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The Astros County census report is going to give you, the readers, a look into the minds behind Astros County on a variety of different subjects. Census #1 covers the major league squad with some of our writers chiming in on a position player, starter, and bullpen arm to watch.
If you have an idea for a census report, please hit me up on twitter @cardsjason or email me your idea email@example.com and you will likely see it on the site.
Let's get to it.
Not Hank Aaron @Aarcraft9
Position Player
Jose Altuve
Jose Altuve was one of the few bright spots on a pretty dismal team last year. He was the only Astros hitter who qualified for the batting title, and ended the season with respectable .290/.340/.399. For a 22 year old second baseman it was certainly a very good season. But it wasn't a great season. After going .303/.344/.438 in the first half, he dropped to .274/.336/.351. An across the board drop, but especially in the power department. His wRC+ in the first half was 114, which matched Dustin Pedroia and Martin Prado, both 4+ win players, but his second half wRC+ matched Carlos Lee and Omar Infante. This will be a big year for Altuve, as he tries to take a step forward, or at least maintain his first half pace all year. We've noted that Altuve's top 22 year old comp is Rod Carew, but that's a bit misleading. Carew wasn't Carew at 22. Carew's first .300+ season, and his first batting title was at the age of 23. I don't think Altuve will become Rod Carew, but I think he has the capability to be more than he was last year. I think this will be the year he starts to show it. Expect a .300 plus batting average, with similar improvements to his OBP and slugging percentage, matching or exceeding his first half splits all year. Thing is, if Altuve doesn't start showing significant improvements soon, DDJ will be nipping at his heels.
Bud Norris
With the right lens Bud Norris took a huge step forward last year. The particular lens required is one that ignores all road starts. Its kind of remarkable to look at the stats. 1.71 ERA with a 2.57 FIP at home compared to 6.94 and 5.52 on the road. And it wasn't just the ERA. He seemed to be a completely different pitcher. At home he had a K/9 over 10 and a K/BB of 4.82. The K rate fell to 7.89 and the K/BB fell to 1.69 on the road. Hitters on the road hit a full .100 points better against him than at home. And this was a new development. He was almost exactly the same on the road and at home in 2011, and did not show as significant a split in 2010 or 2009 either. I don't see any reason why this wide split will continue this year, but it will be interesting to see which of the two sides of Norris represented his true self.
Josh Fields
Fields was picked up from Boston in the Rule 5 draft, and made the club in the final cut. Fields has never had a K/9 rate below 8.8 at any point in his minor league career. Unfortunately, until 2012, he had also never had a BB/9 rate under 5. In 13 innings at Triple AAA Tacoma in 2011, he pitched 13 innings, with 13 strikeouts and 13 walks. Not particularly meaningful, but a fun line nonetheless. Something appeared to click in 2012, as he dropped his walk rate to 2.8 over two levels, and actually increased his strikeout rate from the previous year. Was this improved control a mirage? He didn't show it in spring training, as his walk rate jumped back up over 5. Fields sticking this year depends entirely on whether he duplicates his 2012 walk rate in this majors. If he does, I could see him becoming a late inning weapon, potentially even a closer option. If he doesn't, he will go back to Boston, and back to Triple A, to see if he can recapture the control there.
Jason Phelps @JasonPhelps33
Position Player
Brett Wallace
Many, including myself, thought he'd be a stalwart in the middle of the order for the next 10 years when we made the trade to add the young CI. Wallace's amateur pedigree is the stuff of legend in California and Arizona, 2-time All-American and 2-time PAC-10 player of the year. After being a 13th overall pick by St. Louis, he continued a great level of success in MiLB, where he has a career OPS of .871 over parts of 5 seasons. But that success hasn't been replicated at the Major league level, and only brief flashes of a power bat have been seen (2 HR game against the Brewers on 8/1/12). While he's made some adjustments to his swing and body over the past couple seasons, I believe this to be the year when he actualizes that potential into a full season of productive AB's at the highest level. Many guys make their jump at 27 years old and that happens to be this year for Brett. IMO, moving to the AL could have a huge impact on him as much as anyone on the team. It's another fresh start, just this time he's prepared and going to take advantage. I see a .285/.365/.860 for The Walrus.
Starting Pitcher
Erik Bedard
Who knows what the Astros are getting with the veteran pitcher, because the organization has been pretty quiet about the slow spring he has had due to a strained butt. Erik, when healthy, is a quality pitcher that doesn't allow many base runners while owning a top shelf curveball. Unfortunately at times he has struggled with injuries and more injuries. Bedard was tabbed as the opening day starter for the Pirates last year and wasn't on the team at all by the end of August. At the age of 34, he still has time on his meter as a potential contributor to the franchise and nailing down the 5th starter role might be just what he needs to get back on track. The Canadian hurler has to get healthy and stay healthy for any chance at reviving a once promising career and he's another guy that will benefit from a move to the AL West where he has seen so much of his success. Fingers crossed! I'd love to see 25 starts out of Erik, but I'm going to bet on 15 and be happy if he's effective during those outings. Look for a K/9 around 8.0 with a 1.20 whip and a stint or two on the DL.
Jose Veras:
The Astros paid 2 million to acquire the services of Veras and then immediately named him the closer. For the record, Jose has converted 5 of 17 SVO in his 7 year big league career. He was DFA'd by the Yankees and Indians in 09 has bounced around a bit, making contributions as a set up guy in Florida, Pittsburgh and Milwaukee. His style is not for the faint of heart, throwing gas up to 98 mph, while mixing a hard slider while controlling neither. He avoids contact while striking guys out very regularly, but walking a ton of dudes in the process. Jose is a large gentleman going 6'6" 240, and definitely looks the part, and played one as well in the WBC. Hopefully he can reel in some of the wild stuff and continue to put guys away. There may not be many SVO this season but he needs to close every chance he gets for the Astros to have a chance at finishing out of the cellar. Imo, the bullpen is a sneaky good asset to the team if he can become the pitcher that his arm could allow him to be. However, should the team fall out of contention; he will be a fine rental for a team making a run to the playoffs and one of the other fine young arms will get a chance to close.
Bryan Trostel @The_Batguy
Position Player
Jason Castro
When Castro was picked 10th overall in the 2008 draft, it was considered a bit of a reach. Many thought Houston should have taken Justin Smoak instead, who went #11 to Texas. It was said Castro would be an average ML catcher; a high floor, low ceiling type of pick. After proving he could handle minor league pitching for a couple years, he was brought up to Houston after Ivan Rodriguez was traded and he promptly put up numbers similar to Biggio's first season. This, of course, led many to write him off as a bust. Heading into the 2011 season as the anointed starting catcher, he jacked his knee up causing him to miss the entire season. Of course, as a catcher, knees are kind of important and, I believe, he was still not back to full strength heading into 2012. He started the season hitting just .254/.330/.379 before going back on the DL for a month. After his return, however, he hit .261/.343/.443 with 4 HR in 88 at bats, good for a 117 OPS+. I don't put much stock in spring training stats, but reports out of Kissimmee are that he has his legs back under him and he's driving the ball and playing better defense behind the plate. I look for Castro to put together a strong season, somewhere along the lines of .260/.340/.420 with 10-15 home runs while improving his defense behind the dish.
Starting Pitcher
Lucas Harrell
Harrell had a breakout season in 2012 despite being a groundball pitcher (58%) with one of, if not the worst defense in the league behind him. This year's defense should be an improvement over last season's so it's not unreasonable to expect that even more of those groundballs will turn into outs in 2013. The combination of Wallace and Pena at first should roughly equal a surprisingly solid 1B defense from Carlos Lee last season, another year of experience should help Altuve, the combo of Cedeno and Gonzalez should be an upgrade over Lowrie, and Dominguez is a substantial upgrade over Johnson. I think the key for Harrell this season may be his walk rate, which was an above average (in a bad way) 3.6BB/9 last year. If all that plays out I could see Harrell putting up a 3.50 ERA and proving that he's a solid major league starter.
Relief Pitcher
Rhiner Cruz
I really don't know what to expect out of Cruz this season. It all boils down to control and command, because he definitely has the stuff to pitch in the back end of the bullpen. The knock on Cruz, dating back to his time in the minors, has been walk rate. Last season it was 4.7BB/9. If he can bring this down into the 3's, batters will be forced to start swinging the bat more against him, which should lead to an increased strikeout rate as well. Another concern of his last season was home runs, though his 1.3HR/9 was much higher than the 0.7 he had in the minors. I don't see Cruz taking a big step forward in 2013. That said, if he can put up an ERA around 4.00 to 4.50 while reigning in the walks I think it will be something to build on going into 2014. I think more likely is that he continues to struggle with his control and ends up either back in the minors or off the roster completely.
Cockroach @cockroachHOU
Position Player
Brandon Barnes
In spite of his arguably borderline Major League credentials, "Barnyard" has quickly become one of my favorite Astros. He has the kind of back story that fans love to root for - toiled for 7 long years in the minors, team cut him loose, he re-signed anyway to give it one more go, then he put up a career year in the minors and finally broke through to the big show. Plus, those tattoos! The question is, will 2013 see the guy who hit .321/.381/.514 in AA/AAA last year (and similarly well this spring), or the guy who struggled to a .204/.250/.265 line in 105 PAs after being called up last August? I expect that reality lies somewhere in between. Brandon's role on this team is likely that of fourth or fifth outfielder, but should one of the regulars falter and he's given the chance, 2013 is his chance prove himself a solid big league player.
Starting Pitcher
Erik Bedard: Of the handful of starters that Jeff Luhnow took a flyer on this winter, the Canadian lefty strikes me as the most intriguing. Yes, he just turned 34, and yes, he's six years removed from pitching over 130 innings in a season. He's also six years removed from finishing fifth in the AL Cy Young voting. But if he remains healthy (strained gluteals aside), even a 3.62 ERA as he posted in 2011 would have led the Astros 2012 staff. His K/9 ratio has never wavered far from his 8.7 career mark, so he can still throw strikes. He won't challenge for a Cy Young again, but even if Lucas Harrell repeats his 2012 and Bud Norris exorcises his road demons, it's entirely possible that Bedard is Houston's best starter by season's end.
Relief Pitcher
Jose Veras
It might be a red flag for your team if they choose their new closer from the team with the worst bullpen in the Majors the year before (2012 Brewers, 4.66 ERA and 29 blown saves - both MLB worsts). It's not a huge confidence boost when your new closer comes in with a grand total of five career saves over seven big league seasons, either. But Veras might not be that disastrous of a choice after all. He's put up a 10.0 K/9 or better for each of the last three seasons; his 10.6 K/9 last season would have been the highest of any Houston reliever with at least 40 IP since Brad Lidge's 11.8 in 2007. He was stung last season by a .324 BABIP - 50 points higher than his career mark. His walk numbers are legitimately scary, staying consistently around his career average of 4.9 BB/9. But if that BABIP regresses as it should and he doesn't pitch himself into too many corners, Veras at least ought to be another useful trade chip for Luhnow by the time that July rolls around.
Cardsjason @cardsjason
Position Player
Chris Carter
The Astros acquired Chris Carter via trade this offseason that sent Jed Lowrie to Oakland. Carter was signed as a SS but played 1B and DH in Oakland. He will be fielding LF (to the best of his ability) for the Astros this season as well as spending some time at DH and possibly 1B. Last season Carter his 16 home runs in 218 AB, a rate of every 13.6 at bats. In those 218 AB Chris struck out 83 times, a K every 2.6 AB. So with the power swing also come a high K rate. Carter had an OBP of 350 last season. If Carter can get his strike out numbers down, his 30+ home run potential could mean a monster year for the LF. However, Carter may be battling Carlos Pena and Justin Maxwell for the highest strikeout totals for the 2013 Astros.
Jordan Lyles
After spending two full seasons at the Major League level Jordan Lyles will start this year at AAA. I know what you are thinking, I thought this was the Major League census and didn't Lyles get assigned to AAA? Yes and yes, but I see Lyles contributing to the Major League club this year after spending a short amount of time in OKC. Lyles posted a 5.09 ERA last season, .27 points lower than the previous season. His strikeouts went up from 67 to 99 but he also pitched 47 more innings. (A strike out about every 1.4 IP) Lyles walked about 3 batters every 9 IP. There was a lot said about Lyles rise in velocity last season. If he can harness that bump in velocity and combine it with his plus pitchability, Lyles has the potential for an improved season. However, there are plenty of question marks after he posted a 17.74 spring era in just over 11 IP.
Xavier Cedeno
One of two left handed option Bo Porter has out of his bullpen this year, Cedeno 36 K's in 31 IP last year. His location of his fastball and breaking ptiches make him very effective against left handed hitters. However, because he doesn't throw that hard his offerings to righties don't fare as well. Most likely Cedendo will be used by Porter as a specialty arm out of this pen to get out left handed hitters.
Look for census report #2 in early April to get the low down on how the crew at Astros County feels about the players to watch this season in the minors. And please shoot me an email or a tweet if you have an idea for the Astros County census report.
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Introducing Astros County Census Report: Census #1
Posted by cardsjason
Labels: Astros County Census Report
3 comments:
- March 30, 2013 at 6:21 PM
Good article. Nice work!
- March 30, 2013 at 6:56 PM
Carter in LF is going to make people beg to have Lee back. His was horrible in the Soring and had no effort.
- March 30, 2013 at 7:35 PM
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


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TUESDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE: Between North and South Walton, there won't be too much of a contrast in icy conditions.
"Timing is the main difference," said Katie Moore, meteorologist with National Weather Service. "Since it moves from northwest to southeast, it will hit North Walton County sooner."
Moore said Walton County residents can expect to see sleet after 6 p.m. tonight, which will change to snow starting at 8 p.m. Still, the predicted amount of snow is between one to three inches, with North Walton County receiving the higher totals.
In the past 24 hours the biggest changes in the winter storm is the amount of coverage, Moore said.
"It's moving further south and east," she said.
Read on for Monday afternoon's story:
Snow and ice may be coming to Walton County.
While the temps seemed to have warmed a bit in the past few days, weather forecasts are showing that a cold front is making its way to Northwest Florida.
"It's coming from Mississippi," said Brian Daly, meteorologist at the National Weather Service. "It's on its way like a freight train."
Monday afternoon the Walton County School District announced that schools would be cancelled on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The predictions are that the temperatures will drop late this afternoon with a chance of rain starting early to late Monday and continuing to Tuesday. That could transition into freezing rain leading to solid ice, from one-tenth to a quarter of an inch thick, which could cover all exposed surfaces and lead to hazardous travel conditions and possible power outages.
While temps are expected to hover in the low 30s overnight in Destin and Santa Rosa Beach, DeFuniak will be colder with expected lows in the mid and upper 20s.
"This could be followed by one, two or about three inches of snow," Daly said. The afternoon forecast for DeFuniak called for 1 to 2 inches of the white stuff.
Whatever happens, the weather event will be short lived.
"By Thursday, we're expecting it to warm back up.�
As the cold front keeps moving, forecasts will become more clear. For the latest local updates check out waltonsun.com

subset: commoncrawl


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|A lovely 3-course formule(for a mere 12.50 euros) at the Hotel de France - Saint-Savin. Leave Paris for lunch if you want a delish bargain.
Thursday, November 08, 2012
Biff Tout Soul
28 comments:
Looks like your getting out of Paris having fun with friends & seeing the smaller cities. Poitiers is not too far from me, wish I'd known you were there, I could have come from Limoges to have lunch with you. Maybe next time when you visit France. Is your trip nearly over? I'm sure you'll cram in as much as you can enjoy the rest of your visit.ReplyDelete
I love the shots of Biff! He is quite a dog - great shot of him with Bear....ReplyDelete
The last shot of the post is a beaut!Replies
Biff is easy...
I wish I was as photogenic as Biff....
Thanks Lucinda and Nikon – Biff is always delighted to appear on Carol's blog.ReplyDelete
Thank you for the beautiful photos!! It is so nice to see Biff again, he is adorable!ReplyDelete
Browsing through my e-mails I came upon these little gems and thought of you: http://www.designsponge.com/2012/11/macaron-coin-purse.htmlReplyDelete
Poor Bear must have been traumatized!!!!ReplyDelete
What a lovely visit you had with Karen and Biff! I'd love to meet them both and to talk with Karen about writing her books.ReplyDelete
What great photos of Biff and the scenery. What a cute shot of Biff and Bear together. Looks like they bonded. :)ReplyDelete
I loved all of Karen's books! I really enjoyed this post! Thank you!ReplyDelete
Flora DooraReplies
Karen is just as lovely and fun as her books!Delete
mad about the girl
Biff is adorable and thank goodness he did not hurt Bear.I have read Miss Wheeler's books and they are delightful. Have a wonderful visit.ReplyDelete
Well, by now Bear knows that traveling has its ups & downs, yes? Thanks for sharing the adventure!ReplyDelete
OH Biff!!! You of the noble long nose to which I am drawn! It's surprising how many places you can take a dog if he is carried and no one sees.ReplyDelete
Adorable dog!ReplyDelete


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Rae Brookshire
|Granada Hills
|High School:
|Phillips Exeter
|Previous College:
Rae Brookshire defines the perfect run as one with tall trees, soft surfaces, and a cool breeze. "Long-slow-distances with life stories are swell," she adds. Some of Rae's earlies memories are being pushed in a baby jogger during her mom's long runs. When she got older, her mom said she could either bike alongside her or try to run and keep up. Rae chose the latter. Running has taught her that there's no reason to give anything less than your best, that getting lost just means more mileage, and that a bagel with cream cheese is the best post-race meal. Grete Waitz is her hero. The recent graduate from Phillips Exeter Academy hopes to stay strong and injury-free this season, as well as to finish her races with a good kick.


text:
Adam Sandler Works Better as a Cartoon, Joseph Gordon-Levitt Does Okay as a Killer and No One Cares About Teachers
The Adam Sandler-voiced Hotel Transylvania was a big hit, setting a September box office record with a $43 million take over the weekend. It also sort of reestablishes Sandler as a reliable box office draw after his last two films, That's My Boy and Jack and Jill, bombed.
In better news, Joseph Gordon-Levitt's time travelling assassin flick Looper took in $21.7 million, which is not bad at all considering its relatively confusing premise.
The three films that pretty much tied last week - End of Watch, Trouble With the Curve, and House at the End of the Street - all held up okay, with takes of $8 million, $7.5 million and $7.2 million.
All the way down in 10th place was Won't Back Down, a teaching drama/inept anti-union propaganda commercial starring Maggie Gyllenhaal and Viola Davis. It only made $2.7 million, proving once and for all that mainstream America is definitely still mad about those greedy, kid-hating teachers in Chicago.
[Image via AP]


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Get DVD Talk Feeds
From 1965 until 1968, super heroes and action cartoons reigned on Saturday
mornings. As a young child at the time, I remember the excitement
of getting up early and sitting close to the TV to watch the adventures
of Space Ghost, Fantastic Four, Spider-man, Birdman and the Galaxy Trio
and Frankenstein Jr. I will even admit, now
that over 35 years have passed, to watching Super President once
or twice. (Yes such a show actually aired, and it was as bad as it sounds.)
Remember, this was before cable and all cartoon channels. Saturday mornings
were the only time that cartoons were shown, and they had some great ones!
Leave it to some adults to go and ruin everything though. I guess
kids were having too much fun, because soon some groups started popping
up saying that action/adventure shows were bad for children and lead to
juvenile delinquency and violence. Just as similar groups had successfully
eviserated comic books a decade and a half earlier, these groups wanted
non-violent cartoons. They calculated a "violence quotient" giving
equal weight to the cartoon violence of Wile E. Coyote's falling into a
canyon and the more realistic violence of Spider-man punching a crook.
These numbers were presented to show how damaging Saturday morning cartoons
were. Whether watching violent cartoons actually causes violent behavior
was debatable at the time, just as it is today. But with the social
unrest happening in America, along with the assassination of Robert Kennedy
and Martin Luther King Jr., the networks found it prudent to remove the
super-hero and adventure programs and replace them with comedy shows with
watered down action.
One of the earliest of these shows was 1968's Wacky Races.
This slapstick comedy was able to give the illusion of pulse pounding action
and fast paced adventure without actually delivering either. (The
children's advocate groups were still not appeased though. Apparently
this new generation of tamer show still had too much entertainment value.
The networks hadn't sucked out all of the fun, and that wouldn't do.)
For a late 60's cartoon, Wacky Racers is pretty good, though
not nearly up to the quality of shows that were on even a few years earlier.
The cartoon is an 'eternal race' show, where every week the same racers
would compete on a new course. The Wacky Racers are strange characters
in even odder looking vehicles. There is the inventor Proffesor Pat
Pending in his Ring-a-Ding Convert-a-Car, the Ant Hill Mob, a bunch of
midget gangsters in a 1920's sedan, the Bullet-Proof Bomb, the Arkansas
Chug-a-Bug held the hillbillies Luke and Blubber Bear, and Cavemen Rocky
and Gravel Slag were a throwback to the Flinstones riding in their foot
powered Bouldermobile. There were a few more entrants, including
Penelope Pitstop in her Compact Pussycat who would later go on to her own
show, but the most visible member of the team was the only one who cheated:
Dick Dastardly and his dog Muttley in their Mean Machine.
Each story lasts about 11 minutes, and the plots were all the same.
The narrator would do some color commentary on the beginning of the race,
giving the racers time to show their car's talents. Then Dastardly
and Muttley would hatch a scheme to ensure that they won the race: blocking
a pass, putting up a fake road sign, or something along those lines.
This would invariably back fire, leaving Dastardly at the back of the pack.
The narrator would then announce the end of the race.
These shows are very interchangeable. Not just the shows themselves,
but even the scenes in them. There were several times when one car
would be in the lead at the end of the race, and then not place when the
race ended 30 seconds later. The show was roughly divided into three
sections and nothing that happened in one effected what happened in the
other two, which was quite discouraging if you were a young kid trying
to determine who would win the race.
The highlight of the show was the puns and word plays that would pop
up in every show, racing to places like Ballpoint Penn. for example.
But the quality of the show just isn't that high. The animation was
limited and very inexspensive with the backgrounds, and even the race scenes,
being used over and over. (Not only was the animation cheap, so was
the network. CBS ordered seventeen ½-hour episodes of Wacky
Races and played those shows over and over for two years!) For
a comedy program, it just didn't bring the laughs. While I liked
some of the puns, the slapstick humor wasn't very funny. They didn't
take time to set up a gag, they'd just jump into it, and very few of those
made me even crack a smile.
This set presents the entire Wacky Races series on three DVDs.
One odd thing this DVD set does is they spilt up the shows into two sections.
When it originally aired the program was a half hour show that consisted
of two races 11-12 minute races. On this set though they give each
race its own opening and closing credits. As far as I was able to
determine the show was never broadcast in that fashion, and it certainly
wasn't aired that why when it first appeared on TV, so I have no idea why
they chose to cut the shows up like that.
The DVD:
The DVD offers viewer the choice of English, French or Spanish soundtracks,
all in mono. The audio has been restored and sounds very good.
As you would expect from a 60's cartoon, there wasn't a lot of dynamic
range, but the sound was clean without any hiss or distortion. There
are subtitles in English, French, and Spanish.
The full frame video looks just great. The image has been
restored and the colors are bright and vivid, and the lines are tight.
There are some defects that were present in the original show, like when
the color of paint doesn't quite match on two different levels of animation
cells, but this is to be expected and not anything that restoration should
repair. There was an occasional errant line or scratch, most of look
like they were on the cells themselves, but these weren't distracting.
A very good looking set of discs.
There were some good extras included with this set:
Rearview Mirror: A Look Back at Wacky Races:
This nearly 20-minute featurette interviews people associated with the
show in addition to animation historians. They give an overview of
the show and there are some interesting 'behind the scenes' anecdotes.
Everyone talks about their favorite car in the show and how the racers
were created.
Spin-out Spin-offs: A ten minute
look at the two shows that were spun off from Wacky Races: The
Perils of Penelope Pitstop and Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying
Machines (the "Stop that Piegeon" show.) Clips of the show an an overview
are presented.
Commentary tracks: Four of the races
(12 minute ½ shows) have commentaries with them where several of
the creators, Earl Kress, Iwao Takamoto, and Jerry Eisenberg, along with
animator/historian Scott Shaw! (sic) talk about the show. These were
okay, but not great. There were some behind the scenes type reminiscing,
but a lot of the time they end up talking about which car they designed
or what happened to various people who worked on the show. They also
discussed how different producing cartoons are today as compared with how
it was done in the late 60's. A lot of this isn't scene specific,
because there just isn't a lot you can say about the different episodes
of Wacky Races.
Easter Egg: If you highlight and
select the tire on the Special Features page on the third disc you'll be
taken to an unrestored clip that was used as a lead-in for commercials.
Highlighting the can behind the bear will take you to an alternate lead-in
There are also previews for other cartoon sets.
Final Thoughts:
While I have very fond memories of the Wacky Races, and it still
has a certain appeal, this show just isn't that great. Not only are
the stories repudiative, there really isn't any plot to them. What
happens at the beginning of the show has no effect on the rest of it.
While my children enjoyed the show somewhat, even they were able to see
the gags coming early and predict how Dastardly's plans would fail.
If you enjoyed this show as a child, it is definitely fun to watch again,
but the fun wears off in short order. This would be a good show to


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Car Review
2013 Lincoln MKS: New Car Review
The 2013 Lincoln MKS is the company's flagship sedan, cloaked in the new face of Lincoln: a double-winged grille with vertical crossbars. While Cadillac has taken a decidedly BMW-like approach to reinventing itself, Lincoln has chosen to equate technology with luxury. And in many ways it succeeds, offering several of the latest innovations.
But with so much modern technology available on less expensive cars, some shoppers may be left wondering why they should pay so much to get high-end equipment in a Lincoln. That's especially true when you consider the MKS's styling, which is largely generic aside from the brand's distinctive grille. In other words, the MKS has trouble standing out -- an area in which so many of its rivals excel.
What's New for 2013
The 2013 MKS is updated with revised styling inside and out. In addition to new wheels and a revised version of Lincoln's grille, the MKS also adds more than 30 horsepower to its standard 3.7-liter V6. Several features, including an advanced Continuously Controlled Damping suspension system, are now standard.
What We Like
Roomy interior; powerful standard 3.7-liter V6 engine and optional EcoBoost V6; available all-wheel drive offers all-weather security
What We Don't
Generic styling doesn't stand out from competitors; high price, especially compared to Lincoln's more distinctive MKZ
How Much
Fuel Economy
The MKS offers two engines. All front-wheel-drive models come with a 304-hp 3.7-liter V6 mated to a 6-speed automatic. That engine and transmission combination returns 18 miles per gallon city/27 mpg hwy.
Base-level all-wheel-drive MKS models use the same engine. But since all-wheel drive adds weight and complexity, fuel economy dips slightly to 18 mpg city/26 mpg hwy.
The final engine is an available 365-hp EcoBoost V6. That's the same engine that powers the muscular Ford Explorer Sport, as well as many of Ford's F-150 pickups. It's only available on all-wheel-drive MKS models, and it returns 17 mpg city/25 mpg hwy.
Options & Standard Features
The Lincoln MKS is available in one trim level only, though drivers must choose between front- and all-wheel drive. Standard features on all models include a remote vehicle starter, heated and cooled front seats, the brand's MyLincoln Touch system with an 8-inch touchscreen and Ford's SYNC infotainment system. Also standard is dual-zone automatic climate control, SiriusXM satellite radio, a remote vehicle starter and Lincoln's SecuriCode exterior keypad.
The MKS also boasts a long list of options. Many are available in packages, such as a blind spot alert system, a navigation system with voice recognition, a rearview camera, a heated steering wheel, a hands-free parallel parking system and heated rear seats. Standalone options that can be ordered separately include adaptive cruise control, a power sunroof and 20-in alloy wheels to replace standard 19-in ones.
The MKS has an array of standard safety measures, including front and front side-impact airbags, and full-length side curtain airbags. At the wheels, standard ABS is joined by electronic traction control and electronic stability control. In an accident, the SOS Post Crash Alert System will honk the horn and flash the hazard lights.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2013 Lincoln MKS high marks in all of its crash tests and named it a Top Safety Pick. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also awarded the 2013 MKS high marks, giving it a 5-star overall score in its latest crash tests.
Behind the Wheel
Compared with the Town Car it replaces, the MKS is a far better driver's car. The ride is still smooth and the cabin devoid of noise, but where the old Town Car would float and wander about the freeway, the MKS stays firmly planted, handling curves with ease and offering the driver a good sense of the road via the variable-rate power steering.
The all-wheel-drive version sticks to the road better than its front-wheel-drive counterpart and is especially desirable with the marvelous EcoBoost V6. Where the standard 3.7-liter V6 provides good acceleration and passing power, it's the turbocharged rush of the EcoBoost that makes the MKS feel like the real deal. The engine's low-end torque isn't quite as strong as with the Hemi-powered Chrysler 300, but you won't find yourself bored with the acceleration, either. And when mashing the throttle of a big V8 will likely earn you about 15 mpg if you're lucky, the EcoBoost consistently delivers fuel economy in the low to mid 20s, even with the gas pedal regularly pinned to the floor.
Other Cars to Consider
Audi A6 -- The A6 is a much more refined and substantial luxury car, and its resale value far exceeds that of the MKS. But its base engine is a turbocharged 4-cylinder versus the MKS's V6, and it can get pricey when you add options.
Cadillac CTS -- The CTS is a far better performer, especially in ride and handling. But the CTS's sporty suspension also creates a firmer ride, and its rear seat is not as spacious as the MKS.
Hyundai Equus -- A comparably equipped Equus costs about $10,000 more than the MKS, but it offers a V8 engine, more high-end features such as a massaging extendable rear seat and console refrigerator, more interior room and a better warranty.
AutoTrader's Advice
If you are planning to drop $50,000 on a car, there are better choices in the luxury-car field. If you have your heart set on the MKS, go with the all-wheel-drive and EcoBoost version, loaded with every option, as it's a high-tech luxury car with an exciting engine. Just be prepared to blend in.


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Gather around the American Fyre Designs Chat Height Octagon Firetable with Granite Top to enjoy a dancing fire and visit with friends and family or even enjoy a meal. This fire pit table will look great in your outdoor living space with it's unique round top and octagon base design. With multiple finish options and additional burning displays you can design this fire pit with your décor in mind.
- Dimensions: 54" D x 24" H
- Heat Output: 50,000 BTUs/LP, 60,000 BTUs/NG
- Constructed of glass-fiber reinforced concrete
- 12" star burner included
The American Fyre Designs Chat Height Octagon Firetable with Granite Top is light and can withstand the elements because of its glass-fiber reinforced concrete construction. Featuring a Tropical Brown Granite insert and propane storage in the base this fire pit table takes design and usability to the next level.


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Please be aware that based on the intimacy of our space and the demand for our spa services, appointments reserved for Saturdays and Sundays will incur a weekend upgrade fee of $10 in addition to the prices listed. Reservation requests submitted through our online form do not guarantee the reservation. A spa team member will contact you within 24-hours to confirm your appointment.
If you've never had the pleasure of experiencing a facial, this service is the perfect place to start...Our signature facial utilizes the five elements of nature of which our bodies are composed: Infinity, Air, Water, Earth and Fire. These elements are always in flux due to our body's constant state of transition. This experience, based on ancient wisdom and quantum physics, analyzes your body's largest organ, the skin, and helps you find balance through refinement, massage and a masque that will restore your skin to its original radiance.
Infinity & Air: Balances and nourishes dry, dehydrated & aging skin.
Water & Earth: Purifies normal to oily skin to clear blemishes & congestion.
Fire: Cools and soothes sensitive, irritated skin.
$115 Monday-Friday / $125 Saturday-Sunday
Healthy skin is your best defense. Go beyond an acne fix to acne freedom with a facial that not only treats acne symptoms, but also its causes, so skin stays clear...This facial incorporates Aveda's clinically proven Outer Peace products, and is proven to reduce blemishes in 92% of cases over just 4 weeks. Increase your outer peace with the multi-faceted approach to treating skin breakouts. This facial treatment will help to clear your skin without over-drying or irritation. With a special focus on skin exfoliation and redness reduction, the Outer Peace Acne Relief Treatment Facial will improve your skin's appearance and help correct as well as prevent future blemishes.
$145 Monday-Friday / $155 Saturday-Sunday
Dual Exfoliation Facial
Aveda's latest advancement in non-invasive, skin-renewing treatments uses innovative techniques to combine Aveda's naturally derived mechanical and biochemical exfoliation methods into one powerful service that transforms the skin through the process of dual exfoliation...The treatment results in improved skin texture, clarity and radiance; smoothed appearance of fine lines and wrinkles; and refined pores, revealing fresher, younger-looking skin.
$155 Monday-Friday / $165 Saturday-Sunday
With a natural approach to Microdermabrasion and a great alternative to harsh chemical peels, Asha takes skin exfoliation to the next level...The hands-on approach used in the Botanical Skin Resurfacing Facial—and the power of tourmaline—smooths skin texture, reduces the appearance of fine lines, and diminishes pore size. While significantly increasing radiance and giving you glowing results comparable to Microdermabrasion, our Botanical Skin Resurfacing exfoliates with less irritation and inflammation.
$145 Monday-Friday / $155 Saturday-Sunday
This facial is ideal when you need to look your very best...It quickly tightens pours and tones and lifts the skin while instantly reducing the appearance of dark circles and eye puffiness.
$125 Monday-Friday / $135 Saturday-Sunday
This unique rejuvenating facial experience harnesses the powerful high-tech plant technology of Green Science and pairs it with high-touch skin therapy to renew, repair and regenerate your skin...This facial is clinically proven to lift and firm the skin, reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin's smoothness, tone and clarity. It also significantly improves skin's barrier strength while reducing the appearance of age spots for a firmer, more youthful complexion and appearance.
$145 Monday-Friday / $155 Saturday-Sunday
Enbrightenment Discoloration Treatment
Achieve luminous, even skin tone with this Asian-inspired facial designed to reduce visible signs of sun damage, elemental exposure, and hormonal influences...This facial improves clarity and diminishes dark spots and discoloration, thus leaving skin more luminous and youthful in appearance.
$150-$165 Monday-Friday / $160-$175 Saturday-Sunday
with Outer Peace Exfoliating Treatment: $150 Monday-Friday / $160 Saturday-Sunday
with Tourmaline Charged Radiant Skin Refiner: $150 Monday-Friday / $160 Saturday-Sunday
with Perfecting Plant Peel: $165 Monday-Friday / $175 Saturday-Sunday
This abbreviated 30 minute facial is perfect for those who care about their skin but for whom time is of the essence. Discover your skin's potential as we spend 30 minutes focusing on corrective techniques...Please note: due to the time allotted, this facial does not include extractions.
Select your focus:
Perfecting Plant Peel
$75 Monday-Friday / $85 Saturday-Sunday


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St.Paul, TX, Allen TX, Community TX, Copeville TX, Dallas TX, Fairview TX, Farmersville TX, Fate TX, Garland TX, Highland Park TX, Josephine TX, Lavon TX, Lucas TX, Murphy TX, Nevada TX, Parker TX, Plano TX,Richardson TX, Rockwall TX, Rowlett TX, Royse City TX, Sachse TX, University Parks TX
75002, 75023, 75024, 75025, 75040, 75041, 75042, 75043, 75044, 75048, 75074, 75075, 75080, 75081,75082, 75087, 75088, 75089, 75093, 75094, 75098, 75121, 75164, 75166, 75173, 75189, 75218, 75225, 75230,75231, 75238, 75240, 75243, 75248, 75251, 75252, 75254, 75442
Areas Served
Wylie Flower & Gift Shop provides daily flower delivery service to the following areas in North Texas:
Wylie, Allen, Branch, Buckingham, Copeville, Culleoka, Dallas, Fairview, Farmersville, Fate, Garland, Highland Park, Josephine, Lavon, Lowry Crossing, Lucas, Murphy, Nevada, Parker, Plano, Richardson, Rockwall, Rowlett, Royse City, Sachse, St. Paul, & University Parks and wire service delivery throughout Texas, the U.S., and most of the world.
Wylie Flower & Gift Shop serves the following zip codes in North Texas:
75002, 75023, 75024, 75025, 75040, 75042, 75043, 75044, 75048, 75074, 75075, 75080, 75081, 75082, 75087, 75088, 75089, 75093, 75094, 75098, 75121, 75164, 75166, 75173, 75218, 75225, 75230, 75231, 75238, 75240, 75243, 75248, 75251, 75252, 75254.
Wylie Flower & Gift Shop also delivers to the following facilities in North Texas:
Specialty Services
We specialize in the following services:
Contact Information
If you have any questions or need more information, please contact us by e-mail at firstname.lastname@example.com or call us directly at (972) 442-5837. We're always here to serve you and make your flower-sending experience a pleasure.
Wylie Flower & Gift Shop
129 North Ballard Avenue
Wylie, TX 75098
Delivery Policy
A local delivery fee of $6.99 to $10.99 (based on the delivery zip code) will be added to each order, for each address (for deliveries outside the service area listed above, this fee may vary).
U.S. orders must be received before 12:01 p.m. in the recipient's time zone to assure same-day delivery. Orders received after 12:01 p.m. may be delivered the following day. If you have any question regarding what day the product will be delivered, please contact the Wylie Flower Shop directly.
We will do our best to accommodate deliveries at specific times of day, but we cannot guarantee it. Deliveries requested on Sunday will be delivered the following business day.
Delivery of orders to rural route addresses or cemeteries cannot be guaranteed.
We will be happy to accept your international orders if you call our shop directly.
Substitution Policy
Occasionally, substitutions may be necessary to create your bouquet due to the availability of certain flowers in various parts of the country. Care is taken to maintain the style, theme and color scheme of the arrangement, using flowers of equal value. Additionally, the substitution of certain keepsake items may be necessary due to increased demand, especially during major holidays. In single-flower arrangements, such as an all rose bouquet, or orchids, we will make every attempt to match the flower type, but may substitute with another color.
Privacy Policy/Security
What information do we collect?
We collect information from you when you register on our site, place an order or subscribe to our newsletter.
Any data we request that is not required will be specified as voluntary or optional.
When ordering or registering on our site, as appropriate, you may be asked to enter your: name, e-mail address, mailing address, phone number, credit card information or Recipient Delivery Information. You may, however, visit our site anonymously.
Google, as a third party vendor, uses cookies to serve ads on your site. Google's use of the DART cookie enables it to serve ads to your users based on their visit to your sites and other sites on the Internet. Users may opt out of the use of the DART cookie by visiting the Google ad and content network privacy policy.
What do we use your information for?
Any of the information we collect from you may be used in one of the following ways:
• To personalize your experience
(your information helps us to better respond to your individual needs)
• To improve our website
(we continually strive to improve our website offerings based on the information and feedback we receive from you)
• To improve customer service
(your information helps us to more effectively respond to your customer service requests and support needs)
• To process transactions
Your information, whether public or private, will not be sold, exchanged, transferred, or given to any other company for any reason whatsoever, without your consent, other than for the express purpose of delivering the purchased product or service requested by the customer.
• To send periodic emails
The email address you provide for order processing, may be used to send you information and updates pertaining to your order or request, in addition to receiving occasional company news, updates, promotions, related product or service information, etc.
Note: If at any time you would like to unsubscribe from receiving future emails, we include detailed unsubscribe instructions at the bottom of each email.
How do we protect your information?
We implement a variety of security measures to maintain the safety of your personal information when you submit a request, place an order or access your personal information.
These security measures include: password protected directories and databases to safeguard your information, SSL (Secure Sockets Layered) technology to ensure that your information is fully encrypted and sent across the Internet securely or PCI Scanning to actively protect our servers from hackers and other vulnerabilities.
We offer the use of a secure server. All supplied sensitive/credit information is transmitted via Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology and then encrypted into our Payment gateway providers database only to be accessible by those authorized with special access rights to such systems, and are required to keep the information confidential.
After a transaction, your private information (credit cards, social security numbers, financials, etc.) will not be stored on our servers.
Do we use cookies?
Yes (Cookies are small files that a site or its service provider transfers to your computers hard drive through your Web browser (if you allow) that enables the sites or service providers systems to recognize your browser and capture and remember certain information.
Do we disclose any information to outside parties?
We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer to outside parties your personally identifiable information. This does not include trusted third parties who assist us in operating our website, conducting our business, or servicing you, so long as those parties agree to keep this information confidential. We may also release your information when we believe release is appropriate to comply with the law, enforce our site policies, or protect ours or others' rights, property, or safety. However, non-personally identifiable visitor information may be provided to other parties for marketing, advertising, or other uses.
California Online Privacy Protection Act Compliance
Because we value your privacy we have taken the necessary precautions to be in compliance with the California Online Privacy Protection Act. We therefore will not distribute your personal information to outside parties without your consent.
As part of the California Online Privacy Protection Act, all users of our site may make any changes to their information at anytime by logging into their control panel and going to the 'My Account' page.
Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act Compliance
We are in compliance with the requirements of COPPA (Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act), we do not collect any information from anyone under 13 years of age. Our website, products and services are all directed to people who are at least 13 years old or older.
CAN-SPAM Compliance
We have taken the necessary steps to ensure that we are compliant with the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 by never sending out misleading information.
Online Privacy Policy Only
This online privacy policy applies only to information collected through our website and not to information collected offline.
Terms and Conditions
Please also visit our Terms and Conditions section establishing the use, disclaimers, and limitations of liability governing the use of our website at www.wylieflowershop.com.
Your Consent
By using our site, you consent to our privacy policy.
Changes to our Privacy Policy
If we decide to change our privacy policy, we will post those changes on this page, send an email notifying you of any changes, and/or update the Privacy Policy modification date below. Policy changes will apply only to information collected after the date of the change.
This policy was last modified on www.wylieflowershop.com
Contacting Us
If there are any questions regarding this privacy policy you may contact us using the information below.
Wylie Flower & Gift Shop
129 N. Ballard Ave.
Wylie, TX 75098
Privacy Policy Customer Pledge
We pledge to you, our customer, that we have made a dedicated effort to bring our privacy policy in line with the the following important privacy laws and initiatives:
Federal Trade Commision Fair
California Online Privacy Protection Act
Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act
Privacy Alliance
Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act
If at anytime you have a cause that needs to be disputed please fill out the Trust Guard Dispute Resolution form.
Pam Wells Owner
Copyright © 2018 Wylie Flower and Gift Shop
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Behind the Scenes: Super-Sexy 'Surfer Girl' Alana Blanchard's Photo Shoot
Gentlemen, if you haven't already, meet Alana Blanchard.
Alana is a world-champion surfer who also has a Web series called, appropriately enough, 'Surfer Girl.' It's pretty good, you know, if you're into beautiful, talented women in bikinis doing things on surf boards you could never even dream of.
In the above clip, Alana tells us about what it was like on a few recent photo shoots. But more importantly, she shows us what it was like. And trust us, she's quite photogenic. And she seems so nice too, and down-to-earth. You know, we're starting to think this might be a good match. Girlfriend material.
For your viewing pleasure, here are some examples of Alana's fine Instagram work:


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XCOR hoping to win the space race
Space enthusiasts keen to explore the skies but deterred by the hefty price tag will soon be able to board a rocket for just a fraction of the cost.
Passengers in the XCOR Lynx will be able to experience weightlessness and view the earth from over 300,000 feet up with a just a pilot for company.
Seating just two people, the spacecraft takes off and lands vertically, using its reusable rocket propulsion system to launch from the same runways used by commercial aeroplanes.
More than 200 tickets for a trip on the Lynx have already been sold, at a cost of 95,000 US dollars (£57,000), considerably cheaper than the 250,000 US dollars (£155,000) tickets for trips into space inside Sir Richard Branson's six-passenger Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo.
Jeff Greason, chief executive and co-founder of California-based XCOR Aerospace, is convinced making space travel financially viable is the key to exploring the skies.
He said: "We have to go a couple of levels deeper than passion. When you look at the question of why it is so many years after we first went to space yet so little of it is being used, it's because it just costs too much.
"We have to do something to fundamentally reduce the cost before space becomes an economic good. We looked at that problem and not having a billionaire writing your cheques, it had to be a money making proposition."
Passengers will put on white space suits two hours before boarding the spacecraft and embarking on the 40 to 50-minute flight.
Randy Baker, a vice president at XCOR, said things move very quickly: "There is just 15 seconds between lighting the engines and take off, then 50 seconds after lighting the engines you go supersonic and very close to vertical and are pushed back in your seat. Then three minutes after lighting the engines you are at 180,000 feet."
Mr Greason said: "You are going more or less straight up at about mach 3. Then the engines cut off and you have about a minute and a half of zero gravity coast up to our peak altitude of 350,000 feet then another minute and a half of coasting back down until there is enough atmosphere for the vehicle to feet it.
"Then it takes about a minute to do the re-entry and the pull out and then about twenty minutes of gliding home to land."
The spacecraft, which will be able to fly four times a day, seats just the pilot and the participant and the passenger will be expected to get involved during the adventure. They will be asked to perform tasks such as reading instruments and making sure dials are holding steady.
Mr Baker said: "It makes them feel more involved. Some passengers won't want to do that but for us that is part of the experience, so you are not just a passenger."
The very limited capacity for passengers means the flight can be a very personal experience.
"You will be able to look down at the earth; you will be able to look up at the stars in the day time and sideways to see the thin band of the earth's atmosphere from the side," Mr Greason added.
"It's your flight so if there is some particular part of the earth that you want to look at we can steer the ship to look at the Grand Canyon or the area you find of most interest. Then you have time to look around and soak up being where so few have been before."
The first model will take travellers 200,000 feet up but the company hopes the second model will reach 300,000 and it will not be too long before they are ready to take to the skies.
"We expect to be in flight tests by the end of the year, after the first tests we won't know how long until we are ready to take the first passengers but my guess is six to 18 months. I think we will be flying participants by the end of next year but we don't like to put a date on things," Mr Baker said.
The people who have already purchased tickets are a diverse group, from keen explorers to scientific researchers, but almost none of them fit into the category of young thrill-seeker, according to the company's chief executive.
Mr Greason said: "They are notably older, successful professionals. They have some sense that space is an important part of the future and want to be a part of making it happen."
There are also very few physical limitations, so even those in poor health may be able to travel.
"Some people cannot handle the excitement, some people are claustrophobic, so we take them in a high performance aeroplane to test if they have a psychological problem but in the broad sense, if you can on a rollercoaster, you can do this because the time you are doing it is short. It means people in ill health who want to do this while they still can are able to."
The recent success of Bafta-winning space movie Gravity means there is increased excitement about space travel but Mr Greason claims it takes more than public enthusiasm to strengthen the industry.
"The auto industry does not depend on movies about it, it doesn't depend on public enthusiasm, it depends on usefulness. The most significant thing we could establish is to make space travel pay, that would make it useful regardless of a movie or the whims of government funding."
XCOR Aerospace is housed in a small former Second World War Marine Corps base at the Mojave Air & Space Port in California, with just 56 employees.
"There is a mythology about rockets that you need people with white coasts and doctorates, that is not true. A lot of what we have been doing is going back to rocketry back when people cared that it cost, it's a pre-space race approach." Mr Greason said.
"There is a model in payloads such as experiments for government or industrial concerns, being able to look back at the earth or doing experiments in zero gravity.
"We will be able to fly four times a day so with the frequency being high and the price being low it makes it interesting to a whole other class of users. What we are doing in space is just the tinniest slither of what we could or should be doing."


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Long days at the office. Shrinking paychecks. Exhausted, overcommitted kids. These days, who isn't stressed out and ready for a break?
Shift your life from overdrive into neutral, and come on out to Texas Wildlife and Woodland Expo & Spring Fling, where we can help bring balance to your backyard — and your life.
Expo & Spring Fling is designed to help families learn how to nourish and protect the land on which they live through the use of hands-on clinics, live demonstrations and children's activities. Essentially, we help families reconnect with nature — and each other.
The event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sat., March 23, 2013, at the Lone Star College-Montgomery Campus, 3200 College Park Dr. in Conroe. It's free and open to the public.
"You'd really be amazed at what we've got planned for our families this year," said John Warner, Texas A&M Forest Service urban district forester and expo founder. "We've got more than 40 exhibitors for the adults and roughly 40 hands-on learning stations for the kids. And it's all set in the middle of this beautiful, forested campus. It's just a fantastic way to spend a Saturday."
Co-sponsored by Texas A&M Forest Service and Lone Star College-Montgomery, Expo & Spring Fling places an emphasis on education with a heavy dose of family fun.
For the adults, we'll have experts on hand to teach clinics and answer questions about trees, plants, water, wildlife, forests, fish, ponds and green building.
For the kids, we've got the Family Adventure Zone, where they can climb a rock wall, paddle around in a kayak, practice their aim with a bow and arrow and even have their picture made with Smokey Bear.
The Montgomery County Arbor Day Ceremony will be held at the start of Expo & Spring Fling, serving to kick off the event. Free tree seedlings will be handed out throughout the day, while supplies last.
For more information or a detailed schedule of events, go to http://expo.tamu.edu.


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The Alibi Will Buy You a Beer Tonight
Create a Love Bird profile today and get a free beer tonight at Alibi's Cinco de Mayo Frito de Pie-o Fiesta. Just print out your profile, take it to the Blackbird tonight and hand it to an Alibi person. That's what I'm going to do, and I'll take that free beer, by gum!


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A rustic bread pudding made with whole wheat bread and studded with fat spears of asparagus and cheese, then brightened with fresh herbs and lemon zest. That's right – this is a savory bread pudding, perfect for a Mother's Day brunch menu or a weeknight spring supper.
"... This was just excellent for Mother's Day ..." ~ Anonymous
"This was delicious ... my "meat & potatoes" hubby ... went back for seconds ..." ~ Jane
Small acts, too, express a mother's love.
Picture a mom with a baby in a stroller and a boy in hand near the Kirkwood train station. As a train rumbles round the bend, the mother squats, opening up her knee as a stool of perfect height for the four-year old, who hops right on.
Picture a mom and daughter skipping hand-in-hand through Laumeier Sculpture Park.
Picture front-yard baseball in Glendale, grandpa pitching, kids hitting, mom catching.
Picture each, imagining moves as graceful as they are practiced.
Happy Mother's Day to all who mother in ways small but significant: all those called "Mom" but also grandmoms, aunts, older siblings, teachers, childcare workers, dance teachers, soccer coaches, family friends, "mothers" in all but name.
Time to table: 1-1/2 hours or overnight
Serves 6 as main course, 12 as side dish
- 1/2 pound good bread, preferably whole wheat, cut into 1-inch pieces (see TIPS)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 leek, white & light green parts only, cut into half-inch half moons
- 4 ounces mushrooms, caps broken into pieces, stems chopped
- 1 pound asparagus, woody ends trimmed, cut in one-inch pieces
- 3 large eggs
- 1-1/4 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 pound cheese, grated (see TIPS)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon or basil
- Zest of 1/2 a lemon (don't skip this!)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Pinch cayenne pepper
- Lemon pepper to taste
Set oven to 375F/190C. Arrange bread in single layer on baking sheet, place in oven until lightly toasted.
In a skillet, melt butter on medium heat until frothy. Stir in leeks and mushrooms, cook until soft, about 10 minutes, stirring often.
In a large bowl, whisk eggs, then remaining ingredients. (If making ahead of time, see TIPS.) Stir in bread, then leek-mushroom mixture and asparagus. (Will be soupy.) Transfer to a well-greased casserole dish. Bake 45 to 60 minutes; after 15 minutes, gently press bread back into liquid; cover with foil if top becomes too brown before done. Serve while hot or barely warm.
A Mother's Day Brunch Menu Starring
Asparagus Whole Wheat Bread Pudding
Mango Lassis
Asparagus Whole Wheat Bread Pudding
Baked Bacon
Fruity Gazpacho
Sugar-Free Chai Tea
More Mother's Day Recipe Ideas
Celebrate Asparagus Season!
~ Asparagus Soup ~
~ Roasted Salmon & Asparagus ~
~ more asparagus recipes ~
from Kitchen Parade
~ Six Years of Favorite Asparagus Recipes ~
~ Asparagus Risotto ~
~ Asparagus with Blender Hollandaise Sauce ~
~ Roasted Asparagus with Feta ~
~ more asparagus recipes ~
from A Veggie Venture
Shop Your Pantry First
~ recipes using bread ~
~ leek recipes ~
~ mushroom recipes ~
~ cheese recipes ~
~ All Recipes, By Ingredient ~
~ How to Save Money on Groceries ~
© Copyright 2009, 2012 & 2015 (repub) Kitchen Parade
Grace F ~ Thank you! I think asparagus and artichoke hearts would be a wash. But when in question, you can always check this Weight Watchers points for vegetables at A Veggie Venture.
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Thank you for taking a moment to write! I read each and every comment, for each and every recipe. If you have a specific question, it's nearly always answered quick-quick. But I also love hearing your reactions, your curiosity, even your concerns! When you've made a recipe, I especially love to know how it turned out, what variations you made, what you'll do differently the next time. ~ Alanna


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BRUCE DAVIS remembers exactly how he felt three years ago when his girlfriend told him she was pregnant: scared. He was only 20, he hadn't completed his education, and he didn't have a job.
``I'd always had a fear of fatherhood,'' Mr. Davis says. ``I thought I'd be a singer or a preacher, but I never thought I'd be a father. I was afraid I'd do the same thing my father did to me, and that's to be nonexistent. [Responsible] fatherhood is not very common in my family on either side.''
Despite his fears, Davis was determined not to repeat the pattern of fatherlessness. He attended the birth of his son, now two years old, and helped care for him. He and the baby's mother, Carla, eventually married, and last year they became parents of a daughter. Davis now works as a security guard and a minister.
Talk to young urban fathers like Davis and two themes appear again and again, unprompted: fear of being a father and sadness at never having known their own fathers. As they share their concerns and hopes for their children, they display a vulnerability distinctly at odds with media images that portray them as indifferent and irresponsible.
Unmarried parenthood knows no economic or racial boundaries. Nearly 30 percent of all births in the United States are to unmarried mothers. In 1991, there were 1.2 million nonmarital births - a record high. In some 3 out of 4 cases the father is never legally identified, says David Blankenhorn, president of the New York-based Institute for American Values.
Wherever they occur, these births constitute a problem of such magnitude that Mr. Blankenhorn, author of a forthcoming book, ``Fatherless America,'' calls fatherlessness ``the most socially consequential family trend of our era.'' The absence of fathers, he says, whether through divorce, separation, or unmarried births, is ``the most important fact in understanding trends in child poverty as well as other social problems we're now experiencing'' - juvenile delinquency, domestic violence against women, declining school performance, and the deteriorating physical and mental well-being of children.
``We calculate that tonight, 36 percent of the children in America will go to sleep in a home where their father does not live,'' Blankenhorn says. ``Before they reach 18, more than half will spend at least a significant portion of their childhood living apart from their father.''
Today, he continues, ``Fathers are not seen as very important. They're either seen as bad or not necessary. But looking at the facts of child well-being, we have to say that children do need their fathers. We have to invigorate fatherhood as a social role for men.''
To ``invigorate fatherhood'' among young men in Boston's Roxbury district, where, as in other urban areas, the rate of teenage pregnancy is high, Michael O'Neal directs an agency called Fathers, Inc. During the past five years Mr. O'Neal has worked with hundreds of young fathers, helping them ``take responsibility for their actions.'' In classes covering everything from feeding a baby to preparing a resume, he emphasizes the rewards of family life.
O'Neal's office at Roxbury Community College contains the tools of his unusual trade. A Cabbage Patch doll named Home Boy gives prospective fathers practice with diapers. A stack of tiny bibs sits on a file cabinet, and a growth chart hangs on a wall.
The question people ask most frequently, O'Neal says, is, ``Why do these young men have children?'' He tells them, ``Men sometimes have children, one, because they want to have somebody to love them, and two, because they want to have someone who will remember them. Violence claims so many young men.''
That fear of the tragic consequences of violence shadows the lives of many in O'Neal's group. David Corbie, the father of 9-month-old David Jr., says, ``I thought by the time I was 24 or 25 I'd be dead, so I wanted to see Junior now. Looking at recent statistics, I feel that everyone is in danger of not seeing the next day or the next week. Youths are being wiped out, and they want children to remember them by.''
Mr. Corbie offers another reason for early childbearing: ``People are looking for family. If they can't get family through parents, uncles, aunts, they think, `Why not make your own family?' ''
Although Corbie admits that it was ``a shock'' to learn that his girlfriend, Antonia Ray, was pregnant, he has been involved in caring for their son from the beginning. Before he started his current job as a file clerk for a health-care company, Corbie looked after the infant while Ms. Ray worked as a secretary. The baby now goes to a day-care center.
Another father in O'Neal's program, Raoul Colon, has had full responsibility for his 18-month-old son, Tony, since he was three weeks old. ``I never expected it, but I don't have a problem with it now,'' Mr. Colon says. He credits O'Neal with giving him the courage to be a single father.
``Without Michael, I would just have tried to walk away from the whole situation,'' Colon says. ``When Tony was born, I was all stressed out. I said, `What do I do?' He sat me down and we went through things step by step. He was telling me I could do it. I believed that I could, the way he was saying it.''
As Tony toddles around the room under his father's watchful eye, Colon talks about the challenges he faces. ``The hardest thing for me is when Tony is crying for no reason,'' he says. ``If his mom was there, I know she'd pick up on it right away and know what to do.''
Yet he emphasizes the rewards as well: ``I'm learning a lot from him. It's exciting to see him do things you wouldn't expect him to do. On weekends, we have a good old time. We've been to the Museum of Science, and we went to the zoo.'' Colon and his girlfriend plan to marry.
Colon, Corbie, and Davis find that within their own neighborhoods, respect runs high for fathers who are involved in their children's lives. ``You're really considered a god among men when you walk around the community with your child,'' Davis says. ``Old men pat me on the back. Women slip me their phone number and say, `Will you take care of my children, too?' ''
YET Davis and others express frustration over persistent media images of black fathers. ``We're always depicted as lazy and not caring about children, just making them,'' says Corbie. Adds Davis: ``We're trying to be the exception to the rule. It's like when Rosa Parks didn't give up her seat on the bus. It's like a whole new revolution. We're going against the norm. People see it, but they don't acknowledge it.''
If this ``new revolution'' is to succeed, other changes must take place. Among the obstacles to successful fatherhood, these parents say, are government and social programs that treat fathers as invisible or incompetent.
``A lot of the programs they have for mothers delete the fathers,'' says Antonia Ray. ``People try to make the father obsolete....
But somebody helped the mother make these babies, so programs should be targeted to fathers, too. I have girlfriends who receive public assistance. There is a man in their life, but they have to hide him. That makes the father feel that there's no reason to be there because she's the one getting support from these programs.''
O'Neal puts it another way: ``You have programs designed in some ways to keep families dysfunctional. We give more benefits for fathers not being there than for being there. The system has created what I call `the original ghost dad.' He's there, but when case workers and officials come around, he has to disappear.''
Wayne Slayton, whose wife is pregnant, says, ``Any program you go to, if you're with the mother, they'll ask her, `Is this the father?' They push you out of the picture. We had our first appointment with the midwife today. She didn't ask, `Do you want to come in?' She said, `You're coming in? You really want to be there?' ''
Colon finds similar discrimination in job-training programs, which often provide day care to mothers but not fathers. Yet, Colon was recently hired to train as a buyer for an office-products company. Speaking of the self-respect and independence that come with a paycheck, he says, ``This is my biggest joy, being able to pay for stuff for Tony. Now I'm off welfare. I'm glad.''
Any hoped-for social revolution will also be incomplete without better information about sexual responsibility to prevent too-early childbearing.
``No one ever told me, `Put on a condom so she doesn't get pregnant,' '' says Isaac Dave, the father of two daughters, ages 2 and 4. Although Mr. Dave says that ``sadly, it did not work out'' to marry the mother of his children, he contributes to their support and sees them every weekend. ``I will do anything in my power to help my daughters,'' he says. ``I will be there for them.''
Finally, Blankenhorn suggests, there must be a change in attitudes on the part of society as a whole. ``Where,'' he asks, ``are the television shows and novels and poems and talk shows and sermons and congressional hearings and special commissions and songs about the fact that fatherhood needs to be strengthened in our society if we're going to reverse the current trend, which is in a downward spiral? If we're going to send it up, we need to strengthen fatherhood. And we need to strengthen marriage.''
Ironically, it is fathers learning the hard way who argue the strongest case for a traditional family. Davis, who never knew his father, says, ``I'll tell you this much - if it was not for my son and the good Lord, I'd be dead now. I think of all the wrong things I was doing even the week my son was born. But everything changes with children. I had to walk away from people who wanted to get me in trouble. If I get killed, who's going to take care of my kids?''
He adds: ``Any woman who says that she doesn't need a man to raise a child, there's something wrong. We've got to start teaching partnership, because this single stuff is not making it. We've got to have two parents.''


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Festival coordinator announces parade winners
PLYMOUTH — Sherrie Martin, Marshall County Blueberry Festival Coordinator, recently announced this year's parade winners.
"(The parade) went off without a hitch and we got a lot of complements on it," commented Martin.
The theme for the parade this year was "A World of Possibilities."
The Judges Award went to number 56, Four Flags Apple Festival. The auto/truck antique (50 years old and older) winner was number 58, a 1926 Model Roaster. The auto/truck classic (25 to 50 years old) winner was number 89, John and Pattie Coyer. The tractor antique (25 years old and older) winner was number 59, a 1951 Allis Chalmers. The auto/truck club winner was number 32, Hoosier Old Wheels. The color guard winner was number three, National Color Guard. The miscellaneous motorized unit winner was number 92, Green Township Lions Train. The military unit — marching or motorized winner was number 76, Culver Girls Academy Drill Team.
The tumbling unit/cheerleading winner was number 52, Jana's Gymnastics.
The baton unit winner was number 25, Daphne's Dolls. The horse unit winner was number 45, the Marshall County Horse Association. The float winner was number 56, Four Flags Apple Festival.
The theme award was number 15, Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center. The president award was number 75, area teachers and school employees.


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17 December 2013 at 10.01am | 16 Comments
Emotional night at ROH (well, it was #ROHcarmen, so what do you expect?). Excellent cast, first a time Micaela moves me.
— Pauline Sonmereyn (@PaulineSonm) December 16, 2013
#ROHCarmen music swayed between lullaby slow and positively marchy but lacking in arabesque. .
— Hariclea Darclee (@Hariclea) December 16, 2013
Still on an opera high after #ROHCarmen last night - such an epic opera. Thought act 4 was best by far, completely visceral and thrilling.
— Mimi Doulton (@MimiDoulton) December 17, 2013
Georgian mezzo-soprano Anita Rachvelishvili is giving this performance seven bells. Must be one of the most demanding in the canon #Carmen
— Lise Smith (@Lisekit) December 16, 2013
I'm surrounded by Spaniards on my row and someone's written pro-English Gibraltar jokes into #ROHcarmen. #Awkward #IntervalMusings
— Nicholas Small (@HappyWanderer79) December 16, 2013
Just seen Carmen at the royal opera house. Was amazing.
— Frank (@Frank_Dilandro) December 16, 2013
i wish the orchestra, soloists and chorus would rebel against the slowness of Daniel Oren's baton... #sleeping #ROHCarmen
— mattia cabitza (@mattinlondon) December 16, 2013
Opening night for Carmen at the Royal Opera act1/4 my favourite! #Fantastico #BravoToTheWonderfulCast
— Amith Rahman (@AmithRahman) December 16, 2013
What did you think of Carmen?
Carmen runs from 16 December 2013-9 January 2014. Advance tickets are sold out, but a limited number of day tickets will be available from 10am at the Box Office on the day of performance.
The production is staged with the generous philanthropic support of Dr and Mrs Michael West, Yvonne and Bjarne Rieber and the Royal Opera House Endowment Fund.


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PizzaExpress - Halifax
Unit 8, Broad Street Plaza, Halifax, HX1 1YA
0142 234 3008
You must mention your Gourmet Society card when booking
- 25% off the total bill, all day Sunday-Thursday.
-The following PizzaExpress restaurants are excluded from the tastecard offer: Baker St, Barnes, St Christopher Place - Barrett St, Brent Cross, Canary Wharf, Edinburgh - Deanhaugh Street, Edinburgh - George IV Bridge, Epsom, Euston Road, Gloucester Road, Haymarket, Leadenhall Market, London - Kings Road, London Olympia, Manchester - Piccadilly Gardens, London - Notting Hill Gate, The O2 North Greenwich, Stratford - Westfield, London - Victoria, White City - Westfield Street, Motorway Service Locations, or at PizzaExpress Jazz Clubs, music rooms or pop-up restaurants.
- Please note that if there is a sport/entertainment event taking place, the offer will not be valid in the following restaurants: PizzaExpress Fulham Broadway, Fulham Road (895), Fulham Road (363), Salford Quays, Richmond, Twickenham or Wembley. To check upcoming events, visit: www.pizzaexpress.com/event-exclusions
- The Piccolo menu and items are not included, but little ones are still welcome to enjoy such as you enjoy the discount.
- If you order a Padana or Leggera Padana, a discretionary 25p donation will be made to PizzaExpress charity partner Macmillan Cancer Support, & if you order a Veneziana, the Veneziana fund will receive the same donation, each will not be subject to the discount and can be removed if you ask a waiter.
- The discount is unavailable on Bank Holidays, Valentines Day, Mothers Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Fathers Day, and from the 17th December 2018 to the 1st January 2019 inclusive.
- The card is only valid when dining in, and cant be used for collection or delivery.
- The offer cant be used in conjunction with any other partner or PizzaExpress promotional offer, or set menus.
-Show card upon request of the bill to claim discount.
-Applies to up to 10 people and only one card valid per table/party. Bills cannot be split to benefit from multiple discounts, but PizzaExpress Gift Cards are accepted.
- No alcoholic drinks included in Scotland.
Ideal when simply nothing else will suffice, Gourmet Society members are invited to head to their nearest PizzaExpress to satisfy their cravings and ease back into all their favourites, all at a great price!
Nothing beats it. Quality ingredients, fresh dough hand-stretched right in front of your eyes, care and flair in every step. From your favourite American Hot, freshly baked and still steaming, to the iconic and irresistibly hot & fluffy Dough Balls, no one does it quite like PizzaExpress.
In the mood for something new? This season, the choice is yours. Unbeatable pizza line-up featuring punchy Vegan Puttanesca on a crispy base, creamy & smooth Carbonara Romana and the colourful Ragu - not just a feast for the eyes. And don't forget the fresh out the oven Chicken Wings with a PizzaExpress twist. See you soon then?
Offer and Availability
25% off the total food and drink bill.
- Fridays
- Saturdays
- December
Number of people:
- Your discount will apply to a party of up to 10 people and only one card will be accepted per table/party.
- Booking in advance not required.
- You will not be able to use your Gourmet Society card on Bank Holidays, Valentines Day, Mothers Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Fathers Day or in December.
- Please mention the Gourmet Society
Please Note
Please ALWAYS check availability
You MUST book in advance unless otherwise stated.
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Père David's Deer
(Elaphurus davidianus)
Facts about this animal
The Père David's deer reaches a head-body length of up to 190 cm, a tail length of about 50 cm and stands 115-120 cm tall at the shoulder. The body-weight ranges from 135-200 kg. The head is long and slender with large eyes, very large antorbital glands, a naked nose pad and and small, pointed ears. the antlers are very special in that the tines long are pointing backward, while the main beam extends almost directly upward. Another strange feature of the antlers is that there may be two pairs per year.
The summer antlers are the larger set, and are dropped in November, after the June-August rut. The second set, if they appear, are fully grown by January, and are dropped a few weeks later. The tail is long with a dark tuft at the end. The hooves are large and spreading, and make clicking sounds (as in the reindeer) when the animal is moving. The coat is ochre to reddish tan coloured in summer, and has the unique feature of having long wavy guard hairs throughout the year. In winter it becomes woolier, changing to duller grey, with the undersides a bright cream colour. Along the shoulders and down the spine is a darker stripe. There is a mane on the neck and throat.
Père David's deer become sexually mature at an age of about 14 months. After a gestation period of about 270 days usually a singe calf is born, rarely twins. As in many other deer species, the juveniles have a spotted coat.
Did you know?
that, in the 19th century, the Père David's deer survived in a semi-wild state only at the Imperial Park of Beijing where it became exterminated during the Boxer rebellion of 1899-1900? The species could be saved thanks to 18 specimens kept by zoos that were brought together and bred successfully on the Duke of Bedford's property at Woburn Abbeyand eventually could be reintroduced in the area of the old Imperial Park, where they were discovered over 130 years ago.
|Name (Scientific)
|Elaphurus davidianus
|Name (English)
|Père David's Deer
|Name (French)
|Cerf du Père David
|Name (German)
|Name (Spanish)
|Ciervo del Padre David
|Local names
|Chinese: Sze pu shiang
|CITES Status
|Not listed
|CMS Status
|Not listed
Photo Copyright by
|Wild population
|268 (re-introduced)
|Zoo population
|890 reported to ISIS
In the Zoo
How this animal should be transported
For air transport, Container Note 73 of the IATA Live Animals Regulations, should be followed.
Find this animal on ZooLex
Photo Copyright by
Vicki Rosenzweig
Why do zoos keep this animal
The main reason for keeping the Père David's deer is conservation breeding. The Père David's deer was extirpated in the wild allegedly around the end of the Han Dynasty (AD 220), but certainly did not survive later than the 18th century. Still a herd was maintained in the large Imperial Hunting Park at Nan Hai-tsu south of Beijing, where they were discovered for (western) science by the French Jesuit priest Père Armand David in 1865. In the follwoing years a few deer were donated to European governments. As a consequence of a flooding of the Hun Ho River in 1895 all but about 20-30 deer at the Imperial Hunting Park died. The remainder was killed in 1900 during the Boxer uproar. In 1920 the last Père Davids deer in China died at Beijing Zoo.
In Europe, however, a small number Père Davids deer were kept by different zoos in 1900. After the fate of the species in China, became known, the zoo directors decided to save the species and sent all potential breeders - 18 in total - to the estate of the Duke of Bedford. Although only 1 male and 5 females of the initial stock bred, the herd developed well, small groups of animals were distributed to a number of zoos, and eventually an International Studbook was established under the auspices of WAZA (then IUDZG).
In 1956 the first four deer were sent to Beijing Zoo, in 1985 a group of deer was released to the 60 ha Beijing Milu Park, and in 1986 a group of 39 individuals was reintroduced to the Dafeng Reserve in China, a 1,000 ha seasonally flooded coastal marsh site in the Jiangsu Province.
In 1991 a 1500 ha area on the Jangtse River near Shishou was declared a national Milu reserve, and in 1993/94 64 animals from the Beijing Milu Park were transferred to the new reserve. By the end of 2005, the total number of Père David's deer in China exceeded 1300 animals. As the current ex situ population exceeds 1000 and many animals are kept under semiwild conditions, the International Studbook was given up.
Because of its history and its anatomical peculiaritities the Père David's deer is also of great educational value.


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Prolimatech Panther Review
The CPU cooler is by far one of the most important pieces of hardware in overclocking. Without having a well-performing cooler, you simply cannot expect to get the most out of your CPU. Recently, many manufacturers have begun entering the market by distributing lines of self-contained water systems, inspired by custom water loops common to enthusiast overclockers. In comparison to air, it is no surprise that water works as a better medium for removing heat. However, long-time air cooling manufacturers are finding secrets to heat transfer and have developed some rather unique designs to take away all that heat.
Today, we will take a look at an air cooler from Prolimatech, the creator of the ever-popular Megahalems. Dubbed the Panther, it features four heat pipes – at least two fewer than any of their other CPU coolers. Having said this, let's see how it competes.
Closer Look:
Taking the Panther out of its brown shipping box, we find a shiny black box. It is pretty simple in design, with a checker pattern around the box and a design of the eyes, nose, and whiskers of a panther on the front. The Prolimatech logo is written subtly on the upper left corner, reminding you who the cooler is from – almost like a return address. Flipping to the back side, the design is really no different – just without the Panther face design.
The sides of the box don't offer any more excitement – one side features just a quick list of the cooler specifications while the other presents the product barcode and a reference to the Prolimatech website for more information (this, of course, is given in many different languages). That's pretty much it.
Now that I've stalled you with the box, I think I'll be kind and give you a peek at what is inside. Opening up the packaging, we find the heat sink itself, a red-bladed LED fan, thermal paste, motherboard brackets, mounting screws, fan clips, an instruction manual, and an awesome Prolimatech sticker. Quite a bit is packed into this little box – I hope to not have to pack it back up for any reason; it would be like Tetris! Let's move to the next page and see what this thing really looks like.


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Atari, Inc., one of the world's most recognized brands and a third-party video game publisher and distributor, has unleashed Smash Court Tennis 3 for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the latest star-packed tennis smash in the renowned series from Namco Bandai Games. Featuring many of the biggest names in tennis including Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova, highly realistic visuals, a host of gameplay enhancements and online play via Xbox Live online entertainment network, Smash Court Tennis 3 has smashed its way into North American retailers. Smash Court Tennis 3 is rated E for Everyone and available for a suggested retail price of $39.99 for the Xbox 360 and available on Xbox Live.
The first in the revered tennis simulation series for the new console generation, Smash Court Tennis 3 for Xbox 360 tests the player's skills against 16 of the world's finest international tennis players. From established stars such as Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova, Rafael Nadal, Martina Hingis, and recently retired Justine Henin, to rising talents including Italy's Andreas Seppi and Nicole Vaidisova of the Czech Republic, each player has their own strengths and weaknesses which come into play on the game's painstakingly rendered courts.
Making the most of the power of Xbox 360, Smash Court Tennis 3 boasts enhanced graphics including improved player animations, realistic shadows, skin shaders and High Dynamic Range rendering which combine to deliver a greater level of realism and immersion for the player. A host of customizing options allows players to choose rackets, shoes, hairstyles, skin tone and clothing to create their own unique star of the courts. New gameplay includes a system which lets all players, no matter what their skill level, benefit quickly from the powerful shots and finely honed skills of the star players.
Gameplay modes include Tutorial, Arcade, Pro-Tour, and Exhibition mode where up to four players can go head to head offline. The game also features an online mode allowing players to play online via Xbox Live. In addition to Xbox Live voice chat and rankings, players can take on opponents in online tournaments and in a range of different matches. Online doubles matches let players team up side by side for a long distance match against another pair, bringing the action and interaction alive like never before.
For more information about Atari's entire product line up, visit www.atari.com.
About NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe:
NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe S.A.S., is a leading interactive entertainment software publisher based in Cergy-Pontoise, France. The company is a part of the NAMCO BANDAI group of companies known for creating and publishing many of the industry's top video game franchises including the RidgeRacer, Tekken, SOULCALIBUR, Tamagotchi, Digimon, Dragonball and Naruto brands.
About Atari, Inc.
New York-based Atari, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATAR) is a third-party publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment software in the U.S. The Company's 1,000+ titles include hard-core, genre-defining franchises such as Test Drive and mass-market and children's franchises such as Dragon Ball Z. Atari, Inc. is a majority-owned subsidiary of France-based Infogrames Entertainment SA (Euronext ISIN: FR-0000052573), the largest interactive games publisher in Europe. For more information, visit www.atari.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
With the exception of the historical information contained in this release, the matters described herein contain certain "forward-looking statements" that are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements in this release are not promises or guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These statements are based on management's current expectations and assumptions and are naturally subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. We caution you not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements herein. Some of the factors which could cause our results to differ materially include the following: the loss of key customers; delays in product development and related product release schedules; loss of our credit facility; inability to secure capital; adapting to the rapidly changing industry technology, including new console technology; maintaining relationships with leading independent video game software developers; maintaining or acquiring licenses to intellectual property; fluctuations in the Company's quarterly net revenues and results of operations based on the seasonality of our industry; the termination or modification of our agreements with hardware manufacturers; and other factors described in our SEC filings.
The Company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements to conform the statement to actual results or changes in the Company's expectations.


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