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Sony offers several lenses for the Nex camera system, and in this Sony lens review I'm going to cover the Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Autofocus Lens using both the Nex-C3 and Nex-5N. The Sony 18-55mm E-Mount Lens comes as an optional kit lens with all the Nex Cameras. The Sony SEL1855 is has 11 total elements in 9 groups with 4 aspherical surfaces so you get clear images without aberrations or distortion. This lens also has an internal motor which creates smooth and quiet autofocusing. The 35mm equivalent for this lens is 27mm – 82.5mm, which provides a very nice range!
I have over 1000 shots with this lens easily between the two of them and overall I am very satisfied with the results and performance!
Full Specs
- Aperture (Max.) : f/3.5 – 5.6
- Aperture (Min.) : f/22 – 32
- Filter Diameter : 49mm
- Lens Groups-Elements : 9 groups, 11 elements (4 aspheric surfaces)
- Minimum Focus Distance : 9.8″ (0.25m)
- Aspheric Elements : 4 aspheric surfaces
- Non-rotating Focusing Ring : No rotation
- AF for Movie Capture : Yes
- Angle of View : 76° – 29°
- Aperture Blade : 7 blades (Circular aperture)
- Dimensions (Max. Diameter x Length) : 2-7/16 x 2-3/8″ (62x60mm)
- Direct Manual Focus : Yes
- Exterior Finish : Metal
- Focal Length (35mm equivalent) : 27mm-82.5mm
- Focus Ring in AF Mode : No rotation
- Internal Motor : Yes (Stepping motor)
- Lens Weight : 6.9 oz (194g)
- Low Noise During Movie Capture : Excellent
- Maximum Magnification : 0.3x (APS-C)
- Mount Material : Metal
Official Features
The E-Mount SEL 1855 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Zoom Lens for Alpha NEX Cameras from Sony is designed for use on Alpha NEX digital cameras. This standard zoom lens has a 35mm format equivalent to a 27-82.5mm lens. Covering angles of view from 76 to 29 degrees, this wide to medium zoom lens is ideal for a variety of subjects including portraits and landscapes. Plus, with a short focusing distance of only 9.7″ (0.25 m), you can get in tight for interesting close-ups.
The Sony SEL 1855 is built with 11 elements in 9 groups with 4 aspherical surfaces so you get clear images without aberrations or distortion. Its internal motor allows for smooth and quiet autofocusing, which you will love even while you are capturing images in the camera's HD movie mode.
The compact size (only 2.4″, 6.0cm) of the lens and light weight (6.9 oz, 194g) perfectly complement Sony's Alpha NEX cameras which incorporate a huge image sensor into a very compact frame. The results are high-quality still and HD movie captures without the extra size and weight of standard DSLR cameras.
- Designed to match your Alpha NEX camera, the SEL 1855 standard zoom lens is lightweight and features smooth and silent autofocusing while offering an all-purpose focal range for beautiful shots.
- In the 35mm equivalent, this lens covers subjects from wide-angle (27mm) to midrange (82.5mm); ideal for capturing subjects such as close-up portraits to expansive landscapes
Lets start off with some High res images of the Sony 18-55 f/3.5-5-6 Lens shall we.
Product Shots:
Here's the 18-55mm lens mounted to the Nex-5n:
Here it is on the Nex-C3:
As you can see this lens is pretty large in comparison to the 16mm Pancake and the Nex Camera's themselves. Once you mount this lens the Nex camera of choice is no longer compactness of the is pretty much gone out the window. So, in that regard this lens may not be what your looking for. However, there are not that many lenses available for the E-mount Nex Cameras yet, so this lens is pretty appealing to the Nex community as a whole. Including myself!
Test Shots
All these test shots were taken with the Sony Nex-C3 and as you know if you read my reviews, I'm not a big fan of test shots at all. Don't get me wrong, I know they serve a purpose, but how the lens performs in the real world is all that matters to me. That being said, test shots can ne useful to compare apertures, depth of filed diferences, sharpness etc.. I shot using the scene below comprised of three colorful leaves in the center foreground, and a colorful flower basket and deck railing approximately 5 feet behind the leaves. The Camera was ~ 1-3 feet away from the leaf depending on the focal length I was testing. This set-up produces a pretty nice bokeh in the background which is perfect for inspection purposes.
A few Test Shots @ 18mm with the 18-55mm E-Mount Lens
Sony E-Mount 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens @ f/3.5, 18mm
Sony E-Mount 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens @ f/4, 18mm
Sony E-Mount 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens @ f/4.5, 18mm
Sony E-Mount 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens @ f/5.6, 18mm
Sony E-Mount 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens @ f/8, 18mm
Sony E-Mount 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens @ f/11, 18mm
|Sony E-Mount 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens @ f/16, 18mm
As you can see from the 18mm Test shots and 100% crops above, this lens takes a nice sharp consistant photo in the center of the frame at 18mm. We can also see there is a bit distortion on the edges as the deck railing and floor are strait, but appear bowed in these images. This can easily be fixed in Lightroom 3 or Adobe ACR though if your shooting Raw!! Also note how the focus of the flowers in background changes as the aperture changes, producing more detail with each step down in Aperture. At f/16 you can see pretty clearly what the flowers look like, but at f/3.5 they look more like colorful blobs 🙂
A few more Test Shots @ 35mm with the 18-55mm E-Mount Lens
Sony E-Mount 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens @ f/4.5, 35mm
Sony E-Mount 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens @ f/5.6, 35mm
Sony E-Mount 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens @ f/8, 35mm
Sony E-Mount 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens @ f/16, 35mm
Last of the Test Shots!! @ 55mm with the 18-55mm E-Mount Lens
|Sony E-Mount 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens @ f/5.6, 55mm
Sony E-Mount 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens @ f/8, 55mm
|Sony E-Mount 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens @ f/16, 55mm
Real World Photos
Now it's time to move on to the real photos which is all that really matters in the end anyway 😉 I have a huge variety of shots to inspect, so be sure to click the images and get the nice large gallery style view! Also be sure to note the Exif data below each image which tells you exactly what you need to know about the photo!! In addition to all that I have a Google+ sample gallery up with a ton more photos, and it's a great viewing experience worth checking out!! Sony E-Mount 18-55mm Sample Gallery on Google + Why your there be sure to sign up!!
Shooting directly into the sun proves to be a none issue for the 18-55mm lens!
f/5.6 vs f/10
You can actually see me in the reflection if you look closely 😉
Sony E-Mount 18-55mm Sample Gallery on Google +
Sony E-Mount 18-55mm Sample Gallery on Google +
To conclude this review I just wanted to say that this lens is a pleasure to use, has great range and is very sharp across the board. In addition to that it's relatively inexpensive as far as glass is concerned, so for the money this is a no brainer purchase in my opinion. The lens also has 4 Aspherical Elements which pretty much eliminates Chromatic Aberrations, although sometimes you can see them on the edges when it's super contrasty. The distortion is pretty noticeable at the wide end (18mm), but if your shooting raw you can simple apply the Adobe lens correction profile in Adobe ACR, or Lightroom. The focus is a little slow when your used to USM or SSM super fast focus, but it works well and is quite as advertised.
That pretty much wraps it up, however please fire away if you have any questions or if you want a specific test shot done etc.. I currently own this lens along with the Nex-6 if you need specific test shots done.
Price: ~$298
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Located on the foothills of the Hottentots Holland mountain range, yet right on the beachfront, Berg en Zee enjoys the most wonderful setting. What's more, Gordon's Bay is your ideal base for day trips throughout the Fairest Cape, as you will see on our "Map and Directions" page.
Berg en Zee provides elegant and comfortable Gordon's Bay beachfront accommodation close to the heart of the picturesque village. With its sunny climate and its many outdoor cafés and beachfront restaurants, the Mediterranean atmosphere of Gordon's Bay is popular with holidaymakers.
The white sandy beaches make it a chosen destination for bathing and water sports. Berg en Zee is right across the road from a lovely swimming beach and a few minutes' walk from the well-known Blue Flag status Bikini Beach - a particular favourite with sunbathers because the harbour wall shelters it from most winds. The attractive bay is used as a small-craft harbour, where luxury yachts and cabin cruisers bob in tightly packed lines.
Whether you enjoy the beach, the mountains, golf, wining and dining, shopping or culture, Berg en Zee is the Gordons Bay Beachfront Accommodation Guesthouse that's the ideal base for your trip. There are so many attractions within easy reach.

subset: commoncrawl


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róton (Codiaeum variegatum)
Dicas e Pitacos para o dia a dia
Stories About Urbanism, Adaptation, and Resilience
"How quickly comes the sun when first it sets its mind to rise." - - j. s. v.
Simple, Frugal, Creative Living
places, pictures, flowers and creativity
recipes, stories + crafty things
where the arts meet and are forever changing
Brazilian Historic Gardens
Nossas estórias em meio a poesia do cotidiano e o nosso caso de amor com a natureza...
Photography and Vídeo
A fine WordPress.com site
Uma flor por dia
A daily selection of the best content published on WordPress, collected for you by humans who love to read.
The Art and Craft of Blogging
The latest news on WordPress.com and the WordPress community.


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This is a fantastic idea! Lets keep it going. Hopefully some of the better galleries are backed up multiple times in case somebody's computer crashes.
arvo (Jojo)
CAI (Freak)
DARKspawn (self)
Denix (Freak)
eofalshire (self)
Gingivere (bruce n h)
hachi (Jojo) (Freak)
KGoldman (Jojo)
Legofreak (self)
Mijasper (Blueandwhite)
Moko (Blueandwhite)
nan (self)
Neverroads (Jojo)
Obi-Juan-Kenobi (bruce n h)
Remyth (remyth)
thirdcrusade (self)
This list is looking pretty good thus far.


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Jonathan Rosenbaum's Blog
Jonathan Rosenbaum's blog has become the cinema website I visit most religiously. In just over two years, what a great model of a critic's archive this site is turning out to be! Especially given that Rosenbaum is arguably the most highly respected English-language film critic in global film culture, this is a great boon to film lovers.
The site is updated many times weekly with essays and reviews from a prolific, globetrotting lifetime of reading, thinking and writing about films -- but not only about films. Rosenbaum once said in an interview: "Film is an integral part of life and the world, not an alternative to life and the world." This statement -- which signals his twin commitments to aesthetics and politics -- conveys crucially the sensibility that animates his writing.
One of this week's posts is a 1998 essay that provocatively and productively pairs Steven Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan with Joe Dante's Small Soldiers. The essay begins with Rosenbaum's capsule reviews of the two films, which make the arguments of the essay in condensed form. Here is an excerpt from each capsule:
Small Soldiers. Director Joe Dante (Gremlins, Innerspace, Explorers, Matinee) is a national treasure, and his lack of recognition by the general public may actually make it easier for him to function subversively. His unpretentious fantasy romps have more to say about the American psyche, pop culture, and the ideology of violence than anything dreamed up by Steven Spielberg or George Lucas [...] His films are about not just culture and violence but also everyday cultural violence, something we all have to cope with.
Saving Private Ryan. Steven Spielberg's 1998 exercise in Oscar-mongering is a compilation of effects and impressions from all the war movies he's ever seen, decked out with precise instructions about what to think in Robert Rodat's script and how to feel in John Williams's hokey music. There's something here for everybody — war is hell (Sam Fuller), war is father figures (Oliver Stone), war is absurd (David Lean, Stanley Kubrick), war is necessary (John Ford), war is surreal (Francis Coppola), war is exciting (Robert Aldrich), war is upsetting (all of the preceding and Lewis Milestone), war is uplifting (ditto) — and nothing that suggests an independent vision ...
There is one design singularity that I should point out: The website consists of not one but two main pages that are updated regularly. In addition to the home page I linked to at the start of this post (this home page is called "Featured Texts" and contains mostly essay-length reviews), there is another page called "Notes" that houses lectures, essays and notes. Both pages are essential reading.
Let me link to some additional Rosenbaum-related reading material:
-- His collected writings at Chicago Reader; at Moving Image Source; and at DVD Beaver.
-- A recent Cineaste piece called "DVDs: A New Form of Collective Cinephilia."
-- His "Essential Cinema" list of 1000 films.
-- A collection of his annual top 10 lists from 1974-2006.
-- His latest book, "Goodbye Cinema, Hello Cinephilia" (from University of Chicago Press), which is one of the best cinema reads of the year.
Let me also share a few recent links:
-- David Hudson collects reports and reflections on the terrible news from Teheran: Jafar Panahi has been jailed for 6 years and banned from making films for 20. Also: Rafi Pitts' open letter to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
-- At Caboose, great news of the upcoming "Introduction to a True History of Cinema and Television," a transcript of fourteen one-hour talks delivered by Jean-Luc Godard at Concordia University in Montreal in 1978 and translated into English for the first time. Also available at this page are two sample PDFs from the talks, on Alphaville and À bout de souffle.
-- In the new issue of Cineaste, Richard Porton has a large piece on the Toronto International Film Festival that refers to the post and discussion we had here at the blog a few months back.
-- Two year-end polls of best films: Village Voice poll; and Sight & Sound.
-- Many interesting posts at Zach Campbell's place, on subjects ranging from "snobbery" and comic acting to Minnelli's Some Came Running and Godard's Film Socialisme.
-- Recent blog discoveries: Sudhir Mahadevan's Ambrotypes and Ferrotypes; Drew McIntosh's The Blue Vial; and Jaime Christley's Unexamined Essentials.
-- At Ignatiy Vishnevetsky's: lots of capsule reviews originally written for Cine-File, plus a nice defense of Tony Scott.
-- Insightful commentary by Jean-Pierre Gorin on his ten favorite Criterion films.
-- Catherine Grant announces the new issue of Screening the Past.
-- David Hudson collects obituaries and tributes to Blake Edwards and Jean Rollin.
-- J. Hoberman on Norman Rockwell in Artforum.


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Booted up my PC this morning and opened Barca. The skin had changed, the email window headings (From, Subject, Date Received etc) had disappeared, and only my latest Inbox emails were shown.
All my folders - with thousands of important emails from the last 7 years - were empty!!
Can anyone tell me what has caused this? Has there been an event at the Poco Systems Server? Has an automatic update occured? Is this a recognised 'fault' that people have seen before?
I'm desparate to get all my emails back.


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God used Saul of Tarsus as an example of how one is adopted into God's family. Acts 9, 22, and 26 record Saul's conversion. God was providing a way to measure ourselves, to see if indeed we are in the faith. Saul of Tarsus was an enemy of God and God revealed Himself to Saul in such a way that Saul responded in faith. That is the way of salvation for everyone. The Pharisees were the proudest of the proud.
They considered themselves better than all others, the only ones who knew and obeyed the truth. Paul considered himself to be the Pharisee of Pharisees. When Christ appeared to him on the Damascus road and he fell to the ground, he fell as maybe the most arrogant man on the face of the earth. When he hit the ground, he hit as one who had truly been humbled. All three accounts tell us explicitly that Saul's first words were, "Who are You Lord?" Before this, Saul would have called no one Lord.
It is no coincidence that Christ answered Saul by identifying Himself as Jesus the Nazarene (Acts 22). Nazareth and northern Galilee had a bad reputation. Even Nathanael, prior to becoming a disciple, was hesitant to meet Jesus because He was from Nazareth. In Acts 24, the high priest brought a lawyer named Tertullus to question Saul. Tertullus called Paul the "ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes." Lying blind on the road to Damascus, Saul immediately knew that he was going to be called to identify with the lowly and despised of the world. This revelation of Christ would not bring him respectability or honor or power. One of the great dangers of modern America is that many have joined the church without coming to Christ. Often they believe that membership in the church will bring respectability, customers to their business, etc. Coming to Christ; being saved, means truly realizing that Christ is Lord. Saul found that out and so must every person in order to be saved.
Just in case Saul did not fully understand, Christ rendered him blind.It would be temporary but Saul did not know that at first. I suppose that blindness must be as good an illustration of helplessness that could ever be. Saul later recounts being led around by the hand. What a humbling experience that must have been. A proud, arrogant Pharisee on his way to Damascus with all the blessing of Israel and the permission of Rome rendered blind and helpless. If that were not enough, the first thing Saul would see when his sight was restored was Ananias, who was one of his intended victims. God showed Saul a powerful illustration of the importance of the corporate body, the church. God would restore Saul's sight through the laying on of hands by one he had come to arrest or kill.
Salvation comes in this manner for everyone. Christ reveals Himself to us. We respond to that revelation in faith. We encounter Christ as a proud one thinking we are self-sufficient. We emerge from that encounter professing Christ as Lord. We are quickly humbled and introduced to the body of Christ, added to the church. We find ourselves dependent on our brothers and sisters in Christ. We all have the same Head, which is Christ. Thus my brother and I have the same mind and the same will. The record of Saul's salvation given in Acts 9, 22, and 26 is not given so you can know Saul but rather so that you can know God and know yourself. This record is given so that you can examine yourself to see if you are in the faith.
STEVE ELLISON is director of Ouachita Baptist Camp in Arkansas. You may contact him at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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IRS takes a look at Subvets
Groton - In a controversy that has pitted submarine veterans against each other, the head of the U.S. Submarine Veterans Groton Base has resigned amid allegations he mismanaged clubhouse finances and risked an Internal Revenue Service seizure of Subvets assets nationwide.
The national organization, United States Submarine Veterans Inc., began investigating after John Carcioppolo, commander of the Groton group, sent a letter to members in January asking for tax-deductible donations so back taxes and penalties owed to the IRS could be paid.
A life member of the Groton Base, T. Michael Bircumshaw, who is the national commander, was among those who received the letter.
Bircumshaw, who lives in California, said in an interview that for years the Groton base had said it was operating its clubhouse and bar at 40 School St. as a corporation, separate from the tax-exempt veterans' organization. Donations to for-profit corporations are not tax-deductible.
The IRS issued a statement of intent to "levy" - or seize - U.S. Submarine Veterans property because taxes had not been properly withheld for clubhouse employees since 2009. About $5,700 was owed, plus penalties and fines, for a total of $12,000 to $15,000, Carcioppolo said in his letter to members.
The national organization asked for copies of the clubhouse's incorporation documents, which Carcioppolo could not produce.
When the national group concluded the clubhouse was not a separate corporation but rather a part of Subvets, it was concerned that it could be liable if the IRS decided to seize assets. Not only were the property and bank accounts in Groton in jeopardy, Bircumshaw said, but so too were the $1 million in the national accounts and about $1 million held by more than 160 bases across the country.
The national commander was so alarmed he convened a disciplinary committee, which found Carcioppolo at fault for the fiscal mess and kicked off a furor online over the practices in Groton and the national organization's response.
More than $30,000 raised
The national organization had its beginnings in Groton in 1964, and for about four years that was its only site in the country. Groton is the only group that operates a clubhouse and bar, which offers food and drinks and serves as a gathering place for members and their families.
In 2000, the national headquarters shifted from Groton to Silverdale, Wash. There are more than 13,000 members and the national organization oversees the local groups, including Groton.
The disciplinary committee consisted of three submarine veterans who have led other bases and regions. Their investigation is complete, and no outside organization is investigating. No criminal charges are pending.
Nevertheless, Bircumshaw said he still questions why Carcioppolo sought donations in the first place, since the Groton Base had more than $209,000 in cash assets in January.
Carcioppolo said in an interview this week that some of the group's assets were tied up in certificates of deposits and other donations were restricted to specific causes, such as scholarships. He said he doesn't think the national organization's assets could have been seized because the Groton base has its own tax identification number.
More than $30,000 in donations was collected in response to Carcioppolo's letter.
"If I hadn't said they were tax-deductible donations, I would've been fine," Carcioppolo said. "I know we're a war veterans' organization and donations to a war veterans' organization are tax-deductible. I didn't know that to do what we were trying to do was not tax-deductible."
The bills were paid, Carcioppolo said, but the IRS has not yet finished its review. An IRS spokesman said by law he could not comment on an individual taxpayer's situation.
Carcioppolo also said that since the group collected more money than it owed the IRS, the additional funds were set aside to pay some clubhouse bills. Seven people work in the clubhouse, he said.
Carcioppolo said he takes ownership of their problems. "I was the base commander so I was responsible," he said.
Dispute moves to Internet
Carcioppolo, who led the base from 1998 to 2007 and starting again in 2009, stepped down on June 29 after he was given a choice of resigning and not running for office in the future or being removed with the right to appeal. He said this week he feared that if he did not resign, the national organization would stop backing the club's liquor license.
"And I didn't want it to continue going on and on and on," he said.
In his resignation letter to Groton base members, however, Carcioppolo questioned the motives of the national organization. He slammed the report and accused its leaders of trying to harm the base and damage his reputation.
Carcioppolo's letter was published on an Internet bulletin board frequented by submarine veterans. Supporters and opponents commented at length on the board and on Facebook. A Facebook page was created in July to call for Bircumshaw's removal.
In response to the online debate, Bircumshaw issued a public statement on July 9 and a summary of the disciplinary committee's findings.
Ten people were interviewed in Groton, including Carcioppolo. Some of them said Carcioppolo was reimbursed for household items he purchased for his own use while shopping for groceries for the club and did not ring up all of the sales while working as a bartender at the club.
The report raised the issue of whether Carcioppolo should legally have worked as a bartender while serving as an officer of the organization.
"There were reports of cash stashed in paper bags; past receipts delivered in two plastic bags. This seemed unconscionable to the Committee, particularly considering the amount of money that flowed through the bar. It was the Base Commander's responsibility to correct this," the summary read.
Carcioppolo said he would not comment on those findings. Bircumshaw did not release the full report, saying it is an "internal document."
Carcioppolo, who said he appreciates the support he has received from fellow veterans, plans to stay involved with the Groton Base.
Stan Mathis, who was the vice commander in Groton and is now the commander, said some local members are upset with the way things were handled.
"We're just going to forge ahead," Mathis said. "If we hit a bump in the road, we're going to go around it, go over it, but somehow or another we're just going to continue with the way the Groton base has always been and try to support our community."
The national organization has appointed a liaison to the Groton base, wants a change in the accounting system in Groton, and is reviewing the liability insurance coverage, Bircumshaw said.
The Groton base has the full support and backing of the national board of directors, Bircumshaw said, adding that it is "incredibly unfortunate" the incident has had such an negative impact.
He also responded to the critics who have called for his removal. "Should I fall on my sword? I don't think so," he said. "You just keep going. Based on all the evidence, we've done exactly the right thing, and if I had to do it again, I would."
Fitch's Amara Robinson: from broken back to all-state cheerleader


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Taking Photos in Ferguson
What it's like to shoot the police when it seems like the police might shoot you.
For the most part, I have one rule for photography: Get close.
Partly, this is a technical issue. I own a single telephoto zoom lens, and given its length—80 to 200mm—it's not especially versatile. For most photos, I use a collection of prime lenses—15mm, 40mm, and 70mm—which covers most situations.
What it means, however, is that if I want to get a portrait, or a scene, or a view of the landscape, I have to physically position myself—I can't rely on the lens to close the distance.
This is fine when you're photographing protests and demonstrations. In Ferguson, Missouri, where I took these photos on Aug. 13 and 14, most people wanted media coverage and didn't complain when I was in their face, snapping away.
Photographing police, on the other hand, is a different story. As we've seen, police in Ferguson aren't terribly interested in sharing their names or their faces, and get hostile—quickly—when they see cameras. Of the photos in my Ferguson collection, nine are of police. Four were taken with the zoom lens, three with the 70mm, one was with an iPhone, and one—a wide shot of police and armored vehicles—was with the 15mm.
To grab that shot, "SWAT Team, Fully Assembled," I had to run onto the cleared street, get extremely close to the police, and position myself to get as much of the scene as possible. The police were steadily moving forward and threatening to arrest anyone who got in their way. If you look closely, you'll see a man looking directly at me. A moment after I got close, his hand gripped his weapon. I took my photos, looked at him, and dashed off the street.
To say that this was unnerving would be an understatement.
See more of Jamelle Bouie's photos on his Flickr.


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NASA bombed the moon today looking for water.
Will lizard people living on the moon strike back?
NASA bombed the moon today looking for water.
Will lizard people living on the moon strike back?
That should teach those moon people not to mess with us.
"Hey...Dad. Wanna Have A Catch?" Kevin Costner in "Field Of Dreams."
I think we were trying to destroy this dude's forward base.
There goes Obama's Nobel Peace Prize.
I thought this sounded like something Mythbusters would do.
Freak out in a moonage daydream oh yeah
So we can waste money bombing the moon, but we can't find bin Laden?
You wait-when those explosion fragments reach us here = it will be raining cheese EVERYWHERE! Swimming in the ocean- here in Maui won't be the same, but world hunger will finally be ended, it's a good thing.:dancingco
Is this intergalactic equivalent of people setting vacant buildings on fire every year before Halloween in Detroit?
Cincinnati Here We Go.
29 Years and Counting...
I think someone tried this years ago. There are a number of craters already on the moon.
Reds Fan Since 1971
I've been e-mailing with the Lizard peeps-who live on the darkside of the Moon this morning. They are furious, confused and concerned...They held their tongues when we invaded and stomped around there, without asking...Their children like the gadgets we leave there-and sabotage them regularly...Pink Floyd is held in high esteem for singing about their home there. They are unsure of how the deplanetizing of Pluto (Boy-talk about PISSED PEEPS POSTULATING on PLUTO!) could effect them....But this latest event--the bombing--has them mobilized. FINALLY. (Enough, as Obama said-has become a slogan there also.) I'm trying to calm them down, they have good arguments-especially our unwarranted attack on Iraq-(they have no WMD's either-just CHEESE for Gods sake!)-but they have started to assemble giant catapults in retaliation..I think we might need those missle defense shields that the republicans are so fond of spending huge amounts of money on, afterall......They are VERY skeptical of Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize, and now this happening...Can't blame 'um...Well let's see what tomorrow brings--Life is for the learning.....Aloha
C.S. Lewis, Jr. is smiling.
"I prefer books and movies where the conflict isn't of the extreme cannibal apocalypse variety I guess." Redsfaithful
If Johnny Carson was still on TV, I'm sure he'd have some joke with a punchline about people who shoot the moon when they get bombed.
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LOS GATOS — Peter Carter, 70, a photographer and former advertising executive who made his mark as a social leader in Los Gatos, died Wednesday night from a fall at his home.
A bon vivant who loved cooking, wine, music and politics, Carter had a natural flair for bringing people together, often honoring his many acquaintances with gifts of his photos.
His friends said the genial, white-haired Los Gatos man fell down the steep staircase of his Victorian home at 45 Broadway shortly before midnight.
A friend, Jonathan Knowles, said Carter had been out to a dinner earlier with the Los Gatos Social Club and had left a birthday present behind. A social club member was returning the gift and had rung the doorbell that Carter was attempting to answer when the accident occurred.
Carter was pronounced dead at Good Samaritan Hospital after rescuers were unable to revive him. He had turned 70 two weeks before.
The news left Los Gatos residents shocked. "He was a one-of-a-kind guy who probably contributed more to the social life of Los Gatos than any other single person," said public relations executive Brenna Bolger.
A man who could savor a spicy conversation and still maintain a cutting-edge knowledge of digital photography and music, Carter knew how to seize the moment for a party.
When redistricting meant that Los Gatos moved from Mike Honda's congressional district to Anna Eshoo's, Carter co-hosted a "passing the torch" reception last year.
"He simply loved being around people," said his widow, Dennise Carter, who explained that her husband's goal had been to spend time with the people who would most regret his passing.
Peter Scott Carter was born in San Diego on Feb. 20, 1943, the son of a military paratroop trainer and a homemaker. His family moved in 1957 to Santa Clara, where Carter enrolled in local schools and graduated from Bellarmine College Prep in 1961.
Wanting to attend college as far away as possible from the West Coast, Carter went to Georgetown University, where he was the editor of the yearbook.
While still at Georgetown, Carter married Michelle Villere, a descendant of early French settlers in Louisiana. To support his young family, he took up photography.
After a brief sojourn in Louisiana, the Carters moved back to California in the late 1960s, where he ran an advertising and public relations firm known as Carter, Callahan and later, Carter Waxman.
The ad executive survived financial ups and downs and eventually returned to the craft of photography, earning fees with his architectural photos of Silicon Valley buildings.
His first wife, Michelle, died of cancer in early 1986. In December 1987, Carter married Dennise McNulty, a nonprofit executive.
The Carter home was known for its conviviality and openness: Carter was a member of a group of wine collectors who vied to outdo one another in marrying wine with food.
While a respected cook, Carter lost his chance at the "Purple Foot" award, the group's highest honor, when he served liver and onions one year.
He also dabbled in politics. While Carter was a staunch Republican, he frequently helped Democrats he liked, aiding Mayors Tom McEnery and Ron Gonzales, as well as state Sen. Al Alquist.
"He wasn't bashful about telling you what his beliefs were and why he might disagree with you," said Assessor Larry Stone. "But he never cut off a friendship because of politics."
Carter is survived by his wife and two sons by his first marriage, Scott and Shawn. Funeral arrangements are pending.
Staff Writer Judy Peterson contributed to this report. Contact Scott Herhold at 408-275-0917 or email@example.com. Twitter.com/scottherhold.


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Probem - America (Off Baron Davis's Made In America: Crips & Bloods) (Movie Soundtrack)
Problem "America" Music Video off Baron Davis' Made In America: Crips & Bloods (Movie Soundtrack)
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Ciralight Global needed a new web page design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 42 designs submitted by 21 freelance designers.
Brand - Ciralight Smart Skylights, Company - Ciralight Global Inc., Website - http://www.ciralightglobal.com
Ciralight Global Inc. is the #1 provider worldwide of active daylighting skylights that allow users to turn off artificial electric lights for up to 10 hours a day. Our Smart Skylights use GPS sun-tracking technology attached to mirrors in the dome that track the sun throughout the day and drive natural light into buildings.
The result is a FREE bright, healthy glare-free natural light, just as Nature intended.
Our belief is that every time a building installs one of our Smart Skylights it represents a significant move toward a greener planet. Imagine the energy saved if all buildings used our Smart Skylights and could turn off electric lights during the daytime hours.
Ciralight Global's Smart skylight products provide a green energy saving lighting solution for commercial buildings, schools, factories, public facilities and retail stores.
Our Skylights are used by Staples, Ikea, Office Depot, Giant Foods, Whole Foods, Patagonia, Fresh & Easy and many more. They can shut off their lights all day.
We want to continue the use of our logo and the colors in our logo which represent the earth, sky and sun. See the company brochure for more information on our company and product.
Our products are for commercial use (not homes). Our target is to Architects, Commercial Building Owners, Industrial & Warehouses, Retail Big Box tenants, Schools, Airports, Government facilities and the Green Energy Movement. The site should be sophisticated and provide technical information on our product as well as visually communicate and convey we are a part of the green movement.
We have a number of celebrities involved and want to be timely, fashionable, and convey a sense of this is a movement, get on board.
Drop Down Menu
Home, Products, knowledge Base, Why Daylighting, Market Solutions, News, Investor Relations, About Us, Contact Us
We would like our site to convey it is a green energy earthy site, with the emphasis on the sky/sunlight (see attached image) and use of green images. The site should be eco friendly but also look clean and credible as it is a technical product and our audience is engineers & Architects.
on homepage flash of pictures of buidings with our products (Attached), video box, and at bottom boxes containing different information ie. knowledge base, latest news, and the third with multiple functions - become a dealer, join email list, request a quote (see below)
Feel free to use content from our existing website http://www.ciralightglobal.com
Competitor Sites;
Websites we like;
http://www.thedailygreen.com/ (For the use of sky and green colors but not the layout)
http://www.simplesteps.org/#tk-switchboard-blog (for its simple folksy Ben & Jerry kind of look).
http://greenoptions.com/ (use of colors and green images)
http://www.ctngreen.com/video/ (For its clean look & layout- we like the three columns at the bottom but envision them shorter as boxes containing information)
http://www.atlantictattooremoval.com/index.html (Again for its clean layout and use of columns at bottom with different colors and information)


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I have been in a pretty serious relationship for the past eight years. It has been a strong partnership based on needs, dependence, reliability and a special kind of understanding.
But, as spring stares me in the face -- the magic time of re-birth, renaissance and general visceral desire -- I find myself fantasizing for something new, exciting and sexy: a new stove.
Granted, the General Electric Medallion clunker that has been in my family for generations is not easy to part with. It belonged to my grandmother, and over the years, has provided hot sustenance in the form of family holiday meals. Since in my care, it's inspired me to become adventurous with food. Beyond its outdated and utilitarian looks, a dead burner and giving me the occasional electric shock -- the Medallion has been my homemaking ally. Yet, I have a wandering eye.
Most great relationships come to an end, and so should this one. Fortunately, now is the best time to start looking for something new and exciting --in the world of appliances, 2010 is as thrilling as it gets.
For some time, stainless steel appliances have been most popular. I, too, was charmed by the material's alluring glimmer and high-tech vibe, and believed it couldn't get any better. It has.
Even stainless steel is taking a backseat, as Viking introduces its Custom Series Range. These stoves are well-built, top-of-the-line machines. Not only can you select your size and fuel type, but consumers can choose from 24 resplendent colours: Plum, Mint Julep, Sage, Iridescent Blue, Golden Mist -- the list goes on like an iPod commercial.
Even I would talk a client into installing the pumpkincoloured one.
Then there's green (as in ecomovement, not colour). There's nothing hotter. A green machine is a perfect partner, one that begs for a lifetime of commitment. For instance, AGA's new Self-Clean Pro Range has an energy-saving panel that allows you to only use the cooking energy you need. Consumers have the option to split the oven into two cavities, one smaller than the other. It is environmentally conscious, smart and super cool.
If incredible heat and sexy looks is your poison, then induction cooktops are for you. They're all the craze in high-end kitchens -- with good reason. These cooktops achieve the highest temperatures in seconds. Intuitive and genius, it's nearly impossible to accidentally burn your hand, as the heat automatically cools off when the pot is removed from the element. GE and Kitchenaid are launching residential models that are affordable and stunning. Thermador has a 30-inch model with a lustrous silver-mirror finish. It has an unusual anti-overflow feature that sounds an alarm then automatically shuts off if liquids are detected on the surface. (Some of us need all the help we can get in the kitchen.)
I can just feel my Medallion getting jealous. So, for sake of kindness, let's turn to a different family of appliances while my vintage stove cools off.
The designer in me drools over the new Sub-Zero All Refrigerator and All Freezer Columns. These stand-alone pieces are 27 inches wide and 80 inches high. They are either all refrigerator, all freezer or even all wine storage. More slender than the standard 36-inch wide units, they have a streamlined look and are as practical as they are gorgeous. The modular-like system maximizes food storage and looks good doing it. For a different option, Sub-Zero, and almost all major appliance companies, are offering fridge and freezer drawers. Concealed under a countertop, they offer flexibility when space-planning and seamlessly integrate into your kitchen.aundry rooms are also more spruced up. I'm not sure how it happened, but front-load washer and dryers are the things to covet. Their high efficiency and cohesive aesthetic, with side-by-side circular doors and stunning curvature, are a plus. But ease of use and large capacity makes top-load washers attractive, too. Both Maytag and Whirpool carry top-and front-loading versions. Maytag's Bravos top-load line has a handsome design and boasts superior vibration control. (Spring really has sprung.)
In the landscape of new appliances, there are so many great options. There is something for everyone, from handsome washers to sexy stoves.
So, I guess now comes the hard part. With all these alluring choices, I may have to commit and make a decision to move on.
I will miss my Medallion. Its humble looks and broken parts taught me patience and humility. And its relentless commitment to keep working has been an inspiration -- the time we spent blissfully together will always have a special place in my heart.
But all good things must come to an end, and with every end there is a new beginning.
As spring begins, it feels only fitting to ignite a new love affair. It's going to be a hot one --with multiple burners.


text: Job Discussion Forums :: View topic - madrid vs barcelona Get TEFL Certified & Start Your Adventure Today! Job Discussion Forums"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!" FAQ Search Memberlist Usergroups Register Profile Log in to check your private messages Log in madrid vs barcelona Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Spain View previous topic :: View next topic Author Message canUkgirlJoined: 23 Jul 2004Posts: 1Location: Calgary, Canada Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 3:04 am Post subject: madrid vs barcelona Hi all! I'm planning on quiting my job & moving to Spain in September to teach. I'm torn between Barcelona & Madrid. Anyone out there who has lived in both cities & has a preference? If so, why the preference? Thanks for any info! Back to top SEndrigoJoined: 28 Apr 2004Posts: 437 Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 6:25 am Post subject: Both Barcelona and Madrid are great cities MADRID -more opportunities for work -better place to learn Spanish and be around Spanish culture -great nightlife -great public transportation -great food BARCELONA -arguably one of the most beautiful large cities in the world -great nightlife -great public transportation -more cosmopolitan feel than Madrid -great food -close proximity to the beach both cities are great....it is difficult to choose between them but Madrid is better as far as work is concerned....but I'd rather live in Barcelona. I hope this answers your question Back to top ellieJoined: 17 Jun 2004Posts: 14Location: Japan Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 2:26 pm Post subject: Being by the sea is a great plus for Barcelona. However, remember that the language of Barcelona is Catalan so you won't do that well if you're going to improve your Spanish. Back to top Jenny ThomasJoined: 26 May 2004Posts: 12 Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2004 4:03 pm Post subject: I agree 100% with Ellie, you can´t practice /learn Spanish in Barcelona. Well maybe but it will be a bit difficult! I was there very recently and even the TV programs are in Catalan! They really speak Castellano (Spanish) but it´s just this thing in Spain, there are some places like Catalunya province, Basque, Gallego, where you find they have their own dialect. They even say Pais Vasco (Basque Country). I guess that makes Spain even more interesting. jenny Back to top Phil_bJoined: 14 Oct 2003Posts: 239Location: Back in London Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 8:40 am Post subject: Everyone in Spain speaks Castellano (Spanish) but for various reasons, linguistic politics is a touchy subject. Having said that if you want to learn Catalan (also spoken in Valencia and the Baleares - though whether they are dialects or different languages is another touchy political point) or Gallego, they are very similar to Spanish and are not difficult to learn - Basque is a different case, but I don't think that it's as widely spoken as the other two. I saw something interesting in the newspaper the other day... a Brazilian singer (Carlinhos Brown, I think) caused a storm because during his concert in Santiago de Compostela (Galicia, Spain) he talked to the audience in Spanish. After loads of protests he did the next concert, in Vigo (also Galicia, I think) in Portuguese. In places like Catalonia, Galicia and the Basque country you will often hear spain referred to as el estado español (or L'estat espanyol) - The Spanish State, recognising Spain only as a State and not a country.... But don't worry, if you're foreign people are a lot less reluctant to talk Spanish... Bona sort! Back to top Maria KirbyJoined: 26 May 2004Posts: 56 Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2004 3:45 pm Post subject: It´s definitely Madrid for me! It´s a great city, friendly people and they don´t mind helping you out with your Spanish. The "intercambios" are really good if you want a fast way to learn the language without spending money. maria Back to top CharlesTESOLJoined: 06 Jul 2004Posts: 81Location: Barcelona, Spain Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2004 5:19 pm Post subject: I have lived in both Madrid and Barcelona -- and I love them both! I was initially in Barcelona for 2 years, then Madrid 1 1/2 years and then I moved back to Barcelona last October. There are some things that I like better about Barcelona and there are some things I like better about Madrid. Here is my take on a few aspects of life in both places: TESOL Work -- Madrid is a lot bigger than BCN, so there are a lot more schools. For some reason, though, it seems that BCN is as popular a destination for English teachers as Madrid if not more so. Consequently I see many more teachers in BCN working part time for two or three schools. That means that a full time schedule can take a few more weeks to build up to in BCN than in Madrid. I would guess that virtually all of the teachers in BCN would say it was worth any extra effort. If money is really tight, though, Madrid might be the better choice. After saying that I realized it is almost irrelevant because even if one were to get a full-time job right off the plane, it would take at least a month to get your first pay. If money is really tight, it would be best to stay where you are, save up a little and come on over to the city you really want with enough to get settled. Spanish / Catalan -- Officially Barcelona is a bi-lingual city. I believe for about 70% of the population, Catalan is the native tongue. (In a city of over 1 million that leaves a good number who speak Spanish as a native tongue!) However, the locals are taught Spanish from the time they enter school, if not earlier, so adults and young people are all fluent in Spanish. As a result Barcelonans are really bilingual and go from one language to the other with no problem. Some local TV stations do broadcast primarily in Catalan -- TV3, 33 and BTV. Sometimes the movies broadcast on these Catalan stations are in Spanish, though. Keep in mind, however, that all of the national stations are broadcast in Spanish (TVE 1, TVE La 2, Antena 3, Telecinco, Canal+). One look at the local TV ratings and you will find that a lot of Catalans watch Spanish language TV. The major local newspapers are either only in Spanish (La Vanguardia) or publish Spanish and Catalan editions (El Periodico Red and El Periodico Blue). The Catalan only papers have small circulations. If you go to one of the Original Version movie houses, where films are shown in their original language with subtitles, the subtitles are in Spanish. I belong to the public library in Barcelona where books, tapes, videos, DVDs, etc. are available in both languages. Spanish/English intercambios are popular here -- as well as intercambios for lots of other languages -- Italian, French, German, Japanese as well as Catalan. There is a huge industry for teaching Spanish in Barcelona. Not only hundreds of private language academies but also local universities in Barcelona have Spanish courses that they promote, for example: https://www.eh.ub.es/BasePortalAngles.html http://www.uab-barcelona.com/courses.html It is also possible to study Catalan, but there is not nearly as much of a choice of schools because the demand is not there. Catalan classes are offered free in at least one place, though: http://www.cpnl.org Spanish / Catalan / English: Purely anecdotally speaking, it seems to me that more Barcelonans speak English and perhaps are keener to study English than Madrileños. That would be good news for English teachers! Public libraries in both cities have a few items in English, including text and grammar books. Both cities have great British Council libraries that are a godsend to expat English teachers. Additionally, each city has multiple local English language publications and bookstores. Civic Pride: There's more to the competition between the two cities than language -- and stereotypes abound. Some Madrileños consider Barcelonans to be hard workers but rather closed and reserved. (This despite BCNs numerous fiestas and exciting night life.) Some Barcelonans feel that Madrileños are friendly but do not have much of a sense of style, fashion, art or architecture. (This despite Madrids Paseo del Arte being lined with world class museums such as the Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen.) And of course citizens in each city feel they have the best football club in the world! (No comment I have friends in both places!) La Playa: Maybe a Madrileño taxi driver put it best when he said to me, "Yes, Barcelona has the sea and its beaches. Well, I believe that's because God couldn't give Madrid beaches, as then it would truly be the perfect place -- and everyone knows perfection on earth is not possible." Ah, but the sea is very nice! Whichever one you choose, I'm sure you'll find work and enjoy living in the city. They are both truly great places -- and they make great holiday getaways from the other! Buena suerte,Last edited by CharlesTESOL on Tue Aug 24, 2004 6:01 pm; edited 1 time in total Back to top SEndrigoJoined: 28 Apr 2004Posts: 437 Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2004 2:25 pm Post subject: That's a brilliant posting by Charles! You have summed it up quite nicely. From my experience I've found that more expats prefer Barca....but it's definitely easier to find work in Madrid. It's really really difficult to choose between the two....Barcelona is one of a kind, there's really no other city like it. I suppose you know which one I prefer....even though I have lived in Madrid and not Barcelona.... One thing about nightlife, the hangouts in Barcelona are a lot nicer looking, and more cosmopolitan. The gothic architecture in the barrio gotico is something marvelous....Barca is just magical, those of you who haven't been there yet absolutely must !! 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Justin Bieber Accused of Assault!
Justin Bieber is being investigated for possible assault with a toy.
Biebs - who is desperately trying to win back his on/off girlfriend of two years Selena Gomez by showing her how mature he is - has been accused of hitting a female security guard at a concert venue he was performing at in Ottawa, Canada in November, with a projectile from a child friendly nerf gun.
A source told gossip website TMZ.com that the 18-year-old Canadian popstar was play fighting with nerf guns with his three-year-old brother Jaxon and four-year-old sister Jazmyn, when one of their soft pieces of ammunition hit the woman.
The woman allegedly became hysterical and told Justin's team that she was a security guard at the venue and was extremely annoyed.
She then filed a police report accusing Justin or someone who was adjacent to the singer of assaulting her.
Police are said to be investigating the incident and have interviewed several people at the venue.
Justin was forced to deny reports he mocked a female fan in a gym earlier this week after he declined to take a photo with her.
But friends close to the singer have insisted he is trying to be on his best behaviour at the moment to prove to Selena, 20, that he has grown up.
However, Selena has reportedly moved on after telling friends that Justin was too needy for her.
A source said: "Justin is super needy and can be a big baby around Selena. It's hard for him to make real friends because he likes the temporary attention of strangers, but didn't see how it hurt Selena. Selena didn't feel Justin was respectful of their relationship. She was constantly catching him in positions with other girls that would make her uncomfortable. She would get super jealous."
The couple broke up shortly after holidaying in Mexico where they had planned to ring in the New Year together but got into a huge argument on December 30 after she allegedly found text messages from other girls on his phone.


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It has been a nonstop year for Stone Cold Steve Austin. He's had no less than three feature films released.
The latest is Austin's direct-to-DVD release Hunt to Kill, and it was his favourite one to work on.
"I had a blast filming this; I've always loved hunting and fishing. I loved spending the bulk of the movie outdoors filming. It was raining and it was in the winter and you were very cold and wet. But everybody worked their butts off, cast and crew and there were no primadonnas, so I had a great time," Austin told SLAM! Wrestling.
"I really enjoyed the movie when I watched it back, I then followed this up with The Expendables and so now I'm getting ready to go back to filming.
"I am looking to take what I have learnt from Hunt to Kill and working with Sly [Stallone] and all those other great actors in The Expendables and kick ass on the next film."
The former WWE Champion feels that he is now starting to find his whereabouts as an actor. Getting into a certain character and learning different techniques is something that Austin states he found difficult at first, but since The Expendables he has been concentrating on settling into roles he plays.
"I'm just focusing on being a certain character. I'm trying to get as fluid and as good at acting like I was being an ad-libbed, impromptu act on live TV. I was so entrenched in the storylines I was involved in and being Stone Cold Steve Austin that I knew exactly what that guy said and did at any given situation.
"Now though it's learning how to do that from a character standpoint and I think the more you know about the character the easier the words come. I'm trying to reach that comfort level with all the roles I play and that's why I am looking forward to filming my next project and taking everything I learnt into that one.
"Finding that comfort level is something that I have found difficult and it's something that I am looking to improve upon."
When Austin left WWE, his intention was to never be an actor, he originally stayed around in Texas for three or four years hunting and fishing. He then remembered that he enjoyed his appearances on the TV show Nash Bridges while he was with WWE, so he decided to go to Los Angeles and try to get into acting.
"I got into acting because I needed something to do. I wanted something to do. It wasn't so much a passion, it was a job that I could go from wrestling into this because I had somewhat of a name. Now that I have done five, six movies I am passionate about it, I understand the process," he said.
"I want to be as good as I can be, I wanna be a great convincing, compelling character in any movie that I do. I am now passionate about the acting profession whereas again when I got into it, it was just something to do. I want to be the best I can be and become a successful actor."
Being from the wrestling business, Austin felt that there may have been problems in generally being accepted in the movie industry at first. Now the WWE Hall of Famer hopes he can be as a successful in acting as he was in wrestling but realizes that this may take time.
"The Stone Cold Steve Austin character was tremendously successful. I'm getting a little bit of a late start but I have improved from when I got into the profession of acting. All I can do is keep a positive attitude, keep learning and soaking up information like a sponge like I always do.
"People think that the character you play in wrestling is who and what you are. I'm not totally Stone Cold Steve Austin, the ass-kicking, crazy, beer-drinking, hell-raising and finger-gesturing redneck. I loved being that guy and it's a big part of me but it's not who and what I am.
"It was tough to distinguish the two but I think now people are starting to get a sense that I am a different cat. Now I think it goes with the territory, you gotta get out there and network, which is not something I really like to do. You have to meet people and get them to have a sense of who and what you are in real life."
Speaking about his retirement from wrestling, Austin still believes that if the incident where he was temporarily paralyzed during a match with Owen Hart back at SummerSlam 1997 hadn't happened then he would probably still be in the ring. His passion and love for wrestling and its fans is something that will never change.
"It was time for me to go down the road. You know what, in 10, 20 years I still want to be able to go hunt, fish and do all the things that I do in a pain-free fashion. Right now I am 100% pain free and 100% healthy.
"Had I stayed in the ring with the very violent physical work style that I had. I wouldn't be in very good shape so I had to get out when I did.
"I love the wrestling business, I love my wrestling fans and if I can't entertain you in the ring, I hope I can entertain you on the screen."
Darren Wood is a freelance journalist in the United Kingdom currently working as UK Features Editor for online magazine The Wrestling Press (www.thewrestlingpress.com).


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Sandy Will Cost $25 Billion, Says Munich Re
Superstorm Sandy will prove to be one of the costliest events for the insurance industry in the last 30 years, says Munich Re, as it calls on the U.S. to do more to protect cities from storm damage. Dow Jones's Ulrike Dauer reports on the German reinsurer's latest report. Photo: Associated Press
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
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Either way, in this region, Lent means that it's time for Friday fish fries, pierogie dinners, haluski, and the new specials at Eat'n Park. This year, our lineup is better than ever. You will see the return of old favorites like the Tuna Cheddar Melt and Pierogies with onions, but we're also adding a few brand new items that I'm sure you're going to love.
The first is our Grilled Salmon Burger. It is made of premier flaked salmon and grilled to order. We serve it to you on our grilled Kaiser bun with spring mix lettuce, a touch of chipotle ranch sauce, and your choice of a side.
Our second new addition is our General Tso's Shrimp. We start with a bed of stir-fried brown rice and a blend of garden fresh vegetables grilled to perfection. We then toss our golden-crisped popcorn shrimp in our General Tso's sauce and serve it on top of the rice and veggies. What a treat!
Now, for your second lesson today: Who is this General Tso, and why can his namesake meal be found in every Chinese restaurant in America? Well, General Tso's real name was Zuo Zongtang. He lived in the Hunan Province of China in the 1800's and played a key role in stopping a rebellion in 1860. Legend has it that this sweet and spicy specialty was his favorite dish. However, no historical proof of this exists, and in fact, there is no record of such a dish in Hunanese cuisine. It appears that the first instance of General Tso's chicken actually appeared in New York in the 1970's, thanks to the creativity of several Taiwanese chefs who had opened restaurants in the area. There have been endless variations ever since.
Regardless of its origins, here's what I'm betting: You're going to love our version of General Tso's! Stop in this Lenten season and give it a try.
See you at Eat'n Park!


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Waffle was pretty good, but there was no gluten free syrup, and the egg & bacon topping was mashed together, which was a little strange. The owner was very nice and helpful. I would go back to try a different waffle.
While I miss the sweet couple that ran Kiwan Cafe Rio, the new owner--who changed the name to B Street Coffee House--is very nice and gave the space a much needed facelift. It is cleaner and brighter inside. She kept the gluten free, vegan waffles (dairy free and soy free!) and mine was light and delicious. There are a very few places in town I trust with my gluten free, dairy free, soy free dietary needs, but B Street Coffee House didn't let me down! The Dutch apple topping was not as generous as the previous owners but when she served us the waffles she let us know if we wanted more agave syrup or cinnamon to let her know. So we did ask for more and the extras flowed freely! I also asked about the creamy stuff served on top, which is a vegan topping made from nuts. She gave us more of that too! The biggest improvement is that they now serve Nossa Familia coffee! Whatever they served before was awful. Nossa Familia coffee rocks! Also, the latte made with coconut milk was awesome.Service is slow but in a tiny space where your order is custom-made, you should expect less than immediate results. Personally, to me, this adds to the charm of this tiny place: there is abundant time to enjoy the company of those you are dining with! The new, clean high tables with comfortable bar stools made the time pass quickly.One disclaimer: I am not celiac. I can't review from the standpoint of cross contamination. My gluten/dairy/soy intolerances are significant and I have never felt sick after eating here, but again if you are celiac you should review on your own criteria.
|Not celiac friendly
This is NOT a dedicated gluten free business. They sell gluten bagels, muffins, etc. I had a gf waffle, but the lady couldn't even tell me if the syrup was gf. The service was not very good. Very disappointing experience, especially since I thought it was a dedicated gf facility.
|Celiac friendly
I love this place. I'm gluten free, dairy free and soy free and they make thing especially for me if the regular item has dairy or soy. Everything is gf so I don't worry about cross contamination. They are the sweetest couple the only negative thing I have say is that they are closed on Wed.
These waffles are life changing! I would go back in a heartbeat. The staff is incredibly nice and the food is great!
|Celiac friendly
cute tiny space. unfortunately nothing I can eat here if I don't want a stomach ache...bread and eggs, basically.but good for people with less food restrictions who want a more basic, american breakfast-type meal, sans gluten.
Uber friendly, and really delicious food. Able to accommodate dairy free/vegan, though the vegan waffles are an extra 1.50, so it was a little expensive. Waffles served all day. Tiny place, kinda felt like eating in an eccentric aunt's kitchen, but the owners were so warm that it was very nice.
|Celiac friendly
Cute TINY place - you basically get one-on-one service! : ). Awesome addictive smoothies. Waffles excellent. Will definitely go back next time in PDX.
|Celiac friendly
Great food. Arguably the best sandwich I've ever had. Great omelette too! Unfortunately I am on an anti-fungal diet and had to restrict rice. They said there was no rice used in the bread, which I later found out to be not true as it is from New Cascadia bakery. I should have known better though. So that set me back a bit. But no gluten reaction after eating here and the owners are literally the cutest couple I have ever seen.
Great food! Limited seating but totally worth it
This is no longer a dedicated gluten free restaurant. Was extremely disappointed to find out this restaurant was not the same place I SAFELY ate gluten and dairy free 2 years ago.
Awesome little gluten free cafe! 100% dedicated gluten free. About to have a grilled pepper turkey sandwich, s black forest smoothie and one of their honey nut Juanita cakes. Smells delish!
Very friendly owners. Huevos Rancheros waffles were excellent. So we're the apple waffles.
The service was fantastic and the food was equally as good. So happy we found this place thanks to this app
|Celiac friendly
Light, fluffy waffles that don't taste GF, tasty scrambles, delicious smoothies and friendly, genuinely welcoming owners. Tiny and can be difficult to find (it's across from Ringside Steakhouse and Goodwill on Burnside), but definitely worth it!
|Celiac friendly
This was great food! We had the waffles with the omelet on top. YUM! Service was good and everything is made while you wait. There is minimal seating and you have to find parking on the street but we will definitely be back. Love supporting small businesses. The entire cafe is gluten free
This place is my dream come true. It is completely (yes, completely) gluten free. No gluten EVER. The proprietors are very kind and the menu is full of delicious foods and drinks. It is very small, so don't bring a large party, but still AMAZING!!!!
It is a tiny place, but they have the best gluten free waffles ever!


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Discount grocer Aldi has announced the locations of the nine Houston stores that will open April 11.
The stores are in suburban areas:
- 2228 FM 2920 Road, Spring
- 4140 Fairmont Parkway, Pasadena
- 2009 South Mason Road, Katy
- 2045 North Loop 336, Conroe
- 5930 Fry Road, Katy
- 10402 Highway 6 South, Sugar Land
- 11510 Broadway, Pearland
- 13340 Tomball Parkway, Houston
- 6900 FM 1960 East, Humble
Known for its low prices, Aldi sells produce, meat and other grocery items. Almost all of Aldi's products are sold under its own label.
Aldi is holding hiring events today and Wednesday. Running until 6 p.m. today, hiring events will take place at the soon-to-open Aldi at 13340 Tomball Parkway and at the Hilton Pearland at 12101 Shadow Creek Parkway.
On Wednesday, between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., hiring events will be at the Humble Civic Center at 8233 Will Clayton Parkway and at Workforce Solutions at 2018 A IH 45 North in Conroe.
In two years Aldi plans to have a total of 30 stores in the Houston area.
Aldi has more than 1,200 stores in 32 states. There already are 37 stores in Texas, mostly in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.


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But new research points to differences between policy makers' focus on programs' educational value and what most families are really seeking; Low-income and minority families much less satisfied with their children's options
When the school bell rings, do America's middle and high school students turn into slackers and couch potatoes? Not according to a new national survey which found that 79% of America's middle and high school students regularly participate in activities both after school and on weekends and 57% have some kind of non-school activity nearly every day. The vast majority of the students surveyed by the nonpartisan opinion research organization Public Agenda indicate that activities ranging from sports to art and music to church programs play a crucial and positive role in their lives.
But Public Agenda found stark differences in the experiences of low-income and minority parents, who are much more likely than higher-income and white parents to say they have trouble finding high-quality, convenient and affordable activities for their children.
American young people believe that organized, structured out-of-school activities are enormously important to them, with 85% saying that kids who participate in such activities are better off than those who don't. They are also aware that sometimes they might need a parental push, with almost 9 out of 10 saying that even though they complain, sometimes they need to be pushed by my parents to do things that are good for me.
Interestingly, while much of the policy debate on after school programs revolves around whether these programs improve academic achievement, for most families, academics aren't the first thing that comes to mind. Parents want activities that foster interests, values and growth, with relatively few parents (15%) or kids (12%) saying that academic achievement is the best reason for kids to be involved in organized activities. The exception are low-income and minority parents, who, on a variety of measures, are considerably more likely to want activities that emphasize academic learning.
The study, All Work and No Play? Listening to What Kids and Parents Really Want from Out-of-School Time, was commissioned by The Wallace Foundation.
Time to Listen to Parents and Kids
According to Public Agenda President Ruth A. Wooden, Too often in policy debates we rely solely on 'experts' to tell us how we should think about an issue. But Wallace and Public Agenda thought it was time to hear from kids and their parents. There are plenty of important insights in this research, but one of the most important is directed at parents themselves: most kids are thriving from out-of-school activities and it's really worth your time - and maybe a little nagging - to get kids involved.
According to Wallace Foundation President M. Christine DeVita, The report also provides stark evidence of the inequities in opportunity for poor families versus affluent ones. Indeed, readers will find here a tale of two kinds of American families. Poorer families and those from minority backgrounds are far more dissatisfied with the availability and quality of program options beyond the school day and are far likelier to want more academic help for their kids.
Raising Academic Standards Whose Goal?
Policy makers are struggling with the issue of using taxpayer dollars to fund after-school programs when recent research has indicated that these programs may not improve academic achievement. One key finding of the Public Agenda's study is that relatively few parents really look to out-of-school activities for this purpose. Only 15% of parents said the best reason to get kids involved in an activity is to improve how well they do in school. Instead, 41% of parents pointed to developing interests and hobbies and 27% said the best reason is to keep kids busy and out of trouble. 16% percent say the best reason is for kids to have fun.
Most parents also want programs that reinforce good values and behavior. Asked which three types of programs would be the best match for their child, almost half (48%) picked teaching the value of hard work and commitment, 33% chose a focus on helping other people and 17% a program that reinforces religious faith.
Most Kids Choose Sports or Arts
Given a choice of activities, 54% of young people would choose sports and 36% would choose an activity such as music or dance. Still, about 3 in 10 students say they would very much like an after school program that provides homework help (32%) or focuses mainly on academics (28%).
But by significant margins, low-income (less than $25K per year) and minority (African American and Hispanic) parents are more likely than higher income ($50K+) and white families to want after school activities that emphasize academic learning. Low-income and minority parents are more likely to say:
Low-Income and Minority Families More Likely to Worry
Overall, more that 7 in 10 parents (71%) describe their child's most recent organized activity as high quality and run by adults who know what they are doing. Kids, too, give their program organizers, coaches and mentors very good reviews, with 79% saying the adults in charge really care about the kids. But for low-income parents, just making sure their child is productively occupied during out-of-school hours is a big worry. Just 37% say they have this under control, compared with 60% of higher-income parents. Low-income parents are also considerably less likely than higher-income parents to say it's easy to find things that are:
|Run by trustworthy adults
|Conveniently located
|High quality
|Interesting to their child
Major Hassles for All Families Activities for Teens; Summer
Both parents (70%) and teens (72) say their communities could realistically do more when it comes to having enough things for teens to do.
Finding ways to keep kids busy in the summer is especially vexing. 58% of parents say summer is the hardest time to make sure their child has things to do the next closest is 14% for after-school hours and 13% for the weekend. Compared with higher-income and white parents, low-income and minority parents are more likely to say their kids don't really have good options in summer. (low vs. higher-income 63% vs. 43%; minority vs. white 62% vs. 44%)
Both kids and parents alike feel that summer can drain the brain. 38% of parents are concerned that kids can fall behind academically in summer and a substantial number of students (56%) are interested in summer programs that help them keep up with school work.
Some Still Home Alone
While most kids appear to be productively and enjoyably occupied after school, the survey also found that almost 3 in 10 say they are home alone after school at least 3 days a week. Moreover, more than three quarters (77%) of youngsters believe that a lot of kids get in trouble when they are bored and have nothing to do.
Most young people (71%) believe it is lack of motivation - not lack of alternatives - that leads kids to skip out on organized activities. However only 27% think their community is doing as much as it could when it comes to having enough things for kids their age.
More than 6 in 10 parents (62%) find it reassuring that their children have cell phones, believing that they can reach them and know where they are. But almost 1 in 3 youngsters (32%) said they used the cells to tell their parents they were in one place when they were really at another. The same number (32%) said there are times when they just don't answer when they know their parents are calling.
|What American Middle and High School Students Do After School and on Weekends 66% say they participate in sports activities 62% are in school clubs or extracurricular activities 60% do volunteer work 54% attend religious instruction or a church youth group 52% take lessons in things like music, dance or art 52% are in an after-school program at school or another locale 37% of high-school students have a part-time job 30% get regular tutoring or extra academic or test preparation 19% belong to an organization like the Scouts
|Students give great marks to the after-school or weekend activity that they spend the most time doing 92% say they made good friends there 86% say they learned a lot 85% say they usually have a lot of fun 79% say the adults in charge really cared about the kids 79% say it was easy and convenient to get to 59% say the other kids took it seriously and really paid attention
The findings in All Work and No Play? Listening to What Kids and Parents Really Want from Out-of-School Time are based on two national random sample telephone surveys conducted in June 2004; one with 609 6th through 12th grade students and one with 1,003 parents of K-12th grade students. The surveys were preceded by ten focus groups. The margin of error is +/- four percentage points for students and +/- three percentage points for parents.
Full copies of this and other Public Agenda research studies are available free of charge in PDF format at www.publicagenda.org. You can order a printed version for $10, plus $3 shipping and handling, by calling Public Agenda at (212) 686-6610. Quantity discounts are available.
Public Agenda is a nonprofit organization dedicated to nonpartisan public policy research. Founded in 1975 by former U.S. Secretary of State Cyrus Vance and Daniel Yankelovich, the social scientist and author, Public Agenda is well respected for its influential public opinion surveys and balanced citizen education materials. Its mission is to inject the publics voice into crucial policy debates. Public Agenda seeks to inform leaders about the publics views and to engage citizens in discussing complex policy issues.
The Wallace Foundation is an independent, national private foundation established by DeWitt and Lila Acheson Wallace, the founders of The Readers Digest Association. The Wallace Foundations mission is to enable institutions to expand learning and enrichment opportunities for all people. It does this by supporting and sharing effective ideas and practices. To achieve this mission, The Wallace Foundation has three objectives: strengthen education leadership to improve student achievement; improve after-school learning opportunities; and expand participation in arts and culture. For additional information and research on education leadership, visit www.wallacefoundation.org.
Visit Public Agenda Online - www.publicagenda.org Public Agenda Online has been named one of Library Journals Best Reference Sources and is a USAToday, MSNBC and About.com recommended site. Public Agenda Online is the go-to source for unbiased facts, figures and analysis on issues ranging from education to terrorism to abortion to illegal drugs.
Public Agenda is a nonprofit organization dedicated to nonpartisan public policy research. Founded in 1975 by former U.S. Secretary of State Cyrus Vance and Daniel Yankelovich, the social scientist and author, Public Agenda is well respected for its influential public opinion surveys and balanced citizen education materials. Its mission is to inject the public's voice into crucial policy debates. Public Agenda seeks to inform leaders about the public's views and to engage citizens in discussing complex policy issues.


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DEEP DRIP Tree Watering Stakes aid in the watering and fertilization of your trees at the roots, in addition to better aerating the soil with oxygen. Deep Drip will deeper saturate the ground around your tree allowing the roots to grow deep and strong instead of horizontally at the surface, possibly resulting in exposed roots. This device is designed to work with a garden hose, flood irrigation, or in conjunction with your automatic landscape drip system.
Your standard 1/4" drip line easily connects to the Deep Drip spike. And you can also add fertilizer into the shaft to continually direct nutrients to the root zone. Whether you have fruit, oak, or palm trees, start watering your trees where the roots are and where you want them to be. Roots tend to follow the water source, so show your roots the path to grow deep. When you can get water underground faster, you can water for shorter periods, while practicing sensible water conservation. Our Patent Pending Deep Drip tree root watering devices are made in the U.S.A. and come in three sizes: 14, 24, and 36 inches.
Our Deep Drip tree root watering devices come in three lengths: 14 �, 24 �, and 36 inches. The 14 � inch unit is perfect for small trees and shrubs with shallow roots, like rose bushes, ornamental trees, or in commercial use for trees still in boxes. The 24 � inch unit is used for your average trees, while the 36 inch unit may be used for palm trees and deeper rooted trees.
The devices are constructed of sturdy ABS and PVC. The reinforced tip and cap are made from ABS, while the upper shaft is made from Schedule 40 PVC. There are multiple holes in the bottom half of the spike, internally covered by a mesh filter that allows water to flow out, but keeps dirt from getting in, settling, and clogging the tube. The UV protected cap has multiple functions, as it acts as a Protective/reinforced cover when hammering in to the ground, keeps rocks and leaves from entering the shaft, and holds the � inch drip line securely in place. And in many parts of the country, the cap also protects the emitter head from squirrels or other animals.
Periodically, as the tree grows and roots extend farther away from the tree, repositioning the device beneath the outer edge of the tree's canopy is recommended. The upper shaft has two holes at the top so the user can remove and replace the unit as needed. Just insert a screwdriver or like tool through the holes and pull up.
There are two ways to install the Deep Drip tree watering stakes. Either by inserting the units during new planting or by driving the unit into the ground (while wearing protective eye wear, of course) around an existing tree. The reinforced pointed tip and specially designed cap are engineered to take quite a beating.
During one test in extremely hard ground, our researchers used a 3-pound sledge hammer, pounding the device 484 times to get a 36" unit into the ground. Obviously, this was very hard ground and most installations may only require a couple dozen hits, although we mention this to show you the strength and durability of our units.
Step 1: Designate a location for the Deep Drip tree root watering tool installation. Choose a spot free from underground lines and pipes; select the location that is approximately half way between tree trunk and outer edge of tree's canopy. Newer trees are recommended to have 2-3 units on opposing sides or surrounding the tree base. Older, more established trees may need as many as 5-6 stakes to fill the circle around the tree (image below).
Step 2: During New Installation of Tree: After tree has been placed in the hole, insert 2-3 Deep Drip units vertically in the hole surrounding the tree before back-filling with soil. The top of Deep Drip can either be above ground level or below ground, depending on your preference.
Installation at Existing Tree: If you are installing Deep Drip at an existing tree where a hole no longer exists, then you will need to either dig a hole or drive Deep Drip into the ground manually. To drive into the ground using a sledge hammer, place slotted end cap on the open end of the shaft without the drip line inserted (Fig. 2). Always wear protective eye wear. Do not directly hammer the 'uncapped' end into the ground as this could break or destroy the shaft. A three-pound sledge hammer is recommended to drive the unit into the ground. Drive Deep Drip completely into the ground or leave the cap visible, whichever is preferable.
Troubleshooting: If soil is too dense, water the area around the tree and use a soil softener to soften the ground before inserting. Also recommend to insert stake or rod into the ground and remove to clear pathway for unit. Drilling into the ground using an auger bit is another way to clear pathway for unit. Again, make sure you are aware of any underground lines or pipes and do not insert where they may exist.
Step 3: When positioned in the ground, remove cap and insert end of existing drip line and emitter into the shaft aligning the drip line with the slot in the cap (Fig. 3). Re-install cap to secure drip line and stop excess debris from entering shaft. We also recommend to place an emitter at the surface in addition to the Deep Drip units (as seen in the illustrations on the Home Page). This will ensure that the shallow roots will get the much needed water as well as the deeper roots.
When using with a hose, we recommend that you create a small berm around your tree to hold in the water and prevent run-off. Bury 2-3 Deep Drip stakes equally spaced within the berm around the tree. Remove the caps from the stakes; lay the slow flowing hose within the berm and the water will saturate the shallow roots near the surface and eventually flow down into the stakes to water the deeper roots. The harder the ground, the slower and longer the flow you will need to saturate the root zone.
Idea: Pour granulated tree fertilizer into shaft after positioning in ground. Water will pass through and slowly dissolve nutrients, feeding the tree at the roots.
Step 4: To Remove: Insert rod or standard screwdriver through the two holes in the main shaft just below the cap. Slide the rod through the shaft and pull up (Fig.4). Slightly twisting the shaft may be necessary for easier removal. Every six months it is recommended to rotate the unit 360 degrees while in the ground to keep the small roots from entering the shaft. Just insert a screwdriver or rod and twist.
Step 5: Watering and Fertilization: Ask your local lawn and garden professional for recommendations on watering levels, emitters, and different types of tree fertilizer, specific to your tree's needs.


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Hi Mountain Seasonings Introduces Three New Dry Rubs:
Venison, Poultry & Salmon
Click on image to download
RIVERTON, Wyoming (March 2, 2011) – Nothing flavors and adds character to meats and seafood like a good Hi Mountain Western Style Rub. Now, customers have three new rubs to add flavor and seal in the juices of venison, salmon and poultry.
Hi Mountain Seasonings carefully selects the best spices and herbs to create their unique rubs that extract maximum flavor from the meat. The Venison Rub is a distinctive blend of garlic, sea salt, pepper, sweet paprika, onion powder and turmeric that compliments and enhances the natural flavor of venison. The Poultry Rub features a select blend of garlic, pepper, thyme, sage, sea salt and rosemary, making it an excellent choice for both domestic and game birds. The mouth-watering Salmon Rub is a combination of sea salt, dehydrated onion and garlic, lemon juice, dill, parsley turmeric, basil celery, thyme, and tarragon, which combine to seal in and accentuate the natural flavor of the salmon.
Hi Mountain's Western Style Rubs adhere using the natural moisture of the meat, so no oil is required, making them virtually fat-free and a healthier alternative to many oil-laden marinades on the market. With the new Hi Mountain Seasonings Dry Rubs, it is easy to turn any ordinary meal into a tantalizing culinary experience that will please even the most finicky eaters.
The new Venison, Salmon and Poultry Rubs are available at www.himtnjerky.com and retailers nationwide. The suggested retail price is $8.99 for an 11 oz. shaker. Also, be sure to try the popular Steak Rub and Garlic Pepper Rub, both of which were introduced last year.
Hi Mountain's entire line of products, cooking tips, instructional videos, and recipes are also available at www.himtnjerky.com, and the products can be found at high-quality sporting goods stores, farm and ranch stores and your local grocery stores.
Located in the heart of Wyoming, Hi Mountain Seasonings was founded in 1991. It is the premier manufacturer of kits for homemade jerky and sausage. Hi Mountain Seasonings has successfully captured distinct, traditional Western flavors in its Jerky Cure & Seasonings, Western Style Seasonings, Bacon cures and other products that make up the unique line of gourmet Western seasonings. For additional information, write: Hi Mountain Seasonings, 1000 College View Drive, Riverton, WY 82501; call toll-free 1-800-829-2285; or visit the company website at www.himtnjerky.com.


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HALEIWA, OAHU, HAWAII – OCTOBER 31, 2009 – An exciting Day 1 has completed at the 2009 Xcel Pro Presented by Honolua, with key contenders Pancho Sullivan, Joel Centeio, and Andy Irons all advancing to meet each other in the same Round of 32 heat.
Positioning was the name of the game today as the long period NW swell built slowly over a fading earlier system, creating a fair variety of take-off opportunities from off the point over to the west peak. Starting the morning overhead, Sunset improved to good overhead sets in the afternoon, with moderate trades throughout.
Highest-scoring wave of the day went to Sunset specialist Makua Rothman in Round 2, stalling into one of the larger set waves and grabbing one of the few barrels of the afternoon – made all the more dramatic after breaking a board on his prior takeoff. Throwing in some strong hacks after his cover-up, Rothman's wave rang up a 9.8, easily advancing into Round 3.
Rothman has made the Xcel Pro finals in each of the past 3 consecutive years.
Defending and 4X Xcel Pro champion Pancho Sullivan advanced out of his Round 2 (Round of 64) heat and will have a chance to add a 5th Xcel Pro title to his extensive resume. Sullivan will meet 3X world champion and 1997 Xcel Pro winner Andy Irons in his next heat, along with 2007 Xcel Pro champ Joel Centeio, who surfed twice today after gaining a last-minute alternate slot into Round 1.
"[Sunset's] got power, it's a pretty big playing field out there," Centeio said after his second heat today. "It's great to kick off the season with the Xcel Pro… I'm glad I got in this year."
2000 ASP WCT world champion and '92 Xcel Pro winner Sunny Garcia also advanced out of his Round 2 heat with a clutch last-minute ride to move into the second qualifying position. Garcia will meet early-round standouts Charlie Carroll and Kaupena Miranda in his Round of 32 heat.
All in all, 3 former world champions (Irons; Garcia; Derek Ho) and 9 Xcel Pro champions are still contenders in the event.
At stake in this year's Xcel Pro are a chunk of the $25,000 prize purse and a Tahiti trip with entry into the 2010 VonZipper Teahupoo Trials, with a shot at a wild card in the WCT Billabong Pro Tahiti.
With the current swell expected to hold through tomorrow, the event is potentially looking at crowning an Xcel Pro champion this weekend on its second and final day of competiton.
For Sunday's call, as well as heat results, photos, and daily video recap, check out the official event Web site at xcelpro.xcelwetsuits.com.
Official Xcel Pro merchandise is available exclusively online via presenting sponsor Honolua's Web shop at store.honoluasurf.com.
About the Xcel Pro
Celebrating its 26th anniversary this year, the 2009 Xcel Pro Presented by Honolua is a 2-Star ASP WQS event with a $25,000 purse, drawing pros and amateurs alike to world-class Sunset Beach along Oahu's North Shore.
Honolua Surf Co. is the presenting sponsor of the event and is joined by associate sponsors VonZipper, Kustom, and Surfline. Surf News Network also supports the event as the official contest hotline (808-596-7873).
For more, please visit the contest Web site at xcelpro.xcelwetsuits.com.
Xcel Pro Past Champions
1984 Kerry Terukina
1985 Denton Miyamura
1986 Hans Hedemann
1987 Ronnie Burns
1988 Michael Ho
1989 Richard Schmidt
1990 Michael Ho
1991 Michael Ho
1992 Sunny Garcia
1993 Kaipo Jaquias
1994 Derek Ho
1995 Kaipo Jaquias
1996 Michael Ho
1997 Andy Irons
1998 Pancho Sullivan
1999 Bruce Irons
2000 Pancho Sullivan
2001 Gavin Beschen
2002 Fred Pattachia
2003 Pancho Sullivan
2004 Fred Pattachia
2005 Ian Walsh
2006 Evan Valiere
2007 Joel Centeio
2008 Pancho Sullivan
About Xcel
Founded in 1982, Xcel International, Inc. (Xcel) is a global wetsuit brand distributed throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Pacific Rim. Headquartered on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, Xcel's core wetsuit business focuses on the cutting edge of material and design development. Xcel's primary markets include surf, dive, wakeboard, paddle, and sun (UV protection). In addition to its North Shore office, Xcel has retail locations on Oahu, Kauai, and Maui; and a warehouse/repair facility in California.
To learn more about Xcel, please visit www.xcelwetsuits.com.