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Frequently Asked Questions On Agricultural Biotechnology
What is agricultural biotechnology?
Agricultural biotechnology is an advanced technology that allows plant breeders to make precise genetic changes to impart beneficial traits to the crop plants we rely on for food and fiber.
For centuries farmers and plant breeders have labored to improve crop plants. Traditional breeding methods include selecting and sowing the seeds from the strongest, most desirable plants to produce the next generation of crops. By selecting and breeding plants with characteristics such as higher yield, resistance to pests and hardiness, early farmers dramatically changed the genetic make-up of crop plants long before the science of genetics was understood. As a result, most of today's crop plants bear little resemblance to their wild ancestors.
The tools of modern biotechnology allow plant breeders to select genes that produce beneficial traits and move them from one organism to another. This process is far more precise and selective than crossbreeding, which involves the transfer of tens of thousands of genes, and provided plant developers with a more detailed knowledge of the changes being made.
The ability to introduce genetic material from other plants and organisms opens up a world of possibilities to benefit food production. As an example, "Bt" crops that are protected against insect damage contain selected genes found in the common soil bacteria, Bacillus thuringiensis. The Bt genes contain information that the plant uses to produce a protein toxic to the larvae of certain plant pests but is safe for humans, animals and other insects. Pest-protected Bt plants stop these insects from eating and destroying the plant, which improves yields and reduces the need for pesticide applications, saving the farmer time and money. Organic farmers use this same Bt to protect their crops from insects.
To learn more about biotechnology techniques, click here.
Is biotechnology fundamentally different from other breeding techniques, and does it pose unacceptable risks?
No. Biotechnology is a refinement of breeding techniques that have been used to improve plants for thousands of years. The 20th century, in particular, saw the development and application of many new techniques to transfer genes between related and even unrelated species for crop improvement. Biotechnology is the latest in a long line of increasingly powerful tools for enhancing crops.
Many scientific groups have concluded that the risks associated with crop plants developed using biotechnology are the same as those for similar varieties developed using traditional breeding methods. In a 1987 report, the National Academy of Sciences (part of what is now called the National Academies) determined that "There is no evidence that unique hazards exist either in the use of r-DNA techniques or in transfer of genes between unrelated organisms. The risks associated with the introduction of r-DNA organisms are the same in kind as those associated with the introduction in the environment of unmodified organisms and organisms modified by other genetic techniques." Subsequent reports by the National Academies and other scientific bodies have reaffirmed this view. This scientific consensus continues to inform the U.S. regulatory policy, which focuses primarily on the characteristics of the new crop variety, not the method used to produce it.
Are crops developed using biotechnology as safe for the environment as crops developed using traditional breeding practices?
Yes. Extensive scientific evaluation worldwide has not found any examples of ecological damage from biotechnology crops. Many published studies-from the National Academies, the Organization for Economic Development and Cooperation, the Council on Agricultural Science and Technology, and others-have arrived at the same conclusion: Biotechnology-derived crops pose no unique risks to the environment compared with similar crops produced using traditional techniques.
To ensure that the new plant is safe for the environment, extensive field-testing is conducted under USDA and EPA oversight. To date, there have been no instances of a biotechnology-derived plant approved for field-testing either creating an environmental hazard or exhibiting any unpredictable behavior compared with similar crops modified using traditional methods.
Agricultural biotechnology has tremendous potential to reduce the environmental impact of farming. Current crops designed to resist pests and tolerate herbicides have already cut chemical usage on farms significantly, and the herbicide-tolerance trait promotes conservation agricultural practices like no-tillage farming that reduce soil erosion, prevent water loss, and even limit release of greenhouse gases.
Future crops designed to tolerate environmental stresses, such as salty or toxic soils, drought, and freezing temperatures, will make agriculture more efficient and sustainable by producing more food and fiber on less land. These and other traits also will allow farmers to bring currently nonarable land into production, reducing the pressure to convert threatened ecosystems, such as rainforests, to farmland. Biotechnology can also be used to produce renewable plant-based energy and industrial products and biological agents to clean up contaminated soils.
To learn more about the environmental benefits of agricultural biotechnology, click here.
Are foods produced using biotechnology as safe to eat as foods produced using traditional breeding practices?
Yes. For over two decades, the products of biotechnology have been assessed for safety using science-based regulatory and nonregulatory mechanisms developed over the last half century for all crop plants. Biotechnology plants and foods are among the most tested in history.
A number of prestigious U.S. and international scientific bodies - such as the U.S. National Academies of Science, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Health Organization, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the American Medical Association (AMA), the American Dietetic Association, the Council on Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST), the Institute for Food Technologists, the International Council for Science (ICSU) and the British Medical Association – have determined that biotech crops are as safe as similar crops improved through traditional and organic breeding methods. A 2004 report by the National Academies, for example, found that biotech crops do not pose any more health risks than do crops created by other techniques and that food safety evaluations should be based on the resulting food product, not the technique used to create it."
Indeed, because scientists know more about the changes being made using biotechnology, these foods may be even safer than conventional foods. The precision of biotechnology puts plant developers and regulators are in a better position to address safety that cannot be addressed for products of conventional breeding, which involves the uncontrolled crossing of tens of thousands of uncharacterized genes.
Federal regulatory agencies also ensure the safety of biotechnology foods. To date, no approved biotechnology food has harmed human health.
To learn more about the safety of agricultural biotechnology food products, click here.
Are the products of agricultural biotechnology regulated?
Yes. The U.S. regulatory system, which enjoys a high degree of public confidence, employs rigorous scientific reviews within a transparent decision-making framework open to public participation. This regulatory approach provides full access to documents on which decisions are based and is carried out completely in the public eye as required by law. The science-based U.S. regulatory system has helped ensure that biotechnology products are safe for producers, consumers, and the environment.
Biotechnology products in the United States are regulated according to a system, the Coordinated Framework, established by the Office of Science and Technology Policy in 1986. Deriving its mandate from existing laws regulating food safety and agriculture, the Coordinated Framework assigns lead responsibility for biotechnology products to the appropriate regulatory agency and sets out principles for cooperative reviews in areas where responsibilities or authorities overlap. The regulation of agricultural biotechnology products is handled by three agencies:
- U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service - APHIS oversees the field-testing of biotechnology-derived plants as "regulated articles" to ensure that the environment is protected. A petition for nonregulated status must be granted by APHIS prior to commercial growth and sale of any bioengineered crop.
- The Environmental Protection Agency - The EPA is responsible for ensuring that pest-resistant biotech varieties are safe to grow and consume. It regulates environmental exposure to these crops to ensure there are no adverse effects to the environment or any beneficial, nontargeted insects and other organisms. The agency also regulates bioengineered microorganisms under the Toxic Substances Control Act.
- Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Nutrition - The FDA imposes on foods developed through biotechnology the same regulatory requirements FDA uses to safeguard all foods in the marketplace. The FDA has both premarket and postmarket authority to regulate the safety and labeling of all foods and animal feed. Foods from biotechnology are judged on their individual safety and nutrition, not the methods used to produce them. Under federal law, the producer of a food has the legal obligation to ensure its safety to consumers, and FDA may pull from the market any foods found to be unsafe. Since 1992, FDA has used a voluntary review process for biotechnology foods. Over 50 such products have been reviewed, and none has been found to pose a safety concern. To improve consumer confidence, proposed rules issued by FDA in 2001 would make premarket review of biotech foods mandatory.
To learn more about the regulations governing agricultural biotechnology, click here.
Do foods produced using biotechnology require special labeling?
No. The FDA applies the same labeling standards to foods produced through biotechnology that are applied to all foods produced using traditional methods. Federal law requires labeling of a new food to inform consumers when there are significant changes in nutrition, safety or usage, or if the common name of the food no longer applies.
The FDA's evaluation of a biotechnology food focuses on its characteristics, not the method used to develop it. A new biotechnology food that is "substantially equivalent"-that is, has a similar composition and nutritional value-to similar varieties currently on the market would not require a special label because it would not provide the consumer with material information on the new food's safety or nutritional value.
However, the FDA may require extensive premarket testing requirements and special labeling if the source of the genetic change has not been previously consumed in the diet or is from a common allergen. For example, any product that used a gene from a peanut, which is a potential allergen, would be subject to testing and labeling requirements.
Food manufacturers are free to make voluntary claims about whether their products contain biotechnology ingredients or not, and these must be truthful, clear, and not misleading. In January 2001, the FDA issued draft guidance for food manufacturers who wish to use voluntary labels.
The FDA's labeling policy has received broad scientific and industry support. For example, the American Medical Association noted that "there is no scientific justification for special labeling of genetically modified foods, as a class, and that voluntary labeling is without value unless it is accompanied by focused consumer education."
The biotechnology industry supports labels that convey accurate and useful information.
To learn more about the labeling issue, click here.
Can foods developed using biotechnology cause food allergies?
Developers of foods enhanced through biotechnology are mindful of the possibility, albeit unlikely, of introducing an allergen into that food. FDA regulations require companies that use genes from a known allergenic source to assume that they will produce an allergen and to perform allergenicity tests on the food product. Approximately 90 percent of food-related allergies are linked to proteins found in tree nuts, peanuts, soybeans, milk, eggs, fish, crustaceans, and wheat. Knowing this, agricultural biotechnology companies have avoided using genetic material from these foods in developing biotechnology products.
In addition, all foods enhanced through biotechnology are tested for allergenicity in comparison to its conventional counterpart before being approved for market by the FDA. According to FDA labeling guidelines, products produced through biotechnology that contain a likely allergen require a label informing consumers of this fact.
To date, no allergic reactions have been attributed to any food product of biotechnology. In fact, advanced techniques are being used to remove allergens from certain foods. Hypoallergenic rice and soybeans have already been developed, and researchers are at work on wheat. The removal of allergens from foods will open up a broader range of products for those with food allergies to enjoy.
To learn more about food allergies and agricultural biotechnology, click here.
What are examples of agricultural biotechnology products currently available?
The first effort at marketing a crop food modified through biotechnology occurred in the 1989, when Calgene Corporation sought approval for its Flavr Savr tomato, engineered to provide extended shelf life. Since then, there have been a number of crops developed offering a wide variety of enhanced traits. Crops designed to resist insect and viral pest or tolerate broad-spectrum herbicides account for most of the biotechnology crops available commercially.
Bt corn, potato, and cotton incorporate select genes from the widely used biological control agent Bacillus thuringiensis to resist the European corn borer, Colorado potato beetle and pink boll worm, respectively. Bt sprays have been used to combat these pests for many years. The Bt genes allow the crop to produce the pesticide within the plant, eliminating the need to spray for these pests.
Important commercial plants that have been modified to resist viral infection include potato, squash, cucumber, watermelon, and papaya, among others. These plants resist viruses through a mechanism known as cross-protection, which is somewhat similar to immunization. Farmers growing these plants are able to reduce pesticide applications to control virus-carrying insects.
Soybean, corn, canola and other crop plants have been modified to tolerate safe, broad-spectrum herbicides. Herbicide tolerance allows farmers to use weed controls more selectively. Rather than applying herbicide before planting, farmers can wait until after the crop emerges to apply herbicides only where and in the quantities needed.
Likely advances include a promising array of products that will offer improved yields, enhanced nutrition, medicinal properties and vaccines, healthier cooking oils, extended shelf life, renewable resources and industrial feedstocks, and other desirable products. These new varieties of plants could open up lucrative new markets to farmers and provide enhanced food products to consumers.
To learn more about current products and products undergoing approval, click here.
Have farmers adopted new crop varieties developed using biotechnology?
Yes. Farmers have embraced crops enhanced through biotechnology because they provide value and solve real, sometimes previously intractable, problems. U.S. farmers, in particular, have taken advantage of this new technology. USDA has estimated that in 2004, 45 percent of the corn (36.4 million acres), 76 percent of the cotton (10.4 million acres), and 85 percent of the soybeans (63.5 million acres) planted were biotech varieties. This is a remarkable level of market penetration considering that these crops were only introduced in the mid-1990s. Today, about 60 to 70 percent of the processed foods available in U.S. grocery stores contain some ingredients or oils derived from biotech crops.
Worldwide, according to the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), biotech crops were grown on more than 167 million acres in 2003 by 7 million farmers in 18 countries. A total of 85 percent of growers using biotech crops are small farmers in developing countries, which represents nearly one-third of the global biotech crop area. While the United States grew more than 105 million acres of biotech crops in 2003, Argentina and China each grew more than 10 million acres of biotech crops that same year; China and Brazil each grew more than 5 million acres of biotech crops in 2003.
Adoption throughout the rest of the world has been slower. The United States is fortunate in that it had a science-based regulatory policy in place to accommodate the production and use of new biotechnology varieties. As acceptance of biotechnology grows worldwide, new varieties of important staple crops, such as rice, will be readily adopted overseas.
To learn more about adoption of biotech plants by farmers, click here.
Does biotechnology benefit America's agricultural economy?
Yes. Farmers have adopted biotechnology products because they deliver value by reducing operating and input expenses.
Biotechnology-derived varieties of pest-protected corn, cotton, and potatoes and herbicide-tolerant soybean have significantly reduced pesticide and herbicide use, boosted yields, and saved growers tens of millions of dollars. A recent study by the National Center for Food and Agriculture Policy (NCFAP) found that six biotech crops – canola, corn, cotton, papaya, soybean and squash – increased grower incomes by an additional $1.9 billion, boosted crop yields by 5.3 billion pounds and reduced pesticide use by 46.4 million pounds in 2003. These savings came from reduced inputs including time, labor, and wear and tear on farm equipment.
A study by University of Minnesota professor C. Ford Runge found that four commercial biotech crops – corn, soybeans, cotton and canola – represented $20 billion in value in the United States in 2002, half of the total $40 billion value of the four crops. The study also found that the economic impact of plant biotechnology extends beyond the farm gate and in individual states active in biotech research and development. At least 41 of the 50 states had some type of biotech initiatives in 2001, and those that have readily adopted and invested in biotechnology are reaping the greatest economic rewards. Corn Belt states with higher adoption levels of biotech crops have a greater number of agriculture and food science jobs than those with lower levels of adoption. Additionally, the study found that these new jobs typically pay 1.5 to 2 times the average wage of workers in these states, mostly because these types of jobs require at least a Bachelor's and Master's degree, and sometimes a doctoral degree. Crop biotech also demands a variety of other high-tech, high-paying jobs, such as food scientists, microbiologists, biochemists and biophysicists.
To learn more about the benefits of biotechnology to farmers, click here.
Does pest-protected Bt corn harm monarch butterflies?
No. Bt crops incorporate genes from the common soil microbe Bacillus thuringiensis, which allows them to produce proteins (endotoxins) that protect them from certain insect pests. The protein expressed in Bt corn has long been known to be toxic to the caterpillars of butterflies, including the monarch. Laboratory studies confirming this led some outside the scientific community to claim that Bt corn posed a severe threat to the monarch.
Subsequent field studies published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences demonstrate that the threat to monarch populations from Bt corn is negligible. Indeed, some of the evidence suggests that Bt corn could greatly benefit monarch butterfly survival by reducing pesticide use. Scientific evidence gathered by the EPA also demonstrates that Bt corn does not harm monarch butterfly populations. Given this scientific consensus, in October 2000 EPA agreed to renew the registration for Bt crops for an additional seven years.
To learn more about Bt corn and the monarch butterfly, click here.
Has gene flow occurred between Bt corn and landraces in Mexico, and does this threaten natural biodiversity?
A November 2001 article in the journal Nature claimed that genetic material from Bt corn had found its way into traditional landraces in Mexico. In 1998, Mexico instituted a ban on growing corn enhanced through biotechnology.
Critiques of this study identified flawed methodology and interpretation, unprecedented assertions, and a failure to confirm results. As a result, the editors of Nature published an editorial note, saying, "In light of these discussions and the diverse advice received, Nature has concluded that the evidence available is not sufficient to justify the publication of the original paper." A review by the editors of Transgenic Research also concluded that "no credible scientific is presented in the paper to support claims made by the authors that gene flow between transgenic maize and traditional maize landraces has taken place."
Testing by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center has not found any trace of the promoters associated with Bt corn. However, sampling and analysis performed by Mexico's National Institute of Ecology indicated the presence of transgenes in landraces in two states, but even these results were the subject of controversy. Further testing may confirm these results, but to date, there is little reason to believe that large-scale gene flow has occurred or that is has harmed the biodiversity of landraces, which themselves have been genetically manipulated by Mexican farmers for generations.
What is "terminator" technology?
Terminator technology refers to research of seeds/plants that produce sterile seeds. While research of this technology has been conducted in conjunction with the USDA, no agricultural biotechnology company currently uses this technology. In the future, this technology could be used to prevent any gene flow between biotechnology and traditional crops.
Can biotechnology play a beneficial role in aquaculture?
Yes. Using biotechnology, developments in the field of aquaculture will allow a high-quality source of food to be brought to market more quickly, reduce the price to consumers, and eliminate the demand to overfish wild stocks. For example, AquaAdvantage® salmon, developed by Aqua Bounty Farms, can grow from egg to market size (6 to 10 pounds) in 12 to 18 months. Fish produced using conventional fish-breeding techniques normally require two to three years.
Federal regulatory agencies will require rigorous testing for food and environmental safety. New biotechnology salmon varieties could make fish farming more sustainable, decrease overfishing of wild salmon and lower consumer costs. As sterile females are used, there is little risk to wild stocks should these fish escape to the wild.
Aqua Bounty expects to introduce the AquaAdvantage® salmon within two to three years to a public for whom salmon is an increasingly popular food.
To learn more about biotechnology and aquaculture, click here (scroll down to "Aquaculture").
Can agriculture biotechnology assist in meeting the food demands of a growing global population?
Yes. Agricultural biotechnology can be a key element in the fight against hunger and malnutrition in the developing world.
Today, an estimated 800 million people do not have access to sufficient supplies of food. By 2030, the global population is expected to reach, if not exceed, 8 billion people, putting a further strain on food supplies. But while world population is expected to grow rapidly, particularly in developing countries, the amount of available agricultural land is limited. Only 10 percent of the world's land surface is arable, and overfarming and soil erosion are growing problems in some areas.
To overcome these dynamics, farmers will need to find ways to grow more food using less land. The National Academies and six other international scientific organizations recently issued a report discussing the role of biotechnology in meeting global food needs. It concluded that, "GM technology, coupled with important developments in other areas, should be used to increase the production of main food staples, improve the efficiency of production, reduce the environmental impact of agriculture, and provide access to food for small-scale farmers." Other groups-including the International Food Policy Research Institute, Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research, International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications, Pontifical Academy of Sciences and Nuffield Council on Bioethics-have issued similar findings.
Biotechnology already is beginning to make a contribution. For example:
- "Golden rice," enriched with beta carotene, will help combat vitamin-A deficiency, a major cause of blindness in the developing world. (A similar strain of rice has been enriched with iron to ward off anemia.). A "golden mustard" also may yield provitamin A-enriched cooking oil.
- New varieties of corn, sorghum and wheat are being developed to provide more lysine, an important dietary protein.
- "Pharma foods" are being developed that may help prevent or cure diseases such as cholera and diarrhea, leading causes of infant mortality in developing countries.
- Plants that resist viral pests, such as a new variety of African sweet potato that wards off the feathery mottle virus, can improve yields of important staple crops. Viral resistance also is being imparted to high-value cucurbit crops grown throughout Southeast Asia.
- Foods with extended shelf lives can reduce food losses caused by spoilage.
- Plants that resist toxic or salty soils will increase the areas available for farming in many regions of the world.
These are just a few examples of what biotechnology can do to improve the lives of people in the developing world. While not a total solution, biotechnology can play an important role in helping developing countries achieve food security.
To learn more about the role of biotechnology in meeting food challenges in the developing world, click here.
What is "golden rice" and can it be an effective means to prevent vitamin deficiency?
Vitamin-A deficiency is a serious condition that can lead to blindness and increase susceptibility to infectious agents. It affects an estimated 200 million people, primarily in developing countries where rice is a dietary staple.
Using biotechnology techniques, scientists have developed a new strain of rice, called golden rice, that naturally produces beta-carotene, the precursor to vitamin A. Golden rice can provide enough beta-carotene to make up vitamin-A deficiencies in the diets of poor children, and it can also increase the amount of vitamin A in breast milk, an important source of nutrition for infants. Further, scientists has enriched the same strain of rice with additional iron to combat anemia, which affect hundreds of millions of the world's poor.
To learn more about the role of biotechnology in meeting food challenges in the developing world, click here.
What are the international trade issues affecting biotechnology food products?
While the science has repeatedly demonstrated that foods produced through biotechnology are as safe as conventional foods, approval of these foods in some overseas markets has been slow in coming. Despite their growing acceptance and history of safe use in the United States, certain countries-including the United Kingdom, France and other members of the European Union-have not yet approved these crops to be planted or purchased from another country.
Many variables have worked to slow the acceptance of biotech crops. For instance, Europeans have a strong cultural tie to food and resist any perceived change. Also, many countries have not enjoyed a reliable regulatory environment like that in the United States. Outbreaks of mad cow and hoof-and-mouth diseases in the United Kingdom, contaminated soft drinks in Belgium and HIV-tainted blood supplies in France are just some of the mishaps that have made citizens in other nations, especially Europe, wary of any government agency's claims that a new technology is safe. This has led some countries to reject our risk-based approach and adopt the precautionary principle, which could delay a new technology on the basis of improbable hypothetical risks. And in some instances, ostensible concern over biotechnology is being used to promote protectionist policies that aim to shut out American products from overseas markets in direct contradiction to World Trade Organization guidelines.
To learn more about agricultural biotechnology and international trade, click here.
What are the issues regarding intellectual property and agricultural biotechnology?
All new crop varieties that meet the criteria of the federal Plant Variety Protection Act-whether produced by conventional means or biotechnology-are eligible for intellectual property rights protection. To receive protection, the new variety must be distinct from other varieties and genetically uniform and stable through successive generations. The length of protection is 20 years for most crop plants.
Researching and bringing a plant biotechnology product to market takes several years and tens of millions of dollars. As with any industry that requires such extraordinary investment, it is crucial that biotechnology companies can recoup the initial investment and continue their research and development of new products that benefit the public. Intellectual property rights also enable companies to do a better job of ensuring that their products are used responsibly.
Links to Other FAQs:
- AgBiosafety, Questions Answered
- AgBioWorld:
- Biotech Knowledge Center, Monsanto, Frequently Asked Questions
- Center for Science in the Public Interest, Biotechnology Project, Frequently Asked Questions
- Council for Biotechnology Information, FAQs
- CropGen, Questions and Answers
- CropLife America, From Seed to Supermarket: 10 Facts About Plant Biotechnology
- DuPont, Frequently Asked Questions About Biotechnology
- Institute of Food Technologists:
- International Food Information Council, Agricultural Biotechnology: Myths and Facts
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Answers to 10 Frequently Asked Questions About GMOs
- Syngenta, Checkbiotech.org, Basics
- World Health Organization, 20 Questions on Genetically Modified (GM) Foods
- Union of Concerned Scientists, Frequently Asked Questions about Biotechnology
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Frequently Asked Questions, USDA and Biotechnology
- U.S. Department of State, Biotech FAQ


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The Review-Independent Resumes Publication
By: Nu Yang
New owners give new life to weekly Washington newspaper
When The Review-Independent closed its doors at the end of last August, the 109-year-old newspaper in Toppenish, Wash., could have easily been just another statistic on a long list of shuttered publications. Instead, the paper was purchased by Yakima Valley Publishing, Inc., locally owned by Bruce and Ginger Smith.
The Review-Independent is published every Thursday with a 2,000 circulation. The staff includes editor Jack Smith (no relation to the new owners), an account executive, and an office manager, all of whom were rehired in their former positions. Bruce Smith took on publisher duties.
Bruce said the paper was run by two generations of the same family for almost 50 years before the paper was sold about eight years ago. He said the most recent owner expanded and opened other publications, but due to financial reasons, all the publications ceased operations. Bruce and his wife have owned Yakima Valley Publishing, Inc. for nearly 30 years. Before the acquisition, they published the Yakima Valley Business Times and Central Washington Senior Times.
"It was a good opportunity for us," Bruce said. "It made sense because we were already in the market, and we had good rapport with advertisers."
The first issue under the new ownership debuted Nov. 15 last year. "The response has been supportive," Bruce said. "But we have to earn back the trust from readers."
In addition to the Review-Independent, the Smiths purchased the Spanish-language weekly newspaper Viva, the weekly Central Valley Shopper direct mailer, the monthly Yakima Valley Business Journal, and the annual Yakima Valley Visitor's Guide.
"We're improving the content, printing on better paper, improving the look, and we'll gradually improve the editorial side with more articles, lots of photos, and more pages," Bruce said, adding that all of this will lead to greater revenue.
By returning the Review-Independent to its community, Bruce said it sends a good message, not only to a struggling industry, but also to a nation that has been hit with job loss. "We're glad to step in and keep it going," he said. "It will be successful, or we wouldn't have done it."

subset: commoncrawl


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Camu Camu whole fruit powder is wild-harvested from the edge of the Brazilian and Peruvian rainforests. Camu Camu (Myrciaria dubia) is a native bush to the South American rainforest. This deep red-brown powder is a 100% pure low temperature dehydrated (raw) powder.
This berry powder can typically be found in Vitamin C supplement capsules (e.g. Pure Radiance C, also available from The Synergy Company). 1/8 teaspoon equals about 500 milligrams of the powder. This means you can get 200 (1/8 teaspoon) servings per 100 gram bag.
Sash up a smoothie or very berry dessert pie with a touch of sour bliss. Have a sassy salad with some sprinkled on top.
Net Wt.: 100 g
Also available in 250 gram or kilo
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Contact Us
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Find Us
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Many of our courses can be adapted for in-house delivery and can be specifically tailored to meet individual needs.
Sometimes due to reasons beyond our control a course has to be cancelled or postponed. We will advise nominating officers and applicants immediately of such a decision. Please note in exceptional circumstances we may have to make changes at short notice to the content (to reflect changes in legislation, current thinking or topical issues), timing, speakers and/or venue.
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8 Great Famous Bodybuilding Bodies From 8 of Your Favorite Sports (Unisex)
March 22, 2010 by Shaun
Filed under The Fitness Bug
I've talked enough about how to build strength (for now) and how to prepare for building 'great' strength, and hopefully you are on the path to becoming really strong. That was the first and most important part on how you can build real muscle mass. The kind of muscle mass that has backbone to it. The kind of muscle that will scare the socks off people who even dare to lay eyes on you, because something about your muscles seems different. And they are… different! This is the muscle mass that has strength behind it. And at this point you truly can be called the king of the gym. You might even find someone that is bigger than you in size, but guess who will probably win in a pull up contest? YOU!!
Besides, it never really is about how big you can get.. it's all about building the best looking body. That is to build decent size muscles, but with superior definition.
That is why today, I am going to reveal some of the best bodies from 8 of the worlds favorite sports. We already know that all of us have completely different body types (Read this post) and I believe that each and everyone of you will have a similar body type to one of these famous 8. Body types that you can compare to your own. Maybe even to aspire to. You could even aspire to look like me 🙂 . However, I'm not famous and not everyone knows who I am, so for now here are the famous 8.
MMA (Mixed Martial Arts)
George St. Pierre
Back in 2006, when UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) started to become popular, it was Kimbo Slice (MMA Fighter) that got me interested in this sport, even though it has been around for years. I think it was all of those brutal beat downs that I would see him give to indivuals on break.com or youtube.com. Now, I could have put Kimbo Slice here… if this was about brute fighting ability, but it is not, it's about the best looking bodies in the sport, and for many of you, George St Pierres chisled frame is what you'll probably strive for. This body type will probably attract the majority of ladies out there, but more importantly, YOU can be happy sporting this frame with confidence. This will be the frame that you will obtain if you are following the strength training route rather than building huge muscle mass.
Heavy Weight Boxing
David Haye
This is the guy that 'nearly' took down the 7ft giant Nikolay Valuev. Nevertheless, he still won the fight.
There will be many of you who workout with the goal of building a physique just like this. If so you probably started off as a hard gainer and have been sick and tired of being the skinny guy. Well, I have some good news for you Mr skinny man. Building a physique like this is highly attainalbe.
If this is your goal, then you will be one of many who fit the description of bullet point no. 3 in the stayfitbug.com logo. If so, then take your self over to shock body exercises. That will be the starting point on your quest to build monster sized muscle like Mr Haye.
David Beckham (The Model)
Most people around the world will know Mr. Becks as a footballer. However, he also has a body good enough to take modelling shots that make girls around the world tremble to their knees. One great thing about being a footballer, is that Becks gets to build powerful footballer legs (It's all in the thighs). That is something I need a bit more of in fact, since my ball kicking days stopped in the school playground.
Anyhow, this is the perfect body for those of you who just want to have a 'fit' body and aren't necessarily focused or interested in building supreme strength or muscle mass, as Becks body is quite naturally proportioned.
John Cena/ The Rock (Professional Wrestlers)
Ok, I know I'm cheating here by picking two individuals, but I'm a fan of both of these body types in the WWE. The Rock just has that perfect 'big man' size, but is still able to wear the stuff that most guys can buy in high street shops. While John Cena has built supreme muscle mass on what I think was an almost skinny guy frame (Not too many before/ after pictures around).
Some may argue that these guys get to the size that they are because they are juiced up. That could be. But I also know that these guys workout out like animals in the gym, at an intensity you probably wouldn't think imaginable.
But if you are after the look that these guys have achieved, then you are probably a natural mesomorph body type (Build muscle very easily). And out of the whole WWE cast, these are the bodies I've been most impressed with.
Asafa Powell (100 metre sprint runner)
Mr Powell has been around for quite a while in the world of athletics, and when you take a look at the starting line of every race, you just know you will see some overly defined, chisled bodies. Out of all the guys that 'matter' in this contest for golden glory, I'd say that Asafa Powell has the most well rounded physiqe. He has great bulk for a sprinter from head to toe and is well proportioned.
If your goal is to build an 'Asafa Powell' body, then I know that building raw strength is one the key things that you wish to achieve, as these athletes are all about explosive energy. Develop explosive energy and you will build a body just like this.
Denis Sergovskiy
Denis Sergovskiy is an IFBB Pro Bodybuilder. He isn't really that famous, but he did rise up the ranks in 2008 when he received his Pro Card. The reason I have chosen him as one of the best bodies, is because he fits the description of a super hero body… oh, so well.
- Tiny waist
- Very defined and symmetrical muscles
- And the muscle mass to go with it
It's not often that you find bodybuilders with as many strong attritubes that this guy has. Most just get a few things right. If you are after a body like this, then I would guess you are preaparing to enter some bodybuilding competitions. If so, then this is a body you can use as your goal and map.
The Women
Now, unless you have been living under a rock for the past decade, you would have noticed the rise in the number of women taking up bodybuilding. But it's not exactly the kind that you may think. (Huge muscly women who could pass for men on most occasions).
Now, I don't know of many 'famous' women who have taken up bodybuilding, but I do know of some around the web and in the media. Here are 3 bodies that I consider 'good' women bodybuilder bodies.
Bodyrock.tv (Susana)
For all of the ladies reading this article, this was dedicated to you. These are the bodies that I know you will probably like to have. If I am right in thinking that, then get up now and go and build your body. You can and will achieve it. If these ladies can do it, you have no reason not to have the same or better. If you want a kick start then be sure to dig through the archives here on the site. There are plenty of articles that will put you on the right track.
All of the bodies chosen here are all hand picked by yours truly,. Some of you may agree with them, some of you may not. If so feel free to air out your thoughts in the comments section below. Either way, all of you will find at least one body type to aspire to out of all those sporting bodies.
See you in the comments.
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This Boy Is Playing BIG: Jeremy Lin Giving It To Em Again! (Knicks Vs Utah Jazz - 28 Points) [Highlights]
Posted by @mahad_worldstar
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text:
You know when you're walking down the street and you see one of those open manhole covers, usually surrounded by orange cones and yellow tape? These are no-go zones, where you will fall, get hurt, or at the very least put yourself at risk.
Wouldn't it be great if these barriers just appeared for us, unbidden, around the things that could potentially cause us emotional or physical harm? It may not be easy to admit, but some of the biggest dangers to our emotional well-being are people we either love or have a long history with, jobs we want to succeed in, or belongings we very much want to possess.
Take Marie, for example, who lives down the street from her sister on a suburban street in Florida. The sister (who shall remain nameless) is consistently condescending to Marie, fails to show up for lunch dates, and insults Marie's friends behind their backs. Many of us have close friends or family members who are like this, and though we love them, when we engage with them in the wrong way, we end up getting frustrated and hurt.
So, do we need to cut these people out of our lives completely? Not necessarily. Our close friends and particularly our family members are difficult if not impossible to detach from completely. They often come barging back into our lives sooner or later.
The key is to set up emotional boundaries. Just like those little lines of tape that keep us safe from open manholes, i.e. physical boundaries, emotional boundaries prevent us from getting so close we get hurt.
1. Set up days and/or times when you can be reached and times when you definitely can't. John, a real-estate agent in Alabama, has his daughter over to stay at his house two nights each week and every other weekend. His friends may call or text his phone in the evening, but John sticks to his guns and never responds to their calls or texts, barring emergencies, until his daughter goes to bed. This is a healthy boundary, and one that will even draw admiration from his friends.
You may choose one day a week, say Monday, as your "serenity day", when phone calls from your friends are not answered until the evening, and emails are not replied to until later on as well. Your serenity day may only extend to whoever is within your band of yellow tape, but no one needs to know that but you.
2. Don't get used. You might have a talent for using the computer, or for filing taxes and managing your personal finances, but that doesn't mean others should rely on you to do their dirty work for them. Of course, there is room to be flexible here and answer a question or two, but if your close friend makes you feel unappreciated or obligated, or if they threaten you that refusal to help them will be a damage to your relationship, it's best to back off and say, "Give this a shot on your own. If you're not done in a couple of weeks, I'll be happy to answer some more questions for you then."
3. Communicate what you are not willing to do. Anna, a website designer in Texas, agreed to be a bridesmaid in her friend's wedding. When her friend asked her to reduce her hours at work so that she could spend more time wedding planning, she refused, because she was up for a promotion. After the friend barred her from the wedding completely, Anna realized that a friend who cared more for her wedding planning than for her well-being wasn't a true friend after all.
4. Keep your own counsel. We all love to share plans and ideas with friends and family, but seeking approval from your pitfall friend can lead to disappointment and/or insecurity. If you're planning a holiday or starting a new club or project, keep it under wraps, at least until you're through the initial stages.
5. Stick to your guns. Terry lives in the resort area of Tampa Bay and this means he has friends always popping in and out for short holidays and even sometimes for a week or more. Terry enjoys his friends' company but doesn't like having his entire private life invaded, especially over the summer period. He has a very clear set of house rules which he expects all friends as well as his family to abide by and anyone who doesn't will be told. For example, Terry expects all house guests to do their own washing and contribute to the food budget, if they choose to eat in his home. It's not a big deal but when you're used to your friends taking advantage sticking to your guns with a few set rules can really make a difference to your relationship.
Your friends may want to be involved in every move you make, but everyone has the right to make decisions without the sway of others. Besides, if things come to fruition later on, the do-it-yourself attitude will bring greater personal rewards.
Relationships with long-time friends and family members can be very complicated, so there's nothing wrong with using guidelines to manage them. Then you can continue to enjoy their company and still keep your feet on the pavement.
About the Author:
Kim Dockley is a freelance writer.


text: Andrew de Quincey wrote: > On Thursday 16 June 2005 13:29, Felix Domke wrote: >>We have a special per-service flag, which has a meaning like "no DVB >>service". If this flag is set, there will be no attempt to parse any DVB >>tables, and just take the ES-Pids. We then invent a random SID, thus >>having an arbitrary es-pid-combination which behaves like a service. >>With this, we support stuff like feeds, with only minimal changes. > Do you mean stuff like a feed from an mpeg2 encoder? With "feeds" I generally mean services which are setup to just transport a video/audio stream over a satellite, not meant to be used by the user, but for example to transfer raw, uncut footage or something to the studio. Sometimes they are encrypted, but most of the time they just use obscure parameters so nobody finds them ;) They are MPEG2, as usual, but most of the time they have varying SIDs or even no PMTs at all. > I've got something like this as well. In the new format, I was thinking you'd > create a new multiplex, and have a new delivery type... e.g. for a v4l source > you might have > [multiplex] > source_id = Asomething > delivery = v4l <v4l specific parameters> So that would be a multiplex carrying analog video? Felix


text:
Classic Cookbooks: Barley Casserole Recipe
Now that I've built up some experience, I feel comfortable winging it but still prefer recipes that are as precise as possible in terms of instructions, visual cues, and possible cooking times. Every recipe in Sunday Suppers at Lucques specifies how long to heat the pan and then the oil before adding food (and it's a lot longer than I ever would have guessed on my own; now I actually know how to brown meat). Ina Garten tells us how much salt and pepper to add to most dishes, which I love—"seasoning to taste" is hard, and it's good to know about how much should work. Nevertheless, some people consider such specificity to be the height of culinary philistinism. My husband and in-laws definitely look at me as if I'm insane when I carefully level off a half-teaspoon of baking powder or use my kitchen scale.
The James Beard Cookbook assumes that its readers who are beginners will be able to dog paddle to shore even if they're tossed into the middle of the lake without floaties. I'm sure this works well for some people (and that those people later become the types who boast, "Oh, I could never follow a recipe without tweaking it. I like to make things mine"); it's just one of the ways life in the kitchen reveals personality. Some are born to sink while awaiting instruction or contemplating every option, others to swim confidently whether towards success or failure. Even ditherers, though, can learn to jump in and try try again. Me, I might have been intimidated by this recipe for barley casserole seven years ago, but the other night I made it without blinking an eye, even adding extra mushrooms and fiddling with the fat.
You can reduce the amount of butter (I think I used 2 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil). I used vegetable broth made from powdered bouillon. He specifies a "casserole" as the cooking vessel, and I never know exactly what this term means. In my mind, a casserole is a 9 x 13 inch Pyrex baking dish, but in a (more old-fashioned?) usage a casserole is a kind of stove top-to-oven pot. Anyway, the top layer of my barley was still unpleasantly crunchy, so next time I think I will use a 2-quart soufflé dish or similar and perhaps even give it a stir when I add the second dose of broth. And there will be a next time; this was a relatively fast, easy, healthy, tasty side that also makes a nice vegetarian dinner with some sautéed greens.
- Yield:4
- 4-5 tablespoons butter
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1/2 pound mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
- 1 cup pearl barley
- Salt
- Pepper
- 2 cups beef or chicken broth
Melt the butter and sauté the onions and mushrooms until soft. Add the barley and brown it lightly. Pour into a buttered casserole. Before you pour the broth over the barley, taste the broth for seasoning. If it has enough, the casserole will need not additional salt or pepper.
Pour 1 cup of broth over the barley in the casserole and cover. Bake in a 350° oven for 25 to 30 minutes and then uncover and add the second cup of broth. Cover and continue cooking until the liquid is absorbed and the barley is done (i.e. soft and a little chewy), about another 30 minutes.


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Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Something's Missing
Posted by Craig and Cricket at 5:25 PM 0 comments
8 Months and a Few Days!
Posted by Craig and Cricket at 5:11 PM 1 comments
Friday, October 23, 2009
PG Dance/Drill Camp
Liberty waiting for the music to start.
Posted by Craig and Cricket at 7:52 PM 0 comments
Saturday, October 17, 2009
What We've Been Up To...
Here's a panoramic shot of our RS Retreat "Show Your Color"
Last Fri/Sat our ward held its annual RS Retreat. Just being called to "Relief Society" Meeting Leader (Enrichment Leader) this was my first big event. I am so happy how it all turned out. Our committee is amazing..we had a great Friday night activity "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner" and on Saturday we had a personality color code presentation, some awesome classes on how to bake pies and learning how to knit. We made darling jewelry...and had a service project of making cards and blankets for the Ronald McDonald Houses. It was really fun, and a great way for all the ladies in the ward to get to know each other better and enjoy each others company. Great success!!! I am so happy it is over and that everyone had a good time. Liberty came over to the church for the last hour and loved making cards.
Liberty and her friends, Elise, Autumn, Cassie & Brooklynn at the Service party. Holding up some of the 40 cards they made.
Later that night, Craig took the kids and used our free movie tickets and went and saw
They all came home thinking it was a fun movie. We had 4 free movie passes that expire soon so I decided it would be fun for them to go and I stayed home with Brit.
*if you are interested in the Ronald McDonald Service project go here*
Posted by Craig and Cricket at 12:03 PM 2 comments
Friday, October 16, 2009
Cub Scout Pinewood Derby
Posted by Craig and Cricket at 12:45 PM 1 comments
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
For What It's Worth...
Posted by Craig and Cricket at 8:58 PM 2 comments


text:
- 1+1=3:Synergy
- 0 AB bases vs. 5 = lost AB
- 15 attackers vs. 15 defenders = routed attack
- 15 defenders at 1 base = 4 unguarded bases.
Don't get routed, steal flags!
I was in an AB the other night, actually I was in several.
Two of them stood out.
Alliance meet Brick Wall
In one match the Horde held all 5 bases and the Alliance threw themselves against the pack of Horde time and again to the same result.
It got to the point that only a couple of us were spawning at a time, so even a Resto Shaman could have picked us off in our graveyard.
Resto Shaman upsets the Horde Applecart
In the second, I got tired of trying to heal corpses and went off on my own. (I did the same in the other match too, but without support of good results, or team mates to bring the results)
I took the Gold Mine, I moved on and took the Farm.
I'm Resto, my job is to support the pack, not solo resources!
I got to Lumber Mill, but the Horde were now onto me. GM was recaptured while I was tagging LM… Then I got ganked.
They is Unbalanced
The damage had been done though, the dynamic had changed, the unbalanced, balanced.
The Horde couldn't afford for the Alliance to take those bases, so troops peeled away from the Stables. They were racing for the Farm from the Lumber Mill, but Alliance was closing in on GM. The Alliance overwhelmed the reduced numbers at Stables and went on after LM.
The Horde couldn't spawn at the resources I capped, we capped, so now they were spawning all over, not in strength any more.
We didn't necessarily hold the bases all the time, but the Horde was not generating resources from them either.
End result?
We lost, just.
If we had spent one minute, maybe even 30 seconds less banging our bodies against the Horde's brick wall… We would have won.
Remember, the place with the highest concentration of you team's bodies (or corpses) is not necessarily the best place to be.
Fighting over one heavily defended node is bad economy if you could be earning resources from 3 less defended nodes.
Taking nodes from under the nose of the opposition will cause a turtle to break.
Break the Turtle, capture the nodes, win the game!
Go Visit Sylus and make his day… and maybe mine…
Gnomer and Out, Squidly and Stout!
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.


text:
Who said it?
"I'm the product of good English teachers… I got in a lot of trouble [growing up] but always had the ability to use language to my benefit… and make my own world."
Did anyone guess… Anthony Bourdain? If so, then you were probably lucky enough to attend last night's 10th Anniversary benefit for The Bronx Academy of Letters--a night hosted by the former chef himself, with indie mag Lucky Peach at the Metropolitan Pavillion.
It was a night filled with incredible bites from some of the country's powerhouse chefs and restaurants, like Danny Bowien of Mission Chinese, Grabrielle Hamilton from Prune, and NYC favorites Roberta's & BrisketTown. And those who ate, didn't shy away from the palette-pleasing array of cocktails mixed by PDT's Jim Meehan.
Now, a night of food like this would inevitably leave you warm and happy inside, right? But it was ultimately the cause, the speakers and student presentations that brought that feeling to a whole new level.
The Bronx Academy of Letters is an Urban Assembly School, educating students in urban areas by expanding their life experiences through reading, writing, and global awareness and opportunity.
They believe that society's prejudices should not prevent our city's kids from becoming the individuals they have the potential to be. And through real-world exposure and experience and stern academics, these students are taking strides toward success in their own lives, and those around them.
Great cause, great food? We're in!
You can show your support for the Bronx Academy of Letters and other Urban Assembly programs here.
Bourdain Boasts Over Education for the Bronx
Who said it?


text:
Combined Certificates- Graphic Design, Web Design, Web Programming
Why Enroll?
Business News Daily reported the 38 in-demand skills employers want in 2016 as ranked by professional networking and job-hunting sites Linkedin, Upwork and Opportunity. They noted that technical expertise makes it highly likely for professionals to find work, and lists computer programming and design expertise as dominating the list of skills employers search for when selecting job candidates. With such high probability for success in the technological field, why not expand your possibilities with certificates in those key areas?
Hunter's Continuing Education offers certificates in Web Design, Web Programming and Graphic Design, and a variety of combined certificate options to meet your needs. Discover the Possibilities when you register for:
- Combined Graphic Design & Web Design $6600 (17 Courses)
- Combined Web Design & Web Programming $8400 (20 Courses)
- Combined Graphic Design & Web Programing $8700 (22 Courses)
- Combined Graphic Design, Web Design and Web Programming $9500 (23 Courses)
Registration and Tuition
Our combined certificate options, number of courses per, and tuition for each, are listed above. Students may register for the certificate of their choice with a one-time $35 registration fee, or register for each course individually plus the registration fee per semester. These certificates cannot be completed in one semester. Payment plan options are available for students who register in person.
To register for courses online, visit our online registration portal listed below. You may browse courses and register as a new or returning student. Certificate students, please visit or contact the registration office to select your course schedule per semester. There is a particular order in which to take the courses ̶ please see the program modules.
Course Materials & Software: Students registered for the design certificates must have access to the latest Creative Suite Premium. Using your Hunter ID (received 2 business days after registration), you may subscribe for monthly student access to Adobe icloud. Academic superstore.
View or download the course schedules and program modules below, and check out 'General Information' to learn more about the benefits of registering for Continuing Education certificate programs.
|General Info
|Payment Plans
|GD & WD Schedule
|WD & WP Schedule
|GD & WP Schedule
|GD, WD & WP Schedule
|GD & WD Module
|WD & WP Module
|GD & WP Module


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You are here
Small Business Owner Receives 7(a) Loan
Larry and Margaret Brown, owners of Weston Transfer Inc. and Jack's Septic Inc. located in Weston, West Virginia, have been in business since 1979. Margaret is president of Jack's Septic Inc. and Larry is the president of Weston Transfer Inc.
The couple doesn't sit around waiting for things happen. They are movers and shakers getting the job done through running their own businesses, joining local business organizations, and encouraging others to get involved in community activities.
Both companies are centered on waste disposal. Weston Transfer is a garbage collection service and Jack's Septic is a waste management company providing portable toilets and solid waste disposal.
Margaret said, "Our businesses are just like a baby. There are a lot of sleepless nights worrying about the equipment failures, portable potties freezing up, or a wind storm turning over a customer's portable toilet. It's a lot of hard work but you do what you have to do even if it's staying up all night taking care of customers."
The Browns previously owned and operated L & M Market, a local grocery store in Weston. They wanted to develop another business and spent many hours thinking about what niche was lacking in the area. They were looking to operate a business that would allow them to work together. They considered the basic needs of the community compiling an essential list consisting of insurance, dry cleaners, and shoe repairs. Dead last on the list was garbage collection.
"We felt the garbage business would offer the best opportunity to work as a team," said Margaret. "Getting there wasn't without its ups and downs. There was a lot to learn about state and federal regulations regarding the septic business."
And, as any entrepreneur can relate, they needed funding to get the business going. The Brown's had an excellent relationship with the Citizens Bank of Weston and decided to approach them for funding. "If it weren't for Citizens Bank and the SBA providing a 7(a) loan guarantee, we would not be where we are today," stated Margaret.
The 7(a) Program is SBA's primary lending program. It provides loan guaranties for small businesses unable to secure financing on reasonable terms through normal lending channels. The program operates through private-sector lenders who provide loans which are, in turn, guaranteed by the SBA. A maximum loan amount of $2 million has been established for 7(a) loans. However, the maximum dollar amount of the SBA guaranty is generally $1.5 million.
Little did the Brown's realize that their "garbage" business would provide excellent opportunities for expansion into other markets. By doing a little "homework," they were able to successfully obtain contracts from both the state and federal government. "We've gotten contracts with Glenville State College as well as the Federal Prison in Glenville," said Margaret. "We also have a recyclable route in several counties."
It's not unusual to see Margaret in jeans and engineer boots working the trucks right along with the employees. Margaret laughed and said, "The recycling business sounds like the business is booming with the crashing of tin cans rolling off the truck at the processing plant."
Margaret wanted to be creative and change the "image" of the waste collection industry. Her idea was to put signs on the trucks to make them moving billboards. That way the trucks could deliver messages on topics as drugs, littering and the value of education. Their "rolling advertising" efforts gained the attention of some powerful people. First lady Nancy Regan wrote the Browns a letter commending them for their efforts.
The Browns are also quick to give their employees credit for making the business a success. "They are hard working and dedicated employees," adds Margaret. "We started with three employees and now have nine full time and seven part time." Margaret believes the employee track record speaks for its self. "One employee has over 21 years service, one has 20 years and three have 10 years of service."
The two Lewis County residents have also taken an active leadership role in the community. They received the highest honors bestowed by the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce to a business owner in 1988 when they received the top yearly award as "Lewis Countain of the Year." The Brown's are no strangers to volunteering and giving back to the county and community. All one has to do is walk through their offices to see the many awards, certificates, letters of appreciation for outstanding service and contributions that have been awarded to them as a "team."
"The SBA loan guarantee we received through Citizens Bank in 1982 really help put us on the road to become a successful business," said Margaret. "The bank and SBA believed in us and demonstrated that belief through the loan guarantee. They were willing to take a chance on us then and I feel we've held up our end of the bargain."
The husband and wife team believe that their involvement with the local Chamber of Commerce and their intent to do business in West Virginia has helped them decide to take the leadership in their community and mitigate the business risks. "We want to chart our own destiny rather than having someone else do it for us," concluded Margaret.
For more information on the SBA and the resources available to help small businesses, contact the West Virginia District Office at 800-767-8051 ext. 8, by email at firstname.lastname@example.com, or visit them on the web at www.sba.gov/wv.


text:
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text: Shannon #1 Posted April 21, 2010 XBoyAdvance - GBA/GBC/GB/SGB/SGB2 Emulator for XBox v23 http://xport.xbox-scene.com goto http://www.ressurectionxtras.net/ for latest cheats, rumbles, synopsis and skin updates. recent changes.. - New feature "Seconds before playing movie" determines how long the emu will wait before playing a movie. The default is half a second. This will help speed up rom browsing. Especially useful for people streaming stuff (like movies) across the network. - If streaming movies from across the network and the user press on the dpad or a, b, x or y the emulator will abort the transfer. This should help speed up rom browsing and allow the user an "out" especially for the larger movies. - Fixed an issue with the software filters displaying garbage. - Activated the "Keep user Within ROM Directory Tree?" which I somehow missed. - Fixed up the box/cart art position on a few skins. - Fixed a problem where setting the box/cart orientation was screwed up. - Fixed the bug that screwed up Gilou's skin to begin with (too weird to explain). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- XBoyAdvance - GBA/GBC/GB/SGB/SGB2 Emulator for XBox v22 First off... ------------------ Special thanks.... ------------------ X-port for porting a great collection of emu's over to the xbox, releasing the source code, and answering my stupid questions. Atariage (Albert in particular) - For providing a place for me to ramble on. For encouragement in general. RessurectionX for all that Xtra's stuff, synopsis, suggestions, etc. Gilou9999 for a new PM3 skin, synopsis, suggestions, etc. Comments of support from various interested parties. If I missed anybody shoot me an email and I'll update this file. ******************************************** *** Changes To XboyAdvance Core *** ******************************************** * Given the full "Madmab Edition" treatment. * New dual-preview skin to support Ressurection Xtra's. Say thank you to Gilou9999 for the skin. * Three yummy skins to choose from. GB, GBA, or GBC. * "Auto Game Configurations (aka Configuration defaults)" added (see below description). Use with caution. *********************************** *** To Do For XboyAdvance *** *********************************** - Eh? ************************************** *** Interface Related Changes *** ************************************** * Hopefully addressed weird issues with "Force Reload D:\\*.ini Settings". * New option to "Keep user Within ROM Directory Tree". You can find it in "General Settings, Page Two". Useful for keeping n00bs from getting lost while selecting games. * Hoperfully cleaned up all instances where the current "game select" directory would get trashed. * Transparency control for keypad and keyboard should now function properly. * Tightened up the Synopsis parsing code (sorry RessX ) * Fixed issue where cycling thru screenshots when non-available would create an infinite loop. Fixes to the keyboard/keypad including. These affect emu's that use a keyboard/keypad (Winuaex, AdamX, Atarixlbox) * Keyboard/keypad no longer corrupts portions of the screen when being moved. * Keyboard/keypad can be moved diagonally in ALL directions now * Keyboard/keypad transparency now works properly when "Pause game while using Keyboard/Pad" is set to ON. * Fixed issue with screen blurring when Keyboard/keypad is activated. I'm surprised I did not notice this earlier. * Created a new overlay system. The file "overlay.ini" contains configuration information for each overlay, including the color of the transparent button. * Fixed issue with the "Music Control Menu" where the "Go to next/previous song" options were not working. * Fixed issue where "View playlist" did not show the first two songs. * Fixed issue where "pause" would still display even after changing songs while viewing the playlist in "clear screen" mode. * Add song to playlist now functions correctly. * Added a seperate "Volume Control Menu". It can be accessed by pressing "Y" in the "In Game Options" menu, or from the "Game Configuration" menu. It lets the user set the volume for in game sound, mp3_cdda, cdda, movie and mp3 music player from 0-100. * Fixed issue where games that had more than 48 CRCs in the cheat code database would cause a crash when game is selected while searching for cheat codes. * Rumble codes and cheat codes are now stored in seperate files. ( "rumblelist.inf" and "codelist.inf" respectively). To make it easier to search for "rumble codes" only. Note to cheat code makers: be sure to make your cheat codes and rumble codes seperately now. For those importing rumbles, the rumble does not have to be "activated" in order to work, it just works. Remove it from the list if you no longer wish to use it, or set it to "Rumble Enabled On - Nothing". * Skin can now have a "Startup Movie" on loading menu. Please use with discretion (no long movies) * "Startup Movie" can be displayed full screen or in a window. If fullscreen is used the loading menu will not be displayed. * Transparency for "Startup Movie" can be set as well. * Moved the network initialization code to run before the loading menu. This moves the delay caused by network init to before the display of the loading menu, not after. * Files when selecting within a zip are sorted. * Added a seperate timer for alternating Box/Cart art. * Ability to view synopsis from within game. (press right analog stick down). * Movies! The ability to display movie previews! You can set the movie/previews directory in the "Change Default Directories" section. The movie name has to be exactly the same as the ROM name. Only one movie per game. * Display order can be set to. None, Screenshots Only, Movies Only, Screenshots 1st- Then Movies, Movies 1st- Then Screenshots. * Sound for movies can be turned on/off * Box/Cart art can be displayed in seperate window. * Skin author can now designate two locations where Boxart or Cartart will display based on width vs height. * Movies display over screenshots so if you want you can see screenshots when no movie exists. * Can now stream videos and screenshots from Samba or Relax. * Old Screenshots are now sorted and displayed in proper order. * Old Screenshots can be named anything (as long as it has .png extension) * In Game Options Screen can be sized and positioned now. * New option to "Force Game Screen Size/Position". There are two configurable screensizes. (To deal with multi-core systems like MekaX and XboyAdvance). This will be useful when switching from HDTV to SDTV or vice versa. It will save the user the trouble of resizing the screens for something that is likely temporary. * Numerous changes to menu system see above (current menu configuration layout) * Sprites can now be named for easier manipulation. Directory names must be of the format "0_spritename", "1_spritename", etc. Do not use underscores for the spritename. It is a delimiter. * Added "Select Skin Configuration Used" and "Save Skin Configuration as" to the "Configure SKin" menu in place of the above moved options. This allows multiple skin configurations in one skin allowing the user more "pre-defined" options on how a skin looks. For example the placement of the games list and the preview screens. Gilou's Dynamic skins really take advantage of this, check 'em out! * Sprites now show when sizing the preview screens. * Changed "Seconds before auto-advancing Screenshot" to "Seconds Before Auto-Advancing Artwork". * Changed "offset X" and "offset Y" to "Offset X (left/right)" and "Offset Y (up/down)" in the Sprite Settings menu. * New Option to pause or not pause emulation when keyboard or keypad is up. ------------------------------------------ Finished the "Media browser" ------------------------------------------ * Ability to display documentation (text or graphic) and commercials. * Assigned buttons (white/black) to go to next/previous files when viewing documentation. See below graphic/text file viewer controls. * Once the user opens a document - the emulator remember this document as long as the game session is running. * View settings for each document viewed are now stored in a "bookmark" file so next time you view a file your settings are restored. Back to "reset" as if reading document for first time. * "View Text File" changed to "Browse Manuals/Videos" * In screenshot viewer. If the image is smaller than your text file screensize settings it will work as follows. a) If the image is taller than it is wide it will continue expanding the image ( based on aspect ratio) until the width fits within the width of your text file screensize width. (Most normal manuals) If the image is wider than it is tall it will continue expanding the image ( based on aspect ratio) until the height fits within the height of your text file screensize height. (For example NES manuals). This seems to effectively stretch the image in the best manner possible for scanned manual reading. * Browsing manuals/videos should dump you into the media directory correctly. * Unmapped controls that allow you to move the screen around since word wrap should work correctly now. * Change Fixed Width font controls are mapped to the right analog stick (left/right) like the help screen says it should be. * Set font size keeps seperate settings for Fixed Width fonts and proportional fonts since they produce different results. * Graphic documentation can now be stored in a ZIP file and still work with the media browser functions (next/previous and bookmarks). * Music no longer starts playing after viewing text file in game. * Number of lines displayed in the text file viewer now properly match user set text screen size. * Number of lines displayed updates properly if user modifies text screen size within text file viewer * Text file viewer functions turn off FixedWidth before displaying any menu. * Added a fixed width font for the text file viewer. If you wanna use it you have to make sure that a file named (included in zip) "FixedFont.ttf" is located in the emulator directory. Press "Y" in the text file viewer to switch to the fixed font. ------------------------------------ Controls for text browser A -> Start Search B -> Exit X -> Continue Last Search Y -> Simulate width font White -> Previous file Black -> Next file Start -> Help screen Back -> Reset view as if document was loaded for first time. Dpad -> Up/down, Left-> Up Page, Right-> Down Page Left Analog button -> Set font size Left Analog Up -> Top of file Left Analog Down -> End of file Right Analog button -> Set text screen size Right Analog left/right -> decrease/increase fixed-width font size Left/Right triggers - Move up/down text file. ---------------------------------------------- Controls for screenshot browser B -> Exit Y -> Delete file (Utilities-> browse screenshots only) White -> Previous file Black -> Next file Back -> Reset image to default settings/view. Dpad -> Up/Down/Left/Right -> Move image 1/4th the total size of the image. Left Analog button -> Music Control Menu Left Analog up/down -> Move screen up/down. Right Analog left/right -> decrease/increase screen size. Size changes proportional to distance the stick is pressed. ------------------------------------------ ******************************************** **** Carryovers from Atarixlbox **** ******************************************** * Ability to pick a file from within a zip file. * Fixed a few interface "quirks" regarding playing game sounds while emu is paused. * select save state screen tells you whether your "loading" or "saving", it also now displays whether a save file has a record session ( R ) associated with it. * When a new save state is created it deletes any recordings. If you press the "back" button while in the save state select screen it will allow you to delete that save state (as well as it's recording). * Utilities menu display modifed to state "stop or start recording/playback" depending on whether they are turned on or off. It also displays total minutes remaining or played so far. * Record/Playback turn off when exiting a game. Boy that sure caused some confusion. * Switched positioning control of sprites in the skin menu to the left analog stick, that way you don't have to worry about unintentionally lowering the volume. * Savestate load screen is a little more informational when sent to it from the save/record option. * When you save a picture it removes the screenshot save path making it easier to see long names. * Changed order of some of the entries in the "Music Control Menu". * Playlist repeat mode, and View Name setting is saved in INI file. Although song name only shows in the music control menu. * (cheat codes)When "adding a code" from the "edit code" screen the current code is copied as a template. * You can activate/deactivate a code from the "cheat code list" menu by pressing start. * Deleting a cheat code now asks you if you are sure (I got tired of accidently deleting my codes ). * Fixed up the problem created from using multiple files in a Zip file. * Fixed problem when a filename inside a zip contains too many characters. While I was at it I fixed the space as the last character when trimming to 42 characters behavior. Zip files where the path was saved now unzip correctly. * Rewind and Fastforward are de-activated during record/playback and netplay mode. It even tells you so when you try!! * Modified YesNoMenu so it doesn't clear m_menuText. * Added ability to add in cheat codes from a Gameshark compatible database (see description below). This includes the ability to export the cheat codes in a game to "share" with your friends. Cheat/rumble codes are included for most games. When "adding" codes from the gameshark DB it will move you to the entries with a matching CRC. If not you'll have to manually find the game. ******************************************************************************** *************** *** "Auto Game Configurations (aka Configuration defaults) for select emulators *** ******************************************************************************** *************** In the "General settings" menu there will be a new option. "Automatically Use Default Game Configuration - Yes/No" If the user sets it to "Yes" it will bring up the game configuration screen and let the user define the default (if no default.stg and default.key file exists). In the "Configuration" menu there will be a new option... "Set default game configuration" The user can go in anytime thru the "Configuration" menu to change these "defaults" to something else if they wish. Once set to "Automatically use Default Game Configuration" the user will not see the game configuration screen again unless they... a) press X when selecting a game. Change "Use Default Game Configuration" back to "No". Keep in mind when it is set to "Yes" the game will use your "Default game settings" and not the normal x-port behavior. If set to "No" the emulator will behave like it usually does. Each emu is typically different. But all, at the very least carry the controller settings over. This feature will only be added to emulators in which it is feasible to use. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites


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Since that time, I've added the entire left hand column and bottom row, made entirely from new blocks sent to me by my Twitter friends. I'm waiting on a few more blocks and will add another column.
Isn't this quilt the coolest? It's rapidly becoming one of my favorites. Like, ever.
Note to self: figure out a better way to hang quilts for pictures so that the entire top row isn't cut off!
The deets:
- Blocks are 15" square each.
- I requested 12.5" wonky square-in-square / improv style blocks, and added a 2.5" frame around each block.
- Fabrics are an eclectic mix of Momo lines (Wonderland, Odyssea, Freebird, It's a Hoot, and Just Wing It) combined with some oliver + s Modern Workshop, solids, and anything else that the block-makers wanted to add!


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Each massively multiplayer online game has its own unique little economy within the game. And most have real-world values on them, even if the developers would love nothing more than to crush that.
Each massively multiplayer online game has its own unique little economy within the game. And most have real-world values on them, even if the developers would love nothing more than to crush that.
First, let's talk a little about gold farmers. These are the people that have jobs in which they play games to gather either game currency or items they will then sell to various players for real-world cash.
These people have been known to drive auction houses that reside inside game worlds. They set prices so people are more likely to buy their gold, and in turn, they can afford the items sold on those auction houses.
Most MMOs have rules against such actions, as they feel it hurts the in-game community and decreases the amount of time players must spend to gain certain items. Some games are more serious about this than others, with some banning and suspending offenders.
But the No. 1 thing they've done to hamper the gold farmers is to put in place either "Bound" or "No Drop" items into their games.
Then you have games or simulators that not only allow the real-world currency to enter the game economy but encourage it. Games including "Second Life" give players intellectual rights to things they create within their game. Those players then sell them for game currency, which they can use to buy land, or even sell it back to the developers for real-world money.
Any way you look at it, the virtual economies are starting to make real impacts on our real-world economy. Hundreds of thousands of people make their living selling virtual property.
But I feel that the people buying these are missing the true experience of the game. In "Second Life," there is great fun to be had by creating items as well as buying other people's items. In "Age of Conan," you could just buy gold to acquire a lot of the stuff you want.
My advice to any new gamer getting into an MMO is to avoid the real-world economy. At the end of the day, you will be happy you saved your hundred dollars, plus you'll have the memories of actually earning that long-sought after-game loot.
Chris Houren can be reached at email@example.com. This column is written for the Linn County Leader and focuses on technology, gaming and geek culture.


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Design Trends of Fuorisalone 2015
Importants Concepts Emerge From The Air At Fuorisalone of Design Week. All Companies Looks For Products and Environments That Involving People. They Try to Include More Meanings in One Product or Service. The Keyword Is Fusion
Peugeot, France automotive company, shows up, in Tortona's area during Design week, with an innovation stand (Peugeot foodtruck) that combines car's world and technological sector with food, creating a new concept: streetfood.Benjamin Graindorge, a young designer, creates Corpus, a triptych of furniture (Fibula Clavicula and Ulna) in cherry wood, leather and cloth Kvadrat. This system has originals lines, and it is inspired from an analysis of human and his movements during his life. Environment's originality is in contrast with the concrete core of the project. Karven, a lighting company, has a keyword: the simplicity. The collection presented is inspired from raw materials. For this reason the designer wants advertise the company giving to visitors necklaces of leather. The visitors can "engrave" (through special machines) the company's name. Lexus offers "the experience of five sense" a multisensory project which includes an interactive route. Theme: five sense excited and stimulated also from collaboration with the architect Philippe Nigro and Hajime Yoneda, Japanese Chef.Lexus exibiths also a new prototype. The room is circular, the car in the middle is surrounded by road's mirrors reused, ceiling strobe lights that creates an evocative atmosphere with innovative and dynamic characters. Asus prepares "Zensation" an environment that wants to simulate the zen's experience for publicize the new Zenbook. The atmosphere is relaxing, dominated by softs lights and softs noises, accompanied by the latest technologies of Asus. The contrast reveals current contexts of coexistence between differents needs, creating a harmonious environment.From product to product's communication: applying a filter on your camera you can obtained various facets of the same image. A visually project, stimulating and interactive, which is based on the concept of multiplicity and unity, it helps the mind to focus simultaneously on several aspects.The purpose of this project is to advertise the new talents, it use tables covered of popcorn that representing the extrapolation's process of an idea from the mind of the designer (the idea "exploded" like a popcorn). These popcorns are offered in small boxes in partnership with the Bomama's company, each with a different taste.Funny installation propose by the leader of handkerchiefs Tempo, improvising a balcony as a container of handkerchiefs, that is used for climbing.Equally entertaining the advertising's idea of Post-it, in a Super Sticky version.Yellow design offers, outside the show exhibition, a garden with chairs compressed air in the green. From the branches of trees, hangers falls holding the advertising brochure.The designer Joan Vellvé Rafecas presents a line of illumination and desk objects that represents perfectly the juxtaposition's concept of materials and how they can be used together in different ways.Spazio 900 creates an very addictive environment staring on each wall a mini living room of iconic-objects. The rich collection of vintage pieces is in contraposition with the modern setting.Among the various products displayed by the Union, emerges "Stammtisch". This is a table which function enhances the importance of the conversation in any place, even unconventional. Perfect integration of man and nature.Relating to nature, we can also found these chandeliers. The structure consists of a light bulb and a set of tubes that allows the flowers creating a composition. The shadows of flowers throw on the walls, give life to a nature's environment. Malaflor's workshop design exposes a line of products derived from recycled materials. Here we find a chair set up with two supports made of iron and wood, and two pillows with compressed air. Very comfortable.It is interesting also the idea of this lighting company, which offers an environment where the protagonists are the light and the color. The main wall of the room is covered by lights that create rainbows with a music in background.Zen's style it is also offered by this Japanese company. It use natural materials and processes to create a comfortable and relaxing environment, both for inside and outside.Interesting the interactive trail created by Bobino. The company produces support's objects for technology using plastic materials. The purpose of the first room was to make possible the imagination of the object's use. In the second room, the objects were inside their context.About the contact between the object and the user we can found this lamp. It may change depending on what you want to do. Minimal packaging, to many differents colors and an integrated pen.Exerpt:Peugeot, France automotive company, shows up, in Tortona's area during Design week, with an innovation stand (Peugeot foodtruck) that combines car's world and technological sector with food, creating a new concept: streetfood.Benjamin Graindorge, a young designer, creates Corpus, a triptych of furniture (Fibula Clavicula and Ulna) in cherry wood, leather and cloth Kvadrat. This system has originals lines, and it is inspired from an analysis of human and his movements during his life. Environ..
Design Trends of Fuorisalone 2015 Images:
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Alexander Valley Vineyards Cyrus 2012
Region: USA » California » Sonoma County » Alexander Valley
Winery: Alexander Valley Vineyards
Color: Red
Variety: Bordeaux Blend
Alexander Valley Vineyards:
Sonoma County's Alexander Valley was mostly prune orchards and pastures when, in 1962, Maggie and Harry Wetzel purchased a large portion of a homestead built by Cyrus Alexander, the valley's nineteenth century namesake. Here, in a rural community of family farms and ranches, the Wetzel family settled. They raised livestock, cultivated bountiful gardens and restored Alexander's original home, ma... Read more
Sonoma County's Alexander Valley was mostly prune orchards and pastures when, in 1962, Maggie and Harry Wetzel purchased a large portion of a homestead built by Cyrus Alexander, the valley's nineteenth century namesake. Here, in a rural community of family farms and ranches, the Wetzel family settled. They raised livestock, cultivated bountiful gardens and restored Alexander's original home, making it the center of family life. With an eye to their neighbors in nearby Napa Valley, the Wetzels boldly planted premium grape varieties, among the first in the area. Then the family built a small winery. Hank Wetzel, oldest son of Maggie and Harry, produced Alexander Valley Vineyard's first wine in 1975. His wife Linda set up the books and managed the winery office. AVV quickly established a reputation for estate grown wines with distinctive varietal character. Acclaimed for crisp Chardonnay and luscious Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley Vineyards brought recognition to the appellation and became a leading winery in Sonoma County. Hank's younger sister, Katie Wetzel Murphy, joined the family business in 1979. An enthusiastic ambassador, she travels the country, fueling the family-owned winery's reputation. Today the Alexander Valley is a prominent appellation known worldwide as the source of elegant, age worthy wines. The Wetzel Family Estate now grows fourteen grape varieties, on diverse sites stretching from the banks of the Russian River up onto the hillsides. Each grape variety is matched to a specific soil type and exposure. Vineyard Manager Mark Houser and Winemaker Kevin Hall work as a team to maximize fruit flavor in the vineyard and to create balanced wines that capture the grapes' varietal characteristics. Hank Wetzel oversees the vineyard and winery operations, and his wife Linda continues to oversee administration. Now the third generation of Wetzels has joined the winery. Harry Wetzel, IV is assistant winemaker while younger brother Robert is the National Sales Manager. Alexander Valley Vineyards produces 100,000 cases annually, 17 varietal wines and proprietary blends. Seventy-five percent of AVV's production is red wine. Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon constitute roughly half of total production. Other varietals include Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Gewurztraminer, Syrah, Sangiovese, Viognier, and Cabernet Franc. CYRUS, a limited production, proprietary red wine, named in honor of the pioneer Cyrus Alexander, is AVV's benchmark, honoring the past while signaling the future. Hank Wetzel explains, "Cyrus is a statement, our ultimate achievement. With this wine, we express our history, tradition, and excellence". We invite you to visit our tasting room daily except major holidays. Tours are available by appointment. Tasting room hours: 10am–5pm Read less
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Rheumatic Pain Management
Rheumatic conditions often cause chronic pain. Through The Pain Center and the Division of Rheumatology at Cedars-Sinai, people with rheumatic conditions can receive state-of-the-art treatment for chronic pain. These treatments may involve medications, rehabilitation or integrative services (e.g., acupuncture and acupressure).
Drugs to treat rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and osteoarthritis, have improved dramatically in the past several years. Today many of these drugs can help stave off or even prevent the destruction of joints that could have led to surgery.
Through rehabilitation and physical medicine services, a number of self-management programs are available to help people with rheumatic diseases manage or reduce the pain associated with these conditions.
- Topical pain relievers. Various over-the-counter creams, gels, ointments and sprays can temporarily relieve arthritis pain, reduce inflammation or both. These usually include the pain reliever trolamine salicylate (found in Aspercreme® and Sportscreme®); methyl salicylate, menthol and camphor (found in Double Ice ArthriCare®, Eucalyptamint®, Icy Hot® and Ben-Gay®); or capsaicin from the seeds of hot chili peppers (found in Zostrix® and Capzasin-P®) may relieve pain in joints close to your skin surface, such as your fingers, knees and elbows.
- Oral pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (in Tylenol®) and tramadol (in Ultram®), a centrally acting pain reliever available by prescription. These are effective for people with mild to moderate pain. Taking more than the recommended dosage of acetaminophen can cause liver damage, especially if you have three or more alcoholic drinks a day. Acetaminophen also can affect other medications you may be taking, so be sure to inform your doctor if you're taking it. Tramadol may cause nausea, constipation and drowsiness. It is also linked to seizures in persons taking certain other medications. It is best used for short-term treatment of acute flare-ups.
- COX-2 inhibitors, which are as effective for managing pain and inflammation as NSAIDs but have fewer stomach-injuring side effects. Examples of these include celecoxib (Celebrex®) and rofecoxib (Vioxx®). They are more expensive than NSAIDs and do have side effects of their own, including fluid retention, which may worsen heart failure. They may also be associated with an increased risk of heart attack, transient ischemic attack or stroke. Further review by the Food and Drug Administration is needed.
- Antidepressants. Antidepressants, especially those of the tricyclic type, can help reduce chronic pain. In addition, one in five people with a chronic disease and pain also has depression. Antidepressant medications can treat this depression and accompanying insomnia. The most common antidepressants used for arthritis treatment are amitriptyline (Elavil®, Endep®), desipramine (Norpramin®, Pertofrane®), imipramine (Tofranil®, Norfranil®) and nortriptyline (Pamelor®, Aventyl®).
Back Pain
Injections with local anesthetics and steroids can help alleviate back pain from rheumatic conditions.
Persistent pain should be evaluated and treated by a physician. The rheumatologist, as a nonsurgical musculoskeletal disease expert, is well suited to manage treatment of tendonitis and bursitis because of experience and knowledge about patient education, rehabilitation and drug therapy.