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Late Thursday night, Brian and Wendy Underhill heard a loud grinding noise outside their property on west Arapahoe Avenue.
When they went outside to investigate, they were stunned to find that an entire structure -- an old wooden cabin -- had been swept 100 yards downhill and had stopped in front of their driveway.
"It just cruised right down the road and ended up right down there," Brian Underhill said.
The sopping wet cabin was still standing Friday morning as the Underhills and several neighbors began cleanup efforts from the week's storms. While parts of the county dealt with helicopter evacuations and devastating destruction, many Boulder residents surveyed their neighborhoods and began what could be long cleanup process.
Though the sun came out for much of Friday and many residents appeared cheerful and upbeat, some worried about predictions of more rain over the weekend.
The Underhills were still without power late Friday morning. In addition to the cabin blocking their driveway, they were also blocked in by a red SUV stuck in the alley leading from their house to Arapahoe Avenue.
Wendy Underhill, in a pair of black rain boots, moved boulders and rocks to help direct the flow of water still rushing downstream.
"I think that it takes people with work gloves and good backs to put it back together again," she said. "Nothing that's happened here looks to me like normal human beings can't get it functional again."
Hordes of Boulder residents wandered around Boulder Creek and nearby areas, snapping pictures of the roaring water and debris on the roads. All of Boulder was alive Friday morning with runners, people on bikes, curious pedestrians with dogs and crowds of inquisitive residents wandering the streets.
Bob Lanham spotted a line of slow-moving crayfish near Boulder Creek's bank just east of Sixth Street. The crayfish, which occasionally got swept a few inches downstream by sudden waves from the creek, crawled toward higher ground.
Lanham lives at Ninth Street and Arapahoe Avenue, which was part of the evacuation zone Thursday night. Because he lives in a second-floor condo, he stayed at home but watched as his downstairs neighbors fled on foot to higher ground.
"One of (the units) filled up with water at the front door, blew out the back door and back windows and blew all the furniture clear out into the yard like a bomb going off," Lanham said. "It was really pretty scary."
Fran Lewis, a 40-year Boulder resident, watched the rain Thursday night from her balcony on the 700 block of Walnut Street.
By Friday, Lewis said she was ready to stretch her legs and take a walk to survey the damage from the storms and flooding.
"I've never seen the creek like this," said Lewis, 83, pointing toward the water. "Look at it. It can't contain itself. It's so wild."
On west Pearl Street, Kevin Moore pointed to the cul-de-sac near his home. There, a pump worked to reduce the size of a large pond as water rushed east down the street.
Moore said he was sleeping Wednesday night when he smelled a potent "earthy" odor. Sure enough, water was rushing by both sides of his house and down Pearl Street in front.
Though he has flood insurance, Moore spent Wednesday and Thursday night building berms to protect the house from water. For the most part, Moore's efforts paid off -- the carpet inside was damp, but otherwise the house was safe.
"Our house was almost on an island because we were just covered with water," Moore said. "It was up to my knees over here, and this side was just flowing everywhere. It was terrible."
Contact Sarah Kuta at 303-473-1106, firstname.lastname@example.com or twitter.com/sarahkuta.


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March 2013, Volume 5, Issue 3
Check Your Calendars!!
Read Across America Day
March 2
World Read Aloud Day
March 6
Teen Tech Week
March 10-16
PLA Virtual Spring Symposium
March 20
School Library Month
Month of the Military Child
National Library Week
April 14-20
World Book Night
April 23
El Día de los Niños/El Día de los Libros
April 30
Featured e-Resources of the Month
Is there an app for that?
Welcome to the Cornerstone Archives. Find the current newsletter at sdslcornertsone.blogspot.com.
In this month's issue
Library Headlines
Bossman named new State Librarian
Join the South Dakota State Library full or affiliate depository program
Public Library Institute 2013 is June 2-7
School Library Boot Camp 2013 is July 21-24
White Lake librarian cites Institute as aid to success at 30-year celebration
March Continuing Education Opportunities
More Continuing Education opportunities
Children's and YA Services
Free e-books for kids – no ereader needed
Prairie Bud and Prairie Pasque
Featured e-Resources of the Month
Is there an app for that?
Using the online resources on an Apple or Android device
Grant Opportunities
Libri Foundation Books for Children
Dollar General Youth Literacy Grants
Library Development
More information on Important New IMLS Guidance: E-Book Reader Lending Programs
Black Hills Knowledge Network to participate in national conference
Managing technology assets: TechAtlas for Libraries discontinued
Board Talk
"Maker Spaces? Programming on Steroids?"
By Daria Bossman, State Librarian
School Libraries
School Library Survey opens on April 1
Digital learning in South Dakota: sample activities from school librarians
21st Century School Library Award application process now open
Why Didn't I Think of That?
Faulkton County Library helps patrons book their escape from winter
Public library card sign-up at school makes collaborative effort for reading
next: Library Headlines
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The Cornerstone monthly e-newsletter is created by the South Dakota State Library. For more information on how to be a part of this newsletter, please contact us via e-mail with your questions and ideas.

subset: commoncrawl


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Version: 4.8.1
Platforms: Series 60, Symbian OS
Developer: TEARN media
Distribution Type: Freeware
Downloads: 1230
Basketball in the Americas (Keys) for Symbian - Basketball trivia. Play pictionay with bots. Search robots show players. You guess the team.
Part of the 10 app hoops collection.
Over 500 fun facts, events, and stats about hoops, NBA, NCAA, guards, centers, forwards, cheerleaders, and celebrity fans.
Also news coverage for leagues in Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
- Collection of chapters
- Classic match/slots games
- Pictionary with search-bots
- Images from Google, Bing, and Yahoo
- Clue with meaning or context


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Bulk Zip Ties, Cable Ties, Tie Wraps With Wholesale Pricing Options
Nelco Products is your one-stop solution for all cable tie and wiring accessory needs. Our vast inventory includes original cable ties and a wide variety of specialty zip ties and accessories. Nelco always maintains fully stocked warehouses, allowing us to sell bulk zip ties and wholesale zip ties and ship them to you as fast as possible.
- We carry releasable zip ties, metal cable ties, reusable cable ties, heavy duty cable ties, and nylon cable ties, just to name a few.
- We offer high heat cable ties, which are useable up to 250° F, and the self-lock stainless steel cable tie, which can handle temperatures from -80° to 500° F.
- We stock a variety of colors including fluorescent colors.
- Several varieties of our cable ties come in a variety of loop tensile strengths, some as high as 250 lbs.
- If identification is your goal, we have a wide variety of identification cable ties.
- Nelco Products also carries military spec cable ties, cable tie installation products and label printers that fit our label-ready cable ties.
- Our warehouses have millions of cable ties in stock from a variety of manufacturers. If you need your bulk cable ties shipped quickly, we can accommodate your request for nearly any size, color and brand you require.
View the Cable Tie Material Specifications
Cable Ties
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Showing 7 Products


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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the mushrooms, onion, and garlic. Cook until the mushrooms are tender and the onion is golden, about 7 minutes. Add the tomatoes, spinach, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine and cook until heated through, about 5 minutes.
In a small bowl, mix together the bread crumbs, 1/4 cup Parmesan, and 1/4 cup Romano. Spread the softened butter in a 9 by 13-inch glass baking dish and sprinkle half of the bread crumb mixture inside the dish to coat.
In a large bowl combine the vegetable mixture with the cooked macaroni, cubed mozzarella, the remaining Parmesan and Romano cheeses, and the nutmeg. Spoon into the prepared baking dish, top with the remaining bread crumb mixture, and dot the top with the remaining butter. Bake until the top is golden brown, about 30 to 40 minutes.


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2010 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Winners Billy Reid, Prabal Gurung, and Eddie Borgo Come Home with Newly-Increased Cash Prizes
>> Last night, the 2010 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winners were announced, but before they could be named during the dinner gala at New York's Skylight Studios, the results were leaked on WWD's Twitter: Billy Reid won outright, and Prabal Gurung and Eddie Borgo were both named runners-up.
Style.com's Nicole Phelps wrote that the results were a bit of a surprise: "Many in the audience had pegged Gurung and Joseph Altuzarra as the front-runners." But nevermind: the prizes were even bigger this year, with Reid granted $300,000 (up from $200,000), and Borgo and Gurung each taking $100,000 (up from $50,000). "The main prize is the mentoring we provide," CFDA president Diane von Furstenberg noted of the increase, "but a little cash never hurts."
The rest of this year's finalists — Christian Cota, Robert Geller, Oliver Helden and Paul Marlow of Loden Dager, Pamela Love of Pamela Love Jewelry, Moss Lipow and Gregory Parkinson — were treated to a keynote speech by Karl Lagerfeld, who talked about how much fun Yves Saint Laurent was "before Pierre Berge" and advised: "Young goes. But good? If you're good, it may all last."


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Reviews Weddings
Weddings at The Mast Farm Inn • "Make your own history… where we are used to making history. We hope you will select The Mast Farm Inn for your wedding, and our dedicated wedding website can help you get organized. • CLICK HERE • See Reviews & Testimonials below from Brides, Grooms, Parents, Family, Guests & Wedding Professionals who have hosted and attended weddings at The Mast Farm Inn
"My favorite getaway" • "We just returned from The Mast Farm Inn in Valle Crucis, NC. I felt saddened when we had to leave. This was the most wonderful experience. We were married in the Loom House. The setting was breathtaking even though it was raining outside. The staff and Inn Keepers were very generous in their time and efforts in making our stay perfect. The food was excellent. Special touches like hot coffee and hot coca left at our door every morning at 8am were so much appreciated. The Mast Farm Inn handled all of the details of our wedding (except for what we wore) and the intimate dinner afterward. They made our special day even more special. If you are looking for a quiet, serene, peaceful place that will treat you like royalty, visit The Mast Farm Inn. If you like rustic, stay in one of the cabins."
"Love Love Love The Mast Farm Inn!" • "I stayed at the Mast Farm Inn with a friend the night before my wedding being held there. The cabin was perfect, and very cozy! Love the attention to detail throughout the entire stay. Breakfast was incredible, and the wedding dinner was the best meal I could have hoped for. The staff was very helpful and friendly! Danielle (chef/innkeeper/wedding planner) was very helpful and helped make my wedding day stress free and perfect! I look forward to visiting again. Highly recommend the Mast Farm Inn! Beautiful property!"
"Wedding" • "Could not have had a nicer time at our niece's wedding this weekend! The staff was so accommodating and kind. They could not have done more to make us all so comfortable! The food was incredible and the views of the mountains so pretty! We highly recommend it!
"One of the best experiences of my life" • "Over a year ago my husband and I were trying to find the perfect place for our wedding. We visited the Mast Farm Inn on Valentine's Day and we charmed by the country yet classy feel of the Inn and the grounds. We were so thrilled to have dinner at Simplicity and have been served by the amazing waitress, Velva. We enjoyed talking with her about her family farm and her life in the mountains. The biggest treat was getting to try the fantastic food and meeting the incredible woman behind the food, Miss Danielle. After meeting Danielle we knew that the Mast Farm Inn was the perfect place for our wedding. Over the last year I have had the honor of working so closely with Danielle in creating the perfect weekend for our family and friends. She was incredibly supportive of my vision and worked so hard to make things perfect for our weekend. I was unbelievably impressed by her drive and genuine interest in her guests. When our special weekend for our wedding was final here, she went above and beyond to make sure every detail was perfect. She went out of her way to make me, the bride, as comfortable as I could be. I had no stress because I knew that she would make sure everything was perfect. Having her family so closely involved in the operation – her hardworking fiancé Ken and her sweet mother — was certainly a huge part of the equation. My wedding weekend went off without a hitch. It was the perfect event. Every person at our wedding thought it was the best wedding they had ever been to. I have no complaints. The Mast Farm Inn has the most beautiful location, the most kind people, and the most charming atmosphere. The best part of the whole experience was that my wedding planner became my dear friend and I look forward to going back many times in the future to visit the Mast Farm Inn family. Thank you Danielle!"
"Mast Farm Inn is Unsurpassed!" • "Unfortunately, my stay was brief as the occasion that brought me to Mast Farm Inn was a wedding that will not soon be forgotten (nor surpassed in fun and excitement for that matter). Consequently, the amount of enjoyment that I had in that short period was in large credit to the great hospitality of Mast Farm Inn. The check in was fast, the staff entirely delightful and laid back, breakfast was amazing, and the grounds were extraordinarily beautiful. If I lived even remotely close, there would be no question that this place would be a cause for frequent visits. My only regret is that I was unable to stay longer. Roxie and the donkey were a highlight that you will certainly not enjoy at any other B&B, especially during the course of a wedding. Kudos for such a wonderful time!"
"Ideal Location for a Summer Wedding" • "Our daughter decided to have her wedding at Mast Farm Inn after visiting for a weekend in the fall. We are soooo glad she did! It was phenomenal! The setting, accommodations, food, and friendly staff made it a wonderful experience for both the bride and groom and the guests. Whether sitting on the porch or enjoying the incredible food, our family and friends found the opportunity to relax and enjoy each other's company during a very special weekend. Thank you Deschamps family!"
"Wedding Weekend" • "Mast Farm Inn was the destination for my son's wedding. 72 guests came from all corners of the country and absolutely every single guest felt like they had found of piece of mountain paradise and commented that it was so worth the trip. Everything was perfect: the staff, the accommodations, the food, and the setting incredibly beautiful. Martha Stewart couldn't have done better. Organic country elegance at its best!"
"Wedding celebration" • "We came to Mast Farm Inn because our daughter had seen it and fell in love with it and wanted to be married there. We understand now what she saw in the Inn. Her wedding was everything she wanted and more and everyone was so pleasant and helpful it made the time stress free for us. The food was wonderful and the service was great. We had a 2 year old and a 2 month old in our group and everything was done to see that they were taken care of. We stayed in the Granary and it was so nice with everything to make us comfortable. Everyone we met that worked there was pleasant and so very helpful. It was a great experience."
"Wedding Party Group Initial stay at The Mast Farm Inn" • "This was our first stay at The Mast Farm Inn. Our son was getting married in one of the oldest church's in the area but we had our accommodations and the luncheon at The Mast Farm Inn. OMG! what a luncheon it was. Excellent food & service. We enjoyed every minute we could soak up. We stayed at the Granary and enjoyed the horse and donkey show. The back porch with the rocking chairs and beautiful sunsets along with the rest of the wedding party. The Porsche Club was a plus. Sandra upgraded our family with an extra room at the Inn because of more family members attending unexpectedly. What a beautiful weekend. Thanks to everyone at The Mast Farm Inn the weekend was breathtaking!"
"Elopement" • "After looking at many Bed and Breakfasts online, I kept going back to The Mast Farm Inn. After our recent Wedding and Honeymoon there, I realized why. The Inn Keepers and staff of The Mast Farm Inn are absolutely amazing. We did not have to worry about any detail of our wedding except what to wear. The atmosphere in the Loom House was amazing and perfect for our very private and special ceremony. Even though Danielle was extremely busy in the restaurant, she made sure we had our evening meal on our wedding night in our cabin. Special touches like hot coffee and chocolate left by our door the next morning was so much appreciated. The food is outstanding. These ladies are very talented. I highly recommend The Mast Farm Inn if you want rest, privacy, good food, and to be treated like royalty. We intend to visit on our Anniversary every year. Thanks so much to everyone at The Mast Farm Inn for making our special day even more special."
"Wedding Heaven" • "Came to the Mast Farm Inn in late August to find the perfect venue for a naturally elegant and organic wedding ceremony and party. Forty of the seventy guests also stayed at the Inn and everyone enjoyed their stay. The food was wonderful at breakfast, the BBQ and at the reception – all fresh, local ingredients. The bride and groom made the event personal and the management did everything they requested. The Friday night BBQ was at the Barn, the ceremony in the Meadow near the Watuaga River on Saturday evening, and the reception set amongst the historic cabins all decked out in globe string lights and one thousand origami cranes. A hundred candles glowed about and flowers from the local farmers' market were placed in a diverse collection of recycled jars. Guests were served local micro beers and wines along with Nehi soda pops from the Mast General Store. It was the perfect country wedding for city folks. It was a grand wedding weekend!"
"Nicest I have been treated since Mexico…." • "I traveled to the Mast Farm in, from Wilmington NC for a wedding a couple had booked me to photograph. They had told me of the beauty of the Inn…but I have heard that from couples before about their venues… Well, what a pleasant surprise. I was instantly calmed and comfortable after my six hour drive from the coast! First impressions are lasting.. and my first impression upon walking into the Inn was "I feel like I arrived at my grandmothers!" In my title, you noticed I mentioned a trip to Mexico (again, for a wedding-business). I go to many different venues to photograph weddings for my clients, most treat the photographer as less than hired help. The Mast Farm Inn was the only venue, besides a remote hotel in the mountains of Mexico, that treated me as a valued member of the event and as a guest. One may wonder if this makes a difference…it does. A photographers stress level is reduced and he/she is able to practice their art and make the images that much more memorable. The staff was incredible, from greeting me when I arrived, to lending me their personal computer to check up on e-mails, to simply taking the time to chat with me. They were as nice to me as if I were a member of the wedding party. The food was incredible, the room (one of the upstairs rooms in the main house) was as comfortable as being in my own room, and the whole Inn provided vast photographic opportunities for me. Their handling and involvement in the wedding event made the entire weekend and event run as smooth as Swiss clockwork. It's all in the details…and these folks have got a strong handle on that concept…from the "ol' timey" radios in each room to the way they treat everyone with respect and a friendly smile and warmth…this venue as a "destination wedding" has everything everybody attending will enjoy immensely."
"The Mast Farm Inn is truly a hidden gem in North Carolina" • "Just wanted to send a quick thanks for giving Stephen and I a wonderful wedding weekend. The personal attention and attention to details were so nice and unexpected. The personalized dinner menus were so neat and special – I hate that amidst the chaos I forgot to bring mine home. Your inn is beautiful and exactly what we had hoped for our wedding. Thanks again, The Mast Farm Inn is truly a hidden gem in North Carolina. Thanks again for everything, Stephen and I are so happy. Sincerely, Mandy"
"The best wedding I've ever attended" • We had a marvelous time – thank you for everything – the accommodations were incredible and the food fantastic. It was the best wedding I've ever attended. Thank you for making it so cozy for us! Traci
"You made our wedding weekend perfect" • "Mast Farm Inn, You Did It. You made our wedding weekend perfect. The staff was kind and attentive, the food was the best we have ever experienced, the entire weekend went without a problem. Thank you very very much." ~ D & J
"We both loved every minute" • "Hi Danielle: R and I could not have found any other place as special as The Mast Farm Inn to have our Wedding and our Honeymoon. Our wedding was so very intimate and special. The dinner in our cabin was wonderful and romantic and the very special touches that you and all of the staff of The Mast Farm Inn provided made for a very unforgettable experience. We both loved every minute and intend to return for our Anniversary. Thanks so much for all everyone did to make our special day even more special. God Bless and we will think of you and The Mast Farm Inn with fondest of memories." ~ E & R B
"I couldn't be more pleased" • "Danielle, Thanks so much for all your help with the wedding. I couldn't be more pleased with the way everything turned out – you definitely did a wonderful job and J and I had fun working with you as well. The cruise was wonderful – so sad to be back at work. Hope you're doing well" ~ D
"The wedding was PERFECT" • "Whew. I can breath now. Where do I start? The wedding was PERFECT! Nothing else to say. I think every single person commented on what a sweet and warm wedding it was. Even one of the young men came over and told me that it was just perfect. You guys ROCK! I felt like you, Ken and Hollie were just one of the family. You guys handled everything perfectly, no worries for me. How good is that? The biggest thing to everyone was D being brought up in the car. That was just the best! From the rehearsal dinner to the reception… it could not have been better. Please forward on to the florist and Hollie our thanks for such beautiful flowers and food! I would not change one thing about the weekend… Please tell your Mother that we thoroughly enjoyed the breakfasts. I LOVE that in the Inn coffee baskets are brought to the rooms. How sweet is that?! It is those little touches that help make being there such a memorable experience. I feel like we are part of your family as well. Thank you again for all of your help. Please say hello and give my love to everyone. I will certainly recommend the Mast Farm Inn to others." ~ KB
"Above and beyond to make every detail perfect." • "Our Daughter was married at the Mast Farm Inn. We live in Florida so it was a destination wedding. We had two months to plan the wedding and no chance to see the Inn before the wedding. We were depending on the Mast Farm to make it happen and work out all the pieces of the event through e-mail and telephone calls prior to the wedding weekend. Danielle Deschamps and her family who own the farm went above and beyond to make every detail perfect. They were willing to accommodate us in every way possible, making changes when necessary. Danielle was a dream to work with, she remained calm and very helpful throughout the entire process and weekend. Danielle and her sister Sandra handled all the set up, clean up, pick up, and put our minds to ease at every turn. Our wedding began on Friday evening with a cocktail reception. Saturday there was a rehearsal lunch and the wedding ceremony was at 5:30 on the porch of the Loom House with a dinner reception and dancing following. All thirty of our guest raved about the entire weekend. Comments included; warm and welcoming, beautiful place, excellent accommodations, unbelievably delicious food, and a very friendly and helpful staff. Danielle suggested we use Holly West of Sweet Monkey Bakery as our caterer and I must say I was concerned since we didn't have a chance to do a tasting before the wedding. It turned out to be the most amazing food (every meal) we have ever eaten. Danielle's Mom is the chef and it was the best B&B breakfast we have ever experienced. We really can't say enough wonderful things about the Mast Farm and Danielle Deschamps. The Mast Farm Inn is a must see destination and if you want a wonderful intimate wedding with ease of mind this is the place. Guest rooms and cabins are beautiful and well appointed. It felt like family. Our family is thrilled we chose to do our daughter's special wedding at the farm. We are glad we took Danielle's advice on many of the details that made the wedding unique and we are thankful we decide to use Holly West as our caterer for the weekend. We know this will be a wonderful memory for our daughter and son-in-law, forever. ~ A million thanks to Danielle, Sandra, Holly, and the Mast Farm family and staff. Fondly" ~ DG
"Recommended to me by a colleague, who couldn't stop raving" • "The Mast Farm Inn was recommended to me by a colleague, who couldn't stop raving about how beautiful and charming the Inn was. After visiting last fall, I loved it so much, I'm now planning my wedding there. Danielle has been instrumental in the planning process and attending to every detail, many of which I hadn't even thought about yet! I hear from several friends how stressful it is to plan a wedding. Yet, I feel completely relaxed, due to working with Danielle." ~ S.R.
"A cozy and inviting atmosphere" • "Growing up within a short driving distance of Boone, I spent a lot of time with my family in the mountains. I have stayed in several local establishments, but nothing like the Mast Farm Inn. When I discovered the Inn, I knew it would be the perfect location for my wedding! Danielle and her family create a cozy and inviting atmosphere, but add a sophisticated charm that makes the experience of staying there feel so unique!" ~ S
"Dedication and high level of service" • "Every time A. speaks to his parents about the wedding, he talks to them about your dedication and high level of service. I know for him having you makes the entire event less stressful! For me, not only is it less stress, but it's also someone I can talk to ceaselessly about the wedding and details. I'm' entirely too detail oriented and having you has made it possible for us to have our dream wedding. Thank you!" ~ C.J.
"I have never met anyone so willing to work with a client" • "Danielle is one of the owner's of the Mast Farm Inn in Valle Crucis. I live in Durham, North Carolina, about four hours away. My fiance and I decided to get married in Blowing Rock and to spend our wedding weekend in your beautiful area. We had our first vacation there together. Danielle knew I lived far away and has dedicated at least an hour a day answering my emails, from frantic ones about who is invited to working every last detail down to getting the napkins just right. She has contacted all of the vendors, set up tastings, and taken me to meet the vendors. I have not had to worry about anything to do with the biggest day of my life because of her. I do not have a mother helping me with this, but I do have Danielle. I greatly hope that you seriously consider her and her Inn for this award. I have never met anyone so willing to work with a client and provide such a professional, friendly, and inviting service." ~ C.J.
"Organized and thorough, exactly what a mother of the bride needs" • "My daughter is getting married there in May and we have been working with Danielle to finalize the plans. My daughter is in school finishing up her Masters, working and student teaching all the while trying to help in the planning of her wedding. I have just been overwhelmed with the amount of planning that there is to do… and in an out of town setting! However, Danielle just walked us through the entire process and made it virtually painless. My daughter made one visit to review the grounds and find out some specifics. We made another trip and at that time Danielle had already lined up the baker and caterer so we could taste the food. She also had lined up a meeting with the florist. So in one trip we planned the flowers, ceremony, cake, had ideas for the caterer and was able to plan the rehearsal dinner (an added plus)! She was organized and thorough, exactly what a mother of the bride needs. Danielle was aware of D's overloaded schedule and Danielle did every thing she could to minimize D's stress. As mother of the Bride, I am most thankful. Keeping D. calm is a number one priority."
"You pulled everything off so well"• "Danielle, B. and I think you are the bomb! And that you pulled everything off so well. We'd love for you to visit in Hickory. We have both talked about you and hope that you are adjusting well to the change of pace that the NC Mountains offered. We have a guest bedroom if you ever need a break from the daily routine." ~ M & B
"Everything was beautiful" • "I would like to thank you all for your assistance on J & D's wedding this past weekend. Everything was beautiful, the breakfast was wonderful and the wedding reception was excellent! Danielle did an excellent job assisting J. with the details. I am also sure that J's father, AD… loved the atmosphere you had created for his daughter. Thank You Again!" ~ TH
"Everyone loved the Inn" • "I will have to send you pictures from the wedding and from the honeymoon! We went to Maui, and it was great! Thanks again, everyone loved the Inn, and those friends and family that were not a part of the wedding have seen pictures and comment on how beautiful the Inn was! I am sooo sooo happy that I got married at The Mast Farm Inn! Yea! Hope all is well there Fondly, S & K – PS: Tell your Mother Hi"
For More Information
FaceBook • www.facebook.com/nc.high.country.weddings
FaceBook • www.facebook.com/weddingsnc
WebSite • www.weddingsnorthcarolina.us
WebSite • www.themastfarminn.com/weddings


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With Snoopy film in the works, fund managers bet on Iconix
NEW YORK -- Fund managers are making a big bet on Snoopy, Lucy and Charlie Brown.
With a big-budget Peanuts film set to appear in theaters next year, an unusually high number of U.S. mutual funds have been buying shares of Iconix Brand Group, the little-known company that owns 80 percent of the rights to the characters. The number of new funds owning shares swelled 36 percent last quarter, according to data from fund tracker Morningstar. That is a high number for a company with a market value of $1.9 billion and a slowing core business, fund experts say.
Few consumers have ever heard of the New York-based company, though they are likely familiar with its roster of 35 brands, ranging from mass-market staples like Joe Boxer and Ed Hardy to Cannon linens and Material Girl, the line of apparel and accessories from Madonna and her daughter. But with many of its U.S. retail partners, such as Target, Macy's and Sears, struggling with falling traffic and weak consumer demand, Iconix is looking elsewhere to expand.
"With what is happening in America we don't see large growth there over the next couple of years but we do see stability," Chief Executive Neil Cole, the brother of fashion designer Kenneth Cole, told analysts after the company reported its quarterly results in April.
Peanuts brand
Should the Peanuts movie prove to be a hit, it could help Iconix double its revenues, which hit $433 million in 2013, Cole told analysts. The company declined to comment for this story.
Already, the brand has paid some dividends: Walt Disney's ABC network renewed its long-standing contract to air the popular Peanuts holiday specials 18 months before it came due. Iconix recognized $17 million of the $21 million contract in the first quarter, which helped push revenue up 11 percent to $116.1 million and non-diluted adjusted earnings per share to 72 cents, a 33 percent increase from the same time last year.
There is no telling how well the movie will be received, of course. For every hit like "The Lego Movie," which has brought in $256.7 million at the U.S. box office, according to Box Office Mojo, there has been a film like 2013's "The Lone Ranger," whose $89 million in U.S. box-office take paled against an estimated cost of $215 million.
Though the percentage that Iconix could reap from next year's film was not disclosed, the Peanuts brand should command a premium, said Charles W. Grimes, a Norwalk-based attorney who specializes in character licensing and has worked with properties including Archie comics and Disney characters.
It would "not be inconceivable" for the company to get an upfront fee of $10 million or more for the theatrical release of the film, plus additional fees once the box office draw topped certain milestones, Grimes said.
Iconix would also likely get between 7 and 14 percent of film merchandise tie-ins, such as T-shirts or toys, he said.
"Peanuts has a huge growth ahead of it," said Cliff Greenberg, who manages $5.5 billion in the Baron Small Cap fund and has been buying shares of Iconix on dips in expectations that it will continue to expand its entertainment division.
Chris Terry, an analyst at Dallas-based Hodges Capital, said his firm began buying shares approximately six months ago on expectations that the Peanuts license will pay off.
Risks Ahead
There is caution, however, in some quarters.
The lack of clear numbers regarding Peanut's contribution gives Steve Marotta, an analyst at C.L. King & Associates who covers the stock, pause.
"The company is a bit of black box," he said. He estimates that Peanuts is the most important individual brand to the company, followed by Mossimo and Candie's.
Nevertheless, he has a "buy" rating on the stock, and a target price of $47, slightly above the median target price of $46.50 among analysts tracked by Thomson Reuters.
Shares closed at $42.71 Wednesday, and trade at a forward price to earnings multiple of 15.3, a full point lower than the 16.7 average among apparel companies.
The company now largely depends on overseas licenses for growth and has several joint ventures to sell its brands throughout Asia, Marotta said.
Eric Beder, an analyst at Brean Capital, said he has a "hold" rating because Iconix has not bought any new brands this year after typically adding two or three annually.
"The company doesn't usually beat by much and usually never misses," he said. "But right now it's a question of finding the right deals and that isn't happening."


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jaemedia needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 119 designs submitted by 34 freelance designers.
We need a logo for our website and business card. JAE Media is an online search marketing company. We specialize in SEO, PPC, and Affiliate Marketing.
JAE Media
We need a logo for a new company called JAE Media. JAE Media is an online search marketing company. We specialize in search engine optimization, pay per click, and affiliate marketing. We are looking for creative talent, since we honestly have no idea what direction we want to take the logo.
- Logo should be on a white background
- Be professional
- Be creative
- A Web 2.0 look
Avoid the colors yellow, pink, and purple.
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


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For a definitive answer, you would need to forward me the specific products that you priced and the exact window glass you have, but I can explain to you the basic logic on the efficiency of the two.
The one factor that will determine your overheating problems and AC bill is the percentage of the energy of the sun rays that makes it into your house. (If you would be buying new windows, this would be found on the label as the SHGC value.)
So let's look at what happens to a sun ray's energy when it hits your glass: a part gets reflected (good; that heat is out of the house), a part gets transmitted through and heats up your house, and a part gets absorbed, heating up the glass. The glass then transmits this heat both to the inside and the outside.
Why am I telling you all this? Because it explains that the further outside you block the sun ray, the better. External screens do a much better job than internal screens because the reflected sun ray (that already passed once through the glass and heated it up) does not have to go through it again.
An internal screen that reflects 60% of the energy will not make your house heat up 60% less. My guess would be it reduces the incoming heat by 20-30%. The energy an internal screen absorbs, if it's not white or silver, will also be radiated into your room. An outside screen, however, that reflects 60% will reduce your heat gain by a full 60%, and any energy it absorbs will be left outside as well.
Solar film also works better if applied on the outer layer of dual-pane glass, for the same reasons. The manufacturer can tell you how much energy it reflects, and how much it absorbs. As I mentioned above, much of the absorbed energy will end up in your house too, so do not just look at the figures they give you for transmitted energy. Solargard, for example, claims that only 12% of the energy will be transmitted, but looking at it in detail, 38% of the energy is absorbed.
In the case of single-pane glass, about half of that will go inside, so rather 38% divided by 2 equals 19%, plus 12%, for a total of 31% of the energy goes into your home.
Three other things to consider with films: you cannot easily remove them in winter, so if you like the sun's warmth in winter you reduce this too (being in Texas, this may not be a big concern to you). Also, the energy the film absorbs into the glass heats up the glass and may damage the seals on dual-pane windows, and you may lose your window warranty. Finally, all the manufacturers' calculations are based on single-pane glass, because that's where the film makes the biggest difference -- the better quality your glass the less film will help.
As you can see, the definitive answer is not available, at least not without knowing which products you are considering. But an external screen will beat any other option.
For more information:
You should also read Andrea Foss's Ask A Pro Q&A, "We're considering having a window film applied as a low-cost way to save energy. How effective is this?"


text:
Susan W. Bailey
PO Box 275, 139 Main Street, Rowley, MA 01969
Board of Selectmen: 978-948-2372
Town Administrator: 978-948-2705
Photographs used by permission from Richard Hydren,
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text:
Home > Hire or Buy Regalia > NZIE Thursday 28 February > Diploma Set > Option 2 > Return Regalia by Courier- Optional
Prepaid Returns Box
How it works
1. Return in person to Academic Dress Hire
2. Prepaid Courier Return
Choose this option to purchase a box and courier ticket to return regalia. Call NZ Couriers on 0800 800841 after graduation to arrange pick up.
Please see the Zones below and select the one that best describes delivery location and where you will send the goods from.
- NZ Couriers collect boxes on week days only.
- A physical address is required for pick up by NZ Couriers
- If you live in a rural area, it is recommended that you have regalia collected from your place of employment instead of from a rural address, thank you.


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Jacqueline N. Crawley, one of the world's foremost researchers in behavioral neuroscience and a leading investigator using mouse models to develop novel, targeted treatments for individuals with autism spectrum disorder, joins the faculty of the UC Davis School of Medicine and UC Davis MIND Institute in July as the Robert E. Chason Chair in Translational Research.
Crawley comes to UC Davis from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Intramural Research Program, where she led a large behavioral neuroscience laboratory. She is the recipient of numerous national and international awards and honors, including the Distinguished Investigator Award of the International Behavioural and Neural Genetics Society; the Special Achievement Award of the National Institute of Mental Health; the National Institute of Mental Health Director's Award; and the Marjorie A. Myers Lifetime Achievement Award of the International Behavioral Neuroscience Society.
Crawley said that she chose to join the faculty at UC Davis because of the opportunity to work with outstanding MIND Institute researchers.
"The MIND Institute is internationally famous for its groundbreaking clinical research into early diagnosis and behavioral interventions for very young children with autism, basic science research into the biological causes of autism, and clinical trials of novel therapeutics for autism and fragile X syndrome," Crawley said. "I look forward to many productive collaborations between with clinical experts at the MIND Institute. Opportunities at the MIND Institute to observe the specific and diverse features of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders will enhance our development of the most analogous mouse behavioral assays. In addition, I anticipate synergistic interactions with MIND Institute investigators pursuing clinical trials with pharmacological interventions."
Crawley currently is engaged in translational research that uses mice genetically engineered to have mutations associated with autism spectrum disorder. Her laboratory at the NIMH developed mouse behavioral assays that mirror the diagnostic symptoms of autism in humans. These behavioral measures are employed to test investigational medications for reversal of social abnormalities, communication deficits, repetitive behaviors and motor stereotypies in the mouse models that are relevant to the core features of autism.
Breakthrough research by Crawley and her colleagues published recently in the journal Science Translational Medicine found that an investigational compound reversed behaviors in two mouse models with behavioral traits that resemble two of the three core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. The drug successfully increased social interactions and decreased repetitive behaviors in the mouse models.
The work was a landmark achievement because, despite a validated increase in the prevalence of autism in the United States, now estimated at one in 88 children born today by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are no medications specifically developed to treat the condition. Symptoms frequently associated with autism are treated with a variety of medications designed for other neurodevelopmental or psychiatric diseases. For example, a study published earlier this year by the NIMH found that more than half of all school-aged children with autism in the U.S. used at least one psychotropic medication, such as antipsychotics to reduce aggression, stimulants to reduce hyperactive behavior, or mood-stabilizing medications for anxiety and depression.
The study by Crawley and her colleagues suggested that a single compound could effectively target multiple diagnostic symptoms in human subjects with autism.
"Dr. Crawley is one of the leading neuroscientists studying autism, and we are incredibly proud that she has chosen to join the faculty of the UC Davis MIND Institute," said Leonard Abbeduto, director of the MIND Institute. "She has created behavioral assays for documenting social impairment in mouse models of human disorders that are being used in laboratories around the world."
"Her research provides the critical link between researchers working to discover the causes of autism and those working to develop biomedical treatments," Abbeduto continued. "We fully expect that Dr. Crawley will help to accelerate the pace of translating the findings of MIND Institute scientists into efficacious treatments for the core symptoms of autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders."
Crawley has held numerous leadership positions at the NIMH that included acting deputy director of the Intramural Research Program, chair of the Animal Care and Use Committee, and chair of the Women Scientists Committee. She has published more than 230 research articles, over 90 review articles, served as editor-in-chief of the journal Neuropeptides, and is the sole author of the widely used guidebook What's Wrong With My Mouse? Behavioral Phenotyping of Transgenic and Knockout Mice. In addition to her work at the NIMH, Crawley has held posts as adjunct professor in the Department of Pharmacology at Georgetown University School of Medicine and adjunct professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine.
Crawley is a member of several journal editorial boards, including Autism Research, Behavioral Neuroscience, Behavioral Brain Research and Trends in Pharmacological Sciences. She is a member of numerous scientific societies, including the International Society for Autism Research, International Behavioral Neuroscience Society, Society for Neuroscience, American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, the International Behavioural and Neural Genetics Society, and is an elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. She has served on many grant review panels, search committees and conference organizing committees.
"Extensive mouse behavioral testing space designed for our use on the Sacramento campus will increase our capacity to pursue a large number of preclinical drug studies," Crawley said. "We look forward to contributing our strength in mouse models of autism as the translational bridge between ongoing molecular and clinical autism research. Further, collaborations are envisioned for sharing our mouse behavioral expertise with investigators throughout the UC Davis research community."
Crawley's School of Medicine faculty appointment will be in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Joining Crawley as adjunct assistant professors at UC Davis will be two colleagues from her laboratory at the National Institutes of Mental Health, Jill Silverman and Mu Yang, both outstanding behavioral neuroscientists working with mouse models of autism to discover therapeutic interventions.
Crawley received her undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Pennsylvania and received her doctoral degree in zoology from the University of Maryland. She conducted postdoctoral work in neuropsychopharmacology at the Yale University School of Medicine.


text: Job Discussion Forums :: View topic - Seeking Recommendations on a good Kibbutz Get TEFL Certified & Start Your Adventure Today! Job Discussion Forums"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!" FAQ Search Memberlist Usergroups Register Profile Log in to check your private messages Log in Seeking Recommendations on a good Kibbutz Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Israel View previous topic :: View next topic Author Message akolsky1Joined: 08 Mar 2009Posts: 39Location: Pennsylvania Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 5:49 pm Post subject: Seeking Recommendations on a good Kibbutz Can anyone recommend a good kibbutz that they have been to and like? Will be traveling after teaching this August and would love to experience life on a Kibbutz. Unfortunately I do not have much time to travel, would even want to do for a week--or would that be too short a stay? Any info or referrals would be great. Many thanks, Amy Back to top Display posts from previous: All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Israel All times are GMT Page 1 of 1 Jump to: Select a forum Where to Begin----------------General DiscussionNewbie ForumCurrent Events ForumTechnology ForumOnline Teaching Forum Africa Forums----------------General Africa Forum Asia Forums----------------CambodiaChina (Job-related Posts Only)China (Off-Topic)Hong KongIndiaIndonesiaJapanMalaysiaPhilippinesSingaporeTaiwanThailandGeneral Asia ForumVietnam Caribbean Forums----------------General Caribbean Forum Europe Forums----------------Czech RepublicFranceGermanyGreeceItalyMacedonia and the BalkansPolandRomaniaRussia & C.I.S.SpainTurkeyUkraineUnited KingdomGeneral Europe Forum Latin America Forums----------------ArgentinaBrazilChileColombiaCosta RicaMexicoMexico (off-topic)PeruGeneral Latin America Forum The Middle East Forums----------------BahrainEgyptIsraelKuwaitOmanQatarSaudi ArabiaUnited Arab EmiratesGeneral Middle East Forum North America Forums----------------General North America Forum Oceania----------------Australia/New Zealand You cannot post new topics in this forumYou cannot reply to topics in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot vote in polls in this forum This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling. Contact Dave's ESL Cafe Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved. Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group Teaching Jobs in China


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Obama Signs Disaster Declaration For NJ
President Barack Obama has signed a disaster declaration for New Jersey.
The declaration clears the way to making federal funds available to people affected by the storm in Atlantic, Cape May, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Union counties.
Assistance can also include grants for temporary housing and home repairs.
Money is also available to government agencies within the declaration zone.
Obama also declared a major disaster for New York City and Long Island.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved,)


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(2466 bytes)
Coaching Youth SoccerAuthor: D. Dane Quinn - Published Sat 08 of Aug, 2009 22:07 EDT - (8061 Reads)
Some General Thoughts on Coaching Soccer
- Kids should never stand around, unless they are recovering. But any line of more than two or three is too big...too much time wasted. Design activities that minimize this. If you are going to do line-type drills (dribbling, passing, etc.) then there need to be multiple groups. Better yet, use activities that emphasize more than one skill. You could have a passing-shooting drill so that part of the group is passing to another kid that shoots, rather than having one passing drill and one shooting drill. More kids are involved at once.
- Static stretching is not a good thing. It weakens the muscles and can actually lead to injuries. We (kids and adults) do need to warmup properly though. This should involve light runs (preferably with the ball) and dynamic stretching, with increasing intensity.Google: static versus dynamic stretching
NY Times: Stretching: The Truth
- Don't focus on advanced skills until the kids are advanced. Our kids need to first focus on being comfortable with the ball. If they can't control it by themselves, they'll never link up with another teammate. However, once they achieve a certain level of comfort, then focus on a two person game with receiving and passing (always on the move, never standing). Build from there.
- Always try to replicate a game situation. For example, I hate watching coaches run "the weave drill" with a soccer ball. It never happens during a game and is a complete waste of time (well, I guess its better than Pokemon, but barely). No one ever moves like that in soccer. They do in basketball which is why basketball coaches do it, but not in soccer. Look at the level of the players and come up with something that is similar to movement on the soccer field. Practice takeovers, wall passes, overlapping runs...anything but the weave.
- Quicken things up. Its OK to break skills down and practice them slowly, but during a game things are done at game speed (quickly and on the move). If you only practice a skill slowly, players will only be able to perform it slowly.
- Don't just practice something once. Repeat it over, and over, and over... In fact, if kids are alternating, have them go twice in a row instead of taking turns. This way they have an opportunity to fix a problem immediately rather than later, after a second (or third) kid has gone.


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Arts & Events
The Revolutionary Optimists: Indian Slum Kids Overcome the Odds--Opens at the Rialto Elmwood on April 5
Can a bunch of underage slumdogs from the Indian state of Kolkata find the inner strength to become internationally recognized community activists? You bet! But it's not easy.
The youngsters portrayed in The Revolutionary Optimists are up against some pretty daunting odds. They live in one of Kolkata's 5,500 slums. Twelve percent of India's kids between 5 and 14 are trapped in child labor. Instead of pursuing education, nearly half of Indian's girls become child brides before the age of 18. But this film (the work of two Bay Area filmmakers, Oakland's Nicole Newnham and Portola Valley's Maren Grainger-Monsen) demonstrates that birth is not destiny.
This film (distilled from more than 250 hours of footage) covers nearly four years in the lives of four young slumkids as they struggle to overcome poverty, government disinterest, and physical abuse.
Inspired by an energetic über-optimist named Amlan Ganguly (a criminal lawyer turned visionary teacher), these youngsters learn how to employ education and the arts – drama, dance, puppetry -- to forge new identities as agents of change. All it takes is someone to tell them they have the potential to challenge and change the world around them. Galvanized by hope, the kids of Ganguly's Prayasam slum school plunge into the work of community organizing. Using rudimentary tools and an abundance of charisma, these kids manage to control the spread of polio and malaria at the same time they are turning garbage dumps into playing fields.
These are remarkable youngsters. They are articulate and passionate. They can think on their feet and they seem smart beyond their years. Despite being confined to living situations that people in the material-mined West would deplore, the kids are lively, healthy, intelligent and hopeful.
We follow two of Ganguly's Dakabuko (Daredevils), 12-year-old Salim Shekh and Shika Patra, as they storm through their mud-hut slum insisting on change. Both are irresistible silver-tongued firebrands, aflame with conviction and a sense of mission. Brandishing clipboards and hand-made paper megaphones, they charge down the dusty alleyways, collecting information to create the first map of their sprawling neighborhood. On the official maps, these communities appear as a large blank space with no indication of the existing roads and alleys (let alone thousands of homes).
Kajal Kahar is a slim, beautiful 12-year-old girl who dreams of becoming a tailor. She spends half her days working in a brickyard and the other half in an ad hoc school Ganguly has managed to fashion in the brick field. But when Kajal's mother falls ill, the girl has no choice but to abandon school and return to the brickyard fulltime --the same brickyard in which her grandmother worked when she was a girl.
Under blistering heat, Kajal must repeatedly kneel to gather bricks to pile atop her head -- two bricks at a time -- until they are stacked four-bricks high. Then it's off at a brisk trot across the brickyard and down a rickety wood-stick ramp to a handler who removes the load. (A surprising amount of the housing construction in India's cities still depends on these hand-made mud-bricks, which are even used in the construction of multistory buildings.)
Priyanka Mandal is a talented young dancer who works with Ganguly to train members of the school's dance troup, Allhadi (Dear Ones). Despite Ganguly's concerns, Priyanka sees childhood marriage as her only escape from her family where she suffers physical abuse.
Shika and Salim make a powerful couple -- a boy and a girl who join forces to organize their neighbors to demand the government make good on a long-promised plan to bring clean water to their dirt-poor community.
Because there is no water pipe, Salim has to struggle out of bed at 4AM and walk three kilometers to a water faucet in a neighboring slum. Once there, he must wait in a long line of other slum dwellers who shuffle forward impatiently, waiting to fill their plastic jugs with life-giving water.
Shika and Salim see their efforts recognized when, in a surprising turn of fate, they are invited to plead their case before the Indian Parliament in Delhi. The filmmakers were on hand when a group of local politicians broke the news of the invitation to Salim. As his neighbors cheer and his beaming father hugs his son, the usually voluble Salim suddenly finds himself without words.
Meanwhile, Shika has won a battle of her own -- she challenges and overturns the tradition that banned local girls from the community soccer field. After the film wrapped, Shika was invited to address India's National Girl Child Day.
There is more to this adventure than the film itself. As Newnham explains, "we actually also partnered with the children" to create a piece of mobile technology called http://revolutionaryoptimists.org/map-your-world>"Map Your World." Based on the Daredevil's mapping work – and assisted by a media lab in San Francisco – other young activists in India and around the world will now have a powerful new tool for local organizing and problem-solving.
Update: During their five visits to India, the filmmakers became intimately involved in the lives of these youngsters, their families and their community. On one visit, they hosted filmmaking classes for Ganguly's students. It paid off. Sikha recently produced her first short film. She is now contemplating a career as a lawyer or a journalist. In 2012, Salim was invited to address the World Forum in Oxford, England. He hopes to become a lawyer. Kajal still works in the brickyards but she has become a photographer and now shoots all the photo's for Prayasam's publications.
Special Event! Amlan, Shika and Salim will be coming to Berkeley to join the filmmakers at the Elmwood where they will take questions from the audience after the 7PM screenings on Friday, April 5.
Talk about it, share your experience with others
Follow: @revoptimists
Join: facebook/revolutionaryoptimists
Support our partners
Stay informed
Follow: @melindagates and @Shot@Life
Learn more about global health & media for social change
Gates Foundation & Vaccine Heroes
http://www.sundance.org/storiesofchange/>Stories of Change
Learn more about the organization featured in the film
Prayasam www.prayasam.org">www.prayasam.org
Volunteer or donate to Prayasam and other worthy organizations at http://omprakash.org/partner_profile/p/284>Omprakash or through the http://omprakash.org/partner_profile/p/284>Prayasam Scholarship Fund


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tHe_pEsTiLeNcE wrote:I still don't think Chris Paul goes higher, he shouldn't have been picked last season (no offense JPat) because he just hadn't done enough and was too new. He could be picked in this draft but I really think that players that have only played a few seasons (like three to five) have to have played at a very high level and for the whole time, like Lebron and to a lesser extent, Wade (his rookie season was not great by any stretch)
I agree Chris Paul shouldn't have been drafted last time.
I think Dwight Howard gets drafted this time because he's gone from a future star to one of the five leading MVP candidates this year.
I think that no player with less than 5 seasons in his career should be available for a legends draft. Who knows what may happen to their careers?. They may look great now, but that doesn't make them legends. They need to perform at that level for several years to achieve that status.


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Cutback now into a backhand reo?
This thread sounds like BTP on a wave
I need me some Cutback
Post general kiteboarding discussion topics here!
Moderator: BayAreaKite
Re: I need me some Cutback
Cutback now into a backhand reo?
This thread sounds like BTP on a wave
I need me some Cutback
I'm telling ya, go find a copy of 'Smack'. It's all in there.
Re: I need me some Cutback
Un-Hooking tips:
Re: I need me some Cutback
some heady surf sessions
6,8,10,12 RPM's
2012 Firewire Flexfire Strapless
NorthCoastKiter -
Re: I need me some Cutback
Well that wasn't the spot I wasn't talking about, but I'm not going to talk about that spot either
I would pay to see a kiter do a cutback at that spot, especially in those conditions. You'd be lucky to just to smack the lip without getting a full facial enema.
aka Pablito
It says 10M, but it's really a 9.
Re: I need me some Cutback
The Kiteboarder has a dvd subscription offers that include SMACK www.store.thekiteboarder.com
if you order, write in comments section that you want SMACK as its not in DVD options (only a few left) or you can go to Brian Caserio's site www.sideoff.com He's usually a great source for dvds....
Re: I need me some Cutback
So what exactly is the etiquette/right of way for the 'cutback'? I understand the wave rider is to get right of way just by riding the wave, regardless of direction, but ...
if someone is riding a wave and another kiter is on the same tack but on a course to pass over the wave upwind of the wave rider, and all of a sudden the waverider changes directions a collision is ready to happen. This can be really tricky when the non-waverider can't immediately turn back around due to other kiters behind them or being too close to shore to get out of the way.
Does the waverider always have right away, even to cutback into another kiter's path?
[I've had the pleasure of both pissing of those on waves by being in their way immediately after a cutback that I wasn't expecting as well as quickly maneuvering out of the way of a cutback to interfere with others]
"A ship is safe in harbor, but that's not what ships are built for"
I need me some Cutback
Hey Nick,
In general right of way goes to the rider on the wave. It is everyone else's job to stay out of the way. It can be challenging at times, especially when the carpools show up at the coast.
Nothing is a bigger bummer than to have finally timed it right and hooked in to a nice wave and then have to bail out of it because someone is in the way. At Wadell it'll get a dirty look, at other spots there might be some yelling. Like it or not, the surf influence is big here with some attitudes to match.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Re: I need me some Cutback
Thanks, Monte. Kinda what I figured. As I develop my cutback moves I'll be sure to understand more from the other side...
I'll tell my carpool buddies too.
"A ship is safe in harbor, but that's not what ships are built for"
Re: I need me some Cutback
Nick - if you're cutting back you probably won't get in anyone's way - a cutback if you're going "right" is a turn left then a quick turn right again so you maintain DTL (down the line) motion. You're not likely to see a surf cutback out there kitesurfing unless someone is really dialed to park & ride
One you need to be careful of is heading out to the break, drop walleting the lip and positioning yourself to head back in upwind into someone right behind you on the same tack you were on, or on a tack slightly below you. "Rider's Right of Way" doesn't license that in my opinion, so you need to be sure you're not positioning yourself for a collision. If you're going to hit the lip on a chicken jibe - be sure no one is coming DTL on that wave, and that you're bearing off downwind to stay clear of anyone who is heading upwind/outbound right behind you
I love the passion for waveriding and your concern for dialing etiquette.. as it gets more and more crowded this is increasingly important. This year I'm continuing the tradition of quietly breaking the carpool rule from SF every weekend to Waddell, you in?*
*Not to be coordinated in public forum ;]
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NEW YORK -- In its April issue, Health magazine rated New York-based Equinox Fitness Clubs No. 1 in a survey of the healthiest fitness clubs in the United States.
The magazine asked a panel of expert trainers and nutritionists to determine the ranking of the clubs. The criteria included facilities and staffing, equipment and classes, green practices and nutrition.
Using the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association's annual listing of the largest gyms and health clubs worldwide, the magazine assembled a list of U.S. clubs with more than 25 locations spread over at least three states, excluding those offering only personal or single-sport training.
The top 10 clubs, according to the survey, are:
1. Equinox
2. Life Time Fitness
3. Urban Active
4. Crunch
5. Town Sports International
6. 24 Hour Fitness
7. Gold's Gym
8. Lifestyle Family Fitness
9. Curves
10. Lady of America
The panel gave Equinox 14 perfect 10s in its evaluation. Among the Equinox features that caught the panel's attention were the club's range of equipment, the range of specialization among its staff, and mind-body classes, such as Buddha Camp, which incorporates Pilates, yoga and Tai Chi. The panel also liked Equinox's PowerNAP+ class that includes a nap at the end of the class.
The magazine gave a nod to The Sports Club/LA at the end of the list, noting that it did not have enough locations to make the top 10.
The experts used in the survey were Christine Avanti, certified nutritionist; Jen Boulden, co-founder of the daily-tip service www.idealbite.com; Cedric X. Bryant, chief science officer for the American Council on Exercise (ACE); Kim Lyons, celebrity trainer; Kristin McGee, certified ACE personal trainer; and Harley Pasternak, celebrity trainer.


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I've spent much of my life driving past interesting roads, especially those dirt and gravel ones you never have a reason to drive down. I feel a burning curiosity to go down those roads that don't have stores, parking lots, or even houses. Sometimes the roads stretch to the horizon, and sometimes they curve and disappear into a tunnel of trees. The emptiness that draws us in isn't actually empty.
Gravel grinding is celebration of those roads.
Last Saturday, I went up to the Texas/Oklahoma border to ride Spinistry's Red River Riot gravel grinder. 130 miles of desolate roads through rolling prairie and tough hills. The terrain just north of Muenster is far more rocky and hilly than I'm used to seeing around Denton. The elevation was killer, something like ~6800 feet total in the first 70 miles. The second leg of 57 miles was less hilly but just as scenic. I only saw a handful of cars in 10 hours on the bike, but I did see a big brown snake, a few dogs, sheep, horses, cattle, the wind farm, and a nice glimpse of the Red River. I had a blast, and I felt honored to finish. Only 13 out of 78 finished, which is a 17% completion rate. The community that surrounds these events is strong and small, yet it's growing every year. It's egalitarian and you don't need expensive gear, just self-sufficiency and a burning desire to keep going. Cross-bikes, mountain bikes, they both work. The distinction is less important than the will to finish.
All in all, I met some great folks, got lost twice, and I would absolutely do this again. Congrats to Sheila Blank-Torres, 2011 Tour Divide veteran and first woman to complete the full Red River Riot! Check out that HUGE trophy flask. All the photos are on Flickr, and here are a few:


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Sandrajhamilton needed a new t-shirt design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 3 designs submitted by 1 freelance designers.
Drake Pirates Mountain Bike Team
High School mountain biking team needs a new design for our team t-shirts.
Our team has been the california state champions two years running, and selling t-shirts is one of the ways we raise money for our team.
Team members, family members and supporters from the local biking community.
See rough illustration attached, which uses our team mascot, Pirate Pete, on a mountain bike. We like the general idea of the attached illustration, but need to have it cleaned up so it looks professional and cool. Specifically, we need the illustration redone.


text:
ELMHURST – York High School Orchestras will perform alongside the Elmhurst College Philharmonic Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 2 at the York Community High School's Baker Auditorium.
The concert is free and open to the public.
The evening will include performances by York's Cadet, Concert and Symphony orchestras under the direction of Ray Ostwald. Joanne May will conduct the Elmhurst College Philharmonic Orchestra.
The combined York Cadet and Elmhurst College Philharmonic orchestras will perform a setting of Johan Sebastian Bach's Chorale "Komm Susser Tod" and American composer Leroy Anderson's "Blue Tango."
The York Concert and Elmhurst College Philharmonic orchestras will then present Felix Mendelssohn's familiar "Wedding March" before the York Symphony Orchestra plays Anton Liadov's "Eight Russian Folk Songs" and excerpts form Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov's "Capriccio Espagnol" with the Elmhurst College musicians.


text:
USB port for 3G/4G failover, Snappy interface
Offers fast data speeds, solid Wi-Fi coverage
Good routing feature set, IPv6 support
Robust IPv6 support, Advanced features
A solid router with a groovy design
Lots of features for homes and businesses
Excellent range, Top performing router at 5 GHz
Deliver the best wireless performance
Extremely fast 802.11ac router
Relatively affordable for a top-notch home networking device
Sharp design, Great throughput at 5GHz, Excellent range
Performance is disappointing
D-Link's current best performing 11ac router
Features powerful hardware, faster Wi-Fi technology, and useful features
Demonstrating all-round quality
Benchmark wireless performance, Class leading USB speeds
Blazing fast 5GHz band performance, Attractive design
Results were more impressive
Inexpensive, High routing throughput
Good throughput and range, Excellent interface
ReviewGist helps you find the best products to buy by making sense of online reviews.
We are currently aggregating 376,500 reviews
covering over 29,479 products.
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text:
District of Columbia Masters Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling Programs & Schools
A number of top accredited graduate schools offer Masters Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling Programs which prepare students with the best techniques and counseling skills to work in this fast-growing field[i]. While it may be common to associate the term 'rehabilitation' with substance abuse and recovery, rehabilitation counselors work with diverse groups. Their goal is to help people such as the elderly, veterans, individuals with autism, personal, social or vocational difficulties to adapt, integrate into their communities, and lead independent lives. Today's employer usually seeks well-trained candidates, and this usually involves a Master's degree, and often the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) certification[ii]. If you are excited to potentially join the ranks of this fascinating profession, finding a graduate school should be on your priority list!
Masters Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling: Basics
Essentially, earning a Masters Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling means about 2 years of full-time study as well as a period of supervised clinical practice. While each university or counseling school may have its own admission protocol, students are required to have a Bachelor's degree unless they attend a school with a dual Bachelor's-Master's degree. The type of undergraduate degree you have is often the foundation for your graduate degree. For instance, if you have a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and are interested in clinical rehabilitation counseling, you might then enroll in a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling. On the other hand, if you have a liberal arts degree or a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services, you might seek a Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling which tends to be more of an academic research degree and entails a thesis.
DID YOU KNOW? "Initially, rehabilitation professionals were recruited from a variety of human service disciplines, including public health nursing, social work, and school counseling. Although educational programs began to appear in the 1940s, it was not until the availability of federal funding for rehabilitation counseling programs in 1954 that the profession began to grow and establish its own identity[iii]."
Why Consider a Campus Rehabilitation Counseling Program?
Certainly, graduate students today have options. So why consider attending graduate school for your Masters Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling?
Here are a few things to consider:
- Campus programs are also becoming more convenient to the working professional; often classes are offered in the evenings or on week-ends.
- Sometimes when you are really busy, it helps to have a schedule to help focus your available time, and the group aspect may be very motivational.
- You will have opportunities for face-to-face interactions and networking opportunities with classmates, peers and faculty.
- On-campus study enables you to participate in college life, and use facilities such as resource libraries, gym, laboratories and social services
- Your program may entail learning the uses of assistive technology to help your client have a better quality of life plus diagnostic skills that need to be learned in person (on-campus)
Education and Training for Rehabilitation Counselors
While courses vary between universities, some of the themes incorporated into a Masters Degree program in Rehabilitation Counseling could include[iv]:
- Counseling skills, theory, practices
- Theory of human development
- Ethics
- Disability management
- Understanding prescription drugs
- How to work with individuals and groups
- Screening for danger signs
- Medical intake, assessment, treatment plan
- How to integrate different populations into their communities
- Research methodologies & how to apply research
- Vocational counseling, work related assessments, career theory
- Advocacy, outreach, public policy
- Case management
In terms of accreditation, clinical rehabilitation counseling programs may be accredited by CACREP or CORE. These tend to have curriculums that follow the criteria for professionals working in this field.[v] Other graduate schools may be accredited regionally or nationally.
Certification and Licensing
Earning a Masters Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling is typically one of the criteria that needs to be met for state licensure and for the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor certificate[vi]. Certification for rehabilitation counselors is often work-setting related, and licensing requirements vary by state. What you do want to know is that state licensing gives you the ability to work independently. In terms of certification, this is not necessarily required but may be advantageous in your job search.
Find a Campus-Based Rehabilitation Counseling Program
The two things to consider when looking for a graduate school for your Masters Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling are location and accreditation. Coursework and practicum can be rigorous undertakings but also but also a time to perhaps explore studying in another city, state or country. Or maybe you love where you are and want to stay local. This is where a location search comes in handy; use the navigation to help refine your results for accredited graduate schools. Start browsing the sponsored program listings and make sure to contact the prospective graduate schools for more information.
sources: [i] bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/rehabilitation-counselors.htm |[ii] bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/rehabilitation-counselors.htm [iii] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rehabilitation_counseling |[iv] core-rehab.org/Files/Doc/PDF/Clinical%20Rehabilitation%20Counseling%20Standards.%20FINAL.pdf |[v] core-rehab.org/Files/Doc/PDF/Clinical%20Rehabilitation%20Counseling%20Standards.%20FINAL.pdf |[vi] bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/rehabilitation-counselors.htm |
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- With FlexPath, you can earn your master's degree in 12 months and under $11,000*
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*Assumes accelerated pace. Price varies by your pace and transfer credits. Other fees may apply.
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- Washington, DCWashington, DC
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M.A. Clinical Mental Health CounselingUpcoming Start Date: May 06, 2019
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July 18, 2013
Encouraged by one of the most thrilling Indianapolis 500s in history and watching a hotly competitive and entertaining Izod Indycar Championship hunt, most critics agree that new CEO Mark Miles '76 has turned Hulman and Company in the right direction.
But that was hardly a given when Wabash Magazine sat down with Miles last December on the day before he left the work he called the most rewarding of his life—as CEO of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, a tenure which included leading the successful effort to host the 2012 Super Bowl in Indianapolis—to take the job at Hulman.
On the eve of that bold move, Miles reflected on his early involvement in politics, his education and times at Wabash, and his vocation as what former Indianapolis Mayor Bill Hudnut calls a "community builder." Miles offers his own take on that vocation and how he found it in "Challenge Hunter," published in the Spring issue of the magazine and offered here online to celebrate the changing perceptions of open wheel racing and the halfway point of this turnaround Indycar season.


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Eddie Stubbs, Part 2: Recommended Listening - Fiddlers with Soul
Dec 10, 2012
A Grand Tour of Scottish Fiddling, Part 5: At the Edinburgh Fringe with Pete Clark
Dec 09, 2012
World Fiddle Day -- May 18, 2013
Dec 08, 2012
Hanneke Cassel: Oregon to Boston via Texas and Scotland
Aug 23, 2012
Stephen Rees: Fiddling with Cajun Energy
Aug 22, 2012
Kirk Sutphin grew up in and around a well-entrenched old time community. He had many relatives who played old time music and the music was a vital part of that community. While others have moved on and tried to parlay their musical skills, Kirk has stayed home and followed the path of his forebearers. He works as a surveyor and occasionally does some house painting. He puts out a garden and lives much like his neighbors in Walkertown, North Carolina.
Kirk's considerable prowess on fiddle and banjo, along with his intimate knowledge of the old-timers' techniques, keep him busy musically, as he is a sought-after sideman and a great addition to any band. Besides the many projects he talks about in this interview, Kirk was a member of the "Masters of the Banjo" tour in 1993, and was one of the featured fiddlers on Fiddler Magazine's 1995 video Carrying on the Traditions: Appalachian Fiddling Today.
What drew you to play music?
The first time I ever heard my grandpa play the fiddle was June of 1976. My oldest brother, Mark, had bought a 3/4 fiddle and left it with Grandpa to play on. He inspired my two older brothers to play fiddle and our father Wayne was very encouraging for us to learn, and it got him back to playing guitar back-up for Grandpa and his boys.
How did you get started learning from Tommy Jarrell?
… In the summer of 1977, Grandpa died from a heart attack. Being the youngest grandson, I was his shadow growing up and had always admired and respected him. I kept on playing at the fiddle and listening to records mostly. Then in 1980 I saw Fred Cockerham's obituary in the newspaper. I told my dad I know Tommy will be there for the visitation and I would love to get to meet him. Tommy told us to "come up and visit anytime," and he would be glad to show me how he played. I was so excited I think I wouldn't shut up talking about getting to meet him! About a year later we finally made the trip to visit him. I had no idea what he was doing with the bow. I was almost discouraged but I knew that I loved that sound, and we kept going up to see him 'til I started to pick up more and more. He said, "Ninety percent of fiddling is in the bow," so I figured you have to move the bow like him to get that sound! He became like a third grandfather to me; it wasn't always fiddle playing—we would talk about whatever was of interest. Several times I got to watch "Gunsmoke" with him, and he would have fit right in with them. Growing up back when a man wouldn't back down from a fight, Tommy had seen a lot of change in his lifetime, but always had time and patience for everyone.
Before he passed away in 1985, when I was playing along with him, he would have a house full of people there. He would lighten up on the bow, then rear back and say, "Play it, Kirk!" He would be just beaming! His blue eyes were twinkling. Then he would say, "Eighth wonder of the world!" He was one of a kind.
In 1988 his family donated his fiddle to the Smithsonian and asked Paul Sutphin, Blanton Owen, and myself to be part of the dedication ceremony. Tommy's sister, Julie, told me "Kirk, I want you to play Tommy's fiddle one last time, like it ought to be played!" I was honored to do so. The Jarrell family, along with the Jenkins and Cockerhams and many other people I have gotten to know and learn from, have made me feel a part of their family, and I wouldn't take nothing for it!
Your playing carries with it all of these subtleties. Can you describe how you hone in on the details of the tunes you consider the basis of your personal style?
Take a tune like "Too Young To Marry" and incorporate Charlie LaPrade's version, Posey Rorer's, Babe Spangler's. and maybe a little of my own and blend it together. Just take the real trademark phrasing or bowing from the fiddle tune that grabs you. I try to get as close to note for note as I can. like on "Sunny Home In Dixie" from Frank Jenkins. I taught it to his grandson H.O. Jenkins, then he came up with his own unique way of playing it. I added his to the way I now play it. I also add a phrase or two from Fiddling John Rector along with a little Rafe Brady—to me it covers all of the best rolled into one.
I think, too, that we ought to talk about how the banjo and fiddle are two fingers on the same hand in your music. Something that we perhaps share is the insight that comes from learning a tune on two instruments, coming at the tune in two different directions.
...Tommy taught me how to play "John Brown's Dream" on the fretless banjo. The little hammer-ons and pull-offs matched what he was doing on the fiddle perfectly. I already had a lot of that in my head, and that is a big part of the fiddle/banjo [sound] in Round Peak music. Tommy said, "Play what the fiddle does without putting any extra notes in there." I think following the fiddle with the banjo as close as you can note for note has sharpened my ear for detail on the fiddle phrasing and bowing.
What did you play first?
Fiddle [at age eight]. I remember loving the sound of banjo at age six. It was just a little too big for me to learn to play at the time.
What do you see as your role as a musician?
I feel very fortunate to have gotten to meet and learn from a lot of my musical heroes. Getting to know them and their families makes the music so much more special to me. I guess the generosity of my teachers is one thing from them I can proudly pass on. I'm somewhat of a purist when it comes to trying to capture all the subtle variations of a tune from a particular region, either on fiddle or banjo.
[For the rest of this interview, purchase the Fall 2013 issue!]
[Bob Buckingham fiddles, teaches, and writes in the Upstate of South Carolina.]
Photo above: Natasha Jordan
Fall 2013 cover photo: Rosalind K. Wilson


text:
Simulink® Test™ provides tools for authoring, managing, and executing systematic, simulation-based tests of models, generated code, and simulated or physical hardware. It includes a Test Sequence block that lets you construct complex test sequences and assessments, and a Test Manager for managing and executing tests. Simulink Test enables functional, baseline, equivalence, and back-to-back testing, including software-in-the-loop (SIL), processor-in-the-loop (PIL), and real-time hardware-in-the-loop (HIL). You can apply pass and fail criteria that include absolute and relative tolerances, limits, logical checks, and temporal conditions. Setup and cleanup scripts help you automate or customize test execution.
You can create nonintrusive test harnesses to test components in the system model or in a separate test model. You can store test cases and their results, creating a repository for reviewing and investigating failures. You can generate reports, archive and review test results, rerun failed tests, and debug the component or system under test.
With Simulink Test and Simulink Requirements™, you can link test cases to requirements captured in Microsoft® Word, IBM® Rational® DOORS®, and other documents.
Support for industry standards is available through IEC Certification Kit (for IEC 61508 and ISO 26262) and DO Qualification Kit (for DO-178).
Learn the basics of Simulink Test
Test harnesses, testing Simulink components, creating tests with signals logged from simulation
Baseline, regression, and back-to-back tests comparing simulation output
Step-based test sequences, temporal logic, model assessments
Test in real-time on target hardware, assess results online or after execution
Scale up tests for systematic verification, and review and report test results
Use Simulink products to test models and code, check for design errors, check against standards, measure coverage, and validate the system
Qualify Simulink Test for DO and IEC Certification


text: An off-handed comment from Jason Statham to the L.A. Times has sparked speculation that Statham could play blind lawyer/superhero Daredevil. Famed Daredevil artist Frank Miller, who was sitting there when Statham made the comments, said he approved of the casting, further fueling the speculation that the duo could collaborate at some point. In other terrible superhero casting news, blond American Gladiators star Titan (aka Mike O'Hearn) says he's auditioning to play World War II super-soldier Captain America. After Ed Norton and Robert Downey Jr., it's hard to believe Marvel will stoop to casting a reality TV show star as the Sentinel of Liberty. And as for Statham, I'm as eager as anyone to see Ben Affleck's terrible Matt Murdock buried forever, I'm not quite desperate enough to reach for Statham's trademark growl/smirk. [LA Times and Slashfilm]


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Opposition Form LettersJust type in your information and hit SEND!
Please be sure all form fields are complete. If you can not read the verification code (the series of numbers and letters than need to be re-typed in the corresponding text box to prevent automated systems from submitting these letters) at the submit button, you will need to refresh the page.
Mr. Edward E. Minze, President
Freestone County Farm Bureau
PO Box 400
Fairfield, TX 75840-0007
Re: Dallas to Houston High-Speed Rail
Dear Mr. Minze,
As a member of the Texas Farm Bureau (TFB), I am writing to you today to respectfully ask you to support efforts to oppose the Dallas Houston High-Speed Rail project currently proposed by Texas Central Railway (TCR). Knowing how strongly the Texas Farm Bureau backed farmers and ranchers the last time our land was targeted by a high-speed rail project, I feel confident that you will either request the TFB re-evaluate the extent to which this current proposal violates the existing policy on high-speed rail OR request a policy change to address more specifically the devastating impacts this project will have on farmers and ranchers.
The current TFB policy states: "High speed rail transportation should be studied and if determined to be feasible should be pursued using existing rail and highway rights-of-way. and; High speed rail construction in new rights-of-way should not limit access to private property."
Texas Central Railway, who has yet to share feasibility studies with the public, has already determined that the use of the I-45 right-of-way would not be possible for this project due to cost. Also, the company has publicly stated that the proposed HSR will run ALONG, existing rights-of-way, NOT with-in and only where possible, for the entirety of the railway. Access to private property would certainly be limited by a 16'+ earthen berm with security fencing on top. Even with occasional pass-throughs, the natural flow of wildlife, water and livestock would be hindered.
Please consider the following concerns, which are a few among many I have about the Dallas Houston HSR project:
a. Bisecting agricultural land(s) and creating access problems for farmers and ranchers
Since the high security fence on either side of the double tracked high-speed railway on an enormous earthen berm represents an excessive obstruction on farms and ranches of any size, the diminished access and increased time to tend crops and livestock decreases productivity and increases cost for the producer. Some landowners have been promised that underpasses will be created or the tracks will be elevated for sections to allow for access, but no specific numbers of access points or distance between access points have been formalized. TCR officials have also stated that some smaller tracts that are worth less than the cost to construct an elevated section or underpass will be bought out by Texas Central Railway to save the railway money.
b. Decreasing property values
Unlike a transmission line or pipeline where the land can still be in production for crops and livestock, the major intrusion of a high-speed railway easement will decrease the amount of land available for production, as well as decrease the value of the remainder of the farm or ranch and surrounding properties.
c. Increased costs to farmers and ranchers, and eventually consumers
With access issues creating increased labor, fuel costs and equipment hours, these additional expenses will decrease profit for farmers and ranchers leading to increased prices for consumers. We must preserve agricultural lands as such in order to maintain manageable prices at market. Also, the construction of the railway will certainly take much more land than the easement they intend to purchase or condemn, which will take more land out of production during the construction phase and cost farmers and ranchers precious time, labor and money to restore their land to its intended use.
According to the TCR president, they selected their proposed routes based on the reduced costs of using flat, rural land to construct this high-speed railway. Clearly, value of agricultural lands and the needs of our state, including the livelihoods of farmers and ranchers like myself, are not being taken into consideration.
The Texas Farm Bureau has been a leader in protecting our state's agricultural lands. Please help us, as quickly as possible, in making these concerns and our value to our state at the forefront of this issue. Whether it be through re-evaluating the current HSR project's violation of TFB policy or urging HSR policy change, please help us and be our voice.
Thank you,