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Moderated by Rick Badie
U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson has co-sponsored legislation to require federal lending agencies to consider a borrower's expected energy costs when they underwrite mortgages. The SAVE Act has support from consumer groups and the housing and manufacturing industries. The mortgage banking industry says the profession is regulated enough.
By Todd Raba and Allan Merrill
For those in the housing industry, including home building and mortgage lending, the Great Recession was almost as hard a blow as the Great Depression. The home building and contracting sector — a key source of good blue-collar jobs — saw unemployment rates soar more than twice the national average. It will likely be years before the housing sector fully recovers.
There are signs of hope for home building. New legislation — known as the SAVE (Sensible Accounting to Value Energy) Act — would bring the cost of energy and the value of energy efficiency into the home appraisal/mortgage process. It would reward homeowners and builders for installing more insulation, better windows and more-efficient HVAC systems. It would be a boon for homeowners, home contractors and builders, and a boost for energy efficiency.
Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., is leading the charge on the SAVE Act, co-sponsored by Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo. It is based on a simple premise: that the value of a home should reflect real energy costs and the real financial benefit of making a home more energy-efficient. The senator hopes his bill will allow American homeowners to finance cost-effective home energy upgrades as part of traditional mortgages, improving access to the comfort and money-saving benefits of efficiency without increasing the cost of home ownership.
Home owners and buyers frequently learn their energy bills each year add up to more than property taxes or home insurance. If more homeowners knew that going in, they'd have a greater appreciation for the pocketbook benefits of installing greater levels of insulation and other products aimed at reducing heating and cooling costs.
When Isakson introduced the SAVE Act last fall, he pointed to a national study conducted by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy and the Institute for Market Transformation that estimates the SAVE Act, by the year 2020, would create 83,000 factory and construction jobs and generate $1.1 billion in savings to consumer energy bills.
Moreover, the SAVE Act would help make more secure the more than 250 jobs at the Johns Manville insulation manufacturing facility in Winder as well as spark additional manufacturing and construction jobs throughout the state. The Leading Builders of America expects the SAVE Act to add construction jobs in Georgia.
A few people in the mortgage industry have raised concerns that the SAVE Act will make it more difficult for prospective homeowners to obtain mortgages. Those fears, as Isakson knows, are misplaced. In fact, the SAVE Act specifically directs lending institutions to adjust their loan calculations to make it more likely that new homeowners will be able to pay their mortgages. And energy-efficiency improvements actually reduce home-ownership costs.
Isakson's SAVE Act is a win for builders, contractors and insulation manufacturers, for current and future homeowners and energy efficiency. It'll go a long way toward getting the Georgia housing and renovation industry out of the Great Recession.
Todd Raba is chief executive officer of Johns Manville, a Denver-based manufacturer. Allan P. Merrill is chief executive officer of Atlanta-based Beazer Homes USA.
By Rick Badie
A coalition of high-profile organizations and organizations stand behind the SAVE ACT, a bill that would require federal loan agencies to add heat and electricity costs to a home's value in mortgage underwriting.
However, the mortgage banking and financial industries aren't too keen on the legislation. I talked to Michael McQuiggan, managing partner for California-based Tri-Emerald Financial Group and chairman of the green lending committee for the Mortgage Bankers Association, about SAVE.
Q: Who stands to benefit the most from SAVE, homeowners or underwriters?
A: Everyone benefits from having greener, more energy-efficient homes, but the lenders would have to verify more information to make the loans. The homeowner may have to be patient in the closing schedule to ensure the additional steps are taken. This will also result in additional costs to the consumer at the front end of the process.
Q: What effect has the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act had on mortgage lending?
A: The industry has seen the dozens of new regulations dealing with the mortgage origination process. The biggest concern is the difference in definition and calculations of points and fees. A lender may be in compliance under one new regulation only to find out they are out of compliance with another based on the way the rules are applied. To add new regulations under the SAVE Act will add more layers of calculating who will get access to credit.
Q: Has Dodd-Frank resulted in a more transparent process?
A: Perhaps Dodd-Frank's largest impact has been the required change in the mortgage purchase disclosures. Before Dodd-Frank, lenders were required to share the good faith estimate at application, the settlement statement and the truth-in-lending disclosure, all of which worked somewhat independently. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is currently conducting a regulatory public request for comment to align those forms to help consumers understand their loan and make better decisions.
Q: How difficult is "green lending?"
A: It isn't necessarily difficult, but obtaining the necessary resources to rate a home's energy efficiency – for instance, obtaining the services of an auditor – might be impossible in some locations. Energy efficient mortgages – special loans so that the borrower may take out a larger loan than they would typically qualify for because the utility costs would be presumably lower – require home energy efficiency audits and verifications, though some homeowners wanting financing for energy efficiency upgrades have turned to simpler personal loans, home improvement loans or home equity lines of credit. We like green lending. It's just that, with all the regulations already coming out of the Dodd-Frank legislation, we are being inundated with regulations.
Q: Are consumers knowledgeable about green homes?
A: An ordinary home buyer asks about the number of bedrooms, baths, the condition of the kitchen and then they get on to the price, local area taxes and maybe utility costs.
Q: Has the Mortgage Bankers Association taken a position on the SAVE Act?
A: The MBA has not taken a position on the Save Act.
By Janis Bowdler
Home ownership could become out of reach for millions of Americans because of a little-known provision of the Dodd-Frank consumer protection bill called the qualified residential mortgage (QRM).
Designed to prevent lenders from making the kind of risky loans that contributed to the 2008 economic collapse, Dodd-Frank required lenders to keep 5 percent of a loan's risk on their books so they "maintain some skin in the game." However, banks would be exempt from the 5 percent rule if the loan was deemed to be a "qualified residential mortgage." Federal regulators are now trying to define what exactly a "qualified residential mortgage" looks like and could possibly include a 20 percent down payment rule as part of the criteria.
This down payment would devastate the ailing housing market and discriminate against millions of home buyers. It prevents qualified buyers from attaining an integral part of the American dream.
Under the proposal, the average Atlanta family would have to save nearly $56,000 to cover a 20 percent down payment and 5 percent closing costs on a median-priced home. Black and Hispanic families make up two-thirds of the Atlanta population. Based on U.S. Census estimates, black and Hispanic families would have to save for 21 and 23 years, respectively, to make up a down payment. Although the metro area's white families have higher incomes, it would still take them more than a decade (13 years to reach the goal.
How does that help Atlanta's hard-hit real estate market inch toward recovery? It doesn't.
A study by the Center for Responsible Lending found that a mandated 20 percent down payment would exclude 60 percent of credit-worthy borrowers and hit minority communities even harder, with up to 75 percent of African-Americans and 70 percent of Latinos unable to qualify. Many agree that the mandate is too severe. Roughly 12,000 (mostly negative) comments were filed by banks, civil rights groups, mortgage companies and members of Congress when regulators originally proposed the 20 percent QRM.
The regulators who are proposing this draconian penalty on potential homeowners are the same regulators who were asleep at the wheel in 2008 and allowed the nation's housing market to drive off a cliff. Responsible lending standards and the ability of the borrower to repay the loan are better ways of reducing the risk of default. No one should expect the housing market to bounce back until prospective homeowners have access to quality loans.
Home ownership is the foundation of generational wealth and a stepping stone to the middle class. Along with peace of mind, home ownership provides equity to start a new business, pay for education and achieve greater financial security. When you take home ownership away from citizens, they're less likely to climb the social ladder and achieve part of the American dream.
Janis Bowdler is director of the Wealth-Building Project for the National Council of La Raza.
September 13th, 2012
5:38 pm
Finally a Free-market mechanism that simply informs prospective building owners on the efficiency of the product they are about to buy. The introduction of CAFE standards in the Auto industry to show the mpg of the product certainly didn't reduce demand, just the opposite—it provided an informed consumer with more choice, and allowed Auto dealers to sell more value than vanity mirrors and cup holders. This is how we create jobs in America without throwing grant money and funding at the problem, show consumers that they don't build them like they used to ….they build them better and show the performance data to prove it. I for one want to know how my prospective home will perform based on simple easy to understand standards that better reflect my carrying costs. Gosh, with this information I could chose to take on a higher mortgage knowing my monthly savings exceeded my increased monthly mortgage payment.
September 13th, 2012
9:05 am
A wasted effort. And this one is from the Republicans.
We just do not need any more regulations.
September 12th, 2012
8:24 pm
"…the Great Recession was almost as hard a blow …"
"Great Recession", another media catchphrase. It certainly wasn't "great" in a good way, and it wasn't the worst recession in recent history (the 1980-82 one has that honor).
Recessions in the U.S. occur (since 1854) on average about every 39 months. The media's "Great" recession ended ~ June 2009 so statistically we're due. If the next one is worse will they call it the "Greater Recession"?
September 12th, 2012
4:39 pm
Why is that Republicans fight so hard to be the With-Holders of ALL that is GOOD and FAIR for the American People. Are we NOT citizens of America TOO?
Americans deserve the best care and concern from our Leaders and the many decisions to support Legislation as stated above goes contrary to that CARE across the BOARD.
September 12th, 2012
2:03 pm
While the objective here sounds good I wonder if it just adds another layer of needless bureaucracy to an industry that is in dire need of recovery. I also wonder if the Government's energy rating for homes will be any more accurate than the ones they place on automobiles. To add a requirement that each individual home must have a unique energy evaluation simply seems unneeded and I fear potentially inaccurate.
I suspect a better idea would be improved education and general disclosure to potential buyers related to the "real" cost of home ownership. This does not need to be specific to their potential purchase, but could include data related to homes of similar size and vintage. However, at the end of the day remember – Caveat emptor.


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Weekend Meditation: Persnickety
We all have at least one thing we're fussy about when it comes to cooking and the food we eat. It could be at that we never eat runny egg yolks, or that a certain sponge is only used for the counters and another sponge is only used for the dishes. Maybe we always roast our chicken in a particular way, or we cannot abide mushrooms in any way, shape or form. Perhaps we never cook (really cook) because we can't tolerate a messy kitchen, or we have to pull out our measuring stick every time we dice a carrot. Finicky, fastidious, punctilious. Persnickety. Is this you?
Often our fussiness has its roots in something legitimate, some sense of taking care of ourselves or preventing harm. We're being careful and cautious because we want to feel safe and happy. At the very least our fussiness allows us to avoid a slightly unpleasant experience, such as a taste or texture we find icky, or a certain amount of disorder that is unsettling.
But the true motivator of persnicketiness is fear. Fear of an unpleasant experience, maybe, or the fear that comes when things are unpredictable or out of our control. Or the bigger fear that whatever we are about to do may harm or even kill us. Which is very helpful, if there really is something to watch out for. But is that always the case?
Fears have their place (they can keep us safe) but often we just take them for granted, whether they are helpful or not. We fall into a pattern of accepting that what we are afraid of is actually dangerous and we never question it. And by doing that, we are potentially living a life that is unnecessarily limited.
I think its an interesting and possibly life changing experiment to challenge our inert fussiness once and a while. The first step is to notice when we're having a fear-based reaction or decision. We do this by paying attention to what fear feels like when it arises (occupy the present moment!) and allowing ourselves a choice in that moment. Sometimes we're so bought into our belief that something is bad or unpleasant that we've forgotten that it's possible we could be wrong. We can say 'Ew, I hate coconut' and pass on that amazing looking dessert. Or we can think 'That looks really good, despite the fact that it is covered in coconut. I wonder if maybe I should try a little bite.'
The kitchen is a perfect place to experiment with this, as it is so central to both our capacity for pleasure and our capacity for fear. Take a taste that food that you are convinced you hate or are fearful of (go on, just a tiny bite!) Let your kitchen get completely trashed in the process of making a complicated but deeply satisfying meal. Try a new method, a new cuisine. Leave the ruler in the drawer and put your spices back out of order. Do something you never do because you were convinced you would not like it!
I think you'll be surprised and maybe even delighted by this experiment. Maybe you'll discover a whole new cuisine that you absolutely love or that a little messiness or unevenness or newness won't kill you. Maybe you'll discover that being wound tightly around something is in itself an unpleasant experience, perhaps even more unpleasant than whatever it is you're avoiding.
Of course there are commonsense things we don't do because they are indeed harmful or disruptive, and understanding the difference between that kind of practicality and a fear-based limitation is an important thing to know. Which is what this experiment is all about. Teaching yourself about yourself. Teaching yourself the wisdom and sensitivity (and trust) to make wholesome choices, choices that will help you to fully participate in this brief, bright spark called your precious human life.
Have you ever allowed yourself to break free of your persnickety ways? Was it worth it? What fear is holding you back?
Related: Weekend Meditation: Nourishing the Hungry Ghosts
(Image: The Odd Couple)
10 Comments
I'm probably the least persnickety person I know when it comes to the kitchen & food. But I do not like anything jellied or gristly. I have tried, tried, tried and I can't get past it. When I was kid my idea of horror was jello with fruit cocktail in it (sorry, but my mom made this as a special Sunday dish!). At least she was sympathetic enough to make me a juice glass of plain jello, which I could just bear by melting it in my mouth before swallowing. I've often wondered where this comes from, it's completely about the textures, not the tastes.
As a new vegetarian, I've been digging to find cuisines that are accommodating. I discovered a few months ago that I love Indian food (despite having decided in college that I HATED it), and this weekend I daringly suggested we get Ethiopian (another cuisine my college-self detested). And? It was delicious! (And healthy-- I felt so good afterwards!)
Growing up in the midwest, where the spiciest thing was a gordita from Taco Bell, I had pretty white bread tastes. It's been scary coming out of my food shell (both for cooking and eating out), but it's been exhilarating, too. I guess I'm pretty controlling of my environment... maybe this is helping me relinquish control a little. (I hope!)
I'm 29 years old and I ate my very first poached egg this weekend! If I didn't think about it, it was delicious. Baby steps... baby steps
Hmmm...interesting points, but I disagree with the premise that having preferences or tastes is akin to being persnickety or finicky or that it's about fear. There is a huge difference between simply not liking runny egg yolks (which I don't; they make me gag) and having to pull out a ruler to dice a carrot or being unable to cook because it causes a mess (which are a bit more indicative of OCD than anything else). I don't really think they can be lumped together like that.
YES. Ironically, the kitchen is probably the one place in my life where I am the most fearless. I beat myself up when I make mistakes in other areas of life and worry a lot, but I hardly ever worry about the kitchen or cooking (think about, feel guilty about not cleaning it, plan for it? Yes.). And I'm always trying new things (except shellfish and goat cheese - I'm allergic) and tweaking recipes and doing things like "I wonder what would happen if I substituted this ingredient for this other one." Some of my favorite dishes have been happy mistakes. And if the meal is mediocre? No different than going out to eat. ;)
I tend to be a bit anal about sponges and such, but for health reasons. As far as food goes, I can be a bit picky but as I age I get a lot better. I can't place all the blame on my mother, but she did cater to my food demands when I was a child and I think that may have contributed to my pickiness. Also, she was very particular about what she would and wouldn't eat (no runny scrambled eggs, things always prepeared a very specific way) and my brothers and I ate exactly like her for a long time. My younger brother still orders food using her exact phrasing and it drives me batty. Like, why don't you try it another way and not the way our mother likes it?! But my mother was very kitchen-oriented and therefore a lot of my habits developed from helping her from a very early age. I learned very early on to "clean as you go" and clean and re-use measuring cups, spoons, etc.-- unlike my husband who uses every.single.dish.and.spoon.in.the.kitchen. argh!
My kitchen's usually messy, and I often estimate quantities. BUT I am enraged by soggy pasta, unintentionally sticky rice (broken grains, ugh!), undersalted pasta, overcooked meat. I suspect these things would annoy most people who cook a lot.
I remember in the olden days that every time I saw a recipe that called for yeast, I just turned the page. And then one day, I decided that I was not going to let yeast be the boss of me. That was the start of many adventures with this living baking buddy. Soon people coveted my Sunday late afernoon soup and homebaked bread supper invites. I said to a friend who is a bread baker that I had not ever baked anything with yeast that didn't turn out well. His response? Luuuuucky! Your post gives "rise" to this memory.
I am so persnickety and stubborn about it but have recently had my own insight to this weekend meditation that has allowed to me to be able to take a breath and step out of the situation most of the time. It's difficult to overcome this little behavioral patterns but it can make such a big difference.
I'm not really finicky (except when it comes to the few foods that I just CAN'T like no matter how hard I try), but I'm definitely a bit of an OCD weirdo in the kitchen. I like things to be done a certain way and it drives me CRAZY when they're not. Slices of veggies in a salad need to look pretty and be as uniform as possible, fried eggs need to have cooked whites and lava-like yolks, pasta waters needs to be perfectly salted, plates need to look pretty if they're being served to guests... It's the kind of stuff that keeps my boyfriend out of the kitchen most of the time, probably out of fear (sorry)!
But that stuff only applies in my own kitchen when I'm cooking for myself. I don't demand it from restaurants or other people's kitchens!

subset: commoncrawl


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Finding your keys is the least of your worries when you can't even remember where you parked the car. Unfortunately for Gov. Rick Perry, his memory lapse is having a much bigger impact than a lost automobile. If you missed the Presidential debate Wednesday night, he had quite the brain freeze when he forgot one of the three agencies he would eliminate if elected into office. Oops.
That's where Marbles comes in. Being a brain store where one of the five areas of function we focus on is Memory, we felt it was our job to put together a gift package to send to Gov. Perry. You may not know him, but you may know someone who struggles with their memory who could benefit from one of these gifts as much as him. Without further ado, we present to you the Top 10 Gifts for Rick Perry.


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What has always astonished me about the Iraq War is the utter lack of evidence, especially visual evidence, provided by the Bush administration (or anyone for that matter). In contrast, the Cuban Missile Crisis, as I remembered it, was chock a block with visual evidence. Detailed, annotated photographs of ships en route to Cuba carrying tarp-covered missiles filled the front pages of major dailies. Aerial photographs of the missile build-up in Cuba with explanatory arrows and callouts were part of the evening news. But I wondered if my memory of the past had acquired too much of a golden glow. As historians are well aware, memory plays tricks and can rewrite the past. How could I test these historical memories—one fairly recent and one considerably older? That cyber-Swiss-army-knife Google, of course.
Using the search terms "cuban missile crisis" and "Iraq weapons of mass destruction," I did a crude frequency distribution of the first 100 images associated with each search array. Both sets of images shared similar categories: visual evidence (photographs or documentary images that provided evidence for either missiles or WMD), maps (providing geographical location or other visual evidence), people apparently discussing or talking about missiles or WMD, illustrations (a range of persons, places, or things associated with incident to wholly misplaced, idiotic visual filler), cartoons, and bad web art. Although the images illustrating Iraq and WMDs contain the greatest number of images wholly unrelated to the topic, they are not the most compelling. The difference between the visual evidence and maps categories is, however, striking. (To be sure, this is a crude experiment, but this is a blog, so I'm not going to do a methodology section.)
The number of visual evidence images and maps associated with the Cuban Missile Crisis (hereafter Cuba) was thirty-five (35); in contrast, the number of images and maps that could be remotely (and I mean remotely) construed as evidence for WMDs in Iraq (hereafter Iraq) was nineteen (19). While the majority of Cuba aerial photographs were annotated, only three of the Iraq images possessed any annotation. The Iraq images made little attempt to explain the photograph to the reader either via captioning or associated text. (What, for example, is the significance of a chlorine plant and phenol plant in close proximity?) In contrast, the Cuba images taught a mini-course in aerial photo interpretation via their annotations, captions and accompanying text. The maps are interesting also in that the Cuba maps often provided some geographical context, highlighted specific locations, and showed the possible effect of an Cuba-based attack on the US mainland. The Iraq maps seldom showed Iraq's geographical relationship to any other nation state and rarely located specific WMD sites. Iraq was usually depicted as floating in geographic space. The single map illustrating the range of an Iraqi WMD attack showed that Iraq had little in the way of effective delivery systems. Finally, what was most interesting is the number of images in which Bush administrators ostensibly discussed, talked about, argued for the evidence of Iraqi WMDs instead of furnishing it—a kind of argument-free, faith-based foreign policy.


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Commission members fail to show for meeting
The Webster Parish Convention and Visitor's Bureau Commission must call an emergency meeting to complete Tuesday's agenda as several commissioners dropped the ball when they failed to show at the scheduled quarterly meeting.
"In the four years I have been on this commission, we have never had this issue," said WPCVC President Kerry Easley. "I apologize to everyone who came here and wasted their time. This is quite embarrassing."Subscribe to Read!


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Our goal at the CUNY CAT is to encourage and support industry/University collaborations on fundamental research projects. As several engineering and science faculty have begun commercializing their own research discoveries, there is an unmet need for the placement of faculty-initiated industrial entities. As a result, our faculty must locate to off-campus commercial incubators. The absence of a local, faculty-focused incubator has placed undue financial and temporal burdens on our entrepreneurial faculty.
For this reason, members of the CUNY CAT have been assisting in the development of the City College Engineering and Science Technology Incubator (CCESTI) to address this immediate need of our research faculty. It is anticipated that, in the long term, the CCESTI will serve as a working model for the establishment of a large Entrepreneurship Center, which will meet the training and industrial needs of the New York City basic and applied-research business communities.
Businesses and faculty interested in learning more about CUNY CAT Entrepreneurial Facilities please contact:John A. Blaho, Ph.D.


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I want to share with you something REALLY awesome I discovered!
I'm getting an awesome side-income simply by doing surveys for big corporations that spend LOTS to learn more about me and you to know what we want to buy in their stores.
I'm being paid $20 - $95 for any surveys I do and they only take like 5 minutes to get done. Plus you can do this from just about anywhere in the world you've wished to travel! :-)


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Jaguar F-Type
With the upcoming Paris Motor Show next week, more and more releases are hitting the web! The latest is the official release of Jaguar's F-Type, which has been named their E-Type successor. The first picture of the car was leaked on the web, causing Jag to release an official image of the new ride, but it'll still make its big public debut at next week's Motor Show.
As you can tell by the photo, the F-Type borrows some design cues from last years' C-X16 concept, while under the hood is said to be a V6 3.0-liter supercharged engine that pumps out 335 hp and 332 lb.-ft. But Jag will also offer a more powerful, supercharged V8 5.0-liter that will output somewhere around 503 hp and 542 hp.


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The Phillies pounded Tampa Bay yesterday, winning 10-1 on a day in which they started Freddy Galvis in left field and Galvis played very well, handling left and delivering two hits, including a two-run homer.
The pitching was fantastic for the Phils as they held the Rays to three hits and two walks. Valdes, Stutes, Horst, Bastardo and Papelbon all pitched well for the Phillies.
It was a little hard to notice with all the Freddy Galvis starting in left field going on.
There are a whole bunch of reasons you don't want to ever see Freddy Galvis starting in left field for the Phillies in a game that matters. One is that he has a career on-base percentage of .292 in the minors. Another is that he has a career on-base percentage of .254 in the majors. A third would be that he's not an outfielder.
He went 2-for-4 with three RBI in the game, hitting a two-run homer in the fifth and delivering an RBI-single in the sixth. He's hitting 300/319/586 with 12 extra-base hits in 73 plate appearances. He's tied with Howard for the team lead in extra-base hits.
Just monster power for Galvis this spring. His isolated power is at .286, which is nutty. Only one player in the National League with 50 or more plate appearances ended 2012 with an isolated power of .286 or better — Giancarlo Stanton was at .318. Galvis's isolated power in 2,179 plate appearances in the minor leagues is .075. In 200 plate appearances in the majors it's .137.
Tiny number of at-bats, of course, and if they ask you if that's likely to go down from here you want to say yes. Several Phils have delivered a higher isolated power than Galvis this spring, including Brown, Howard and Pete Orr.
Frandsen 1-for-4 with a double and three RBI. 283/306/517.
Brown had three hits, going 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles. 373/429/675.
Quintero 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI to raise his spring average to .296 (8-for-27 with a double). He's been bad defensively, but he's a very good defensive player and I will be surprised if he's not the backup catcher.
Howard 2-for-4 with a pair of singles. 338/369/675.
Revere led off and was 0-for-3 with a walk to drop his average to .316. Rollins is hitting .286 and on-basing .429 after going 1-for-4 with a single.
Inciarte was 0-for-1 and is hitting 250/357/292.
Valdes started the game for the Phils was fantastic, striking out five while allowing a run on two hits over three innings. He struck out two in a 1-2-3 first and another two in a 1-2-3 second. He allowed a run on a single and a double in the third.
Valdes allowed four home runs over his first 7 1/3 innings pitched this spring, but has been much better since. After 17 1/3 innings he has now thrown to a 4.15 ERA with an 0.92 ratio. He's allowed two earned runs over his last ten innings, which is a 1.80 ERA. Again, his ratio with the Phillies in 2012 was 0.74. He allowed 18 hits in 31 innings and opponents hit .168 against him. I think the Phillies would be making a big mistake if they didn't carry him to start the season.
Stutes took over for the Phils in the fourth. He allowed a one-out walk, but got the next hitter to ground into a double-play.
7.36 ERA and a 1.73 ratio for Stutes. He has walked nine in 11 innings.
Horst followed Stutes and was good as well, allowing a single over two scoreless innings.
Like Valdes, Horst struggled early. He has been even better since. After five innings, Horst had a 14.40 ERA and had allowed four home runs. He hasn't allowed an earned run in ten innings since and now has a 4.80 ERA and a 1.27 ratio for the spring.
Bastardo started the eighth and got the two men he faced before leaving the game.
4.32 ERA and a 1.20 ratio for Bastardo. Opponents have hit .212 against him.
Papelbon pitched the ninth. He struck out the first two batters he faced on six pitches before getting Mike Fontenot to line to third and end the game.
9.82 ERA and a 1.50 ratio for Papelbon. Like Valdes and Horst, he's been a whole lot better recently after a miserable start. Papelbon allowed eight earned runs in his first 1 2/3 innings pitched — since then he's thrown 5 2/3 scoreless frames.
Colby Shreve threw a scoreless inning in the game and Steven Inch faced one batter (who he retired to end the eighth).
Cole Hamels is expected to start this afternoon as the Phils face the Tigers.
This article from the Phillies web site suggests Horst and Valdes are front-runners for two of the remaining bullpen spots and Aumont has the edge over Stutes for the other.
This suggests that Pete Orr and Inciarte could be competing for the final spot on the bench. Orr is hitting 308/308/615 in 28 at-bats this spring (8-for-26 with a triple, two home runs and no walks).
This article talks about who the sixth starter for the Phillies is now that they've cut ties with Rodrigo Lopez and Aaron Cook. The answer is probably Tyler Cloyd. Who the sixth starter is seems to be important given the combination of Kendrick being the fourth starter and the lack of certainty around Halladay.


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Mr. Mac
With unquestioned authority Mr. Angus MacWithey taught woodshop and mechanical drawing to unruly adolescent boys, including the Bad Class, as our group was called. He never raised his voice or made a threat. However, he wielded a lethal, pale blue stare of disapproval, supported by a samurai carriage of his body.
He led us would-be thugs into the first intellectual discussion I can remember. How do you determine the front of an object, he asked?
Urn, if it moved, the side that would go first? (Then which side of a factory would that be?) The largest side? (Then which side of a cube would that be?) The part where something comes in or out? (So the front of a toilet is from below, or above? Or is the front of your car where the doors are? Or the trunk?) We reasoned and theorized for a session of some length. Juvenile-delinquent philosophers, Aristotelian hoodlums. So Mr. MacWithey taught us the nature of definition.
He also taught analogical thinking. A Rip saw can be distinguished from a Crosscut because the Rip teeth have the shape made by the upright and leg of the letter "R."
I brought him my drawing, the dimension lines and drawing lines executed with distinguishing degrees of pressure, laboriously, as he told us to do. Something's missing, he said. What, Mr. Mac? Gently he tapped my head, then his. I had forgotten the arrowheads on the dimension lines.
An arrowhead, he taught us, is not a graceless "V" plunked at the tip of a dimension line like two ribs of a broken umbrella teetering on its handle. The twin barbs of an arrowhead should curve gracefully away from the dimension line's tip, like water dividing away from the point of a boat's prow. So he taught the significance of formal beauty, and its traditions, as well.
Once he ordered me to tell the class my semester grade: "A." He commended me to the other little brutes: someone with not much talent who had worked hard. (In English, Social Studies, Mathematics, I was getting D and C, an occasional F.)
He taught me to value work, and to understand that I was capable of work. He respected his material and he respected us: on principle and because that was his work.
(The front of an object is the view that gives the most information about it.)


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LawVest shows £3.2m operating loss in first year
Readers' comments (6)
From what I can see the business model is to provide fixed price legal services through solicitors and a barristers chambers. The problem is that people equate fixed price with cut price conveyancing, and expect their divorce to be done for a guaranteed fixed price of say £300. From what I've seen of the fixed prices quoted, by this business, they certainly aren't cheap. This means that they are competing against firms that will cheerfully agree a fixed price as long as it's a realistic one.
In practice nearly all firms will agree a fixed price for a job once they see what's involved and can price it realistically. So, I see problems with a business model that attracts those who expect low fixed prices when the prices are not low.
A question: Is the £170k turnover the income of Lawvest including the two subsidiaries or not? If it is, that's not much income at all is it? If it isn't including the subsidiaries though, surely it's a meaningless figure as the income of Riverview and the barristers will be the pertinent figure here.
Am I reading the article wrongly?
£1.2m on marketing!
That's probably more than the (enormous) marketing team at Dickie Dees spend. Wow.
What a client gets is costs certainty, but fixed cost does not always equal lowest cost.
If Riverview takes off it will show the value of branding and marketing of a product that you can from almost every traditional firm, style over substance if you like. How they differentiate themselves is to make fixed fee their headline offering, not something to mention if the client baulks at the suggestion of hourly rates.
Their current start-up burn rate is something an e-commerce business would be proud of.
The website gives some fees indications. For example a divorce case would be taken up to and including the FDR hearing for a fixed fee starting at £23,500 plus VAT. I asked a family lawyer about these fee levels and she said this was over twice what she saw as the average. It is going to take skilled marketing to convince clients that they are getting a much better service than if they shopped around and haggled over fixed fees, particularly as some desperate ex legal aid family lawyers would be prepared to do the work for very little.
I also had a look at their terms and it looks like for the portfolio/retainer work (where fixed fees would be interesting for clients) they have so many exclusions as for the retainer to be meaningless. You'd be outside of it almost straight away.
If you're going to sell fixed fees, you have to sell on quality or expertise as well. Certainty alone is not enough. Every law firm will give you a fixed fee against a scope. Virtually everything I do is a fixed fee against a scope, so they're not really setting the world on fire here by offering that more expensively...


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EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) -- Drew Crawford scored 19 points and blocked the potential tying 3-pointer at the buzzer to lead Northwestern to a 63-60 double-overtime victory over Purdue hours after a shooting on the Boilermakers' campus on Tuesday.
Crawford scored four points in the second OT and delivered the big block on Ronnie Johnson off an inbounds pass as time expired to preserve the win.
Tre Demps added 19 points, and the Wildcats (10-10, 3-4 Big Ten) prevailed on an emotional night for the Boilermakers (13-6, 3-3).
An engineering student opened fire inside a basement classroom at Purdue earlier in the day, killing a teaching assistant, and there was a moment of silence before the game.
The Boilermakers were not on campus when the shooting occurred. They made the 140-mile trip from West Lafayette, Ind., on Monday because there was snow in the forecast and there were no classes due to Martin Luther King Day.
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Therefore many of them believed;
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Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
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Ryan and Dan are longtime friends who have played hundreds of role-playing games together over the years. Dan's become bored with what he sees as "safe" gameplay recently and decided to shake it up, taking more risks with his character. Ryan says this type of play doesn't fit with their style and is ruining everyone's fun. Who's right? Who's wrong? Only one man can decide.
Judge John Hodgman is ably assisted yet again by guest Bailiff Monte Belmonte of the terrific WRSI The River in Northampton, MA. Thanks again to Monte and WRSI for helping us produce this show!
And thanks to Tavie P. for suggesting this week's case name! To suggest a title for a future episode, like us on Facebook at Judge John Hodgman! We regularly put a call for submissions.
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Hodgman: "Mellow him out... with death."
After listening to the episode, I was inspired to draw this. You can see the image on my blog: sticksstonesandherringbones.tumblr.com/post/59147048836/it-came-from-lake-wobegon-garrison-keillor-with
Yes, Lion cuts are a thing. As others have posted, they are good for removing the clumps that can form on long-hair cats. We gave one to our cat Casey, as he is getting older, and was not doing as well at grooming as he had when he was younger.
Yes, he looks totally ridiculous. He required no anesthesia, and didn't seem to mind at all. Actually, he has become much more affectionate. Perhaps because he's trying to tell us he's cold. But it's August in Indiana. It's not cold.
Your other cat didn't take any time to start mocking Casey mercilessly, did he? He's in that crate laughing his head off.
Don't try and convince us you came up with the idea of Bunnies and Burrows first (Fantasy games Unlimited 1976.)
I played a years-long game of D&D (3.5) with a party who generally planned and planned. One character with "poor impulse control" provided an wonderful internal struggle. It was guaranteed that "Boldurin" would rush into conflict without thinking. It was up to the rest of the party to plan ahead to get him drunk or distracted if a bull rush would spoil the plan, or to count on it an enjoy the chaos that ensued.
Having a party that does not share identical philosophy and skill sets allows for deeper stories and interesting role playing. Player-to-player disputes provide another layer to the story telling, gives opportunities for the GM to exploit, and both lasts longer and is more memorable than most encounters (Garrison Kraken not withstanding).
This conflict need not be the beginning of the end of this group, but could spawn a refreshed beginning if the other players responded to Dan's character's actions in game rather than in court.
You guys, Dan is totally correct that a character who acts first isn't necessarily a thin character; A bookish character is just as capable of being thin. It's the sum total of the character and their complexities, and their interactions with other PCs and NPCs that make for deep character play. Reacting to everything with violence CAN indicate a thin character, but it's not necessarily so. But having character flaws is an important part of deep character play. After all, part of deep character play is about the character learning how to overcome themselves, so that they can overcome their opponents.
As such, Dresden Files is totally set up to encourage characters who have personality flaws like this within the game. This is why there are aspects, compels, and self-compels. I have to assume that Simon has an aspect along the lines of "Poor Impulse Control", and as you both know, the game is set up to *reward* him every time he acts against his own interests in that way according to his aspects, by offering him a fate point.
That's not to suggest that Simon should be acting on this in all cases (after all, you can refuse compels) but it's definitely part of the game design. And really, Simon getting the pulp knocked out of him when he takes on a challenge he's not ready for would really be in keeping with the books; Is there a book where Harry Dresden doesn't get the pulp taken out of him? DFRPG contemplates this topic at length.
I also don't think that these types of actions are necessarily incompatible within your group as you're making them out to be: Unlike something like D&D, players have the choice as to whether they enter the conflict or not. If Simon rushed in (presumably while the other characters are yelling at him not to do it, and that he's going to get himself killed), gets into a fight with a monster, the rest of the group can hang back outside the conflict. While the conflict proceeds, they can make assessments about the creature's aspects, and use aspects generated within the conflict to improve their lore roles. Plus, with only two participants, the conflict will proceed VERY quickly, and should only take a minute or two. But while Simon gets the pulp beaten out of him, or maybe scare off the creature (if the GM concedes the conflict), things will be learned by the Lore-characters. Then the discussion about what the group learned can happen after the conflict. And everybody wins.
It's noteworthy, too, that you guys really don't need to worry about Simon's survival in these cases, since Simon's player can always drop out of the fight by conceding the fight. Even if he takes a pile of stress, he can take consequences, which (properly chosen) only push character play along further. It's essentially impossible for a PC to be written out of the story without a player's permission in DFRPG.
Tom Hanks in Mazes and Monsters! I loved that (tv) movie when I was a teenager!
As a veterinarian, I must come out in support of the lion cut. It provides long-haired cats relief from hairballs and tangled mats, as well as keeping them cool in warm climates. The caveat is that most cats require sedation for the shave since the buzz of the clippers frightens them. Their ridiculous appearance at the end of this procedure is a fortuitous side effect that ensures that their humans get even more enjoyment from the finished product than the cats do.
Guest bailiff Monte Belmonte should consider it immediately.
I'd like to note that, no, the game should not *just* be about investigation. The novels aren't either. :)
The issue here wasn't whether Dan was playing within the game's rules or not it was whether Dan was playing appropriately with the other people in the group, and he clearly isn't.
Without breaking the rules of basketball I can take all granny shots an entire game but if my team is trying to play a serious game then my style of play is inappropriate. This works in reverse, of course. If we are playing a fun, no one's keeping score basketball game the guy who's yelling "Get open" and "Post up" (I think that's a basketball term) would be out of place.
Dan's group has decided to play a certain style of game which Dan doesn't like and he's using a passive aggressive method to make it not fun for them because he's not having fun. The solution, they can agree to play the style of game Dan likes when they start their next campaign or maybe alternate the game they play every-other session, Dan's game of choice one week and the other game the next. Neither are perfect but it's better than the alternative which is that Dan finds another group of people to play with.
Dan was playing with a group that previously agreed on the gamestyle. That doesn't lock Dan into the format at all. I've played various games with various groups of varying seriousness, and often there has been more or less the comedic or dramatic person in the group who served to liven things up.
I shall tell a tale.
This was a fantasy game (surprise), in which three of us played adventurers of varying races. We were semi-serious, but generally enjoyed combat, though we did this in different ways. One of us was an archer, another a hand-to-hand combatant, and I ever the nerd stood back and blew things up. Because magic.
A fourth was added to our group, a former thief and street urchin. The player was a bit of a cut up (also known as sometimes painful to play with), and tried to accomplish actions like running up a tree. To then.. jump down on unsuspecting barbarians, I suppose. He did this for four rounds of combat while the rest of us took damage, until I cast a spell and hurled him from the tree into groups of people, essentially making him a breathing battering ram.
But we all had fun. Was he what we expected? Was it sometimes frustrating? Yes and very. But he was a friend and it was his sense of humor to make such a painful character. Our group had decided on a style, someone broke it. Were we to blame because we took it too seriously? Of course. It's time spent with friends, one of them wants to try and run up a tree while the others take life-threatening damage.
But all's well that ends in human battering rams.


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22 Maniacs Who Took It Too Far
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Slope Dope
Ski, Snowboard, Sierra resorts News from the San Francisco Chronicle
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"Whumph!" — The sound of avalanche danger and how to avoid it
Hear this sound one time, know what it means, and it can send a wave of fear through you: "Whumph!" It sounds like somebody just dropped a sack of potatoes from 50 feet high into 3 feet of powder snow. On instinct, you will turn to see where it came from. There are no indicators: A […] [Read More]


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Don't even think about it. Substandard defines the curriculum, the teachers, and the facility. The best thing about the school is the staff in the highschool office.
Summit was a great Christian School and safe place for your child to attend. The elementary teachers for the most part are the best in the teaching field. However the Middle and High School lack a lot of everything. All they are interested in is sports and the education and God are not important. This was not the case when I took my son to Summit. I'm very disappointed in the leadership of this school. They are not very friendly and avoid having to communicate with you. Students are allowed in no matter if they have been kicked out of another school or not. This was not the case a few years ago. So if you are wanting to pay for a small school atomsphere this maybe the place for your children. Just know that drugs, bad language and sex are all over it.
Summit provides a wonderful atmosphere for children to learn. The teachers are very caring and are always ready to help out. Parents are kept well informed by the teachers and the administration. This is done by phone calls, weekly newsletters, monthly event calendars, and special notes sent home. Summit offers a wonderful curriculum throughout the grades. The extracurricular activities are fantastic also. Summit offers weekly music, art, library, computer, and P.E. classes starting in kindergarten. This school is amazing and I would recommend it to anyone.
Academic Quality: Way better than any public school in this area by far! Extracurricular Activities Availability: For a small private school, they offer a lot of activities for the kids as well as an eligibility requirement that is fairly trough. Parent Involvement: The school tries to involve the parents in all the child's progress as well as phone calls when there is a discipline problem or even if he/she needs an aspirin. Overall the school is a good place to learn while at the same time being able to speak about God freely and the salvation through Jesus Christ! We would recommend this school to anyone interested in getting out of the public school system.
New Adventures is now Summit Christian Academy. They offer k-12th grades, and a large variety of sports like elementary cheerleading and basketball and for the high school, football, basketball, vollyball, softball and more.
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WALTHAM (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) – A state trooper was injured while working early Tuesday morning on Route 128 southbound in Waltham.The canine officer and his dog were in the car in a work zone at the time of the crash. State police say an elderly man was driving the car that rear-ended the trooper's cruiser.
The trooper was treated for minor injuries. The dog is fine.The elderly man was also taken to the hospital. His injuries do not appear to be serious.The crash remains under investigation.
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Sean Weatherspoon
6' 2", 245 lbs
Strengths: Instinct, Tackling Ability, Athleticism, Coverage Ability
Weaknesses: Size, Consistency, Not a Game Changer
Hiding down in the Big 12 way down in Missouri is a player that will have many NFL scouts salivating over his potential. That player is Sean Weatherspoon and he will end up being one of the top linebackers chosen in the 2010 NFL Draft. So what makes Weatherspoon so great? Read on to find out.
The first thing that many scouts will notice about Weatherspoon is that he plays with a lot of intensity and is very vocal when he is on the field. Not only is he vocal on the field during the game but he is also has a great presence on the sideline and is often seen encouraging other teammates acting as a cheerleader when the offense is out on the field. NFL teams like vocal leaders and in time Weatherspoon could be that way on the NFL team that is lucky enough to have him.
Another thing that Weatherspoon does well is that he has great instinct and seems to know where the play is going before it gets there. This is a result of his being able to read plays and react very well to plays and be there to meet the ball carrier at the earliest possible moment. He is also very smart and has great football intelligence. Weatherspoon's tackling technique is very sound as well and he tackles the ball carrier low and rarely misses a tackle. He also hits the ball carrier hard and can separate the ball from the ball carrier often. He is also fast and plays faster than he may time out at in upcoming time trials. Weatherspoon also possesses a good change of direction and can get to the play quickly (when he has to make a change).
Weatherspoon has great range and moves from sideline to sideline very well. His quickness allows him to get to the play fast and make the play. He has been very productive over his career at Missouri as a result and is one of the most productive linebackers to come out in this year's draft. While some other players in this draft don't have much of a ceiling Weatherspoon has plenty of upside and there is some room to grow. Weatherspoon is well disciplined and stays put until he is sure where the play is going and is involved in each play often. Weatherspoon is very hard to trick and makes great decisions. His mental game is solid.
As linebackers have to cover running backs and tight ends at times Weatherspoon has proven that he is fully capable of doing this. He has the instincts to know where to go in coverage and he has the speed to cover. Weatherspoon's ability to read the quarterback also helps him get into position in coverage where he can make plays on the ball. He can also rush the passer which is a huge plus for his position.
Finally, some of the other things that Weatherspoon does well include having good ball skills and great durability. He has not been injured that much during his career at Missouri and stays in games if he is hurt. He has the kind of starting experience that any NFL team would want in a starting linebacker.
There is always a downside to every player and Weatherspoon does have his downside. When playing in coverage, Weatherspoon will bit on play action fakes and will need to work on not being susceptible to that. When rushing the passer, there are times that Weatherspoon has trouble getting rid of blockers and breaking free to make the play. Working on getting his arms extended to shed blocks would help. In that, there are times when blockers will overpower Weatherspoon and take him out of the play. He needs to work on getting free of blockers more.
When it comes to instincts, Weatherspoon has trouble when playing against the run and trying to diagnose misdirection plays. He will also over pursue on misdirection plays and he will have to get better at not doing that in the NFL.
While Weatherspoon has good size he doesn't have the ideal size that you would like in a starting NFL linebacker but makes up for it with his intensity and desire to play. His size has also made him a bit of a liability against the run and bigger tougher backs may be able to blow him out of the way and go on by. His quickness is also not one of his strong suits but is decent enough to keep up in the NFL.
Strength may also be a bit of an issue with him and he will have to work on getting stronger when he gets into the NFL. Weatherspoon also plays it safe quite a bit and won't take a chance to make a play (or take a risk) opting to play things safe. There are also times when he can't be blocked and other times he is taken completely out of the play so he is inconsistent in that aspect.
Finally, Weatherspoon, while being a pretty good linebacker isn't a "great" linebacker and will need to step things up just a bit in the NFL. It doesn't appear that it will be too much of a problem for him at the next level.
While at the University of Missouri, Weatherspoon earned the following honors:
2009-Pre-Season All American Candidate
2008-Butkus Award Finalist, second team All American by Phil Steele, third team All American by the Associated Press, third team All American by Rivals.com, honorable Mention All American by Sports Illustrated, 2008 Alamo Bowl Defensive MVP, 2008 1st Team All Big 12, 2008 Bednarik Award Semifinalist, 2008 Lott Trophy Quarterfinalist, 2008 Lott Trophy National Defensive Player of the Week (for November 11th), 2008 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week (September 22nd), 2008 Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week (September 1st), 2008 Team Hammer Award Winner, 2008 Team Linebacker of the Year.
2007: 2007 1st Team All Big 12 by the Associated Press, Rivals.com and the San Antonio Express News, 2nd Team All Big 12 by Dallas Morning News, Coaches, Waco Tribune Herald and the Ft. Worth Star Telegram, Team Linebacker of the Year, Team Hammer Award Winner.
2006: Team Special Teams Player of the Year.
High School: Named Texas 22-3A player of the year (senior year), 2nd team All State pick, 1st Team All District Pick, 22-3A defensive newcomer of the year as a sophomore.
The Final Word: Going into the combine, Weatherspoon is ranked by many experts as being the second or third best outside linebacker in the draft and with some improvement (when arrives in the NFL) he will not disappoint. He plays with the fire and passion that any NFL team would like for a starting linebacker and he has almost all of the tools that you would want in a starting linebacker. Unless something negative happens between now and the draft, Weatherspoon should be a lower first round selection going quite possibly to the New Orleans Saints with the last pick in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft.
Prediction: Between 23 and 32 in the first round.


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Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters
Be wary of any tagline that reads, "Classic tale, new twist." Such is the case with "Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters," a mostly unpleasant viewing experience after which you'll want eighty-seven minutes of your life back. An extended unrated cut has made its way on the Blu-ray, not adding any extra value.
As kids, Hansel (Jeremy Renner) and Gretel (Gemma Arterton) survived being burned alive by a witch. After this initial prologue, we flash forward, and the two attractive siblings are all grown up, yet the year in which the film takes place is unclear.
Now bounty hunters, Hansel and Gretel take on an array of bloody witches and, in the interim, drop as many F-bombs as possible for an R-rated movie. What was once a children's story has turned into a lewd adult train wreck, featuring lots of nudity and horror gore.
At the very least, "Hansel and Gretel" has Renner and Arterton, two established actors stuck in an inane screenplay with over-the-top CGI effects. It would've worked much better had the actual fable of their childhood been used instead of making them adults.
The film is supposed to be tongue-in-cheek but ends up being a silly and risqué live-action cartoon.
Blu-ray's special features include:
Unrated Cut
Reinventing Hansel & Gretel
The Witching Hours
Meet Edward the Troll
"Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters"
Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack
Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters
Hansel :: Jeremy Renner
Gretel :: Gemma Arterton
Muriel :: Famke Janssen
Berringer :: Peter Stormare
Ben :: Thomas Mann
Edward :: Derek Mears
Voice of Edward :: Robin Atkin Downes
Mina :: Pihla Viitala
Horned Witch :: Ingrid Berdal
Red-Haired Witch :: Joanna Kulig
Jackson :: ørn Sundquist
Mayer Engleman :: Rainer Bock
Father :: Thomas Scharff
Adrianna :: Kathrin ühnel
Young Hansel :: Cedric Eich
Young Gretel :: Alea-Sophia Boudodimos
Screenwriter, Tommy Wirkola; Producer, Will Ferrell; Producer, Adam McKay; Producer, Kevin Messick; Producer, Beau Flynn; Executive Producer, Denis Stewart; Executive Producer, Chris Henchy; Executive Producer, Tripp Vinson; Cinematographer, Michael Bonvillain; Production Design, Stephen Scott; Film Editor, Jim Page; Costume Designer, Marlene Stewart; Original Music, Atli Örvarsson; Casting, Deborah Aquila; Casting, Tricia Wood; Casting, Jen Smith; Supervising Art Direction, Andreas Olshausen; Art Director, Anja Mueller; Art Director, Stephan Gessler; Set Decoration, Bernhard Henrich.


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Nine Nois Place
Vang Vieng, Laos Youth Hostels
We pride ourselves in offering very clean rooms at an affordable price as well as many other comforts and services...
$4 Per Night
Laos Haven Hotel
Vang Vieng, Laos Youth Hostels
Our on site restaurant The Patio also provide European and the best Thai cuisine in town....
$10 Per Night
Nana Guesthouse
Vang Vieng, Laos Youth Hostels
Buses from Luang Prabang drop you off at the New Bus Station situated next to the new market about 2 kms north of Vang Vieng....
$3 Per Night
Phoungchampa Hotel
.Laos, Laos Youth Hostels
On 88 Chao Anouvong Road , being in the city center , 100 m from Mekong river where we can find plenty of good restaurants or even food stalls along the river...
$10 Per Night
Villa Merry No 1 At The Khan River
.Laos, Laos Youth Hostels
The Merry Guest House No. 1 is a family operated Guest House sitting at the Khan River, of which the seven Guest house�s rooms have an exceptional view to the Khan River...
$15 Per Night
Mylaohome Capsule Bed
.Laos, Laos Youth Hostels
The Capsule Guesthouse on the other hand strives to appeal to the hip and adventurous traveler, offering cabin rooms with shared bathrooms and toilets. In short, dorm styled rooms with more privacy to oneself....
$5 Per Night
Halolao Home Stay
Luang Prabang, Laos Youth Hostels
Overlook the temple life on one side,the property is brilliantly surrounded by UNESCO-protected house. Consisting of two floors, first which features a four-bedroom home-stay with a living room...
$9 Per Night
Villa Merry No1 House 2
Luang Prabang, Laos Youth Hostels
Please do not misunderstanding about these three houses.In the two story wood house, we provide comfortable rooms with private WC whit hot shower,cable TV,AC and free WIFI in the room....
$10 Per Night
Sokthavy Inn
Luang Prabang, Laos Youth Hostels
Night Bazaar, Post office, Tourism department office, Phousi mountain, Wat Mai (the historic buddhist temple), National museum with easy step to center points....
Chaleun Garden
.Laos, Laos Youth Hostels
Double rooms and shared rooms are available. All the rooms have a bathroom with hot water and a fan....
$4 Per Night
2 Days Camping in National Park
Laos Hiking & Trekking
2 Days Trekking in National Park, Phoukao Khaouy nearby Vientiane....
Starting from $199 Per Person
Wat Phu Champasak
Attapu, Laos History
Pakse Wat Phu Champasak UNESCO SITE Khmer ruinse...
Starting at $49 Per Person
The Wild of Laos
Laos Cultural Experience
This tour will take you to magical Luang Prabang and the wilds beyond it. Outside of the city you'll explore jungles, waterfalls, rivers and caves with local trackers and guides....
Starting at $1,624 Per Person
Highlight Of Laos
Luang Prabang, Laos Sight-Seeing Tours
Visit Luang Prabang The old Kingdom of Lane Xang Land of Million Elephant kingdom, Plan of Jars History land of secret wars from Vietnam war (Hochimine Trail) Vientiane the capital of Laos...
Starting at $699 Per Person
Luang Prabang World Heritage
Luang Prabang, Laos Sight-Seeing Tours
Luang Prabang city tour Visit Royal Palace, Wat Sene, Wat Xieng thong, Phousi hill, Mekong river cruise visit Pak ou caves, Kuang si Waterfall & Elephant riding at Elephant village...
Starting at $399 Per Person
4 days 3nights 4000 Islands tour
Laos Sight-Seeing Tours
Visit Pakse, Bolaven plataux, Wat Phu Champasak and 4000 islands in Southern Laos....
Special Discounted Rates from $399 Per Person
2 Days Mekong river cruise
Laos River Cruises
2 Days Mekong river cruise from Houey Sai Thai - Laos border to Pakbeng a small town half way to Luang Prabang UNESCO town...
Starting at $399 Per Trip
Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & Thailand
Vientiane, Laos Sight-Seeing Tours
Indochina tour 21 days visit highlight of Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia...
Starting at $1,499 Per Trip
Discover Luang Prabang - The Gem Of The Mekong
Laos Sight-Seeing Tours
See the best of the spiritual capital of Laos, Luang Prabang with our expert guides to immerse you in its history. Soak in its serenity as you experience its culture and journey to wildlife areas and beautiful waterfalls....
Specials from $461 Per Person
Explore Southeast Asia
Champasak, Laos Sight-Seeing Tours
Visit Highlight of Thailand Laos Vietnam & Cambodia...
Starting at $999 Per Person
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text:
Evolved Harvest® Exceed
Item # WX2-158316
- Google+
This item cannot ship to Canada.
This item cannot ship internationally.
- Details & Specs
Evolved Harvest® Seed Mixes create feeding areas that attract deer, game birds and more the NATURAL way!
Say goodbye to lures, licks and chemicals. Each Evolved Harvest® seed mix is blended of carefully selected forage plant varieties chosen for their hardiness, ease of growth and power to attract.
Deer and other game animals will be unable to resist returning again and again to the lush, nutrient-rich garden of delights YOU create anywhere!
Best of all, these blends are true forage varieties, chosen for their ability to produce the maximum tonnage of "groceries" per acre, providing you a fertile patch of foliage with proven protein power!Sow and go:
- High-volume mixes
- Hardy, fast-growth blends thrive nearly anywhere
- Potent plants game animals love
- Resistant to harsh conditions.
- Lablab beans, soybeans, corn. Very high yield. Extremely long lasting and abundant.
- Reviews
Customer ReviewsNo reviews exist for this item....
The deer love this mixture up here in the Northeast.Evolved Harvist is a great product and you can buy it at a great price on the Sportsmans Guide.Just make sure you use the planting instructions on the back of the bag and you should see more wildlife.I can't wait to plant it agin this season.
- Articles & Tips
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4-gallon Backpack Tank SprayerBuyer's Club $35.99 Non-Members $39.99
Gamemaster Electric Hand Spreader and SeederBuyer's Club $35.99 Non-Members $39.99
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Evolved Harvest® Throw & Grow (No-till)Buyer's Club $13.49 Non-Members $14.99


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Posts Tagged 'clear 4g modem'
Clear 4G Home Modem Puts WiMax In The Home And Is The Cheapest Solution We've Seen
Wouldn't it be nice to surf the net on your laptop from home and any where you roam without the exuberant fees and data caps? Well, now you can thanks to Clear. They're now selling a 4G modem/router for the home that connects t...


text: content Life Extension Magazine February 2010 Optimal Prostate Defense Requires a Multi-Modal Strategy By Julius Goepp, MD As an aging man, your odds of suffering benign prostate enlargement (BPH) and/or prostate cancer are exceedingly high. BPH will afflict 50% of men over the course of their lives.1,2 At advanced stages, BPH can almost completely obstruct the urethral canal, leading to a host of lower urinary tract symptoms.3,4 Prostate cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer death in men, accounting for more than 28,000 deaths and 186,000 new cases in 2008 alone.5 This article reviews eight clinically supported interventions with outstanding safety records to protect prostate health. Saw Palmetto—Front Line Defense! Used by over 2 million men in the United States, saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) remains the front line fighter in natural prostate defense, with a substantial body of clinical investigation and support.6 Extracts from the ripe red berries of the plant are rich in bioactive plant-based compounds, including beta-sitosterol and a host of vital free fatty acids.7-9 The natural ingredients in saw palmetto benefit the prostate in several related ways. They inhibit enzymes that convert testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT),10 a hormone that increases prostate growth and may promote cancer.11 They bind to DHT receptors on prostate cells, further reducing DHT's potential negative impact.10 And they block certain transmitters that can aggravate lower urinary tract symptoms.10,12,13 These multiple mechanisms account for saw palmetto's therapeutic effects in managing BPH. In a summary of 18 clinical trials involving 2,939 men, saw palmetto alleviated lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and urine flow measures more effectively than placebo.14 The same analysis also demonstrated that men taking saw palmetto had significantly less nighttime urination (nocturia). The analysis also indicated additional benefit by combining saw palmetto with other phytonutrient extracts, including nettle root and bark of the African plum tree Pygeum africanum. When placed head-to-head against prescription drugs like finasteride (Proscar®) and tamsulosin (Flomax®), saw palmetto was as effective in improving urinary symptom scores and peak urinary flow rates.6,15,16 Of even greater interest, men given saw palmetto experienced a lower incidence of associated sexual dysfunction compared to those given pharmaceuticals!15 In fact, few adverse effects have ever been confirmed with saw palmetto extract.17 What You Need to Know: Prostate Defense Click To View Adverse prostate conditions will affect at least half of all men after the age of 50, and 1 in 6 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime—claiming as many as 28,000 lives each year in the United States. Technological advances in extraction techniques optimize the already well-known benefits of saw palmetto extracts. Saw palmetto extracts possibly fight BPH and prostate cancer by directly blocking hormone conversion in prostate tissue, and by modifying expression of genes that contribute to cancer development. A diverse array of complementary, natural interventions operate across multiple pathways to disrupt prostate diseases at every stage in their development. Both alone and in combination, they can be as effective as pharmaceuticals—without undesirable side effects, including sexual dysfunction. The complex of plant-based chemicals (phytosterols) in the saw palmetto berry has been shown to exert a suppressive effect on prostate cancer cells. Saw palmetto's high beta-sitosterol content—along with other constituents within its phytosterol complex—inhibit prostate cancer cell proliferation by selectively arresting cell growth and inducing programmed cell death (apoptosis).9,18,19 The carotenoids contained in saw palmetto also act in tandem with this phytosterol complex to attack cancer cell membranes and slow tumor growth.8,19,20 Despite these impressive findings, saw palmetto should not be considered a primary treatment for prostate cancer. The Complementary Power of Nettle Root In numerous studies, the root of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) has been shown to exert favorable effects on prostate health that complement those of saw palmetto. Stinging nettle appears to modulate hormone activity in prostate tissue. It also possesses powerful anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects—with very low toxicity.24,25 Animal studies further indicate its ability to restrict prostate tissue growth.26 Controlled clinical research has demonstrated nettle extract's power to counter and even reverse the effects of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 558 patients with BPH, nettle extract improved LUTS by 81%, compared with just 16% of controls.27 It also significantly increased peak urine flow rates comparedwith placebo. When combined with saw palmetto, nettle root extract displays even more impressive effects on BPH. One large study found that the combination was as effective as the drug finasteride (Proscar®) at reducing symptom scores and increasing urine flow, but produced far fewer adverse events.28 Other studies have demonstrated the combination's superior performance over placebo in trials lasting up to 96 weeks—with virtually no side effects.29 Nettle root extract may also fight prostate cancer, reducing cancer cell proliferation without affecting normal tissue.30 It blocks the enzymes that cancer cells need for rapid turnover.31 The lectins in nettle root extract—proteins involved in cell recognition—display a preference for cancer cells over healthy ones, enhancing nettle root's ability to attack malignant cells and induce production of the cancer-suppressing cytokine interleukin-2 (IL-2).32 As with saw palmetto, nettle root extract alone is not sufficiently effective to be used as a curative treatment for prostate cancer. Advanced Technology Preserves Saw Palmetto's Bioactive Compounds The harsh chemical processes and low-pressure techniques often used to extract the saw palmetto berry's bioactive ingredients paradoxically destroy many of them. An advanced high-pressure CO2 extraction technology has been developed that delivers intact a far greater proportion of saw palmetto's beneficial, high molecular-weight compounds. The result is a carotenoid-rich extract that most closely reflects the composition of mature saw palmetto berries compared to typical saw palmetto extracts. Carotenoids have demonstrated protective effects against variousprostate disorders.21-23 Potent Prevention with Flax and Norway Spruce Lignans Plants evolved lignans to defend against disease. As it happens, their health-promoting benefits are passed on to us when ingested.33 Resident bacteria in our colon convert these plant lignans into the mammalian lignan enterolactone, a phytoestrogen that has been shown to suppress numerous cancers, particularly hormone-dependent types—including prostate and breast cancer.34-36 Lignans from flax, Norway spruce (Picea abies), and other sources may help prevent both BPH and prostate cancer. Recent studies have revealed that flax seed lignan extract produces improvements in LUTS and quality of life, while also lowering plasma cholesterol and glucose concentrations.37,38 The evidence for their preventive power against prostate cancer is equally compelling. Foods high in plant lignans are associated with lower prostate cancer risk.39 Enterolactone derived from dietary plant lignans has been shown to induce apoptosis (cell death) in cultured human prostate cells.40,41 In a clinical setting, flax seed-supplemented diets generated favorable reductions in tumor proliferation rates in men with prostate cancer in as little as 30 days.42 Lignans derived from the Norway spruce have demonstrated powerful anti-cancer effects in an animal model of human prostate cancer, including smaller tumor volume and increased apoptosis.43 Novel Boswellia Extract A novel extract from Boswellia serrata, also known as Indian frankincense, has demonstrated potential in prostate health protection.44 It acts as a powerful 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor. The enzyme 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) inflicts numerous adverse effects45 that have been implicated in prostate cancer development. Boswellia extract also favorably modulates gene expression, powerfully suppressing production of pro-inflammatory cytokines involved in BPH and prostate cancer.46,47 The anti-inflammatory effects of boswellia extracts have been demonstrated in human studies,48 making it an attractive component of BPH prevention. Research further indicates that boswellia is particularly effective in controlling proliferation of prostate cancer cells. Inhibitors of 5-LOX induce apoptosis in prostate cancer cells through the aptly-named "death receptors" that trigger cancer cell suicide.49,50 This extract also blocks prostate cancer growth and proliferation in cell cultures.51 These effects are due in part to its ability to decrease the androgen receptors that many prostate cancers require to survive.52 Boswellia extracts also inhibit new blood vessel growth (angiogenesis), depriving malignant tissues of the nutrients and oxygen they need to metastasize.53 Saw palmetto extract is one of several natural compounds with clinically proven value in reducing symptoms of BPH and risk factors for prostate cancer. Pygeum Africanum The bark of the African plum tree, Pygeum africanum, contains powerful compounds that support the health of prostate and bladder tissue.54 Pygeum extracts were proven effective against BPH in numerous open and placebo-controlled studies in the 1990's, and pygeum is now recognized in Europe as a standard therapeutic option.55 Pygeum and beta-sitosterol in doses of 50-100 mg twice daily improve lower urinary tract symptoms and significantly increase urine flow rates, while decreasing residual urine volume in the bladder that can lead to urinary tract infections.56-59 Pygeum extracts also appear to offset the sexual dysfunction that often accompanies BPH and results in overall improvement in quality of life.60 One unique mode of action seems to be that pygeum extracts actually inhibit proliferation of the muscle and fibrous tissue in the prostate that help contribute to BPH in the first place.61,62 Adverse effects associated with pygeum are rare and mild,63 though some gastrointestinal upset has been reported. Numerous studies have recently emerged demonstrating pygeum's prostate cancer-fighting potential. Pygeum extracts block the male hormone (androgen) receptors that prostate cancer cells need to thrive.64 As with the other chemoprotective compounds reviewed in this article, pygeum has been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth and proliferation, while stimulating desired apoptosis (programmed death of cancer cells).65 And pygeum's androgen-blocking constituents reduce cancer cells' potential to invade healthy prostate tissue, reducing spread of dangerous tumors.66 Novel Flower Pollen Compound Over two decades of research have confirmed that a specific compound of flower pollens, called cernitin, possesses unique effects on prostate tissue.67-70 It relaxes certain smooth muscle tissues in the urinary tract,71 thus potentially alleviating lower urinary tract symptoms associated with BPH. It has been shown to significantly alleviate symptoms of bladder obstruction in men with BPH, while reducing residual urine volume and shrinking the size of the prostate itself.67 One major study found cernitin worked as well as six prescription drugs commonly used for BPH.72 Cernitin significantly decreased inflammatory cytokines and tissue inflammation in a rat model of nonbacterial prostatitis, a painful chronic condition that afflicts many men.73 This may render it an ideal candidate both for the management of BPH and for a complication of chronic prostatitis called chronic pelvic pain syndrome, which has proven difficult to treat with standard medication.74,75 In 2009, a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study showed that cernitin significantly improved measures of pain and quality of life in men with category III prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome, a prevalent condition for which no standardized treatment exists. Overall prostatitis symptom scores were also significantly reduced compared with placebo, without major side effects.76 Higher doses of cernitin appear to provide faster relief of symptoms.77 Symptoms of Benign Prostate Hypertrophy Urinary hesitancy Urinary retention Painful urination Frequent urination Urinary tract infections Ejaculatory dysfunction Continued on Page 2 of 2


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Hayden in ID
The filter is a nice quality filter and is very durable. I just wish they would be a little more refined to stop the absolute tiny dust from penetrating, but oh well its just as good, if not better, than every other filter I've owned. I run the 'PC Racing' filter skins to keep all dirt from getting in.Read All Reviews


text:
Written by:
If God would take the moon
And make it into a great pie,
The sweet aroma of spice
And green apple would fill the sky.
He'd begin with the careful peeling,
Making the globe shining apple-white.
Then He'd find fixins' to get it just right.
He would count the servings needed
For the whole world to be satisfied,
And choose just the right flavoring
To set all differences of taste aside,
But with all due respect to the bakers' pride.
To provide for all the world's problems,
God gives his secret spiritual answers.
So to the seasoning of the apples,
He adds His nine flavor enhancers.
With perfection, God takes no chances.
There is a pinch of peace, joy, and love,
For that aroma that rises above.
Then there is the patience, gentleness and grace,
So that humankind need not eat in haste.
He wants all to sense the goodness in the taste.
Next faith, modesty and moderation He adds,
And then more love he sprinkles in scads.
Here below our appetites we whet,
Our stomach's pits to be satisfied.
Thankful for every morsel we get,
Until convinced our Lord is glorified.
Soon one could hardly see a crumb.
But we have no need at all to fear,
For at the end of daylight's trusty gleam,
The moon again is a shining sphere.


text:
Global Strategic Advisory Council
Steve Webster
Co-Managing Partner & Co-CEO
Avista Capital Partners
Prior to co-founding Avista Capital Partners in 2005, Steve Webster served as the Chairman of DLJMB Global Energy Partners, a specialty group he developed for DLJMB which sourced, executed and managed DLJMB III's energy related investments from 1999 through June 30, 2005.
Dr. Webster earned a bachelor's degree with distinction in Industrial Management from Purdue University and an MBA with high distinction from Harvard Business School, where he was a Baker Scholar. In 2009, Dr. Webster was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Management from Purdue.
Dr. Webster currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Carrizo Oil & Gas and Basic Energy Services and as a Director of Appalachian Midstream Partners, Enduring Resources, Geokinetics, Hercules Offshore, Hi-Crush Proppants, Laramie Energy, Laredo Energy, Manti Resources, Peregrine Oil & Gas, Seacor Holdings and Sidewinder Drilling. He is also a Trust Manager of Camden Property Trust.
Throughout his business career, Dr. Webster has been active in venture capital and investment activities in various industries, including energy. In the energy business, he co-founded and/or has been a lead investor in the E&P and service sectors, including Falcon Drilling, Carrizo, Grey Wolf, Hercules, Laredo, Peregrine and Union Drilling. In 1988, Dr. Webster founded an inland barge drilling contractor, Falcon, with modest capital and a single barge rig. As Falcon's CEO, he executed a bold consolidation and growth strategy, taking Falcon public in 1995 and merging with Reading & Bates in 1997, creating one of the world's largest offshore drilling contractors, R&B Falcon Corporation. In 1993, Dr. Webster co-founded Carrizo and was named its Chairman in 1997 when it was publicly listed. Carrizo has developed into a leading independent exploration and production company with operations in U.S. onshore shale basins and the North Sea. Dr. Webster has been a founder and lead investor in non-energy companies such as Crown Resources, Encore Bancshares, RediClinic, ELV Holdings, Savage Arms and Gow Communications. He was also a founding Trust Manager of Camden.