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That makes me even more confused about my new bike choice this year!
As the smooth road transitions into the pavé that marks the beginning of the Oude Kwaremont, the fearsome 2.2km cobbled road that features not once, not twice, but three times in the Tour of Flanders professional race (just once in the sportive, mercifully), the steel-framed Stoemper shows impressive smoothness, control and speed.
I'm glad of my choice of frame material for the demands of this course. For all the development in once exotic Space Age materials, steel is making a fine case for itself. Steel is a wonderfully compliant material, and in this guise it's doing an incredible job of smoothing out the vibrations caused by the pavé.
The Stoemper, a US-built born-in-Belgium bike, is winning my heart. The reason I happen to be riding this bike in this event was the idea of Stoemper's UK agent, Scott Purchas. He suggested I might like to test the bike on the very roads where it was conceived and developed. I bit his arm off. So it was that the Stoemper arrived with me a couple of weeks before the Tour of Flanders sportive, allowing me time to test it on regular roads before the trip to Belgium.
The roads of Belgium and the immense history that emanates from many of the roads, made famous with races like the Tour of Flanders over the past century, were the proving ground for Stoemper. The company comprises two Americans, US-based frame builder Todd Gardner and Belgian-based David Alvarez, who looks after the business and marketing. They've built a small range of road and cyclocross bikes, in steel and aluminium, that are designed and built to go really fast. To be "raced the shit out of," as their website proudly declares.
The name Stoemper roughly translates to 'mashing a big gear'. They've sought to design a range of bikes with words like 'aggressive' 'stomping' and 'hard riding' hard-wired into the very DNA of the frame. And, as I found out during my time on the bike, this is very much the case. It's more than just another steel frame, it's a statement of intent.
Spending some time with David, you really get the sense that he's in love with Belgian cycling and everything that entails. Last year, he and a group of willing friends rode the route of five Spring Classics in a week: a phenomenal task. And they all completed it on the same bike I've been riding for some time. The event wasn't a one-off marketing stunt either. David was out on his Stoemper this year riding most of the Classic sportives that precede the professional racing. To say cycling runs in his blood would be an understatement. There's also a fair amount of La Chouffe, but that's another story...
Frame: TIG welded steel beauty
So David is instrumental in the direction of the brand and the bicycles, but it's the welding skills of Todd Gardner that result in the Taylor being the beautiful steel bike it is. He's based in Oregon and builds each frame himself. He's a man with many years' experience producing frames and his craftsmanship is clearly on show. There are exquisite details everywhere that display his skill with the welding torch.
For this frame he's opted for the True Temper S3 tubeset. S3 is short for Super Strength Steel, and uses True Temper's proprietary heat-treating process. Because of this process the walls of the tubes can be thinner, with no decrease in strength. Todd TIG welds the frame and goes with a classic geometry. There's just a hint of slope to the top tube, giving the frame a purposeful stance that I like.
The Taylor displays some distinctive and beautiful details. And some funny details: the Godzilla headbadge and knuckle duster emblem on the seat tube just examples of where Todd and David are coming from. You're either going to like this or, well, you're not.
The tubes are oversized but not dramatically so. The seatstays are bent, by hand, to provide extra clearance around the wheel and for the heel. Talking of clearance, the frame will take 27mm tyres. I rode 25mm tyres during the test period. The seat tube takes a 27.2mm seat tube so you get maximum shock absorption from the small diameter tube.
Internal cable routing for the rear brake cable is neatly done, with the gear cables slung under the down tube. Dropouts are Ritchey-style cowled items and are very pleasing to the eye, and also serve a function as they provide a large weld area for the stays. It can be a pain aligning the wheel quick release, however.
The head tube is a straight 1 1/8in pipe with external ring reinforcement, and it takes the carbon steerer tube of the Enve 1.0 fork. Enve's all-carbon fork is a very popular choice with US framebuilders, and it's a good partner for the frame. It provides direct steering with just enough compliance, but there's noticeable more feedback through the handlebars than there is through the saddle from the rear triangle.
I rode a 56cm, they offer 11 sizes stretching from 45 to 62cm. They'll do custom as well if you desire any changes from standard. The head tube is an aggressive 16cm and the geometry is a 73.5 degree head angle is paired with a 73 degree seat tube.
A Stoemper Taylor frame costs £1,599 and with the custom painted Enve 1.0 fork it's £1,899. Prices include VAT and delivery from Oregon. They offer a choice of two colours for the frame and the graphics. They follow traditional geometry and offer 11 sizes, and if that isn't good enough they can do custom geometry too. Waiting time is around 8-10 weeks.
Build kit: Tough and dependable with Italian flavour
Stoemper focus on frame-only sales, but they're open to offering fully built bikes if you want to go down that route. Many people buying high-end steel frames like this probably will want to build it themselves, and have a very good idea what kit they're going to want to deck it with so I won't dwell too much on the build kit. There's an Italian favour to the Stoemper's build. The Campagnolo Record 11-speed groupset offered crisp and reliable shifting, with good bite to the brakes for quick decelerations.
Wearing the Campagnolo logo also were the Neutron Ultra wheels, shod with Continental Gatorskins 25mm. The wheelset was an ideal match for the frame, with a very good ride quality that balances the line between stiffness and compliance well. They were well suited to the cobbles of Flanders, providing a little extra give, and responding well to sprints and attacks. The tyres were faultless, only one puncture during the test and that was on the first ride around Scott's stomping ground in Kent.
Finishing kit was a 3T stem and Ergonova handlebars and matching stem. I fitted my own saddle, a San Marco Regale that I've been testing, and used Speedplay pedals. Elite bottle cages completed the details.
Ride: Balanced and aggressive
I really like the way steel bikes ride. The Stoemper displays all the characteristics a steel frame should. It's smooth and assured over the tough roads of Belgian and those closer to home, as happy weaving over a smooth country lane or being hustled over pave in hot pursuit of a fast wheel. If you've never ridden a steel bike on cobbles, you might be surprised to learn that it's incredibly adept at handling the vibrations and removes much of the harshness that can be transmitted through to the contact points on a stiffer frameset.
It's smoothness all the way, even in the way it handles. Steering is direct and responsive, the stiff Enve fork a good partner to the compliance of the steel frame. There's noticeably more feedback through the bars as a result of the fork, it might not be my first choice for riding on the cobbles, but on all other road surfaces it's a fine choice.
With the short head tube and 12cm stem I was able to get a position that is very close to my favoured one: low at the front and stretched out. Whether in the hoods or on the drops, the handling was exemplary, a display of well-balanced speed and agility.
I'm drawn to remember my test of the Zullo Vergine, an Italian built XCR stainless steel frame that I came away impressed by. I even concluded that it was 'the best riding steel frame I've ever ridden.' Do I still feel the same way having ridden the Taylor. I feel that XCR has the edge in all-round stiffness, but the Taylor exhibits a more aggressive demeanor that encourages playful riding. If anything, both bikes demonstrate that steel is still a very good choice.
The frame may carry a little more weight, but built up here the bike only weighed 7.8kg (17.2lb), showing that steel doesn't have to equate to a heavy bike. That's lighter than many carbon-fibre bikes. It showed this on climbs where it favoured out of the saddle climbing, and wafted effortlessly uphill, though it doesn't have the immediacy of acceleration when responding to surges on the climbs like a stiffer frame would. You wind it up gradually, before it strikes.
Steel may not be the first choice for racing cyclists these days, whose sole interest is outright stiffness and lightweight. But if you're not racing and not weighing yourself every morning but still like to push it hard, well, steel is a wonderful material choice. The Stoemper is an engaging ride, it's very communicative with good feedback through the contact points and the inherent compliance in steel makes it comfortable over rough roads.
Comfortable, crisp, smooth and quiet. The Stoemper's exquisitely conceived Taylor, with its Belgian DNA and hard riding ethos, is a very fine example of steel. It's impossible not to fall for the Taylor. Light enough for fast riding, planted and nimble, strong enough to survive punishing roads, there's a lot to love.
A comfortable and crisp steel bike that's an absolute joy to ride
If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website
road.cc test report
Make and model: Stoemper Taylor
Size tested: 56cm
About the bike
State the frame and fork material and method of construction. List the components used to build up the bike.
Stoemper say, "Here at Stoemper we produce mighty fine road and cyclocross racing bikes. Each one is hand-built by Todd, and all processes are done in-house, from making our own head tubes to welding and painting. Our geometry is a fine blend of Euro and American race geometry to make sure you go as fast as you want to. Tried and tested at the highest level, and looking good doing it.
"This is our steel race bike. Our wrecking ball. Our torpedo. Anyone who's ridden steel will tell you. And those who haven't, get in line. Steel feels unbelievable, resilient and somehow springy, stiff and yet forgiving. That's why it's been used in bicycles for forever. And we use special steel, True Temper S3, hand-bent stays, custom-machined head tubes on our lathe. We dote after each Taylör like our own baby, knowing too well that it will be crashing the car and going to jail before too long. Throw away your fluffy lugs and ride some handbulit, tig-welded steel. It doesn't get any more metal than the Taylör."
Tell us what the bike is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about the bike?
1.125' ENVE carbon fork
27.2mm seat post
Braze-on front derailleur
Standard threaded English BB
Tyre clearance up to 27mm no problem.
Frame and fork
Tell us about the build quality and finish of the frame and fork?
The frame is beautifully finished with lovely details
Tell us about the materials used in the frame and fork?
True Temper S3 tubeset. S3 stands for Super Strength Steel, and uses True Temper's proprietary heat-treating process. Because of this process the walls of the tubes can be thinner, with no decrease in strength
The Enve 1.0 fork features a full carbon construction
Tell us about the geometry of the frame and fork?
Geometry for this 56cm: The head tube is an aggressive 16cm and the geometry is a 73.5 degree head angle paired with a 73 degree seat angle.
How was the bike in terms of height and reach? How did it compare to other bikes of the same stated size?
With a 12cm stem I was able to get my favoured position, low and stretched
Riding the bike
Was the bike comfortable to ride? Tell us how you felt about the ride quality.
On the roughest roads of Belgium the bike was comfortable. I finished the Tour of Flanders 135km sportive feeling fresh
Did the bike feel stiff in the right places? Did any part of the bike feel too stiff or too flexible?
The oversized chainstays ensure there's stiffness for planting the power down when you need it.
How did the bike transfer power? Did it feel efficient?
It's not as immediately responsive to surges of power compared to a carbon frame, but wind it up and it responds well.
Was there any toe-clip overlap with the front wheel? If so, was it a problem?
How would you describe the steering? Was it lively, neutral or unresponsive? Nimble
Tell us some more about the handling. How did the bike feel overall? Did it do particular things well or badly?
It was just lovely to ride everywhere, on all road surfaces.
Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike's comfort? would you recommend any changes?
The wheels were a good match for the frame, not so stiff as to spoil the experience.
The drivetrain
Wheels and tyres
Your summary
Did you enjoy riding the bike? Yes, a lot
Would you consider buying the bike? If I had the money and space
Would you recommend the bike to a friend? Oh yes
Anything further to say about the bike in conclusion?
If you've never enjoyed the ride of steel, the Taylor is a very good demonstration of its qualities.
About the tester
Age: 31 Height: 180 Weight: 67
I usually ride: My best bike is:
I've been riding for: 10-20 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo cross, commuting, touring, mtb,
David has worked on the road.cc tech team since July 2012. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds.
12 comments
So, reading between the lines, I'm picking up that this is a really nice bike, fast and smooth.
But I'm also picking up a gap between the frame's spiel and the performance. The name and marketing indicate that this thing flies up short, sharp balsts. The Belgian bergs.
But I'm also picking up that it's not quite as quick as an equivalent carbon beast. But with the onslaught of fast but comfortble carbon bikes, how does this compare to, say, a Cervelo R3 or a Giant Defy if I could have only one 'good' bike and wanted to ride a century one weekend and then go hunting Strava segments the next?
Would also be interested to hear opinion on how the performance compares with steel frames at a lower premium. What does this do better than something like a Surly Pacer or Genesis Equilibrium?
From British builders with larger set ups and sub standard paint jobs.
The majority of the tig frames out there are about the same price as this if not more. Especially if its coming from abroad.
Also Stoemper does offer custom.
andyspaceman the answer to your questions are all in the tubing. Higher end steel tubing is generally stiffer, more responsive and lighter. Frames like this are a lot faster than lower steel frames but not always as comfortable.
... Higher end steel tubing is generally stiffer, more responsive and lighter. Frames like this are a lot faster than lower steel frames but not always as comfortable.
Higher end tubing will be lighter, that's all.
The rest (stiffness, comfort) depends on a design and matching it to particular individual (weight, riding style etc..).
Just ask any honest frame builder off the record, over a pint.
Stiffer doesn't necessary equal faster or more efficient. Ever heard about term "frame planning"?
A bicycle frame cannot be "a lot faster" unless obviously there are some independent tests confirming it (never seen any).
Sounds like a similar bike to my Condor Acciaio: slightly portly frame compared to carbon or lighter alloy, but you have to balance that against durability and ride quality, which is lovely.
I always like to tell myself that a bike hides frame weight well anyway - it's the wheels that make the difference...


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A Palm Coast man, who at first gave investigators a bogus name, is accused of growing marijuana in a Wheatfield Drive house that was modified for a grow operation.
PALM COAST — A Palm Coast man, who at first gave investigators a bogus name, is accused of growing marijuana in a Wheatfield Drive house that was modified for a grow operation, according to a Flagler County sheriff's spokeswoman.
Jorge Rodriguez, 61, was arrested at 5:30 p.m. Monday but initially claimed to be 51-year-old Jose Soto, said spokeswoman Debra Johnson.
The sheriff's narcotics unit and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement went to the home to investigate an anonymous complaint that it was being used to grow marijuana, Johnson said.
Rodriguez was in the front yard when investigators arrived, a report states. In a "spontaneous utterance" he said he knew why law enforcement officers were there and that "he just takes care of the plants in the house and there is someone above him that owns the plants."
A total of 43 marijuana plants were found in two rooms, according to the report.
The rooms were "complete with plumbing, growing containers, fertilizers, overhead grow lights, fans, and electric ballasts," the report states. Additionally, electricity to the home was "diverted from the power meter, essentially stealing electricity before it is metered."
Rodriguez said he is paid to maintain the house as compensation for free rent, according to the report.
The 48 plants "at full potential" could produce up to 96 pounds of marijuana, Johnson said, which would have a street value of $86,400.
Deputies dismantled the grow equipment and removed the plants, Johnson said.
Rodriguez provided a driver's license identifying himself as Soto, a report states. Investigators found he had a cancelled driver's license under the name Rodriguez with different personal information.
"After being fingerprinted in the Flagler County Inmate Facility, corrections deputies discovered his true identity, Johnson said.
The investigation is ongoing and more charges are pending, Johnson said.
Rodriguez is being held on $10,000 bail and the Federal Immigration Customs Enforcement agency "placed a hold on him," Johnson said.

subset: commoncrawl


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- + Reading Bach ChoirCategory: Choral SocietiesNEARBY (Map): www.open-concerts.co.uk/reading/(31 visits)Created:


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The stage is yours, Joe Webb. Ready or not.
The Minnesota Vikings announced quarterback Christian Ponder is inactive for Saturday night's wild-card playoff matchup against the Green Bay Packers, a stunning turn of events that puts Webb behind center in the biggest game of the NFL season.
Ponder was limited in practice this week after suffering a right elbow injury during last Sunday's win over the Packers. Ponder was listed as questionable Friday, though it was widely assumed he would play.
Doubt only began to creep into the picture Saturday. Fox Sports insider and NFL Network contributor Jay Glazer reported early in the afternoon that Vikings players had not been told if Ponder or Webb would start. Both players were seen warming up on the field hours before kickoff, though Ponder headed back to the locker room after a brief throwing session.
Webb has made three career starts, but he did not throw a pass during the 2012 regular season. Given the opponent, setting and stakes, this amounts to something of an impossible situation to be put in, but Webb at least got some reps this week to knock off the rust.
If it's possible for the Vikings to lean any harder on Adrian Peterson, they're likely to do it.
Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @DanHanzus.


text:
Transfer news: Levante sign Robert Acquafresca and Loukas Vyntra
Levante have made a double signing as they look to boost their push for European football.
Last Updated: 31/01/13 4:21pm
Italian striker Robert Acquafresca has joined on loan from Bologna with Levante holding an option to buy the 25-year-old at the end of the season, while Greek defender Loukas Vyntra has signed a deal until the summer of 2014 following his release from Panathinaikos.
Acquafresca told the club's website he is looking forward to joining their top-six push.
"I really wanted to get here," he said. "There have been some problems but in the end they were all resolved.
"I hope to score many goals. I know the club and have many friends that have played here, such as Massimo Volta and Marco Storari. I have not spoken to everyone but I am told this is a great club."
Vyntra, who has 18 caps for Greece, has joined after making more than 200 appearances for Pana since joining in 2004.


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The Ochoco National Forest is proposing more miles of mountain bike trails on and around Lookout Mountain east of Prineville, part of parallel efforts to make Crook County a magnet to cyclists.
Under the plan, the forest would create a 75.2-mile network of trails, using existing trails, converting roads to trails and blazing new trail. About 25 percent of the network would be new trail. Most of that would be along U.S. Forest Service roads 22 and 42. Currently there is a 54.9-mile network at Lookout Mountain of trails and closed or decommissioned roads.
The bigger trail network would be a mountain biking destination, drawing riders to Crook County to spend more time on the trails and stay overnight, said Seth Crawford, a county commissioner.
"Currently, it is an afternoon ride," he said.
Along with the expansion of the Lookout Mountain Trail network, Crawford said there are efforts in Crook County to put in a bike park with obstacles to ride over next to Ochoco Creek Park, add multipurpose trails open to bikes near Meadow Lakes Golf Course and improve road biking options.
The current Lookout Mountain Trail network probably sees a few thousand mountain bikers a year, said Kent Koeller, a recreation planner. The numbers are a fraction of the amount of riders annually visiting Central Oregon's premiere destinations — Phil's Trail near Bend and Peterson Ridge near Sisters.
"What we are lacking (are) the loop opportunities," Koeller said.
The trails, about an hour's drive from Bend, offer a change-up from other Central Oregon mountain bike trails. The soils, terrain and forest found in the trail system aren't like those near Bend and Sisters, said Kate Klein, supervisor of the Ochoco National Forest.
"So it provides some different options for riding," she said.
The Central Oregon Trail Alliance, a Bend-based mountain bike advocacy group with a Crook County chapter, worked with the national forest in the planning of the proposed trail changes at Lookout Mountain.
The trails will be more accessible earlier in the spring than those west of Bend, because of the terrain and elevation , wrote Darlene Henderson, Crook County chapter representative for COTA.
"In addition, they will be less crowded and offer more solitude," she wrote. "I expect that this will attract trail users from all over Central Oregon, including Prineville and Crook County, as well as tourist(s) traveling to the area to vacation and recreate."
The trails would be open to other nonmotorized use, such as hikers and horseback riders, but the emphasis is mountain biking.
— Reporter: 541-617-7812, email@example.com
To comment
The Ochoco National Forest is taking comments on its plans to expand the Lookout Mountain Trail network. Email to email@example.com, mail to 3160 N.E. Third St., Prineville, OR 97754 or fax to 541-416-6695. Deadline is May 28. For more information go tohttp://j.mp/1q8H0Pg or call 541-416-6500.


text:
This group is for anybody, who is searching for the HL1 Alpha or Beta, or is a fan of it.
Only registered members can share their thoughts. So come on! Join the community today (totally free - or sign in with your social account on the right) and join in the conversation.
This is from 1997 Half-Life Alpha


text:
For more than 60 years, United States Servas has been bringing international hosts and travelers together. A place to stay, friendship to begin, ideas to be exchanged, cultures to be shared, and world peace one conversation at a time: these are the reasons why you are invited join us.
U.S. Servas members are host and travelers of all ages, abilities and walks of life. Our more than 1500 hosts cover the whole spectrum of diversity. Through Servas' enlightening visits, participants come face to face with new peoples and cultures to further their understanding of the lives and concerns of others. Your participation and the friendships you'll discover can make a difference in your life and the world you live in.
In addition to the benefits of traveling and hosting, Servas also provides volunteer opportunities, hosts local gatherings and dinners, and sponsors national and international conferences, summer universities, and work camps.
Servas staff and volunteers have developed a wonderful worldwide hospitality network. The seeds of this "open door" concept were sown in 1948 by U.S. peace activist Bob Luitweiler during his four-year journey from the folk schools of Denmark, through war-torn Europe and the Near East, to India's ashrams.
For more information please visit our website, www.usservas.org
U.S. Servas, Inc. was recognized by the U.N. as an official affiliated organization in 1998. It is an independent non-profit, non-political group, and is not associated with any religious or governmental agency.


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text:
BABSON PARK, Mass. (courtesy Babson sports information)—Junior Anya Kamber (Sammamish, Wash./Skyline) went 3-for-3 with a run scored and was one six players to drive in a run as visiting Brandeis University defeated Babson College, 6-3, in non-conference softball action at chilly Alumni Field on Tuesday afternoon.
With its sixth consecutive victory, Brandeis ends the regular season at 21-17. The Judges will hear about an ECAC tournament berth on Monday. Babson, which dropped its final five games, see its season come to a close at 17-21.
Sophomore Madison Gagnon (Westlake Village, Calif./Westlake) had two of the Judges' 11 hits and drove in a run in the win. Senior Melissa Nolan (Windsor, Conn./Loomis Chaffee), went the distance for the second time in three days to earn her eighth win of the year. She She allowed six hits and three runs (one earned), striking out seven and walking two. Nolan also chipped in with a single and an RBI.
Babson first-year Abbey Schulz (Red Bank, N.J.) homered and sophomore Madison Dinaso (Ardsley, N.Y.) had a hit and scored once to lead the Beavers. Senior Kathleen Conway (Simsbury, Conn.) also scored while classmates Ashley Hamilton (Northfield, N.J.) and Kelly King (Kennebunk, Maine) both contributed one hit on the day.
Brandeis jumped on top with a pair of runs in the top of the second inning as Kamber led off with a single to center and sophomores Madison Sullivan (Dover, N.H./Dover) and Danielle Novotny (Milford, N.J./Delaware Valley) followed with RBI doubles to the left centerfield gap for a 2-0 lead. Kamber plated Gagnon with a two-out single to right to make it 3-0 in the top of the third, but the Green and White responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame. Dinaso led off with a single, Conway walked and both advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch before scoring when King reached on a fielding error to cut the deficit to 3-2.
The Judges extended their lead an inning later though, as Gagnon drove in Novotny, who drew a one-out walk, with an RBI single to center to regain a two-run edge. Two batters later, first-year shortstop Liana Moss (Agoura Hills, Calif./Agoura) smacked a two-out single through the right side to bring in Gagnon for a 5-2 lead. Brandeis tacked on an insurance run in the top of the seventh on Nolan's RBI single before Schulz smacked the first home run of her career to left with two outs in the bottom of the frame for the final margin.
Senior Tess Rubega (Norwich, Conn.) started for the Beavers, allowing two runs on three hits in two innings of work, while Conway worked two perfect innings in relief, striking out three.


text:
Nonprofit organizations need volunteers. Among the opportunities to serve in the community are:
7 Star Therapeutic Riding Center: Sidewalking, leading, grooming and saddling horses. Rochelle Knotts at 806-355-4773.
2-1-1 Texas: Answering the information and referral line. Call 2-1-1.
Amarillo Area Court Appointed Special Advocates: Receptionist, filing, scrapbooking and other clerical work. 112 S.W. Eighth Ave. Barbara at 806-373-2272.
Amarillo Independent School District: Tutoring and mentoring students. 7200 W. Interstate 40. 806-326-1013.
Amarillo Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse: Clerical work. 803 S. Rusk St. 806-374-6688.
Amarillo Panhandle Humane Society: Bathing, grooming, caring for pets. 3501 S. Osage St. 806-373-1716.
Amarillo Little Theatre: Volunteers to help build and paint sets, construct costumes, run lights and sound, usher, sell concessions. Information: Tana Roberson, 806-355-9991, or email tana@amarillo
Amarillo Museum of Art: Weekend greeters, Third Thursday and special-event help and docent opportunities. 2200 S. Van Buren St. 806-371-5050.
Amarillo Repertory Theatre: Help build and paint sets, costuming, lights, sound and fundraising. 3701 Plains Blvd. 806-331-2100.
Amarillo Senior Citizens Association: Volunteers to serve lunch 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., greeters. 1220 S. Polk St. 806-374-5500.
Amarillo United Citizens Forum: Clerical and janitorial help. 901 N. Hayden St. 806-322-3676.
American Cancer Society: Transporting patients to appointments. 3915 Bell St. 806-353-4306.
American Diabetes Association: Counseling, support groups, education. 806-353-9219.
American Red Cross: Volunteers to train to become Disaster Action Team Members in order to respond to single-family fires, wildfires and other disasters. Information: Molly Mabery at maberym@usa
.redcross.org or 806-765-8534 (Lubbock office). Amarillo office: 1800 S. Harrison St. 806-376-6309.
Area Agency on Aging: Friendly callers, counsel on senior benefits. 415 W. Eighth Ave. 806-331-2227.
ASAP: Sort, price, display items at shop. 2118 S. Buchanan St. 806-376-8945.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Texas Panhandle: Spend time with children. 2110 S. Western St. 351-2210 or bbbstxpan
Boy Scouts Golden Spread Council: Lead Boy Scout troops; work with children on high adventure activities. 401 Tascosa Road. 806-358-6500.
The Bridge: Entertain children, file, answer phones. 804 Quail Creek Drive. 806-372-2873.
BSA Hospice and Life Enrichment Center: Offer compassion, caring and love. 600 N. Tyler St. 806-212-8715.
Campfire USA: Fundraising, project assistance. 2808 Canyon Drive. 806-373-7922.
Canyon Senior Citizens Center: Yardwork and cleaning building. 1719 Fifth Ave, Canyon. 806-655-7197.
CareNet Crisis Pregnancy Centers in Amarillo and Canyon: Lots of volunteer opportunities. Need baby items, diapers, formula; mentoring, advocacy and special projects. 6709 Woodward. 806-354-2288. 1318 Fifth Ave., Canyon. 806-655-4673.
Catholic Family Service: Energetic, pleasant volunteers in the Citizenship and Immigration division. Help staff assist legal immigrants in their quest to become citizens of the United States. Duties include filing, making copies and phone calls. Days and times flexible. English language tutors for refugees. Tutors commit to work with student two hours each week for at least nine weeks. No experience necessary. Classes are from 4 to 6 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. For more information, contact Dena Dyer, community liaison, at 806-376-4571 Ext. 223 or 806-690-7878.
Child Protective Services: Sit and comfort ill children in the hospital. 3521 S.W. 15th Ave. 806-354-5325.
Christian Women's Job Corps: Teachers and mentors, office help. 1515 S. Buchanan St. 806-374-1252.
Citychurch Outreach Ministry: Assemble sack lunches, kitchen cleanup. 205 S. Polk St. 806-371-0089.
Cornerstone Outreach: Supervise children in R.A.K. Club; secretarial duties. 1111 N. Buchanan St. 806-381-2131.
Disabled American Veterans Thrift Store: Sort, fold, clean and other retail work. 3919 W. Sixth Ave. 806-373-8501.
Downtown Women's Center: Volunteers needed in Thrift City store to sort and hang clothing, work in the showrooms and other jobs. 806-372-3625.
Faith City Ministries: Serve in the dining hall, clothing room, sorting room, serve and clean up after meals, help with projects as needed. 401 S.E. Second Ave. 806-373-6402.
Family Support Services: Crisis Line, sort clothing, price items. 1001 S. Polk St. 806-342-2500.
Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains Inc.: Outreach, troops, programs, camp and training. 6011 W. 45th Ave. 806-356-0096.
Guyon Saunders Resource Center: Supervise homeless and at-risk children. 200 S. Tyler St. 806-373-2662.
Harrington Cancer Center: Volunteers to pop popcorn, drive carts and various other duties. 1500 Wallace Blvd. 806-359-4673.
Texas Health & Human Services Commission: Answer phones, greet customers, direct client calls. 3501 W. 45th Ave. 806-356-3147.
High Plains Food Bank: Sorting, repacking food for distribution. 815 Ross St. 806-374-8562.
Hospice Care of the Southwest: Patient care, clerical, answering phones, baking, copying, filing, bereavement, special projects. 1301 S. Coulter St., Suite 404. 806-356-0026.
Joint Alliance for Students: Office skills, bookkeeping, events organizers, Web design and youth mentors, 3405 W. 34th Ave. 806-674-4004.
Joint Alliance for Students: Office skills, bookkeeping, events organizers, Web design and youth mentors, 3405 W. 34th Ave. 806-674-4004.
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation: Volunteer opportunities for those interested in helping to cure, treat, prevent all types of diabetes. 806-356-6042 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
Kids, Inc.: Coaching, handing out registration forms in schools. 2201 E. 27th Ave. 806-376-5936.
Lutheran Social Services: Child care for foster parents, answer phones, filing. 1616 S. Kentucky St. 806-351-0168.
Make-A-Wish Foundation: Visit children's home for interview, answer phones, help with fundraising events. 411 S. Fillmore St. 806-358-9943.
March of Dimes: Office work, computer skills, helping with special events. 104 W. Sixth Ave. Suite 301. 806-374-5763.
Martha's Home: Answering phones, sorting donations, 1204 W. 18th Ave. 806-372-4035.
Meals on Wheels: Deliver meals to homebound. 219 W. Seventh Ave. 806-374-1521.
National Kidney Foundation of West Texas: PRN. 5807 S.W. 45th Ave. 806-358-9775.
NWTH Women's & Children's Center: Read books to children in waiting room. 814 Martin Road. 806-468-4390.
Odyssey Healthcare: Filing, copying, mail outs, deliveries, errands. 6900 W. Interstate 40. 806-372-7696.
OUTstanding Amarillo: Facility upkeep, library maintenance, graphic design, media and public relations. 616 S. Harrison St. 806-337-1688.
Office of the Texas Attorney General: Clerical, data entry, mail outs. 301 S. Polk St. 806-376-4471.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park: Welcome, give information, gift shop, maintenance.
Panhandle AIDS Support Organization: Stock pantry, fill grocery bags and take them to clients. 1523 S. Taylor St. 806-372-1050.
Refugee Services of Texas: Tutor for English as a Second Language classes. Help with transportation of clients, prepare residences for new arrivals, aid refugees with becoming familiar with American culture and the Amarillo area. 1731 S. Avondale St. 806-381-0099.
- Globe-News staff


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Dennis Potter & Adam Curtis On Rupert Murdoch/
The brilliant Dennis Potter had one dying wish... (hat tip to Dan McGuire again!)
The equally brilliant Adam Curtis lays out Mr. Murdoch's path to becoming the Supreme Satan. (hat tip to MovieCityNews again!)
Dennis Potter and Adam Curtis have brought so much joy and pleasure to my world. And I leave their work always feeling stronger, smarter, fuller. I can't say the same for Mr. Murdoch...


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The art of rebounding the basketball and Andreen Gilpin '04 go hand-in-hand. Gilpin stands as UMass Boston's all-time leading rebounder with 1,342 boards for her career (13.2 rpg), which ranks her amongst some the top rebounders in the history of Division III women's basketball. The post player ripped down 15.7 boards per outing during her senior campaign to lead the nation and establish a school record with 408 total rebounds. She also averaged 16.2 points per game to give her 422 points on the season to become the only player in school history with over 400 points and rebounds in a season. A 2004 graduate of UMass Boston, Gilpin is also the only player in UMB history to post 300 or more points and 300 or more rebounds in three different campaigns.
She showcased her rebounding prowess early in her career when she pulled down an NCAA Division II/III record 38 rebounds during her freshman year vs. Rivier College on February 11, 1999. She would later post four of the top nine season rebound totals in school annals. The Boston native averaged 13.7 rebounds during her rookie season and ranked 18th in the nation with 11.9 as a sophomore and 15th with 11.8 the following year. Gilpin was named a Little East Conference All-Star three times to become just the fourth Beacon to earn the honor at least three times, including twice as a First Team selection.
Gilpin was a force on the offensive end of the court as well for UMass Boston, averaging 12.6 points in 102 games for a total of 1,380 to rank third on the UMass Boston career scoring list and posted 61 double-doubles (points-rebounds) during her career. She improved her accuracy at the line throughout her tenure at UMB, sinking 346 free throws for the most in school history and capped her career with the sixth-most efficient season percentage in school history as a senior. Gilpin altered opponents' offense in the paint as well with 125 career blocked shots to stand fourth on the Beacons' career list.


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Suggest rename "hieroglyphs". "hieroglyphics" is incorrect terminology. --Krysg 16:31, 18 February 2009 (EST)
- Indeed, hieroglyphic is the adjective, hieroglyph the noun - which should be used. I sticked a move-template to the article.... --AugustO 09:44, 13 February 2013 (EST)
I will be adding content to this page over the next few weeks. Please do not delete the headings. If questions, pls leave not on User_talk:Krysg. Thanks. --Krysg 11:02, 20 March 2009 (EDT)
- I do not agree with the move. The topic is Hieroglyphics, even if the individual letters or glyphs are (now?) properly called hieroglyphs. We follow the principle of least surprise here.
- On the other hand, we are an educational project. If academics have begun to refer to the shorter form (without ic) then we should let our readers know this. But education via redirect is not something I'd like to try. Better to place a usage note somewhere in the article.
- By the way, more important than the spelling issue is how the little pictures correspond to sounds, along with the process by which modern scholars discovered that correspondence. Is the Rosetta Stone relevant here? --Ed Poor Talk 09:05, 26 March 2009 (EDT)
I don't know what a pictogram is, but it's curious that each glyph reminds me of an ordinary object or creature: a bird, a worm, a shepherd's crook, a candle. Readers need to be told whether these pictures are meant to represent the thing they depict, or whether they are simply letters in an alphabet.
For example,
- Although many Egyptian hieroglyphs depict familiar things, the Egyptians used them simply as letters. This contrasts with Chinese, where each glyph is a word and the shape of a glyph often provides a hint of the word's meaning. (For example, the horse's hooves at the bottom of horse or the raindrops in rain).
Do you want to write the article this way, Krys? --Ed Poor Talk 07:39, 28 March 2009 (EDT)
I have tried to write the article so far an introduction to the the system for someone with no knowledge of Egyptian language and writing, but with a basic foundation knowledge of linguistic principles. I'm not sure about the system in the US, but under the UK system most O level (14-16yr old) students should have the basics in place regarding major linguistic concepts, which I've assumed to be the age we are writing for. I didn't want to go into un-neccessary explanation of basic points and make the article too large, as it has a lot of ground still to cover.
However, if you think more explantion is needed at the basic level I can add that, or perhaps split into "introductory" and "in-depth" articles, if we need to start right at square one. Let me know you thoughts on it, and I'm sure we can figure it out somehow. Take care :-)
--Krysg 19:43, 31 March 2009 (EDT)
Where should I put this?
--Jack456 16:46, 31 March 2009 (EDT)
It's done, no worries :) --Krysg 19:43, 31 March 2009 (EDT)


text: Login Instructions: If you have misplaced your Username or Password, please click on the link above and enter your email address and your Username/Password will be emailed to you shortly. After you log in, if you registered a player in a past program, click Register Now! in the upper left corner of your account page. Available programs will be displayed. Thanks.


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Ashley & Marisa
Have received a lot of email the last couple of days about Ashley Judd's face. She's out in the open right now because she's promoting her memoir All That Is Bitter & Sweet. A lot of explosive revelations about childhood abuse and how sh-tty it was growing up in that family. She'll also be on Who Do You Think You Are on Friday.
Aside from a brief clip on WDYTYA though, I've missed most of these appearances. So I'm sorry, I don't know the reference point for her face that so many of you are yelling about. But I did watch part of her interview this morning on The Today Show and, gulp, I'm not seeing anything super crazy. Has Nicole Kidman made me numb to it? Am I changed?
Help me!
Anyway, the video is below. What am I missing?
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Ashley turns 43 in a couple weeks. You know who turns 47 this year?
Marisa Tomei.
Marisa showed up last night at an event Off-Broadway. Come on. That's as "almost natural" as it gets in Hollywood. And it's just genes. And restraint. She's happy to look 37 not 47. And she isn't trying to look 27 instead. Beautiful, right?
Photos from Wenn.com


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The T-Mobile-exclusive Lumia 810
With the announcement today by T-Mobile of the Lumia 810, the question that follows next regards differences between it and the Lumia 820.
At first glance you may think that these are the same phones just with a name change. But they are not.
While the "guts" and main features are overlapping, the physical design of the 810 is more "blocky" than the Lumia 820. In addition, the sizes of the devices are slightly different as well, with the T-Mobile 810 being a tad larger, but weighing 15 grams less.
Key differences between the Lumia 820 (L) and the T-Mobile Lumia 810 (R)
Finally, talk-time is also rated higher with the Lumia 810 boasting a 10.2 hour span versus the AT&T Lumia 820 at just 7.5 hours (both over 3G). That key difference is because the Lumia 810 has a larger battery (1800 mAh) than the AT&T Lumia 820 (1650 mAh).
Though subtle, the Lumia 820 (L) is different than the 810 (R)
Hopefully we'll have more on the subtle design differences soon. But as far as we can see, Nokia is able to make minute adjustments their phone designs for carriers, giving each an "exclusive" device while not compromising in terms of appearance or features.
We predicted this to be the case in our earlier editorial where we speculate about Verizon's Lumia 822.


text:
11770 Lake Fraser Drive SE
Directions Calgary, AB T2J 7J5
Actual rating will vary with options, driving conditions, habits and vehicle condition.
The standard features of the Hyundai NEXO Ultimate include 161hp engine 1-speed automatic transmission, 4-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS), integrated navigation system, side seat mounted airbags, curtain 1st and 2nd row overhead airbags, airbag occupancy sensor, automatic air conditioning, 19" aluminum wheels, cruise control, Smart Cruise Control (SCC) distance pacing, ABS and driveline traction control.
|City/Hwy L/100 km
|Ultimate Search New Inventory
|161-hp 0.0L 0-cyl
|1-spd auto
|No Data


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BeatTips Shop Talk: !llmind and the Evolution of His Production Setup
From Time-Consuming Workflow to a Faster Means of Making Beats, for !llmind, the Sensibility Has Always Remained the Same
|By !LLMIND, as told to AMIR SAID (SA'ID)
Every week or so, I get together with !llmind, acclaimed beatmaker/producer and BeatTips.com Senior Contributor, for our regular "check-in" discussions. We talk about a lot of things, but of course, the conversations invariably shift to beatmaking. From the nuts and bolts of the craft; to theoretical concepts; to gear and equipment; to the business of beatmaking; to the beatmaking tradition's history, we talk shop about it all.
For this BeatTips Shop Talk, I thought it would be a good idea for !llmind to give a detailed account of the evolution of his production setup. For one thing, there's been some misinformation (and much speculation) about what !llmind actually uses and has used. Also, I believe other beatmakers/producers can always learn from the gear paths and choices of fellow beatmakers/producers. Therefore, what follows is a meticulous portrait of the setup changes !llmind has made throughout the last decade or so. Keep in mind, every piece of gear and software program and subsequent change helped !llmind cultivate his beatmaking skills and his overall style and sound. Finally, although this BeatTips Shop Talk is, on the surface, about !llmind's production setup evolution, it also reveals a lot about his process and willingness to always conduct research (as well as his consistent focus on extending his learning).
BeatTips: List all of the gear and equipment currently in your production studio, along with its significance, and why you have it, and how you use it.
!llmind: OK…So my main piece, I pretty much incorporate everyday when I'm in the studio…well, first the brain of the entire setup is a MacBook Pro, which I carry around with me wherever I go. And basically, I have a MacBook Pro with Pro Tools 8, which I use to sequence, sample, chop, edit; everything is in Pro Tools. All of my sounds are from VSTs and RTAS plug-ins, a lot of that stuff is from Native Instruments-based; you know, Komplete 7, Kontakt 4. Then I have XLN Audio's Addictive Drums and a basic Oxygen 49 MIDI keyboard (semi-weighted) that I use. A pair of Sure SRH940 monitor headphones that I use a lot, especially when I'm on the road. And my home monitors are KRK Rokit 5's, and I have a JBL sub-bass, 12" sub-bass. These are the tools that I use everyday. All of my sounds are literally on a hard drive. So I have just hundreds of gigabytes of sound files and patches and instruments. But then I also play a little bit of guitar and bass. Also, I have an Ensoniq ASR-10, which has been my main piece for the past, I'd say, 12 years now.
The ASR-10 is kind of where it all started. It was there in the beginning when I first kind of started to make beats. I learned a lot from using it. And it's just one of those things, you know, that I just thought about a few times…I thought about possibly selling it, you know, or putting it into storage. But it just has this nostalgia to it. I have this J-Dilla sticker on my ASR-10. It's been there for a while. It's just one of things that I don't want to get rid of, ever. So it's sitting there [in plain site, actually a level below the Oxygen, easily accessible] collecting dust. But at the same time, it's there. Just looking at it pushes me forward.
BeatTips: So what was your very first production setup?
!llmind: That's funny. My first, first production setup, if you go back to when I was 13, the first keyboard that I actually learned how to make beats on was a Roland KR4500. Now, this is a keyboard, if you go to Google and look it up, it's one of those "home", MIDI electronic keyboards. And back then, I remember my pops said he bought for like $7,000.00, something crazy. And it's just this big thing, it's really heavy. And that's how much those keyboards used to cost back then. So that was the first piece that I used where I actually learned how to use MIDI. And I didn't know that I was doing it. You know, it was just kind of this keyboard that had a sequencer and a bunch of sounds; and I remember I just used to program beats for fun. I was 13. So I was playing video games and making beats. That's what I did with my free time.
BeatTips: So at 13, you were already into hip hop?
!llmind: I was already into it; well, I was into music. I wouldn't necessarily say hip hop. I was just into music, you know. My father was a musician, so he introduced me to music when I was real young. He played guitar, he had keyboards and drums and stuff. That particular keyboard was one of the instruments that I started on. So fast forward to around high school, freshman/sophomore in high school, that's when I really, really, really started getting into hip hop. I remember early days, I was into…that's when Tribe Called Quest was out. That was early Roots. Rakim. Pete Rock and CL Smooth. Black Sheep. Arrested Development. Those was my golden years. So getting into hip hop in that way, the first piece of equipment that I actually bought with my own money was a sampler by Akai, an Akai S20, which I still have. The Akai S20 is kind of like a toned-down MPC. It came out before the MP; it's got 12 pads on it, real dingy plastic pads. But the sampling on it was really great, 'cuz back then I was into sampling with lower bit rates and things like that. I started to do my research on what Pete Rock and DJ Premier were using and things like that, and back then I couldn't afford an MPC. So I got an Akai S20…I got it on eBay for like $200. So I got the S20, and I had a PC at that time, and I downloaded Cubase.
So my first official setup was Cubase, on a PC, MIDI output triggering the S20. And I figured it all out myself. I was like, 'How can I trigger this stuff?' So I went online and I did a little bit of research on how to trigger this thing and how MIDI worked. So I was doing research on different software music programs out there. Back then it was Cakewalk, Cubase, infant stages. So I found out about Cubase, got my hands on it, downloaded it, installed it, and somehow I figured out how to trigger this S20 with Cubase. That was actually like my first real setup. And then from there, I got a Korg Triton.
BeatTips: What made you switch?
!llmind: Um, I think I just wanted more sounds. Back then I was really into the J-Dilla/Pete Rock sound. Like those guys were the ones who really inspired me, they still inspire me. I wanted to expand my setup. Like I always knew, 'Oh, I need sounds.' I used to go diggin' all the time, and I would sample drums and chop drums, and that was one big, huge part of my beatmaking. And I was just always fascinated with sounds, too, like, 'I want sounds; I want keyboard sounds.' So I went out and got a Triton.
BeatTips: Do you look at the Triton as a setup switch or as an add-on?
!llmind: Um…I kind of actually looked at it as an upgrade, because on the Triton you can sample and you have sounds, and it's all in one keyboard. It's got the floppy disk drive. So it was an upgrade for me.
BeatTips: So was it a long time before you completely stopped using the S20, or did you use it for a while together?
!llmind: I used it for a while. I kept the S20 because I loved the way the drums sound on it. So I would always run my drums into the S20 first, and then run them into the Triton.
BeatTips: When you ran them into the Triton, you sampled them in?
!llmind: I sampled them in. I would have my turntable output routed into my S20 first. And then I would sample a bunch of drums. And then I would bit crunch in the S20; I think it was like 16bit crunched down to like 12bit. And then from there, I would take those drums and sample them into the Triton. Because in the Triton, supposedly that Triton had a digital sampler, so it would pretty much just duplicate the sound, but I still wanted that grit, so I would run everything, especially my drums, through the S20 first.
BeatTips: Then how did you get it into the Triton exactly? Would you just press playback on the S20?
!llmind: Yes, press playback, then sample it into the Triton. So I used the Triton for a while, then in 2001 (I believe, maybe 2000) I copped the ASR-10.
BeatTips: And what lead you to that [the ASR-10]
!llmind: I went to Guitar Center to buy a Motif Rack, which I bought that day, and I was messing around, I was looking in the keyboard section and I saw an ASR-10 there for $500. So I scrounded up my last dollars, whatever dollars I had, to buy it. And I bought it, because I had just heard so many storeis about the ASR-10. A few of these others producers that I knew told me how great it was. Then I found out that the RZA used it, so I was really interested in it. So I looked at it like an advanced S20. Like this is a sampler that samples at a lower bit rate, which I liked. It had a really analog, warm sound to it. And it was a keyboard. AND you could sample a lot longer than the S20.
BeatTips: So what sort of effect did it the ASR-10 have on you?
!llmind: I think the ASR-10 brought me back to the gritty approach of making tracks. When I had the Triton, it was a lot of keyboard stuff. Not as much sampling, more keyboard. But the few years that I used the Triton really taught me how to…it kind of polished me a little bit more, as far as making beats from scratch. So I got the ASR-10; the Triton got dusty—eventually I got rid of it. So now I got this ASR-10 and I'm back to doing the sampling, sample chopping, sampling piano sounds into it and playing them out on the ASR-10.
BeatTips: Because the ASR-10 has no sounds in it. A lot of people didn't realize that it didn't come with sounds, and they got a rude awakening when they got it.
!llmind: No, it didn't. To me it was the best of both worlds, because I could sample my own sounds and then play them out on the keyboard, which I wasn't able to do on the S20. So I was on the ASR-10 for a while. Eventually, I upgraded to a Mac; it was like a G4. And I think around '03 was when I got Pro Tools. And I started to learn how to use Pro Tools. So the ASR-10 and Pro Tools was like my setup. So I would I sample and create beats on the ASR-10, then I would dump [track/record] them in Pro Tools. So I've been sequencing and arranging and dumping my beats into Pro Tools since around '03. So late last year I decided that I needed to upgrade again. And it wasn't one of those things where like, 'Aw, man, I feel like I have to.' It sort of kind of happen. I got a G5 last year, and I was using Reason and Pro Tools, and still the ASR-10.
BeatTips: What were you using Reason for?
!llmind: Sounds! What I would do is play stuff out on a MIDI keyboard, on Reason, but then audio out from the computer into the ASR-10. So I would still sample into the ASR-10, but the sounds were coming from Reason. So that was like kind of…my setup was pretty much hardware and software together.
BeatTips: Right, the hybrid.
!llmind: Yes. I was sequencing in hardware but my sounds were in software, which is kind of a weird setup, but that was my setup for a long time. So then kind of keeping up with technology, I just decided to go and look for more sounds and see what else is out there. So I knew that I needed to get a better computer. I knew that I needed to try and figure out a way to be more…I wanted my setup to be more effective, as far as cutting time to what I'm doing, you know. When you work with the ASR-10, you have to create the beat on it, and then you have to dump each track one by one and mix. I wanted to cut my time.
BeatTips: Stay right there for a moment. Contrast the workflow of the ASR-10 to the Triton to where you are now.
!llmind: OK. With the ASR-10/Pro Tools setup, everything was done on the ASR-10. I would start with sampling drums, you know, from a record or a CD; I had CDs where I compiled a lot of drums. So I would make the beat in the ASR-10—sample, chop, do the normal stuff. If I needed keys, I would load up Reason on Pro Tools and I would play certain riffs and then sample those riffs into the ASR-10 and treat those like samples. So in a way, I was playing keyboards, you know, keyboard sounds and things, but I would treat them like samples still. Let's say I had a piano riff of like 2 bars. I would play it and then I'd sample it into a single key.
BeatTips: And what were you using to play Reason?
!llmind: A basic MIDI keyboard. So I would sample my own playing into the ASR-10. After the beat would be done—meanwhile, I'm doing all of this in mono, everything was in mono because it doubled my sample time in the ASR-10. So after the beat's completely done, I would track each instrument, individually, in 8 bars, into Pro Tools. So that alone took me an additional half hour. If I had 18 different instruments, I would have to record each instrument, one by one, into Pro Tools. Then after all the tracks are in Pro Tools, I'd have to go into Pro Tools and line it all up. So I would line them all up into the grid. Then another kicker is, a lot of people don't know that the ASR-10 grid is slightly different than the Pro Tools grid. So if my BPM on the ASR-10 is set for 90, and then I set Pro Tools for 90, they won't match. It's slightly off. So I couldn't work in the grid in Pro Tools. Which is a huge inconvenience. So I what I would do is record a click track into Pro Tools for, let's say, 8 bars. And then I would use the clicks as my visual points to where I would have to line everything up. So it's kind of like I make the beat, then I deconstruct it, and then put it back together again. And that took me an extra 30 to 45 minutes.
And I've always been one of those producers where I always love to mix my tracks, too. Some producers 2-track and call it a day. But I think mixing is another art form. Mixing is a part of the creative process. So I would spend even more time, after dumping into Pro Tools, I would spend even more time mixing the beat. And after it was all said and done, it was [just] one beat made. And I remember I used to just keep banging them out all day, early morning to late night. So that was my workflow. It sounds…when you think about it, it sounds like it's so much, but I've been doing it that way for so long, and I've been so comfortable doing it that way. That was my workflow. And so with just that, and then also the fact that I wanted to kind of just broaden my sound and explore. I wanted to continue my full heights of expression. I knew that were some limitations having that kind of setup. So working with certain artists, that really kind of opened my mind. Working with artists like Jared Evan—Jared Evan is an artists signed to Interscope, who's a rapper, a singer, a producer, and a musician. Approaching things as a true musician really led me to want to expand my setup, get a more effective setup. And also my band, Smokey Robotic, meeting those guys really opened up my mind, too.
The BeatTips Manual by Sa'id.
"The most trusted source for information on beatmaking and hip hop/rap music education."


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REAL ESTATE- ON THE BLOCK- Cotton to it: Green haven just off Park St.
ADDRESS: 1011 Cottonwood Road
NEIGHBORHOOD: North Avenue/Northeast Park
SIZE: 2,100 fin. sq. ft., 200 unfin.
LAND: 0.24 acres
CURB APPEAL: 7 out of 10
LISTED BY: Jim McVay, Roy Wheeler Realty Co., 434-951-5122
While rolling hills are common in some Charlottesville neighborhoods, not every house benefits from them. This week's house is unusually successful using landscaping and terrain to create a private, natural setting that helps distinguish it from its very similar neighbors.
A tour of the perimeter reveals two decks and a fishpond as well as decorative fencing and several plant varieties. The only grass on the property is in the back yard; ground cover makes mowing elsewhere unnecessary. This was a wise decision, since it looks like it would be almost impossible to navigate a Toro up and down the steep hillside out front. The brick façade is in harmony with the rest of the neighborhood, while the dark wood finish of the back has the same effect with its more natural surroundings.
The patio at the top of the driveway— almost a ground-level deck— makes a nice spot to enjoy some privacy outdoors. The house, the slope, and a fence shield the patio from prying eyes on Cottonwood Road. A door from the patio leads to a downstairs sitting room and a dominating brick fireplace with a hearth wide enough to use as a bench. Surprisingly, it's also the first time we remember seeing half shutters used imaginatively: they block views of other houses while almost framing pretty sky views.
At the other end of the house, shades covering the well windows in the office create the opposite effect. While they do add notable color accents– and the owner claims that they don't significantly reduce the available light– they block views of the sky in favor of close-ups of the dark wells.
There's a bathroom down here, and a utility room with washer and dryer. An extra room with a ground-level window that might be used as a bedroom is currently storage space. Some of this room was taken to be a closet for the office next door, but new owners should be able to reverse the annexation either for more room or to augment the under-the-stairs closet storage already in the room.
In traditional split-level style, the front door opens to a landing halfway up the stairs. While the house is level, the terrain is not, and the living room in the highest corner of the house offers a nice view of the surrounding neighborhood. The fireplace— on the same chimney as the one downstairs— has glass screens. The hardwood floors of the living and dining rooms provide an interesting bracketing effect to the tile-floored kitchen. Despite its wide doorways, the kitchen feels enclosed and a little cozy thanks to the contrast with the open surrounding rooms. Off the dining room is the back deck, which is almost level with the ground.
Although one of two closets in the upstairs hallway houses the heating/AC ductwork, it still has a fair amount of storage space. The three upstairs bedrooms off the hallway all have ceiling fans and hardwood floors, although the back two bedrooms have been carpeted.
None of the bedrooms are especially large, but the master bedroom has its own bath– and both rooms sport assertive green wallpaper that may not be to the taste of all prospective buyers. The agreeable owner is willing to change it, however. Fortunately, the main upstairs bath is painted in a more neutral off-white.
It's clear that efforts have been made to get the house ready to sell. Whether interior updates are enough to offset the prosaic split-level ranch vibe in a neighborhood of clones is problematic. But the exterior decks, landscaping, hillsides and fish pond might just come together well enough to tip the scales for buyers who want to be relatively close to town without the oppression of concrete and asphalt.
Each week, a brave local seller invites the Hook to provide an impartial, warts-and-all look at their real estate listing. E-mail yours today!


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The climbing
Single and multi-pitch sport climbing near Mokopane
Mainly Winter, but also Spring & Autumn
Granite, lots of small crimps, mostly on angle
Sport Rack
Food, accommodation and other activities
Contact Deon Richter of Thabaphaswa Mountain Sanctuary, in his own words: "Nguni and PinZ2yl Cattle Breeder / Hen-pecked Husband / Grand Dad / Owner."
Tel: 015 491 4882
Cell: +27 82 389 6631
A day visitor fee is applicable if not staying at the sanctuary. There are huts / cottages and camping available. Hiking, mountain biking, 4x4 trails, swimming, foefiesliding, fishing.
Route Description
Route Guide for Thabaphaswa:
Kanniedood (From left to right)
My Big Toe **** 19, 20m
Friday 13th *** 20, 24m
Dead Ant *** 21, 19m
Yoga on the Rocks **** 23, 23m
Boned **** 21, 23m
Tu-lips *** 16, 36m
Pitch 1: 16, 16m
Pitch 2: 15, 20m
Dome Rock
Whistling in the wind *** 19, 7m
Elephant's Head Pitch 1: ** 23, 22m Starts to the left of the elephant's trunk. On balance, small holds on a relatively smooth surface. Crux 1/3 of the way up, then straight forward to the top
Pitch 2: ** 19, 23m Start right to avoid loose slab, then left under the boulder, continue left over dassie shit - worst section on this climb
Pitch 3: *** 18, 23m Starts from a small cave through which on can see under the elephant to the other side of the rock face. Route moves over to the left past the elephant's ear.
Pitch 4: *** 17, 22m Route moves directly up to just short of the top.
Pitch 5: ** 15, 10m Short easy finish.


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Call for Submissions: Collection of Queer Stories & Art about Migration, Immigration, Displacement, & Diaspora
Uproot: Queer Voices on Migration, Immigration, Displacement, & Diaspora Vision: A fierce & gorgeous queer 'zine about people in motion. That is, in this case, a collection of art in any medium translatable to the printed/electronic page: i.e. essays, stories, poems, drawings/paintings, or photographs, about migration, immigration, displacement, diaspora, or any other movement of (your) people.
Whether by force or by choice, by land or by sea, by foot or by vehicle, ethnic, religious, and cultural groupings of people have always moved across the earth. We have had our lands occupied and colonized, pushing us to the fringes. We have been enslaved, and we have been displaced by war and economic disparities. We have chosen to move, in the hope for better lives for ourselves and our families. These movements have shaped, shifted, and blended our cultures, our religions, our food, our music, our identities - our very selves. They may have created great hope in us, traumatized us, provided us with opportunities otherwise unavailable to us, or resulted in loss of language or family or more. Our stories about the ways the migration(s) of our ancestors, our families, and ourselves have affected and informed our current identities deserve to be told, and deserve to be heard, read, and seen.
The stories of peoples' migrations and the subsequent effects on our cultures and identities are often told from the point of view of those who have historically held positions of power. This is no mainstream public school history book, y'all. Uproot aims to fill in and flesh out existing narratives, highlighting the perspectives and voices of LGBTQQI folks through our words, visual art, and other expression.
Who should submit: Queer folks (LGBTQQI, same-sex loving, two-spirit, or otherwise queer/non-hetero-ID'd folks) What you should submit: Any writing or art translatable to the printed/electronic page. (Can't believe I have to say this, but I probably do. Content/theme/subject should be about you or your people.) Please keep written submissions to 1,500 words or less. Contact me if you have a longer piece you would like to contribute. Limit one submission per person. Where you should send your stuff: firstname.lastname@example.com. When you should send it: By December 19, 2011. Please contact me if you would like to submit a piece but will need more time. Why?: Because your stories and the stories of your people deserve to be told, and the world needs to hear them.
ALSO: If you are juiced to be a part of this and might have some time, skills, or resources to donate to the formatting/layout/printing and eventual distribution processes, please do be in touch! I'm doing this for nothing but love, and though I could probably pull together a passable yet somewhat bootsy 'zine all on my own, and use my tips from two consecutive Sunday brunch shifts to print it out in black and white (and then use two consecutive Sunday evenings stapling it together) I would love to have a li'l help making it pretty. If you want to help me format or edit or start a kickstarter to fundraise for costs, etc., please holler email@example.com, and put HELP in the subject line.
In love, and in hope that we all find a place to plant our roots and grow, Mahfam


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House-Led Momentum on Jobs Continues With Passage of Small Business Tax Cut Act
WASHINGTON, DC - House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) on Thursday issued the following statement applauding bipartisan House passage of H.R. 9, the Small Business Tax Cut Act, a key plank of the Pledge to America:
"The House continues to lead on jobs, passing a small business tax cut less than 24 hours after a veto-proof majority backed the Keystone XL pipeline. A key plank of the Pledge to America, the Small Business Tax Cut Act will encourage growth and investment by allowing small business owners to deduct 20 percent of their business income from their taxes. It will take the opposite approach of the 'stimulus' by empowering small businesses instead of enabling big government. I appreciate the leadership and hard work of Majority Leader Cantor, Chairman Camp, and the members of the Ways & Means Committee.
"While the House is cutting taxes to promote private-sector job creation, President Obama and Senate Democrats are pushing for higher taxes to fuel more government spending. This week, Democratic leaders in the Senate demonstrated their desire to continue the spending binge that's hurting our economy by punting on a budget for the third straight year. With millions of Americans still asking 'where are the jobs?, I hope the president and Senate Democrats will relent and work with Republicans to find common ground so we can help the private sector put people back to work."


text:
Voters Reminded of January 17 Deadline to Submit
Ballots for
Farm Service Agency County Committee
County committee members
are an important component of the operations of FSA
and provide a link between the agricultural
community and USDA. Farmers and ranchers elected to
county committees help deliver FSA programs at the
local level, applying their knowledge and judgment
to make decisions on commodity price support
programs; conservation programs; incentive indemnity
and disaster programs for some commodities;
emergency programs and eligibility. FSA committees
operate within official regulations designed to
carry out federal laws.
To be an eligible
voter, farmers and ranchers must participate or
cooperate in an FSA program. A person who is not of
legal voting age, but supervises and conducts the
farming operations of an entire farm may also be
eligible to vote. Agricultural producers in each
county submitted candidate nominations during the
nomination period, which ended on Aug. 1.
Close to 7,700 FSA
county committee members serve in the 2,124 FSA
offices nationwide. Each committee consists of three
to 11 members who serve three-year terms.
Approximately one-third of county committee seats
are up for election each year. More information on
county committees, such as the 2013 fact sheet and
brochures, can be found on the FSA website at
or at a local USDA Service Center.
USDA is an equal
opportunity provider and employer. To file a
complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office
of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights,
Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave.,
SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866)
632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800)
877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866)
377-8642 (Relay voice users).


text:
Monday, December 29, 2008
Holiday Recap (Ack edition)
12 comments:
- Brendan said...
Fuck off, Ack.
Just kidding.
I'm still going to piss and moan about the Red Sox and Yankees, because the only way evil will win is if the good do nothing(or something like that). And while it's debatable as to how much an effect raging away to my friends and on the internet(and in my mind) have on fighting evil, it still makes me feel better for a second or two.
- December 30, 2008 at 9:13 AM
- Darren Priest said...
Here's another way to spin it: let's say this happens. At least Jays games versus the Yankees will be a cavalcade of stars. It will be like the All Star game is held 10 or so times at Rogers Centre this year. Definitely worth the trip to Toronto when the Yankees are in town!
- December 30, 2008 at 12:25 PM
- Brendan said...
Yup, it'll be like the 2009 all-stars(Yankees) against the 2004/5ish all-stars(guess who). Good times.
I've heard things here and there that the Yanks can't sign Manny Ramirez even if they wanted to. Something about a rule against signing more than 3 type A free agents. Anyone know if this is true? It doesn't sound true, to be honest.
- December 30, 2008 at 3:00 PM
- Brendan said...
Just looked it up myself, here's the rule:
If there are 14 or fewer Type A or Type B free agents available, no team can sign more than one type A or B player. If there are between 15-38, no team can sign more than two. If there are between 39 and 62, there's a limit of three. However, teams can sign as many Type A or B free agents as they've lost, regardless of the limits above
have the Yanks lost, or are they going to lose, a type A? If not, they can't sign Manny.
- December 30, 2008 at 3:04 PM
The Jays just went lower than Ponson , Pavano , or even Colon! They just signed Maroth! Man sidney would look so good in that Baby Blue and a Molson in his right hand. Colon would be so happy hitting all the food joints. Pavano would be playing for a contract... Instead , JP signs the worst of the worst! Or more like the most blackened crumbs from a burnt black piece of toast. Barret, Maroth and Clement...LAYOFFS!
Bruno Von Rottweiller
PS Darren priest good to see you back mate! Happy New Year.....
- December 30, 2008 at 4:51 PM
- Warbo said...
Go Barrett!! A minor league deal for a guy who's not afraid to let fly with the dukes (even with team mates...) and who has shown his toughness in the past.
In 2006 he took a ball off his nutsac in the defensive 5th inning of a game. He stayed in the game to bat in the 5th before asking to be pulled because he felt sick. Felt sick?? Think so? He ended up on the DL with an intrascrotal hematoma. HIS BOYS WERE BLEEDING.
Maroth is a poor excuse for a pitcher, when the upside is a record of -5 (say 9-14?) and an ERA in the low 5's expectations seem to be very low.
- December 30, 2008 at 6:27 PM
Look, Ponson and Colon actually pitched in the AL east last year and JP picks up total garbage? This is becoming a joke......
- December 30, 2008 at 7:00 PM
- Lloyd the Barber said...
Get some perspective anon, Mike Maroth isn't going to pitch a single inning in the big leagues. no chance
- December 30, 2008 at 11:07 PM
I think JP is looking for SP options for Vegas because he doesn't want to shatter the confidence of his prized prospects. Litsch made the jump from AA, it's a good league, maybe that's where Cecil, Romero and Mills will be.
- December 30, 2008 at 11:20 PM
- Tao of Stieb said...
Yeah, all you naysayers are going to be licking our salty nuts when Michael Barrett hits 15 homers this year.
Believe it!
(And if that's a little overly optimistic, it may be because we are still a bit goofy from all the tropical diseases and pressure changes over the past day or so.)
- December 30, 2008 at 11:53 PM
- eyebleaf said...
Michael Barrett hopefully means no Curtis Thigpen, and that's something I can definitely get behind.
Merry Christmas, friends at The Tao of Stieb. Here's to 2009. Cheers.
- December 31, 2008 at 8:48 AM
- Jaywalker said...
Barret is a good pick up. At least they have a guy who can hit the ball. Riccardi had eight years and the money to build a winner. He failed and should go back to his accounting books. When he said he was going for retreads and has beens, he wasn't joking. He signed Clement, hasn't pitched in two years. Maroth is the last guy to lose 20 in a year and Colon, Pavano, etc are probably at home hoping riccardi phones them. At least all isn't lost. With Halladay, Litsh, and three guys to fill uniforms, it might make the fans appreciate the efforts from Romera, Richmond, Cecil. At least their pitches won't end up in the next county. Only two months to spring training and at least three guys can throw batting practise. Wow, what a way to enter the year.
- December 31, 2008 at 5:49 PM


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The Laerdal Pedi- Pad Spineboard Pad enables providers to stabilize children of up to 8 years properly. By elevating a child's shoulders, providers can achieve neutral alignment of the cervical spine. The Laerdal Pedi-Pad facilitates safer care of children in situations where spinal injury is suspected.


text:
Outstanding teachers recognised
2 May 2013
Congratulations to five individual academics, two academic teams and two faculty teams who have been recognised for their outstanding teaching and contributions towards student learning.
The nine individuals and teams were awarded the 2013 Vice-Chancellor's Awards for Learning and Teaching.
"Our best teachers are those who inspire and motivate our students to be curious and explore," said University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor and Principal Dr Michael Spence.
"I congratulate all the award winners for the commitment they have shown to their students and their colleagues."
This year's winners are:
Outstanding Teaching Award
- Associate Professor Adam Bridgeman (Faculty of Science) whose love of chemistry has inspired him to find innovative ways to use technology to engage his students.
Early Career Award for Outstanding Teaching
Excellence in Research Higher Degree Supervision Award
- Professor Jennifer Alison (Faculty of Health Sciences)
- Professor Des Richardson (Sydney Medical School)
Support of the Student Experience Award
- The Peer Assisted Learning Program team from the Central Clinical School - Professor Craig Mellis, Ms Annette Burgess, Associate Professor Chris Roberts, Dr Kirsten Black, Dr Renata Chapman
- The Pam Maclean Centre team - Professor Stewart Dunn, Professor Fran Boyle, Dr Paul Heinrich, Ms Jennifer Dibley
Systems that Achieve Collective Excellence in Teaching and Learning Award
- The Sydney Nursing School - Associate Professor Heather McKenzie and the faculty team
- The Faculty of Pharmacy Curriculum Review Team - Associate Professor Jane Hanrahan, Professor Ines Krass, Dr Erica Sainsbury, Dr Rebekah Moles, Associate Professor Parisa Aslani, Dr Romano Fois
University of Sydney staff are able to apply for the Office for Learning and Teaching Awards for Programs that Enhance Learning and Awards for Teaching Excellence. The internal nomination process closes on 30 May. Recipients of the awards receive $25,000. For more information visit the Institute for Teaching and Learning website.
|Follow University of Sydney Media on Twitter
Enquiries: Sally Sitou, 9351 8647, 0401 135 962, email@example.com


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Joe Phillips On Deck
Age: 20
Home: Ocean City, MD/ Boca Raton, Fl
Years riding: 4
Sponsors: Billabong, Hyperlite, Von Zipper, Freestyle, Accurate Lines, Ski Rixen
Boat, PWC or Winch? All the above
Wake or sliders? Both, I like to mix it up
Film or photos? film
Skateboard or wakeboard? Skateboard all day
Inclines or boxes? incline
Pool gaps or natural winching? gaps
Metal or rap? rap
Home or away? Traveling is always fun but it's always nice to come home
favorite food? seafood
favorite skateboard trick to do? Rodeo flip on the vert ramp, handplant fingerflip
favorite wakeskate trick? Double fingerflip or anything else old school
who do you look up to or for inspiration? Byerly, Grubb, BT
yes or no? yes
tornado spin or hillbilly ninja? Tornado spin fo sho; My boy Jamal does them on youtube nadada mean?
would you ever shave your head? No! Because I'm like Sampson, if you cut my hair I wouldn't be able to ride
They may call Joe the Joker, but he sure isn't a joke on a wakeskate. Whether he's behind a boat, winch, cable or ski, his riding will blow you away. I'll never forget the first time meeting and riding with Joe. He pulled up in his grandpa's pimp caddy and off we were to ride. Almost os soon as he hit the water he threw a 3 shuv, kickflip, varial flip re entry line, then when wake to wake a couple times before throwing a perfectly clean wake to wake kickflip. My jaw dropped, right then I knew he was a rider to watch.
I don't think I have ever ridden with someone who as fun to watch as Joe is, and not only on a wakeskate, but a skateboard as well. Give him a vert ramp, a skateboard and helmet (no shoes) and he'll be doing back flips and gymnast plants before you can say, "Where are your shoes?!?!" Joe is by far one of my favorite people to ride with. He's definitely always the loudest cheerleader in the boat and always brings everyone's spirits up. He loves wakeskating more than I thought was possible. No matter what he is always smiling, cheering you on, and bringing a fresh positive vibe to the situation. Even if it's the choppiest day ever he'll be ready to ride ASAP.
The only place for Joe to go now is up. His consistency of hammer dropping is a force to be reckoned with. Most recently Joe went on tour and dominated the USA national championship for cable. Watch out for a slew of tricks coming from Joe that have never been done or maybe even thought of before, by anyone else.


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Family sheds almost 40 pounds in a month
The Ibarra family of San Jose, Calif., takes part in the Family Fitness Challenge. USA TODAY
Pastor and his family are shaping up and inspiring others to make healthy changes.
The Ibarras of San Jose, Calif., are so busy it's no wonder that eating well and exercising didn't fit into their schedules.
Jose, 46, is a pastor at a local church and has a full-time job as a facilities supervisor for a commercial custodial company.
His wife, Doris, 45, is a human resources manager for the same company, and she runs the church's sound booth. Their children, Jocelyn, 20, and Joseph, 16, also wear multiple hats, including juggling school and church responsibilities.
They often skipped breakfast, grabbed fast-food meals while dashing between activities and rarely made time to exercise. That whirlwind lifestyle took a toll. A few years ago, Jose had a mild heart attack.
He also struggles with high blood pressure and high cholesterol and is borderline diabetic. He has had battles with gout. In January, he was carrying 299 pounds on his 5-foot-6 frame. He says he was so busy that he relied on fast-food meals, and "I didn't do any exercise whatsoever."
STORY: Couple drops almost 30 pounds in a month
RECIPES: Healthy oven-fried chicken, chili
STORY: Best weight-loss tips from top dietitians
Doris says: "My husband and I have many poor eating habits that are now being passed on to my children. We love to eat, and we love sweets."
Trying to turn those habits around seemed "overwhelming," she says. So the Ibarras volunteered to participate in this year's Family Fitness Challenge, an initiative to help families across the country get more active — and lose weight. The ongoing project is being produced in partnership with USA WEEKEND Magazine and The Doctors TV show.
More than 400 families applied to take part in the challenge. Six families were chosen, including the Ibarras, and they were paired with a fitness expert with the American College of Sports Medicine and a registered dietitian with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
The Ibarras wanted to find time to exercise but didn't think they could squeeze it in to their already packed schedule. Then Doris had an epiphany: She suggested they take a brisk walk for a half hour around the church before the Wednesday night service.
On Sundays, Jose is also teaching church members at New Beginnings Christian Church one new exercise a week, such as squats and planks. And right after the church service, he has a group of guys playing basketball for 15 minutes.
"The whole congregation is cheering us on in this challenge," Jose says. "We created a Facebook page where we are sharing the information on menus we put together for meals at home, and the calorie counts on fast-food meals. This is especially important in a Hispanic congregation where we like all those rich foods."
Other physical activities they're doing:
• Jose takes the dog for a 30-minute walk daily. "I'm working on getting to the point where I can run again," he says.
• Doris is taking a 15-minute walk after lunch, and then she does 15 minutes of strength training at night. "I'm breaking it up into small segments. I've never been very disciplined about exercise. I really don't enjoy it, and I'm not very coordinated.
"My goal is to find some form of exercise that I can do well and enjoy. I want this to be an integral part of my life."
• Jocelyn says: "I love working out. I go to the nearest school and run the track or walk the dogs around it. On the weekends, my dad and I will go to the beach. I'll run a mile or two, and he'll walk a mile."
• Joseph says: "I work out almost every day. I work out in the garage with weights and a medicine ball. Right afterward, I run on the treadmill for 30 minutes. On Saturdays, I play soccer with my friends."
The Ibarras "are taking their family time and turning it into their fitness time," says their fitness instructor Liana Tobin, an ACSM member and a certified strength and conditioning coach. "They are taking advantage of every spare moment."
The family also worked with registered dietitian Judith Rodriguez, a past president of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. "People can achieve healthy eating with small sustained changes. This is easier and more significant when families work together, as the Ibarra family has done."
Among Rodriguez's suggestions:
• Have grab-and-go breakfasts on hand, such as hard-boiled eggs, small bags of cereal or fruit and nuts to eat on the way to work. Says Doris: "We've all been working really hard on eating a healthy breakfast. I would say breakfast has become our new favorite meal."
• Work together to prepare more quick meals at home and dine out less. "We create a menu for the week so we have all the ingredients for the meals," Doris says. Adds Jose: "Our kids are helping out with cooking. We cut up vegetables on the weekend, and they last for the week."
• Select lower-calorie options — about 600 calories a meal — at fast-food restaurants and read the labels on grocery store foods. "We are starting to be conscious of calories and portion sizes," Jose says. "I never read the calorie count before — if it was good, I ate it."
Doris says making the diet changes has been easier than she thought. "We didn't do everything at once. We tweaked something different every week."
Still, this isn't a piece of a cake. "We still crave sweets," she says. "We're learning to be satisfied with smaller portions."
So far collectively the family has lost almost 40 pounds in a month and two inches around the waist for each of them. Jose has dropped 9 pounds; Doris, 7 pounds; Jocelyn, 11; Joseph, 10 pounds.
"This challenge has helped us realize that poor eating habits can be reformed one new change at a time," Doris says, "and yes you can squeeze in exercise in your day for five minutes here, or 15 minutes there."
The Doctors is an Emmy-winning daytime TV show. Check local listings.