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Monday, October 26, 2009
Posted by Haven at 4:00 PM 0 comments
Friday, October 23, 2009
Flowers Nerebend Wi' Th' Rainfall
I be havin' a sore throat (that dasn't hurt that much, jus' uncomfortable), I be coughin', an' now sneezin'. Nay fever of yet. I also found a website that will translate words in t' swashbuckler speak.
Today there was a pep rally which was more fun than I expected. I sat with my friends and watched all the people walk by with their clubs. We cheered for the marching band people because we knew three people. They later joined us in the stands because although the step team, poms, and cheerleaders get to perform, they told the marching band that they could play at the end if there was enough time (which there wasn't). The floats were pretty cool and they all had a theme, which was beaches or something. The Freshman float was very intricate, and it had the motto "We put the fresh in freshman." It was a tiki hut with a hammock outside it. They threw Milky Ways at us, but they were only fun size, so when I asked my friend for some because he caught one, it was like the smallest thing ever. The Sophomore one was just a boat with some floral decorations and it had a sign that said "I'm On A Boat!" with a cut-out of T-Pain. I loved the Junior's float. It was a pirate ship! It was big because there was people coming out of it and walking the plank. The Senior's float was stupid, but they won just because they're seniors. Basically it was a small boat, but then they got out a dummy of a Leonardtown football player and proceeded to beat it up and rip the head off. Watching the clubs walk in between the floats was funny, because there were clubs that I never heard of before. I didn't know that we had a golf team, and I wondered why since golf seems so boring, except for put put golf, so my friends suggested we have a mini-golf team. A few people threw candy that they got from the floats at the people walking by. The looks on their faces were priceless. The cheerleaders cartwheeled in the parade, and one football player got out of line, back flipped with them, and ran back.
There was an obstacle course where they picked one person from each grade. The freshman won, but that's because the only person ahead of her was a football player and thus couldn't kick a soccer ball straight. Hanging with nerdy guys was funny when listening to their commentary on the performances. They said that cheerleaders are not as hot as they used to be. The step team was doing Michael Jackson, and asked why they grabbed their crotches. During poms they said that anybody could kick their legs like that. I exclaimed "I could be on the pom squad!", and one of my friends turned around and said "Please don't." One girl on the pom squad obviously had no clue what the choreography was, so it was kind of obvious to point her out.
Although the actual pep rally wasn't that great, it was fun to hang out with my friends for two hours. When a song came on that one of my friend's love, we started singing it out loud and saying stuff like "This is my jam!" People came from Chick-Fil-A and handed out discounts which I thought was funny since I knew a music fundraiser was coming up at Chick-Fil-A. One of my band friends complained about how people were going to use the discount at the fundraiser. People were slingshotting (or attempting to) stuffed cows. We were sitting in the middle, so there was no way that one could possibly reach us, yet my friend tried getting one anyway. I said to him "You'll never get one," when out of nowhere one flies in to the crowd and he caught it. Near the end I stole his shoe and didn't give it back to him. When he was close to taking it, I gave it to another friend and he wouldn't give it back either. When the friend with the stolen shoe looked away, the other friend hid it under my feet and told him that he passed the shoe down the crowd. The only problem with nerds is they figure stuff out fast. One thing that kept on happening throughout the pep rally was people kept touching me. You know when people poke you on your shoulder and you're left really confused? Well when it happened I made a big fuss about someone touching me, so then everyone started doing it. I never found out who was poking me when, except for the friend who was sitting in front of me. He wasn't trying very hard to be sneaky, so I didn't tell him off. He eventually stopped, but I kept on feeling pokes on my shoulder all afternoon. I don't know if I'd go to the actual homecoming game since my friends would either be in marching band or won't be going.
Posted by Haven at 6:27 PM 1 comments
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Don't you just love it when you find a new song that you absolutely adore? Don't you just love it when you find out you have it on a record? Don't you just love it when the record has a bunch of other songs that you already absolutely adore? Don't you just love the word adore?
Posted by Haven at 4:09 PM 2 comments
Friday, October 9, 2009
I got my braces off today, which was not fun. I waited for like five minutes before the lady next to me asked what color I wanted. Instinctively I answered teal even though I knew I would be getting my braces off. After that the lady left. After what felt like forever the actual orthodontist came over and said "Sorry I'm late" and told me I'd be getting my braces off, and then left. The first lady came back after what felt like forever and said "Sorry I'm late" and then told me all the stuff she was going to be doing. She seemed surprised that I wasn't really excited to get them off. First she had to get the brackets off, which she said was a painless process, but it wasn't. After that they had to put this stuff on that either protected my teeth or whatever that tasted like water, smelled like sunscreen, and felt like sand. The lady out floss in between what seemed random teeth for whatever reason she said. Then they had to put this big red thing in my mouth to stretch it so she could put the bond on my teeth for my permanent retainer. It felt like forever, it tasted awful, and my lips were cracked and numb. Meanwhile the whole time my mouth is dry and uncomfortable since they put a thing in my mouth that was running through the whole thing to suck up my saliva. After another eternity went by I heard someone comment that they couldn't believe it was 10:30 already. My appointment was at 9, so think that over a bit. Then they had to use like a laser gun to dry the bond, so the lady put on special glasses and she told me to close my eyes. The warmth was much appreciated since the room was so cold. Then they actually put on the permanent retainer. When they took out the big red thing that was forcing my mouth open and the thing that was sucking up the saliva, I was close to tears. My lips hurt, my mouth was dry and terrible tasting, and I was missing the math quiz in second block. The lady told the orthodontist that she might have messed up the top permanent retainer, so they had to do it all over again. The lady then had to get the dental floss out of my teeth, but one of them was stuck to the bond of the permanent retainer, so she cut it short, thinking that would help it, but it just made it harder to get out. She had to call over another lady which took forever because she had to pull, and scrap, and floss and until finally she got all the little pieces out. Then they had to get the glue from the brackets off of the front of my teeth, so I had to have a cotton ball stuffed under my upper lip and had to put on safety glasses on as they scraped off the glue with like a drill. I was so grateful when they said I could rinse out my mouth and brush. I still couldn't get the glue taste out of my mouth, and the way I looked in the mirror made me want to cry more. The glasses left a mark that made it look like I had a unibrow, I had glue all over my lips which looked like someone punched me in the face, and no matter how hard I brushed behind my teeth, the taste of the bond wouldn't go away. The ladies waited patiently for me while I stared in the mirror and willed myself not to cry. If I'm uncomfortable, like if I'm sick or I'm cold, then I'm miserable. I hated the permanent retainer. Why would I get my braces off just to have more metal in my mouth? My throat burned with unshed tears. The last thing we had to do was make a mold for my retainers, the clear ones I would get later today. When I sat in the chair, I remember the first time I sat in it, when they did the first mold for my teeth. I had my greek fisherman's cap, the one I called my Billy Shears hat when I had to get my first molds, one and a half years ago. I finally cried when I realized that getting braces wasn't worth the whole process of getting them off. During the whole thing the lady kept asking me if I was excited about getting my braces taken off. I kept on giving her the "so-so" hand signal since her hands were always in my mouth. The lady said we could do the molds later, but I said no, do them now. And I wiped off my eyes before the other lady came in to do my molds. Its hard to breathe only through your nose when it's running. When she did the mold for my top teeth I almost felt like gagging since it was oozing so much almost down my throat. When I finally got out of there my dad told me I was in there for 2 hours. When the secretary gave me a school note, I saw she put 9, since that was when my appointment was scheduled for. Before I went to the office at school, I checked the mirror in his car to see if my eyes were red from crying. My dad laughed thinking I was checking my teeth, which I resent. When I handed the note to the school secretary, she asked if I came directly from the orthodontist. I said yes, and I can understand why she said that. The pass she gave back said the time was 11:36.
I passed my theatre arts teacher to go to my locker, and he asked what's wrong. In French my hands were shaking. Definitely not worth it.
Posted by Haven at 8:50 PM 3 comments
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Today was the first meeting of the debate team. Actually it was more of a debate club since there's no competition unless we want to participate in the mock trials. The first debate was pirates vs. ninjas. I chose pirates. Ninjas had better speakers, but pirates had more points. Win.
Posted by Haven at 5:02 PM 1 comments
Monday, October 5, 2009
Last night I went to bed at 8 again and woke up not as tired as I usually am. I haven't been using a pillow lately and I now wonder at what the significance of one is. I should start going to bed earlier regularly. Today was actually quite nice. In Government my friend was talking about all the nerdy clubs we could join, like chess club, debate team, and this republican youth club (as a joke). In Geometry, I was arguing with the same friend about how PCs are better than Macs. We were using laptops and they weren't helping my case since they were sooooo slow and stupid. I asked if she wanted my Moxie, which is a soda I bought in New England. Since I wouldn't be able to get upstairs in enough time if I stopped at my locker, so I gave her my combination. In French I told our conservative friend about joining the republican club and wearing Obama shirts, and he said they would beat us up. In Health it was super easy because all we had to do was watch a movie about drunk driving. After school my friend that I gave the Moxie to stopped by my locker and gave me a juice box that she got from IKEA, a Swedish drink made from elderflower. As soon as I came home, I decided to start on my homework, which if you know me is surprising. But the real reason is Torry left and I wanted to use the record player. Torry won't move me if I'm doing homework.
Posted by Haven at 4:33 PM 1 comments


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Beach Towels
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Help your clients and employees soak up the sun in comfort and style with beach towels! Statistics show that when planning vacations, more Americans prefer a warm, sunny oceanfront as their ideal destination. So help them enhance their adventures by the seashore, and the marketing of your brand, with these versatile items! Whether they're being used to cushion a spot in the sand for sunbathing, or being wrapped around a wet body just out of the water, or even hanging over a balcony to dry, you'll always have a billboard for your brand. From standard styles made of 100% cotton, to double sheared beach towels for a softer hand or eco-friendly designs made from a bamboo/ cotton terry blend, we are sure to have a fully customizable option perfect for you and your marketing campaign.

subset: commoncrawl


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A perfect blend of guitar mastery and showmanship, Australian artist Tommy Emmanuel has proven to be an artist worth seeing live. Charming, energetic and down to earth, Emmanuel captures audiences with his personality and mesmerizes them with his guitar playing.
A master of the guitar, Emmanuel plays with an organic passion and ease. "I don't read any music, I play everything by ear," he says. "I've never had any formal training." It's hard to imagine, considering his complex finger picking technique is nearly impossible to keep up with. He plays with all ten of his fingers, the way a pianist would. Rather than using a whole band for melody, rhythm, bass and drum parts, Tommy does it all himself, on one guitar.
Born into a musical family, Tommy was considered a child prodigy who began playing guitar at age four. By the age of six, he was part of the family band, named The Trailblazers, which earned the family's sole income for several years. Emmanuel's first claim to fame came when The Trailblazers won two talent competitions and were able to produce an album.
Emmanuel eventually left home for Sydney in order to take his musical career to the next level. By the 1970s, he was playing in clubs all over the city and was in demand as a session player on numerous albums and commercial jingles.
In the early 1980s, he joined one of the decade's most popular Australian rock bands, Dragon, and toured widely with them. But it wasn't until Emmanuel decided to start a solo career that he truly rose to fame. He was first recognized for his album, Up From Down Under, by the Australian music industry and media.
In 2002, Emmanuel caught the attention of American audiences when he released his first solo-acoustic album, Only. Since then, Emmanuel's popularity has skyrocketed, with a non-stop touring schedule and various honors and awards. He earned a Grammy nomination for Best Country Instrumental, was named Best Acoustic Guitarist by Guitar Player Magazine and Acoustic Guitar Magazine and was inducted into the National Thumbpickers Hall of Fame.
His show at Norfolk's Infinity Hall simply consists of three guitars, an amplifier and Emmanuel himself, but contains more raw energy and talent than a full band. This unforgettable performance full of spontaneous standing ovations from the enthralled audience features eight song selections and a medley of Beatles favorites.
Track list:
- "Classical Gas"
- "Saturday Night Shuffle/Nine Pound Hammer"
- "Percussion Solo"
- "Hope Street"
- "Secret Love"
- "Guitar Boogie/Stevie's Blues"
- "Blood Brother"
- "The Trails"
Beatles Medley:
- "Here Comes the Sun"
- "When I'm 64"
- "She's a Woman"
- "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"
- "Day Tripper"
- "Lady Madonna"


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Savings institutions are competing in a "race to the bottom" as rates continue to fall across the market.
The latest cuts are being implemented by Britain's biggest building society, Nationwide, which has historically offered consistently competitive - if not chart-topping - depositor rates on its own accounts and through its subsidiaries which include Cheshire and Dunfermline. It says the cuts are being made to move the society's deals "in line" with rivals' falling rates. "What we've seen is that our rates are out of sync," a spokeswoman said.
So the popular Isa Saver under Nationwide's regional Cheshire brand, for instance, was paying 2.3pc (issue 3) last week, but is now cut down for new depositors to 1.7pc (issue 4). The Nationwide MySave Online Plus previously paid 1.7pc (issue 14), but now pays 1.4pc (issue 15).
Other cuts apply to fixed rate bonds. Last week a four-year bond paid 2.3pc across all of Nationwide's brands falling this week for new savers to 1.9pc. The change represents a 21pc cut in returns. On one-year bonds, again across all the society's brands, rates have dropped from 1.55pc to 1.3pc.
The meagre returns for savers - who outnumber the mutual's borrower customers by about ten to one - is likely to be raised at Nationwide's upcoming annual meeting, to be held on July 24 in Manchester.
The 'race to the bottom' phenomenon has afflicted savers' rates for much of this year. Last month - having been in the unusual position of paying higher rates than any rival equivalent account - Treasury-backed National Savings & Investments announced it was cutting rates on its Income Bonds and Isas. Income Bonds currently pay 1.75 pc, falling to 1.25pc from September 12. The Direct Isa's rate falls from 1.5pc to 1.1pc on the same date. NS&I usually prices savings rates carefully in order to avoid accusations from the banking sector that it makes unfair use of its copper-bottomed, Government-backed security. So its position at the top of the rates table was unusual, if not unprecedented, and highlighted the wider trend of diminishing demand among by institutions for savers' cash.
When it announced these cuts NS&I said: "Over the past few months we have seen a substantial decrease in competitor rates and as a result we have had to reduce our rates."
Most commentators believe the market-wide trend for falling savings rates results from the Government's Funding for Lending policy, launched last summer, which makes billions of pounds available to lenders and obviates the need to attract funds from private depositors.
Nationwide's top deals are now:
The Flexclusive Isa Issue 4 (for those who use Nationwide as a current account provider only) paying 2.25pc; the Easy Saver Isa Issue 2 (open to all) paying 2pc, which includes a 1.5pc bonus applying till November 2014; and the Web Isa Issue 4 (again for existing savers or current account holders only) paying 1.5pc on balances over £1,000, again including a bonus of 1.5pc applying till 2014.
For those who qualify, the Flexclusive Isa remains the best available variable Isa deal. Savers who don't have the necessary Nationwide accounts to qulaify for Flexclusive would do better with Chorley Building Society, where the 60-day notice Isa pays 2.2pc.
Nationwide's Loyalty Saver, open to society members of at least one year's standing, is relaunched on July 3 paying tiered returns according to how long savers have been with the society. Savers who have been members for 15 years or more earn the top 1.7pc down to 1.4pc for those having belonged between one and four years.


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This weekend, as part of their Final Fridays series which features new shows on the final two weekends of every month, ComedySports Philly will host Stage Fright: An Improvised Homage to Hitchcock. The show, which was recently nominated for Best in Long Form at the 2012 INNY Awards will play Thursday, February 16 at 8:00PM, Friday, February 17 at 10:00PM, and Saturday, February 18 at 3:00PM at The Playground at The Adrienne (2030 Sansom St. Philadelphia). Tickets can be purchased online or at the door.
Stage Fright is conceived and directed by Philadelphia Improv Festival co-creator Matt Nelson and it's cast features local improv talents Alli Soowal, Jason Stockdale, Jessica Ross, Joe Sabatino, Kristin Finger, Mary Carpenter, Nathan Edmondson and Rob Cutler. The show explores the dark corners of the world through tension and levity, while bringing to life Hitchcockian characters that are delightfully definitive of his style.


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by Michael Caruso
Donald Nally and The Crossing wrapped up their "Month of Moderns" series of choral concerts of contemporary music Sunday afternoon, June 30, with a stellar performance given for an audience that packed the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill.
The oldest piece they sang was heard "impromptu" during the reception that followed the actual concert. Recalling their recent backing of the Rolling Stones at the Wells Fargo Center, Nally and The Crossing performed "You Can't Always Get What You Want." Not so for local lovers of modern choral music, since Nally and his choir gave more than even the most demanding audience could possibly have wanted or expected.
On first glance, one might suppose that contemporary composers of choral music have somehow avoided the curse of not being able to compose music that reaches and touches audiences. I can't write that I've loved and adored every single work I've heard during my years of reviewing Crossing concerts, but I can write that every work I have heard displays a technical mastery, a stylistic conviction and an emotional impact that engenders admiration if not affection.
Nally seems to have an unshakable knack for giving each score a rendition that suits it. In works by Gabriel Jackson, Jonathan Dove, James MacMillan, John Cage and Santa Ratniece Sunday afternoon, Nally elicited a specific choral sound that matched the text of each piece. But let's not forget that Rolling Stones number, which reminded me that I heard the band in their first American tour way back in 1965 in the long-gone Convention Center in West Philadelphia. What a hoot!
Once again Ghenady Meirson and his "Russian Opera Workshop" gave local opera lovers the chance to encounter portions of the repertoire rarely performed in Philadelphia. Last week's set of performances that were the culmination of the month-long workshop brought Tchaikovsky's "Romeo and Juliet" and Rachmaninoff's "Francesca da Rimini" to the stage of the Academy of Vocal Arts' theater in Center City.
Most local classical music lovers are familiar with most of the music for "Romeo and Juliet" without even knowing it because the composer recycled many of the themes from the single scene into his "Romeo and Juliet" Fantasy-Overture.
Rachmaninoff's "Francesca da Rimini," on the other hand, is probably unfamiliar to almost everyone because the early work, written when the composer was still in conservatory, is rarely performed, even in concert. Like that of the Tchaikovsky, the libretto of "Francesca" was written by Modeste Tchaikovsky, the brother of Peter. And like that for "Romeo and Juliet," it's simply appalling as a work of narrative/dramatic literature. Virtually nothing actually happens onstage. Everything is talked about, and nothing is more fatal to an opera than endless chatter.
All the same, "Francesca da Rimini" offers some glorious music from the pen of one of the most distinctive composers ever to come out of Russia. The music came alive last Wednesday evening, June 26, for an audience that nearly filled AVA's Warden Theater. And for those who can't get enough of Russian opera, Meirson will be leading AVA's performances of Tchaikovsky's "The Queen of Spades" during the school's 2013-14 season. Visit www.avaopera.org for details.


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I must be missing something. A long time user of Family Tree Maker much prefers the "old" screens vs the "new" ones.
I thought I would check the difference out, since I have reinstalled Vesion 16 my Windows 8.1 computer
Here is the Family View in Family Tree Maker Version 16
The same family in FTM2014
What is in Red is the SAME information and format as Version 16. However, I can see three more generations of Ancestors, making the Navigation so much easier. At least for me.
The only difference between the data in the two screens is that two people died between the last time I updated the Version 16 file and the FTM2014 file.
I find the navigation around FTM2014 so much easier, far fewer mouse clicks, but that's just me.
Copyright © 2014 by H R Worthington


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SBHS volunteers Carolyn McKeon, Ellen Wells, and Donna Plummer with teacher Jason Bigonia in front of the South Bristol School
Item 82140 info
South Bristol Historical Society
An exciting collaboration between the South Bristol Historical Society and the South Bristol School that started out as a way to celebrated the upcoming centennial of the town has resulted in this exhibit on the Maine Memory Network.
In order to tell the story of the somewhat unusual circumstances leading up to the town's formation, fifth and sixth graders, under the guidance of teacher Jason Bigonia, met with Historical Society volunteers throughout Fall 2012 and Winter 2013 to select images that help to document the Town's growth and its unique character.
Then back at the school, students and SBHS volunteers scanned, made catalog entries and interpreted the images the students had selected.
South Bristol Historical Society museum and research center
Item 82141 info
South Bristol Historical Society
A Maine Memory Network Community Mobilization grant from the Maine Historical Society provided seed funding to purchase equipment and to allow teacher Bigonia and Historical Society volunteers to attend a training workshop for the project.
Bringing their new skills back to the classroom, these individuals worked with four teams of students, each team assigned a different aspect of the Town to research and document.
The students paid several move visits to the South Bristol Historical Society, a building many of them had never visited before.
South Bristol School students scanning images for the Maine Memory Network
Item 82142 info
South Bristol Historical Society
Interpretation and critical thinking skills were very much a part of the project, as students actively researched their topics using both primary and secondary resources.
Once selected, images were scanned by the students following Maine Historical Society guidelines.
Cataloguing the images helped the students to hone their skills in close observation and accurate description.
The images were then uploaded to the Maine Memory Network.
Historical Society volunteers wrote an essay to bring all of the pieces together, and the end result of the collaborative effort is new content for the Maine Memory Network digital museum.
Teacher Jason Bigonia and students taking a "now" photo of the CCIA clubhouse in Christmas Cove.
Item 82143 info
South Bristol Historical Society
Of particular interest to the students during the evolution of the project was the contrast between modern South Bristol and images of the town from the early 1900s.
This component of the project, dubbed "Then and Now" by the students, involved taking photographs of buildings and street corners from as close as possible to the same aspect as century-old postcards and photos that had been scanned and placed on the Maine Memory Network website.
Linking these students to their town, and giving them a sense of place, has been a valuable outcome of this endeavor.
They have come away with a new appreciation for their local history as well as a touchstone to their ancestors, as many students' families have resided in the South Bristol for generations.
The South Bristol School fifth and sixth grades with teacher Jason Bigonia, at the S Road School.
Item 82144 info
South Bristol Historical Society
The South Bristol School Fifth Grade students who participated in the Maine Memory Network project were: Braxton Farrin, Jarrett Gulden, Emma Scott and Matthew Sewall.
South Bristol School Sixth Grade participants: Emmalie Blanchard, Christopher Burrow, Sophie Gamage, Rohan Glendinning, Haley Graves, Nickolas Griffin, Halle Hallowell, Ethan Jones, Samantha Lakin, Rachael Naylor, Patrick Preston and Chase Wilson.
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Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Social Media Delivers Hendrick Appeal Saga
The evolution of NASCAR media coverage continued on Tuesday. The appeal of the penalties against the Hendrick Motorsports #48 team was being held at the NASCAR Research and Development Center in Concord, North Carolina.
This facility is right down the street from SiriusXM/MRN Radio, the Charlotte Motor Speedway, the SPEED studios and many NASCAR race shops.
Last year, a small group of media casually interacted with a small group of fans on the social media service Twitter as the reporters waited in the same spot for results of an appeal hearing by Richard Childress racing.
As we have documented repeatedly, this year the NASCAR social media scene has exploded. There was no better example of this than fans, teams and drivers interacting with the media group assembled throughout the day on Twitter.
SPEED took the new step of providing live cut-ins throughout the day. Danielle Trotta anchored from the studio and Wendy Venturini was the reporter on-scene. ESPN also had a satellite truck at the R&D Center and reporter Marty Smith was joined by analyst Tim Brewer for a liveshot in the 3PM NASCAR Now program.
The erosion of the wall between the NASCAR media and fans is basically complete. Imagine several years ago having media members sending pictures of each other sitting in the R&D Center parking lot out to fans. Ultimately, there was a daylong informal media question and answer period about the #48 situation.
With social media it's not really about who tweets, but who watches. When something like this appeal is in progress, Twitter is watched by all kinds of folks connected with NASCAR. Since Brad Keselowski's Daytona Twitter adventure, it's also clear that the sport is surrounded by a very active group of Internet-savvy fans. You have to wonder just how many of them kept an eye on this situation during the day.
Even though the media stakeout was fundamentally boring, it allowed Twitter users who are NASCAR fans a behind the scenes look at a unique part of the sport. Media members on-scene were kind enough to continually update everything from weather conditions to the lunch menu.
When the afternoon bell rang that a decision was in, it was Twitter and those very same reporters who passed along the information long before it made it to TV or radio. Social media once again confirmed that it has a fundamental value in terms of speed when used correctly.
The ability of any fan to interact with a NASCAR reporter, driver or team is still rather amazing. Twitter and Facebook have become the home to an incredible amount of NASCAR content that is changing the way younger fans view the sport.
These social media platforms have also given the remaining full time NASCAR media members a new lease on life. Instead of being cornered into an existing corporate website, the freedom to publish directly on Twitter and Facebook has changed everything.
Aside from the story links and pictures provided, it is the ability of the fans to interact with the wide variety of NASCAR media personalities that continues to evolve. That was on display again Tuesday as conversation ranged over a wide variety of NASCAR and racing related topics as the day went on.
NASCAR now has 2.7 million Facebook "likes" and over 500 thousand Twitter followers. While it might be high-profile moments like Keselowski tweeting at Daytona that draw the mainstream news coverage, it's the informal and spontaneous happenings like a media stakeout in the R&D Center parking lot that continue to shape just how social media continues to change the sport on almost a daily basis.
We welcome your comments on this topic. Below is posted the official statment from NASCAR on the appeal. This is what NASCAR sent to media members when things were complete. Thanks for stopping by The Daly Planet.
On March 13, 2012, the National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel heard and considered the appeal of the #48 Hendrick Motorsports NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team.
The penalties concern Section 12-1 of the NASCAR Rule Book "Actions detrimental to stock car racing;" Section 12-4(J): "Any determination by NASCAR Officials that the Race Equipment used in the Event does not conform to NASCAR rules detailed in Section 20 of the NASCAR Rule Book, or has not been approved by NASCAR prior to the Event;" and Section 20-2.1(E): "If in the judgment of NASCAR Officials, any part or component of the car not previously approved by NASCAR that has been installed or modified to enhance aerodynamic performance, will not be permitted: Unapproved car body modifications."
This stemmed from an opening day inspection for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Daytona International Speedway on February 17, 2012.
The original penalties assessed prior to the deferral were:
Car Owner (Jeffrey M. Gordon) – Loss of 25 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship Car Owner points;
Car Driver (Jimmie K. Johnson) – Loss of 25 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship Driver points;
Crew Chief (Chad A. Knaus) - $100,000.00 fine. Suspended from the next six (6) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship Events. Suspended from NASCAR until April 18, 2012. Placed on NASCAR probation until May 9, 2012.
Car Chief (Ron P. Malec) - Suspended from the next six (6) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship Events. Suspended from NASCAR until April 18, 2012. Placed on NASCAR probation until May 9, 2012.
Upon hearing the testimony, carefully reviewing the facts and historically comparative penalties, the unanimous decision of the National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel was to uphold the original penalties assessed by NASCAR.
The Appellants have the right under Section 15 of the Rule Book to appeal this decision to the National Stock Car Racing Chief Appellate Officer.
John Capels
Leo Mehl
Dale Pinilis
Ed Bennett - Appellate Administrator and non-voting member
11 comments:
- Anonymous said...
I hope you've been keeping up with the Kenny Wallace Mac Tools Social Media storm thats aimed for Bristol. Mac Tools got 3,000 followers in 7hrs.
- March 13, 2012 at 11:38 PM
- RacerFan88 said...
Excellent blog, JD! You get social media...let's hope NASCAR and the folks running NASCAR do as well. We are witnessing some historical times right now for social media and the impact Twitter can have on a sport. Great read!
- March 14, 2012 at 12:17 AM
- AncientRacer said...
Very good column. I had the Twitter on most of the day yesterday and what struck me was how much like a crowd milling around waiting for something to happened it was. The people on the ground at the R&D Center were definitely not "alone" as there were thousands of people with them virtually. Most of the Twitter traffic during the day was pretty much just like what you cold hear were everyone physically there. Jokes, gossip, sniping, predictions, smart alecky comments, information tidbits, rumors etc.
Then came the decision and the chattering about it, but here what surprised me was how fast the print reporters filed stories -- maybe not in their final form but in a readable one. Now, they probably, I know I would have, had a lot of the story written before the decision so they could just fill in the final details. But still it was fast. I think I saw the first Tweet about a minute before the first story.
- March 14, 2012 at 9:47 AM
- GinaV24 said...
Great info, JD. It will be interesting to see though if NASCAR tries to punish media members if they say anything that the 800 lb gorilla doesn't like.
I don't tweet a lot on twitter but I do follow quite a few of the NASCAR media to get info without having to wait for tv and radio. Also since I gave up my sirius radio subscription due to lack of interest in what was being covered as far as NASCAR, twitter and FB is a good alternative.
- March 14, 2012 at 7:58 PM
- Charlie Spencer said...
AncientRacer inadvertently summed up my feelings. I guess I have better things to do than hang out in a crowd all day waiting for something to happen, something that won't affect my life when it does happen, something I'll learn about from other sources in what I consider a timely fashion. Jayski and the morning paper are fast enough for me. I do applaud NASCAR for apparently taking no action to block what is obviously a popular delivery method.
- March 15, 2012 at 9:54 AM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
What is that supposed to mean? You are better than us because you don't pay attention to social media? That does not make sense to me. It's just a technology,
- March 15, 2012 at 11:18 AM
- c said...
No, and I'm sorry if what I wrote could be interpreted that way. I freely acknowledge that just because I don't 'get it' doesn't mean it isn't useful to others, just like any other tool. I thought my crediting NASCAR for not discouraging the use of social media reflected that, but apparently not.
I read AncientRacer's post. His comparison to a milling crowd struck me as appropriate, especially the part about 'waiting for something to happen'. "Most of the Twitter traffic during the day was pretty much just like what you cold hear were everyone physically there. Jokes, gossip, sniping, predictions, smart alecky comments, information tidbits, rumors etc." Those strike me as ways people kill time when they don't have the choice to be elsewhere. You commented yourself in your previous blog entry, "There is absolutely nothing for the reporters assembled there waiting for news to do other than get on the Internet and send some pictures." That doesn't strike me as a recommendation that following this incident on Twitter would have been a good use of time, but then my wife doesn't understand why any of us would watch cars go around in circles.
I don't feel superior to those who are successfully using Twitter and other social media; mostly I feel confused about how or whether I can get any value from it, laced with a shot of envy. My most recent try with Twitter was my fifth and longest since the service started. If it wasn't for the genuine enthusiasm you expressed for it here, I doubt I would have looked at it this year. Even with the new interface, it still left me unsatisfied with it as an information gathering tool. This is due more to my inability to filter the overwhelming data stream than any 'superiority' on my part, although the sluggish response and large number of spammers contributed to the negative impression.
If the rest of you are happy with it, go for it. I may (or may not) take another look at it in 12 or 18 months and see if I can benefit from it. In the meantime, is the discussion of social media limited to positive comments?
- March 15, 2012 at 2:24 PM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
Thanks for the follow-up!
- March 15, 2012 at 2:57 PM
- Sally said...
JD, I'm with Charlie here. I've tried Twittwe, and find I also can wait for more 'traditional' sources for my information. If other (like yourself, obviously) think it's great, good on ya. My bias may come from watching kids in the halls of our local high school walking through the halls with their phones always at the ready. They seem oblivious to the immediate world around them, being so intent on texting or Tweeting.
The whole camping out for the results of the appeal seemed ridiculous to me, and not worth hanging on all day for the result. Much ado about nothing.
- March 16, 2012 at 6:52 AM
- MortonGroveDon said...
I can sympathize with Charlie. I have never had twitter, never looked at anyone's account.I hear them quite often enough on the radio when it comes to sports. I guess since I dont make my living off of the sport, I can still live with out it and wait for the info. I too see people, not just kids, staring at their phones now constantly, and when something does happen rather than talking about it, I see them type. People talk too much with their thumbs these days, me thinks......
- March 16, 2012 at 9:08 AM
- AncientRacer said...
Charlie & JD
Thanks for your responses. I agree with you both.
I agree, Charlie, to boil your point down, that being on Twitter all day was unnecessary and essentially a waste of time. I would get the news timely enough by the established avenues.
But I look at it this way. I had the time, and had I been handy to the R&D Center I might have wandered on over to see what was up. With Twitter I could do so virtually, still get some work done ... and do the laundry.
I resisted Twitter for Eons as time in the social media age is concerned until JD forced me kicking and screaming into it, but so far it has been fun.
Too, if I have too much to do I can turn it off. The only problem is Twitter is very much like potato chips... :)
- March 16, 2012 at 9:34 AM


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Makkuni Ranjit-Musical Landscapes and The Goddess Happening; New Interfaces; Exhibition
At Design Interviews
Interview with makkuni ranjit : Frank Scott: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?. makkuni ranjit : To build awareness of the power of Music, and the sense of 'Solitude' offered by Music, in an era of ubiquitous change. To show the connection between the Sacred Feminine and Music, in turn to honor the Sacred Feminine. .Frank Scott: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?. makkuni ranjit : In an age of information anxiety, the goal was to let people know of alternatives in traditional music and new computationally augmented musical instruments that will let them tune in and recharge in an environment of change. .Frank Scott: What are your future plans for this award winning design?. makkuni ranjit : Display at various museums in Asia and the world. .Frank Scott: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?. makkuni ranjit : Two years. .Frank Scott: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?. makkuni ranjit : The design was a personal intervention to show the power of Music and the Sacred Feminine in a fast changing world. .Frank Scott: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?. makkuni ranjit : The work has already been produced and successfully deployed as an interactive exhibition in a museum learning situation. .Frank Scott: What made you design this particular type of work?. makkuni ranjit : This work continues previous, pioneering works in multimedia installations and interaction technologies that allow a museum visitor to experience the emerging relationships between traditional culture and new technology. Please see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranjit_Makkuni My past works have explored: -the multifaceted ideals of the famous Indian philosopher, Mahatma Gandhi, from The Eternal Gandhi; -a virtual tour of the streets, spaces and rituals of Banaras (Varanasi), one of the main spiritual centers of Hinduism on the banks of the Ganga River in India, from Living, Dying and Transformation in Banaras; -a recapture of traditional practices that allow people to take charge of health, from Planet Health: Green consciousness, Ayurveda and Yoga traditions; These works have consistently demonstrated innovations in the arts, technology and cultural documentation. Please see www.sacreworld.info http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yv4tiWXW_os .Frank Scott: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?. makkuni ranjit : The project presents a creative vision showing the meeting of modern and traditional categories of thought, and allows people to reflect upon their and the world's current situation shaped by political and economic forces. In terms of form, the project will continue to show how classical cultural forms meet and embrace futuristic technologies in a marriage of originality. This work speaks to the new generation of interactive art, bringing the dimensions of touch, hand based skill and livelihood, essential to the practice of the traditional arts, into the design of contemporary technology and artistic expression. Please see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yv4tiWXW_os http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjJjJp7PYNo .Frank Scott: Who is the target customer for his design?. makkuni ranjit : General Audience. .Frank Scott: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?. makkuni ranjit : After -having participated in creating new media technologies at Xerox PARC, and -having introduced some technology innovations and cultural works that have made impact, this work lies at a pivotal point. The project will let people -examine alternatives: preservation of local cultures & creation of a 'green' economy, and development alternatives; -explore culturally rooted, personalized economies; The project aims to create an impact in developing nations, which are at a critical juncture in time, when timely intervention can positively influence policy planning. .Frank Scott: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?. makkuni ranjit : It means what it means: Musical Landscapes and the Goddesses of Music. .Frank Scott: What is the most unique aspect of your design?. makkuni ranjit : Building conceptual bridges of innovation between Traditional Art and Modern Technology. .Frank Scott: What is the role of technology in this particular design?. makkuni ranjit : Computationally augmented musical interfaces allow people to access the complex skilled space of musicians. In contrast to people interacting with glass screens, eg mobile devices, the interfaces in this project are hidden behind traditional cultural forms, .
Makkuni Ranjit-Musical Landscapes and The Goddess Happening; New Interfaces; Exhibition Images:
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Arden, NC - Crossroads has just signed The Harper Family to our Pisgah Ridge label. Their major-label debut, Changes, comes out on July 17th. The Harper Family presents a fresh sound of hard driving bluegrass gospel.
Gaylon and Katrina were both raised around music: festivals, church singings, fairs, and get togethers. Katrina was born into the Bob Lewis Family from Doniphan, Mo. They traveled the bluegrass circuit for several years upon hiring a young banjo player named Gaylon Harper from Bunker, Missouri. Soon after the two married and started a family of their own. God has blessed them with three very talented children.
A vibrant young man, Dalton is fun loving and enjoys people. He is 17 years old and plays the guitar, sings a strong country lead and harmony. The greatest thing Dalton adds to the group is his straight forward approach to his faith. His life shows it's not what you say, it's how you live that demonstrates your faith. Dillon plays a progressive style mandolin, sings lead and harmony. He is 16 years old. Dillon also incorporates the Message pertaining to the music. The fiddle player of the group, who is coming along, is Hannah packs a powerful lead and harmony vocals for an 11 year old. She is ambitious in her career in singing for the Lord.
The Lord has opened many doors to share their faith and music. This family is thankful for being called to a ministry that they can share together.
Crossroads is a market leader in the Southern Gospel, Bluegrass, and Performance Track fields. Established in 1993, following the combination of Horizon Music Group and Sonlite Records, Crossroads now operates several divisions including Crossroads Label Group (Horizon Records, Sonlite Records, Mountain Home Music, Pisgah Ridge Records, Skyland Records and Crossroads Records), Crossroads Distribution, Crossroads Radio Promotions, Crossroads Publishing Group and Crossroads Recording Studios. Led by a strong executive team of Christian and Bluegrass music veterans, Crossroads combines cutting-edge technology with creative innovation to connect fans with our artists' life-changing music.
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Howdy! It's been a while since I've blogged, sorry about that! I took the family to Walt Disney World for our daughter's 5th birthday! It was a LOT of fun! Seeing the excitement in her eyes was incredible!
Now back to the blog subject. I wanted to remind you about our Idea Bank on the VBS website.
This is a section of our website where you get to share your ideas! And let me tell you. . .I've seen some GREAT ideas!
Here are a few ideas that caught my eye!
Peggy H had an idea for a relaxation room!
Several years ago God blessed our church with a family that has brought some really great ideas. One of them was a relaxation room for VBS workers. We have a couple of lady's or a couple that are in charge of this. The general idea is it a room that all of the workers are able to visit at a scheduled time or on a rotation depending on their job. There are snacks and beverages for everyone. It is a time to share some amazing stories that have happened in your group, munch out, say hi to friends, make new friends, or just relax and take a break.
Backyard Kids created a cool recruitment tower!
Found a old display booth from a car engine display, after looking at i thought it would be a great air control tower for VBS. once I got into the church I realized I couldnt store it until VBS but didn't want to get rid of it. SO i decided to use it an advertisement for VBS recruitment.
Keep those ideas coming! And don't forget to check out the Youth VBS blog and leave a comment (one commenter will receive a special prize)!
Also, don't forget the Clip Art Central blog post!


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K & the K-9s
August 7, 2009 in Social Commentary | Tags: adobe oven, Al Gore disciple, Bank Street School, banned hunting, barking as noise pollution, biology teacher, cane toad, Cape Farewell Project, capuchins, castrating clinics, climate change, dogs, Doug Fraser, Eladio Cruz, forest guards, hurricane, Jannelle Wilkins, Kevin Fraser, Lucky Guindon, Marian Howard, Monteverde, Monteverde Institute, Monteverde Reserve, Pan Casero Artesanal, PEnas Blancas River Valley, pioneer women, Poco Sol, rescuing dogs, sourdough bread, spaying, street dogs, white-face monkeys, wildlife | Leave a comment
I've been in the house quite a bit lately due to the hurricane-type weather we've been having on the green mountain. I have lots to do on my laptop and have internet in the house I'm staying at, so I don't need to go out in that wind and rain unless there is something on my social calendar that demands it. So Wilkens, Betsy and Cutie Pie, the K-9s, are thrilled – like most of us, they enjoy having company.
A relatively recent phenomena in Monteverde – likely all over Costa Rica – is that there are people trying to deal with the problem of street dogs. Veronica, the mistress of these three dogs, is a very kindhearted woman with a great love for animals. To see any creature suffer, no matter how small, breaks that kind heart of hers. Wilkens is a little terrier she rescued eight years ago in the U.S.; Betsy was found here in Monteverde last September, a strange tiny puppy left in a cardboard box in the middle of the road (a brutal method to let someone else in a car take care of your problem); and Cutie Pie was brought to a spaying clinic that Veronica, her friend Andrea and the local vet had arranged, and she was just too cute to let go.
The problem of hungry, homeless dogs has always been huge in Costa Rica (as it is in many places in the world) but the recent influence of North Americans – who sometimes treat their dogs better than their children – has meant that attitudes are changing. You see more purebred dogs here now. Costa Ricans have caught on to this new attitude and often are happy to get a fancy model dog, but getting them fixed isn't necessarily a top priority or in some cases an economic reality. That's why people like Veronica get the local vets to participate in spaying and castrating clinics – to try to limit the amount of unwanted dogs and cats left to wander the streets.
As I've written before, these three dogs have matured a lot in the last months but they are still a gang. We live in a house near the cliff edge surrounded by bucolic pastures, the feeding trough to a couple of horses, bordered by dense forest, and the dogs run free range out there. Around here, noise pollution means barking dogs – when one starts, the whole neighbourhood responds! The full moon of the last week has kept Betsy particularly on edge and I wake up with her nightly yowls still ringing in my ears. Although I love these dogs (usually), I have yet to totally adapt to this new reality in Monteverde.
This is a place where wildlife has always come right to your window, if not walked in your door – agouti, pizotes, monkeys, birds, olingos, amphibians, on and on – but the large presence of dogs in the community is changing things. Most houses here now have at least one dog, but many have two, three, four, even five. Once you start rescuing them, it is hard to stop when you know a little dog needs a home. Another reason for people wanting dogs is to protect their homes from the recent rash of robberies (a whole other blog there folks). But the fact that lots of these dogs run free around the houses, often barking incessantly, and more than one dog creates a pack-like mentality, has meant that there are less wildlife sightings near the houses.
I say that, yet in the next breath I will tell you a tale about the visiting white-faced monkeys. I was sitting here working on my laptop the other day, one of the few beautifully warm and sunny ones we've had this week. The top half of the door was open and the dogs were running around outside. I glanced up and noticed the branch of the tree just four feet from the door was frantically nodding up and down. It wasn't long before the dogs were jumping around, barking up a storm. I went to see what was going on. As I headed out the open door, I stared right into the white-face of a capuchin monkey. I could almost touch it. On further scrutiny, I realized there were four more crawling around the branches – one very young – eating the tree's little fruits (the kind, I'm sorry, I can't say).
The dogs, all short-legged, were driven insane by the fact that these smaller creatures were just out of reach. The monkeys were coming down, quite aggressively as white-faced monkeys will be, barring their teeth in primate-sneers and jumping up and down on the branches. I put the puppies in the house where they stayed glued to window, watching the intruders. The monkeys stayed around for at least fifteen minutes, shaking the tree and almost smiling in glee. I'm sure they would have come in the open door if the dogs weren't there.
So there you go, my theory of the dogs keeping the wildlife far away already disproven. But I would still assert that having all these dogs around the Monteverde houses is affecting the behavior of the wild kingdom here. Generally the wild animals have returned in the forest since hunting was banned with the creation of the Reserve and the League decades ago and the critters feel safer. But as more houses are built on the edge of the forest, there are different threats now, and the dog population is definitely one – unless they are tied up or kept inside.
We have a lot of talented cooks around here and a recent addition to the list of culinary treats is the new bread that Andy and Flori are baking. In an outdoor adobe oven, they bake beautiful sourdough, buttermilk, and whole grain breads. They have the oven working in the morning and then take their warm loaves (along with their sweet daughter Mora) around to different places in the community to sell…or you can go out to their home, which happens to be an old homesteading house on Wolf Guindon's farm. I devoured the first loaf I bought last week while chatting with Andy as Flori and Mora sold the rest – great idea Pan Casero Artesanal!
My Canadian friends, Kevin and Doug Fraser, along with my friend Mercedes (the environmental education coordinator at the Monteverde Reserve), came to dinner the other evening. Doug is an award-winning biology teacher in northeastern Ontario, now also engaged in writing biology textbooks and creating teaching programs, who brought a student group here to San Luis, just below Monteverde, about ten years ago. There was lots of great story-telling, Doug entertaining us with his tales of going to Montreal to be part of Al Gore's environmental disciples…the chosen ones who learn how to present a slide show based on Gore's famous documentary spreading the word about climate change. Doug also was chosen to be part of the Cape Farewell project which took a group of students and adult mentors (Doug being one) from across Canada and a variety of other countries on a boat through the Canadian Arctic waters to Iceland and Greenland. A program developed by British artist David Buckland, it combines the creativity of art and the discipline of science along with firsthand experience to teach about the realities of climate change and through the creation of art to inspire action. What an experience!
After our interesting evening, the men left the next morning on a hike with Eladio Cruz and another local guide, heading through the Monteverde Reserve, over the Continental Divide and down the Peñas Blancas River valley to Poco Sol – the same hike that makes up the introductory chapter of Walking with Wolf. Unlike the sunny, dry weather we had back in February 1990, they walked in torrential downpours that filled the rivers as well as the paths with raging water. Both Doug and Eladio seemed to be stricken with some kind of bug as well. I had thought about them down there in these last couple days, knowing that what the weather was doing would not be kind to them. They did survive, barely, and called me to come out for a drink last night and told their tale of crossing raging streams only by luck, the constant water rolling down their backs and filling their rubber boots, and their amazement at the fortitude of 62-year-old Eladio…now just a little older than Wolf was when I went on that hike with him in 1990 (he was 60). Even Eladio doubted that they could continue on traversing the heavy waters at one point, and did twice as much walking as the others. He ran back up the steep ridges to try to get reception on his walkie-talkie and cell phone to get help. My Canadian friends were as impressed as I have always been when out in the tropical forest with Eladio, Wolf and the other men like them. What an experience!
Wolf, Lucky and I shared a panel on the history of Monteverde for a group of aspiring environmental teachers from Bank Street School in the Bronx (New York City). This gig came to me thanks to Marian Howard, a former instructor and now director at the school who hosted me in her home in the Bronx last April. It was wonderful to listen to Lucky since I haven't heard her tell her own tales of life in early Monteverde in years. Her experiences as a young woman, mother of eight, living as a pioneer, learning to do just about everything in a different way than the way it was done in her home state of Iowa, was fascinating. Wolf, feeling pretty good and talking in a strong voice, added in stories of selling chainsaws and felling trees, the beginning of the cheese factory and the Reserve. I chimed in with additional stories that I've gathered, many from the book. It was a very pleasant afternoon that ended in the sale of several books. A good experience!
This weekend I'm going to help decorate the Friends meeting house for the Sunday afternoon wedding of Jannelle Wilkins, the Executive Director at the Monteverde Institute. I've been seeking out peace lilies (callas) and will join a few other folks to make the place beautiful for what will no doubt be a special day. May this crazy wind and rain stop before then – in fact, this morning has dawned clear and bright. And, hopefully, people will leave their dogs at home.


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Strawberry Hedgehog continues to blow me away
Tracy Perkins of Strawberry Hedgehog is one of the most creative people I know. She's like an organic magician when it comes to her earthy potions and concoctions. Her soaps, body butters, lip balms and basically everything else she creates are true masterpieces of geniosity. Can you tell I'm a fan?Not only are her products vegan, but she's vegan as well and you can read all about her vegan recipes and crafts on her blog.
Strawberry Hedgehog Products I dig:
Pure Lemon Whipped Body Créme ($12): The is a perfect springtime scent. It smells wonderfully fresh and kind of desserty. It's decadently creamy and feels amazing on the skin after a nice bath. It's scent is uplifting, refreshing and energizing. It comes in a cute 6oz. jar (you can order it in a 17oz jar as well) which Tracy encourages everyone to reuse or recycle.
Fair Trade Organic Unrefined Grapefruit Ylang-Ylang Shea Butter ($12): First off, I would like to say this is one hell of a deal. This product is thick and I can tell it is going to last me a very long time. A little bit goes a long way. Now let's talk about this ridiculously yummy scent! It's a mix of foody and moody. The grapefruit aspect makes you want to eat it up. It's scent is energizing and fresh. The Ylang-Ylang gives this body butter a sensual, romantic flair. I think this particular shea butter might make for a great massage for that special someone. Shea butter does wonders for the skin. It's packed with Vitamins A&E and has amazing healing properties so use it frequently.
For all you dudes out there, here's a manly scented soap, Smudge ($8): This soap combines cedar and white sage with undertones of of lapsang souchong tea, ginger and pepper. It's also a two toned gray bar of soap, so it's dudely in every way possible. It has a very sexy scent to it. I'm going to insist my husband start bathing with this a.s.a.p.
Tracy of Strawberry Hedgehog does a wonderful job of incorporating aromatherapy into all of her products and she labels them accordingly on their packaging. That way, if you're shopping for someone who's stuck in the doldrums, you can pick a cheery product that will put a smile on his/her face.
I also got a chance to try two of Tracy's Charity Soaps: Fresh Lemon-Rosemary (for St. Baldrick's Childhood Cancer) and Pink Grapefruit-Peppermint (Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer) – they are not only super pretty to look and inspire a cheerful mood, they help support amazing cancer research foundations (50% of all charity soap purchases go toward these organizations).
Lip Balms (Lemon-Mint Kiss, Lavender-Tangerine, Grapefruit-Rosemary) ($3): These are some of the best lip balms I have ever tried. They are sleek and creamy, smooth and nourishing, perfectly moisturizing and smell heavenly to boot. I love the slender tubes they come in. They fit perfectly in my purse or in my pocket. It's kind of hard to find amazing vegan lip balm. It's actually hard to fiind vegan lip balm, period. You will be so stoked when you give these a try. They are only $3 each so try them all!
For more info: Strawberry Hedgehog
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About Sunny (Sunny's Profile)Longtime vegan, hardcore compassionate beauty junkie, serious cake aficionado, and lover of all things floofy and sparkly! If there's something in particular you'd like me to review, drop me a line at email@example.com. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Google +.
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I came across this Lemon Blueberry Bread online and decided it was the one! This bread is bursting with big juicy blueberries and the lemon infused sponge is light yet moist. The hot lemony glaze applied on removal from the oven adds an extra citrus layer to complete the flavour experience.
1 ½ cups (195 grams) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons (85 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
¾ cup (150 grams) granulated white sugar
2 large eggs
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest (outer yellow skin of the lemon)
½ cup (120 ml) milk
1 cup fresh blueberries
Lemon Glaze:
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C) and place the oven rack in the centre of the oven. Butter (or spray with a non stick vegetable spray) the bottom and sides of a loaf pan (9 x 5 x 3 inch) (23 x 13 x 8 cm).
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
In the bowl of your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the butter until softened (about 1 minute). Add the sugar and continue to beat until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat in the vanilla extract and lemon zest. With the mixer on low, add the flour mixture (in three additions) and milk (in two additions) alternately, starting and ending with the flour. Mix only until combined.
Gently fold in the blueberries.
Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 55 to 65 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean.
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, bring the 1/4 cup (50 grams) of sugar and the 2 tablespoons of lemon juice to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
When the bread is done, remove from oven and place on a wire rack. Pierce the hot loaf all over with a wooden skewer or toothpick and then brush the top of the loaf with the hot lemon glaze. Cool the loaf in the pan for about 30 minutes then remove from pan and let cool completely on a wire rack. This bread is best served on the day it is made.
Makes 1 loaf.


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CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (August 20, 2009) — The tail ends of cellular protein templates, regions often thought relatively inconsequential, may actually play a role in preventing normal cells from becoming cancerous.
The finding from scientists at Whitehead Institute for Biomedical research is reported in the August 20 edition of Cell.
Proteins are made from templates that are copied from a cell's DNA. These templates, called messenger RNAs (mRNAs), comprise three sections. The middle section codes for the actual protein, while the beginning and end sections are known as untranslated regions (UTRs) because they do not code for any portion of the protein. Instead, the beginning section gets protein production started, while the tail section, called the 3'UTR, appeared simply to be along for the ride.
"This end of the mRNA is often not considered that important because if you put the beginning and middle of the mRNA into a cell, you get the right protein," says Christine Mayr, first author of the Cell paper and a former postdoctoral researcher in the lab of Whitehead Member David Bartel. "But now we know that this end often has a protein production regulatory program and in some cases can play a role in cancer."
A cell uses proteins in almost all of its processes, from cell division, to transporting essential molecules, to providing the cell's structure. Because the cell's protein production profile is tightly controlled and specific to the cell's type and stage in its life cycle, the over- or under-production of certain proteins can alter normal cellular function. These changes can include uncontrolled cell division and the ability to grow in the absence of a substrate — both defining traits of cancer cells.
When Mayr compared mRNAs produced in normal cells with those in cancerous cells, she noticed that the tail end of the cancer cells' mRNAs were cut short. In some cases, nearly 95% of the 3'UTR was missing.
"So now, in the cancer cell, the same protein is being made, but a lot of regulatory sequences have been lost," says Mayr. "And in the beginning, I had no idea what this means. But then I found that those shorter mRNAs were making much more protein."
In fact, the shorter mRNAs were producing between two and 40 times more protein than their normal-length counterparts. When Mayr altered normal cells so they produced only shortened mRNAs for a specific gene, the cells again produced huge amounts of that mRNA's protein. And the copious proteins transformed normal cells into cancer-like cells.
"So, my theory is that in normal cells, genes are tightly regulated by their long 3'UTRs," says Mayr. "And the cancer cell somehow has the ability to express the shorter mRNA without those regulatory sequences. Without that regulation, it's able to express large quantities of protein."
Although Mayr has established a connection between short 3'UTRs and cancer cells, how the cells shorten their mRNAs remains a mystery.
"The next step is to try to explain this phenomenon mechanistically," says Bartel, who is also a professor of biology at MIT and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator. "There has to be biochemical machinery that causes shortened 3'UTRs in cancer cells, something that the cancer cells have that normal cells don't have. Right now, the biochemical cause of this is not known."
David Bartel is a Member at Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, where his laboratory is located and all his research is conducted. He is also a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator and a professor of biology at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Full Citation:
"Widespread shortening of 3'UTRs by alternative cleavage and polyadenylation
activates oncogenes in cancer cells"
Cell, published August 21, 2009
Christine Mayr (1) and David P. Bartel (1, 2)
1. The Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, 9 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
2. Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139


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Katy Perry, whose latest album, Prism, came out in October, is a global pop star with subtext. Like many of her songs, her current hit "Roar," which topped the American charts (the video garnered 35 million views on YouTube within the first three days of the single's release), is an anthem with hidden meaning. "I do love a good innuendo," Perry said. "Mom and Dad know what this song means, but just sing along, kids—you won't know what these lyrics are about for another 10 years."
Her previous album, 2010's Teenage Dream, generated five of her nine No. 1 singles, most of them odes to adolescent lust wrapped up in irresistible hook-laden melodies, which made them international successes. The New York Times has labeled Perry "pound for pound…the most potent pop star of the day—her hits are relatable with just a hint of experimentation." "Roar," however, strays from the subject of love and sex. "This song is about sticking up for yourself," Perry explained. "People talk about bullying, but you can be your own bully in some ways. You can be the person who is standing in the way of your success, and that was the case for me. I was having a great professional streak, but personally, I was really immature, so I had to balance those things out." If Perry is referring to her short-lived marriage to Russell Brand, she isn't exactly saying it. "If you are not happy with something, you should change it. So I went to a lot of therapy, and finally, I am able to speak up for myself: You are going to hear me roar!"
What is the first song that made a lasting impression on you?
"Killer Queen," by Queen. I was 15. Of course, I had heard music before that, but nothing had really struck a chord with me until that song. I was hanging out with my friend Morgan in Santa Barbara, my hometown. We were over at her house—she was that friend, the one that you idolize and maybe even have a weird obsession-slash-crush on. We were standing on her bed, wearing her clothes—because her clothes were cooler—and she put on "Killer Queen." My world froze. It was a very cinematic feeling, and it opened up this lyrical world.
Did you start dressing like Freddie Mercury?
I didn't know what Freddie Mercury looked like! I was mostly impressed by his confidence. My style icons were Gwen Stefani, when she was in No Doubt, and then Shirley Manson in Garbage.
Santa Barbara is a coastal town. Were you a beach girl?
A little bit, but I left for L.A. when I was 17. Santa Barbara was boring to me back then. Now all I want to do is be bored in Santa Barbara, because it is a beautiful place! But when I was young, I felt a little trapped on an island—my family isn't well-off, and it was kind of tough to be hanging out with the millionaire families that live there. I always made do—if I had five dollars, I'd go to the thrift stores on State Street and get my vintage cardigans and pencil skirts. Thank God for the body, because that '40s look really worked on me.
You recorded a gospel record when you were 15. Were your early songs all religious?
The first songs I wrote were catchy, but the subject matter was God.
Are you religious now?
I try and keep my connection with the G-O-D or with a power that's bigger than me. It's important—otherwise, you don't have any kind of accountability. If you think, Hey, at the end of it all I am just going to be dust, or I have no soul or whatever, why not just be a menace to society? For me, accountability works.
When you arrived in Los Angeles you signed a record deal with Glen Ballard, who produced Jagged Little Pill, a hit album for Alanis Morissette. You were only 17—were you one of those 17-year-olds who acted and felt more like you were 25?
Yes. I was a little entitled, a little bratty. I was living in Beverly Hills, and a big famous producer had taken me under his wing. I was getting a monthly allowance—I had a Louis Vuitton key chain for my Jetta! I thought I was the bee's knees. But it didn't last: I got dropped from my record label. And the Jetta was impounded. And I couldn't pay my bills. I suddenly heard no more often than yes. As cheesy as it sounds, the rejection built a lot of character in me. It takes strength to stick around in this business. And I have always been highly ambitious.
Your first hit was "I Kissed a Girl," in 2008. That was far from gospel.
It was a bit radical to sing about bisexuality, but it was a topic that was on the tip of everybody's tongue. And even though it was "I kissed a girl, and I liked it, and that's what I like to do sometimes," I sang it with a wink. It may be a fun little pop song, but sometimes fun little pop songs most clearly express the zeitgeist.
Do you remember the first time you heard one of your songs on the radio?
I do. I was in Texas, and "I Kissed a Girl" came on, and I filmed myself jumping around. I love hearing my song on the radio the first time, but when it comes on again, I change the station. I already have so much of the spotlight on me. I don't need any more.
Other than lending your voice to The Smurfs and The Smurfs 2, have you been approached about acting in a film?
Yes, but I hate mornings. So I told some executives who had asked me whether I wanted to act that if you want to start shooting at 11 a.m., then I'm your girl. Otherwise, I'm not interested. I live a rock-star kind of life where I don't go to bed until 4 a.m. I'm very nocturnal. But I always say that if Ridley Scott wants to hire me for Blade Runner 2 to play Rachael, I am absolutely available.
What movie makes you cry?
The Notebook. And Titanic. And I always cry on planes. My boyfriend [John Mayer] and I call them "deprivation tubes": You have a glass of wine, and you're watching a movie, and then, wahhhh.
Do you have a cinematic crush?
I actually am dating my crush. I had a crush on him for a long time, and it just so happens we fit together great.
Did you like being married?
Of course. I really loved it. It was a new, fun, exciting journey. But I like how I am now, and I think all things happen for a reason.


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Posts Tagged 'Rosie the Riveter National Park'
April is National Poetry Month
April is School Library Media Month
April is Informed Woman Month
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
April is National Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month
Wednesday April 7, 2010 Richmond, CA
I went to my second rehearsal tonight of The Vagina Monologues.
I have lines in these 2 sections of the play:
"I Was There In the Room" The lines are beautifully poetic.
Vanessa, Vicki, Natalie, Michelle, Martha and I had a good time saying our lines.
"A teenage Girl's Guide to Surviving Sex Slavery" I can't describe to you what this passage is; you have to see the show–Monday April 12, 2010, 7:30pm
Director Kathryn G. McCarty said: "A cast member asked me to include a few words on why I am doing this show. Back in November, I stood with fellow teachers and friends at the Candlelight Vigil for the victim of the Gang Rape in Richmond (a student of mine). A few weeks later, a fellow teacher told me he heard another young woman at our school say 'I don't know what the big deal is about rape. It happens to everyone.'
"Everyone? Did I hear this clearly? I wondered what I could do. After some thought, I spoke with several friends & decided The Vagina Monologues was a show that needed to be done.
"We really need help getting the word out about the show, which is a benefit for Community Violence Solutions, a rape crisis center. We would really like to reach young people who might not go to such events – but who will learn from this show. Thanks for your help!"
Director Kathy McCarty is so good with us newbies. We're all working hard rehearsing, spreading the word about April 12th, and making new friends.
See you at the Craneway Pavillion, 1414 Harbour Way South, in the Marina district of Richmond, CA, convenient to the 580 freeway. www.craneway.com
Tickets at: http://galateanplayers.com "Family Vagina Warrior Discount" The $30.00 online discounted ticket is available April 7 – April 10. If you can't make it to the show, there is also the "Each One, Reach One" ticket, where you can donate $20 to help sponsor someone else's coming to the show. $25 for students & seniors. Or https://www.goldstar.com/ for $20 tickets & $5 fee.
Thanks, Elisa Southard, for cheering me on; this newbie likes being an actress.
Thursday, April 8, 2010 third rehearsal. Tonight I remembered 90% of my lines. I had fun. I was deeply moved by the other gals' deliveries of their lines.
"On April 12, 2010, 7:30pm Women from throughout the East Bay unite to perform Eve Ensler's award-winning play The Vagina Monologues as a benefit for Community Violence Solutions. V-Day is a global movement and series of consciousness-raising events geared toward ending violence against girls and women worldwide. The Vagina Monologues is based on more than 200 interviews with women. The monologues help give voice to experiences and feelings not traditionally exposed in public."
Directed by Kathryn G. McCarty a benefit for Community Violence Solutions
In an interview: "Somehow the Craneway Pavillion seems an appropriate venue," said Clay David, who is helping to produce The Vagina Monologues. The venue is in the Rosie the Riveter National Park, he explained. "The V-Day Movement possesses a very 'We Can Do It' grassroots effort. It's a movement that started small, in colleges throughout the country, and it's done magnificent work."
Further information about V-Day: http://www.vday.org
I, Teresa LeYung Ryan, author of Love Made of Heart, help survivors of violence find their own voices through writing.


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Conservation and Environment in Peru: Monthly Updates
Monthly Update - December 2003
December saw the quietest month at Taricaya this year but still with 15 volunteers for most of the month. The weather started to make its annual change with the rainy season beginning and the associated increase in mosquitoes. However the increased water levels meant that we could re-initiate the canoe observations. This activity is always popular as volunteers are actually paddling through the middle of the rainforest in dugout canoes. Apart from the adventurous nature of the activity the potential for wildlife observation is great as one can see species such as herons and kingfishers that are not usually visible from the trails. This time of year is usually when the animals are most active because of the increased food availability produced by the new rains however it seems that the floods of January have affected the populations of smaller animals in the area. It would appear that groups of animals such as the armadillos and ground rodents (e.g. agoutis and pacas) suffered habitat loss during the floods. Their burrows would have been underwater for nearly five months and hence their breeding cycles were broken as well as obvious young mortalities. The effects of such disruption are only just being noticed as this is the time of year when these animals are most frequently seen and the number of sightings is definitely down on last year.
In spite of this December was always going to have difficulty providing us with surprising fauna sightings after the black jaguar and two-toed sloth seen in November but we were not disappointed. The heavy rains meant that it was easier to see tracks in the fresh mud and we were pleased to see that tapir, peccaries and deer are returning to the Taricaya area in greater numbers. This is a positive result of our work in the reserve as the increased confidence in the wildlife is a direct correlation with our efforts to preserve the area and the results are very encouraging. We also had the great satisfaction of finally seeing the scarlet macaw chick (Ara macao) fledge from the nest behind the pilot farm. Volunteers have been monitoring the nest and the chick's progress over recent months and in December the young bird took its first flight. It will now stay with its parents for a least another year so we hope to keep monitoring them in the area. It was also the time of year for the gregarious squirrel monkeys (Samiri sciureus) to reform their large troop again to coincide with the mating season and increased food availability. Just like last year the smaller bands that disperse in the dry season united and we are now proud to have a troop in excess of one hundred individuals that sleep in the bamboo thicket adjacent to the lodge.
December also saw us concentrating on the snakes of Taricaya and we discovered six species during the month. The herpetology project has been ongoing throughout the year but the new rains are associated with an increase in the principal prey species, frogs and toads, and hence increased snake activity. The six species discovered included:
- Langsdorff's Coral Snake (nacanaca)- Micurus langsdorffi
- Fer-de-Lance (hergon)- Bothrops atrox
- Common Mussurana (faninga)- Clelia clelia
- Olive Whipsnake- Chironius fuscus
The venomous snakes are always treated with great care but we are able to temporarily catch the non-venomous species for closer study and to add to our photo library.
The pilot farm project continues to spread its work further a field. In November our herd of goats was moved from the actual farm area due their destructive tendencies towards our crops to a family with large grass areas. The family was struggling for income and were more than willing to receive the goats. In December five kids were born of which four have survived. The family now have milk daily and the volunteers went with staff to build an enclosure for the goats at night to avoid problems of predation and helped make some improvements to the family's home. We have also stationed our donkeys there and the harnesses that allow the donkeys to help carry loads were finished. The results were great with the animals being able to greatly reduce the workload for the struggling family. Once the goats have increased their breeding population we shall leave the family with a herd of their own and take the rest to another family thus continuing to broaden our field of influence. The same will also apply with the donkeys.
We have planted cocoa and coffee plants at the pilot farm and the young plants are thriving well. In December volunteers went laden with over a thousand coffee saplings to our surrounding neighbours and helped them plant the crops. In two years time our neighbours will be harvesting coffee to sell thanks to our nursery at the pilot farm. This is an economically important crop and will give higher returns to the locals than crops such as rice, yucca and beans. We hope that the increased income will reduce their need to depend on the natural resources around them and hence reduce their impact on the ecosystem. Along a similar theme the young palmiche palms have been transplanted to various sites now that the nursery stage has been successfully completed. We are now using various plots of 25m2 to investigate which climatic conditions optimise their growth and survival rates.
In the middle of December volunteers made an overnight trip up the Madre de Dios River to a zone called Laberinto to bring shoots of young bamboo back to Taricaya. The species is "Guayaquil" and originates from Ecuador. It is a very thick bamboo that we have already used in construction work and it is a plant that regenerates very quickly. We wish to impress on the locals the effectiveness of bamboo as a viable alternative to the over-exploited palm species such as "huasaii". We plan to make a further expedition in January to bring more down to start distributing to our neighbours.
Taricaya has always concentrated on the social side of conservation with the idea that helping locals maximise their income will reduce their impact on the ecosystem and in December we produced an information brochure on the benefits of farming mahogany. Reactions to the project have been very positive and we have increased our status and credibility at a local level, now we have to build on this response and try to increase our field of influence. Once people see the impact of one project then the knock-on effects for our other programs can only be positive as people gain confidence in our work and us.
In conclusion we have finished 2003 with many positive results that will encourage us in the coming year. We also had some lighter moments to close out the year not least of which with our Ese'eja neighbour who came and taught volunteers how to make traditional bows and arrows. Judging by the general competence levels with the new weapon I think our local fauna is not in serious danger as of yet!!
Stuart Timson
Conservation Manager
Taricaya Research Centre
07th January 2004


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Buhl LTAB-30A 30 Bay Tablet, iPad and Chromebook Charging & Storage Cart
Buhl LTAB-30A 30 Bay Tablet, iPad and Chromebook Charging & Storage Cart
Charge n' Store 30-Bay Tablet, iPad and Chromebook Charging and Storage Cart
Safely store, transport and recharge up to 30 devices - iPads, Chromebooks or other tablet devices including Samsung Galaxy Tab, HP Touchpad, Blackberry Playbook, and many others!
The Charge n' Store (LTAB-30A) is a durable and highly-functional, lockable cabinet that comes in black powder coated exterior and features a removable back panel with security bolts for easy integration and tight security, anti-drop/shock covers to safely hold and charge devices and easy glide locking casters.
With two UL approved, breaker protected power strips, two cable management bars on the outside of the unit and internal shelving for device wire management, this charge and store unit will be an invaluable asset for years to come in your classrooms or businesses where numerous devices need to be ready for use and require consistent charging and safe storage!
- Interior Shelf: 16.8"D x 15.2"W x 0.63"H
- Width of the slots (30 bay): 1.25"
- 5" locking casters – 2 castors with stoppers
- Three internal shelves with pre-installed dividers (no installation required)
- Store and charge variety of devices at same time
- Wire management allows charge cables to be stacked neatly behind each shelf
- Safely hold/charge tablets with anti drop/shock covers
- Heavy duty locking system, 4 spare keys included
- Two UL approved 15 and 16 outlets, lighted, breaker protected, switched power strips
- Input/Output Power: 110V / 60Hz
- 95 CFM cooling fan
- Two 6ft power-cords, UL rated
- Operating Temperature: 5° ~ 149°
- Warranty: Cart 1 Years, Electrical 1 Year


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Senate panel nixes anti-leak measures
The Senate Intelligence Committee agreed Friday to drop several controversial anti-leak measures in an effort to clear the way for passage of the 2013 Intelligence Authorization Act.
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) voted against the measure in the Intelligence Committee earlier this year and placed a hold on floor action on the bill because of concerns that the anti-leak sections had not been adequately considered and could disrupt the flow of information to the public.
"I objected to these provisions because in my view they would [have] harmed First Amendment rights have led to less-informed public debate about national security issues, and also undermined the due process rights of intelligence agency employees, without actually enhancing national security," Wyden said Friday in a floor statement released by his office.
The anti-leak legislation would have banned background or off-the-record briefings of the media except for those conducted by the most senior officials in an agency, required reporting of all media contacts to agencies and the Congress, and allowed the government to strip the pensions of those found to have breached their obligations to protect classified information, even when the breach did not result in a criminal conviction.
While the legislation seemes to have stemmed in part from a furor over national-security related leaks lawmakers believe originated with the White House, the anti-leak measures would have applied to all parts of the intelligence community except the White House.
"In order to secure passage of the Intelligence Committee's fourth authorization bill in four years, members of the committee have agreed to remove provisions regarding the unauthorized disclosure of intelligence information (i.e., leaks)," Senate Intelligence Committee Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) said in a statement. "Since the committee considered legislation in this area late this spring, Director of National Intelligence [James] Clapper has initiated a number of steps to improve detection and investigation of leaks that dovetail with our provisions. I intend to continue to work with Director Clapper and consider legislation in the future to prevent the disclosure of sensitive intelligence sources and methods and other classified information."
While the anti-leak measures had the support of nearly everyone on the Senate committee and the corresponding House panel, senior intelligence officials in the Obama administration had expressed some concerns about the measures' effectiveness. And some senators not on the intelligence panel were concerned about the proposals, which never had a public hearing.
"I commend the authors of this bill for eliminating the provisions in the original legislation that would have undermined the freedom of the press," Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) said in a statement Friday. "The public's right to know is a cornerstone of our American democracy, and a free and vibrant press ensures that every citizen has access to information about what their government is doing....The individuals who perpetrate these improper disclosures should be punished. But we must always balance the need to deter leaks of sensitive information with the need to protect the public's right to know."
Advocates for open government and freedom of the press hailed the development.
"It's a good win for the First Amendment," said Rick Blum of the Sunshine in Government Initiative, a coalition of groups which opposed the measures. "I think that the proposals as written just had too much of an impact on news reporting....Reproters are very concerned about disclosing information that harms national security. But it came down to these proposals just went too far."
But Blum warned that such measures are almost certain to be proposed again next year.
"I don't think this is the end of the story. I don't think the issue's settled," he said.