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TORONTO (Reuters) - Canada is tightening the rules for producing its popular icewine, a sweet dessert wine that is only made in cold climates, to crack down on fraudsters who sell mislabeled bottles that don't make the grade.
In regulations published this week, the Canadian government said any bottle labeled and sold as icewine must be made only from grapes that have frozen on the vine.
Some producers of counterfeit ice wine add artificial sweetener to mimic the wine's sugary taste, while others freeze grapes after they have been picked.
Even some Canadian apple ciders have been marketed as apple icewine, Dan Paszkowski, who heads the Canadian Vintners Association, said on Wednesday.
"They can produce a fine wine, but that wine should not be allowed to be called icewine," Paszkowski said.
Canada is a major player in the international market for icewine, thanks to a reliably cold climate. It exported 223,000 liters in 2012 and sold 180,000 liters domestically.
Ontario already had rules on what constitutes icewine, but the changes apply across Canada.
Because the frozen grapes only yield a tiny amounts of sweet liquid, the dessert wine has a high cost and a high price. Grapes are left on the vine until the temperature falls to -8C (18F) over a prolonged period, and usually harvested overnight.
"It's liquid gold," said Paszkowski.
In China, where icewine has become hugely popular, a thriving counterfeit industry is flooding the market with wines that don't live up to the label, he said.
"It's very difficult to regulate greed," said Paszkowski. "We've identified counterfeit icewines even in five-star restaurants and hotels."
Editing by Janet Guttsman and Leslie Gevirtz


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trueV New Media needed a new button or icon design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 5 designs submitted by 4 freelance designers.
"Ultimate HomeBuyer Advantage"
We are trueV New Media. We produce information products for consumers that inspire, motivate & educate them about various topics ranging from home ownership to fantasy football. We follow Dan Kennedy style marketing and are growing in many new areas.
Potential Homebuyers &/or Homeowners in the US & Canada.
I am in need of a visual design of our "Ultimate HomeBuyer Advantage" System & its various elements.
The "Ultimate HomeBuyer Advantage" System consists of the following:
There are 9 main images needing creating for items that are part of the main system and 3 other images that are bonus items.
There also needs to be a larger image for the system itself.
1. "The Ultimate Homebuyer Advantage System"
2. "Ultimate Homebuyer Advantage Workbook"
3. "The Ultimate Homebuyer Advantage" Worksheets (4)
4. 6 Hours of Audio Step by Step Training (4 cd's)
5. 4 Hours of Interviews with the "Leading Industry Experts" (2 cd's)
6. "Ultimate Credit Score Manager System" Worksheet
7. "PathwayGPS Mortgage Accelerator" (CD)
8. "Making Attorney's Work for You" Audio Guide and Workbook
9. "Determining the Right Mortgage for You" Worksheet
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Bonus Package:
1. Book- Image Can be found at:
2. 2009 HomeBuyer Stimulus Report
3. 60 days of VIP Platinum Membership(newsletter,buying club, access to more resources & telephone support.

subset: commoncrawl


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THE lake rocks. The beach sucks. Take a teenager's word for it: sand between your toes is not what summer is all about.This may sound like summer sacrilege, but it comes on the excellent authority of Cambell Courtney, 15, who reckons he's found the secret to a holiday that involves neither sand, surf nor seaweed. No squishing between flags. No wishing away sweaty crowds.Cambell and his family's playground is Lake Eildon, where they own a two-storey designer houseboat.Noel Courtney sums up the case in favour of a moveable retreat, parked year-round on a lake that spreads across nearly 14,000 hectares:''You can make it whatever you want it to be, there's so much room,'' Noel says.If you think of the marina as their street , the lake is their giant backyard. It's terrific for their children - Cambell, Shea, 18, and Georgia, 20 - and hardly a hard life for adults.
''When we get here we never stay in our 'street', we always go out [on the lake],'' says Linda, 48. ''Usually we've got a posse of about 10 friends and we all go out together. We have happy hour every night. Actually, happy hour is getting earlier and earlier. It starts about four, someone will have it on their boat, and that usually ends about 10.''And when socialising gets too much? Noel, 50, says: ''If you've had enough and you want a couple of days of quiet time, just untie your boat and out you go. Find yourself another little cove.''
On board or off, they want for little. This is close to state-of-the-art houseboat design. It can sleep 12, in beds ranging from a master suite to two rooms holding single and double bunks, to guest beds that appear from nowhere.
The key is exacting use of space: a raised floor conceals a slide-out bed, the TV is suspended from the ceiling. There are lounge and dining areas downstairs, and upstairs a large, covered entertaining area with a table for eight, a barbecue and sun decks at each end. The on-board water for showers and drinking comes from the lake but is filtered. Solar panels power everything on board.
And it's easy to see why the children wouldn't want to be anywhere else. There are toys galore, from wave-boards to a jet-ski. A Malibu speedboat is docked out the front. And a dip in the mild waters of the lake is never more than a few steps away. But toys and price tags aside, this is a house that asks you to chill, reflecting the laid-back family who occupy it. Bare feet and cold beers are in order.
That freedom also comes in handy when the children want to bring their friends - the Eildon difference again. ''Let's say my 18-year-old wants half-a-dozen of his mates to come up. You go out and find yourselves a quiet spot and you can make as much noise as you want.''
The Courtneys have been coming to Eildon for seven years. Noel used to holiday here with his mates after he left school, and had always hankered to return.
Linda was raised a beach girl and when they decided to buy a holiday home she wanted waves nearby. Business success gave them the freedom to pick and choose.
Noel was an apprentice refrigerator mechanic turned multimillionaire boss of the airconditioning company Airmaster. The couple could afford Noosa or Port Douglas, but this man-made lake at the end of a winding mountain road won out.
This houseboat is their second, and has been on the water only since November. The price tag: $580,000. It seems a lot for a boat, but compared to an upscale house in an A-list beach town it's a relative bargain. It's in the upper range in a market that ranges from $150,000 to $750,000.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/travel/have-house-will-travel-life-on-the-lake-floats-this-familys-boat-20120121-1qbak.html#ixzz1kIoEbn9g
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Good news, parishioners: The Exterminator stacks up pretty well. Better made and higher-budgeted than its non-sequel, the elder cinematographic statesflick not only gives us a look at the foundations upon which were built the wild and weird antics of James Bryan's later effort, but also contains enough of its own gleeful griminess and bizarre set-pieces to keep fans of 80s action grinning almost throughout.
We open on a craggy, moonlit peak that needs only a little snow and a corona of stars to perfectly emulate the Paramount Studios logo. But before we can fully appreciate the tranquility and natural beauty of this shot, Glickenhaus lets slip the Dogs of War, treating us to a gigantic fireball that rockets a hapless US serviceman at least thirty feet above the summit! Which can only mean one of two things: either part of the Vietnam war was waged atop active volcanoes, or else the US Army was testing a top secret human cannonball program that didn't quite work out, for reasons that were perhaps in retrospect quite foreseeable.
|Early trials of the C4 Plumber's Helper™ were not a complete success.
Luckily the earth surrounding the crag is soft with jungly moisture and the blood of innocents, so our flying grunt, John Eastland (Robert Ginty) is only stunned and slightly singed by his surprise solo flight. Unluckily, the jungle is also lousy with Viet Cong, which leads to the quick capture of John, his unit-mate and best friend Michael Jefferson (Steve "Don't Call Me Meshach" James), and at least one expendable extra.
At the POW camp, the VC string John and the extra up between bamboo stakes and start grilling them for information. When John doesn't cooperate, the head baddy demonstrates the power of his Vorpal Machete of Partial Beheading (+3, THAC0 -2) on his ill-fated and unnamed cohort. However, in all the excitement the camp guards somehow neglected to ensure that Michael was similarly secured, keeping him tied only with rough twine around his wrists and trusting he won't garrote the living fuck out of his watcher at the first opportunity--a tactical error, as it turns out. Quickly securing an AK-47, Jefferson lays waste to the enemy and frees his partner, then sends up a flare for a well-timed helicopter rescue.
Next we get a credit sequence filled with beautifully shot aerial views of New York City, together with a plaintive, pop-country soldiering song that couldn't contrast more with the steamy, fiery carnage of the opening scene. (Which was, it has to be said, extremely fiery. I shouldn't be surprised if the pyro alone cost more than the entire production budget of Executioner Part II.) Back in the USA, John and Michael are working in the loading docks at White Fairy Inc., a refrigerated shipping firm that moves everything from beer to slabs of meat. Mike is adjusting well to civilian life, making a favorable impression on his bosses and getting the raise needed to support his beautiful wife and two precociously adorable kids. Meanwhile, John is sullen but high-functioning, clinging to his friendship with Michael, the man to whom he owes his life. So guess what happens next?
If you guessed "gang-related tragedy for the family man," give yourself a hug.
Working in the back loading bays, John happens to notice a group of young thugs helping themselves to cases of unguarded beer. These aren't just any thugs, though--they're members of "The Ghetto Ghouls," the most fearsome street gang this side of the Jets and Sharks. Sporting bandannas, spiked armbands and matching denim vests, these guys are clearly not to be trifled with--least of all their leader, who augments his badassery with a pencil-line goatee and a jaunty French beret:
|THIS...is the face of Crime!
As might be expected, this is just the sort of thing to send Johnny spiraling out of control. He breaks out his army gear and captures one of the Ghouls, threatening him with a blowtorch in order to learn the location of GGHQ. (Note: this is the genesis of the awesome but unrepresentative poster and VHS art; though John does immolate more than one victim, he doesn't use the flamethrower again, nor don the black motorcycle helmet pictured, except when, you know, actually riding a motorcycle.) He invades the Ghouls' graffiti and Che Guevara Poster-strewn base, kicks out the GG's topless girlfriends, and after a brief battle leaves the worst offenders tied in the basement for the rats to feed on. Nasty, but effective.
|"I'm gonna tell you the Good News about Jesus Christ, and you're gonna LISTEN, GODDAMMIT!"
Having tasted the sweet nectar of vengeance mixed with shot of heady vigilante JUSTICE, John decides to take his battle against scumballs and scofflaws to the next level, in a way antiheroes like The Punisher would emulate throughout the coming decades in comics and film. He next sets his sights on local "meat mobster" Gino Pontovini (Dick Boccelli, in the role he was born to play), who has been extorting White Fairy Refrigeration for protection payments since the beginning of the flick. Showing his madd ninja skillz by infiltrating a restaurant bathroom and hiding in the trash receptacle, John outsmarts Gino's bodyguard and kidnaps the mobster, spiriting him away to a handy warehouse and hanging him above an industrial strength meat grinder! After getting Gino's house key and safe combination, John heads to the mobster's mansion, where he's surprised by the vicious doberman guard dog--but luckily a battery-operated electric knife has been left handy on the kitchen counter, leading to some impromptu canine carving. Upset at Gino's having left this crucial info out, John returns and wordlessly drops the meaty malcontent into the hopper! The screams and close-up shot of the resulting ground round exiting the grinder are actually rather gross and chilling--a well-done scene.
|A Gristled Criminal
Actually, up to this point the whole movie has been very well done--Glickenhaus and/or his DP Robert M. Baldwin give us some great composition and lighting, particularly in the Vietnam battle scenes, with red and blue gels and the orange light of the HUGE ASPLOSIONS giving the whole thing a stylish, nightmare quality. Glickenhaus also has a knack for building suspense--the scene where John tortures the Ghetto Ghoul is constructed expertly, as is a later scene with John methodically drilling hollow points (in LIVE bullets--which I can't help thinking is a bit unsafe) and filling them with lethal mercury! (Then soldering the tops closed over the payload with an acetylene torch--again, not OSHA approved.) The only weak point technically is the editing, which jumps rather schizophrenically from scene to scene in the early going, threatening the attentive viewer with cognitive whiplash.
John uses the money stolen from the mob to make sure Michael's wife and kids are taken care of, then continues his one-man war on crime. He sends letters to the local news declaring his intent, signing himself "The Exterminator." It's at this point the NYPD get involved, especially after getting pressure from shadowy CIA Agent Shaw (a very Jonathan Frid-like Patrick Farrelly, who would feature the following year in the haunted whorehouse flick The Nesting). Shaw notes that the Exterminator must be stopped, since it's an election year, and the Powers That Be can't have a loose cannon going around doing a better job fighting crime than the police. (Even though to this point John has stopped exactly two sets of evildoers.) The crooked commish responds by putting his best detective on the case--Detective James Dalton, played by trash movie royalty Christopher George.
|"Hello, Ladies."
Here the movie loses its thread a little, as we get lots of scenes with Dalton pursuing cold leads on the Exterminator's identity, which have nothing like the momentum of John's vengeance-fueled rampage. Still, George is fantastic in the role, bleeding confidence and charisma as he interrogates strung-out hookers, improvises dangerous hot dog cooking techniques, and romances sexy Eurodoctor Megan Stewart (mutant baby nommer Samantha Eggar). His exchanges with Agent Shaw are particularly fun, including following gem: (Shaw) "What do you think, detective?" (Dalton) "I think you gotta take a shit, and it's comin' out your mouth instead of your ass!"
Interspersed with this are a few more of John's Random Acts of Kindness (and Violence). He persecutes a few more Ghetto Ghouls via deadly car chase (after failing to stop them mugging an old lady), and, in the ickiest subplot, infiltrates a "chicken farm" where young boys are forced into sex slavery. (He finds out about this when he picks up a hooker who was badly disfigured by "a state senator from New Jersey" after she refused to participate by making him the meat in a strap-on and strapping-young-lad sandwich.) John shoots the Honorable Gentleman from New Jersey dead in the crotch with mercury and lead, then ties down the establishment's owner and douses him with gasoline before setting the whole place on fire.
|A moment later, Tony shame-facedly put the dildo away. He hadn't realized Black Jesus was watching.
Eventually Dalton discovers the Exterminator's identity through some sterling detective work and a chance encounter at the hospital. (John is visiting Michael, Dalton is banging Dr. Megan in an empty hospital room.) This leads to a final confrontation in a construction yard, with a Shady Government Doublecross and a downbeat ending, the particulars of which I found satisfying and a little surprising.
As I've said, The Exterminator is mostly a very well-made film. Haphazard editing aside, individual scenes are put together extremely well, and for the most part it looks fantastic. It's also mostly well-acted. I mentioned Christopher George's charisma and machismo, which he lays on so thick you could spackle your walls with it. Robert Ginty is perhaps not the "rugged, virile, hard-looking action star" his imdb mini-bio would have us believe--I thought he looked a bit more like the hero from Grease 2, personally--but he does have a quiet, "beware the wrath of the patient man" intensity that is effective here, and would inspire the Frank Castles of the entertainment world for years to come. Other standouts include David Lipman as the "would be comical if not so damn creepy" Perverted Senator, and Tom Everett as a hotel clerk with a catchphrase I just can't get out of my head, even two days later. Eggar is fine in her role, but as that role has exactly nothing to do with the rest of the movie, it's clear she's only there for set dressing and to reflect some of George's smolder.
|He looks at me, and I fall to Pieces.
In the final analysis, I think The Exterminator is an excellent 80s action flick, with just the right mixture of meat and cheese. There are some holes in the story, of course--the jump from "avenging my friend" to "protector of the downtrodden" happens off screen, and is never really explained, plus John's methods seem pretty haphazard, despite his corkboard full of downer headlines in his apartment--but those looking for airtight logic are perhaps kneecapped from the beginning. I'd have to say I slightly prefer The Executioner Part II to its inspiration--it's easily five times zanier, and boasts the unforgettable Coke-Angel Kitty to boot--but The Exterminator is good too, and thus earns an only slightly lower 2.45 thumbs score. Check it out--there's punishment due. :)
|"Could we interest youse in some time-savin' gadgets for ya lovely home, heah?"
|The Exterminator prepares to bum-rush da show.
|Sign o' the Times
|Visual Irony
|He's a Cool Rider
|"Ya want da SHEEEEETZ?"
|Wednesday Night at the Duke's Place: Always the Same
|"Just as I suspected: Meatloaf is Evil."


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ECOLA STATE PARK, Ore. – A Portland man said he fought off a shark by punching it several times in the gills after it attacked him in the water off the Oregon Coast Monday afternoon.
The attack occurred around 4 p.m. at Indian Beach, a popular surfing spot north of Cannon Beach.
Joseph Tanner, 29, was surfing when the shark bit his upper and lower thigh. Tanner told his brother, Noah Beck, that he fought off the shark with his fists.
"My brother told me he wasn't on his board, arms on board, and the shark came and grabbed him in the leg with its mouth and pulled him underwater. And he punched the shark in the gills, the shark let him go, he got on his board and paddled in," Beck said.
Witnesses said Tanner was in the water for about 15 minutes before he was attacked. West Woodworth, 29, was in the water nearby. He told police he saw Tanner flail around and get back on his board. Tanner then yelled at the other surfers and told them to get out of the water.
He and the other surfers paddled back to shore. Tanner, who is a trauma nurse, started directing Woodworth and others how to tie a tourniquet around his leg.
"He directed his own first aid, what needed to be done, he asked us a lot of questions, what we were seeing, if we saw spurting blood," said Jeff Rose, another witness who was at the beach when Tanner paddled back to shore.
Six people loaded Tanner onto his surf board and carried him to a parking lot to wait for an ambulance.
"When we showed up, he was on his surfboard, in a truck, with already two tourniquets on," White said.
Tanner told responders that the shark was "medium-big" and he thought it might have been a great white shark but he wasn't sure.
Another witness, a 42-year-old Portland man who didn't want his name to be released, told police he was about 10 feet away from Tanner when he saw him slip off his board. He asked Tanner if he was OK, and then saw a large dorsal fin and the back of the shark, which he said was about eight feet long.
Listen: Shark attack 911 call
Medics took Tanner to Legacy Emanuel hospital in Portland with serious injuries. Beck said his brother will be at the hospital for days but should keep his leg.
"There's definitely a chunk of thigh missing," Beck said. "He has several deep wounds that can't be closed so they have to be monitored closely for infection."
Rose said a friend of his saw a shark attack a seal in the same area about three months ago.
There are 16 species of shark found along the Oregon Coast, including great white sharks. There have been 27 shark attacks in Oregon since 1974. No one died.
Three warning signs were put up at Ecola State Park. Beaches remain open.


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(CNN) -- Bill Clinton's chief of staff when he was governor of Arkansas is expected to turn herself in after authorities issued a bench warrant for her arrest for allegedly smuggling contraband into a state prison, her attorney told CNN Wednesday.
Betsey Wright served Clinton as chief of staff for 7 years in Arkansas and ran 3 successful campaigns for governor.
Betsey Wright allegedly smuggled a red Doritos bag containing 48 tattoo needles, a pen with tweezers and a needle inside, a Swiss Army knife and a box cutter into the Varner Unit, a high-security state prison in Grady, Arkansas, according to the bench warrant.
She will turn herself in next week, Jeff Rosenzweig, Wright's attorney, said.
Wright is an advocate for prisoners and has befriended a number of inmates at Varner, Rosenzweig said.
"We are very disappointed the prosecutor has chosen to issue charges," he said.
"We have no choice but to seek vindication in court."
Wright served Clinton as chief of staff for seven years in Arkansas and ran his successful campaigns for governor in 1982, 1984 and 1986.
All About Bill Clinton • Arkansas


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Red Sox sign right-handed pitcher Edward Mujica to two-year contract
The Boston Red Sox today signed right-handed pitcher Edward Mujica to a two-year contract through the 2015 season.
Executive Vice President/General Manager Ben Cherington made the announcement.
The Boston Red Sox today signed right-handed pitcher Edward Mujica to a two-year contract through the 2015 season.
Executive Vice President/General Manager Ben Cherington made the announcement.
A first-time All-Star in 2013, Mujica posted a 2-1 record with 37 saves and a career-best 2.78 ERA (20 ER/64.2 IP) in 65 relief appearances for the National League Champion Cardinals during the regular season. He ranked fifth among NL leaders in saves and ninth with 49 games finished.
The 29-year-old Mujica struck out 46 batters while issuing only five walks this past season. His 9.20 strikeout-to-walk ratio led all National League pitchers (minimum 15.0 IP) and was second in the majors only to Koji Uehara's 11.22 mark. He also averaged the fewest walks per 9.0 innings (0.70) among any pitcher who threw at least 10.0 innings in 2013.
A native of Venezuela, Mujica was originally signed by Cleveland as an international free agent in October of 2001 and has appeared in 381 major league games over parts of eight seasons with the Indians (2006-08), Padres (2009-10), Marlins (2011-12), and Cardinals (2012-13), with all but four outings coming in relief. He has posted a 19-19 career record with 41 saves, a 3.75 ERA (183 ER/439.1 IP), 350 strikeouts, and 68 walks.
His 5.15 career strikeout-to-walk ratio is tops in major league history among hurlers with at least 400.0 innings pitched and he also has the lowest average of walks per 9.0 innings among active pitchers with at least 400.0 innings at 1.39.
Since the start of the 2009 season, his 352.2 relief innings rank second in the majors behind Tyler Clippard's 383.1 frames. In that time, he ranks second among major league relievers with 1.35 walks per 9.0 innings, trailing only Uehara (1.07), and is fifth in that group with a 5.43 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Mujica has appeared in 11 career postseason games, all with St. Louis over the last two years, going 1-0 with a 2.79 ERA (3 ER/9.2 IP).
With the acquisition of Mujica, the Red Sox' 40-man roster is now at 40.


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Due to popular demand, Megan Racing has finally developed our Stainless Steel downpipe for the 05+ Mitsubishi Evolution. This true 3" pipe is a direct bolt on to stock components and allows the use of BOTH under braces without any modification to your car.
The piping is constructed of stainless still with the exception of the first 90-Degree bend which is constructed of Cast-Steel. The reason for this was to keep the bend more uniform and the CFM of the exhaust up.
2005 - 2006
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution


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Here's a close-up of the honey frame. The bees had been "smoked" before he took the frame out so they were calm and not being aggressive.
Here are some pretty black-eyed Susan flowers that were in the prairie.
won-der n. 1. rapt attention or astonishment at something awesomely mysterious or new to one's experience 2. a feeling of doubt or uncertainty won-der v. 1. to be in a state of wonder: MARVEL 2. to feel curiosity or doubt
Wow. What a fun family outing... I swell up pretty big when I'm stung by bees, otherwise, I'd probably be pushing for a hive here. :)
:sigh: fresh honey!
很用心的部落格 路過留言支持 ................................................
Subtlety is better than force. ......................................................................
looks like alot of fun I love honey. but not bees i'm allergic
atleast i can have honey :)


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NWSB Insider & Seattle Seahawks blogger J.D. Burke weighs in the status of the return game for the Seahawks in 2013. When the Seahawks cut ties with Leon Washington this offseason, it was widely believed that newly acquired Percy Harvin would take over those duties. Well now Harvin is out, and the Hawks are without a return man. J.D. takes a look at some suitable replacements.
Who will return kicks for the Seattle Seahawks?
August 5, 2013 By


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Articles & Authors Indices
Published monthly, Doors + Hardware magazine covers the architectural openings industry. Directed towards professionals responsible for the selection, specification and purchase of doors and related door hardware, the articles focus on builders hardware, doors, electronic security devices, technology, fire and life safety equipment, codes and ADA issues, washroom accessories and many specialty products. Changes and growth within the industry, as well as non-technical concerns in the industry such as management, financial matters and sales techniques are also covered.
- 2016 Editorial Calendar
- Write an Article for Us/Editorial Guidelines
- Submit a Cover Photo
- Submit a Press Release
- Send a Letter to the Editor


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by ALICE DU PONT
Times Editor
Tuesday's election generated little of the excitement experienced two years ago. Still, Supervisor of Elections Shirley Green Knight was happy with the 57 percent voter turnout in a mid-year election which typically draws fewer people to the polls than presidential elections.
While Gadsden County results will show some candidates winning, the numbers do not reflect the votes in their entirety for the district or the state.
It was senior night for the seven young Robert F. Munroe football players Friday night and it was a night they aren't likely to forget soon. The Bobcats soundly defeated John Paul II Panthers, 56-6, in a runaway game. The win brings the Bobcats season record to 5-3.
The Quincy city commission amended its budget during the regular Oct. 26 meeting to fund some items that has been removed from the adopted budget to meet the state required balanced budget. The commission voted 4-1 to accepted the recommendation of staff to put $55,000 into the budget. But not before Commissioner Derrick Elias gave his fellow commissioners what amounted to a tongue-lashing on fiscal responsibility.
The U.S. Department of Labor has released employment and unemployment estimates for September 2010 with some encouraging figures for Gadsden County.
The county's unemployment rate for September came in at 10.6 percent, down a half of percent from the August 2010 jobless rate of 11.1 percent.
But the latest figures still represent a full point increase in the county's unemployment rate over August 2009.
Florida's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for September 2010 is 11.9
There was standing room only at the Historic Society building when Democratic gubernatorial nominee, Alex Sink, brought her campaign to Quincy. With less than a month to go to the Nov. 4 General Election, Sink talked about the need for Democrats to vote. Elected officials from the surrounding counties of Liberty, Wakulla, Calhoun and Jackson counties also attended the reception.
Sen. Al Lawson, in introducing Sink, said the election was historic because it is the first time the state has had the opportunity to elect a female governor.
The bottom item on the election ballot is a top priority for local schools.
The Gadsden County School Board has a referendum on the November ballot that could free up some funds, which will have a positive impact in the classroom.
And it is the last item on a lengthy list of amendments seeking voter attention on the two-sided ballot.
According to Superintendent Reginald James, the referendum basically asks the residents of Gadsden County to give the school board the authority to utilize 0.25 of the dollars allocated to the district for capital outlay.
Circuit Judge John C. Cooper denied, Monday afternoon, a motion to dismiss the whistle-blower case of former Gadsden County public works director Robert Presnell. At issue was whether or not Presnell filed his complaint with the appropriate entity.
Imagine arriving at school and being greeted by all sorts of characters famous in story books. That's what happened at Stewart Street Elementary School on Oct. 7 and the 500 students from pre-kindergarten to fifth grade were giddy with excitement. Toothless kindergarten students covered their mouths and giggled as their teacher, dressed as pinocchio led them to the cafeteria for lunch.
The cafeteria ladies looked like witches in their orange and black pointed hats.
The Oktoberfest weekend was a success. Almost 7,000 people packed the Courthouse Square and downtown Quincy for two nights of music, food and fun. Friday night approximately 1,700 came out to hear Minor Seven, a Tallahassee based music group that specialize in neo-soul, R & B, jazz, raggae and blues. Adrian Morris, the band's featured vocalist, brought the crowd to their feet when he crooned "Let's Get It On" by the late Marvin Gay.
Dee Ella Evans and Clinton Hunter Sr. were married August 28, 2010, at New Bethel A.M. E. Church in Quincy, Florida. Pastor Melvin Mobley officiated. The reception was held at Carver Heights Senior Center in Havana, Florida.
The bride is the daughter of Willie and Hattie Evans of Havana, Florida. The groom is the son of the late Willie and Daisy Hunter.
Copyright © 2019
The Gadsden County Times is your source for local news, sports, events and information in Gadsden County and Quincy, FL, and the surrounding area.


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Company will deliver improved business and technology platforms
SRA International has won a $500 million contract to help the Agriculture Department modernize the technology and business processes it uses to serve farmers across the country.
The Application Transformation and Modernization Systems Integrator blanket purchase agreement was awarded through the General Services Administration schedule and will tap into Recovery Act funds, GSA and USDA officials said.
"USDA is committed to improving service delivery and addressing outdated technology issues to meet the needs of our customers," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "We also must provide our dedicated state and county office employees with the tools, information and training to administer [Farm Service Agency] programs."
FSA will use the contract to modernize how it delivers farm benefit programs and services as part of its Modernize and Innovate the Delivery of Agricultural Systems program.
Goals include streamlining business processes, rapidly implementing new farm programs, modernizing technology platforms, and improving access and convenience for producers, ranchers and farmers.
SRA, of Fairfax, Va., is ranked No. 26 on the 2009 Washington Technology Top 100 list of the largest government contractors.
About the Author
Nick Wakeman is the editor-in-chief of Washington Technology. Follow him on Twitter: @nick_wakeman.
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Juelz Santana & Freekey Zekey Tells The People What They Like In A Woman & Freeky Tells Some Of The Freakiest Things He Did [Sex & The Meaning Of Words]
All Access reports "In this episode of Sex,Cameras and Hiphop we tackle the artist knowledge of Sex and the The meaning of certain words"
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This precisely machined steel tool is a must-have when installing and removing the remote mirror retaining nut inside your vehicle. The tool features wrench flats for easy turning.


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15 Inch Elo 1522L IntelliTouch, surface wave, USB , Tall Stand, RoHS Elo E664329
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The Elo 1522L 15 Inch LCD desktop touch display offers the same sleek design as the Elo 1529L 15 Inch LCD desktop model, but is more cost effective for the end user. The optional 3-track magnetic stripe reader (MSR), programmable to either HID or Keyboard Emulation (USB only), is easily installed by the user, providing an elegant, integrated solution and eliminating the need for external brackets or attachments.
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Want to relive the Ducks' best moments from 2008-09? Longing for the days of Chris Pronger in black-and-gold? FSN Prime Ticket is reserving its 7 p.m. time slot beginning tomorrow night for select Ducks reruns from the past season.
The complete schedule …
July 7: The Ducks defeated Vancouver in overtime on March 11 by a 4-3 score. Scott Niedermayer scored his 12th career OT goal, continuing to hold the all-time lead among NHL defensemen in OT goals.
July 14: The Ducks defeated the Nashville Predators 4-3 in overtime on March 18. Teemu Selanne scored his ninth career OT winner just 34 seconds into the extra frame. The OT goal accounted for Selanne's 1,200th NHL point, becoming just the sixth player born outside of North America to reach the 1,200-point plateau.
July 21: The Ducks earned their fourth consecutive victory as the club fought for a playoff spot with a 5-2 win over the San Jose Sharks on April 4. Ryan Getzlaf had a four-assist night, breaking the club's single-season assist record on his third helper. Bobby Ryan also established a club rookie record for goals in a season as part of a two-goal night.
July 28: The Ducks took a 1-0 lead in the Conference Quarterfinal series vs. San Jose on April 16 by a score of 2-0. Jonas Hiller led the club to its first postseason shutout since May 30, 2007 in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final vs. Ottawa.
August 4: Anaheim took a 2-0 series lead over the Sharks in Game 2 of the Conference Quarterfinals on April 19 by a score of 3-2. The club extended their perfect penalty kill streak to 12-for-12 on the series. Bobby Ryan, Andrew Ebbett and Drew Miller scored for the Ducks while Jonas Hiller stopped 42-of-44 shots in the win.
August 11: The Ducks took a commanding 3-1 series lead over San Jose in the second shutout of the series (4-0) on April 23. Bobby Ryan became the second rookie in franchise history to score two goals in a playoff game while Jonas Hiller posted his second career postseason shutout, stopping all 31 shots he faced.
August 18: The Ducks advanced to the conference semifinals by defeating San Jose 4-1 on April 27. Anaheim became the eighth #8 seed to defeat a #1 seed since 1994. Teemu Selanne scored his 10th career postseason game-winning goal and his first since May 20, 2007 in Game 5 of the Conference Finals vs. Detroit.
August 25: The Ducks took a 2-1 series lead in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals, defeating Detroit by a score of 2-1 on May 5. Jonas Hiller stopped 45 of 46 shots for his second consecutive win and sixth of the 2009 playoffs. Teemu Selanne and Scott Niedermayer scored for the Ducks. It was Niedermayer's eighth career playoff game-winner, which ties for second all-time among defensemen in the postseason.
September 1: The Ducks held onto a 2-1 victory over Detroit to force a Game 7 in Game 6 of the Conference Semifinals on May 12. Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry each scored a goal for the Ducks. The club held the Red Wings scoreless for 56:25 as Jonas Hiller stopped 38-of-39 shots in the win.
September 15: The Ducks scored three goals in the final 8:41 of the game to win 6-5 over the Kings on Jan. 22, 2003. The game marked the first time in club history that Anaheim had won a game in regulation when trailing by two-or-more goals with 10 minutes-or-less remaining in the third period. Petr Sykora scored the game-winner.
September 15, 9 p.m.: In the first-ever contest between the two franchises, the Ducks fell to the Kings by a score of 3-2 on Dec. 2, 1993.


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Difference between revisions of "Laos"
Revision as of 01:40, 28 December 2012
Laos [1], officially known as the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), is one of the poorest nations in Southeast Asia. A mountainous and landlocked country, Laos shares borders with Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south, Thailand to the west, and Myanmar and China to the north.
Thailand promotes itself as amazing, Vietnam can well be described as bustling, Cambodia's Khmer temples are awe-inspiring, Myanmar's junta is barbaric... but the adjective most often applied to Laos is forgotten. Although there are a few grand (but relatively unheard of) attractions, those visitors who are drawn by the laid-back lifestyle and the opportunity to watch the sunsets on the Mekong will simply explain the attraction by revealing that the true meaning of "Lao PDR" is Lao - Please Don't Rush.
Laos is squeezed between vastly larger neighbours. First created as an entity in 1353, when warlord Fa Ngum declared himself the king of Lane Xang ("Million Elephants"), the kingdom was initially a Khmer vassal state. After a succession dispute, the kingdom split in three in 1694 and was eventually devoured piece by piece by the Siamese, the last fragments agreeing to Siamese protection in 1885.
The area east of the Mekong, however, was soon wrenched back from Siam by the French, who wanted a buffer state to protect Vietnam, and set up Laos as a unified territory in 1907. Briefly occupied by Japan in 1945, a three-decade-long conflict was triggered when France wanted to retake its colony. Granted full independence in 1953, the war continued between a bewildering variety of factions, with the Communist and North Vietnam-allied Pathet Lao struggling to overthrow the French-leaning monarchy. During the Vietnam War (1964-1973) the United States dropped 1.9 million tonnes of bombs on Laos, mostly in the northeast: for comparison 2.2 million tonnes of bombs were dropped by all sides in World War II.
In 1975, after the fall of Saigon, the Communist Pathet Lao took control of Vientiane and ended a six-century-old monarchy. Initial closer ties to Vietnam and socialization were replaced with a gradual return to private enterprise, an easing of foreign investment laws, and admission into ASEAN in 1997.
Despite being just one hour by air from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, life in Laos has continued in much the same way it has for hundreds of years, although things are now slowly beginning to change. In the mid-90s the government reversed its stance on tourism, and then declared 1998 "Visit Laos Year" - but despite their efforts and all Laos has to offer, monks still outnumbered tourists throughout the country. This is now rapidly changing, with tourist numbers rising every year. Indeed, Vientiane is a laid-back, yet charmingly cosmopolitan village.
Despite its small population, Laos has 49 ethnic groups, or tribes, from which Lao, Khmou and Hmong constitute approximately three-quarters of the population. Most tribes are small, with some having just a few hundred members. The ethnic groups are divided into four linguistic branches: Lao-Tai language represented by 8 tribes, Mone-Khmer language with 32 tribes, Hmoung-Loumien language with 2 tribes and Tibeto-Chinese language represented by 7 tribes.
Laos is officially Buddhist, and the national symbol, the gilded stupa of Pha That Luang, has replaced the hammer and sickle even on the state seal. Still, there is a good deal of animism mixed in, particularly in the baci (also baasi) ceremony conducted to bind the 32 guardian spirits to the participant's body before a long journey, after serious illness, the birth of a baby or other significant events.
Lao custom dictates that women must wear the distinctive phaa sin, a long sarong available in many regional patterns; however, many ethnic minorities have their own clothing styles. The conical Vietnamese-style hat is also a common sight. These days men dress Western-style and only don the phaa biang sash on ceremonial occasions. Nowadays women often wear Western-style clothing, though the "phaa sin" is still the mandatory attire in government offices (not only for those who work there, but also for Lao women just visiting).
Laos has three distinct seasons:
Other destinations
Get in
Russians, Korean, Japanese, Swiss and ASEAN nationals including Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Philippines can enter Laos "visa free" [2]; all other tourists need a visa in the form of a tourist visa (for one or possibly two months) issued by a Lao embassy or consulate. A visa on arrival is also available to most people entering at the airports in Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Pakse, as well as the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge between Nong Khai in Thailand and Vientiane and on the Lao/vietnam-Border. It is also available when entering via Stung Treng (Cambodia), although guesthouses in Cambodia and the Lao embassy in Phnom Phen will tell it is not to make money with visa services. When applying for a tourist visa or to obtain a visa on arrival, one (maybe two at Lao embassies) passport photo is required (although you may be able to pay a US$1 "fee" to have this requirement waived).
Prices range from US$30 to US$42 depending on nationality - Americans US$35, Canadians US$42, Australians US$30, Chileans US$30, Belgians US$30, British, Dutch, Italians US$35, Swedes US$31, Germans $30-$35.
Visas can be obtained in advance from Lao embassies/consulates. The fee varies by nationality/embassy; US$20 is common, although can be as high as US$63 (in Kuala Lumpur). Processing times also vary; 2-3 days is typical, though you may be able to pay an extra small amount (around US$5) to receive the visa in as little as one hour. In Phnom Penh the travel agencies can arrange the visa the same day (but may charge as much as US$58) while getting it from the embassy takes a few days. Getting a visa from the embassy in Bangkok costs around 1,400 baht for most nationalities, plus 200 baht more for "same day" processing. It's cheaper and quicker to get one at the border.
Visas are also available at the Lao PDR consulate in Khon Kaen, Thailand. Thai and English (limited) are spoken by consular staff. Hours are Monday-Friday 08:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:00. (UPDATE July 2012): There have been several changes that took place in February 2012. Prices have increased and are now similar to those charged by the Laotian Embassy in Bangkok.
Visas for Americans, Britons, and those from several EU countries cost 1,400 baht/US$45, Australians and New Zealanders pay 1,200 baht/US$38, Canadians pay 1700 baht/US$54 while Chinese pay 600 baht/US$20. Officially, visas can be picked up the next day (or pay an additional 200 baht to have the visa issued within 1 hour). Officially, only baht is accepted. However if you don't have baht may take US dollars. Note: When asked, consular staff were using a 30-31 baht to the dollar rate, making it more expensive than getting one on arrival and paying in US dollars). Given that a visa for many countries can be had for US$20-42 at the border, getting a visa at the border is cheaper and quicker. NOTE: If you are taking the direct Khon Kaen to Vientiane bus and you require a visa for Laos, the bus company will not sell you a ticket unless you have a visa already issued.
There are visa-on-arrival facilities at the international airports in Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Pakse, and at all border crossings (see below), including now overland from Cambodia (visa on arrival facilities opened at Voen Kham -north of Stung Treng, Cambodia). The cost varies between US$30 and US$42 (if paid with US$ notes; paying with Thai baht will cost considerably more and border officials will not accept Lao kip at all). If you pay in Thai baht, the cost is usually 1,500 baht (about US$47-48). A US$1 "out of office hours/overtime" surcharge, and a small (possibly 10 baht to US$1) entry stamp fee, might also be charged.
Entry permit extensions (sometimes referred to as "visa extensions") are available from the Immigration Department in Vientiane, the Immigration Department in Luang Prabang, the Police Station in Pakse, the Police Station opposite the Lao-Mongolian Hospital in Phonsavan and possibly other cities. Extensions are not possible in Lao's second city, Savannakhet, although you can do a border run from there to Thailand to get a new 30 day visa. The cost is US$2 per day plus a small "form fee" ranging between 5,000 kip (Pakse) to US$2 (Luang Prabang.) The process is very easy; turn up in the morning with your passport and one photo; fill in a form (in Luang Prabang immigration officers do this for you) and come back in the afternoon for your extension.
If you want to extend for longer than two weeks and are near the Thai border, it can be more cost effective to cross the border (entry to Thailand is free for most western nationalities) and return immediately to get a new 30 day Lao visa.
Extensions are also possible via agencies elsewhere in Laos (who will courier your passport to Vientiane and back again, around US$3 per day minimum of 7 days).
By plane
The international airports at Vientiane and Luang Prabang are served by national carrier Lao Airlines [3] and a few others, including Thai Airways [4], Bangkok Airways [5] (Luang Prabang only) and Vietnam Airlines [6]. Some seats on flights of Vietnam Airlines are reserved for Lao Airlines (codesharing / better price). Pakse is the third international airport, with flights to/from Siem Reap (Vientiane - Pakse - Siem Reap by Lao Airlines) and from/to Ho Chi Minh City.
Laos used to be off-limits to low-cost carriers, however AirAsia [7] now flies to Vientiane from Kuala Lumpur three times a week. Another cheap option for getting to Vientiane is to fly to Udon Thani in Thailand with discount airlines Nok Air or Air Asia and connect to Nong Khai and the Friendship Bridge via shuttle service directly from the airport (40 minutes); from here Vientiane is just 17 km away.
If you're coming from Chiang Mai, please note that there are no ATM or money changing facilities at the international departure terminal of the airport. If you're planning to get a visa on arrival in Laos, make sure you get enough USD "'in town'" before you leave for the airport. Thai Baht is also accepted, but at very inflated rates.
By train
The long-awaited first link across the Mekong from the Thai town of Nong Khai to Tha Naleng near Vientiane finally opened in 2009. There are two shuttle services per direction per day, with one timed to connect to the night trains to/from Bangkok. Visa on arrival is available when crossing the border by train. The train is not a very attractive option because the railway station is in the middle of nowhere.
By land
Most border crossings open for foreigners, with an indication where visas on arrival can be issued, are listed on the web site of the National Tourism Administration [8]. This list is unfortunately incomplete.
Visa on arrival for Laos is now available (as of Feb 2010) when entering from Cambodia overland (previously was not available), with an official "Visa on Arrival" office incorporated into the checkpoint. The nearest Cambodian town is Stung Treng, and the border is a 90-minute speedboat or bus ride away. Note that the border is lightly used, with almost no onward public transport available at the border (therefore book through transport from Stung Treng to Ban Nakasang for Si Phan Don/Don Det) and both customs officers and transport providers have a reputation of gouging foreigners, although this seems to have improved recently (currently both Cambodian and Laos border officials request US$1 stamp fee per country). Crossing the border (Oct 2010) the Cambodia officers will ask for US$1 for exit stamp.You can tell them you don't have any and they will still stamp it. On the Laos side they will demand US$2 for entry stamp, if you refuse they will not stamp it, (you will need the stamp to get out), so you have no choice than to pay the bribe. Note if you cross the border by boat, you will have to return by road to the border checkpoint to officiate your arrival (ie. get your passport stamped) in Laos.
Two pitfalls at the Lao-Cambodian border are that you will often have four changes of bus (some of them tiny minibuses where passengers have to sit on each others' laps), and hours spent driving to remote guesthouses to pick up backpackers; if your luggage has been sent in a bus you are not on (because of 'lack of space') it will sometimes disappear. The 'King of Bus' company is known to do this.
The land crossing between Mengla (Yunnan) and Boten (Laos) is open to foreigners and visa on arrival is possible (US$37 for UK citizens) or you can get in advance at the Lao consulate in Kunming. Daily bus service operates from Mengla to Luang Namtha and Udomxai. Buses from Mengla to Luang Namtha leave from the North bus station. The first bus leaves around 08:00 and costs about 40 RMB.
Generally speaking, it is not possible for independent travellers to cross from China to Laos via the Mekong River, not least because there's a chunk of Myanmar in the middle and the Lao checkpoint at Xieng Kok does not issue visas on arrival. Travel agents in China, including Panda Travel [9], run irregular cruises from Jinghong (China) via Chiang Saen (Thailand) to Huay Xai (Laos), but schedules are erratic and prices expensive.
Foreigners cannot legally cross the Laos/Myanmar border.
There are Eight border crossings open to all between Thailand and Laos. From north to south:
There are at least six border crossings that can be used by foreigners. These include:
By motorbike from Vietnam
The border crossing on a Vietnamese motorbike at Tay Trang is very easy and straightforward. You arrive after going over some hills at the Vietnamese border where very friendly guys handle your case easily and with no hassle. You fill out the form for "temporary export of a vehicle", show them the Vietnamese Registration Card for the bike (which is in the owners name, not yours usually) and pay US$10. Then you proceed to the police, show the papers to them and get the exit stamp.
You then have to drive for 6 km over the mountains to get to the Lao checkpoint. There you will find some not so friendly border guards who expect you to pay 5,000 kip for general fees and 25,000 kip for importing a vehicle. They fill out the form themselves and issue a 30-day visa (there is some talk on the Internet about 15-day visa or even 7-day arriving on a bike, but that's crap).
So after spending maybe 20 mins on at each border you and your bike are in Laos and the journey can go on! Brroammm...
Get around
Being in transit by air, road or river in Laos can be as rewarding as the destination itself - but allow plenty of leeway in your schedule for the near-inevitable delays, cancellations and breakdowns.
By plane
State carrier Lao Airlines [10] has a near-monopoly on domestic flights, a dodgy safety history in the past, but a good safety record now. The fairly comprehensive network is by far the fastest (and, relatively speaking, the safest) way of reaching many parts of the country. As of 2009, the popular Vientiane-Luang Prabang route costs US$87 (one-way full fare for foreigners), but covers in 40 minutes what would take you at least ten to twelve hours by bus. Flights to more remote destinations, though, are flown on the Xian MA60, a Chinese knockoff of the Soviet An-24, and are frequently cancelled without warning if the weather is bad or not enough passengers show up.
Lao Airlines also flies 14-passenger Cessnas from Vientiane to Phongsali, Sam Neua and Sainyabuli (Xayabouly) several times a week. These airfields are all rudimentary and flights are cancelled at the drop of a hat if weather is less than perfect.
By road
Some common routes through Laos include:
Local transport (less than 20 km) in Laos consists of tuk-tuks, jumbos, and sky labs (motorised three or four wheelers). A jumbo should cost no more than 20,000 kip (about US$2.50) for short journeys of 1-5 km.
You can now also travel the entire length of the country using a fully guided 'hop-on hop-off' bus service provided by Stray Travel. This is the only guided hop-on hop-off bus in South East Asia.
Especially women' should be aware that often during lengthy bus or minibus trips there is no opportunity to go to the toilet during breaks, so it may be advisable to wear a wide skirt.
By songthaew
A songthaew (ສອງແຖວ) is a truck-based vehicle with a pair of bench seats in the back, one on either side — hence the name, which means "two rows" in Thai. In English tourist literature, they're occasionally called "minibuses". By far the most common type is based on a pick-up truck and has a roof and open sides. Larger types start life as small lorries, and may have windows, and an additional central bench; smaller types are converted micro-vans, with a front bench facing backwards and a rear bench facing forwards.
Songthaews are operated extensively as local buses (generally the most economical way to travel shorter distances) and also as taxis; sometimes the same vehicle will be used for both. Be careful if asking a songthaew to take you to someplace if there is nobody in the back, the driver might charge you the taxi price. In this case, check the price of the ride before embarking.
By tuk-tuk
The name tuk-tuk is used to describe a wide variety of small/lightweight vehicles. The vast majority have three wheels; some are entirely purpose-built , others are partially based on motorcycle components (primarily engines, steering, front suspension, fuel tank, drivers seat). A tuk-tuk organisation in Vientiane controls the prices that tourists are expected to pay for point to point destinations. The rates negotiable, and well you should clearly bargain rates prior to getting on the tuk-tuk. The current rates can be found here: Tuk Tuk Prices in Vientiane
By motorcycle
Motorcycle travel in Laos is not without risks, but the rewards of truly independent travel are great. There are several rental shops in Vientiane only and bike rentals in other parts of the country are few. The quality of machines varies from shop to shop so you need to fully inspect your new friend before you head out on the road. There are many good roads and many paved ones and touring Laos is done easily. Most bikes in Laos are Honda Baja or XR 250 dual purpose bikes and anything else is usually mechanically questionable. Helmets are not only mandatory in the country but a valuable item in a place where traffic rules are made up by the minute. Police have been cracking down on people who do no have a motorcycle licence, so expect to pay a fine if caught without one.
By bicycle
Cycling is a great option with quiet roads. Laos offers wonderful remote areas to discover, very little traveled roads, friendly people and even some companies providing cycling tours with the help of professional guides all over the country. The more time people seem to spent in Laos the more they seem to like the quiet travel mood and the opportunity to actually be in contact with the people along the way. Good maps are available about the roads in Laos and all major routes are with good roads. In normal distances you find simple guest houses and in all major towns better choices and restaurant. Food is not a problem as long as you remember to carry some stuff with you. Tropical fruits and noodle soup are popular choices.
There are a number of local operators running a wide selection of guided mountain biking tours through Laos.
If you travel on your own, there are very few proper bike shops outside of Vientiane, especially for bikes with 28 inches wheels. Bring your equipment with you and make sure you get contact details of a supplier, maybe from Thailand.
Some may prefer the speed of a motorbike, but note that some roads are still not ideal for a scooter due to the poor balance of many bikes.
By boat
Boats along the Mekong and its tributaries are useful shortcuts for the horrible roads, although as the road network improves river services are slowly drying up, and many of the remaining services only run in the wet season, when the Mekong floods and becomes more navigable. Huay Xai (on the border with Thailand) to Luang Prabang and travel south of Pakse are the main routes still in use.
There are so-called slow boats and speedboats - the latter being tiny lightweight craft equipped with powerful motors that literally skid across the water at high speeds.
By slow boat
Many people go from Chiang Khong in Thailand via the border town of Houai Xai down the Mekong to the marvellous city (if you can call a town of 16,000 a city) of Luang Prabang. The journey takes two days and is very scenic. Apart from that, it is a floating backpacker ghetto with no (good) food sold & so bring your own, cramped and considerably hot. Be sure to bring a good book, something soft for the wooden benches and your patience.
Recently the boats have considerably improved. They now have soft used car seats, and serve pre-cooked food, which is not great but certainly sufficient. Luxury boats are very expensive.
By speedboat
An attractive choice for some, with a 6 hour journey from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang, as compared to the two-day trip on the slow boat, but not for the faint of heart. Expect to be crammed into a modified canoe made for 4, with 10 other people, along with all the luggage somehow packed in. Expect to sit on the floor of the canoe, as there are no seats, with your knees against your chin for the full 6 hours. Expect an incredibly loud engine inches behind your head. Expect the engine to break a few times, and stops for delays to fix it. However when, or if, you arrive you will never be happier to see Luang Prabang. Stories of small, overloaded speedboats sinking or hitting driftwood are common, but if you are a good swimmer, take comfort in the fact that you can see both shores throughout the entire trip. The choise between the slow boat and the speedboat is largely based on your required comfort level; would you prefer a slow unpleasant trip, or a faster but more dangerous & unpleasant trip? Either way, the scenery along the way is gorgeous and unexploited, and Luang Prabang is an incredible city that is worth a thousand of these journeys.
Speedboat warning
1 January 2007: There are unconfirmed reports that the Lao government has banned the use of speedboats due to environmental concerns. Relying on speedboats for travel may not be an option, and further information should be investigated. However, in early December 2007 speedboats were still cruising the Mekong, operating the Vientiane-Paklay-Vientiane route on five days/week and the Luang Prabang-Huay Xai route.
Though helpful in saving time, speedboats are not without danger: built to carry 8 passengers, they are often overloaded; the engine noise is well above a healthy level, which could be a serious hazard to your ears, especially if you are on the boat for a long time (as well as causing considerable noise pollution, scaring wildlife and spoiling the peaceful river life); and fatalities resulting from capsize due to incautious maneuvering, or hitting floating logs or hidden rocks, have been reported (and exaggerated by competing slow boat owners, some say...) However, the vast majority of speedboat users have no serious problems. If you are taller than the average Laotian (many are), are a bit claustrophobic and/or have inflexible leg muscles you are guaranteed an extremely uncomfortable experience for several endless hours.
Suggestions for those who decide to take the risk:
See also: Lao phrasebook
The official language of Laos is Lao, a tonal language closely related to Thai. Thanks to ubiquitous Thai broadcast media most Lao understand Thai fairly well, but it's worth learning a few basic expressions in Lao. Most younger people prefer to learn English over other foreign languages in school, so young people generally know some basic English, though proficiency is generally poor. French, a legacy of the colonial days, still features on signs and is understood by some older people, but these days English is far more popular. Tourist areas will sometimes have school children who will practice their English with you as part of their curricular requirements. They may after a conversation, ask you to sign a form or pose for a photo with you as proof that this conversation took place. These conversations can be a great time to gain some local ideas for your next sightseeing trip.
There are two main ways to turn the Lao script into the Latin alphabet: either French-style spellings like Houeisay, or English-style spellings like Huay Xai. While government documents seem to prefer the French style, the English spellings are becoming more common. The latter is used on Wikitravel. Two pronunciation tips: Vientiane is pronounced "Wieng Chan", and the letter x is always read as an "s".
The key attraction of Laos is its undoubted status as the least Westernised, the most relaxed and thereby the most authentic of all Indochinese nations. How much longer this will last is open to much speculation, but while it does this is a truly special and unique country to visit.
Natural attractions
The term wilderness is much misused, but it can truly be applied to much of Laos. The mighty Mekong river and its tributaries together create perhaps the single most important geographic feature of the country. Its meandering path in the North has created some of the most stunning limestone karsts anywhere on earth. The backpacker-central town of Vang Vieng is a commonly used base for exploring the karsts. Further north, the terrain becomes more hilly, and the jungle less explored. Luang Namtha is the far-northern town which makes the best base for those visitors who really want to see the truly remote Lao wilderness, and directly experience the lifestyles of the various hill tribes in this region.
In direct contrast to Northern Laos, the Mekong delta lowlands in the South are perfectly flat. Si Phan Don (four thousand islands) is a great base for experiencing what is surely the most chilled and relaxed region anywhere in Asia. Experiencing local village life, taking it all in and doing absolutely nothing should be the aim here. There are though some wonderful river-based sights, including the largest falls anywhere in Southeast Asia. If you are lucky you might get a close-up view of a Mekong pink dolphin.
Cultural attractions
In this most Buddhist of nations, it is no surprise that temples are a key attraction. In the capital city of Vientiane, the three-layered gilded stupa of Pha That Luang is the national symbol and most important religious monument in the country, dating from the 16th century. There are numerous other beautiful temples which on their own make a stay in the capital city vital for any visitor to Laos.
The whole of the ancient capital of Luang Prabang is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Befitting that status, this is a truly unique city. Beautifully preserved gilded temples with their attendant orange-robed monks mold almost seamlessly with traditional wooden Lao houses and grand properties from the French colonial era. Spotlessly clean streets with a thriving café culture on the banks of the Mekong and the Nam Khan, complete the picture of a city which is almost too pleasant to be true.
The Plain of Jars is a megalithic archaeological landscape dating from the Iron Age. Thousands of stone jars are scattered over a large area of the low foothills near Phonsavan. The main archaeological theory is that the jars formed part of Iron Age burial rituals in the area, but this is by no means proven, and a great deal of mystery remains. The area suffered tragic damage from American bombing during the secret war of the 1960s, and many unexploded bombs remain. When that process is complete it is very likely this will be declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Wat Phu is a ruined Hindu Khmer temple complex in Champasak province. It dates from the 12th century and visitors who have been to Angkor Wat will notice the similarities.
Recent history
The town of Vieng Xai provides a striking insight in the recent history of not only Laos, but the whole of Indochina. In 1964, the US began intensive bombing of the Lao communist movement – Pathet Lao – bases in Xieng Khouang. Under much bombardment, the Pathet Lao moved east to Vieng Xai and established their headquarters in the limestone karst cave networks around the town. A whole 'Hidden City' was established which supported around 20,000 people. During nine years of almost constant American bombing, the Pathet Lao sheltered in these caves, and lived in a largely subterranean environment. Schools, hospitals, and markets as well as government ministries, a radio station, a theatre and military barracks were all hidden in the caves. After the 1973 ceasefire, Vieng Xai briefly became the capital of Laos, before that function was moved to Vientiane in 1975. There are formal daily tours of the caves.
Trekking in mountainous Northern Laos is popular, and this often includes homestays in minority tribe villages. The main hub for this is Luang Namtha where the two day Ban Nalan Trail is especially notable. The trek route goes through the Nam Ha National Protected Area, and involves staying in Khmu villages. Other trekking hubs include Oudomxay, south of Luang Namtha, and Pakse in southern Laos.
On the river
Kayaking can be arranged in a wide number of locations. The ambitious traveler could kayak the Mekong between Luang Prabang and Vientiane.
Tubing (floating down the river on a large inflatable tube) is one of the attractions of the Southeast Asia backpacker circuit. The hugely popular stretch of the Nam Song at Vang Vieng is lined with bars that lure you and your tube in with ziplines, water slides, loud music, buckets of terrible local whisky and unlimited Beerlao. If you're more interested in enjoying the scenery, quieter tubing locations include Si Phan Don, Nong Khiaw and Mung Ngoi.
River cruises are a popular way to take in Laotian scenery, and options include working your way up or down the Mekong.
Rock Climbing
The limestone karst formations in Northern Laos are ideal for rock climbing. Vang Vieng is the main rock-climbing centre but climbs are also possible further north at Nong Khiaw and Mung Ngoi.
A recommended Laotian experience is the herbal sauna. Often run by temples, these are frequently just a rickety bamboo shack with a stove and a pipe of water on one side. Usually open only in the evenings, the procedure for a visit usually is:
The Lao currency is the kip, which is non-convertible (outside Laos), unstable and generally inflationary. Approximate exchange rates as of March 2011 are €1 = 10,000 kip, £1 = 12,000, 1 baht = 260 kip & US$1= 8,000 kip. Make sure that you get rid of all your kip before you leave the country (unless keeping a handful as a souvenir, and kip can be exchanged into foreign currencies at Vientiane airport.
The largest note is 100,000 kip and uncommon; the notes in common circulation are 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 kip. Withdrawing the maximum of 1,000,000 kip from an ATM could result in 50 notes of 20,000 kip each. This makes carrying large quantities of kip quite inconvenient. Although less common than in the past US$ can sometimes be accepted, although usually at about 5-10% less than the official rate. Thai baht can also be accepted in many areas near the border, notably Vientiane. Beware though, that in remote places only kip is accepted and no ATMs will be available, so plan ahead.
More touristy places and banks are also accept the euro. Bringing euros could be cheaper than changing euros into baht or US$ and then into kip.
There are many ATMs in Vientiane, and they have also appeared in other major cities including Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, Savannekhet, Tha Khaek, Pakse and Luang Namtha. BCEL [11], the largest bank, accepts both Visa/Cirrus and MasterCard/Maestro, but surcharges of US$1-2 apply.
Many banks, travel agents and guest houses will allow you to take out cash from a credit card as a cash advance. This usually occurs by withdrawing the money in US$ from the card as a cash advance; the card issuer will usually charge a fee (about 3%), the Lao bank involved will charge about 3%, and then the agent providing the cash advance might (or might not) charge another 3%, and then the amount is converted from US$ to kip at a poor rate to the US$, costing another 5% or so - hence, overall, these transactions are much more expensive than the typical charge for withdrawing cash from ATMs in other countries. However, as for example euros get pretty bad rates compared to US$ when exchanged in Laos, getting a cash advance in US$ and changing it to kips might actually save money compared to bringing euros with you to Laos. Expats living in Vientiane routinely get cash from ATMs in Nong Khai or Udon Thani (Thailand), where the maximum per transaction is mostly 20,000 baht, or ten times what you'll get in Laos.
The use of both ATMs and credit cards in banks is subject to computer operation, staff's computer skills, power cuts, telephone network breakdowns, National Day, etc etc. A few travellers have been forced out of the country prematurely as they couldn't withdraw funds to further their travels. Always bring cash as well. Changing money can be next to impossible outside major towns.
Banks give good rates, and private exchange booths are common in the major tourist areas.
Many shops start an hour's lunch break at noon, and some maintain the (now abolished) official French two-hour break. Nearly everything is closed on Sundays, except restaurants and many shops.
Some Laotians consider tourists as "cash cows", and whilst not as bad as in Vietnam they will take whatever tourists are willing to pay; however honest and decent Laotians far out number the dodgy characters, especially outside the main tourist areas. Hotels are of lower quality for higher prices than in Thailand or Cambodia, the dishes in restaurants are smaller and the tuk-tuks more of a rip-off. As can be expected it's worse in the tourist centres of Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng than in the smaller towns and villages.
A budget of US$40 a day is a good rule of thumb, though it's possible to get by on less. A basic room with shared bathroom can be as little as US$6 in Vang Vieng, rising to US$10-15 in Vientiane and Luang Prabang. Meals are usually under US$5 for even the most elaborate Lao, Thai or Vietnamese dishes although western food is more expensive. A local bus from Vientiane to Vang Vieng costs US$5; the slow boat from Luang Prabang to Huay Xai costs US$25.
Unlike in Thailand access to temples in Luang Prabang is not free, with an entrance fee typically being 10,000 kip.
Laos is more expensive than Thailand and Cambodia, as most goods, petrol & food is imported from Thailand and Vietnam. Also, some people, and especially tuk tuk drivers, consider 1 US$ as being equivalent to 10,000 kip, where as the official exchange rate is better.
Outside of tourist centres rooms can be as low as US$2.50 per night and even at Si Phan Don for US$5/night. A large bowl of noodle soup is around US$1, as are large bottles of Beer Laos. Excluding transportation, living on US$15/day should not be too difficult.
What to buy
Typical Lao dresses in cheap machine-made fabric can be made to order. Expect to pay around US$5 for the fabric and US$2 for labour. Handmade Lao silk is one of the most attractive things to buy. The Talat Sao (Morning Market) in Vientiane has dozens of small shops selling 100% handmade silk scarves or wall hangings from US$5 upwards depending on quality, intricacy of design and size. Beware cheap synthetic fabrics sold as 'silk' imported from China and Vietnam. Be careful also of 'antique' silk. There is very little left but new fabric can be made to look old and worn. Still attractive, but don't pay more than US$30-50. In markets, always bargain: it is expected, but keep be polite and smile ...
Lao cuisine is very similar to the food eaten in the north-eastern Isaan region of Thailand: very spicy, more often bitter than sweet, and using lots of fresh herbs and vegetables served raw. Some of the raw vegetables can be used to cool your mouth when the chilis are overwhelming.
Rice is the staple carbohydrate. The standard kind is sticky rice (ເຂົ້າໜຽວ khao niaow), eaten by hand from small baskets called tip khao. Using your right hand, pinch off a bit, roll into a ball, dip and munch away.
The national dish is laap (ລາບ, also larb), a "salad" of minced meat mixed with herbs, spices, lime juice and, more often than not, blistering amounts of chili. Unlike Thai larb, the Lao version can use raw meat (dip) instead of cooked meat (suk), and if prepared with seafood makes a tasty if spicy carpaccio.
Another Lao invention is tam maak hung (ຕໍາຫມາກຫຸ່ງ), the spicy green papaya salad known as som tam in Thailand, but which the Lao like to dress with fermented crab (ປູດອງ pudem) and a chunky, intense fish sauce called pa daek (ປາແດກ), resulting in a stronger flavor than the milder, sweeter Thai style. Other popular dishes include ping kai, spicy grilled chicken, and mok pa, fish steamed in a banana leaf.
In addition to purely Lao food, culinary imports from other countries are common. Khao jii pat-te, French baguettes stuffed with pâté, and foe (pho) noodles from China are both ubiquitous snacks particularly popular at breakfast. Note that foe can refer both to thin rice noodles (Vietnamese pho) as well as the wide flat noodles that would be called kuay tiow in Thailand.
The national drink of Laos is the ubiquitous and tasty Beer Lao, made with Laotian jasmine rice and one of the few Lao exports.It maintains an almost mythical status amongst travellers and world beer aficionados. The yellow logo with its tiger-head silhouette can be seen everywhere, and a large 640 ml bottle shouldn't cost more than 10,000 to 15,000 kip in restaurants. It's available in three versions: original (5%), Dark (6.5%) and Light (2.9%). The brewery claims they have 99% market share.
Rice spirit, known as lao-lao, is everywhere and at less than US$0.30 per 750 ml bottle is the cheapest way to get drunk. Beware, as quality and distilling standards vary wildly.
Lao coffee (kaafeh) is recognised to be of very high quality. It's grown on the Bolaven Plateau in the south; the best brand is Lao Mountain Coffee. Unlike Thai coffees, Lao coffee is not flavoured with ground tamarind seed. To make sure you aren't fed overpriced Nescafé instead, be sure to ask for kaafeh thung. By default in lower end establishments, kaafeh lao comes with sugar and condensed milk; black coffee is kaafeh dam, coffee with milk ( although you'll often be given non-dairy creamer) is kaafeh nom.
Tap water is not drinkable, but bottled water is cheap and widely available.
There is not much nightlife outside of Vientiane and Vang Vieng. To have a beer in some places, simply visit a restaurant. Something to note however is that some areas may be so laid back that they will expect you to keep track of of what you have drunk, with the odd guest house asking how much you have drunk during your stay upon check out.
Accommodation options outside the Mekong Valley's main tourist spots are limited to basic hotels and guest houses, but there are many budget and mid-price hotels and guest houses and quite a few fancy hotels in Vientiane and Luang Prabang. Pakse has the Champasak Palace.
Lao work permits are difficult to obtain, unless you can secure employment with one of the numerous NGOs. English teaching is possible but poorly paid (US$5-8/hour).
One of the most interesting ways to get to know a country, and which has become increasingly popular, is to volunteer. One organisation that offers volunteer work in Laos is Travel to Teach [12].
Stay safe
As of 2006, the Lao PDR criminal code for producing, trafficking, distributing, possessing, importing, or exporting:
Stay healthy
Parts of Laos have a good deal of Malaria so anti-malarials are recommended if visiting those areas for an extended period, but check with health professionals: there are many high incidence of drug-resistant parasites around Laos. Other mosquito-born diseases, such as dengue, can be life-threatening, so make sure you bring at least 25% DEET insect repellent and ensure that you sleep with mosquito protection like nets or at least a fan. Vientiane seems to be malaria-free but not dengue fever-free. The mosquitoes that are active during the day carry dengue and those that are active in the evening carry malaria.
The usual precautions regarding food and water are needed. Bottled water is widely available.
Vientiane has several medical clinics are associated with European embassies. Otherwise, you probably have to go to Thailand for better treatment of serious injuries and illnesses. Udon Thani and Chiang Mai are generally recommended; they're only a few hours away, depending on your location in Laos. Ubon Ratchathani and Chiang Rai might have suitable clinics, and, of course, there's Bangkok. Expatriates in Laos probably have the best information; the more upscale hotels can be good resources, as well.
Medical travel insurance is a practical option. Visitors always need to examine the local infection information, too. In fact, as Western and European medical industries reported so much, the environment in Laos has infectious issues even now. According to local newspapers, Laos goverment is eager to launch improvement plans of water and foods quality. The travel guide "Lonely Planet" also describes this social reality. However, it is not definitely affecting the tourism market. Laos goverment sides and tourism industries never show the atittude to adjust this serious problem.
Dress respectfully. such as long trousers & sleeved shirts, when visiting temples and take your shoes off before entering temple buildings and private houses.
As with other Buddhist countries, showing the soles of your feet is very poor manners. Never touch any person on the head. Despite prevelant cheap alcohol, being drunk is considered disrespectful and a loss of face.
Things in Laos happen slowly and rarely as scheduled. Keep your cool, as the natives will find humor in any tourist showing anger. They will remain calm, and venting your anger will make everybody involved lose face and is certainly not going to expedite things, particularly if dealing with government bureaucracy.
Respect for monks is part of Laotian life, and the monks take their duties seriously. Remember that monks are forbidden to touch women. Some undertake a vow of silence, and will not answer you even if they can understand and speak English. It is best not to compel them to stand next to you for a photograph, or start a conversation, if they seem reluctant.
Internet cafés can be found in larger towns, however access speeds are usually painfully slow and cafe staffs have less knowledge. The most reliable connections are in Vientiane, and usually cost around 100 kip/minute, with the cheapest offering 4,000 kip/hour. However, internet security is not guaranteed and computer virus issues are often ignored.
Wi-Fi with Mac/Linux laptop or iPad are recommended. Some cafes offer free Wi-Fi-access for customers (check first if it's really free). Many accommodations now offer free Wi-Fi. GPRS via mobile phone is also an option, especially if you have a local or Thai SIM, for those who intend to stay longer term and require mobile internet.
Mobile phone usage in Laos has mushroomed, with four competing GSM operators. Two of these offer roaming services. Calling people on the same network is always cheaper than calling another network, but there is no clear market leader. Tourist and expats tend to prefer Tigo or M-phone (Laotel), while locals could have any of the four networks.
Local prepaid SIM cards can be purchased in various shops and stores without any paperwork. But be aware that most networks, also including phone and fax traffic, are tapped by government order.
As another option, there is Thai GSM coverage close to Thai border (including a significant part of Vientiane), and Thai SIM cards and top-up cards can be bought in Laos; in addition, DeeDial International Call Cards are available. Thus, if you already have Thai number, you can use (generally cheaper) Thai network and/or avoid buying one more SIM. However, beware - if you have a Thai SIM which has international roaming activated it will connect to a Lao network when the Thai network is not available, and the roaming charges will be significantly higher.
Postal service in Laos is slow but generally reliable. Other options are Fed Express, DHL & EMS, and exist in various locations. Although these services are much more expensive, they are more reliable.


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46 Years Of Dirt! - Off-Road RantPosted in News on March 25, 2014
I've always loved Off-Road magazine. Ever since I was a kid and started reading truck and 4x4 magazines, Off-Road was one of my favorites. While it went through a number of changes throughout the years—sometimes, admittedly, temporarily losing my interest—it always seemed to come back to its core of go-fast desert play, and that always brought me back.
The magazine has survived since 1968, through company buyouts, periods of no full-time staff, recessions, and fuel crises. What kept it going through the rough times was people's passion for the best title any off-road magazine could have, and some valuable support from advertisers. As it skipped around under various ownerships over the last 46 years, a number of editors and staff members have contributed not only their work, but their emotions and souls, to making Off-Road the best they could with what they had. That is why I got into the magazine business. I didn't care what giant corporation owned what, or any of the politics behind the publishing world; I just wanted to make great magazines and witness all the amazing things and learn all the incredible stuff a magazine guy is privy to. That's what drew me into the business, and what has kept me in it for many years.
For the May 2014 issue, we took a look back at the history of Off-Road magazine, where it came from, and what (and who) has made it what it is today. Did you know that Off-Road wasn't even the original name of the magazine? When George Elliot put out a (then) one-time publication in 1968, it was called The Wild World of Off-Road Vehicles.
Forty-six years later, the magazine is about to change again. Next month, Off-Road magazine will be merging with Dirt Sports magazine to become a bigger and stronger magazine. Now, before you turn on your computers and start typing furiously, let me tell you I've been assured that this will only be to your benefit. In fact, what this means is you'll still get a nice tech magazine in the mail (or on the newsstand), but it will be thicker—much thicker! We're talking over 100 pages here, people. Not only will you get the same great Off-Road-style coverage, but you'll also be getting the best off-road racing coverage you could ask for. On top of that, there will be triple the staff members, allowing them to be in more places at once, making a better magazine for you.
However, with the last of the original Off-Road magazines, I've decided to end my tenure here, too. It has been a wonderful 12 years working for both Off-Road and Petersen's 4 Wheel & Off-Road, and I wouldn't give up a second of it.
On behalf of all the staffs of Off-Road magazine, past and present, I'd like to thank everyone who helped make this magazine what it is. Without your help, we would have had nothing to build, nothing to cover, and nothing for you to read about. Thanks for everything. It's been an honor.


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How To Avoid Network Outages: Go Back To Basics
While there's a lot of hype about hacking and DDoS attacks, the reality is most network outages are caused by an organization's own people. A recent Gartner study projected that through 2015, 80% of outages impacting mission-critical services will be caused by people and process issues, and more than 50% of those outages will be caused by change/configuration/release integration and hand-off issues.
In fact, both Xbox LIVE and Facebook suffered network outages from configuration errors during routine maintenance. And while China blamed its recent outage on hackers, some independent observers believe it was actually due to an internal configuration error in the firewall.
At the same time, however, external threats can't be discounted. While hackers used to target primarily big-name organizations, attacks are now being carried out on organizations of all sizes. A recent survey of UK SMBs revealed that many had been targeted by attacks, but were not taking the basic steps to protect themselves.
Taking some basic steps and implementing best practices can help protect your organization from unplanned downtime caused by external threats as well as internal ones. Here are several low-tech, low-budget ways to mitigate network outages caused by internal errors:
1. Checks and balances. Code reviews in software development have become a best practice that's increased code quality and significantly reduced errors; IT teams should adopt a similar review practice for network changes.
2. Monitor, monitor, monitor. Ensure systems are monitored properly before any changes are made and configure alerts so that IT teams can respond quickly if the health, availability or performance of a system is impacted negatively following a change.
3. Keep things simple. A series of changes affecting multiple parts of the IT infrastructure can make it difficult to isolate and remediate errors. Break down massive changes into smaller, more manageable chunks that can be reverted atomically.
4. Build in room for error. IT teams often go full steam ahead in rolling out changes without thinking about how they will revert back to the previous state. These teams should assume errors will happen, and create the action plan for addressing those errors once they do.
5. Communication. Any application or system owner impacted by changes should be notified of changes prior to their implementation. That will serve as precaution to be vigilant for abnormal application or system behavior.
[Read why poor planning, bad design, and lack of communication are the biggest risks companies face in"The Banality of IT Failure: Overlooking Mundane Insider Threats."]
Addressing malicious external threats will require more sophistication, but nevertheless, following tried-and-true best practices are still important in protecting networks.
1. Strengthen your shields. The first level of defense is ensuring firewalls are configured properly and systems are patched with the latest security updates. Will this prevent a successful attack? No, but ignoring these basics steps leaves organizations vulnerable.
2. Remain vigilant. Appropriately monitor firewalls and key systems in your network to detect abnormal events, including high connection counts and high CPU and bandwidth utilizations. These systems should be capable of alerting IT staff to abnormal network behaviors and events.
3. Use appropriate technology. Leveraging deep-packet inspection or flow-based technology to monitor network behavior provides a live picture of the network traffic on the network, minimizing the window of time that it takes to detect an abnormal behavior.
4. Assign responsibility. Ownership empowers and confers accountability. It is extremely important to designate someone in the IT organization to be responsible for the security posture of the company. That individual should be involved in security assessments and analyses, stay abreast of the security threat landscape, be consulted anytime there is suspicion of security related attacks, and educate the rest of the organization. This does not alleviate the entire IT team of security responsibilities, but it puts someone in charge of the effort.
SMBs often minimize the security risks associated with their infrastructures and are thus underprepared to face threats to their network, whether malicious or benign. By following a few basic best practices, organizations of all sizes can start to better defend their networks against unplanned outages.
Joel Dolisy is a senior vice president and CTO/CIO at SolarWinds.
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Here is your 'critical mass';factotum wrote:Gower @
Please show us your evidence that there is increasing demand for Cornish autonomy, what an inspiration that would be! More to the point perhaps, what steps are being taken to achieve this end, whether political, social, cultural, financial etc. My impression, and hence my depression, is that things seem to have gone backwards not forwards. Show me how wrong I am, but with evidence, not assertions.
Here is what will make it happen;
These are small steps but political change cannot occur without the cultural change no matter how much people talk about 'Assemblies'. So to some extent you are right.
Here is a case book example;
When Pearse and others led the Easter Rising and read the Proclamation of Independence crowds in Dublin still booed them.Patrick Pearse, the editor of An Claidheamh Soluis—and later a revolutionary leader in the Easter Rising—wrote poetry, short stories and plays. He is considered the first modernist writer in Irish. Pearse rejected what he called the imposition of "dead linguistic and literary forms on a living language", but at the same time rejected the idea that only native speakers like Ua Laoghaire could produce "Irish Irish". He produced two books of short stories, Íosagán agus Scéalta Eile (1907) and An Mháthair agus Scéalta Eile (1916).His collection of poems, Suantraithe agus Goltraithe (1914) contains his most famous poem, "Mise Éire" ("I am Ireland").
Two years later the election results speak for themselves http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Irish ... n_1918.png
Cornwall is not Ireland but you can find EXACTLY THE SAME kind of trajectory in the independence struggle of other small nations around the world - Cornwall is no exception. In order for there to be a political change there first has to be a cultural inspiration to that which draws people to that movement for social change. The critical mass changes because it is changed often by determined individuals at an individual level who people will listen to. In Ireland where nationalist writers found no nationalist culture they would CREATE IT.


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|Canon G3 X
One of Canon's most popular compact cameras is the SX series (SX710 HS, SX700 HX, etc.). In a compact rectangular box form, you get lots of zoom... more than the competition even. The SX 710 HS and cameras like it are generally casual shooter cameras, made for photographers who like the idea of a "big spec" camera but who aren't in love with the larger size requirements of a traditional DSLR-like bridge camera. Very often, the buyer of a big zoom EVF-less compact really only wants a compact camera, but is lured by the promise of the big spec number... E.g. "30x zoom, 50X zoom, etc.
To that end, the Canon G3 X is the high-end version of this concept, much like how the G7 X is the high-end embodiment of the S120. Canon, being the largest player in the camera market can afford to do multiple segments as such, whereas the rest of the industry is consolidating onto a few key products. From a casual consumer perspective, a smaller EVF-less large sensor camera seems like a good idea, but from an enthusiast shooter's point of view, the point-and-shoot style layout would be viewed politely as a brave choice. Given the sales success of the G7 X, can the G3 X do the same?


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When it comes to regifting, there isn't much I don't know.
I'll prove it!
Regifting is a phenomenon that we here at Money Management International (MMI) have celebrated since this website's inception in 2006. We have previously held contests for regifting stories, but ultimately this website was meant to start a conversation about holiday gift-giving.
If you are hesitant to regift this holiday season, there are still ways you can be frugal while showing your loved ones you care. You can create your own free personalized gift certificate or send a personalized eCard to your friends and family.
Regardless of your gift-giving style, we can all use a little help planning and budgeting for the holidays, which is why MMI offers a variety of tools and resources in various formats. You can read holiday-related blog posts, participate in interactive webinars, browse our extensive library of articles and videos related to the holiday season, or even get a jumpstart on the new year by downloading our free New Beginnings eBook.
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(5-2) Elida at Shawnee (3-4)
(3-4) O-G at Kenton (3-4)
(4-3) Wapak at Defiance (1-6)
(6-1) St. Marys at Celina (5-2)
(1-6) Bath at Van Wert (3-4)
Last week was pretty easy, six people got 3 right, four people got 4 right, and Maltese Falcon was the lone perfect. No one had a losing record, and the consensus went 4-1. St. Marys over Bath and O-G over Defiance were the unsurprising unanimous picks, while Celina (the only upset, against Wapak) and Van Wert (against Elida) each got a lone selection, the only close game was Kenton over Shawnee, 6-5. Maltese Falcon's perfect week allows him to move into a 3-way tie for 1st place.
28-12 baseballer4life
28-12 Maltese Falcon
28-12 waterloowonder
27-13 Stallionaires
25-15 haydenfox50
25-15 The Guilty Bystander
24-16 Hound Dog
24-16 Stafford
23-17 Teddy Malone
13-12 TiGgEr3
12-8 von
9-1 justin44
9-11 ADog
7-8 BHS_Wildcats
7-8 futebolfan