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Markopoulo is a sorry excuse for a suburban town in southeastern Attica and a suburb of Athens, Greece. Not to be confused with 'Markopoulo Oropou' which has a higher average IQ by about 80 points. Markopoulo is identified by its ignorant natives, year-round flooded streets, wine production and 'moustokoulouro' cookies (which resemble dog turds but taste surprisingly good). It currently holds the world record for the most mid 90's 3 series BMWs owned by single, sex-depraved males in the world! It is also host to the 2004 Olympic games equestrian center.
Kitsos: Hey Mitsos, what happened to your car? Didn't you wash it this morning?
Mitsos: Yeah, i did, but i just drove through Markopoulo.
Mitsos: Yeah, i did, but i just drove through Markopoulo.
by Browsas March 02, 2007
buy the domain for your pet vlog


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This is the best time to fertilize your cool-season grasses.
September is almost here and that means it is prime time to fertilize your tall fescue or Kentucky bluegrass lawns. If you could only fertilize your cool-season grasses once per year, this would be the best time to do it. Another factor to consider this year is all of the rain that we have had over the last month. Excessive watering or rainfall events lead to a depletion of Nitrogen in the soil due to leaching through the root zone. These grasses are entering their fall growth cycle as days shorten and temperatures moderate (especially at night). Cool-season grasses naturally thicken up in the fall by tillering (forming new shoots at the base of existing plants) and, for bluegrass, spreading by underground stems called rhizomes. Consequently, September is the most important time to fertilize these grasses. Apply 1 to 1.5 pounds of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. The settings recommended on lawn fertilizer bags usually result in about 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. We recommend a quick-release source of nitrogen at this time. Most fertilizers sold in garden centers and department stores contain either quick-release nitrogen or a mixture of quick- and slow-release. Usually only lawn fertilizers recommended for summer use contain slow-release nitrogen. Any of the others should be quick-release. The second most important fertilization of cool-season grasses also occurs during the fall. A November fertilizer application will help the grass green up earlier next spring and provide the nutrients needed until summer. It also should be quick-release applied at the rate of 1- pound actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.
Fall Lawn Seeding Tips
The keys to successful lawn seeding are proper rates, even dispersal, good seed to soil contact, and proper watering. Evenness is best achieved by carefully calibrating the seeder or by adjusting the seeder to a low setting and making several passes to ensure even distribution. Seeding a little on the heavy side with close overlapping is better than missing areas altogether, especially for the bunch-type tall fescue, which does not spread. Multiple seeder passes in opposite directions should help avoid this problem. A more serious error in seeding is using the improper rate. For tall fescue, aim for 6 to 8 pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet for new areas and about half as much for overseeding or seeding areas in the shade. Using too much seed results in a lawn more prone to disease and damage from stress. The best way to avoid such a mistake is to determine the square footage of the yard first, and then calculate the amount of seed. Using too little seed can also be detrimental and result in clumpy turf that is not as visually pleasing. Establishing good seed to soil contact is essential for good germination rates. Slit seeders achieve good contact at the time of seeding by dropping seed directly behind the blade that slices a furrow into the soil. Packing wheels then follow to close the furrow. The same result can be accomplished by using a verticut before broadcasting the seed, and then verticutting a second time. Core aerators can also be used to seed grass. Go over an area at least three times in different directions, and then broadcast the seed. Germination will occur in the aeration holes. Because those holes stay moister than a traditional seedbed, this method requires less watering. If seeding worked soil, use light hand raking to mix the seed into the soil. A leaf rake often works better than a garden rake because it mixes seed more shallowly. Water newly planted areas lightly, but often. Keep soil constantly moist but not waterlogged. During hot days, a new lawn may need to be watered three times a day. If watered less, germination will be slowed. Cool, calm days may require watering only every couple of days. As the grass plants come up, gradually decrease watering to once a week if there is no rain. Let the plants tell you when to water. If you can push the blades down and they don't spring back up quickly, the lawn needs water. Once seed sprouts, try to minimize how much traffic (foot, mower, dog, etc.) seeded areas receive until the seedlings are a little more robust and ready to be mowed. Begin mowing once seedlings reach 3 to 4 inches tall.
Twig Dieback on Oak
Recently we have seen twig dieback on pin and other oaks caused by a fungal disease called Botryosphaeria canker. Affected trees show wilting or ""flagging" of terminal growth on the ends of branches. Dieback usually extends 4 to 6 inches down the twig with leaves bending back toward the twig before turning brown. Dead leaves remain attached to the tree. If you look closely at the twig, you should see a rather marked transition from healthy to diseased tissue. Take a knife and scrape away some of the outer bark tissue. Healthy tissue is light green. Diseased tissue tends to be brown to black. Botryosphaeria canker differs from oak wilt in that only the tips of branches are affected. Oak wilt affects whole branches. This disease causes such minor damage that chemical control measures are unwarranted. Dead twigs on small trees may be pruned off if desired.
Larry E Crouse
K-State Research
& Extension
Butler County
K-State University Cooperative Extension 206 N. Griffith, Suite A
El Dorado, KS 67042

subset: commoncrawl


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Vintage Acoustic Guitars - Five Of The Best
Vintage Acoustic Guitars - Five Of The Best
Everyone loves classic gear, no matter if it's dented, scratched, splashed with acid or covered in stickers that came free with a copy of NME in 1992. In fact one might argue that even adds to the charm. While electric guitarists have long been able to do get near perfect recreations of classic gear it's only recently acoustic instruments have been given the same treatment. Interest in folkies like Mumford & Sons has certainly helped but there's some very good reasons that you should consider a vintage design guitar/banjo/uke as your main instrument.
No mere novelty, these olde world instruments are loved for very good reasons.
Washburn R314K
The big brother to KT Tunstall's favoured Parlour guitar.
Nineboys Wedge
Nothing screams delta blues quite like a true vintage slide. Check out Jack White making his own to the right.
Gretsch Broadkaster Banjo
Quite simply a damn fine banjo.
Martin D15M
We're cheating a little on this one but at 135 years old they don't come much more classic than a Martin. Made much the same way they were a hundred years ago. The D15M features certain period accurate features.
If you don't fancy making your own you can always get a Nineboys Wedge for the same early blues slide.
It's well worth revisiting your roots no matter what genre you play.
Speaking of which our first vintage reissues are from the Gretsch Roots collection. They've really gone to town and brought back some classic designs that can give you anything from gnarly Appalachian mountain man to sweet, smoky Chicago basement blues.
Here's Jon Rauhouse (Neko Case, Calexico) jamming with Gretsch's Mike Lewis to demonstrate.
It's not just country and folk artists that are getting in on the action. Recently KT Tunstall told Acoustic Magazine that she's been using a Washburn R314KK Vintage Parlour guitar on tour.


text: Crew United is an internet platform for professionals in the German speaking film industry. We want to improve the quality of cooperation and information of all persons and companies concerned. Functions and service of Crew United have been optimized for Freelancers, Actors, Production and distribution companies, Agencies, Manufacturers and facilities and Newcomers. You will quickly and dependably find freelancers, actors and companies. From a film project, a mouse click will lead you to the contact addresses of the pertaining participants.


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One of the first CDs I ever bought was the Beastie Boys' "Check Your Head." At the time they had several albums out, but the reason I chose "Check Your Head" over all the others was because of the mixing and sampling. I loved hearing their hip-hop songs turn schizophrenic every few seconds with guitar-solo-esque scratching, and the occasional Bob Dylan lyric. Maybe this boyhood fandom primed me for DJ Hero. Being a fan of hip-hop, electronica and the occasional pop song, I'm ripe for the picking -- but will the physical act of mock-DJing offer that same wish-fulfillment that other music games are known for?
While jammin' to the Boys' tunes, I'd sometimes catch myself "air-scratching." Though I'd never touched a turntable, I'd seen them in music videos, and knew the basic concepts. But where it's immediately obvious what you're supposed to do with Guitar Hero's pack-in peripherals, this DJ variation takes a little acclimation. Luckily, the tutorial -- MCed by DJ Grandmaster Flash -- eases you into the game's three basic actions: tapping, scratching, and cross-fading. Tapping is just that: You tap the green, red, or blue button in sync with the trigger when it crosses the hit-zone, which triggers vocal and audio samples.
Scratching is the easiest activity to master, but it's also the most taxing on your hands. It requires holding either the green or blue button down while simultaneously performing a scratch motion. It's easy enough to scratch with the green button, as it's located on the outside edge of the turntable. But scratching with the blue button tired my wrist quickly; it's located on the innermost part of the record, and it takes more effort to rub the record back and forth. The problem was compounded when my hand started to sweat, as the little perforated button-grips kept slipping from my grasp.
The third function, cross-fading, is easy to understand in concept, but in practice it's by far the toughest to master. The cross-fader is the little dial that you see DJs batting back and forth between two turntables. The three positions of the cross-fader are simple enough: left, right, and center. Throwing the fader left or right is easy (therein singling out one of the music tracks), but bringing them together in the center takes finesse. Many times I had the Gorillaz soloing, and just when I wanted to bring them and Marvin Gaye back together I'd over-fade, leaving Marvin singing all by his lonesome. At first I blamed the "looseness" of the hardware, but I eventually developed the muscle memory to quickly return to center.
Though it may not be immediately obvious as to what DJing entails, DJ Hero manages the same kind of wish-fulfillment that Rock Band and Guitar Hero excel at. And while I loved feeling like a DJ, I can't help but wonder if DJ Hero will cater to a niche of a niche (those who like music games, and those who like hip-hop). Sure, just about every genre is included in DJ Hero (it even features a rock mash-up of the Beastie Boys' "Sabotage" and the Foo Fighters' "Monkey-wrench" that pits guitarist against DJ), but most people associate the turntable with rap. Again, this isn't a knock on the game (it's ridiculously fun), nor the music -- I actually love the remixes (even Gwen Stefani!). It's just that the guitar has such a comparatively heavy cultural foundation. Everyone's jammed on an air guitar, but how many people air-scratch?


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BOULDER — With less than one week until the start of the college football season, "Inside the Mile High" ventured outside the Mile High City and outside the world of politics this weekend to talk a little football.
There's a lot of firsts happening in Boulder surrounding the Buffs football team. It's their first year in the newly established Pac-12 Conference, and it's Jon Embree's first year as the team's head coach.
Embree played tight end for the University of Colorado from 1983 to 1986 before going on to play and coach in the National Football League.
As the team prepares for the season, Embree took a few minutes to speak about everything from the system he has implemented to whether college athletes should be paid.
Follow Kurtis on Twitter.


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Untold Stories Of Old Currituck Duck Clubs
Local resident Travis Morris delves into the history of the Currituck Sound, Pine Island and Narrows Island private hunting clubs in this fourth volume of stories about duck hunting on the Currituck. These untold stories weave together documents from old files with first-hand interviews and accounts from a variety of sources. Providing more than 100 images, the book's offerings range from stories of the clubs' prestigious members and guests — such as J.P. Morgan and William Vanderbilt — to tales from local guides about some of the old float box rigs. "Untold Stories of Old Currituck Duck Clubs" is published by The History Press in Charleston, S.C. Softcover, 144 pages, $19.99.
(843) 577.5971


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Blending sleek, modern style with impeccable Oriental touches, this sumptuous suite offers a luxurious retreat high above the city. Overlooking Jalan Sudirman and the Welcome Monument, the elegant interior boasts rich polished teak floorboards covered with plush Oriental rugs, art deco detailing and colourful silk accessories. The spacious accommodation includes a large bedroom, a living room with separate study and dining areas. The suite's light, white bathroom has a soothing spa-like feel with double vanity units, a large bathtub and a walk-in rain shower. This luxurious suite is as perfect for entertaining as it is for relaxation.
All guests have access to our 21st floor Executive Lounge.
Images may not be to scale. Floorplans are for illustrative purposes only and some details may vary from room to room.


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MPAA, Pharma Demanding US Push Other Countries To Have Significantly More Draconian IP Laws Than The US
from the how-nice-of-them dept
After being told the Obama Administration would not consider anything that lowered IPR norms in the TPP negotiations, and only measures that raised norms, KEI reminded USTR has the Clinton and Bush Administration both were willing to lower IPR norms, when they were persuaded it was appropriate. This included:
For the Obama Administration to claim that it can only harmonize upwards is really disappointing, given the promises that Obama made during his presidential campaign.
- President Clinton's December 1, 1999 speech to the WTO endorsing new changes in U.S. trade policy to address concerns over access to medicines.
- President Clinton's Executive Order 13155 of May 10, 2000, concerning Access to HIV/AIDS Pharmaceuticals and Medical Technologies.
- President Bush's decision to agree to the November 14, 2001 Doha Declaration on TRIPS and Public Health.
- President Bush's decision to accept the waiver to 31.f of the TRIPS agreement on 30 August 2003.
- President Bush's July 16, 2004 agreement between USTR and Canada to modify NAFTA to allow exports of medicines under compulsory licenses.
- President Bush's May 10, 2007 agreement on the bipartisan New Trade Policy, which eliminated patent extensions, eliminated linkage of drug registration and patents, and relaxed test data protection for the Peru Free Trade Agreement.


text: The Book of Mormon is a relatively new musical in Broadway and travelling through world class cities in the US and Canada this season. Cheap Book of Mormon tickets St. Louis are difficult to find, but are a worthy endeavor to find, due to the magic, thoughtfulness, and hilarity of this musical. This Musical, created by the same creative minds as the South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, and Avenue Q co-creator Robert Lopez, won nine 2011 Tony Awards, which included Best Musical, Best Book, and Best Score. The Book of Mormon is also the winner of four 2014 Olivier Awards. Two of these included Best New Musical, and Best Actor in a Musical. The plot is as follows: This story is about two mormon boys that were sent on a mission from Salt Lake City, to Uganda. Uganda, a place that is landlocked in East Africa, is bordered by Kenya in the east, Sudan in the north, and the Republic of Congo, in the West, is in political and economic turmoil upon their arrival. Their main mission while being stationed in a village in Northern Uganda, is to try to convert this very Christian area in to Mormonism. The one missionary, is quite the go getter and tends to be quite dedicated to his faith. The other missionary partner, tends to be very socially awkward, and his nerd-like tendencies tend to draw him into trouble time and time again. As they arrive, the two learn very quickly that their mission may become quite difficult. The two also find out that a warlord is causing havoc amongst the population they are hoping to convert. Hopeful and idealistic, the two misplaced missionaries, still venture to share their Book of Mormon with the local population in hopes to change their belief systems. This musical has a similar sense of humour as in South Park, as the creators are the same. The show similarly makes light of sexuality, poverty, race, and religion, while at the same time inspiring deep thoughtfulness and discussion about those very same topics. To know about the overall development in this musical, here is the synopsis: ACT I – The show opens with the introduction of the Church Missionary Training Centre. Kevin Price demonstrates in this training how to convert the public to Mormonism by making door to door pitches. Kevin has had a successful year of missions and is looking forward to a potential post in Disneyland, however gets placed in Uganda instead. The Elder Arnold Cunningham, who is slightly socially awkward, is posted with him in Uganda as well. The two set off to Uganda with Elder Price enthusiastically talking about his hopes to change the world and make a difference in Uganda. The Elder Cunningham tags along, slightly less enthusiastically. As they arrive in Uganda, they are robbed at gunpoint immediately by the local local warlord. In their angst, they are confronted with local villagers who tell the story about how they live in poverty, famine, political instability, and AIDS. Despite learning that other Elders have failed in this mission, Elder Price is still determined to succeed in his mission. The villagers do not take well to Elder Price's missions and teachings, but one of them is touched by the thoughts of paradise. Meanwhile, the church back home is putting pressure on the two missionaries to not come back with another failed missionary attempt. ACT II – Elder Cunningham, takes charge of the mission as he begins to gain some traction with the locals, however, he is not the most studied missionary in his religion. He begins to tell stories about Mormonism, but makes them up as he goes along. Somehow, his stories relate to the people and they begin to listen to him. The mormon president of the church announces his arrival, and the two missionaries are hailed for their successes, however the president happens to find out that Cunningham had been making up stories all along that are not relevant to Mormonism and asks them to leave the village. In the end the villagers understand that despite Cunningham having lied to them about Mormonism, the stories of religion are meant for being used to get through life and cope with difficulties. Together they all work together to drive out the General and the two missionaries stay to continue to help. This musical took the creators seven years to develop. In order to gather information for the show, this trio went to Salt Lake City to meet with the mormon missionaries. After a total of seven years, the show opened in March 2011 on Broadway during which time it was met with a positive response and immediately set record ticket sales and popular acclaim having as viral an effect as the show South Park itself. The original cast became the best charter cast album reaching number 3 in the Billboard charts. This musical has staged two national tours and is continuing to be shown abroad. This is an interesting, thoughtful, and must see performance that has dazzled the crowds. Tickets for this show can now be purchased at TicketCharge.com via online bookings, phone bookings, walk in purchases, and at TicketCharge outlets. TicketCharge promotes a variety of musical and theatrical events including other high profile Broadway shows like Cats, Madame Butterfly, and Disney On Ice. TicketCharge is also selling discounted, cheap Book of Mormon tickets St. Louis . The TicketCharge venue provides a full suite of services for small and large scale events. There is a network of distribution outlets, online sales, and call centre channels. The services of ticket inventory management, sales reporting, and mobile ticket services is also provided through this venue. In order to purchase tickets for Book of Mormon now, www.ticketcharge.com provides real time ticketing options. By ordering tickets through this venue, you will be able to in real time, choose seating sections, reserve and confirm your transactions right away. For the best prices, and cheap Book of Mormon ticketsSt. Louis , you can go to www.TicketCharge.com From the collaborative efforts of the creators of South Park and the writers of Avenue Q, The Book of Mormon is a story of two young Mormon missionaries and their journey through a remote village in Uganda. On this journey our protagonists encounter evil warlords and third world problems. The Book of Mormon tackles issues with organized religion by juxtaposing them with the very real struggles of this remote village. Missionaries have to cope with and learn from their own self doubt and their cultural shock. The lessons and trials depicted in The Book of Mormon make the audience reconsider their own beliefs and struggles. In the end, The Book of Mormon shows how the missionaries have grown though their trials and come out stronger and wiser in the end. This inspiring musical uses humour and clever musical numbers to bring the audience a message that everyone can relate to. Who Should See Book of Mormon? The Book of Mormon talks about several sensitive and controversial topics. From topics like AIDS and poverty to religion, audience members should go to show with an open mind. Because of the subjects discussed in The Book of Mormon, parents should consider maturity of their children before taking them to see this musical. What Critics Say? Since its premiere on Broadway in March, 2012, The Book of Mormon has won a collection of awards including nine Tony Awards. Critics have praised The Book of Mormon as humorous with a side of satire. The Book of Mormons is definitely a must see musical of the year. The musical has two acts running 2 hours and 30 minutes with a 15 minute intermission. Book of Mormons cheap tickets are available for performances on Tuesday through Sunday. The adult cartoon South Park has been on the air for so many years. It almost seems as if the cartoon was always on and forever haunting parents trying to keep their children from watching it. Well guess what, South Park has just had its contract renewed until the year 2016, which will mean even more outrageous comedy that only adults should watch. With South Park also comes the Broadway musical the Book of Mormon, which is also a comedy that can really offended a person sensitive to people making fun of organized religion. Does this mean people should not spend their hard earned money on a musical that might make them a little uncomfortable? I guess that would be all up to you, but there are so many people out there still looking to buy tickets to the shows in most major cities across the country. You might be asking yourself why did the South Park writers pick the religion of Mormons to make fun of in the Book of Mormons and the answer would be, who knows. The creators of South Park have been forever making fun of organized religion. They don't leave out any religion, which can only mean that the writers are not bias to any one religion rather they are critical about all religions. The great part of the Book of Mormon is that many of us can relate to these types of religions. There are a lot of religions out there with their own belief systems, yet there are a few that continue to go and try and push their beliefs on others in such a serious way. You all know when you see the people with suits walking door to door on Saturday morning you turn the TV down and pretend you are not home. This is what the creators of the book of Mormon were thinking about when they created the play. If you feel the pain of having to hide when the religious people are walking down the street to spread the word of God you might just really enjoy the humor that comes along with the musical. You never know what is next for the writers since the Book of Mormon was such a big success. There could be similar plays that make fun of other organized religions and their mission's trips or maybe it will just be a musical about some of the really silly outdated religious traditions. The people that write and create South Park and the Book of Mormon will never cease to amaze their viewers as to just how far they will go when making jokes about different sensitive subjects leaving the rest of us wondering what will be the next big play. If you are a fan of Broadway shows, it goes without saying that Broadway tickets at a discount would be the cherry on your cake. Currently, Broadway tickets are some of the priciest in the entertainment industry. Average orchestra seats will go for about $110 per person. Are there ways that you can enjoy a Broadway show without having to pay that much? The answer is yes. If you follow the guidelines below, you should be able to enjoy a Broadway show or two without burning a hole in your pocket. For starters, you should select musicals or plays that did not open recently. If you opt for a new musical or play, then your chances of getting discounted Broadway tickets are greatly reduced as these tickets are on high demand. In order to get discounted tickets, wait a few months after a new play is released. You might think the wait is too long but in the end, you will pay less and you will still enjoy the play. Do you want to know how likely you are to get discounted concert tickets if you wait till the last minute? Well, the same applies to getting tickets to a Broadway show. If you get to the theater ticket booth ten to fifteen minutes before the show starts, you might be able to land yourself some great discounts. However, this is a combination of luck and good timing so you should not be too hopeful. You could also get cheap Broadway tickets on the day of the show at TKTS booths located in Times Square and at South Street Seaport. If you are lucky, you might land up to 50% off. The booths sell the tickets on a first-come first- served basis so be sure to get there in good time. The only downside is that you can only purchase the tickets on the actual day of the show but that should not be a huge deterrent if you are determined. To get you some great discounts, you should call the box office of the theater and ask about the available discounts. For example, if you are a student or a senior citizen, you might be able to get yourself some cheap Broadway tickets provided you bring along your ID for verification. Also, you could get some standing room tickets. When you buy these tickets, you will have to stand throughout the show. However, for just $25, you can afford a standing room ticket. If you are thinking of getting some great discounts, try buying tickets in bulk and ask for a discount with the ticket broker. You should apply the same strategy if you are hoping to land great discounts for your sports tickets and concert tickets. It is not just concert tickets that you can buy online. Just like with sports tickets, you can get great bargains for tickets to Broadway shows if you purchase them online. You will be able to take advantage of coupons, lottery tickets and even promotional discounts if you opt for an online ticket vendor.


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2010 ISS Executive Blue Chip Panel: A "Perfect Storm" (Part 1)
By Scott Landstrom, SCI Consulting
In 1997, Sebastian Junger wrote a stirring, real-life account of the events that led to the sinking of the Gloucester-based swordfish boat, the "Andrea Gale." The environmental collision of three different weather systems, each bringing additional power to the eventual hurricane, gave the book its name, "The Perfect Storm." While the focus of Junger's documentary was the unfortunate ramifications of this confluence of events, the title of his book has become a modern-day metaphor for a rare combination of events (positive or negative) that create a rare, unusual or unique outcome.
On January 12, 2010, at the annual SEMI Industry Strategy Symposium (ISS), attendees were treated to a "Perfect Storm" of the positive genre, as several conditions combined to create a unique Executive Panel session focused on "The Structural Evolution of the Semiconductor Equipment Industry." I organized and moderated the panel, and Michael Wright, CEO of AISI Inc., was the co-moderator.
Five of the top six revenue firms in the North American Equipment industry participated. The panelists were:
The panel focused on the thesis of "structural changes of the industry." Asking panelists to evaluate the changing business model in a tough environment – much lower industry growth rates, fewer but more powerful customers and escalating fab costs – resulted in a sometimes sober, yet often upbeat, analysis from the panelists who are facing these evolutionary changes as they run their various companies.
Rather than go the "traditional route", by posing the questions to the panelists directly, I recruited luminary thought leaders, from within and outside the semiconductor industry, to pose key questions via recorded videos. Following the analytical approach championed by Harvard professor Michael Porter, these eight luminaries challenged the panel with their own key inquiries regarding the evolving equipment industry, and the many business model challenges to ongoing competitiveness in this sector. The eight luminaries participating in this Blue Chip Panel event were as follows:
- Jim Morgan – former CEO and COB of Applied Materials
- John Osborne – current Board member Amkor
- Paul O' Neill – former Secretary of the U.S. Treasury
- G. Dan Hutcheson – CEO, VLSI Research
- Danny Ainge – president, Boston Celtics
- T.J. Rodgers – COB and CEO Cypress Semiconductor
- George Needham – COB, Needham and Co.
- Bob Boehlke – former CFO, KLA-Tencor
Trying to capture the various views and wisdom imparted in a 2- ¼ hour discussion is challenging, to be sure, but some of the highlights of their analyses are presented below. (Note: this article is Part I of a two-part series detailing the observations and comments made by the executives at the ISS Blue Chip Panel discussion. This column deals with the first four of the eight questions posed to the panelists; next month will conclude with the final four inquiries made.)
Luminary # 1: Mr. Jim Morgan
General Topic: The ongoing shift of the "epicenter" of wafer fabs towards the Pacific Rim, and the associated escalating challenges to U.S. and European equipment firms to maintain or increase share in an increasingly "off shore" industry.
Overall Summary: First of all, it was pointed out that approximately 43% of all equipment revenues in 2009 flowed back to U.S. firms in this sector. Additionally, the concept of any nation having a "home country advantage" was debunked, as the top four customers, representing about two-thirds of the equipment buying power, include one firm each from the nations of Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and the United States. As the complexity of the equipment has continued to increase almost exponentially, the importance of efficient, state-of-the-art R&D, and strategic alignment of roadmaps with key customers has made central product development decisionmaking more important, and customer proximity-related factors less so. It was pointed out that the market leaders in the equipment space have continued to increasingly invest in locally situated strategic and tactical capabilities to support customers on site, with an ever larger portion of the "field personnel" for the U.S. equipment sector being internationally recruited and located. The emerging role of "sovereign capital" investing in new competitors was discussed, that nation-states investing in such companies to develop capabilities is seen as strategic. While it was agreed that such governmental injections can represent a threat, the magnitude of the technical problem set represented by some of today's Moore's Law challenges can make it extremely difficult to catch up with a well-funded, properly executing market leader – even with substantial "sovereign capital" supporting the efforts of a new competitor.
Selected Panelist Quotes:
Rick Wallace: "One significant challenge for U.S.-based equipment companies is staying close to our customers when the demographics have clearly changed. For example, in the early days, most of the equipment industry was located here in the U.S. Things have dramatically changed in the last 30 years, with U.S.-based companies today representing a small percentage of the overall market. With these shifting dynamics, it is now more important than ever that U.S.-based companies have a strong cultural connection with our customers, because where once it was more common for senior leaders in our customer base to have worked and attended school in the U.S. before returning to their home countries, it is often the case today for the executives of our customers to be graduates of international schools and to have never worked in the U.S. This requires us to work even harder to make sure that we understand our customers' cultures and needs."
Dave Dutton: "It is increasingly inaccurate to even think of U.S. firms as being constituted by purely U.S. management. We have staff meetings regularly that we sometimes refer to as "pajama meetings" as someone on the call is overseas, in a very different time zone, probably in their pajamas. Just because a firm is U.S. headquartered does not mean that such a firm isn't becoming increasingly global in its leadership."
Luminary # 2: Mr. John Osborne
General Topic: Most semiconductor equipment firms have historically pretty much "stuck to their knitting," remaining largely "pure play" providers to the semiconductor fabrication industry, with some exceptions. With the long term, end-market growth rate dropping from the mid-teens to something close to half that level, will equipment firms finally get serious about diversifying into other markets to augment their growth rate, and earnings potential?
Overall Summary: While it was generally acknowledged that the growth rate has roughly halved over historical levels, different panelists took disparate positions on the wisdom/attractiveness of pursuing non-semiconductor markets. Applied Materials has taken the most ambitious actions in the diversification area, with major investments in both Flat Panel and Solar equipment segments, and took the position that a firm which blends higher-growth initiatives into other markets with their core semiconductor portfolio will inherently lead to faster overall corporate growth. Other panelists discussed the risks and problems with attempted diversification, and focused on the immense challenges associated with trying to maintain Moore's Law as the industry approaches some of the fundamental limits of physics. The risk of losing focus on the main, core market was mentioned a few different times – as was the liability of going into a field where the investing firm may not have the core competencies to succeed, absent technological synergies. One point that seemed to have a majority consensus is that there are no markets that are "no brainer," pin-for-pin growth paths that allow semiconductor equipment firms to use the same product lines that they have developed for their core markets. Consequently, diversification requires new innovation and equipment modification, at a minimum, and that implies the concept of "opportunity cost" as development resources are diverted from the core business. Both schools of thought seemed to have merit. Historical earnings growth in the face of greatly diminished end market growth will require new growth engines to be a reality. Conversely, diversification in the face of the extreme technology and business model challenges that the core semiconductor market presents in 2010 brings heightened execution risk – in both core and new markets – to the diversifying firm.
Selected Panelist Quotes:
Mark Jagiela: "As industries continue to become a greater share of the total GDP, it is empirical and inescapable that the growth rate has to decline to something closer to the overall economy."
Steve Newberry: "In the first place, premature abandonment of a commitment to your core market is a classic Porter mistake, and there are a host of challenges and life left in the roadmap to drive silicon semiconductor technology over the next decade. On a separate matter, as it relates to the counseling of Institutional Fund Managers to firms not to diversify, I believe that the executive management of the firm is the only constituency who can make such strategic decisions with the long-term interests of the firm at heart, and as various investment entities see that perspective, hopefully they can support it."
Randhir Thakur: "With regards to the subject of diversification, it is clear that there are adjacent markets which can leverage the existing R&D paths which have been developed for the semiconductor market. Whether that be solar, flat panel, high-brightness LED, or other markets, firms that can multitask their R&D dollars to attack customer needs in multiple markets will be rewarded with higher growth, and more efficient use of development dollars."
Luminary # 3: Mr. Paul O'Neill
General Topic: Historically, the semiconductor equipment industry has benefitted from the "external innovation engine" that has been provided to the larger equipment firms by VC funded start-ups. As promising technologies and innovations were developed by start-up firms, the large companies could reach out and acquire or license such promising technologies as they deemed appropriate. With the increase in the "floor" necessary to drive to an IPO, and the decline of available funds interested in investing in semiconductor equipment start-ups, the U.S.-based rate of funding such firms has drastically declined. Given this developing void, will the large firms increase their R&D to keep the pace of innovation going, participate in funding promising start-ups themselves, or live with a slower pace of innovation?
Overall Summary: All panelists were in agreement that the rate of start-up formation in the U.S. in this sector is in dramatic decline, and moreover, has been for some time. It was pointed out that the same metric in China, for instance, would probably show a dramatic increase over historical levels, so on a worldwide level, some of what is being seen is merely the transfer of the geographic location of such start up firms from the U.S. and Europe to the Pacific Rim. Once again, it was highlighted that the large equipment firms must continue to have an increasingly international perspective, seeking out innovation regardless of where it may be occurring, and commercializing such innovations as needed. Additionally, in the 1980's and 1990's, small firms could "cut their teeth" on perfecting their technology with one of the plethora of Tier II customers before "stepping up in class" to attempt to serve a Tier I like Intel or Samsung. The assertion was made that it is much harder in today's environment, with almost two-thirds of the total Capex being spent by the top four buyers, to follow the same recipe. Consequently, start-up firms often must be ready for "prime time" right away, if they are going to begin the commercialization of their system with a much more demanding Tier I account. Another point was raised that while the external innovation represented by such small start-ups may be in decline, the efficiency of R&D investment processes within large firms must improve over historical levels to keep the pace of innovation undiminished.
Selected Panelist Quotes:
Rick Wallace: "It is very difficult in today's environment for U.S.-based start-ups to develop and commercialize complete systems. Today the 'action' is in the sub-system level, where small firms can innovate and develop a technology to be integrated by systems manufacturers and piggyback on their critical mass. Think of it this way – let's define "invention" as the process of turning cash into ideas. Next, define "innovation" as the process of turning ideas into cash. Start-up firms in semi equipment industry have a history of successful invention in good times and bad, but in environments like we're experiencing today, they've often faced challenges in turning those ideas into cash."
Steve Newberry: "First of all, there are many that believe that the former 'status quo' of the VC funded start up industry had too much money chasing too few quality deals. Consequently, some technologies and products got funded that shouldn't have, and others were bid up to valuation levels that did not correspond with the quality of the innovation. Secondly, the purported death of Silicon Valley as a innovation engine is erroneous and premature, despite the State of California doing everything it can to kill it…. ! Finally, if U.S. firms need to take a more international view of the external innovation engines they need to be partnering with, then so be it – we need to be borderless in our quest to find the best-in-class solutions for the customer".
Rick Hill: "I think you are going to see innovation begin to grow in other regions around the world. History has shown that one of the conditions usually required for a thriving start-up industry in a given market is a fertile domestic market. Clearly, that no longer exists in the semiconductor equipment market in the United States. One issue that frequently gets misstated is when we refer to China as an "emerging" player. I have bad news, guys….China has emerged! Consequently, I think you will begin to see innovative start-up firms on the upswing there."
Luminary # 4: Mr. G. Dan Hutcheson
General Topic: While almost all Western nations have laws against monopolies," which constitute an over-concentration of production power, not a single one has any limitations on "monopsonies," which are the mirror image of a monopoly. Basically, a monopsony occurs when an over-concentration of buying power occurs, wherein there are only a few buyers in a given market. It can be argued that each of these is harmful to the overall health of the supply chain. Should there be limitations on monopsonies such as we see developing in the semiconductor production market, and if such limitations were enacted, would it help equipment firms more adequately finance their pursuit of Moore's Law?
Overall Summary: All panelists agreed that the trend toward monopsony is indeed present in today's shrinking customer base for the equipment sector. Secondly, there seemed to be agreement that such over-concentration of buying power is harmful to the overall supply chain, as such large, powerful customers wield their burgeoning negotiating power to drive prices downward from historical norms in this sector. The panelists also seemed to be unanimous that there's little chance of any real regulatory relief on this topic, however, as the basis for anti-competitive laws in most Western nations came from 19th and 20th century legislative efforts to protect the consumer from powerful, large manufacturing firms.
Selected Quotes:
Steve Newberry: "The reality is that all these laws are set up to protect the consumer, and they really are not concerned with what happens in the Supply Chain. There are many industries that are already "concentrated," ours is just now going through the process of becoming so. It is interesting that, from one perspective, the laws against monopolies within our customer base actually offer some level of protection against us having to sell into a monopsony, as there will be at least a few customers in each space as opposed to one."
Dave Dutton: "While the consumer benefits from the creation of giant, dominant retailers like Walmart, if we just went back one step in the supply chain, I wonder how Walmart's vendors feel about selling into a monopsony, and what their general state of health is as a result?"
Author Scott Landstrom runs a strategic consulting practice that specializes in advising CEOs on strategy formation, revenue growth engines, and liquidity events. He can be reached at: email@example.com. For Part 2 of the Blue Chip Panel report, see the March 2010 issue of SEMI Global Update or click here.
February 2, 2010


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DATE: Nov. 9, 2001 NO: 01-87
CONTACT: Velja Elstad PHONE: (907) 465-6932
Department of Labor and Workforce Development
News Release
Employers, Organizations and Individuals Recognized
On October 25, 2001, the Governor's Committee on Employment and Rehabilitation of People with Disabilities held its annual awards ceremony in Anchorage to honor individuals, organizations and businesses who have made a significant contribution to the employment of people with disabilities. This year's ceremony was dedicated to the memory of Carolyn Peter, a former Committee Member and Director of the Alaska Center for the Blind, who passed away in September. This year's awards went to the following people and organizations:
Th Carolyn Peter Volunteerism Award. This award honors an individual for their extraordinary commitment and compassion in helping people with disabilities. Cindi Martin of Anchorage, who recently passed away, was the first recipient of this new award. Ms. Martin, a certified Braille transcriber and American Sign Language interpreter will be remembered as an outstanding contributor to the blind and deaf community.
Alaskan of the year award. Given to an individual with a disability, whose achievements inspire others, the 2001 winner is Sabine Becker of Wasilla. Ms. Becker has a Master's degree in social work, is an accomplished Alaskan artist and entrepreneur. In her business called "Special Feet," she creates a line of "Spirit Dolls" using her feet. She is a living example of not letting a personal disability get in the way of pursuing one's dream.
Governor's Award. Recognizing the public, private or civic organization that has done the most to promote awareness of the abilities of people with disabilities, this year's award is presented to Outdoor Recreation and Community Access (ORCA), a program of Southeast Alaska Independent Living Center in Juneau. The program provides lifelong recreational opportunities and expanded horizons to individuals with disabilities.
Chairman's Award. This award recognizes an individual or agency that has made exceptional efforts to increase the employment of people with disabilities. Tom Rentz, the manager of federal laundry facilities at Fort Richardson, is a pivotal figure in the employment of people with disabilities, and actively promotes the Disability Awareness Program on Post.
The award also recognizes an individual who has made an exceptional effort to increase the awareness of the contributions people with disabilities make in society. This past July, Keegan Reilly, a college student from Kasilof, reached the summit of Colorado's 14,400-foot Mt. Elbert using a "climbing" wheelchair of his own design that enabled him to accomplish this incredible feat in spite of paralysis from the waist down. Colorado television stations featured him after his accomplishment.
Removal of Attitudinal Barriers Award. Recognizing the agency, company or individual that has made a significant contribution to reducing or eliminating attitudinal barriers facing people with disabilities, this award went to Beth LaCrosse of Ketchikan for her many years of advocacy on behalf of people who experience mental illness. She works tirelessly to dispel myths about mental illness.
Barrier Free Award. For the building, architect or owner whose facility design and construction demonstrates exceptional provisions for access and use by people with disabilities, this award went to Dan McDowell of Wasilla for building a unique "wheelchair accessible" riverboat that he uses in his tourist business on the Kenai River. He did this just because it made sense to him that people in wheelchairs should be able to enjoy river activities.
Hewitt Memorial Award. This award recognizes a rehabilitation specialist, whose work has been of extraordinary benefit to people with disabilities. This year's honoree is Dave Quisenberry of Juneau, Chief of rehabilitation services for the Alaska division of vocational rehabilitation and a 27-year employee of the agency.
Large Employer of the Year Award. To recognize a business with more than 200 employees that has made an exceptional effort to employ people with disabilities, this year's winner is REACH, Inc. of Juneau. REACH is one of the largest employers of individuals with disabilities in all of S.E. Alaska.
Small Employer of the Year. For a business with less than 200 employees that has made an exceptional effort to employ people with disabilities, this year's winner is Dave and Maggie's Café in Anchorage. Dave and Maggie Lefever, the owners promote the hiring of people with disabilities and those who are underemployed to other small employers around Anchorage.


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Kidney dysplasia may be caused by the mother's exposure to certain drugs or by genetic factors. Pregnant women should talk with their health care providers before taking any medicine during their pregnancy. Drugs that may cause kidney dysplasia include prescription medicines, such as drugs to treat seizures and blood pressure medicines called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). A mother's use of illegal drugs—such as cocaine—can also cause kidney dysplasia in her unborn child.
Kidney dysplasia can also have genetic causes. The disorder appears to be an autosomal dominant trait, which means one parent may pass the trait to a child. When kidney dysplasia is discovered in a child, an ultrasound examination may reveal the condition in one of the parents.
Several genetic syndromes that affect other body systems may include kidney dysplasia as one part of the syndrome. A syndrome is a group of symptoms or conditions that may seem unrelated but are thought to have the same cause—usually a genetic cause. A baby with kidney dysplasia might also have problems of the digestive tract, nervous system, heart and blood vessels, muscles and skeleton, or other parts of the urinary tract.
Problems of the urinary tract that lead to kidney dysplasia might also affect the normal kidney. For example, one urinary birth defect causes blockage at the point where urine normally drains from the kidney into the ureter. Another birth defect causes urine to flow from the bladder back up the ureter, sometimes all the way to the kidney. This condition is called reflux. Over time, if these problems are not corrected, they can damage the one working kidney and lead to total kidney failure.


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Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories
Plan aims to ease border congestion, streamline international commerce
Congressman Brian Higgins, NY-26, announced Thursday that U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano was to sign a memorandum of understanding with Canada authorizing two phases of primary inspections of commercial cargo in Canada, including one at the Peace Bridge in Buffalo.
"The economic future of Western New York will be linked to our integration with Canada," said Higgins, a member of the House of Representatives committees on homeland security and foreign affairs, as well as the U.S.-Canada Inter-Parliamentary Group. "The Beyond the Border Action Plan was symbolic of that, and this agreement is a concrete step in that direction."
The MOU is a codification of commitments in the Beyond the Border Action Plan, which originally authorized the pilots to take place. Phase one will take place in Blaine, Wash. Phase two will be at the Peace Bridge in Buffalo.
Phase one, the Blaine pilot, will operate for a period up to six months, for as long as 18 months. It is expected that, after those six months have been completed, the agencies will assess and determine whether and how to proceed to phase two at the Peace Bridge. The Peace Bridge pilot will test the feasibility of decreasing wait times by conducting primary inspections in Canada. It is estimated that the pilot at the Peace Bridge could commence in 2014.
This is just the latest effort to improve the flow of goods and people across the northern border. Last week, Higgins joined Gov. Andrew Cuomo in announcing a $22 million project to improve the gateway at the Peace Bridge, which will involve restoration of Olmsted's Front Park and reconfiguration of the plaza. In addition, the Peace Bridge Authority and New York State Department of Transportation will begin work this year on a $20 million project to construct a new U.S. Customs commercial building.


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According to the 2010 Census, 4,625,364 people are fortunate enough to call South Carolina home. Of that number, it would be hard to find many who have not in some way benefited from the cooperative extension services available statewide through Clemson University. Whether it is direct assistance through leadership and community awareness programs, benefiting from the programs and resources available to resolve family conflicts or prepare a household budget or simply reading and learning about gardening on every scale, Clemson's Public Service Activities (PSA) division does a worthwhile job and does it well.
But in the last 10 years, its extension agents in each of the state's 46 counties have decreased by half and the budget has been slashed by at least $20 million.
PSA, as part of the three-pronged mission of a land-grant university, has grown considerably since the days of aiding the farmer and homemaker. Extension has reinvented itself as required by a changing economy and an increasingly modern and technologically focused lifestyle.
It has expanded its original advice to farmers and homemakers' into information from which every South Carolinian can receive benefit. Its research efforts have helped our state and our nation through what has been learned.
From the days when extension agents offered canning advice (they still do, by the way) to today's programs on conflict resolution in student settings as well as for adults and programs that help young people avoid self-destructive behavior, PSA has more than paid its dues to continue operations at a reasonable level.
Thus we're pleased that due to an improving economy - and the absence of additional cuts in the current state budget - Clemson PSA is adding to its numbers again. According to our recent report, it will be filling 14 extension agent positions statewide almost immediately.
Extension agents and the university's efforts to add to the knowledge base of residents are valuable assets in South Carolina, benefits to us all, growers and consumers, especially in a state where agriculture plays an important economic role.
PSA is also helping in the peace process worldwide, through Clemson's participation in an agribusiness initiative by the South Carolina Army National Guard and the training of Guard troops for restoration of agriculture in Afghanistan.
That's just one more reason lawmakers must continue to be aware of the value of our state's research universities and not shortchange higher education.
The news that more than 500 companies in the state are polluting without current permits is distressing for obvious reasons. Citizens are left to wonder, and perhaps suffer from, what unhealthy things industries are dumping into waterways and emitting into the air.
Five hundred industries can make for a lot of pollution to worry about.
And the situation has been aggravated by other time- and money-consuming problems. For example, the Southern Environmental Law Center has filed suit against the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, the agency charged with issuing and renewing permits, because of a lapsed permit - a controversial one - held by Santee Cooper.
The suit charges that Santee Cooper has been allowed to avoid paying for enhancements to its controls over pollution from coal ash pits.
But the fact that the backlog was discovered, discussed publicly and made a priority for DHEC is an indication that Director Catherine Templeton is changing things at the agency. So are her efforts to eliminate inefficiency and waste.
The judgment on Templeton appears to have been premature. Consider, for example, the 500 expired permits. One reason for the backlog is a staff shortage due to severe budget cuts. But another reason is that staff members pushed controversial, complicated permits to the bottom of the pack. Templeton says that is going to stop. She has directed her staff to make those difficult permits their first order of business.
Additionally, Templeton has led efforts to clean up a polluted Columbia neighborhood and take on the state's obesity problem.
The proof will be in the pudding. Dealing with 500 expired permits, plus keeping up with new permit requests, inspecting hospitals, issuing certificates of need for new medical facilities, overseeing public health clinics and more, on a diminished budget with limited staff, is a management challenge.
Failing to perform these important duties in a timely and efficient way puts the state at risk of seeing its environment impaired, people's health compromised and sought-after businesses frustrated.
Five hundred polluting industries operating with expired permits is a wake-up call for DHEC - and for the Legislature.
The agency should be given the resources that are needed to do its job.
Meanwhile, Templeton should continue to make every effort to fix the mess she's inherited.


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A Spa for everyone
The number of spa centers is growing all the time, catching up with competition from all over the world. On offer are not only traditional baths and massages, but also many other kinds of treatments, so as not to be outdone by similar foreign health resorts. More and more hotels in Poland advertise spa treatment as their main attraction, and operate as destination spas, focusing on fitness, relaxation, weight loss and general physical regeneration. Hotel offers feature long- or short-stay holidays (a week, or longer) that encourage the client to take up a healthy lifestyle, which involves spa therapies, healthy eating regimes, quitting smoking tobacco or returning to fitness after childbirth. Polish spa and wellness specialists introduce many remarkable medical and care therapies and their ingenuity is really amazing. In most Polish spas you can enjoy ayurveda massages, shiatsu, and wellness treatments that apply exotic massaging equipment such as bamboo sticks or bowls, or herbal stamps. Such massages are on offer in spas in the south of Poland: Dwór Kombornia which is near Krosno, in the Bieszczady Mountains, or The Jawor Hotel in the Beskid Mountains).
Foreign tourists visiting Polish spas are impressed not only by exotic kinds of treatment that come from the most distant places in the world, but also by promotion of a lifestyle known as a return to nature, a kind of life in accordance with one's own body and soul and the natural environment. Natural, local products that can be found on the menu in Polish spas are also used for care and beauty treatments: for example, you can relax in butter made of goat's milk or in an infusion of flowers and mountain hay.
Medical spas are modern sanatoria of the 21st century. Such centers can be found in holiday resorts whose main advantages are good climate, mineral waters and therapeutic mud wraps. Their main aim is to provide complex medical care, combined with spa and wellness treatment, all in one place. In Poland such places include: Malinowe Hotel Medical Spas, one in Solec-Zdrój, and another of the same name in Swieradów-Zdrój, Arka Medical Spa in Kolobrzeg, Hotel Wellness Medical Spa "Unitral" in Mielno, or Villa Park Med & Spa in Ciechocinek.
In Poland you can also find 'holistic spas' - places where a human being is viewed as a whole, and where all possible care is taken to pamper his or her psychological and physical well-being. Such spas' offerings often embrace Far East tradition and provide a whole gamut of therapies and programs designed to restore balance between the body, spirit and mind by means of all senses: yoga, meditation, music therapy or pilates. Of great importance is their location and picturesque landscape. The best examples include: Manor House Spa Palac Odrowazów in Chlewiska near Szydlowiec, Hotel Spa Dr. Irena Eris Wzgórza Dylewskie in the Mazurian Lakes region, or Bryza Resort & Spa in Jurata at the Baltic.
Another range of spas features exclusive spa clubs, open to club card holders. Usually they are combined with fitness clubs and golf courses. Some of them specialize in thalassotherapy, which means healing by the powers of the sea: spas in the Mera Hotel in Sopot and Lubicz in Ustka are by the seaside. Most of the treatments on offer are based on application of algae, seaweeds, and sea water, as well as thalassotherapeutic cosmetics and preparations. Still other places, like Palac Mierzecin (western Poland) or Gleboczek (near Torun), follow the idea of wine therapy based on wine and grapevine. Centers inspired by traditions of the Far East should also be mentioned: Japan (Sento Spa in Mlyn Klekotki), Indonesia (Dolina Charlotte), or India (Kinga Spa in Czorsztyn or the Sulislaw Palace in Grodków, Lower Silesia).
From the Tatra Mountains to the Baltic Sea
Until recently, Poles used to visit spas and aquaparks on the other side of the Tatras, in Slovakia. Now, they don't have to. True, there are not as many thermal pools in Poland, but the ones that are in Poland are very modern. The biggest and most popular is called the Bukowina Termy in Bukowina Tatrzanska. It is tucked in a cozy valley surrounded by forests with the Tatras as a backdrop. Thermal complexes contain 12 pools with water at body temperature. Naturally, miscellaneous attractions are provided for children, such as slides and special pools. Another large and stylish place is the Bialka Termy in Bialka Tatrzanska. Due to its location, so close to the biggest skiing resort, the Bialka Termy is the most often visited aquapark at the foot of the Tatras. In Zakopane, the capital of the Tatras, there are two imposing aquaparks. One, situated on the slope of the Antalówka hill, has 4 large pools and very long slides. The other one is Szymoszkowa Baths on the slopes of the Gubalówka Mountain. It offers a magnificent view of the Giewont Peak.
About 125 miles from Warsaw, there is Ciechocinek, a legendary health resort offering relaxation. Aside from sanatoria built in the 20th century, this resort also includes more modern developments. One such modern hotel is located in the Spa Park and its main treasure is saline waters drawn straight from the Ciechocinek spring. Their curative powers bring relief in the muscoskeletal system and spine disorders. Rehabilitation programs offer body cleansing, and an immunity boost. A unique attraction is provided by The Aqua Salt Park: the only saline water pool in Poland with crystal clear water, artificial waves, counter currents and cascades where water treatment is complemented with sea algae and microelements.
A completely different kind of climate graces the Brodnica Lake District in northeast Kujawy-Pomerania. A modern complex, Gleboczek Vine Resort & Spa, has been built there, a luxurious, peaceful oasis and paradise for wine lovers. The area is surrounded by vineyards and the interiors reflect the style of south European villages. The whole spectrum of regeneration ideas is focused on vinotherapy: relaxing floats in a tank filled with wine, fruit wraps and grape seed peeling. Of beneficial influence are herbal and flower petal inhalations in Brodnica Baths. After treatment, one can join tasting sessions of wines from the world's best wine regions. The hotel is situated in a beautiful lake area, surrounded by forests and a two-hectare vineyard. This spa is the first center in Poland to introduce full scale specialized body care based on active ingredients from grapes and grapevines. More active clients can enjoy raft and kayak excursions, Nordic walking and bicycle riding.
Western Pomerania and Wolin Island invite tourists to Marena Wellness Spa in picturesque Miedzywodzie that offers physical regeneration, interesting treatment and a spacious pool with the biggest Jacuzzi in the area. Nearby, there is an excellent golf course for dedicated golfers.
Visit www.poland.travel


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Can Fishermen be Compensated for Climate Change? PCFFA Sues Oil Companies to Find Out
ANALYSIS: Supply Issues for Haddock out of Russia, Norway, Iceland
NOAA: Alaska pollock spawning earlier due to climate change
VIDEO: Lobster Patent; Plant Based Food Certification; Battered Plastic and More
Russian Taxes of 4.8 percent Proposed Across the Board for the Domestic Seafood Industry
Feds Approve Plan for Oregon Officials to Kill Sea Lions at Willamette Falls
More Alaska Nets, Fishing Gear Go To Recyclers
Young's Seafood Appoints Roger Sudlow as New Business Manager
SeafoodNews.com Summary Friday, November 16
F/V America's Finest Wins Jones Act Exemption in Senate Coast Guard Bill
Seafood Industry Applauds Coast Guard Bill that Ends Much Uncertainty for Fishing Vessels
Symphony of Seafood Debuts 10 New Products
Nova Scotia Fishermen's Organization Want Boat Harbour to Close on Schedule
Coast Guard Rescue 4 Fishermen Off Maine Coast
New Zealand's Sanford Limited Releases Full Year Results for FY18
Thai Union Launches Fish Oil Refinery in Germany to Produce Tuna Oil
GAA Debuting Documentary Short Film About Indonesian Shrimp Farming
Blain Shortreed Named New COO at Long John Silver's
SeafoodNews.com Summary Thursday, November 15
Clearwater Receives Patent for Vision System for Grading Lobsters That Are Molting
Bay Area Consumers Have Dungeness for Thanksgiving; Rest of West Coast Seasons Likely Delayed
There is Now a Plant-Based Food Certification for Seafood Alternatives
Scotland May Be Left in the Cold on Brexit, As No Clear Fisheries Guarantee Emerges
Marine Harvest Builds New Processing Plant in Shanghai, its 6th in Asia
Texas Shrimp Producer NaturalShrimp Conducting Final Tests in Enclosed Salt Water Systems
#FutureFishAndChips Campaign Raises Awareness About Plastic in Oceans with Crazy Stunt
Applebee's Launches Catering; Offers More Shrimp Options With Bigger, Bolder Grill Combo Menu
Captain D's Brings Back Family Meal, Launches $3.49 Snacks
SeafoodNews.com Summary Wednesday, November 14
Alexa Tonkovich Resigns as ASMI Director
Bristol Bay Sockeye Forecast Reduced for 2019, Board of Fish Update
Ocean Phoenix Confirms Deal is Likely for Purchase of F/V Pacific Glacier
Marine Harvest Proposes Changing Company Name to Mowi; Joins Long Tradition of Company Rebrandings
East Coast Seafood Launches New Retail Brand for Holidays
China Basa Processing Plants Run Into Trouble with Rising Prices, Farm Stocking
ASC Celebrates China's 10th ASC-Certified Farm
Algeria Teams up with Egypt to Develop Nile Tilapia Aquaculture
EDF, Santa Barbara ChannelKeeper Celebrate Judge's Decision to Halt Offshore Fracking Pending Review
Canadian Government Creates Nature Legacy to Protect Country's Nature and Wildlife
Canada's Arctic Glacier Canada Fined for Fisheries Act Violation
SeafoodNews.com Summary Tuesday, November 13
Letters: Ray Hilborn Clarifies Thoughts on MSC
San Francisco Crab Season Opens Nov. 15; Areas North to Mendocino Delayed Due to Domoic Acid
JD.COM Reaches Record USD$23 Billion During Singles Day Shopping Festival
1,300 Fishermen Wanted First New Scallop Licenses Since 2009. Only Four Got Them.
LISTEN: Alaska Fish News; Mexico Shrimp Production; October Refusals; and More
Russia Expects No Significant Increase in Crab Harvests; More Live Exports in Future
Maine: New Protections for Herring but Lobster Bait Crunch Imminent
SeafoodNews.com Summary Monday, November 12
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Poland's Fish Processors Expand as Exports Drive Sales
SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Seafood News] by Jaroslaw Adamowski - December 8, 2017
Poland-based fish processors are investing to expand their output capacities in response to their increasing export sales.
Data from the state-run Institute of Agricultural and Food Economics (IERiGZ) indicates that in 2016, Poland's fish industry exported 476,000 tons, up 8% compared with a year earlier. This translated into €1.8 billion worth of sales, a 13.5% increase year-on-year.
Under an investment worth about PLN 65 million ($18.2 million) ...
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Poland's Fish Processors Expand as Exports Drive Sales
SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Seafood News] by Jaroslaw Adamowski - December 8, 2017
Poland-based fish processors are investing to expand their output capacities in response to their increasing export sales.
Data from the state-run Institute of Agricultural and Food Economics (IERiGZ) indicates that in 2016, Poland's fish industry exported 476,000 tons, up 8% compared with a year earlier. This translated into €1.8 billion worth of sales, a 13.5% increase year-on-year.
Under an investment worth about PLN 65 million ($18.2 million) ...
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|Wang, Ziyu - North Carolina State University
|Li, Riyu - North Carolina State University
|Xu, Jiele - North Carolina State University
|Marita, Jane
|Hatfield, Ronald
|Qu, Rongda - North Carolina State University
|Cheng, Jay - North Carolina State University
Submitted to: Bioresource Technology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/18/2012
Publication Date: 4/1/2012
Publication URL: http://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/55220
Citation: Wang, Z., Li, R., Xu, J., Marita, J.M., Hatfield, R.D., Qu, R., Cheng, J.J. 2012. Sodium hydroxide pretreatment of genetically modified switchgrass for improved enzymatic release of sugars. Bioresource Technology. 110:364-370. Interpretive Summary: Availability and efficient conversion of biomass to bioenergy continues to be a growing concern to meet projected goals of ethanol production from cellulosic materials. One of the challenges facing cellulosic-based bioenergy is developing processes that can effectively break up plant cell walls to allow access to the cellulose contained within them. Lignin is a major component of cell walls. It can be likened to glue that coats the other components and holds them all together, forming a semi-rigid structure that holds the plant upright. Once lignin is in the cell wall, it is difficult to remove or modify it to allow free access to the other cell wall components. One approach to overcome this problem with lignin is to change the way it is made during the development of plants. Down-regulating specific genes necessary for making lignin has been used to modify switchgrass. By making slight changes in the process of lignin synthesis, the switchgrass contained 8.5% less lignin. These modifications also changed the composition of the lignin such that treatment with sodium hydroxide and high temperature (121° C) resulted in increased conversion efficiency of cellulose by 18% over the control switchgrass. The modest changes in lignin do not appear to decrease biomass production while increasing the amount of ethanol produced per ton of switchgrass, providing an economic advantage to producers.
Technical Abstract: Overcoming biomass recalcitrance to biological conversion has been the focus of enormous research efforts in the cellulosic biofuel area in the past decades. In this study, Alamo switchgrass was genetically transformed to suppress the expression of 4-coumarate-CoA ligase (4CL). The transgenic plants were determined to have lignin content reductions of up to 8.5% and an increased ratio of acid-soluble lignin (ASL) to acid-insoluble lignin (AIL) of 21.4:64.3%. To examine the impact of lignin modification on sugar release, both conventional and transgenic lines were pretreated with 0.5, 1, and 2% (w/v) NaOH for 15, 30, and 60 min at 121°C, followed by enzymatic hydrolysis. Compared with conventional plants, the transgenic lines showed markedly higher sugar release from the biomass. At the optimal pretreatment conditions of 1% NaOH and 30 min, the glucan and xylan conversion efficiency in the best transgenic lines were improved by 16 and 18%, respectively. The results suggest that higher ASL/AIL ratios may compromise the negative influence of high lignin content on biomass saccharification.


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EPIC! Feathers Fly At US Open (VIDEO)
I don't know what happened at your house last weekend, but at my house, my hubby was watching the US Open! In fact, for Father's Day Sunday, I had to take him shopping to look for the plush tiger club cover that Tiger Woods was sporting over the weekend.


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Don't forget Dec. 15. It's the last day the post office promises standard delivery by Christmas. "Go thirty minutes after it opens," says Mark Di Vincenzo, bestselling author of Buy Shoes on Wednesday and Tweet at 4:00. "The early birds who line up outside when it opens will be gone."
Do hold out for Free Shipping Day (Dec. 17) for online gifts. Check participating retailers at freeshippingday.com.
Plus: Your holiday budget: How much to spend on teachers and sitters?
Don't automatically equate "free shipping" with "cheapest." Our brains may miss that fact! We're more likely to click "buy" if we're offered free shipping that saves us $7 than if offered a $10 discount instead, says David Bell, Ph.D., a marketing professor at Wharton. Use nextag.com or pricegrabber.com to see how the bottom-line price compares across sites.
Do make that minimum. "If you can, knock several things off your list from sites that share one shopping basket," suggests Jeanette Pavini, savings expert at coupons.com. Two to try: the Gap group (Old Navy, Banana Republic, Athleta) and Quidsi sites (toy store yoyo.com, diapers.com, and soap.com).
Don't lose track of what's coming when. Install the free Slice app and it'll track all your online purchases, organize receipts, notify you when orders ship, and even alert you if the price drops within the price-adjustment period so you can claim a credit. It'll ping you, too, to let you know a package is coming while you're out.


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A black doctor has accused Delta Air Lines of discrimination after a flight attendant allegedly shooed her away from a passenger in need of medical attention and said "actual physicians" were needed, NBC News reported.
Dr. Tamika Cross, an OBGYN resident at Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital in Houston, wrote in a Facebook post that she was on a flight from Detroit last week when someone two rows ahead her of starting screaming for help.
"I naturally jumped into Doctor mode as no one else was getting up," she wrote on Sunday in the account that has been shared more than 35,000 times.
But as she was about to stand, Cross said a flight attendant told everyone to stay calm — the man was just suffering from a night terror. Minutes later, the flight attendant yelled for a physician on board, Cross said.
Cross raised her hand to get the flight attendant's attention, but her help was rejected, she said.


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Throughout life there are times when we, or those we love, may struggle with family or peer relationships, jobs, school, health, stress, or life transitions. Sometimes these challenges are manageable, but at other times they can be overwhelming and one can feel helpless and alone.
We understand and respect how difficult it can be to realize that you need help to manage these problems. Our goal is to provide a safe, confidential, and non-judgmental environment where you will work closely and collaboratively with your psychologist to better understand what is getting in the way of reaching your goals. We believe that we can help you access your strengths and resources to make your life and relationships better.
We offer a wide range of therapy and assessment services to individuals, families, and organizations. Please feel free to explore our website further to learn more about how we can help you. When you're ready, give us a call or send us an email to set up an appointment.
Location Information:
Our phone number is:
Fax number: 888-844-4036
We are located at:
199 Main Street
P.O. Box 2
Durham, CT 06422
Fax number: 888-844-4036
We are located at:
199 Main Street
P.O. Box 2
Durham, CT 06422
We are located in the historic Lemuel Camp Tavern building:
We are located between the firehouse and middle/high school complex. When you arrive, parking and entrance are in the back of the building (french glass door); the outer door is always locked. Please use the call box to the right of the door to be 'buzzed' into the building. We are located on the first floor to the right upon entering. Please note that we are handicap accessible.
We look forward to meeting with you!
We look forward to meeting with you!
For general inquries, please email: firstname.lastname@example.com


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Ipconfig is a command line utility included with Windows. This utility provides you with diagnostic information related to TCP/IP network configuration. Ipconfig also accepts various Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) commands, allowing a system to update or release its TCP/IP network configuration. Follow the steps below to run the Ipconfig utility.
Click Start, and then Run.
In the Open field, type cmd and click the OK button. The command prompt window will appear.
At the command prompt, type ipconfig /all.
Your network settings will be displayed.
To release your current IP address, type ipconfig /release at the command prompt. A confirmation will appear indicating that your IP Address has been released.
To obtain a new IP address, type ipconfig /renew at the command prompt. Your network settings with the new IP address will appear.
note:The /renew parameter is available only if the adapter is configured to obtain an IP address automatically.
At the prompt, type exit and click OK.


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March 29, 1935 - January 27, 2013
Monroe, NY
Noel J. Stanfield, a lifelong resident of the area, passed away Sunday, January 27, 2013 at his home in Monroe, at the age of 77. Son of the late Jerome and Margaret Kirkup Stanfield, he was born March 29, 1935 in Highland Mills, NY. Noel was a retired Truck Driver with Wakefern Trucking, Middletown, NY and was a veteran of the U.S. Army.
Survivors include his wife, Anne E. Stanfield, at home; his daughters: Haley Stanfield of Monroe, NY, Deborah Carpenter of Goshen, NY; his grandchildren: Lauren and Tyler Carpenter; grandniece, Tiffany Bullis; brothers: Walter Stanfield of Highland Mills, NY, Roderick Stanfield, Saugerties, NY; sister, Norma Sjuve of Pulaski, NY, several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, January 30th, at Smith, Seaman & Quackenbush, Inc. Funeral Home, 117 Maple Ave., Monroe. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 31st at Sacred Heart Church, 26 Still Rd., Monroe. Interment will follow in Cemetery of The Highlands, Highland Mills, NY.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society www.cancer.org or Parkinson's Disease Foundation www.pdf.org
Funeral arrangements were made by Smith, Seaman & Quackenbush, Inc. Funeral Home, 845-782-8185 or www.ssqfuneralhome.com


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2007 "Draconis" Lodi Syrah. A newish project now housed in the Clarksburg Sugar Mill. EXTREMELY meaty and bacony Syrah with a ton of massive, but balanced fruit. Quite tasty, but may be too heavy? Still, an impressive bottle fairly priced.
2012 Fields Family Winery Rose. Mostly Grenache, and utterly delicious with dry, strawberry scented character. Yum!
2010 Fields Family Syrah Lodi. Very elegant and balanced Syrah with lighter fruit, some nice savory notes, good acidity. Mike Dunne is right in the Sacramento Bee.
2009 Fields Family Napa Valley Merlot. Mostly Oak Knoll fruit, I understand. This is beginning to show very well now, with a delicious anise/licorice/cassis character showing in the fruit, very balanced with good acidity. Might be a wine to hold onto for bottle age!


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Catholic university presidents urge Congress for immigration reform
More than 90 Catholic university presidents are urging Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform as the House of Representatives begins debate on the bill passed recently by the Senate. Along with fellow academics, the presidents have sent a letter to every Catholic member in Congress—163 in total—with the message that immigration reform is an urgent practical and moral priority.
Catholic teaching values the human dignity and worth of all immigrants, regardless of legal status. We remind you that no human being made in the image of God is illegal….As Catholics engaged in public service, you have a serious responsibility to consider the moral dimensions of policy decisions. Our immigration system is so deeply flawed, and in such urgent need of repair, that inaction is unacceptable.
The Catholic educators have gotten involved because, according to Catholic University of America president John Garvey, "Our primary mission as universities is to teach students to love their neighbors." The letter notes that Catholic universities and colleges have historically provided opportunities to immigrants, who in turn have enriched our country through hard work, service, and creativity. Says University of Notre Dame president Father John Jenkins: "Catholic institutions are concerned with the dignity of all people."
Archbishop Jose Gomez of the USCCB's Committee on Migration is encouraged by the message the presidents are sending. "I welcome the support of the Catholic presidents for immigration reform," he says. "They are a welcome voice in this debate, as they see the potential and talent in newly arriving immigrants. Immigrants, especially youth, are important for our nation's future and competitiveness. Educators understand the importance of investing in immigrant youth so they can become tomorrow's leaders."
However, immigration reform remains a deeply divisive topic in our country, and approaches to reform have taken different paths as well. Jenkins notes the divisiveness as well, pointing out that there is wide bipartisan support for a comprehensive reform bill. "This is an opportunity to pass the gridlock that affects so many political discussions," he says. "It would be a tragic failure to miss this opportunity to make this nation more generous, welcoming, and prosperous." Recent polling also suggests that nearly 60 percent of Americans would favor passing the Senate's bill, or something close to its current version.
We are an immigrant church in an immigrant nation. As the nation decides what path it will take regarding immigration reform, the church will continue to advocate that lawmakers "put prudence, human dignity, and the common good at the center of your deliberations."


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Ali Jones
|New York, New York
|High School:
|Nightingale-Bamford School
|Event=>1 & 3 Meter/Platform
Ali returns for her final year at Yale to build on her past three years of accomplishments. She has achieved personal bests on both 1-meter and 3-meter at the Penn/Dartmouth meet last year. She finished in the top 16 at Ivy Championships both sophomore and junior year. She has been on the travel team all three years at Yale and has become a strong leader on the team. Yale was where Ali always wanted to go to college. It has been a wonderful and challenging experience for her. She enjoys the integration between the swimmers and the divers. Ali grew up in New York City and had nine years of gymnastics experience at level 9/10 before moving into diving during her junior year of high school. She started diving with the Morningside Diving Team, an age group club on the Columbia campus. Despite a late start to her diving career, each year she has continued to show improvement.


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Luton Town, 85 places beneath their opponents in football's food chain, became the first non-league side for 24 years to knock top-tier opposition out of the FA Cup when they beat Norwich City 1-0. Sutton United were the last to achieve the feat, seeing off Coventry City 2-1 in 1989, and they were at home.
It was a thoroughly professional performance by the Hatters, who contained Norwich before catching Chris Hughton's side on the break with 10 minutes remaining. The goal was created by Stuart Fleetwood and JJ O'Donnell, and scored by Scott Rendell – all three of whom had been sent on by Paul Buckle a few minutes earlier.
"We were never going to out-play Norwich but we stuck to our game plan," said Rendell, a 26-year-old striker who has spent much of his career in loan spells at such clubs as Oxford United, Cambridge United and Torquay, before arriving at Kenilworth Road last summer.
Luton and Norwich were playing each other in the Championship only six years ago but Town's decline since has been precipitous. They came into this cup tie in sixth place in the Blue Square Premier, and achieving promotion back into the Football League remains very much a priority, but for their 4,000 travelling supporters – the biggest such contingent to visit Carrow Road this season – it was a moment to celebrate being back in the spotlight.
"The fans have been through tough times but they were fantastic. They never stopped singing and I am really happy for them," Rendell said. Many Norwich supporters stayed to applaud the non‑leaguers from the field.
"We'd dearly love to get a Premier League club in the next round too," Buckle said. "Hopefully it will give the squad some belief for the rest of the season, because we weren't hanging on."
Luton contained Norwich, limiting them to just a handful of chances, though Grant Holt – brought on as a second-half substitute – drew a brilliant save from Mark Tyler with a diving header.
Hughton acknowledged it was another low point in a season that is beginning to go badly awry for Norwich, who are 13th in the Premier League.
The manager said: "Luton are fit and organised and the one chance they had they put away. It's going to be a tough few days but all of that we're going to have to take on the chin. We didn't deserve to lose but we're in a downward spiral and we have to lift ourselves out of it."


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Jeff Beck: Fender Stratocaster is the greatest invention
Electric guitar dynamo Jeff Beck said that his six-string Fender Stratocaster is one of two inventions that matter to him.
Beck, now age 64, is currently on tour in Australia and New Zealand and is described as a "master of his chosen instrument" by the Age newspaper.
The former Yardbirds member, who replaced Eric Clapton in the 1960s, said he finds that he discovers new sounds from his guitar all the time.
He said: "There are only two inventions that matter to me - the wheel and the Fender Strat.
"Every day there's some microscopic difference to what I find in the guitar, some extraordinary coincidence of harmonics that will enable me to hear a scale or weird chord."
The English rock guitarist released a live album entitled Performing This Week…Live At Ronnie Scott's in November 2008. The Jeff Beck at Ronnie Scott's concert, featuring Eric Clapton and Joss Stone, aired on BBC4 in October.
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Lot # 977 (of 1336) < Previous Lot | Next Lot >
Circa 1888 Dark Town Battery Mechanical Baseball Bank
Starting Bid - $500, Sold For - $2,280
This nineteenth-century painted cast-iron bank features a figural pitcher, batter, and catcher, set above the rectangular coin-vault base. Fine example of this important rarity that is universally recognized as a classic by both nineteenth-century baseball and mechanical-bank collectors. Each of the "players" has a moving head and arms. The pitcher's arm swings back and, when a button is pushed, pitches a coin into the trap door on the catcher's stomach while the batter swings and misses. Manufactured by the J & E Stevens Company of Cromwell, CT, the Dark Town Battery bank is the only nineteenth-century bank designed with a baseball theme, and is also the only mechanical bank of the era to have three figures, each with moving parts, as elements in its mechanical action. "Pat Feb 9 1875" stamped on the bottom. (Note: There are reproductions of this bank, issued in the 1950s and 1960s by The Book of Knowledge, featuring white players as opposed to African American players, and titled "Home Town Battery" as opposed to "Dark Town Battery." This example, of course, is a nineteenth-century original.) Extremely desirable bank highly regarded by baseball, Americana, and mechanical-bank collectors alike. Nearly all of the light blue paint on the pitcher and catcher's pants, and the batter's jersey has faded and now displays a dark-blue hue; otherwise, the bank retains much of its original paint, is in perfect working order, and exhibits normal wear commensurate with its age and former use. In Very Good condition overall. 9.5 x 2.75 x 7 inches. Reserve $500. Estimate $1,000/$2,000+. SOLD FOR $2,280
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