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More than 30 horses have now tested positive for an illegal performance-enhancing substance that makes even the grossest doping scandal of human athletes pale in comparison. Apparently, horse owners have been paying chemists to squeeze frogs in South America and send the slime that drips off the amphibians' backs to trainers in the United States. According to a report in the New York Times Tuesday, traffic in dermomorphin, a drug obtained from the skin of the Phyllomedusa sauvagei, commonly known as the waxy monkey tree frog, has racing officials across four states concerned.
Dermorphin has the twofold benefit of both numbing the pain a horse might feel from an injury and simultaneously rendering the animal hyperactive. "For a racehorse, it would be beneficial," Craig W. Stevens, a professor of pharmacology at Oklahoma State University, told the Times. "The animal wouldn't feel pain, and it would have feelings of excitation and euphoria." The effects of this painkiller are even more powerful than morphine.
(MORE: Murder on the Backside: The Unseen World of the Kentucky Derby)
Dermorphin is only one of many doping methods that have plagued racetracks over the years, though it's definitely the most exotic — narrowly beating out cobra venom, which has been used as a pain suppressant. But doping in horse racing is a century-old tradition, going at least as far back as a case in England in the nineteenth century in which a man was executed for drugging a racehorse with arsenic. But in a sport in which fans are becoming increasingly concerned over animals' welfare and the methods used to train them — not excluding this year's triple crown favorite, I'll Have Another, recently scratched from the Belmont Stakes — its a blow racing officials aren't eager to take. "It couldn't have come at a worse time," said the executive director of the Louisiana Racing Commission, Charles A. Gardiner III. "We're fighting back federal intervention. We're under attack and losing our fan base."
Labs have found dermorphin in Louisiana, Oklahoma, and New Mexico, and regulators suspect its use in Texas. Though frog juice rumors had been circulating for a long time, officials had been unable to identify the substance until a lab in Denver recently found the correct testing procedure. No trainers have been formally charged yet, though racing regulators say we can expect a crackdown soon.
However, don't expect a crackdown to deter cheating. Edward J. Martin, president of Racing Commissioners International, bemoaned the fact that as soon as you crackdown on one drug, trainers move on to using another.
WATCH: Policing the Olympic Athletes: Inside A Drug Test Lab


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When I was 18 years old I had an anthem.
At the time, two women, who seemed almost elderly, but were only in their mid-50s, were my feminist role models. They didn't know it.
My own mother was a very independent woman and was already a pretty good role model. But she wasn't as forthcoming and strong. I felt my mother's strength was just the hand she'd been dealt. That's another story for another time.
These two women, who had just entered my life, were fierce and unapologetic about their strength. Janet had a degree as a medical doctor and was a New York shrink on the Upper East Side. Ruth had an MSW and practiced therapy out of her duplex in Beverly Hills. She also happened to be the mother of my then boyfriend.
When these two besties got together, they wore matching (although in different colors) Lanz nightgowns to bed. They'd giggle all night during their two-week long, if not longer, slumber parties.
The headboard of Ruth's bed was a spectacular mural of hand painted cherubs (angels) and clouds. Their lives, their friendship, their headboards, their taste in music and books and film, all seemed fantastic to me. I was captivated.
Ruth and Janet turned me onto my anthem. I knew and recited the words by heart. I bought the album and played it more than some people were playing Joni Mitchell and Crosby, Stills & Nash. Over and over all day long, I pulled the needle back to start my favorite song again one more time. This was 1972. The album was released a year earlier. (more…)

subset: commoncrawl


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MMO Gameplays
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Fourth of July road trip safety guide
3) Secure and test the battery
Check your car battery to make sure cable connections are clean and tight, and that the hold-down hardware is secure. If your battery is more than 3-5 years old; if you hear a grinding, clicking, or buzzing sound when you turn on the ignition; or if your headlights brighten when you rev the engine, it might be time for a new battery. Have a service professional conduct a battery check to determine remaining capacity. Good Sam members can request a free battery check.
Note that modern multi-rib or drive belt materials do not show easily visible signs of wear. As a general rule, replace drive belts every 60,000 miles.
Inspect and replace worn, brittle, bulging or excessively soft radiator hoses. Check for leaks around hose clamps and at the radiator and water pump.
8) Replenish emergency kit supplies
AAA recommends keeping a well-stocked emergency kit in your vehicle. Include a flashlight and extra fresh batteries, first-aid supplies, drinking water, non-perishable snacks for people and pets, car battery booster cables, emergency flares or reflectors, a rain poncho, a basic tool kit, duct tape, gloves and shop rags or paper towels.
2) Listen to and feel the brakes
If you hear a grinding sound or feel a vibration when applying the brakes, take your vehicle to an auto repair shop for a brake inspection. A service professional will check the brake system for fluid leaks, and the pads, rotors, shoes, and drums. If repair or replacement is required, use our Repair Cost Estimator to help anticipate costs.
Take a test drive with the air conditioner running. If you notice a decrease in cooling capacity, take the car to an auto repair shop for diagnosis. Also have the cabin filter inspected and replaced as needed.
Note that newer car models may have sealed automatic transmissions without a dipstick, and electric power steering that Cherry Creek News may not use fluid.
1) Check tires and tire pressure
Inspect all four tires and, if you have one, the spare tire as well. Look for cuts, gouges, or sidewall bulges. Insert a quarter upside down into the grooves to check tire tread. If you see the top of George Washington's head, it's time for new tires.
If you're one of the 41.4 million Americans hitting the roads for Independence Day, the last thing you want is a breakdown distracting from your holiday fun. All told, AAA expects to rescue more than 367,000 motorists at the roadside this Independence Day holiday, with dead batteries, flat tires, and lockouts coming in as the leading causes of car trouble. Luckily, a little preventative maintenance before you head out can prevent a breakdown and keep your ride road-trip ready.
5) Replace wiper blades and replenish windshield cleaner
Rubber wiper blades deteriorate over time — which is why you'll want to replace them as often as every six months, for optimal operation. If your wipers streak or fail to clear the windshield thoroughly, replace the blades. Fill the windshield washer reservoir with fluid formulated to remove insects and other debris, and test to make sure the nozzle spray adequately.
4) Top off engine oil and other fluids
Check that engine oil, coolant, and brake, transmission, and power steering fluids are at the correct levels for safe vehicle operation. When adding fluids, use products that meet the specifications listed in the owner's manual.
Check tire pressure only when the car has been idle and the tires are cool. Inflate as needed to the vehicle manufacturer's recommended pressure, which you'll find listed in your owner's manual and on the sticker of the driver side door jamb. Don't use the number on the tire sidewall.
6) Check belts and. hoses
Reinforced rubber drive belts power the engine water pump and accessories such as the alternator and air-conditioning compressor. It's critical that you inspect them, and replace any that are cracked, glazed or frayed.


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Flickr repository
The Flickr repository enables a user to log into their Flickr account and copy files from their account into any of the Moodle file interfaces.
Flickr repository setup
Location: Administration > Site administration > Plugins > Repositories > Manage repositories
This page lets a site administrator configure access to a Flickr repository.
To set this repository up you need to set the following two fields:
- API Key
- Secret
Setting up a Flickr API
To get your API Key and Secret you need to create an App inside your Flickr account. Visit this link to start creating your own API Key and secret.
- Click the "Get Another Key" button to start creating your App.
- Choose "Apply for a Non-commercial Key"
- Enter a title and brief description for the App (i.e. Moodle to Flickr Access - App to allow Moodle to access Flickr through its repository API)
- Tick the two boxes to show your agreement to Flickr's terms of use and then click submit.
- You will now have the key and secret for the new app. Copy and paste these into the fields in your Moodle Flickr configuration page.
- Click save on the Moodle Flickr configuration page.
- Revisit the settings of your Flickr repository in Moodle and copy the callback URL from that page.
- Revisit your Flickr App page and click on the "Edit Auth Flow for this App" link
- Paste the URL from your Moodle page into the Callback URL field on your Flickr App
- Click "Save Changes"
You should now have a working Flickr repository. Try adding a file from your Flickr account as a resource in Moodle to test it!
Repository capabilities
There is just one capability, View Flickr repository, which is allowed for the default authenticated user role.
See also
- Flickr public repository
- MDL-59645 - Flickr authentication flow stopped working - fixed in Moodle 3.3.3 onwards


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Monthly Survey of Manufacturing (MSM)
Detailed information for June 2002
Record number:
The Monthly Survey of Manufacturing (MSM) publishes statistical series for manufacturers -- sales of goods manufactured, inventories, unfilled orders and new orders.
Data release - August 19, 2002
- Questionnaire(s) and reporting guide(s)
- Description
- Data sources and methodology
- Data accuracy
- Documentation
The MSM publishes the values (in Canadian dollars) of sales of goods manufactured, inventories and orders. The MSM data are used as indicators of the economic condition of manufacturing industries; as inputs to Canada's Gross Domestic Product; as components in the Statistics Canada (STC) composite indicator; as input to economic studies, and in econometric models (e.g. to determine market share, apparent domestic availability, etc.). Results from this survey are used by both the private and public sectors including finance departments of the federal and provincial governments, the Bank of Canada, Industry Canada, the System of National Accounts, the manufacturing community, consultants and research organizations in Canada, the United States and abroad, and the business press.
Reference period: Month
- Manufacturing
Data sources and methodology
Target population
The target population consists of incorporated and non-incorporated establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing.
Instrument design
The design of the MSM questionnaire, which dates back over 15 years, is meant to collect major indicators of the economic activity of the manufacturing sector. The development of the questionnaire took into account the ability of respondents to provide the requested type of data.
This is a sample survey with a cross-sectional design.
Since 1999, Statistics Canada's Business Register provides the sampling frame for the Monthly Survey of Manufacturing (MSM). The target population for the MSM consists of all statistical establishments on the business register that are classified to the manufacturing sector. The sampling frame for the MSM is determined from the target population after subtracting establishments that represent the bottom 2% of the total manufacturing shipments estimate for each province. These establishments are excluded from the frame so that the sample size can be reduced without significantly affecting quality.
The MSM sample is a representative sample comprised of approximately 11,000 establishments.
Prior to selection, the sampling frame is subdivided into industry-province cells. For the most part, North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes are used. Depending upon the number of establishments within each cell, further subdivisions are made to group similar sized establishments together (called stratum). An establishment's size is based on its most recently available annual shipments or sales value.
Each industry by province cell has a 'take-all' stratum composed of establishments sampled each month with certainty. This 'take-all' stratum is composed of establishments that are the largest statistical enterprises, and have the largest impact on estimates within a particular industry by province cell. These large statistical enterprises are found in the top 45% of the national manufacturing shipment estimates.
Each industry - province cell can have at most three 'take some' stratums. Not all establishments within these stratums need to be sampled with certainty. A random sample is drawn from the remaining strata. The responses from these sampled establishments are weighted according to the inverse of their probability of selection.
An initial sample was drawn in 1998, when the survey was converted to NAICS. This sample is refreshed each month by including a sample of the birth in the population. Every three years, all establishments in the sample are re-stratified to take into account changes in their value of shipments, dead units are removed from the sample and some small units are rotated out, while others are rotated into the sample.
Data sources
Responding to this survey is mandatory.
Data are collected directly from survey respondents and extracted from administrative files.
Basic collection, data capture, preliminary edit and follow-up of non-respondents are primarily performed by staff in the Statistics Canada regional offices. Sampled companies are contacted either by mail or telephone, whichever they prefer. Data capture and preliminary editing are performed simultaneously to ensure the validity of the data. Companies from which no response has been received or whose data may contain errors, are followed-up immediately.
View the Questionnaire(s) and reporting guide(s) .
Error detection
There are edits built into the data capture application to compare the entered data against unusual values, as well as to check for logical inconsistencies. Whenever an edit fails, the interviewer is prompted to correct the information (with the help of the respondent when necessary). For most edit failures the interviewer has the ability to override the edit failure if they cannot resolve the apparent discrepancy.
Once the data are received back at head office, an extensive series of processing steps are undertaken to thoroughly verify each record received. Edits are performed at a more aggregate level (industry by geographic level) to detect records which deviate from the expected, either by exhibiting large month-to-month change, or differing significantly from the remaining establishments. All data failing these edits are subject to manual inspection and possible corrective action.
Imputation is required for each characteristic in the constant sample panel for which no report has been received. These are calculated automatically, subject to certain constraints, by applying to previously used values, the month-to-month and year-to-year changes in similar values of responding firms.
Estimates are monthly projections of Annual Survey of Manufactures (ASM) benchmark values, based on returns from a sample of manufacturing establishments. The survey includes all large manufacturing establishments in each industry in each province and samples of medium sized and small ones. Combined reports from multi-unit companies are pro-rated among their establishments and adjustments for progress billings reflect revenues received for work done on large item contracts. While shipments estimates are produced by province, no geographical detail is compiled for inventories and orders since many firms cannot report book values of these items monthly.
Industry values of shipments, inventories and unfilled orders are estimated by weighting the responses and imputations by the number of establishments each represents, summing them and adjusting the totals by a previously determined constant (i.e. the ratio of census-derived industry benchmark values to the sum of the weighted sample responses for the benchmark period). New orders series by industry are derived by adding the change in unfilled orders over a period to shipments within that period.
Quality evaluation
The final data sets are subject to rigorous analysis that includes comparison to historical series and comparisons to other sources of data in order to put the economic changes in context. Information available from the media, other government organizations and economic think tanks is also used in the validation process.
Disclosure control
Statistics Canada is prohibited by law from releasing any information it collects which could identify any person, business, or organization, unless consent has been given by the respondent or as permitted by the Statistics Act. Various confidentiality rules are applied to all data that are released or published to prevent the publication or disclosure of any information deemed confidential. If necessary, data are suppressed to prevent direct or residual disclosure of identifiable data.
Confidentiality analysis includes the detection of possible direct disclosure, which occurs when the value in a tabulation cell is composed of a few respondents or when the cell is dominated by a few companies.
Revisions and seasonal adjustment
Monthly, preliminary estimates are provided for the reference month with revised estimates, based on late responses, for the previous 3 months. Annually, benchmarking to the Annual Survey of Manufactures necessitates revisions to monthly data back to January of the benchmark year. The estimates are revised annually in accordance with the latest available data from the ASM.
Data accuracy
While considerable effort is made to ensure high standards throughout all stages of collection and processing, the resulting estimates are inevitably subject to a certain degree of non-sampling error. Non-sampling error is not related to sampling and may occur for many reasons. For example, non-response is an important source of non-sampling error. Population coverage, differences in the interpretations of questions and mistakes in recording, coding and processing data are other examples of non-sampling errors.
Non-sampling errors are controlled through a careful design of the questionnaire, the use of a minimal number of simple concepts and consistency checks. Measures such as response rates are used as indicators of the possible extent of non-sampling errors.
The average weighted response rates for the MSM are 97.9% for shipments.
Sampling error can be measured by the standard error (or standard deviation) of the estimate. The coefficient of variation (CV) is the estimated standard error percentage of the survey estimate. Estimates with smaller CVs are more reliable than estimates with larger CVs. The CVs for the Monthly Survey of Manufacturing are included in the concepts and definitions link of each Daily release.
- Monthly Survey of Manufacturing (MSM) - June 2002 - Concepts and Definitions
- Date modified:


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Be heard at the White House – tell them why you support public access to research
The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy has invited comment on broadening public access to publicly funded research and they want to hear from you. Please post your contributions to this blog.
Their Request for Information (RFI) lasts for just 30 days and expires on 7 January 2010, so we'd like to encourage you to get involved sooner rather than later. This is an opportunity for us to shape a broader public access policy – how it should be implemented, what type of technology and features are needed, and how to manage it.
Adding your thoughts to the blog will help ensure that the administration form a balanced (the comment thread is moderated) view of stakeholders' interest. E-mail comments will also be accepted and will be posted to the blog by the moderators.
There are 3 main topics where the administration would appreciate your input (they also welcome general comments) and each one is open for a set period of time:
1. Implementation – expires 20 December 2009. Which Federal agencies are good candidates to adopt Public Access policies? What variables (field of science, proportion of research funded by public or private entities, etc.) should affect how public access is implemented at various agencies, including the maximum length of time between publication and public release?
2. Features and Technology – 21-31 December 2009. In what format should the data be submitted in order to make it easy to search and retrieve information, and to make it easy for others to link to it? Are there existing digital standards for archiving and interoperability to maximize public benefit? How are these anticipated to change?
3. Management – 1-7 January 2010. What are the best mechanisms to ensure compliance? What would be the best metrics of success? What are the best examples of usability in the private sector (both domestic and international)? Should those who access papers be given the opportunity to comment or provide feedback?
Thanks for supporting this initiative.


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Holylandtourstravel.com operated by Israel Tourism Consultants a Vacations For Less, Inc.® Company Privacy Policy
Effective July 24, 2012
Your privacy is very important to Israel Tourism Consultants ("we" or "us"). This Privacy Policy describes the principles and practices that apply to Personal Information collected from users of our services ("you") on our website, in telephone or e-mail communications.
Holylandtourstravel.com operated by Israel Tourism Consultants:
- We will not collect Personal Information without your knowledge and permission;
- We will not knowingly disclose your Personal Information to third parties;
- We will allow you to view, correct or modify your Personal Information; and
- We will take reasonable steps to protect the security of the Personal Information we collect from you.
The Information We Collect:
This notice applies to all information collected or submitted on Israel Tourism Consultants website. On some pages, you can order products and services, make requests, and register to receive e-mails or to book as a Travel Agent. The types of personal information collected at these pages are for example, names, address, e-mail, contact numbers, and payment information such as credit/debit card information when making a booking.
The Way We Use Information:
We use the information you provide about yourself or others when making a booking only to complete that booking and or to provide a travel services. We do not share this information with outside parties except to the extent necessary to complete that booking and services.
We use the information you provide about someone else when placing a booking only to confirm and provide travel services. We do not share this information with outside parties except to the extent necessary to complete that booking.
We use return email addresses to answer the email we receive. Such addresses are not used for any other purpose and are not shared with outside parties.
You can register with our website if you would like to receive our e-mails and promotions. Information you submit on our website will not be used for this purpose unless you fill out the registration forms.
We use non-identifying and aggregate information to better design our website and to share with advertisers. For example, we may tell an advertiser that X number of individuals visited a certain area on our website, or that Y number of men and Z number of women filled out our registration form, but we would not disclose anything that could be used to identify those individuals.
Finally, we never use or share the personally identifiable information provided to us online in ways unrelated to the ones described above without also providing you an opportunity to opt-out or otherwise prohibit such unrelated uses.
Our Commitment To Data Security:
To prevent unauthorized access, maintain data accuracy, and ensure the correct use of information, we have put in place appropriate physical, electronic, and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online.
Our Commitment To Children's Privacy:
Protecting the privacy of the very young is especially important. For that reason, we never collect or maintain information at our website from those we actually know are under 13, and no part of our website is structured to attract anyone under 13.
How You Can Access Or Correct Your Information:
You can correct travel documents and personal identification information by contacting us directly at 323 655 6121. To protect your privacy and security, we will also take reasonable steps to verify your identity before making corrections.
Website Cookies:
Many Web sites, including ours, use cookie technology to help our customers have a better on-line experience and to complete bookings. A cookie is a small text file that resides on your hard drive. At times, our site will request the cookie from your browser to retrieve stored information. This prevents you from having to provide the same information numerous times. Knowing how you use the site enables us to better tailor our content and services to most effectively suit your needs. Israel Tourism Consultants will never uses cookies to store personal information, such as credit-card numbers, nor can any Web site other than ours read the information we store in the cookie.
How To Contact Us:
Should you have other questions or concerns about these privacy policies, please call us at 323 655 6121 or use our contact form.


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Hi. Don't feel so bad about your incident with the Intrepid, You're not the only one. When they held welcoming ceremonies a few years back for the British Concorde, I got an invitation to attend as a guest. Upon arrival, I was told that in order to enter, I had to pay the regular admission so I refused and I was also furious. I managed to find a way to see the ceremonies anyway but had to stand and missed the first part. Also, in the 80's, the Port Authority promised me a private tour of the JFK tarmac where I could take photos. We were to meet at the GAT. The guy never showed-up and never bothered to answer his phone. I sent him a nasty letter the following day and never got a reply or even the courtesy of an apology. I spent over $60 on car service for nothing as I have no car.
I was sending prv msg :P
Shhhh im not here. You didnt see me.
Hey Phil, great seeing you at AI2010. Dumb question-- do you still need to have photos uploaded on web site to post them here? No way to just upload direct? Thanks, Mike
Send an Instant Message to PhilDernerJr Using...
Junior Member
Senior Member


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A student design |
Energy3D can log any student actions and intermediate steps, which provide extremely detailed information about student design processes. With such a high-resolution lens, we could characterize student patterns and analyze how they solve the design challenge closely. For example, the CAD log allows us to reconstruct the entire design process of each student and show it in an unprecedentedly fine-grained timeline graph. A timeline graph may show how students went through different iterative steps while shaping their designs. For instance, did they consider the interactions among the buildings they designed? Did they go back to revise a previously erected building that may be affected by a newly added one? The timeline data we have collected show that the students' designs demonstrated more iterative features as they moved on to explore and design alternatives following the initial attempts (perhaps encouraged by the gained familiarity with and confidence in the CAD tool).
A design timeline (click to enlarge) |
Summary of the results |
For more information about this research project, visit: http://energy.concord.org/research.html.


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Exhibit 32.1
I, Augustus C. Griffin, President and Chief Executive Officer of MGP Ingredients, Inc. (the "Company"), certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that:
(1) the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the quarter ended
March 31, 2015
(the "Report") fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)); and
(2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
May 7, 2015
/s/ Augustus C. Griffin
Augustus C. Griffin
President and Chief Executive Officer
[A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to MGP Ingredients, Inc. and will be retained by MGP Ingredients, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.]


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Fantasy Notes: Dealing Duchscherer
Back in Spring Training we suggested that Justin Duchscherer moving into the rotation might take some of the sting out of losing Dan Haren for the A's. Um, apparently we underestimated just how much of an impact Duchscherer would have. After Wednesday's two-hit shutout performance, JD is now 10-5 with a major-league beat 1.78 ERA. Now comes the big question: when exactly will this converted reliever with a history of health problems hit his apex? I've been advising people in recent weeks to sell high on Duchscherer for a number of reasons. For starters, his previous career high in innings pitched was 96 1/3, and that was back in 2004; this year, he's already at 101 IP, and we're barely in mid-July. Can you say injury risk? I mean, remember that this is the same man who's hip injury knocked him out for the last four and a half months in 2007, which makes his inning count this year even more of a red flag. Then, there's the mere fact that he's simply not this good. That's no slight on Duchscherer, who has been brilliant out of the rotation. But really, no one is this good. Well, maybe Roger Clemens, circa 2005, but come on – what JD is doing is unsustainable. Trade him while his value is at its highest and let someone else sweat it over when the other shoe will drop.
After a couple of beat downs he suffered in June, owners were beginning to wonder if James Shields was capable of building on or even matching his breakout 2007. Well, wonder no more, because Shields is getting on one of his grooves now, having won his last three starts in very impressive manner (20 1/3 IP, 13 hits, five runs, two homers, two walks, 18 Ks). His overall numbers are now right in line with what he did last year, so if he can stay healthy and continue his current hot streak, I'd say there's no reason to think he can't post a sub-3.50 ERA this year and perhaps top his dozen wins from 2007.
While the Rays have gone from worst to first, I wouldn't give much credit to Cliff Floyd, other than being that ubiquitous 'veteran presence.' But at the age of 35, his role has been reduced to the point where there's virtually no need to own him, even in a somewhat deep AL-only league. Me thinks the end of the line is near for Floyd. He got off to a fantastic start, but has been somewhat pedestrian since then.
Troy Percival has pitched very well when he's been in the lineup – recording his highest K rate since 2002 – but with two DL stints because of his hammies now in the books, owners' worries about the health risks associated with this vet have been proved correct. This current injury is bad enough to scare away some owners, as Percy has wound up on a few waiver wires. We've seen a closer-by-committee approach since Percival got hurt, with J.P. Howell saving the first, and then Dan Wheeler saving one sandwiched between a pair of saves by Grant Balfour. In order, ranked by value while Percy is out, I'd take Balfour, Howell and then Wheeler.
Still with the Rays, rookie Evan Longoria is heating up again, with hits in eight of his past nine games, raising his BA 14 points to .281 in the process. The kid cooled significantly in May, but he pounded eight dingers, drove in 19 and hit .300 in June, and appears to be building on that trend so far this month, batting a robust .394. How do you like his stats through 81 games (obviously an easy projection for what he's capable of over a full season)? Let's see, he's got 16 homers, 22 doubles and 53 RBI. Um, that will do for a rookie season, I'd say.
Carl Crawford's disappointing season does not seem to be turning around. Considering you likely spent a late first round pick on this dude, it's reasonable for you to expect more production. While I'm happy to see the improvements he's made in strike zone judgment, he's actually been a more aggressive hitter this year, and that's hurt him in the BA department. What has me worried even more is Crawford's precipitous dip in pop. Sure, his triples have held steady and his homers are actually up, but just eight doubles to this point? He's currently on pace for less than 40 extra-base hits this season after putting up no less than 54 and as many as 63 over the past four seasons. On the plus side, Crawford has hit for a significantly higher BA in the second half in recent years, so it's reasonable to expect him to push his average closer to the .300 mark before season's end.
Another Ray taken in the high rounds who is not delivering on expectations is B.J. Upton. He was pretty good over the first two months of the season, but has struggled since, batting just .245 with only six steals in June, and scuffling to a .200 mark so far in July. Too many of Upton's 2007 homers seemed to have turned into doubles this year, and while the added swipes have offset that to an extent, a weaker BA has hurt his overall value. What concerns me even more is that he's traditionally a far better first half player, especially in the power department, so it seems a likely bet that 2008 will wind up being a large step backward in Upton's overall development.
As we discussed earlier this week, two of the bigger trade chips have already been dealt in C.C. Sabathia and Rich Harden, but there are other pitchers out there that can be had for the right price. The Royals played very well in June, but have gone back into the tank recently, and with them sitting 13 games out in the Central and even further out in the Wild Card picture, look for Gil Meche to be moved soon. Meche has been unable to consolidate his fine first year in KC, but has pitched much better lately, with a 3.65 ERA in May and 3.13 in June. He took a beating in Baltimore in his first July start, but bounced back this week with a better effort in Tampa Bay. Meche makes for a decent wire pickup, but fantasy owners and major league teams considering picking him up should beware that Meche has struggled in the second half in recent years.


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Monday, November 5, 2012
What We're Reading
Compiled by the editors of HoseMaster of Wine™
WINE SPECTATOR: It's the much-anticipated Top 100 Wines issue for 2012. And for the first time ever, all 100 wines are from the 2009 Bordeaux vintage. "Hey, the 2012's will suck from there so, God knows, they could use the help," writes the magazine's publisher, Marvin Shanken. James Laube has a rebuttal post, which had to hurt going in, and he also spends his column offering up the 10 Best Things he put in his mouth this year. Write your own joke. Matt Kramer reflects on the meaning of being the smartest wine writer to ever live, and decides it's his humility that sets him apart. That, and the array of solar panels installed above his eyebrows. And don't miss Talia Baiocchi's new blog post in which she realizes old, fat, rich white guys can, in fact, buy young white women and make them do what they want. Tim Fish wonders where fruit flies live.
THE FEIRING LINE: The premiere issue of Ms. Feiring's independent newsletter, subtitled "The Real Wine Newsletter" (using "real" in the exact same sense as "Real Housewives of New Jersey"), specializes in "honest viticulture and minimal intervention wines." As it turns out, "minimal intervention wines" are not what you drink while watching Kitty Genovese get murdered. Nope, Ms. Feiring explains, "minimal intervention wines are wines the winemaker manipulates as little as possible," preferring, instead, to spend his time manipulating admiring, starry-eyed wine writers. No one knows what "honest viticulture" means.
WALL STREET JOURNAL: Lettie Teague has a fascinating column about South Africa and all the innovations in winemaking coming from that country. "California wineries could learn a valuable lesson from their South African counterparts and begin harvest in February," she notes. "It's also a lot easier to find seasonal help that time of year. And the lions aren't as active." Jay McInerney finds that tasting white wines makes him think of female breasts. "Is it just me, or does everyone think that California Chardonnays have humongous hooters? Whereas, say, a good German Riesling has those little girl perky tits that will age nicely and are just a touch sweet. Champagne has perfect breasts, though Dom's are fake." When it comes to red wine, McInerney writes, "I think of testicles. And, when it comes right down to it, most of us would rather have balls in our mouths."
PALATE PRESS: Discerning readers have discovered that Palate Press isn't just a place for industrial wines to be reviewed by simpletons. A quick visit yields an informative article on pruning shears, tracing them back to their roots in the bris ceremony. (Note to PP: don't use "root" and "bris" in the same sentence.) There's also an opinion piece by Meg Housonfirst Maker about Wine Spectator. "I don't understand why they hired that Talia Be-ach and left me in this Godforsaken virtual hellhole." She makes a good point. "Talia may be the voice of her generation, but I'm the snore." W. Blinky Gray wonders why wines that are lower in alcohol aren't cheaper than other wines, "We buy wine to get drunk, so less alcohol should be less expensive. It just makes sense. Wineries should get on the bandwagon and lower both." Refreshing to read someone with years of experience who doesn't actually seem like it.
WINE JULIA: Julia won Best New Wine Blog at this year's Wine Blog Awards, and a visit shows why. There's an in-depth report on Oregon's 2012 Harvest, a spirited discussion of Oregon terroir, and fantastic tasting notes on hundreds of Oregon new releases. OK, no there's not. There's notes about free wines she received, free junkets she participated in, and free tastings she got invited to. So, yeah, they got it right, she's a wine blogger.
WINE ENTHUSIAST: Don't miss Wine Enthusiast's 2012 lists of Top 100 Cellar Selections, Top 50 Spirits, Top 25 Beers, Top 10 Cheapass Moscatos, Top 7 Cocktails for Pukeathons, Top 5 Sommeliers with Harelips, and Top 3 Wine Magazines with Inflated Scores. Steve Heimoff pays a visit to the Sta. Rita Hills appellation only to discover, to his dismay, that Sta. Rita isn't short for Strawberry Margarita. Paul Gregutt walks in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark and finds that even then tasting room employees were surly. "They even carded Sacajawea." Roger Voss on the back roads of the Languedoc, "Look at all the trees…!"
ON THE WINE TRAIL IN ITALY: Alfonso Cevola with a haunting piece about how much in common Texas and Italy have. "My native Italy, land of my ancestors, the womb I gwew up in, is, after all, shaped like the iconic footwear of my adopted home Texas—a boot. As I worship my beloved Italy, am I not just another Texas bootlicker?" Alfonso makes an interesting observation about the two cuisines as well. "Where Italy has garlic, Texas has iced tea." As usual, Alfonso leaves you wondering if there's a plate in his head that sets off airport security alarms On the Wine Trail in Italy.
25 comments:
- November 5, 2012 at 9:07 AM
- Mike Dunne said...
The only reason I'm not "First" is because I actually read the whole post.
- November 5, 2012 at 9:25 AM
- Samantha Dugan said...
Ron My Love,
As always another hilarious read. So many great lines but I think I laughed the hardest at, "Lettie Teague has a fascinating column" might have even snorted. I love you! - November 5, 2012 at 9:29 AM
The "First" is not a pissing competition between readers.
It is a referential commentary on the status of HMoW. It has risen (?) to such status that wine blog-reading addicts scamper to their computers every Monday and Thursday morning, rubbing the crust out of the corners of their eyes, to see what the Annointed One has said today.
Kind of like it was done on Wine Library TV.....
That said, "honest" viticulture does not sell. Thus no SIP or BD certified vineyard will allow pictures or little squirrels and gophers caught by a trap and writing in the sun as they agonize their way to (naturally) increasing the nitrogen content of the that little patch of soil. - November 5, 2012 at 10:35 AM
... make that "writHing in the sun"
- November 5, 2012 at 10:36 AM
- Marcia Macomber said...
As always, the belly laughs began overlapping faster and faster throughout today's piece to the point I may need to make a trip to the emergency room to keep my diaphragm from herniating. (No, not that one!)
So many hilarious lines. Was it "Steve Heimoff pays a visit to the Sta. Rita Hills appellation only to discover, to his dismay, that Sta. Rita isn't short for Strawberry Margarita" that struck the greatest chord or "They even carded Sacajawea"?
At the top, you were out of the gate at top speed with "James Laube has a rebuttal post, which had to hurt going in..." Oooooooeeeeeeeeeeeeee! - November 5, 2012 at 12:01 PM
- Alfonso Cevola said...
I reckon I would respond but the governor, err plate in my head, will not let me...
- November 5, 2012 at 3:17 PM
- Ron Washam, HMW said...
Hey Gang,
Let's see, I could up my comment count and respond individually...nah, I'll just chime in on my own blog.
The "What We're Reading" posts are a pain in the butt to write. Lots of jokes, mostly crap, in a short space. That's work, but what's really difficult is to find worthy targets, blogs and publications that actually are recognizable or meaningful. The list of those is very short. But I like the format. And it's good comic exercise as well.
I'm not sure I'm the Anointed One, unless you mean I'm unctuous, like a 98 point Parker wine. And I'm certainly no Vaynerchuk. And I'm also far from First. But I appreciate the sarcasm.
- November 5, 2012 at 6:22 PM
- Samantha Dugan said...
Um, this is bullshit. I need my "My Gorgeous Samantha" comments, this group comment business, well as I said, bullshit. Humpf! But I still love you!
- November 5, 2012 at 6:59 PM
- Thomas said...
Where do fruit flies live? Love it.
Don't worry, you don't have to answer my comment until after you rack up a dozen more. Don't want you to overuse your typing fingers. Besides, unlike Sam, I don;t need no stinkin' hose. - November 5, 2012 at 7:15 PM
Not unctuous, sebaceous....
- November 5, 2012 at 9:08 PM
I am a little surprised that you dropped the Jenna prename for Ms. Be-ach.
Regardless, it is going to stick because the image is carved in sharp relief. - November 6, 2012 at 8:05 AM
"Monterey: an up-and-coming wine region" - Steve Heimoff, Nov. 6, 2012.
Sigh.... - November 6, 2012 at 8:50 AM
- Eric V. Orange said...
You will never retain your top blog position if you don't comment back to each comment. It's the only way, man, wise up!
You know you've made it now because of this;
"Kind of like it was done on Wine Library TV.....".
Being compared to Gary V.
You rock.
EVO - November 6, 2012 at 8:51 AM
- Ron Washam, HMW said...
My Gorgeous Samantha,
As ever, you've summed me up, "...this is bullshit." So concise, and so accurate. Yet another reason I love you.
It's not typing that's overusing my fingers... And where do fruit flies live? It's a mystery.
Man, you're like Webster. Not Noah, TV's Webster (RIP Alex Karras).
Come on, don't be shy, just sign your name. All the kids are doing it.
I dropped the "Jenna" because, satirically, I was speaking as Meg Maker (who would never use "be-atch," but, hey, it's comedy).
Jack Stems,
I know, amazing. I didn't even know they made wine in Monterey. Next week on STEVE! "Anderson Valley: New Pinot Noir Region to Watch!"
Happy now?
Thanks for dropping by now and then, Eric. Always glad to have you around. Plug me now and then, will you? Sheesh, HoseMaster needs all the help it can get.
And comparing me to Gary V was no doubt meant as an insult. And a damned fine one at that. - November 6, 2012 at 9:12 AM
- Eric V. Orange said...
I will plug you, but the only people who get your humor are the 13 people who comment here and some industry lurkers. I bet I could name most of them.
I'm prolly the only publisher you haven't insulted, so I'm glad to do it. Let's see what you get from 65,000 facebook fans today or tomorrow.
I get it and I laugh every time Ron, even if I don't leave a comment.
EVO - November 6, 2012 at 10:10 AM
- Ron Washam, HMW said...
I'm not sure even the 13 people here get it.
I don't think all of my stuff is THAT inside. I like to think most wine lovers would understand most of the jokes. But I'm pretty self-deluded.
Thank you for the plug--I'll let you know how many hits I get from it. And thanks for reading, my friend. I appreciate it. - November 6, 2012 at 10:48 AM
Yes.... Small, black and perky.....
I love you, Ma'am.... - November 6, 2012 at 10:51 AM
- Cris Whetstone said...
Well done again, Hose. Ms Alice will call you sexist BTW. I hear she is dating someone prominent within the heathen California winemaking scene now. Maybe arguments over sulfur levels and fermentation vessels actually turn her on?
- November 6, 2012 at 3:18 PM
- Ron Washam, HMW said...
I suspect she'll call me much worse than sexist, and it will be anatomical.
But, honestly, you think Alice reads what I write? Unlikely. - November 6, 2012 at 4:14 PM
- gabe said...
love the "what are we reading" posts. how about a "what are we drinking" post in the future? some combination of harlan cabernet and barefoot moscato?
- November 6, 2012 at 9:25 PM
- Thomas said...
To Jack Stems: now you know how we feel in the Finger Lakes, the oldest "emerging" wine region in history!
I think wine critics should be arrested for impersonating thoughtfulness. - November 7, 2012 at 7:47 AM
- Ron Washam, HMW said...
Thanks. I sort of dread writing the "What We're Reading" posts, but they always get a huge response.
"What We're Drinking" might work better as "What We Wish We Hadn't Put in Our Mouths." Why ruin a good Moscato by adding Harlan Estate?
They make wine in the Finger Lakes?! From grapes? When did that start? Man, I need to read more wine publications. - November 7, 2012 at 8:30 AM
- Thomas said...
You won't find that information in wine publications...it's a blogger's world now. - November 7, 2012 at 8:44 AM
At least Dan Berger and the NY Cork Report remember....
I reserve my sympathy for Missouri and Virginia and New Mexico. - November 7, 2012 at 10:02 AM


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Trust is the Foundation of Every Successful Team. Here's How to Start Building It.
"To make someone trustworthy, first you must trust them."
"To make someone trustworthy, first you must trust them." I heard this saying from my parents often, but it took me years to really understand its value. I don't know if it's a quote or if they came up with it themselves, but I believe it's an absolute truth in leadership. As a leader, you must make the leap of faith to trust your team — even before they've "earned it."
According to HBR, companies considered to have high trust see 74% less stress, 106% more energy at work, 50% higher productivity, 13% fewer sick days, 76% more engagement, 29% more satisfaction with their lives and 40% less burnout than companies with low trust.
When successful companies are compared with unsuccessful ones, trust (or lack of it) within and between teams plays a major role, but it's rarely the subject of deliberate strategic focus. If you've already worked on developing self-awareness as described in my first post in this series, your next step to becoming an effective, modern leader is to start thinking deeply about trust: how to build it, and how it gets broken.
Lack of trust is at the root of team dysfunction
In his book "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team," organizational health expert Patrick Lencioni identifies trust as the foundation of a successful team — and absence of trust as the top factor that will keep teams from achieving their goals.
To be successful, team members must feel comfortable being vulnerable enough to admit mistakes, ask for help, share tasks and work together effectively. When this trust is absent, it leads to negative team politics, protectionism and friction — contributing to the other four dysfunctions identified by Lencioni: fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability and inattention to results.
These issues not only make the work environment unpleasant — they can also prevent productive work from getting done. For example, if only one team member can perform a particular task, and they don't trust their colleagues to execute it, they may refuse to train anyone else and insist on handling that task themselves. That task will likely become a bottleneck that will hold up the entire team whenever that particular team member is busy or absent. Or worse, that team member becomes a single point of failure and when they leave, the whole team has to scramble to fill the gaps.
To build trust, take a leap of faith
An effective leader models the behavior they want to see from their team, including trust. So, rather than expecting our team to trust us and expecting them to earn our trust, we need to invert the dynamic. We should give them our trust first, and then work to earn theirs. That means trusting our people from the earliest possible opportunity.
Now, this does not mean that we throw caution to the wind. As the leader, overall accountability still sits on our shoulders. For a new manager on a team, nobody can expect trust to be as high as it would be if they had been working with that team for years. So, the leader should lean on the experience that got them to that position, and deliberately choose to act from a position of trust rather than self-preservation.
Here are some examples of things we can all try:
1. Have members of the team drive the regular meetings and discussions themselves (internal and customer facing).
This gives members of the team opportunities to demonstrate micro-leadership and allows us, as leaders, to practice courage and trust. We must, however, use good judgement when delegating these opportunities.
2. Ask for team members' opinions on things we're working on that are outside of their "official" work streams.
This gives them visibility into the bigger picture and makes them feel valued. Plus, we'll get some great input that we would not have had otherwise.
3. When faced with challenges, ask them "What would you do?"
Like the item above, this approach helps widen a team member's experience and demonstrates that we value their input.
4. Lead your team to discover solutions on their own.
As the team leader, if we have a solution in mind for a problem, rather than simply instructing the team on how to implement our solution, encourage them to arrive at a solution their own way. If we feel the team's solution is flawed, ask fundamental questions, like:
- What happens if x happens?
- Do we really need that?
- Have you considered y?
- What happens if I press this button?"
Allow the team to discover weaknesses on their own and train them to ask the same types of questions. Keep in mind:
- If we think the team's solution is awesome, ask the same questions anyway. It's always good to stress test an idea.
- If the team arrives at the same solution as we did, let them take the credit for it.
- If the team's solution is more effective than what we came up with, tell them that, use their solution and make sure they get credit for it.
5. Respond with genuine curiosity.
If a team member does not deliver what was expected, try being genuinely curious as to why it happened, rather than instantly holding their feet to the flame and demanding accountability. How we respond will directly affect how much they trust us the next time they are struggling with something. It will also determine how the rest of the team handles similar issues.
A team in which trust has been developed properly will begin to hold each other accountable constructively and support each other. The team will focus on achieving goals as a cohesive unit rather than as individuals.
The weight of leading with trust
Being the first to exercise trust is hard in any relationship. It forces us to willingly expose ourselves to other people's intentions. We fear the repercussions of getting it wrong, so we protect ourselves by withholding decisions and responsibility. This is a short-term approach that inherently builds toxicity and resentment, which will only fracture and divide our teams.
People inherently (and often subconsciously) know the difference between someone who is genuinely authentic and someone who is faking it. If we can't bring ourselves to take a risk and put our faith in our team for anything, they will know. As the leader, if we find it too much of a challenge to trust our team, then it's possible we're not the right person, or at least not in the right frame of mind at the current moment, to lead them effectively.
However, by developing self-awareness, being ferociously eager to learn, committing to growth and practicing the empathy that comes with social and emotional intelligence, we as current and future leaders equip ourselves with the strength to carry the weight of trusting others. In doing so, we earn the trust from our teams in return.
Ultimately this is called "the burden of leadership" for good reason — and accepting it as a fundamental part of the responsibility is very important.
Building on trust's foundations
Along with demonstrating these behaviors to encourage confidence within the team, there are other key areas where we can continuously make deliberate efforts to improve.
- Listening
Practice active and deep listening. Learn about our team members as individuals and be considerate of their personal needs and challenges in and out of work.
- Providing challenge
Most people are looking for a forward-moving career, so we should work to provide appropriate challenges so that when we or they move on, they are better off having had the experience.
- Coaching
Helping others understand how to take ownership and move their own careers forward is a gift and is far more effective than trying to motivate them down a path based on our own interpretation of what is good for them.
- Holding them accountable and encouraging them to do the same for themselves and each other
Agree on an "ethos" for how your team works and behaves. Practice open, constructive debate, and encourage everyone to voice their concerns and make the environment safe for them to do so.
Be sure to never let the elephant sit in the room for long — instead, raise issues and moderate the debates. Also, always assume positive intent when listening to people's concerns. This is important to call out when any team members are voicing concerns, and especially important when receiving criticism.
- Encouraging them to hold us accountable
Continuing the theme of practicing what we preach, we can't expect people to receive criticism from us if we do not demonstrate the same ability.
- Advocating for the right environment and tools
Ask our team what they need to be successful, but also understand the existence and nature of unarticulated needs. Identifying these requires deep listening over time.
- Providing air cover
One of the biggest mental blocks that prevents a team from making good decisions is individuals' fear that any mistake will result in some sort of punishment. Ensure, when speaking with our own leaders, that we are taking accountability for our teams. If the team fails at something, we should stand up and own it. If they succeed, we should stand back and let the team have the credit they deserve.
If you come away from reading this with just one, tiny nugget of information to think about, let it be this: When we display genuine trust, we create a trusting environment. Our team members will emulate our behaviors, trusting each other as we show trust in them.
Of course, trust isn't sufficient to solve every issue on its own. In the third and final post in this series, I'll discuss a few specific strategies that can help a trusting team perform effectively and deal with problems as they arise. But none of those strategies works without a foundation of trust — which can only grow when we as leaders make the first move.
Effective Leadership Starts and Ends with People
About the Authors
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Yearning for Learning…
We all have those points we reach where we re-evaluate where we are and what we want. I honestly think that it's part of the process by which we make sure we're not repeating mistakes and are on the path we want to be on.
As you all know, I started my own consulting business about a year ago, and it's been a learning experience to say the least. I've learned more about the business world and finance and taxes in the last year than I had in decades prior.
It occurred to me that one thing I truly love to do is learn…be it people…trees…the wind…math…okay…maybe not math much anymore, but you know what I mean? My spark is still there…in scenarios where I have to immerse myself into an environments where I have no bearing, and no experience. While I am hardly getting rich by becoming my own boss, but I am enjoying a level of freedom that I didn't even know when I was a kid. Part of that freedom has been having the time to take on learning TONS of subject matter I didn't have time for beforehand, and recently, I've even started inquiring about tuition costs for school because unfortunately, some of the world I want to know lays buried in the books and lectures of professors I normally wouldn't have access to otherwise.
The bottom line, I miss learning, I miss that feeling where I'm entering a completely new arena and have to soak in absolutely everything. It keeps my mind from getting too bored, which unfortunately is very easy for me if I don't have a conversation going on…or a book to read…or the internet to soak in and learn about…well…everything. Well, as I've learned recently, an undergraduate degree acquired online costs over $70k. Yup.
That is what I said. HOLY CHRIST ON A POGO STICK…SEVENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS…
…and that is 100% do it yourself computer based training.
Unfortunately, as I stated above, I have time – but money like that – not readily available, especially considering my health problems and trying to buy a house this year…I know it's simply not an option at rates like that.
So here comes that spark…
I've been a TED subscriber for quite some time, and the messages you hear on it are incredible…there are soooooo many people out there trying to broaden our horizons and make this world a far better place, it's pretty inspiring. So much that I've tried to make sure I watch at least a few TED video's every week or two so that I know what they know, or at the very lest can draw some ideas or inspiration.
And earlier today I saw this article on free courses offered online…
TED Blog – Completely free online classes? Coursera.org now offering courses from 16 top colleges
And after that I checked out Coursera.org and found that t wasn't the degree I longed for…it was the education, thee information, and the opportunity to soak more of the world or turn my brain to jello trying.
I went on to find a number of other organizations that offer free education and courses. I realized that some people and organization were finally trying to improve the world, by allowing the mind to grow. In a society that puts a price on access to virtually any information, there are finally a number of organization that are trying to share that wealth instead of profiteering from it.
Again. Me. Inspired!
So where did all that take me?
I have the time, I am going to take it and learn as much as I can while I still have it. There are already more courses out there than I could finish in the next decade, and I think that within the next few years the amount of curricula available will grow exponentially.
You're probably reading this and thinking Jeez Tony you could have just said, "I'm going back to school."
True, I could have, but then I wouldn't have shared all these nifty links to all these places online that provide free education.
The Khan Academy – TONS of video and stuff…LOADS…I also found these guys from TED.
OpenLearn– I haven't tried these guys yet but they have a huge course selection.
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health – Open Coursework from a great Medical School. Prize material for med students!
Tufts University – More Med school offerings
Stanford University – That's right, Stanford has buku lectures free via iTunes!!!!
UC Berkeley – More from UC Berkeley, available via iTunes!
OpenCulture – Has a FEKTON of courses listed available online.
Education Portal – Good information regarding online coursework.
What did I find for myself? A sustainability class, some newer Philosophy classes, loads of history classes I might actually like learning from…bottom line…enough for me to really enjoy regardless of where I learn it.


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Our site is currently undergoing maintenance - please accept our apologies for the inconvenience.
In the meantime you can find Henry Porter's recent articles via The Observer and Vanity Fair, and his books via Amazon and Quercus.
Sunday 6 May 2012, The Observer
Our desire for life to be dramatic can lead us to merge real-life stories such as the death of Gareth Williams into fiction
Sunday 29 April 2012, The Observer
But the villain of the piece did not do it all by himself. Leading figures from many walks of life have enabled his dark side
Sunday 8 April 2012, The Observer
The former head of the Czech intelligence service, friend of Vaclav Havel and director of the Forum 2000 Foundation leaves a lasting legacy


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Stephen Smith MP
Minister for Defence
Jason Clare MP
Minister for Defence Materiel
New Battlefield aircraft for the Air Force
Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced that the Government had agreed to purchase 10 Alenia C-27J Spartan Battlefield Airlift aircraft at a cost of $1.4 billion.
The C-27J will replace the Caribou aircraft which was retired from service in 2009 after a career spanning more than four decades. The C-27J complements the capabilities of the C-130 and C-17 aircraft and uses common infrastructure and aircraft systems such as engines, avionics and the cargo handling systems.
The acquisition of the C-27J will significantly improve the ADF's ability to move troops, equipment and supplies. The C-27J has the capacity to carry significant load and still access small, soft, narrow runways that are too short for the C-130J or runways which are unable to sustain repeated use of larger aircraft.
In Australia, the C-27J can access over 1900 airfields compared to around 500 for the C-130 Hercules aircraft. In our region, the C-27J will be able to access over 400 airfields compared to around 200 for the C‑130 Hercules aircraft.
These aircraft will provide battlefield airlift but are also capable of conducting airlift in our region. They will be able to operate from rudimentary airstrips in Australia and overseas and will be able to support humanitarian missions in remote locations.
The flexibility of the C-27J allows it to undertake a wide range of missions from delivering ammunition to front line troops to undertaking aero-medical evacuation of causalities.
A Battlefield Airlifter needs to be able to operate in a high threat environment. The C-27J with its missile warning systems, electronic self protection, secure communications and battlefield armour provides protection from threats ranging from small arms to highly lethal man portable air defence systems (MANPADS).
The C-27J was assessed by Defence as the aircraft which best met all the essential capability requirements and provides the best value for money. It was assessed as being able to fly further, faster, higher while carrying more cargo and requiring a smaller runway than the other aircraft under consideration, the Airbus Military C-295.
The acquisition of the 10 C-27J aircraft with associated support equipment will be conducted through a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) arrangement with the United States (US) at a cost of around $1.4 billion. The first aircraft are expected to be delivered in 2015 with the Initial Operating Capability scheduled for the end of 2016.
Initial logistic support, including training for aircrew and maintenance personnel will be provided through the FMS program, utilising the system that has been established in the US. Defence will seek a separate agreement with the C-27J manufacturer, Alenia, in order to ensure that RAAF can operate, maintain and modify the aircraft throughout its planned life.
Since the retirement of the Caribou fleet in 2009, Australia's military airlift capability has comprised C‑17 heavy lift aircraft, C‑130 H and J model Hercules aircraft, the Interim Light Transport aircraft (8 Beechcraft King Air 350 aircraft) and Navy and Army helicopters.
In the Budget the Government announced the retirement of the C-130H, which will proceed in an orderly fashion over the course of the year.
The 10 C-27J will be based in Richmond.
Media Contacts:
Mr Smith's Office: Andrew Porter (02) 6277 7800 or 0419 474 392
Mr Clare's Office: Korena Flanagan (02) 6277 7620 or 0418 251 316
Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999


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How Health Insurance Works with Multiple Plans
Navigating the intricacies of health insurance can be challenging, especially when dealing with multiple plans. Understanding how different plans interact is essential for maximizing coverage and avoiding potential pitfalls. This guide provides specific information on how health insurance works when you have multiple plans.
Primary and Secondary Coverage
When you have multiple health insurance plans, one plan typically serves as the primary coverage, and the other is the secondary. The primary plan is responsible for processing claims first, and the secondary plan kicks in to cover costs that the primary plan doesn't fully handle.
Coordination of Benefits (COB)
Coordination of Benefits (COB) is the process through which insurers determine the order of payment when a person is covered by more than one plan. Several key concepts govern COB:
- Birthday Rule: In cases where both plans cover dependents, the "birthday rule" is often applied. The plan of the policyholder whose birthday comes first in the calendar year is considered the primary plan for dependents.
- Non-Duplication of Benefits: COB ensures that the total benefits paid by all plans do not exceed the total allowable expenses. This prevents individuals from receiving more than 100% of the allowable expenses.
Understanding How Plans Coordinate
Each health insurance plan may have specific rules and procedures for coordination. Here's a breakdown of common scenarios:
- Primary Plan Pays in Full: If the primary plan covers the entire cost of a service, the secondary plan may not contribute any additional benefits.
- Primary Plan Doesn't Cover in Full: If the primary plan only covers a portion of the cost, the secondary plan may kick in to cover some or all of the remaining expenses up to its limits.
- Excess Charges: Some providers may charge more than the primary plan considers reasonable. In such cases, the secondary plan may cover the excess charges.
How Different Types of Health Insurance Interact
Understanding the interplay between various types of health insurance is crucial:
- Medicare and Other Insurance: Medicare often coordinates with other insurance plans. For example, if you have employer-sponsored insurance along with Medicare, Medicare typically becomes the secondary payer.
- Medicaid as Secondary Insurance: Medicaid may serve as secondary insurance to cover costs not covered by your primary private insurance. The coordination varies by state.
- Overlap in Coverage: Having multiple plans doesn't necessarily mean double coverage for the same services. Be aware of situations where both plans may not provide additional benefits.
- Plan Exclusions: Some plans may exclude coverage for specific services or have limitations. It's crucial to understand each plan's terms and conditions.
Advantages of Dual Health Insurance
While navigating the intricacies of multiple health insurance plans may seem complex, there are several advantages to having dual health insurance coverage:
- Increased Coverage for Medical Expenses: Dual health insurance can provide an additional layer of coverage, ensuring that a broader range of medical expenses is taken care of by the combined benefits of both plans. This increased coverage can be particularly beneficial in situations where a specific treatment or service is not fully covered by one plan.
- Potential Cost Savings: With dual health insurance, there's a potential for cost savings, especially when it comes to out-of-pocket expenses. The secondary plan can kick in to cover costs that the primary plan doesn't fully handle, reducing the financial burden on the insured individual.
- Access to a Broader Network of Healthcare Providers: Dual health insurance may provide access to a wider network of healthcare providers and services. This can be advantageous for individuals who have specific healthcare preferences or require specialized treatments that may be covered by one plan and not the other.
Drawbacks of Dual Health Insurance
While dual health insurance offers advantages, it's essential to be aware of potential drawbacks:
- Complexity in Navigating Multiple Plans: Coordinating multiple health insurance plans can be complex and challenging. Keeping track of coverage details and optimizing benefits utilization is important.
- Potential for Overlapping Coverage: Dual health insurance may not always mean double coverage for the same services, potentially resulting in overlapping coverage and increased premium costs without added benefits.
- Higher Premium Costs: Having multiple health insurance plans might increase premium costs compared to having one plan. It's recommended to weigh the benefits of dual coverage against the expenses to determine cost-effectiveness.
How Your Local Agency Can Help
If you find yourself unsure about how your health insurance plans work together, our agents are available for help and guidance. Feel free to contact your local agent today to learn how our agency can offer personalized guidance and support to manage multiple health insurance plans.


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The song we sing after reading the Megilla on Purim, "Shoshanat Yaakov," concludes with "and may Charvona also be remembered favorably." According to the Megilla (Esther 7:9), all Charvona did was, when Achashverosh was angry at Haman, mention that Haman had made a gallows for hanging Achashverosh's friend Mordechai.
I get that we should appreciate people who do good things, but there are other bit players in the Megillah who did good. What about, for example, Hegai, the attendant who was kind to Esther when she was waiting to meet Achashveirosh (Esther 2:8-9)? Why does Charvona get the honor of being the last person mentioned after we read the Megilla?


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Owner Statements Available Online
Did you know that you can now access your owner statements online?
- Concise statements covering the performance of your property for the previous month
- All data on your property is stored in a state-of-the-art data center
- Access information about your property 24/7
- Access information about your property from anywhere with an internet connection
How it works:
In order to keep your financials secure, we use a state of the art portal system that requires you to login with an email address and password.
Each time you wish to view your reports, you must visit the portal and enter your email address and password. If you're a new user, you will be prompted to set up a password.


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Category:Talk message boxes
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Pages in category 'Talk message boxes'
The following 10 pages are in this category, out of 10 total.


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Pingg-String Insulated Cable (10m)
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Use this cable whenever you want to join sections of the Pingg-String barrier that may be separated up to 10m. Longer 30m length available here.
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The cable is 10m long but it may be cut to length. If you require longer lengths contact Sureguard for a special order. Never attempt to join cables together.
Where necessary, protect the cable in conduit or polythene pipe if there is a chance of the insulation getting damaged. Eg. Burying, abrasion, or animal chewing.
All Reviews
10 / 10


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On This Page
- How to Start an Organic Garden in 9 Easy Steps
- Birds in your garden
- Growing a community garden
- The Basics for Gardening Organically
- Ten tips for a healthy garden
- What Is Organic Matter?
- What's so Important About the Soil?
- Planning and Starting a Vegetable Garden
- Placing Your Vegetable Garden
- Organic Fish & Seaweed (2-3-1)
- Starting From Seeds vs. Buying Plants
- Designing Your Vegetable Garden
How to Start an Organic Garden in 9 Easy Steps
How to Garden Organically: It's that time of year when you might want to think about starting an organic garden, and you should! Gardening with young children in tow can indeed have its challenges. But gardening also offers virtually unlimited learning opportunities for kids and adults alike, so here are five simple tips for planning a garden with your kiddos.
Despite the economic downturn, the gardening industry has grown year on year since 2008, with sales totalling more than £4.6 billion in 2010. Meanwhile, "grow your own" and self-sufficiency are fast becoming gardening buzzwords, as both cash-strapped and environmentally conscious people turn to their gardens in search of a cheap – and ethical – the source of fresh food. According to the Horticultural Association, half of the garden owners intended to grow food in their gardens last year, 12 per cent of whom were first-time gardeners. Most gardeners' obvious starting point is seeds, which are both plentiful and cheaper than investing in seedlings.
First, not all beetles are destructive. Many are good, like ladybirds. Organic gardening encourages beneficial insects while discouraging pests. Crop rotation is one way to deal with pests. The idea is that when pests wake up in spring, their favourite snack is now in a completely different place, far away (at least within bug distance). If bugs are plaguing your garden, sometimes the best thing to do is to remove them and put them in some soapy water. You can also make a natural pest spray at home that is simple to make, safe, and effective.
A garden is an easy way for aspiring homeowners to become more self-sufficient and grow some of their food. And going organic is the way to go. It's not difficult to start an organic vegetable garden, but it can be daunting. The steps to making your own are outlined below. My daughters and I have a lot of fun gardening.
Birds in your garden
You will get bugs in your organic garden—a lot of bugs. You want bugs in your organic garden for pollination and healthy soil and more. Bugs only really become pests if there are no predators to keep them in balance. The best predators for most garden pests are, of course, birds, so you want as many birds as possible in your organic garden from the start. That means feeding them.
Organic pest and disease control methods mean a healthier garden for you, the plants and the insects, birds, and animals around you. Organic vegetable pest control does not attempt to eradicate all insects. The vast majority, 95 per cent of insects, are benign or beneficial. Take Insects and diseases are drawn to stressed, harmed, or otherwise unhealthy plants, so taking good care of your plants is necessary for prevention. It means giving them plenty of attention and creating the conditions they need for healthy, vigorous growth.
A powerful natural insecticide extracted from the seeds of the neem tree can interrupt the life cycle of insects at any time (adults, larvae and eggs), making it an excellent organic gardener's resource. Neem oil acts as a hormone disruptor and an "antifeedant" for insects that feed on leaves and other plant parts. Pets, birds, fish, and other animals are not poisoned by neem oil because it is biodegradable. It is effective against a wide range of garden pests and is a natural fungicide that can control powdery mildew and other fungal infections on plants.
Open-pollinated seeds are just that they are allowed to pollinate naturally. This can happen outdoors by wind, bees, butterflies or other pollinators or even birds and humans. Open pollination creates a more diverse plant population, and this diversity can lead to more vigorous plant varieties in future generations if you save the seed. However, if you save the seed for future gardens, make sure that the plant has not been cross-pollinated with other varieties. The seed produced may be a hybrid variety even though it was produced by natural means.
Growing a community garden
Most plant nerds like me are happy to share our knowledge and plants. Part of it is selfish, and I have to admit. Look, I know I'm not going to find all the best techniques and plants on my own, but if I can spread my love of gardening, I can trade my plants and produce with friends and neighbours for what they have. Growing local food is a great way to build community, and it's one of the core things we do at the nature hub. So when I decided to grow pumpkins in half of my front garden this year, I expected some neighbours to express at least mild dismay at the disruption to the perfectly mown suburbia on our street.
If you don't have land where you live, many cities have community gardens where you can get a plot. Community gardens in some urban settings have changed the landscape and the community itself. Read about some community gardens in New York City from beyond pesticides' pesticides and you. If you don't mind getting your hands dirty but don't have space or inclination to start a garden, see if any community-run farms near you could use your helping hands with weeding or other projects.
The Basics for Gardening Organically
Once you've mastered the basics of organic growing, you'll soon be ready to get started. Regardless of how new to organic gardening you are, the following fundamentals will help put your mind at ease and reassure you that growing organic fruits and vegetables is not a magical process.
Organic gardening is the way of the future, with a nod to tradition. It entails returning to our roots and planting in the manner of our forefathers and foremothers. It entails reclaiming our agricultural heritage from multinational companies and returning to its roots. The key to success in organic gardening is to take the time from the beginning to plan how the different parts of your garden system will work together to achieve the best results. Any garden is only as strong as the weakest part of its system.
A healthy organic garden is easy to achieve if you know the basics of gardening. Growing organically needs a little more effort than using artificial pesticides and herbicides. Read on for some organic gardening tips that any gardener can use.
Learning the basics of mulch is an essential part of organic gardening. There are many different types available, depending on your needs and budget and things to avoid like the pest.
Ten tips for a healthy garden
Eating healthy doesn't have to mean paying exorbitant rates for fresh produce from the town's only big store. nor should it mean crossing your fingers hoping your local grocer will have something good in the tiny organic section of their department of produce Follow these ten tips to successfully grow your organic garden in a greenhouse, on your patio, or in the ground, and save yourself some money and the hassle of finding new, nutritious food!
Vegetable growing tips
Organic vegetables are more flavourful than regular vegetables and taste better than regular vegetables. You can grow your fruits and vegetables instead of getting them from the shop. Read this article to learn how you can grow your organic vegetable garden right at home!
If you have healthy soil in your vegetable garden, your plants will avoid pests. Healthy plants are more robust and have more power to fight off these insects and various diseases. To increase your garden's prospects of giving you the healthiest plants, start with a good quality soil that contains fewer chemicals than accumulate salts over time.
How would you like to grow healthy and delicious organic fruits and vegetables in your vegetable garden? Here are just a few pointers to help you get your greenhouse up and running. 1. Stay away from greenhouses made of synthetic materials. 1. avoid greenhouses that are made of synthetic materials. Many greenhouses have sidewalls that are made of various types of plastics and polycarbonates. For a truly organic garden, opt for a glass greenhouse. The material the panels are made of is important because moisture will collect on the surface of the panels and drip onto your plants.
Scotts Turf Builder lawn food protects the lawn while also preventing potential issues. Like their winter version, this fertiliser creates stronger and deeper roots, making your lawn more resilient. It also promotes the ability to absorb water and nutrients compared to a natural lawn. You are featuring Scott's exclusive all-in-one particle technology to ensure a consistently green, healthy lawn. Unlike other garden fertilisers, this one is suitable for all lawn types, so if you're unsure about Whatever sort of lawn you have, you can rest assured that it will boost it.
What Is Organic Matter?
Organic material is decaying plant and animal waste. This includes compost, grass clippings, dried leaves and kitchen waste to manure and fish heads.
Organic material is used as a soil conditioner or conditioner. It can be incorporated into the soil of a new garden or used as a top dressing or mulch in an existing garden.
So how do you start growing your organic vegetable garden? You start the year before. Organic gardens depend on good soil, and good soil depends on compost. Compost is decomposed organic waste materials that include garden clippings, grass, leaves and kitchen scraps. Building a compost heap is simple. It can be as simple as 6 feet of wire mesh formed into a circle. Start by putting leaves or grass clippings in the bottom and putting in all kitchen scraps (including eggshells, coffee grounds, scraps and animal waste).
Many garden plots do not have the deep, well-drained, fertile soil ideal for growing vegetables. If you do, you will need to amend the soil to ensure good drainage and aeration. If the soil is heavy clay, you can improve it by adding organic material, sand or gypsum. In late winter or early spring, add 1 to 2 inches of healthy soil and the surface with sand and 2 to 3 inches of organic matter, then transform then turn it over to completely blend with the soil.
What's so Important About the Soil?
The health of the soil is essential. Urban soils can sometimes contain contaminants such as heavy metals (e.g. lead, cadmium) that find their way into fruit and vegetables. Check if local organisations that promote urban gardening test soil samples for free! And learn more about healthy gardening practices.
One of the many best ways to protect your organic garden is to use a tried and tested method called 'crop rotation', which means putting plant species in a different place each year. Here's why this is important: If members of the same plant family ((nightshade family members include onions, peppers, and aubergines)) are always planted in the same place, pests and diseases attack that particular plant species can accumulate in the soil and overwinter. Then they are ready to attack the plant the next time it is planted.
Flower boxes and planters are also used to create a vegetable garden. You can hang them from an existing railing or place them on the ground. It's completely up to you if you use them. In these planters, do not use normal garden soil. Use either good quality potting soil or compost-rich soil. Fertilising is also essential to improve productivity, but it varies depending on the plant: peppers and tomatoes are heavy growers, while green leafy vegetables do not need much fertiliser.
Planning and Starting a Vegetable Garden
I have a few tips that I wanted to share on organic vegetable gardening for beginners. I will lay out my top 7 organic gardening tips for starting a vegetable garden. Full sun means at least 8 hours a day. I am lucky to have some areas with the only partial sun (4 to 8 hours) where I can grow some lettuces, greens and certain herbs, but most of the main vegetables and fruits I want to plant need lots of light and heat to photosynthesise.
Starting your organic vegetable garden in the correct position from the start makes a huge difference.
The espoma ss16 mix is an American-made organic seed starter potting mix. It's fine for root cuttings and seedlings. It's also a great option for starting seeds indoors in the early spring and winter before transplanting vegetables to the garden. This vegetable-growing soil encourages root growth and increases your soil's water-holding ability. It's made up of an outstanding blend of around 80% peat. Lime, earthworm droppings, hummus, and perlite make up the majority of the mix.
Is there anything more discouraging than planting your vegetable garden with high hopes, only to be disappointed when the garden doesn't produce as much as you had imagined? The soil is often the cause of the problem. More specifically, a lack of nutrients in the soil. Many vegetables are heavy feeders and need the right amount of nutrients to grow and thrive. This is where fertilising your vegetables comes into play. With proper planning and a little knowledge, Your vegetable garden will have all it needs to produce the harvest you want.
Placing Your Vegetable Garden
To help beginners, we thought it might be helpful to see a garden design. Here is an example of a beginner's family garden, using mainly the easy-to-grow vegetables listed above. Also, plants that do well together are planted near other plants. You will see that we have given the garden decent-sized paths and mixed in some herbs and flowers too. Honestly, if we had planted this garden in our first year, we would be thrilled! By planning the garden this way, we have made it so much easier for you to succeed.
Organic Fish & Seaweed
One of the main problems with organic fertilisers is the smell. Some of the fertilisers smell bad and sometimes even worse. This is because they are made from unique ingredients like algae or fish. When you add this fertiliser, the smell remains around the pot. If you plant indoors, then this can cause a lot of problems for you. It is also not suitable for outside.
At johnny's, we offer a wide range of omri-listed gardening products approved for use in organic farms. Choose from environmentally friendly products for sowing, such as biodegradable pots and compost-based soilless mixes. We select the highest quality products on the market to control plant diseases and pests in organic systems. We also offer nop-compliant fertilisers derived from natural ingredients such as algae and fish extracts, and solubles build your soil, not destroy it.
Starting From Seeds vs. Buying Plants
Seeds can be started indoors to get a head start. in the garden and a longer growing season. It is almost necessary for plants like tomatoes and peppers to grow indoors to have a good growing season. You can, of course, buy starter plants, but growing some of your own from seed is a fun learning experience!
You will need to decide if you want to grow all your plants from seed or buy starts (established seedlings) from your local garden shop or farmers market. You can also choose to do a combination. You can choose a start if you have limited space or want to try a few different varieties rather than a large quantity of one plant.
Hybrid seeds were developed to improve the growth and fruiting as well as the resistance of a plant. Cross-pollinating plants of different varieties create hybrids to improve the characteristics of the resulting offspring. However, hybrid seeds do not consistently reproduce true to type. That is, second-generation plants may give different results. When buying hybrid seeds, look for seeds that are labelled "true to type".
Organic farming does not limit your choice of vegetables. A wide range of vegetables is available to you if you choose organic. Consider the sense of accomplishment you'll feel when you serve an organically grown salad that you grew yourself. Choose bonnie plants® organics certified as USDA organic when buying seedlings to ensure you get organic plants. Another choice is to start from scratch and grow your vegetables from seed. This is easy, and you can be sure you are growing your vegetables this way. One way to start the season is to plant the seeds indoors in trays or paper cups and bring them outside when the weather warms up.
Designing Your Vegetable Garden
Permaculture can be briefly defined as sustainable and artisanal living. Midsummer Farm had always used the words "sustainable" and "artisanal" as buzzwords for our values, even before we heard the word "permaculture". Permaculture is notoriously difficult to define clearly, as it always feels like something is being left out of the definition. Permaculture is a broad term that includes all facets of life. But one of the main focuses is food production in connection with nature, working in all aspects of the landscape, creating and designing spaces where people can thrive without depleting natural resources.
It would be beneficial if you begin planning your garden well in advance of the planting season. If you are starting a new garden in Colorado, preparation includes choosing a suitable site, designing the layout and preparing the soil. If you are a novice gardener, it is essential not to get carried away with your garden's size or scope, as this will only lead to frustration. Start with a few plants that you can easily handle to give you an idea of what you can handle and how things grow in your area.
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Game Changer Insights Detail
5 big questions on innovation
Pieter de Villiers, Founder and CEO
Pieter de Villiers is a South African born, Silicon Valley based entrepreneur with a passion for mobile and the empowerment it leads to. Pieter is also one of the youngest mobile industry veterans with over 14 years of experience in global telecoms, mobile messaging and mobile payments backed by the likes of Sequoia Capital. As the CEO and co-founder of Clickatell, Inc., a leading Global Provider of Application-2-Person Mobile…
Full profile »
How is your team changing the game within your industry sector?
Building an organization or culture that embraces change is no easy task since both are a reflection of its people and most people do not like change — we are, after all, 'creatures of habit'. However, I've found if the change or innovation is focused on efforts that improve, enhance, or simplify things you are already doing, it is generally accepted by smart organizations. You can then get those same smart people to innovate in areas outside of what you do today as long as you provide a clear "Vision" and "Why" to your people.
What are some of the biggest impediments to innovation in your organization or industry sector?
Not having a clear "Why" or "Vision" for the business that translates into relevance is a large impediment to enterprise innovation today. It is important for a company to know who and what it is and what is brings to the industry (example Kodak: Thinking of themselves as a paper or camera company instead of a company people associate with their most precious memories).
Not having the courage to manage stakeholder expectations as you invest for change is another innovation impediment. Executive teams are measured on how well they meet quarterly earnings expectations, so it is understandable that many would prefer to just "deliver the numbers" than take risks. However, this does not produce an environment conducive to change and innovation. It is better to manage expectations and know that as your technology or company changes, the measurement and expectations need to change too.
Organizational agility and management ability to "re-tool" for change is a must have. Managing people is difficult enough, adding in the complexity of "re-tooling" the organization with training and hiring creates an additional burden to an already complex role as a manager. A manager without the skills to handle these issues impedes effective change and innovation.
How has innovation become engrained in your organization's culture, and how is it being optimized?
At Clickatell, we are thinking a lot about our "Why" and our relevance in order to update our thinking and match it with our customer's perspective. We have also allocated funding to new initiatives and products even though they only contribute to the bottom line in the "out years." We have embraced new methodologies (agile/scrum) and tools/platforms as we design new solutions and optimize existing offers (Hadoop, Amazon- Cloud, etc.).
What technologies, business models, and trends will drive the biggest changes in your industry over the next two years?
Two years is a short time frame, so it will have to be those technologies that have some level of "mainstream" acceptance already. This would include mobile technologies with their super-size reach, Cloud Computing which improves speed to market and reduces start-up costs and lastly Big Data & Analytics which allows us to better understand our customer behavior and monetize in new ways.
Can you share a specific innovation strategy you've recently encountered which you find compelling?
People (typically product folks) that are very close to customers, engage them often and understand how they are using the product embody the innovation mindset. These are the same individuals who measure results frequently and are willing and/or able to iterate and invest in expanding/improving the organizations value proposition. I don't feel there is a specific company to name because for me, there is no singular company that gets this right all the time.