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Untitled: America goes big.
Trip Start Jul 04, 2007
23Trip End Sep 04, 2007
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To back up my statement, here's a break down of my day:
1. Did some research at the office for the article I'll be writing for NEED magazine and drew an outline of story and angle.
2. Had Taco Bell for lunch, while driving on a freeway.
3. Visited the Mall of America, an insane collection of shops, arcades, and fast food joints in the outskirts of Minneapolis
4. Watched a couple of bands playing at the 400 Bar.
Does it sound like fun? Well, I can't say it wasn't...Skipping the details regarding work - you can find out more about it when the next issue of the magazine comes out - it all really started when Stephanie, my editor, had the brilliant idea to show me the Mall of America.
For those of you who are not familiar with it, the Mall of America is the biggest complex of its kind anywhere in the US, beaten in North America only by a bigger one in Canada. It's also probably one of the biggest malls in the worlds, but plans have already been discussed to expand it.
Now, you got to see this place to understand how massive it is, and I hope the pictures I took will give you an idea of its scale. On its five floors, it houses hundreds of stores, endless restaurants, it has two huge parking lots and an amusement park. Indoor. If it wasn't for Stephanie I would have easily gotten lost. Anthropological speaking, I was mesmerised.
But the truly interesting part of my day, the one that gave me the inspiration to write what I'm writing, was the drive from the office to the mall
While wolfing down our food and driving along the freeway, Stephanie and I had an extremely captivating conversation about American society, its government, and its many twisted sides and addictions.
In this context, the Mall of America was in one the cause and the end of our chat, as it highlighted the fact that in the US size matters. Almost everything, and everybody, seems carved to match and sustain a widespread larger-than-life attitude.
What follows is a loose summary of some of Stephanie's best comments on this topic:
"This nation is too big, its government is too big, its population and its people are too big.
"Everything, from construction materials to fabric for kids' clothing, is strictly uniform and regulated, so that people can feel safe and at home wherever they are
"These microcosms are created so that they can understand what's going on without losing their mind in the wider picture."
That reminded me of something I had read earlier on Minneapolis City Pages while having breakfast. It was an article on terrorism, and security checks that are supposed to be preventing it, but that have also become totally disproportionate, especially in airports.
The main interviewee, Bruce Schneier, a security systems expert, is quoted as saying that government bodies are implementing nothing more than a "cover your ass" kind of strategy, whereas you check and scan shoes after somebody tried to smuggle a bomb in that way; you ban liquids after the London security threat; and so on and so forth.
He also suggest that the situation today is a "security theater", a farce being played so that people can feel safe, and that won't actually have any tangible effect - as far as prevention goes at least - if a serious terroristic ordeal was to take place.
Furthermore, an attack could not only happen in airports, but also in bus terminals, train station, and, well, shopping malls. I was at the Port Authority and Grand Central in New York recently, and at the Mall of America today, and there were probably as many people there as you could find in a smallish international airport
So why bother for the latter while it's obviously a free-for-all in the former? Does it really matter the location where people may be slaughtered? The journalist in me tells me that we might all know the answer to that, but it's extremely sad....and totally coherent with our show-biz-hungry society.
Stay Tuned.
ps: I was almost forgetting the last part of the day...Back in Minneapolis, Steph and I went to the 400 Bar, a music venue renowned for gigs, dinky atmosphere, rude staff and pricey drinks - quoting another friend of mine: "The 400 is the place that everybody in town loathe, but where everybody ends up going at some stage."
Check their website here.


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By NEMS Daily Journal
Many coalitions so easily fall apart
Is there some deep and intrinsic understanding that white America has of Republican values that allows Republicans to hold sway over vast majorities of them at all cost? What is it that causes them to vote against their own self interest just to be on the Republican bandwagon? Based on our true history, be it commonly accepted history or revisionist history, we marvel at how white Americans were able to put so much in place to make this country a great place for themselves and others; however, answers to this quandary seems to elude those of us who live in a world of reason.
The emerging citizens from formerly fringe minorities are asking for a small share of the American pie. But before we start to think that it is a probability we should remember that coalitions are harder to hold together than solidarity of race and nationality.
Some good examples are:
• The coalitions of the World Wars
• The League of Nations
• The Soviet Union
They all fell apart. Many others will follow in that same vein, which will probably include the European Union and possible the national Democratic Party.
The opening is there. Based on long term historical accounts of disparate group's collective action, all the Republicans have to do to turn things back into their favor is ameliorate some of their harsh stances on women's issues, race and issues of immigration. Or better yet, just show a measure of care for their fellow man and, most of all, consideration for reasonable consistency. If while cutting through the thicket of bad ideas and, at the same time projecting their faults upon The Democrats they could succeed; but, if the Republicans continue down that path of purity and absolute certainty they will, deservedly so, be the ones relegated to the scrap heaps.
Arvin Mosley
LETTERS POLICY: The Daily Journal welcomes letters from readers. Letters should be brief – not more than 350 words. Shorter letters are preferred. Letters must be signed, with the name, address and daytime telephone number of the writer. Anonymous letters will not be considered. Letters are subject to abridgment. Send letters to The Editor,
Box 909, Tupelo, MS 38802-0909, fax to 842-2233 or email to firstname.lastname@example.com.

subset: commoncrawl


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RB - B+ Love Rice and Charles is a top RB2 with RB1 upside but don't like your lack of depth in a 10 team league. I have no use for Wells at all, Williams will have a few great games and disappear in others when they only give hin 6 or 7 carries so he is an OK RB4 but real hit or miss.
WR - A This could well end up the strength of your team, some real hit or miss guys here but if it works they'll be some high scorers. I'm not as high on Andre Johnson as some this year but he has the ability and potential to be a top 5 WR (especially in PPR leagues). Austin (injuries) and Wallace (hold out fatigue) are high rish, high reward guys. They can put up huge games or could have you cursing them all year. Kenny Britt has injury concern but for a WR4 with top 10 possibilities it's worth the risk and with your theme. Moore is another boom or bust guy weekly.
TE - B+ Finely burned so many last year I'm a little off on him this year but he plays on one of the highest powered offenses that passes a ton so the opportunity is there. Gonzolez may get less chances now with Jones and White but might be better quality ones. A solid backup/bye week filler.
Overall - A- I love the plan you went with for WR's (assuming it was intentional) you'll go as far as they carry you and if they all get hot that could be the super bowl.


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Andy Ristie Dethrones Giorgio Petrosyan in R3
- Written by Dave Walsh
If there was an improbability it was for Giorgio Petrosyan to lose. If there was something that was nearly impossible it was Giorgio Petrosyan losing via Knockout, yet, yet... Here we are and Giorgio Petrosyan has been knocked out in Round 3 by Andy Ristie. Andy Ristie was applying lots of pressure in the first round with Petrosyan not able to find his rhythm until the very end. The second round saw a lot of the same with Petrosyan in control, but not able to find his rhythm.
Round three was do or die for Ristie and Andy Ristie just rushed out there like a bat out of hell but it wasn't enough to put Petrosyan down. Then Ristie landed a huge right hand that had Petrosyan stunned only for him to follow it up with a combination of a right, left and another left that finished it. Petrosyan went down and Andy Ristie had done the impossible.
GIF by ZombieProphet.


text: Oh yeah, I see what youre saying, the Jets are set at QB for years to come. God I hope Rex and the rest of the rest of the guys down in that swamp ridden garbage dump of Jersey agree with you. Because other than watching my team position themselves for yet another playoff run, the second best part of the football season is watching Jet fans see their dreams come crashing down every year, and then guys like you playing make believe so you dont have to deal with the reality of the situation. Youre like the guy that's up to his neck in flood waters commenting on how dry his hair still is.


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For 3,000 years, mankind has grappled with fundamental questions about life. What is real? Who or what is God? When is it legitimate for one person to have power over others? What is justice? Beauty?
This 84-lecture, 12-professor tour of Western philosophical tradition covers more than 60 of history's greatest minds and brings you a comprehensive survey of the history of Western philosophy from its origins in classical Greece to the present.
It took 3,000 years for the debate chronicled in these lectures to reach maturity.
With this series of lectures, you can encompass it by the end of next month. You'll travel chronologically through the history of the Western world, charting the intriguing development of Western philosophy and drawing fascinating connections between thinkers separated by the gulf of time and space. You'll acquaint yourself with the Greek Pre-Socratics (the world's first scientific thinkers) and examine in detail the insights of three towering figures: Socrates, his student Plato, and Plato's student, Aristotle.
You'll examine the contributions to philosophy from biblical traditions and the great minds of the Christian age. Then, you'll mark the critical schism that developed between the claims of faith and those of science and participate in the breathless discovery found during the Enlightenment, which reveled in the new freedom of human potential and scientific expansion. You'll study the provocative philosophical responses (by the Existentialists and others) to the challenges raised by the new scientific consciousness. And you'll conclude with an overview of the work of Derrida and other late 20th-century philosophers and theorists.
The full list of lecturers includes Professors Alan Charles Kors, Darren Staloff, Dennis Dalton, Douglas Kellner, Jeremy Adams, Jeremy Shearmur, Kathleen M. Higgins, Louis Markos, Mark Risjord, Phillip Cary, Robert C. Solomon, and Robert H. Kane.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
©2000 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2000 The Great Courses
Jaime, road cyclist
"A high-quality, college course without text or ref"
The breadth was quite strong until the later half of the eighteenth century. Up to that point, the impact of non-philosophical thought was given reasonable consideration: Copernicus and Newton for example. However, the impact and, to some degree, the writings of Darwin, Einstein, Heisenberg and Hubble, to name a few, were left out as the narrative focused more narrowly on work more explicitly labeled as modern philosophy.
The sense of continuity. It would have been unsurprising for a lengthy series of lectures by so many distinct academics to seem disjoint. This did not. Numerous references are made to previous lectures and far more to previous topics in a remarkably consistent fashion.
One of the speakers gave the impression of being in a rush, needing to fit as much as possible in to the available time. He was very lucid and clear, which is good because the rushing could have made his fairly dense presentation hard to follow.1 problematic professor out of 12 is an excellent ratio.
None needed.
BE AWARE!!The lack of the accompanying course notes is very unfortunate. I contacted The Great Courses and they refuse to provide the course notes to Audible customers. On the Audible site, the publisher's description ends with "Disclaimer: Please note that this recording may include references to supplemental texts or print references that are not essential to the program and not supplied with your purchase."
"Fantastic overview"
I have recommended it to my friends, because this is, as far as I know, the best and most simultaneously accessible and comprehensive overview of philosophy that is available in the audio-book format. Furthermore, the fact that such a variety of scholars present the material is helpful: everyone seems to be an expert on the thing that they're talking about, and almost every one of the lectures is informative and interesting.
The lectures on Nietzche, Rorty, Aquinas and Kierkegaard.
They are all confident and clear in their presentation, and it seems obvious that they are all truly experts and experienced teachers.
"One request"
please provide a chapter to philosopher map - otherwise to look back at any single chapter is a real chore
Learn, understand, then decide whether you accept or reject.
"Your Mileage May Vary"
Prepare yourself for some sophisticated concepts. This is not your average audiobook, and if you want to get your money's worth you'll have to concentrate and often repeat certain lectures to fully understand all the interrelated concepts mentioned and discussed in it. And some lectures mention concepts that have been introduced in previous lectures, with little more than a quick recap. So better get your academia ready.
With multiple professors contributing, I couldn't help but notice that a few of them had certain pronunciation perks which started to bother me after a couple of courses they give. It shouldn't take too much value away, however.
I have never written a review in 5+ years of membership on the Audible site and hundreds of books read. However, I had to write one for this collection. I have spent years borrowing these titles from my local public library (all the way back to when they only had a limited array of cassette tape courses). Each course is like sitting in on a series of college lectures discussing the topic your choosing - at your pace - with no finals or tuition bills! For anyone on the fence about buying, don't wait, they are well worth it. These courses are going to cost me a lot of credits...
"Pretty Good"
The speakers are all very good. They do mostly explain various pholosophers point of view. The one on Martin Luther was the best for me because it explained the mind and thoughts of Luther that brought about the Reformation.
"Way too-too much"
I'm a fan of the Teaching Company and have purchased a lot of their courses. So it pains me to report that this course is not up to previous high standards. It covers way to much and fails to ties all the lessons together. There are themes in philosophy, but the numerous lectures too often are disjointed from these themes. The coverage is very wide, and as a consequence, the depth is minimal, and (unfortunately) too disjointed.
Dean W.
"Uneven Lectures"
The subject is very interesting, but the lectures are not from "the best college professors in the world" or even the United States. Some lectures are superficial, suited to high school level not college. They often fail to give the reader a feel for the true meaning and substance of a given philosopher, i.e., why should we care about this persons ideas and thoughts complete with illustrations of how these ideas live on today. The lectures on 20th century philosophers are as barren as 20th century philosophy--stick with the classics up to the 19th century. And, dump the fake clapping before and after each lecture.
An excellent series of philosophy lectures by some brilliant professors...this audio series is better than a first year philosophy college course.
Linda Wang
"Great course."
This course has covered most of the important thinkers in western intellectual tradition. Great presentation, excellent quality.
"Too many lecturers without auditive appeal"
I would delete the chapters about the bible. It is not the result of a work of a great mind, whomever may have inspired it, and does not belong in this company. It seems almost propagandist placed in this context
There are especially two Professors who get a lot of speaking time, but I am afraid are grating to listen to. One is Pr. Carrie, I am certain he is very knowledgable, but his habit of saying "right ?" after each sentence in certain parts which is really annoying, as if he is trying to convince the listener, or start a debate which is impossible to partake in. As most if not all of this subject is conjectural, and really the basis for debate, I wonder why he says "right?" all the time.. The other I think is a Pr Kors, I think his name was. His narration is so mechanical, and the voice so grating, that is is rather painful to listen to. My apologies to these gentleman, I do not mean to offend, but reviews are for truthful feedback. The material is at time difficult enough as it is, without the added distraction of difficult narrative style.The material is a bit cursory, but then it is a romp through the history of philosophy and one cannot expect more.
That is difficult, but seeing that most of this is European history, someone with a British accent, and a more pleasant tone.
Good question.
Report Inappropriate Content
If you find this review inappropriate and think it should be removed from our site, let us know. This report will be reviewed by Audible and we will take appropriate action.


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Dell 24 Gaming Monitor - SE2417HGr
Dell Dual Monitor Stand MDS14
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Curved or flat? FHD, UHD or WQHD? When shopping for computer monitors you're often faced with questions that you won't intuitively know the answers to. Fortunately, with a little information, you can compare the monitors available and choose the right one for all that you do. Just a few of the things that consumers should consider when researching PC monitors include:
- • Screen Style: Monitors with wide, flat displays are the norm – and deliver images on a smooth, even plane. They're an excellent option for virtually any use and can be coupled with other flat displays to create a wider view. Curved monitors, on the other hand, feature a subtle curved screen and offer a wider field of view – which lends a cinematic edge to your favorite videos and games, and gives you more room to work on large spreadsheets connecting it to an extra monitor.
- • Resolution: Today's computer monitors typically come in three resolutions – full high definition (FHD), ultra-high definition (UHD) and wide quad high definition (WQHD). HD monitors deliver images in 1080p, which is the same resolution as Blu-ray discs. Meanwhile, UHD and WQHD computer monitors can deliver images at four (or more) times the resolution of full HD monitors – providing improved clarity, colors and contrast, however WQHD monitors are formatted specifically for a wide display.
- • Functionality: Traditional PC monitors can be controlled with a keyboard or mouse, while touchscreen displays give you the added option of using your finger or a stylus to manipulate the content on the screen. Touchscreens often require more cleaning due to smudges, but do give you a similar user experience across your phone, your tablet, and your computer.
- • Size: When considering the size of a computer monitor, the size of your space cannot be discounted. After all, if it won't suit your home, it certainly won't suit your needs. Beyond that, consider how many hours you'll be using your monitor and what type of activities you'll be using it for. If you spend hours looking at spreadsheets, creating artwork, or watching videos, a larger monitor will give you a wider, more immersive view. However, if you only use it to surf the web and manage your household, a smaller monitor will likely suit your needs.
Explore our full range of monitors, as well as the latest PC accessories – and create a space that's thoughtfully designed for all that you do.


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The Inductor In-Line Duct Fan solves air delivery problems without major system rework or expense. Double crimped for easy flex duct installation.
NEVER expose your Inductor® to airflow temperatures exceeding 140°F (60°C).
· Make sure all electrical wiring conforms to all applicable codes and standards. If you are not familiar with electrical installations, consult a qualified electrician.
· Never use an Inductor for dryer venting.
· Never connect the High and Low speed wires of a 2-speed Inductor together.
Why do I have a room that is always too cold?
Your problem room may be located far from the furnace. Friction in the long duct reduces airflow to the register in that room, thus delivery of heated air. Also, perhaps the room is over an unheated garage or the duct is simply too small (undersized) to get enough heated air to that room. Remember too, when you are delivering heated air to a room, that air has to have a way to get out of that room. Otherwise there will be no air circulation. Does the room have an air return register? If not, is the door of that room kept closed, stopping air circulation?
Why do I have a room that is always too hot?
The room that you have a cooling problem with may be far away from the central air system. Long duct runs cause reduction in airflow, plus, the cooled air may have heated up before it gets to the problem room. Perhaps the problem run is to a room on the South side of the house, which has a large window, catching a lot of summer heat.
Chances are that your 'hot' rooms are on the second level of your home. You see, cooled air is dense and heavy. It doesn't like to flow upstairs. This is a very common problem, worsened by undersized ductwork and inaccessibility of those ducts.
Particularly for upstairs cooling problems, select the largest fan you can fit and use duct diameter expanders & reducers to adapt to the ducts already in place.
What boost can I expect from an Inductor?
A standard floor or wall register is normally fed by a 6" diameter duct. You would like to boost the airflow from that register because you have a room that is usually cold in the winter or hot in the summer.
The airflow from that register may be as low as 20 or 30 Cubic Feet of air per minute.
Expect this particular example to have double the airflow when an Inductor is installed.
What temperature difference does boosted airflow make?
This is dependent on a host of variables. How well insulated is the room? What heat gain in the summer through a window? How far is the register from the furnace? Is this room over an unheated garage? Etc.
Here is an example:
During the winter heating season, you need a room about 4 °F warmer than it is. To achieve this you will need 11% more airflow out of the register(s) in that room assuming that your furnace runs 60 minutes out of the hour.
If your furnace runs 20 minutes out of the hour on a cold winter day, that is 1/3 of an hour. You will need 3 times the 11% or 33% boost. In most applications, an Inductor will boost up to 80%. Thus, well up to the task of warming up a room.
How much power does an Inductor use?
Example: The DB206, 6" diameter Inductor is rated at 0.35 Amp.
For a 120 Volt product, that is 0.35 x 120 = 42 Watt.
This is the maximum motor STARTING Watts. Once the fan runs, the actual wattage is 27 Watts. Like a small light bulb. In the Suncourt product specifications section, Inductors are listed by Amperage. As a rule of thumb, running Amperage is about 60% of the listed (start) Amperage.
So, to figure it out: Listed Amperage times Voltage (120 Volt) equals startup Watts.
Actual running Watts are about 60% of that.
What type of motors are used in Suncourt products?
The electric motors used in Suncourt products are C-Frame two-pole motors, Class B, Thermally Protected, sleeve bearings and synthetic lubricant. The exceptions are the 400 Series Inductors which have 4-pole, Class B, Thermally Protected motors with sleeve bearings and synthetic lubricant.
Can I use a rheostat or fan speed control with an Inductor?
No. A rheostat lowers the voltage supplied to the fan motor. This will cause the motor to overheat and the Thermal Protector will open, destroying the motor.
A solid-state fan speed control could be used. The problem is that such a control allows the fan to be adjusted to very low RPM's. Since the electric motor needs air flowing over it for cooling, adjusting to too low a RPM will cause the motor to overheat. That will cause the Thermal Protector to open, destroying the motor and voiding the Warranty. Since the speed the motor is adjusted by the user and is not under the control of Suncourt, we advise against using a solid-state motor speed control.
What does Thermally Protected mean?
A thermally Protected motor contains a fuse that will cut off power to the motor should the motor temperature exceed a safe limit. All Suncourt electric motors are Thermally Protected.
What are the fan blades made of?
Our smaller Inductors are equipped with Polycarbonate fan blades. (A high strength superior material as used for jet fighter canopies). All others have aluminum fan blades. Exception: The fan blade of models DB102, DB205 and DB305 are made of a flame retardant Valox material.
How many Inductor fans can I install?
We recommend that you do not install more than 2 Inductors per 8 registers in your air distribution system.
Two boosters will not appreciably affect the airflow to the remaining registers.
If you install more than 2 Inductors per 8 registers, you may be lowering the airflow from a register in some other room in your home, thus creating temperature problems there.
Will an Inductor always double airflow from any register?
No. An Inductor will boost airflow more to a poorly performing register (which is the register needing help) than to a register that already has good airflow. As stated before, a poorly performing register may have double the airflow with an Inductor. A well performing register may have a 30% to 50% percent increase in airflow.
What is the difference between Free Air and Boosted Air?
Free air is the air volume output from a fan, expressed in Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM) when the fan is not connected to any ductwork, pipes, louvers or other items that would interfere with the free flow of air from the fan.
Boosted Air is the maximum airflow that can be passed through an Inductor in CFM before this fan, installed in a duct, becomes a hindrance to airflow rather than boosting an existing airflow.
Depending on the specifics of the electric motor and fan blade combination, Boosted Air can be between 50% to 100% greater than Free Air.
Can I "over boost" a register?
Suncourt Inductors are designed to provide progressive boost. This means that the airflow is proportionally boosted to the need of a particular register. Our booster fans are designed to run at a low RPM in free air. At this RPM, the fan motor runs below the peak torque that can be generated by the motor. Depending on the air blown into the intake side of the Inductor, the RPM will adjust itself as needed to provide boost and will operate at or near peak torque of the electric motor.
In what type of duct can I install an Inductor?
Inductors are suitable for installation in metal, flexible or high density pressed fiberglass ducts. The Inductor can be secured to the duct with screws or a good quality duct tape.
Can I build-in an Inductor, i.e. drywall or panel over it?
No. The Inductor must always remain accessible for service, cleaning or repair.
Can I use the Inductor to vent outside air?
The Inductor has to be protected from rain and excessive moisture.
What is the lowest airflow temperature for an Inductor?
To maintain good oiling of the motor bearings, we recommend a minimum temperature of 40°F (4°C).
What do I typically need for electrical installation?
You will need a small electrical box to mount on the Inductor.
We recommend #8 self piercing sheet metal screws, ½" to 5/8" long. Be sure these screws do not touch the fan blade or the electric motor.
For this box you will need a power supply strain relief to mount in a "knockout" in the electrical box.
Choose the power cable to conform to the applicable codes and standards. The staff at your favorite Home Center can recommend these materials to you.
Where do I get power from for the Inductor?
Here you have a number of options.
The easiest way to power your Inductor for automatic ON/OFF operation with both your furnace and air conditioner is to use the Suncourt DuctStat. Please view the DuctStat section of these FAQ's.
You may power the Inductor via a standard wall switch for manual ON/OFF operation. Running an Inductor continuously will not appreciably affect the life of the fan.
The next best is to connect to the wiring of your furnace. You must connect to the wire that provides power to your furnace blower. Consult the furnace wiring diagram, usually located on the inside of the panel covering the main furnace blower. Again make sure that all wiring conforms to all applicable standards and codes.
Also check that your furnace blower motor has a 110-120 Volt AC motor. Some larger furnaces have 220-240 Volt AC motors. Some of the newest high-end furnaces have DC motors. Do not connect the Inductor to either the 220-240 Volt AC or the DC type.
Because of the numerous variations in furnace wiring, Suncourt cannot advise you on the hookup.
My Inductor seems to have a vibration.
When handling and installing your Inductor, make sure not to touch the Aluminum fan blade. If you accidentally bend one or more of the vanes of the fan blade, you will get a vibration. Spin the fan blade carefully by hand and check that all vanes are the same distance from front-to-back. Please also visit the NOISE page in this section. There is no risk of bending the Polycarbonate or Valox blades used in some models.
Is the Inductor safe?
The Inductors have been rigorously tested to the Standards of Underwiters Laboratories Inc. and proudly display the Listing symbols of both Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL®) and Intertech Testing Services Ltd. (ETL®). All Inductors have Thermally Protected electric motors.
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Best Uses
Reviewed by 11 customers
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Best Uses
Comments about Suncourt -- Inductor 6" In-Line Duct Fan (DB200P):
as advertised
Best Uses
Comments about Suncourt -- Inductor 6" In-Line Duct Fan (DB200P):
Boosted airflow to a far away room.
Best Uses
Comments about Suncourt -- Inductor 6" In-Line Duct Fan (DB200P):
I guess it works alright. I bought two of them and they do blow & suck and they still work.
Best Uses
Comments about Suncourt -- Inductor 6" In-Line Duct Fan (DB200P):
I heat my cabin with a wood stove, and we all know heat rises, so I installed some 4" pvc in the wall, with a louvered vent over an opening. The pvc goes down into the crawl space where the fan attaches pulling the hot air down into my crawl space. Now my floors are toasty warm, and the upstairs room temp is much more tolerable. This simple but effective heat exchange is a fabulous and very easy way to recycle the hot air from my living room down into the cool crawl space.It's a win win situation all around.
Best Uses
Comments about Suncourt -- Inductor 6" In-Line Duct Fan (DB200P):
I bought 2 of these and paired them with a Tjernlund Duct Airstat Positive Pressure Duct Fan Switch (PS1503) which worked to help with 2 rooms that are in the longest run of duct work. While one of the fans made a bit more noise than the other, this may have been due to installation position. All in all, I am satisfied with this solution and wish I had done this sooner!
Best Uses
Comments about Suncourt -- Inductor 6" In-Line Duct Fan (DB200P):
Installed 4 of these fans (3- 8" and 1- 6") all controlled by one pressure switch. Needed them to correct airflow problem at the far end of my home. They work as advertised and are reasonably quiet. You can hear them, but just barely. I plan to try to reduce that some since I think much of the noise is vibration from contact with joists. Overall very satisfied with the results of this installation...Finally after 6 years, my 25x25 master suite is actually comfortable.
Best Uses
Comments about Suncourt -- Inductor 6" In-Line Duct Fan (DB200P):
good for the money
Best Uses
Comments about Suncourt -- Inductor 6" In-Line Duct Fan (DB200P):
works great
Best Uses
Comments about Suncourt -- Inductor 6" In-Line Duct Fan (DB200P):
Either the fans or the mating parts were too close to each others size so the fans'flange needed to be cut in order to mate them together.
Best Uses
Comments about Suncourt -- Inductor 6" In-Line Duct Fan (DB200P):
Get the larger 8" fan and put a reducer on it. It is quieter and more powerful.
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Men's Tennis Apparel & Clothing
Below, you'll find our selection of men's tennis apparel featuring products from all your favorite brands. If you're looking to save a little extra browse our men's clearance tennis apparel section. Shop using our filter - Watch How. Shop our Men's apparel at Tennis Express. We offer an outstanding lineup of tees, polos, short, pants, jackets, and hoodies. You can get different clothes for just about any weather condition. We have the best lines of clothing, including the latest Nike, adidas, Asics, Babolat, Bloquv, Compression Gear, Fila, Fred Perry, K-Swiss, 2XU, Lacoste, Life is Good, Lotto, New Balance, Outerwear, Prince, Ralph Lauren, Solfire, Tennis Express Tees, TMCA, Wilson, Under Armour, and Yonex. The technologies these clothing lines offer is unmatched. One great technology some shirts have is UV protection. This helps protect you against the sun's harmful UV rays. Many companies also have some type of moisture wicking technology, which helps to transfer sweat from your body, to the outside of the shirt. The moisture then evaporates, leaving you cool and dry. With so many different brands, you are sure to find exactly what you are looking for.


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Turkey Meatballs and Vegetable Soup RecipeRead Reviews Be the first to add a review
4 3 6
Our home economists combined ready-made turkey meatballs with fresh and frozen vegetables to come up with this nicely seasoned soup. Small families can enjoy half now and freeze the rest for later. But bigger families may want to double the recipe, so there's plenty leftover for a second meal. Sprinkle servings with Parmesan cheese just before serving.
Recommended: 51 Cozy Slow Cooker Soups
- 3 cups cut fresh green beans
- 2 cups fresh baby carrots
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) Italian stewed tomatoes
- 1 package (12 ounces) refrigerated fully cooked Italian turkey meatballs
- 2 cups frozen corn
- In a large saucepan, combine the first six ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add the tomatoes, meatballs and corn. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 10 minutes or until meatballs are heated through. Serve immediately or transfer to freezer containers. May be frozen for up to 3 months.
- To use frozen soup: Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Transfer to a Dutch oven. Cover and cook over medium heat until heated through. Yield: 6 servings.
Originally published as Turkey Meatball Soup in Simple & Delicious September/October 2006, p54
Reviews for Turkey Meatballs and Vegetable Soup
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Reviewed Apr. 23, 2015
"I did not care for this at all and could not even finish half of a bowl. Luckily, I served it with a grilled cheese sandwich so I had something to eat."
Reviewed Dec. 8, 2013
"Great use of meatballs. I used frozen meatballs that I bought from Sam's Club. I followed the recipe as written to the end, (Then) I added a hearty handful of egg noodles. Just felt like that would finish off the dish and it did. I didn't have to add any additional liquid for the noodles. Great recipe, I will save it in my recipe box and use again."
Reviewed Jan. 3, 2010
"We really liked this recipe. We added a 9 oz pack of fresh tortellinis and another cup of chicken broth. We used beef meatballs as that is what we had on hand. Very delicious. Thanks!"


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Traditional French cassoulet is a slow-cooking white bean stew made with a variety of meats, such as sausage, pork, duck or goose. This one still tastes great - but it's ready to serve in just fifteen minutes! And the best part - it cuts back on fat and calories, too.
1 1/2 cups frozen stir-fry bell peppers and onions (from 1-lb bag), thawed, can be substituted for the frozen chopped bell peppers.
© 2017 ®/TM General Mills All Rights Reserved


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Experts' predictions for Austin Trout-Miguel Cotto
SI.com's boxing experts predict Saturday's super welterweight title fight between Austin Trout and Miguel Cotto at Madison Square Garden (9 p.m. ET/PT, Showtime). Share your prediction in the comments below.
When Ricky Hatton chose Vyacheslav Senchenko -- a former welterweight champion with one loss on his resume -- for a supposed tune-up fight last week, I was surprised. I'm equally surprised Cotto, with a multi-million dollar fight against Saul Alvarez waiting in the spring, elected to fight Trout, a slick, undefeated champion with a size advantage (5-foot-10) and a strong amateur background.
Trout has not fought the level of competition Cotto has, not even close. But he is young (27) and hungry, and while his win over Delvin Rodriguez last June was a snoozer, Trout did wipe the floor with Rodriguez, a tough customer. Sure, I'm worried that Trout will be overwhelmed by the moment; until you step into the ring surrounded by thousands of fans that are against you, you can't know how you will respond. But if Trout keeps his cool -- and I'm betting he will -- he has the skills to beat Cotto, who has admittedly lost a little off his fastball. And, like it was with Hatton, it will be just enough to make him stumble. Trout by split decision.
This is a fight that sort of snuck up on everybody. Trout himself has said he was shocked to learn that Cotto had agreed to fight him, given his relatively nonexistent Q rating, as well as his difficult defensive style, southpaw stance, relative youth and size. But despite his surprise, Trout is unlikely to be caught unprepared for the occasion. He knows he'll be in hostile territory, facing Cotto in Madison Square Garden, where the Puerto Rican hero is 7-0 in his career and always at his best. But Trout has proved he can thrive in such situations: In 2009 he outpointed Nilson Julio Tapia in Tapia's home country of Panama and last year he beat Rigoberto Alvarez in Guadalajara, Mexico, for the vacant WBA 154-pound title, then went back to Mexico to make his first defense, against Nogales's David Lopez.
To win against Cotto in the Garden, Trout will have to take more chances than he is used to -- and that may make him a better fighter. Or it may make him more vulnerable. Trout -- along with a lot of observers -- believes he's catching Cotto at just the right time. But Cotto has the kind of toughness and ring smarts that only come from a long career against first-rate opposition. Trout, as quick and slick as he is, may give Cotto fits for several rounds, but he's unlikely to hurt him and that will allow Cotto to keep the pressure on and slow the younger fighter down just enough to score big down the stretch. Trout has a bright future, but it won't be as an undefeated champ. Cotto by unanimous decision.
The oddsmakers list Trout as a 2-to-1 underdog, yet the buzz among insiders suggests a 50/50 fight -- an all too rare context for a big-ticket promotion. There will be no confusing the house fighter on Saturday night -- the electrified atmosphere the Puerto Rican icon engenders makes Cotto's fights at the Garden bucket-list-worthy -- but Trout is younger, taller, probably slicker and unburdened by expectation. He may be hungrier, too: Trout came up the hard way, without the aegis of a major promoter, and is determined to make the most of an opportunity he feels may only come once; by contrast, Cotto mentioned thoughts of retirement during Showtime's All-Access docuseries. Fact is, Cotto is a fighter with more ring wear than an ennobling defeat to Mayweather revealed, and Trout is the biggest opponent of the Puerto Rican's career at 154 pounds. The Las Cruces, N.M., native is a tricky southpaw with an excellent jab who can succeed by keeping Cotto on the outside and boxing. Still, it's a major step up for Trout, who's never faced a boxer-puncher of Cotto's caliber. Expect a horse race of a match through the opening two acts, with Cotto's compact punching and big-fight experience making the razor-thin difference in the championship rounds. Cotto by split decision.


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Find a Virginia vacation rental home for your vacation. Stay at one of our rustic Virginia cabins, cozy cottages, or authentic condos. We have everything from large rental homes to small villas. Rent for a weekend, week, month, or entire season! Vacation rentals are great accommodations for families and large groups. Enjoy the convenience of a full kitchen and save money by eating in. Living like the locals at a vacation rental assures you an authentic travel experience. Browse our Virginia vacation rentals and plan your vacation today!


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Whose job is it to stop an asteroid from hitting Earth?
Not to be overly alarmist, but Earth has had two near-misses with large asteroids so far this month. On Wednesday, a hunk of space rock three miles in diameter and going by the designation 4179 Toutatis passed by the planet, missing by 4.3 million miles, or about 18 times the distance from the Earth to the moon. …
The United Nations Scientific and Technical Subcommittee has a special working group on NEOs advised by a special coalition of experts (called Action Team 14), ranging from space agencies to advocacy groups. Together, they are working to formalize an U.N. framework for coordinating an international response to potentially dangerous NEOs. Their recommendations, which will be presented in February, are expected to include proposals to establish two institutions. The first is an international asteroid warning network to coordinate the search for NEOs, determine which ones are threats, and what their characteristics are (what they're made of, how fast they're traveling, and other factors relevant to trying to deflect them). The second group is a "space mission planning advisory group" — comprised of engineers, astronauts (and cosmonauts, and maybe taikonauts), and other representatives of various countries' space agencies — to plan potential responses to threats. It's a good start, but some experts feel it's moving too slowly (surprising no one familiar with the United Nations).
For now, it would probably fall to the few countries with advanced space-launch technology and powerful ballistic kinetic weapons — the United States and Russia, most prominently — to try to divert an incoming NEO.
Comment pages: « Previous 1 2
Comment pages: « Previous 1 2


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With 387 million people living with diabetes today and 592 million expected to have diabetes by 2030, the global diabetes epidemic represents one of the major health and development challenges of the 21st century. Four out of five people with diabetes live in developing countries. Be part of the solution and join the fight against diabetes!
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Through the World Diabetes Day campaign and the World Diabetes Congress, IDF has the power to convene and mobilize the entire diabetes community and the general public. The IDF Diabetes Atlas is widely recognized as the best source of information on the global burden of diabetes. Finally, IDF is an established and respected organization, which has built strong partnerships and strategic alliances (WHO and other UN agencies, the Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance, corporate partnerships, civil society, media, industry).
- What is unique about IDF [2] (pdf)
By supporting IDF, you will get:
|Unique networking and meeting opportunities within the diabetes community and, more broadly, the field of non-communicable diseases.
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As all our partners are unique, our dedicated team of account managers helps design the best partnership proposal to meet your specific needs and objectives. Contact us for more information [4].


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By Parrish Alford/NEMS Daily Journal
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Marshall Henderson was unhappy with his performance in his first NCAA tournament game.
It was not his worst game of the season, however.
Henderson has been given broad discretion on firing up shots. At times, Ole Miss coach Andy Kennedy lets Henderson shoot through his problems. Other times, he's brought Henderson to the bench.
Henderson was 6-for-21 from the floor and 3-for-12 from 3-point range.
In the loss at Mississippi State, Henderson was 4-for-19 from the floor and 3-for-18 from the arc.
He had made three or more 3-pointers in a game 27 times this season.
Summers returns
Sophomore point guard Jarvis Summers started and played 32 minutes. It was Summers' first action since sustaining a concussion late in the Rebels' SEC quarterfinal win over Missouri.
Summers had nine points and three rebounds before fouling out with 1 minute, 25 seconds left. He also had four turnovers, only the fourth time this season he's had four or more in a single game.
Player of the game
Reggie Buckner was dominant defensively with 12 rebounds, five blocked shots and two steals. He also scored nine points on 4-for-10 shooting.
"Listen, we've seen this show before. Once he makes one or two … Feed Henderson. Feed Moncrief? Feed Henderson. Same thing." – Ole Miss coach Andy Kennedy
Parrish Alford


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Universal Fit
Grado GR10 In-ear Headphones
" I am lost for words for 2 reasons, 1st: These in ears behave much more like over ears headphones in all the good ways. 2nd: these deserve to be much more popular than they are, I am simply shocked that there is not much more renowned! I currently own the Shure SE535's as well as Sennheiser IE8 and have used and owned many of the 500 and under earphones, such as Monster Turbine Copper Pro..." --Tenor123
Grado GR8 In-Ear Headphones
" I love the full size grado HF2 and older grado's but these do not sound good to my ears. Strident and uneven. These were not lovingly crafted or dialed in. There was no 'man' behind the tuning of these and this is evident in the final product. I'd love to see grado come out with a smooth yet dynamic sounding iem similar to the HF2 but am not holding my breath, especially when I've found..." --thelostMIDrange
iWAVE EB2903-BML STUDIO Stereo Earbud Headset
High Quality Aluminium Hi-Fi Premium Sound Speaker Dimension: 10mm diameter mylar speaker Plug: 3.5mm stereo plug Cord length: 150cm/60 inches Frequency response: 20-20kHz Impedance:32ohm+/-10% Sensitivity: 105+/-3db S.P.L(at 1Khz)


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Sightmark Yukon Digital Night Vision Ranger 5 x 42
- This item can only be shipped to U.S. addresses.
Highest magnification available
Best edge-to-edge resolution on the market
Stealth invisible IR illuminator
can be used for day or nighttime operation
The Digital Ranger 5x42 is the next generation of night vision. The innovative approach that customers have come to expect from Yukon is evident in the Ranger's revolutionary digital night vision capabilities; the Ranger has the highest magnification available, and the clearest image, that you just can't get with traditional night vision. With the best edge-to-edge resolution on the market, the Ranger rivals the effectiveness of comparable Gen 2 and Gen 3 night vision devices at any range. The Stealth invisible IR illuminator ensures that the beam is invisible to watchful eyes at any range. What is most amazing about this device is that, unlike ordinary night vision, the Ranger can be used for day or nighttime operation without damaging the device. The Ranger is designed to be the most versatile unit available, with a durable, compact body and unique innovations including a direct video output for video recording or remote viewing. The Digital Ranger 5x42 is backed by Yukon's Limited Lifetime Warranty.
• Higher resolution than Gen 1
• Extra long distance viewing; effective over 300 yds
• Contrast adjustment control
• Day and night operation
• 5x magnification
• Stealth operation with invisible, powerful dual IR illuminators
• Enhanced multicoated optics
• High resolution
• Built-in ¼" tripod socket
• Video output
• Rugged rubber armor construction
• Compact
• Car power adapter included
Export Restrictions: Night Vision Products
Shipping: Only available within the United States.
Export Regulations: Export of night vision equipment and optical sighting
equipment is controlled by the U.S. Department of State Office of Defense
Trade Controls in compliance of the International Traffic in Arms (ITAR),
Title 22; and by the U.S. Department of Commerce accordance to the Export
Administration Regulations (EAR). For further information you may contact
the U.S Department of Commerce at https://www.bic.doc.gov or the U.S.
Department of State International Traffic in Arms Regulations at
https://www.state.gov .
Local and State Regulations:
Some Local and State government restrictions may apply. Customers are
encouraged to learn and adhere to laws within their jurisdiction.
We will do our best to answer your questions, but it is your responsibility
to be in compliance with all Federal, State, and local laws regarding
ownership and use of Night Vision Products. Gander Mountain will not
tolerate attempted illegal activity on this website or with our Company.


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Results 1 to 10 of 11
Thread: Loricariad Catfish: A Primer
Loricariad Catfish: A Primer
Plecos, or more properly, sucker-mouthed catfish, have perhaps the highest number of species of any family of fish in the Amazon basin, with over 780 known to exist in the family Loricariidae, with perhaps a third of them with scientific names. They are by far the largest family of catfish in the world.
Some are extremely common in the aquarium hobby, some rare, exotic and beautiful. Some are so weirdly formed they are so homely the can be considered cute. All have needs in the aquarium and none can thrive on only the algae in a tank.
In this primer I'll give a necessarily brief species list of the fish you are likely to find in shops, plus a few that can be found with a bit of searching and are worthwhile because of their looks.
None of the sucker-mouthed catfish in this list are particularly difficult to keep as long as a few essentials are provided, and all, especially the larger species, are very long-lived.
Now some species.
Perhaps the most common and miss-kept member of Loricariidae is Otocinclus vittatus, of the floating meadows in the Amazon basin.
Topping out at just over an inch, O. vittatus is imported in huge numbers, but few last long in the average aquarium. Though they are hardy when properly acclimated (drip acclimation, three to four cycles), they are rarely kept in schools of more than six fish like they deserve. They live far longer if kept in a group of their fellows, with more than five years not unusual.
They are perfect for the planted aquarium, and since they are accustomed to live plants in their natural environment, Otocinclus do best in them. Large-leaved plants like the big sword plants are a favorite haunt, and no fish will clean the top and bottom of the leaves like Otocinclus can. They will prevent algae from forming on the leaves of slow-growing plants like Anubis and Java fern. Their activities will keep plant-choking debris from settling on fine-leaved plants like Cabomba and Myriophyllum. Between a troupe of Otocinclus and a cadre of algae-eating shrimp, your planted aquarium will be algae free as long as that pair of creatures are in your tank.
They do best in the soft, slightly acid water of planted tanks, but will do fine in pH from 5.5 to 7.5, as long as the water is moderately soft. Temperatures are 70 to 78 degrees, with 75 being optimal.
They are excellent tankmates for schools of smaller tetras or rasboras. Since Otocinclus are so small, larger fish like Angelfish are out. Most dwarf cichlids are OK, especially Apistogrammas, since they are so mild about breeding. More aggressive dwarves like kribs and Convicts are most definitely out.
Though they have trouble with the hard, calcium-rich knots of algae on the glass, a troupe of Otocinclus will clear a green-algae covered tank in a day to a couple weeks, depending on the size of the aquarium. When they are nearly finished with the algae, it's time to feed them. Also, since they are starved on import, it is essential to get them feeding immediately, as Otocinclus drop like flies if not properly fed.
Vegetables are the rule, as the so-called algae wafers are poor fare indeed. Cucumber, Romaine Lettuce and and Zucchini are the big three with them. Cucumber slices can be sunk raw, the Romaine should be crushed so that the inside flesh is visible before clipping it to the side of the tank, and the Zucchini should be blanched until al dente. Any clean, hard or leafy vegetable can be used, so experiment to see what your Otocinclus tribe will take. Iceberg lettuce is useless, nutrition-wise, so don't use it.
Placing the vegetable foods in the same place night after night is a very good idea, as the Otocinclus group will quickly learn where to go for eats. As they do the majority of their foraging at night, place the foods just before lights out. Check them in the morning as it will be obvious if the Otocinclus have been working on the vegetables. Remove any that remains that evening before turning off the lights, as it's highly likely the Otocinclus will continue to feed on the veggies all day, because it takes a lot of greens to keep the little herbivores going.
Green algae is easily cultured on stones in a container that gets indirect sunlight and has an ammonia source, like a group of guppies. The stones can be rotated in and out of the Otocinclus tank as the fish clear them. Home-cultured algae plus the vegetables and your Otocinclus group will live long, healthy lives.
A group of Otocinclus will commonly breed when they are mature in the planted tank if properly fed and kept. If you see tiny single eggs the size of mustard seed all over the glass at one end of the tank, your Otocinclus group has bred. The eggs can be carefully scraped off the glass with a new, sharp double-edged razor blade, catching them as they fall into a brine shrimp net. Breeding tank should have a seasoned sponge filter and be filled with the same aquarium water as the main tank. Tank should be 10 to 20 gallons and bare bottomed. Tint the water with Methylene Blue to discourage fungus.
Eggs should hatch within three days at 76 degrees and it'll take two more days for the fry to be free swimming. Feed them algae covered stones and crushed Spirulina flake. Keep the tank very, very clean and change 50 percent of the water four times a day. The Otocinclus fry should be half grown in six weeks.
A larger, distant cousin of Otocinclus, is Hypoptopoma gulare, which also frequent the floating meadows of the Amazon as well as submerged vegetation in Peru, Columbia and Venezuela.
Topping out at three inches, one MUST drip acclimate this species AT least four cycles, as they are quite delicate after the starvation and stress of shipping. Crushed fresh spinach leaves rubber-banded to stones and placed with the leaf on the substrate, just before lights. out will help your H. gulareget back on their feet.
Well established, however, H. gulare is very hardy. They are also long lived, as the 12 I have were purchased 8 years ago.
Gulare needs somewhat more roughage than their smaller cousins, so add leaf spinach and kale to the menu. A vegetative pellet containing kelp and spirulina will be taken if a few pellets are dropped in at night. Because they are larger, they need appreciably more vegetative food available 24/7 than Otocinclus do. My 12 can polish off a dozen fist-sized algae-covered rocks in an evening.
They are affable fish; perfectly peaceful. Tankmates can be small to larger tetras or rainbow fish. To my experience Angelfish will either leave the gulare group alone, or pester them mercilessly, so use these fish with caution.
A pleasing mix of a brown chocolate in a herring-bone pattern on the back 2/3rds of the fish with a greenish lower area, H. gulare is often called Giant Otocinclus in the trade, though it is of a different Genus all together and not closely related to Otocinclus. Eyes are a brown-golden.
They are an excellent addition to the larger planted aquarium, especially those with large-leaved plants and driftwood, as part of their diet will be the bio-film on the wood. They are also very good cleaners of plant debris.
They do best with a moderate linear current in the tank, as their sloping heads are designed to push them down on the algae they feed on in nature, and will be far more active if you provide it. Also, they need no less than 8 mg/l dissolved Oxygen in their tanks. In a planted tank, that's rarely a problem, but aireation should be employed at night to keep O2 levels high. Gulare do not do well in tanks over 7.4 in pH with moderate hardness; the bright neutral to slightly acid softwater tank is what they enjoy. Temps are 75 to 78 and no higher than 79.
H. gulare is perhaps the most efficient algae eater you can buy, as not much escapes their notice. They won't touch Cyanobacteria, but they will make inroads on black brush and other red algae, and will quickly eliminate diatoms and of course green algae.
They breed like Otocinclus do, but mine didn't start breeding until they were in their third year. The fry aren't difficult to raise if fed and kept as above, but it is even more desirable to breed these fish as they are rarely imported, as they are such good algae eaters and rare in shops.
Last edited by Dave66; 07-10-2008 at 07:41 AM.When a finger points to the moon, the imbecile looks at the finger.
Omnia mutantur nihil interit.
The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go
Part 2
A dwarf species of bristlenose cat is Ancistrus claro, of the Claro and Cuiaba Rivers in Brazil.
Called Gold Marbled Bristlenose in the trade, which describes them perfectly, A. claro females top out at just under 3 inches, while the more ornately-patterned males are only 2.5 inches. Though the adult females are a pleasing mix of brown and yellow gold marbling, the males, when mature, are covered with hundreds of reticulations of flint grey and white gold. Unlike some larger species in the Ancistrus Genus, A. claro males have a modest fringe of tentacles around their upper jaws, while the females usually lack the whiskers entirely. He does develop side whiskers and spiky strong rays of the pectoral fins when sexually mature.
They do best in groups of six or more, and thus they should be kept that way. I keep mine in a planted aquarium, and they do a great job keeping the glass and plant leaves clean.
Like all Ancistrus, they are cave spawners. As they are so tiny, caves built into the layout should be quite small; just large enough the male can jam himself in it. He bulldogs his chosen female into his cave, where she lays her eggs usually on the roof. He expels her, fertilizes the eggs, and stations himself under them, fanning the eggs almost constantly to pass Oxygen-rich water over them. He guards both the eggs and the fry, and it may be up to a week before he sees fit to let them out.
In a tank full of small tetras or rasboras, the eggs and fry can be left in the tank. Just make sure to keep them fed. Crushed Romaine lettuce leaves are ideal, as is leaf spinach. Just rubber-band them to stones and place them around the cave with the leaves on the substrate, a few inches from mouth of the cave. I've raised dozens and dozens of young A. claro that way.
A. claro are excellent algae eaters for the planted aquaria, though they should be fed as above with vegetables. Mine are particularly partial to peeled and cored apple and cucumber. They take to algae-covered stones right away.
Most available are wild caught, so they aren't cheap. However, home-breeding them can be a lucrative undertaking, as even small ones are golden and brown, and quite attractive.
Incorrectly identified in books for decades is Panaque cochliodon, the Blue-Eyed Panaque, of the Cauca and Magdalena Rivers in Columbia.
This fish is commonly known as P. suttonorum or P. suttoni in books, but that species is restricted to the Lake Maracaibo basin in Venezuela and fish exported from that region are beyond rare. To my knowledge the real P. suttonorum has yet to enter the hobby, and is only superficially similar to the true Blue-Eyed Panaque; P. cochliodon.
No matter. Once seen, the Blue-Eyed Panaque will never be forgotten. A velvety jet black beauty with sky-blue eyes, P. cochliodon is a stunning centerpiece for the large planted aquarium.
A shy, retiring, gentle fish, the Blue-Eyed Panaque reaches just under a foot in total length. They do best in slightly acid, soft water, but can tolerate water up to pH 7.5 and moderately hard, though the body color will fade to a muddy brown. Not really a tropical fish, one should keep the Blue-Eyed Panaque no higher than 77 degrees. Seventy-two degrees is optimal, making them the perfect catfish for a tank containing the ornate Danio species that have entered the hobby in the last five or six years, as well as a school of White Cloud Mountain Minnows.
For a larger sucker-mouthed cat, P. cochliodon is long rather than wide. They share the large heads of the genus, but the body is quite svelte going back to the large tail fin.
A tank should be planted along the back and sides, leaving some swimming room in the front, as though they are sedate, passive fish, they do roam at night looking for plant debris and small crustaceans to eat. Panaque cochliodon MUST have driftwood in the tank. Cochliodon means having spoon-shaped teeth, which Panaques use to eat sunken wood. Wood is an EXTREMELY vital part of their diet, so though you may have to replace driftwood that your Blue-Eyed Panaques have gnawed right through occasionally, you can enjoy the beauty of these fish for decades, as they are particularly long-lived.
A gentle, steady, linear current though the tank provided by pumps will help duplicate the slow rivers they come from.
As well as the wood, hard vegetables should be a large part of the Blue-Eyed Panaque's diet. It isn't necessary to blanch the vegetables - Panaques have the dentation to eat Zucchini raw with ease. Cellulose-rich fruit like apples are good. Pears are richly enjoyed. Any solid fruit is good, as well as squash, spinach leaves, Romaine lettuce, and countless other fresh, clean vegetables can be used. If your Blue-Eyed Panaques don't eat it, try one of the standards next.
They ignore most pelleted foods, but one designed for herbivores with kelp and spirulina may be taken by them. Prepared foods must be a tiny percentage of their diet.
When first introduced, imports of Blue-Eyed Panaques are almost always starving. To get their digestive systems up to snuff, rubber-band two leaves of fresh spinach to stones with the leaf on the substrate the first night for each fish. If the leaves are skeletonized in the morning, your Panaques have eaten, and half the battle is won. Start with more leaves and perhaps a peeled and cored apple the next night, and wait until your fish is up on the glass to inspect the stomach. If sunken in a bit additional food must be added. If the stomach is flat or better pouched out a bit, you can continue the amount of food a night, but start adding vegetables to the diet within a week.
Fruit and vegetables should be placed in the tank at night, as that's when the Blue-Eyed Panaques look for food. As they can eat a good deal during the evening, if all is gone in the morning, add to the portion the next night. Only when there's a little left in the morning will you know how much your Panaques need to eat in a night.
If the tank is large enough - 200 gallons and up - Blue-Eyed Panaques can be kept in small groups, say five or more, as long as there's space and out-of-line-of -sight hiding places for all. Aquarium breeding is unknown, but it is suspected that they breed in sunken hollow logs with the male guarding eggs and fry, so it might be possible in a large enough aquarium. See the successful breeding account below.
A beautiful fish and one of my favorites.
A good deal larger and just as distinctive is Panaque nigrolineatus, the Royal Panaque of the Guarico River in Venezuela.
A rich chocolate milkshake brown fish, black stripes run from nose to tail. But what makes them truly distinctive is their eyes. In exceptional specimens the eyes can be blood red, but the usual is a medium red. The brown is striped with black on all fins.
Called the canoe eaters by the natives, Royal Panaques have the same spoon-shaped wood rasping teeth as above, as do all Panaque species, thus need the exact same menus as the Blue-Eyed Panaque, as well as the large pieces of driftwood to harbor under and eat.
Male Royal Panaques top out at 15 inches, the females 16 inches, and both sexes are much heavier bodied than the more gracile former. I've a 15-year old Royal Panaque in a 350 gallon aquarium, as though smaller, younger fish tend to hide a lot, full grown adults do not. He is lord of all he surveys in that tank, and a cold war has been going on for years between he and eight adult Sturisoma festivums, as Royal Panaques can be quite territorial. To give you an idea how large bodied Royal Panaques are, that fish weighs nearly three and a half pounds. His nick name is the 'football with fins'.
Large examples like to rearrange their tank occasionally, so make sure all stones are well anchored, as it's possible a tank could be broken by a tumbling rock so seat rocks deep in the substrate. Don't ask me how I know this.
Unlike the former, Royal Panaques rarely tolerate others of their kind. That said, they have been bred in home aquariums, a large PVC pipe subbing for a hollow log. The water level should be lowered to 20 percent and slowly warmed to 80 degrees. Water changes are suspended for two weeks and a seasoned sponge filter is used. After the two weeks, filtered rainwater that's five degrees cooler should be used to refill the tank. Lots of vegetables and meaty foods like white fish flesh are added immediately after refilling the tank. The pair usually spawn within a week.
Male expels the female, and guards the eggs and fry. The youngsters are more than an inch long at birth, making them easy to rear. The single time I read of the spawning report seven or eight years ago the yield was 32 youngsters.
It's possible this method would work with other species of Panaque, but I've not tried it.When a finger points to the moon, the imbecile looks at the finger.
Omnia mutantur nihil interit.
The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go
Part 3
A simple black and white fish and the subject of many foolish rumors and sporting a ridiculous high price in the US is Hypancistrus zebra, the Zebra Pleco of the rapids in the Rio Xingu, Pará, Brazil. The appearance of this fish caused a craze for quite some time, and is only now starting to ebb.
A pure white ground with wavy horizontal black lines on the body and diagonal and vertical lines on the head describe this 3-inch fish. Unlike most of the fish in this list, H. zebra is a confirmed carnivore, that is, they eat meaty foods like frozen bloodworms and Mysis, live California black worms, and other live and frozen foods of animal origin. As they are deliberate feeders, one must make very sure they get enough to eat, when tanked with fast-eating tetras and the like.
They are best kept with one male with three or four females each.
Though they are best in water conditions are the slightly acidic and soft conditions they come from, H. zebra has been kept and spawned in all sorts of different levels of pH and hardness. They must have a good, linear current in their tanks, and the water has to be warm - 78 to 86 degrees, with 82 degrees optimal. They can be kept in a planted tank with dark substrate and background, where they stand out beautifully, but the good current should run through the main swimming area in the front of the tank for their benefit.
Oxygen levels must be kept at 8 mg/l for these fish, since they come from the well Oxygenated water of the rapids.
The price on these fish are in the hundreds of dollars each, as demand far outstrips supply. They aren't difficult to spawn and raise the fry at home, though it does take time, as they are the best sucker-mouthed catfish to make money on.
The spawning tank should be strewn with varied sizes of dark, rounded river stones and heavily filtered, with up to 8 times tank volume turnover per hour. Five or six air stones should be running and placed where the bubbles are distributed by the current.
Many small stone caves can be constructed with the mouths of the caves facing the current. They may spawn in them, or the tight gaps between the rounded stones, or both. Substrate can be sand or the tank can be bare bottomed.
The male will jam his head (males have larger heads than females) into the mouth of his chosen cave and it's up to a gravid female to convince him to move for a moment so she can lay her eggs. She rushes out, he rushes in and fertilizes the eggs. It may take the pairs a few tries to get the spawning routine right, but when they do, you can expect about a dozen eggs per spawn.
The eggs will take a week to hatch, and about 2 weeks to absorb their eggs sacks and begin feeding. The fry will take meaty prepared and frozen foods right away, and baby brine shrimp are taken with gusto by the little zebras.
The slow growth of the fry and the small number of eggs is why demand always outstrips supply. It can take three months for the fry to reach a salable size of an inch.
Rumors swirled around this fish for months that it was extinct in nature. It was nothing but foolish hyperbole, as they are quite common in their home waters; the warm, frothy waters of the Xingu rapids.
Available in most all fish stores are one of two species sold under the name 'common pleco', with their adult sizes an unpleasant surprise to unknowing fishkeepers. Both species are available in the natural and albino color forms.
The two species are Hypostomus plecostomus of Suriname and the Orinoco basin, which grows to a foot in total length, occasionally up to 14 inches with age. The other is Pterygoplichthys pardalis from all over the Amazon watershed, and they reach 18 inches, though some adult females push two feet. The latter is a far more common 'common pleco' as they are farm bred in the 10's of thousands and are the species that the two national chain stores stock.
Both species are disgustingly hardy and extremely long-lived, with 25 years at least, probably more. The two I had (a 'gift' from my unknowing sister) were in their mid-20's when they died due to the effects of a two week power outage due to a severe ice storm.
H. plecostomus is a chocolate brown with large black spots on the body and small to tiny black spots on the head. The dorsal fin has seven rays, while P. pardalis has at least 11 rays, giving an easy way to determine which species of 'common pleco' is for sale. H. plecostomus is quite adaptable with a pH range of 6.0 to 8.0. Temps are 68 to 86 degrees.
H. plecostomus is a true omnivore; they will eat what you give them, but 70 percent of the food should be vegetation-based for their continued health and color. A large piece of driftwood should be provided as a 'home base' for your fish. The tank can be planted, but keep the plants around the back and sides to allow maximum swimming room, as H. plecostomus isn't the most graceful of swimmers, and would be a 'bull in a china shop' in a thoroughly planted tank. Low growing foreground plants can be used, and of course floating plants are OK and recommended, as you'll see your H. plecostomus more during the day.
Adult males can develop a pinkish color on the strong rays of the pectorals with age. It's perfectly natural. They are slightly territorial with members of their species, but in a large enough tank with several hiding places that isn't usually a problem. Squabbles are brief and cause no damage.
Breeding of H. plecostomus hasn't been reported in the aquarium, as it is assumed they breed in male-excavated caves in the muddy banks of rivers, but the fish also occur in rock-strewn streams with stone banks, so they must be able to breed between gaps of rock and/or log 'caves'.
P. pardalis is the giant species of the commonly-found Loricariads, and can be one of the most attractive, if given time and space to grow up.
You only need to look at the dorsal fin to identify this species, with nine to 14 dorsal fin rays, unlike H. plecostomus, which have no more than seven. In the large chain stores, nine out of 10 times it is P. pardalis. They are a nondescript black fish when young, but it's when they grow up that more colors present themselves.
Especially if kept in outside tanks for the mild part of the year, females are grey spotted, and males, called 'Snow King Plecos' in the trade, have black and bright white in alternating waves on the body. The colors are at their best when adults pass the maximum size.
Despite their 18+ inch size, P. pardalis ignores the vast majority of tankmates, though other benthic fish may be chased from their territory. In feeding they are easily satisfied, but for their own good, 70-percent of the food should be plant based, with frozen (better) and prepared foods the other percentage. As for pH and hardness, they are highly adaptable. Mid 70's to 84 is the temperature range for this species.
To my knowledge they haven't been bred in aquariums, but they are bred by the hundreds of thousands in the muddy banks of ponds at fish farms, particularly in Florida. Also, in my research, I've been unable to confirm that they occur in areas without muddy banks.When a finger points to the moon, the imbecile looks at the finger.
Omnia mutantur nihil interit.
The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go
Part 4
Patterned like the sticks of driftwood they shelter on is Farlowella acus, the Twig Catfish of the wild, plant and wood-choked streams around Caracas, Venezuela.
Reaching just under 6 inches in total length, F. acus is quite attractively patterned on close examination. A creamy, yellowish under side is topped with a rich chocolate brown stripe that runs from the rostrum (nose) to the tail. The fish is topped with a yellowish tan.
Twig Catfish have a reputation to be lethargic, phlegmatic fishes who soon make their departure from the average tank. Properly kept, nothing could be further from the truth.
F. acus' territory are the snags that form in the bends and eddies of swiftly-flowing streams and rivers. Floating branches and sunken wood collect in this eddies, making an instant feeding ground for F. acus, where they feed on the algae and bio-matter that forms on the submerged wood. The trick, therefore, in keeping these fish, is to provide a well-planted aquarium with a good amount of driftwood, and provide a moderate linear current throughout the tank. Provided with the a good linear flow through the tank and the high Oxygen levels of planted tank, your F. acus will come alive, actively rasping on all surfaces in search of algae and the bio-matter on the driftwood. It is essential, however, that you aerate your planted tank at night to keep the Dissolved Oxygen level high, as like canaries in a coal mine, F. acus will be the first to die if the O2 level is depressed below 8 mg/l as it often is when the planted tank keeper doesn't run air stones at night.
It's inadvisable to keep F. acus in an unplanted tank, but you might have success with them with the current and three or four running air stones in the tank.
Water must be clean and clear and with no less than 8 mg/l of Oxygen. Given proper conditions, Twig Catfish are remarkably long-lived for a small, thin fish, with 15 years or more not uncommon. Their best pH range is slightly acid, say 6.8, up to 7.4 and temperature between 73 and not over 78 degrees.
You can certainly keep F. acus in groups, in fact, it's recommended to keep them in groups of at least five individuals. When I kept them, I had 14 in a 200 gallon planted tank and they became my favorite fish with their active lifestyle and rather attractive looks. Tankmates should be tetras and Corydoras catfish, as barbs and danios tend to nip at these fish, as they can't seem to resist the flowing fin extensions F. acus develop, particularly the males, upon adulthood. As for Cichlids, Rams are OK, though they prefer water considerably warmer than F. acus can tolerate.
In feeding, algae is the very best food for them, and is easily cultured on rounded stones. Frozen foods like shrimp given two or three times a week and a vegetative pellet or even flake will be avidly eaten. Algae is 70 percent of the diet.
F. acus is commonly imported, though the similar, but the darker colored F. vittata often shows up and is often miss-named in shops as F. acus, but they are obviously different species if you know what to look for. In F. acus, the back is light colored and his rostrum is straight out and is relatively short. In F. vittata the back of the fish is medium brown, and the rostrum is long, thin, and bends upwards.
F. acus is quite the secretive breeder, as I've never seen them breeding and never found eggs, but half-grown youngsters show up in a school of Twig Catfish fairly frequently. Perhaps someone can elucidate on the breeding methodology of these fishes.
Called Whip-tail Cats in the trade, our next and last species is Rineloricaria lanceolata of the Amazon basin.
R. lanceolata is perhaps the more rarely available than the commonly available species, but well-worth seeking out due to their looks.
Hailing from the upper Amazon River tributaries in Peru, R. lanceolata looks like a fleshed out Twig Catfish, with a wide fore-body narrowing to a long, thin second half to the tail, which, like all Whip-tails, has a long extension of the top ray. They are attractively marked with blotches of medium brown on a silvery whitish base. With age, those markings can intensify to a rich, almost reflective black, in fact, the whole body can be clothed in velvety, glistening black. Fins are always smartly spread and attractively patterned. The dorsal fin is often up, and is straight and high in the males, and lower and rounded in the females.
Topping out just over 3.5 inches, R. lanceolata are excellent catfish for the mid-sized planted tank, and can easily be kept in groups. Since they are small, a dozen in a properly maintained and established well planted 55 gallon tank would not be too many, and are quite attractive as the troupe work on the leaves of the plants and often rest on them, all fins and spindly body draped over the leaves.
Their pH range denotes the changing of the seasons in their native waters. They can live from pH 6.0 to 8.0, and moderately soft to moderately hard. But you'll get the best color and vitality in bright, clear water that's neutral to slightly acid and with the gH at 5. Temps are 77 to 82 degrees. Mine lived for seven years at 78 degrees.
They are vegetable and algae eaters, though meaty foods can be provided three or for times a week, like bloodworms and Mysis shrimp, as they have needs for the small crustaceans they eat as they rasp on algae. Blanch the Zucchini, slice the cucumber and smash the Romaine and Spinach leaves for them. Green beans were a favorite of my fish.
I'm not aware of any home breeding of these fish, but I suspect that's because people buy too few of them for a proper chance for a suitable pair. I assume they are breeders on hard surfaces, like flat rocks, as other species of Rineloricaria are. In the years I kept this species, if they did breed, I never saw any evidence of it. Some are cave breeders, so narrow diameter PVC tubing can be secreted around the tank for these fish to attempt to breed them.
There are literally dozens more species of Loricariidae that appear in shops in all shapes and sizes. I encourage you to research and explore these fascinating fish when planning your next aquarium, as all have special needs to thrive.
DaveWhen a finger points to the moon, the imbecile looks at the finger.
Omnia mutantur nihil interit.
The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go
Great article....very informative...thank you...
Special request to mods...could we sticky this...pleeeeez???
Still a great read. I know you and I have discussed the Loricariad family at length in the past but it is nice to get all that info into one place.
BTW, did you ever get your A. claro to spawn? When you and I talked about them a couple of years ago you were hoping they would but where not extrememly optomistic about it.Considering a Marine Aquarium? A Breakdown of the Components, Live Rock, Cycling a Marine Tank
"The capacity to learn is a gift; The ability to learn is a skill; The WILLINGNESS to learn is a choice." - Unknown
0Originally Posted by ILuvMyGoldBarb
They started in the fall of last year, and they've haven't stopped since. Out of the six was one pair, and they breed every five weeks like clockwork, at over 30 eggs each time. Found out that the tetras and corys in the tank ignore the babies, so instead of stealing the eggs like I have been, I just feed the fry in the tank, and when they get large enough, I net the youngsters out and put them in a grow-out tank. So in my claro post, when I said I've raised dozens feeding in the tank like that I mean dozens and dozens of them.
DaveWhen a finger points to the moon, the imbecile looks at the finger.
Omnia mutantur nihil interit.
The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go
0Originally Posted by Dave66Considering a Marine Aquarium? A Breakdown of the Components, Live Rock, Cycling a Marine Tank
"The capacity to learn is a gift; The ability to learn is a skill; The WILLINGNESS to learn is a choice." - Unknown
Great article Dave!
0Originally Posted by ILuvMyGoldBarb
DaveWhen a finger points to the moon, the imbecile looks at the finger.
Omnia mutantur nihil interit.
The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go


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Oh, and, this game got banished forever from the iOS app store last week.
Why? Because the star of Boyfriend Maker is a terrible boyfriend. He often calls you by the wrong name, and he will keep spitting out more incorrect names if you press him. If you send him sexy messages, he might respond in kind . . . or he might text back rape jokes, say that he's gay, or that he's celibate. He's unpredictable, he's ignorant, and he's not a good listener.
As Boyfriend Maker gained notoriety, its users wondered to each other over Twitter and on the nascent Boyfriend Maker fan Tumblr (boyfriendmaker.tumblr.com) whether the game's programmers had written all of this dialogue. Had they intended for their virtual guy to be a jerk? Is this what the game's developers thought women wanted?
Video-game music composer and audio designer Jaelyn Nisperos (@chibitech) posited on Twitter that Boyfriend Maker bore striking similarity to an interactive AI chat program called SimSimi (simsimi.com), which "learns" based on responses from users. I asked the Boyfriend Maker Twitter account whether he and "SimSimi" were related; he quipped back that SimSimi "is my cousin, twice removed." (Boyfriend Maker may not be too bright in-game, but whoever manages his Twitter seems to understand human comedy.)
That's the closest we have to confirmation that Boyfriend Maker is, in fact, a learning AI, not just a dating sim that comes with a limited set of predetermined dialogue options. This explains a lot.
Boyfriend Maker knows the names of famous fan-fiction pairings. He can link me to "his" DeviantArt page of sexy furry art (it's not actually his, of course — but someone gave him this link). And, of course, he can go toe-to-toe with the darkest pedophilic threads of 4Chan.
Boyfriend Maker is not so much a fantasy lover as he is the Internet, through a glass darkly. It's unclear why anyone thought this game would function as a romance rather than as a terrifying, ever-changing art installation.
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Family: Turdidae, Thrushes view all from this family
Description ADULT Has mostly rich orange-brown upperparts, brightest on nape. Face is pale, but marked with dense, dark streaks, and underparts are otherwise whitish with well-defined and distinct black spots. Note the white eyering. Legs are pink and bill is pink and dark-tipped. JUVENILE Brown and spotted but by first fall it recalls adult.
Dimensions Length: 8" (20 cm)
Habitat Locally common, but declining summer visitor (present mainly May-Sep) to deciduous woodland; winters in Central America.
Observation Tips Well worth visiting suitable woodland just to hear its song. Feeding birds are unobtrusive and easily overlooked.
Range New England, Rocky Mountains, Southwest, Western Canada, Plains, Texas, Eastern Canada, Mid-Atlantic, Florida, Great Lakes, Southeast
Voice Song is a series of rich, fluty notes and ends in a vibrating trill; call is a rapid, agitated ptt'ptt'ptt.
Discussion Relatively large, plump-bodied thrush with well-marked plumage. Its wonderful, fluty song is indicative of unspoilt woodland habitat. Feeds mainly by foraging for invertebrates in leaf litter on the woodland floor, but also hunts more actively for insects among foliage and eats berries in season. Sexes are similar.


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By Dimitra DeFotis
Real Estate Investment Trusts that are investing in a diversity of mortgage assets remain attractive, according to Maxim Group.
In a report out today, Michael Diana writes that he expects further volatility in mortgage REIT prices until the Federal Reserve announces a schedule to taper its $85 billion bond-buying program, and a new Fed chairman is named. In that scenario, he favors hybrid mortgage REITs over those focused on agency mortgage-backed securities. The logic:
"We favor hybrids, due to less leverage and to exposure to rising home prices (in non-Agency RMBS). Absent volatility, we regard the mREIT environment as favorable, with: (1) less basis risk (due to 2Q13 moves); (2) less payup premium risk (due to 2Q13 moves); (3) less extension risk (due to 2Q13 moves and larger hedge positions); (4) slower prepayments (due to higher mortgage rates); and (5) wider spreads (due to higher MBS yields and no fed funds increase)."
Maxim Group's picks:
- Top pick for 2013: Ellington Financial (EFC), a non-REIT with "the ability to hedge and trade on an unrestricted basis [to profit from] volatility. In addition, Ellington has a non-Agency focus and substantial non-Agency expertise. Target price: $28.50.
- Two Harbors (TWO) "due to substantial non-Agency and hedging expertise, as well as diversification." Target: $11.50.
- American Capital Mortgage (MTGE) "the hybrid counterpart of our Buy-rated Agency mREIT American Capital Agency, both run by Gary Kain." Target: $25.00.
Eleven mortgage REITs have cut their dividends in the third quarter, but Maxim Group says that with most mortgage REITs trading below book value, the average dividend yield is attractive relative to current trading prices at 13.9% for agency mortgage REITs and 13.1% for hybrid mortgage REITs. On the following page are REITs that have cut dividends, with Maxim Group's outlook on each.


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Verizon Phones For Cheaper Deals from $0.00 to $0.00
Did you know that you don't have to go to a cell phone store to get your next cell phone? Cellular Country has a huge stock of refurbished, used, and new phones and brand new accessories that you can order without ever leaving the house. All of our cell phones are sold without a contract for the carrier of your choice. Cellular Country has a huge stock of Verizon Phones For Cheaper ready to ship to you today. These basic cell phones start at $23.99 and can go all the way up to $109.99 for the latest and greatest smartphones. For replacement phones, Cellular Country is your only source. All you have to do is browse our enormous selection of accessories and refurbished phones and pick the phone that is right for you. We even offer discounted accessories, including bluetooth headsets, cases, screen protectors, and anything else you might want for your next cell phone. Your next phone is just a few clicks or a phone call away. Should you have any questions about our phones, the process, or anything else, please don't hesitate to contact us via phone, email, or through our web form. Some is always here to answer your questions 24 hours a day.
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The Real Polly Maggoo
WHERE I STAY I rent a house. I love that Ojai's only 45 minutes from where I live in Los Angeles, but it feels like a total getaway. I throw my Labradoodle, Teddy, in the car and drive.
WHAT I DO THERE Relax—early to bed, early to rise. That time before everyone wakes up is my favorite part of the day. Later I go for a hike, drink local wine, light a fire, cook, and play charades. I also like taking walks through the orchards and renting bikes. Last time I was there I read Dear Life: Stories, by Alice Munro. And friends of mine have a ranch with horses. I definitely want to take advantage of that next time.
SOUVENIRS Yummy local fruit. And we always stock up on lots of jams and farm-fresh food from the grocery at the Farmer and the Cook.
I just spent my birthday up there. We rented a gorgeous home on five acres with a yurt and three cabins. Everyone was so thrilled to have no cell reception and be in nature for the weekend. I had a 40-person dinner party, with a bonfire afterward. Although it was pouring rain the first day, we lit a fire and cooked and played cards.
Pictured: Neuwirth with Sue Kroll in Ojai
Seaside Excursion: Sara Beltran's Maldives


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This Web page is no longer being maintained or updated; it is provided for historical purposes only. For current information on seasonal influenza (flu), see the California Department of Public Health Influenza Web page.
You can help prevent influenza sickness for you and your family by following the everyday actions show below, and by getting both your seasonal influenza and H1N1 Flu vaccination shots.
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