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Students are shouldering more of the burden of paying for college, increasing their borrowing and out-of-pocket contributions, according to a study from Sallie Mae to be released Monday.
In its annual survey, the nation's largest private student lender found that undergraduates covered 30 percent of the cost of college themselves during the most recent academic year — the largest share in four years. They spent an average of $2,555 from their income and savings and took out $3,719 in loans, the report showed.
Meanwhile, parents struggled to maintain their level of financial support. Though they still paid for more than a third of their children's college costs, they relied more heavily on borrowing, according to the study. The portion covered by parents' out-of-pocket contribution fell to 28 percent, down nine percentage points from its peak two years ago.
The report called the changes a "major shift in spending" that occurred across all income levels. It comes amid a national debate over the $1 trillion student debt burden and the rising number of borrowers who have fallen behind on those loans. The Sallie Mae study provides a window into how families are factoring those costs into their college choices.
"They broke the piggy bank to meet those tuition obligations" immediately after the recession, said Sarah Ducich, senior vice president for public policy at Sallie Mae. Now, she said, "families have adjusted."
Households are also dealing with dwindling scholarships and grants. Sallie Mae found that those funds paid for 29 percent of college expenses in the most recent academic year, down from a third the previous year.
Tighter budgets have forced many families to seek ways to save money on higher education. The study found that for the first time more than half of students lived at home. In addition, more students opted to live with a roommate or work longer hours to pay for school. According to Sallie Mae, families spent an average of $20,902 on college for the past academic year, down 5 percent from the previous year.
The price tag of college increasingly factored into students' enrollment decisions. Just over half of families said they ruled out colleges based on cost before even applying. A record 69 percent eliminated schools after receiving their financial aid packages.
"They're narrowing their choices as they go through," Ducich said. "We're seeing an increased consideration of cost all the way through."
But the study also found that parents and students continued to place a high value on a college education.
About 53 percent of families strongly agreed that they were willing to stretch financially to pay for school, up two percentage points from last year. But those who strongly agreed that college was worth the experience regardless of future earnings dropped from 24 percent to 19 percent.
The Sallie Mae study was conducted by Ipsos, an independent market research firm. It surveyed 1,600 students and their parents over the phone in the spring.


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Many b-schools now accept the GRE (including Stanford, HBS, Wharton, Booth, and MIT Sloan, among others), so MBA applicants will need to decide whether the GMAT or GRE will better increase their chances of acceptance. Here are some factors you should consider when making this decision:
1. GMAT: Take the GMAT if at least one of the b-schools you're applying to doesn't accept the GRE.
2. GMAT: If you plan on a post-MBA career in investment banking or management consulting, then you should take the GMAT since such recruiters sometimes use GMAT scores as a screening tool.
3. GMAT: If the wording on the school's website indicates that the GRE is accepted but clearly a lower-class citizen, than take the GMAT. We're seeing this less frequently.
4. GRE: If you're fresh out of college and aren't sure exactly what to do next, but feel prepared to take the GRE, then you may as well go ahead and take it – the scores remain usable for up to five years. Maybe you'll use your scores for a future b-school application, or maybe for some other grad program.
5. GRE: If you score higher on practice GRE tests than on practice GMAT tests AND if your target schools accept the GRE, then you should definitely take the GRE.
6. GMAT: The same is true (as #4) if you score higher on the GMAT – in short, take whichever test you score higher on!
7. GRE: If you want to save money (about $100) and/or will have trouble getting to a GMAT testing center, then you should take the GRE (obviously provided that your target schools accept the GRE). The GRE is cheaper and there are more testing centers throughout the world.
For top GMAT advice, please check out the following FREE Accepted.com resources:
• Top 5 GMAT Test-Taking Strategies
• 3 Tips to Reduce GMAT Test Anxiety
• The GMAT in MBA Admissions: Fact and Fiction
• Should You Retake the GMAT?

subset: commoncrawl


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PRESIDENTJack Bricker
ADVERTISING SALESCalifornia & Georgia


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In a recent interview with Today Online, B.o.B talks about producing a country album, programming dope meditation music, and reveals a thing or two about his upcoming record.
"I want (my fans to) really get inside, and to really understand what type lifestyle I live. And understand that my music really is a lifestyle," he says.
Sounds good to us Bobby Ray. The whole article is here.


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Search our database of handpicked sites
Looking for a great physics site? We've tracked down the very best and checked them for accuracy. Just fill out the fields below and we'll do the rest.
You searched for "holography"
(of which 6 are Websites, 0 are Videos, and 0 are Experiments)
Search results from our links database
Showing 1 - 6 of 6
Showing 1 - 6 of 6
Holography helpers
A useful site covering all aspects of holography at a beginner to intermediate level. Has FAQs and addresses for technical questions on making your own equipment.
Practical Holography & Holograms
Holography from start (theory of light) to finish (full practical details). This is like a mini textbook with many chapters, with diagrams.
Hyperphysics - Holography
Production, properties and history of holograms with useful internal links.
site concerned with holograms and lasers straightforward explanation and links to a slide show, faq and more. Includes advert and ordering information for 'shoebox holography.'
MIT Museum
The MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) Museum. A selection of online resources and exhibitions from Time Travel to Holography and Robots
Holography Lasers and Holograms
Descriptions and information on holograms.
Showing 1 - 6 of 6


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Having attended the same University as Phil Mickelson and been signed up by the company which manages 'Lefty', Norway's Knut Borsheim has a lot to live up to.
Borsheim was snapped up by Gaylord Sports last year after graduating with a degree in Finance from Arizona State University, where England's Paul Casey honed the technique which would later lead him to Ryder Cup and European Tour glory.
The highlight of Borsheim's collegiate career came in his final year, when he birdied five of his last six holes to help Arizona State reach the NCAA Finals.
The 24 year old from Bergen also earned individual honours, being named the 2009/10 Men's Golf Scholar-Athlete of the Year and a 2010 ESPN Third-Team Academic All-American.
Of his time in the States, Borsheim recalls: "I didn't manage to win on the collegiate circuit but I finished second twice, and it was such a great learning experience for me because the standard is very high. It's a really good preparation for the Challenge Tour, because although the strength in depth is much greater out here than it is at college, the winning scores are usually fairly similar.
"Probably the biggest difference out here on the Challenge Tour is that if you bogey the last hole you drop about ten places down the leaderboard, whereas at college it wouldn't be that costly. But I like that, because the level of competition really focuses your mind."
After leaving Arizona State last December, Borsheim set about trying to climb the golfing ladder, only for a sudden and unexplained illness to hamper his development.
He said: "I just felt tired all the time. I could hardly get out of bed in the morning, and had no energy to practise or play golf. I just had to be nice to my body for a while, because I think I was probably exhausted from college, and studying, and playing a lot of golf. I've got another scan in October to try to find out what the problem is, but at the moment I feel absolutely fine, which is probably why I'm playing much better now."
Signs that Borsheim was starting to regain his form and fitness came at the Norwegian Challenge, where he opened with a round of 68 which, according to the man himself, could quite easily have been a 65 or even lower.
"I don't think I holed anything longer than a ten-footer all day," he said, "but at least it showed that I was moving in the right direction."
After making his second successive cut at the ECCO Tour Championship the following week, Borsheim began to feel much better about life both on and off the course, where he is a keen follower of the stock markets.
And when Gaylord Sports secured him an invitation to this week's lucrative Kazakhstan Open, Borsheim hit the practice range with renewed vigour to ensure that he was in the best possible shape to capitalise on his golden opportunity.
After playing his first practice round at Nurtau Golf Club Borsheim quietly fancied his chances, as the challenging course, with its narrow fairways and thick rough, played to his strengths: namely long, straight hitting.
A frustrating day on the greens explained a respectable opening effort of 70, but on the second day his putter came to life and he surged into contention with a sparkling round of 65. A solid round of 71 on the third day means he goes into today's final round just three shots off the lead, and in with every chance of securing a European Tour card in one fell swoop.
He said: "I've been playing well without getting my rewards, so it was great to finally show what I can do in Kazakhstan. The course is quite similar to a lot of the ones we used to play on in the States, because the rough is really penal. I like that, because my driving is probably the strongest part of my game.
"Hopefully that will stand me in good stead for the rest of my pro career. My goal now is just to get onto The European Tour however I can, whether that be through the Challenge Tour Rankings or the Q School. It'd be nice if I could at least secure my Challenge Tour card for next season, because then that would take some of the pressure off."
Having a familiar face around the place in the form of his friend and compatriot Espen Kofstad has also helped Borsheim relax and integrate on the Tour.
The two spent countless hours together treading the fairways as emerging amateurs in their native Norway, and Borsheim is now hopeful of emulating the achievements of Kofstad, who currently sits just outside the top 20 of the Challenge Tour Rankings in his debut season.
Borsheim said: "I know Espen very well, having played a lot of amateur golf with him. He also went to college in America so we obviously have a lot in common. We played a lot together in the national team, and it's great that he's played so well this season. It's very inspiring, because I know that if he can do it on a consistent basis, then there's no reason why I can't as well. And it's also nice to have a friend out here, because it's helped me settle in much quicker. Hopefully we can both make it onto The European Tour this year – that would be a dream come true."
|Player name
|FLEETWOOD, Tommy
|BORSHEIM, Knut
|RITTHAMMER, Bernd
|THORNTON, Simon
|WALKER, Sam
|DELAMONTAGNE, François


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In my ancestry I have 2 generations of General Store owners and the stories are interesting, historical and were challenging to research. My paternal grandmother, Ella Wellhausen Schulte, lived well into her 90's and I had many opportunities to tap into her memories of her ancestry. She told me many times about the General Store that her parents had and in which she and her older sister lived as young girls. Taking the meager information I had from her I was able to discover some interesting facts.
My second great-grandparents Charles and Christina (Graumann) Wellhausen were both born in Germany in the Pomeranian county of Demmin with Charles being born in the village of Alt Kentzlin and Christina born in the neighboring village of Hohenbollentin. These villages are still in Germany in what later became the DDR. Charles and Christina married in 1860 at the Evangelical Church in Hohenbollentin and their first two daughters, Bertha and Augusta, were also born there as well in 1860 and 1862 respectively.
Evangelical Church in Hohenbollentin
Kreis Demmin, Germany
Kreis Demmin, Germany
Still standing in August, 1993
When Bertha was 3 years old and Augusta 6 months Charles and Christina decided to immigrate to the United States. Accompanying them as well was Christina's mother, Christina (Neider) Graumann. They arrived in the US on the ship Saxonia on April 19, 1864 settling in the village of Fraser in Macomb County in Michigan where their next daughter, Caroline, was born in 1866. Information found indicates the next 3 children Anna, George and Edward were born in 1867, 1869 and 1872 respectively in what was then known as Greenfield Township in Michigan. Following this they evidently moved back to Macomb County because their last child, son Charles, Jr., was born in Fraser in 1876. Whether Charles was farming at the time first in Fraser, then in Greenfield Township is unknown but it is assumed that he was. However upon relocating back to Fraser in Macomb County prior to the 1876 birth of their last child, Charles and Christina were able to purchase a large farm in what is now Clinton Township. The 1880 Macomb County, Michigan US census corroborates the family was living in Clinton Township, Michigan and Charles was a farmer.
With more daughters than sons Charles naturally was assuming that his 3 sons would help him on the farm and Edward is known to have done so. Son George, however, was not a well man with bronchial ailments and farming played havoc with his health.
On February 14, 1895 in Fraser, Michigan son George Wellhausen married Amelia Schluessler at St. John's Lutheran Church. They are my 1st great grandparents. Later in 1895 their first daughter, Gertrude, was born in Fraser and in 1896 their second daughter, my grandmother, Ella, was born.
The 1895 Atlas of Macomb County, Michigan reproduced in November, 1985 by the St. Clair Shores Historical Commission in St. Clair Shores, Michigan contains some sketches of prominent farms in the area in 1895 along with photos of the owners. In this volume in 1985 I was delighted to find the farm of my 2nd great grandparents, Charles and Christina Wellhausen, along with pictures of both. This is the only photo I have of Charles. Their farm was listed as having been in Section 29 of Clinton Township in that year of 1895.
Farm and Home of
Charles and Christina Wellhausen
1895 - Clinton Township, Michigan
In early 1900 Detroit Creamery was buying up farms in Clinton Township attempting to corner the milk market. Charles and Christina decided to sell their farm to the creamery as they were both now 67 and undoubtedly farming was becoming more than they could handle. As part of the arrangement they retained ownership of the farm house which to this day still is standing on what is now called Moravian Drive in Clinton Township. To have an ancestral home still in existence some 117+ years later is very exciting.
Home of Charles and Christina Wellhausen
Currently Standing in 2012
Moravian Drive, Clinton Township, Michigan
Shortly after selling their farm in early 1900, Charles and Christina purchased a small general store in a nearby village known as Cady's Corners. They gave this store to my great-grandparents George and Amelia who ran it. This was much less taxing on George's health than farming had been. George and Amelia ran this General Store until 1905 and then moved to Utica where George ran a "jitney" service which we now would call a taxi service. There in Utica, George and Amelia had their 3rd and final child, a son they named George as well who was born in 1906.
My grandmother always spoke of Cady's Corners to me. She told me that their General Store was on one corner and a "beer garden" as she always referred to a bar was on another corner. In researching this little village I learned that Cady's Corners was an area first settled in 1833 with a post office being established on July 15, 1864. The post office operated until July 31, 1906 when the village was disbanded. Today the former area of Cady's Corners can be found at what is Moravian and Utica Roads in Clinton Township, Michigan.
George and Amelia Wellhausen General Store
Cady's Corners, Michigan
ca 1905
While living in Utica, Michigan great-grandpa George was an upstanding citizen and involved in local politics. He was Utica's Clerk in the years 1917-1918 and was even Mayor of Utica from 1920-1921.
In 1924 the local Kroger store in Utica needed a manager and George and Amelia persuaded their 18 year old son, George, to apply for the position where he was hired becoming the youngest manager that Kroger ever had. Son George remained with Kroger's as their manager for 24 years. In 1948, an opportunity arose for George and his wife Eleanor to purchase a General Store at 24 Mile Road and Van Dyke in a village that was known at that time as Disco, Michigan. The store had been built in the mid 1850's and not only was a general store but also a gas station and in the early days a stage coach stop. Originally it had sleeping quarters on the second floor for travelers and supposedly General George Custer stayed there on one occasion. An excellent article on "The Lost Village of Disco" can be found here by the Shelby Township Historical Committee.
After much deliberation George resigned from his position at Kroger's and he and Eleanor purchased this General Store which they owned from 1948 until 1970. One of the big draws in this Wellhausen General Store was the home made German Pomeranian Teewurst sausage that was made there. It was certainly a family delicacy and people came from near and far to purchase the sausage. The recipe for the sausage came from my great-grandmother Amelia Wellhausen who had learned this recipe from her Pomeranian Schluessler ancestors. Teewurst is a sausage made from two parts of raw pork, sometimes beef, and one part bacon which are minced, seasoned and packed in casings before being smoked over beech wood. The sausage has to mature for 7-10 days in order to develop its typical taste and contains 30-40% fat - ahh a great dietary food. I never had the privilege of tasting the teewurst sausage but sausage and I are not friends so it is just as well.
My great aunt and uncle, George and Eleanor Wellhausen, had this General Store until 1970 when they sold it for $68,000. Under the new ownership it went into disrepair. On January 24, 1977 a photo was taken of the former Wellhausen General Store which I found on sale via eBay. Why anyone would want to buy this photo is beyond me as the store obviously was not cared for in the 7 years since my great aunt and uncle had sold it. The caption on the photo states:
"The 111 year old Wellhausen Country Store at Van Dyke and 24 Mile Road is the genuine rustic item in Disco".
Author Note 1/12/2014 - Photo removed by Web Site
Author Note 1/12/2014 - Photo removed by Web Site
Despite the efforts of the local historical association to raise money to move the store to an area nearby that had other historical buildings, the store was demolished.
Today a huge CVS store is at the location of 24 Mile Road and Van Dyke with the land purchased for $650,000.
All in all I thoroughly enjoyed the research and discoveries that went into this post. I think it is a valuable piece of my family ancestry that deserved to be shared.
Above photos personal collection of Cheryl Schulte
Copyright (c) 2012, Cheryl J. Schulte


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Why So Serious?
Superheroes have it rough, too. I mean, there's the tights, the endless amount of bullets ricocheting off their rock-hard pectoral muscles, and of course all the women throwing themselves in their paths. (Obviously I'm talking about guy superheroes here, but if you'd prefer to think of Wonder Woman with rock-hard pectoral muscles, more power to ya.)
What, that doesn't sound so bad? Then allow me to introduce a new Wreck series: Caped Catastrophes. Today's first lucky victim? The Bat Man himself.
Here Bat Boy rides out of a plastic drain-pipe on a magma slick in glorious celebration of "Brian Day". Um, are those things on the side supposed to be bats, Clarissa D.?
Then there's the continuing drama between Batman and the Batmobile:
I agree that the door in the brick wall is a little odd, Ashley W., but what I really want to know is how the Batmobile can leave a cloud of snow-white exhaust shaped like a hibiscus flower. These Bat gadgets - they just get cooler every year, don't they?
Fortunately Judith C. reports that 'man and 'mobile appear to have made up here:
Christal W. found the best toy-to-cake ratio out there:
I'm not sure if "River" is the birthday person's name, or if - in the tradition of Wreckerators everywhere - the decorator just labeled the cake what it's supposed to look like. If that's the case, then s/he must have meant "cascading river of blood, cement, and mold". But, you know, that probably wouldn't have fit.
([sigh] Again, yes, it's "professional". I checked the site and everything. C'mon, a little credit here?)
Now remember, kids: crime doesn't pay. Right, Batman?
But you know, all these cakes are totally cheating: they each use plastic Batman figurines! Why aren't decorators actually drawing the caped crusader?
[shifty eyes] Um, and can I just say that that's an unfortunately appropriate placement of the "pp"?
Aaaand I'm done.
Have a superhero Wreck you've been meaning to send me? Then send it in soon; I'll be continuing the Caped Catastrophes theme over the next few weeks.


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Talk about an empty stomach.
Magic of Rahat, the YouTuber already known for spooking drive-thru employees, will get you in the Halloween spirit with this viral video, "Drive Thru Skeleton Driver Prank."
Rahat visited various drive-thrus hidden under a skeleton in the front seat, popping up when fast-food workers come to the window with his order. Some employees screamed and laughed, while others chatted with him or snapped Instagram photos.
But Magic of Rahat's antics didn't convince everyone.
"He does that to everybody!" shouted one employee. "He's on the Internet!"
[H/T Laughing Squid]


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In a small hotel across from the Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention, a reporter from New Express Daily, dressed in an isolation suit, interviewed a dozen "unusual" patients from different areas of China. Their symptoms are painful and debilitating, and AIDS-like, but repeated tests for HIV have come up negative.
Lin Jun, one of the patients interviewed in the March 24 New Express Daily report, said he used to be chubby, but now he is skin and bones, and his joints have become all deformed.
Lin is referred to in the group as "big brother" for his kindness and giving fellow patients hope when they feel hopeless, with some having considered suicide.
In 2008 Lin's mother received a blood transfusion at a hospital. Afterwards, she experienced frequent night sweats, numb limbs, aches all over, creaking joints, rashes on her hands, and weight loss.
In May of that year, Lin accidentally became infected through contact with his mother's blood. Fourteen days later, he fell ill with swollen lymph nodes on his neck, sore knees that made clicking sounds, and pain all over his body. He also started vomiting after every meal, and the left side of his face swelled up. In half a year, his weight dropped from 82 kilograms (181 lbs) to 52 kilograms (115 lbs).
Three months later, his wife and child developed the same symptoms.
Lin said he went to every major hospital in Shanghai, but could not get a definite diagnosis. He has taken the HIV test eight times, and each time the test turned out negative.
Then he found an Internet blog called "The Negative Group," which he learned stands for "HIV negative." He realized that writing on this blog were all people like himself, with the same kinds of symptoms, desperate to find a cure.
Several Chinese media have recently reported that the Department of Health of Guangdong Province has confirmed that people in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangdong have fallen ill after being infected with an unknown virus. The patients think they have AIDS, but they test negative for HIV.
Guangdong has organized clinical experts, epidemiologists and psychologists to work together on these cases. The Health Ministry has also selected six provinces with more patients, including Beijing, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Hunan, Jiangsu and Guangdong, to conduct epidemiological studies, but there are no results yet, the reports said.
In most of the 30 cases investigated by New Express Daily for its March 24 report, people said their relatives and friends are also infected. Most of the 30 patients were infected through sexual contact. Some experts diagnosed them as having AIDS phobia.
However, the disease seems to be highly contagious and can spread by contact via any bodily fluid—through kissing, shared utensils, sweat, and even protected sex. Once infected, the immune system appears to be attacked, which results in a decrease of white blood cells and the body's ability to defend against infectious disease and foreign materials.
In the past, official health agencies have only conducted HIV tests on these patients and have not checked for other, similarly pathological viruses. With HIV results coming up negative, many patients then stopped taking protective measures with their relatives. Subsequently, all their relatives and friends were infected, many have said.
One infected man told The Epoch Times that the disease is highly infectious and hard to prevent. His wife and two-year-old child both appear to have it. The child has lip and skin blood spots, he said.
A retired officer in his 40's told The Epoch Times for a previous June 16, 2010 report that he had been infected with a disease with similar symptoms in 2009, at a get-together at a friend's house. "I thought it was just a cold at the time, so I still participated in all kind of gatherings. Consequently, over 100 of my comrades in the army, relatives and friends were infected by me," he said.
Read the original Chinese article.
The Epoch Times publishes in 35 countries and in 19 languages. Subscribe to our e-newsletter.


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I travel for birding. A lot. I'm about to head out to the Hula Valley Bird Festival and as I'm packing, I thought I would share with you some essentials I think any birder should plan to have in their suitcase–no matter where they are visiting. I've never regretted any of these items being in my suitcase. I've also learned a thing or two from optics reps on how to pack expensive binoculars, spotting scopes and cameras.
First of all–and I want you to burn this into your brain–NEVER put your optics in checked luggage. Don't. It's far too easy for optics to go missing and no matter how well you packed them into your suitcase, if airport security decides to go through your checked luggage (and no one ends up stealing your binoculars) they will most likely not repack your optics securely leading to a higher probability that they could be knocked out of alignment. I like to use backpacks as my carry on. I have a backpack from Swarovski but there are a variety of backpacks out there that will do the trick. My carry on will always have my scope (1.) binoculars (2.), camera, laptop, book and a snack. It is always in my person, I know how to gently deal with my backpack and it fits under the seat in front of me.
The suitcase is filled with all sorts of clothing but you have to be prepared for weather extremes.
1.Tripods are generally safe in checked luggage. To help secure it, I will wedge clothing all around it and stuff socks in the middle of the legs. I can take my tripod apart and it will fit into most carry on luggage, but for overseas trips it will go in my big checked suitcase.
2. You can never have too much sunscreen and nothing ruins a good birding trip like getting crisped out your first day in the field. Sunscreen should be one of the first things you pack.
3. Convertible pants are an essential because weather is never dependable. I actually call mine "adventure pants" because they can go from winter wear to shorts for hot weather with a few unzips. I've had several brands over the years and my personal favorite at the moment are Columbia's convertible pants (they make them in short people sizes ) and they material is quick drying and still incredibly comfortable.
4. A small rain jacket. I've had this one for years, I grabbed it on clearance at a Land's End. It wads up into a tiny bundle and fits easily in suitcases or the bottoms of backpacks, because you never know when the squall is going to pop up. It also is a nice thin layer to add on if the wind is just a hair too nippy and you need a barrier. I have also used it on my bird surveys as a make shift shade when temperatures crept up past 110 degrees Fahrenheit last summer.
5. Some sort of waterproof shoe. I like traveling with Keens because they can take a beating and I can throw them into the washer when I get home. They are meant to be used as water shoes when canoeing but I have found that when worn with wool socks, they can even take temperatures a few degrees below freezing. They have great arch support and toe protection and are great for hiking. The one downside: they make your feet incredibly stinky, but if that's what I must suffer for foot comfort, so be it.
1. Hats are a must. I remember years ago when one of my sisters came with me on a birding trip to Idaho. Before we set out for the day I suggested she put on a hat, I even packed an extra one. She refused saying that she wasn't a hat person, they don't look good on her.
By the end of the day, her scalp where her hair was parted was bright pink. The next morning she was trying to part her hair in a different way to cover her burnt scalp. I handed her the hat, she reluctantly accepted.
2. No matter what time of year, always pack a pair of gloves. Even if your birding trip is June, even if you're going to be in Central America–always pack a pair of gloves. Sometimes high elevations will catch you off guard, sometimes there's a record cold snap. Don't let frigid fingers spoil your fun. I was at a birding festival in North Dakota in June and it was a chilly morning. The woman next to me was grumbling about being cold and I said that is why I always pack a pair. She was a native of Florida and said, "I thought since it was summer it would be warm, even for you people."
3. Hand Warmers are the best thing to happen to outdoor comfort. You can stuff them in shoes, wedge them in gloves and even if it's too warm, you can use them to apply heat to sore muscles. A few years ago I planned a winter trip to Florida and a record cold snap and frost hit. The hand warmers in my pocket not only were relief for my fingers but kept my batteries in my camera a little warmer too, extending their life.
*Side note: when that cold snap hit in Florida, birders were hitting the local big box stores to look for gloves and having a tough time finding them. I found easily them, but I knew where to look. I'm going to let you in on a pro tip. When looking for gloves, hand warmers, any kind of out door gear for an unexpected weather issue, look for the big box store that has a hunting section–like a Fleet Farm. Hunting sections will always have gloves, wool socks, bug spray–all sorts of handy tools. They might be in camo colors but they will do the trick.
4. Scarves are another way to add a little warmth on a cold morning. It can also be used to absorb sweat or emergency napkin. Depending on some scarves, they can even be a colorful accessory to dress up your outfit when going from the field to a restaurant.
5. Gentlemen may have a tough time reading this part and may want to avert their eyes, but ladies, how many times have you been caught birding with no bathroom in sight and limited options (side of a highway) or a restroom so disgusting a bush is the cleanest option. There are many devices out there to allow for an easier time and even allow you to stand up. I usually pack a GoGirl because it folds up neatly into a small bag. Word of advice, when you purchase one of these, plan on some practice. There is technique in application and dismount. All it takes is one unfortunate breach to reinforce proper alignment and hand placement to teach you how to use them (and it's much better to have that lesson in the privacy of your own home rather than out in the field with no change of pants).
I do have to say that when I was traveling to Kazakhstan a few years ago, the GoGirl was an item that ended up missing from my checked luggage. Based on the bathrooms, I could understand why it was so irresistible to whomever took it.
How about you? What are your essentials that you think a birder should pack no matter where they are going?
Notebook. Pencil. Head net.
Birds of Middle East, I never heard of that before. You made me curious now for a trip to middle east. Thanks for adding to my knowledge.
Oh, Rick, I <3 you so much!
Thanks, Redgannet & Mike! Depending on what kind of phone you have, you can get sim cards after customs at the airport and boom, your smart phone works in most countries. Which most have an audio recorder feature for taking lists too. I'm not much of a lister, but when I have to do it for surveys, I find audio recording very handy.
Birding Binoculars, if all goes well, my next beat post will probably include something about birding in Israel.
Good advice! I would add that your carry-on should always have an extra pair or two of underwear, socks, and one extra shirt. Nothing like having your checked luggage arriving several days after you!
Hats with neck-shaders are nice – they help prevent burning on the back of your neck, act as a convenient spot for applying insect repellent (instead of directly on the skin), and can even provide a bit of a wind break.
Insect repellent. No matter where you go in the world, there is some tiny, buzzing thing that will try to feast upon you.
Definitely bring along a notebook and pencil/pens. They fair much better when dropped in a mud puddle than electronics do.
The one sine qua non is a hat. With proper adjustment of the brim it allows me a 360 degree view.
Bug spray! I could go to Antarctica and find mosquitos there.
Bug juice. And salve for when the bug juice doesn't work.
I learned the glove lesson on July 5th, 2010 in Newfoundland. Mid-afternoon and it was 38 degrees (or 3 degrees as they were saying in Canada). I ended up stopping in a weird general store type thing that was out on the tundra and bought some hideous white stretchy gloves for $1.00. I still have them – my fondest souvenir from The Rock.
I like earmuffs for super windy days (I get earaches) even when hot. A cute skirt and tee or hippy dress is nice for countries where women dress conservatively. Small post earrings work well. A crushable cowboy hat rolled up in your cowboy boots or shove the extra shoes in them. Waterproof self winding watch. Nose hankies and a bandana, one for runny nose and the other for everything else. Set of 8 hot rollers. Vicks vaporub. Baby shampoo and lotion, bandaids, scissors. Cabana boy….ok, I was only sort of kidding about the Cabana boy! And the rest (no I wasn't).
So many great tips, including ones in the comments! I was taught the plastic bags thing by a grad student I worked with this past summer, it's been handy ever since.
The one thing you did forget: tweezers! I will never go birding without them ever again. I'm prone to ticks (I'm tasty, what can I say) and realizing you're being bitten halfway through a birding trip is not only traumatizing, but I'm mildly allergic to their bites too (super itchy). They're also great if you go browsing through some thorny bushes or run your hand on a tree/bench/other wooden thing.
What a great, informative post and hard to think of anything to add. Bug juice was the first thing that came to mind but others mentioned that. How about an mp3 player to listen to bird sounds on the plane? In the past, I have carried on a Pelican case with optics, microphone, and digital recorder. Security just loves to go over the case with some metal wand thingie.
Bug juice is a good idea but I'm always hesitant to bring that out of the country and usually purchase on arrival after asking locals what is the best.
Once during security check, the guy was scanning my backpack and paused. He looked at me, looked at the bag for a few more seconds and then said, "Is that a Swarovski?"
I said, "I'm impressed you can recognize it by shape!"
"That's nice stuff you're packin'," he said.
One problem I have encountered is the weight limit most airlines have for carry-on luggage. If you have a laptop, a camera, a tele lens, a wide-angle lens, a scope, and binoculars, you're usually in the range of 10 or more kilograms (20 pounds), which is too much for many airlines.
On a cold day when you are being still (the coldest way to be) try a Hand Warmer on the back of your neck (you may need a handkerchief between it and your skin).
It's something about an artery close to the skin back there. But it works.
Hand sanitizer, chapstick, Cliff bars, stainless steel water bottle. Wear Insect off clothes. Clean bins cloth and spray. OTC allergy, analgesics,(one with caffiene) Bonine, cough drops (all in tiny sizes) ski beanie in rain jacket pocket. Micro hi power flashlight. "these are a few of my favorite things…"
I've started writing a checklist of EVERYTHING I pack and keeping it in a safe place in my carry-on. This way I can check if anything is missing in my checked luggage on arrival. But, mostly it's so when I pack to go home, I won't leave anything behind. It probably sounds ridiculous, how can you forget your bins? Or camera? (And, even though clothing isn't as important as my optics, I do have my favorite birding shirts and hats.) I've found that I'm so tired at the end of a trip, I am highly capable of leaving stuff behind. The checklist is a good…check.
Second the bandannas. I buy them by the dozens and carry a couple all the time in the field. Modern high-tech wick-wear, nylon, and wool are great for bodily comfort in cold, wet conditions, but they are as useful as a football bat for wiping glass dry.
Anti-diarrheal medicine.
Plastic bags in three sizes (sparrow, sharpie, and egret), lens cleaner, mini-medical kit (with tweezers, Advil, Claratin, Benadryl, and bug juice), headlamp, hand sanitizer, and notebook all have a place in my bag.
(I was at an outdoor music festival a few weeks ago. I was sitting there and a homeless woman came by wheeling an overloaded hand cart with garbage bags full of cans. One of the bags broke, and there were cans everywhere! I totally whipped out a garbage bag and handed it to her, much to the puzzlement and delight of my companions. Garbage bags: essential for all your journeys!)
Some great adds to the list in hte comments above. Hat's very important, but a cap isn't a hat. You need one with a brim all the way round to protect the face, including ears. Cap as well though, worn under the jacket hood to keep it above your eyes so you can use your bins. As mentioned by others, plastic bags in different sizes – good for smelly socks as well – and put every liquid or gel inside one, including pens. Carry-on weight can be a problem as mentioned by Jochen (some airlines are starting to pay staff who spot oversize/weight bags). Always wear a jacket with big pockets, for that wide angle lens and other stuff, hang bins around neck. I have literally been called on an overweight carry-on (5-7kg is the international norm), taken out my bins and put the around my neck, and my camera in my pocket, then been waved on. Makes no sense, but there you go. Lastly, and this will seem like overkill until the loss happens to you on the second day of your trip, take back-up bins and back-up camera.
Fully second the head lamp and the led torch, as I've been to many places where electricity is optional! Other things which comes in handy are a pack of wet wipes, sound playback (ipod + portable, battery powered speaker), extra batteries, battery recharger, and car charger for the batteries.
Hi Sharon, I'm the birdo that asked about your packing for birding at the spot om Magee Marsh where you had your scope focussed on ? I forget, maybe the whip-poor-will? Anyway, thanks I found in here on 10,000 birds. My suggestion for packing: a Bug-off/ex officio bandana. Tied around my neck it converts my shirt to a turtleneck for extra warmth, or more loosely, keeps the mozzies at bay! Love your blog, best birding to you!
Hi Madeline,
I do remember you! I was actually talking to my webmaster about finding a way to permalink it to the site.
Thank you so much for the suggestion of the Bug-off, that's a very good idea.
Love Birds, always watching them
© 2013 10,000 Birds. All words, images, and opinions are the property of their respective authors unless stated otherwise.


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Latest News
Romney, GOP dare to tackle Social Security, Medicare fixes
Republicans are taking a bold political gamble by pushing historic changes in Medicare and Social Security.
The popular programs, designed primarily to provide health care coverage and income security for seniors, have been politically untouchable for decades.
But presumptive GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney, as well as most congressional Republicans, embrace sweeping changes that, among other things, would alter dramatically how seniors get health coverage a decade from now.
Democrats think the GOP has given them a gift, an issue they can use to illustrate how Republicans and their well-heeled friends are ready to abandon generations-old societal obligations to seniors.
But it's not clear who's got the political advantage, if any. The major GOP Medicare plans wouldn't affect anyone now 55 and over, and those under that age may care more about arresting the ballooning federal debt – and Medicare's impact on it – than the health of the program decades from now.
Study after study has found that to pare the government's record debt significantly, the ever-rising costs of Social Security and Medicare must be slowed. Social Security and Medicare accounted for 36 percent of federal spending in fiscal 2011, and as baby boomers age, those costs are projected to keep rising.
Polls show that the economy is the primary voter concern in the 2012 elections, but these two giant entitlement programs are part of the economic equation.
"There is one big issue, and that's the economy," said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University poll. "For some people there are aspects of it more important than others, but generally the economy is issue one through 29."
A Pew Research Center poll in January found that securing Social Security ranked fifth and securing Medicare seventh on the public's priority list for Congress; strengthening the economy was first, followed by improving the job situation, combating terrorism and reducing the budget deficit. Improving education ranked sixth.
Still, even suggesting tinkering with Medicare and Social Security carries political risks . The eligibility age for full benefits is now gradually increasing. For those born after 1960, it will be 67. Romney would increase it further, allowing it to rise along with increases in longevity. He also would slow the growth in benefits somewhat for wealthier recipients; no details have been disclosed.
"Romney's playing with fire. You always are when you delve into Social Security and Medicare," said Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia.
Yet this could be the year the conventional political rules change, because the skyrocketing federal debt is such an ominous threat to the nation's economic well-being.
"It's hard to ignore that piece (the debt) totally," Sabato acknowledged.
The GOP plan, proposed in several similar formats, works generally like this: After 2022, seniors newly eligible for Medicare would get federal subsidies to buy insurance coverage. They could purchase that coverage from Medicare, but they would have the option of buying a policy from a private company.
All insurance plans would have to offer coverage "at least comparable to what Medicare provides today." If seniors wanted a more expensive plan, they would have to pay the difference between the federal aid and the premiums' price. No one currently 55 or older would be affected.
Should they pick a less expensive plan, they could use the leftover federal funds to pay other medical expenses, like co-pays and deductibles. The Romney camp provides no cost or savings estimates.
The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, likes the idea.
"Congress can introduce the powerful forces of consumer choice and competition into Medicare, forcing health plans and providers to deliver value for taxpayer and beneficiary dollars," it said in a recent report.
All sides agree that something has to be done to control Medicare costs and, to a lesser degree, Social Security. The report issued last month by the programs' trustees urged: "Lawmakers should not delay addressing the long-run financial challenges facing Social Security and Medicare."
Social Security's financial shortfall is less urgent; the trustees estimated that its trust fund reserves will be exhausted in 2033. After that, tax income would be enough to pay only about three-quarters of scheduled benefits through 2086.
Medicare's situation is more dire. The trustees estimated that the program's hospital insurance trust fund will be depleted by 2024.
President Barack Obama last month described the problem in a speech to newspaper editors. "Because health care costs keep rising and the baby boom generation is retiring, Medicare, we all know, is one of the biggest drivers of our long-term deficit. That's a challenge we have to meet by bringing down the cost of health care overall so that seniors and taxpayers can share in the savings," he said.
He blasted the Republican plan for premium support, saying, "It's a bad idea and it will ultimately end Medicare as we know it."
Democrats' major strategy for cutting costs is the 15-member Independent Payment Advisory Board, created by the 2010 federal health care law. The board, appointed by the president and subject to Senate confirmation, would include physicians and patient advocates. It will recommend ways to save money. The law's provisions aim to strip about $480 billion from Medicare costs over the next 12 years.
Obama touted the commission last month as a panel "not made up of bureaucrats from government or insurance companies, but doctors and nurses and medical experts and consumers, who will look at all the evidence and recommend the best way to reduce unnecessary health care spending while protecting access to the care that the seniors need."
Republicans claim the panel would have too much power to make important medical decisions. It wouldn't, because its recommendations would be subject to congressional review. In March, though, the GOP-led House of Representatives voted to do away with it. That proposal is going nowhere in the Democratic-run Senate.
"You have two fundamentally different approaches," said Rep. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, the top Democrat on the House Budget Committee.


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Naba Barsha or Poila Baisakh is the traditional Hindu New Year in West Bengal and
In Bengali houses, Naba Barsa is welcomed with elaborate alpanas (rangolis). A kalash is placed in the center of the alpana pattern and it symbolizes prosperity. Houses are elaborately decorated with flowers as there is no shortage of flowers during this season. Another important event is the Prabhat Pheris or early morning processions.
Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and Lord Ganesha are worshipped on the Bengali New Year day.
Traders perform the halkhata ceremony that marks the advent of the Bengali New Year. All shops are decorated with flowers and one will notice stringed fresh lemons and chillies hanging in front of shops. This is used to ward off the evil eye.
Shopkeepers, businessmen and traders close the old accounts and open a new one. People visit their favorite shop during the day to wish them luck for the year ahead. Traders welcome customers on this day with sweets.
Women make it a point to buy a new sari or saree for Poila Baisakh, especially a white sari with red border. Traders popularly call the sale of new clothes during Naba Barsha as 'Chaitra Sales' – the previous month is Chiatra or Chaitro.
No Hindu festival is complete without the mouth watering cuisines. And Bengalis prepare both Vegetarian and non-Vegetarian dishes for Poila Baisakh.


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Scott Whittle and Tom Stephenson, authors of The Warbler Guide, are busy all month with events (see here), but that won't stop us from keeping their awesome warbler images coming!
The photo below from The Warbler Guide is of a female Black-and-white Warbler in the fall, snapped by none other than Scott Whittle himself. And don't worry, we promise the bird is upside down, not your computer!
Have you spotted any interesting birds this migration season? Let us know in the comments below!


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Alphabeastiary is
an advanced art challenge. While we encourage people to do the challenge on their own, we will only post pictures of those we feel are of an excellent quality in terms of skill and/or creativity. If you feel you are qualified, please read the rules to find out how this blog will work and how to apply and e-mail us your applications and submissions! We will put them up as we receive them.


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Nature and the Non-Objective Realm
Taubman Museum of Art : Thursday, March 10, 2011 - Sunday, October 2, 2011
"Nature and the Non-Objective Realm" is a re-installation of the Taubman's Contemporary Gallery based on photography, painting and sculpture by artists who are represented in the Taubman Museum's permanent collection or have works that are designated as "promised gifts" to the Taubman Museum of Art. The selection is comprised of exemplary works by mostly southeastern artists and emphasizes the relationship between early modern figurative and landscape traditions, and the successive development of abstract and non-objective styles in contemporary art.
The exhibition includes works by Walter Darby Bannard, Jake Berthot, Isabel Bigelow, Steven Bickley, Lyle Bonge (1929 - 2009), Sally Bowring, Richard Carlyon (1930-2006), Paul Frets, Dorothy Gillespie, Ray Kass, John Menapace (1927 - 2010), Elizabeth Matheson, Davi Det Hompson (1939-1996), Frank Hobbs, Victor Huggins (1937 - 2007), Paul Kwilecki (1928 - 2009), Janet Niewald, Jacques Pourcher, Paul Ryan, Kurt Steger, Eric Standley, Robert Stuart, James Surls, and William White.


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For small businesses, recent developments in the search engine marketing (SEM) industry have been quite terrifying. Small business owners already live on the edge, often with large debt and little margin for error. The failure rate for small business is high, and growing rapidly since the house market collapse.
These entrepreneurs are seeking stability just like the rest of corporate America. Unfortunately, lately a search for stability on Google has returned few results.
Some high profile Blog networks were de-indexed entirely from the Google database in March, including the now infamous BuildMyRank blog network. After that, a million websites received "unnatural" link warnings.
Meanwhile, a firestorm of industry speculation erupted after Matt Cutts talked about over-optimization. This week, we finally learned about the new Google webspam algorithm, an all-out offensive aimed at detecting spammy tactics such as keyword stuffing, link spam, and spun content.
Small businesses have been riding the Google rollercoaster, trying to figure out the new reality of "how" to market small business to search engines under these new rules. The bar has clearly been raised since last year, when the discussion was all about the Panda update, which targeted machine-generated, machine-altered and extremely low-quality content.
How can small business continue to enjoy the benefits of Google's massive traffic?
Diversification is Key
The first task for small business is to adopt a diversified approach to search engine marketing. The best analogy here is that of a financial advisor. Similar to putting your entire stock portfolio in a single equity, it isn't advisable to put too much of your SEM in a single basket.
An overemphasis on link building is the first symptom of the need for a wider view. Those foolish enough to be completely reliant on one of the blog networks that Google took down have learned this lesson the hard way via rapidly falling rankings. Then there are those who received an actual warning from Google and now live with the daily fear of being removed entirely from the search engine.
But even those who experienced "unnatural" link building issues, it's time to rethink link building. Reposition your thinking, with a renewed focus on:
- Creating buzz.
- Earning links for content.
- Education.
Don't neglect the many other avenues for lead-generation that many small businesses have yet to embrace, such as email marketing, social media and customer reviews.
Real Involvement
Social media is well established as a legitimate marketing tactic and more customers are going to social media for business validation and customer service issues.
Small business often ignores social media because it is believed that social doesn't contribute directly to search engine rankings. It's time update this thinking as well.
The same lesson applies for small business owners who aren't actively involved in associations, writing guest blog posts, and regularly talking in forums with industry experts. Many small businesses still don't collect customer reviews.
Guess what? All of these activities leave backlink footprints of an undeniably legitimate small businessperson who is really engaged with their community. This is a solid SEM strategy.
End-User Focus
This isn't a new message from Google. But it now has some real teeth for those who don't listen.
Web content needs to be end-user focused. This means that it is educational or otherwise enhances the end-user experience (such as humor). After all, high-quality content made the Google search engine a powerhouse.
Contribute to this body of information. Every business has valuable information to share.
Plumbers can make a DIY how-to video. Accountants can write about a recent change to the tax code that can save money.
A focus on educating rather than marketing puts a small business on the right side of the search engine optimization (SEO) line. And yes, a backlink in return for a valuable contribution is completely OK.
While it may seem that the prescriptions above are just different words for traditional link building and content marketing, small business must reconsider. Don't interpret the evolution of SEM as merely an exercise in semantics.
There have always been many shades of gray in SEO, which is why language matters. How small business thinks and talks about SEM guides action.
Google took down a business called "BuildMyRank." Would Google have taken them down if their name was "BuildMyBuzz" and their product was legitimately focused on quality content, education, how-to videos, and creating buzz for real small businesses? You be the judge.
Related reading
How to lead SEO teams and track its performance effectively: Experts' tips
Leading an SEO team is not an easy task. Nine industry experts share how to effectively guide your SEO team and assess their performance.
SEO is a team sport: How brands and agencies organize work
I interviewed 31 people, from Content Specialists to SEO Directors, and CEOs to ask them about how teamwork and workflow affect SEO operations and success.
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The Transformation of Search Summit 2019: Speakers, agenda, FAQ
The Transformation of Search Summit 2019 will take place in New York on Oct. 25. Speakers include experts from Disney, Pinterest, Mastercard, and Microsoft.


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A Republican congressman from Texas on Monday admitted he shouted "baby killer" from the House floor as Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., defended his change of position on health care legislation on Sunday. But Rep. Randy Neugebauer said that his remark was a comment on the bill itself and not directed at the Michigan lawmaker.
"In the heat and emotion of the debate, I exclaimed the phrase 'it's a baby killer' in reference to the agreement reached by the Democratic leadership," Neugebauer said in a statement released by his office. "While I remain heartbroken over the passage of this bill and the tragic consequences it will have for the unborn, I deeply regret that my actions were mistakenly interpreted as a direct reference to Congressman Stupak himself.
"I have apologized to Mr. Stupak and also apologize to my colleagues for the manner in which I expressed my disappointment about the bill. The House Chamber is a place of decorum and respect. The timing and tone of my comment last night was inappropriate."
Neugebauer's statement put to rest a whodunit that had political junkies on the edge of their seats late Sunday and early Monday.
The comment could be clearly heard in C-SPAN footage of the debate after the House's passage of the health care overhaul legislation.
The voice yelled at Stupak, D-Mich., as he spoke in defense of a deal he made with the White House to drop an amendment he co-authored in exchange for assurances that President Barack Obama would issue an executive order stating that no federal funds from the legislation would be used to pay for abortion coverage.
Suspicions immediately focused on the California and Texas delegations, based on the accounts of several lawmakers who said the voice emanated from the area where they were seated.
Reporters quickly quizzed members after the vote and continued to press for a name on Monday to no avail, though several lawmakers indicated they either knew or had a good idea who the speaker was.
Video: Health reform leaves political rifts unhealed Democratic Rep. David Obey of Wisconsin, who was presiding over the debate at the time, told the Talking Points Memo that he knew who yelled at Stupak but "doesn't see any point" in identifying the speaker.
"I think people have a right to make a fool out of themselves every once in a while without causing Armageddon," he said.
At least two Republican lawmakers — Michele Bachmann of Minnesota and Tom Price of Georgia — told Politico that they believed the comment was shouted from the gallery.
Other political news of note
Animated Boehner: 'There's nothing complex about the Keystone Pipeline!'
House Speaker John Boehner became animated Tuesday over the proposed Keystone Pipeline, castigating the Obama administration for not having approved the project yet.
- Budget deficits shrinking but set to grow after 2015
- Senate readies another volley on unemployment aid
- Obama faces Syria standstill
- Fluke files to run in California
- Animated Boehner: 'There's nothing complex about the Keystone Pipeline!'
For his part, Stupak said he didn't see who made the remark.
Several Republican lawmakers who were publicly identified as suspects felt compelled Monday to issue press releases denying they had used the phrase, including Reps. Louie Gohmert of Texas and George Radanovich of California.
The breach of decorum on the House floor comes about six months after Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., yelled "You lie!" at Obama when he spoke to a joint session of Congress.
The House later passed a resolution, largely along party lines, saying Wilson's conduct was a breach of congressional decorum that brought "discredit to the House."
© 2013 msnbc.com Reprints


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PROPEL needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 226 designs submitted by 58 freelance designers.
Real Estate consulting firm. Some say that I'm creative but I'm not feelin' it, especially when I see the talent evidenced by the output of the designers here. It's year six of my own company and I'm contemplating a new website but think it's more appropriate and timely to consider a new logo first. If one is developed that I like more than what I have then I'm on my way to being reinvented!
PROPEL Real Estate Resources
I'm a recovering corporate real estate executive who has been on my own since 2003. I have been in the field of corporate and commercial real estate for nearly 25 years so am a seasoned professional but one who doesn't take herself too seriously. The logo you will see in my website (http://www.propelresources.com) is what was developed in 2003. It's time to give PROPEL a new face - freshen it up and integrate it into a new website. I like the fact that the current logo conveys forward motion. I purposely split the PRO and PEL to give a visual draw to the PRO (designating professional).
Vector format please. I choose the name PROPEL for what it implies but because there are some not so swift folks out there, I included the definition below the logo words as a tag line. I'm open to changing that but think it's better with it (you know, for the slow folk!). So far I've liked the colors I've used but, again, am open to your designer experience and expertise. Should be solid corporate type colors (versus pastels) conveying seriousness and trust. FYI the red in my logo is 183R, 44G and 21B if that's of any use for you. I ALSO HAVE STATIONERY THAT HAS PROPEL Real Estate Resources in Swis Font gray. If you would like to see my letterhead for any reason, email me and I'll shot you a copy.
Since my clients are primarily corporations the design can't be too cutesy. IMO it s/b impactful, express confidence, can be techy or creative but not over the top so. I'm considering template 17911 from templatemonster.com if that gives you any inspiration (with 9871 and 19829 as possible options).
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


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Eagles fire Reid after 14 seasons
Andy Reid stuck around after he was fired by the Philadelphia Eagles, meeting with players, encouraging staff and shaking hands with the man who let him go.
After 14 years, Reid found it hard to walk away.
Owner Jeffrey Lurie understood. "He had the love and respect of every individual in this organization," he said at his news conference Monday. "This man is amazing to work with, smart and dedicated, and the record will speak for itself."
Not this season's 4-12 record nor the humiliating score of the season-ending loss to the New York Giants, 42-7, on Sunday.
It was the worst finish by the team since Lurie fired Ray Rhodes following a 3-13 finish in 1998.
"When you have a season like that, it's embarrassing. It's personally crushing to me and it's terrible," Lurie said. "Our fans deserve the very best. This year, they got a team that was not very good at all. I feel terrible about that."
Lurie informed Reid of his decision shortly before 9 a.m. Reid addressed the team an hour later and received a standing ovation.
"It was emotional," running back LeSean McCoy said. "We felt his pain. It hurts a lot."
Many players blamed themselves for his ouster and a few held back tears while talking about their former coach.
"It's unfortunate. I feel we personally let him down," wide receiver Jeremy Maclin said. "It's a sad day."
Reid took over a 3-13 team in 1999, drafted Donovan McNabb with the No. 2 overall pick and quickly turned the franchise into a title contender.
He is the winningest coach in club history and led them to a run of four straight NFC championship games, a streak that ended with a Super Bowl trip after the 2004 season, and a loss, 24-21 to the New England Patriots. The Eagles still are seeking their first NFL title since 1960.
Reid cemented Philadelphia as a destination football town and led the team to an unmatched level of success. But the team hasn't won a playoff game since 2008 and after last season's 8-8 finish, Lurie said he was looking for improvement this year.
Instead, it was worse.
"I look forward to the day when everyone welcomes him back into the Eagles Hall of Fame because that's inevitable," Lurie said.
Reid grew up in Southern California and may welcome a return home. He already has said he wants to coach next season.
"Andy is an outstanding football coach," Lurie said. "That's what Andy wants to do. He doesn't want to transition to other aspects of football operations. He's a football coach. He wants to coach right now. He was very excited about the future of this team and this franchise. He wanted to stay."
Reid is due to make $6 million in 2013 in the final year of his contract. He is the franchise leader in wins (140), losses (102) and winning percentage (.578) and led the Eagles to nine playoff appearances, six division titles and five NFC championship games.
Aside from team troubles, the year was a painful one for Reid. He endured a devastating loss weeks before the season opener when his oldest son, Garrett, died at training camp after a long battle with drug addiction.
In October, Reid fired close friend and longtime assistant Juan Castillo, who was in his second season as defensive coordinator after coaching the offensive line for 13 years. He later fired defensive-line coach Jim Washburn.
Still to be determined is whether Michael Vick stays with the team. He's under contract for $16 million next season, but the Eagles can release him within a few days after the Super Bowl and avoid a salary-cap hit.
In 2009, Reid and Lurie gave Vick a second chance in the NFL after the former star quarterback spent 18 months in federal prison related to a dogfighting operation. Vick took over as the starter in 2010, had a remarkable season and led the Eagles to the NFC East title. But like the rest of the team, Vick regressed the past two seasons.
"There is nobody who wants to win more than I do," Lurie said. "Once you've experienced the success we've had, it makes you just realize that there's nothing more that you want than a Super Bowl, and to deliver that to our fans."
After beating the defending Super Bowl champion Giants on Sept. 30, the Eagles lost eight straight games, their worst losing streak in 42 years.
Lurie said he has a "defined" list of candidates to replace Reid, but hasn't spoken to any coaches or set up interviews yet. General manager Howie Roseman and president Don Smolenski will assist him in the process.
"It's better to find the right leader than to make a fast decision," Lurie said. "There's no guarantee I'll make a great decision, but I'm confident I will."
A person familiar with the team's plan said the Eagles will interview Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan this week. Atlanta's offensive coordinator, Dirk Koetter and special teams coach Keith Armstrong also will be interviewed. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the team has not announced its interview plans.
Earlier, PhiladelphiaEagles.com posted video of Lurie and Reid addressing employees, who gave Reid a big ovation. Lurie handed him a game ball.
"I have a hard time standing before people without a few boos involved. But I'm taking it, I'm taking it all in," Reid said. "These have been the greatest 14 years of my life."
He added: "Sometimes change is good. … I know the next guy that comes in will be phenomenal. The ultimate goal is a Super Bowl. Everybody in this room, I wish you a big ring on the finger in the near future.
"Hail to the Eagles, baby."


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Despite my pledge to eat healthier, I'm still on an Indian-Chinese food kick this week. Following up my fried Gobi Manchurian, I decided to make fried chicken lollipops. A good excuse would be that this is a handy appetizer to know in case I ever host a last-minute party.
Since chicken is one of two meats that are popular in India (the other being lamb), it's not surprising that cooks would get creative with a little drumstick. All you need is a paring knife to cut the tendons and scrape down the meat so the meat forms a nice round ball at the end. And the end result is wings that are much less messy to eat, especially when you're dealing with the hazards of a spicy, sticky sauce.
I first made lollipops way back in culinary school in my hors d'œuvre module. My chef-instructor hinted that this was his original idea, and that he deserved credit if we were to ever offer them on our own restaurant menus. I was impressed, until later when I began to see these not only in Indian-Chinese restaurants but also on the Food Network. So much for original ideas. At least you can rest assured that this is a better lollipop method than jamming chicken nuggets on popsicle sticks.
This recipe comes from the restaurant Chinese Mirch in New York, via the Times. At the last minute I improvised a sauce using Korean red chili bean paste, honey, and water; it turned out very well, with no need for additional flavorings.
I would also try these marinated drummettes on a backyard grill if I had one. Alas, communist-style block apartments in China are not meant for summer cookouts.
Chicken Lollipops with Honey-Chili Sauce
Makes 1 dozen
- 12 chicken drummettes or wings (about 2 pounds)
- Peanut or canola oil for frying Fresh cilantro sprig, chopped, for garnish.
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- 1 tablespoon Asian red chili paste (I used a chili garlic paste)
- 2 egg yolks, beaten
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon white pepper
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon Asian red chili paste (this time I used a Korean chili bean paste)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- With a paring knife, cut the tendons at the narrow end of each drummette. Scrape the meat down as far as possible without removing the meat completely, to form a round lollipop shape. If using wings, first separate the joints with a knife, scrape the meat as with the drummettes, and pull out and toss the smaller bone.
- In medium-sized bowl, whisk together all the ingredients for the marinade. Add the wings and gently toss to coat. Place in the refrigerator to marinate for 1 hour.
- In a wok, heat 2 inches of oil until just beginning to smoke. Working in batches, fry the chicken until golden brown on all sides, about 3 to 5 minutes per batch. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on plates lined with paper towels.
- In a small sauce pot, heat up the water and chili paste for the sauce. When the mixture begins to simmer, stir in the honey. Remove from heat and drizzle over plated chicken. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve.
Adapted from Chinese Mirch, via The New York Times


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American Express workers seeking medical care at the company's on-site health clinic in Mexico City had two primary complaints: breathing-related problems including asthma and stomach ailments.
Benefits leaders for the New York-based financial services company couldn't do much about Mexico City's smoggy air. But they tackled food safety head-on as part of a broader global wellness effort the company launched in 2009. Since then, they've educated employees about which foods are more likely to cause stomach upset, installed more refrigerators at work and opened a cafeteria in 2010.
The investment already is paying off, says Dr. Wayne Burton, the company's chief medical officer. "For 2011, the absences and health care costs have been trending down month by month," he says, although company officials declined to provide specific data, saying it was proprietary.
Increasingly, multinational companies like American Express are looking beyond U.S. borders as they try to address sometimes long-entrenched health issues. As of early 2011, just one-third of 149 multinational companies—employing 5.2 million people in 37 countries—had implemented a global wellness strategy, a Towers Watson & Co. survey shows. But an additional 47 percent of the companies planned to do so within the next two years.
The global wellness efforts aren't spawned by fears of rising health costs, since non-U.S. countries typically have nationalized health systems, says Thomas Parry, president and CEO of the Integrated Benefits Institute, a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco.
Instead, he says, "They're really focused on workplace performance. And two of the pieces are absence from work and presenteeism while at work. And that's where wellness really comes in as an investment."
Leaders at American Express, which employs slightly more than half of its 60,000 workers outside the United States, decided to pair improved health and productivity assessments with locally tailored wellness initiatives.
Since 2009, they've beefed up some existing on-site clinics to treat more than just workplace injuries and they've rolled out education programs, including food safety in Mexico and a maternity coaching program in India. All overseas employees also can now access employee assistance programs, which is an uncommon benefit outside the United States, says Robert Holdom, the company's vice president of global compensation, health and benefits.
To collect data, health risk appraisals have been introduced in 10 countries with possibly more to follow. The appraisals also include eight questions from the licensed Work Limitations Questionnaire, or WLQ, which measures the effect of employee health on workplace productivity. "If you have healthier employees, they are going to be on-site more, they are going to be better engaged and they are going to hopefully have greater retention," Holdom says.
In research involving the banking industry published in 2005 in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Burton used the WLQ to help demonstrate the health-productivity link. Information was collected from employees regarding a dozen risk factors, including smoking, weight and high stress levels. Each risk factor translated to a 2.4 percent decline in on-the-job productivity. Annually, that productivity drain adds up, costing a company between $1,392 and $2,592 per employee, the researchers found.
Holdom says that American Express officials conducted an early analysis in 2010, looking at risk factors and productivity data from its call centers near New Delhi, India. "Basically the higher the number of risk factors that an employee had on average, the worse that their customer service scores were," he says, declining to release data pending possible publication.
American Express officials are striving to customize their global wellness effort country by country. Questions about eating or exercise habits are sometimes changed, depending upon the country being surveyed, Holdom says. The focus of wellness initiatives also can vary.
In India, where American Express officials identified a high employee cesarean section rate of 63 percent, a maternity coaching program was started in 2009 to emphasize prenatal care and the potential risks of abdominal delivery. By the following year, the c-section rate was 43 percent among those women who had completed the program, Holdom says.
The health clinics in India and Mexico also have been revamped and expanded to provide preventive screenings and treat minor health issues along with worksite injuries.
In both countries, the crowded streets and health clinics can make it difficult to get medical treatment elsewhere without missing an entire work day, Holdom says.
The on-site clinics "ensure that employees get access because some people are going to forgo it [seeking care elsewhere], and then the disease gets worse," he says. This sort of proactive effort, American Express officials hope, will demonstrably pay off in healthier and more productive employees at sites thousands of miles from the company's U.S. headquarters.
Charlotte Huff is a writer based in Fort Worth, Texas. To comment, email firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Oct. 14, 2005
UCSB DailyNexus Preview
Pre-National Meet Information
Looking to qualify for the National Championships for the first time since 2001, when that Gaucho squad finished 17th in the Country, the 2005 UCSB squad returns to Terre Haute, IN as they hope to earn some at-large points for the Div. I Cross Country Championships on November 21st.
This year's Pre-Nationals will feature seventy-seven Div. I men's programs, including twenty-seven of the top forty teams split into two races vying for valuable points toward a berth at the National Championships on November 21st. In order to qualify for the National Championships a team must either do one of two things.
They may grab one of two automatic qualifying spots by finishing first or second at the Regional race (9 regions) or it may be one of thirteen teams to qualify at-large. In order to qualify at-large a team must earn points by beating another team from another region who qualifies automatically to the National Championships. A committee than goes around the country with the Regional results in hand and selects its 13 teams for the NCAA Div. I Championships.
With so many teams from different regions in Terre Haute this weekend it has become the most important meet of each for these potential "at-large" teams and provide a sneak peak at what may be in store at Cross Country Nationals. The Gauchos currently lie in 8th place in the West Region, arguably the toughest region to come out of in 2005 with the top seven teams currently ranked in the top 35.
Drawing the first race of the day, the Gauchos will race in the Men's Blue Race set to go at 11am Central Time. Scheduled to compete are thirteen of the top thirty-five teams ranked in the Coaches Poll on October 4th. UCSB will look for a few teams of the thirty-three teams entered in the Blue race to potentially score some points off of. Going into the weekend, Dartmouth ranks 22nd in the country and 2nd in the Northeast, Florida St. is ranked 17th and 2nd in the South, #21 Indiana is ranked 4th in the Great Lakes, #28 Kansas is ranked 3rd in the Midwest, #23 NC State currently lies in 3rd in the Southeast, #29 Virginia ranks 2nd in the Southeast and #15 William & Mary is 1st in the Southeast. All will toe the line against a veteran Gaucho squad.
After a disappointing 2004 Pre-Nationals, the men are looking for redemption and have thus far proven they may be ready. Leading the pack for the second year in a row is the now third year duo, Chris Ashley and Mike Chavez. At the Stanford Invitational three weeks ago, they finished 10th and 11th respectively with times in the low 24 minutes for 8,000m. Supporting them will be Seniors Scott Brandos, Alex Cardiasmenos and Scott McConville along with Juniors Tim Aukshunas and Art Avitia. A good showing here by the Gauchos will keep them on track for the National Championships on November 21st back in Indiana.


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Margarita Kazanovich
Beach GamesAbout this photograph
The distant shot gives the illusion of having a model or a reduced model in front of your eyes. The artist does not intend for the spectator to be able to identify places and even less so individuals. Margarita Kazanovich photographs moments and atmospheres. Like an illustrator drawing a sketch, the photographer captures the essential part of the moment. Between insignificant elements of formidable nature and indispensable protagonists in the history of the world, the photographer gives a tender rendition of this humanity that she just touches upon with her lens.Read more Read less
|Standard Delivery
|Icon, Classic, Colorful
|Giant, Collector, Exception
Margarita Kazanovich was born in 1976 in Soviet Kazakhstan. She took photographs with her grandfather's camera from a very young age. The arrival of digital changed her conception of photography. The associated image processing techniques offered her an unlimited number of artistic opportunities. Today she lives in Hamburg and tirelessly photographs the world around her.


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LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy Ad Blurbs (Xbox 360)
Published by
Developed by
Also For
ESRB Rating
Critic Score
100 point score based on reviews from various critics.
User Score
5 point score based on user ratings.
Advertising Blurbsgames.1c.ru (Publisher's website):
- КОНСТРУИРУЙ СРЕДСТВА ПЕРЕДВИЖЕНИЯ И УПРАВЛЯЙ ИМИ. Построй и испытай в деле футуристическую технику Star Wars!
- СОЗДАЙ И ВЫБЕРИ НУЖНЫХ ТЕБЕ ПЕРСОНАЖЕЙ. Сотвори по собственному желанию героев Star Wars миллионами доступных способов!
- ЗАДАЙ ЖАРУ ВРАГАМ НА ПАРУ С ПРИЯТЕЛЕМ. Твой друг может присоединиться к твоей игре в любой момент!
УВЛЕКАТЕЛЬНОЕ ПУТЕШЕСТВИЕ В МИР КЛАССИЧЕСКИХ «ЗВЕЗДНЫХ ВОЙН»! Знаменитая вселенная Star Wars сливается в одно целое с нескончаемой свободой конструктора LEGO, раскрывая перед нами эпическую историю оригинальной трилогии.
Особенности игры
Contributed by Klaster_1 (57965) on Feb 09, 2011.
LEGO® Star Wars® II: The Original Trilogy reunites the fun and endless customization of LEGO and combines it with the epic story, heroic characters, and exciting action of the Star Wars universe. In this highly anticipated follow-up game, follow the tongue-in-cheek, brick-based action through all three films of the original Star Wars Trilogy.
- Familiar: LEGO Star Wars II expands upon all of the fun and creativity that made the original LEGO Star Wars such a hit, this time set during the original three Star Wars films (Episodes IV, V, VI).
- Funny: Experience the original trilogy in a way only LEGO can put together, with comical reinterpretations of classic Star Wars scenes and elements.
- Furious: Master character specific attacks: Chewbacca pulls enemies' arms out of their sockets, Vader Force chokes, Leia performs a "slap" melee attack, and many more.
- Fantastic: Unlock more than 100 playable characters! Combine parts of any characters to create new ones like Darth Chewy, or Yoda Calrissian.
- Free Play: Experience a whole new Original Trilogy by revisiting levels with new characters and craft. Make Darth Maul a hero of the Rebellion, or destroy the Death Star with a TIE fighter!
- Relive the wonder of Star Wars LEGO style
- For the first time ever, characters can get in and out of vehicles, as well as ride creatures
- Mix and match the body parts of more than 50 playable characters to create one of millions of possible LEGO Star Wars heroes
- Get in and out of vehicles including the AT-ST and Speeder Bike, and ride Dewbacks and Tauntauns.
- Create unique playable characters like Yoda Kenobi, Lando Fortuna and millions more by mixing and matching the LEGO body parts of all playable characters.
- Unlock another 50-plus additional characters for Free Play – that's more than 100 total characters.
- Solve puzzles that encourage creative thinking through the use of teamwork and unique building situations only possible in a LEGO galaxy far, far away.
- Free-roaming vehicle levels and the ability to switch ships at will in Free Play
- New character-specific attacks and maneuvers and playable mini-kit vehicles
- Optional adaptive difficulty mode for true Jedi Masters
- Music and sound effects from the movies.
The Rebel Alliance is on a crusade to dismantle the Galactic Empire, even if they have to do it one piece at a time. Build and battle your way through the most memorable scenes in the Original Trilogy, from the capture of Princess Leia's Blockade Runner all the way to the battle of Endor. Look for even more of the family friendly LEGO fun that made LEGO® Star Wars® a smash hit, with its unique blend of action, puzzles and humor.
Contributed by havoc of smeg (22263) on Sep 20, 2010.
Follow the Rebel Alliance's crusade to dismantle the Galactic Empire and rebuild a galaxy in pieces - one brick at a time!
Contributed by DreinIX (10672) on May 06, 2008.
Darth Vader in a Bikini?
SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- September 12, 2006 -- LucasArts and TT Games today announced that it has shipped its hotly anticipated videogame, LEGO® Star Wars® II: The Original Trilogy,to retailers worldwide. Presale data, retailers and wide-ranging rave media reviews of the game all point to its broad appeal.
LEGO Star Wars II combines the fun and endless customization of LEGO play with a hilarious, tongue-in-cheek take on the epic story, characters and action from the classic Star Wars: Episodes IV, V and VI films. In order to provide immediate fun and accessibility for all families, LEGO Star Wars II is available on eight platforms, including the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360 and Xbox® video game systems from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCube™, Nintendo DS™, Nintendo Game Boy® Advance, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable system) and Windows.
Families Can Mix and Match Their Favorite Star Wars Heroes One of LEGO Star Wars II's most amusing new features is the Character Customizer. More than 60 playable characters, and their assorted heads, torsos, midsections and legs, can be unlocked throughout the course of the game. These parts can then be mixed and matched like actual LEGO minifigures to create the likes of Darth Threepio, Stormbacca or Ewok Organa -- there are literally millions of possibilities!
LEGO Star Wars II Is Already Garnering Rave Reviews
* Reader's Digest named the game one of "5 Things We Don't Want You to Miss" in its September 2006 issue, saying that it's "a fun-for-any-age adventure in a galaxy far, far away."
* Family Fun magazine called it one of "Our Favorite Things" in its September 2006 issue.
* Disney's Big Time! magazine in the UK asserted that LEGO Star Wars II is "The Galaxy's Greatest Game!" in their September 2006 issue.
Contributed by Guy Chapman (2001) on Mar 30, 2007.
May the Force Build With You!The Force is strong with this one.LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy takes the fun and endless customization of LEGO and combines it with the epic story, characters and action from the original Star Wars movies (Episode IV A New Hope, Episode V The Empire Strikes Back and Episode VI Return of the Jedi).With a unique tongue-in-cheek take on the Original Trilogy, LEGO Star Wars II follows the Rebel Alliance's crusade to dismantle the Galactic Empire and rebuild a galaxy in pieces.LEGO pieces, that is.Build and battle your way through your favorite film moments, from Darth Vader's pursuit of Princess Leia aboard her Blockade Runner to a showdown on the second Death Star, as the game includes even more of the family-friendly LEGO action, puzzles and humor that earned the original LEGO Star Wars such popularity and acclaim.Features
Contributed by Evil Ryu (65810) on Sep 15, 2006.
Play through a fun Star Wars galaxy that combines the endless customization of LEGO with the epic story from Star Wars Episodes IV-VI.
Build and ride classic Star Wars vehicles and get in and out to explore!
Create and customize your own playable Star Wars characters in millions of different ways.
Drop-In/Drop-Out Co-Op lets a friend join in or leave at any time, in any level.
Contributed by Corn Popper (69260) on Sep 14, 2006.


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A MINIBUS driver accused of killing a cyclist on a busy dual carriageway in Southampton should have anticipated the rider before hitting him, a court heard.
Collision investigator PC Ed Wilson told Southampton Crown Court that Steven Petterson should have spotted cyclist David Irving earlier, despite being blinded by bright sunlight.
Petterson, 38, of Waterhouse Lane, Southampton, denies causing death by careless driving after the 48-year-old cyclist died on Mountbatten Way.
Mr Irving, from Wimborne, Dorset, died of multiple injuries when he fell from his Giant bike on the busy commuter route at 8.43am on December 17, 2012.
PC Wilson told the court how detailed investigations of the crash site and Petterson's white Ford Transit minibus suggested the vehicle's nearside wing mirror hit Mr Irving's right armor elbow and brushed against his handlebars.
He told the court how calculations suggested the angle of the low sun on that morning and moisture on the road was likely to cause a glare, but said it was difficult to replicate road conditions on any given day.
He admitted it may have made it difficult for drivers to see when they came over the brow of the hill but said Petterson took at least 17 seconds from joining the road from Waterhouse Lane to the crash site and should have spotted other vehicles ahead moving out to overtake the cyclist.
The court heard how CCTV images earlier in the route showed that Mr Irving's rucksack and the way he leaned forward while riding obscured a large part of his orange luminous biking jacket.
Under cross-examination PC Wilson admitted that coming over the brow of the hill it would have been "virtually impossible" to see Mr Irving and he may have "blended into the background".
Mark Florida James, for Petterson, suggested that the three lanes at Mountbatten Way are wide enough for cars to overtake without switching lanes.


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How to Revive a Room in a Weekend
For about $500
Replace accent furniture Locked into the matching three-piece end-and-coffee-tables scenario? Rethink size, style, placement and purpose of these pieces. One alternative: We wrapped low shelves around the back of a sofa. Also try exchanging a small accent table for a skirted tall piece offering concealed storage underneath. Or let two ottomans, with tops that flip to cushions or trays, stand in for the standard coffee table, providing easy mobility and double function.
Add a rug An area rug anchors our newly arranged seating group. It also injects lively pattern into the room, enhancing the plain furniture.
Continue to slide 2 to see what our room looked like before the makeover; slides 3 to 8 show more ideas for weekend facelifts ranging from about $300 to free. Slide 9 has product resources.
Before the makeover
Here's what our room looked like before. You can re-create a room with a new color scheme. But don't start from scratch. Choose a dominant shade from what you want to keep (here it was our sectional), then add fresh secondary hues for a totally different look.
For about $300
Paint wood trim Oak bookcases, baseboards and window trim rejuvenated with crisp white paint visually enlarge this room and give it a fresh, clean look.
For about $200
Bring in art The fireplace focal piece led to our new color scheme.
Revitalize lighting Update a ceiling fixture. Replace floor and table lamps (or revamp lamps with updated shades).
For about $100
Change the wall color We chose a soft taupe-gray to highlight the tones in the slate fireplace surround.
Refurbish seating Choose a fashionable fabric and re-cover loose cushions on a chair or sofa for a new look.
For about $50
Layer on color Repeat a secondary hue (here it's aqua) throughout the room by adding small boxes, vases, art and pillows in that color.
Reframe photos Grouping family photos in the same style and/or finish of frames and mats brings cohesiveness to a mismatched mix. Our dark brown wood frames also echo the tones of the wood furniture.
Rearrange the furniture No need to replace large pieces. Reconsider their placement and usage. We broke up a sectional, positioning the long section for easier TV viewing. The end piece--grouped with ottoman, floor lamp and laptop table--is a great place to go online or cozy up with a book.
Declutter bookshelves Keep a light look by limiting books to half a shelf or putting them in baskets. Group just a few select accents, which will give the shelves room to breathe.
Reinvent accessories A mirror relocated from the bedroom adds style and reflects light here. Art pieces from the wall look brand new when layered in tabletop vignettes instead.
Product resources
Art (Over fireplace) 597-981 Marrakech I. Crate and Barrel (800/967-6696; crateandbarrel.com).
Bookshelf tables 15-2212405 bookshelf side tables (3), color: Chocolate. West Elm (866/937-8356; westelm.com).
Cabinet paint Cabinet Transformations. Rust-Oleum (888/577-8459; rustoleumtransformations.com).
Ceiling light fixture 19566 20-1/2-inch Forecast Embarcadero Collection. Lamps Plus (800/782-1967; lampsplus.com).
Fabric on chair cushions FF016 Malabar Gray (by the yard). Ballard Designs (800/367-2775; ballarddesigns.com).
Laptop table 05-1443795 framed side table. West Elm (see Bookshelf tables).
Photo frames Michaels Stores (800/642-4235; michaels.com).
Pillows 15-1598713 (18 x18 inch) and #15-1598614 (24x24 inch) faux suede/linen, color: Horseradish (Gold). West Elm (see Bookshelf tables).
Ottomans 0142700400 Cooper ottoman (2), color: Light Cream. Home Decorators Collection (877/537-8539; homedecorators.com).
Rug XH8005 Soho dhurri (8x11 feet), color: 0811YE yellow. Shades of Light (877/288-5029; shadesoflight.com).
Skirted table 3829 all-purpose shelf table, W3831 beveled-glass top and W3830 table skirt. Wisteria (800/320-9757; wisteria.com).
Wall paint AF-100 Pashmina. Benjamin Moore (benjaminmoore.com).