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Epilepsy is a central nervous system disorder (neurological disorder) in which the nerve cell activity in your brain is disturbed, causing a seizure during which you experience abnormal behavior, symptoms and sensations, including loss of consciousness.
Seizure symptoms vary. Some people with epilepsy simply stare blankly for a few seconds during a seizure, while others repeatedly twitch their arms or legs.
About 1 in 100 people in the United States may have an unprovoked seizure once in life. However, a solitary seizure doesn't mean you have epilepsy. At least two unprovoked seizures are generally required for an epilepsy diagnosis.
Even mild seizures may require treatment because they can be dangerous during activities such as driving or swimming. Treatment, which generally includes medications or sometimes surgery, may eliminate or reduce the frequency and intensity of seizures. Some children with epilepsy even outgrow the condition with age.
Because epilepsy is caused by abnormal activity in brain cells, seizures can affect any process your brain coordinates. A seizure can produce symptoms such as:
Symptoms vary depending on the type of seizure. In most cases, a person with epilepsy will tend to have the same type of seizure each time, so the symptoms will be similar from episode to episode.
Doctors generally classify seizures as either focal or generalized, based on how the abnormal brain activity begins.
When seizures appear to result from abnormal activity in just one area of your brain, they're called focal (partial) seizures. These seizures fall into two categories.
Seizures that appear to involve all areas of the brain are called generalized seizures. Six types of generalized seizures exist.
Seek immediate medical help if any of the following occurs:
If you experience a seizure for the first time, seek medical advice.
Epilepsy has no identifiable cause in about half of those with the condition. In about half the people with epilepsy, the condition may be traced to various factors.
Genetic influence. Some types of epilepsy, which are categorized by the type of seizure you experience, run in families. In these cases, it's likely that there's a genetic influence.
Researchers have linked some types of epilepsy to specific genes, though it's estimated that up to 500 genes could be tied to the condition. For most people, genes are only part of the cause of epilepsy. Certain genes may make a person more sensitive to environmental conditions that trigger seizures.
Certain factors may increase your risk of epilepsy.
Having a seizure at certain times can lead to circumstances that are dangerous to yourself or others.
Car accidents. A seizure that causes either loss of awareness or control can be dangerous if you're driving a car or operating other equipment.
Many states have driver's-licensing restrictions related to your ability to control seizures and impose a minimum amount of time that you've been seizure-free, ranging from months to years, before you're allowed to drive.
Pregnancy complications. Seizures during pregnancy pose dangers to both mother and baby, and certain anti-epileptic medications increase the risk of birth defects. If you have epilepsy and you're considering becoming pregnant, talk to your doctor as you plan your pregnancy.
Most women with epilepsy can become pregnant and have a healthy baby. You'll need to be carefully monitored throughout pregnancy, and medications may need to be adjusted. It's very important that you work with your doctor to plan your pregnancy.
Other life-threatening complications from epilepsy are uncommon, but do occur.
Sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP). People with epilepsy also have a small risk of sudden unexplained death. The cause is unknown, but some research shows it may occur due to heart or respiratory conditions.
People with frequent generalized tonic-clonic seizures or people whose seizures aren't controlled by medications may be at higher risk of SUDEP. Overall, about 2 to 18 percent of people with epilepsy die of SUDEP.
You're likely to start by seeing your family doctor or a general practitioner. However, in some cases when you call to set up an appointment, you may be referred immediately to a specialist, such as a doctor trained in brain and nervous system conditions (neurologist) or a neurologist trained in epilepsy (epileptologist).
Because appointments can be brief, and because there's often a lot to talk about, it's a good idea to be well prepared for your appointment. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.
Keep a detailed seizure calendar. Each time a seizure occurs, write down the time, the type of seizure you experienced and how long it lasted. Also make note of any circumstances, such as missed medications, sleep deprivation, increased stress, menstruation or other events that might trigger seizure activity.
Seek input from people who may observe your seizures, including family, friends and co-workers, so that you can record information you may not know.
Take a family member or friend along. Sometimes it can be difficult to remember all the information provided to you during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
Also, because you may not be aware of everything that happens when you're having a seizure, your doctor may want to ask questions of someone who has witnessed them.
Preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time with your doctor. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For epilepsy, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment at any time that you don't understand something.
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions:
Certain conditions and activities can trigger seizures, so it may benefit you to:
Also, it's important to start keeping a log of your seizures before you visit your doctor.
To diagnose your condition, your doctor will review your symptoms and medical history. Your doctor may order several tests to diagnose epilepsy and determine the cause of seizures.
Your doctor may also suggest tests to detect brain abnormalities, such as:
Electroencephalogram (EEG). This is the most common test used to diagnose epilepsy. In this test, doctors attach electrodes to your scalp with a paste-like substance. The electrodes record the electrical activity of your brain.
If you have epilepsy, it's common to have changes in your normal pattern of brain waves, even when you're not having a seizure. Your doctor may monitor you on video while conducting an EEG while you're awake or asleep, to record any seizures you may experience. Recording the seizures may help the doctor determine what kind of seizures you're having or rule out other conditions.
Your doctor may give you instructions to do something that will cause seizures, such as getting little sleep prior to the test.
Single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT). This type of test is used primarily if you've had an MRI and EEG that didn't pinpoint the location in your brain where the seizures are originating.
A SPECT test uses a small amount of low-dose radioactive material that's injected into a vein to create a detailed, 3-D map of the blood flow activity in your brain during seizures.
Doctors also may conduct a form of a SPECT test called subtraction ictal SPECT coregistered to magnetic resonance imaging (SISCOM), which may provide even more detailed results.
Doctors generally begin by treating epilepsy with medication. If medications don't treat the condition, doctors may propose surgery or another type of treatment.
Most people with epilepsy can become seizure-free by taking one anti-seizure medication, called anti-epileptic medication. Others may be able to decrease the frequency and intensity of their seizures by taking medications. Your doctor will advise you about the appropriate time to stop taking medications.
More than half the children with epilepsy who aren't experiencing epilepsy symptoms can eventually discontinue medications and live a seizure-free life. Many adults also can discontinue medications after two or more years without seizures.
Finding the right medication and dosage can be complex. Your doctor will consider your condition, frequency of seizures, your age and other factors when choosing which medication to prescribe. Your doctor will also review any other medications you may be taking, to ensure the anti-epileptic medications won't interact with them.
Your doctor likely will first prescribe a single medication at a relatively low dosage and may increase the dosage gradually until your seizures are well controlled.
Anti-seizure medications may have some side effects. Mild side effects include:
More severe but rare side effects include:
To achieve the best seizure control possible with medication:
At least half of all people newly diagnosed with epilepsy will become seizure-free with their first medication. If anti-epileptic medications don't provide satisfactory results, your doctor may suggest surgery or other therapies. You'll have regular follow-up appointments with your doctor to evaluate your condition and medications.
Surgery is most commonly done when tests show that your seizures originate in a small, well-defined area of your brain that doesn't interfere with vital functions like speech, language, motor function, vision or hearing. In surgery, your doctor removes the area of your brain that's causing the seizures.
If your seizures originate in an area of the brain that controls movement, speech and other functions, you may be awake during part of the surgery. Doctors will monitor you and ask you questions during the procedure.
If your seizures originate in a part of your brain that can't be removed, your doctor may recommend a different type of surgery in which surgeons make several cuts in your brain (multiple subpial transection). These cuts are designed to prevent seizures from spreading to other parts of your brain.
Although many people continue to need some medication to help prevent seizures after successful surgery, you may be able to take fewer drugs and reduce your dosages.
In a small number of cases, surgery for epilepsy can cause complications such as permanently altering your thinking (cognitive) abilities. Talk to your surgeon about his or her experience, success rates and complication rates with the procedure you're considering.
Vagus nerve stimulation. In vagus nerve stimulation, doctors implant a device called a vagus nerve stimulator underneath the skin of your chest, similar to a heart pacemaker. Wires from the stimulator are connected to the vagus nerve in your neck.
The battery-powered device sends bursts of electrical energy through the vagus nerve and to your brain. It's not clear how this inhibits seizures, but the device can usually reduce seizures by 20 to 40 percent.
Most people still need to take anti-epileptic medication, although some people may be able to lower their medication dose. You may experience side effects from vagus nerve stimulation, such as throat pain, hoarse voice, shortness of breath or coughing.
Ketogenic diet. Some children with epilepsy have been able to reduce their seizures by following a strict diet that's high in fats and low in carbohydrates.
In this diet, called a ketogenic diet, the body breaks down fats instead of carbohydrates for energy. After a few years, some children may be able to stop the ketogenic diet and remain seizure-free.
Consult a doctor if you or your child is considering a ketogenic diet. It's important to make sure that your child doesn't become malnourished when taking the diet.
Side effects of a ketogenic diet may include dehydration, constipation, slowed growth because of nutritional deficiencies, and buildup of uric acid in the blood, which can cause kidney stones. These side effects are uncommon if the diet is properly and medically supervised.
Researchers are studying brain stimulation as a potential treatment for epilepsy. In brain stimulation, surgeons implant electrodes into a specific part of your brain. The electrodes are connected to a generator implanted in your chest or the skull that sends electrical pulses to your brain and may reduce your seizures.
Researchers also study stereotactic radiosurgery as a potential treatment for some types of epilepsy. In this procedure, doctors direct radiation at the specific area of your brain that is causing your seizure.
Understanding your condition can help you control it.
In addition, make healthy life choices such as managing stress, limiting alcoholic beverages and avoiding cigarettes.
Uncontrolled seizures and their effect on your life may at times feel overwhelming or lead to depression. It's important not to let epilepsy hold you back. You can still live an active, full life. To help cope:
If your seizures are so severe that you can't work outside your home, there are still ways to feel productive and connected to people. You may consider working from home, through working on a computer.
Let people you work and live with know the correct way to handle a seizure in case they are with you when you have one. You may offer them suggestions, such as:
Expertise and experience. Mayo Clinic doctors trained in brain and nervous system conditions (neurologists) and brain and nervous system surgery (neurosurgeons) have expertise and experience in evaluating and treating people with epilepsy.
Neurologists and neurosurgeons at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota have experience treating children with epilepsy.
Researchers also study potential treatments including medications, deep brain stimulation, surgery and other treatments for epilepsy, and conduct clinical trials.
Mayo Clinic doctors trained in brain and nervous system conditions (neurologists) and brain and nervous system surgery (neurosurgeons) evaluate and treat thousands of people each year with epilepsy.
Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., ranks #1 for neurology and neurosurgery in the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings. Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., is ranked among the Best Hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery, and Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., is ranked high performing for neurology and neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report. Mayo Clinic also ranks among the Best Children's Hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery.
At Mayo Clinic, we assemble a team of specialists who take the time to listen and thoroughly understand your health issues and concerns. We tailor the care you receive to your personal health care needs. You can trust our specialists to collaborate and offer you the best possible outcomes, safety and service.
Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical institution that reinvests all earnings into improving medical practice, research and education. We're constantly involved in innovation and medical research, finding solutions to improve your care and quality of life. Your doctor or someone on your medical team is likely involved in research related to your condition.
Our patients tell us that the quality of their interactions, our attention to detail and the efficiency of their visits mean health care — and trusted answers — like they've never experienced.
Why Choose Mayo Clinic
What Sets Mayo Clinic Apart
Mayo Clinic researchers have studied a type of stereotactic surgery called laser thermal ablation as a potential treatment for some types of epilepsy. Your neurosurgeon will discuss with you if you're a candidate for this procedure.
In this minimally-invasive procedure, doctors make a small hole in the back of your skull and guide a laser-tipped thin tube (catheter) into your skull to the specific area of your brain that is causing your seizure. Doctors then direct light energy through the catheter to heat and destroy tissue in the specific area of your brain that is causing your seizure.
Doctors will conduct an intraoperative MRI to locate the specific area of your brain causing your seizure prior to the procedure. Doctors also use intraoperative MRI to monitor the procedure and to confirm the lesion area after the procedure.
After the procedure, you'll need to spend the night in the hospital, and you can generally return to your normal activities in about a week.
This procedure is experimental and needs further research. Long-term results aren't yet known. However, the preliminary results of the research have been promising.
Mayo Clinic works with hundreds of insurance companies and is an in-network provider for millions of people. In most cases, Mayo Clinic doesn't require a physician referral. Some insurers require referrals or may have additional requirements for certain medical care. All appointments are prioritized on the basis of medical need.
Mayo Clinic doctors trained in neurology, neurosurgery, neuroradiology and neuropsychology diagnose and treat people with epilepsy at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. Staff in the Epilepsy Clinic at Mayo Clinic in Arizona cares for adults with epilepsy. People who are being evaluated for epilepsy and seizures may be monitored in a video-EEG epilepsy monitoring unit.
For appointments or more information, call the Central Appointment Office at 800-446-2279 (toll-free) 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mountain Standard Time, Monday through Friday or complete an online appointment request form.
Mayo Clinic doctors trained in neurology, neurosurgery, neuroradiology and neuropsychology diagnose and treat people with epilepsy at Mayo Clinic in Florida. People who are being evaluated for epilepsy and seizures may be monitored in the video-EEG Epilepsy Monitoring Unit.
For appointments or more information, call the Central Appointment Office at 904-953-0853 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday or complete an online appointment request form.
Mayo Clinic doctors trained in epilepsy, neurology, neurosurgery, neuroradiology, pediatric neurology and neuropsychology diagnose and treat adults and children with epilepsy at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. People who are being evaluated for epilepsy may be monitored in a video-EEG epilepsy monitoring unit.
For appointments or more information, call the Central Appointment Office at 507-538-3270 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central time, Monday through Friday or complete an online appointment request form.
Doctors trained in pediatric neurology, neurosurgery, neuropsychology and other areas diagnose and treat children with epilepsy at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. Staff in the Mayo Eugenio Litta Children's Hospital cares for children requiring hospitalization. Children being evaluated for epilepsy may be monitored in a video-EEG epilepsy monitoring unit.
Mayo Clinic doctors trained in neurology, neurosurgery and other areas study genetics, risks, potential diagnostic tests and treatments for epilepsy.
Mayo Clinic researchers have studied magnetic resonance imaging, subtraction ictal SPECT coregistered to MRI (SISCOM), electroencephalography, ketogenic diet, deep brain stimulation, epilepsy surgery and many other areas. Read more about Mayo Clinic research in epilepsy and epilepsy and neurophysiology.
See a list of publications on epilepsy by Mayo Clinic doctors on PubMed, a service of the National Library of Medicine.
Read about pediatric epilepsy management at Mayo Clinic, surgical management of intractable seizures in children with epilepsy and seizure prediction.
Original article: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/epilepsy/care-at-mayo-clinic/why-choose-mayo-clinic/CON-20033721
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News about Navigation, including commentary and archival articles published in The New York Times.
A Low-Cost Head-Up Option
The Garmin HUD+ projects information drivers can see while looking through the windshield. The technology lets drivers get vital information without taking their eyes off the road.
July 27, 2014, Sunday
MORE ON NAVIGATION AND: Global Positioning System , Automobiles , Garmin Ltd
Real Adventurers Read Maps
Listening to a GPS takes all the action and serendipity out of travel.
July 20, 2014, Sunday
MORE ON NAVIGATION AND: Navigation , Travel and Vacations , Maps , Global Positioning System , Roads and Traffic
Agency Aims to Regulate Map Aids in Vehicles
In an effort to curb distracted driving, a measure in a proposed bill would specify that Transportation Department could regulate smartphone map apps and systems built into cars.
June 16, 2014, Monday
MORE ON NAVIGATION AND: Global Positioning System , Navigation , United States Politics and Government , National Highway Traffic Safety Administration , Automobile Safety Features and Defects , Maps , Mobile Applications , Smartphones , Driver Distraction and Fatigue , Regulation and Deregulation of Industry , Transportation Department (US)
The Luggage Tag With GPS
Fliers have long tried many ways to set similar bags apart. Now, some companies are developing digital alternatives.
June 3, 2014, Tuesday
MORE ON NAVIGATION AND: Global Positioning System , Airlines and Airplanes , Business Travel , Luggage , Mobile Applications
In GPS Battle, Russia Sets Restrictions of Its Own
In imposing restrictions on the American satellite navigation system, Russia is answering the refusal of the United States to allow similar base stations on its soil.
June 2, 2014, Monday
MORE ON NAVIGATION AND: United States , Global Positioning System , Russia
Police Use High-Tech Lures to Reel in Bike Thieves
To fight a rash of thefts, the police leave bicycles equipped with GPS devices in public places, then track down thieves and post their portraits on social media.
May 28, 2014, Wednesday
MORE ON NAVIGATION AND: San Francisco Police Department , Global Positioning System , San Francisco (Calif) , Social Media , Twitter , Bicycles and Bicycling , Robberies and Thefts , Police
A Navigation Program Switches to Maps Made by Volunteers
Telenav says its Scout navigation app will be the first to use crowdsourcing to keep the map data up to date.
May 19, 2014, Monday
MORE ON NAVIGATION AND: Ford Motor Co , OpenStreetMap , Navteq , TomTom NV , TeleNav, Inc , Navigation , Waze Mobile
Robbery Suspect Tracked by GPS and Killed
Relying on a GPS device placed in a decoy pill bottle, police officers tracked an armed man suspected of robbing a pharmacy and fatally shot him during a confrontation on the Upper East Side, police said.
May 17, 2014, Saturday
When Hitting 'Find My iPhone' Takes You to a Thief's Doorstep
Using GPS tracking apps, more people are taking the law into their own hands to recover stolen smartphones, a trend that has law enforcement officials concerned.
May 4, 2014, Sunday
MORE ON NAVIGATION AND: Robberies and Thefts , Mobile Applications , Global Positioning System , Smartphones
Digital Mapping May Be Nokia's Hidden Jewel
Though a laggard in smartphone location apps, Nokia's Here mapping system is a leader in car navigation and might be a tantalizing takeover target.
April 25, 2014, Friday
MORE ON NAVIGATION AND: Global Positioning System , Nokia Oyj , Smartphones , Automobiles , Microsoft Corporation , Maps , Mergers, Acquisitions and Divestitures
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subset: commoncrawl


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U.S. exchange program will host 16 Middle Eastern women with advanced degrees in research labs in southeastern Michigan, in collaboration with UM-Dearborn College of Engineering and Computer Science
September 29, 2008
DEARBORN / Sept. 29, 2008---Sixteen Arab women with advanced degrees in science and technology will spend eight weeks working in southeastern Michigan research laboratories through a project organized by the University of Michigan-Dearborns College of Engineering and Computer Science.
The program is being supported by a $350,000 grant from the U.S. Department of States Office of Citizen Exchanges, as part of UM-Dearborns Henry W. Patton Center for Engineering Education and Practice.
The main objective of this program is to provide young Arab women in the professional fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics with a fellowship that will not only enhance their technical training but also familiarize them with the research environment in the U.S, according to John Cristiano, director of the UM-Dearborn center. The long-term goal is to establish a sustainable network of relationships not only with their American mentors but also among participants.
The mission of HP-CEEP is to be a leader in incorporating engineering practice, at all levels of engineering education, by integrating the teaching environment with the world of practice Cristiano said. This program provides a unique opportunity to leverage our talented and diverse faculty to extend the mission of the center internationally by combining the professional development of participants with the building of long-term, collaborative relationships.
The program will recruit participants from countries in the Middle East and North Africa, including Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, West Bank / Gaza, and Yemen.
The women selected for the program will spend two months working with researchers at UM-Dearborn and in local high technology companies.
During their stay the women will split their time between enhancing their technical education through university courses and working on research projects in their area of expertise at their host company, said Barbara Peitsch, the project manager for UM-Dearborn. The goal is to establish a relationship for each participant with a faculty member or industry mentor.
After the women complete the fellowships, they will be engaged in follow-up programs in their home countries, including continuing engagement with their American mentors. The final phase is to sustain the relationships built during their fellowships both between the participants and with their community, industry, and university mentors, Peitsch said.
UM-Dearborn is partnering with the Arab American Womens Business Council (AAWBC) and the Detroit Regional Chamber to implement this project. Our local partners are key to the success of the program, according to Peitsch. Working with the AAWBC and the Detroit Regional Chamber will ensure that these women have strong job placements and that they are comfortable culturally and socially.
For further information about the project, contact John Cristiano, firstname.lastname@example.com, phone 313-593-0941 or Barbara Peitsch, firstname.lastname@example.com, phone 313-593-5086.
CONTACT: Terry Gallagher
The Office of University Relations
Room 1040, Administration Building
University of Michigan-Dearborn


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Designed by 4-time Bassmaster Classic Champion, Kevin VanDam, the Strike King KVD HC Flat Side Crankbait is built with a slender profile and flat sides that produce an erratic thumping action. Its flat-sided design is very similar to the tournament-proven Strike King KVD HC Square Bill, and is perfect for grabbing the attention of slightly deeper fish. In addition, the Strike King KVD HC Flat Side Crankbait also features realistic 3D eyes, and a beautiful chip-resistant finish that will last for many fish to come. Offered in a range of detailed colors, the highly effective Strike King KVD NC Flat Side Crankbit delivers tournament-caliber performance with the priceless input from one of the best to ever do it – Mr. Kevin VanDam.
|Strike King
|KVD HC Flat Side
Comments: Bought two of these to try out and I was horribly disappointed. The first one I tied on was out of tune and that's normal for new cranks. Took me a few casts to get it to run true. After about five casts it was out of tune again. For about 15 minutes I tried getting it to stay in tune but it would always wander back off after a few casts or after being bumped in to a rock or stump. Same deal with the other one. Not sure if I just got a couple of lemons or what. It may just be this style that does it because I've never had any other problems like this with SK lures.
From: Brian: AL 5/6/14
Comments: This bait will catch them in tough conditions no doubt especially in colder spring water.I am still surprised though they have not released a Craw pattern in this bait or a slightly larger/heavier one.Would love to see those two options be added to the line.
From: Unknown: USA
Comments: I Love the design and looks of these but SK please make a shallow square bill version of this please!!
From: WI
Comments: I live in Wisconsin. These crankbaits are absolute killers on smallmouth and largemouth alike in these northern clear lakes! natural colors like bluegill work well in clear water.
From: Cole: Rhinelander, WI
Comments: Great Crankbait! SK:PLEASE MAKE A SQUAREBILL VERSION!!!!
From: Rusty: Texas, where else?
Comments: The true workhorse of cranks. KVD proved that the fanciest paint jobs are not what catch fish. Tip: The eyes tend to come off. I take them off when new and use a dab of superglue to make sure they stay put. Hooks are decent but I always go with KVD Triple Grips with these. Great crank, great price!
From: Steve: NJ
Comments: has a nice swimming action that to me is different than my other flat side baits.My only real gripe is the cast-ability of the lure.Like Gman mentioned below they seem to not cast very well at all for me either.It cast Decent don't get me wrong but any wind and it goes Flying unpredictably .Love to see a slightly heavier size .Need to offer a 1/2 oz size that goes a little deeper 10+ft. I throw it on a 7 ft veritas Winch cranking rod and 12 pound Pline Cx preimium has been my best setup for casting it
Comments: Tried these out over the past week and caught a few fish (despite being in midst of late summer patterns). Decent thump/action (similar to a series 5) but less than Bagley and some of the Japanese flat square bills. Large bill for the size of bait. Very bouyant/rises fast, max depth was 6' using 10lb FC, larger front hook upgrade helped some. Packaging states 3/8 oz, but seemed a bit difficult to throw in the wind (body shape/wt placement?).
From: G Man: Tarheel Country
***Note: If you have questions about this product or need assistance with an order please email your questions to email@example.com
12 Available Colors
More Strike King Hardbaits
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I bought a Eastman Outdoors Smoke Summer Sausage kit from WM. Wife read the instructions and we went to town, mixed it 85/15 with bacon ends and bits. It says 4 steps: grind, mix, regrind/stuff, refrigerate. There are no other instructions.
Is that truly it? No cooking, no smoking, nothing else? There is cure in it, but you would think there would be a time it needed to set? Anyway, I'm clueless and the wife is totally freaked out over "RAW" venison and pork. I must say I'm a little apprehensive too.


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At the end of a long, exhausting day full of real-life troubles, bedtime rituals can offer comfort. Especially story time.
A good story with strong characters and high morals can inspire both children and parents alike. Even the classics are beneficial, where lazy pigs get eaten, boys who cry "wolf!" are ignored and a foolish gingerbread man meets his doom.
Such stories help children understand the importance of hard work, honesty and discernment; in short, the reality of consequences. Through books, children can learn what's possible and hopefully some important lessons.
Recently our son Harrison started being less than forthright about things. I reached for The Boy Who Cried Wolf to illustrate the importance of telling the truth.
Yes, it was challenging to explain to a 4-year-old what happened to the little boy when the wolf really showed up and no one came to his rescue. But if Harrison can learn honesty by reading a story, even one that involves the demise of a naughty trickster, how much better than having to experience that pain firsthand.
Some might argue that life's scary enough without reading fanciful tales of woe. I understand their concerns. I certainly don't want to introduce nightmares, filling my kids' heads with endless warnings of what bad things might happen.
But I do want them to understand human nature and develop wisdom. And there are lots of books well suited to the task. Experts agree: Reading is one of the best things you can do for your children. And what you read matters.
Not every evening is the occasion for a life lesson. In fact, most nights we're too tired for anything too challenging. Often we opt for a silly rhyme book or a review of the basics: colors, numbers, the ABCs. On those evenings I know the kids are happy just to have some time of physical closeness and affection. And they're associating a learning activity with a loving one.
Thankfully there are evenings when we're up for a character-shaping story. And as children grow older, their ability to absorb more challenging and complex stories grows, as does their need for inspiring tales. If you start when they're young, there's a good chance they'll love books when they most need them.
In his book The Call of Stories: Teaching and the Moral Imagination, Robert Coles recalls his mother's attempts to use literature to reach him during his turbulent teen years. "When I was a high schooler of 16 and inclined to be moody and troublesome at home," he writes, "my mother bought me a copy of War and Peace and asked me earnestly, pleadingly, to spend the summer reading it."
Though he protested in her presence, he "took to reading the novel, but on the sly." It took Coles until the end of high school to finish the story, but the masterpiece was working on him. He developed a deep love of literature and went on — after earning degrees in pediatric medicine, child psychiatry and psychoanalysis — to use the same stories that shaped him to teach students in the schools of medicine, business, divinity and government at Harvard and other distinguished universities.
On many evenings I'd much rather collapse on the couch than take the time to read to my children. But 15 minutes of story time is a small investment with the potential for big returns.
The bookstores and libraries are full of books for children — thousands of them. But not all children's books are created equal. With so many choices, it's hard to know where to begin.
There are gems hidden in the discount rack and a few stinkers with the Newbery Medal stamped on them. Whole books have been written about which books are worth reading to your children. Bill Bennett's anthology The Book of Virtues, Gladys Hunt's Honey for a Child's Heart and Jim Trelease's The Read-Aloud Handbook come to mind. Such collections are helpful, but knowing what to look for can expand your selection even more, enabling you to create your own list of favorites.
Some books are just better than others. They have better illustrations, better production quality and better stories. There are good reasons to choose your children's books wisely:
During a recent trip to the post office, our 4-year-old son introduced himself to a little girl near his own age. Within five minutes of meeting, he was kissing her and inviting her over to play. Always an extrovert, it was time for him to learn some social boundaries. I picked up a copy of The Gingerbread Man from the library and settled in for some classic story time.
I figured the tale of the energetic, rebellious cookie who ran away from the people who could help him, stopping only to trust the conniving hungry fox, was a good place to start. Though not a perfect analogy — little girls in the post office are rarely a threat to one's safety — my hope was that he would develop a healthy distrust of strangers.
As the story goes, the gingerbread man accepts a fox's offer to ferry him across the river in order to escape the farmer, the farmer's wife and all their farm animals running after him. Nearing the end of his ride on the fox's back, the little cookie trusts the fox one more time, moving up to his snout to avoid getting wet. And true to form, the fox throws his head back, opens his jaws and swallows the cookie whole. Betrayed!
Just when I hoped our son was catching the moral — regardless of what they promise, foxes will be true to their nature and loyal to their stomachs — I noticed we weren't at the end of the story. Not yet. I turned the page and there it was, the words that qualified this book as a "retelling" for modern ears.
The story went on:
"But don't be sad, for that wasn't the end of the gingerbread man.
The gingerbread man has gone away, But he'll be back some other day. For gingerbread men return, it's said. When someone bakes some gingerbread."
In other words, it's OK that the cookie trusted the wily fox because gingerbread rejuvenates itself every time the farmer's wife bakes cookies.
Not only did the fox betray the cookie, but the book betrayed me. I wanted my son to ask hard questions like "What happened to the gingerbread man?" "Why did the fox eat him?" "How will he get out of the fox's mouth?" My whole reason for choosing this story was to gently show my son the need for caution when dealing with people you've just met. I wanted him to understand that trust is something you must earn.
Whoever published this book wanted to blunt the edges. But in doing so, he silenced the tough questions.
Kids in real trouble can often find in books the help that eludes them in real life. Booker T. Washington's autobiography, Up From Slavery, tells how he overcame abject poverty and appalling circumstances to learn to read, gain an education and eventually rise to be one of the most influential leaders of his day.
Rather than defining himself by the life into which he was born, he strived for something different.
In those days, and later as a young man, I used to try to picture in my imagination the feelings and ambitions of a white boy with absolutely no limit placed upon his aspirations and activities. I used to envy the white boy who had no obstacles placed in the way of his becoming a Congressman, Governor, Bishop, or President by reason of the accident of his birth or race. I used to picture the way that I would act under such circumstances; how I would begin at the bottom and keep rising until I reached the highest round of success.
In later years, I confess that I do not envy the white boy as I once did. I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.
Sadly, many modern publications take the opposite approach, offering stories that empathize with kids in trouble rather than offering hope for a way out. For example, Stranger in Dadland tells the story of a 12-year-old boy who flies cross country to visit his divorced dad every summer and every summer hopes he'll feel his dad's love and acceptance. It's a depressing true-to-life tale that accurately depicts life in a broken family.
When kids in crisis read, they want stories that offer the hope that obstacles can be cleared and joy can be found. They may find comfort in a character who shares their predicament, but only if he overcomes it. It's unlikely they'll be uplifted by a tale of woe that merely mimics their own situation.
What all kids crave in stories are tales of wonder, mystery, heroism, courage and other themes that stir the moral imagination. That's not to say all good stories end "and they lived happily ever after" but that in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, the characters learn how they should respond and in the end, do the right thing.
If children spend time reading stories like Red Badge of Courage, Little Women, The Chronicles of Narnia and even The World of Pooh, they will learn about traits of strong character — kindness, courage, grace, patience, honesty and more — that will help them should a real-life crisis arise.
Stories have the power to shape our character, ignite our imagination and form a vision for the people we want to become. And story time isn't just for infants and toddlers.
In his book The Read-Aloud Handbook, author Jim Trelease explains that children's listening skills outpace their reading level; they can listen to and understand more advanced books than they can read to themselves. While they may not be much past sounding out "see spot run; run, spot, run," they can enter the adventurous world of Charlotte's Web, if only a willing adult will take the time to read to them.
It's not just about longer, harder-to-pronounce words. It's about more advanced concepts. At 4, our son can barely sound out "tell the truth." But he can listen to The Boy Who Cried Wolf from start to finish.
Even teenagers who can manage more difficult texts still benefit from the relational interaction required for reading aloud. You're never too old to be read to.
As a boy, Robert Coles thought his parents were odd for reading and rereading classic literature aloud to one another. He even asked his dad about it, wondering why anyone would prefer the words on a page to the exciting stories available at the time on the radio. It wasn't until years later that Coles understood his parents' love of those texts was like fondness for old friends; friends they shared.


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text: Boston Acoustics VSi-580 In-ceiling speaker Zoom Front Grille Photos Videos Item #: 065VSI580 Review Summary 1 person says Low Stock $449.99 Was: -$45.00 : Outlet Savings Free Crutchfield lifetime tech support Free Shipping Open Box Price Loading... $404.99 each Add to cart + Add to wishlist Email me alerts for this product Buy this item and earn up to 405 Rewards points See more offers and ways to save Special Financing Available x By buying this product you'll earn up to 405 Rewards points. When you sign up for a Crutchfield account, you'll be enrolled in Crutchfield Rewards. You'll earn one point for every dollar you spend on gear from us. You can turn your points into Rewards Cards that you can use toward future purchases. You can sign up for an account now, or after you complete your purchase (you'll get credit for the points either way). Sign up for a Crutchfield account Overview Details Customer Reviews Q&A Articles & Videos Accessories Our take on the Boston Acoustics VSi-580 by Marshall Chase Uncluttered sound from above Boston Acoustics' VSi-series of in-wall and in-ceiling speakers get music and movie sound right while getting out of your way. The '580 has a pivoting tweeter so you can direct the highs precisely where you want them. And Deep Channel® Design woofers wring bass efficiently from every drop of power that comes their way. Clean finish, easy set-up Boston Acoustics VSi is installation friendly, with a paint-ready, low-clearance bezel to make the speaker virtually invisible. Precision designed tweeters can pivot to direct sound right where you want it. And Deep Channel® Design woofers wring bass efficiently from every drop of power that comes their way. There's even a boundary compensation switch to adjust for proximity to room corners. An in-ceiling mounting bracket is recommended for installing this speaker in a new home under construction or in a room that's undergoing major renovation. (Brackets sold as a pair.) Got wire? Most speakers don't include any. Learn more about in-wall wiring at the Crutchfield Learning Center. Shop our selection of in-wall speaker wire. See more info on this item Highlights:sold individuallypivoting 1" dome tweeterhigh efficiency Deep Channel® 8" wooferhandles up to 150 watts RMSfrequency response 45-22,000 Hz (±3dB)sensitivity 89 dB8-ohm impedancemoisture resistant for bath and kitchen applicationsmagnetic, paintable speaker grillecutout dimensions: 10-7/8" diametermounting depth: 5"warranty: 5 yearsOur 60-day money-back guarantee Hands-on research from the Crutchfield Labs (what are the Labs?) Features and specs chart | What's in the box? | In-depth notes Features and Specs Enclosure Type In-ceiling Video Shielded No Tweeter Dome Midrange Size --- Woofer Size 8 Woofer Composition Copolymer Woofer Surround Rubber Power Range (Watts) 10-150 Sensitivity 89 dB dB Impedance (Ohms) 8 Frequency Response 45-22kHz Connector Type Spring Posts Bi-Amp Inputs No Parts Warranty 5 Years Labor Warranty 5 Years Product Research What's in the box? Download owner's manual 1 Ceiling-mount speaker 1 White metal grille 3" Phillips head bit Cardboard template Plastic paint mask (speaker) Wax paper paint shield (grille) Instruction booklet (English/ Spanish/ French/ German) Product registration card Disposal note Our Product Research Team At Crutchfield, you'll get detailed, accurate information that's hard to find elsewhere. That's because we have our own in-house Product Research team — they open the box, verify contents, check the owner's manual, and record dimensions, features and specs. We stay on top of new products and technologies to help people make informed choices. Features Mounting Features Woofer: The Boston Acoustics VSi 580 uses an 8" DCD (Deep Channel Design) copolymer woofer with a die-cast aluminum basket. The DCD woofer uses a deeply grooved pole plate that enables the voice coil to travel farther for greater output without bottoming. Tweeter: The VSi 580 uses Boston's 1" VR aluminum dome tweeter. Compared to a soft dome, aluminum is equally light, yet more rigid. Compared to other hard dome materials, aluminum is better able to accurately track the input signal. There is a unique pivoting tweeter cup offering placement flexibility; the aluminum tweeter cup also acts as a heat sink. Moisture Resistant: The VSi 580 is well suited for humid environments like the kitchen or bathroom. Make sure they are positioned so that moisture cannot collect inside them. They are not designed for locations where they will be submerged. Boundary Compensation: The boundary compensation circuit shapes the sound to counteract the effect of placement too close to an adjacent wall (or ceiling, floor, or corner). The switch should be turned on if the speaker is mounted closer than 18 inches from the junction of two surfaces or closer than 24 inches from a corner. Inputs: Spring loaded posts will accept banana plugs (single or dual) or bare wire up to 12 gauge. Mounting Placement: Because you can control the direction of the high frequencies with the pivoting tweeter, you can mount these in-ceiling speakers almost anywhere. For optimum results, place the speakers 8 to 12 feet apart so they form a triangle with the listening area. Installation: After a 10-7/8" diameter cutout is made the speaker is installed into the opening and held into place with four integral plastic mounting ears. The required depth to install the speaker is 5" from the mounting surface (this includes the thickness of the drywall). Behind the opening there must be a 1" clearance around the speaker to accommodate the ears. The mounting wall material must be at least 1/4" thick for the mounting ears to work. Magnetic Grille: The grille is magnetically mounted for easy installation. Paintable: Both the frame and grille can be painted to match the ceiling. A plastic paint mask is included to protect the speaker from being painted as well. Optional Bracket: The NCBR8 new-construction bracket (sold separately) can be used to simplify installation in new construction. Review this product Submit a review and then enter to win a $500 rewards card Boston Acoustics VSi-580 Reviews Average Customer Review: 1 people say: Review this product: Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences about this product. Please be sure to focus your comments on the product itself. Read our Review Guidelines for more information. Review title * Email Your email won't be visible. Please use the email address that is associated with your order. Display name (e.g., JohnD) Your review will be signed using the display name and location * Your location (e.g., Charlottesville, VA) * Your rating Click on a star to rate the overall product on a scale of 1-5 1500 characters left * Your review Attach a YouTube Review Crutchfield Video Review Guidelines Only submit videos that you made or are authorized to use. Do not submit videos that contain music, video or visuals that are copyrighted and belong to someone else. Please see our Review Guidelines for more information. Submit the URL of your YouTube™ video review or product demonstration. e.g., "http://www.youtube.com/v/o79TWHh598U" 500 characters left Pros 500 characters left Cons * Agree to Terms By checking this box you agree your review becomes the property of Crutchfield, that you are over 18 years of age, that you own or have owned this product, and that you are located within the United States or its territories. Please see our Review Guidelines for more information. We reserve the right (but are not obligated to) review all submissions and edit or remove any review in any manner which we deem necessary. Your review should be posted within seven days. Filter by rating: 5 Star: (0) 4 Star: (0) 3 Star: (0) 2 Star: (0) 1 Star: (0) 5 out of 5 Fantastic! Written By Ryan Oh, Austin, TX on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 These are large but sound fantastic. The bass is deep and accurate and the highs sound clear but not tinny. The mounting system is so simple and the grill is very flat and magnetic. These blend right into the ceiling with a very small frame reveal. I spent extra to ensure I got the best sound and got what I paid for. I purchased 6 of these. 2 out of 2 people found this helpful Was this review helpful? Yes | No Add accessories for the Boston Acoustics VSi-580 Add Accessories UL-listed speaker wire is designed to be run through walls and is building code compliant. Most speakers don't include speaker wire. See all categories & accessories UL-listed speaker wire is designed to be run through walls and is building code compliant. Most speakers don't include speaker wire. In-wall Speaker Wire Use special hardware to give your speakers a sturdy and professional looking installation. In-wall/in-ceiling Brackets Have your speakers installed by qualified professionals. Professional Installation Set the volume level in your remote location without going back and forth from room to room. In-wall Volume Controls A speaker selector will let you control multiple pairs of speakers from a single location. Speaker Selectors & Distributors AudioQuest FLX-14/2 14-Gauge 2-Conductor In-Wall Speaker Cable UL-approved for in-wall use; direct-burial rated (125 feet) 51 people say Your Price: $129.99 Add to Cart AudioQuest FLX-14/4 14-Gauge 4-Conductor In-Wall Speaker Cable UL-approved for in-wall use; direct-burial rated (250 feet) Options 125 feet-$219.99 250 feet-$439.99 UL-approved for in-wall use; direct-burial rated (125 feet) UL-approved for in-wall use; direct-burial rated (250 feet) 2 people say Your Price: $439.99 Add to Cart AudioQuest FLX-16/2 16-Gauge 2-Conductor In-Wall Speaker Cable UL-approved for in-wall use; direct-burial rated (125 feet) 28 people say Your Price: $99.99 Add to Cart AudioQuest FLX-16/4 16-Gauge 4-Conductor In-Wall Speaker Cable UL-approved for in-wall use; direct-burial rated (125 feet) 7 people say Your Price: $159.99 Add to Cart Boston Acoustics NCBR8 New construction brackets for select Boston Acoustics in-ceiling speakers Your Price: $49.99 Add to Cart Russound Flexbox For in-ceiling speakers Your Price: $199.99 Add to Cart Premium 2-Speaker Home Theater Installation 1 person says Your Price: $239.99 Add to Cart Premium 7-Speaker Home Theater Installation Your Price: $419.99 Add to Cart Premium 5-Speaker Home Theater Installation 4 people say Your Price: $369.99 Add to Cart Premium 6-Speaker Home Theater Installation Your Price: $379.99 Add to Cart Niles SVC100K Sliding stereo volume control with impedance magnification Your Price: $129.99 Add to Cart Niles VCS100K Stereo volume control with impedance magnification 4 people say Your Price: $99.99 Add to Cart Russound ALTX-WIRI-2D Electronic volume control with IR sensor and impedance magnification Your Price: $159.00 Add to Cart Niles SS-4 4-pair speaker selector 23 people say Your Price: $129.99 Add to Cart Niles SS-6 6-pair speaker selector 8 people say Your Price: $174.99 Add to Cart Russound SS-4.2 4-pair speaker selector 6 people say Your Price: $119.00 Add to Cart Russound SS-6.2 6-pair speaker selector 1 person says Your Price: $159.00 Add to Cart Niles SSVC-2 2-pair speaker selector with volume control 4 people say Your Price: $249.99 Add to Cart Niles SSVC-4 4-pair speaker selector with volume control 7 people say Your Price: $399.99 Add to Cart Niles SSVC-6 6-pair speaker selector with volume control 6 people say Your Price: $474.99 Add to Cart Russound SDB-2.1 2-pair speaker and source selector with volume control 1 person says Your Price: $199.00 Add to Cart Russound SDB-4.1 High-power 4-pair speaker selector with volume control 1 person says Your Price: $399.99 Add to Cart Russound SDB-6.1 High-power 6-pair speaker selector with volume control Your Price: $499.99 Add to Cart Niles VCS HUB8 8-speaker pair connecting block 6 people say Your Price: $79.99 Add to Cart Why choose SquareTrade? The #1-Rated Protection Plan Thousands of people have reviewed SquareTrade Protection Plans — and made us #1. 5-Day Service Guarantee & Free Shipping We'll repair or replace your item in five business days or less after we've received it, or your plan is free. And, as always, we pay for all shipping. Protection from Normal, Everyday Use Repairing your average mechanical or electrical failure can cost as much as buying a new device. With SquareTrade, you're covered — including parts and labor. For a more in-depth review and enhanced detailed information on the Boston Acoustics VSi-580, please visit the Crutchfield website product page (/ISEO-rccbcspd/p_065VSI580/Boston-Acoustics-VSi-580.html ). × Front Grille


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This 24kt gold-plated Broncos Super Bowl Champs coin is beautifully displayed in a 3.5" x 5" Acrylic piece with custom Two-Time Super Bowl Champions archival etching (engraving) and makes a perfect addition to any fan's office or den. Each piece is delivered on a cherry wood base with an engraved nameplate and a Certificate of Authenticity. This is a limited edition of 5,000 and is officially licensed by the NFL.
- 24kt. Gold plated commemorative coin
- 3.5" x 5" etched acrylic plaque
- 6" x 3" x 1" Cherry wood base with engraved nameplate
- Certificate of Authenticity included
- Limited edition collectible
- Made in the USA
- Officially licensed NFL product
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INGLEWOOD, Calif. (August 3, 2012)—Hollywood Juvenile Championship winner Scherer Magic will try to remain undefeated in the $150,000 Best Pal Stakes Sunday at Del Mar.
A Grade II for 2-year-olds at 6 ½ furlongs over Cushion Track, the Best Pal is the eighth of nine races Sunday. Post time is 2 p.m. Track gates at Betfair Hollywood Park will open at 10 a.m. for simulcasts.
In his initial race after being claimed for $50,000 by trainer John Sadler for owners Gary and Cecil Barber, Scherer Magic rallied to win the Grade III Juvenile by 2 ½ lengths. This Cushion Track score came one month after he debuted with a 7 ¼ length romp over maidens.
An Iowa bred gelding by Doneraile Court out of the Touch Gold mare She's a Nasty One, Scherer Magic has earned $107,400. He could be the second Juvenile winner in three years to repeat in the Best Pal, joining J P's Gusto, who won both races in 2010.
The field of eight also includes a pair of first out winners – Heir of Storm and Heir Kitty –and Cinderella Stakes winner Miss Empire, who will take on males for the Barbers and Kevn Tsujihara and trainer Peter Miller.
From inside out, the field for the 42nd Best Pal Stakes: Heir of Storm, Martin Garcia rides, 117 pounds; Moreno, Victor Espinoza, 117; Miss Empire, Kevin Krigger, 120; Scherer Magic, Joe Talamo, 123; Heir Kitty, David Flores, 116; Amarish, Edwin Maldonado, 123; K Court, Yuichi Fukunaga, 117 and Know More, Garrett Gomez, 117.
Copyright © 2009-2014, Hollywood Park. All rights reserved.


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Why U.S. Bank moved early on EMV
Fraud and customer service were two factors. Is it time to follow suit?
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- Written by Lisa Valentine
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- Comments: DISQUS_COMMENTS
As of second-quarter 2012, 1.55 billion EMV-compliant cards were in use worldwide, according to EMVCo, a joint venture that manages, maintains, and enhances EMV specifications and is currently owned by American Express, JCB, MasterCard, and Visa.
EMV (Europay MasterCard Visa) chip-based card adoption has been swift in most nations (see table, p. 22), but the United States lags far behind. Only a handful of U.S. banks offer EMV-enabled credit cards, including Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Citibank, Fifth Third Bank, U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo, and Silicon Valley Bank.
Unlike magnetic-stripe cards that are susceptible to skimming, EMV cards, also called smartcards, include an embedded microprocessor chip that utilizes dynamic data, rather than the static data available in mag-stripe cards, to protect consumers against counterfeit fraud.
A "dual interface" card
U.S. Bancorp, with $354 billion in assets, is an early EMV adopter. It first issued its Travel Rewards Signature Visa EMV credit card in June 2011 to 20,000 consumer cardholders, says Julie Schmidt, vice-president, FlexPerks Visa Portfolio Management. FlexPerks is a dual-interface card that combines EMV-chip and mag-stripe technologies, so it can be used at chip-card readers, contactless payment terminals, or traditional mag-stripe readers. Schmidt spoke about the bank's EMV experience during a session at ABA's recent National Conference for Community Bankers, and in a follow-up interview.
U.S. Bank rolled out the FlexPerks Travel Rewards Business card for small businesses in June 2012. The bank's corporate payments division also began issuing EMV-chip cards to corporate-card clients in March 2012.
U.S. Bank began developing the business case for EMV even before Visa and MasterCard announced details and deadlines for a liability shift between issuers and merchants, notes Schmidt. She adds that the decision to offer EMV cards boiled down to customer convenience. "We wanted a better customer experience and needed a payment solution that delivered on the brand promise 'Anywhere Visa is accepted,'" says Schmidt.
But other factors played into the bank's decision. Also fueling the move to EMV was concern that as other countries implemented the more secure EMV standards and had succeeded in reducing card fraud in widespread applications, fraudsters would begin focusing on the more vulnerable mag-stripe cards in the United States.
U.S. Bank also noted a drop in its foreign transaction-fee revenue as customers, declined at the point of sale for not having EMV cards during foreign travel, would instead pay by cash or local currency.
When customers were declined internationally, they didn't blame the technology; they blamed the card, says Schmidt. "Customers 'punish' the card by putting it in a sock drawer and not using it," she laughs.
These foreign travelers were customers U.S. Bank wanted to retain, since FlexPerks cardholders who travel abroad are far more engaged and spend more on their card, explains Schmidt. Steve Kenneally, vice-president in ABA's Center for Regulatory Compliance, concurs, noting that those consumers who travel internationally tend to be more profitable customers. He says he's seeing a trend toward banks offering EMV cards on an as-requested basis to travelers, rather than rolling them out to their entire customer bases.
Educating customers
In May 2009, U.S. Bank converted the world's second-largest co-branded Visa card portfolio, WorldPerks Visa, to FlexPerks Visa. It was an overwhelming success, with 90% of customers activating their FlexPerks card after the new card was introduced. U.S. Bank then transitioned the FlexPerks card to EMV in 2011 by first identifying those customers who had used the co-branded card outside the United States most frequently and reissuing EMV cards to those cardholders.
To drive customer acceptance, U.S. Bank included consumer education information with the FlexPerks cards to explain the new card's features. "We explained that 'Your card now travels even better with improved acceptance in Canada and overseas,' and how to use the card whenever they encounter a chip-card reader," says Schmidt. U.S. Bank also included travel tips, FAQs, and a picture identifying how to locate the chip on the card.
One of the biggest decisions confronting banks moving to EMV is whether to provide EMV in a password-required environment or use a chip and PIN model. Schmidt explains that after consulting with a variety of payments experts, U.S. Bank determined that the best approach would be to select a technology based on chip and signature.
"Customers told us they did not want another PIN or password to remember; they had too many already," recalls Schmidt. "With so many payments routing over the internet, we felt we could deploy a secure EMV solution without a PIN or password."
The rollout hasn't been without a few bumps, with some customers reporting problems using the cards at unattended transit stations. "Unattended kiosks are becoming less of an issue as merchants replace their equipment to accept chip and signature," reports Schmidt. The cards will work without a signature, she says. "The key is the chip."
U.S. Bank is issuing, in waves, the FlexPerks Reserve Visa Signature cards with EMV as cards expire. All new consumer or business accounts that book to FlexPerks Reserve or FlexPerks Travel Rewards accounts are issued EMV-chip cards. Schmidt expects all FlexPerks cardholders to be on the EMV platform by 2014.
U.S. Bank also honors customer requests for the EMV cards. "Any existing FlexPerks Travel Rewards card member who did not get an upgraded card and has a trip planned can call us, and we will send them a new card," says Schmidt. Otherwise, the cards are upgraded when they expire.
Investment ROI
Stephanie Ericksen, head of Authentication Product Integration, Visa Inc., and a co-panelist with Schmidt at the ABA conference session, notes that EMV cards are approximately twice as expensive for banks to issue as non-EMV cards. While uncomfortable sharing U.S. Banks' costs of issuing EMV versus mag-stripe cards, Schmidt reports there are multiple benefits in offering chip cards that outweigh additional card-issuance costs.
First, U.S. Bank customers who travel outside the United States spend three times as much as cardholders who use the card only domestically. These travelers also conduct as many as three times the number of transactions per month and revolve at a higher rate.
Second, the bank is capturing more transactions. Schmidt says customers are using the card not just for big-dollar purchases but for meals at fast-food restaurants, groceries, transit, and gas, and thus the average transaction size is decreasing. "We used to lose these smaller-value transactions to cash or local currency," she notes. "Now, we are capturing many more transactions."
These cardholders are more engaged with the bank as well, which is evidenced by their propensity to redeem rewards at a higher rate, says Schmidt.
Another area where the bank has been "thrilled," says Schmidt, is that fraud has decreased due to the EMV cards.
Are you ready for EMV?
Ericksen recommends that banks not yet wanting to jump into EMV explore, plan, and monitor industry happenings. "Learn about EMV technology, how it works, and how to best implement it," she suggests. The card processors as well as the Smart Card Alliance (smartcardalliance.org) can provide information, including usage numbers.
The second piece of advice Ericksen gives banks is to plan and develop a roadmap that includes triggers for when and how they will support EMV. Lastly, she encourages bank issuers to monitor the pace and developments of U.S. migration to EMV, so they can fine-tune their plans and timing, as necessary.
"Those banks moving ahead with EMV initiatives must make a few key technology decisions largely around cardholder verification options, such as signature/PIN or no signature/PIN," explains Ericksen. "The key is for issuers to utilize a real-time infrastructure for authorization and authentication."
Another critical decision is to assess the impact of the liability shift that takes effect on Oct. 1, 2015 for point-of-sale transactions. After that time, if an EMV-enabled card is read as a mag-stripe card and the transaction is fraudulent, the card issuer can then charge the transaction back to the merchant under card-company rules.
ABA's Kenneally says that banks need to weigh the potential costs versus the benefits of the liability shift. "If banks don't upgrade to EMV and the merchants do," he notes, "the liability for fraud will fall squarely on the bank."
Tagged under Payments, Cards, Risk Management, Cyberfraud/ID Theft,


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Business Intelligence Reporting Tools in SQL Server 2012
9:00 Welcome and What is data visualisation? What it is not, and why is it important? What products make up the suite of SQL Server 2012 Business Intelligence stack?
09:30 Tabular Model - what is it? When is it best used? What distinguishes it from multidimensional cubes?
10:00 PowerPivot - what is it? When is it best used? What distinguishes it from multidimensional cubes? What are the new features in SQL Server 2012?
11:00 Break
11:15 Finding patterns in the data. You will learn about the process involved in finding patterns in the data, looking at some of the more well-known data visualisation examples. We will learn about: Power View, using PowerPivot and the Tabular model as a basis. We will also look at tips and tricks in optimising Tabular Models so that they can render Power View effectively.We will look at other helpful visualisations such as sparklines, bullet charts and marimekko charts.
12:30 Lunch
13:30 Further Data Visualisations. In this section, you will learn about visualisations and how they are best used. This includes bullet charts, and other visualisations based on Tufte's "small multiples" such as sparklines. We will learn:
- We will look at PerformancePoint, and how we can use PowerPivot as a basis and 'gotchas' in using PowerPivot as a basis for PerformancePoint - We will look at Excel Services, and how we can provision self-service using the Tabular Model and PowerPivot as the basis for Excel and Excel Services
15:00 Multivariate statistical data. In this section, we will cover the complexities of displaying multivariate data since is potentially more complex. Here, we look at ways of displaying multivariate data such as table lenses and crosstab arrangements of Tufte's 'small multiples'. We will use Reporting Services as a technology to surface multi-dimensional data.
15:15 Break
16:15 Dashboards - Putting it all together. We will look at different ways of implementing Dashboards, KPIs and other visualisations. This will involve a range of technologies, from KPIs in PowerPivot, to the new features in Power View.
17:30 Close
Presented by
Jennifer Stirrup
SQLBits XI
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Jennifer Stirrup
Jen Stirrup is an award-winning, world recognised Business Intelligence and Data Visualisation expert, author, data strategist, MVP, and technical community advocate who is repeatedly honoured with peer recognition as one of the top 100 most global influential tweeters on Big Data topics. Jen has over 16 years experience in delivering BI and dataviz projects for companies of various sizes around the world. Jen is an elected member of the Board of Directors for the Professional Association of SQL Server, holding the seat for Europe and holder of the Virtual Chapters portfolio worldwide. Jen has presented at TechEd North America and Europe, Summit, SQLBits, as well as at SQLSaturday and other SQL events in the UK, in the US and on many occasions across Europe such as Hungary, France, Belgium, Germany, Portugal, Poland, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, Ireland, Denmark, Bulgaria, Austria and the Netherlands. Therefore she works hard! She has proven evidence of being extremely involved in the SQL Community across the UK, Europe and the US, and has been for a number of years now. She has also presented preconference sessions in Microsoft Business Intelligence and Data Visualisation for SQLPass, SQLSummit and at various countries around Europe. When she is not working for the SQLFamily, Jen jointly runs a Copper Blue Consulting based in Hertfordshire with Allan Mitchell, where they helps business leaders derive value from their Microsoft SQL Server, SharePoint and Office365 investment both here in the UK, Europe and the US, and more recently in Africa. Jen has also won awards for her blog and community work, most notably from SQLServiaPedia as runner-up for best Business Intelligence blog. She is a former Awardee of PASS's prestigious PASSion Award in 2012.
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Oh my dear Buddha, I love Purple Parking. As if flying weren't hassle enough these days with crazy people doing crazy things and the resultant security, but, in order to get the cheapest flights, you have to fly from Heathrow. The only problem is, you're probably one of the 60 million Brits who DON'T live within the London Orbital, and can't take the Heathrow Express to get there.
So, you have to drive there, but that means you also have the equally distressing option of paying £659 million pounds for parking at the airport, or leaving it in some dodgy, unlit dirt lot for a fiver with an attendant whose English is described as "learn little bit".
No no no no. Go to Purple Parking! Yes, this sounds like an advert. No, they didn't pay me to say it. I just loved it. For £35, we left our car for a week, they shuttled us over to our terminal, and we got on the plane. Upon our return, we rang, they turned up ten minutes later, and our car was in pristine condition.
The area is HUGE - holding thousands and thousands of car, my husband commented it looked as big as Heathrow itself!
All the attendants wear nice uniforms, and while you can't exactly claim most London drivers are friendly, at least the Purple Parking folks are efficient, clean and happy to answer questions from whingy soon-to-be tourists. We found them via the web, and booked online, which was painless and very fast.
I used this service for the first time this summer. Superb security, and reasonably priced. I recently received e-mails offering me discounts too.
From their location driven right to the door of our terminal at Heathrow.
On our return, picked up within a few minutes of coming out of the arrivals. Bags stowed, and ticket checked for security again.
Nope, can't fault the service.
Overall a good service for price paid.
However what the website doesn't tell you when you book is that you need to factor in lots of time to get to the actual terminal.
5-8 minutes for business parking? Maybe the journey in the bus is but when you have to wait 20 minutes for a bus that happens to be going to your terminal - that's NOT 5-8 minutes!
A note when you are booking to say something like please allow up to 30 minutes waiting time for transfer bus to airport would mean people would factor in additional time. I'm sure people would rather be early to checkin than cutting it fine.
However, I would definately use them again.
Very good service, hassle free. Quick call when we arrive, leave the car and key..off we go on our hols and then when we get back, quick call when we pick up our bags, get the car just outside the door and off we go :) Definately recommend this service!
This user has arrived from Qype, a European company acquired by Yelp in 2012. We have integrated the two sites to bring you one great local experience.


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This ring is gorgeous, it is just like the picture. I was so excited about getting this ring. You would not be able to find this ring in the store for this price, it is a great value.
I found this ring a few months ago and just fell in love with it! I am now engaged and could not be more happy with this ring! Its beautiful! It sparkles brilliantly in the light and inside!!! I still can hardly take my eyes off of it. The band is perfect as well. It fits together with the ring so well and looks great. The way the band molding to the ring is what caught my eye on the site and it looks even better on my finger. I have absolutely nothing bad to say about this ring and would recommend it to anyone!!! Beautiful set, and I could not be more happy with it! This ring is much bigger thanI imagined it would be. Great deal for your money. It sure made me a happy woman!
The ring was beautiful and my wife was very pleased with this. The only negative was the cheap ring box that it was shipped in, I would up buying a velvet presentation box separately that really set it off.
Received this to replace lost original set. Looks good in sunlight. If your looking for a bargain with a lot of bang for your buck..than this will do it. Great set for a couple on a limited budget.
This set is very elegant its hard to take my eyes off of it from the glare it gives off it is so shiny! My wife thinks it is amazing!
When I got this ring I couldn't believe how beautiful it was. I have been looking for a long time to find a ring that I would be happy with and when I saw this ring I really like it. And now that I have it I love it and I'm glad I got it.
I purchased this ring with reserved expectations. A major purchase made online without seeing it. The experence was rewarding as the ring lived up to my best expidations. When I gave the ring to my future wife she was overwelmed and extreamly pleased.I gained a level of trust which will allow me to make future purchases.
Let's be very simple about this review. A similar ring cannot be purchased at a local jeweler for this price. The engagement ring and wedding band are separate and that is the old school way of doing things. The value of this item is unbeatable. If you have the type of woman that is going to put this thing under a scope and complain about flaws (what makes a diamond a diamond), perhaps you are looking at the wrong girl and the right ring! I am lifetime wearer of Rolexes and appreciate the good things in life. However, I know where to spend money and where not to. Enough said. Thanks Overstock! This was a home run!
My fiance bought this ring for me. I loved everything about it, except the fact that it has a VERY visible inclusion (a crack) right in the middle of the center stone. It is visible to the naked eye, without you having to hold it very, very close. Otherwise, the ring is a nice size and has a pretty sparkle to it. It looks good next to the matching band.
The ring is so-so in my opinion though my fiance loves it. The photo of it make the stones look much larger than they actually are but the way they are set allows light to hit the stones from all angles making it sparkle that much more. My suggestion; go to a jeweler and find a ring of similar size and see if you like it. Also, the wedding ban's stones are super tiny. Where the wedding band interlocks with the engagement ring band is a little misleading in the photo. The fit is not flush so there is a gap. I guess what's most important is that she loves it so mission accomplished. For the price you can't beat it.
Usually leaves our warehouse in 1-2 business days. *
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* For your safety, some orders go through our loss prevention department. If we select your order for this process, we will immediately notify you that there may be up to a 3-day delay on your order.
** Most Oversize orders are delivered within 1-4 weeks. Some orders may take 6 weeks to be delivered.


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Nintendo Wii
I Spy: Spooky Mansion Answers for Nintendo WiiHome / Nintendo Wii /
Game Questions & Answers (Q&A) service lets you ask questions about video games for game consoles or PC games. So ask your I Spy: Spooky Mansion question for Nintendo Wii and get answers from real gamers or answer questions and share your insights and experience with the rest of the gaming community.
- Developer: Gusto Games
- Publisher: CokeM Interactive
- Genre: Miscellaneous Puzzle Hidden Object
- Release Date: Oct 19, 2010
- ESRB: Everyone
Question & Answers
Answer from: ginajean
It's part of the window pane
Answer from: flymama
It's on the left hand side of the orange/brown frame with the picture of the snowbank.
Unanswered Questions
Where are the two scissors?
From: Joe
From: Joe
Total 0 Answers
Posted on: 10-28-2014
Posted on: 10-28-2014
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From: Help
From: Help
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From: Dont know
Total 0 Answers
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From: Cookie
From: Cookie
Total 0 Answers
Posted on: 10-09-2014
Posted on: 10-09-2014
Where is the beak
From: Alex
From: Alex
Total 0 Answers
Posted on: 10-08-2014
Posted on: 10-08-2014
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