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What do xenon lamps and the invention of radio have in common? The box below is a 1960s German high voltage unit that CuriousMarc obtained as part of an auction. After some research, we determined that it is an Osram1 igniter2, which generates a 40-kilovolt pulse3 to ignite a xenon arc lamp. The unit didn't work, so I opened it up, figured out its circuitry, and fixed it, so we could generate some sparks. The circuit turned out to be very similar to a Tesla coil, although the sparks are much smaller.
A xenon arc lamp generates light by producing a high-temperature plasma of ionized xenon between two electrodes. It produces bright white light that has a spectrum similar to daylight and is useful for movie projectors, searchlights, and laboratory uses. Although the lamp is powered by a low-voltage, high-current DC power supply, a high-voltage spark is required to start the arc, and that is the role of this 40 kV igniter.
I searched for information on this ignitor. The only thing I found was a 1964 paper titled A Spectrofluorophosphorimeter that described an experimental setup for measuring fluorescence and phosphorescence spectra. The experiment used a 450-W Osram xenon arc lamp, ignited by a Z2201 igniter, the same as this one. The research was done at SRI (Stanford Research Institute), just a few miles away, so there's a good chance that Marc obtained the exact unit that was used in this research.
We opened up the unit and I examined the unusual components inside. A large 220V to 7kV transformer is at the right of the photo below. The output transformer is the reddish flat cylinder at the back left; this transformer's output is the connection pillar on the front of the unit. In front of this transformer is a dark yellowish disk, a 1000pF 20kV capacitor. The most unusual component is the ceramic cylinder in the front.
I traced out the circuitry of the unit6. It is a high-voltage circuit that is also sometimes used in Tesla coils (details). The way it works is that the high voltage transformer raises the 220 V input to 7 kV. This charges the high-voltage "tank" capacitor until it has enough voltage to break down the spark gap, causing a spark across it. When the spark gap fires it conducts at low resistance. This creates a high-frequency resonant circuit between the tank capacitor and the output transformer's primary. Energy is transferred to the secondary, at a much higher voltage, producing the 40 kV output. As energy shifts back and forth between the primary and secondary, it is dissipated, until the spark gap stops conducting and the process repeats, thousands of times a second.5
So where is the spark gap in this unit? It turns out to be the ceramic cylinder. I opened up the cylinder and found a stack of eight metal disks with (maybe) carbon electrodes in the center. The disks are separated by mica washers to leave 0.33 mm gaps between each pair. This forms a series of 7 tiny spark gaps.
This type of spark gap is known as a "quenched spark gap". Spark gap transmitters were the first form of radio transmitter, used from 1887 to 1920. They used a spark to transmit Morse code via radio waves (details). The quenched spark gap was one type of spark gap used in these transmitters, as shown in the diagram below. By combining multiple small gaps, the quenched spark gap could cool off efficiently.
We cautiously hooked the igniter to 220V to test it, but nothing happened. I checked various parts of the circuit and everything seemed fine. In the photo below, notice the pink block at the left that looks like a Lego piece. This is a safety interlock that disconnects the 220 V input if the case is removed; the case has prongs that mesh with the interlock to close the circuit. Eventually, we figured out that the safety interlock had some loose screws that weren't making contact. This was tricky to find because when the case was open, the safety interlock was (of course) open.
After tightening all the screws, the igniter worked. Since we didn't have a xenon arc lamp, we used the unit to generate sparks instead. Marc attached a strip of copper to the center output and a white wire to the ground, bending them to form a small gap. He pulsed the power switch to produce brief sparks, as seen in the video below. (Since the text on the unit indicates the unit should be powered for under 0.5 seconds, we kept the sparks brief to prevent overheating.) Although the repair was anticlimactic, at least we got some nice sparks.
Spark gaps generate radio waves across a wide spectrum;5 inventor David Hughes first noticed this interference in 1878. Marconi experimented with spark-gap transmitters in the 1890s, discovering how to transmit telegraph signals across short distances and then between continents. This work won Marconi the Nobel Prize for inventing radio. The CuriousMarc video below explains in more detail how the spark gap generator led to radio. Vacuum tubes made spark-gap transmitters obsolete by the 1920s, but these spark-gap circuits live on, igniting xenon arcs in modern headlights.
I announce my latest blog posts on Twitter, so follow me @kenshirriff for future articles. I also have an RSS feed.
Notes and references
You might know Osram as the maker of headlights4 and other lights. The story starts with the Austrian chemist Carl Auer von Welsbach, who discovered four elements as well as inventing the gas mantle (used in Coleman lamps) and the metal flint used in lighters. He registered Osram as a trademark in 1906; the name was a combination of osmium and wolfram (tungsten), two elements he used in incandescent lamp filaments. In 1919, the Osram company was formed in Germany. ↩
The document Osram guidelines for control gear and igniters discusses the properties of xenon arc lamps, how to power them, and the characteristics of igniters. ↩
The front of the unit is shown below. Siemens-Schuckertweke AG is a German engineering company that I think owned Osram at the time. Under that are the warnings "Vorsicht! Hochspannung" (Danger! High voltage) and a circle labeled "In diesen Zone keine Metallteile" (No metal parts in this zone). At the center of the circled zone is a pillar with a screw terminal; this is the connection for the 40 kV output. At the bottom are connections for 220V / 50 Hz, which can be applied for a maximum of 0.5 s, as well as "zum Vorschaltgerät" (to the ballast).
Front view of the igniter. The black text is hard to read under the brown front.The label on the back of the unit (below) says ZX 501, Höchstzulässiger Lampenstrom 25 A (Maximum lamp current 25 A), Zündkreis (Ignition circuit) 220V/50Hz, Zündsp. ca. 40 kV (Ignition voltage approximately 40 kV), OSRAM - Best. - Nr. (Order number) Z2201. "
The label on the back of the unit. Photo courtesy of Marc Verdiell. -
Xenon headlights are also known as HID (high-intensity discharge) headlights. These headlights produce most of their light from an arc through vaporized metal halides, such as scandium iodide. However, it takes seconds to minutes for the light to heat up enough to vaporize these halides. During this startup time, a xenon arc provides the headlight's illumination. In other words, the xenon arc is just to provide light temporarily until the metal halides kick in. HID headlights require an igniter/ballast circuit to provide the high voltage (25 kV) for ignition and the regulated voltage (e.g. .41A, 85V) to power the light. These automotive circuits use modern switching power supply techniques and are much smaller than our igniter. ↩
We measured the output from the igniter and found that it produces 2000-4000 very short spikes a second. The spikes decay very rapidly so they are about 1µs long, and are random noise in the tens of megahertz. This random noise has a very wide bandwidth showing that spark gap generators produce radio noise across a wide spectrum.
Oscilloscope trace pickingup electrical noise from the igniter over the air. Image from CuriousMarc's video. -
I traced out the circuitry of the unit and made the rough schematic below. The unlabeled rectangle is the ceramic spark gap cylinder. The circuit is essentially the same as the Tesla coil schematic earlier, except there are two capacitors and an external ballast resistor on the output side to limit current. (We did not use a ballast resistor, but shorted the two connections.)
Schematic of the spark generator.


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The general consensus of exercise order seems to be larger muscle groups first, smaller muscle groups after. So squats or deadlifts would precede presses and pull ups. I started out doing that, and it went fine.
Brooks Kubik holds a different position, he thinks because the press - that is lifting a barbell over your head while standing - requires a strong torso, that tiring it through doing squats or deadlifts is a bad idea. I tried doing that for my past two workouts, and it also seemed fine.
So, has anyone done a study comparing these two methods based on their respective merits (as opposed to just testing one hypothesis and comfirming it)?

subset: commoncrawl


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News Archive
Friday, May 5 2006
Chasing tornado data to engineer better buildings
Iowa State University researchers will use a $1 million federal appropriation to: 1. Study the flow of storm winds near the ground. 2. Test models of various structures in Iowa State's Wind Simulation and Testing Laboratory. 3. Develop computational models that simulate how wind storms affect buildings. 4. And, study new building designs that would be resistant to wind storms.
Geoffroy: Appropriation "extremely disappointing"
In a May 4 letter to faculty and staff, ISU President Gregory Geoffroy called the state appropriations increase to Iowa State's base operating budget "extremely disappointing" and added "it is just one more sign of the steady erosion of state funding for Iowa's public universities."
Distinguished, University professors named
Six Iowa State faculty have been awarded the titles of Distinguished Professor or University Professor.
New professorship advances bovine reproduction and genetics at ISU
Dr. James K. West, an internationally recognized specialist in bovine reproduction and embryo transfer, has been named the first Scott and Nancy Armbrust Professor of Veterinary Medicine.
Gleeson named first Renken Professor in Materials Science and Engineering at ISU
Iowa State's first named professorship in materials science and engineering will allow Brian Gleeson, an Iowa State professor of materials science and engineering, to develop new alloys and coatings that can withstand high temperatures.
Geoffroy: Allen will be exceptional UNI leader
ISU provost Ben Allen will make an exceptional leader of UNI, President Geoffroy said in a statement. "He is a strong, decisive leader with great interpersonal skills who is highly respected throughout the university and well beyond our campus. And he is a person with the highest standards of honesty and integrity."
Bioethics Institute at ISU, June 5-9
Application deadline is May 15 for the 2006 Bioethics Institute, which helps life science faculty and extension personnel introduce ethics into classes and activities.
President requests input on Principles of Community
President Gregory Geoffroy is seeking campus input on the current draft of Principles of Community, a Government of the Student Body-inspired document that offers ideals and expectations for fostering a welcoming climate at Iowa State.
ISU's Robert C. Brown to Senate committee: The bioeconomy is bigger than biofuels
Iowa State's Robert C. Brown testified before a U.S. Senate committee on April 26 and suggested four goals for the country's bioeconomy: 1. Reduce America's reliance on imported oil. 2. Improve environmental quality. 3. Expand the markets for U.S. agricultural products. 4. Improve the economy of rural America.
ISU commencement May 5-6
An estimated 3,224 students will receive degrees from Iowa State during spring commencement events scheduled for May 5-6 on campus.


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An Ideas Lab Activity
In 2016, the National Science Foundation (NSF) unveiled a set of "Big Ideas," 10 bold, long-term research and process ideas that identify areas for future investment at the frontiers of science and engineering (see https://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/big_ideas/index.jsp). The Big Ideas represent unique opportunities to position our Nation at the cutting edge of global science and engineering leadership by bringing together diverse disciplinary perspectives to support convergence research. As such, when responding to this solicitation, even though proposals must be submitted to the Division of Emerging Frontiers in the Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO/EF), once received, the proposals will be managed by a cross-disciplinary team of NSF Program Directors.
This solicitation describes an Ideas Lab on "Building a Synthetic Cell." Ideas Labs are intensive workshops focused on finding innovative solutions to grand challenge problems. The ultimate aim of this Ideas Lab organized by the National Science Foundation is to facilitate the generation and execution of innovative research projects aimed at designing, fabricating, and validating synthetic cells that express specified phenotypes. The aspiration is that mixing researchers who have diverse scientific backgrounds will engender original thinking and innovative approaches that will transform our understanding of cellular processes, the molecular mechanisms that underscore the building and function of systems that reproduce life traits, the self-assembly of life-like systems, soft condensed matter, and the physics and chemistry of life that are needed to design and build cellular components, cells and multicell systems.
The ability to design and manufacture synthetic cells has significant implications for the scientific and economic enterprise of the United States. The synthesis of viable cells from non-living molecules and materials can open the door to the production of functional biomaterials and improved biofuels, large scale chemical synthesis, non-silicon-based computing, novel soil engineering, and medical and pharmaceutical advances, to name just a few possibilities. The study of synthetic cells, and of the processes used in their creation, can also provide a window on the origin and evolution of life on Earth and, potentially, provide insight into extraterrestrial life.
Synthetic cells have a number of shared characteristics. They may possess many of the structures of biological cells and reproduce capabilities such as self-replication, metabolism and response to environmental cues. However, they may be engineered using novel molecules and materials and structures to mimic single or complex biological functions. There are many reasons to engage in synthetic cell research; for example, to better understand what constitutes a living system, to identify the truly essential functions of cells, and building in itself can be a way to demonstrate understanding. Synthetic cell research employs a wide range of approaches including 'top down' methodologies exemplified by efforts to construct a 'minimal cell' by gradually deleting genes and components until a system with the fewest components that still exhibits the hallmarks of life is obtained. The alternative 'bottom up' approaches involve assembling molecular building blocks until cellular functions are obtained. These approaches might meet in the middle, and may inform each other.
The design and production of synthetic cells requires the development of innovative and integrative experimental approaches in combination with novel theoretical frameworks, improved mathematical models, new artificial biomaterials, predictive understanding of biological function, and the identification of causal relationships in biological systems (e.g. genotype/phenotype, structure/function), all within an ethical framework that is sensitive to the profound implications of the research being conducted. Building a synthetic cell is a grand challenge at the interface between biological, mathematical, computer and physical sciences and engineering that has the potential to advance not only applications, but also our fundamental understanding of how cells self-assemble and function and of emergent order in non-equilibrium systems. Meeting this challenge requires simultaneous careful exploration of the social and ethical dimensions of such research as well as educating today's students to engage in the activities and technologies required both for developing synthetic cells and for their use in biology, engineering, chemistry, pharmaceutical development, and other activities. Only by doing so will we be able to fully understand both the societal benefits and risks as well as their potential for willful misuse or unintended damage to natural biological systems. In concert with technology development, educating students and the lay public will also be important to ensure an accurate understanding of the scientific advances resulting from the development and use of synthetic cells.
This Ideas Lab advances the objectives of one of 10 Big Ideas for Future NSF Investments: 'Understanding the Rules of Life: Predicting Phenotype'. The 10 Big Ideas will push forward the frontiers of U.S. research and provide innovative approaches to solve some of the most pressing problems the world faces, as well as lead to discoveries not yet known.
This multi-directorate program is one element of NSF's multi-year effort towards the goals of the Understanding the Rules of Life Big Idea (https://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/big_ideas/life.jsp). US researchers may submit preliminary proposals only via FastLane for participation in the Ideas Lab in which a set of multidisciplinary ideas will be developed. These multidisciplinary ideas will form the basis of the full proposals to be written based on the discussion within the Ideas Lab.
Program contacts
Charles Cunningham
firstname.lastname@example.com | (703) 292-2283 | BIO/MCB |
Mitra Basu
firstname.lastname@example.com | (703) 292-8649 | CISE/CCF |
Krastan B. Blagoev
email@example.com | (703) 292-4666 | MPS/PHY |
Ellen Carpenter
firstname.lastname@example.com | (703) 292-5104 | EDU/DUE |
Joseph T. Miller
firstname.lastname@example.com | (703) 292-7214 | |
John Parker
email@example.com | 703 292 5034 | |
Steven W. Peretti
email@example.com | (703) 292-7029 | ENG/CBET |
Margaret Fraiser
firstname.lastname@example.com | 703-292-8172 | GEO/EAR |


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Today's special offers on all fuses...
Buy four or more items from this category and get 20% off.
Discounts will be applied at the checkout along with special combined postage rates.
You can mix and match between any of our fuses to get the discount.
A pack of five standard ATO automotive blade fuses made by Littelfuse in your chosen current rating, in this case 4 Amps. Other fuse ratings are also available – see the coloured fuse rating list below for links to the respective product pages:
1 Amp (black), 2 Amp (grey), 3 Amp (violet), 4 Amp (pink), 5 Amp (tan), 7.5 Amp (brown), 10 Amp (red), 15 Amp (blue), 20 Amp (yellow), 25 Amp (clear), and 30 Amp (green).These standard blade fuses are the most common automotive fuse and are widely used in the majority of modern cars and motorcycles. They are also ideal for use with classic motorcycles and cars too and are available in a wide range of current ratings between 1 and 30 Amps to suit all applications. The fuses are rated for up to 32 volts so are suitable for classic 6V, modern 12V and commercial 24V vehicles.
When installing or replacing a fuse it is important to ensure that the new fuse is of the highest quality. Not all fuses are created equal, even if they look very similar. When you select a 5 Amp fuse you expect it to blow at 5 Amps, not at 3 Amps or 10 Amps. But how can you be sure that the actual fuse rating is the same as the current rating quoted on the label? The only way is to ensure that you buy only quality branded fuses in the first place. All our fuses are made by Littelfuse, the company who originally developed the ATO style blade fuse for automotive applications. They are therefore the highest quality fuses available – like all our products, we only sell the best!
These ATO blade fuses are directly compatible with the similar loking ATC fuses. The only difference between ATO (open) and ATC (closed) fuses is whether or not the fusible link is exposed to air. (ATC fuses are only required in applications where there could potentially be an explosive atmosphere). ATO and ATC fuses are identical in size and shape and fit within the same fuse holders. They are therefore completely interchangeable.
These blade fuses are ideal for use with our easy-fit weatherproof fuse holder and our in-line fuse holder products.


text: For the early rising man who leads a life of productivity, Duke Cannon created a soap with a hint of menthol to cool the skin and wake him up so he can get things done. This superior grade bar soap has a fresh mint smell and contains steel cut grains for maximum grip. Like all duke cannon big ass bricks of soap, this brick weighs in at a hefty 10 oz and lasts longer than the dainty soaps your mom uses.


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The new Ferrari 599 GTO is an extreme V12 berlinetta developed to a specific performance-oriented brief. The Ferrari 599 GTO is, in fact, the company's fastest ever road car. It is an exclusive limited edition special which, in true Ferrari tradition, is a completely new concept, albeit inspired by a production car. In fact the Ferrari 599 GTO is based on the 599XX, the advanced experimental track car, and can be considered almost a road-going version.
The Ferrari 599 GTO is reserved for just 599 clients who seek the maximum expression of high-performance driving. The Ferrari 599 GTO benefits directly from the technological transfer from racing and set a record lap time at Fiorano in 1'24".
The Fiorano lap time provides just one indication of the potential of this car. Just as significant are the technical specifications - 670 hp in a 1495kg car represents a weight-to-power ratio of just 2.23 kg/hp, and ensures a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of just 3.35" as well as a top speed of over 335 km/h.
Fundamental to the GTO's performance is the innovative approach to chassis development which, for the first time on a production car, saw the integration between a handling set-up tuned for a level of responsiveness that is close to the limit and highly sophisticated electronic controls. The result is the almost complete absence of understeer and a truly communicative chassis.
As is Ferrari's policy, every new Ferrari features new solutions for a road car. Thus the Ferrari 599 GTO is equipped with the latest, second-generation carbon-ceramic brakes which are lighter and offer better performance, new aerodynamic innovations, such as the wheel doughnuts which increase aerodynamic efficiency as well as improve brake cooling, and the Supersport tyres developed by Michelin include a wider front tyre for greater roadholding. The driver-car interface is also new with the adoption of the Virtual Race Engineer (VRE) which provides the driver with instantaneous information on performance.


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Young BIOS Employee Embarks on New Adventure Overseas
Back in 2006 when Forrest Williams first arrived at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS) as a Waterstart student, he wasn't sure where the experience would take him. "My science teacher in school referred me to the program…I guess she thought I was a good student," recalls Forrest.
During that summer, Forrest took his first open water SCUBA diving course and conducted a field study on sea grass. Over the next three years Forrest returned to the Waterstart program each summer, eager to learn more about ocean science and enhance his diving skills.
In 2010, he was accepted into the Bermuda Program at BIOS, which provides a unique opportunity for Bermudian students to broaden their knowledge of marine and atmospheric sciences while learning about the daily operations of an active research station. As an intern under Alex Chequer, the BIOS Dive Safety Officer (DSO) at that time, Forrest learned how to pilot boats, work as a deckhand, and train as a scientific diver. According to Forrest, this experience "sealed the deal" for him in terms of cementing his interest in pursuing a career in a marine-related field.
Recognizing his enthusiasm, BIOS hired Forrest in March 2011 as a relief captain and deck hand – a position from which he would later be promoted to boat pilot and dive instructor. "I really like interacting with the BIOS staff, helping teach the scientific diving class, and being able to work on the boats," says Forrest of his current position.
This fall, BIOS will bid a fond farewell to Forrest as he sets forth on the newest chapter in his education: pursuing an Associate's of Applied Science Degree in Marine Industry Technology from the Landing School in Arundel, Maine (U.S.) on a full scholarship. He is planning on studying for a concentration in boat building and marine systems. "I definitely want to come back to work at BIOS," says Forrest. "Maybe with this degree I'll be able to return to Bermuda and start my own business."
"It's with mixed emotions that I say good bye to Forrest as he embarks on the next stage of his career. He has been my right-hand man since I started full time at BIOS, and has been invaluable to me," says Alex "Dready" Hunter, BIOS's Dive Safety Officer (DSO). "As you might imagine, he will be sorely missed. Having said that, I am extremely excited for him. He fully deserves this opportunity and it speaks volumes that he not only earned a place at The Landing School but also a full scholarship. I wish him the best of luck and would have him come back to work alongside me any day."


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TradeTracker.com brings together the online community's best and brightest: working together towards the common goal of enhancing their performance marketing.
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[This is part of our monthly Net Worth Series where I share our real life #'s with the world. Seeing this was GAME CHANGING for me over 9 years ago when I stumbled across financial blogs, so hopefully it helps you guys out too!]]
'Sup party people! We hit $600,000 – woah!
I'd like to thank my parents, all the readers here, the stock market, and especially J. Money for setting up this lazy system where he doesn't have to do anything and it continues to grow. Thanks ol' friend!
But seriously, I didn't do anything special this month :) And you don't have to either once on track! Some months the markets take off, and others it crashes and burns, but as long as you stick to The Plan and keep moving forward it will always work out in your favor long-term. Just about harnessing that *time*!
Here's how January went down, numbers-wise…
But first, a moment of silence for Eric's frugal phone.
Okay. Now on to the #'s…
CASH SAVINGS (-$103.86): The only red mark of the month! But similar to Eric's phone up there, the fate of my old 5 y/o laptop wasn't looking too hot either so I had to upgrade before my livelihood went along with it. So I blame you, sexy fast laptop @ $700! (Here's the one I ended up going with if anyone's interested: HP ENVY 13-ab016nr Notebook. Been a few weeks now and loving it! And is also apparently $100 cheaper now too, womp womp.)
BROKERAGE (+$31.34): Nothing too fancy going on here. Just Acorns doing its thing and rounding up my pennies for me. Up to $600.56 now after two years!
THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN (TSP) (+$444.44): Gotta soak up the benefits while the gov't still offers it! Who knows what's next on the chopping block, eh? (Joking/not joking :( )
ROTH IRAs (+$2,060.37): Nothing too special going on here… Haven't maxed out our IRAs yet for the year, but that'll be coming soon once we wrap up our taxes. Certainly in no rush to start blowing through our cash reserves again :)
SEP IRA (+$7,960.89): Same with this bad boy too. Over $400,000 sitting in pretty ol' VTSAX fund just churning along nicely. Soon this will be plumped up too to max out my SEP for the year after tax time. Guestimating about $15,000 or so.
Here's a shot of our performance since moving over to Vanguard and index investing:
CAR VALUES (+$8.00): Another wonky month of *gaining* when it should most definitely be losing, but whatevs. It's what KBB says so it's what we share here to keep consistent over the years.
Here are the values of both our rides currently:
- Lexus RX350: $12,959.00
- Toyota Corolla: $3,897.00
CAR LOAN: (-$542.69): A little more every month! In a weird way I get more joy out of seeing this go down than my investments up? Even though it's a difference of thousands? Maybe 'cuz paying it off is more of a challenge and *action* related? Either way, I don't expect to have this debt for long so I guess I'll enjoy it a little before it feels right to finally nix it all.
And that's Jan! Here's a graph of how the last 12 months have gone:
And of course to see all 9 years worth of net worths, you can check out this tracker here: J's Net Worth Journey. It's been a wild ride so far… and I suspect the same with your money too?
Oops, almost forgot our babies kids' net worths here… I guess I should probably change it to kids now that they're 2 and 4, eh? (But babies are sooo cute and cuddly and smell so good!! I want another please???? But to magically avoid the first 3 months of utter sleepless chaos??)
Your turn! What's your net worth looking like these days? Off to a great start this year or not so much? What do you predict for the next 12 months?
Say it loud and proud, baby – you know we eat this stuff up! And as always, if you need some extra motivation, head over to Rockstar Finance and check out the almost 300 bloggers we're now tracking to see how they're doing too… There's a $$$ range for everyone!
Here's to February,
PS: If you're just getting started in your journey, here are a few good resources to help track your money. Doesn't matter which route you go, just that it ends up sticking!
- The "Budget/Net Worth" spreadsheet - the colorful Excel template I personally use.
- The "Money Snapshot" spreadsheet - a simple Excel template I created for my former $$$ clients
If you're not a spreadsheet guy like me and prefer something more automated (which is fine, whatever gets you to take action!), you can try your hand with a free Empower account instead (formerly Personal Capital)
Empower is a cool tool that connects with your bank & investment accounts to give you an automated way to track your net worth. You'll get a crystal clear picture of how your spending and investments affect your financial goals (early retirement?), and it's super easy to use.
It only takes a couple minutes to set up and you can grab your free account here. They also do a lot of other cool stuff as well which my early retired friend Justin covers in our full review of Empower - check it out here: Why I Use Empower Almost Every Single Day.
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The ICIS Weekly Margin – Base Oils North America Variable Margin Analytics is published weekly
- ICIS margins complement ICIS' highly regarded pricing data and provide a clear indication of the direction of business cash costs and cash margins. This informs market positioning by sellers, buyers and traders.
- The methodology document describes the business model, the margin calculation, and the model yield pattern and calculation.
- It identifies the pricing inputs used to generate the full content of the model output, including both contract and spot prices where they exist for different products within the region.
- It identifies the production processes covered in the region.


text: Let your love shine! No matter the recipient or the occasion, this stunning monochromatic mix of hydrangea and roses, hand-delivered in a shimmering silver cube, is destined to delight and inspire. This bouquet of blooms includes white hydrangea, white roses, white spray roses, green carnations, green button spray chrysanthemums and pitta negra. Delivered in a silver mirrored cube vase. Approximately 12 1/2″ W x 12 1/2″ H


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The British composer, William
Wordsworth (1908-1988) was born in London and studied harmony and
counterpoint under George Oldroyd (1887-1956), later continuing his studies
with Donald Tovey (1875-1940) at Edinburgh University. He lived in England until 1961 when he moved
to Inverness-shire where he helped to found the Scottish Composer's Guild. He
was a descendent of Christopher Wordsworth, brother of the famous poet.
Wordsworth's compositions include concertos, chamber works,
vocal and piano works as well as eight symphonies.
Of the symphonies, Lyrita have previously released a
recording of the Symphony No.2 in D, Op.34 and Symphony No. 3 in C, Op.48 (SRCD
207) with the London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Nicholas Braithwaite.
Now in their Itter Broadcast Collection comes
recordings of Symphonies 1 and 5
coupled with Wordsworth's Conflict
Founder of Lyrita Recorded Edition www.lyrita.co.uk , Richard Itter had a
life-long fascination with recording, acquiring professional equipment for disc
and tape recording for his own private use. From his home, where he was able to
receive a good signal, he made domestic recordings from BBC transmissions of
Proms, premieres, operas, symphonies and chamber music totalling more than 1500
works between 1952 and 1996. Initially recording on magnetic tape particularly
important performances were transferred to acetate disc. These fragile discs
were never played and have remained in excellent condition, as have the
majority of the tapes which make up the bulk of the collection. In 2014 the
Lyrita Recorded Edition Trust begun to transfer this priceless archive and has
put in place formal agreements with the BBC and the Musicians Union to enable
the release of items from it to the public as the Itter Broadcast Collection.
James Loughran conducts the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
in a live mono recording of the Overture
'Conflict' for orchestra Op.86 (1968) broadcast by the BBC on 17th
January 1971. It opens purposefully with a steadily increasing forward pushing
theme, rising to moments of drama with cymbal clashes and a variety of
instrumental interventions. A xylophone and a myriad of percussion and
instrumental sounds achieve a real brilliance in the orchestra. Soon the music falls
to a quieter moment for clarinet, passed through the orchestra as the music
rises again, the xylophone again heard, finding a terrific forward momentum,
reaching a passage of immense force. The music gives way to a swirling of
woodwind over a string layer before rising again with timpani and percussion
making a terrific noise, full of violence. Later there is another quieter
passage, this time for strings before quickly moving forward. Brass appears and there are ripples from the
harp heard over a shimmering orchestra over which the woodwind flow before
rising to a brilliant coda.
The live mono recording is a little boxy but reveals a
surprising amount of detail. Applause is kept in at the end.
Wordsworth's Symphony
No.1 in F minor Op.23 (1944) was first performed by the BBC Northern
Orchestra (later renamed the BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra, now the BBC
Philharmonic Orchestra) conducted by Julius Harrison in 1946 in a studio
recording broadcast by the BBC.
In four movements, a series of orchestral chords herald the
opening of the Allegro maestoso before
leading forward through some rather angular phrases. The music soon slows to a
gentler passage for strings with occasional brass, through a meditative,
brooding section with pizzicato basses before finding more of a flow as the
theme is developed, with sudden little dynamic outbursts. The music rises and increases
in tempo with a dominant part for brass. There is a pensive passage with some
lovely woodwind phrases before a lone trumpet brings an affecting moment over a
hushed orchestra before rising with plenty of brass to lead to the end.
In the Adagio ma non troppo
there is a slow melancholy opening for woodwind, soon taken forward by strings
before woven between brass and woodwind. The music slowly rises only to
immediately fall back to a ponderous passage in the basses, full of brooding
intensity. It manages to rise up again with cymbal clashes and brass as the
emotional cork is finally let out of the bottle before finding its way back to
its brooding nature. Individual instruments take and weave the melody before almost
faltering to a standstill, only to move slowly and sadly on to the grief
stricken coda.
The Scherzo. Allegro
con brio moves forward in a rising and falling motif before rising up as
the theme is woven through the orchestra. Again there are cymbal clashes before
the music subsides into a steady forward drive. Soon the music slowly gets
quieter but rises to push forward with intensity. Wordsworth often achieves a great
brilliance of orchestral sound. Again a hushed forward motion is found before
rising to forge ahead to the coda.
The concluding Andante
largamente – Allegro opens gloomily in the basses before soon rising up
through the orchestra in a slow melancholy theme, with some very fine woodwind
and brass passages in this intensely brooding music. Later the strings lighten
the mood, increasing in tempo, though keeping a feeling of anxiety, expanding
through the orchestra as more of a sense of momentum increases. There are some
attractive runs through the woodwind as the music subsides to a hush. The strings
slowly and sadly move forward, brass join to add to the deep melancholy before
the music speeds through brass passages of greater strength with the orchestral
sound finding a greater momentum and impact. There are cymbal clashes and much
brass as the music defiantly heads forward to a hard won triumph.
This is a symphony of some power and emotion. The mono recording
is more spacious though there is a little background hiss.
The Symphony No.5 in
A minor Op.68 (1960) was also first performed in a BBC broadcast concert by
the BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir Adrian Boult.
In three movements the Andante
maestoso opens with a slowly flowing, rather earnest theme that soon rises.
An oboe, then cor-anglais, bring a wonderfully gentle theme, shared by the two
instruments over a pulsating orchestra together with harp. The music rises through
some fine moments with the cor-anglais again heard, Wordsworth weaving some
magical sounds. There is a haunting, flowing, passage for the higher strings,
of great emotional depth, that is soon shaped into a more dynamic passage for
full orchestra, pointed up by timpani and brass. Later the music finds a
subtler undulation with the oboe bringing a gentler, slower moment, again
shared with the cor-anglais. There are delicate phrases with harp as the flute
takes the theme, later woven through the strings, the composer creating some
quite wonderful orchestral sonorities. Eventually there is a violin solo with woodwind
woven around in another wonderful passage. Wordsworth had some wonderfully fine
ideas bringing a rather luminescent sound as the orchestra rises out of the
smaller ensemble, the violin weaving through the woodwind to find a lovely coda.
Wordsworth finds a remarkably individual, delicate, quietly
rhythmic opening for percussion, pizzicato strings and celeste in the Allegro, soon taken up by the rest of
the orchestra as the music rises. Soon there is a more flowing, forward drive
with many fine little instrumental details. A xylophone adds spiky rhythmic phrases
before a flute leads over a lovely string layer in a dancing staccato passage
in a delicate little tune. The music picks up in force to drive forward, timpani
adding weight before woodwind flurries take us back to a quieter, delicate
moment for harp and percussion. The music again moves quickly ahead only to
find a quizzical, delicate conclusion, though not without a final loud
orchestral chord.
The Andante largamente
– Allegro opens darkly in the basses, slowly rising through the strings,
very reminiscent of the opening of the andante largamente of the first
symphony. The music soon gains in angst and intensity until the brass and timpani
declare the reaching of a plateau as the orchestra moves resolutely forward.
Brass fanfares are heard but the music continues to head forward. A fast moving
skittish passage arrives, pointed up by percussion and there are moments of
broader, slower music for brass as well as passages of flowing strings. Centrally
there is a calmer moment for brass and percussion before speeding ahead in the
strings with brass adding colour and brilliance. A broad, confident string led
passage occurs before the woodwind bring a slower passage but the orchestra
soon rises to a resolute coda, wonderfully coloured by percussion.
This is, perhaps, the most impressive and individual work
here. The stereo recording is full and detailed, if a little top heavy.
We are lucky to have these fine works in recordings that
belie their origins. We should thank Lyrita for all the work they are doing in
bringing such neglected works to our attention.
The performances are first rate and there are excellent, very
full booklet notes.
I wonder if there are any more of this composer's symphonies
hiding in Mr Itter's collection. I do hope so.
See also:


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Tim Russert passed suddenly today of an apparent heart attack. It's a tragedy when considering what a hard working decent person he was and also because he is a good father. He was always fair as the moderator of meet the press, and he was respectful to his guests regardless of his opinion. He really was an objective journalist and he sincerely cared about the well being of the United States. He knew the hopes and dreams of American citizens extended beyond party lines and he was one of the rare journalists who could see the forest through the trees. It's a sad day for American journalism and he will be missed by all. I don't think words could express how stunned and saddened people were by his passing.
My sincerest condolences to his family. My heart goes out to you.


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When the Beatles' 'Hey Jude' Started a Prison Riot
Actor Danny Trejo, best known for playing movie hardass Machete, recalled the moment when the Beatles' classic "Hey Jude" kicked off a prison riot in 1968.
He was serving 18 months in solitary confinement at the time, having built a criminal record of drug and armed-robbery offenses. Even though those days are far behind him, he can't forget the moment one of his favorite songs caused an episode of emotion-driven violence.
"It's always real noisy and chaotic in the hole, and this song comes on and you can barely hear it from the officer's radio," Trejo told NME in a new interview.. "And the hole got quiet and quiet and quiet. It's not good when the hole is quiet. And then, 'Judy Judy Judy Judy Judyyyyyy!' Sinks were broken! Toilets were flooded! We went just totally insane! ... That song was so beautiful it was worth a riot."
In 2016, he recounted a similar version of the story, telling Metal Hammer that Abbey Road was the record from his collection he wished he'd helped make. "It's awesome," Trejo said. "When I went to England, I walked down Abbey Road. I had to do it!"
In the new interview, the 76-year-old actor said he found his coronavirus lockdown "kind of funny." "I did 18 months in the hole!" he explained. "So this is like time out in your house. I can go to my beautiful backyard. I got a swimming pool. I got food. In the hole you get a square of processed foods all scrunched together. The first three days you're there, you're like, 'I ain't eating that crap', but on the fourth day … ."


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Santa Clarita, Calif. – The City of Santa Clarita saw an increase in location filming in 2017 with the Film Office reporting 556 film permits and 1,385 location film days, which generated an estimated $33.9 million in economic impact to our local community.
This represents a 1.5 percent increase in permits, a 1.4 percent increase in film days, and a 3 percent increase to the estimated economic impact when compared to 2016. This is the fourth consecutive calendar year the Santa Clarita Film Office has recorded more than 500 permits, over 1,300 film days and $30 million or more in estimated economic impact generated from location filming alone.
Not included in the reported numbers are the film days and economic benefit from filming that takes place on certified sound stages, which do not require a film permit. "Santa Clarita is one of the preferred places for film production and location filming in the Los Angeles area, as demonstrated by yet another strong year," said Mayor Laurene Weste. "Filming continues to be a big part of our business community and local economy, supporting high paying jobs and hundreds of local companies. We will continue to do everything we can to be a film-friendly City and ensure our unique and beautiful valley remains a top choice for productions." Many factors have contributed to the continued success and appeal of filming in Santa Clarita, including the City's Film Incentive Program, Movie Ranch Overlay Zone, low cost permit fees and expedited permit processing, along with the California Film and Television Tax Credit Program.
The Santa Clarita Valley is also located within the entertainment industry's coveted "Thirty Mile Zone" and offers thousands of film-friendly locations that can double as almost anywhere in the world. Last year, countless television shows took advantage of all the SCV had to offer and more than half of the film days reported in 2017 were attributed to TV production alone. Many locally based shows such as "Atypical," "Ballers," "The Guest Book," "Mayans MC," "MythBusters," "NCIS," "Santa Clarita Diet," "Shooter," "Shut Eye," "Stitchers," "S.W.A.T.," "Ultimate Beastmaster" and "Westworld" helped contribute to the reported numbers.
Other shows that filmed on location in Santa Clarita this past year include "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.," "American Horror Story," "Animal Kingdom," "Arrested Development," "Baskets," "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," "Criminal Minds," "Drunk History," "Fear Factor," "John Claude Van Johnson," "LA to Vegas," "The Last Man on Earth," "The Last Ship," "NCIS: Los Angeles," "The Orville," "Ray Donovan," "Seal Team," "Sharp Objects," "Teen Wolf," "Ten Days in the Valley," "This is Us," "Timeless," "Transparent," "VEEP," "Young Sheldon" and many more.
Numerous feature films were shot in Santa Clarita in 2017, including A Wrinkle in Time and The Happytime Murders, which were filmed at local sound stages. The 15:17 to Paris, A Doggone Mystery, A Star is Born, Ad Astra, Book Club, Fighting with My Family, Horse Soldiers, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Just Getting Started, Miles, Roman J. Israel, Esq., Saint Judy and more filmed on location around town.
In addition, many music videos, lots of online content and plenty of commercials were created right here in the SCV. For more information about filming in Santa Clarita, please visit FilmSantaClarita.com or contact the Film Office at (661) 284-1425. For an insider's view to filming in Santa Clarita, follow the Santa Clarita Film Office on Instagram (@FilmSantaClarita).


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You only have so many customers. Many of them are probably happy to write you a review online (especially if it's as easy as possible). So where should you encourage them to go to post reviews of your business?
If you think the obvious answer is "Oh, I'll just steer everyone to Yelp and Google+" then you thought wrong. Those sites have review filters that can be pretty paranoid. Yelp even has a policy against asking for a review. Also, some of your customers simply may not want to use those sites, for one reason or another.
Then there's what I and other local SEOs have experienced: that getting reviews on a diversity of sites can be a big help to your local rankings.
How to pick which review sites might be good to weave into your review-encouragement campaign? I've put together this comparison chart to help you figure that out:
There are other good review sites out there, but I focused on the big sites that aren't specific to any one industry (like YellowPages) and a handful of the big sites that are specific to a particular industry or family of industries (like HealthGrades). I also focused on US sites, as you can tell (although Google+, Yelp, and TripAdvisor aren't US-specific).
I hope everything made sense at first glance, but in case not, here's some explanation of each of the columns and headers:
A review is not a review. Some give you more local visibility per-review than others. How? In 5 different ways (that I can think of).
Avg. rankings for broad searches
When you type in any given local search term – "dentists Dallas" or "roofing repair in Tampa" or "jewelry" or "estate attorneys" – you're probably going to see at least a few directory/review sites in Google's search results.
Some of these sites always seem to rank highly – and if potential customers click through to those sites, you're either visible or you're not. If you have reviews on those sites, you're building yourself some nice extra visibility.
Avg. rankings for brand-name searches
What do you see when you search for your business by name? You'll probably see a page or two of your site, your Google+ Local listing, maybe Facebook page – and several other sites where you're listed.
You need reviews on at least some of those sites.
Why? Because many of your potential customers aren't just picking you out of a hat in the local search results: They'll find you and your competitors in the local rankings, and then Google your names to see the "dirt" on you. For that matter, maybe they didn't even find you online originally: maybe they got your name from a friend and just want to learn more about you. The bottom line is that if potential customers like what they see – particularly the reviews – they may just give you a ring.
Review stars in SERPs
As you can see, some sites make their reviews "pop" out in the search results (by using rich snippets).
You want reviews on those sites. The nice thing is that most of them only require one review to have your "stars" show up in the search results. (The exception is Google+ Local, which requires a minimum of 5 or sometimes 4 reviews for you to get the stars.)
Feeds reviews to other sites
You'll need to have seen my Local Reviews Ecosystem post in order to absorb this one.
Feeds to Bing Places
There's no such thing as a "Bing review" anymore. The reviews that show up in Bing's local results come from other sources: Yelp, CitySearch, InsiderPages, and TripAdvisor.
Besides their visibility in Google and on other sites, there are other ways some types of reviews can benefit you.
Top reviewers
Yelp has the "Elite Squad." Google has the "City Experts" program, and also gives "Top reviewer" status to other people who write lots of Google Plus reviews. A couple other sites have equivalent titles for their most-influential reviewers. Reviews from these sorts of people can help your visibility in all sorts of indirect ways – and they may have some direct effect on your rankings.
Allows owner responses
Can you thank a customer who puts in a good word? Can you address gripes from less-happy customers? Depends on the site.
Badges offered
Some sites have badges or buttons that you can use to draw attention to your reviews – to tell customers to check out your reviews on those sites. Pro tip: because these badges will link to your reviews page on a given site, make sure those links open up into a new browser tab. You don't want people leaving your site to check out your reviews.
It won't necessarily be easy to get reviews on the sites where you need them. Nor can you assume it will be tough to get reviews on sites where you might actually benefit a lot from having a few. You need to know where the banana peels are.
Does not use automated filters
Sorry for the double-negative here, but as you can see on the comparison chart, I wanted "green thumbs-up = good" across the board 🙂 But this one's real simple: Yelp and Google+ filter reviews. Yelp's filter is harsher than Google's filter. TripAdvisor may filter reviews automatically, but I couldn't tell for certain.
Facebook logins accepted
Some sites don't require customers to create logins (e.g. a CitySearch username) just to write a review. They let customers use their Facebook usernames. Not only does that eliminate a step for your customers, but it also presents an opportunity for you if you interact a lot with your customers on Facebook and might use it as a way to reach out for reviews.
By the way, Yahoo also lets people use their Google logins, and Angie's List lets customers use their Facebook, Google, and Yahoo usernames to post reviews. Talk about greasing the skids.
Policy allows asking for reviews
Self-explanatory, except that Yelp is actually the only Grinch site that sees reviews as a taboo subject for an honest business owner and a customer. Google is murky on this one. Angie's List actually wants you to ask customers. HealthGrades will ship you customized cards to give patients.
By the way, here are a couple great old posts that bit off pieces of the "which review sites should I pick" question:
Mike Blumenthal's "Which Review Sites Should You Use?" (2010)
Miriam Ellis's "Edit, Remove and Respond To Reviews – Tools For Conflict Resolution" (2009)
Huge thanks to David Deering of Touch Point Digital Marketing in New Orleans for making my comparison chart not only presentable, but pretty as a peach. I highly recommend his services.
Questions? What's your SWOT analysis of your reviews profile after looking at the comparison chart? Leave a comment!


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Pauline Darley
I'm pretty sure you've all seen this fashion photographer's stunning "She Has Waited Too Long" series on your Tumblr and Facebook feeds. You might also enjoy "Epine" and "Cigue" though they're not ultra-dark or even remotely goth. Beautiful work here.
Gorgeous pop surreal digital paintings and illustrations by Elodie, who lives in France. Check out her "Alice" series, and I imagine you'll also enjoy the fairy tale inspired "Tales" and her collection of paintings about life and death, "Memento." A very talented and imaginative artist, I'm so glad I have gotten to experience this gallery today.
A gallery of surreal art by Sebastian Eriksson. My favorite works by him are from his "Revelation" series. Check out his creepy "Bound" piece while you're here.
Torvenius creates beautifully dark album covers, sculptures and plays around with concept art. The sculptures are really creepy (shown above is "Stitched Stillborn.") I also like some of his sci-fi digital illustrations, such as the dark China Tower.
Gothic Addiction, Dark and All
I'm not really sure where to categorize really active, interesting goth/dark Facebook pages like this. Maintained by an admin, and mostly consisting of users liking but not contributing, this doesn't really constitute a community. But these pages are really popular and useful in showing people lovely gothy things. Gothic Addiction, Dark and All specializes gothic, dreary, horror and skull-themed images.
Gothic Addiction, Dark and All on Facebook
Gothic Divas and Heavenly Voices
This Facebook group is for the celebration of female voices in gothic, darkwave, and ethereal music. I really enjoy the Youtube videos that group members post, reminding me of bands I enjoy that happen to have female vocalists. Currently 149 members. I hope the group is moderated carefully - I already see a bit of off-topic self promotion and links going on.
Gothic Divas and Heavenly Voices, on Facebook
Keep it Real, Keep it Goth
This site seems to specialize in event and gig announcements. There's a website with a forum and events calendar, and a busy Facebook page. I'm glad to see a good, useful and well maintained resource like this!
Keep it Real, Keep it Goth on Facebook
Goth Clothes
This Australian store sells goth, fetish, punk and burlesque clothes and shoes. They also carry high heels for men, which is really cool. They're really active on their Facebook page, too, posting tons of pics of beautiful goth girls.
Puimond Progressive Corset Design creates fabulous bridal, burlesque, fetish and lingerie corsets. I also see some waist-training corsets here. They do a lot of custom work. The corsets here are incredibly gorgeous. They're based in LA.
I've seen a lot of corsets on webpage shops throughout the years, so when I say these are unusual and distinctive corsets, different from everything else out there, please believe me! I'm not a corset wearer at all, but this is the only place I'd consider investing in one if I were to suddenly get more fashionable and adventurous.
Sally's Song Dolls
This is yet another creepy doll shop on Etsy. What singles this shop out for me is the incredible amount of work that obviously goes into these dolls. Often people just slap some fake blood on a burned baby doll, throw on a tattered black dress and try to sell it for $60. In this case, you can see the extra attention and handiwork paid to the dolls' hair, face paint, costumes and props.
I'm really intrigued by the Bloodycup doll, which is available as a custom order.
Sally's Song Dolls, on Facebook
Skullis creates and sells crystal and gemstone skulls for home decor and jewelry. I really like browsing around here - you can get quite distracted for a long time as there are so many items here. Check out the disturbingly huge Titan skulls - weird!
Some of the colors here are a bit too pastely and some of the crystal items are New Agey, so I just pass on by those to see more interesting things, like this raven and skull sculpture.
Three Rexes
Tara Greer designs this beautiful gothic, medieval and Celtic jewelry in California. Styles here include Renaissance, Egyptian, Moorish, Nouveau and more. There are men's rings here, plus women's rings, necklaces, earrings, and crown-shaped rings for weddings. As you might expect, there are more than a few crosses, skulls and octopi featured on jewelry here. I think you'll enjoy looking through the collections!
The Blood Sprayer
"All the filth that's fit to publish." Here's an extremely useful horror movie news site. There are multiple contributors, so the news is fresh and posted often. I like that this site isn't just a bunch of brief horror film reviews, there's much more to it than that. The Twitter feed has a post every other day or so, too.
Chilling Scenes of Dreadful Villainy
I've had so much fun browsing the vintage horror and B-movie stills archived here. Someone has worked really hard to find or screencap all of these. Great bait/fodder for Pinterest and Tumblr sites.
A Fascination with Fear
I love that this horror blog creates and sticks to monthly themes. Currently it's "A Frigid Fortnight - Spotlighting Winter Horror." The bloggers (Christine and Marie) are currently indulging in recasting "The Shining", recommending winter horror films, and discussing really bloody winter horror films. I really enjoy the writing and topics here - I haven't been this excited about a horror genre blog in a long time!
Check back on Mondays for Mindless Movie Monday and on Fridays for Friday Flashback. Fun stuff here! Next they'll be working on "Women in Horror Month" posts for February 2013.
Horror Movie a Day
Exactly that. Every day a different horror or old B-movie is reviewed in depth. While I'd like to see more pics from the movies (posters, or a screencap here or there) perhaps it's ok since the writing is so good here.
--Copyright 2013 Carrie Carolin


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Horned Oak Gall
ENTFACT-457: Horned Oak Gall | Download PDF
By Lee Townsend, Extension Entomologist and
Daniel Potter, Horticultural Entomologist
University of Kentucky College of Agriculture
Horned oak galls are unsightly, golf ball-size woody growths on oak twigs caused by a tiny wasp (Callirhytis comigera). The name refers to the characteristic horns that protrude from the surface of the mature galls.
Lightly infested pin oaks can live for many years without apparent harm but outbreak infestations can disfigure trees causing extensive branch dieback and even tree death. The clusters of dried out galls, which are especially noticeable after autumn leaf fall, remain aesthetically disfiguring for years after the wasps have emerged and abandoned them. The gouty oak gall, which is similar but lacks the horns, is produced by the wasp C. quercuspunctata. The complex life cycle of these wasps thwarts control efforts.
Life cycle
Large numbers of female wasps emerge from the mature woody galls in late March through mid-April. Each wasp uses a horn as its escape tunnel, chewing an exit hole through the end. Those females place tiny eggs into swelling leaf buds.
Fig. 2 Female gall wasp placing eggs in bud for leaf gall generation
Fig. 3 Leaf gall with emergence hole of wasp
Each leaf gall, which resembles a tiny, inconspicuous blister on the underside of leaves along mid- or lateral vein, contains a white grub-like larva. Those grubs mature into male and female wasps that exit the leaf galls from late May through early June. After mating, females insert eggs in a spiral arrangement around 1- or 2-year old twigs to start the twig gall generation.
Fig. 4 Slight swellings of an
11-month old twig gall.
Twig galls appear as slight swellings about 10 months after egg hatch. They, too, contain small, white larvae. Irregular tissue growth continues and individual swellings combine to form large, irregular woody galls with individual chambers for each developing larva.
Galls increase in size for about 24 months and may house as many as 160 developing wasps. The hollow horns begin to project from galls that are about 2 years old and ultimately serve as escape tunnels. Galls harden and dry after their residents leave and the horns break off. The stem gall generation takes about 33 months from egg hatch to adult emergence. These females move to leaf buds to lay eggs for the leaf gall generation.
Consecutive generations of horned oak gall wasps alternate between developing in small blister-like leaf galls and large, communal, woody twig galls.
No clear management options
Management approaches for the horned oak gall on landscape pin and willow oaks continue to be evaluated but no easy solution has been found.
Canopy sprays in early spring to kill the wasps before they lay eggs in the swelling buds, or sprays in late spring to kill wasps emerging from the leaf galls may provide partial control. Spraying tall trees is impractical in most settings and also kills natural enemies that help keep other pests, such as scale insects, in check. Trunk injections of systemic neonicotinoid insecticides have not proven effective for reducing numbers of leaf galls.
Some professional arborists report that injecting trees with bidrin (a Restricted Use Pesticide) in spring for four consecutive years is suppressing horned oak gall infestations. That approach, which targets the seemingly more vulnerable leaf gall stage, has not yet been scientifically evaluated.
Success is difficult to evaluate because dead twig galls will remain for several years. Infested trees have twig galls in several stages of development, maturation of which takes almost 3 years. Therefore, a single insecticide application does not end an infestation.
If a few woody galls are noticed, it pays to promptly remove them if they can be reached with a pole pruner. However, this is not practical in mature tall trees. Beneficial insects, including several species of parasitic wasps, help to suppress horned oak gall populations on many trees. Individual trees vary in resistance or susceptibility; often some are heavily infested while others nearby are nearly gall-free. The basis for such resistance is unknown.
- Eliason EA and DA Potter. 2000. Biology of Callirhytis cornigera (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) and the arthropod community inhabiting its galls. Environ Ent 29: 551-559
- Eliason EA and DA Potter. 2000. Impact of whole-canopy and systemic insecticidal treatments on Callirhytis cornigera (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) and associated parasitoids on pin oak. J Econ Ent 93: 165-171.
- Eliason, EA and DA Potter. 2001. Biology and management of the horned oak gall wasp on pin oak. J Arboriculture 27: 92-100.
CAUTION! Pesticide recommendations in this publication are registered for use in Kentucky, USA ONLY! The use of some products may not be legal in your state or country. Please check with your local county agent or regulatory official before using any pesticide mentioned in this publication.
Of course, ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS FOR SAFE USE OF ANY PESTICIDE!
Images: University of Kentucky College of Agriculture


text:
Matt Drudge's poodle, anti-ACORN propagandist, GOP operative, and deranged wingnut Internet death threatener, Andrew Breitbart, is apparently hoping to become the new Orly Taitz.
Today's insane interview with David Shuster on MSNBC, discussing the felony arrest of his employee/operative James O'Keefe for allegedly attempting to manipulate the telephones of U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) earlier this week, goes a long way towards that goal. Lookin' good, Andy! Keep up the brilliant "journalism"!
Josh Marshall notes about the interview that it was "truly the most unhinged performance I've seen since Shuster made a laughing stock of and pretty much put an end to the fifteen minutes of fame of [Queen of the Obama 'Birthers'] Orly Taitz."
"At some level I admire Breitbart's insistence on turning any question about anything into an attack based on why the federal government hasn't turned itself over entirely to investigating ACORN," Marshall adds, "But this performance was definitely in shark-jumping territory. For the ages."
Indeed. Though despite Crazy Andy's seething rage about a lack of criminal convictions against ACORN, even as two recent independent investigations found no criminal wrong-doing by the pro-voter, pro-American Dream community group in the highly-doctored, and apparently illegally-obtained video tapes that Breitbart and O'Keefe posted for the U.S. media to broadcast widely, he's adamant that the rest of the world needs to retract, um, everything, while his continued, unsubstantiated allegations against, um, everybody else are just fine.
Unfortunately, Shuster didn't ask Andy about the admissions that he'd made on the night of O'Keefe's arrest, when he concurred that "Lots of people work for lots of corporations, and do dumb and sometimes illegal things that are not within the scope of their employment."
The wingnut that he was concurring with, Hugh Hewitt, was talking about Crazy Andy's employment of the accused felon O'Keefe. But the irony that they'd both just explained why ACORN isn't necessarily responsible for an employee of theirs who defrauds ACORN itself --- who is turned in by ACORN themselves to officials for prosecution --- apparently escaped both geniuses as they panicked to try and save Breitbart's quickly crumbling propaganda empire.
Anyway, here's the video of Shuster with Crazy Andy "jumping the shark" on MSNBC today...
BTW, for those who wonder why we should bother with this guy and his freak show at all, it's because, like Matt Drudge and Rush Limbaugh, etc., he serves, pathetically enough, as the "assignment desk" for the U.S. Media --- not just the Rightwing media, but the entire U.S. Media --- and he needs to be discredited and revealed for the ticking time-bomb lunatic of a wingnut operative that he is.
He is anything but a legitimate "journalist," no matter how much he enjoys tricking his gullible tea baggers into believing just the opposite. He is the master of projection and deception, and where, in one sense, he shouldn't even be allowed anywhere near a legitimate TV interview, like his fellow GOP propagandist and deceptionist Ann Coulter, he needs to be outed for the lying little scam artist that he is.
Today, he went a long way towards doing that to himself. Again. And everyone needs to know about what a deranged whackjob he is. Not that that will keep otherwise "legitimate" corporate news organizations from giving him air time to peddle his various scams.
But we can only do as much as we can here. And, as Andy is currently one of the leading media scam artists in the years-long assault against ACORN for having the temerity to help register millions of legal low and middle-income voters, the least we can do is point out who these scam artists actually are, and how phony their well-funded campaign actually is.
UPDATE 4:18pm PT: Media Matters details, in reply to Breitbart's false claim that his apparently illegally obtained and highly-doctored ACORN videos "clearly show in every --- in almost every single office, the employees at ACORN helping aid and abet the establishment of an underage prostitution brothel."...
No doubt "journalist" Crazy Andy will be demanding a retraction from himself immediately!