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The Midwest Region includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin. Find a location near you
Endangered Species Program
Conserving and restoring threatened and endangered species and their ecosystems
Region 3 Guidance for Potential Petitioners
Purpose of this Guidance
Region 3 of the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has one of the smallest Endangered Species budgets and staff sizes in the country, larger only than Region 7, Alaska. Thus, petitions for actions related to the Endangered Species program easily can become a significant and counterproductive workload if they deal with actions that ultimately prove to be "not warranted" or if they force the Service to expend resources on resolving requests that are not petitionable actions under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
On the other hand, petitioners provide the Region with an important service if they draw the Service's attention to warranted, high priority actions that are petitionable under the ESA. The value of this service is greatly enhanced, and the Service can complete the requested action more quickly, if the petitioner presents a complete, well-written petition that is prepared in a format similar to that of a Federal Register listing proposal notice.
The purpose of this Guidance is to assist potential petitioners in determining if their request is petitionable under the ESA, and in preparing a document that will be more likely to achieve the requested action as efficiently and quickly as possible.
Purpose of the ESA Petition Process
The purpose of the ESA petition process is to allow any knowledgeable individual or organization to direct Service attention to the conservation needs of a particular taxon, with the intention of having the Service take regulatory action under the authority of the ESA. The petitioner may believe the Service is unaware of the conservation needs of the taxon, is choosing to ignore the needs of the taxon, or is deferring action on the taxon by incorrectly prioritizing the pending listing actions in the Region. In each of these situations the petition process provides a means for parties outside of the Service to compel the agency to evaluate available trend and threat data, or to re-examine the listing priority for a particular taxon.
The petition process cannot obligate the Service to (1) take regulatory actions that are not supported by available data, (2) collect additional data to support a non-substantial petition, and (3) initiate listings or amendments to critical habitat designations if these actions are precluded by other higher priority actions being undertaken by available Service staff and funding.
Petitionable Actions
Two types of actions are petitionable under the provisions of the
Other actions related to the ESA are not specifically petitionable under that Act. Under the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) (§555(e)) anyone has "the right to petition for the issuance, amendment, or repeal of a rule." Therefore, petitions for actions such as designating new critical habitat or issuing or amending special rules for listed species will be treated as petitions under the APA and are not subject to the ESA's strict deadlines. However, APA petitioners should receive prompt notification of the receipt of their petition, and the Service must consider the request and notify the petitioner of any action taken as a result. Petitions for actions such as these are referred to as "near petitions."
Emergency listing is not a petitionable action. Therefore, petitions requesting emergency listing will be treated as petitions for a normal listing.
Finally, because the ESA was not intended by Congress to address the threats to, or the population trends of, humans, it is not possible to petition for the listing of human beings.
Where to Send Petitions
Petitions can be directed to any employee of the Department of Interior, but for the fastest processing they should be sent to any Ecological Services Field Office in Region 3, or to the Listing Coordinator (ES), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Whipple Federal Building, 1 Federal Drive, Ft. Snelling, MN 55111.
Minimum Requirements
for a Petition
Five Factors to be Considered in the Listing Decision
The Endangered Species Act (§4(a)(1)) specifies that the following
five factors be considered when determining whether a species should be
listed as threatened or endangered:
Any formal proposal by the Fish and Wildlife Service to list a species as endangered or threatened must discuss the causes of the taxon's decline in terms of these five factors. Therefore, a petition to list a taxon as endangered or threatened should discuss the documented threats in this same manner. A petition organized in this way will assist the Service's analysis and will speed the development of a formal proposal if the petitioned action is determined to be warranted. Refer to a recent Federal Register listing proposal for an example of a discussion of these five factors.
Recent and Rangewide Data
Neither the ESA nor the Service has a formal standard for the magnitude or recency of the data that should be provided to support a petition. However, the Service will be more likely to come to a prompt and favorable (to the petitioner) determination if the petition contains or references recent data that cover the taxon's entire range. If the data are more than five years old or cover less than the majority of the taxon's range the Service will carefully weigh their applicability to the current and rangewide situation; doubt as to their applicability may delay the Service's determination and is more likely to tip the balance away from a favorable petition finding.
This is not to say that more data is better. A petition containing reams of data may also slow the Service's determination (but not beyond the 12-month deadline) due to the time required to review it. Ideally, a single recent status report written by a credible and recognized expert (or other qualified scientist) will be submitted for each state within the taxon's range.
Reliable and Credible Data
The Service must use the best available scientific and commercial data when making a decision to list a species. This means that petitioners should strive to submit only reliable and credible data; other data will be disregarded by the Service in order to comply with this requirement. Papers published in peer-reviewed journals are among the most desirable data sources.
Unpublished information supplied by individuals with demonstrated and recognized knowledge in the subject area is generally considered to be reliable, as well. Uncorroborated anecdotal information and data from sources lacking established records of expertise should be avoided.
Undescribed Taxa
Generally, the Service will only consider an entity to be eligible for listing if it is a scientifically recognized species, subspecies (including plant varieties), or a discrete population of a vertebrate species or subspecies. However, if a previously undescribed taxon has had a description prepared for it and that description has passed through a scientific peer review process, the taxon will be considered eligible for listing.
Petition Findings and Thresholds
Following the receipt of a valid petition the Service begins the process of reviewing the data in order to make a "90-day finding." If that finding is that the petition is "substantial" the Service immediately begins gathering additional data in order to make a "12-month finding." In both cases, the time frames for these findings begin on the date the petition is received.
In making its 90-day finding the Service will use information contained in the petition and information already available in Service files and contained in other readily available reference sources. The Service will also provide copies of the petition to any appropriate state agency or affected tribal governments and will use any information they provide prior to the deadline.
The Service
will make a finding that a petition is "substantial" if:
If one, or both, of these requirements are not met the Service will find the petition to be "not substantial."
A notice of the Service's finding is published in the Federal Register as soon as practicable following the completion of the finding. The 90-day finding is an administrative document and is normally provided to the petitioner within 15 days of the notice preparation.
If the Service made a substantial 90-day finding a status review is immediately initiated to gather additional information on the petitioned taxon. Based upon the information gathered during the status review the Service will make a decision, within 12 months of receipt of the petition, whether the petitioned is warranted or not warranted. The same standards apply as are used during "normal" decisions on whether a species is to be listed as threatened or endangered. That is, is the taxon in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range?; or is the taxon likely to become endangered throughout all or a significant portion of its range (for endangered and threatened classifications, respectively)?
If the petitioned action is found to be warranted, the Service prepares and publishes a listing proposal which normally also serves as the notice of the 12-month finding. Similarly, if the action is found to be not warranted, the 12-month finding is published as a notice in the Federal Register. In either case, the petitioner receives a copy of the administrative finding and a copy of the notice within 15 days of its publication in the Federal Register.
If it is determined that a petitioned action is warranted the Service will assign a listing priority number in accordance with the listing priority system established in 1983 by 48 FR 43098. Priority rankings are based upon degree and immediacy of threat, as well as the taxonomic uniqueness of the biological entity. (That is, a subspecies or distinct population segment is lower priority than a full species, and a species which is the only species within its genus is the highest priority.) If the Service, due to expeditious progress being made on higher priority rules, is prevented from promptly proposing an otherwise warranted petitioned action, a warranted but precluded finding is made.
Warranted but precluded petition findings must be re-evaluated annually by the lead region to determine if their listing priority number is sufficiently high so that they are no longer precluded by higher priority listing actions. This process is called "recycling," and a notice of the annual finding from the recycled petition is published in the Federal Register. Petitioners are notified of the Service's determination at the conclusion of the annual review process.
If you have any questions concerning the petition process or wish to know if there has been a "lead office" assigned in Region 3 for a species of interest to you, contact one of our Ecological Services Field Offices, the Regional Ecological Services Office (612-713-5350); ask for the Regional Endangered Species Listing Coordinator).
Last updated: March 12, 2018


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Sweet's Peach Melba Jam
Bottle a classic with this jam from Sweet. Paying homage to the Escoffier peach melba, peach and raspberry preserves are layered on top of each other and sealed for, well, as long as you can keep your hands off them.
Excerpted from Sweet by Valerie Gordon (Artisan Books). Copyright © 2013. Photographs by Peden and Munk.
Read more: Bake the Book: Peach Melba Jam
- Yield:makes six 12-ounce jars
- Active time: 45 minutes
- Total time:several hours, for setting and cooling (and more if canning)
- About 4 pounds yellow peaches (10 to 12), rinsed
- 3 1/2 cups (24.5 ounces) sugar, or more to taste
- 1 vanilla bean, split, seeds scraped out, seeds and bean reserved
- 2 pints (about 1 pound) raspberries, rinsed
Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Cut a small X in the bottom of each peach. Fill a large bowl with ice water and set it close to the stove.
Plunge 2 peaches at a time into the boiling water and leave them in the water for 1 minute; you will see the skin start to pull away at the X marks. Using tongs or a slotted spoon, transfer the peaches to the ice water. When all the peaches have been blanched, drain and remove the skins; they should slip off easily.
Halve and pit the peaches and cut into 1-inch-thick wedges. Mix with 11/2 cups of the sugar in a medium bowl. Add the vanilla bean and seeds and cover the bowl. Combine the raspberries with the remaining 2 cups sugar in another bowl and cover the bowl. Set the fruit aside for 30 minutes, or macerate for as long as overnight in the refrigerator.
Sterilize six 12-ounce canning jars and lids: Heat the oven to 250°F.
Wash the canning jars with soap and warm water, or run them through a cycle in a dishwasher.
Set the jars right side up on a baking sheet and put them in the hot oven for 15 minutes to sterilize them.
Put four small ceramic plates in the freezer.
Pour the peaches and sugar into a large pot and set over high heat. Cook, stirring with a large wooden spoon or a heatproof silicone spatula, scraping the edges and bottom of the pot to prevent scorching, until the fruit comes to a boil. If the jam bubbles up too much, lower the heat to medium and continue stirring. Once the bubbling subsides, after about 10 minutes, the jam will begin to thicken.
Taste the jam for sweetness. If you want, add a little more sugar 1/4 cup at a time, taste, and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes.
Check the set of the jam by putting a small dollop of hot jam on one of the chilled plates. Run a finger through it: if your finger leaves a track, the jam is ready; if not, continue cooking for a few minutes and repeat the test. Remove from the heat and set aside.
Pour the raspberries and sugar into another pot and set over high heat. Cook, stirring with a large wooden spoon or a heatproof spatula, scraping the edges and bottom of the pot to prevent scorching, until the mixture starts to thicken and the major bubbling has given way to smaller bubbles, 10 to 12 minutes.
Taste the jam for sweetness. If you want, add a little more sugar 1/4 cup at a time, taste, and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. The raspberry jam should taste tarter and brighter than the peach jam.
Check the set of the raspberry jam. When it is ready, remove from the heat.
Pour the peach jam into the sterilized jars, filling each one about halfway. Wearing a heatproof glove or an oven mitt, pick up each jar and carefully tap it on the work surface to remove any air bubbles in the jam. Caution—the contents and jars are very hot!
Then fill the jars with raspberry jam and seal with the warm lids. (It is not necessary to tap the jars with the second layer of jam.) Let cool to room temperature and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks, or follow the canning instructions for long-term storage below.
Sterilizing and Canning: Prepare a boiling-water canner, or fill a large deep pot halfway with water and bring to a low boil.
Bring a small saucepan of water to a low boil, then remove it from the heat and drop in the sterilized jar lids (and bands). Heating the lids before canning will soften the wax seal and result in a tighter seal.
Remove the jars from the oven and set them on a stable work surface. When the jam is cooked, fill the jars one at a time using a funnel or sterilized heat-resistant pitcher, leaving 1/2 inch headspace.
Using a clean damp cloth, wipe the rims of the jars clean.
Carefully remove the lids from the small saucepan and seal the jars. If using lids and bands, put the lid on top of the jar and screw the band on until it is secure.
Using a jar lifter, carefully put the jars into the boiling-water canner (or large pot), making sure the water covers the jars by at least 1 inch.
Place the lid on the canner (or pot) and bring the water to a full boil. Boil the jam for 10 minutes, then turn off the heat.
Lay two large dish towels on a flat surface. Using the jar lifter, carefully remove the jars from the canner (or pot) and put on the towels. Leave the jars undisturbed for at least 12 hours. Check the seals; if they're secure, store the jars in your larder. If any seal is loose, refrigerate the jar immediately and consume the contents within the appropriate timetable.
Jams can be stored in a cool area away from direct sunlight for up to 1 year; marmalades will keep for up to 1 1/2 years. Once they've been opened, store all preserves in the refrigerator. Jams keep well for up to 3 weeks in the refrigerator, marmalades for up to 2 months.
This Recipe Appears InBake the Book: Peach Melba Jam
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subset: commoncrawl


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October 18, 2000
Sarah Holliday punches the ball over the net in Thursdays freshman
tournament at Tonganoxie. All Tonganoxie High volleyball teams
battled adversity last week. The freshmen team beat Perry-Lecompton
15-12, 13-15, 15-12, but lost to Lansing 4-15, 1-15.
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(c) Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Deerfield MA. All rights reserved.
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The 14th amendment to the Constitution of the United States was proposed to the States on the June13, 1866. It was ratified by of 28 of the 37 states July 28, 1868. It was designed to grant citizenship and protect the civil liberties of the slaves who had been emancipated. The writer of this article feels that the Southern states should grant the freed men the right to vote. In fact, he states that the South will find that their prosperity lies in making all men citizens and voters. The states each had the responsibility for determining voter qualifications at this time, and that would not change until the adoption of the 15th amendment in 1870. The Gazette & Courier was the newspaper in Greenfield, Massachusetts, from July 20, 1841 until June 24, 1932. Before 1841 the newspaper's name changed quite frequently, with Gazette a frequent part of the title.
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"On the Passage of the Constitutional Amendment" poem from the National Anti-Slavery Standard newspaper
"Mr. Adams's Oration" article from the Gazette and Mercury newspaper
"Slave Case in Connecticut" article from the Gazette and Mercury newspaper
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My dad visited Henry's class on Wednesday afternoon, to talk about his days as an astronaut.
All right, actually he was an engineer at Grumman Aerospace, where he worked on the design of the lunar module. Among other things. I am unclear as to what he did. Only I know it was impressive!
"You know," I told him, "You could have just said you were an astronaut. They were ready and willing to believe whatever you told them."
"Right," he laughed, and gave me that look. That do you mean it? I think you mean it, Alice, you nut, what kind of values did I teach you look.
"'It's Henry's grandpa, Buzz Aldrin!'"
Anyway, because Henry's grandpa built something (or designed something, WHATEVER) that made it to the moon, he was as good as an astronaut to these kids. They were in awe. "I like your glasses," one of them said, as soon as he walked in. "You look cool," another kid observed.
My favorite thing about visiting Henry's classroom is that the kids act like you're a celebrity. An adult, in our midst! But--but you're not normally here! Can I get your autograph?
Anyway, my dad told them all about the design of the lunar module, sometimes in more detail than I thought they could comprehend, but damned if they didn't eat it up.
Plus he had a cool model. That our household is going to get, one of these days. My parents have it in their basement. Their basement! That thing deserves a display case.
The kids were scandalized at the fact that the astronauts had to leave detritus on the moon. "That's littering," was the collective murmur. "And someday the moon-people will come to our planet and steal our children in order to get their revenge," I whispered to the back row of kids. (No I didn't.)
One question no one asked: where did the astronauts go to the bathroom? Scott, my mom, and I were all standing in the back, waiting for that one. But alas.
"Could you imagine," I said later, "what would have happened if you had told them that astronauts wear diapers? Chaos! They would have had to end the day early!"
My mom sighed. "I knew I should have asked it. I was going to," she said.
"I would have told them that there was a special porthole built into the shuttle, out of which the astronauts could stick their butts," I said.
My dad just shook his head. It's not easy, being the smartest person in this family.


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POSTED: May 20, 2014 8:04 PM ET
NEW YORK (AP) — Adam Silver still gets choked up thinking about Kevin Durant's emotional speech at his MVP press conference.
And when the NBA commissioner contrasts Durant's address with Donald Sterling's racist remarks, he believes the league is right in trying to force Sterling to sell the Los Angeles Clippers.
"I think Kevin Durant as our Most Valuable Player embodies what this league is all about, and frankly Mr. Sterling doesn't," Silver said Tuesday before the draft lottery.
Adam Silver's Opening Statement
The NBA charged Sterling on Monday with damaging the league and its marketing partners, and is planning a June 3 hearing after which owners could vote to force him to sell the franchise he has owned since 1981.
Silver already banned Sterling for life and fined him $2.5 million, but wants owners to force the sale, even though he realizes there may be obstacles.
"This is an unprecedented proceeding. Will there be bumps in the road? Presumably yes," Silver said. "Mr. Sterling, on one hand, at least in his CNN interview, indicated a willingness to accept the judgment of his owner partners. His lawyers are saying otherwise, so we'll see.
"But this will all get worked out. I know we're pursuing the right course here and doing the right thing."
Silver said Sterling's remarks, which were recorded and surfaced on TMZ's website late last month early in playoffs, caused anger and sadness in a league in which most players are black.
Silver acted quickly with his punishment of Sterling and owners have followed, the 10-member advisory/finance committee meeting weekly since.
Sterling has until next Tuesday to respond and can appear at the hearing in New York front of owners. It will take three-quarters of them to terminate Sterling's ownership, and the league says also that of his estranged wife, Shelly.
Donald Sterling's attorney asked for a three-month delay, which the league rejected. Shelly Sterling's lawyer has said she is entitled to keep her 50 percent of the franchise even if her husband has to surrender his, so one or more legal fights could be necessary.
Silver said he would prefer if Donald Sterling chose to sell the team on his own, but the process to take it is already well underway.
"At least within the boundaries of my authority, I feel an obligation to protect the people who are within this league, and so that's my reaction," Silver said.


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Our country has a fabulous opportunity right now to create a more perfect plan. People like Diane, Keri, Annie and Beck (just some of my knowledgeable readers) along with many others, can share their experiences about what works and what doesn't work in Canada and elsewhere. Differing opinions are vital. When the conversation concludes, hopefully congress will come up with something uniquely American.
I just finished work on a book about Nazi Germany where people were in danger of being arrested if they voiced their disagreement with the government. Neighbors and even family members spied on each other to catch the rebels. Freedom of speech, and freedom of expression were dead. It's hard to imagine the distrust and fear of such a time.
Ronni Bennett, of Time Goes By, quoted A. J. Liebling: "freedom of the press belongs to those who own one." Ronni went on to say, "Freedom of the press still belongs to those who own one, and blogging means practically anyone can own one . . . with blogging we designate a fairly beautiful thing: the extension to many more people of a free press franchise, the right to publish your thoughts to the world." I love having that right.
My anonymous friend "risked my contempt" (his/her words—I never feel contempt) by challenging my own experiences with health-care. He said my attitude seemed very hostile. What nonsense! The whole point of this debate is to find some answers to an overwhelming problem. Anonymous said, "as I am sure you know, there are ways to get it (health-care), they may just be unacceptable to you."
I truly don't know!! What are the ways?? I'm not trying to push any agenda or political party. The unacceptable thing (to me) is the status quo. Does this ghostly person have a number for me to call (that I haven't already called) or an insurance company that doesn't care about pre-existing conditions? Does she have a friend who beat the system somehow? Don't hide the answers along with your identity!
And, Anonymous, why would I be less candid if you had revealed your identity? I am the one with my name all over this blog every day! My every thought is floating through cyberspace as a public record. I had a letter to the editor published in the newspaper yesterday, with my semi-private opinion available to anyone; I am obnoxiously candid, an open book, sometimes interesting, sometimes boring.
Thanks, everybody for a healthy discussion.


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Tigers Shoot a Team 5-Under In Final Round of Big Blue Intercollegiate
Nashville, Tenn. – The Tigers made a charge in the final round of the 2013 Big Blue Intercollegiate on Tuesday morning. Tennessee State recorded the third best team score of the day as they shot a 5-under, 283 and climbed into a three-way tie for ninth place. Tuesday was played under cloudy skies and winds between 9-12 mph with the temperatures reaching 74 degrees at the Par-72, 7,157 yard President's Reserve Course at Hermitage Golf Club.
Senior Cameron Scitern put up the second best score of the day with a 4-under, 68. Scitern's round helped him jump from 33rd into a 9th place tie. James Stepp and Andrew Warner each shot a 1-under, 71, while Shane Sampair and Codie Welborn each came in with a 1-over, 73.
Southern Illinois claimed the title with a 17-under, 847 (283-284-280). Lipscomb matched the Tigers score in the final round and held onto second place with a 12-under, 852. UT Martin climbed to a fourth place finish as they posted a third round best 12-under, 276.
Scitern (73-72-68=213) started the day by rolling in a 20 foot putt for a birdie on 10. He registered his second birdie on 14 as he hit a wedge to 15 feet and one-putted. On 16, Scitern used a 9-iron on his approach shot to an eight foot birdie putt. The senior moved to 4-under through the first nine as he chipped to within five feet on the par-5, 18th as he made his fourth birdie of the morning.
Scitern started his back nine the same as he concluded the front nine. He used a wedge to setup a 10 foot putt for birdie. Scitern used 12 pars to solidify his 4-under.
Stepp (75-74-71=220) stayed virtually clean over the final round as he bogeyed just one hole. Stepp dropped 15 pars, 37 over three rounds, and two birdies. The sophomore carded 1-under's on the par-5, 18th and the par-5 2nd.
Sampair (72-75-73=220) finished the tournament with the second most pars with 42, including 13 on the final day. Sampiar found 15 greens on Tuesday and recorded three straight birdies; the 18th, 1st and 2nd. The sophomore transfer lost his bid for a round under par as he four-putted on his third to last hole, the par-3, 7th. Sampair still was able to earn his best tournament score as a Tiger coming in at 4-over and tied with Stepp in 43rd out of 92.
Warner (71-79-71=221) rebounded well after a second round 79 as he matched his first round 1-under, 71. Warner hit 10 fairways and 12 greens as he picked up 13 pars. On the par-5, 8th, the junior found himself behind a large wooded area on a dog-leg right. Warner punched out through a small opening setting up a wedge shot that landed 20 feet behind the pin, which he drained to save par. Warner sank birdies on the 16th, 18th, and 6th all by landing inside of three feet on each hole.
Welborn's (74-75-73=222) consistent play over the final round resulted in a 1-over in his final round and a 6-over for the tournament. The Murfreesboro product used three birdies over his first eight holes and 11 pars for the day to come in with his best round of the Big Blue Intercollegiate.
Dallas Hill (69-75-77=221) and Matt Campbell (78-81-81=240) played as individuals with Hill shooting a 5-over on the final round, while Campbell finished with a 9-over. Campbell used nine pars over the final 18 holes to score an 81 for the second consecutive round.
Hill started the final round off birdies on two of his first six holes. On his eighth hole of the morning, the par-5, 2nd, Hill ran into trouble finding two hazards for a 10. The sophomore tried to come back with a birdie on the par-4, 4th and used 11 pars and just 26 total putts over 18 holes to hold on to a 5-over tournament performance.
Southern Illinois' Jake Erickson claimed the individual title by virtue of a carded-tiebreaker. Erickson and SIU-Edwardsville's Colin McCarty each finished with a three-round total of 10-under, 206. Erickson won the title with a final round 68, opposed to a 69 by McCarty.
The Tigers completed their regular season and will next compete at the Ohio Valley Conference Championships April 25-27.


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With a ban on anchored strokes looming, Harrington switches to belly putter
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Padraig Harrington will try anything that makes him play better golf, even a method of putting he believes should be outlawed.
Despite his support of a proposed rule that would ban anchored strokes, Harrington switched to the belly putter Thursday in the Wells Fargo Championship. It didn't appear to help him much — he made only one birdie in a round of 80 — but he plans to stick with it.
"I took it out last week, and mechanically, everything I do with my putting stroke is better with the belly putter than without it," he said.
Harrington is a "Working for Golf" ambassador for the Royal & Ancient Golf Club, which along with the U.S. Golf Association proposed the new rule last November that would ban the anchored stroke. It has become one of the most divisive issues in golf. A final ruling is expected by the end of the month.
Switching to the belly putter hasn't changed Harrington's mind. He still thinks it should be banned. Then again, this is an Irishman who wears glasses even though he has 20/20 vision.
Harrington, though, was quick to point out that it's within the rules at the moment, and will be until 2016 even if the governing bodies adopt the proposed rule on anchoring.
"I don't support the belly putter," Harrington said. "I think it's bad for the game of the golf. If something is going to help me for the next 3 ½ years, I'm going to use it. It's the same as the box grooves. It's hurt me deeply having the box grooves banned, but I knew it wasn't for the good of my game. It was the good of their game."
Harrington has only one official win since the last of his three majors in the 2008 PGA Championship at Oakland Hills. He has struggled mightily with his putting, and in recent months has been using "SAM PuttLab," which analyzes 28 parameters of the putting stroke.
"I've been working on that for a good while, and my putting stroke has been coming around," Harrington said. "I was bored last Monday and I was like, 'Oh, I wonder what that looks like.' And I was surprised to see everything was better. In terms of mechanics, it was a far better stroke."
He used the belly putter in his pro-am round Wednesday and said it went great.
"It wasn't very good today, but I will use it again tomorrow, no doubt," he said. "I just wasn't quite as comfortable, which I kind of knew was coming. The grip of my normal putter is open and the grip of this is square, so I'm not quite used to it yet. There was a bit of resetting when I was over the ball, which, obviously I prefer not to have. But that's just familiarity. It will be interesting to give it another go tomorrow."
Four of the last six major champions have used an anchored putting stroke, starting with Keegan Bradley at the 2011 PGA Championship and the most recent Adam Scott at the Masters, using his broom-handled putter.
Harrington compared the anchored stroke to the change in box grooves, or square grooves, in the 5-iron through wedges. Changes to the dimensions of those grooves changed in 2012, and the Irishman said it affected his game. He believes it has cost him at least one shot per round because he hasn't adjusted to the change. Likewise, he said some players will struggle to adapt to the conventional putter if the ban is adopted.
"It's not for the good of some individuals, but for the good of the game, absolutely," he said. "For the majority, I believe anchoring shouldn't be there. It doesn't look good. The commentators are talking about it. You guys are talking about it now. It's a story, just like the grooves. As much as the grooves cost me dearly ... six months after they were gone, nobody talked about it. It will be the same with the putter."
Harrington said last year after the British Open — won by Ernie Els, who used a belly putter — that he hoped the R&A didn't wait until he was 50 to outlaw anchoring.
Now, he might be on borrowed time. The 41-year-old figures he'll be more competitive before 2016 than after the ban might take effect.
"It's not such a big issue," he said. "But then again, I might use it for the next 3 ½ years. As I said, I have no problem using something within the rules of the game. If somebody wants to give me a couple of shots handicap, I'll take that, too."
No one was more surprised than Harrington that he went to the belly putter. He messed around with it in recent years and never liked how it felt. Only when he saw the results from his putting analysis did he decide it was worth a shot.
"That encouraged me to get over the 'I don't like the feel of this' because I accelerate better, and I do so many things better with it," he said. "Before it was a feel thing. Now I'm saying, 'Well, I can get through the feel thing.' If it's going to be a better putting stroke, why not?"


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Watto's Junk Yard / Re: Guardians of the Galaxy« on: May 19, 2014, 10:42 PM »
This will be my movie of the summer. And I laughed my a$$ off when Rocket did the crotch grab!!! Gonna be a wild ride....
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Forgot to mention: one of my favorite things was the rogues' gallery they cast as the "World Council":
Evil Widmore from LOST
The Indian dude from the subway station in The Matrix
Well played!


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gluten-free Restaurant Near Newark Airport?
AGH2010 posted a topic in Traveling with Celiac DiseaseHi all, We will be flying in from California with my 3 year old daughter, who has celiac. We will be landing in Newark around 7pm and am planning on making a trip to Whole Foods to stock up for our week in the Poconos. A real meal after spending the day on the plane and at the airport would be great. Wondering if anyone has experience with any restaurants near the Newark airport. I'm very unfamiliar with the area. Thanks!
gluten-free In The Poconos
AGH2010 replied to AGH2010's topic in Traveling with Celiac DiseaseThanks so much for your reply! I just looked up the cafe you mentioned -- it says it's over 40 minutes away from where we will be! I didn't realize the Poconos area was that large. (Excuse my ignorance). We're going to be in Dingmans Ferry, which I understand is a very small, desolate town. Any chance you might know of anything closer to that area? It's near Milford, PA. I'm really looking forward to our vacation. I'm glad you have so much positive things to say about the area.
gluten-free In The Poconos
AGH2010 posted a topic in Traveling with Celiac DiseaseHi everyone, We will be spending a week at a lake house in the Poconos later this summer with my 3 year old, who has celiac. It will be our first time in the area. I wondered if anyone had any store or restaurant suggestions anywhere in the area. We are flying into Newark, and I was planning on stopping by a Whole Foods in NJ to pick up supplies on our drive up to the lake. But I would love any insight other travelers who are more familiar with the area might have. I haven't been able to find much online other than a pizza place in Milford, PA. Thank you!!!
Hi all, I'm hosting my daughter's 3 year old birthday party from 10a to noon in a few weeks and was hoping for some food suggestions. It's the first party I'm hosting since her celiac diagnosis. There will be about 15 kids and 25 adults. So far, I've thought of doing a fruit salad and a make-your-own-granola bar w yogurt, granola and a few berries. I was also going to bake some blueberry muffins. I'd appreciate any other ideas you all might have. Thanks very much in advance!
For Those With Constipated Kids-How Long To See Improvement?
AGH2010 replied to snadaska's topic in Parents' CornerOur GI, a celiac expert, said constipation takes the longest to go away on a gluten-free diet, up to 6 mos at least. It's been 5 mos for us and whenever I try to decrease my daughter's Miralax, her constipation returns. Our GI also said that her constipation could be unrelated to her celiac. Not very encouraging for us. But wanted you not to worry if you haven't seen any changes in that department after 8 days.
Bathroom Question (Maybe Tmi)
AGH2010 replied to rami's topic in Parents' CornerDo you mind me asking which doctor you take your children to? I've tried 3 pediatric GI's in the LA area and haven't found anyone who seems particularly knowledgable about celiac. As a result I've been taking my daughter to see a pediatric celiac expert in San Diego but would obviously love to find someone closer. As to the original post, I'm constantly worrying about my child's poop too. For awhile her poop was very pale and I had read that it was a bad sign but her GI always responds that color doesn't matter. Not sure how much I buy it.
Four Year Old Positive Blood Test - Awaiting Biopsy
AGH2010 replied to javic's topic in Parents' CornerThat's very interesting about the vaccine. But requiring a formal diagnosis would keep people like my daughter from getting it. She's not yet 3 and her bloodwork came back positive. Her biopsy was negative. A celiac expert in San Diego told us that 2/3 of kids with positive blood work will develop celiac within 2 years if they keep eating gluten. She recommended we get my daughter on a strict gluten-free diet if we wanted to play it safe. So we did. I'd hope that a vaccine would still be available to those whose biopsies are negative but have had positive antibodies to gluten... In any event, how wonderful it would be if they could find an effective vaccine. An absolute dream come true!!
Looking For Ideas For A Preschool Holiday Potluck
AGH2010 replied to AGH2010's topic in Gluten-Free Recipes & Cooking TipsThank you all for the great ideas! Really appreciate it.
Hi everyone, My daughter's class is having a hot chocolate party on Tues and the parents have been asked to bring finger foods. I'm not much of a baker but wanted to make something gluten-free that would be tempting enough for my daughter so that she wouldn't notice all the gluten-y baked goods. I'd love any and all suggestions! Thank you!!
Struggles With 4 Year Old
AGH2010 replied to cait's topic in Parents' CornerSorry I don't have any suggestions but wanted to say my daughter has been gluten-free for 5 mos now and also takes laxatives (milk of magnesia in our case) and still only has a bowel movement once every 2-3 days. I was really hoping going gluten-free would help w her constipation but it doesn't seem to have made a difference at all. And like your son, she's a very picky eater. I feel your frustration!!
Wish Us Luck (Nothing Too Serious)
AGH2010 replied to AGH2010's topic in Parents' CornerThanks for all the replies, everyone! Happy to report that yesterday went very well. But it probably really helped that all the other kids got mini cupcakes and she got a regular size one -- so if anything, she lucked out. My friend was very thoughtful and used that big cupcake along with two smaller ones as the cake that the birthday boy blew out so that my daughter felt like her cake was just like the others. Oh, and I had packed some pink sprinkles that my daughter loves and she really enjoyed adding that to her cupcake. We have one more birthday party to go this weekend and two more in mid-Dec. And then all those holiday parties. Hopefully I'll feel better once we've conquered the Christmas season. I really like the party box idea! I could put her sprinkles jar in it and a few other things to distract her when others are eating their cake. Thanks! PS: I know that in the grand scheme of things, her not eating the same cake is a minor issue. But it still annoyed me when my friends told me to relax and pointed out that she was fine. It's easy to say when it's not your own kid who is affected!
Wish Us Luck (Nothing Too Serious)
AGH2010 posted a topic in Parents' CornerThis may seem silly but I'm feeling very anxious because we're going to a close friend's last minute birthday celebration. It will be the first time my almost 3 year old confronts eating different cake from her friends. I had time to run over to the store and get a ready made gluten-free cupcake. And luckily I have frosting left over from a cake I made for Thanksgiving. Hopefully she won't mind that her cupcake looks different. I tried mentioning beforehand but it backfired, she told me she wanted a cupcake just like the birthday boy's. I'm hoping once she's in the moment she'll be happy enough w hers. I'm sort for rambling. Just felt like the only people who might be able to relate to my anxiety would be you all. I know this will be the first of many birthday parties. And I can't help but feel sad for my daughter. But I will try to stay positive for her sake! Thanks for listening...
Gluten Free Only Restaurant Yay!
AGH2010 replied to Razzle Dazzle Brazell's topic in Gluten-Free RestaurantsStill waiting for one to open in LA! (I'm not counting the raw food restaurants because we're on the gluten-free diet for my 2 year old daughter's sake so those raw food places won't cut it). We go to the gluten-free bakery about once a week for fresh bread and cupcakes. Wish they'd sell sandwiches too.
gluten-free Candy Cane?
AGH2010 replied to AGH2010's topic in Parents' CornerThanks, everyone. That list is very helpful. I feel silly for not having googled before posting my question. I thought I had read that candy canes were usually off-limits in the early days when I was reading up on celiac and never bothered to follow up - just assumed the worst. I'm so happy that there will most likely be tons of variety from which to pick. Yay! And to those of you brave enough to make your own, definitely sounds like a fun project. I may even try it. But knowing my skills, the homemade variety may not do very well against the commercial brands in terms of appearances. Thanks again, all!
gluten-free Candy Cane?
AGH2010 posted a topic in Parents' CornerHi everyone! This will be my daughter's first Christmas on the gluten-free diet and she's already talking about candy canes. I know most are off limits. I was wondering though of people had experiences from years' past - will I be able to find gluten-free candy canes in places like Whole Foods or health stores? Or do I need to plan ahead and order some? This is all assuming they make gluten-free candy canes. If not, my daughter will be devastated. (Being only a toddler makes it extra hard to exercise self control). Thanks!


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A York woman on probation for indecent exposure was arrested again Thursday after an irate neighbor called police to report the woman wearing nothing but panties, police and court records show
Deputies found Jeannie Jonas, 55, hiding in woods Thursday afternoon near her Kelly Road home west of York wearing only underwear, according to a York County Sheriff's Office report. Deputies asked Jonas why she was naked and Jonas replied that it was "hot outside."
The neighbor, 74, who called police has complained to deputies several times. Thursday, the elderly woman told police that a nearly nude Jonas walked across the street to the neighbor's property and walked around before going home.
Jonas told deputies that she tried "giving up" nudity but just couldn't. Further questioned, Jonas told police she wants to live in a nudist colony. She was charged with indecent exposure and later released on bond, according to police and jail officials.
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Online court records show that Jonas was arrested last year for indecent exposure and pleaded guilty in January. She was sentenced to three years but her sentence was suspended in lieu of two years probation.


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Film Review: LincolnIn the closing days of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln fights to pass a Constitutional amendment to outlaw slavery.
Boasting an impressive pedigree, from its Pulitzer Prize-winning screenwriter to its Oscar-winning director, Lincoln is a handsomely mounted civics lesson wrapped around a mesmerizing performance by Daniel Day-Lewis. Certain to gather attention during the awards season, the film may be perceived by moviegoers as more medicine than entertainment.
Lincoln isn't a biopic in the conventional sense, but a snapshot of a turbulent point in American politics. Today we revere Lincoln as the Great Emancipator, but the film sets out to show that ending slavery was a messy process. After introducing a large cast of characters (few of them household names), the script focuses on the threats, bribes, compromises and other chicanery that led to the adoption of the Thirteenth Amendment.
As envisioned by screenwriter and playwright Tony Kushner (Angels in America), Lincoln maneuvers his supporters and opponents from the background while the debate for and against slavery plays out in public. Scenes on the floor of the Senate crackle with energy despite the repugnant racism on display. Deals hammered out in back rooms are necessarily less involving, apart from those with abolitionist Thaddeus Stevens (Tommy Lee Jones). With his haggard face and deep-set eyes, Jones shows the pain Stevens faced when forced to rein in his beliefs to aid Lincoln's cause.
Lincoln is such a legendary figure that it's hard to find a new spin on his character. Kushner portrays him as withdrawn, morbid, beset by grim visions. Linked to a neurotic wife, Lincoln finds the ins and outs of politics both a relief from family pressures and an opportunity to try out cornpone but pointed jokes on his captive listeners. It's an intriguing portrait more in line with recent scholarship than the hagiographies of earlier generations.
In Daniel Day-Lewis' hands, the President becomes a soft-spoken but shrewd backwoods philosopher, a Will Rogers type who toys with his audience. Although not as tall as the real President, the actor is, as usual, always watchable. At key points he is extraordinary, displaying an anger and strength of spirit that seem as close as we can come to how Lincoln actually behaved.
He's surrounded by a weirdly hit-or-miss cast of heavyweight stars like Sally Field (an overwrought Mary Todd Lincoln) and second-tier actors like James Spader, who offers dubious comic relief as a political fixer. Some casting choices, like Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Lincoln's son Robert, or Jackie Earle Haley as a Confederate negotiator, are more distracting than rewarding. Jared Harris makes a very convincing U.S. Grant, but has next to nothing to do in the story.
The cinematography by director Steven Spielberg's longtime collaborator Janusz Kaminski takes backlighting to new extremes, and at times feels at odds with Rick Carter's expansive production design. Apart from the crowded Senate scenes, Lincoln looks overtly theatrical and at times squeaky-clean.
No one can question Spielberg's commitment to the material, nor the importance of what Lincoln has to say. What's surprising is how conventional his storytelling here is. Lincoln has the stately pace and careful diction of a PBS miniseries, not the nerve and brio that were once the director's trademarks. Perhaps he felt the subject demanded a certain amount of reverence. There's no doubt that what Lincoln achieved, and what this film captures in detail, is one of our country's finest moments.


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Information for Developers
You can access our Bugzilla database here. We welcome any bug reports and feature requests, so long as they are understandably written and flagged correctly (mostly an issue of setting the severity between enhancement; trivial; minor; normal; major; critical; or blocker levels, although you can also set the priority as well if you'd like). You can see a great set of bug-writing guidelines here.
You are also advised to search for similar reports to avoid duplication.
CVS Access
Web-based CVS
You can browse our CVS repository online here.
Command Line CVS access
(This is not a guide on how to use CVS. For more CVS information, try here, here, and here.
You can check out all CVS modules via anonymous CVS. Before you do so, you should know which modules, exactly, you want to work with. OJS and OCS each have a stable and devel branch; the stable branches are standalone maintenance releases (extensions of OJS 2.2.2 and OCS 2.1.1 codebases), while the devel branches also requires the PKP Web Application Library (WAL) be checked out and installed in the lib/ directory. Harvester2 and Open Monograph Press only have one devel branch, and each require the PKP WAL. Lemon8 is a standalone program with only one branch at the moment.
Setting up the Environment
The following instructions are more or less directly applicable to any *nix operating systems (OS X incl.); Windows users probably need to do things a little differently. Also, these are general instructions, pertaining to how I manage my own setup -- you might want to do things a little bit differently.
Firstly, create a CVS directory to store all your cvs checkouts in. I created mine in /Users/jmacgreg/ and then entered into the new directory, from which I ran the remaining commands:
mkdir /Users/jmacgreg/cvs cd cvs
You'll then have to log into our CVS repository using our anonymous credentials:
cvs -d :pserver:email@example.com:/cvs login
You will be asked for a password — there is none, so just hit enter. After which you should be able to run the following commands to grab specific modules.
OJS and OCS stable branches
To grab the OCS and OJS stable branches, run the following commands:
cvs -d :pserver:firstname.lastname@example.com:/cvs checkout -d ojs2-stable -r ojs2-branch-2_2_2 ojs2
The above command will download the current code for the OJS 2.2.2 branch of the ojs2 module, and deposit in a new 'ojs2-stable' directory in the directory you are currently in (you moved to your cvs/ directory, right?)
cvs -d :pserver:firstname.lastname@example.com:/cvs checkout -d ocs2-stable -r ocs2-branch-2_1_1 ocs2
The above command will download the OCS 2.1.1 code into ocs2-stable/.
Setting this up to be served by Apache is up to you (I have it symlinked to my web folder). Remember, while this branch is still fairly stable in comparison to the heavily modified devel branch, it's still a work in progress and shouldn't be used in a production environment unless you know what you're doing.
To checkout the most recent Lemon8 code, run
cvs -d :pserver:email@example.com:/cvs checkout -d lemon8-xml lemon8-xml
The above command will download the latest Lemon8 development code into a new lemon8-xml directory.
Development Branches
OJS and OCS development branches, as well as the only Harvester2 and OMP (and de facto development) branches, all work a little differently: they all rely on the PKP WAL module as a dependency. The WAL module needs to be 'installed' (symlinking is fine) in each branches' lib/ directory.
First, checkout the packages you need:
OJS devel (2.3):
cvs -d :pserver:firstname.lastname@example.com:/cvs checkout -d ojs2-devel ojs2
Harvester devel (2.3):
cvs -d :pserver:email@example.com:/cvs checkout -d harvester2 harvester2
OMP devel (2.3):
cvs -d :pserver:email@example.com:/cvs checkout -d omp omp
Now the tricky part. You need to download the PKP WAL (called 'pkp' in CVS) and either copy it or symlink it to your devel instances' lib/ directory. I prefer symlinking, as I can do this for each devel instance I'm running, and only have to remember to update one directory.
Checkout the pkp module:
cvs -d :pserver:email@example.com:/cvs checkout -d pkp pkp
Symlink the module to eg. OJS' lib/ directory:
ln -s /Users/jmacgreg/cvs/pkp /Users/jmacgreg/cvs/ojs2-devel/lib/pkp
... and repeat as necessary for each application.
Alternatively, it is possible to change into the ojs2-devel/lib and create, what are called, relative symlinks:
cd ojs2-devel/lib ln -s ../../pkp
Making Patches
We're always happy to receive patches, whether for contribution to a project or for general community availability on the forums. The one thing we do ask is that you provide the patch in Unified Diff format. If you are patching against one of the above CVS modules, the easiest thing to do is generate your patch using something like the following command (which will generate a diff of the entire directory you are currently in, for example ojs2-devel, against the entire cvs module):
cvs diff -uN ./ > patch.diff
Applying Patches
If you want to apply a patch, download it to your development environment, and from the application's root directory and run
patch -p0 < ./path/to/patch.diff
The --dry-run option to the patch tool allows you to safely test the patch to see if it will apply cleanly, and if not, where the conflicts will arise.
For more Windows (and general) information, also see this forum thread.
git Access (Incubation)
We are currently evaluating switching part of our internal development workflow to git. This is still work in progress. Only parts of Open Monograph Press (OMP) are currently developed in git.
We use git sub-modules to integrate our PKP application library into end-user applications. As this is a less known and a little tricky feature of git we developed a PKP-specific git sub-module tutorial for developers. Please follow the steps in this tutorial before starting to develop with git. It will help you to understand the basic concepts of git sub-modules and will also give you an idea of the general git repository set-up we use at PKP.
Once you have worked through the sub-module tutorial you may continue with HOW-TO check out PKP applications from git. This shows you the specific steps you should follow to set up a local PKP application development repository.
Those who love CVS but want to jump on git anyway should check out HOW-TO use git and CVS in parallel.


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Corrientes GRAND SLAM | 22 - 26 May 2013
Corrientes, Argentina, May 25, 2013—After starting play Saturday in the sun-soaked sand and finishing in the evening under a pleasant Argentinean sky in the spotlight of a magical glowing moon, Netherlands' Madelein Meppelink/Sophie van Gestel defeated Brazil's Maria Antonelli/Agatha Bednarczuk to claim the women's gold medal at the $440,000 FIVB Corrientes Grand Slam double-gender tournament. Men's semifinals and medal matches will be conclude the tournament on Sunday starting at 2:30 p.m. With the event being held for the first time in Corrientes, the purpose-built site with a 7,500-seat temporary center court stadium was located on the sands of Arazati Beach – Costanera Sur on the banks of the massive Rio Panara.
With a standing room only crowd of nearly 7,500 fans cheering a sport they seldom see in person like it was one of their own favorite sports, Netherlands' Madelein Meppelink/Sophie van Gestel completed a clean sweep of their tournament, defeating Brazil's Maria Antonelli/Agatha Bednarczuk, 21-17, 21-19 in 39 minutes.
Capturing the bronze medal for the second straight FIVB World Tour Grand Slam was Brazilian sisters Maria Claria Salgado/Carolina Salgado who held off the comeback attempt by USA's 2012 Olympic silver medalists Jennifer Kessy/April Ross in three sets, 21-16, 19-21, 15-13 in 56 minutes.
The gold medal team in the FIVB Corrientes Grand Slam will split $33,000, the silver $22,000, the bronze $16,500 and fourth place $12,900.
In the gold medal match, Netherlands' Meppelink/van Gestel played as flawlessly as they did the entire tournament, earning their seventh straight victory in the event by keeping Brazil's Antonelli/Bednarczuk off guard enough to pull at the first FIVB championship of their youthful careers. Playing near errorless beach volleyball against another one of the powerful Brazilian teams, Netherlands' Meppelink/van Gestel held off a comeback bid by the Brazilians when the tied the second set and 18-18 and 19-19 before Meppelink ended the match and set with another picturesque block of a kill attempt by Bednarczuk.
In just their 16th FIVB World Tour event together, the talented young Dutch women earned their first FIVB gold medal and their fourth final four finish. Meppelink, 23, has played in 46 FIVB tournaments all together and van Gestel, 21, has played in 30 FIVB events in her young career.
Elated with their performance in the tournament, Meppelink said after the award's ceremony, "We are so happy to win the gold, it is our first FIVB Grand Slam gold medal, we played really well. We had tough games during the competition but at the end we could win."
In the bronze medal match, Brazil's Salgado sisters jumped out early and often, keeping the pressure on for a fairly quick first set win. USA's Kessy/Ross, fighters that they are, battled back in the second set and although Brazil's Salgado's kept it close, USA's Kessy/Ross won 21-19. In the third and deciding set, the Salgados stayed in front, leading 9-6 but USA's Kessy/Ross tied it at 9-9 and took the lead 10-9, before digs, kills and blocks finished the set and match, 15-13.
For Brazil's Salgados, who have played in 105 FIVB World Tour events as a team, this was their 10th career bronze medal and 15th final four finish. USA's Kessy/Ross, who have played in 74 FIVB tournaments together, this was their 34th final four finish and fourth fourth-place finish.
Five of the eight players in the final four were 2012 Olympians as USA's Kessy/Ross won the silver medal at the 2012 London Olympic games, Meppelink/van Gestel finished fifth in London and Antonelli, teamed with Talita Antunes, also finished fifth in London. For these final four teams, this was the 15th final four for the Salgado sisters, fourth for Netherlands' Meppelink/van Gestel, first for Antonelli/Bednarczuk and 34th final four for USA's Kessy/Ross, who won the 2009 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships.
The first semifinal Saturday saw Netherlands' Meppelink/van Gestel overcome Brazil's Salgado sisters for a second-straight FIVB World Tour final four match. Taking three sets three weeks ago in the Shanghai bronze medal match, Meppelink/van Gestel won their second career meeting with Brazil's Salgado sisters and again it was in three sets as the Dutch women finally prevailed, 26-24, 18-21, 15-10 in 60 minutes. In the second semifinal, Brazil's Antonelli/Bednarczuk played strong from behind to defeat USA's Kessy/Ross, 15-21, 21-14, 15-12 in 49 minutes. In the tiebreaker third set, the match was tied at 9-9 and 10-10, before Brazil finished off the victory.
To earn the place in the final four with three of the four quarterfinals lasting three sets Saturday morning, Netherland's Meppelink/van Gestel defeated Germany's Karla Borger/Britta Buthe in straight sets, 21-13, 21-19 in 34 minutes while their semifinal opponent Brazil's Salgado sisters advanced by working three sets to defeat Germany's surprising Julia Grossner/Victoria Bieneck, 19-21, 21-11, 15-4 in 47 minutes. To advance to their second semifinal matchup, Brazil's Antonelli/Bednarczuk upset the Germany's veteran duo Katrin Holtwick/Ilka Semmler, 22-24, 21-19, 16-14 in 55 minutes while their next opponent, USA's Kessy/Ross had their hands full as well before pulling out another three-set victory, this one over Spain's Liliana Fernandez/Elsa Baquerizo, 21-13, 11-21, 15-12 in 52 minutes.
The FIVB World Tour will be off next week as 10 regular FIVB men's and women's teams compete in the FIVB World Cup Final special event in Campinas, Brazil. The FIVB World Tour resumes June 11-16 with the $440,000 FIVB Hague Grand Slam.
27.05.2013 01:59:50
Latvia grabs FIVB Corrientes Grand Slam men's gold medal
Corrientes, Argentina, May 26, 2013—Striking fast and hitting hard, Latvia's Aleksandrs Samoilovs/Janis Smedins powered past the stiff challenge from ... More...
26.05.2013 22:12:04
Latvia vs. United States for FIVB Corrientes Grand Slam gold
Corrientes, Argentina, May 26, 2013—With tough-as-nails teams battling across the net, Saturday afternoon's men's semifinal matches have set a dr... More...
26.05.2013 01:01:30
Brazil, Italy, Latvia, United States in men's final four at FIVB Corrientes
Corrientes, Argentina, May 25, 2013—With the men's quarterfinals completed Saturday, attention now turns to Sunday's semifinals and medal matches on t... More...
25.05.2013 19:00:59
Women's final four field set at Corrientes Grand Slam
25.05.2013 16:55:35
Men's Corrientes Grand Slam quarterfinals confirmed
25.05.2013 08:52:43
Corrientes Grand Slam enters business end
25.05.2013 03:28:19
Women's final matches at FIVB Corrientes Grand Slam Saturday
25.05.2013 00:31:23
Men's FIVB Corrientes Grand Slam down to 16 teams
24.05.2013 18:51:51
Men moving to single-elimination at FIVB Corrientes Grand Slam
24.05.2013 16:22:20
Women's FIVB Corrientes Grand Slam finishes Pool Play
24.05.2013 03:42:23
Men's Pool Play upsets numerous at FIVB Corrientes Grand Slam Thursday
24.05.2013 03:14:42
FIVB Corrientes Grand Slam women's pool play hot on chilly day
22.05.2013 21:29:02
Main draw field finalised for FIVB Corrientes Grand Slam
22.05.2013 04:38:55
28 men's, 18 women's duos set for Corrientes qualifying
21.05.2013 12:00:00
Former world champ Baracetti expects US-Brazil medal chase
20.05.2013 09:33:14
Argentina hosting World Tour at FIVB Corrientes Grand Slam
17.05.2013 22:33:48
Argentina rich beach volleyball history about to get richer
16.05.2013 14:38:12
Switzerland's Gerson-Prawdzic warming up well for Corrientes
16.05.2013 13:40:52
Alison & Emanuel plan 2013 World Tour debut in Corrientes
14.05.2013 22:27:13
Corrientes preparations in full force for the FIVB Grand Slam
08.05.2013 17:08:10
Teams confirmed for Corrientes Grand Slam
03.05.2013 17:23:58
National Federation list confirmed for Corrientes Grand Slam
03.05.2013 10:03:34
Zonta and Gallay spurred on by London experience
26.04.2013 09:10:55
Volleyball standout Sarah Pavan to join Canada's beach volleyball programme
25.04.2013 21:50:35
Corrientes Grand Slam officially launched
05.04.2013 08:20:15
World Tour returns to Argentina for Corrientes Grand Slam


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Kinesiology, the study of human movement, can be traced to the ancient Chinese, Egyptian, Indian, and Greek civilizations. Kinesiology has evolved to become a discipline focusing on movement as it relates to physical activity, health and disease prevention, exercise, and sport.
As a field of study, it draws from an interdisciplinary body of knowledge grounded in the biological, physical, psychological, and social sciences. Students in the program gain knowledge of anatomical, biomechanical, developmental, physiological, psychological and sociological aspects of human movement and physical activity.
The Southwestern Kinesiology Department offers a selection of courses to fulfill requirements for Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees, with a major or a minor in Kinesiology. The Kinesiology major includes courses that are pre-requisites for graduate study in the discipline and professional programs in clinical and health-related fields. These courses are also required for teaching certification.
The Kinesiology Department also offers Fitness and Recreational Activity classes in which students develop the knowledge, skills, and physical abilities that contribute to their enjoyment of various sports and activities throughout their lives.
A degree in Kinesiology can lead to a career in
- Research – clinical, applied, or basic
- Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine
- Health Promotion
- Coaching and Teaching
"Positions are found in a variety of settings including schools, colleges and universities, public and private agencies, clinical environments, government, business and the military." (American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education)


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Message Board
Nancy Parsons Message Board
Talk about the novels, new and used books that Parsons has written!
Author Parsons's Book Reviews
Bald as a Bean: The Experience of Sudden Hair Loss
The author, Nancy Parsons, draws the reader into a world turned upside down when she is diagnosed with the disease, alopecia areata totalis universalis. (total hair loss over the entire body) Nancy shares her intensive and sometimes agonizing physical and spiritual struggle when faced with this disease. From the initial shock of finding large clumps of hair on the shower floor, to the overwhelming diagnosis, Nancy chronicles the medical and holistic t...


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Hear how the UNC Kenan-Flagler Career & Leadership team transforms our MBA students' lives.
"Because of my experience at UNC Kenan-Flagler, my ability to succeed across multiple dimensions has been greatly magnified."
"Before I went to UNC Kenan-Flagler, I just felt like I was a passenger in the car that was driving my career. Now I'm in the driver's seat."
"I was promoted in record time, which speaks volumes about the level and caliber of my education at UNC Kenan-Flagler."
Employment Statistics: View the latest compensation results for our most recent graduates
MBA Recruiter Roster: Check out employers that are interested UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA students
Career Networking Opportunities: Get a preview into the many events and opportunities the Career & Leadership team organizes
Career Resources: Explore the wealth of resources at UNC Kenan-Flagler to prepare you for your future career
Meet Our Team: Take a closer look into the backgrounds and experience of our career advisory staff


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ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Ian Kinsler provided an electrifying finish for the Texas Rangers in their last game before the All-Star break.
Kinsler lined a game-winning single into the left-center gap with one out in the 13th inning and the AL West-leading Rangers won 4-3 Sunday night after tying the game with three unearned runs in the ninth.
"You know we didn't swing the bats well all night, then that ninth inning, somehow we figured out how to get three runs on the board," Kinsler said. "That last inning, bases loaded, we've got to get it done right there."
One of eight Texas players headed to the All-Star game, Kinsler ended the Rangers' second consecutive extra-inning victory - after a season-worst five-game losing streak. His teammates stormed out of the dugout to celebrate as David Murphy scored the winning run and the ball bounced against the wall.
"It was huge," manager Ron Washington said. "We certainly needed to continue to move forward off of (Saturday). ... We just kept battling and in the ninth inning, I think we showed the character that we have in that clubhouse. We didn't quit."
Along with extra innings, there was a 46-minute delay in the fourth inning that started with a lightning bolt and a loud clap of thunder.
Michael Young, who tied the game with a two-run single with two outs in the ninth, led off the 13th against Alex Burnett (2-2) with a double into the right-field corner. He was forced out at home on Craig Gentry's grounder to shortstop Brian Dozier, whose error in the ninth set up Texas for a tying rally.
But the bases were still loaded for Kinsler.
After Young's double, Murphy had been intentionally walked before Mike Napoli reached on an infield single before Gentry's grounder.
"A lot of really good things happened there, unfortunately, we just couldn't nail it down, we couldn't finish it off," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "A disappointing loss for us, some big plays to save the game, but not enough."
The Rangers (52-34), who are tied with the New York Yankees for the most victories in the majors, have won seven consecutive series at home, and eight of nine overall. They have a four-game lead over the Los Angeles Angels in the AL West.
After the bright flash and thunder when Rangers starter Roy Oswalt was preparing to throw a pitch in the fourth, catcher Napoli and Minnesota batter Ryan Doumit quickly scrambled to their respective dugouts. Baserunner Josh Willingham dropped to his knees near first base and the game was immediately stopped, about 10 minutes before the rain began.
Rangers officials said the lightning struck north of stadium and didn't hit the facility. There were no reports of damage or any injuries.
"My heart stopped when I heard the thunder at the stadium. Glad no one heard me scream like a little girl too!! Lol," Twins right fielder Ben Revere tweeted during the ensuing delay.
"That was the loudest thing I ever heard in my life, I don't even know how to describe it. It was crazy," Young said. "Being on the field, it was nuts. ... It was interesting to see everyone's reaction, that's for sure. During the rain delay, we looked at the replay at least 40 times."
Young had his first four-hit game of the season, but missed a game-ending hit by only inches in the 11th when his liner down the right-field line was just foul before center fielder Denard Span made a running catch of his deep liner. The Rangers left the bases loaded that inning when Gentry hit a liner to first base.
The Rangers also left two runners on in the 12th when Nelson Cruz, who had the game-ending hit Saturday night, had an inning-ending grounder.
Scott Feldman (3-6), the eighth Rangers pitcher, worked the last two innings.
Texas got its three runs in the ninth off Glen Perkins right after Minnesota had padded a 1-0 lead with two unearned runs in the top of the inning off All-Star closer Joe Nathan.
Nathan's throwing error against his former team led to a run before Span hit a sacrifice fly.
Twins rookie Cole De Vries pitched seven scoreless innings against the Texas lineup with five All-Stars. The right-hander struck out five while allowing three singles, two of them to Kinsler.
The other All-Stars on the majors' top-hitting team - Elvis Andrus, Josh Hamilton, Beltre and Napoli were a combined 0 for 9 with three strikeouts, a walk and a sacrifice bunt against De Vries.
"De Vries was unbelievable," Gardenhire said.
Casey Fien threw a scoreless eighth in his first appearance for the Twins before Perkins' third blown save in seven chances.
Oswalt, who had given up 13 hits in each of his last two starts, allowed one run and five hits over 5 2-3 innings. He was gone after Justin Morneau's RBI single for a 1-0 lead.
Kinsler led off the ninth with a grounder to Dozier that turned into a two-base throwing error. After Perkins threw a wild pitch, Andrus had an RBI grounder.
Hamilton popped out to third before Texas, with only four hits to that point, had four consecutive two-out hits. That included Young's tying hit.
Notes: The game lasted 4 hours, 32 minutes, not including the 46-minute delay. ... Texas hadn't won extra-inning games on consecutive days since 1994. ... A U.S. Army soldier in uniform and wearing a glove caught a foul ball in the first row of seats down the right-field line in the second inning. Young, who ran after the ball out of his reach, was smiling after a congratulatory tap with his first baseman's mitt on the soldier's chest.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)


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Dirty Jooes and Riddles
Dirty Jokes and Riddles are a lot of what this site is about. We have thousands of jokes on our site and many of them are Dirty Jooes and Riddles.
Our Dirty Jooes and Riddles range anywhere from a little on the dirty side to about as twisted as they come. You'll just need to look around in our different joke categories to find the ones you love.
So, if you're looking for a great selection of Dirty Jooes and Riddles, then you've come to the right place. We've got all the Dirty Jooes and Riddles you could want!


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Dreams we all have them, most of us don't remember them after we wake up. Some people are able to control their dreams. I have done that but not in a very long time.
Lately I have been having a lot of dreams that feel real. Every part of it seems like it is really happening only to wake up a few different times with my pillow covered in drool and my face buried in it.
While the dreams seem so very real to me they all involve stuff I have never done so I'd have no idea what it would really be like. Having these types of dreams now again is something I like. But since I have been having them so often it is having a different effect. They have been pissing me off so very much. Things in life I have missed out on and things I wished would happen but because I experience it almost every night it just drives home how unhappy I am when I wake up. The waking world is boring, but sleeping and dreaming can be a real nightmare.
Views: 158
Yeah the only two groups I could find were church groups. The joy of small towns.
I took at a look at your profile to see if you lived in a larger town but it looks like where you live is not very populated. I was hoping to suggest looking to see if there were any open groups around but in towns like yours I think they're usually started by churches which is probably not what you're looking for. So all I can say is that I hope you continue blogging about whatever is on your mind.
About dreams... I've had some pretty wonky ones and even some vivid dreams where I woke up and explored the setting consciously. Strangely for me those dreams begin to depopulate after a while and all the items in the scenery disappear. I'm not sure why it happens. I've heard people can conjure up stuff but I've never been able to do that without strange side-effects.
Sadly seeing someone isn't something I can do. I am on a very limited budget each month and am lucky to have even $5 left at the end of it.
You could try talking to a therapist about it. I've had friends who started having vivid and intense dreams, pleasurable ones and scary ones, who ended up loathing going to sleep at night. They saw a shrink for a while and were able to sort out some issues they had no idea were the cause of them. With that help they were able to take back their restful nights.
There are times I do Marianne.
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Over the past three decades the world has been transformed. In 1974, nearly three-quarters of all countries were dictatorships; today, more than half are democracies. Yet recent efforts to promote democracy have stumbled, and many democratic governments are faltering. Why?
Larry Diamond helps us understand why and how democracy actually progresses in his new book The Spirit of Democracy: The Struggle to Build Free Societies Throughout the World. The desire for democracy runs deep, he shows, even in very poor countries and in the turbulent Middle East. And through expanding economic freedom, civic mobilization, and the development of "liberation technology," even seemingly entrenched regimes like those in Iran and China could well become democracies within a generation.
Diamond also dissects the causes of the recent "democratic recession" in critical parts of the world, including Russia, Venezuela, Nigeria, and Pakistan. He traces many failed and failing democracies to bad governance, which disillusions publics and paves the way for authoritarian options. Corruption and misrule are in turn fostered by weak institutions and the flows of external rents, whether in the form of oil revenues or unconditional foreign aid to bad governments. Stabilizing democracy, he argues, must involve a broad campaign to strengthen institutions of political and financial accountability.
To defend democratic gains and spur a renewed democratic boom, Diamond urges the United States and its democratic allies to vigorously support good governance - transparency, the rule of law, individual rights, and shared economic prosperity - and to back those civic and political organizations that show commitment to the spirit of democracy.
Buy The Spirit of Democracy from Amazon.com


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Carlos Delgado is out of the line-up tonight with soreness in his hip. Fernando Tatis replaces him in the field and Gary Sheffield bats clean-up and is in left. With Daniel Murphy sitting tonight, Luis Castillo will bat second.
Here's the line-up:
Jose Reyes, SS
Luis Castillo, 2B
Carlos Beltran, CF
Gary Sheffield, LF
David Wright, 3B
Ryan Church, RF
Fernando Tatis, 1B
Omir Santos, C
John Maine, P


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Parent Child Press
Montessori Services is pleased to be the home of Parent Child Press. We are honored to be able to continue the work of Aline D. Wolf, who, for over 35 years, has been dedicated to enhancing early learning by interpreting the philosophy of Maria Montessori. Aline and the other PCP authors focus on:
- Art Appreciation. Put fine art in small hands with Child-Size Masterpieces.
- Peace Education. Start peace education early… help children learn how to interact with respect and courtesy.
- Spiritual Values in non-sectarian environments.
- Early Readers with thoughtful content, using phonetic and sight words.
- Resources for Teachers & Parents. Montessori Math, Cosmic Education, A Parent's Guide to the Montessori Classroom.


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Following the success of the God of War Collection, Sony continues to mine the vast depths of the PlayStation 2 library to re-release old hits with an HD facelift. Next up for the HD conversion will be the Sly Cooper HD Collection, which is tentatively, although unofficially, scheduled for a November 16 release, and according to Kotaku, the next games after that will be Ico and Shadow of the Colossus as a single collection.
If you haven't played either game, you owe it to yourself to check out both. When Roger Ebert famously (or infamously depending on your point of view) claimed that video games could not be art, both Ico and Shadow of the Colossus were among the top examples used to prove him wrong. Both games released by Team Ico focused on pushing the boundaries of what a game can do, and both are wildly original works that are hard to classify in traditional terms. When both games were originally released, they received huge critical acclaim, but only fair commercial success, which inevitably led to a cult following.
Kotaku is citing a Walmart pre-order as the source of the confirmation, but the games have yet to officially be announced. If the pre-order screen is accurate, the collection will cost $39.99, which is in keeping with the God of War and Sly Collection HD pricing, and it will be released on April 1, 2011.


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Jadeite needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 198 designs submitted by 33 freelance designers.
We are a surf charity that offers free surf camps to underprivileged kids from remote coastal communities all around the world. We need a simple yet compelling logo design that commands attention and is easily recognizable. Check our site: http://www.missionsurf.org. We're only in the early stages, so the site is very simple right now :)
We are looking for a sleek, eye catching and memorable logo to represent our charity. We offer free surf camps to underprivileged children from remote coastal communities all around the world. The kids also get to keep their surfboards and related equipment. We are avid travelers and love sharing our passion with these kids. We are an environmentally aware group and believe in the simple pleasures of life - surfing, nature, caring for the environment, sharing love, embracing different cultures. I thought perhaps a heart outline - half red to show our passion and half blue (being a waving barreling maybe?). But I really am VERY open to any and all ideas and will give as much input as possible to those submitting. Please note - a heart within the design is NOT AL ALL necessary, it was just an initial idea that I had. I think simpler is more effective, though, again, I am open to your ideas. The winning entry will have the LOGO with the charity's name and tagline but the LOGO must be easily separated from the name and tagline. Our website is http://www.missionsurf.org
I would like the winning design in a vector format please. Don't be discouraged if you don't get 3/4 or 5 stars... all the designs will go before the board for a decision to be made. A low star score doen't mean you're out of the game, nor does it mean it's a bad design. I am continually amazed at the unique creativity on this site. I'm awarding stars in the attempt to guide you to what I think would fit the charity. So keep bringing them in!! :)
- Tagline "Developing the Global Surf Community"
- Simple
- Maximum 3 clolorsMission with a capital M, then colon, then SURF in caps... no spaces
Don't want it to look "pretty" or "girly"
No flowers
No palm trees
No swirls
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


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Take glitz and glam to a whole new level with these silver plated oval compact mirrors with crystals! Elegant and trendy, these mirrors will bring some shine to your special event. Their radiance will leave a lasting impression on your guests, even after your occasion's ended. Use them to complete your weddings, birthdays, sweet sixteens, and so much more!
Features and Facts:
Processing TimesThis item is shipping out of our Montanna warehouse. Processing time generally takes 3-5 business days. For countries other than the United States and Canada, up to 6 additional business days are required to process your orders. Please visit our International Orders page for more information.
Transit TimesTransit times generally take 1-6 business days when shipping to the United States or Canada. To view the transit time map click here. We have 3 options for international orders, Priority mail (3-4 weeks transit time), Express Mail (1-2 weeks transit time), and DHL Global Express (4-5 business days). If you are unsure if your items will arrive by your event date or you have any questions regarding transit times, please feel free to contact us by phone, email or live chat.
Please include the your event date or the latest day you are able to receive your order by in the additional information box located on the billing information page.


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Shift Manager
at Carl's Jr
Port Hueneme, CA
Posted on Sep. 21, 2016
Full Time, Part Time
Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, 401K, Disability Insurance
Now Hiring Restaurant Shift Managers for our Port Hueneme California market.
New Bonus Plan Just Announced
Are you hungry for a new career?
You'll certainly find one here!
Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment?
Come on in. It's non-stop.
Do we work hard?
Sure, because everyone here wants to make it.
Are you always looking for something new to learn?
If yes, you'll fit right in.
Our employees take pride in doing their jobs well and in exceeding our customers' expectations. Plus, there's something really cool about the buzz our commercials create and knowing you're a part of the company who makes them.
CKE Restaurants, Inc. (CKE) owns, operates, and franchises some of the most popular brands in the quick-service restaurant industry, including Carl's Jr., Hardee's, Green Burrito & Red Burrito brands. Headquartered in Carpinteria, California, the CKE system includes more than 3,300 restaurant locations in 42 states and 28 countries.
We are seeking Restaurant Shift Managers for one of our quick-service restaurant location in Port Hueneme California
If you are a highly motivated leader, this is an excellent opportunity to join an industry leader with over 70 years in the business!
Restaurant Shift Managers learn how to competently run a shift. You'll learn how to: be "in charge," direct crew members, basic shift responsibilities & how to deliver quality, service, and cleanliness to the Guests.
Restaurant Shift Manager:
Job Responsibilities:
As a Shift Manager, you will act as an Assistant Manager, supporting the General Manager in the overall operations of the location.
This is a Full Time position that starts out with a comprehensive 4-week training program that will prepare you for success in restaurant management.
Ensure all Crew Persons are performing their job responsibilities meeting expectations in all areas. They are also responsible for all restaurant activity while on duty in the absence of the manager.
Oversee operations for your location & maintain the highest standards in quality, service & cleanliness with a constant focus on profitability
Manage the flow of food service activity.
Assign task to team member
Oversee cash control
Focus on providing the highest quality food & the best customer service possible.
You will also play a key role in training and developing crew under the direction of the GM
Conducting crew & management team meetings as needed to discuss such matters as operation procedures, promotions, safety, security & training
Provide coaching, counseling & discipline as warranted
Conducting weekly & month-end inventories
Maintaining reports & records based on company standards & in full compliance with state & federal regulations
Maintaining building & equipment via proper operating, cleaning, & preventive maintenance procedures
Ensuring that all sanitation, safety & security policies & procedures are observed as well as enforced
Maintaining an adequate supply of products & items necessary to maintain smooth operations
Conducting weekly & month-end inventories
Performing other tasks as directed by the General Manager or District Manager
Supervising crew members during shifts
Maintaining safety & food standards
Handling customer service concerns
Closing & Opening location
Closing down registers & handling financial obligations
•Following Standards of Procedures
In this Shift Manager role, you must be customer service & people-oriented. Qualified candidates must be able to communicate effectively & lead others in a team setting. You must also enjoy & thrive in a fast-paced environment
Other requirements of the Shift Manager include:
•High school diploma or equivalent certification
•Quick food service industry experience
•Leadership experience, a plus
•Strong problem solving skills
•Ability to work a flexible schedule
With CKE Restaurants, you will enjoy a friendly and family-oriented atmosphere, with a rich history that dates back to the 1940's. Our commitment to excellence & innovation continues to elevate our brands to the forefront of the quick-service restaurant industry. We are dedicated to providing competitive pay rates, ongoing training & professional advancement opportunities.
Our Benefits include:
•Holiday Pay
•Paid Vacation
•Paid Sick Time
•Comprehensive Medical Plan/Dental/Vision Care Plan
•Pet Care Insurance
•Life and AD&D Insurance
•Short and Long Term Disability Insurance
•Flexible Spending Accounts
•Paycheck Direct Deposit/Pay Card
•Educational Reimbursement
•Employee Meal Discounts
•Employee Stock Purchase Plan
•401(k) Savings/Investment Plan
•Employee Assistance Program
•Service Awards/Incentives
•Continuing Education -- Additional workshops will be conducted to enhance your on-the-job skills
* Benefits for franchised owned & operated restaurants will vary.
Take control of your career and join our winning team by emailing us your resume today.


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I must be home-sick because last weekend I found myself browsing through my "SASOL Birds of Southern Africa". This prompted me to compile a list of my Top 10 birds from home. Initially I came up with a list of 64 favorite birds, certainly not a Top 10, and no matter how hard I tried I could not whittle this down further. So I decided to impose a few rules. Firstly I decided that only Southern African endemic birds count. This ruled out some excellent species like Cape Eagle Owl, Violet Wood-hoopoe, African Finfoot and Half-collared Kingfisher and I was still left with 36 species. I then decided to reduce it further to South African endemics only. This was tough because this excluded species that occur in two countries within South Africa's geographical area, Lesotho and Swaziland. So birds like Blue Crane, Black Harrier, Drakensberg Rockjumper, Ground Woodpecker and Southern Bald Ibis were automatically withdrawn. I then had a list of 20 or so favorites and decided that, in order to get down to 10 birds, each bird needs to be in a different family. This is what came up:
1. Cape Sugarbird
One of only two members of its family, this stunning bird is common in suitable habitat around Cape Town. The males have ridiculously long tails that trail behind them as they fly to and from protea bushes. These tails can comprise 70% of the total length of the bird. Common in any suitable, flowering proteas around the southwestern Cape.
Cape Sugarbird by Glen Valentine of Rockjumper Birding Tours
2. Cape Rockjumper
With a little bit of effort this specialty bird can be found in the mountainous regions of the Cape. Two of the best localities are Sir Lowry's Pass and Rooiels, both within an hour's drive of Cape Town. Its always an adventure looking for this peculiar bird and I never tire of searching for it. Cape Rockjumpers are found in small parties foraging between and on large boulders. They are active and sometimes allow a close approach.
Cape Rockjumper by Adam Riley of Rockjumper Birding Tours
3. Hottentot Buttonquail
The Hottentot Buttonquail was only recently split from the Black-rumped Buttonquail. This is an exceedingly tough bird to find, residing in limestone fynbos habitat of the southern Cape. Previously believed to be exceedingly rare, the bird is now thought to be widespread in suitable habitat. But boy is it a challenge to find! The problem is that most views are brief glimpses of birds flushing at one's feet.
4. Knysna Woodpecker
This endemic woodpecker is very often missed by visiting birders. Unusually quiet for a woodpecker, it has a frustrating habit of always sitting on the other side of the trunk. Also, it emits a single loud "Skeed!" call every 10 minutes. So once you've gone to the location you last heard the call, it calls again from a different locality!
A male Knysna Woodpecker by Steve Davis
5. Knysna Warbler
This bird was the first uncommon bird that I found on my own. I was about 9 years old and heard this fascinating call on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. It was a melodic, clear, liquid call that progressed ever faster until it ended in a bubbling trill. "tseep….tseep…tseep….tseep…tseep…tseep..tseep..tseep.tseep.tseeptseeptseeeptseeptrrrrrrrrrr". This Bradypterus warbler is a notorious skulker and it is not uncommon for birders to wait hours without ever seeing a bird that is calling from only a few feet away in thick bracken undergrowth. It is a non-descript dark brown warbler and resembles a dark mouse at first glance. A real challenge!
6. Protea Seedeater
Not the most attractive of birds, this canary makes the list on account of its elusiveness. Probably the most reliable site is Paarl Mountain, an hour's drive out of Cape Town. Although inconspicuous, this large seedeater draws attention to itself through its characteristic song and is, surprisingly, not always found in association with proteas.
Protea Seedeater by Keith Valentine of Rockjumper Birding Tours
7. Southern Black Korhaan
West Coast National Park is one of my favorite places to go birding in South Africa. The shorebird gatherings from September to April provide some of the best shorebird viewing in the world and the park is also home to quite a few endemics like the Southern Black Korhaan. The korhaans are a group of small bustards and South Africa has 7 species. The Southern Black Korhaan is the only species that extends to Cape Town. Watching korhaans do their spring mating display is always a classic way to spend the day.
Southern Black Korhaan by Clive Wyatt
8. Orange-breasted Sunbird
What a little stunner!! This is arguably one of the most uniquely beautiful of all the sunbirds. Limited to fynbos, Orange-breasted Sunbirds are common when various fynbos plants are flowering and can often be found with another Top 10 bird, the Cape Sugarbird.
A male Orange-breasted Sunbird by Adam Riley of Rockjumper Birding Tours
9. Knysna Turaco
The turacos or louries are well represented in Southern Africa and one species extends southward to within two hours drive of Cape Town, the Knysna Lourie or Turaco. Although beautiful at rest, the bird's true splendor is only revealed in flight when the turacin-tinted red wings scream at you. There are few things more stunning than a group of Knysna Turacos flying in the majestic forests of the south-eastern Cape!
Knysna Turaco by Keith Valentine of Rockjumper Birding Tours
10. Cape Parrot
The Cape Parrot is one of the world's most threatened parrots. Probably numbering around 1,000 birds, these birds were down to several hundred a few years ago. A light green parrot with a brown head and red shoulder patches, these birds have been threatened by the reduction of large trees like yellowwoods, disease and by illegal trapping for the cage bird trade. Although only very few remain, finding them is relatively easy as the birds are fairly noisy when making their flights to and from feeding areas.
Interestingly, all 10 birds on my list are found in the Cape region of South Africa. I was born in Cape Town and started birding in Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens at age 9. What a birding destination – 10 of my favorite birds, all endemics and all from different families! Its great to travel the world and bird different countries but there is still no place quite like home!
Incredible James. A truly wonderful list of 10.
@James & Dale: come on, Cinnamon-breasted Warbler's got to be somewhere on your respective lists as well, regardless of the fact that it's not a SA endemic but a southern Africa endemic.
@James: yes, definitely. I have no field guide (SASOLs) at hand and very limited time online for the next week or so but will try as soon as possible! GREAT idea! I miss it so much… As I have spent most of my time in Namibia and the western Cape, be prepared for quite a number of larks on my top 10! 🙂
I think my top birds from my brief visit to South Africa were
1) Knysna Lourie (What's a Knysna Turaco? 😛
2) Blue Crane
3) Cape Sugarbird
4) Giant Kingfisher
5) Jackass Penguin.
I can't wait to go back!
Okay, I'll be late for my meeting today because of this… and I won't be quite as restrictive, counting southern Africa and also near-endemics (those reaching into SW Angola):
1 Black Harrier
2 Red-billed Francolin
3 Northern Black Korhaan (northern is slightly more sexy than southern)
4 Knysna Lourie (or Tobacco? They'll always be Louries to me)
5 Monteiro's Hornbill
6 Red Lark
7 Gray's Lark
8 Sclater's Lark
9 Cinnamon-breasted Warbler
10 Bokmakierie
Can I have another 10? This is REALLY tough! 🙂
This is great, James! You're posting something on SA like you promised! I'm going there at the end of this month and I can't wait to see all those wonderful birds. Won't be going to the Cape this time – will be exploring Zululand, St. Lucia and the Drakensberg area. I've written to a local guide called Junior Gabela. Have you heard of him? Was in professional contact for a while with someone who promised to hook me up with Callan Cohen, but that never worked out. Is there anyone you would personally recommend for that area?
Thanks so much, James! Looking forward to your next post!
Where's Dale's list?
Come on, mate!
Superb! I have been waiting for those SA birds.
© 2013 10,000 Birds. All words, images, and opinions are the property of their respective authors unless stated otherwise.


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[Look for the podcast play button below.]
I'm delighted to welcome back the charming and oh so talented erotic photographer, Marlen Boro, for Part 2 of our conversation for this The Erotic Mind series.
I got so many wonderful comments about last week's show. And I must say, I totally agree ya'll; Marlen is pretty gal-darn amazing.
But wait, you didn't miss Part 1 of our chat, did you? Well not to worry if ya did, because you can find it and all my podcasts in the Podcast Archive right here on my site. All ya gotta do is use the search function in the header; type in Podcast #289 and PRESTO! But don't forget the #sign when you do your search.
Marlen and I discuss:
- Male Boudoir photography;
- The encouragement he received from his mentors;
- Capturing fleeting male beauty;
- Rediscovering photography in 2007;
- The rare distinction of being shot by Marlen Boro;
- What makes a depiction erotic;
- What is erotic/what is porn;
- Straight men and passionate male on male imagery;
- His inspirations and his sexual heroes.
For more of Marlen, be sure to visit his site HERE! Look for him on Facebook HERE! And follow him on Twitter HERE!
Click on the thumbnail images below to see another slideshow of some of Marlen's beautiful photography.
Check out The Lick-A-Dee-Split Connection. That's Dr Dick's toll free podcast voicemail HOTLINE. Don't worry people; no one will personally answer the phone. Your message goes directly to voicemail.
Got a question or a comment? Wanna rant or rave? Or maybe you'd just like to talk dirty for a minute or two. Why not get it off your chest! Give Dr Dick a call at (866) 422-5680.
Look for all my podcasts on iTunes. You'll find me in the podcast section, obviously. Just search for Dr Dick Sex Advice. And don't forget to subscribe. I wouldn't want you to miss even one episode.
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