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The roots of the Volvo XC70 can be traced all the way back to the beginning of the car company, but for our immediate purposes, the popular Volvo 850 series will suffice. During a brief period from 1992 through 1997, Volvo unleashed its 850 series, marking some of the more memorable landmark vehicles of the past several decades for the Swedish auto manufacturer.
As the first front-drive Volvo to hit America's shores, the 850 helped propel Volvo's reputation into a new echelon, thanks to the 850's inclusion of high-end features previously not offered by other lines. As Volvo's top-seller during that five-year period, the 20-valve, straight five-engine Volvo 850s came equipped with standard anti-lock brakes, dual front airbags, cruise control, and keyless entry.
For 1998, Volvo altered the way it named its vehicles in terms of body style and car size, with the 850 now known as the 70 series; broken down further depending on which letter precedes the number 70 (S for Saloon, V for Wagon, and C for Coupe), the Volvo XC70 (in this case, the ""XC"" stands for Cross Country) became the model's largest station wagon, enhanced by a raised suspension, more bottom frame cladding, and some other functional improvements.
As an updated trim option spin-off of the Volvo V70, the Volvo XC70 made its debut in 1998. Touted as an all-weather version of the V70, the XC70 has more of an SUV feel to it with its increased ground clearance, all-wheel drive, and an overall sense of improved sure footedness across slightly more challenging, rougher terrain.
Packed with some of the more advanced safety features of the time, the first generation Volvo XC70 also earns recognition for its roomier cabin, standard all-wheel drive, and the yuppie-friendly SUV feel to its stylishly evolved exterior. According to Volvo, the XC70 contains nearly 1800 improvements over the 850 in terms of safety, vehicle handling, and enhanced powertrains.
Initially saddled with a five-cylinder turbocharged 2.4-liter engine good for an adequate helping of power (190 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque), the Volvo XC70 received a tiny engine tweak for its second generation (2000 to 2007) in the form of more horsepower and torque, leaving it with 197 hp and 210 lb-ft respectively. 2003 engines offer the most enhanced jump in engine gusto, to 207 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque, thanks to a 2.5-liter engine that raises the bar substantially for the Volvo XC70.
Available in two distinct models, the five-seat Volvo XC70 for 2012 comes in a 3.2 trim (MSRP $32,900) or a T6 with more bells and whistles and a slightly heftier price tag (MSRP $39,100). Other sub-trims include a Premium, Platinum, Climate, and Technology package, each with its fair share of unique amenities.
The 3.2 designation for the base Volvo XC70 refers to its 3.2-liter, inline-six engine that generates 240 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. With an acceleration rate from zero to 60 mph in 8.5 seconds, the 3.2 boasts a decent EPA-estimated fuel economy of 19/25 mpg city/highway. Moving up to the all-wheel drive T6 option introduces drivers to a stronger turbocharged 3.0-liter, inline-six good for 300 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. It accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds but has a slightly lower fuel economy rating of 17/23 mpg city/highway.
Per custom, the Volvo XC70 comes equipped with a wide swath of safety features, with some of the more notable options included in the Technology trim: pedestrian detection, vehicle distance alert, a drive inattention warning system, and an impending collision warning system as well.
Divided into three generations, the Volvo XC70 got off to a slightly shaky start in terms of its market popularity and powertrain pick-up, but after a few years of interior/exterior design tweaking, the XC70 found its niche and loyal consumer base that continues to champion its uniqueness and functionality.
The second generation models (2000 to 2007) began with a minor horsepower and torque improvement from 190 hp to 197, and 199 lb-ft of torque up to 210. For the first time, Volvo offered an on-board navigation system too. 2003 welcomed another engine enhancement (208 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque) along with a wider rear-seat area for passengers, with an added third row four years later.
The 2012 Volvo XC70 hails from the model's third generation, which launched in early 2007. Initially only available in the base 3.2 trim, in 2008 Volvo wheeled out the turbocharged T6 with its sportier 281 hp output as opposed to the 3.2's 235 hp. Engine output increased again, to 240/300 hp respectively, in time for the 2011 XC70s. Orthopedic seats, audio sub-woofers, a DVD navigation system, seat belt reminder lights, buoyant seats, and a home safe lighting feature name just a few of the improvements that have been made during the Volvo XC70's third generation.
2016 Volvo XC70
Luxury, Wagon
2015 Volvo XC70
2014 Volvo XC70
2013 Volvo XC70
The 2013 Volvo XC70 is the last-standing station wagon in Volvo's lineup.
2012 Volvo XC70
The XC70 continues basically unchanged from 2011 except for some minor trim updates. The T6 has new 18-inch wheels, and a new color: Twilight Dawn with an espresso brown interior.
2011 Volvo XC70
There is a great deal to like about the 2011 Volvo XC70, including its 8.
2010 Volvo XC70
The XC70 continues basically unchanged except for some minor trim updates, a PZEV version of the base 3.2-liter engine and some modest revisions to its option packages. The T6 gains standard 18-inch wheels, leather, and a power passenger's seat. Both versions gain a new Multimedia package that includes Sirius satellite radio, nav system and a premium sound system while the previous Collision Avoidance Package is replaced by the Technology package.
2009 Volvo XC70
The 2009 Volvo XC70 resides in a vehicle segment that has steadily lost popularity over recent decades: the wagon.
2008 Volvo XC70
The Volvo XC70 is the Cross Country version of Volvo's V70 station wagon.
2007 Volvo XC70
The 2007 Volvo XC70 belongs to the stigmatized class known as the station wagon.
2006 Volvo XC70
2005 Volvo XC70
The 2005 Volvo XC70 might not know exactly what it is; on the outside it appears to be a wagon with sport utility vehicle aspirations, while inside it still feels very much like a luxury car.
2004 Volvo XC70
The 2004 Volvo XC70 classifies as a midsize, five-door station wagon that has been in production by the Swedish automaker since 1997.
2003 Volvo XC70


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This music features softly distorted lead chords and the acoustic piano solo; they are accompanied by techno beats and light bass. The viola and the violincello function as melodies as well as harmonies. This piece was created to capture a rainfall in nature. One may feel the untouched beauty and the loneliness. Suits for quiet and dramatic mood.
*For questions and concerns, please email firstname.lastname@example.com
Composition and production by: heartnote
Especially suits for: tutorial, film, website bgm, games, videogames, and apps.Especially suits for: advertisement video, film, website bgm, tutorial, games, videogames, and apps.

subset: commoncrawl


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Troop 222 meets at The Episcopal Church of St John the Baptist in Phoenix, Arizona. It is located on Union Hills Drive just East of 43rd Avenue. We meet on most Monday evenings at 7pm with the exception of Holdays. Please check our calendar for meeting dates and times.
We are in the Thunderbird District of the Grand Canyon Council. Our Charter Organization is theThe Episcopal Church of St John the Baptist.
The troop is dedicated to instilling scout values and building character, and emphasizes leadership and self-reliance. Scouts learn essential skills through advancements and study diverse fields through the merit badge program.
Through our active boys, active parents, and active leaders we maintain a fun, safe environment that teaches our young men the values and morals they need to become outstanding citizens in our community and nation.


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My 14 year old nephew is currently receiving SSI benefits, payable to my sister. She is sending him to live with me but is hesitant to sign guardianship over because she says he would lose these benefits and I would have to reapply for them.
I have to have guardianship if I am going to enroll him in school. Not to mention get health benefits for him or anything else that we need (which she is certain her state medicaid will cover from out of state, while I am certain my private insurance will cover no matter what). She says the SSI is about 1/3 of what his grandmother, who originally applied for them when he was in her care, says she was receiving for him.
My nephew has been bounced from one home to another his entire life and this is supposed to be a permanent situation. I can not make my home a permanent home for him if I am not his legal guardian. But I think she's holding out because she doesn't want to tell me the actual amount she is receiving and is trying to pocket the difference.
I will not buy his plane ticket or accept him into my care without the paperwork signed so that my husband and I are his sole legal guardians. If I can't enroll him in school or be certain of getting medical coverage from him, I can't claim to the judge (who will decide whether he goes with me or into a foster home) that I am capable of providing him what he needs. That's just the bottom line, whether my sister understands this or not.
The SSI in the meantime would certainly offset some of the costs involved, including increases in my health insurance, the extra rent for another bedroom, and food and clothing costs. It's not the biggest issue, but it would be helpful. What I need to find out is whether it's possible to just transfer who the payee is as he's a minor and an adult must collect the benefits on his behalf. Could that adult be transferred from my sister to me? Do I need her consent if I have the guardianship papers? Which I WILL have if she's going to send him to live with me. Would I have to reapply for him? How long would that take?
BTW, the father is not in the picture. Not much word on where he is, but my nephew stayed with him for a few days before coming out to visit me and he isn't contesting my getting custody. From what I understand, he's lost rights to custody through the courts. I know that he had full custody 5 years ago and my sister gained custody about 2 or 3 years ago with seemingly little contact with the father.


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Leata Puailoa — Pepsi Challenge
Fri, 02/01/2013 - 2:43pm
Nu'uuli native, Leata Puailoa has won a spot in the Pepsi Challenge to appear on the field with Beyonce at halftime during Sunday's Super Bowl.She and her co-winners will introduce the pop legend to kick off her set. Leata is a Tafuna High School graduate and currently in the National Guard stationed in Georgia. [Photo: Samara Gray & Stephanie Cosby /Artist: Keith of Platinum Airbrush]


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Building Better Golfers Since 1994
Now in our 25th year, Nike Junior Golf Camps provides junior golfers with the tools to improve and enjoy this great game for a lifetime. With over 130 locations nationwide at prominent universities, prestigious golf resorts, and local golf courses, there is an opportunity for every junior golfer to get better and have fun doing it.
Enroll in camp today and see why over 200,000 golfers have attended Nike Junior Golf Camps!


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BERKELEY — The number of unemployed here is on its way down from a peak in 2010 and is lower than Alameda County and California owing to the high number of residents with college degrees, according to a report heading to the City Council next week.
At the end of 2012, Berkeley's unemployment rate was 7.8 percent in a labor force of about 60,000, the report said. That's lower than Alameda County's 8.2 percent unemployment rate and the state's 9.7 percent rate, according to the report prepared by Economic Development Manager Michael Caplan. The numbers are the latest available from the state Employment Development Department.
Berkeley historically has a lower unemployment rate because almost 70 percent of its residents over 25 years old have bachelor's degrees or higher, the report said. The number of those with college degrees in California is 30 percent and 41 percent in Alameda County, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
"We're moving toward a skill-based economy and a lot of employers are looking for college degrees even in instances where degrees are not necessary," Caplan said. "There's an increase in demand for trained and skilled people and Berkeley's labor force has that advantage."
Unemployment peaked in Berkeley in 2010 at about 13 percent, the report said. By contrast, at the end of the dot com boom in 2000, the rate was about 4.5 percent.
The report underscores the importance of a college education for those interested in getting jobs. The unemployment rate between 2007 and 2011 for college graduates in Berkeley was just 3.9 percent while it was nearly 20 percent for those who had not finished high school; 14.6 percent for those who had finished high school and 11 percent for those with some college.
About 20 percent of Berkeley households have some form of income from self-employment, which is almost double the national average of about 11 percent, the report said.
"A lot of the energy and creativity in Berkeley comes from its many artists, crafts people, writers and consultants," the report said.
Doug Oakley covers Berkeley. Contact him at 510-843-1408. Follow him at Twitter.com/douglasoakley.


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Excellent Sound and Value
Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
I purchased these speakers for our pool area and mounted them vertically on custom stands at ear level. When powered by a 50-watt amp, they produce indoor quality sound with excellent dispersion. Base response will surprise you and excellent highs as well. This was my first purchase of a PSB product and will not be my last.
Pros: Build quality, appearance, unlimited mounting options, and bass response.
Cons: None


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The Center of Traditional Taoist Studies is a non-profit 501(C)(3) theological and educational organization dedicated to promoting Taoism throughout the United States and the world. The Center's curriculum includes traditional Taoist philosophy, religious instruction, holistic fitness programs, and meditation. Founded by Grand Master Alex Anatole in 1978, the Center is open six days each week with programs including Chi Quong, meditation, philosophy, and religious observances.
The Center operates the Temple of Original Simplicity, a Taoist temple committed to resurrecting the traditional practices of ancient Taoism. As such, it houses a rare collection of consecrated icons allowing its congregation to participate in spiritual activities originating from Taoism's earliest times. This commitment to the uncorrupted teachings of Lao Tzu brings to life a religion uniquely designed to develop mind, body, and spirit.


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Juhl Wind Inc. has signed an agreement with Honda Transmission Mfg. of America Inc. to develop, install and operate two utility-scale wind turbines that will generate electricity for a Honda plant in Russell's Point, Ohio.
Juhl Wind will provide the development services and the construction management for the $8 million project, which is scheduled to be completed this year. Juhl Wind acquired the development asset from Boulder, Colo.-based NexGen Energy Partners in 2011, and Juhl Wind is expected to take ownership in the project under its Juhl Renewable Asset subsidiary.
Juhl Wind will also oversee the construction and ongoing operation of the wind turbines. Once the turbines begin operating later this year, the Honda transmission plant will be the first major automotive manufacturing facility in the U.S. to obtain a substantial amount of its electricity directly from wind turbines located on its property, according to Juhl Wind.


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Washington's Blog
August 31, 2013
The French people – like the Americans – oppose war against Syria.
Agence France-Presse and the Local reported yesterday:
On the same day France dispatched a ship towards Syria a survey conducted by IFOP for Le Figaro newspaper shows the French hold a mainly negative view towards a possible military intervention in Syria by the country's armed forces.
The poll revealed that 59% of the public are against French involvement.
The Windsor Start notes:
A new poll suggests nearly three in five French people would oppose France joining any military action in Syria.
The fact that the French government – like the American government – is willing to ignore its people's wishes is stunning. (France was, of course, the empire which formerly ruled Syria as a colony.)
Indeed, most people worldwide are opposed to a strike on Syria:
A new poll by The Sun shows that Brits oppose a missile strike against Syria by a factor of 2-to-1.
A new poll in Germany shows that 69% of the German people were against a military strike on Syria.
A Pew poll from May – after the previous chemical weapon attack – found:
Eight-in-ten Germans (82%) opposed such assistance, as did more than two-thirds of the French (69%) and a majority of the British (57%). Even the Turks (65%), who share a border with Syria and now house 300,000 refugees from the civil war, oppose military aid to the rebels.
Publics in the Middle East are even less supportive of the West getting involved. In five of the six countries that were surveyed in March in the region – Lebanon (80%), Turkey (68%), Tunisia (60%), Egypt (59%) and the Palestinian territories (63%) – publics opposed Americans or Europeans supplying the Syrian rebels with weapons.


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His campaign's survival in question, Herman Cain plowed ahead Wednesday in an effort to move past a woman's allegation that they had a longtime affair. But he acknowledged the toll was rising and said he would decide by next week whether to drop out of the Republican race.
Publicly, there were no signs that the former pizza company executive was calling it quits in his campaign for the presidential nomination. In fact, it was just the opposite: Aides were moving ahead with plans for events in New Hampshire, Tennessee, South Carolina and Georgia and prepared to launch a fresh round of TV ads in Iowa.
And Cain himself, on a one-day bus tour of Ohio, insisted he was seeing "a groundswell of positive support" after the latest allegation threatening his campaign. Still, he acknowledged "we are re-assessing and we are re-evaluating" in light of the woman's account, which followed accusations of sexual harassment by other women in recent weeks.
In an interview on Fox News late Wednesday, Cain said the controversy has taken an "emotional toll" on his wife, Gloria.
"I've got to think about my family first, especially my wife," Cain said. "This is why we are reassessing."
He said he would exit the race if the price proved too high and he would make a decision by the middle of next week at the latest.
At his campaign stops, he renewed what has become a familiar defense: that he is the victim of attacks by liberals and the establishment, who are threatened by his outsider appeal.
"They want you to believe that with another character assassination on me that I will drop out," a defiant Caintold a crowd of about 200 in Dayton. The boisterous crowd greeted him with shouts of "no!" and "boo!"
"One of the reasons they are trying to shoot me down and tear me down is the strength of my message that resonates with the American people," he said.
Cain drew enthusiastic crowds in three appearances in the state. Though there were signs that some in early voting Iowa and New Hampshire were reconsidering their support — and political veterans were beginning to suggest his campaign's days were numbered — some backers here said they were deeply skeptical of the mounting allegations.
"I absolutely trust the character of the man. No man is perfect, but I just don't believe it," said Pauline Clark, 80, from Xenia, Ohio. She urged Cain to "tough it out."
George Phillips, of Beavercreek, said he was sticking with Cain because of his ideas and management experience, saying: "I just like him, and he certainly seems to understand the economy." He added: "It seems funny that every time a candidate rises up, something pops up against him."
And Jim Stansbury, who drove two hours to West Chester from his home in Louisville, Ky., to show his continued support, suggested that Cain's enemies were behind the allegations surfacing and called them "an orchestrated event." Though Sainsbury said Cain's base of support remains solid, he allowed that the accusations could make it more difficult to persuade undecided voters to get behind the candidate.
Cain's latest turmoil comes just five weeks before the first votes are cast in the state-by-state march to the nomination. He's spent a month battling several sexual harassment accusations, which took a toll on both his standing in polls and, supporters say, his fundraising. Prominent conservatives who rushed to his defense when the first allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior surfaced were all but silent after the affair accusation. At least one New Hampshire backer — state Rep. William Panek — switched his allegiance to aCain rival. And Cain's campaign has lost some precinct-level supporters in the leadoff caucus state of Iowa.
"His campaign is strong enough to survive the allegations," argued Michael Farren, 31, an Ohio State University doctoral student in economics, from Pataskala, Ohio.
Among political operatives, however, the perception was setting in that Cain's troubles were causing irreparable harm to his bid.
"I don't see how they walk away from the damage that's been done and emerge as a viable primary candidate," said Rick Wilson, a longtime GOP consultant based in Florida. "All these things about Herman Cainkeep coming out drip, drip, drip, and they're not handling it well. And now conservative Republicans have another place to go: Newt Gingrich."
Dan McLagan, a veteran GOP strategist based in Atlanta, agreed, saying: "Cain is like a zombie at this point: he's dead but he does not appear to have noticed and has kept on walking. His support is all moving to Gingrich and, at some point, he's going to look back and see that he is grand marshal of a one-man parade."
Indeed, former House Speaker Gingrich has been the beneficiary — in polls, at least — of Cain's slide in the month since it was disclosed that the National Restaurant Association paid settlements to two women who claimed Cain sexually harassed them while he was president of the organization. A third woman told The Associated Press that Cain made inappropriate sexual advances but that she didn't file a complaint. A fourth woman also stepped forward to accuse Cain of groping her in a car in 1997.
Cain has denied wrongdoing in all cases.
The latest furor came Monday when Atlanta-area businesswoman Ginger White, 46, accused Cain of a consensual sexual relationship that spanned more than a decade and ended this year before he became a White House candidate.
The candidate has denied any such affair, and in a letter addressed to "patriots and supporters" called her allegations "completely false" and labeled her "troubled."
"It's very disappointing that he would call me troubled and, you know, it's unfortunate," White said Wednesday on ABC's "Good Morning America."
As Cain was greeted warmly at stops in Ohio, top aides huddled privately to map out a strategy to get past the allegations. Cain has told his top supporters that his campaign must determine whether he will have the financial and grassroots support to move ahead.
He was holding an event in Manchester, N.H., Wednesday evening and planned to campaign in Tennessee on Thursday. A rally was planned Friday in Rock Hill, S.C. And an email to supporters said Saturday's planned opening of a new campaign headquarters in Atlanta to house volunteer efforts was still on.
"He's going to be here a lot going forward," Cain's South Carolina state director William Head said, adding that the Cain campaign had sent no signal it was in retreat.
"I think the most effective thing is for people here to get some time with him. When people hear Mr. Cain, they are reassured," Head said.
In Iowa, Cain's state chairman Steve Grubbs said he was preparing a busy December schedule beginning with a Dec. 10 debate in Des Moines. And Grubbs said Cain, who has not aired any campaign ads in Iowa since last week, will resume advertising Friday with a new spot that asserts that electing Cain would mean putting a veteran CEO in the White House, not a politician.
"The campaign has authorized us to go back on the air," Grubbs said, "and that is a very big signal to everyone who is concerned about the viability of the campaign."


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264 Kan. 1
(954 P2d 1078)
Bar Docket No. 15937
In the Matter of LAURENCE ALAN BRANSGROVE, Respondent.
In a letter dated January 30, 1998, to the Clerk of the Appellate Courts, respondent Laurence Alan Bransgrove, of Amarillo, Texas, an attorney admitted to practice law in the state of Kansas, voluntarily surrendered his license to practice law in Kansas, pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 217 (1997 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 232).
At the time respondent surrendered his license, there was a complaint scheduled for hearing on February 3, 1998, before a panel of the Kansas Board for Discipline of Attorneys. The complaint contained allegations of client abandonment during litigation, billing fraud, failure to return client files, and failure to cooperate with the disciplinary investigation. A claim in excess of $12,000 was pending before the Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection and has been paid by respondent. Further, respondent was administratively suspended from practicing law in Kansas pursuant to this court's order of suspension dated November 5, 1997.
This court, having examined the files of the office of the Disciplinary Administrator, finds that the surrender of respondent's license should be accepted and that respondent should be disbarred.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that Laurence Alan Bransgrove be and he is hereby disbarred from the practice of law in Kansas and his license and privilege to practice law are hereby revoked.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk of the Appellate Courts strike the name of Laurence Alan Bransgrove from the roll of attorneys licensed to practice law in Kansas.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this order shall be published in the Kansas Reports, that the costs herein shall be assessed to respondent, and that respondent forthwith shall comply with Supreme Court Rule 218 (1997 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 235).
DATED this 17th day of February, 1998.


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Mad Cow Theatre announces audition for
The Mountaintop
MAD COW THEATRE is holding an audition for its upcoming production of The Mountaintop by Katori Hall. Production dates are February 14, 2014, through March 16, 2014, with a possible extension. Stephan Jones is directing.
Mad Cow Theatre is seeking professional actors. Auditioners should prepare a 1-2 minute monologue.
We are looking to fill these two roles:
Martin Luther King Jr.: Male, African-American, 39, Nobel Peace Prize-winning civil rights movement leader. Powerful, sexy and charming with a flashing intelligence and an almost hidden vulnerability. He sometimes seems younger or older than his years. Every bit the brilliant orator, impassioned preacher, and fearless leader that he was in real life. This King is very human - driven by his unquenchable lust for life in all of its extremes.
Camae: Female, African-American, 20's, Lorraine Motel maid. She is beautiful, playful and sexy. She has a powerful body and an equally powerful mind. Camae has an irresistible sensuality and she loves to flirt, tease, and sass. She is both very human, but also very special.
Audition will be held at
Mad Cow Theatre
54 West Church Street - 2nd floor
Orlando, FL 32801
Audition time is as follows:
Sunday, August 11, from 5:30pm to 8pm, by appointment only.
Mad Cow is seeking a diverse company of actors and is committed to equal opportunity employment and a flexible, non-traditional casting policy. Non-traditional casting is defined as the casting of ethnic minorities, senior actors, female actors or actors with disabilities in roles where race, ethnicity, age, gender or ability is not germane.
You may schedule an audition by e-mailing our audition coordinator at email@example.com. All performers are paid a fee. AEA performers and Mad Cow work together under an Equity OAT contract.
Mad Cow Theatre is a 501 c 3 arts organization funded by The State of Florida, Division of Cultural Affairs, United Arts of Central Florida, The Downtown Development Board, The Florida Theatrical Association, Orange County Government through the Arts & Cultural Affairs Program, and members of the Central Florida community just like you.
Mad Cow Theatre is a proud member of The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Central Florida, MBA Orlando and The Downtown Orlando Partnership.


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LMG Kiteboards - SICK!
Post general kiteboarding discussion topics here!
Moderator: BayAreaKite
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LMG Kiteboards - SICK!
Full review forthcoming, but let it be said that this board is sick. I'll tell why it's worth the money, especially if you know what you wan't in a custom board.
L.M.G stick
i want one
made ollie even faster, point higher and yes jump even higher!
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Westheimerdentist needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 71 designs submitted by 9 freelance designers.
Your Texas Office
Your Texas Office provides registered agent services in Texas for entities that are required to have a registered agent in Texas. The state of Texas requires all corporations and LLCs that do business in Texas to have a registered agent who will receive all service of process for the entity. Your Texas Office acts as a registered agent, receiving process for entities and forwarding it to the contact address given by the entity.
The target audience of Your Texas Office is small to mid-sized businesses who conduct business in Texas. This includes people or business who sell goods and services in Texas from outside the state or people who are in Texas and do business in Texas. We seek to attract businesses and business owners from all states and foreign countries. As long as the out of state businesses do business in Texas, they are required to have a registered agent in Texas.
Your Texas Office is looking for a Texas-themed logo that is both creative and very professional in design. It should convey the Texas based nature of our services and that the services are professional services. Our business allows them to fulfill legal requirements to do business in Texas without the expense of an actual physical office or employee. Designers are encouraged to be creative, but the design must appeal to business owners and other business professionals. Red, white, blue, bronze or copper colors will likely fit best for the design, but designers are encouraged to be creative and use any colors they feel fits the theme. The logo should be both memorable and impressive. The logo will be used on a website for Your Texas Office.
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


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Sunday, July 10, 2011
Crisp stuffed courgette flowers aka zucchini blossoms
From all the vegetables we're growing in our garden, zucchini/courgette thrives best (closely followed by Jerusalem artichokes). And whereas the fruit might need another few days to be ready, zucchini blossoms are perfect already. Previously I've made zucchini blossom fritters and zucchini blossom frittata, this year I tried to stuff them. I came across two more or less identical recipes - one by Lucas Hollweg in the UK Sunday Times, the other by Jamie Oliver. A bit of tweaking here and there (who uses self-rising flour!?!?), and I came up with this version that we all LOVED.
You can use both male and female zucchini blossoms for this dish, as I did. (How can you tell them apart? The female blossoms have a tiny zucchini attached to them; the male blossoms just have the stem). I usually just use the male blossoms, as the female are the ones providing us with tasty courgettes later on. The male blossoms look like this:
Male courgette flower/zucchini blossom
However, if you don't need so many proper zucchinis, you can pick the female blossoms as well - it'll give you a more substantial dish.
Courgette flowers @ Lyon Market, France, August 2009. Female blossoms are at the front, male blossoms at the back.
What's your favourite way to stuff courgette flowers/zucchini blossoms?
Deep-fried stuffed courgette flowers
(Frititud täidetud suvikõrvitsaõied)
12 large and fresh zucchini blossoms/courgette flowers
vegetable oil, for frying
250 g ricotta cheese
25 g freshly grated Parmesan cheese
finely grated zest of half a lemon
a small handful of fresh mint, finely chopped
a generous pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
salt anf freshly ground black pepper
120 g all-purpose/plain flour (about 200 ml)
0.5 tsp baking powder
a pinch of salt
250 ml (a cup) of sparkling water/mineral water
To serve:
sea salt flakes and lemon wedges
Make the filling. Mix ricotta, Parmesan, lemon zest and mind leaves. Season generously with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Form the mixture into 12 small balls.
Prepare the zucchini blossoms - I avoid rinsing, if at all possible, and neither do I remove the
filaments from the female flowers. (You're welcome to do so, if you prefer). Make sure there are no little critters hiding inside the blossoms! Using your fingers, gently open each blossom and place one small stuffing ball inside. Gently close the blossom around the filling - either just folding the petals over the stuffing, twisting the petals or using a chive to tie the petals tightly together.
Mix the ingredients for the batter - it should have the consistency of a thin crepe batter.
Heat 4-5 cm (about 2 inches) of oil in a small saucepan. The temperature is about right when a little peeled potato cube or bread cube begins to sizzle and turns into nice golden brown when you drop it into the oil.
Now, working with couple of zucchini blossoms at the time, dip them into the batter, then lower them into hot oil. Fry for about 2-3 minutes, then gently turn them over and let them brown on the other side as well.
Using a slotted spoon, transfer them into a double layer of kitchen paper to drain off the excess oil.
Fry the rest of the stuffed zucchini blossoms in a similar fashion.
Serve hot, sprinkled with some Maldon sea salt and lemon wedges on the side.
Here's another close-up:
10 comments:
- Kristel said...
Kadestan! Ja tahan kohe Itaaliasse sõita!
- 1:24 pm, July 10, 2011
- Heidi Park said...
Looks so yummy!
- 2:53 pm, July 10, 2011
- Juc said...
Ääretult isuäratav... tahan kaaaaa! Valge külma veini kõrvale! :) Aga mul on selline kogemus, et kui ma kõrvitsa õisi teen ja emasõisi kasutan, siis peab sealt seest selle alge välja võtma, sest muidu on metsikult mõru. Isasõisikutel seda probleemi pole olnud. Kas suvikõrvitsa puhul pole emasõiel midagi mõru sees?
- 3:55 pm, July 10, 2011
- Kalyn said...
Every year I say I will try this but I still haven't done it! Looks like they would taste amazing.
- 4:54 pm, July 10, 2011
- Alanna Kellogg said...
Very pretty! I usually turn up my nose at stuffing/frying these but okay, you have my attention esp since we are overrun with squash blossoms - thick with bees yesterday morning.
- 12:48 pm, July 11, 2011
- Deb said...
Wow! What an ambitious idea! I must make some--they look lovely... and I'm going to use the new HimalaSalt pink salt from Sustainable Sourcing that I just bought (here's their website: https://secure.sustainablesourcing.com so you can try it too!). I love the flavor AND color. Thanks for posting this wonderful recipe.
- 4:31 pm, July 11, 2011
- domy warszawa said...
Looks great for me:)
- 10:32 pm, July 11, 2011
Long time lurker and fan, first time poster I think.
I stuff them with ground raw chicken, spiced with salt, pepper, ginger and a bit of chili sauce. Then wrap a thin slice of bacon around them and bake them a la plancha on a grill board on top of the largest pit of my gas stove. Grill some courgettes, quartered at the same time.
Richelle from Andalucia
P.S. the tomatoes are taking colour so I see your tomato/mustard tarte coming up again real soon!
- 1:53 pm, July 13, 2011
Ah, forgot to mention that they freeze really well, so we'll be enjoying zucchini blossoms in the middle of winter as well!
- 1:54 pm, July 13, 2011
- Gina @ Skinnytaste said...
I absolutely love these, looks beautiful!
- 1:31 am, July 14, 2011


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CHICAGO – On a hot, humid day in the Midwest, a first half header from senior Goffin Boyoko was the only goal in a 1-0 Gauchos win over the University of Illinois, Chicago, giving UCSB a two-for-two Chicago roadtrip after Friday night's victory over Northwestern.
Boyoko's score – his third of the young season – meant he eclipsed his 2012 goal total in just the second match of the new campaign.
The France native's tally came in the 40th minute. Freshman midfielder Armand Bagramyan found Boyoko with a cross from the right wing, then Boyoko headed in the cross from five yards out for what turned out to be the game-winning goal. It was the first assist of the La Canada native's collegiate career.
Besides that offensive outburst, the rest of the match was notably chippy and physical. UCSB accrued a total of 25 fouls, while the Flames had 13 of their own. There were 10 bookings on the day, including nine yellow cards and a single red card.
In his official UCSB debut, freshman goalkeeper Josh McNeely made a pair of saves to earn his first collegiate shutout. Similar to Friday night's win, the Gauchos defense did an outstanding job of shutting down the opposing offense, as UIC did not get a single shot on frame in the second half.
UCSB is now 10-0-1 since 2009 in out-of-state regular season matches.
The Gauchos return to Santa Barbara this week and will take on the Gonzaga Bulldogs in their home opener on Friday, Sep. 6 at 7:30 p.m. Broadcast information, including links to video and audio feeds of the match, can be found here.
To secure your season tickets before the home opener, call 805.893.UCSB or buy online here.


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Selecting your vehicle's make, model, and year allows us to display only parts and items specific to your car's model and year.
Part# FM15341
2 Reviews
OPGI Price: $73.99
Part Type: (P) High Performance, designed to improve performance
Years: 1959-1977
Sold As: EACH
Point your exhaust to the ground with these stainless steel turn-down tips from Flowmaster. Each tip features a classic brushed finish. Tips are available in 11" length for 2-1/2" pipe. Sold per each. Tip installation requires welding.


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Pioneer 08
Goals: Pioneer 8 was the third in a series of solar orbiters designed to measure interplanetary phenomena such as the Sun's magnetic field, the solar wind, and solar and galactic cosmic rays from widely separated points in space on a continuing basis.
Accomplishments: Pioneers 6, 7, 8, and 9 formed a ring of solar-weather stations, spaced approximately along Earth's orbit, whose measurements were used to predict solar storms. Like Pioneer 7, Pioneer 8 studied Earth's magnetic tail in detail.


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Healthcare Economist to Give Rogge Lectureby Jim Amidon • October 6, 2011 Share:
One of the nation's leading experts on the economics of healthcare in the United States will give the 2011 Benjamin Rogge Memorial Lecture at Wabash College. Dr. Mark V. Pauly will speak Tuesday, October 11 at 8:00 p.m.
Dr. Pauly's speech, "Solving Health Care's Problems through Aggressive Neutrality, is free and open to the public. Dr. Pauly will also give a lunch talk at noon Tuesday entitled "What Kind of Medicare Can We Save." Both speeches will be presented in Baxter Hall's Rogge Lecture Room.
Dr. Pauly is the Bendheim Professor in the Department of Health Care Management, a professor of insurance and risk management, and a professor of business and public policy at the Wharton School; professor of economics at the University of Pennsylvania; and a member of the Working Group on Health Care Policy.
Pauly received his undergraduate degree from Xavier University, his master's degree from the University of Delaware, and his Ph.D. the University of Virginia.
In addition to his professorship at Pennsylvania, Dr. Pauly is a consultant for the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, the American Enterprise Institute, and Merck, Inc. He is the author of the book Health Reform Without Side Effects: Making Markets Work for Individual Health Insurance.
He has been honored for his research and writing, and has received the Spencer Kimball Article Award from the Journal of Insurance Regulation, National Institute of Health Care Management Foundation's Research Award, and the John M. Eisenberg Excellence in Mentorship Award
He serves as Co-Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Health Care Finance and Economics and is the Advisory Editor of the Journal of Risk and Uncertainty.


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We've all heard the mantra "exercise is medicine." We hope that truism will boost the profitability of fitness facilities and the number of memberships, but how does it affect club design?
The "2008 Physical Activity Guidelines," published by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, says: "Adults should do two hours and 30 minutes a week of moderate-intensity… aerobic physical activity… in episodes of at least 10 minutes, preferably spread throughout the week (and) muscle-strengthening activities performed on two or more days per week."
"Moderate intensity aerobic physical activity" is "fed-speak" for brisk walking. The highest authority in the land is telling your customers that the health benefits of exercise can be realized by walking three miles, three times a week and adding in a little weight training twice a week. Many of your potential customers must be wondering why they should join a club if they can become fit simply by walking.
Customer-centered design can help clubs overcome that thinking, particularly for the marginal exerciser who is on the fringes of a healthy lifestyle and is only willing to exercise at moderate intensity levels.
To attract these members, you must do the following:
1. Let them walk. Safe and interesting walking routes are hard to find in many communities. Even where they exist, issues of convenience, weather and darkness can limit their use. Clubs with well-designed indoor walking routes have a competitive edge. The routes need to be wide enough for side-by-side social walking and have a passing lane for runners. They need to have interesting views of indoor and outdoor activities. And they need to have cushioned surfaces, timing devices, places to stop/stretch/cross train and limited crossing points.
2. Do nonmember outreach through community-based walking groups. Let nonmembers use your generously sized public lobby and healthy menu café as a gathering point before and after their outdoor walks.
3. Build on strength. Everyone knows how to walk, but not everyone knows how to strength train. Even the most dedicated walkers need some moderate intensity strength training. Create a staffed entry-level room for a strength-training circuit. Locate it where it could serve both members and nonmembers. Such a space will be a port-of-entry for all kinds of potential members with an appetite for moderate-intensity exercise.
4. Dedicate space to special populations. Even at low-to-moderate levels of intensity, personal training know-how can make a huge difference in effectiveness. Design can help by planning for a flexible, program-driven venue that can serve a diverse population of marginally committed exercisers — the deconditioned, very young, very old, member, nonmember, women-only, prenatal, postnatal, etc.
5. Create connection. There will always be people who prefer to exercise in social isolation, but those who are motivated by social connections will find themselves drawn to clubs that offer a design conducive to social interaction with a variety of areas to sit and chat, perhaps with a beverage. The need for connection is why the community table at the local bagel shop is always full.
6. Optimize the user experience. Moderate-intensity exercise produces less sweat (which means less need for changing and showering, but more of a need for lockers to hold purses, car keys, street shoes or jackets). It also means club owners need to pay more attention to convenience (proximity to parking), privacy (closed toilet compartments), service (with a smile) and personality (name recognition).
7. Forget privacy. Conventional wisdom assumes that newcomers to exercise need privacy. Consider the possibility that such a bias toward privacy tends to build walls, eliminate glass, install doors and sometimes serve to reinforce the idea that exercise is an abnormal activity that needs to be hidden from others. This is a counterproductive mentality for a business that can benefit greatly from broader social acceptance of exercise as an entirely normal and expected practice. This is why a more open and inviting approach to exercise venue design is best.
The club that can use both facility design and program content to attract this untapped and under-served market segment of moderate-intensity exercisers will prosper in a world where gain is measured by strain, not pain.
Hervey Lavoie is president of Ohlson Lavoie Collaborative, an architecture, aquatic design and interior design firm. With 35 years of design experience, he has completed club design assignments in 42 states and six countries.


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This exhibition traces Lincoln's path from a self-educated, rough-hewn lawyer with virtually no administrative experience, to the president who guided a divided nation through the crises of slavery, secession and Civil War. We hope that presenting Lincoln's own words in speeches, letters, and proclamations will encourage a deeper understanding of our 16th president's life, accomplishments, and legacy.
Supplementary Materials
- Site Support Notebook
- Educator's Guide
- Press Kit
- Set Up Instructions
Logistical Information
This traveling exhibition is composed of six freestanding sections. It will require a total of 60–70 running feet of display space. The loan period for this exhibition is four weeks. Sites are required to pay a loan fee of $1350, which covers shipping and administrative costs, and a refundable $250 deposit.
Online Exhibition
To view a digital version of this exhibition, click here.


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A friendly community forum for discussion about cricket - and other topics of interest! :)
westoelad wrote:Interesting piece on fragile fast bowlers
Durhamfootman wrote:equally he might overbowl himself as well. A misplaced desire to lead the way as it were. Then again... notts have just poached another all rounder, so you may very well be right
westoelad wrote:Dizzy's reason for leaving Yorkies looking a bit hollow after a post at Kent last year and now a long term Sussex appointment.
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 5 guests


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The Smyrna Opera House hosted its first of four open mic nights last week. Ten locals tried out their material—both music and poetry—in an intimate bistro atmosphere.
Smyrna Opera House board member Barbara Bigelow said that she was pleased with the outcome of the historic venue's first foray into "open mic nights" last Thursday.
"I'm really happy with how it turned out," Bigelow said in the afterglow of the evening. "Of course, I'd like to see more people in the audience but I'm hoping that once people hear more about what the show is like, we'll see more people."
In order to create an atmosphere conducive to the casual creativity typical of an open mic night seen in a café or bar, event organizers transformed the B. Stimson Carrow Auditorium into an intimate setting, complete with nearly 10 white-cloth-covered bistro tables and a back-room bar continuously serving concessions.
Last week's showcase—the first of four scheduled for the current SOH season—featured 10 amateur performers who took turns testing out new material and revisiting old favorites.
"I'm so grateful that the Smyrna Opera House is giving local musicians and artists an opportunity to perform like this," said the night's first performer, Matt GcGuigan. "There aren't enough places for us to do this."
Originally, artists were going to be charged a $10 registration fee to participate but, in the week leading up to the event, the fee was waived.
"We went back and forth on charging a registration fee for participants," Bigelow explained. "On the one hand, a fee is motivation to show up for your commitment. On the other hand, we were only charging the audience $5 per person. Ultimately, charging the fee just didn't make sense."
Bigelow added that, going forward, artists will only need to register in advance to participate and no fee will be charged. But, potential audience members will not have to make up the difference in revenue either. Ticket prices will stay at $5
That $5 investment means possibly seeing nearly a dozen different performers, much like a variety show. Last week's showcase featured three types of entertainment: music, poetry and musical comedy. Of the musicians, all four played the guitar and three played original music. The poetry was even more diverse. A young mother told of an abusive past, another woman—using no notes— shared secrets of her life, emcee John Loftus painted a picture of plump perfection with one of his poems and a college student brought rhymes akin to a "spoken word" performance to the stage. The musical comedy act was more music than comedy but Bigelow said that she sees a lot of potential in the duo and hopes they return to hone their act, further solidifying the purpose of open mic night.
She would like to see even more diversity, though.
"I would like to see more dancers and all different kinds of instruments," Bigelow said. "Magicians, storytellers, vocal groups and skits would also be great. It doesn't have to be well-rehearsed. The point is to try stuff out, get feedback and see how the audience reacts."
However, it's also important to her, as a local resident and as an SOH board member, that people come to events like open mic night, making their voices heard about the types of entertainment they'd like to see.
"Open mic night is definitely for a mature audience. It's local people writing and singing about issues they see within the community they live in," Bigelow said. "But, we're open to all kinds of programming ideas. We'd love to do more with teens and young adults. We're set up to be a community resource and we'll entertain just about any idea that community members present to us."


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Winter weather often takes a toll on trees, and with recent bouts of ice and snow across the state, this year is no exception.
Arkansas residents may seek out professional contractors to repair damage, trim trees or remove debris following the latest winter storms. Unfortunately, some tree-trimming services or other contractors may try to take advantage of Arkansans who have damage to their property or homes in inclement weather.
Attorney General Dustin McDaniel issued this consumer alert to warn Arkansas consumers about the potential for scams related to debris removal and to offer advice on how to select a reputable contractor.
"My office receives complaints year-round about tree trimmers that appear to charge outrageous prices or that provide inferior work," McDaniel said. "After storms, we see more and more examples of contractors who take advantage of consumers. However, Arkansans who take their time to get estimates and to get recommendations from friends and family can almost always avoid falling victim to con artists."
After ice storms, scammers typically target affected neighborhoods using high-pressure sales tactics to deal with consumers who may be in urgent need of help. They may charge high "emergency" prices and demand upfront payment for services. Many times, those scammers leave jobs incomplete or fail to do the work at all.
The Attorney General offered this advice to consumers who need debris removal or home repair services:
• Select a reputable contractor. Obtain recommendations from friends and family and ask for references from the contractor itself. Check with the Better Business Bureau to see if the contractor has a good track record.
• Always get estimates. Call at least three contractors for estimates. Even if it is necessary to act quickly to repair damage or have a tree removed, consumers are still better off financially by taking some time to compare prices.
• Put it in writing. A contract should contain details about the price of the project and any necessary financing. It should indicate the exact work that is to be done, the type and quality of materials to be used and the expected completion date.
• Never pay in advance. At no time should a consumer make full payment in advance for any type of repair or debris-removal service. One option that should be satisfactory for both the contractor and consumer is an arrangement where one-third of the expected cost is paid in advance, a third is paid during the work and the final installment paid once the work is complete. Consumers should inspect the completed project before making final payment.
• Handle insurance payments directly. If homeowners' insurance is involved, consumers should deal with insurance carriers directly rather than authorizing a contractor to negotiate with the company. In some recent instances, home-repair contractors have taken insurance proceeds in advance, then failed to complete work that was promised.
For more information about this or other consumer issues, visit the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division website at www.GotYourBackArkansas.org or call (800) 482-8982.


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Would You Drink Your Beauty Products?
There are certain foods with such powerful beauty benefits—blueberries, olive oil, caffeine—they've become common ingredients in topical products like masks and creams. But what about ingredient migration in the opposite direction? Can you max out the benefits of common skincare ingredients like collagen and hyaluronic acid by consuming them? More and more brands—many out of Asia and slowly making their way stateside—are saying yes, putting topical ingredients in candy, juice, and tea.
If you're looking for an anti-aging boost, try Shiseido's The Collagen ($25). The powder formula is popular in Asia and packs a hefty amount of fish collagen for firmer skin, plus hyaluronic acid and ceramide for hydration. Beauty Scoop's namesake powder formula ($70) has similar ingredients—collagen and hyaluronic acid—plus peptides, for better hair, nails, and skin is as little a three weeks. For stronger hair and nails try Self Beauty Elixir: a non-carbonated drink from Hansen's that's infused with biotin and natural extracts.
'Collagen candy' is popular overseas, but you don't have to change time zones to try it out. BeauyIn's Beauty Candy B Strong ($14) are sugar-free gummies packed with a cocktail of nutrients like collagen and folic acid that work to repair tissue and aid the growth of hair and nails. Beauty brews with a tea base are even more prevalent. Kusmi's BB Detox Tea ($20) was inspired by the does-it-all cream. It's a holistic blend of ingredients like dandelion, grapefruit, mate, and rooibos to brighten and detoxify skin. Or, if you want to de-puff after a night out just brew some of Caudalie's Draining Herbal Tea ($14): it's based around the same antioxidants found in the brand's skincare and helps drain excess fluid from the skin. Which would you try?


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(c) Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Deerfield MA. All rights reserved.
Contact us for information about using this image.
A popular form of entertainment in the mid-19th century was going to a museum. The first large museum in the country was founded in Philadelphia by the painterCharles Wilson Peale. This advertisement for the Boston Museum proudly states that the museum is the largest and best arranged in the United States. For the low admission price of 25 cents, a person could see exotic, grand exhibits and amusements. Tableaux, single wax figures, oil paintings, natural history and even theatrical entertainments were all on display.
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See Also...
"Pocumtuck Memorial Hall Perspective View"
Jennie Marie Arms Sheldon (1852-1938)
"The Youth's Companion World Fair"
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Monday, November 22, 2010
A Very Palpable Hit
We poke fun at many companies in these virtual pages, but there is one in particular that we tend to poke fun at more often than most. It is a company that has been immensely successful in its field and in a financial sense, and has certainly added more value to the human condition than any hedge fund or virtual column such as this.
Unfortunately, that value-add has been derived mainly from a now-fading monopoly that has also imparted so much frustration on its choice-hampered customers that the poking of fun is easy.
We speak of Microsoft, whose rigid devotion to its Windows operating system has resulted over the years in such a mind-boggling array of feature-rich, user-unfriendly product families that we wouldn't be surprised to find that there exists, somewhere in a far-off Staples, several copies of "Microsoft Vista Home User Release (Version 2.1) Model-Train Enthusiast Edition™" gathering dust.
Our general contention has been this: so complete is Microsoft's reliance on its Windows monopoly that whenever it ventured outside the confines of that monopoly, it brought the same feature-rich, user-unfriendly approach to everything it touched, yielding one dud after another.
For the genesis of this Windows-obsessed, customer-indifferent mindset, we pointed no further than CEO Steve Ballmer, who famously enjoined his children from using iPods made by Apple and search engines created by Google, thereby running the company more like a Big Three car company from the 1960s rather than a technology company in the 2000s.
How else to explain "Bob" (look it up, kids), the WebTV debacle (look that one up, too), the "Kin" black hole, not to mention a tablet PC operating system that will likely be dead on arrival in a market pioneered by Apple's slick iPad and soon to be invaded by products using Google's Droid OS, which has already taken the smart-phone market by storm.
Nevertheless, the title of this virtual column is "Not Making This Up," and longtime readers know that we are more partial to facts of a case—whatever that case may be—than to the sentiment of the moment.
(Indeed, this is why we do not brook any Yahoo-Message-Board-style of crass, mindlessly lazy and grammatically incorrect comments to make their way into these pages—to the frequent astonishment of those same message-board-trained elements who cry foul when we do not publish inarticulate, sloppy, strident messages, no matter which side of the issue they come down on. We do not apologize for that: in free-market economies, bad money drives out good money; and in free discourse, sloppy commentary drowns out the helpful.)
And given the facts in this particular case, it would be a disservice to let pass without comment something that is happening under our very noses. What is happening is this: Microsoft has a hit product on its hands.
The hit product is "Kinect," the Wii-style add-on to the X-Box video game player that doesn't require physical controls.
Released around the same time as the much-hyped Windows Phone 7 for smart-phones, Kinect flew under the Windows Phone 7 radar until recently, when, in addition to the generally friendly press coverage of the thing, we began hearing distinct rumblings about the Kinect—that it had sold out in two days at a local Best Buy despite the lack of a fully-functioning demo, for example—and went to investigate.
It was a quiet weekday afternoon at a non-descript strip-mall where we came across an otherwise empty electronics store in which the three customers were a father watching his two young children, who were standing in an octagonal pen, facing a large screen, hooked up to a Kinect.
Uncertain at first, the children began participating in the soccer game playing on the screen. They learned quickly—as kids do—how to control the movements of the players with their feet and body movements. Soon the boy was playing goalie and his sister forward. They shed their overcoats and settled in, mesmerized.
A brief talk with the store manager—yes, Kinect is flying out the door; yes, the technology is fantastic; yes, it's easy to set up; yes, it's taking share from the Wii (and, in fact, some customers are trading in their Wii to buy Kinect)—prompted follow-up calls elsewhere to determine whether what we were seeing with our own eyes was being replicated elsewhere.
And it is.
Now, we do not write this column to encourage readers to think highly of Microsoft as an investment. After all, no amount of Kinect sales—whether hardware or software or both—will make more than a meaningful impact on Microsoft overall.
But facts are stubborn things, as John Adams once said. And in the Kinect, as Shakespeare once wrote, Microsoft has scored "A hit, a very palpable hit."
Jeff Matthews
I Am Not Making This Up
© 2010 NotMakingThisUp, LLC
The content contained in this blog represents only the opinions of Mr. Matthews.
Mr. Matthews also acts as an advisor and clients advised by Mr. Matthews may hold either long or short positions in securities of various companies discussed in the blog based upon Mr. Matthews' recommendations. This commentary in no way constitutes investment advice, and should never be relied on in making an investment decision, ever. Also, this blog is not a solicitation of business by Mr. Matthews: all inquiries will be ignored. The content herein is intended solely for the entertainment of the reader, and the author.
4 comments:
- Anonymous said...
In perhaps more proof that such a thing has occurred there's a few stories about what others are doing with the kinect. See links for Oliver Kreylos' efforts.
Of course mister softee's efforts to restrict the hacking actions may yet snatch defeat from the jaws of victory...
- Dirk Hohndel said...
What is interesting to me is how this promising product made it past the very organization that seems to be set up to kill interesting ideas.
It doesn't use the Windows visuals and user interaction model, not even Windows technology; it doesn't tie in to the Office franchise or anything else that seems to be held sacred at Microsoft.
So how come this wasn't killed long before it hit the shelves? I think the fact that this was released in parallel to the Windows Phone OS Series 7 Customer Product Launch may not be a coincidence after all - by flying under the radar maybe this project had a chance to even make it to market. And quick success ("flying off the shelves") might save it from being killed.
What can Microsoft business groups learn from that? If you want to do an innovative product, try to hide in the shadow of another launch - and try to stay away from all the core technologies that Microsoft is so good at flogging.
I can't wait to see what else will be released by Microsoft in the same week that Win7SP1 comes out...
- The Pants Down Explainer said...
If Kinect is a hit, then so is X-Box?
- jucojames said...
I think Fred Hickey does a pretty good job of covering the rather crowded "hate Microsoft" cadre that Jeff has been a card carrying member of. I think it is fair to also describe Windows 7 as a hit in the enterprise market, as well as their efforts in the cloud computing space. With double digit earnings growth, a yield close to the 10 year treasury and selling for a low double digit multiple and a fortress balance sheet, it appears the Jeff's of the world are more than priced into the stock.


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It's starting to look like companies are going to ride the 3D wave whether consumers decide to join in or not. Toy company Hasbro is updating its classic ViewFinder to pair with iPhones and iPod touches for 3D gaming and viewing. Apple, Dreamworks, the Discovery Network, Sony, and IMAX are developing content for the new toy, dubbed the My3D.
We're not quite sold on the product yet. While it's really cool that one of the simplest childhood toys is making a reappearance, the fact that its' target demographic appears to be kids and iPhone users is confusing. If it were looking into the pockets of teens and adults who wanted 3D content on their Apple products, then its child-like, binocular modeling seems out of place. It's even bigger and bulkier than standard 3D glasses, which is the primary issue consumers have with 3D programming. Is there some sort of technology in the binoculars glasses can't provide, or is it just for the sake of being retro? The binoculars allow an iPhone or iPod touch to slide into it while you hold them and view the 3D content, which means you can't interact with the screen, only watch it. And to stop, pause, rewind, or do anything, you have to take it off, obviously.
However, the promise of eventually using the technology for gaming seems more promising – except that initial looks at the My3D binoculars eliminates hands free use of any kind. Assuming this is updated for that exact purpose, it could find a niche of Apple gamers. Don't get too excited though, as its first run seems focused on viewing-only content.
At only $30 for the My3D binoculars and a bevy of free and inexpensive apps to accompany it (from top of the line developers no less), it could possibly be a gamble that pays off. We'll have to wait until spring 2011 to find out.


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Who's Working Against Your Favorite Apps
The app revolution has changed more than the cockpit; it's displacing dedicated handheld gps units, giving panel mount avionics a run for their capability (at a deeply discounted price), and challenging the FAA's chart distribution systems. In other words, relative to the still slow economy, it's a booming industry that's changing how a segment of the aviation economy functions. It's not just bringing more capability into more cockpits, it's challenging the way some big entities make money -- and that might soon be changing things for you.
For this article, we spoke with one of the biggest names in the business, Hilton Goldstein, of Hilton Software LLC (maker of the WingX app) to find out what makes a winning app and the very big forces that could soon challenge them all. According to Goldstein, those challenges could cost developers time and money, stifle development and generate new costs for users.
In-cockpit apps supported by personal electronic devices like iPads, iPhones, and Android-based tablets and phones, have evolved over a handful of years from simple weight and balance calculators into powerful comprehensive flight planning and flight management tools. Today, apps can deliver weather, navigation, data libraries (that include fuel pricing), EFIS, terrain, synthetic vision, ADS-B traffic and weather, and more. For many users, the "How did we get along with out this?" factor has become compelling. The popularity of the apps is changing how pilots spend their money and get their information. That means other segments of the market are being affected. And that has consequences.�
From a select handful of the most popular apps, Hilton Software's WingX earns high marks from both customers and critics. The app recently earned top marks from our sister publication Aviation Consumer for its "widest and most sophisticated feature set." And according to company founder Hilton Goldstein, there's a reason his company is ahead of the curve.�
How It Began
Goldstein's products started like most successful products do -- they filled a need. For Goldstein, the need was personal. "I used to fly a lot of Angel Flights," he said. "You're told that you're picking up a kid and a pillow. When you get there it turns out to be a kid and a pillow � mom, dad, and a suitcase." It created practical problems. "I needed something that would do quick weight and balance. So I created a weight and balance app." Making the app available to a broader audience made Goldstein aware of more concerns. "Pilots wanted airport information. Essentially, we grew from there." Early incarnations of Goldstein's app first appeared in 2004. And that, says Goldstein, has made a big difference.
"We started back on Windows Mobile and Blackberry." The hardware was primitive. "It required us to have very fast database access." And this is a key ingredient to the success of Hilton Software LLC. Its programming is based on an architecture that uses and stores data very efficiently. "So now, when you use that on an iPad, it flies," Goldstein explains. The efficiency of aviation data storage and transfer pioneered by Goldstein has spread through the company's products. "We've solved the problem of moving data around quickly and keeping things very small." Now he says he's pushing the same data as his competitors -- often with more functionality -- in a package that is significantly smaller.
Size Matters
"We're running with everything, including terrain, and we're at 3.5 Gb," says Goldstein. Compare that with some other apps and you'll sometimes see roughly 700 Gb for nearly identical content. So long as memory costs money and bandwidth matters, WingX's size could matter to a lot of pilots. Of course, other preferences like differences in user interfaces and subscription costs play as variables in the equation of a pilot's personal economy and decision making. WingX isn't the best solution for everyone. Still, when it comes to data packaging there's a strong argument for smaller is better.
Goldstein argues that inefficient data compression causes some of his competitors to offer their products with "granularity." What he means is that "you could easily end up with a current California sectional and a bunch of expired charts," because the provider needs to break up content to deliver it effectively through the constricted paths of the web. "Because our data is so small, you just go get it all. It's either all current or none of it is. It's very cut and dry and there are very few options to select." And it's made a difference. "We've had companies almost begging us" to give them access to the WingX database. Goldstein knows its value. "It's our secret sauce. We keep it to ourselves," he says. But he hints that with proper motivation, he could be inclined to give some ingredients away. More on that, later.
Currently, Hilton Software's offerings are among the most comprehensive on the market and, unlike some others, are available for a range of hardware. "I like to think that we go the extra mile," Goldstein says, adding he's also "careful not to box myself into a corner." Goldstein doesn't want his software's architecture to be necessarily tied to, or dictated by, a specific hardware platform -- most notably the iPad and its iOS. Part of his ability to control and innovate in the storage and delivery of data relies on his ability to code as he chooses. As a result, "all our technology is multi-platform." Goldstein has covered Windows Mobile, Blackberrry, iPhone and Android platforms. "We've covered everything," he says. And he's capitalized on his early entry into the market. Hilton Software's feature set has in many cases outpaced the competition.
Innovation, Convenience, Safety
On this point, Goldstein is direct. "We're so far ahead with radar altimeters, track up, obstacles � I could go on � . We did split screen two years ago. Track up a year ago. ADS-B weather and traffic years ago." He's correct that come of his closest competitors are still introduction some of those features, but also that capability is only part of the battle. "We have things that keep it useful," he says. Track up is one example. "All the identifiers stay properly oriented � all of them, identifiers and frequencies are on the sectional. You don't have to go zooming in. You just read it." It's an attention to detail that Goldstein is proud of. "When people sit with WingX, we're determined to keep the user interface out of your way and keep it powerful. Nothing fancy. Just get your information quickly." The motive may be utility; the result, says Goldstein, is safety.
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"On Thanksgiving, a guy flew himself and three children into a mountain," Goldstein recalls. "We have a ground proximity warning system, synthetic vision, and passive radar altimeter. I look at an accident like that�" Goldstein trailed off, but began again with conviction. "I have three little girls. I can't imagine that � having them in back and having that happen." For Goldstein the answer is simple, "With our products, the pilot would have known," he says. "We could have prevented that accident."�
The list goes on. "Think of Lexington." Goldstein is referencing the August 27, 2006 crash of Comair Flight 5191, a CRJ-100ER, at Lexington's Blue Grass Airport. Mistakes led the jet to take the shorter runway and attempt departure. Forty-nine died. The co-pilot was the only survivor. "Our smart taxi not only tells them when they're approaching a runway, but how much runway is ahead of them." He speaks with conviction, again, "It would have prevented that accident. They absolutely would have known they were on the wrong runway." To Goldstein these specific examples expand for a broader base. "We have core pieces of technology designed to keep pilots safe. We've received emails -- I'm sure it's true of other apps as well -- of people telling us that WingX saved their lives. I'm proud of that fact."
Challenges, Conflicts And Costs Coming
Nearly all of the popular navigation flight planning apps available today are based on data collected and distributed by the FAA. They do the work. Pilots benefit. The equation worked well for the FAA when it was basically the sole producer of required content like the sectional chart. But the FAA now says apps have changed its funding structure. By taking FAA data and presenting it in a more appealing, more useful package, apps are attracting buyers away from FAA products. And that is moving income streams away from the FAA. The FAA says it's still doing the work, but now it's not getting paid. According to the agency, that's not cause for shifting its resources to make up for the shortfall, but a problem that needs to be directly resolved. According to Goldstein, the FAA believes app users are costing the agency $5 million in lost sales. And its solution is to charge data users to make up the difference. That's where the conflict begins.
"They were quoting $5 million and saying that number will go up in the coming years," says Goldstein of his meetings with the FAA. That cost will trickle down to users, Goldstein says. In practice, "it could be $75 today and $150 tomorrow." It means the app you pay $75 for each year will double in price, he says. Goldstein says he expressed his concern that pricing would change the market in ways that would be detrimental to the available products. "They seem to think that doubling the cost of the product will have no effect." Then he offers an analogy. "Try that with a Camry," he says. "Take your Camry from $25,000 to $50,000 and see if Toyota is still selling as many. The idea is ridiculous." And from there, Goldstein applies more economic theory and sees a snowball effect. "So, fewer people are buying the product, and the price of the product goes up again."
Goldstein says his concerns aren't just about his bottom line, but also about his ability to innovate and produce new products. "We'll need to hire people to track our users and make sure the FAA gets paid for each one, plus whatever paperwork � the FAA thinks that would add jobs to our business, but it will just make us less efficient and less profitable." But Goldstein sees other concerns. "Pilots who own two or three apps, because one is better for them on the ground and the other in the air, they will go down to one." Fewer apps purchased means a higher cost per app and less money for development, Goldstein argues. "That will be bad for everyone. It will impact safety."
So Where Are The Alphabet Groups
Pilot support communities like those embodied by EAA, AOPA and the like are, in Goldstein's words, "not helping." Says Goldstein, "I don't know why." But, within the industry Goldstein can imagine other motives for major voices staying silent. "If prices went up a lot, there are certain competitors who wouldn't mind," he says. "It would make their apps more competitive." Whatever the case, and Goldstein doesn't claim to know the reason, "we need people to be on our side." Goldstein backs his argument with the potential safety benefits apps deliver and the economic benefits of developing a blooming segment of the aviation industry. "It would be nice if we had the help of certain organizations within the aviation industry," but, he says, "we don't."
The FAA is meeting some resistance, according to Goldstein, but nothing well organized. He "wants to get the word out" that the price of your favorite apps may soon be doubling. And if that leads to fewer buyers, the prices will go up again. "Currently, our basic subscription price is $99 per year � we have a three year package for $199. The subscription pays for our process to download gigabytes of information, process it, and deliver it to thousands of users through massive amounts of servers." Says Goldstein, "every 28 days we send out a ton of data that includes free updates. We spend ridiculous hours working on this." If the FAA acts to effectively introduce a new pricing structure affecting his company's raw materials, Goldstein says it will affect the development of apps, their availability, and their cost.
What Changes And When
This is still a big unknown. Observers expected the FAA to take some initial action early in 2013 that would effectively result in the application of chart user fees. But the timetable is fuzzy. Goldstein says he's frustrated by what he observes as the FAA's intransigence. "I think there are different ways to make up the cost difference," he says. Goldstein suggests he could be involved. "I'd love to make their data more innovative. We've done some amazing things with data. � Maybe better distribution or compression."
It's not entirely clear if that could mean Goldstein sharing his "secret sauce" or exactly what would motivate him to do so. Speaking generally, he does say "we could be sharing that technology. Maybe we could make it easier for other companies to provide ground proximity warning systems." Regardless of the details, the key point he seems to be pushing is government/private sector cooperation. "Let's start from a position of assuming we can," he says. But that's not what he's seeing. "Unfortunately, when we sit with the FAA it's clear to me they have no clue how the market works and they haven't budged on their position."
The Bypass Valve
Goldstein does see a way to bypass the problem altogether, but sees it as far less than ideal. "We have a vector map," he says. "We will display terrain fixes, airports, airspace, jetways, drawing state lines� . If we use that kind of data, that would be free. We could conceivably make that product available at a lower cost." But, Goldstein sees the work as a distraction. Instead of creating a replacement product, "we could be designing a much better thing to stop people from killing themselves." He is very simply asking for your help to engage the FAA and motivate them to seek alternate solutions that will not cost you, or him, as much money as he feels the agency's current path threatens.
"Chart user fees� It's going to happen. Let's try to make it as inexpensive as possible," he says. "We need to start by assuming we can. Right now, that's not happening."