text:
GOP shuns shutdown, but not default
Many Republicans were highly dubious — if not downright furious — at Ted Cruz's threat to use a government shutdown as leverage to gut Obamacare.
But employing similar tactics for hiking the debt ceiling? Well, that's a different question entirely.
Story Continued Below
A large number of Senate and House Republicans are raising the threat of a debt default to curtail, delay or defund President Barack Obama's signature domestic policy achievement. It's a major gamble — risking the prospect of a first-ever default on U.S. debt — but it's one seriously being considered by the same Republicans who have refused to join Cruz's filibuster attempt of the stopgap spending bill to keep the government running.
( WATCH: Ted Cruz, Harry Reid exchange on end of marathon speech)
"I think the debt ceiling is a good opportunity … to defund or at least delay," said Senate Minority Whip John Cornyn, who opposed his Texas colleague's tactics on the spending bill. "I'm for delay, defund, repeal, demolish, destroy, whatever the 'd' is, when it comes to Obamacare — I'm for."
Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), who dubbed Cruz's threat to shut down the government over Obamacare the "dumbest idea" he'd ever heard, said Congress shouldn't give Obama a debt ceiling increase without attaching strings, and the president "is going to pay some price for it, which is a benefit for the American people."
"I hope [an Obamacare] delay is either part of the next [continuing resolution] or I hope it's part of the debt ceiling," Burr said.
( WATCH: Debt ceiling showdown: By the numbers)
The shift in strategy is a sign of how Republicans — tired of being divided over tactics in this fall's fiscal fights — are eagerly looking to unite in the next battle, hoping to win concessions from the White House. Many Republicans believe that they would lose a public relations war if government agencies were forced to close down, much the way Republicans did in the budget battles with President Bill Clinton in the 1990s. But on raising the $16.7 trillion debt ceiling, Republicans believe they're on much firmer political ground to demand some spending cuts — or changes to Obamacare — given the public's disapproval of sky-high deficits and the unpopularity of the health care law.
The early debt ceiling jockeying is another sign that Washington will be consumed this fall and winter with a seemingly endless series of fiscal battles that could cause tremendous harm to the U.S. and international economies. Congress is now struggling to pass a stopgap spending bill to keep the government running past Oct. 1. And if the House and Senate reach an agreement, it will almost certainly be a short-term plan, causing Congress to revisit the funding battle as early as mid-November.
( Also on POLITICO: GOP leaders still struggle with party's wingers)
And hovering over everything else is the Oct. 17 deadline to raise the debt ceiling — a battle widely expected on Capitol Hill to be far messier than the current fight. Refusing to replay the brinkmanship in 2011 that caused a first-ever downgrade of U.S. debt, the White House steadfastly refuses to negotiate over the debt ceiling.
But to get 60 Senate votes, President Barack Obama may have to negotiate with Republicans who won't give him a debt ceiling increase for free. And some Republicans say a clear way to do that is to delay the Jan. 1 deadline mandating the purchase of individual health insurance.
Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), who has called Cruz's tactics "a box canyon," believes the debt ceiling should be used as a way to slash mandatory spending programs that are driving up the deficit.
"I think there are some achievable things that — like the individual mandate, like the medical device tax … it seems to me that we ought to try to achieve some wins, some policies that we can actually put in place," Corker said. "I think on the debt ceiling, the best approach would be try to actually achieve something of substance as far as altering the legislation."
( Also on POLITICO: House staffers warned of shutdown impact)
"The debt ceiling provides more of an opportunity to get something than the [continuing resolution] does," said Missouri Sen. Roy Blunt, a member of GOP leadership, who is open to the idea of tying a delay of the individual mandate to the debt ceiling.
"Obviously the main thing we are talking about now is the [continuing resolution], but the CR is really a step to the debt ceiling," said Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.). "It leads right into the debt ceiling issue."
Still, it's an incredibly risky proposition. Defaulting on the debt could prevent the country from paying bills and have unforeseen economic consequences across the globe, shaking financial markets and affecting government programs like Medicare and Social Security.


text:
Next Monday July 25th, we will be hosting our very first Twitter® chat! #BBSMBchat will be hosted by @BlackBerry4Biz and will be held between 7 and 8 PM EDT. The BlackBerry for Business Small Business Chat will be a unique opportunity to share stories, swap advice, and network with other small business owners. It will focus on the issues that small business owners face, how they stay current in an ever-evolving world of technology, and what inspires them to succeed.
If you've never participated in a Twitter chat, don't fear! We've put together a "How To" guide and a few suggestions for best practices:
What is a Twitter chat?
A Twitter chat is an online conversation that takes place among a group of people on Twitter about a specific topic of interest. A hashtag, created by adding the # symbol to the beginning of any word, is used to keep track of the conversation. In this case, we'll be discussing small to medium business related topics with business owners, and the hashtag we will use to track the discussion is #BBSMBchat. You'll need a Twitter account to participate. If you don't have one, you can sign up at Twitter.com.
How do I participate?
We'll be asking a list of questions from our @BlackBerry4Biz Twitter handle. Our guests of honor, judges of the 2011 Small Business Influencer Awards and small business experts Anita Campbell and Ramon Ray, will be there to answer questions and help guide the conversation – but it's up to you, the participants, to really get the chat going. Answer any of the questions that motivate you. If you have an opinion, a story, or advice, we want to hear from you! Twitter chats can become a great source of knowledge when people like you share their experiences.
Choosing the Right Tool to Track the Chat
You may want to choose a tool to help you keep track of the chat all in one stream. We recommend using TweetChat, and have set up a page to track our dialogue: http://tweetchat.com/room/BBSMBchat. From this site, you will see the real time conversation of all tweets with #BBSMBchat. If you are logged in with your personal Twitter account, you will also be able to post all of your tweets directly from the site. Another way to track the chat is by searching #BBSMBchat in the search bar at the top of the Twitter homepage.
Best Practices
Before the chat:
- Make sure to follow the host, @BlackBerry4Biz, since we'll be asking most of the questions that you don't want to miss!
- For this chat, we have two guests of honor, Anita Campbell (@smallbiztrends) and Ramon Ray (@ramonray). You'll want to follow them too since they'll be sharing their expertise about small & medium businesses.
- Feel free to join and leave the chat at any time you'd like! Don't worry if you'll be a little late, or need to leave early. Join at your own convenience, we're happy just to see one tweet from you!
During the chat:
- Make sure you use the hashtag #BBSMBchat in all of your tweets. That is how others will know that you are participating in the chat, and it will also allow your tweets to be aggregated into the chat stream.
- We will be asking designated questions throughout the chat. Our questions will start with a "Q" and the question number. Question one, for example, will start with "Q1". Our questions will also be IN ALL CAPS, so that they are easily distinguished from other tweets in your stream.
- Remember that tweets are only 140 characters. If it seems a little difficult at first, don't worry – all participants are condensing their thoughts too.
- Be respectful of other participants and remember that all Twitter rules still apply.
- Retweet great comments and engage with other participants.
- Have fun!
Differing opinions are always okay, but express your feelings in a courteous manner, please.
After the chat:
- If you still have more information to share or questions to ask, we'll post a link to a discussion on the BlackBerry for Business LinkedIn group where you can continue the discussion.
- Make sure to follow people you connected with or found interesting. Remember, your peers can also be your best resources.
- Check right here at the Inside BlackBerry for Business Blog afterward for a recap of the chat, highlights, and a link to the transcript!
- Keep following us on Twitter for updates and information on upcoming chats.
- Stay in touch! We're always here to help, so feel free to ask us questions or share resources!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
You can lose $1,000 easily by not cleaning your spray system adequately
In the Roundup world of weed control that most of us use to live in, cleaning out your sprayer and boom was no big deal--if you did, great, but if you didn't, no harm done. Those days are probably over, according to Isaac Ferrie, agronomist for Crop Tech Consulting, Inc.
The need to use multiple herbicides to control weeds today means you also need to clean your spray system thoroughly between applications and track what product is sprayed where.
Otherwise, Ferrie explains: "Say you don't clean a 90-foot boom adequately and it still contains herbicide, you have the potential to damage or kill up to an acre of corn." Cost-wise that loss easily adds up to $1,000, based on a 200 bu. per acre yield at a price of $5 per bu.
Ferrie spoke on the topic of herbicide management to improve farmers' weed-control results during the 2013 Farm Journal Corn College near Heyworth, Ill.
Protect Yield Potential
As part of Ferrie's discussion, he talked about the differences between herbicide modes of action and sites of action.
He says site of action is a phrase farmers can expect to hear weed-control experts refer to more often in the future. While the industry often uses the terms site of action and modes of action interchangeably, there is a distinct – and important – difference between the two.
"Mode of action tells us what effect the herbicide will have on the plant," Ferrie explains. "Site of action tells us what pathways the herbicide will use to inflict that damage."
Some additional key takeaways from Ferrie's presentation on herbicides:
- The goal in preventing weed resistance is to regularly change what pathways are being attacked within the plant by choosing chemicals with different sites of action;
- By choosing different sites of action, the mutated or resistant plants can be killed before they reproduce, stopping resistance from spreading;\
- It is important to note that choosing chemicals with different active ingredients is not enough; you must make sure that your rotation of chemicals contains varying sites of action;
- In an attempt to change up their mode or site of action, applicators and farmers are going to be using products that have not been all that common in the past decade. This could lead to an increased number of herbicide complaints as drift and carryover issues become more of a problem.
Much of the information you need in order to select herbicides with different modes of action and sites of action is readily available online from most state university Extension weed science departments. Find your Extension specialist.
Thank you to the 2013 Corn College sponsors:
AgriGold, BASF, Chevrolet, ESN/Agrium, Great Plains, Honeywell, Koch, Novozymes, Precision Planting, SFP, Top Third Marketing
It's not too late to attend Corn College! Sign up for one of our Michigan events.
Catch up on full coverage of Corn College at FarmJournalCornCollege.com.
Natural Gas Declines on Forecasts for Cooler Late-July Weather
Dairy Market Stabilization Still in Play?


text:
LeSean McCoy doesn't have any doubt who should be the New York Jets' starting quarterback this season. Marty Mornhinweg is taking a more measured approach to the competition between Michael Vick and Geno Smith.
"We brought Mike in to compete, to push Geno, and to make Geno the very best he can make him and I want to make sure Mike was ready for that," Mornhinweg said during a Tuesday conference call. "I had Mike for a year with Donovan (McNabb) there (in Philadelphia). I think this thing is going to work beautifully."
Mornhinweg is high on Vick and called the veteran a "young 33." Still, the offensive coordinator gave no indication Vick has the inside track on the starting job. Smith appears to be the first man up in what promises to be a ceaselessly monitored competition.
"One thing I want to make sure of (is) that nothing impedes the young quarterback's progression," Mornhinweg said. "I'm talking about Geno. He progressed beautifully in the last quarter of the season. (He) played winning quarterback, played at a high level, two turnovers in the last four games. So you got to give him a lot of credit now."
Mornhinweg pulled back when pressed if Vick would have to take the job away from Smith. He did allow that Smith will "get a few more reps, but not many" during offseason training activities and minicamp.
"We got a plan. Geno is in the middle of a progression," he said. "We brought Michael Vick in for a purpose and he's going to compete. He's going to push. ... If he's called upon to play when he's called upon to play, I expect Mike Vick to play at a real high level."
As for LeSean McCoy's thoughts that Vick is "way better" than Smith?
"I like LeSean," Mornhinweg said. "LeSean is one of my favorites. He had a good day yesterday, media-wise."
The latest "Around The League Podcast" breaks out the crystal ball and predicts the potential surprises that could shake up the NFL Draft.


text:
Just up at The Mindful Hack ...
The Mindful Hack is my blog which supports The Spiritual Brain, a neuroscientist's case for the existence of the soul (Harper One 2007)
Human evolution: But who decided that the Neanderthals were dumb in the first place?
Free will: Can you believe in it as a merely irrational preference?
Consciousness: Half an oaf is better than none?
Spiritual Brain sells out in Dutch translation
Spirituality: If there is no life after death, does it matter whether you are Hitler or Mother Teresa?
Religion: Why "evolutionary" explanations don't really work
The difference between thinking and consciousness
Mind: Current science less and less precise as it approaches the mind?
Atheist bigots: Avoiding serious questions and targeting ignorant religious folk
L'Intelligence spirituelle : Introduction (en francais)


text:
Saline's Most Trusted Source for Airport Car Service
For convenient sedan and SUV transportation to and from DTW airport in the Saline area, call Network Car Service. We've been serving Washtenaw County area residents with excellent airport shuttle service and luxury transportation since 2008. As the preferred transportation provider for University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center, Pediatric Emergency, and Urology & Pulmonary Doctors, all U of M department members, faculty and students receive a discount on our rides.
Since 2008, Network Car Service has been serving Saline, Washtenaw County, and the surrounding areas with chauffeured cars, sedans, and limousines. When you choose us, you're guaranteed to get where you're going on time in a clean, comfortable vehicle driven by one of the area's most experienced chauffeurs. We guarantee 100% that your car reserved will arrive on-time, and you'll love your service, or that ride is free!
Our Quality Service Guarantee:
- All calls answered by live operator 24/7
- Experienced, licensed drivers
- All inclusive rates
- Convenient baggage claim pick-up
- New, black, luxurious vehicles
Enjoy These Personalized Services!
- Custom-tailored rides
- Preferred temperature, beverage, and music
- WiFi Internet
- Express pick-up options
- Wake up call (free upon request)
Saline Shuttle Transportation Services To & From DTW - Including Ann Arbor Airport Transfers
Network Car Service has a full line of SUVs, Sedans, and Mini Vans to transport you and/or your group to and from the airport. Catching a flight is so much easier when you don't have to worry about parking. Our airport shuttle services pick you up from your home or hotel and drop you off at the door with plenty of time to catch your flight. With Network Car Service's airport pickup service, we'll monitor your flight status, so even if your return flight is delayed, you can rest assured your ride will be waiting to take you home.
All drivers are vetted by Jeff, the owner, personally to ensure you receive the same consistent quality every time you ride with us. Pre-arranged transportation from Network Car Service means you'll never have to worry about finding a ride. Our rates are all inclusive, including gratuity, and we make it very easy to book one of our clean, luxury black cars.
Network Car Service has made customer satisfaction our number one priority. We personalize your ride with things like:
- Preferred air temperature, beverage, and music
- Coffee stops before we pick you up
- WiFi Internet
- Express pick up for DTW- Delta Terminal
- Network Miles accumulated for every ride!
Are you a frequent traveler? Save money on rides by booking with Network Car Service!
More people come back to Network Car Service for dependable airport transportation than any other professional car service in the area. To thank our loyal clients, we offer a few programs to offset our standard rates.
Loyalty Rewards: This program offers rewards for volume corporate travelers, high referrals for our service, joining the TEXT JEFF CLUB, and more.
Network Miles: Every mile accrued for your transfers can be used for personal travel later.
Cadillac XTS Sedans - 3 Passengers
- Leather Seats
- Music Volume & Temperature Controls
- Iphone & Android Chargers
Cadillac Escalade SUV - 4 to 6 Passengers
- Leather Seats
- Music Volume & Temperature Controls
- Iphone & Android Chargers
Save money on your next trip to the airport!
Your vehicle awaits! Contact us today or use our quick and easy online booking system and you'll have your reservation scheduled in minutes!
All Calls Are Answered by a Live Person - 24/7!


text:
From inside the book
7 pages matching Ztschr in this book
Page 137
Where's the rest of this book?
Results 1-3 of 7
What people are saying - Write a review
We haven't found any reviews in the usual places.
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
aggression air connection angle appear Applied Graphology approach aspect base line Basic Graphology become beginning broken roundness characteristics color conflicts considered demonstrated depth rhythm deviation direction disturbances downstroke dynamic easily elasticity energy evaluation expressed fear Figure 7a fixed sign forward drive forward slant hand Handschrift handwriting analysis handwriting specimen height hook ideal idealistic indicate insecurity instinctual interpretation lack leftward Leipzig libido light lower extensions lower loops lower zone Ludwig Klages manifested ment method middle zone letters middle zone movements move narrow ness Oedipus complex original Palmer Method paper penpoint personality picture possible pressure produced projection Psychol psychological recognize released rhythm represents retarding reveal round handwriting rounded movement sample school copy script speed straight super-ego symbolism tension theories tion trace traits turn upper extensions upper zone upstroke varied wide spaces word writer written airstroke Ztschr


text:
CHICAGO, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Chicago Alderman James Cappelman says he wants to double the penalty for people who feed pigeons to a maximum of $1,000 and six months in jail.
Cappelman isn't enamored of Chicago's ubiquitous birds and WBBM-TV reported Thursday he's not alone.
"They're a nuisance. They're everywhere. You know, you could stand there waiting on the bus and they're all over your feet," Bobby Williams told the Chicago TV station while standing outside the Wilson train stop. "I think it should be illegal to feed them."
Cappelman is known for having his staff regularly sweep breadcrumbs tossed onto city streets. Once, he even was physically attacked by a woman when he started to clean up the breadcrumbs she put out for the birds.
But not everyone agrees cracking down on pigeon-feeders should be a high priority for city officials.
"They're gonna arrest someone for feeding a bird?" Lily Norton said. "That's kind of ridiculous."
Oliver Guyton called Cappelman's efforts "silly."
"He should be focusing on other problems," Guyton said. "Like the budget and all that type of stuff that aldermen do."


text:
Blind Items Revealed
March 29, 2014
They might be on vacation together and in the same suite, but that doesn't mean the couple is having sex or staying ion the same bedroom. This A+ list entertainer("singer") is sleeping solo or with her kids. No one else. No alone time with her boyfriend behind a closed door either.
Britney Spears


text:
DownSlope Distilling Double Diamond Whisky
Whiskey Review: DownSlope Distilling Double Diamond Whiskey 79.5/100
Downslope Distilling is the creation of three enterprising individuals, Mitch Abate, Matt Causey and Andy Causey. They began their experimentation and passion for alcoholic spirits as home brewers. Andy dedicated himself to researching advanced wort production and home brewing techniques; Mitch traveled the country learning as much as he could about how whiskey was made: and Matt perfecting the art of grain mashing and fermentation. Two years ago they decided to combine their talents and produce their brand of hand crafted spirits. Then they spent a year researching how this could be done, selecting the right facility, and acquiring the right equipment. Finally, they set out to establish Centennial Colorado's first craft distillery.
Using their custom designed still and artisan wash production, Mitch Abate, Andy Causey, and Matt Causey are close to realizing their goal of producing spirits of high quality.
Pictured to the right is the Double Diamond Pot Still which is used to produce Downslope Distilling's whiskey. The still was made by Copper Moonshine Stills in Arkansas, by Colonel Vaughn Wilson. The whiskey is produced in the Irish tradition, being made primarily with malted barley. One taste of it however, and you will realize as well that a significant portion must be rye. The whiskey is aged in very small experienced medium toast casks and then blended.
In the Bottle 5/5
Currently Double-Diamond whiskey is available in the distillery's tasting room sold in 1 liter wooden oak casks. I love this idea for its uniqueness and the ambiance it creates. The only drawback is that the oak will continue to impart its flavour to the spirit so it must be monitored and perhaps bottled when the oak begins to produce more bitter tannin and before you lose too much alcohol through evaporation.
DownSlope's Double Diamond Whiskey is also available in a short squat clear bottle. It is sealed with a nice high density cork which provides that satisfying 'pop' when opened. The labeling is clear and uncluttered and the entire presentation is professional and attractive. I was given one of these bottles for the purpose of this review. My bottle was Barrel number WR-oo3, bottle number 24.
In the Glass 8/10
The whisky displays itself as a pale brown coloured spirit. There is no haze or hints of detracting sediments. A very light oil is present on the sides of the glass when it is swirled, and small skinny legs form and run down the sides of the glass. The portion of rye in the distillate speaks clearly on the nose. This obvious rye note carries a light vanilla and honey with vague hints of anise. In spite of the Irish heritage of the malted barley, the impression one receives from the glass is that of a young slightly immature Canadian Whisky with a mild harshness and medicinal quality.
In the Mouth 47.5/60
A light vegetal quality minces with the rye flavour in the mouth, and there is a gentle underlying sweetness which must stem from the malted barley. Although the rye flavour carries forward that typical 'Canadian Whisky' impression, we begin to taste an assertion of the 'Irish Whiskey' style as well. I taste sandalwood, but very little very little oak spice and only fleeting morsels of vanilla and caramel. A firm anise quality rises in the flavour profile which begins to meld with the rye grain.
To be honest I find this very enjoyable, although it is perhaps just a tad under developed. The structure of a good whiskey is in place, and I am excited by the thought of how the whisky would taste with additional aging.
In the Throat 11/15
The further we travel through the course of Double Diamond whiskey the more the flavour profile directs itself towards the Irish style. At the exit the whisky is full of sandalwood and an herbal anise-like quality that I recognize from a typical Irish whisky like Jameson. There is perhaps a touch of harshness but it is a youthfulness as well which one might call invigorating.
The Afterburn 8/10
I am impressed with DownSlope Distilling's first whisky product. There is much evidence of craftsmanship and attention to detail. I can sip the whisky neat even though it is not well aged which is a feat of mastery by the distiller and blender.
You may read some of my other Whisky Reviews (click the link) if you wish to have some comparative reviews.
Suggested Recipe
I did a little experimentation with the Double Diamond Whisky and found it to be very versatile. Although I found I could enjoy the whiskey neat or on the rocks, I also found that the spiciness added a nice layer of depth to some of my favourite whisky cocktails. The recipe I selected to share on my blog is based upon a classic Irish Cocktail, the Irish Fizz. My recipe is a little different and I call it the Double Diamond Fizz.
1 1/2 oz DownSlope Double Diamond Whiskey
1/2 oz Curacao
juice of 1/2 fresh lemon
1/2 tsp sugar syrup
2 oz sparkling orange water
As always you may interpret the scores I provide as follows.
0-25 A spirit with a rating this low would actually kill you.
26-49 Depending upon your fortitude you might actually survive this.
50 -59 You are safe to drink this…but you shouldn't.
60-69 Substandard swill which you may offer to people you do not want to see again.
70-74 Now we have a fair mixing rum or whisky. Accept this but make sure it is mixed into a cocktail.
75-79 You may begin to serve this to friends, again probably still cocktail territory.
80-84 We begin to enjoy this spirit neat or on the rocks. (I will still primarily mix cocktails)
85-89 Excellent for sipping or for mixing!
90-94 Definitely a primary sipping spirit, in fact you may want to hoard this for yourself.
95-97.5 The Cream of the Crop
98+ I haven't met this bottle yet…but I want to.
Very loosely we may put my scores into terms that you may be more familiar with on a Gold, Silver, and Bronze medal scale as follows:
70 – 79.5 Bronze Medal (Recommended only as a mixer)
80 – 89.5 Silver Medal (Recommended for sipping and or a high quality mixer)
90 – 95 Gold Medal (Highly recommended for sipping and for sublime cocktails.)
95.5+ Platinum Award (Highest Recommendation)
23 Responses to "DownSlope Distilling Double Diamond Whisky"
October 16, 2012 at 1:41 pm
The blog is quite interesting and very well written. I personally prefer double diamond whiskey when I throw the party in any occasion.
Thanks for sharing the post, you've done good job.
July 21, 2012 at 11:06 pm
OK, So I got another bottle for Father's Day and the flavor profile seems to have changed from my first comment. Now I get carmel and hazelnut. I definitely like this better than the first bottle I got (which I could not drink) and have enjoyed it better. I guess the folks and Downslope have made a few changes that now make this more of a sipping whiskey. Oddly enough, I can't find the batch number anywhere on the bottle. I wonder if it fell off?
February 11, 2012 at 3:16 am
I bought a bottle from Lukas because Downslope is local and I was intrigued. I drink single malts mainly but also bourbon and Canadian. Each style has its own merits and I haven't really met a whisky I didn't like. But this double diamond went down the drain after trying to enjoy it for a half hour or so – and I never do that. I'll try it again another day as I have noticed that there are times when the wonderful flavors of even my familiar favorites just don't come through (although the whisky I tasted next was ok).
I've seen Mitch Abate pipe up on a couple of forums now and disagree with various reviewers. I don't know what he submitted for competition, but I can say that I didn't enjoy what was in my glass. It is not a matter for debate. But Mitch, I'll accept that your whisky has won awards and has received compliments if you'll accept that people's opinions of what they ingest are sincere whether they are good or bad. Everyone's a critic. I wish you much success and I look forward to your single malt!
November 30, 2011 at 8:53 pm
I happened to get some of this whiskey yesterday; same barrel number (WR-006), bottle 264. In my opinion this is almost indistinguishable from corn liquor (e.g., Georgia Moon). There are some hints of rye and it seems to've mellowed a bit from its time in wood, but those are the little details around the edges. The big picture is: young corn whiskey. If this isn't a mostly-corn mash bill, the folks at Downslope have somehow found a mix of barley and rye that tastes just like it.
Personally, I'm not a fan of corn whiskey. I can see a role for it as cheap inebriation, but I cannot see it having a place in the more refined, high-end market for which this is priced and marketed.
November 6, 2010 at 8:59 am
Hi Chip,
I enjoyed the review of Double Diamond's whisky, and the ensuing discussion. I have to say you make this whisky sound quite interesting. There certainly are characteristics found in young whiskies that get lost with ageing. I am not a big fan of so-called "white whisky" but it does have a certain appeal. Sounds like this Downslope whisky displays these more desireable qualities. I really love their still, by the way. The reflux must be awesome – probably one of the reasons you find the spirit so well structured.
Just as an aside, I regularly buy and consume some whiskies that on my own scale, score in the mid to high 70's. Some names you would be very familiar with. As I read your reviews (I've been a lurker for some time, as you know) I note many similarities among your impressions and my own, so I wish these guys success and hope they are around long enough that I eventually stumble across a bottle.
February 21, 2011 at 3:18 pm
Downslope Distilling is proud to announce our new Double Diamond Whiskey – same mash bill – aged much longer than the original – Please check our website which will announce our new Gin, Spiced Rum and DISTILLERY SCHOOL.
- February 21, 2011 at 3:18 pm
July 9, 2010 at 12:33 pm
We at Downslope Distilling appreciate your honest review of our Double-Diamond Whiskey.
We agree that the whiskey may need more time to age.
We have been very successful however in bars which use our whiskey for mixed drinks.
As time progresses we will release whiskey that is more mature.
We released the current stock in order to get the public's opinion. We have clearly stated to everyone that the whiskey is young.
As far as Chris's comments are concerned we disagree with a number of his comments.
Futhermore, we do not accept returns, if he does not like this style of whiskey, a bottle from another batch will not change his opinion.
As mentioned in the review, we do sell mini-barrels of the whiskey. Everyone who has purchased the barrels (over 50 patrons) loved the way the whiskey matured after being in the barrel for a few months.
July 9, 2010 at 9:42 am
Ah yes. I see. I have not yet read the article on the scoring methodology you use, so I apologize for the differences in scoring methods I have (mine are pretty base/plain, but a brief look of yours tells me you are more objective and artistic in method). I think of around 25/100 as spit it out, 50 as must mix, 75 neat or mixed and 100 as I have to drink this every day it is so darn good. 🙂
I am thinking about contacting the distillers about returning the bottle for a different batch to see if I have the same response. I live in Colorado so it should not be a problem, I think. If I can and try a different batch, I will let you know. I met the owners when they released their rum and vodka at a near by wine shop.
July 8, 2010 at 8:32 pm
I must say that I don't like this whiskey and I disagree with the review. The aroma and taste reminds me of my days in organic chemistry lab. Definitely tastes distilled with some sort of odd flavor that is reminiscent of the artificial banana scent/flavor we made in O-Chem lab. I do agree that it generally goes down smooth with a little kick at the beginning and end. I can't get over the aroma. It still overpowers my taste buds and sense of smell that I can't pick out anything else. It takes a bit, but I eventually taste the rye in the after taste. This tastes nothing like any of the Irish Whiskeys I have had the pleasure of imbibing. Barrel WR-006, Bottle 107. The rums are wonderful, however.


text:
Start the New Year off right by eating and living well with a delicious, and meaningful ALLocal Dinner from nourish restaurant in Lexington.
Share in their commitment to health and whole foods by enjoying a mouthwatering, and sumptuously sustainable meal– sourced 100% locally, right down to the salt. As you dine, network with foodies and locavores as we engage in "A Conversation about Localizing Food," hosted by the SBN. Our inspiring speakers include nourish's Karen Masterson and JD Kemp, founder of Crop Circle Kitchen and Organic Renaissance/Food Ex.
Location: nourish, 1727 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA
Website: http://nourishlexington.com/
Date: Monday, January 23, 2012
Time: 6:00-7:00 Networking & Cocktail Reception, 7:00-8:30 Dinner
Menu: A three-course meal with the option of local meatloaf, local seafood or vegan
local tempeh entree. Beverage and gratuity not included.
Guests: Join in the conversation with featured guests:
- Laury Hammel – founder and executive director of Sustainable Business Network of Greater Boston
- JD Kemp – owner and founder of FoodEx and Crop Circle Kitchen
- Karen Masterson – founder and owner of nourish which is dedicated to responsibly sourced, reasonably priced food
- Fan Watkinson – program director of Boston Local Food Program
- Nicola Williams – president and owner of The Williams Agency, producer of Boston Local Food Festival
Price: $45 for food and food gratuity (beverage and beverage gratuity separate)
Transportation: There is a large metered parking lot located behind the restaurant. MBTA bus routes #62 and #76, serving Alewife Station, stop nearby.
Funds Benefit: Boston Local Food Program
Registration: These events sell out quickly! Register now by clicking here!


text:
Windows Media Player 12 for Windows 7 plays more media.
Windows Media Player 11 for Windows XP offers great new ways
sponsored ads
FastPictureViewer Codec Pack R5 3.2
The FastPictureViewer Codec Pack is a one-stop shop that enables support for 44 additional image formats in Windows Explorer, Windows Photo Gallery, Windows Photo Viewer, Windows Live™ Photo Gallery and, on Windows 7, also within Windows Media Center and Windows Media Player 12, with full 64-b
Windows Media Player 11 for Windows vista offers great new ways
Windows Media Player Import for Winamp 1.0
A free Winamp plug-in for importing the Windows Media Player library.
Allok MP3 to AMR Converter 3.0
Plus! MP3 Audio Converter LE: is part of a free bonus pack for Windows Media provided by Microsoft, this compendium is a must for those Windows Media Player and Windows Movie Maker lovers.
Windows Media Player Plus! 2.5
Add various user interface and playback enhancements in Windows Media Player
Media Player Classic Homecinema 126.96.36.19957
Media Player Classic Home Cinema is a free audio and video player for Windows.
Use Windows Media Player 7 if you have a computer running Windows 98.
substitute for Windows Media Player,support almost popular media formats.
Media Feature Pack for N and KN versions of Windows 8 1.0
Install Media Player and related technologies on a computer running Windows.
byColombia Games S.A.S
CaptainJack Slots gametower 1.0.1
byInternational Games System Co., Ltd.
sponsored ads
Enable your Pocket PC into the ultimate Windows Media Player Remote Control.
Category: mobile - MP3 & Audio
It is a simple playlist editor for managing Windows Media Player playlists.
Category: mobile - MP3 & Audio
The Sompy Media Player is designed for use on Windows Mobile devices.
A simple media player and free music download tool for Android.
Category: mobile - MP3 & Audio
aVia simplifies accessing personal media with one, easy to use, media player.
Remote control Windows Media Player!
Emote for Windows Media Center 1.0.2
Do you have an audio system connected to a Windows 7-based HTPC running Windows
Category: mobile - MP3 & Audio
Download songs from Grooveshark to play in your favorite media player.
FREE 12-way HD Video Chat
Category: mobile
Internet download manager IDM! 1.0
Download Internet Download Manager (IDM) For Android (Android Market)
Internet Download Manager (IDM) is a tool to increase download speeds by up to 511 percent, resume and schedule downloads
Category: mobile - Tools & Utilities - Tools
Pretend you've got the new version of Windows on your phone
Category: mobile - Customize Your Mobile - Themes
The magic of FIFA 12 comes to Nokia phones
Category: mobile - Mobile Games - Sports Games
The popular Linux media player on your phone
Category: mobile - Entertainment & Multimedia - General
Windows Media Player Skin Theme
Windows Media Player in a Windows Vista design
Category: mobile - Customize Your Mobile - Fonts And Typography
Documents To Go Windows Smartphone 3.010
Word, Excel & PowerPoint Files on your Windows Smartphone
Category: mobile - Productivity Apps - Office Apps
Windows Mobile Monitor (SP) 0.0.1.2 beta
Utility to secretly spy on a Windows Mobile phone
Category: mobile - Tools & Utilities - Security
MicroSoft Windows Media Player for Apple Mac OS download windows media center.
Category:mac - DVD & Video
Kyaya Media Player aka KMP or Kyayamp is a Open Source media player for OS X and is licensed under GPL (GNU General Public License) software agreement and is free to build for Windows and Linux or any other platforms.
Category:mac - DVD & Video
With Windows Media(R) Components for QuickTime, by Flip4Mac(TM), you can play Windows Media files (.wma and .wmv) directly in QuickTime Player and view Windows Media content on the Internet using a Web browser.
Category:mac - DVD & Video
Play Windows Media in QuickTime Player.
Category:mac - DVD & Video
Mac Media Player is the best global free media player for Mac OS X in the world.
Category:mac - DVD & Video
sponsored ads
Find compatible software programs with windows 8
video,audio,data,cd burning.
adobe photoshop 7.0 free download
Produce the highest quality images
Detect and eliminate viruses.
Deliver great digital experiences.
a free and powerful multimedia player
macromedia flash 8 free download
for the web or simple animations.
English - Hindi Dictionary download
English-Hindi and Hindi-English dictionary
mp3 cutter free download full version
Cut and Split MP3 Audio


text:
Regardless of their success level, many actors seem to dread auditions, which sometimes replicate the "pick me!" anxiety of a schoolyard basketball game, only on a much grander scale. But as it turns out, plenty of directors find the process stressful as well.
At the Envelope Directors Round Table, six of the year's top filmmakers talked about the ins and outs of casting: Nicole Holofcener of "Enough Said," Steve McQueen of "12 Years a Slave," J.C. Chandor of "All Is Lost," Spike Jonze of "Her," Paul Greengrass of "Captain Phillips" and John Lee Hancock of "Saving Mr. Banks."
"It's a shame because sometimes somebody will walk in the door and you know already that you're not going to cast that person, and you have to have them read," Holofcener said. "It's painful for me to know that they have to go through that. I don't like auditioning people. As exciting as it can be when you do find the right person, I tend to take on their anxiety and want to take care of them."
"It's like [being in] the middle of a bad toast," Chandor added. "I've got to get better at that. Does anyone love that process?"
McQueen then chimed in with his solution. "The secret to auditions is a great casting director. I had an amazing lady called Francine Maisler for '12 Years a Slave.'"
One of Maisler's great finds was newcomer Lupita Nyong'o, whose supporting performance as the tortured plantation slave Patsey has already earned Golden Globe and SAG Award nominations.
"Looking for Lupita was like looking for Scarlett O'Hara," McQueen said. "It was over 1,000 actresses we looked at, models, all kinds of people. She was a diamond in the rough."
Jonze agreed that casting can be difficult but also said he has much to gain from the process. "I definitely feel the pain of when somebody's anxious and you want to make them comfortable, but I also feel like I learn so much about what the character needs by reading with people right and wrong, and you kind of get down to the essence of what the character is, and therefore you start to know what the essence of the person you need to cast is."
For more from the Directors Round Table, watch the full video above and check back for daily highlights.


text:
The first trial in the Americas to judge the genocide of indigenous people polarizes a nation and has the potential to re-write history.
500 Years documents the 2013 genocide trial of former Guatemalan president Efrain Rios Montt, and its aftermath. Rios Montt stood trial for the killing of 1,700 Maya Ixil people from 1982-1983 – the first trial in the history of the Americas for the genocide of indigenous people. When Rios Montt is found guilty, a higher Guatemalan court vacates the verdict – and 500 Years follows the diverse responses among various members of Guatemalan society.
Related Grantees: Skylight Pictures


text:
Information Sessions - Chicago
Information Sessions - Outside Chicago
Lunch and Learns
A high percentage of great leaders, corporate executives, and distinguished academics share a common trait - outstanding public speaking skills.
With this in mind, Gleacher Speakers was founded with the goal of providing the right environment and motivation for students to develop skills in public speaking, sales presentations, and meeting management. Group meetings are held on a quarterly basis. At each session, five to 15 students have the opportunity to present in a competitive, zero-risk environment.
Gleacher Speakers is a great fit for Evening MBA and Weekend MBA students interested in developing leadership skills outside of the courses offered at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. The interactive and exciting group environment provides great networking and social opportunities for members and guests.
Ahmed Abdel-Saheb
Alina Kaiser
The University of Chicago Booth School of Business |
University of Chicago |
Privacy Notice


text:
Are There Still Enough Value Voters to Turn American Red?
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Family Research Council kicked off their annual Values Voter Summit in the nations capitol on Friday with an all-star line of potential GOP presidential candidates and rising political stars attempting to motivate the social base of the conservative movement. But are there enough "values voters" who will vote to make a difference in the 2014 and 2016 elections?
Gauging by the response at the weekend event in Washington, the answer is "yes," albeit the attendees are heavily weighted in their political leanings. The challenge that conservative operatives (or Karl Rove wannabes) must contemplate as they gaze into their crystal balls is can they light a fire under those same types of voters who reside in the nations heartland and are trying to balance a family budget while figuring out how Obamacare might impact their health care cost?
Tony Perkins, the CEO of the Family Research Council and host of the weekend's summit expressed optimism that value voters will show up at the polls in the next two election cycles.
"Yes, I'm confident value voters across this land will flock to the polls if more candidates like Ted Cruz run for office," Perkins told me while shuffling between meetings during the conference. "2008 and 2012 were challenging years but 2010 demonstrated when fiscal conservatives join their social brethren, we can make significant changes in the White House, Congress and state legislatures. The impact of redistricting between '10 and '12 will have a tremendous impact for decades."
Case in point; Cruz won the VVS straw poll with 42 percent of the vote, 29 points above the second place finisher, Dr. Ben Carson.
Perkins has a point with his redistricting comment. State legislatures who moved from blue to red or changed from a lighter shade to a darker shade of red drew district boundaries that will make it increasingly difficult for Democrats to make inroads in Congress or the State House anytime soon. That's a lesson they learned from the Democrats in the 1980's and 90's.
Demographics show us that bright blue states are primarily in the northeast and on the west coast. The only challenge is states like New York, New Jersey and California are more populous than the red states of Mississippi, Montana or Missouri. This is why liberals want to eliminate the Electoral College.
But is the Republican Party apparatus still willing to embrace social conservatives given some Republicans changing attitudes toward gay marriage and abortion?
"You bet they will," said another national evangelical leader who spoke off the record. "I had a conversation with Reince [Priebus] last week and he's starting to understand the fact that the GOP cannot – and I mean has no chance to win without the social conservatives. He knows he has to communicate that to the business types so we can work together. He's on board."
All of the GOP senators addressing the Value Voter Summit such as Mike Lee (R-Utah), Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) proclaimed the conservative base of the GOP is alive, well and growing. So what do the numbers say?
RealClear Politics Sean Trende wrote an interesting column in November of 2012 discussing why white voters stayed home in 2012.
In 2008, 98.6 million white voters showed up at the polls compared with 16.3 million blacks (95 percent of whom voted form Obama) and 11 million Hispanics.
Fast-forward to 2012 and about 7 million fewer white voters showed up and a million or so more Hispanics turned out. The percentage of black voters remained steady, although fewer of them voted for Obama a second time; but not enough to matter.
The easy translation is that values voter strategists need to maintain their support with white males while attracting more white females and Hispanic voters. It's the latter that has proved difficult since the more hardcore conservatives insist that illegal immigrants be deported and a 50-foot wall built to secure our borders. It's also put Rubio in a precarious situation given his recent position of advocating a path to citizenship for many illegals.
Maybe the government shutdown will encourage more value voters to show up for the next two major election cycles. Chances are there will be another controversial issue in the coming months that will fire them up. But for Republicans to win value voters must equal of surpass their 2000 and 2010 percentages and recruit more Ted Cruz lookalikes.


text:
New Delhi, 18 July 2013: Hockey India today announced the appointment of Mr. Dave Staniforth as Strategic Analyst and Goalkeeping Coach of the Senior & Junior Men Hockey teams.
Hockey India, Secretary General Dr. Narinder Batra said that he believes in focussed and concentrated training for goalkeepers and the appointment of a dedicated Goalkeeping Coach is a step in that direction. I am sure all the goalkeepers in the core probables will benefit immensely from his appointment. "Hockey as a sport is about precise strategy and execution, so I believe that Dave's appointment will be significant ahead of the major events including FIH Hockey Junior Men World Cup 2013 and FIH Hockey Senior Men World Cup 2014" he said.
Mr. Dave Staniforth said "I am very happy with my new role with the Indian men teams and really look forward to preparing the goalkeepers for the busy hockey schedule ahead. Having spent a lot of time following the Indian team during the last two years, I have a good understanding of the goalkeepers strengths and weaknesses".
"I think that having a quality goalkeeper backing up an attacking hockey style is crucial to any teams success and I will be doing my best to make sure that the Indian Men teams have this luxury. My role is twofold, namely as a goalkeeper coach and strategic analyst, a very similar job which I fulfilled for the Ranchi Rhinos during the Hero Hockey India League, earlier this year. I am honoured with my appointment and can't wait to start" further added Mr. Staniforth.
The 37 year old Mr. Staniforth worked as Goalkeeping coach with the South African national side for three years. He has also worked with Riverside Hockey Club and Dave Staniforth Academy as Goalkeeping Coach. He also holds an FIH Certificate in International Goalkeeper Coaching and has done two other Coaching Courses- Irish Hockey Association Level 1 and English Hockey Association Level 2.
As a player, Dave Staniforth has 65 international caps and has represented South Africa in the XXVII Olympic Games in Athens 2004, Commonwealth Games in Manchester 2002, 10th FIH Hockey World Cup in Kuala Lumpur 2002, three times FIH Champions Challenge in Kuala Lumpur 2001, Johannesburg 2003 and Alexandria 2005 and 8th All Africa Games in Nigeria 2003.
Photograph of Dave Staniforth:


text:
MEDIA ADVISORY: Denver Art Museum Extends Free General Admission Offer to Federal Employees through October 18, 2013
The Denver Art Museum (DAM) will extend its offer of free general admission to all furloughed federal government employees October 14 through October 18, 2013.
To obtain complimentary admission, employees should show their Federal ID at the museum welcome desk. They will have the opportunity to explore the museum's nine permanent collections showcasing art from around the world.
Media Resources
- Online Newsroom: www.denverartmuseum.org/press
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/denverartmuseum
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/denverartmuseum


text:
Gooddayclub Roses T-ShirtSale!
Printed onto a natural coloured, premium cotton T-shirt.
100% Cotton
Machine wash cold
Do not bleach
Tumble dry, low heat
Do not iron
www.mivintagelabel.com is partnered with UPS to ensure timely and quality delivery of your orders. We offer the following shipping services:
- Standard and Express Shipping
- Option to choose and UPS access point as a delivery address instead of your home address
- Real time tracking of your order
- 24/7 customer service
- Free returns with an option for a home pick up or a UPS access point drop off
If you have any questions regarding your order or our shipping policy please email email@example.com
Our team works hard to ensure that all orders are send on time so they can reach you on time.
As soon as you make a purchase you will receive and confirmation email of your order, with an order number and a date of deliver. You can track your order directly by clicking on the link provided in the email.
Shipping is FREE on ALL orders INTERNATIONALLY. Express shipping is available at an additional cost. The cost is calculated on checkout
Standard Shipping times:
Spain: 2 days
During sales periods the orders may take an extra day or two to be delivered.
Europe: 2-4 days
During sales periods the orders may take an extra day or two to be delivered.
United States: 1 week
During sales periods the orders may take an extra day or two to be delivered.
International: 1 week
During sales periods the orders may take an extra day or two to be delivered.
Our products are made by skilled artisans who prepare each item with great care and we hope that you are pleased with your purchase and enjoy wearing these handcrafted items. Please note that due to the products being handcrafted some minor irregularities can occur if any, are an inherent part of the product and should in no manner be considered a defect.
Returning your items
If you are not happy with your purchase for any reason, you can return it and we will refund you with the amount you paid for that item. Please email on firstname.lastname@example.com for details and to let us know when you have shipped your return order. Items must be unused and returned in their original packaging and with their tags still attached. Please allow up to 15 days from receipt of your returned goods for your refund to be processed. Shipping charges will not be refunded. None of these terms affect your statutory rights. We cannot accept returns on final sale items. Returns must be made within 14 working days of delivery.
Exchanging your purchase
Exchanges can be made within 21 working days of delivery with proof of purchase and product in unused condition and in original packaging. Please email our Customer Care team on email@example.com with complete details of your order and the exchange item. Shipping charges for exchange will be incurred and we will notify you with the exact amount.
Exchanging an item for store credit
If you would like to return an item for store credit instead of a refund then please let us know when you email us, we will send you a credit note that will have validity of 6 months.


text:
Finance and Development, March 2014
- From the Editor: One Step at a Time
- In Brief
- People in Economics: The Queen of Numbers
- Europe's Road to Integration: History points to integration to overcome a tough crisis
- Whither the EURO?: Historians may wonder how it came to be introduced in the first place
- Tectonic Shifts: Banking union is a long-term process that will dramatically reshape Europe's financial system
- A Long Shadow over Growth: Conquering unemployment and boosting growth is the number one priority in Europe today
- Greener Europe: The continent has set ambitious goals for reducing carbon emission
- On the Ball: European soccer's success can be credited, in part, to the liberalization of the players' market. But what will the future bring?
- Senior Shock: The graying of advanced economies may make monetary policy less effective
- The Dollar Reigns Supreme, by Default: International currency arrangements have come under scrutiny in the aftermath of the global financial crisis
- Back to Basics What Is Monetarism?: Its emphasis on money's importance gained sway in the 1970s
- Harbingers of Recessions: Changes in asset prices are good predictors of economic downturns
- Man versus Mother Nature: In the battle against natural disasters, forward-thinking macroeconomic policy can help countries prepare for and mitigate the eventual blow
- Aid and Oil: Growing numbers of large oil discoveries in low-income countries could reduce the need for foreign aid
- Chained Value: The growth of multicountry manufacturing is changing how the world's income and growth are generated
- Book Reviews
Aid and Oil: Growing numbers of large oil discoveries in low-income countries could reduce the need for foreign aid
- International Monetary Fund. External Relations Dept.
- Published Date:
- February 2014
Show Summary Details
You are not logged in and do not have access to this content. Please login or, to subscribe to IMF eLibrary, please click here


text:
You might remember I was in Tokyo in August; this week's 8 pm posts will be images I shot for Brother Printer while there.
I don't normally put commission work on the site, but I was given such freedom to shoot what I wanted (aside from two or three local celebrities – like this young lady )┬Ā that I wanted to share with you. ┬ĀThey also did a behind-the-scenes video┬Āwhich is pretty cool.


text:
Erin Pitts is a member of new Philly Improv Theater House Team codenamed Shadowfax. They make their debut this Friday night at the Shubin Theater.
How and why did you get into comedy? I came to Philadelphia for graduate school in May 2010 and told myself that I was going to take advantage of all the opportunities this city has to offer. One of my goals was to some how get back on stage, I had done theater and a little bit of improv in high school and missed it tremendously, so I signed up for a PHIT level one improv class with Kristen Schier. Her enthusiasm and welcoming attitude were mimicked in every person I met in the comedy community, so I've been hooked ever since.
How would you describe your style as a comedian? What influences and factors do you think contribute to that? I don't know if I have a style, but it's definitely something I'm trying to figure out. I often give myself little challenges to improve, for example, I think I'm awful at miming, so I would make myself mime in every scene I did to feel more comfortable doing it.
Do you have a favorite show or venue you like to perform at? What about it makes it fun or special for you? The Shubin is the only place I've performed in Philadelphia; I really enjoy everything about it.
Do you have a single favorite moment in Philly comedy or one that stands out? I'd have to say, how smoothly my level 1 class show went. We we're all a little nervous, I think mainly because we ended up only having 5 people left to perform with. It was a super fun show with a lot of different material and a reoccurring missing penguin (who later ended up being stuck in the bathroom) that really helped keep the show moving. It was great to see people from our class who would never be found on a stage in any other instance have a really great time in the spotlight that night.
Do you have any sort of creative process that you use with your writing or your performance? I focus on keeping my mind as open as I can to the endless possibilities that can be generated from a suggestion. And as Kristen always tells us… to never expect to do a scene, because you never know what's going to happen when you step out.
What is it about improv (or stand-up, or sketch, whatever you do…) that draws you to it? I am such a worrier that improv is so freeing for me; it allows me to not think or hesitate before I act. I love how I feel when I just let go of any rationalized thoughts and allow my body to move before I know why it's moving. And let's be honest… when people laugh at something you do, that's pretty cool.
Do you have any favorite performers in the Philly scene? Why are they your favorites? I love watching so many different people for so many different reasons! …I guess I'll just answer this with some of my favorite shows to see.. The Amie and Kristen/Kristen and Amie Show, Jessica Tandy, Asteroid, Suggestical and Hate Speech Committee.
Do you have any bad experiences doing comedy that you can share? A particularly bad bombing or even an entire show gone haywire? I was in the premiere of The Gross Show… I think we all know what happened that night…during the segment I was in…
What do you think the Philly comedy scene needs to continue to grow? Exactly what it's doing right now, which is generating new, enthusiastic performers through classes, workshops, festivals and the number of independent groups popping up. I think the family-like attitude of the community makes it an enticing one to be apart of, I don't know for sure, but I feel like a lot of other cities don't have what we have, and that's a who lot of love and respect for another.
Do you have any personal goals for the future as you continue to perform comedy? I'd like to be sillier and smarter. I really want people to enjoy watching me perform, to feel at ease knowing they're going to have a good time no matter what is thrown at me.
3 Comments
i went to the gross show on friday and it was funny. what happened in the premiere?


text:
Last season, the Knicks went 2-2 against the Sixers. Knick fans got a snapshot of what Melo brings when he hit a game icing 3 pointer against Philly in a 97-92 victory.
Here are some things to watch for tonight:
- The Knicks bench vs Philadelphia's bench. Philadelphia boasts a deep bench with the likes of Evan Turner, Lou Williams and Thaddeus Young. The Knicks on the other hand have a scrub bench that scored 3 whole points last game against Charlotte. As much as I hate him, Bill Walker MUST give the Knicks some scoring tonight for the Knicks to have success. Toney Douglas MUST pull his head out of his ass at some point. Jorts and Bibby have to give the Knicks quality minutes tonight if they are called upon. The Knicks bench scoring has to show up tonight if they want a chance to win.
- Shump vs Jrue Holiday. Holiday is one of the best young point guards in the game. His success offensively goes hand and hand with Philadelphia's success on offense. If Shumpert gets in foul trouble, or is unable to slow down Holliday, Philadelphia may have a field day offensively.
- How will the Knicks defend Spencer Hawes? Yes I just wrote that. Not because Hawes is a great scorer but it is Hawes' style of play which may give the Knicks problems. Hawes has taken 28 mid range shots this season and has shot 57%. If Chandler is guarding Hawes, he may be drawn out of the paint. The Knicks are a far worse defensive team when Chandler is not patrolling around the paint and guarding the rim. I believe it would be wiser to place Stoudemire on Hawes and placing Chandler on Elton Brand.


text:
Iris Dement - Sing The Delta
Label: FLARIELLA RECORDS
Catalog: FLA1005.2
Format: CD
Iris DeMent isn't a pop star, although she probably could have been had she been at all interested in playing that game. She's a careful, detailed songwriter with a confessional edge and a good sense of narrative, and her voice is a marvelous instrument that seems to rise out of the previous century. Her themes are universal -- love (both good and bad), loss, faith, memories -- and few singers or songwriters can convey the kind of passionate emotional distance she brings to all of this. Sing the Delta (the Arkansas delta, not the Mississippi one) is her first new album of original material in 16 years (her previous album, 2004's Lifeline, was a collection of her versions of the gospel hymns she sang as a child), and it fits right into the quilt of her earlier albums, full of searching, yearning songs that ache more than they bounce for joy, all set to sparse, piano-led arrangements that focus in and around her vocals without intrusion. Like all of her albums, it's down-key, wrenching passion out of things long lost, and one can't help but be amazed at the sincerity and desperation DeMent brings to every line she sings here. The songs are well written, detailed, poetic, and centered on her childhood, her father, her mother, her brothers and sisters, all those ties and bonds one carries all through life -- all well and good, at least as confessionals go. The problem here is that Sing the Delta sounds a bit like a great short story writer singing autobiographical stories rather than delivering songs. There's little that moves one to sing along here, unfortunately. The tempos are all slow, dramatic, and melancholy. The one song that actually features a little bounce in its rhythm, "The Night I Learned How Not to Pray," is a sad, harrowing account of a young brother's death, and while it's a great and emotionally effective song, it hardly feels redemptive. Everything here seems to fade into the same slow waltz, and while the lyrics shine, lyrics alone do not make for a good song. The best here, like "The Night I Learned How Not to Pray," the slow gospel burn of the opener "Go on Ahead and Go Home," "If That Ain't Love" (a portrait of DeMent's father), the spunky and wise "Mama Was Always Tellin' Her Truth" (a portrait of her mother), and the beautiful "There's a Whole Lotta Heaven," have choruses that rise out of their stories and connect -- one can actually sing along with them, which is the quickest way to bring a song into another's life. Too often Sing the Delta sounds like a poetry reading with great lines, wonderful metaphors, and a hard-earned wisdom on display -- a bit like Dolly Parton if she had gone to Harvard -- and there's no denying the talent, sincerity, and craft on display here. But a song is most a song when someone else can sing along to it, pull it into her or his own life, and make it speak inside that life, and there just isn't a whole lot of that on this album, impressive as it is. ~ Steve Leggett, Rovi
Price: $20.98


text:
Pixel Player is a powerful music player for Android : lightweight, quick and highly customizable.
Main Features :
> Material - Android 5.0 User Interface
> Equalizer with Bass Boost (support DPS Equalizer and Android Equalizer)
> Music covers download
> Lyrics download
> ID3 tag editor
> Gapless Playback
> Customizable Themes and Colors
> Folder Tab (available only in Pro version)
> Hide/Show Tabs (available only in Pro version)
> Blacklist (available only in Pro version)
> Lockscreen controls
> Notification controls (Normal and Expand)
> Intelligent Queue Management (Drag & Sort)
> 3 different Widgets
> Headset button controls
Upcoming Features
> Translate in more languages : if you would like to help me, don't hesitate to contact me !
> Sleep Timer
The application is in continuous developing, in order to provide the best possible experience.
Bug report and suggestions are really helpful and welcome in order to improve the application. Do not hesitate to contact me in case of doubts, problems or application errors!
Enjoy your music with Pixel Player Music Player !


text:
The growing importance of human resources departments is magnified in mid-market companies, where HR executives are required to function both operationally and strategically. We share problems and solutions in many areas:
- Talent development and succession planning
- Strategic Workforce Planning in the mid-market sector
- HR & Employee Burnout: Workforce Recovery
Our candid and confidential meetings are often hosted by member companies and further enriched by facility tours and web briefings.
The power of peer learning
Enduring relationships with trusted peers are the core of the council experience. Enhanced by our global, enterprise-wide reach, these relationships span the world and extend the value of council membership. Confidential peer dialogue provides you with a broader perspective and shared experiences, as well as access to specific knowledge and best practices.
Council membership benefits
- Collective problem solving that puts your issue on the agenda
- Benchmarking through regular surveys of council members about relevant company practices
- Multifunctional insights generated by the wealth of perspectives gathered from over 100 councils (covering more than 50 functions) that work together across geographies
- Virtual communities that extend learning opportunities through a variety of online forums and other resources
Who should join?
Senior human resources executives of mid-market organizations with annual revenues of $100 million to $1 billion
Program Director
Audrey McGuckin
Program Director, Chief Human Resources (CHRO) III Council and Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) Council


text:
Join Sunset Editors and Vino Las Vegas on Cultural and Adventure Tours at Sunset SAVOR the Central Coast 2011 and Experience California's Central Coast Like Never Before
|Elaine Harris , Editor-In-Chief , Cuisineist
Tickets for the West's newest food and wine destination mega-event are going fast
Riding high on the phenomenal success of last year's first-ever Sunset SAVOR the Central Coast, event organizers Sunset magazine (www.Sunset.com) and the San Luis Obispo County Visitors and Conference Bureau (www.SanLuisObispoCounty.com) have expanded opportunities for visitors to experience the quintessential California lifestyle at this destination food and wine event taking place September 29 through October 2, 2011.
"Not only is the Central Coast on the front edge of the farm-to-table movement, but it's also a stunningly beautiful region to explore," said Katie Tamony, editor-in-chief of Sunset. "We wanted to match unique cultural and adventure experiences to the food and drink that are getting the region so much attention."
Among such experiences are new "Adventure Tours" that bring visitors up-close and personal with San Luis Obispo County's natural and historic attractions, punctuated by a gourmet lunch to enhance the beauty of the surroundings. All Adventure Tours will take place Friday, September 30, from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. and cost $50 per person. Examples include:
- A tour and lunch at the Happy Acres Family Farm (www.HappyAcresFamilyFarm.com) with Sunset Food Editor, Margo True. This small, artisan dairy in the rolling hills of Templeton nurtures over 200 goats and uses their all-natural, hormone-free milk to produce a line of high-end cheeses, ice creams, lotions, and soap. This will be a hands-on tour with opportunities to milk the goats and make cheeses. After the tour, enjoy the breathtaking countryside while savoring a beautifully prepared luncheon along with select wines from Wild Horse Winery.
- A kayak and paddleboard tour of the Morro Bay National Estuary with Sunset Publisher, Peter Medwid. The protected wetlands of the Morro Bay Estuary host one of the most remarkably rich wildlife habitats in California as a fish nursery, an important stopover on the Pacific Flyway for numerous bird species, and a marine protected area. Experienced guides will set a relaxing pace to glide along quiet waters and enjoy the great outdoors, followed by a sumptuous oyster luncheon overlooking the bay at Miss LoLa's Southside Grill.
- A gourmet lunch and coastline walk in Montaña de Oro State Park with Central Coast Outdoors Guide, John Flaherty. Montaña de Oro is among California's greatest natural treasures, with over 8,000 acres of rugged cliffs, secluded sandy beaches, coastal plains, streams, canyons and hills. This tour will explore an area long beloved of naturalists for its solitude and raw beauty, and will culminate in a gourmet lunch paired with fine local wine at Spooner's Cove.
- A hike, tour and lunch at the Point San Luis Lighthouse (www.SanLuisLighthouse.org) with Sunset Associate Garden Editor, Julie Chai. To visit the fully-restored Point San Luis Light Station is to walk back in time to the 1890s when this beacon was the main protection for ships at sea from meeting with rugged cliffs. A four mile hike from Avila Beach along a private stretch of shoreline, the Point San Luis Lighthouse will provide knowledgeable docents to guide visitors through the property, after which wine, fresh local cuisine, and an unparalleled view of the Pacific Ocean will await in the old Horn House.
In addition, the 2011 Sunset Western Wine Awards Gala will take place during the SAVOR festivities on Friday evening, September 30 from 6 P.M. to 10 P.M., under a grand tent on the historic Pismo Beach Pier. Focusing solely on wines produced in the West, Sunset Western Wine Awards are recognized as the highest honor for Western winemakers. Attendees will join Sunset Wine Editor, Sara Schneider and Sunset Editor-In-Chief, Katie Tamony, as well as a professional panel of judges including wine writers, sommeliers, and winemakers as they announce the winners throughout the evening. For $85 per person, guests will partake in a locally-sourced gourmet dinner, sip the nominated and award-winning wines, and hob-nob with the West's best winemakers.
For tickets or more information on Sunset SAVOR the Central Coast 2011 Adventure Tours or the Sunset Western Wine Awards Gala, please visit www.SavorCentralCoast.com. Tickets are also available for purchase at Farm Supply locations. See you there !


text:
Phase III Confirmatory Study in Erythropoietic Protoporphyria
|The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details.
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01605136
Recruitment Status : Unknown
Verified March 2013 by Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals Limited.
Recruitment status was: Active, not recruiting
First Posted : May 24, 2012
Last Update Posted : March 22, 2013
- Study Details
- Tabular View
- Results Submitted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
This is a randomized placebo-controlled study to be conducted in two parallel study arms for a six month period (three doses). Between 75 and 100 eligible patients will be enrolled. Patients will receive afamelanotide (16 mg implants) or placebo according to the following dosing regimen:
- Group A will be administered afamelanotide implants on Days 0, 60 and 120
- Group B will be administered placebo implants on Days 0, 60 and 120
The number and severity of phototoxic reactions, the type and duration of sun exposure, treatment-emergent adverse events and the use of concomitant medication will be recorded by patients in study diaries between Days 0 and 180. Quality of life will be measured using the DLQI and EPP-QoL at Days 0, 60, 120 and 180. Participants will visit the clinic on Days 60, 120 and 180 for assessments of adverse events.
A subset of patients will be photoprovoked on the lower back and dorsal surface of the hand and the minimal symptom dose (MSD) will be determined on Days 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120.
|Condition or disease
|Erythropoietic Protoporphyria
|Drug: Afamelanotide Drug: Placebo
|Phase 3
Afamelanotide is a man-made drug being studied for use as a preventative medication for Erythropoietic Protoporphyria (EPP) sufferers. It is a synthetically produced analogue of human alpha melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) and is not yet available on the market.
The purpose of this study is to look at whether afamelanotide can reduce the number and severity of EPP symptoms when patients are exposed to light. This study will also look at how the drug is tolerated when taken by people with EPP.
The study will involve the use of an implant, which comes in the form of a small rod to be administered under the skin. The implant may contain the study drug afamelanotide or a placebo (inactive medication).
Over 620 subjects have been treated with afamelanotide to date with no serious safety concerns identified. For this study, afamelanotide has been formulated as a controlled release depot injection (implant). This means that the afamelanotide will be released slowly into the body over a few days.
This study aims to confirm the photoprotective properties if afamelanotide demonstrated in the earlier Phase II and phase III studies.
|Study Type :
|Interventional (Clinical Trial)
|Actual Enrollment :
|93 participants
|Intervention Model:
|Parallel Assignment
|Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
|Primary Purpose:
|Official Title:
|A Phase III, Multicentre, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study to Confirm the Safety and Efficacy of Subcutaneous Bioresorbable Afamelanotide Implants in Patients With Erythropoietic Protoporphyria (EPP)
|Study Start Date :
|May 2012
|Estimated Primary Completion Date :
|April 2013
|Estimated Study Completion Date :
|April 2013
|Experimental: Afamelanotide
Drug: Afamelanotide
One 16mg subcutaneous implant every 2 months for 6 months.
|Placebo Comparator: Placebo
Drug: Placebo
One placebo subcutaneous implant every 2 months for 6 months
- Duration of direct sunlight exposure between 10:00 and 18:00 hours on days when no pain was experienced (pain score of 0). [ Time Frame: 6 months ]
- Combined sun exposure and phototoxic pain [ Time Frame: 6 months ]Duration of direct sunlight exposure between 10:00 and 18:00 hours on days when no or mild pain was experienced (Likert scores of 0 to 3).
- Sun exposure [ Time Frame: 6 months ]Duration of direct sunlight exposure between 10:00 and 18:00 hours during the study.
- Quality of life [ Time Frame: 6 months ]Assessed by the DLQI and EPP-QoL measured at baseline and on Days 60, 120 and 180.
- Photoprovocation [ Time Frame: 6 months ]A subset of patients will be photoprovoked on the lower back and dorsal surface of the hand to determine the minimum symptom dose on Days 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120.
- Phototoxicity - phototoxic pain [ Time Frame: 6 months ]
The maximum and total pain severity scores (Likert scale) for phototoxic episodes.
The number of phototoxic episodes reported from Day 0 to Day 180.
- Safety and Tolerability Endpoints [ Time Frame: 6 months ]Treatment-emergent adverse events (coded as MedDRA Preferred Terms). Changes in hematology, serum chemistry, urinalysis, physical examination and vital sign measurements from Screening to Study Days 60, 120, 180, and at Early Termination Visit, if applicable.
Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.
|Ages Eligible for Study:
|18 Years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
|Sexes Eligible for Study:
|Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
Inclusion Criteria:
- Male or female subjects with characteristic symptoms of EPP phototoxicity and a biochemically-confirmed diagnosis of EPP.
- Aged 18 years old and above (inclusive).
- Able to understand and sign the written Informed Consent Form.
- Willing to take precautions to prevent pregnancy until completion of the study (Day 180).
Exclusion Criteria:
- Any allergy to afamelanotide or the polymer contained in the implant or to lidocaine or other local anesthetic to be used during the administration of the study medication
- EPP patients with significant hepatic involvement
- Personal history of melanoma or dysplastic nevus syndrome.
- Current Bowen's disease, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, or other malignant or premalignant skin lesions.
- Any other photodermatosis such as polymorphic light eruption, actinic prurigo, discoid lupus erythematosus, chronic actinic dermatitis or solar urticaria.
- Any evidence of clinically significant organ dysfunction or any clinically significant deviation from normal in the clinical or laboratory determinations.
- Acute history of drug or alcohol abuse (in the last 6 months).
- Patient assessed as not suitable for the study in the opinion of the Investigator (e.g. noncompliance history, allergic to local anesthetics, faints when given injections or giving blood).
- Participation in a clinical trial for an investigational agent within 30 days prior to the screening visit.
- Prior and concomitant therapy with medications which may interfere with the objectives of the study, including drugs that cause photosensitivity or skin pigmentation.
- Female who is pregnant (confirmed by positive serum β-HCG pregnancy test prior to baseline) or lactating.
- Females of child-bearing potential (pre-menopausal, not surgically sterile) not using adequate contraceptive measures (i.e. oral contraceptives, diaphragm plus spermicide, intrauterine device).
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT01605136
|United States, Alabama
|University of Alabama
|Birmingham, Alabama, United States, 35294
|United States, California
|University of California, San Francisco
|San Francisco, California, United States, 94143
|United States, Michigan
|Henry Ford Medical Center
|Detroit, Michigan, United States, 48202
|United States, New York
|Mt. Sinai
|New York, New York, United States, 10029
|United States, North Carolina
|Carolina's Medical Center Cannon Research
|Charlotte, North Carolina, United States, 29203
|United States, Texas
|University of Texas
|Galveston, Texas, United States, 77555
|United States, Utah
|University of Utah
|Salt Lake City, Utah, United States, 84112
|Principal Investigator:
|Robert Desnick, MD
|Mt. Sinai Medical Center
Publications automatically indexed to this study by ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT Number):
|Responsible Party:
|Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals Limited
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|NCT01605136 History of Changes
|Other Study ID Numbers:
|First Posted:
|May 24, 2012 Key Record Dates
|Last Update Posted:
|March 22, 2013
|Last Verified:
|March 2013
Keywords provided by Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals Limited:
Erythropoietic Protoporphyria
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Porphyrias, Hepatic
Protoporphyria, Erythropoietic
Liver Diseases
Digestive System Diseases
Skin Diseases, Genetic
Genetic Diseases, Inborn
Skin Diseases
Metabolic Diseases
Dermatologic Agents
Hormones, Hormone Substitutes, and Hormone Antagonists
Physiological Effects of Drugs


text:
Kate Arends Wedding Roundup
We've had the pleasure of printing several wedding suites designed by local Minneapolis creative Kate Arends. A full-time designer over at Cue, Kate also freelances and does a beautiful job curating her blog Wit + Delight. Sized to fit in preexisting #10 envelope, the first suite is printed with three inks on Neenah Classic Crest Natural white 165C with a flash of metallic gold edge coloring. No checkboxes in sight, the RSVP is cleverly designed as one card perforated down the middle–allowing the guest to respond with a hearty "YES" response card or use the alternate "Regretfully Decline" postcard.
We love the bold graphic nature, humorous wording and great use of an inline font on this second suite. Printed on French Poptone Sweet Tooth 140C, the invitation card scores twice to z-fold into the envelope. Though the cards use only black ink, the fluorescent green envelope, Mohawk's BridteHue in UltraLime, adds a punch of color.
Update // See Jon and Alecia's entire wedding over on 100 Layer Cake.
Lastly, there's a wedding suite and save the date Kate designed for an Australian bride out of Adelaide. Filled with elegant typographic lockups and textured backgrounds, this was printed with gold ink on French Poptone Whipped Cream 140C .


text:
Aircraft in storage, salvage or under repair must be registered with the Motor Vehicle Division Aircraft Registration Unit, and the registration fee must be paid. The tax on these aircraft is $20 plus a $5 registration fee.
To qualify for the stored, salvage or repair aircraft tax, the owner must file a sworn affidavit with the Motor Vehicle Division Aircraft Registration Unit no later than the last day of February or within 60 days after the aircraft is placed in storage, salvage, under repair or upon entry into the state.
The owner of an aircraft registered and taxed based on storage, salvage or under repair status will immediately notify the Motor Vehicle Division Aircraft Registration Unit when the aircraft is returned to use. Upon return to use, the owner must pay the appropriate license tax for active aircraft, which will be prorated based on the number of months remaining in the year.
Arizona Department of Transportation
Contact Us
Copyright © Arizona Department of Transportation – All rights reserved.


text:
Erbitux add-on falls short in esophageal cancer
Source: www.medpagetoday.com
Author: Charles Bankhead, Staff Writer, MedPage Today
The addition of a targeted agent to definitive chemoradiation failed to improve survival in an unselected population with esophageal cancer, a randomized trial showed. In fact, patients who received cetuximab (Erbitux) with chemoradiation had significantly worse overall survival (OS) reflected in a 50% increase in the hazard versus chemoradiation alone, reported Thomas Crosby, MD, of Velindre Hospital in Cardiff, Wales, and colleagues.
Investigators could not find any subgroup of patients who benefited from cetuximab, they said in a presentation at the Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium.
"The addition of cetuximab cannot be recommended to standard definitive chemoradiotherapy in the treatment of unselected patients with esophageal cancer," Crosby said.
"The use of high-quality definitive chemoradiotherapy in the treatment of localized, poor-prognosis esophageal cancer was associated with excellent survival compared with previous radiotherapy and surgical series," he added.
Randomized trials have shown that definitive (or primary) chemoradiation improves survival in localized esophageal cancer compared with a single treatment modality. In England, definitive chemoradiation has been used primarily for patients with localized disease that is unsuitable for surgery, Crosby said.
Add-on therapy with cetuximab has improved outcomes in other cancers, notably head and neck cancer and colorectal cancer. The findings provided a rationale for evaluating the addition of cetuximab to primary radiation therapy for localized esophageal cancer.
Crosby presented results of a randomized trial wherein patients with localized (stage I-III) esophageal cancer (less than 10 cm). Patients were excluded if they had celiac lymph-node involvement.
The patients received cisplatin-capecitabine (Xeloda) chemotherapy with or without cetuximab. After 6 weeks of chemotherapy, patients underwent definitive conformal radiation therapy at a total dose of 50 Gy in 25 fractions.
The trial had two stages. The first stage had a primary endpoint of treatment failure-free survival (TFFS), defined as alive at 6 months with no residual cancer in biopsy specimens and no evidence of disease progression outside the radiation therapy field. Secondary endpoints were toxicity, quality of life, overall survival (OS), and feasibility of recruitment. The first stage of the trial had an accrual target of 180 patients.
The trial's second stage had a primary endpoint of OS and accrual to 420 patients.
However, the trial never reached second stage, but ended after a planned stage one analysis convinced the independent review committee that continued accrual to meet the primary endpoint would be futile.
Treatment and follow-up continued with enrolled patients, and the final analysis included 258 patients who had completed the 6-month assessment of disease status.
Crosby reported that patients randomized to conventional chemoradiation without cetuximab had a TFFS of 77% whereas the cetuximab group had a TFFS of 66%. All survival outcomes favored omission of cetuximab:
Median OS: 25.4 months versus 22.1 months
2-year survival: 56% versus 43.1%
Median progression-free survival: 19.4 months versus 15.9 months
The analysis showed a marked difference in median OS between patients who met the TFFS goal at 6 months and those who did not: 26.7 months versus 8.3 months.
Comparison of OS in the two arms yielded hazard ratio of 1.53 for the cetuximab arm versus chemoradiation only (P=0.035).
In addition to the inferior outcomes with cetuximab, addition of the targeted agent added to the toxicity burden. The cetuximab arm had an 81.4% incidence of grade 3 to 5 toxicity compared with 72.9% without cetuximab.
Patients who received cetuximab in addition to chemoradiation had significantly more grade 3 to 5 dermatologic toxicity (21.7% versus 3.9%, P<0.001) and metabolic/biochemical toxicity (24.0% versus 10.9%, P=0.005).
Additionally, the analysis revealed a trend toward more cardiac adverse events in the cetuximab arm (6.2% versus 1.6%, P=0.053).
The addition of cetuximab also adversely affected adherence to the treatment protocol. Patients in the cetuximab arm were significantly less likely to receive full doses of cisplatin (76.7% versus 89.9%, P=0.005), capecitabine (69.0% versus 85.3%, P=0.002), and radiation therapy (75.2% versus 86.0%, P=0.027).
Additionally, almost a third of patients did not receive the prescribed dose of cetuximab.
"Future strategies to improve the outcome of definitive chemoradiotherapy in esophageal cancer must focus on developing evidence-based biomarkers to select treatments and incorporating newer radiotherapy technologies and targeted systemic treatment to safely intensify treatment, including a higher radiotherapy dose," Crosby said.


text:
Your Basket
Your basket is empty.
100% Secure Online Ordering
Home > County Kilkenny > 2 florists in "Urlingford" > Away With Flowers > Products > Because You Are Special
Main St,
Co. Kilkenny, E41THF2, Ireland
out of 5
based on 3 user ratings
(3 reviews) 90.00% positive
Great service, super speedy delivery from Celine???s. Recipient was delighted and thought the flowers were beautiful. Thank you
5 / 5
Eva 22nd Aug
excellent service and flowers beautiful, very pleased
Eric 19th Aug
Gorgeous flowers, so colourful and beautifully presented. Hand written card too which was more personal than a typed version. Thanks Flowers by Ann for your delightful creation and prompt delivery.
Elaine 18th Aug
My Mother-in-law, was thrilled with the beautiful bouquet. The delivery was on the day expected. A good friendly service. Will definitely use the Web site again
Anne 18th Aug
Great flowers, so lovely my mam loved them
Abigail 17th Aug
Brilliant service with delivery the next day and one very impressed granddaughter to boot. Definitely my "turn to" company the next time I need a flower delivery.
John 16th Aug
Very efficent serv ice and my friends are very happy
Stephen 15th Aug
Fantastic service will definitely use them again thanks
Colleen 14th Aug
The complimentary bouquet was wonderful
Cronau 13th Aug
Really appreciated the picture of the flowers.
4 / 5
And 13th Aug
Lovely fresh bouquet delivered today.
Grace 13th Aug
Flowers and chocolates arrived as promised, and looked very close to the picture on the website. Florist was very timely in answering an email that was sent. Would recommend both the florist and website.
McNally 12th Aug
Flowers looked exactly the same as photo, which is rare. They were stunning!
Keogh 11th Aug
Have been sending flowers from
The Blue Rose from Australia to Ireland for years and they always do a great job. Thank you.
O 11th Aug
Flowers were fresh and nicely arranged.
Chaney 10th Aug
Perfect experience. A great job once again.
Kelly 10th Aug
Beautiful flowers delivered when requested thank you so much
Gary 9th Aug
Awesome hassle free service. Family are over the moon with the beautiful flowers sent. Thank you Siobhan.
John 8th Aug
Fantastic service! Flowers were beautiful and delivered very quickly (less than 24hrs). Would definitely recommend Magic Moments to anyone!
Shannon 8th Aug
Great service, really recommend
Jack 8th Aug
Order within > 38 hours and 16 minutes > for delivery on MONDAY in Ireland
This collection of seasonal and spring flowers delight every day. (Spring only available January -April)
*Fine Print: Every bouquet is hand made and delivered by the local florist. Pictures shown are recent examples of an actual arrangement that were designed by talented florists and later sent out to a customer just like you! Please note that each individual florist cannot guarantee what the flower varieties or colours will be, they do guarantee that your specific arrangement will be fresh, beautiful and that your recipient will love it!


text:
HONG KONG (MarketWatch) — Major Asian stock benchmarks jumped 2% or more on Thursday to end February on a buoyant note, as eased worries over Italy and the U.S. Federal Reserve's commitment to monetary stimulus boosted investor sentiment.
Indian shares missed the broad uptrend, reversing course to slide lower after Finance Minister Finance Minister P. Chidambaram proposed higher taxes raised taxes on wealthy individuals in his annual budget.
Japan's Nikkei Stock Average NIK, +0.06% soared 2.7%, China's Shanghai Composite Index 000001, -0.27% climbed 2.3% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index HSI, +0.94% added 2%.
Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index XJO, -0.04% added 1.3% and South Korea's Kospi 180721, -0.58% advanced 1.1%.
India's Sensex 1, +0.10% fell 0.8% to 18,995.77 in Mumbai afternoon trade, way off the day's peak at 19,322.28.
The broad regional gains came a day after an Italian debt auction saw a better-than-expected response and Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke's reaffirmed his commitment to the central bank's bond-purchase program. Read: U.S. stocks surge in best day since Jan. 2.
CMC Markets sales trader Miguel Audencial said Bernanke's statement to Congress provided "a significant boost" to investor confidence.
"Bernanke was able to alleviate some of the concerns of the costs of the Fed's current quantitative-easing program, indicating that the central bank has the required ammunition to reduce stimulus to avoid a spike in inflation," he said.
"While confidence is high, there are still risks present," Audencial said, including negative political news from Italy and the March 1 deadline for the U.S. sequester. Read: The sequester starts Friday. Then what?
The day's solid performance boosted the Nikkei's monthly return to 3.8% in February, when the S&P/ASX 200 jumped 4.6% and the Kospi climbed 3.3%. Thursday's rally also helped pare losses for Chinese equities, with the Hang Seng Index ending the month 3% lower, while the Shanghai Composite fell 0.8%.
India's Sensex was among the region's worst performers, with month-to-date losses of 4.6%.
Stock movers
Losses in Mumbai were led by banking, industrial and metals stocks. State Bank of India 500112, +0.38% shares sank 5.1% and ICICI Bank Ltd. 532174, +0.43% IBN, +1.65% gave up 3.8%, while Tata Steel Ltd. 500470, -0.44% skidded 4.7% and Hindalco Industries Ltd. 500440, -0.53% fell 2.5%.
The drop came even as the finance minister lower the securities transaction tax. Read: India PM flags, deficits as challenges.
Nomura economists called the Indian budget "a missed opportunity," saying the finance minister's estimate of a 4.8% fiscal deficit for the year ending March 31, 2014 was higher than the brokerage's expectation of 4.6%.
"From a macro perspective, the budget is disappointing in our opinion as it lacks any expenditure control," they said. "While the finance minister has, we believe, presented a prudent budget, the question is whether the numbers are achievable. In our view, the growing size of the government is worrying."
Property and financial shares fronted the rally for Chinese equities.
In Hong Kong, heavyweight HSBC Holdings PLC 5, -0.53% US:HBC rose 2.2%, Bank of China Ltd. 3988, +0.00% BACHY, +1.38% climbed 3.1% and New World Development Co. 17, +6.33% rallied 3.8%.
Shares of Citic Pacific Ltd. 267, -0.22% CTPCY, +1.17% spiked 7.6% after the diversified firm posted better-than-expected earnings for 2012.
On the mainland bourses, China Vanke Co. US:CVKEY CN:200002 surged 6% in Shenzhen, while Gemdale Corp. 600383, +0.00% rose 3.7% in Shanghai.
Barclays Capital strategist Jose Wynne said that in addition to supportive monetary policy from the U.S., the Bank of Japan was also "likely to meet the market's high expectations [on policy easing] soon."
On Thursday, the Japanese government formally nominated Haruhiko Kuroda, a monetary policy dove, as the new central-bank governor. The appointment had been expected. Read: Tokyo nominates Haruhiko Kuroda as BOJ chief.
Shares of Japan's key exporters improved broadly in line with the yen weakness.
Advantest Corp. 6857, -0.36% US:ATE climbed 4.5%, Toshiba Corp. 6502, +1.25% TOSYY, +1.36% rose 5.2%, Toyota Motor Corp. 7203, -0.07% TM, +1.12% added 3.5% and Nissan Motor Co. 7201, +0.56% NSANY, +1.15% advanced 3.9%.
All three car companies increased the China production in January, for the first time since last year's flare-up of a territorial dispute between Beijing and Tokyo, according to a report in the Nikkei business daily.
Machinery firm Komatsu Ltd. 6301, -1.30% KMTUY, -0.09% rose 3.7% after the Nikkei reported separately that the firm is expected to post an operating profit of more than ¥300 billion ($3.25 billion) in the fiscal year ending March 2014, with a slide in the yen forecast to lift earnings.
In Australia, energy firms and banks posted gains, with Woodside Petroleum Ltd. WPL, +0.10% WOPEF, -0.05% up 3.6% and Commonwealth Bank of Australia CBA, +1.05% CBAUF, +1.28% higher by 1.9%.
Asset manager Perpetual Ltd. PPT, +0.31% added 4.2% after posting a 19% increase in first-half net profit.
Retailer Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd. HVN, +1.78% rallied 9.2% after saying its has seen an uptick in recent sales, although its first-half profit fell 36%.