop. Using the 2 part doser insures that a controlled amount is put in the tank each day.
Makes dosing so much easier By Paul on 7/17/2016Paul wouldn't recommend this product to a friendI recently installed 2 of these on my tank. They have eliminated the need for daily dosing. I have them running 8 times / day and so far, so great! One note is to make sure you follow the instructions regarding calibration. Mine both deliver roughly 2ml / minute as opposed to the 1.1 listed. No big deal, but you do need to know how much you are dosing. Great product!
Awesome By Darrin on 7/4/2016Darrin would recommend this product to a friendhad 3 of thew for 2 to 3 years still working great
Great reliable pump once its setup right. By Chris on 6/23/2016Chris would recommend this product to a friendThese are great pumps and the extremely slow speed makes them great for very gradual dosing using a controller. I used these pumps in conjunction with the 1/4 bulkhead, acrylic tubing, and the space saving dosing containers for my 2-part solution. I have to say the pumps worked as advertised. I had a bit of trouble getting the bulkheads to not leak but after redoing the connections and being very careful to cut the acrylic and tubing square as well and ensuring everything was fully seated its working well. One thing related to the pump was that I had a completely downhill run on the output side of the pump which while overall dosing volume was fine it made the dosing somewhat inaccurate for daily testing. This was easily solved with a slight uphill section just before the output in the sump. Since the pump is constantly pinching the tubing the problem was a simple draining issue and not a siphon issue so it was an easy fix.
great By bill on 5/25/2016bill would recommend this product to a friendlet the the doser do the work for me..
Excellent dosing pump By Carlos Vicente on 4/22/2016Carlos Vicente would recommend this product to a friendI already have 5 of these pumps in my setup, that says it all. Three of them over a year old 7 cycles 24/7 no problem whatsoever.


text: Mike has been the Village Engineer since 1980. The Village Engineer is extensively involved with the review, approval and construction of new developments within the Village. The Village Engineer is also the floodplain regulation administrator for the Village. Mike is a licensed professional engineer in the State of Illinois and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering and a Master's in Public Administration. Mike and his family live in the Village.


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Vaginal Breech Birth Revolution
There is a revolution coming to America in vaginal breech birth. American doctors and midwives had all but lost the skills to help a breech baby out and instead developed a style that actually increased the risk of harm. The lack of skills, or dare I say, the wrong skills, are spreading in other countries, too. Lately, international parent-to-parent and provider-to-provider sharing is also connecting midwives and doctors promoting physiological breech skills. Increasingly, parents are able to choose vaginal breech birth.
Vaginal Breech Birth Awareness
There are excellent sources of information on breech vaginal birth. There are unfortunate examples, too, like hands on, or training videos where improper understanding of the breech cardinal movements leave the video mismatched to physiology (more on that later). Louwen and Rietter's study (soon to be published) on upright and hands-off gives statistics far improved over those resulting from lithotomy position and partial breech extraction, the western norm. Sadly, getting those stats published doesn't seem to fit with American goals in obstetrics. So meanwhile, here's where to go to find best practice information:
- Visit Understanding Birth Better, the website of Betty-Anne Daviss and Ken Johnson of Ottawa for their up-to-date breech information and published journal article.
- Dr. Fischbien has a short informative podcast on the status of vaginal breech birth that parents may find to be a useful overview.
- Read the AIMS website for Mary Cronk's article on physiologic breech birth, Keep Your Hands Off the Breech, and MIDIRS for Jane Evans' two articles on breech cardinal movements and spontaneous maternal movement to birth the breech head in the 2012 February and March issues of Essentially MIDIRS. This is essential breech knowledge for all baby catchers.
- Another great breech awareness site is The Midwife, The Mother and The Breech by UK midwife Shawn Walker.
- You can check out emerging online breech info in Australian and New Zealand here.
- Australian breech baby catchers are listed here.
Breech birth can be a lovely experience for mother and baby. Most breech births go well.
The important factors in safe vaginal breech birth include:
- Labor begins on its own
- Labor gets stronger, progressing on its own in good time
- Once a woman is in active labor, there are no notable stalls in labor (over an hour)
- The urge to push establishes on its own without direction from provider/nurse
- The mother moves freely
- When the baby's presenting part appears, the mother is in an upright position of her choice, not a learned position.
That said, the knee-elbow position is being thoroughly studied and though not published yet, has extreme improvement in baby's outcomes over the woman being on the back or even standing up for birth.
The Three Pillars of Safe Breech:
- Hands-off the breech
- Hands-and-knees (knee-elbow)
- Leave the cord intact and unclamped
"Hands-off the breech" means few or no vaginal exams. No wiping mother's bottom or pushing her bottom up away from the mattress or floor to prevent her sitting on the baby. She'll feel baby and won't sit on the baby too much. Mother's rocking down may help or maintain flexion (Evans).
Hands-and-knees or knee-elbow lets the woman on a flat surface rock back and forth, rise up, and lower down as her instincts move her. A raised hospital bed or birth ball, or even her loving partner, are not in front of her accidentally preventing her sudden movements. Gravity brings baby to the anterior as the hips or chest come through the pelvic floor.
Leaving the cord intact, even with its white, is an important way to support baby's vitality after birth. What do I mean? Better Apgars! When to cut the cord? After the birth of the placenta.
Can vaginal breech happen in a hospital? Yes! But mothers may have to travel to find a provider, especially an experienced and physiologically-based provider. Check out this lovely little blog post on a sweet, hospital birth. (NOTE: I don't think the episiotomy was necessary, but the doctor was learning to be comfortable with vaginal breech birth.)
Next, a physician training film uses a doll and manikin (womb-ikin?). The techniques are widely accepted in some areas of the world. Personally, I have some questions. For one, the segment showing the spontaneous birth (of the doll) as the body of the baby is being born shows the baby's spine to mother's hip, which is a sign of an anterior shoulder dystocia. Yet, the baby is born from the manikin easily. This is not generally the case with the baby in this orientation! Two, in the breech extraction, the baby is rotated by rotating and pulling the leg. This will set up a twist in the pelvis and shoulder musculature. If the provider could stop with the legs as soon as the hips were reachable and continue with only holding the baby's pelvis (and not kidneys, of course) there would be less torsion in the body of the baby. Torsion sets up, I believe, a chance of obstruction that may not have occurred with less twisting. The baby must be rotated in these emergency situations when nature hasn't brought the baby or the baby can't wait for nature's timing (as when the placenta separates early).
The first thing women hear is that the breech baby's head can get stuck. True. But getting the head unstuck when baby is full-term is generally not troublesome, when the provider has a clear idea of how to flex the head and bring it into the AP diameter.
Shawn Walker, British Midwife, explains it like this:
Some babies who are breech need help, more often than head-down babies. So having experienced support is crucial to the safety of breech birth. The head getting stuck is a terrible image, designed to terrify women, and probably the result of practitioners themselves feeling fearful or inadequate. I prefer to talk about the need for help because it creates an image that help is available, as it should be, but is realistic about the fact that occasionally some manual assistance is required.
Generally, even the RCOG guidelines (you can look up Management of Breech Presentation) recognize that second twin breech is no indication for a CS. The path will be cleared by the first twin, and there are generally few complications due to breech per se with a second twin. There is no evidence that there are more complications for a first breech twin which is fully grown, especially as you say for a woman who has birthed good-sized babies before. But the more unusual a situation, the more fear it is likely to generate.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10636499 (abstract below)
Above is a link to an abstract of an article that looked specifically at results for twin births where the first twin was breech. I think you and the authors are coming at it from the same perspective. In their article (I can send you a copy if you want, to share with your providers), they write: "Being a rare clinical situation (less than 0.5% of all deliveries), one might question the need to study safety of vaginal birth in breech first twins. The point is not reduction of the overall cesarean rate, but preventing unnecessary cesareans.
In seeking safety parameters for home breech birth, guidelines must be developed from the best practices of breech-experienced midwives and doctors.
Protocols, or guidelines for care, are designed to increase safety by reducing the trial-and-error approach by a lone individual. With protocols, we hope to avoid "wish midwifery" ("I wish the birth was going to pick up and finish soon," "I wish the baby was coming down," etc.) Sometimes a parent or provider decides to continue with a birth that is "outside" the protocols. This may be simply because the protocols can't apply to every single variation of normal birth. But the chance that risk is rising should be acknowledged with increased communication, coverage and/or transport.
Protocols, however, are not enough information for a family or provider to make complete decisions about a particular breech birth. Yet, with more parents learning about breech birth online and elsewhere, a practical, and hopefully balanced, approach may be helpful for decision-making.
Personal Breech Birth Protocols
Breech birth can be a lovely variation on a natural process. Labor may be less painful and shorter than with a head-down baby. Risk reduction through a holistic approach looks at individual comparison between home or hospital, and cesarean or vaginal birth with this mom (emotional preparedness, health, pelvis) and baby (presentation, health). Breech vaginal birth can be a conscious choice for parents.
Protocols protect our decisions when fatigue, emotion, birth plans, or inexperience might confuse issues. These breech protocols reflect, in my opinion, best practices for a home breech birth in my area:
- All mothers are assessed for pelvic alignment and myofascial issues. Repeated bodywork increases safety.
- All midwives agree to consultant's parameters and recommendations before, during and immediately after the birth.
- The baby's head is normal size, and tucked (chin to chest, flexed) or neutral before labor, as noted by palpation (feeling the woman's abdomen). The mother is informed for assessment by ultrasound or MRI.
- The baby is frank or complete. Footlings are referred. Footling vaginal birth; baby is of no more than average size and the mother continues bodywork to help her pelvis and womb be optimal for birth.
- Mother's pelvis size is fine as determined by the previous vaginal birth of an average-sized or larger baby, or, by pelvimetry which includes an internal exam of the pelvis. (An MRI is not universally recommended.)
- Safety increases when mothers are both relaxed and free to move during birth. This way, women can respond instinctively to labor and their baby. Helpers and providers behave and speak to nurture the calm.
- Labor begins spontaneously, without induction or augmentation, between 36-42 weeks at home, 34 and 43 in hospital with good fetal activity and growth. Mother doesn't have hypertension; diabetes or diabetic symptoms. Metabolic stagnation or imbalance? Be more cautious.
- Labor progresses readily without a stall in active labor in the presence of strong contractions. A start-and-stop pattern in active labor without progress is means for transport. No breaking the water (AROM).
- The mother's birthing position is physiological. Hands-and-knees (knee-elbow) is protective.
- The person catching keeps hands-off entirely unless the baby shows the need for help to come out. No perineal massage or support, no wrapping the half-born baby in a cloth, no pushing on the mother to stop her sitting on her baby (mom will feel baby and stop herself). Episiotomy is not routine. No one can wipe the mother's bottom during birth. All this to avoid the mother clenching. No towel on the baby. Quiet patience is key.
- Monitor appropriately. Fetascope is the method of choice; use doppler only when fetascope can't pick up heart tones. Touch the cord only if it is not visibly pulsing in assessment for emergency intervention.
- Second stage can last 4 hours. After a latent phase early on, the pushing urge takes over and there is descent. If there is no progress after an hour of good pushing we transport for surgery. With slow descent (the baby is coming down), pushing at home is given 3 hours. If the hips aren't then being born (or "rumping,", meaning birth time isn't imminent), we transport. No discussion. No debate. A cesarean is strongly protective of the baby in this case. [Very experienced midwives and physicians sometimes disagree with these time limits. Other experts follow them precisely. It's one thing to disagree, it's another to know the parameters and signs of trouble when the time limits are exceeded.]
- Fundal pressure (not suprapubic) is preferable to pulling on the baby when immediate birth is necessary. No breech extraction. Fundal pressure is only advisable if the baby is not impacted. Resolve any obstruction first.
- The attendant has experience and practices regular simulation of breech birth; knows the maneuvers, newborn resuscitation, and delayed cord clamping; and knows techniques and maternal positions to open the pelvic inlet, midpelvis, and outlet. The attendant midwife or doctor practices breech drills with the mother's other midwife/doctor/nurse/midwife apprentice whenever possible.
About 20% of Jane Evans' planned home breech births finish with cesarean surgery. This is the same percentage for Dr. Frank Louwen's spontaneous breech births in his Frankfort hospital.
Here is a powerful story from a mother, a homebirth midwife herself, who worked hard for a natural birth at home. Notice the clues of soft tissue traumas from a previous car accident and previous cesarean, as well as a previous posterior — not unusual history for a breech in a woman who's birthed before.
Hands-and-knees birth might occasionally include complications, even after many spontaneous breeches, know the details of bringing out the head and the details of the diameters of the pelvis so you know where the head diameter is in relationship to the pelvic diameters so you can rotate and flex appropriately for each level of the pelvis (station) in which you may find the head.
Hands-and-knees maternal position makes your work to rotate and flex the head much easier compared with a mother lying on her back. The pelvis itself has notably larger diameters when the mother is in this position and the sacrum is more mobile. Providers have more room to reach in to assist the baby should such help be necessary.
Hands-and-knees, or knee-elbow, position allows baby to rotate in harmony with the birth process. The back will rotate towards the mother's front and facilitate good flexion and avoid a posterior breech presentation for the birth of the chin. Even loving "help" might startle or restrict the rotation of the baby who is otherwise rotating and descending fine. The baby needs to rotate. Touch impedes normal rotation by the resistance, even though subtle, the hands make on the baby's rotating fascia (that important membrane awash in cerebral spinal fluid which wraps every muscles and organ and bone of the body) (Phillips). Touching the mother might also cause her to clench her sphincter muscles in response (Evans). Additionally, letting the baby hang in this position later extends the back, likely assisting the Perez' reflex (Tully) for the shoulders to enter the brim and then the stepping reflex to flex the chin when the head is in the midpelvis (coming through the pelvic floor).
Waterbirth in hands-and-knees position may impede the work of gravity, lengthen second stage, and impede head flexion (based on Evans). Waterbirth in the standing position with one foot lifted to a submerged stool may improve outcomes. A rain barrel, not a birthing tub, is required for this arrangement (Enning).
So we let gravity be the midwife.
Informed Consent and Informed Refusal
Reality check: There is not enough information here or anywhere on this website to extract enough information to guide parents or inexperienced baby catchers towards a safe breech birth. Nor does others' experience justify inexperience.
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Some midwives propose 15 to 30 breech births as a starting point — an entry level for breech competency. Some doctors say 50 breech births is the number for competency. Some midwives feel that with their level of experience, whatever it is, they offer a better option than mandatory cesarean surgery. (I'm not sure that is always true.) Most of the time, things work out, but when they don't, don't let it be because the first 15 breeches you went to were easy and you didn't know something like that (whatever it was) could happen. Travel to get training. Work with local obstetricians so they can get training.
Some very important aspects of breech safety are not in the books!
We need time together to discover just how much we do need each other. Work together for better, safer breech births whenever you can.
We have a moral responsibility to breech babies and their mothers to consider and support physiological breech birth when there seems to be an equal or nearly equal ratio of risk. We have to learn what the actual risk to birth from the breech position is, and also what the risk to our chosen method of care is, because those are often two different answers.
Only when we understand physiological birth, and when our skills can deftly protect physiological breech birth, will we know if breech vaginal birth is safe. Only when the statistics of harm due to cesarean surgery are commonly reported can we truly compare. Only knowing what is possible with physiological breech birth can we rank any favored breech method on the spectrum of safety with confidence and accuracy. Until the stats on knee-elbow and "hands off" breech protocols are published, the argument against vaginal breech birth continues. And once the stats of providers such as Dr. Louwen's and Dr. Rietter's in Frankfort (knee-elbow "Hands Off" breech births) are published, the argument against vaginal breech birth will be unfounded.
Breech birth can be smooth and sweet or it can be challenging, even tragic, in any setting and by any method. Not only physically, but politically or emotionally. Parents and providers in America who choose vaginal breech birth are outside the norm. What's common is not always right; what's unusual is not always wrong.
Basically, the issue is that breech babies have a higher rate of death due to complications of their position than head-down babies. With the right help, that difference can be smaller, but not absent. No manner of birth and no amount of experience can deny that difference. Parents and providers can't rest on the superiority of their favored method and imagine they are safe from complications.
Cesarean surgery involves risks that are well known in medical circles but often understated to consumers. Cesarean surgical birth may be safer than breech birth, such as when providers are not trained or trained providers can not be found or traveled to. To make surgery slightly less invasive to the baby, labor can be allowed to start spontaneously and then a cesarean can be done. Or, a cesarean might be scheduled for after the due date to reduce unintentional late prematurity (35-36 weeks gestation) which has a higher infant mortality rate than waiting for full term (37-42 weeks gestation). A family-centered cesarean can be arranged ahead of time with the head nurse, anesthesiology staff and the obstetricians involved in the care of a breech baby and mother.
Hospital vaginal breech birth is not the same in every setting or with every doctor. In the US and Canada, midwives cannot catch breech babies in the hospital. Few doctors know physiologic breech birth. YouTube is peppered with medical breech deliveries and the style can be seen for yourself. Often a partial breech extraction, or occasionally, a total breech extraction, is practiced in the hospital. However, as Dr. Richard Fischer states in Breech Presentation, "total breech extraction for the singleton breech is associated with a birth injury rate of 25% and a mortality rate of approximately 10%."
Read a mother's story of her hospital breech birth when she refused a cesarean. It wasn't the easiest birth (and wasn't hands and knees or hands-off), but she would do it again.
Midwives and doctors do vary in what they consider to be physiological breech birth. Dr. Louwen's team has had tremendous success with knee-elbow (closely resembling hands-and-knees) breech births. I wish I had a link to a "hands off" birth with Dr. Louwen to show you!
Dr. Andrew Bisits, of Australia, uses a birthing stool and doesn't refrain from gentle touch. The gentle "support of the bum" is followed by the doctor going for the arm or arms. As of late 2013, he is now exploring completely hands-off, upright (knee-elbow) breech. Experienced and gentle doctors like Dr. Andrew Bisits are world treasures, to be sure! The difference in approach doesn't deny that, please! I am simply seeking the most physiological approach (while having immediate help available should it be needed).
Parents have to be well informed to choose a safe breech care provider. When parents are informed about the risks and benefits of breech birth in both hospital and home settings, they may refuse to give birth in the hospital. A mother might refuse a cesarean.
Parents have the constitutional right to pick the care they find best for their baby. We hope to be right with our choices. If a baby dies, a homebirth will be seen as irresponsible, even though the breech death rate at a hospital with poor training may well be higher than with an experienced home birth midwife who knows breech, resolving shoulder dystocia and physiological infant resuscitation.
Canadian obstetrician and breech expert Andrew Kotaska was a lead writer of the new Canadian breech guidelines for the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada. He wrote an article telling why the Term Breech Trial failed to show an honest assessment of the safety of vaginal breech birth among its 126 hospital settings. He is a wonderful teacher with clear insights:
Poor results from centers with inadequate resources following a liberal protocol do not have external validity in settings with better support and more cautious protocols.
Betty-Anne Daviss is a Canadian CPM studying breech birth in Canada, Germany and Israel. Betty-Anne is doing amazing work to help parents, physicians and midwives communicate and learn from one another to increase the safety of vaginal breech birth in the hospital. She collects data from around the world on the database that she and her epidemiologist husband Ken use to study natural and midwifery-based birthing. They've also recently published a breech article with Dr. Andre Lalonde, head of the Society Obstetrics Gynaecology Canada. Their article about hospital policies on vaginal breech birth from the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Canada documents that the evidence does not support a policy of routine cesarean section for breech birth. Here's the article abstract:
The authors wished to gain insight into Canadian hospital policy changes between 2000 and 2007 in response to (1) the initial results of the Term Breech Trial suggesting delivery by Caesarean section was preferable for term breech presentation, and (2) the trial's two-year follow-up and other research and commentary suggesting that risks associated with vaginal breech delivery and delivery by Caesarean section were similar. We also wished to determine the availability of vaginal breech delivery and the feasibility of establishing breech clinics and on-call squads, and whether these could include midwives. 20 maternity centres in six provinces participated. Hospitals were almost five times more likely to adopt a policy of requiring Caesarean section for breech delivery when current evidence suggested that it decreased risk for the neonate than they were to reintroduce the option of vaginal breech delivery when it did not. They found that practice changes are quickly following the evidence that breech birth shouldn't be by cesarean only. Obstetric and midwifery bodies will require creative strategies to make clinical practice consistent with current national and international evidence.
Full text available here.
[Daviss, BA, Johnson, KC, Lalonde A. Evolving Evidence Since the Term Breech Trial: Canadian Response, European Dissent, and Potential Solutions. J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2010 Mar; 32(3):217-24.]
Breech birth can happen at home. But don't be ideological.
Breech birth is becoming more accepted in American homebirth culture. We are seeing more home breech birth videos on the internet. A good example is Annaka Faith's birth story and video on Leslie's Daily Surrender Blog. We hear how her midwife brought in a second midwife with breech experience to increase support and skills if Leslie's baby were to need help during the birth. What happens is classic and is addressed in the following paragraphs. Go read the blog first, though, its a lovely story.
Midwives learning from other midwives have the advantage of learning physiological breech birth, but the disadvantage is the gap in 2-3 generations of midwives who've missed experience with more than an occasional breech. Home birth doesn't have the extra support for full resuscitation, though it is advantageous for the baby that many midwives know not to cut the cord during resuscitation.
As I've pointed out before, there are strengths and weaknesses to both home or hospital breech birthing. Homebirth can be argued to have "inadequate resources" from the point of view of a hospital. The skills of the midwives and the complexities of a breech birth will vary, and occasionally, the worst of both will collide. Even a midwife with many successful breech experiences behind her could suddenly be faced with a situation she can't solve. This crisis can and does also occur in the hospital. Hospitals open to breech and close again when a complicated breech, or a breechling who has congenital problems, upsets the hospital staff and physicians. A similar crisis in a home birth puts parents and midwives into a whirlwind of exposure, review and, too often, retribution by the system seemingly slighted by their choice to give birth another way.
I believe it may be more likely that a very experienced midwife is more likely to notice when a labor leaves the range of normal, and be able to transport to get an intervention, than (sometimes) an obstetrician who hasn't seen many natural births, nor recognizes the need for an intervention when they have set their heart on helping a woman have a natural birth. Few obstetricians have sat with women through natural labors observing the variations of normal. When a doctor who works where interventions are routine suddenly wants to help a woman achieve a natural birth, the doctor may not have the experience to notice when a labor actually needs an intervention. I know that sounds crazy, and I don't mean to be biased, but I've seen this dynamic in breech, VBAC, and head-down births. It's one more reason that a midwife, doctor and doula team can offer the best care (that is, if everyone is working harmoniously and within their strengths and/or roles and not pushing an agenda or afraid to offer their strengths).
If that wasn't enough preaching, here's another observation:
Occasionally, I hear women say they are planning to stay home with a breech because their midwife has been at breech births. A question arises, however: How many breech births are enough to satisfy her ability to handle the complications? (My experience is limited, too.) My hopes are that women who do stay home with a breech are following their inner voice and listening to their babies. We don't give birth from the left side of the brain. Facts and protocols are good, but they are not what we must rely on once a complication arises. Just because Breech Is Normal doesn't mean all breech births are spontaneous. Sometimes, when a breech birth is difficult, it can get very difficult, very fast, with no time to transport. Few American midwives have complete breech training and fewer have the skills of experience for breech emergencies, to go into the unassisted breech home birth.
Normal breech labor is really lovely, often more comfortable for the woman, dynamic and exciting for all. Most crises are easily handled by the well-trained provider. Often the observer might miss the fact that there was even a stuck arm or head when everyone is calm. My responsibility as an educator is to go on a bit about "the tougher variations of stuck," because they do happen and they do lead to scary close calls and even death. Face that fact, don't divert from it. With all potentials listed, paired with your intuition, you can better assess whether your resources are adequate to your needs in providing or receiving breech care.
Mothers should listen to what God, Nature, the baby and their inner sense is communicating to them. When breech home birth is right for a mom, she will have a contentment and an inner conviction, not a heady drive to show the world that vaginal breech birth is possible. Rather, she will have an inner certainty that she is following what is right for her baby. Her midwife should have the same guidance, rather than being guided by philosophy or ideology. It is all of our responsibility to know the difference.
It is good to sit beside the birthing woman with the understanding that she is following a wisdom which expresses her own natural physiology.
It is also good to know breech cardinal movements and recognize when the baby is unable to make the next cardinal movement. See Jane Evans' article on the Physiological Breech Birth, including the cardinal movements in MIDIRS journal. Then, study Anne Frye's Holistic Midwifery, Vol. II, on the breech cardinal movements. Use a doll and pelvis to illustrate each step. Do this 100 times.
Skills are processed with logic, but practiced with heart and hands.
Here's a picture of a baby who is coming well in a hands-off, knee-elbow maternal position. The arms are about to come out on their own as indicated by the deep crease in the chest showing the compression of the elbows on the chest.
It is also good to know several ways of helping if the arms and/or head becomes stuck. If you can't see it coming before it happens, you have more to learn. The first view of the breech will show you if there may be trouble ahead. At the first peek, there may still be time to change plans.
Before a midwife attends a home breech birth, she will be more helpful if she knows well how to resolve the stuck shoulders of head-down babies. Rotation and handling the shoulders in a head-down baby aren't exactly like stuck shoulders with a breech, but are very similar. The principles are the same, just applied upside down! Having been through several shoulder dystocias gives the midwife practical skills in a crisis.
Other necessary skills would include:
- Physiological resuscitation of the newborn
- Creative cord unwrapping
- Recognition of cord compression
- Handling a rapid hemorrhage
- Patience to keep hands off
- Courage to be hands-on
- And the wisdom to know the difference!
Early placenta detachment can occur and gives the midwife some extra juggling tasks as the baby is emerging or has just emerged.
Another very nice skill, though not a common one, would be pediatric craniosacral and myofascial release. One may refer to a person who can do "cranials" for the baby, which will improve breastfeeding and other vital functions immediately, as well as in the following hours, days, and weeks after birth.
Even before the birth, communication skills with parents about birthing outside of the typically accepted practices of American birth, and perhaps without family support, is important to nurture the mother's body-mind connection.
Communication flows more smoothly when we let go of our desires, agendas and even assumptions. Birth has a purpose all her own.


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Comments: The discription, the color combinations & common sense, indicate that the flat side is the top and the "curved belly" would be the belly. (aka bottom) Also the thicker end is to be considered as the "head" while the thin tapered opposite end should be regarded as the tail. Extensive testing has proven that when fish are present and in are inclined to eat, the "Shad" styled bait is effective either way, especially in the winter months when Shad die-offs commonly occur. When fish are not present and/or not inclined to eat the Shad styled bait, then it is non-effective either way. (As with tail and head) It is recommended by the Robo-Science Team (yes they are robots) to fish them in any way you see fit
From: Outcast: CA 3/28/16
Comments: Absolutely one of the best drop-shot baits on the market, period. It just works...super simple design but the colors and hand pours, I believe, make the difference. I prefer the 4" but it doesn't matter. All the colors work great just adjust according to the forage base in the B.O.W. you're fishing. These rly can save a day of fishing/tournament. If the bite is tough, go to a drop-shot w/ one of these... I think the subtly of them just gets them biting. Even when it's so tough that they won't bite other drop shot baits I've switched to these and had 2 or 3 or a limit in no time off the same offshore area/hump/structure that I was just casting w/ some other drop-shot worm. Even if they're biting well, use em then too and they're great either way. Buy some, you'll love them. There is no better baits for finesse fishing than ROBOWORM...period. ALSO: The flat side is the BOTTOM, thats the way I always rig it...I know in the picture some are shown facing both ways but Roboworm always does their salt layer on the bottom of their baits and the salt's' on the bottom. This also helps the baits stand out straight. So it is NOT to be rigged like a sluggo w/ flatside on top, flat side faces DOWN and you'll do much better than the opposite option. Nose-hook as well. I know some ppl use off-set hooks but don't w/ these.
From: Tanner: Westport, MA, USA
Comments: This is one of the best anytime dropshot baits on the market. It will catch fish from 40 degree water on up. This January (2012) we have caught several nice bass in water temps of 40 to 43 in depths up to 42 feet of water. A couple over 5 lbs. Largemouth and Smallies alike love this bait, even a small striper every now and then.
From: Mark: Roanoke, VA
Comments: Been slaying the steelhead with baby blue gill on the drop shot here in SLO county.
From: Gabe: Grover Beach, CA
Comments: I use this all the time at Castaic Lake here in So Cal and it has replaced my 4" Oxblood Red Flake Roboworm as my most productive drop shot bait. You'll definitely get more smaller fish, but I've also boated fish over 4 lbs on this small bait when the bite is tough.
From: Jim: Sherman Oaks, CA
Comments:This is a great bait, I have a Plano 3701 full of every color. I depend on these baits on a drop shot for tournaments and they do work. This weekend I'm trying it on a Carolina rig but drop shoting is number 1 for smallmouth.
From:Jake: East Haddam, CT
Comments:We have been using the Roboworm Alive Shad in Baby Bluegill color for the last 3 weekends in a row, and have been absolutely hammering the bass with them. Fished off a drop-shot with a 3/16 weight, 6lb line, and a 12" lead between bait and sink, these tiny plastics simply drive the bass mad.
From:Dan: Yucca Valley, CA


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Sign in for member information and resources.
New Jersey City University celebrates New Jersey's 350th birthday with an entertaining, educational and enlightening symposium on Saturday, April 5. Teachers, students and fans of the Garden State are invited to join almost a dozen speakers for a look at our state's contributions to the region, the nation and the world.
In partnership with the NJEA and the New Jersey Historical Commission, NJCU has put together a rewarding and fascinating day and the Deborah Cannon Partridge Wolfe College of Education is offering Continuing Education Credits. Attendance will limited so sign up today. For more information or to register for this celebration, visit www.njcu.cc/nj350.


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Presidents and sports
Throughout history, United States presidents have had a vast interest and varying roles in a variety of sports, from participating to running them. Here are how some of our presidents spent their time outside of the Oval Office, and in the interest of fairness this election season, we've included one presidential challenger, Mitt Romney. Next
An avid biker, George W. Bush completed a 100K (approximately 62 miles) in April 2012 to honor the military heroes wounded during the War on Terror. George W. was also part owner of the Texas Rangers from 1989-1998. Next
Bill Clinton kept his Secret Service detail on high alert when it came to supporting his favorite sport: running. Daniel Emmett, one of Clinton's servicemen, commented, "He dealt us a nightmare. The worst thing for the Secret Service is to take a sitting president into public when no one has been swept and anyone could be out there." Next
President Franklin D. Roosevelt grew up loving water sports, particularly swimming, sailing, and fishing. He began his battle with polio in 1921, which paralyzed him from the waist down, making his favorite pastimes difficult. Next
Despite having back problems for most of his adult life, John F. Kennedy was considered one of the best golfing presidents of all time according to Ray Buck of McClatchy Newspapers. In 2007, Time Magazine called him the "swingingest president ever." Next
Dwight Eisenhower also had the golfing bug. According to Ray Buck of McClatchy Newspapers, Eisenhower had a putting green installed in the White House right outside the Oval Office. Next
Presidential candidate Mitt Romney may not be a diehard sports fan, but he was the president and CEO of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. This past summer in London, his wife's horse, Rafalca, competed in the equestrian dressage compeition. Rafalca was bumped out of the competition when she failed to make the top 18. Next
Richard Nixon and his wife were avid bowlers and had a single-lane bowling alley installed in the White House in 1969. During his time as vice president, Nixon also golfed with President Dwight Eisenhower, but had less time for the links while dealing with the Vietnam War. After retiring to California, friends had a three-hole golf course built at his home. Next
President George H.W. Bush not only loved a rousing round of golf but also a less popular sport: horseshoes. While in office, he added a horseshoe pitch next to the White House's swimming pool and even introduced Queen Elizabeth II to the game in 1991. Next
President Gerald Ford was an accomplished athlete, playing football for the University of Michigan. Ford was on championship-winning teams in 1932 and 1933 before being voted the Wolverines' MVP in 1934. Later in life, Ford became a golf enthusiast. Next
Unlike his fellow presidents, Theodore Roosevelt's favorite sport was not golf; he was a hunter. He enjoyed hunting and roping small game in the North Dakota Badlands before he eventually set his sights on larger targets in Kenya and the Congo after his presidency. He also enjoyed tennis and football. Next
President Obama loves basketball. Whether he's courtside at an NBA game with the First Lady, or being honored by the Women's USA team with his own jersey, Obama's love for the sport is unquestioned. In his biography "Barack Obama: The Story", author David Maraniss writes, "To say that President Obama loves basketball understates the role of the sport in his life. Basketball is central to his self identity." Back to the beginning


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Ski & Stay Powder Season Package
Stay and Ski at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
To book all specials & package deals, or for more information, Call 307-733-2648. Prices vary and are customized for your specific needs.
Jackson Hole is consistently ranked a top ski destination in North America. With steep terrain and unrivaled powder, skiing and snowboarding at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is an experience of a lifetime! Recent improvements to the resort have increased terrain for beginner and intermediate skiers as well, making Jackson Hole a perfect destination for the entire family.
We are anticipating an amazing start to the season as new snow continues to fall on the upper mountain! Getting to Jackson is easier than ever- direct flights are now available from Newark, Denver, Seattle, Salt Lake City, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Minneapolis, Chicago, Atlanta, San Francisco, Houston, and Los Angeles.
The Lexington Hotel & Suites at Jackson Hole is the perfect basecamp for your ski vacation. Our accommodation options include Courtyard Rooms – with heated tile bathroom floors, two-room QQ Suites and Specialty Rooms. You'll appreciate the convenient location in downtown Jackson, within walking distance to the town square shopping and restaurants. Every morning you'll enjoy a hot breakfast of waffles, biscuits & gravy, ham & cheese croissants and eggs, bacon & sausage. Sign up for our free transportation on a space available basis to & from the ski resort twice per day (8:30am and 4pm). After a perfect day on the slopes, relax in the hot tub or play a game of chess next to the fire in our beautifully revamped lobby.
Call 307-733-2648 for reservations. Our staff can assist you with longer stays, larger groups and area activities. Visit Jackson Hole this winter!
Need equipment rentals? JH Mountain Direct is the most complete rental delivery service in Jackson Hole, conveniently delivering skis and snowboards to you at the hotel. Save 20% when you book online.


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Showing 1-24 of 70 items found in Arts & Culture
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1950s Park Forest House Museum
Step back into the 1950s in an original rental townhome furnished with toys, dolls, books, clothes and home furnishings of the era, in the first fully-planned post-World War II suburb.
CITY:Park Forest
Step back into the 1950s in a representation of an original home with toys, dolls, books, clothes and furnishings of the era, in the first fully-planned post-World War II suburb.
CITY:Park Forest
This nationally recognized dance company performs all styles of dance. The troupe's annual spectacular, Holiday Fantasy, was selected as the Best Live Show in Chicago Southland.
CITY:Orland Park
Annie Lee and Friends Art Gallery
Come visit one of Chicagoland's largest full-service art galleries, featuring original art by nationally known artist Annie Lee. The gift shop offers hundreds of unique gifts and collectibles.
Three floors of fun! Shop our 1st floor boutique, create in our upstairs art studio and upcycle with vintage soul re-sale in our lower level.
Visit the Art Garden which features outdoor sculptures & eco-friendly gardens. Murals & sculptures are also displayed in the Downtown Business District adjacent to the Art Garden.
CITY:Palos Heights
Calumet City Historical Society
Come discover Calumet City's fascinating heritage and history.
CITY:Calumet City
Calumet City Historical Society & Museum
An 1836 log cabin is located next to Veteran's Park at Burnham Avenue & 166th (Heritage Drive) where our annual festival in September is held with entertainment & food. Our museum at 760 Wentworth Avenue, Calumet City, Illinois has exhibits of local interest.
CITY:Calumet City
Carmelite Campus National Shrine of St. Therese
The National Shrine of St. Therese is a Roman Catholic shrine, chapel, and museum dedicated to St. Therese of Lisieux. The Shrine is home to the most wonderful collection of relics, personal effects and memorabilia of Therese outside of France. The Shrine chapel celebrates Mass every weekday at 11:30 am. Tours are available for groups of 20 or more, including a private tour of an exact replica of St. Therese's monastery cell in France. The shrine sits peacefully on a 50-acre estate owned and operated by the Carmelites of the Most Pure Heart of Mary. Adjacent to the Shrine is the Carmelite Spiritual Center, offering meeting room rental, lodging, meals and spiritual retreats as well as organized Shrine tours.
Discover a world of fun and learning at the Children's Museum in Oak Lawn! Explore Neuroscience, theater, art and other fun, educational exhibits.
CITY:Oak Lawn
Located on the main campus of Prairie State College, the Christopher Art Gallery hosts six to eight shows annually, featuring local, regional and national artists, as well as student works. Programming varies by media, theme, and artists represented.
CITY:Chicago Heights
Civic Center Authority Visitor Center
The Bedford Park Heritage Corridor Visitor Center is full of information and literature of exciting things to do and see throughout the Heritage Corridor. The Visitor Center provides National Heritage Corridor promotional literature and I&M Canal related resources to the public. It is operated by the Civic Center Authority in partnership with Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Village of Willow Springs. The Center is staffed by volunteers recruited and managed by the Civic Center Authority. Open Saturday 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM and Sunday 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM.
CITY:Bedford Park
This memorial is dedicated to the 50+ men from Blue Island who served in the Union armies.
CITY:Blue Island
Our beautiful Country Club Hills Theater is an intimate, 2500 seat outdoor amphitheater located just 35 miles south of Chicago that combines stylish, modern architecture and state-of-the-art audio and video technology with the same kind of rustic, community charm that our city is famous for.
CITY:Country Club Hills
The Moraine Valley Community College Fine & Performing Arts Center (FPAC) presents quality cultural programs and popular entertainment in this 600-seat Theater.
CITY:Palos Hills
Exploration Station, A Childrens Museum
A hands-on exploration and discovery museum for children and their families. Tuesday & Thursday are donation afternoons, where after 2 p.m. a suggested donation of $1.00 per person is requested.
This memorial incorporates over twelve tons of steel and concrete from the World Trade Center disaster and features bronze sculptures by Artist Erik Blome.
CITY:Oak Lawn
The Flossmoor Sculpture Gardens is an outdoor arts program that places sculptures in the village square, along charming residental streets and in the Flossmoor Sculpture and Garden Park.
Frankfort Area Historical Society
Small museum with unique display areas and photographs of Frankfort memorabilia.
Freedom Hall offers a diverse series accenting dance, music, theatre, popular attractions, children's theatre and outreach activities. Join us in the intimate 280-seat Nathan Manilow Theatre.
CITY:Park Forest
The Gladys Fox Museum is located in the beautifully restored Old Congregational Church, which is the oldest surviving building of its type in Illinois. The building was constructed in 1840 of native limestone on land donated by the Illinois & Michigan.
Governors State University Center for Performing Arts
The Center for Performing Arts presents high-quality and affordable national touring acts, Chicago-based artists and community programs in genres from jazz to opera, dance, theatre and family favorites.
CITY:University Park
Beautiful outdoor music theatre open May through September with a capacity of just under 30,000 people. Concessions and private catering available; tour buses welcome.
CITY:Tinley Park
Illinois Aviation Museum at Bolingbrook
Providing the nation with access to the rich history of aviation in Illinois, the Illinois Aviation Museum at Bolingbrook focuses on technology, research, education and community service.


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What should the President do in regard to Afghanistan?
Should Columbus Day be offensive to Native Americans?
Did President Obama deserve to win the Nobel Peace Prize?
Michael Moore says homeowners who have been foreclosed are the same as rape victims. Do you agree?
If found guilty of murder, should the teenagers in Mont Vernon be put to death?
Did you or someone you know lose a job?
Should the sperm donor in the Herald story have to pay child support to 'Jane Doe'?
Are you saddened or gladdened that Chicago lost the summer Olympics?
Michelle Obama says her trip to Copenhagen was a sacrifice. Do you agree?
Who would you rather read a book by:


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Discovering the Bahá'í Gardens
"Wow, what is that?" This question sprang from my mouth the moment I first saw the Bahá'í Gardens in Haifa, Israel.
My classmates and I had just gotten off of the bus in the German Colony area and were on our way to a restaurant that sits on the street just below the breathtaking monument. Since it was nighttime, all I could make out was an organized pattern of lights seeming to ascend into the sky.
I had never heard of the Bahá'í Faith prior to my visit to Haifa. After a bit of research, I found out that Bahá'í is a relatively new monotheistic religion founded in nineteenth-century Persia and that the Bahá'í Gardens (or Terraces of the Bahá'í Faith, or Hanging Gardens of Haifa) are gardens that surround the Shrine of Bab. Bab was the founder of Babism and forerunner to the Bahá'í Faith.
Intrigued by this new information, I decided to get a daytime look and spend my lunch hour at the brilliant edifice. The gardens are a landscaper's dream (or nightmare, in terms of upkeep). Layers upon layers of perfectly manicured lawns, sparkling fountains, and pruned foliage scale the side of Mount Carmel. Guided tours take awestruck visitors from all faiths up and down the stairs and throughout the flower-lined terraces.
A colleague and I listened in on one tour guide as she described how the Israeli government dealt with the Bahá'í community during the establishment of the Jewish state. Holy places, like the Bahá'í Gardens, would be preserved, but the Bahá'í had to stop their missionary activities and limit for the number of followers allowed to remain in the new nation.
Leaving the gardens, I couldn't help thinking that in Israel, religious politics plays a part in everything, even the flowers.
(photos by Ron Almog)
Editor's note: Krista and the On Being team are in Israel this week and working with Diane Winston's graduate students from the University of Southern California Annenberg School of Communication & Journalism. We'll be sharing some of these students' reports as part of our collaboration and to add to the diversity of observations of this complex place.


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Finâ Costello/Getty
They took thrash metal from the back rooms to the biggest stadiums. How much do you really know about Metallica?
Start Quiz »
You scored
0 out of 30
Question 1 of 30
How many studio albums has the band released?
From those albums, the band has released 37 singles.
Question 2 of 30
"Suicide & Redemption" is the band's longest song. How long is it?
9 minutes and 57 seconds
It's also an instrumental song, with no lyrics whatsoever.
7 minutes and 54 seconds
7 minutes and 10 seconds
Question 3 of 30
Metallica's 1991 album became known as what?
The White Album
The Black Album
It's still the band's all-time best seller and received unanimous critical acclaim.
The Gray Album
Question 4 of 30
Lars Ulrich is well-known for his love of what?
fine art
He's been known to spend millions of dollars on a single piece of artwork.
fine wine
coin collections
Question 5 of 30
Who was the first official lead guitarist?
Clif Burton
James Hetfield
Dave Mustaine
Mustaine left the group to start Megadeth, another massively popular band.
Question 6 of 30
When was Metallica officially formed?
November of 1980
October of 1981
It happened when James Hetfield responded to Lars Ulrich's ad in "Recycler."
March of 1982
Question 7 of 30
Lars Ulrich has played drums in the studio for only one other band, named what?
Mercyful Fate
The name of the song was "Return of the Vampire."
Question 8 of 30
How many singles were released from "Metallica?"
The first single was "Enter Sandman" which became one of the band's best-known songs.
Question 9 of 30
How many live albums has Metallica produced?
The live albums cracked the top ten, just like the studio albums.
Question 10 of 30
The French version of "Ride the Lightning" was printed with the wrong colors. How many copies exist?
For collectors, it is one of the most sought-after albums in the band's catalog.
Question 11 of 30
In total, roughly how many albums has Metallica sold worldwide?
98 million
110 million
They are one of the most successful bands ever in terms of commercial sales.
118 million
Question 12 of 30
What was the name of James Hetfield's first band?
Creeping Death
He was also in a group called Leather Charm.
Phantom Lord
Question 13 of 30
Other than Hetfield and Ulrich, who has been in the band the longest?
Kirk Hammett
His first band was named Exodus, but he's been with Metallica since 1983.
Jason Newstead
Cliff Burton
Question 14 of 30
Which album was the band's first to enter the Billboard top ten?
"Kill 'Em All"
"Ride the Lightning"
"… And Justice for All"
After only nine weeks the album had sold more than half a million copies.
Question 15 of 30
James Hetfield was raised in a religious home and his family didn't believe in what?
modern medicine
His mother died from cancer, possibly in part because she did not seek medical treatment.
the Internet
Question 16 of 30
Which album do many long-time fans consider the dividing work between "old" and "new" Metallica?
The album has slower and more melodic songs than the band's earlier work.
"Ride the Lightning"
Question 17 of 30
Why did the band kick Dave Mustaine out of the group?
His excessive drinking problem and difficult personality.
He also did massive amounts of heroin and other drugs, but so did the other members.
He insisted on writing credits for every song.
He wanted more creative control.
Question 18 of 30
What was the first instrument that James Hetfield played?
He started playing piano at age nine
Question 19 of 30
Which producer also played as a member of the band for a time?
Ron McGovney
Bob Rock
He got production credit for every album from 1990 to 2003 and played bass temporarily.
Robert Trujillo
Question 20 of 30
Which famous musician did Kirk Hammett take guitar lessons from?
Dave Mustaine
Joe Satriani
His private lessons paid off handsomely.
Question 21 of 30
What injury did Hetfield sustain while on tour with Guns N' Roses?
third-degree burns
He was burned badly by a pyrotechnics malfunction.
compound fracture
Question 22 of 30
Metallica famously filed a lawsuit against which technology company?
The company's technology was allowing users to illegally share copies of the band's songs.
Question 23 of 30
How many Grammy awards has the band won?
Its two most recent came in 2009, for best metal performance and best recording package.
Question 24 of 30
Where did Kirk Hammett get his first guitar?
Montgomery Ward
The cheap instrument came with a 4-inch speaker.
Question 25 of 30
How did Cliff Burton die?
The band's tour bus crashed.
The accident occurred during the European leg of the 1986 tour.
He was in a motorcycle accident.
He drowned.
Question 26 of 30
Lars Ulrich was proficient at which sport as a young man?
He actually moved to Los Angeles to pursue the sport.
Question 27 of 30
Which city's symphony orchestra performed the band's songs for a special recording?
New York
San Francisco
A recording of the performance debuted at number two on the Billboard charts.
Question 28 of 30
How many consecutive albums have debuted at No. 1?
It is the first band ever to achieve this feat.
Question 29 of 30
Who did the band hire to produce "Death Magnetic"?
Bob Rock
Phil Spector
Rick Rubin
Rubin has worked with other huge acts, such as LL Cool J, Lady Gaga and Black Sabbath.
Question 30 of 30
What was unique about 2014's "Metallica By Request" tour?
The songs were all acoustic
Fans selected the songs for the setlist
Unsurprisingly, "Master of Puppets" was one of the most popular songs.
Pre-screened fans were allowed onstage