text:
Monday, 28 December 2009
Coming up: WHAT'S HAPPENING TO THE INDO-RUSSIAN FIFTH GENERATION FIGHTER PROGRAMME? The comprehensive inside story, on Broadsword
60 comments:
- VK said...
Hi ajaiji, Can you let us know what happened to the MCA? Is MCA being merged into FGFA or will it be a separate project undertaken by ADA?
Thanks in advance.
- 28 December 2009 at 21:10
CH is said to fly within december. any news on that ?
- 28 December 2009 at 22:32
Eagerly waiting for the article.
- 28 December 2009 at 23:38
Whats with hype building Ajai? When you're ready with the article, just post it and be done with it.
- 29 December 2009 at 01:00
hi ajai
Please tell us about the cost of the 5th gen fighter project (R&D cost) and the % of that bill that India is going to foot. Also can you please tell us if it is going to be a partnetship agreement is going to be like Brahmos where we cant sell any of the planes but will foot 50% of the development costs.
- 29 December 2009 at 05:06
- Baru said...
what is happening to the indo Russian fight generation program .....
hmm sounds some bad news on the way..
if you had put it as
what is happening to the indo russian figth generation Figther then it is fine. but you are talking about project...
having fingers crossed
- 29 December 2009 at 07:50
Dear Ajaiji,
Wishing you a happy & prosperous new year.
- 29 December 2009 at 08:37
- Broadsword said...
Anonymous 01:00:
This is not hype! It's a way to gauge what specific points visitors are interested in, so that they can --- if possible --- be included in the article.
If you don't have any views on the subject, just move on to another website... why post grouchy messages?
- 29 December 2009 at 09:59
Hi Ajai
Also tell us about the Design/learning curve that we are going to get out of the project, Given the fact that the fighter design was already frozen. How much of learning/design change does it take to make it as a twin seat fighter.
Is there a real need for IAF to have twin pilot version of the bird or is it being done for the sake of learning curve?
Is any of the design work like sheath technology being done in our labs here in India.
How about the engine? did GRTE fellows get a chance to do any co development or learning that may help expedite Kaveri?
I hope the MoD bafoon's did some justice to our tax payers money by signing a legally binding contract to protect our interests.
- 29 December 2009 at 10:33
- AK said...
Finally some news on the FGFA front.
I am sure that the project is highly classified so not sure how you will get all the data, but it would be nice to know a few things.
1) What has been India's contribution to this project apart from writing a cheque? ToT?
I know India joined this program late, as usual, and lost a lot of design and analysis insight that would have come with being a partner in this project from the scratch.
2) Do you have any specific information about the AESA radar that would be mounted on this plane. What about the ECM and stealth features? Will this get newer generation weapons onboard.
3) What has been the cost vs stealth approach that has been taken?
4) What does this mean for MCA? Is MCA now just an offshoot of FGFA?
5) How does the FGFA fare againts F22 raptor? I know this is a meaningless question as the F22's specs are also classified but still...
Awaiting eagerly for the article.
- 29 December 2009 at 10:44
Ajaiji, in the article that you write, please enlighten us on the MCA also. Much like the LCA, thats another very ambitious project requiring another leap of faith from the IAF.
If not the article itself, do post a few lines on this in the comments section.
- 29 December 2009 at 10:56
- Ajai im glad to see news being published on the 5th gen fighter, i was wondering when the plane was going to begin testing.
My real concern is how will the joint program affect future programs of the Indian Airforce
a. the MMRCA deal- Will there be strings attached? similar to what is going on with the F-16 and F-35?
b. Considering the attrition rates of the IAF - how will the IAF ensure the already low squadron numbers wont drop further?? MMRCA/MCA/5th gen prog wont see planes hit the tarmac in effective numbers till minimum 2015+
c. Where is the MCA program- similar question to VK.
d. The Joint program- is it really a joint program? or do we just provide the cash and a few technology bits? In which case the Russians hold the best hand forcing us to cough up more cash in return??
- that is all that comes to mind- Thanks for your blog, I am an avid fan!
and Happy Holidays :)
- 29 December 2009 at 11:40
Dear Ajai,
There is very little info on FGFA available in public domain - even though it is the most eagerly awaited projects by aviation enthusiats.
Thanks in advance for taking this initiative to cover FGFA!!
- 29 December 2009 at 12:09
That's a good one Ajai. Such people should be barred from writing comments. Please carry on with the wonderful work you've been doing.
Best Wishes
- 29 December 2009 at 12:26
Ajai, I've been following your blog since a long time and have come to appreciate your simplistic way of presenting facts and the way you explain the most complex technical details without any using any jargons.
But of late, I've seen that you've donned a rather arrogant avatar, stomping visciously on even the most innocent of questions. No, I'm not talking about those pompacious guys who thinking they are the next gen army generals straight out of those silly video games.
Please do not become one of those tight assed 'been there, done that' guys which you find on Bharat Rakshak. Yes, sorry to break this out to you, but there are people on earth who don't know as much as you do. Be polite. If you find the questions or arguments too silly to merit a patient reply, politely ask them to read more on that matter or simply do not reply at all.
You may delete this comment as I do not intend to get it published. Just wanted to send this message across to you.
- Your die hard fan.
- 29 December 2009 at 12:27
Shukla Ji,
Along with the PAK-FA, can you also do a article on the LCH(which was supposed to fly this month as per some reports).
Anyways coming to the present article. I would like to know the differences between the Russian variant and Indian variant. Specifications for both planes would be even better. What % of work is being done by the Indian Companies and on what parts of Aircraft.
- 29 December 2009 at 12:57
- joydeep ghosh said...
Ajai sir, 4rm whatever i can make out of this plane
1. PAK FA prototyped Sukhoi T-50 when fully developed is intended to replace the MiG-29 Fulcrum and Su-27 Flanker in the Russian inventory. What abt India, which aircraft will it replace.
2. It will be a stealth aircraft with ability to supercruise, carry next generation air-to-air, air-to-surface, n air-to-ship missiles, advanced AESA radar.
3. The Indian FGFA will have be similar but will have Thrust Vectoring Control (TVC)
4. The Indian FGFA will carry a heavier payload and probably will have longer range with refueling.
Ajai sir can u pls update me on anyrhing extra
- 29 December 2009 at 12:59
Read somewhere that the "taxi runs" of the PAK-FA (Russian version) have been completed successfully (two of them) last week. For the first flight - it just says in Jan 2010 ( no specific date).
- 29 December 2009 at 13:26
Can you tell what specifically will be the Indian contribution? From the articles on net, I gather that fgfa would basically be twin seater pak-fa with only avionics being Indian. Could you shed some light on any other Indian contribution, if any?
Also, first flight of LCH was supposed to have taken place by Dec end. Any updates on that front?
- 29 December 2009 at 13:37
Dear Ajayji,
Would be interested in knowing what exactly India will benefit as being part of the program rather than buying it/ F 35 off the shelf. Is there going to be an Indian Derivative. Will russia transfer key technologies or is it going to be just a farce like Brahmos?
- 29 December 2009 at 14:02
- Unknown said...
Hi Ajai,
It would be good if you can cover following points in your upcoming article:-
1) What is the Design Work Distribution between the two countries? What weakness of India gets taken care off?
2) What is the Production Work Distribution between the two countries? What level of investment in what PSU(HAL?) are we going to make for the precision engineering required in this advanced aircraft?
3) Level of Involvement of the Indian private industry?
4)Are the ASTE pilots going to be involved in the testing of the aircraft?
- 29 December 2009 at 16:26
ajai, that anon was the grinch, trying to steal your christmas !
- 29 December 2009 at 16:57
- T[-]E Pr()DiGiSt said...
We would like to know the exact difference between the PAK-FA and the FGFA(Indian Version).. With emphasis on Avionics Suite, Cockpit..
Would also appreciate if India is involved in any way with the PAK-DA-Bomber aircraft(Like direct procurement plans or involvement in designing an indian version )
Few words on what MTA means for india aswell..
- 29 December 2009 at 17:02
All right . But why have you now started writing about traffic in Delhi (of all the things in the world)?. Moving away from being a defense journalist ?
- 29 December 2009 at 17:13
Ajai ji,
waiting eagerly for your post.
request you to provide as many details as possible.
Also wishing you a very Happy New Year also.
Anonymous @ 01:00:
Please launch your own blog and post old news. That way we will have no hype. :)
- 29 December 2009 at 17:21
Sir can you then also talk about,Why India or Indian version is a two seater one.Given that we face a pilots shortage and modern planes tend automate many pilot stuff!
- 29 December 2009 at 18:23
- Broadsword said...
I fear --- after reading your list of desires! --- that many of you will be gravely disappointed by my article on the FGFA. Many of the things that you want to know about are still being negotiated between India and Russia.
Also, for those of you who want to know all about the MCA... is it being merged into the FGFA, etc... the answer is NO.
The MCA will be an entirely indigenous effort. The FGFA is a joint development.
Which brings me to the next point, one on which there is a high degree of misinformation amongst my otherwise learned viewers. A co-development programme does not mean that every system and sub-system is developed by joint teams incorporating designers from both partner countries. In a co-development programme, the partners each work separately on those parts of the programme on which they are individually strong.
In many such programmes, there is an arrangement for exchange of designers, so that one or two designers from one country can sit in on the work being done by the partner country designers. But, in most cases, he/she is not designing; he/she is just watching and listening and hoping to pick up expertise. Most of the time, he/she doesn't.
The Brahmos is a prime example. India has designed most of the systems to the front of the missile, and those needed to launch and control it. Russia has handled the rear, including the propulsion system. India got a great deal out of the Brahmos and learned a hell of a lot. The Brahmos, in my opinion, is a fine product from a fine development partnership.
- 29 December 2009 at 18:53
Ajai Sir,
I have a question that I have been dying to know for a very long time.
Can you answer it, out of F-22, F-35, F-117 and FGFA, which aircraft has the smallest radar cross-section?(I know that 117 is not in U.S. service right now)
I want to know it because the stealth is the most distinguishing feature of a fifth gen. a/c. Given that radar tech. is improving every day an a/c with the smalled RCS should have an advantage over others.
Thank You,
- 29 December 2009 at 19:46
If the FGFA is like Brahmos than great. Give us some new information in that article. Like who the FGFA will be different from PAK FA. Something about its capabilities. think Indiians have already know much of PAK FA's capabilities.
Eagerly waiting for ur article...
- 29 December 2009 at 20:53
Wah Ajay-ji. Just a headline and 27 comments. :) We are indeed waiting with bated breaths.
- 29 December 2009 at 21:15
You should also write an article about MCA, timelines etc.
- 29 December 2009 at 21:38
Hi ajai ji..pls tell me if this is true,first ,that the taxy trials have already begun and the first fight is due early next year.
Secondly indian scientist hv missed bulk of the design stage resulting in the loss of know-how and valuable experience of the most critical stage of the cycle.
That they will provide tech in composites only.
thirdly the reason Russia is obliging is because they need funds for sustaining the project.
thank you..
- 29 December 2009 at 22:39
- AK said...
"The MCA will be an entirely indigenous effort. The FGFA is a joint development."
So is MCA a 5th gen desi stealth plane or a 4+ gen desi stuff? What value does it add if we are getting the FGFA in the same timeframe?
- 29 December 2009 at 23:28
wonderful Ajaiji ! would be great if you could also cover the MCA story so far and what is the current status of that program. really appreciate your articles, and look forward to seeing more on the LCH, MCA and FGFA !
- 30 December 2009 at 00:24
AK, what value does it add there are cars as well as buses and motorcycles on mumbai roads ?
what value does the F-35 add when USAF already has the much better F-22 ?
different needs, different solutions right ? same with MCA and FGFA.
compare the MTOW of the two for a start, you will understand.
FGFA is a heavy fighter with a MTOW of more than 30 tonnes. think of it as a 5 gen su-30mki. with 2 seats and high costs IAF can't afford to have an all FGFA force.
MCA will be the medium end, with a MTOW around 20 tonnes. think of it as a 5 gen MRCA.
- 30 December 2009 at 00:29
FGFA is easily 6 years away from even the prototype flying. If we do indeed manage to miraculously overcome the lethargy and have at least one MCA prototype flying, it would be a true achievement. Unfortunately, we seem to be waiting to learn airframe design (specific to the incorporation of LO stealth or RCS reduction). If we do indeed have the LCA Mk2 up and flying by then, the initial apprehensions over the engine's reliability will be sorted out. Not sure if we are already working on the MCA ASRs because the IAF will rewrite those at least twice as well. FGFA might just about prove to be the launching pad for our capabilities to build better airframes (given that we're doing ok in terms of avionics and other sub-systems).
What India needs is hope. )
- 30 December 2009 at 01:40
Any new about the LCH? I was supposed to fly by Dec 29th
- 30 December 2009 at 05:52
Finally !
1) Was India promised RCS below a certain threshold when it signed the cheque or was it any amount of stealth would do arrangement? As we know stealth is not a distinct barrier.
2) Is it directionally stealth e.g. Front and side rcs etc etc or Isotropic stealth?
- 30 December 2009 at 07:18
Ajai ji,
Could you update on developments on Tejas & LCH?
- 30 December 2009 at 10:19
The MCA may not arrive in the same time frame (if ever) as the FGFA
- 30 December 2009 at 10:25
Are our tax payers going to get a 50% share of the FGFA jets sold to other countries as we have contributed to the R&D development. Most importantly can we block the sale of the planes/engines to countries like China as our money has gone into its design. Hope our MoD didn't compromise our national interests while signing the agreements.
- 30 December 2009 at 22:07
"Most importantly can we block the sale of the planes/engines to countries like China as our money has gone into its design."
Hu owns most of the plane. Putin forgot to tell India.
- 31 December 2009 at 00:02
sir jee kab publish hoga article..... I'm waiting ...!!!!!!!
- 31 December 2009 at 07:23
RE Ajai
Regarding Brahmos, India neither got the seeker or the engine tech which represents 90% of the value of a missile. Brahmos is a very good product but the JV is only a lesson how things "should not" be done. The same take India for a ride has been done in the contract for Shakti engine also.
Now the point is for FGFA:-
1. What is the projected requirement by IAF. It was rumoured to be 100, which is too less for effective production line. Comparing with Su-30MKIs, the accurate requirement should be around 300 to 500 units
2. Whether we have liberty to use our own radar, ew or avionics systems or we will be tied down to Russians.
3. Whether we will own the IPRs so we have further develop and modify the aircraft without Russian concurrence.
4. Whether we will have the right to indigenise the aircraft "completely". Su-30MKI we are bound to import most of the components including castings, forgings, nuts, bolts, fasteners, raw material
5. Whether there is JV to develop associated weapon systems jointly.
6. What is the cost and will be also be joint development of engine and radar
- 31 December 2009 at 10:22
- Vinay Kumar P said...
Mr. Ajai Shukla, When will u post the article its already 4 days. If you want to gauge our interest there are many ways(like conducting a poll on particular article, at least I will respond to the poll) for god sake post the article.
With due respecsts
- 31 December 2009 at 10:57
lol i think right about now - everyone is eagerly awaiting the article. Although Ajai you may not have the information we all seek- any information at this point would be great. No pressure good sir - In the end we are and always will be thankful for your hard work.
- 31 December 2009 at 12:59
- Broadsword said...
My postings on Broadsword are, alas, linked with when the article is published in Business Standard. You will agree, I'm sure that I can't pre-empt publication?
Hang in there. Targeting Monday, but I won't promise anything. At the end of the day, I don't own Business Standard... I'm just a contributor.
- 31 December 2009 at 12:59
- Broadsword said...
Anonymous 00:02:
"Hu owns most of the plane. Putin forgot to tell India."
You've lost me on that... what exactly are you saying?
- 31 December 2009 at 13:01
I guess he means Hu Jintao of China...
- 31 December 2009 at 13:18
- openlight said...
Other than LCH also highlight about the newly launched Vidhwansak (Indian multi-caliber anti-materiel rifle) manufactured by Ordnance Factory, Tiruchirapalli in your blog.
- 31 December 2009 at 15:14
- Pratik Das said...
Happy New Year, mate! Thanks for sharing so much in 2009.
- 31 December 2009 at 16:33
Thanks for the helpful information. Hope to hear more from you.
add your website in
- 31 December 2009 at 16:47
- Broadsword said...
"I guess he means Hu Jintao of China..."
Yup, I figured that... what I'm wondering is how does China own much of the plane?
Still mystified.
- 31 December 2009 at 17:15
- zeppy said...
Hi Ajay Ji - You've got really good posts here that I was missing so far. Thanks, Tarun.
- 4 January 2010 at 10:04
The question is, can India build such a plane indigenously on time, even if it spends double the money that we are investing in this?
If not then i think this a best bet we can mass produce the aircraft,and also we can get revenue from its sales.
it would be too much to think that Russians will give us complete tech just because we have partnered in terms of Monies
- 4 January 2010 at 13:44
"Yup, I figured that... what I'm wondering is how does China own much of the plane?"
According to "rumours", India had asked assurance from Russia that pak-fa would not be sold to China. However, Russia supposedly denied to promise any such thing. Note that this is unsourced info; hence rumour.
But if it is true, then it is mystifying to say the least. As we are 50% partner, how can pak-fa be exported to any nation in the future without our consent? Didn't our MOD insist on any such clause or did Russia simply refused?
- 4 January 2010 at 14:57
what happened to ur article.
- 4 January 2010 at 19:42
OfT post Mr Shukla, latest edition of Force says "Also under construction at HVF are 124 units of the Indian locally-designed Arjun MBT, which recently underwent comparative trials with the T-72 and T-90S. These desert trials, it is learned, were fairly successful which has pushed the army to raise the initial order to 250 enough for six regiments with a possible product improved order for another 250 as Mark II version.
Can you confirm this?
- 4 January 2010 at 22:38
longest i have ever waited for an article
- 5 January 2010 at 02:37
Hi Ajai ji, Just read your article on Business Standard. Thanks for putting these frayed nerves to rest and HURRAH! to FGFA and Indo-Russian friendship and cooperation. Btw, are there any real pics around or we jingos will have to wait till the first flight? Khair, jab itna intezaar kiya hai to kuch aur din he sahi...
- 5 January 2010 at 04:44


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PFCs: Global Contaminants: PFOA is a pervasive pollutant in human blood, as are other PFCs
April 2003
DuPont, 3M and other PFC manufacturers had ample indications decades ago that PFOA and other perfluorochemicals contaminate the blood of the general U.S. population. How and why they ignored the warning signs is one of the more distrubing chapters in the unfolding tragedy of PFC pollution.
In studies the 3M Company submitted to the government in 2001, scientists reported finding PFOA in the blood of 96 percent of 598 children tested in 23 states and the District of Columbia. [Extract | Full Document] Although this remains the largest study of children's blood, it was not the first. In 1981 DuPont found PFOA in umbilical cord blood from one baby and blood from a second baby born to female workers at its Teflon plant in Parkersburg, West Virginia. Among seven pregnant workers monitored by DuPont, two gave birth to babies with birth defects - one an "unconfirmed" eye and tear duct defect, and one a nostril and eye defect [Full Document]. That same year, DuPont reassigned 50 women from the plant [1].
Between 1972 and 1989, no less than nine studies were published on levels of PFCs in blood from the general population. PFOA was first tentatively identified in human blood as early as 1976, about the time PCBs were banned. In studies conducted in the past six years, industry scientists have detected PFOA in the vast majority of samples tested from nearly 3000 people in the US, including blood samples from 598 children, 238 elderly Washington State residents, and approximately 2000 blood bank donors.
Scientists have now found 15 PFCs in human blood - every PFC for which they have tested. In industry's 2001 study of six PFCs in human blood, scientists found four at higher levels in children than in adults. And children showing the highest levels were within the range of what has been measured in 3M workers [3][Extract | Full Document]. Recent laboratory studies heighten concerns about the effects these chemicals might have on children's health and development [4]. PFOA was found at similar levels in children and adults, but children may be at higher risk to the incremental effects of PFOA exposures simply because their bodies carry higher levels of other PFCs with toxicities similar to that of PFOA.
Once introduced, PFOA circulates in the body for years. If new exposures to PFOA could somehow be stopped, the body would require an estimated 4.4 years to excrete half the mass of PFOA accumulated in organs and tissues [2]. But since humans appear to be exposed frequently, perhaps daily, through consumer products and environmental contamination, the fact that the body can slowly excrete PFOA has less relevance to human health than the fact that PFOA appears to be continually reintroduced.
Even if PFOA were banned from use, its concentration could continue to build in the environment and in human blood. Over time other fluorinated compounds in common consumer products will degrade to their terminal breakdown product - PFOA. The rate at which this transformation will occur is not known, but could require decades or centuries, given what is known about degradation rates of other precursor PFCs. Humans could be exposed to ever-increasing amounts of PFOA through exposure routes driven by environmental contamination (tap water, food, and air, for example), even as post-ban exposures to PFOA from consumer products decline.
Fifteen PFCs have been found in human blood. In nearly 20 studies conducted between 1972 and 2002, scientists have found all 15 PFCs targeted in lab analyses, including:
- Eight chemicals in the PFOS family (the sulfonates), most stemming from the original Scotchgard formulation. Scientists have detected PFOS itself, and five chemicals that appear as intermediates in the breakdown chain from the active Scotchgard ingredients to the terminal breakdown product (PFOS), including M570, M566, PFOSAA, and PFOSA. They have detected THPFOS, a chemical structurally related to PFOS, and PFHS and THPFDS, cousins of PFOS with a 6- and 10-carbon chains, respectively, instead of an 8-carbon chain like PFOS. [24]. [Excerpt | Full Document]
- Seven chemicals in the PFOA family (the carboxylic acids), most stemming from Teflon products, and telomer alcohol and acrylate polymer products like Stainmaster and Zonyl chemicals used in food packaging. Scientists have found PFOS itself, and chemical sisters to PFOA characterized by carbon chain lengths ranging from 6 to 12 (chemicals referred to as C6, C7, C9, C10, C11, and C12). [Excerpt | Full Document]
Evidence of blood contamination in the 1970s. Early work to define human contamination by 3M chemicals was done not by the company but by dentists researching fluoride in the human body. Dr. Donald Taves of the University of Rochester's School of Medicine and Dentistry reported a surprising finding in a workup of a sample of his own blood. His analyses showed that some of the fluoride in his blood appeared to be organic, and unrelated to the types of fluoride added (controversially) to public drinking water supplies for purposes of dental hygiene.
In 1976 Dr. Taves and his collaborators tentatively identified one of the organic fluorines in human blood samples as one of 3M's perfluorinated organics - PFOA, or perfluorooctanoic acid [5]. The authors speculated that multiple perfluorocarbons appeared be present in human blood, and that some might be branched, or sulfonated (another group of 3M's perfluorochemicals). The authors presciently speculated on the source of these chemicals in blood:
"These findings suggest that there is widespread contamination of human tissues with trace amounts of organic fluorocompounds derived from commercial products.... A series of compounds having a structure consistent with that found here for the predominant form of organic fluorine in human plasma is widely used commercially for their potent surfactant properties. For example, they are used as water and oil repellants in the treatment of fabrics and leather. Other uses include the production of waxed paper and the formulation of floor waxes...The prevalence of organic fluorine in human plasma is probably quite high since 104 of the 106 plasma samples tested here and all 35 in an earlier study... had measureable quantities.... Computer assisted literature searches using Medline, Toxline and Chemcon developed no information on [metabolism and toxicology of these chemicals]. This was surprising with respect to the widespread commercial use of such compounds." [5].
A total of nine studies were completed between 1972 and 1989 quantifying levels of organic fluorine in human blood - in the general population in the US, Argentina, China, and Japan [6 (p.13)]. In 1976 3M began testing for - and finding - PFOA in workers' blood [6 (p.13)], but for 31 years after Taves' initial discovery, industry apparently and perhaps willfully failed to pursue studies that almost surely would have defined and confirmed the extent to which PFOA had contaminated the general population.
Despite the many findings of PFCs in human blood available in the peer-reviewed literature, 3M's medical director expressed "surprise" [7] when 1997 company-sponsored tests showed PFOS not only in workers' blood, but also in supposedly clean blood - samples from U.S. blood banks that were to be used as control samples in the tests. 3M withheld the findings for nine months while conducting confirmatory tests.
3M began a series of studies at their environmental laboratory to define the extent to which their chemicals contaminate people and the environment. In March and April 1998 3M's environmental lab finalized ten new studies that confirmed the presence of PFCs in the blood of the general population.
Perfluorochemicals were found in 18 pooled blood bank samples from all across the U.S. and in blood samples taken in the remote Linxian and Shandong provinces in rural China in samples drawn in 1984 and 1994. In only one group of samples were PFCs not found: ten archived blood samples taken from Korean War-era U.S. military recruits sampled between 1948 and 1951, about 10 years before PFOS chemicals went into commercial production.
Perfluorochemicals are found in blood samples from these groups
PFC detected
Not detected in
1948-1951 - Korean War era U.S. military recruits, 10 pooled samples
1957 - Sweden, 10 individual samples
1969-1971 - Michigan, 5 individual samples from a breast cancer study
1971 - Sweden, 10 individual samples
1976 - U.S., 6 pooled samples from heart disease study
1980 - U.S., 3 pooled samples from heart disease study
1984 - Linxian, rural China province, 6 individual samples*
1985 - U.S., 3 individual samples from heart disease study
1994 - Shandong, rural China province, 6 individual samples*
1995 - U.S. children in 23 states plus District of Columbia
1999 - U.S. elderly in Seattle, Wash.
2000 to 2002 - U.S. blood from commercial and blood bank sources
*Note: In 3M documents AR226-0178[8] and AR226-0202[9], the levels of PFOS found in the 1984 and 1994 rural China samples are not distinguished separately. Three of the 12 individual samples from the 2 sample groups were composited for a total of 9 samples analyzed. PFOS was found in 3 of these 9 samples at levels between 1 and 5 ppb.
Source: AR226-0178[8], AR226-0202[9], and AR226-0036[10].
PFCs in children's blood. On May 15, 2001, three years to the day from 3M's first "notice of substantial risk,"[11] alerting EPA to the widespread contamination of humans and wildlife with their Scotchgard chemical, PFOS, 3M's Medical Director Larry Zobel gave EPA more significant news - some perfluorochemicals appear to be far more prevalent in children than in adults, and in some children, levels are as high as in 3M plant workers [3].
3M had based all prior blood tests for the general population on pooled samples from blood supply warehouses. In a new series of tests, 3M analyzed individual samples from 598 children ages 2 through 12 from 23 states and the District of Columbia, and from 600 adults (primarily ages 20-69) from six blood banks across the U.S. 3M's May 15th 2001 report to EPA showed that of the six PFCs found in the blood samples, four are found at higher levels in children than in adults [EWG Extract | EWG Full Document]. And children showing the highest levels are within the range of what has been measured in 3M workers [3]. Recent laboratory studies [4, 12] heighten concerns about the effects these chemicals might have on children's health and development. 3M's May 15, 2001 report to EPA shows that:
- All 598 children and 883 adults tested have organic fluorinated chemicals in their blood. For many individual perfluorochemicals, some people have levels below the level of quantification. However, every person sampled thus far has detectable levels of organic fluorine. This type of fluorine is unrelated to the fluoride that is added to public drinking water supplies and is considered to be a surrogate measure for the presence of perfluorochemicals [13, 14].
- Children showing the highest levels are within the range measured in 3M plant workers. PFOS was found in the group of children tested at a maximum concentration of 515 ppb. In 3M's Sumitomo plant in Japan, the highest level measured in plant workers in a 1999 study was 628 ppb [15]. Notably, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found that workers' exposures to PFOS are dangerously close to the levels at which adverse effects are reported in studies of laboratory animals, in what EPA refers to as a potentially unacceptable "margin of exposure" [16]. 3M's new blood study for the first time puts some children in a range overlapping with worker exposures. The same is true for PFOA. At the 3M plant in Decatur, AL, worker blood levels of PFOA ranged from 40 to 12,700 ppb in 2000, while PFOA was detected in children as high as 56 ppb [17][Extract | Full Document].
- Some children have levels of perfluorochemicals in their blood at far higher levels than initial tests had shown. A 1999 pilot study of 12 children showed a maximum concentration of PFOS in sera of 115 ppb; the new study puts the maximum at 515 ppb. In the 1999 study, PFHS was found at a maximum of 100 ppb. In 3M's 2001 study, PFHS was found at more than seven times this level (a maximum of 712 ppb). Children at the highest levels of exposure show concentrations up to 48 times those of an average child.
- Levels are higher in children than in adults in the general population. Of the six PFCs found in the blood samples in 3Ms 2002 study, four are found at higher levels in children than in adults (PFHS, PFOSAA, M570, and M556)[EWG Extract | EWG Full Document]. Levels of PFHS are notably higher in children than in adults. In short-term laboratory animal studies, PFHS causes cellular damage to the thyroid and disrupts the ability of cells to communicate with each other, just like PFOS and PFOA or chemicals that break down into PFOA.
- One of the perfluorochemicals, M556, is far more prevalent in children than adults. 3M found this chemical in every one of the 598 children tested, but in fewer than five percent of the adults tested. M556 is an intermediate breakdown product of Scotchgard chemicals used in fabric and carpet protection, as the body converts the chemicals into PFOS. This result points to the possibility that children are exposed to higher levels of Scotchgard compared to adults, perhaps because of different behavior patterns. Alternatively, children could metabolize these chemicals more slowly than adults, which would lead to children being exposed to perfluorinated metabolites for longer periods of time [22].
PFCs may be even longer-lived in the human body
than previously suspected.
The 2001 children's blood study came when 3M was also backtracking on claims of how long-lived these chemicals are in the human body. 3M's estimates of the half-life of PFOS in the human body (the time it takes humans to excrete half of the amount of the chemical in their bodies) have oscillated between about one and nine years. In a 2002 study based on serum levels of PFOS in nine former 3M plant employees, 3M scientists estimate that the chemical's half-life in people is 8.7 years [2] [Extract | Full Document].
In the same group of former employees, 3M has most recently estimated a human half-life of 4.4 years for PFOA [2]. The estimated human half-life has increased as 3M has tracked workers more thoroughly [2, 23] [Extract | Full Document].
One peculiarity of perfluorochemicals is that the half-life in the body is less relevant to health concerns than it is for other chemicals. Scientists have found no mechanism by which PFOA and other terminal PFCs can be broken down in the environment. This means that every PFOA molecule on the planet is here to stay. Opportunities for humans (and other animals) to be exposed continuously to PFOA would continue even if it were banned.
[1] Environmental Working Group (EWG). 2002. DuPont Hid Teflon Pollution For Decades. Available online at https://www.ewg.org/policymemo/20021113/20021213.php.
[2] Burris, JM., Lundberg, JK., Olsen, G., Simpson, C and Mandel, J (2002). Determination of serum half-lives of several fluorochemicals: Interim Report #2. Study Sponsor: 3M Company, Corporate Occupational Medicine Department, US EPA AR226-1086.
[3] 3M. 2001. TSCA 8(e) supplemental notice for sulfonate-based and carboxycylic-based fluorochemicals -Docket numbers 8EHQ-1180-373; 8EHQ-1180-374; 8EHQ-0381-0394; 8EHQ-05980373. U.S. EPA Administrative Record AR226-1019.
[4] York, RG (2002). Oral (gavage) two-generation (one litter per generation) reproduction study of ammonium perfluorooctanoate (APFO) in rats. Report prepared for 3M, St. Paul, MN by Argus Research (Horsham, PA). Sponsor's Study No. T-6889.6., Reviewed in US EPA AR226-1092.
[5] Taves, DR., Guy, WS and Brey, WS. 1976. Organic fluorocompounds in human plasma: prevalance and characterization. In Biochemistry involving carbon-fluorine bonds. A symposium sponsored by the Division of Fluorine and Biological Chemistry at the 170th meeting of the American Chemical Society. Chicago, IL. August 26, 1975ed. Washington DC, American Chemical Society. Vol.: 117 - 134.
[6] 3M. 1999. Perfluorooctane Sulfonate: current summary of human sera, health and toxicological data. U.S. EPA Administrative Record AR226-0548.
[7] 3M. 2000. Charles Reich, Executive Vice President of Specialty Material Markets for 3M: "It was a complete surprise that it [PFOS] was in the blood bank supplies." The Washington Post, May 17, 2000.
[8] 3M. 2000. Laboratory composite report: analytical reports of data for fluorochemical analysis in human sera. U.S. EPA Administrative Record AR226-0178.
[9] 3M. 2000. Composite analytical laboratory report on the quantitative analysis of fluorochemicals in environmental samples: Report Number FACT GEN-021, GEN-024, GEN-030, GEN-033, LRN-W2491, W2845, W3197, EOO-1386. U.S. EPA Administrative Record AR226-0202.
[10] 3M. 1998. Working memorandum on data quality assessment [of the mean and range of PFOS (ppb) levels in current and historical human populations]. U.S. EPA Administrative Record AR226-0036.
[11] 3M. 1998. TSCA 8(e) supplemental notice: sulfonate-based and carboxycylic-based fluorochemicals -Docket numbers 8EHQ-1180-373; 8EHQ-1180-374; 8EHQ-0381-0394; 8EHQ-05980373. U.S. EPA Administrative Record AR226-0540.
[12] Christian, MS., Hoberman, AM and York, RG. 1999. Oral (gavage) fertility, developmental and perinatal/postnatal reproduction toxicity study of PFOS in rats. Conducted for 3M (St. Paul, MN) by Argus Research Laboratories, Inc. Protocal Number 418-008, Study Number T-6295.9 Reviewed in OECD 11-21-02 Hazard Assessment of Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) and its Salts.
[13] Ubel, FA., Sorenson, SD and Roach, DE. 1980. Health status of plant workers exposed to fluorochemicals--a preliminary report. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 41(8): 584-9.
[14] Gilliland, FD and Mandel, JS. 1996. Serum perfluorooctanoic acid and hepatic enzymes, lipoproteins, and cholesterol: a study of occupationally exposed men. Am J Ind Med 29(5): 560-8. Reviewed in US Environmental Protection Agency Administrative Record AR226-1137 (pages 153-155; PDF page 50-52).
[15] Burris, J., Olsen, GW., Mandel, JH and Schumpert, JC. 1999. Determination of serum flurochemical levels in Sumitomo 3M employees. Final Report. 3M Company, 3M Medical Department, Epidemiology, 220-3W-05, FYI-0500-01378. Reviewed in OECD Hazard Assessment for PFOS (Available online here).
[16] US EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency). 2000. Email message from Charles Auer (EPA) to OECD. U.S. EPA Administrative Record AR226-0629.
[17] Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2002. Revised draft hazard assessment of perfluorooctanoic acid and its salts, November 4, 2002. U.S. EPA Administrative Record AR226-1136.
[18] 3M. 2002. TSCA 8(e) substantial risk notice on: perfluorohexane sulfonate potassium salt (no CAS number). U.S. EPA Administrative Record AR226-1138.
[19] Hu, W., Jones, PD., Upham, BL., Trosko, JE., Lau, C and Giesy, JP. 2002. Inhibition of gap junctional intercellular communication by perfluorinated compounds in rat liver and dolphin kidney epithelial cell lines in vitro and Sprague-Dawley rats in vivo. Toxicol Sci 68(2): 429-36.
[20] DuPont. 2002. The updated copy of DuPont Product Stewardship on December 17, 2001. U.S. EPA Administrative Record AR226-1069.
[21] DuPont Haskell Laboratory. 2002. Results of an oral gavage combined 90-day repeated dose and one-generation reproductive toxicity study in rats for poly (oxy-1,2-ethanediyl) alpha-hydro-omega-hydroxy- ether, with alpha-fluoro- omega (2-hydroxyethyl) poly (difluoromethane) (1:1) (telomer B monoether)(CAS Number 65545-80-4; non-HPV). US Environmental Protection Agency: Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) Section 8(e) Submission Received from 10/15/01 thru 12/07/01: 8EHQ-1001-14915. November 5, 2001. Available online at http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/tsca8e/doc/8esub/8e101501.htm.
[22] Olsen, GW., Burris, JM., Lundberg, JK., Hansen, KJ., Mandel, JH and Zobel, LR (2002). Final Report: Identification of fluorochemicals in human sera. III. Pediatric participants in a group A streptococci clinical trial investigation, Study conducted by Corporate Occupational Medicine, Medical Department, 3M Company, 220-3W-05, St. Paul, MN.
[23] Burris, JM., Olsen, G., Simpson, C and Mandel, J (2000). Determination of serum half-lives of several fluorochemicals: Interim Report #1. Study Sponsor: 3M Company, Corporate Occupational Medicine Department, US EPA AR226-0611.
[24] 3M. 2002. Analysis of pooled human sera and plasma and monkey sera for fluorocarbons using exygen method ExM-023-071. Report prepared for 3M, St. Paul, MN by Exygen Research, State College, PA. Sponsor study number E02-1071; Exygen Study Number: 023-082 U.S. EPA Administrative Record AR226-1152.


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For access to online resources on or off campus, click here and enter your APS school id and password. my.aps.edu
Library Links
Test Prep
Welcome to the Library
Hours: 7:30 am- 2:30 pm
Students must have a hall pass to come to the library during class periods.
Students must have permanent ID to check out books or use library computers.
Ebooks / Reading Resources
Online Resources
See your librarian for database usernames and passwords.


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Whether you are looking to stock missy, petite, or plus size ladies' apparel, Pine Apparel fulfills your need with an inventory that keeps pace with changing fashion trends and seasons. In addition to offering the quality and stylish ladies wear, Pine Apparel offers the opportunity for wholesalers and retailers to purchase items at 20% to 60% below regular wholesale. Today, their success is apparent with their clientele size of over 3,500 retailers in fifty states and seven foreign countries.
Detail Orders
No minimums are required for purchase either in order to take advantage of the discounted prices. Whatever your needs: size, color, or style, Pine Apparel allows you to pick and choose your order, no matter the order quantity.
Additionally, Pine Apparel offers quickly delivery on whatever quantity your order is. Turn around time can be as quick as 24 hours and will arrive at your store within a matter of days.
About Pine Apparel
Pine Apparel has served the ladies' wear industry since 1985. They are an "opportunity resource" that supplies in-season, fashionable, quality women's clothing up to 60% below regular wholesale. Pine Apparel boats an extensive inventory and includes basic wardrobe essentials, career and church wear, dresses, MOB/formals, sportswear, coordinates, and numerous novelty categories for sizes between 0 and 32.
Pine Apparel features selections in stock and ready for shipment at once. No minimum purchase is required. They currently own a 20,000 sq. ft. facility that includes a central warehouse and distribution center.
Hours are Monday – Friday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm EST. Weekend and evening appointments available upon request.
For more information, contact Pine Apparel at:


text: Hi, I just got started with DVDpedia, and I quite like it. But, here's a question: Several of my imported movies have totally insane info. So, I go to IMDB, bet the proper number and url, and put them in Extras. But when I update, sometimes nothing happens, and sometimes there's some change but not totally, e.g., not the cast. Is there a way I can tell it to use the IMDB # for everything?


text: Christopher McDonald was arrested Wednesday morning for allegedly driving while intoxicated in Wilmington, N.C., police said. The actor, 58, was arrested by North Carolina Highway Patrol deputies at around 4:30 a.m., TMZ reported. He was being held on $1,000 bail after a breathalyzer test indicated his blood-alcohol level was 0.15, almost double the legal limit, the celebrity news website said. The actor was in Wilmington shooting the movie "The Squeeze." He is known for his roles in the films "Happy Gilmore," "Dirty Work," "Grease 2," "Thelma & Louise," "Grumpy Old Men," "Quiz Show," "Flubber," "The Faculty," "The Perfect Storm" and "Terminal Velocity." He also played a recurring role in the TV series "Boardwalk Empire."


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13 comments:
- Raoul Moat said...
Bring uz sam organic chicken pet
- 3 February 2011 at 16:06
- Howson Road said...
I want an organic duck...or a black swan.
- 3 February 2011 at 16:40
- Gazza said...
Nee way is "bring uz sam" wot a geordie wud say. Wid say "gaan get uz sum organic chicken hinny. And divin't be stingy with the gravy.
- 3 February 2011 at 17:05
- Anonymous said...
Brockley was like a scene from 'The Bill' earlier! A bit scary but didn't stop me staying round to watch!
- 3 February 2011 at 18:57
- Raoul Moat said...
That's coz am na fram Toon, pet!
Naw gerraz soom a therse moong beanz ah keep hearin about. An a Boden dressin goon an all.
- 3 February 2011 at 19:08
- Raoul Moat said...
Anyone gan save us leik?
- 3 February 2011 at 20:36
- Bruce said...
- This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
- 4 February 2011 at 01:04
- mintness said...
Gerraway man woman man.
- 4 February 2011 at 01:47
- Raoul Moat said...
Any chance ov a sheet a newspapper to keep us wawm leik?
- 4 February 2011 at 09:38
- Ignorant said...
I don't understand any of these comments. Am I an idiot?
- 4 February 2011 at 23:41
- Anonymous said...
so what happened?
- 6 February 2011 at 14:48
- Anonymous said...
The police turned up at a reported incidence. There was no incidence...... That's essentially it.
- 6 February 2011 at 15:04
- Tamsin said...
@Ignorant No (unless you are having us on) just lacking a combination ear and eye for an accent.
I love that bit in one of Dick Francis' books where Sid Halley is reading a report from his sidekick who had been interviewing stable lads to the effect that the horse in question suffered from a "tritus". Knowing about horses, Sid is totally flummoxed by this as "tritus" is a condition he had never heard of. Until, that is, he ran it through his head in an Irish accent and came up with "arthritis"!
- 7 February 2011 at 09:14


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An article published in the January 15th, 2010 issue of New Scientist proposes that yes, perhaps we are. Writer Marcus Chown reports on this provocative new theory, which I, having failed even the gut class "Physics of Music" requirement as an undergraduate, can barely grasp, even after my husband tried to explain it to me this morning. So I'll excerpt a few introductory passages from the article to spark your curiosity:
"If this doesn't blow your socks off, then [Craig] Hogan, who has just been appointed director of Fermilab's Center for Particle Astrophysics, has an even bigger shock in store: "If the GEO600 result is what I suspect it is, then we are all living in a giant cosmic hologram."
The idea that we live in a hologram probably sounds absurd, but it is a natural extension of our best understanding of black holes, and something with a pretty firm theoretical footing. It has also been surprisingly helpful for physicists wrestling with theories of how the universe works at its most fundamental level.
The holograms you find on credit cards and banknotes are etched on two-dimensional plastic films. When light bounces off them, it recreates the appearance of a 3D image. In the 1990s physicists Leonard Susskind and Nobel prizewinner Gerard 't Hooft suggested that the same principle might apply to the universe as a whole. Our everyday experience might itself be a holographic projection of physical processes that take place on a distant, 2D surface.
The "holographic principle" challenges our sensibilities. It seems hard to believe that you woke up, brushed your teeth and are reading this article because of something happening on the boundary of the universe. No one knows what it would mean for us if we really do live in a hologram, yet theorists have good reasons to believe that many aspects of the holographic principle are true."
I'll admit, the we-are-all-just-reflected light particles theory totally weirds me out. It was like waking up to discover that I've been living in Whoville all my life. I don't want to be just a refraction, dammit! I was literally chewing my own arm this morning to prove to my husband that I was indeed three dimensional flesh and blood. He told me I didn't really get it.
At any rate, political blogger Matthew Yglesias thinks we shouldn't sweat this whole hologram thing:
"…instead of saying "everything we thought we knew about the world is wrong and it's all fake!" we could just say "aha, this is an interesting new fact." After all, at one point it was determined that what we thought we knew about solid objects was all wrong. Solid objects, it turned out, aren't actually solid at all-they're made up of atoms, and the atoms are composed of protons and neutrons and electrons and are actually mostly empty space.
But people didn't run around freaking out at the discovery that the world is fake and actually it's all just a bunch of empty space. Instead, we learned that molecules are made of atoms and atoms are made of protons and neutrons and electrons. Further discoveries about the nature of sub-atomic particles are, similarly, interesting and important scientific discoveries but they're not taken to somehow debunk our previous knowledge of the existence of macroscopic objects. Similarly, if subatomic particles are "really" a reflection from a different 2D surface I think the important thing is to take the revelation in stride, as we have a whole series of scientific revelations about the nature of matter."
Perhaps if this theory takes hold, all of those under-appreciated holographic artists will suddenly find their work in high demand. Get in now while the market's still cool.
Claudine Isé
Latest posts by Claudine Isé (see all)
- Michelle Grabner, Anthony Elms, Stuart Comer Named Curators of 2014 Whitney Biennial - November 29, 2012
- New Fielding Practice Podcast on the Art21 Blog! Episode 16: Summer Review-O-Rama! - July 19, 2012
- Tom Sanford is a Busy Man…Here's Why - June 12, 2012


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A Forbes blog post with a screaming headline pegged to Mark Mobius about a "hellish" financial crisis shortly forthcoming has been generating plenty of fear in the Internet sphere. The article by Addison Wiggin was picked up by the well-read Drudge Report, ensuring lots of reader attention, and has quickly gained the interest of blogs making frequent reference to the word "Armageddon."
The article, which is very thinly sourced, quotes Franklin-Templeton emerging markets guru Mark Mobius saying "There is definitely going to be another financial crisis around the corner because we haven't solved any of the things that caused the previous crisis." Mobius is reported to have linked said future crisis to the derivatives market.
The article, citing comments Mobius made in Tokyo, said, "Estimates on the amount of derivatives out there worldwide vary. An oft-heard estimate is $600 trillion. That squares with Mobius' guess of 10 times the world's annual GDP." Mobius also warned the derivatives are unregulated, and growing in volume.
Wiggin's article raises a number of interesting questions, such as what is Mobius, who runs some $50 billion in investor assets, doing to prepare for this crisis and what exactly is the danger he foresees. But a search for Tokyo-based coverage of Mobius' warning yielded nothing. And the reason for that is that Mobius made those remarks half a year ago. A Franklin-Templeton spokeswoman told AdvisorOne he made the comment in May.
That does not mean there won't be a fresh financial crisis or that Mobius isn't worried about derivatives, but the point of the article may have more to do with selling Wiggin's Agora Financial newsletter products than offering well-sourced news content.
As for the derivatives danger, an Internet search shows frequent mention of a "$600 trillion time bomb"–some 10 times greater than the entire world's GD –poised to destroy the world's economy. A check of Bank for International Settlement figures show that that oft-used figure is out of date. The over-the-counter derivatives market has grown to over $700 trillion as of June 2011, so the danger–if it is a danger–may be far more perilous.
Indeed, the Finance Addict blog cites a Reuters story this week reporting that Congress has set "the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission's budget for fiscal 2012 at $205 million, $103 million less than what was requested by the Obama administration." This is the same CFTC that has responsibility for regulating the U.S. OTC derivatives market and which failed to prevent the demise of Jon Corzine's MF Global. So those concerned about financial Armageddon have a fresh worry.
The OTC derivatives market is indeed a quite serious issue. Former CFTC chairperson Brooksley Born was a lone voice warning of the danger of these opaque and unregulated securities a decade before the financial crisis. Congress had explicitly banned the CFTC from regulating them against her advice.
So there may be something to these warnings after all. Look for a planned follow-up report from AdvisorOne on this topic.


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Book your Train ticket to Ireland
Tourism to Ireland has become very popular and many who travel to this magical land prefer to do so by rail.
The main railway companies of Ireland are the Northern Ireland Railways and Iarnród Éireann (in Republic of Ireland). Ireland has a good and reliable railway network. Train tickets for trains operating in Ireland can be booked in advance. Book train train tickets to visit main cities of Ireland by train. Irish cities including Dublin, Cork and Belfast are all served by trains.
Get the best of both worlds, take an Intercity train across Ireland from Cork, a self-styled college influenced city through to the capital Dublin. Here you'll find pubs on every street corner and all the character Ireland is famous for.
Travelling through Ireland by train you'll see the country as you'd never witness on the road, and in a flash. Between Cork and Dublin you'll find County Kildare, hop off the train to enjoy the open grasslands, lush green pastures, trees and gently rolling hills; perfect for stretching your legs.
Take Home
Dublin and Belfast are the top choices for shopping; the Intercity trains connect the cities easily. Streets of well-stocked stores and inviting window displays will leave you spoilt for choice for what to take home. And boutiques, farmers' markets, flea markets and craft shops are aplenty for something a little different, all situated in the city station vicinity.
Eat & Drink
Derry chefs like to make the most of the local delights; seafood from the River Foyle with a pint of Guinness to wash it down is the speciality. The city prides itself as being the hospitality champions of Ireland. There's plenty of choice, from traditional Irish pubs to trendy innovative bars and all just an hour and 50-minute Translink train journey from Belfast.
New Perspective
Check out Aviva, the 50,000 all-seated capacity rugby stadium opening in Dublin.
Trip Planner
Go for our best-selling rail passes including Ireland
Top cities in Ireland
Reviews & ratings
Value for moneyConvenience
"I had some trouble finding the track at Gare de Lyon in Paris. Also I had trouble finding my coach at the Lyon Airport train going to Paris. "
"Excellent service. On time and comfortable "
"I've been travelling to Geneve to meet my daughter. the train was very comfortable and the staff very kind. I bought a good sandwich with salami and butter, a black tea with cinnamon. Very new flavour for me. The viw around the lake from Geneve to Montreux was great. "
Value for moneyConvenience
"It was a very good journey. The train was comfortable, the attendants were friendly. Service on board was perfect including the breakfast, which was delicious. "
Value for moneyConvenience
"Confortável, chegamos ao destino descansados. Valor um pouco alto, mas deixamos para adquirir as passagens na última hora, por isso o alto preço. Conveniente, pois é mais rápido e confortável do que viajar por via aérea. "
Value for moneyConvenience
"Exceptional trip from St Pancras to Paris with the help of VIP transfer service from St. Pancras hotel. Highly recommended. "
Value for moneyConvenience
"Very fast journey. Comfortable. "
Value for moneyConvenience
"Coming from Australia I assumed flights would be far better than trains but having the stations right in the centre of the city made it much more convenient and easier to manage without a phone. The train was smooth and quick. "
"Excellent service.We booked and printed tickets on line which scanned easily on day of journey. All baggage x rayd so great security before entering platform. Allocated seating upon booking. Train on time. Value for money 5 stars. (auto star system not working. )22 euros per person each way. "
"my trip was great but I was wonder that the crew was not speaking English and she couldn't understand me once I order. "


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Not everyone is remembering Steve Jobs in a classy manner.
SFist reports that a poster was found outside an Android store in Sichuan, China that reads "Steve Jobs has kicked the bucket. Why would you still be buying Apple?"
The image -- which can be seen here -- the ad also features Android's mascot kicking a black Apple logo down the road.
Despite the poor taste of the ad it is highly unlikely it was full sanctioned by Google considering the homage the company and its leaders paid to Jobs Thursday.
Apple shareholders also didn't seem to share the sentiment about why one would want an Apple product now. Apple shares held steady in trading Thursday.
Chinese Android Ad Mocks Steve Jobs Death
Not everyone is remembering Steve Jobs in a classy manner.


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Jump to navigation
Established in 2006, the Craftmark initiative helps denote genuine Indian handicrafts, develop sector-wide minimum standards and norms for labeling a product as a handicrafts product,...
Craftmark has set standards for over 80 unique Indian hand-crafted processes and continues to expand this list.
I learnt a lot at the Craftmark ESP Vitt Shaala workshop session and really appreciate the opportunity. Been turning some of our processes upside down since getting back.
The concept of Craftmark is a very unique one, wherein we as craft groups and artisans get a seal of authenticity for our products in a market that is highly competitive and where everyone seems to be selling 'handcrafted products'. We are glad to have been able to receive such a certificate for our craftsmen.
The Craftmark is a symbol of quality and craft, linking the diverse hand skills and products of India-helping consumers and crafts people alike.
"The Craftmark initiative has several positive impacts but most importantly it adds value to Indian handicraft products by identifying the craft technique inherent in the product and certifying its authenticity. The net result is—sustainable sales of craft in mainstream markets and greater rural employment."
For your queries please mail us at
Copyright © 2017 Craftmark | All Rights Reserved.


text: On August 16, 1917, in a renewed thrust of the Allied offensive launched at the end of July in the Flanders region of Belgium — known as the Third Battle of Ypres, or simply as Passchendaele, for the village that saw the heaviest fighting — British troops capture the village of Langemarck from the Germans. The ambitious, meticulously planned offensive, masterminded by the British commander in chief Sir Douglas Haig, began on July 31 with a British and French attack on German positions near the village of Passchendaele, located in Flanders in the much-contested Ypres Salient. After the initial assault met with less success than had been anticipated, heavy rains and thickening mud bogged down the Allied infantry and artillery and prevented them from renewing the offensive until the second week of August. On August 16, at Langemarck, to the west of Passchendaele, four days of fierce fighting resulted in a British victory; the gains were small, however, for the high number of casualties incurred.Though a German counterattack recovered much of the ground gained at Langemarck, British forces retained the initiative in the region, aided by the use of tanks and by a diversionary attack by the French at Verdun, where more than 5,000 German soldiers were taken prisoner. By the end of September, the British were able to establish control over the ridge of land to the east of Ypres, and Haig pushed his commanders in the region to continue the attacks towards the Passchendaele ridge. As the offensive stretched into October, Allied troops reached near-exhaustion as the Germans reinforced their positions in the region with reserve troops released from the Eastern Front. After Canadian and British troops finally captured Passchendaele on November 6, 1917, Haig called off the offensive, claiming victory for his men. In sum, a total of some 310,000 British casualties, as opposed to 260,000 on the German side, and a failure to create any substantial breakthrough on the Western Front, made the Third Battle of Ypres one of the most costly and controversial offensives of World War I.


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- Parent Category: News
Iroquois County OK's Wind Farm changes
The Iroquois County Board Tuesday approved changes in how wind farms are regulated. The changes, basically, affect those landowners not considered 'participants.'
Non-participating properties now have a setback rule 12 times the rotor diameter, that's an increase from what was 1500 feet. Any future wind farm developers must now also prove shadow-flicker will not affect a home within a mile of the turbine.
Developers must also have more liability insurance.
The ordinance change came from recommendations from the County Board's Planning & Zoning committee.


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Church bells across the country rang 26 times Friday morning—one for each of the victims killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School —to mark the one-week anniversary of the Connecticut shootings.
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy observed a moment of silence with other offiicials on the steps of Newtown's town hall where a bell chimed for each victim and names were read. Five more shooting victims, including three children, were to be buried later in the day.
Thousands of congregations affiliated with the National Council of Churches participated in a minute of silence as their bells rang out. A group of interfaith leaders meeting in Washington to discuss gun control and mental health reforms paused as well, as the National Cathedral's funeral bell tolled.
U.S. & World
Malloy requested participation in the bell-ringing earlier this week from all houses of worship and buildings equipped to carry out the symbolic gesture. He also requested Monday a statewide moment of silence at 9:30 a.m. ET, "exactly one week after the horror began to unfold."
Governors from Louisiana to Hawaii to Illinois joined Malloy's call for a moment to remember the 20 schoolchildren and six faculty members killed in one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history.
The federal government participated as well, with President Obama privately observing the solemn 9:30 a.m. occasion at the White House. In the immediate aftermath of the Newtown tragedy, Obama vowed "meaningful action" and announced Vice President Joe Biden would lead a group to come up with "concrete proposals" to reduce gun violence by the end of January. Obama said in a web video Friday he was encouraged by a "We the People" petition posted on the White House website calling for more gun control. "We hear you," he told signers of the petition, which has amassed 200,000 supporters.
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
The National Rifle Association, which had been largely silent since the tragedy, held its first press conference Friday. The group called for an armed police officer to be stationed at every school in the country and also blamed video games, movies and media companies for a contributing to a culture of violence.
"The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun," said NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre.
For full U.S. news coverage, visit NBCNews.com.
Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, meanwhile, marked Friday's moment of silence at an elementary school in Washington D.C., where he was scheduled to speak at a school safety forum. His visit to Neval Thomas Elementary School was his first public appearance since the shooting last week.
A group from the technology world planned an Internet-based moment of silence. By Thursday evening, more than 150,000 people had signed a pledge to participate in a "five minute pause from all online activity" organized by Nick Grossman, an activist at Union Square Ventures, and the team at the activist site, Causes.com.
A companion website, webmomentofsilence.org, offered instructions on temporarily blacking out websites to "help bring focus to the events at Sandy Hook and the broader issue of gun violence in America."
The website said that participation did not represent any political agenda and that organizers were hoping to remember the victims and "spark an ongoing productive conversation."
Huffington Post, ESPN, Foursquare, TechCrunch, AOL, Gilt and Adobe were among the sites that participated in the online moment of silence, according to Ad Week.
Remembering the Sandy Hook Victims: Portraits of the Fallen.
Stockbridge First United Methodist Church in Georgia rang its bells 27 times to include Nancy Lanza, the mother of gunman Adam Lanza who fatally shot her before ambushing Sandy Hook Elementary School and taking his own life.
"I think for us, she's a victim, too," said Rev. Jody Ray, NBC News reported. "We probably should have included the young man who committed the crime."
Back in Newtown, funerals continued for a fifth consecutive day. Three more children and two school staffers were being buried. They include: 6-year-old Olivia Engel; 6-year-old Dylan Hockley; 7-year-old Grace McDonnell; behavioral therapist Rachel D'Avino, 29; and school psychologist Mary Sherlach, 56.
As the sad routines continued in Newtown, First Lady Michelle Obama offered recommendations to parents wondering how to discuss the tragedy with their children.
"We can tell our kids that we're doing everything we can to keep them safe and make sure they fee loved—and so are their teachers, coaches, faith leaders, Scout leaders and everyone else who plays a role in their lives.
"We can tell them that it's our job now to stand with the people of Newtown—to pray for them and to find ways, large and small, to show them that they are not alone in their grief. It is now up to us to carry the memory of those who were lost in our hearts and to follow their example every day, living our lives as they lived theirs—with courage, determination, hope and love.
"Those are the values that give us our strength as Americans and that we return to in times of crisis—not just because they help us heal, but because they define who we are, as a people and as a nation."


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A tasteful comeback for every distasteful quid pro quo that comes your way.
During a vacation at the beach, Kramer asked Jerry to rub some suntan lotion on his back. "Who are you, Mrs. Robinson?" Jerry replied. Overlooking Jerry's crack from The Graduate, Kramer graduated his request to a proposal: "C'mon. And I'll rub some on yours." Jerry's snicker right into this line let Kramer know that this idea wasn't exactly rubbing him the right way.
There's a time to "break bad" when someone wants something from you, and there's a time to break it gently. When you do the latter–say, for a friend (or just to be friendly)–you reach for lines like this. It's Not! wrapped in a snicker–a bit of SNL-type sarcasm softened by Seinfeld-ian irony, the irony here being that this line implies that you might like this deal if they offered you something that gets you past no deal. And they're trying, you'll give them that.
But that's about all you're giving them.
From "The Hamptons"
Episode 21, Season 5
Seinfeld Volume 4, Disc 4
Timecode for the scene: 2:45


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Nyhetsbrev fra Thailand
Our staff in Thailand regularly put together a newsletter which is sent to volunteers working in Thailand at the time, those signed up to join a project in Thailand and to previous volunteers. The newsletters contain information about the country and our projects, stories written by volunteers, advice on what to expect when volunteering abroad in Thailand and much more. If you're considering overseas voluntary work the newsletters are a great way to gain a better idea of what to expect.
1,03MB Thailand Nyheter - Februar 2015
As a volunteer for Projects Abroad, I was given an amazing opportunity to help the local community of Krabi clean up one of the most littered beaches in the area.
1,19MB Thailand Nyheter - Januar 2015
Every year on the second Saturday of January, Thailand celebrates National Children's Day with the aims of making sure that the children of Thailand have a fun celebration, and to create awareness about their important role in the development of their country.
1,44MB Thailand Nyheter - Desember 2014
December is a time for celebration for many, a time to look back on the year that has past and be thankful for the things achieved. Projects Abroad community volunteers of 2014 have done a lot to be proud of! One of the ways volunteers have made an impact on the lives of children here in Thailand has been through their monthly outreach activities; from English days, to teaching children about the importance of having sharks in our ocean.
2,25MB Thailand Nyheter - November 2014
Sometimes the coral is soft and beautiful, pink and purple and orange and always filled with fish. It's the attractive coral that you're used to seeing from pictures of the Great Barrier Reef and Finding Nemo.
1,46MB Thailand Nyheter - Oktober 2014
Generally, each day volunteers begin their days with a warm up activity before the English and arts & crafts sessions. Recently, they had a great day with high school students teaching basic vocabulary. The highlight of the day was the activity during the ice breaking which is called "Human Chain".
2,01MB Thailand Nyheter - September 2014
Not being able to swim is the most life threatening thing these days, especially for children. In Krabi, every year at least one child drowns due to them not being able to swim. There for giving swimming lessons to the children is vital as well as making sure they all are supervised during it.
1,57MB Thailand Nyheter - Juli 2014
Being a professional volunteer with Projects Abroad allowed me to see a side of Thailand that very few outsiders get to experience. It was my privilege not only to work in the schools, experiencing first-hand the students' daily struggles to master English, but also to work with and help the teachers through conferences and meetings.
1,39MB Thailand Nyheter - Juni 2014
The highlight of the day for the girls was the face painting. They seemed to enjoy painting flags on their cheeks and also helped their friends to paint their team's flag. Some children were so artistic and painted such beautiful flags for their coach. The softballs we brought with us were also just perfect for the girls to practice passing and kicking the ball.
2,36MB Thailand Nyheter - Mai 2014
Projects Abroad is one of the leading volunteer companies in the world with projects that help support humanity around the world. In Thailand, we have had volunteers in medical and care projects that help contribute to the local community in the health sections. These are some photos we have gathered of our volunteers. Thank you all for all the work you have done for people.
3,20MB Thailand Nyheter - April 2014
After I graduated and received my Abitur in Germany, I wanted to do something meaningful abroad. After comparing many different organizations, I decided to sign up for the Care Project in Thailand for six weeks and also in Cambodia for four weeks. I believe this was the best decision I have ever made!
2,58MB Thailand Nyheter - Mars 2014
Teaching has been a lot of fun for me. It took a little getting used to but I've enjoyed it a lot. At first I didn't even know how to teach and I started my first day with no idea what to do with the children, how to keep them interested, or what the children would know.
1,33MB Thailand Nyheter - Februar 2014
Hello everyone and welcome to another edition of the monthly newsletter. When we think of February, we normally think of the shortest month of the year and also Valentine's Day. Here in Thailand valentines happens to fall on Makha Bucha day, which is a very important day on the Buddhist calendar.
3,22MB Thailand Nyheter - Januar 2014
The conservation team have also been working alongside Mangrove Action Project (MAP) for our mangrove education and restoration work. We will also be conducting many dives for the Krabi Provincial Administrative Office, monitoring their artificial reefs, as well as join them on big cleaning days.
2,11MB Thailand Nyheter - Desember 2013
Here we are; the last month of the year again… December is meant to be the month of celebration. So, everyone is excitedly looking forward to that. Many people have already set their plan for the upcoming year but many people never do anything as they planned because they think they have plenty time to do it and then found out they ran out of time.
2,55MB Thailand Nyheter - November 2013
The pollution of the oceans is a real problem of our world. We can find a part of this pollution in the ocean all around the world but also on the beaches and coastlines.
749KB Thailand Nyheter - Oktober 2013
"We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect." - Aldo Leopold
695KB Thailand Nyheter - September 2013
Another amazing month for our Turtle Project; not only did the volunteers clean out the turtle tanks and help administer medication to the injured turtles, but they also help ed clean the beach in the front of the Phuket Aquarium! The scientists and staff were really grateful for this extra effort.
792KB Thailand Nyheter - August 2013
During the month of August our volunteers have been helping FORRU mainly with the maintenance of the tree nursery. This included work such as replacing the weathered sun protecting sheets at the nursery and also the framework structure supporting the nursery.
2,52MB Thailand Nyheter - Mars 2013
During the course of February to 15 March 2013, this is what hap-pened with us, to us, and by us. Shown here is proof to the old saying that goes: "Awesome do as awesome does, dude!" Peacexxx!!!


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Curriculum and Instruction
Graduate Reading Program
Features of the Program
- The Reading Specialist Graduate Program is designed for teachers who wish to increase their knowledge and skills in delivering reading instruction to students in grades K-12 and become leaders in improving reading instruction in their school districts.
- Teachers applying for this program must hold an appropriate teaching certificate.
- The program requires a minimum of 33 semester hours.
- Candidates enroll in reading coursework spanning K-12 grade levels.
- Both a K-6 and a 7-12 practicum are required. These practicums take place in after school programs in school sites arranged by department faculty.
- Teachers completing this program are eligible to apply for a K-12 reading specialist endorsement in Iowa or Illinois.
- To earn the K-12 reading specialist endorsement in Illinois or Iowa, individuals must have relevant teaching experiences.
- Courses are also available for teachers seeking the Illinois reading teacher or the Iowa reading endorsements.
- The majority of courses required in the program are offered in a face to face format.
- Candidates can complete the reading specialist program in Macomb, Springfield, or the Quad Cities.


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Missing Waretown Teen Returns Home
Police in Waretown have located a 16-year-old Waretown girl last seen Friday night.
Ocean Township Police say Kaitlyn Worden has returned home safely. No other details were offered.
Worden was seen with an unidentified white male possible named Zack in the area of Letts Landing Road and Main Street around 8 p.m.on Friday night.
An alert was issued on Saturday morning regarding her disappearance.


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Inspired by the Shrimp Saganaki we enjoyed at Mamakas Taverna on Ossington Avenue last autumn, I prepared this dish as part of a Greek-themed menu for my brother and future sister-in-law this past weekend. The rich and thick homemade Ouzo-infused tomato sauce, plump jumbo shrimp and crumbled Greek feta makes this dish a standout, with plenty of extra sauce that can be sopped up with thick slices of grilled garlic-rubbed crusty baguette. Simple and absolutely delicious, this dish will definitely be making numerous encore performances this summer.
Jumbo Shrimp Saganaki with Greek Feta & Ouzo
Serves 4
20 jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined with tail on
2-3 tbsp of olive oil
1/2 small yellow onion, finely diced
1/4 tsp dried red chili pepper
2 medium ripe tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup Greek feta, coarsely crumbled plus additional for garnish
1 tsp dried Greek oregano
3 cups marinara sauce, preferably homemade
1 tbsp chopped fresh oregano
1 tbsp Ouzo, or to taste
In a large frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high and add the onion, chopped tomatoes and dried chili pepper. Sauté until the onions are soft and the tomatoes are starting to break down, about 5-7 minutes. Add the marinara sauce and dried oregano, and and simmer for 20-30 minutes or until the sauce become rich and thick. Arrange the prawns in the sauce and cook until they are opaque and just cooked through, about 10 minutes. Stir in the crumbled feta and Ouzo and cook another 2-3 minutes. To serve, spoon the shrimp and sauce into a decorative serving bowl and sprinkle with the remaining feta and garnish with the fresh oregano and Grilled Garlic-Rubbed Bread.
Grilled Garlic-Rubbed Bread
Serves 4
1 loaf crusty French or Italian baguette
2 cloves garlic , peeled and cut in half length-wise
1/4 cup good olive oil
Preheat the oven to 475°F. Cut the bread into 8 diagonal slices about 3/8-inch thick, and place on a baking sheet. Bake until just golden, about 5-8 minutes — watch carefully to make sure they don't get too brown. Remove the bruschetta from the oven, and using the fresh cloves of raw garlic, rub one side of each of the toasts, brush with a little olive oil and serve alongside the Shrimp Saganaki.


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Dear Editor
Any religion is much too complicated to discuss on an editorial page, so to Mr. Loeschen and all others who are interested in knowing more about the Islamic religion please consider coming to the basement room of the public library at 5 PM on Monday, Oct. 24 to discuss a book by Thomas W. Lippman who spent four years in the Middle East while working for the Washington Post. He has very interesting and important things to share in his book about Islam.
For example he agrees with many people from the West when he says that there will be more turmoil and extremism in the Middle East than elsewhere in the foreseeable future. Why? Please come to the library on Monday to present your ideas and hear those of Mr. Lippman.
Steve Kabe, Estherville


text: Find your inspiration and get creative during the social isolation of Covid-19 with one of our 2019 #SeagullHeritage models. As a thank-you for your loyalty to our family of brands, we are offering a 10% discount on these models: MARITIME SWS SEMI-GLOSS and MARITIME SWS SEMI-GLOSS QIT. Just use the coupon: seagullheritage in checkout!


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From David Strom
If you run a small business and aren't an expert in online technologies, you will end up in one of three situations:
– you will quickly learn how to do some of the more important aspects of online marketing yourself,
– you will pay a lot of money to people who are experts in taking your money and little else, or
– you will ignore the online world and continue to wallow in your Luddite-ness while others are building their businesses.
Here is my guide on how to avoid the latter two end states and get smarter about online marketing.
I have been spending time with a friend of mine who owns her own retail interior design business. Earlier this year, she decided to grow her business using online marketing. Over the past several months, she has acquired new customers and found her niche. But it hasn't been easy. She has had to attack the online world on several fronts, and develop an expertise in Google AdWords, Houzz.com, HomeAdvisor.com, and Angie's List. She needed to beef up a simple Wordpress-based website, and learn how to screen consultants offering her a variety of deals, some pricey, some ineffective, and some that were just plain scams.
Let's start with the website. Any retail business today needs a solid website that shows their product, contains recommendations from
satisfied customers, and makes it easy for a potential customer to research the firm and understand what products and services are offered and at what price points. I told my friend to look around the Web and find a couple of local sites that she liked and then call the business owners and find out who developed the sites. With one restaurant, the site was beautiful but it was $40,000. Another consultant wanted $4,000. Nice but still a bit pricey, and this consultant wanted to build a site from the ground up in Drupal, which I had my doubts that my friend could maintain over time. She ended up with a third consultant who used a nice WordPress template. That was attractive because she already had some familiarity with WordPress and could make the changes herself. Total spend so far: $1,000.
To populate the website, she needed photos of her work. She found a budding photographer who could do appropriately lit interior shots at
low cost, and would send her digital images along with watermarks to distribute online. Another $1000.
Then she heard about Houzz.com, a wonderful social media site. Designers post their pictures of their rooms and objects in them; the
public indicates their preferences. Clients post their reviews of both. In the past, my friend has had to carry around a looseleaf
notebook filled with clips from shelter magazines for her clients to indicate a preference. Now she can do it digitally.
But Houzz, and other specialty communities like it have another function. By writing comments on these discussion forums, she is sharing her knowledge with the people most likely to hire her. It doesn't cost her anything to participate in these forums, other than her time, and she is reaching a ready-made audience of thousands of customers. As a result, she has gotten new clients and her work has been featured in regional design magazines.
The next step was expanding her reach to other places that people would look at when hiring a designer. Here sites such as HomeAdvisor
and Angie's List come into play. There are a variety of rules and regulations for each site, and how you get recommendations posted on each. Part of the trick here is again finding the right specialty sites that have the best fit in your particular market segment.
The next step was understanding and using Google AdWords to create a series of paid search ads that would direct visitors to her website.
This is an entire world unto itself, and required spending some money and experimenting with various ad campaigns, keyword selection, and
geo-targeting her ads. A good place to read about this world is in a series of posts by small business owner Paul Downs about his furniture
making business on the NY Times Boss blog. http://boss.blogs.nytimes.com/tag/my-adwords-debacle/
Downs writes, "Basic ad group maintenance requires checking how many e-mail inquiries we get, whether the click-through rates are comparable to the overall campaign, which keywords generate the most traffic, and whether the ads are being triggered by searches that are relevant." He adjusts his keywords constantly to tune his AdWords spending, even creating negative keywords to prevent wasting money. Part of the challenge here is in understanding what you are paying for, too. Google "tells you what level of spending — the maximum recommended amount — it would take to buy the rest of the clicks. What it leaves out is that the additional clicks you buy may not be of sufficient quality to result in additional sales."
Part of Downs' marketing pipeline is taking the inquiries from his paid search campaigns and qualifying them. He has two salesmen that use a ten-question survey to ask what kind of furniture they want to purchase. He then produces a classy proposal that is easy to understand and can be passed up the decision food chain to the ultimate decision-maker, without tying up a lot of his time in the process.
The challenge of AdWords is in the amount of data you have to look at to understand what you are doing, where you are spending your money,
and how to improve your campaigns. "Beyond the most important number (monthly sales), I look at Web site traffic; the number of inquiries
coming in each day, week, and month; the number of proposals written; and how much each salesman contributes to these totals."
Downs' business was humming along until earlier this year, when he introduced a new and lower-cost product. After months of seeing his
total sales volume drop, he realized that he was wasting his Google AdWords spending on clicks from non-profits and schools, foregoing
clicks on bosses and less-price sensitive potential buyers. "By all of its own metrics, the AdWords campaign was a home run. I had received
lots of impressions and bought lots of clicks. The only problem was that these apparently were the wrong clicks…. My AdWords spending was
going to the wrong people."
Downs spends several hundred dollars a month on his campaigns, my designer friend has a similar budget but varies it based on her
availability and how many new clients she is taking on: she doesn't want to grow too fast. She also runs short-lived campaigns because she
has found that her clients are only shopping online at certain times. This way improves her ad placement (the more you spend, the higher
your ad ranks on the results).
As you can see, setting all this up is time consuming, and does involve some cash outlay. You can certainly spend more and get an "SEO
expert" and you can certainly spend almost no money and get something that doesn't really deliver. The trick is finding that middle ground
where you are comfortable and yet can continue to sustain or grow your business at the rate that you want.
Still to come: writing a regular blog that will feature her clients and some of her thoughts on design, and spending more time developing
a following on Houzz et al. And probably an email newsletter too. It is an on-going process. None of these things cost a lot of dough,
though: just time.
Part of what is going on here is balancing each of the different online tools to create what Downs calls your own business narrative:
"Every day I tell myself a story about what is going on with my business, and I draft future chapters that help me decide what to do
next." The trick is making sure you don't go too far afield and you can explain the results that you see from the various reports.
Read more posts on Ramon Ray & the Smallbiztechnology.com Team »


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Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Potato Bread for Hannie
Mrs. C - Hannie - was born in Germany and was a whiz at replicating the flavors of the Rhine valley and the Balkans. What I know of bread and pastry making was learned in her kitchen and I know she'd really love this dark, slightly sour bread. My memories of Hannie range from the trivial - I proposed to her son, Jim, on my fourth birthday - to a wartime incident that marked my first steps away from childhood. To this day, I can vividly recall my mother and some of our neighbors kneeling in the street, scrubbing furiously, trying to erase the stain of a huge red swastika that had been painted on the curb outside Hannie's home. I remember Hannie crying. I remember how angry my mother was. Everyone on the block had been asked to help, but not everyone came. The genie escaped the bottle that day and we were never, any of us, quite the same again. I loved Hannie, but this atta girl is for my Mom and the other women who were on their hands and knees that day. Thank you for your example. Bless you all and know that you are remembered.
Seeded Potato Bread
1 scant tablespoon active dry yeast
2-1/2 cups warm water, divided use
4 cups + 3 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour + flour for kneading and dusting
1-1/2 tablespoons salt
1-1/2 tablespoons caraway seeds
2 cups stone-ground whole wheat flour
1 cup rye flour
1 cup unseasoned mashed potatoes (instant potatoes without milk & butter O.K.)
1) Take off your rings. Place 1/2 cup water in a large bowl; add yeast and 3 tablespoons flour; whisk to combine. Let sit for 30 minutes. Add remaining 2 cups warm water. Stir in salt and caraway seeds. Add remaining 4 cups all-purpose flour and beat for about 100 strokes with a wooden spoon, or until mixture sheets on spoon. Stir in whole wheat flour, rye flour and mashed potatoes; mix well using a spoon or hands. Turn onto a floured surface and knead, adding flour as needed, for about 15 minutes, or until the dough is really elastic. Shape into a ball. Oil a large bowl. Place dough in bowl and turn to coat all surfaces with oil. Let rise until double in bulk, 1 to 2 hours. Punch down and knead for about 5 minutes. Shape into a round loaf; place in a greased 12-inch ovenproof skillet and let rise for another 30 to 35 minutes, or until doubled in bulk.
2) Move a rack to middle third of oven. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Brush surface of loaf with water; use a razor to cut a 1/2-inch deep cross on the surface of loaf. Bake for 1 hour, or until brown and top sounds hollow when thumped. Dust top of bread with flour. Cool on a rack. Yield: 1 large loaf.
10 comments :
Very impressive, you amaze me so, I have yet..."ahem"... to try to bake my own bread, in fact I am intimidated by the very thought of it..
- September 23, 2008 at 4:31 AM
- Martha said...
Not only a great recipe but a great story -- thanks for sharing.
- September 23, 2008 at 7:20 AM
- Patsyk said...
Thanks for sharing that story. It is interesting how you really find out what people think when something awful happens.
I've only made bread once or twice, but I really need to give it a try again... I love the smell of fresh baked bread... mmmmmmm!
- September 23, 2008 at 7:59 AM
What a beautiful example of a woman your mother was to you. Thanks for sharing this story and your fantastic bread recipe.
I have an award for you on my blog. Check it out when you can.-Blessings,Lorie
- September 23, 2008 at 8:01 AM
- Deborah said...
What a great tribute!
Potato bread is my favorite kind of bread, and this one sounds fantastic!
- September 23, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Yum! Thanks for sharing your stories!
- September 23, 2008 at 12:10 PM
- Maria said...
Great story and what a beautiful loaf! I love baking bread, I rarely have time for it though.
- September 23, 2008 at 12:50 PM
- Regina said...
Mary, I don't know what is more beautiful -- the bread or the story. Yes, Yayyy to your Mom and the others who saw an injustice and did something about it! Thank you for sharing it with us.
- September 23, 2008 at 4:46 PM
- glynda said...
Mary, what a wonderful example your mother set for you,and now you have passed that on to your own.
And the bread recipe will be another to print for my own files from a dear friend!
- September 23, 2008 at 10:09 PM
- Jenny said...
Gorgeous Mary! I love the story along with a fabulous recipe!
- September 23, 2008 at 11:14 PM