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4x4 Truck Wheel Buyers GuidePosted in How To: Wheels Tires on October 1, 2009
This year's guide strives to be as hardcore as possible. Those blingy dubs might be fine for the soccer-team SUV, but the focus here is on wheels that beg to be wrapped with knobby treads. While we've included many modern wheels made from space-age alloys, good old pound-'em-back-into-shape steelies get their due too. The newest beadlocks are also littered through this guide. With the holiday shopping season right around the corner, you might find something here for your four-wheeling wishlist.
AEV offers its 17x8.5 Pintler beadlock wheel for JK and TJ Wranglers as well as '05-and-newer Grand Cherokees and Commanders. These wheels use Hutchinson technology and are DOT-compliant. They have a lifetime structural warranty and a one-year warranty on the two available finishes, argent and silver. Information: AEV, 406.251.2100, www.aev-conversions.com
Black Rock
The Viper is Black Rock Wheels' latest. This alloy wheel comes in two finishes: black satin matte and tungsten silver with matte clear coat. Designed for Jeeps and other off-road applications, the Viper features exposed lugs, aggressive spokes, and diamond machined accents. Initial sizes are 15x8 and 17x8, with more fitments in the works. Custom backspacing is available. Information: Black Rock Wheels, 909.947.1831, www.blackrockwheels.com
Alcoa is set to announce a new 17-inch dually wheel. Available now is the Xtreme Series, which is targeted at tow rigs. It's a boldly designed 20x9 eight-lug wheel made from forged aluminum--and backed by a limited lifetime warranty. Finishes are Dura-Bright or chrome. Information: Alcoa, 888.699.4335, www.strongwheels.com
BTR is well known among desert racers. Its pressure-cast aluminum beadlocks are available in several sizes for VW-based buggies. The 17x8 TT beadlock can be drilled to spec for multiple 4x4 bolt patterns and lug styles. Finishes are polished or black powdercoat. Forged aluminum beadlock rings come in red, black, blue, and polished. Information: BTR Racing Wheels, 714.578.8258, www.btrracingwheels.com
American Racing
American Racing offers the off-road- only ATX Series Chamber PRO Bead Lock. Rotary forged from 6061 aluminum, the 17x8.5 wheel has 4 1/2-inch backspacing and is available in popular bolt patterns. It uses 24 flush-mount bolts with replaceable bushing inserts. The Chamber PRO meets sanctioning-body requirements and is available in a machined finish or coated with Teflon. Information: American Racing Equipment, 310.635.7806,www.americanracing.com
Center Line
Center Line's I.C.E. wheel uses an internal beadlock that's DOT-compliant and also run-flat capable. The three-piece design uses front, rear, and inner beadlock sections. All parts are forged from 6061 aluminum. The wheel components are joined with 20 stainless steel bolts, and the inner centering element locks the tire bead into position so the tire can run at low pressure without slipping on the rim. Sizes are 17x8 and 17x9, available in several popular bolt patterns. Information: Center Line Wheels, 562.921.9637, www.centerlinewheels.com
Bart's Supertrucker steel wheels have been off-road enthusiast favorites for more than 30 years. They're built to be strong and durable and are available in wide 15- and 16.5-inch diameters with either 3 1/2 or 4 inches of backspacing. What's more, Bart now offers 32-bolt beadlock kits for the Supertrucker. Available finishes are high-gloss black or silver powdercoat as well as chrome. Information: Bart Wheels, 708.458.9141, www.bart-wheel.com
Champion Wheel's SCORE-legal C-3 Flush Mount Beadlocks are available in 15- , 16- , and 17-inch diameters. They're engineered for exceptional tire retention under low air pressure/high torque situations. For added safety, the mounting bolts sit flush with the ring's surface. Champion begins its Flush Mount Beadlocks with American Racing wheels, or customers can have their own aluminum wheels converted. Information: Champion Wheel Co., 951.471.2183, www.championwheel.com
Bassett's Inertia is a true steel beadlock wheel designed for hardcore off-road driving and rockcrawling. It's available in two styles: 8 D-hole and 5-Spoke (shown). Bassett puts a step in the inner beadlock ring to make tire-centering easier; each beadlock features 18 Grade 8 fasteners. Available fitments range from 15x8 to 15x14 in several five-lug patterns. Finish choices are silver or black powdercoat and duplex nickel hard chrome. Information: Bassett Racing Wheels, 888.888.7199, www.bassettwheel.com
Desert Rat
Desert Rat's newest aluminum wheel is the Raton. It's designed to combine strength (all sizes have at least a 3,000-pound load capacity), style, and affordability. Diameters are 16, 17, 18, 20, and 22 inches in popular 1/2- and 3/4-ton bolt patterns. Available finishes are Brite Machined, machined with black center (shown), and full chrome. Information: Desert Rat, 866.444.5337, www.desertrat.com
Diamond specializes in custom-made steel wheels. Available diameters range from 13 to 24.5 inches, and widths can be made anywhere from 4 to 48 inches. More than 40 bolt patterns are available, and centers can be solid or have custom vent-window shapes. Strength comes from 360-degree welding. Standard powdercoat finishes are silver, black, and white (additional colors are optional). Beadlocks are available for 15- , 16- , and 17-inch diameters. Information: Diamond Racing Wheels, 800.937.4407, www.diamondracingwheels.com
Hutchinson's Rock Monster line is one of the few DOT-certified beadlocks. Hutchinson uses an internal beadlock insert to form a lock on both the inner and outer tire beads. The two-piece wheel compresses the internal beadlock insert during assembly so air pressure isn't needed to hold the beads in place. Applications are available in 15- , 16- , and 17-inch diameters in popular bolt patterns. Information: Rock Monster Wheels, 609.394.1010, www.rockmonsterwheels.com
Dick Cepek
The new Dick Cepek Torque is a machined aluminum wheel designed for newer trucks and SUVs that require a higher offset, additional brake-caliper clearance, and the ability to use the factory TPMS. It's available in 16- to 22-inch sizes and features a machined outer lip, a flat black finish, a satin clearcoat, and a coordinating center cap. Information: Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, 800.222.9092, www.dickcepek.com
KMC's XD Series Enduro Beadlock is suitable for both competition and recreation. It's available from 15 to 17 inches; the 17-inch models are designed to accept inner liners. Enduro Beadlocks are made from counter-pressure cast A356-T6 aluminum with 6061-T6 aluminum beadlock rings. They come standard with 36 Grade 8 bolts and washers. Most custom applications can be built to order. Information: KMC Wheels, 800.864.4387, www.kmcwheels.com
DWT's AlumaLite Competition Beadlocks are engineered for Jeeps, sand buggies, and desert trucks. They're spun from 6061 aluminum and have 0.190-inch-thick, heat-treated billet centers to ensure uniform strength and durability. 15- and 17-inch diameters are available in a variety of widths and offsets. Information: DWT, 760.758.5560, www.douglaswheel.com
The V-drive is one of the latest truck and SUV wheels by MB Motoring. This one-piece aluminum wheel is available in 15- through 22-inch sizes in both black machined and chrome finishes for most applications. Information: Discount Tire Direct, 800.589.9643, www.discounttiredirect.com
Eaton makes heavy-duty two-piece steel wheels. The company still offers 16.5s, in 12- and 14-inch widths. Eaton's Extra Heavy-Duty Beadlocks (shown) use 32 bolts. They're handbuilt to the customer's backside specifications. Fitments are 15-inch diameters in popular five- , six- , and eight-lug patterns as well as in a 6x8 1/2-inch bolt pattern to fit most 21/2-ton axles. Finish is black powdercoat. Information: National Tire & Wheel, 800.847.3287, www.ntwonline.com
Mickey Thompson
The new SideBiter wheel from Mickey Thompson is engineered to be a heavy-duty performer. Manufactured using a low-pressure casting process, the SideBiter has impressive load-capacity specs. It comes with a limited lifetime guarantee and is available in 15-, 16-, and 17-inch diameters. Information: Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels, 800.222.9092, www.mickeythompsontires.com
High Impact
High Impact's heavy-gauge-steel beadlocks are designed for no-frills/no-nonsense rockcrawling. Features include a formed lock ring that's engineered to fit the tire bead contour, center the tire, and not leak, and it will balance. Each includes 32 Grade 8 lock ring bolts. High Impact also offers more-upscale aluminum beadlocks (including DOT-approved models) and chromed steel wheels. Information: High Impact, 888.898.4331, www.high-impact.net
OMF takes its popular Rock Crawling Domes to the next level with custom powdercoating and machining. Known as Rock Starz, they're available in a number of powdercoated colors to fit almost any theme. The Rock Starz are sold in sets of 12 (fits on every other bolt of a 24-bolt beadlock design), either powdercoated or in raw aluminum. The Rock Starz shown here are on an American Eagle 186 Series with an OMF scalloped beadlock. Information: OMF Performance Products, 951.354.8272, www.omfperformance.com
Stazworks makes internal double-beadlock wheels, a mechanical design that the company says is guaranteed not to lose a bead, even at zero psi. The package consists of made-to-order steel wheels with a choice of several insert designs. The beadlocks are available in all bolt patterns with any backspacing in popular diameters of any width. Information: Stazworks, 715.333.7467, www.stazworks.com
Pro Comp
The Series 7028 is one of Pro Comp's newest Xtreme Alloys. It features a Cast-Blast finish, a split five-spoke design, beadlock styling, and a lifetime structural warranty. Diameters are 16, 17, 18, and 20 inches; backspacings range from 4 1/2 to 5 1/4 inches. Information: Pro Competition Tire & Wheel Co., 866.232.0665, www.procomptires.com
Raceline's newest competition-proven beadlock is the RT-Monster. It's manufactured using counter-pressure casting and includes a thick inner rim lip to be strong and light, yet affordable. The one-piece RT-Monster uses 32 bolts and cast-in retainers; it will accept a racing inner liner. This wheel is available in 17x9.5 with 4-inch backspacing and 15x8 with 3 1/4-inch backspacing in most popular bolt patterns. Information: Raceline Wheels, 800.529.4335, www.racelinewheels.com
Summit Racing
Summit's Series 185 wheels feature cast, one-piece construction for durability and a polished or black "ultra" finish for good looks. Center caps are included, and load ratings vary by wheel size. Popular bolt patterns and backspacings are available. Information: Summit Racing Equipment, 800.230.3030, www.summitracing.com
Robby Gordon
Robby Gordon wheels are race-bred in Baja. The Signature Series includes a 17x8 "street" version with simulated beadlocks (shown). Bona fide Robby Gordon beadlocks come in 15- and 17-inch diameters. Information: Robby Gordon Off Road, 714.632.0166, www.robbygordonoffroad.com
Tire Rack
Tire Rack offers the Granite Alloy GA9, designed to be stylish yet affordable. This one-piece cast wheel has six spokes and a deep machined lip. Diameters are 15, 16, and 17 inches in many SUV and pickup fitments. Information: Tire Rack, 800.541.1777, www.tirerack.com
Spyderlock Beadlocks are designed for competitive rockcrawling/rock racing. They're cast from A356-T6 aluminum, and each wheel includes an integral inner bead reinforcement. The load rating is 3,200 pounds. Each Spyderlock includes 3/8-inch Grade 8 nickel-plated socket-head hardware as well as center caps, Allen wrenches, valve stems, and instructions. Available diameters are 15, 17, 18, and 20 inches; 3 1/2-inch backspacing is standard. Information: Spyderlock Wheels, 303.683.8009, www.spyderlockwheel.com
TrailReady, well known for its military and competition beadlocks, introduces the HD15. This 15x9 beadlock is built for off-road competition with heavy-duty pressure-cast aluminum construction. Multiple bolt patterns and backspacings from 3 to 4 inches are available. This "born beadlock" is cast with an extra-thick inside bead and uses 20 5/16-inch Grade 8 bolts. The ring is machined for countersunk bolts and features a knurled bead surface. Information: TrailReady Products, 425.353.6776, www.trailready.com
Staun offers the new TX-1 racing wheel. Manufactured to be super strong, these wheels are predrilled to accept Staun's internal beadlock. The TX-1 is available individually or packaged with the internal beadlock. Available 4x4 diameters are 15, 16, and 17 inches. Information: Staun Products, 949.645.7733, www.staunproducts.com
Walker Evans
Walker Evans' one-piece, pressure-cast aluminum wheels are available in 15x8, 17x8.5, and 20x8.5 sizes with built-to-order backspacings ranging from 3 3/4 to 6 inches. All five- , six- , and eight-lug patterns are available. The polished beadlock ring and Grade 8 hardware are included with the wheel and thread into steel inserts. The wheels have a standard machine/ shotpeen finish; polish and powdercoat are optional. Information: Walker Evans Racing, 888.933.7223, www.walkerevansracing.com


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Network's Washington Managing Editor Is Right-Wing Ideologue With History Of Deception
Bill Sammon, Fox News' vice president of News and Washington managing editor, is reportedly the "secret weapon" helping to develop the questions moderators will ask at the network's August 6 debate. Internal emails and critics within Fox have exposed Sammon's history of deception and his efforts to use his position at Fox to slant the network's news coverage to the right.
With their conspiratorial, knee-jerk claim that New York Times' lengthy investigation into the Benghazi terror attack of 2012 was really an elaborate effort to aid Hillary Clinton if she runs for president in three years -- to "clear the deck" as Chris Wallace put it -- right-wing journalists seem to have mistaken the newspaper of record for one of their own conservative "news" outlets. It's the right-wing media, not the Times, that has a record of peddling purposeful misinformation for purely political reasons.
David Kirkpatrick's Times series, "A Deadly Mix In Benghazi," undercut a number of favorite right-wing Benghazi talking points. Among them, the Times debunked claims that an anti-Islamic YouTube video played no role in motivating the terror attacks -- a central tenet of the Benghazi hoax that conservatives have deployed to attack President Obama, Hillary Clinton, Susan Rice, and others for engaging in a "cover-up" of the attack.
Since its publication, far-right commentators have have rushed to engage in lazy speculation about what motivated the Times to investigate Benghazi (aside from the fact that far-right voices have demanded for more than a year that news organizations like the New York Times investigate Benghazi).
But when the Times came to the 'wrong' conclusions and Fox News and friends needed to explain to their loyal customers why the year-long Benghazi tale they've been telling had been demolished by the Times, critics announced the story was all part of some vast, left-wing conspiracy.
The allegation is pure conjecture, though. Conservatives don't, and can't, cite any sources inside the Times who confirm the sprawling claim of a Clinton cover-up because there's zero evidence to bolster the allegation. Instead, the fact that the Times never mentioned Hillary Clinton in its Benghazi report simply confirms that the report was all about Hillary Clinton. And the fact that a Times editor pointedly denied the report was about Clinton simply confirms that the report was all about Clinton. (See how that convenient, closed loop works?)
Conservatives have become so used to the idea that their own outlets are, and should be, used to advance political agendas that they've convinced themselves that's how reputable news organizations go about gathering and disseminating information.
In this case, conservatives have convinced themselves, without being weighted down by facts or evidence, that senior editors at the Times assign long-term investigative pieces based on how the predetermined outcome of the reporting will benefit Democratic politicians, and specifically Democratic politicians who might run for president in 2016. It's journalism as political cover. Or, pretty much the opposite of how the trade is actually practiced.
The notion is pure fantasy, not to mention insulting, and reveals a complete lack of understanding of how journalism functions in a democratic society. The Fox and Republican assumption is that journalists act as unpaid advisers and advocates for politicians and that their work revolves around advancing a partisan agenda. Why do they think that?
Because that's how conservatives behave. And they're often quite open about it.
In a New York magazine post, Gabriel Sherman pointed out that while Fox News resisted calls to discuss gun policy in the wake of the shooting at Newtown, Connecticut, Rupert Murdoch, the head of Fox's parent company, News Corp., was expressing support for more restrictive gun laws. Sherman noted that the difference between Fox's pro-gun history and Murdoch's call for action on gun control "highlights the growing chasm between Rupert Murdoch and [Fox News CEO Roger] Ailes":
Certainly Fox's decision to avoid widespread policy talk could be seen as an editorial impulse to keep the focus trained on the tragedy's human dimension. But Fox's coverage also highlights the growing chasm between Rupert Murdoch and Ailes. Gun culture is alive and well at Fox News. Roger Ailes and Sean Hannity are reportedly licensed to carry concealed handguns in New York City. Fox personality Eric Bolling is a vocal Second Amendment proponent on air. "Not only do they carry guns, they don't allow an honest debate on TV," a Fox News insider said. In the past, when Ailes has clashed with Murdoch on politics, Fox News's outsize profits have helped Ailes prevail. Earlier this fall, Ailes signed a new four-year contract, and he retains complete editorial control over the network.
A Fox News spokesperson declined to comment on Ailes's Second Amendment views.
While Ailes's network said it wasn't the right time to talk about legislation, Murdoch had no hesitation. Within hours of the attack, he took to Twitter to call for an automatic-weapons ban. "Terrible news today. When will politicians find courage to ban automatic weapons? As in Oz after similar tragedy," he wrote, referring to Australia's move to ban assault weapons in 1996 after a man used two semiautomatic rifles to kill 35 people and wound 21. That massacre came six weeks after the horrific mass school shooting in Dunblane, Scotland, in which sixteen children and one adult were murdered. (Despite Murdoch's plea, automatic weapons are already illegal in the United States; Adam Lanza used semiautomatics.)
Sherman further reported that the lack of gun policy coverage on Fox stemmed from an order from David Clark, executive vice president of Fox's weekend coverage, who reportedly instructed producers to avoid the subject. According to Sherman's sources within Fox, the decision not to address gun policy "created a rift inside the network."
Fox has a history of top-down orders to affect how news is reported on the network. Fox News Washington managing editor Bill Sammon has attempted to slant Fox's coverage on everything from climate change to health care reform and influenced Fox's coverage of President Obama's 2009 Cairo speech on America's relationship to the Muslim world.
PBS' Frontline recently aired a documentary titled "Climate of Doubt," examining how conservative groups, frequently funded by the fossil fuel industry, have pushed Republicans to reject the scientific consensus on manmade global warming. Here, Media Matters looks back at how Fox News has contributed to that "Climate of Doubt," often teaming up with industry to misrepresent science and attack all efforts to address this threat.
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"This is the most humble day of my life."
That's how Rupert Murdoch began his July 20 testimony to Parliament about the phone hacking and bribery scandal that had already resulted in the resignations and arrests of key News Corp. officials.
Murdoch's son, James, was equally contrite. "I would like to say as well just how sorry I am and how sorry we are, to particularly the victims of illegal voicemail interceptions and to their families," he told the committee. "It is a matter of great regret to me, my father and everyone at News Corporation. These actions do not live up to the standards that our company aspires to everywhere around the world."
The story had begun spiraling out of Rupert Murdoch's control two weeks earlier, when the Guardian reported allegations that employees of Murdoch's London tabloid News of the World had hacked into the mobile phone voicemails of a British schoolgirl who had gone missing, and who was later found dead.
"I cannot think what was going through the minds of the people who did this. That they could hack into anyone's phone is disgraceful," lamented Prime Minister David Cameron as the scandal quickly engulfed the U.K., and spread throughout Murdoch's global media reach. "But to hack into the phone of Milly Dowler, a young girl missing from her parents, who was later found to be murdered, is truly despicable."
Allegations of phone hacking within Murdoch's newspapers had been simmering for years in the U.K., and News Corp. had been forced to make public apologies for the systematic invasions of privacy, often sponsored by News of the World and targeting celebrities, athletes and members of the royal family.
And while parts of the Dowler story have since been called into question, News Corp. agreed to pay her family 2 million pounds, and Murdoch himself delivered an apology in person. Moreover, the story set off a cascade of damning revelations that have continued to this day.
Evidence quickly tumbled out indicating the hacking been widespread, and that multiple, high-ranking executives had known about the intrusions. That meant previous explanations to Parliament, when Murdoch managers claimed the crimes had been limited, had been misleading at best. At worst, Murdoch chiefs lied to lawmakers in an effort to cover-up massive wrongdoing.
For years, Media Matters has documented the stream of purposeful misinformation that flows from Murdoch's American properties, most notably Fox News, where the misinformation has taken an epic turn for the worse under President Obama. Yet the corporate spectacle on display this year is even more troubling. This has been Murdoch overseeing a corrupt enterprise and one whose transgressions extend well beyond tapping into phone messages.
And for that dubious distinction, as well as for starring in a media unraveling that has attracted multiple police and government investigations on several continents, Rupert Murdoch and his international media behemoth are the recipients of this year's Misinformer of the Year award.
Frequent Fox News guest and "word doctor" Frank Luntz has reportedly advised the Republican Governors Association on how to discuss taxes and the Occupy protests, using phrases like "government taking from the rich" and urging protesters to "occupy the White House." This language is nothing new to Luntz's regular Fox hosts, who adopted the Luntz-approved language weeks ago.
A new study confirms that Fox News systematically paints a distorted picture of climate change, with the effect of worsening political polarization. Published by The International Journal Of Press/Politics, the study examined primetime cable news broadcasts from 2007 and 2008, and found that Fox "discussed climate change most often," but "the tone of its coverage was disproportionately dismissive":
According to the study, "Fox broadcasts were more likely to include statements that challenged the scientific agreement on climate change, undermined the reality of climate change, and questioned its human causes."
Since 2008, Fox's climate coverage has only worsened.
In a Newsweek article titled "Roger's Reality Show," Howard Kurtz wrote that Fox executives acknowledge that the news channel "took a hard right turn." This admission confirms what has long been clear: that Fox's news division has been slanted.
Last year, Media Matters began a series of reports on Fox News vice president and Washington managing editor Bill Sammon who, according to one source with knowledge of the situation, has pressured his news staff to "slant news to the right."
In addition to speaking with sources, Media Matters released several internal Fox emails showing Sammon slanting his bureau's reporting by pressing journalists to adopt Republican talking points and misinformation. We also uncovered an audio recording of Sammon admitting that he lied during the closing days of the 2008 presidential campaign when he speculated on-air "about whether Barack Obama really advocated socialism."
In the wake of the revelations, Sammon drew criticism from journalists, including several veteran Washington bureau chiefs who said that Sammon acted unethically, and his actions were problematic for someone with a newsroom leadership role.
Perhaps in response to the controversies over his management, Sammon -- who was a regular fixture on Fox programming -- appears to have stopped making TV appearances in 2011. (A search of Media Matters' internal archives and available transcripts in the Nexis and TVEyes.com databases for search terms " 'Sammon' OR 'Bill Salmon' OR 'Bill Samon'" returned no relevant results from 2011.)
Despite the mountains of evidence about Sammon's partiality and lack of journalism ethics, Fox News apparently still values Sammon. In his recent article about Fox News, Howard Kurtz notes that Sammon was involved with the network's preparation for the recent Fox News/YouTube GOP debate. Sammon also appears to have been involved with Fox News' previous debates.
If Fox News chief Roger Ailes really wants to reposition Fox News to the "fair and balanced" middle, keeping Bill Sammon as his DC managing editor isn't the right course of action.
While participating in a panel discussion about new emails purportedly showing "White House Bias" against Fox News, Washington Post editorial writer Charles Lane commented that he'd "like to see the internal emails here at Fox about the Obama administration" as a contrast. Lane is in luck. Internal emails obtained by Media Matters have shown attempts by Fox News executive Bill Sammon to slant news coverage against President Obama and his policies.
Of all the things that Glenn Beck's awkward transition off Fox News says about the so-called news organization, it certainly says nothing about Fox developing a sudden intolerance for dishonesty.
Despite a long and disreputable history of deception, Beck laughably and repeatedly claimed that he "could not stay on the air" at Fox if he were to "just make things up."
All along, there was never any indication that Fox News actually held Beck accountable for the litany of falsehoods and deceptive editing he used to smear progressives. And all the evidence at hand makes perfectly clear that Beck's departure is in no way a result of Fox News suddenly opting to hold him accountable for that routine dishonesty.
After all, the Fox stable has no shortage of commenters who still get paid despite a proclivity for mendacity.
On Fox News Sunday, Chris Wallace criticized a University of Maryland study which indicated that Fox News viewers are more misinformed than the consumers of other news media. Wallace said the study labeled those who "questioned whether climate change is occurring" as misinformed, and suggested that doing so would be improper.
The study actually asked, "Do you think that MOST SCIENTISTS believe that" 1) Climate change is occurring, 2) Views are evenly divided or 3) Climate change is not occurring. Noting that the correct answer is that most scientists believe that climate change is occurring, the study found that of those who said they watched Fox News "almost every day," 60 percent got it wrong -- significantly higher than the consumers of other news sources.
A Stanford University study similarly found that "more exposure to Fox News was associated with more rejection of many mainstream scientists' claims about global warming, [and] with less trust in scientists."
It is a fact that climate change is occurring, and anthropogenic global warming is so well-supported in peer-reviewed research that, as the Maryland study notes, the United States' National Academy of Sciences and "97% of self-identifying actively publishing climate scientists agree" that it is occurring.
When Fox News Sunday edited out Jon Stewart's criticism of Bill Sammon, it wasn't the only Sammon-related disappearing act this year. The Fox News vice president and Washington managing editor has been completely absent from Fox's airwaves this year, according to a Media Matters search.* During the same time period in 2010 (through June 21), by contrast, Sammon made over a dozen guest appearances on Fox News and Fox Business.
Sammon hasn't been on either network since November 2, 2010. Sammon's absence coincidences with criticism of him for slanting the reporting of Fox's DC bureau.
Last October, Media Matters reported that a source with knowledge of the situation said Sammon exerts "pressure" on his news staff to "slant news to the right." Media Matters later released several internal Fox emails showing Sammon slanting his bureau's reporting, and an audio recording of him admitting that he lied during the closing days of the 2008 presidential campaign when he speculated on-air "about whether Barack Obama really advocated socialism."

subset: commoncrawl


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The highly anticipated family comedy The Smurfs 2 is now a video game! The evil wizard Gargamel has created the Naughties, who kidnap Smurfette from Smurfs Village and imprison her in Paris. It's now up to the Smurfs to travel from the Enchanted Forest, through the busy streets of New York, into Paris, and everywhere in between to save the day and bring Smurfette home safe!


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by Sue Ann Rybak
Music lovers flocked to Hideaway Music, 8612 Germantown Ave., to – in the words of Bob Seger – "take those old records (and new records) off the shelf" to celebrate Record Store Day on Saturday, April 21.
Chris Brown, of Bull Moose, a chain of record stores in Maine and New Hampshire, dreamed up the idea for Record Store Day in 2007 as a "celebration of the unique culture surrounding over 700 independently owned record stores in the U.S.A. and hundreds more around the world."
Metallica officially kicked off Record Store Day at Rasputin Music in San Francisco on April 19, 2008, and Record Store Day is now celebrated on the third Saturday of April.
Hideaway Music owner Brian Reisman said more than 250 artists were releasing a limited amount of songs on vinyl to promote Record Store Day.
Some of this year's participating artists included The Black Keys, David Bowie, Blood for Blood, Mastodon, Feist, The Civil Wars, Paul McCartney, James Brown, Foster The People, The Clash, Amanda Palmer, The Flaming Lips, the Pretty in Pink soundtrack (pink vinyl), Wilco, Phish, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Ryan Adams, The Grateful Dead, Ozzy, Buck Owens, Floggin Molly, PiL, Memphis May Fire, the MC5, Sigur Ros, T. Rex, Common, King Crimson, Kimbra, Richard Buckner, Captain Beefheart, Coldplay, The Cult, Dave Brubeck, J. Mascis, Jimmy Fallon, Genesis, Bruno Mars, Neon Trees, Shuggie Otis and Katy Perry to name a few.
As part of the celebration, Hideaway Records hosted two live performances.
Joe Ryan and Darren Glynn from the band The Lux were there to help promote the event. The Lux is a Philly-based rock band that combines classic sounds of 60s pop and hardedge indy rock. The band played several songs from its CD "Usual Habit," including "Old is New." Ryan said without support from local independent record stores local musicians would not have an outlet.
Scott Sax, who has opened for The WHO and toured with Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, also performed songs from his band Wanderlust's album "The Prize."
"I am here because I believe in real music and a real store with real people," said Sax, who recently co-wrote a Grammy award-winning song for Faith Hill and Tim McGraw. "Independent record store owners understand what you're looking for, what you're living for – they [Amazon and eBay] don't have that.
"The record store is my last vice," Sax added. "I read somewhere that playing an instrument is never a waste of time, and I think that listening to music is never a waste of time either. I don't regret ever listening to music, and I think it's a special place."
Scott Thettar, of Chestnut Hill, who came to see Scott Sax perform, agreed.
"It's just great that we have one here," Thettar said. "I read in the paper that there are only 800 independent record stores in the whole country, and we have like five in Philadelphia and one in Chestnut Hill, so I have to frequent it. It makes me feel like when I was a kid and I would go to Mad Records in Ardmore. I would spend the day there just going through stuff. It's a throwback for me. Thank God it's here."
Thanks to promotions like Record Store Day, vinyl album sales grew 39 percent last year, with about 3.9 million albums being sold, according to Nielsen Soundscan. And it's not just the older generation buying vinyl records. It's a new generation of young hipsters.
Fourteen-year-old Jake Segelbaum was one of them.
"I just started collecting records," Segelbaum said. "My Dad has been collecting for a long time."
"It is neat to see young people buying records," Beth Strawbridge said. "We come from the generation where you had your albums and you brought them everywhere with you. I think it's really cool to see people going back to that a little bit."
For many young people in this digital age, collecting vinyl records is like preserving a piece of history.
"It's more like an art piece for me," Emery Schoenberg, of Horsham, said. "I don't plan on playing them."
Let's hope that independent record stores won't become a lost treasure.
Joe Dougherty, who grew up listening to records at local record stores, brought his daughter Devon to see Sax perform and "experience" the joy of buying music versus downloading a song from iTunes.
"It was a big surprise that I took her here," Dougherty said. "We had an opportunity to see Scott Sax at a house concert a few weeks back. We have been playing his CDs nonstop, and we don't get tired of them. I wanted to take them to a place where they could experience something that I loved as a kid that they may not get an opportunity to do unless we keep the music alive."


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City of Lincoln
Mayor's Office
2009 Media Releases
Chris Beutler announced today that he is signing an executive order directing City employees to fly from the Lincoln Airport on business trips unless the fare differential is $100 or more by using an alternate airport. The Mayor make the announcement in conjunction with the beginning of Delta service from the local airport to hubs in Atlanta and Salt Lake City.
"The more we use the Lincoln airport, the more choices we will get," Beutler said. "I believe Lincoln City government should set an example in this area. I would encourage our private sector businesses to consider adopting a similar policy as well."
Because of tight budgets, City employees are allowed to take business trips only if they are judged essential or if expenses are covered by non-City funds. The Mayor said flying from Lincoln often is the best value when you consider the travel time, mileage and parking issues associated with using another airport.
"Flying from our own airport whenever possible is an investment in our community," Beutler said. "Having strong air service to and from a community is important to attracting and retaining businesses and for tourism."
The executive order also allows City employees to fly from alternate airports if flying from Lincoln creates scheduling issues that result in additional lodging expenses or significant lost time.


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Home Is Where the Heat Is
When you're all comfy and warm, watching the snowflakes pile up against the frozen windowpane, you might wonder, what about the poor animals? Stuck outside in the cold. No fire. No cocoa. No blankets. How do they stand it?
Well, it's really people who aren't designed to live in cold climates. Animals have lots of cool ways to survive the winter. Think about it. Geese have built-in down comforters. Bears have fur coats. Robins just fly south. But look at people. No fur. No feathers. No fair! And not everyone can jet off to Florida when it snows.
So what do people have to help them beat the cold? Mainly, our big brains. Still, it's taken us a long time to figure out how to cope with cold weather, and along the way we've borrowed a few tricks from the animals, too.
When you put on a jacket or snuggle under the covers, you feel warm. Why? Because your coat or the blanket act as insulation, trapping the heat your body produces. Your body uses the food you eat as fuel to stay warm. If you run or jump around, you feel even warmer. Active muscles burn more fuel and produce more heat. That's why you shiver when you're cold. By shivering, your body is doing its best to get your muscles moving and warm you up. Birds, chipmunks, and even bees shiver to keep warm.
The most imporant part of your body to keep warm is your head. Even in the coldest weather, your brain needs lots of warm blood. That's one reason why your feet and hands get cold—your body is sending heat to your brain. If you put on a hat, you will find that your feet and hands get warmer.
A bird's feathers are great insulation against the cold. Outer, or contour, feathers block the cold wind. Nearer the skin, soft down feathers trap a layer of warm air that keeps the bird (or you, if you have a down coat) nice and toasty. As temperatures drop, the down feathers fluff up to trap more heat. Fur works the same way. A bear's winter coat of coarse hair and its thick undercoat are ideal for trapping air and heat next to the skin.
Many animals also need to stay dry to stay warm. Think of how good it feels to get wet on a hot day. That's because water carries heat away from your skin as it evaporates, making you feel cooler. But on a winter day, you don't want to lose any heat. When an animal gets wet, its fur slicks back close to its body. The fur's not fluffy anymore. It can no longer trap a layer of warm air. Think of your down coat. If it gets wet, it can't puff up with warm air to keep you comfortable.
Some animals, such as sheep and ducks, have oil on their fur or feathers to help keep cold water away from their skin. What about polar bears, seals, and whales that swim in icy waters? Lots of blubber is the answer. A bowhead whale can have a layer of blubber up to 20 inches thick. Under their thick fur, polar bears have a four-inch layer of fat to keep the cold out.
A polar bear has another secret. Its hairs are really transparent, not white. They're hollow tubes that let warm sunlight reach the polar bear's skin. Air trapped inside the tubes warms up, too, and provides good insulation. What color is the polar bear's skin? Black. (Really!) Dark colors absorb heat better than light colors (try touching a black car and a white car that have both been sitting in the sun). The polar bear's fur looks white because of the way light reflects off its clear hairs.
Getting through the winter is hard for everyone. Not only is it cold, but food is scarce. It's easy to go hungry. Staying warm is especially hard for small animals, since they don't have as much fat as larger animals. Many smaller animals have to keep very active to stay warm. And to keep active, they need a lot of food. If they don't eat, they will run out of fuel and heat, and they will die.
Some animals prepare ahead of time. Squirrels busily bury acorns in the fall (they eat about 40 pounds of acorns during the winter). Other animals don't store food. The tiny kinglet, a bird less than two inches tall, needs lots of energy to keep its body warm. It eats almost constantly to stay alive.
Bears, chipmunks, and groundhogs stuff themselves with so much food in the summer and fall that they can take winter off—they hibernate. Groundhogs eat and eat until they get so fat they can barely walk. The fat helps to keep them warm and provides energy during the long winter. While hibernating in its burrow, a groundhog seems almost dead. It hardly breathes—taking a breath just once every five minutes. Its body temperature drops to just above freezing and its heart beats only four times a minute—compared to 80 times a minute when it's awake. This way, it needs very little energy to stay alive and comfortable until it emerges from its burrow in spring.
A grizzly bear digs a deep den and lines it with moss, grass, and soft branches when it's time to hibernate. Its body temperature barely drops, and its heartbeat and breath rate stay about normal. But for months, the bear doesn't eat or drink—or go to the bathroom. Grizzly bears do give birth while they're hibernating. The tiny babies—usually two—stay safe and warm in the den.
Beaver lodges seem to use the igloo principle—a house in the snow will keep you warm.
A few animals really chill out in winter—they freeze! Most animals would die if they froze. Sharp crystals of ice in the blood would cut and destroy their living cells. But woodfrogs make a kind of chemical—like antifreeze in a car—that protects their cells. In the spring, they thaw out, ready to hop again.
Finding shelter in winter can be easier than finding food. Many animals dig burrows in the snow, which is an excellent insulator. The frozen crystals act like a blanket to keep fierce winds out and body heat in.
If you could look under the snow in the northern forests, you would find a world of activity. A ruffed grouse makes snow her home when temperatures drop at night or during a storm. Mice and other small animals live all winter under the snow, searching for insects and other food. (But foxes and owls have good ears to hear them, and can crash in on their snowy tunnels.)
People, of course, sometimes make homes out of snow, too. What's it like inside an igloo? Warm enough that the walls need to be lined with animal skins so that they don't melt. The heat comes from human bodies, and usually there is a small fire pit with a vent in the ceiling to let the smoke and stale air out. To keep out the wind, a tunnel leads to an underground entrance. The tunnel dips to act as a trap for cold air, which is heavier than warm air and acts as a block to keep the warm air up in the igloo. Inhabitants might sleep on a raised bed—higher means warmer.
People build the most elaborate shelters of all animals, but until recently, our houses did quite a poor job of keeping us warm. Before there were windows with glass, people could only close the shutters to block out the worst of the cold air. When the winter winds roared, it was both cold and dark inside. All of the heat came from a fireplace, but any spot that wasn't right near the fire was chilly. Throughout most of human history, you could expect to wake up seeing your breath on a cold morning. Even worse, no one had indoor plumbing, so to use the outhouse, you had to get your boots and your coat and go outside. Brrr!
Castles, made of stone, were colder than igloos, unless you were standing right by the fire. Tapestries were hung on the wall for warmth—but kings and queens didn't wear all those royal robes just for looks.
An igloo is usually temporary housing for a hunting expedition. Two skilled people can build an igloo in about an hour.
The igloo's entrance curves down, providing a space for heavier cold air to collect and allowing warm air to rise into the igloo.
To learn more about how animals survive the cold, read:
- Do Not Disturb by Margery Facklam
- The Seven Sleepers by Phyllis S. Busch
- What kinds of needs does this article mention?
Describe the needs in a sentence or two.
- In what ways do the living things mentioned in this article interact with the nonliving things in their environment?
Explain your answer in a sentence or two.
- How have human shelters in cold climates changed over past 100 years or so?


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ANI Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ANIP) Drops 5.41% on February 05Equities Staff Follow |
ANI Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ANIP) was one of the Russell 2000's biggest losers for Friday February 05 as the stock slid 5.41% to $30.45, a loss of $-1.74 per share. Starting at an opening price of $31.99 a share, the stock traded between $30.18 and $32.17 over the course of the trading day. Volume was 125,133 shares over 1,054 trades, against an average daily volume of 327,258 shares and a total float of 11.5 million.
The losses send ANI Pharmaceuticals Inc. down to a market cap of $350.18 million. In the last year, ANI Pharmaceuticals Inc. has traded between $73.54 and $30.03, and its 50-day SMA is currently $40.58 and 200-day SMA is $50.16.
The stock has a P/E Ratio of 11.7.
ANI Pharmaceuticals Inc is a specialty pharmaceutical company. The Company, together with its subsidiary develops, manufactures and markets branded and generic prescription pharmaceuticals products.
ANI Pharmaceuticals Inc. is based out of Baudette, MN and has some 92 employees. Its CEO is Arthur S. Przybyl.
For a complete fundamental analysis analysis of ANI Pharmaceuticals Inc., check out Equities.com's Stock Valuation Analysis report for ANIP. To see the latest independent stock recommendations from Equities.com's analysts, visit our Research section.
The Russell 2000 is one of the leading indices tracking small-cap companies in the United States. It's maintained by Russell Investments, an industry leader in creating and maintaining indices, and consists of the smallest 2000 stocks from the broader Russell 3000 index.
Russell's indices differ from traditional indices like the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) or S&P 500, whose members are selected by committee, because they base membership entirely on an objective, rules based methodology. The 3,000 largest companies by market cap make up the Russell 3000, with the 2,000 smaller companies making up the Russell 2000. It's a simple approach that gives a broad, unbiased look at the small-cap market as a whole.
For more news on the financial markets, go to Equities.com. Also, learn more about our independent proprietary equity research reports and our robust do-it-yourself Stock Valuation Analysis reports in our Research section.
All data provided by QuoteMedia and was accurate as of 4:30PM ET.
DISCLOSURE: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors, and do not represent the views of equities.com. Readers should not consider statements made by the author as formal recommendations and should consult their financial advisor before making any investment decisions. To read our full disclosure, please go to: http://www.equities.com/disclaimer


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The drifting world is absolutely dominated by S-chassis Nissans and BMW E30s. Finnish drifter Teemu Peltola stands out with something a little different: a diesel-powered Mercedes station wagon. Here's a look back on his latest year in drifting.
If you're not familiar with Black Smoke Racing's drift wagon, it started life as a 1981 300D, and then got the diesel Merc hot rod treatment that Finland
is should be famous for.
When Jalopnik last spoke to Teemu, his W123 Mercedes was putting out something between 414 and 450 horsepower. We don't know exactly how much power Black Smoke Racing has now, but judging by Teemu's drift angles, it's definitely enough.
All we can say is that the Black Smoke Racing drift wagon is the coolest feature of Finland's car culture since Heikki Kovalainen started ice fishing with his bare hands.


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|La Jolla, Calif.
|High School:
|La Jolla High School
Collegiate Bests
800m 2:11.86
1000m 2:50.00
1500m 4:26.6
Mile 4:45.04
3000m 9:41.14
5k (xc) 19:38
High School Bests
800m 2:12.34
Mile 4:59.14
3200m 10:59.80
2010-2011: USTFCCCA All-Academic ... In indoor track, first at indoor ECAC Championships in the mile... Top-10 school times in the mile and the 1000m...Personal best of 4:45.04 in the mile at HYP...Third at indoor Heps in the mile.
2009-2010: Consistently a member of the Bulldogs' top seven...First team finisher at Lock Haven Meet...Fourth team finisher at Heps...Third team finisher at NCAA Regionals... 12th at outdoors Heps in the 800m with a season best of 2:13.38.
High School: School record-holder in 1600m and 3200m…Cross country captain senior year…Two-time California state meet qualifier in track…San Diego Hall of Champions Female Student-Athlete of the Year…Union-Tribune All-Academic First Team for cross country, soccer, track…Earned 12 varsity letters…Captain of varsity soccer team junior and senior year…Offensive MVP for three years…Team won CIF Division III Championship…SoCal Regionals Runner-up.
Personal: Pierson College … Brother Murat Kayali '09 ran cross country and track for Bulldogs.


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Red Holloway, a tenor and alto saxophonist who was one of Los Angeles' most highly regarded jazz artists for more than four decades, died Saturday in San Luis Obispo. He was 84.
The cause was kidney failure, complicated by several strokes, according to family spokeswoman Linda Knipe.
Red Holloway: The obituary of jazz saxophonist Red Holloway in the Feb. 27 LATExtra section said that he died in San Luis Obispo. He died at a nursing home in Morro Bay. It also misidentified the Parisian Room music venue in Los Angeles as the Persian Room. Additionally, the obituary said that Holloway ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Cambria, his home since the...


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srinivasan [at] pediatrics.wisc.edu (Sush Srinivasan, MD)
Course Director
Assistant Professor
Pediatric Critical Care
The Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine at the University of Wisconsin is pleased to offer a two-day provider course in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS ) at the state-of-the-art Clinical Simulation Program inside UW Hospital.
Pictures and Participant Feedback
from Previous Courses
The course provides advanced practical skills in the evaluation and treatment of acute illness and injury in the pediatric patient during the first critical hour. This is an intense two-day course comprising lectures and practical skill sessions. The skill sessions and laboratory include performance of simulated pediatric resuscitations.
This course is intended for practicing physicians, registered nurses, physician assistants, and paramedics - specifically those who care for ill children in an emergency department, an inpatient hospital setting, and a prehospital setting.
Course faculty include members of the Divisions of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Pediatric Cardiology, and Emergency Medicine and the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.
Unique Features Include:
High-fidelity simulation in our new Clinical Simulation Program
Use interactive simulators that breath and have pulses to enhance the realism of practice pediatric resuscitation scenarios.


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An excellent company culture, innovative products and above-average company growth are the main reasons for the manifold awards and prizes that PM-International and its Founder and CEO Rolf Sorg have received.
Eleven times in succession, we have been elected among the "TOP 100" by the Economic University in Vienna (Austria) as one of the 100 most innovative medium-sized German companies*. We also achieved success in the "top 100 ranks of medium-sized companies in 2011" organized by the large German daily newspaper, "Die Welt". Other awards included from leading European economics newspapers and specialist magazines, are for innovative products, great reliability and exemplary achievements in direct marketing must also be mentioned.
In 2005 Founder and CEO Rolf Sorg was asked to join the European Economic Senate. He is a member of the board of "Deutsche Sporthilfe" (German Sport Aid). For his entrepreneurial top achievements Rolf Sorg was a finalist in the prestigious competition held by the renowned consultancy firm Ernst & Young as "Entrepreneur of the Year" five times between 2005 and 2012. In addition to the honor of being a finalist, in 2009 he was nominated for the first-time as an "Entrepreneur of the Year".
* Ascertained among the companies taking part in the competition


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Your cart is empty
Rambler is for the guy who wants his boots to look as worn as his jeans
but appreciates Ariat durability and comfort. With a broad square-toed
profile and scoured Duratread sole, Rambler has a youthful appeal drawn
from the mythos of the Old West. Made for riding and guaranteed to make
a statement.


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Simple "kitchen essentials"... and no, I'm not talking about appliances. Recipes. I live by these basic, essential recipes. Finding an incredible "base" recipe leads to endless, delicious variations! Some of my favorites are: taco seasonings, chicken pot pie sauce, alfredo sauce, enchilada sauce, pasta sauce, and now - this stir fry sauce. Love it.
Yields approximately 2 cups of sauce - Serves 4 to 6
Printable recipe


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Winky's Spot Starring Jada Kiss & More [Winky Wright's Online TV Series Trailer]
Winky's Wright's new web-series entitled Winky's Spot. It's the 1st online Hip-Hop Series starring Winky Wright, Jada Kiss, Jamie Hector from The Wire & introducing Video-Vixen "Summer Walker". Courtesy of www.winkysspot.com
Please click the "Report" button below if the video on this page is not working properly.
Comments will only be displayed by verified emails. No Spamming or Racism.


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Please pray for family and grandma
Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2013 11:03 am
My Grandma died in Texas. Her children are across the us and her grandson (me) is stationed in korea. I cannot go pay my respects. I went to a temple in waegwan. I have gone many times. But never saw a monk there.This time I went still no monk and I want to pay last rites. I do not know the language here. I barely know the philosophy but I try to understand. I want to do it right. please pray for us all


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The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is where the USDA buys the food, including processing and packaging, and ships it to individual areas.
Hard times across the region have left many struggling to feed their homes. For those needing help with food programs, Food Commodities may be the answer.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is where the USDA buys the food, including processing and packaging, and ships it to individual areas. Pine Bluff Jefferson County Economic Opportunities Commission (PBJCEOC) will administer Commodities while supplies last on December 12, 2012 in Stuttgart and Dewitt.
Applicants for food commodities assistance must meet income eligibility.
Income eligibility may be determined by meeting one of the following criteria; the household participation in the food stamp program, household meeting financial eligibility criteria requirements which compares the household size and income to the state income guidelines of 130 percent poverty level. For a household of one, monthly countable income limit is $1,179. For each additional person in the household, add $414. Countable income includes check stubs, child support, unemployment, housing utility assistance, SSI, SSA, TEA, VAS and retirement benefits. To apply for assistance, the household should bring picture ID of person requesting food, social security numbers and date of birth for all household members. If picking up for someone else bring a note from that person with social security number and name of the person picking it up. Clients must have a working knowledge of household resources. Additional information may be required during the interview process. Failure to provide verification requested may result in delay or denial of assistance.
The Pine Bluff Jefferson County Economic Opportunities Commission — Arkansas County will issue USDA Commodities on the following dates at the following locations:
• Dec. 12 — #1 Ron Fowler Road, Dewitt;
409 E. Michigan St., Stuttgart
For questions, call PBJCEOC's toll free number at (800) 277-1313 or visit their website at pbjceoc.org.


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A photograph could be taken on the day Saturday, June 27, 2009. According to the source of a rabid Jackson fan site, and michaeljacksonhoaxdeath.com michaeljacksonsightings.com, Jacko the death of this plot was created 10 years ago and should be immediately implemented. In these sites, it is mentioned that Michael Jackson could not afford the debt, legal charges, contract crowded, and so on. For this reason, from the same source, mentioned that a person who becomes Michael Jackson should be made 'dead' to liberate the artist Michael Jackson actually to live in 'freedom'.
According michaeljacksonsightings.com site, the site dedicated to bringing the truth and a forum for him to communicate with fans. It added, that the person who died had been ill for a long time, and then operated on her to be like Michael Jackson, even fingerprints are also suitable.
While in michaeljacksonhoaxdeath.com site, mentioned that there were irregularities on the death of Jackson. Like the 911 emergency call made from Jacko Mansion at 12.21pm, half an hour after Dr. Conrad Murray Jackson found the body of an unconscious and then the doctor gave CPR or artificial breathing. Jacko's body arrived at UCLA Medical Center at 1:14 am local time and then the team of doctors and kardiologis check for 1 hour, until they gave up and announced his death at 2.26pm. Jacko's body was taken to the helicopter and will be moved to the LA County Morgue in 35 to 45 minutes. So what and who is in any helicopter, the site is still asking what really happened to Jacko.


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The Java DB JDBC driver is included with the Enterprise Server by default, except for the Solaris bundled installation, which does not include Java DB. Therefore, unless you have the Solaris bundled installation, you do not need to integrate this JDBC driver with the Enterprise Server.
The JAR file for the Java DB driver is derbyclient.jar.
Configure the connection pool using the following settings:
Name: Use this name when you configure the JDBC resource later.
Resource Type: Specify the appropriate value.
Database Vendor: Java DB
DataSource Classname: Specify one of the following:
org.apache.derby.jdbc.ClientDataSource org.apache.derby.jdbc.ClientXADataSource
user - Specify the database user.
This is only necessary if Java DB is configured to use authentication. Java DB does not use authentication by default. When the user is provided, it is the name of the schema where the tables reside.
password - Specify the database password.
This is only necessary if Java DB is configured to use authentication.
databaseName - Specify the name of the database.
serverName - Specify the host name or IP address of the database server.
portNumber - Specify the port number of the database server if it is different from the default.
URL: jdbc:javadb://serverName:portNumber/databaseName;create=true
Include the ;create=true part only if you want the database to be created if it does not exist.


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A stray doggie wanted a bit of attention, isn't he cute?
And who said I can't wear crazy colors in winter? The trends? It's of course cool to adopt them, if you are harmonized with that trend, otherwise people will feel that it is not YOU behind certain clothes and textures, but that is the thing: some do not consider that and adopt every single trend that is given by style.com or elle.com or Vogue, so they can be fashionable, but recently there are too many to choose from so to me it's a bit confusing..it seems like everything is in fashion these days!
When I saw last season's main trend -color block- I thought yes, finally fashion resonates with me, and then every blogger and fashionista was wearing vivid colors, because someone told them it's ok to do that, and then I felt like almost disappearing in the mass, so at some point I ended up hating that trend. And of course once you wear a certain piece now, the next year you should bury it in your closet and forget about it for let's say..5 years.
So I want you to tell me now, if you see me in colors in winter, does it mean that I am not fashionable anymore?
Wearing: thrifted sweater, self made skirt, Botinelli shoes, Mondex tights, New Look bag, vintage belt, random brand coat.


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NOAA and NASA are just under a month away from launching the U.S.'s second latest-generation weather satellite -- and this one's for us West Coasties. The first one, GOES-R (Now GOES-16) was launched in 2016 and now sits operational over the East Coast.
The new GOES-S Satellite launches on March 1 and will eventually be centered at 137 degrees West over the West Coast, giving weather forecasters a vastly more detailed view of the our region's weather, allowing for much better forecasts.
"With the use of our Japanese partners' advanced Himawari satellite, we're able to cover about half the planet with the most sophisticated weather satellites ever flown in space," says Ajay Mehta, acting deputy assistant administrator for systems, NOAA's National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service (NESDIS). "The GOES 16 series is a quantum leap above any of its predecessors."
To give an example, the current satellite covering the West Coast has 5 imagers; the new one has 16. And the cameras have a four-fold increase in resolution, meaning details that are too small to be picked up by current weather satellites are now visible with GOES-S. Visible items can now be seen as small as 500 meters across.
Plus, the imagery comes in much faster now -- a visible photo can be generated every 30 seconds as opposed to several minutes. And photos of the entire Western Hemisphere can be completed in 5-15 minutes as opposed to the current time of three hours.
"The new satellite will augment observations over the Pacific Ocean and over the mountain ranges where radar coverage is limited or blocked," said Tim Walsh, acting director of NOAA's GOES-R program. "Marine forecasts will improve... as we see features in the atmosphere and ocean that previous satellites would not allow. Combining these images with rapid updates every 30 seconds will help us predict storm systems more rapidly and in real time. "
Joe Pica, director of the National Weather Service Office of Observations, says Hurricane Harvey was a great example of GOES-16's new capabilities. Some 200 people were in a vulnerable spot during the first part of the storm, and the high resolution satellite images gave forecasters in Corpus Christi critical information in tracking the storm's eye. That allowed emergency managers precise timing when they could venture out in the calmer part of the storm to evacuate those 200 people to safety before the second half of the storm's wrath arrived.
During wildfire season, the new satellite will be able to provide forecasters real time fire intensity data to give to fire managers. They found this past summer the GOES 16 satellite was spotting wildfires before a 911 call came in.
"This time saving can be life saving," Pica said.
For the aviation industry, the satellite can also better spot fog, ice, and lightning. "This will help with aircraft flight path planning, and routing of flights to avoid hazardous aircraft conditions as well as reducing disruptions to aircraft operations," Pica said.
Walsh says the satellite will also improve emergency response times to help those in trouble, becoming a crucial part of satellite-based search and rescue networks.
"They'll help save lives by detecting distress signals on orbit from emergency beacons on the Earth," he said.
But perhaps the most exciting new feature of the satellite is the Global Lightning Mapper -- the first operational lightning mappers flown in geostationary orbit. It can sense lightning strikes with extreme precision -- key to getting the jump on developing storms.
"GLM is giving us an accurate picture of total lightning activity - not just cloud-to-ground, but cloud-to-cloud, continuously both day and night across the entire Western Hemisphere," Walsh said. "Intensifying weather systems usually show an increase in lightning, particularly cloud-to-cloud."
You might remember the GOES-16 satellite was powerful enough to capture much of the 2,500 lightning strikes that hit the Pacific Northwest during a severe weather outbreak in early May:
More data for forecast models too...
Dr. Steve Goodman, who recently retired as program scientist for NOAA's GOES Program, told me for a blog last summer on the GOES-R launch that the most critical data needed for forecast models are what he calls "atmospheric motion vectors" -- essentially getting an accurate reading on current cloud and storm developments, how they're developing and where they're going. With the new satellite, they can take three images 5 minutes apart and calculate the intricate movements of the clouds.
"With the higher resolution, we're actually getting more accurate cloud height assignments," Goodman said.
The data is shared across the globe to other nations' meteorology centers and their respective forecast models, which should improve computer model forecasts globally as well. And the data will help human forecasters get a better picture (literally) of current conditions around the planet and even can help approximate radar data in remote locations -- especially with new lightning data.
"If you're out over the ocean, say on a transoceanic flight or just running forecast models for the area ad you don't have radar data... combined data from the new satellite can give you a 'poor man's radar' that can help identify where convective turbulence might most likely be and intensity of the storms," Goodman said. "So the models use that, and forecasters themselves to know where developing convection is, and maybe the intensity of storms."
After its launch, the satellite will undergo six months of testing and calibrations before becoming operational toward the end of 2018, when it will be renamed GOES-17. The current satellite, GOES-14, will likely be scooted over a bit and then essentially be put on the bench in standby mode ready to step in if needed.
NOAA says when GOES-17 is live in tandem with GOES-16 and the four new JPSS Polar Orbiting Satellites (The first one, NOAA-20, is already up there), the Western Hemisphere will be covered with the most technologically advanced satellites available.
"We expect GOES-S to be the perfect partner to its sister satellite, GOES-16, whose early returns have surpassed our expectations," said RDML Tim Gallaudet, Ph.D., USN Ret., Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. "The revolutionary technology on these satellites, coupled with the skill of NOAA forecasters, will lead ultimately to more lives saved."
If you want to watch the launch on March 1 and can't make it to Cape Canaveral, Florida, it will be shown on NASA-TV. Launch time is 2:02 p.m. Pacific Time.


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Two studies released this week have shown that laws to prevent smoking in workplaces have meant that fewer people are being sent to the hospital. And yet somehow these laws are still contentious.
First is an article published in the Archives of Internal Medicine that specifically links a decrease in incidence of myocardial infarction in one Minnesota county to the introduction of smoke-free workplace laws. In 2002 the law was enacted, and by 2007 all workplaces - including bars - had to be totally smoke free. The study looked at the rates of sudden cardiac death and myocardial infarction in the 18 months before the law took effect, and the 18 months after its final implementation.
The result was a drop in incidence of myocardial infarction from 150.8 to 100.7 per 100,000 population, and in sudden cardiac death dropped 17% percent from 109.1 to 92 per 100,000.
The second study is in the journal Circulation, and is a meta-analysis of 45 studies looking at 33 smoke-free laws across the USA and the world. Overall, the study found that rapidly after the laws came into place, there was a 15% drop in heart attack hospitalizations, 16% decrease in stroke hospitalizations, and a 24% drop for respiratory diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
And the more comprehensive and wide reaching the laws, like those that include restaurants and bars, the larger the change.
So yes, saying you can't smoke in bars is better for you and everyone around you.


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Violintine - (V23) 4/4 Professional-Grade Solid Spruce & 1-Piece Flame Maple Violin with Case/Bow
## Key Features With a spruce top and flame maple back and sides that are made from select materials, this violin is handcrafted utilizing the same traditional methods as used on high quality violins. Delicately carved ebony pegs, chinrest and tailpiece make the violin e ## Specifications Size: 4/4_,_ Scroll: Maple_,_ Pegs: Ebony_,_ Neck: Maple_,_ Fingerboard: Ebony_,_ Top: Spruce_,_ Solid_,_ Back: 1 Piece_,_ Flame Maple_,_ Solid_,_ Ribs: Solid_,_ Flame Maple_,_ Bridge: Maple_,_ Tailpiece: Ebony_,_ Chin Rest: Ebony_,_ Finish: Gloss_,_ Box Contains: Bow_,_ Case_,_ ## Photos ## Learn More About This Product Violin Sizes: 4/4 3/4 1/2 1/4 1/8 Image: Applicable Arm Length: inch More than 23 22-23.5 20-21.5 18-20 11.5-17.5 cm: More than 58 56-58 53-55 45-52 30-45 Plywood __ Plywood is sometimes used to make lower priced violins. While it is not as good quality and suatains notes shorter,well made plywood violins still offer good performance at a lower price. Solidwood __ Real wood offers a more natural sound, sustains notes longer, and offers a distinct beauty,which is why higher quality volins are made of Solid Wood.


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FrontlineMarketing needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 124 designs submitted by 25 freelance designers.
My new personal blog needs a clean, cool, "web 2.0-but-professional" header.
I'm looking for a clean, cool, web 2.0 header design that's still a little professional in nature. I need it to match my blog's current color scheme, but also be a bit of a contrast so it stands out.
- The logo can include a design of some sort but also needs to have "WhoIsSteveYoung.com" as part of it- maybe with the "WhoIs" part smaller and above the main "SteveYoung" part, with a smaller ".com" at the end
- An example of a text-based-logo I think are pretty clean can be found here: - http://www.videomarketingqueen.com
- http://www.betternetworker.com
- I think color choices that would be good are:- blues
- greys
- "web 2.0 green"
- anything that complements these colors
- Please provide samples with and without the mirrored effect seen on a lot of web 2.0 logos
- Logo/header cannot exceed 980px in width, no limit on height
- I would prefer if the header stretched the entire distance of the space availble in my blog at http://www.whoissteveyoung.com
- The subhead/tagline under the main logo needs to say "Internet Network Marketing & Social Media Optimization"
- Please provide the final product in .PSD, JPG, and GIF
- Item 1...
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


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| NWA N5957 Howardite Meteorites For Sale
Small part slices of this very nice Howardite meteorite. These slices are cut very thin for maximum surface area.
Copyright © 1996–2019 The Meteorite Exchange, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
The Meteorite Exchange Inc., 1121 West Valley Blvd, Ste. I #165, Tehachapi CA 93561
Users online: 193 anonymous customer(s)


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Anne Gray Harvey was born in Newton, Massachusetts, on November 9, 1928. She attended Garland Junior College for one year and married Alfred Muller Sexton II at age nineteen. She enrolled in a modeling course at the Hart Agency and lived in San Francisco and Baltimore. In 1953 she gave birth to a daughter. In 1954 she was diagnosed with postpartum depression, suffered her first mental breakdown, and was admitted to Westwood Lodge, a neuropsychiatric hospital she would repeatedly return to for help. In 1955, following the birth of her second daughter, Sexton suffered another breakdown and was hospitalized again; her children were sent to live with her husband's parents. That same year, on her birthday, she attempted suicide.
She was encouraged by her doctor to pursue an interest in writing poetry she had developed in high school, and in the fall of 1957 she enrolled in a poetry workshop at the Boston Center for Adult Education. In her introduction to Sexton's Complete Poems, the poet Maxine Kumin, who was enrolled with Sexton in the 1957 workshop and became her close friend, describes her belief that it was the writing of poetry that gave Sexton something to work toward and develop and thus enabled her to endure life for as long as she did. In 1974 at the age of 46, despite a successful writing career—she won the Pulitzer Prize for poetry in 1967 for Live or Die—she lost her battle with mental illness and committed suicide.
Like Robert Lowell, Sylvia Plath, W. D. Snodgrass (who exerted a great influence on her work), and other Confessional poets, Sexton offers the reader an intimate view of the emotional anguish that characterized her life. She made the experience of being a woman a central issue in her poetry, and though she endured criticism for bringing subjects such as menstruation, abortion, and drug addiction into her work, her skill as a poet transcended the controversy over her subject matter.
Selected Bibliography
45 Mercy Street (1976)
All My Pretty Ones (1962)
Live or Die (1966)
Love Poems (1969)
Selected Poems (1964)
The Awful Rowing Toward God (1975)
The Book of Folly (1973)
The Complete Poems (1981)
The Death Notebooks (1974)
To Bedlam and Part Way Back (1960)
Transformations (1971)
Words for Dr. Y.: Uncollected Poems (1978)
Anne Sexton: A Self-Portrait in Letters (1977)


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Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Candy Tease: April 2013
Name: Bubble Gum Flavored Peeps Marshmallow
Name: Smarties Gummies
Name: Cinnamon Lovers
Name: ALERT™ Energy Caffeine Gum
Name: Cinnamo Sticks
All images are courtesy of the respective manufacturers.
POSTED BY Cybele AT 5:19 pm Candy • New Product Announcement • Atkinson's • Ce De Candies • Gimbal's Candy • Just Born • Highlight • Featured News •
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Judson-Atkinson Tropical Sours
Judson-Atkinson Candies has been making fruit sours for decades along with other jelly bean type confections. They're known most for the Cherry Sour but they also have a few other flavors.
The Judson-Atkinson Candies Tropical Sours are called the original soft center sour. They're kind of like giant sour jelly beans, each is about the size of a hazelnut in the shell.
This theater box holds 4.5 ounces. Like many of Judson-Atkinson's other candies, the packaging isn't exactly compelling, but it's at least easy to spot.
White is Pina Colada. It starts out with a light sweet coconut flavor, once I cracked the grainy candy shell I got a little burst of floral and lightly tangy pineapple. It's not a sour candy at all, but it's still like a great, mellow gourmet jelly bean.
Pink is watermelon. I don't consider it to be a tropical flavor and it certainly wasn't a sour flavor either. It was sweet and about as powerfully flavored as real watermelon is. I wasn't disappointed that there were only five of these in the box.
Orange is some sort of tropical fruit like Mango. It's hard to tell without a guide, but there was a peachy note to it and a light tangy flavor as well with some woodsy elements that remind me of mangoes.
Yellow is a mystery. It's tart but not overly so, it's not citrus flavor as far as I can tell and not pineapple. It was pleasant but not vibrant enough to go in a package called Sours.
Red is Fruit Punch and is quite a refreshing sort of berry flavor. I liked it, it was tart without the tangy notes completely blasting away the red raspberry flavors.
All of the flavors were nice enough but none qualified for a the category of Sour. They were barely on the range of "hint of tangy". As giant jelly beans in tropical flavors, they're decent enough. I paid far too much for these. I see the regular boxes of Sours at the drug store for a buck which I think is quite fair for pure sugar candy made in the States.
The candies aren't marked Kosher and is tree nut free (though is processed in a facility that utilizes milk, soy and peanuts). There's no gluten statement and they're not vegetarian/vegan because of the presence of carmine.
Related Candies
POSTED BY Cybele AT 5:46 pm Candy • Review • Atkinson's • Jelly Candy • Sour • 5-Pleasant • United States •
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Big Tex Giant Jelly Beans
I've heard about these giant jelly beans they grow down in Texas. They're made by Judson-Atkinson Candies, which makes the popular Cherry Sours (not my favorite, but they do come in tangerine in the assorted mix) but are pretty hard to find.
I stumbled across this smart little half pound bag at Robitailles Fine Candies and carefully selected a bag that had all the colors. It was hard because there were only about 24 in the bag and seven colors.
You might think looking at that bag that it's tiny or light, but these quantum singularities of sucrose are hefty. The bag might have been slightly bigger than a 3x5 card but then remember ... a half a pound! So if you're looking for something to put in a sock instead of a roll of quarter when beating that guy who refuses to pay up on those bad debts ... this is the candy.
The photo above really doesn't give the scale. They're about an inch and a half long, but the picture makes them look like teensy licorice pastels.
So when I was shooting them, I though, I'll put something in there for scale. For some reason instead of a coin or M&M, I went with my finger (because they're about the size of the top two knuckles of my index finger). But then I remembered after looking at the photo ... my fingers are abnormal ... and not a very attractive addition to Candy Blog. (You can view it here.)
They come in seven flavors. The first I tried was orange, which is not a good flavor to try if you wanted to establish whether these were spice flavored or fruit flavored, as orange is often in both.
The Orange jelly bean is very crunchy and hard on the outside. The interesting aspect here is that it's apparent that the jelly center is flavored. (Many regular pectin-style beans are not - the flavor is in the innermost layer of the shell.)
So the next flavor I tried was Cherry Red. This was, in fact cherry. It's a soft and medicinal flavor, not tangy, just sweet but with a little cherry blossom note to it. I hated it.
Black Licorice is pretty intense. The anise flavor is light & bright but has a lingering burning sensation that builds up over the several bites that it takes to consume it. It lacks the deeper woodsy licorice notes but it's still rather nice. The food coloring makes my tongue green/black and leaves a bitter aftertaste.
Purple Grape might be more vile than Cherry. It's bitter and floral and insanely sweet.
Lemon Yellow is quite zesty which helps to balance out the sugary grain to the shell.
White Vanilla was confusing at first. I thought maybe it was coconut but then I realized that it wasn't even vanilla, just kind of unflavored. But I was grateful for the break from food coloring.
Pink Strawberry tasted rather like bubblegum at first ... and may actually be bubble gum flavor for all I know. It was sweet and bitter and reminded me of bad childhood friendships.
I think there's also a green one, but I didn't get that in my mix.
The citrus ones were passably interesting. I have to say that they're much better than the Hiding Eggs, but I wouldn't call that a recommendation. I liked the novelty of the size and enjoyed feeling like a giant for a little while. But the intense crunchy shell (which is very much like the Easter marshmallow eggs) didn't really do much more than add crunch & extra sugar instead of some flavor.
So this just goes to show that the proportions of modern jelly beans (both the Pectin Bean size and the chic Jelly Belly size) are optimal.
Related Candies
POSTED BY Cybele AT 9:40 am
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Atkinson's Coconut Long Boys
Long Boys Coconut were once just a regional favorite, enjoyed by kids and adults around the south. Made in New Orleans, they were a simple coconut caramel sold as a long thin 3 inch roll. The packages have always been a yellow waxed paper with a very tall boy and yellow accents.
Today they're made by Atkinson's Candy in Texas (which seems to have taken over many regional and specialty favorites from all over the south and southwest).
They're a rather light looking caramel, with a sweet scent and a soft texture.
Biting into them, it's like the flavor of Sugar Babies and Coconut Neapolitans (or Coconut Slabs) all in one but with a distinctly salty hit at the front. The chew is not sticky, but soft and creamy with tiny bits of coconut. As the sugar dissolves away it's more coconutty.
It's nice, I prefer it to the more rustic Neapolitans (which are also a bear to bite in half most of the time). They're a great summertime candy because they don't melt but still have a creamy texture, which can satisfy some cravings without melted messes.
They also come in a short version, about the length of a Tootsie Roll, but narrower. They're called Long Boys Coconut Juniors. (Nope, not Short Boys!)
The other version is Long Boys Chocolate which, as you can guess, is a chocolate caramel. There's no coconut here. At first I thought it was going to be like a Tootsie Roll, but it's oh, so much better. It's not quite the dreamy chewy chocolate caramel of the Storck Chocolate Reisen either, but it's still wonderful in its own right.
It's more of a short caramel, not a sticky chew. It has a bit of salt and mellow cocoa flavor with some coffee overtones. They don't stick to the teeth at all, either.
It's satisfying. I have no idea where to find them in stores, though there are a few places to order in quantity on the internet.
The format of these means they're probably found either in bulk or in "changemaker" tubs (at I'm guessing 5 or 10 cents a piece). A nice little after lunch pick-me-up.
Related Candies
POSTED BY Cybele AT 12:22 pm
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Judson-Atkinson Sours
I've gotten a few emails about a favorite candy that some readers have, they're simply called Cherry Sours, made by Texas-based company Judson-Atkinson Candies.
Judson Candies was started in 1899 by E.J. Jenner who later brought J.W. Judson in as a partner in 1910. Judson later bought him out and renamed the company. Most notably Judson developed the "more tart jelly bean" in the 1930s, which is the chewy sour ball that we all know today from so many different companies. Judson Candies was then purchased in 1983 by the Atkinson family (already a popular company in Texas with the Chick-o-Stick) and renamed Judson-Atkinson Candies.
I was hesitant to pick up a whole box of Cherry Sours (but ended up being given this box as a sample at All Candy Expo), so I was pretty happy when I stumbled across these little packets of Assorted Sours at the 99 Cent Only Store.
They do look like little gumdrops with a bright jelly bean coating.
The bag holds a variety of five flavors. Though the package design is a little, I don't know, elementary-school looking. If you can't make it out here in the photo, there's a lemon about to slam dunk a cherry (who seems pretty happy about it) and a green apple off to one side waving his arms like he's open (as if the lemon is gonna pass it to him and not do his dunk?).
All that aside, what's inside is a candy that I think pleases all ages.
Each sour ball has a crunchy, crumbly candy shell like a jelly bean. The center is lightly flavored and colored. The outside is really brightly colored.
Green Apple has both the artificial chemical "invented" green apple flavor and a nice hint of real apple juice flavors. It's not terribly tart, but certainly flavorful from start to finish.
Lemon has a bit of a powdery lemon flavor, like lemonade mix at first, which then mellows out into a rather nice zesty lemon. Not sour.
Tangerine was the one I looked forward to the most, as I love tangerine candies. It was similar to the lemon, it tasted more like tang than tangerine, but a little more on the tangy side.
Cherry is what Judson-Atkinson is known for. These taste like tangy, chewy Cherry Lifesavers. After the tartness goes away, it's a little more medicinal than floral.
Grape is the one that really bugged me (really, I was fine with Cherry). It reminded me of violets and those scented magic markers more than grapes or grape candy. While the apple had real apple-ness to it, this one just felt more like too much red food coloring. Luckily there weren't that many of them in my assortment.
The centers are very firm, but extremely smooth, probably because they use both corn starch and tapioca to give them a extra jelled texture.
I would love to see what they could do for Pineapple and Grapefruit ... maybe Lime. (A Blue Raspberry exists, but isn't in this mix and a Tropical but that features Pina Colada, Peach, Mango, Watermelon & Fruit Punch.)
The ingredients list lots of artificial colors: Yellow #5 & #6, Red #3 & #40, Blue #2 and Carmine (which makes these unsuitable for vegetarians/vegans).
Related Candies
POSTED BY Cybele AT 7:05 am
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Hiding Eggs
I really didn't want to buy these; they couldn't possibly be better than the Brach's Bunny Basket Eggs (or worse, for that matter). Which I didn't like, but have devoted followers. But I have to admit that it's a valid confectionery expression: a grainy marshmallow covered in a lightly-flavored jelly bean-like shell.
What convinced me to get these though was the name: Hiding Eggs.
It seems obvious that Judson-Atkinson Candies is well aware that these aren't for eating! They're for hiding ... possibly without any hope of every finding. They're all individually wrapped, which is great for throwing in Easter baskets or reassuring when you find one stuck in the sofa cushions in August and shrug and eat it anyway.
They come in the standard color & flavor variety of fruit jelly beans: Orange, Lemon, Grape, Cherry, Lime and Vanilla.
I'm not going to lie to you, this is not a comprehensive review, I didn't eat all of them. I tasted the purple, orange and white ones and that was it. Read the Brach's Bunny Basket Eggs review for my complete rant on the subject of these candy impostors (not that they're BBBE impostors, but that they're masquerading as edible confections).
The centers are soft and grainy, the shells are crunchy and grainy. The flavor layer is very mild, but the tastes distinct enough that you could probably tell them apart with your eyes closed. Each egg is a substantial hit of sugar, weighing in at a little over 13 grams each and about 50 calories (yes, that'd be 13 grams of carbs!).
So if you've been having trouble finding the Brach's, or just want a brand that's made in the USA (most Brach's products are no longer made here), Judson-Atkinson Candies has your new favorite hiding egg. Added bonus, they were only $1.49.
The one thing that I find so enchanting about these is that they're part of a rather extensive line from Judson-Atkinson that includes all different sizes of these eggs. Pigeon Eggs (small marshmallow eggs), Hen Eggs (medium marshmallow eggs) & Turkey Eggs (large marshmallow eggs). The Turkey variety tops out at about 1/3 larger than the Hen Eggs (which I think I've reviewed here ... it's so hard to tell).
They're an important part of Easter, I'll grant you that. I've had mine for the year (just like I used to eat my bit of Pork & Sauerkraut for New Year's as a kid ... for the record it was the pork that I didn't like, I love sauerkraut), so I should be very lucky. Since they're wrapped they may make good filler for pinatas, so pick some up on clearance next week.
These have a marshmallow center, so contain gelatin and are not suitable for vegetarians.
Related Candies
POSTED BY Cybele AT 6:30 am
Monday, October 9, 2006
Atkinson's Peanut Butter Bar
Ever want a Chick-o-Stick without the coconut? Well, Atkinson's makes those, too, though they come with the rather boring name of Peanut Butter Bars.
They're not really bars, either. They're more like rods. About the size and shape of a cigar or pretzel rod, they're a hard candy shell with a crunchy peanut butter honeycomb center.
The candy actually comes in a variety of sizes, I usually see a small "changemaker" size with little one bite, individually-wrapped morsels. I like the ratio on this rods quite a bit, it's a lot more peanut butter honeycomb than it is a hard candy. It has a nice flaky quality with a good salty hit and nutty crunch. It's really crunchy, which is a great plus and they're not nearly as messy as the Chick-o-Sticks but also a good all-weather candy.
Atkinson's also makes something called a Pico-o-Sito which is a spicy peanut butter candy. Sounds pretty good to me, why can't I find them at a store near me? Atkinson's does have a nice website where you can order all of their candy and at pretty good prices (and free shipping).
Interesting fact from the website: Chick-o-Sticks & Peanut Butter Bars are vegan - there are no animal products in there (however, it depends on how observant you are on the sugar thing, their site doesn't say if they use cane sugar or beet sugar).
POSTED BY Cybele AT 7:51 am
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Name: Chick-o-Stick
These have always scared me. I think because they're called Chick-o-Sticks and look like they could be chicken legs. Not something I'd consider to be a sweet treat. And let's face it, the orange color is pretty freaky. The Atkinson site doesn't really say why they're called that except that that's what they've always been called.
What they really are is a peanut butter toffee crisp covered in coconut. Pretty simple. A lot like the inside of a Butterfinger bar, but a bit more solid (as you can see in the close up if you click on the photo).
The taste is good, sweet with a nice hit of salt and a really good roasted peanut butter flavor. Even though the coconut looks pretty minimal, the taste is pretty significant. Unlike some of the other crisped peanut butter candies, this one contains no trans fats, in fact the only fat in it comes from the peanut butter itself. They're much easier to carry around than some chocolate candies because it doesn't melt, so I can see this being a good treat for hiking or shipping long distances (the Atkinson website mentions shipping them to Iraq).
I know, I need to get a hold of a Clark bar and Zagnut to round out my tour of peanut crisp.
Rating - 7 out of 10
Related: Butterfinger & 5th Avenue head-to-head
POSTED BY Cybele AT 1:41 pm Candy • Review • Atkinson's • Coconut • Peanuts • 7-Worth It • United States • 99 Cent Only Store •
Meticulously photographed and documented reviews of candy from around the world. And the occasional other sweet adventures. Open your mouth, expand your mind.


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Dying to Meet Him: Coming to Terms With Losses
For Elle's Bio, click here.
Coming to Terms With Losses
(Originally posted January 17, 2012)
So the last seizure left me with fewer brain cells or something, but I can't focus enough to read much or write much without stopping, starting, stopping. I was afraid to write a journal entry yesterday because this is a new thing to me. Reading and writing – the two loves of my life, the two things that used to come so easily to me – are so hard now. (I've already had to make good use of the delete key just typing this much). But I've still got stuff to say, a message on my heart and love and hope to share, so I will not stop writing. And I will still read, especially my Bible, even though it may take me a whole lot longer.
I was in tears over this new development yesterday though.
Then I heard how my honesty on this site really helped a girl I know back in high school who I never would have imagined would ever even speak with me. So I believe this is the mission God has given me – to bare it all for Him so that someone else may come to know his grace.
Praise God for my Mom and Dad, who are so strong and loving and supportive. Oh, and best part of my day yesterday? Eating popcorn, which I haven't had in like a year, and Krave frozen yogurt.
Today my mom and I were talking about heaven and how we'll probably get different names and speak a different language there... It will be interesting to find out!
Two Important Thoughts in the Whirlwind of Other Emotions
(Originally posted January 20, 2012)
First, I'll just list the two thoughts that I've come to realize in the past few days, that, despite everything else, I really know Jesus was teaching me.
#1 It doesn't matter where I am (here or there – heaven) Jesus is by my side and has always been. There's no huge transition, no "I'll finally meet Jesus." Dude, I already know Him, deeply and intimately, and He knows me.
#2 So many people are coming together and supporting me in prayer. But who am I? I am just one person, one girl. I wish everyone would recognize the enormity and the power behind such a huge body of believers who have united to pray for just little 'ol me. People! If the family of God can come together over something like this, then surely I know there is power to change bigger things and move mountains. Please recognize the power that so many people coming together praying has behind it, and How God is just IN the center of that. It's amazing. I don't even really have words to express just what I'm seeing here. And I'm humbled that the focus is my health, my condition, when there are so many people with so much greater of problems.
Lastly, I love what my friend Dan said to me yesterday. (Btw, he is not a believer; I wish he was). "At least you're secure in your faith."
Whatever else, that I am.
(Originally posted January 20, 2012)
Today I'm just – tired. I don't know what to feel or think or pray. My mom and I read and talked about Job this morning, which was a good preparation for the rest of the day. I saw my friend Ashley today for the first time in more than a year, and it wasn't the happy, carefree reunion I had hoped for.
My father is really sick, too, and had to head home to Las Vegas. He can't keep anything down. I'm really worried about him and praying for him. I'm hurting because I know he runs himself ragged trying to take care of me.
On top of that, it's cloudy and my tummy has been a little upset all day. Everything is starting to make me cry.
Yet I continue to take comfort in my Father's arms and my Father's Word. When I don't know what to think or feel or pray, He does. And His Spirit makes intercession for me – so if all I can do right now is just sit with my head in the Lord's lap and sob as He strokes my hair, it's ok. He is my Abba Father and no explanation is needed.
Praise God
(Originally posted January 21, 2012)
It's a rainy, grey, blustery day, but my spirits have lifted. The pastor from First Southern Baptist visited this morning, with his wife, Danielle. They prayed and talked and read the Bible with me. I was especially touched by Psalm 27.
Also, I reconnected with a new friend (Alexis) I had met her several months ago at church and lost contact with her. She came over last night and we just talked. She is the sweetest thing.
Last night I didn't feel good so I didn't take my medicine before going to bed. Mistake. Long story short, the chills/clammy, tingly, hard-to-breathe, hard-to-move thing began to happen again. I texted my mom and dad and my mom came over, gave me some medicine, rubbed my back and sang till I drifted off.
Apparently my dad was so scared he drove up from Vegas early this morning. He is starting to feel better; he can keep some food down and he went to the doctor to get medicine for the viral infection he has.
My mom is exhausted and needed a break, so they switched places and he has decided to stay in St. George while my mom goes home to Vegas for a bit.
God has used so many little things today to just cheer me and bring me peace. A lot of people have sent me messages, my cousin sent me some funny comics and it's nice to see my dad starting to feel somewhat better. I'm still super tired, but I'm not sad anymore.
Praise God – He is the lifter of my head.


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A government brings happiness to masses by Good governance(GG). As babu, I wish to make people happy by GG. Its free without favor. Feel happy in enhancing the social, political,and economic status of anyone in anyway. We all leaders. A leader is one who moves public opinion in the direction he or she wants it to move in. If u can't be a pencil to write anyone's happines, then try atleast to be a nice rubber to erase someone's sorrows.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
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Why SEO is Essential for New Businesses
The Internet is a powerful tool, no one can deny that. Powerful for users looking for information or products, and powerful for businesses who are looking to sell their products online or even just build their brand through online marketing.
With this comes an intense amount of competition. Now, companies are fighting with each other for customers more than ever before. This can make it very difficult for new businesses to create an online presence. This is where Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is extremely useful, and even essential.
Nearly every business that is online has one common goal: be at the top of Google search results. Google is the most popular search engine on the Internet, so being at the top of Google significantly increases your chances of being found. There are many other popular search engines on the 'Net, and each one relies on the content of the pages it finds in order to rank their search results. Optimising your content for search engines is what SEO is all about. Some companies find it so important that they spend thousands of Pounds on SEO services and Internet marketing.
SEO for new businesses, though, need not be so costly. In fact, SEO is widely seen as a very cost-effective way to build up your Internet presence, because it helps you reach targeted customers that are more likely to be interested in what you have to offer. This, in turn, means more sales and more profits, which make search engine marketing and optimisation vital for businesses that, are either starting or moving online.
If a new business is to compete in the fierce online battle, they must optimise their site to rank well in search engines and get exposure. If they cannot accomplish this, a young business is unlikely to succeed. So, invest a little money into SEO services. They don't cost much, and when they are done right, they can be what a new business needs to advance in the online world.