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Results tagged ' Manny Acta '
Winter Meetings: Day 1
Sitting here in the media work room at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin resort, soaking up all that is Day 1 of the Winter Meetings.
Teams have been busy leading up to this year's annual offseason gathering, with Adam Dunn signing with the White Sox, Jayson Werth inking a seven-year pact with the Nationals, the Blue Jays trading away Shaun Marcum and the Red Sox pulling off a swap with San Diego to reel in Adrian Gonzalez.
As for your Indians? Well, don't expect any huge, headline-hogging news this week in Lake Buena Vista. Tribe GM Chris Antonetti will surely be kicking the tires on some third base options, as well as looking into finding a starting pitcher, a backup catcher and a right-handed-hitting outfielder. Antonetti might also be hunting down uberagent Scott Boras for a chat about an extension for Shin-Soo Choo.
Us Cleveland scribes will meet with Antonetti this afternoon and Indians manager Manny Acta is scheduled to hold his sit-down today at 4 p.m. ET. While the Indians might not be the most active team at these Winter Meetings, I'll do my best to keep up up to date on all that's going on with the club.
Keep checking back here on the blog, reading indians.com and following along on Twitter.
Stay tuned for more…
UPDATE — 3:51 p.m. ET: One rumor making the rounds is that the Indians have some level of interest in free-agent outfielder Jeff Francoeur. The Royals, Phillies and Rockies have also been tabbed as suitors for the outfielder. The Tribe is in the market for a right-handed-hitting outfielder to help break-up the all-lefty combo of Michael Brantley, Grady Sizemore and Shin-Soo Choo.
UPDATE — 5:49 p.m. ET: The Indians, along with more than half a dozen teams, have reportedly inquired about outfielder Fred Lewis. On the surface, this doesn't seem to be a fit. The Tribe already has three lefty outfielders and Lewis became increasingly unhappy as his playing time decreased down the stretch last season with the Blue Jays.
Notes & quotes from Day 1:
- Antonetti would not spill the beans when asked if he has met or plans to meet with Boras this week to continue talks about an extension for Choo. He did say that they will have to talk because Choo is eligible for arbitration, so talks of an extension will "naturally" be a part of the process. The GM noted that he is reluctant to discuss long-term deals once the regular season has started.
- In discussing the situation at third base, Acta said that Jason Donald, Jayson Nix and Cord Phelps could all be in the mix for the job, barring an offseason addition. "There is a chance of everything in the world," Acta said. "There is a chance. We're very deep and our depth is great up the middle."
- Antonetti and Acta both emphasized the importance of having a strong defender at third base, especially due to having a young all-righty rotation that is so reliant on ground balls. That would seemingly rule out Encarnacion. But, Antonetti left the door open by saying, "If there's an exceptional offensive player available at that position that may not be as strong defensively, we'll be open-minded to that as well." So, yeah…
- Antonetti is not one to dive into specifics, but I asked him if there were any surprise decisions at the non-tender deadline. Maybe the Tribe had its eyes on someone who they thought would become a free-agent. Antonetti replied, "Up to that point you have dialogue with teams to get some sense. There may have been a couple of surprises on either side, here or there, but for the most part a lot of the guys we expected to be non-tendered were non-tendered." More to the point, the Indians probably would've preferred the A's non-tender Kevin Kouzmanoff — not Encarnacion.
- If the Indians are going to find rotation help through free agency, a signing is not likely to happen this week at the Meetings. The Tribe needs more time to see how the market develops. "We're not in a position to preempt the market," said the GM. Obviously, if the Tribe is looking at trades, it could come sooner rather than later. It's been pretty quiet on that front.
- Antonetti offered some unsolicited praise for former GM Pat Gillick, who was voted into baseball's Hall of Fame on Monday. Said the Indians GM: "I'm elated at the fact that Gillick got elected to the Hall of Fame. That is great. There's not a classier, more respected person in all of baseball than Pat. He's so deserving of that."
- Acta noted that center fielder Grady Sizemore (left knee) passed a checkup on Sunday and remains on target for Opening Day. So far, the same can be said for catcher Carlos Santana, who is also making his way back from a left knee operation.
- While you can never have enough pitching, Acta likes the way his bullpen is set up for the time being. As things currently stand, it's closer Chris Perez, with Rafael Perez, Tony Sipp, Jensen Lewis and Joe Smith under contract. Then, there will be a bevy of arms in the mix for the other jobs. Names that quickly rolled off Acta's tongue were Josh Judy, Zach Putnam, Bryce Stowell and Vinnie Pestano.
- Asked about Luis Valbueno's play in winter ball in Venezuela (.271 average, .341 on-base in 48 games), Acta had this to say: "The main thing is Luis' playing. He needs to get
his confidence back. Hopefully before the year's over, he gets up there in the .270s, .280s, .300s, and comes to camp re-energized."
More tomorrow…
Manny being Manny
It's been an interesting few days for Indians manager Manny Acta. Fresh off a mini-vacation with his family to a remote beach area in his native Dominican Republic, Acta was in Cleveland, hands gripped tightly to an inflatable tube as he flew down the Batterhorn at Snow Days at Progressive Field.
That was just Saturday.
On Sunday, Acta attended his first NFL game, watching the Browns edge out the Panthers, 24-23. Acta was sporting an Indians winter hat at the game, but he said he was proudly wearing and waving a bright orange foam finger as he cheered on Cleveland's team.
"It was a good experience," Acta said with a smile. "And we won. Regardless of how, and who we beat, we won."
Acta is soaking up all things Cleveland — evidenced by his usage of the word "we" when talking about the Browns.
He raved about watching Browns running back Peyton Hillis plow through defenders, even referencing the hard-nosed back when asked if Grady Sizemore might need to adjust his all-out style in light of his recent knee injury.
"That's just the way he's wired," Acta said. "That's like asking Hillis to stop running people over."
Acta took the time to gather with reporters on Monday afternoon for a casual lunch, followed by a question-and-answer session. Monday evening Acta was scheduled to hold a chat with Indians' season-ticket holders as well. Here are a few highlights of Acta's discussion with us local scribes today
- On more than one occastion, Acta noted that the non-tender date is coming up. Considering Cleveland is limited in what it can do financially, looking to this second wave of free agents — typically less-expensive options — might be a way for the club to solve the holes at third base and in the rotation. Thursday is baseball's non-tender deadline.
- Asked about third base, Acta said, "We'll see what's out there. if not, we're prepared to go with our in-house candidates." He took a slightly different route when answering about the club's search for rotation help. "We should be able to add a guy or two and have him compete. There are some guys that are going to go to Spring Training to compete for us who probably still need some more seasoning in the Minor Leagues."
- One internal option for third base is Jayson Nix, who is working on his defense at the position at winter ball in Puerto Rico. That said, Acta noted that Nix's performance in P.R. will not dictate whether the Tribe seeks an addition at the hot corner. "If that would be the case, then I would be tomorrow sitting in Puerto Rico watching him play," Acta said with a chuckle. "You have to give it to him. Not too many guys will take the challenge and go to winter ball and get better. He's just trying to make himself more versatile."
- There was no real update on Sizemore, but Acta said he did see the center fielder when the manager was in Arizona to see some Fall League action. Understandably, Acta said the club will take a very conservative approach with Sizemore in the spring, but the manager added that, "Until I hear anything different, he's our center fielder. But, we have to get to Spring Training and see how he is and how things develop."
- Acta maintained his sense of humor when asked about the Tribe's poor luck with injuries: "My seventh, eighth or ninth hitter never went down," he quipped. The manager is excited about the possibility of having both Sizemore and catcher Carlos Santana back at full strength and knows that a pile of injuries present a big problem for teams like the Indians. "It's something that is tough to absorb when you're a team rebuilding and you don't have the depth or the flexibility to just go grab somebody else."
- Acta noted that there are definitely some spots in the Indians' bullpen that are "up for grabs." Said the manager: "We have Chris Perez and we have the two lefties [Tony Sipp and Rafael Perez]. Then we have [Joe] Smith and the rest of the guys. Nothing is set in stone when it comes to that, so guys like [Josh] Judy, he could come into Spring Training and who knows? He could win a spot. We're not dead set on the rest of those guys."
- When it comes to leadership within the clubhouse, Acta said he expected guys like Chris Perez, Asdrubal Cabrera and Shin-Soo Choo to play a larger role come 2011. Acta has no problem with younger guys stepping up, either: "I just don't know who told people you have to be a 10-year veteran to be a leader." Then again… "I'll take pitching and defense over leadership," Acta quipped.
- Acta was asked for his thoughts about Indians CEO Paul Dolan's recent comments about this not being the right time to spend on free agents. Replied Acta: "It doesn't upset me, because … he also said that when he feels it's the right time, he will spend." After referencing the Kerry Wood and Mark DeRosa signings of nto so long ago, Acta added: "My job is actually to make these guys better and to make Paul spend. … I feel very confident about what we have here. He was pretty clear about that, that when he thinks it's the right time, he'll do it, and he has done it."
Makes you wonder…
… can Hillis play third base?
Im going back down south now
The title of this post — my first as MLB.com's beat reporter for the Indians — is a kind of tribute to the scribe I'm replacing here in Cleveland. I love Anthony Castrovince's creative use of song lyrics on his Castroturf blog and look forward to seeing him continue that style in his new columnist role for MLB.com.
Castrovince is a great reporter and a strong writer and I know — as many Tribe fans have already informed me via e-mail and Twitter — I indeed have some sizeable shoes to fill. For all you "Castronauts" out there, you can at least take comfort in knowing that Anthony is sticking around in Cleveland and his voice won't be too far away.
Now, however, is the time of the "Bastianauts!"
Too soon?
Many of you might recognize my byline from MLB.com or from Twitter. Since 2005, I have covered the Toronto Blue Jays for our website. It was a great experience working north of the border, but the time has come for my family to get closer to home. I'm not a Cleveland native, but I am a Midwest boy at heart and Ohio just feels right.
I was born in California, but moved before memories of palm trees and beaches could be planted in my brain. Home is originally in the south suburbs of Chicago and my wife and I still have a large portion of family in that area — both on the north and south sides. I graduated from Michigan State University in '05 and jumped at the chance to follow my dream of writing about baseball when the opportunity came up to cover the Blue Jays.
With a wife, and now a 1-year-old son, I had been looking for a chance to return to the Midwest. When I learned that Anthony was transitioning into a new role with MLB.com, I immediately wanted the chance to assume the Indians beat. Having lived here since the end of this past season, I can already tell that taking my talents to Ohio was a great decision.
You will have to get used to a few changes now that Anthony is no longer on the beat, though.
First of all, there will not be as many Bruce Springsteen references (Sorry, bro). With me, you'll have to get used to the fact that Pearl Jam is the Greatest Band of All-time. You're also going to have to put up with me talking about my Spartans from time to time. Go Green! Hey, at least it's not maize and blue. (We share a mutual hatred in that regard). I've already had a few of my new neighbors roll their eyes upon seeing my giant MSU flag hanging in my garage. I'm sure they'll try to turn my son into an Ohio State fan as he grows up here.
You'll find that I'm very active on Twitter. You can find me under @MLBastian and follow along. I've already received a wave of kind words welcoming me to the Tribe beat and I appreciate it very much. It was great to hear from so many Indians fans right after it was made known that I was taking this job.
And, despite what some people might say, I think this is a great time to be a fan of the Indians. Maybe the wins and losses aren't there at the moment, and the playoffs might seem far away, but the team is young (youngest in the Majors at the end of the season) and in a position to grow as a group in the next few seasons.
I was in the pressbox in Cleveland in 2007 when the Tribe sat only a few outs away from a World Series berth, so I've witnessed first-hand the frustration the city feels. It wants a winner and it's been a long time. I grew up living and dying with the Cubs, so I know the feeling. It's tough to say "be patient" when so much time has already flown by.
As a reporter, I think this is a good situation in which to begin my career in Cleveland. With a young cast of players, a relatively new Tribe manager in Manny Acta and a first-year GM in Chris Antonetti, this club is in a transition period and looking to build on the successess it experienced down the stretch in 2010.
Tossing a new Indians reporter into the mix can't hurt, and I'm definitely happy to be here.
Now, let's get this thing started…


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|Download : Internet : Monitoring : RoboTest Connection server performance tests
RoboTest:Scheduled testing of your connection and information server performance - Windows Freeware. RoboTest: Scheduled testing of your connection and information server performance. It's easy to use - select the type of test (ping, HTTP, POP3, SMTP) and the schedule you want.
RoboTest 2.0.7 13-May-05 English 792 KB
RoboTest provides continuous detailed and summary success/failure percentages and response times, which are also recorded in log files for analysis. Optional audible failure alerts. Alternate Port Number support. Your test parameters can be saved in Ini files for future use. You can have any number of INI files. Log files are date/time stamped to protect against over-writing if you decide to save them.
|Monitor Connection HTTP Ping POP3. SMTP Server Email Scheduled Testing Information Performance.
| RoboTest

subset: commoncrawl


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In the beginning: Meredith and Danny met at the University of Georgia the fall of 1996. In 1997, Danny started working as a houseboy at Meredith's sorority house, and she saw him every night at dinner because of his shift at the house. They were dating other people at the time and remained friends throughout college.
Hi there: Meredith ran into Danny in October 2004 after a UGA football game. They talked a bit and realized they were both attending the same wedding the next weekend. Meredith did not want to go to the wedding solo, and asked Danny if he would like to go with her. After the wedding, Meredith went out with Danny and some of his friends. The next day, she thanked Danny via text for going with her. He texted back, "Best Date Ever." They've been together ever since.
First date: Two weeks after the wedding, Danny invited Meredith to dinner on Halloween night. Afterward, they rented several scary movies. Meredith and her roommate had cats at the time, and Danny is allergic to cats. Despite his allergy attacks, he stayed to watch the movies and kissed Meredith at the end of the evening.
Will you? Danny invited Meredith to a weekend trip at Blue Mountain Beach, Fla., with his friends and their wives. They beat everyone to the beach house and Danny suggested they go for a walk on the beach. In a secluded spot, he proposed on bended knee. When they returned to the beach house, Meredith was delighted to find their parents waiting and ready to help them celebrate. Danny made up the story about his friends coming to town so that Meredith would not suspect anything.
The wedding: They exchanged vows at Riverchase United Methodist Church in Hoover, which is Meredith's home church.
Traditions: Meredith's dress was new; the christening bonnet she wore as an infant was tied around her bouquet; she borrowed her mother's pearl ring; and her mother sewed a blue ribbon with Meredith's married name and wedding date on it, into her wedding gown.
Reception: It was held at Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa, where they named guests' tables after important places in their lives. Meredith designed picture postcards of the newlyweds at the various locations that matched each table's name. The couple also rented a photo booth for guests to take pictures during the reception. Two photos were made -- one for guests and one for guests to put in a photo book for the couple along with a message.
That's just dandy: A few years ago, Meredith's brother accidentally called Danny, "Dandy." Her family jokingly continued to call Danny that. The couple expanded on the joke and incorporated a dandelion theme into the wedding. A single dandelion was on their invitations, seating cards, photo booth shots and ceremony programs.
Special gift: Danny gave Meredith a pearl bracelet he designed with the jeweler who designed their wedding rings.
Honeymoon: News of swine flu hit a week before they were to leave for Playa Mujeres, Mexico. The couple took the trip anyway and found their resort 15 percent full. They enjoyed their stay and did not get sick. "We had booked it, and we were assured by several sources that it was safe to go. The media had blown (news of the swine flu) out of proportion, so we went," Meredith said.
Pedigree: Meredith's parents are Willie and Cherie Season of Hoover. Danny's parents are Tom and Ginnie Seelos of Marietta, Ga.
Happily ever after: Meredith, 31, is an Atlanta sales representative for Yuengling Brewery. Danny, 31, is an attorney with the Georgia Department of Labor in Atlanta. They live in Atlanta.
Our Wedding, a free feature of The Birmingham News, runs Sundays. To submit your wedding story, request a form by e-mail (email@example.com) or phone (325-2419). Send the completed form and a wedding photo to Our Wedding, Birmingham News LifeStyle Department, P.O. Box 2553, Birmingham, AL 35202. We cannot run Our Wedding stories on the date of a couple's anniversary. Please submit stories soon after the wedding for consideration. Click here for more Our Wedding profiles, and wedding info, trends and tidbits.


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Longtime Islander worked as a bookkeeper
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Eva A. Raia, 95, of Eltingville, a retired bookkeeper who enjoyed crocheting, died Saturday at home.
Born Eva A. Spinetta in Manhattan, she graduated from Washington Irving High School and moved to Rosebank with her family as a teenager. She moved to Concord in 1949 and to Dongan Hills in 1967. She had been a resident of Eltingville for the past 10 years.
As a teenager, Mrs. Raia would make artificial flower arrangements to help provide for her family. She later worked as a bookkeeper for J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. for many years, retiring in 1979.
She was a former parishioner of St. Ann's R.C. Church, Dongan Hills, where she served as treasurer of its Golden Age club for 15 years.
She enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, crocheting, reading newspapers daily and taking trips to Atlantic City.
She was a parishioner of Holy Child R.C. Church, Eltingville.
Her husband of 12 years, Rosario, died in 1983.
Surviving are two daughters, Claire Simmonds and Diane Pirella; a brother, Frank Spinetta; four grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be tomorrow from the John Vincent Scalia Home for Funerals, Eltingville, with a mass at 9:45 a.m. in Holy Child Church. Burial will follow in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp.


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Sandy Hackett's Rat Pack Show - Shadows in the Desert with Buddy Hackett's Son & Guests
* Additional fees apply. No coupon or promo codes necessary to enjoy the displayed discount price.
The last date listed for Sandy Hackett's Rat Pack Show - Shadows in the Desert was Tuesday October 12, 2010 / 7:00pm.
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Reviews & Ratings
Featured review from wally
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Its an amazing well done show. The Rat Pack does a tremendous job - the singing, the joking, and interaction with the audience is fabulous. Its in a small theater so great seats!
We were delighted with the show - and the price we paid on Goldstar was a "steal". No - its not Cirque du Soleil. But it certainly brings back the Good Old Days of Las Vegas where the entertainers were the headliners.
Each and every performer did an amazing job - or perhaps, we saw the original Dean, Frank, Joey, and Sammy in person. They were that good. We would definitely recommend it for anyone who wants to enjoy a show in the old Las Vegas style. Well done.
star this review starred report as inappropriate
Great show. Near perfect voices. Captured the essence of the Rat Pack. Like a trip back in time during a great era. Looking forward to seeing it again.
star this review starred report as inappropriate
Great show! VEry entertaining and funny. Bring a coat, though! The room was freezing!
star this review starred report as inappropriate
This was a great show for the price...we have paid so much more for so much less!! My wife totally lost herself back to the days of the Rat Pack (which was what she wanted to do) and this was easily her favorite show of the ones we have seen in...continued
Quotes & Highlights
With original live recordings and stories no one else could present, Buddy's own son Sandy Hackett brings the gang: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Joey Bishop, back together for a truly unique performance in Sandy Hackett's Rat Pack Show_. These legendary performers will wow audiences once again as they step back onto the Sahara Theater stage where the stars once performed in their hey-day. With a stellar cast of some of the finest performers in the business, Sandy Hackett's Rat Pack Show_ is the next best thing to having seen The Rat Pack themselves! Relive the music, comedy and unexpected surprises of what defined cool…The Rat Pack! You never know who is going to stop by.


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My client -- just call him Dwight -- is on his way to state prison for four years.
On Nov. 9, 2010, Dwight pleaded guilty in Orleans Criminal District Court to a violation of access device fraud. He received a four-year sentence, which was suspended, and was placed on three years of active probation.
On March 12 of this year, a check at his residence by probation department agents produced a very small amount of marijuana.
A rule to revoke his probation was then filed by the district attorney's office. At a hearing, his probation was revoked, and he has been ordered to serve the four years.
Dwight, age 33, had no criminal history of any type of violence or weapon possession. The amount of marijuana discovered couldn't half fill a small thimble.
And, according to reliable sources, including the sentencing judge, four years of incarceration will cost approximately $100,000.
But for the inflexible policy of the present district attorney, the rule might not and should not have been filed.
I find it hard to believe that there is not a better way or reason to spend $100,000 of taxpayer money.
Patrick J. Costa
Criminal defense attorney


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Liana Teal iPhone 6/6+ Case
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Discover the magic of the Regent Petite France's contemporary three-hundred-year-old establishment, located in the historic city centre, known as 'Little France' on the banks of the river Ill. You will be delighted and surprised by the highly original design interior that offers its guests the choice of beautiful rooms and suites, each with their own distinct sophisticated style. All rooms offer fantastic views over the river Ill or of the traditional Alsatian timber-framed houses.
Classic rooms offer a view over the scenic historic district of Little France. Guests can choose between enjoying a double bed or a set of twin beds. The room is equipped with a desk area, and the bathroom has been fitted with a bathtub and incorporated shower, double sinks, towel dryers, top-quality bathroom products, bathrobes and slippers. Free Wi-Fi.
The restaurant offers a fantastic view of the traditional timber-framed houses that grace the historic district known as La petite France. The establishment offers you a sophisticated fine-dining experience within a pleasant and contemporary setting. During the summer months our customers can enjoy being seated at a terrace at the river's edge whilst being mesmerised by the flow of the River Ill.
End your day in style with a drink, whilst enjoying an unusual view over the river Ill and its ancient water locks. The venue is tastefully adorned with a fuchsia and chocolaty-brown backdrop. For the lovers of champagne, we have a fine selection of more than 20 champagnes at hand.
Spa 'Ô fil de l'eau' is an establishment of tranquillity, located on the 1st floor at the heart of the hotel. The spa is equipped with a sauna and hammam, a fitness room, and an area dedicated to spa treatments. An outdoor whirlpool, which benefits from stunning river views, is the jewel on the crown of this place of rest and quietude.


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LA Theater Review
Camino Real
Framed as a dream by Cervantes' deranged knight character, Don Quixote (Lenny Von Dohlen), the script eschews linear plotting in favor of 16 episodes, referred to by the audacious narrator Gutman (Brian Tichnell) as "blocks." Yet the personal journey of former champion boxer Kilroy (Matthew Goodrich) provides a degree of unity to the play's central themes—which explore spiritual disillusionment, the search for salvation through true love, and the repressive forces of a corrupt society. The setting is an unspecified Hispanic community that's a sort of purgatory for trapped souls, run as a terrifying police state. Sharing the harrowing attempts of pure-hearted Kilroy to escape from this virtual prison are historical and literary characters dealing with their individual frustrations. Among them are the Italian libertine Casanova (Tim Cummings), the Romantic poet Lord Byron (Michael Aurelio), and the doomed Dumas heroine Camille (Marissa Chibas). Lowlife characters, such as prostitutes, thieves, and brutal law enforcers, add to the melee.
For the most part, the game actors capture the requisite humor, poignancy, and terror of this unnerving fantasia. The charismatic Goodrich is particularly on-target. His masterful combination of physical dexterity, intelligence, vulnerability, and utmost sincerity give this bizarre piece the recognizable human anchor that it needs. Tichnell is energetic as the malevolent hotel owner, but camping up this role—shades of Joel Grey in "Cabaret"—seems a misstep. The versatile Von Dohlen is superb as Don Quixote, an effete Baron, and the aristocratic Lord Mulligan. Cristina Frias excels as a duplicitous gypsy and the self-important dowager Lady Mulligan.
The wondrous designs are highlighted by Dorothy Hoover's sprawling set, Silvanne E.B. Park's costumes, Ellie Rabinowitz's lighting, and Patrick Janssen's sound. Kwan Fai Lam provides atmospheric original music
Presented by CalArts at and in association with the Theatre @ Boston Court, 70 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena. Feb. 12–Mar. 13. Thu.–Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. (626) 683-6883. www.bostoncourt.org.
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• Equipment manufacturers will showcase their workhorse lines and introduce farmers to their latest advancements and what they can purchase now to get ready for next season and seasons to come at the upcoming Sunbelt Expo.
7R Series Tractor make-over
In the first make-over of its 7R Series Tractors since their introduction in 2011, John Deere rolls out five new 7R Tractor models from 210 to 290 engine horsepower. Along with a new engine that meets Final Tier 4 emissions requirements and the e23 Power Shift Transmission, the new 7R Tractors provide customers with more power, performance and greater comfort and control.
Powered by either a 6.8L or 9.0L PowerTech PSS engine with John Deere's efficient selective catalytic reduction system, the new 7R Tractors boost 10 to 20 more horsepower and more torque than previous models.
All models use high-pressure common rail fuel system and series turbochargers that improve total fluid efficiency while effectively reducing emissions. Fuel capacities range from 125 to 143 gallons, depending on model and transmission options, with DEF storage capacity of 6.8 gallons.
Transmission options on the new 7R Tractors include CommandQuad Eco, which is available on the 7210R and 7230R models, and the new e23 Power Shift Transmission with Efficiency Manager, standard on all five 7R models.
The new 7R Tractors have many features in common with their larger new 8R cousins, including the redesigned CommandARM with improved ergonomics and more intuitive control of major tractor functions such as throttle, AutoTrac resume button, transmission speed and direction, SCVs, PTO and hitch.
Depending on the model, the CommandARM comes with a 7-inch 4100 CommandCenter Display or a 10-inch 4600 CommandCenter Display. Both are AutoTrac capable and feature an easier-to-use operator interface. The CommandCenter Display puts machine operation information and control at the fingertips of the operator.
All 7R Series Tractors have the roomy CommandView III cab that is quieter due to a laminated front windshield that dampens outside noise. The cab features an operator's seat that swivels 40-degrees right for easier viewing of rear implements.
The evolution of John Deere's popular workhorse 8R Series Tractors continues in 2014 with the launch of six new wheel and three new track models, all with Final Tier 4 engines ranging in horsepower from 245 to 370. These new 2014 models integrate the latest technology to provide the utmost in power, comfort and performance for row-crop tractors in this class.
The new 8R/8RT Series Tractors feature a new CommandARM and a Generation 4 CommandCenter with 10-inch display, along with other cab improvements that enhance operator comfort and convenience. Additional new options include LED lights, larger wheels/tires, and increased hydraulic capabilities.
Starting with the PowerTech PSS 9.0L SCR engines that meet Final Tier 4 emissions regulations with outstanding fluid economy, the new 8R/8RT Tractors provide performance in the field. Both the wheel and track models have John Deere's efficient selective catalytic reduction system, which builds upon the Interim Tier 4 DOC/DPF exhaust filter solution, says Jarrod McGinnis, division marketing manager for John Deere.
The new 8R Tractors are available with either 16-speed Power Shift or an IVT transmission. The 8345R, 8370R and all three track models feature the IVT as standard equipment. In addition, Group 49 rear tires are available on all wheel models, which improves traction, increases load-carrying capacity, and reduces soil compaction in the field because of a larger tire footprint.
Another important new feature that customers will see on the new 8R/8RT Tractors is a completely redesigned CommandARM with improved ergonomics and integration of intuitive controls for the major tractor functions such as AutoTrac resume, throttle, transmission, SCVs, PTO and hitch.


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2013 / 2014 Winners
After a gruelling battle, the victorious have been chosen.
After a gruelling battle, the victorious have been chosen.
4th year students in Software Development at GMIT
A Windows Phone 7 & 8 augmented reality game that encourages the user to move and exercise while playing.
The user looks through their phone display to find a mosquito somewhere around them. They need to find him, and squash him with their finger before they run out of time.
PhD in Atmospheric Science, NUI Galway
An Android mobile application which keeps track of the user's location and notifies them of potential rain before it happens.
The user selects the time threshold in which they want to be notified; while weather data is retrieved through a Forecast.io API integration. The project was developed using Titanium, meaning it can be easily ported to other mobile platforms in the future. View a demo video of the app on YouTube.
Electronic and Computer Engineering, 4th Year, NUI Galway
A prototype web application to help students with hearing difficulties get the most out of lectures and speeches.
The application relays a video of the speech, allowing for lip reading and gestures, as well as translating the speech to text in real time using Google's Speech APIs. The Powerpoint slides being used by the speaker are also displayed alongside the video stream.


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Bartik, a senior economist at the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, predicts a jobs bill passed recently by the House and Senate would create only 200,000 jobs if President Barack Obama signs it.
"That's better than nothing," Bartik said. "But given that we are about 10 million jobs short of where we need to be, it addresses only a very small portion of the problem."
He's being charitable. The number of jobs that would be created in the bill amounts to little more than a rounding error in the 10 million-plus jobs lost since the start of the recession.
Bartik and John Bishop, a Cornell University human resources expert, last fall proposed giving employers $27 billion in tax credits to hire 5 million workers by the end of 2011.
Obama proposed a more modest plan in January designed to create 1 million jobs.
But the effort in Washington to pass a much-needed jobs bill has been hampered by efforts to overhaul health care, and the inability of Democrats and Republicans to agree on much of anything.
Although both chambers managed to pass the meager jobs bill, the Senate must vote again on it because the House added additional highway spending and minority contracting provisions to the measure.
Meanwhile nearly 15 million Americans, including 693,000 in Michigan, are out of work and desperate for jobs.
The federal jobs bill is being called a "payroll tax holiday" because it waives the 6.2 percent Social Security tax on new hires through the end of the year.
Employers would get an additional $1,000 tax credit for keeping newly hired workers for a full year. The credit is restricted to hiring workers who've been unemployed at least 60 days.
Charles Owens, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business/Michigan, said the tax credit likely would have little impact on hiring.
"Employers don't hire people to get a tax credit. They hire people because they need people," he said.
"What we need are customers and a growing economy so there is a reason to hire folks," Owens said.
A number of government initiatives, including controversial health care legislation, and efforts to tighten labor and environmental regulations are making employers wary of hiring workers, he said.
Even businesses that could hire are having a hard time getting bank loans to help them grow, Owens said.
Manpower Inc.'s national outlook for hiring released Tuesday found that 75 percent of business owners say they plan to keep employment levels steady between April and June.
Regrettably, the paltry federal jobs bill won't do much to get those businesses to hire new workers.
Even The Dude would find that difficult to abide.
E-mail Rick Haglund: email@example.com


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Must Watch
How to Live with Your Parents (for the Rest of Your Life)
- Summary
- Reviews / Ratings
- Photos
- Videos
- Events
With Sarah Chalke, Brad Garrett, Elizabeth Perkins, Orlando Jones, and more, "How to Live with Your Parents (for the Rest of Your Life)" promises to offer the hilarity of thirtysomething year-olds moving back in with their parents. And, the truth of the matter is that it may very well be hilarious... if you're not the thirtysomething year-old person doing the living with your parents. If you are that person, well, there is absolutely a silver lining to the issue, and not just that Brad Garrett and Elizabeth Perkins play your parents. Think of all the help you can have with the cooking and cleaning and child raising (if you have kids).
More Details
Official Website
TV Network - ABC
TV Network - ABC
- Starring - Sarah Chalke, Brad Garrett, Elizabeth Perkins, Orlando Jones, Jon Dore, Rachel Eggleston, Stephanie Hunt


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Syracuse, NY -- Mayor Matt Driscoll traveled to Indiana today to campaign for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Driscoll has long been on the record as a supporter of Clinton's in her race for the Democratic nomination for president. Clinton tapped Driscoll to talk to Indiana mayors and city councilors.
Indiana Democrats vote in a primary May 6. Other than North Carolina, Indiana has the most delegates up for grabs among the states left to vote.
Driscoll spokeswoman Colleen Deacon said Clinton's campaign paid for the entire trip. Driscoll will also campaign in Indiana Wednesday before returning to Syracuse.


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The idea behind maneuvering wrestlers around is sometimes to score more points. More often, it's done to not give up points by having to put an inexperienced or struggling wrestler up against a more powerful foe.
A little bit of both motivated the changes Saturday. The match's starting weight, 145 pounds, had an influence as well, given it was not where Bethlehem Catholic wanted to start (285 would have been ideal), but for the Red Rovers, it was fine.
Bethlehem Catholic coach Jeff Karam noticed that the Red Rovers' Jagger Miller had weighed in at 184.8 pounds for the 182-pound class. That would allow him to wrestle at 220 pounds under the rules, and that could have led to a matchup Karam didn't want.
So Karam rather reluctantly moved his lineup up a weight from 160 on up to 220, taking a chance that any weight disadvantages would be outweighed by his wrestlers' skills.
"We knew they were going to bump Miller to 220," Karam said. "I don't like moving kids around. I'd rather have them wrestle at their own weights."
Easton coach Steve Powell responded by inserting sophomore Patrick Pearson at 195, who rewarded his coach with a gutsy and tenacious effort against Becahi's No. 1-ranked (by The Express-Times) Jose Ortiz and did not give up bonus points in a 6-1 loss. That allowed Powell to get the matchup he wanted at 220, anyway.
Karam's gamble narrowly paid off, though it would have looked a whole lot worse had a flu-beset Connor Hedash not defeated Willie Alford at 170 in overtime in a match that could easily have gone the other way, or had Miller beaten Josh Alpha at 220 in a match won by Alpha 3-2.
"That was a close match, but I never thought Alpha was in any danger," Karam said.
As it was, Easton led 18-3 after 182 and perhaps all Karam did was trade giving up points at 160, 170 and 182 that he collected at 195 and 220. Nonetheless, more than one Becahi fan was holding their breath as Easton dominated.
Not just fans, either.
"We were a little nervous," said Jeff Karam's son, Luke, who pinned at 106 pounds. "We'd had some hard matches but we knew we could chip away at their lead."
Defensively, speaking
The match also offered examples of how to lose the right way -- i.e. by not giving up bonus points in matches where the opposition has the advantage.
It's a tough line to walk, because a wrestler has to provide enough action to satisfy the referee and ward off stalling calls -- that was especially so Saturday because referee Tony Phillips doesn't brook much inaction -- while at the same time not offering their foes openings for big moves.
This doesn't often result in crowd-pleasing bouts, but it is a fact of life in dual-meet wrestling and the skills necessary for almost wrestler not at the Darian Cruz/Tyler Greene level.
Easton's Pearson set a good example of it and so did Becahi's Cole Karam (113) and Lee Todora (132), both freshmen, in only allowing Easton's Evan Fidelibus and Robbie Rizzolino, both favored, only three-point decisions.
Jeff Karam didn't take favorably to the idea that any loss is acceptable, though.
"Cole's a tough matchup for Evan and I thought that was a tossup," Jeff Karam said. "Cole made one mistake on one move (a three-point Fidelibus nearfall) and that was the difference. And Lee was in his match (2-1)."
That kind of demand for excellence may help explain why Becahi's program is where it is. Still, losing the right way makes a necessary difference sometimes, as it did Saturday.
Respect for alma mater
It's fair to say that wrestling against Easton is special for almost any team. The Rovers' tradition, history and success, their talent and toughness on the mat and their passionate fans make for an experience well removed from the typical dual meet. Even at postseason tournaments, the sight of an Easton singlet can terrify foes.
But for Jeff Karam, more than most, wrestling Easton will always be a very special night.
"I am a son of Easton, I wrestled for Easton, it'll always be a part of me," he said. "It's always very emotional when I coach against Easton. I grew up with my dad taking me to Easton matches and my role models were Bobby Weaver and guys like him."
Karam also knows beating Easton is really special.
"It took a long time for me to knock them off," Karam said. "And tonight, all the credit to Easton. They wrestled terrific against us."
Growing pains
Easton's freshmen faced tough tasks Saturday.
At 113, Fidelibus had, as noted above, a struggle with Cole Karam. But that was a stroll in the park compared to what his classmates Jacob Montes (120) and Jimmy Saylor (126) faced in returning state champ Cruz and state runner-up Zeke Moisey.
"They're a whole different level of wrestler," Powell said.
Montes battled Cruz before being caught and pinned in the third period. Saylor denied Moisey a major in a 15-8 loss to cost Becahi a point that seemed big at the time.
"Jake and Jimmy gave it all they had," Greene said. "But they had Darian and Moisey."
One suspects in three years a Red Rover opponent may be saying, "Well our guys gave it their all, but they had (to face) Jake and Jimmy."
Looking ahead
Becahi, after meeting Freedom on Wednesday, will open defense of its PIAA Class AA team title at the District 11 duals starting Friday.
"Beating Easton means a lot to us because going into district duals it will give us a great boost," Luke Karam said. "Hopefully, it will carry us through the rest of the season."
Brad Wilson can be reached at email@example.com.


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Norway Green Warriors (NMF) have launched a fight against irresponsible salmon farming.
This worldwide campaign is launched by the Green Warriors of Norway (Norges Miljøvernforbund), an independent body dedicated to help save the fish in the rivers, fjords and oceans for future generations. They appeal here for your help.
For more information visit their website: Environmental collapse in the oceans and rivers


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The party came to an abrupt end Saturday for a 23-year-old man and a 15-year-old youth who were charged with unlawful possession of firearms, police said.
Maurice Burke of Jersey City and the 15-year-old youth were separately confronted and arrested by officers at the party on Halladay Street around 8:40 p.m., after officers tried to disperse a "large disorderly group" of 10 to 15 men on the street, police said.
When officers approached the crowd on Halladay Street, they noticed a man later identified as Maurice Burke "adjust his waist area" in an attempt to remove an object, officers said.
Burke refused to cooperate when officers told him to stop moving and to put his hands in the air, police said.
When officers tried to get control of Burke, he dropped a loaded silver and black semi-automatic handgun to the ground, at which point officers pinned him to the ground and arrested him, according to the report.
A crowd rushed outside, and police noticed the 15-year-old "nervously" placing his hands inside of his jacket pocket, reports said.
When officers told him to stop moving, the teen ran inside the building, reports said.
Officers followed him and made the arrest. The gun the 15-year-old was carrying was later discovered to be an "imitation firearm" that had "a slide action to chamber pellets," a magazine and a hollowed front, which made it resemble a real gun, reports said.
The juvenile was later released to his mother.


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The best book I ever read on the subject is The Continuum Concept by Jean Liedloff. I wholeheartedly recommend it for parents and non-parents alike.
I thought this was an interesting comparison of how hunter-gatherer and modern western societies raise children. Personally, I think tribal life sounds more wholesome and just appealing on some basic level (although certainly more difficult and uncomfortable). Thoughts? Especially from current/future parents?
Best Practices for Raising Kids? Look to Hunter-Gatherers - Newsweek and The Daily Beast
The best book I ever read on the subject is The Continuum Concept by Jean Liedloff. I wholeheartedly recommend it for parents and non-parents alike.
We also read the Continuum Concept and have it here in our offices for clients to read. It's like eating cardboard sometimes, but it's a *great* book.
We do and did a lot of "primitive" things -- cosleeping (in the same bed/bed-sharing is another name-- still do and hte kid is 4), elimination communication (going in the toilet even at infancy, rather than a diaper), babywearing (no stroller), and discipline without rewards/punishments. "tribal" is the harder part, because not everyone agrees, etc, but if you can find some like-minded folks, then there's a sense of cohesion in the process.
Thankfully, steiner education follows a nonpunishment/rewards (no grades, etc) process, so it's a good integration with our family life. And, we can go all the way up through high school in steiner education here, so that's awesome.
We did a lot of primal stuff, I guess, cosleeping, baby wearing, non-punitive discipline. At the time we just thought we were slackers who were way too in love with our kids. I don't remember thinking it was hard. It seemed easier, hence the slacker thoughts. The kids don't seem to be ruined. Teachers, coaches and bosses *love* them, even tho DH and I find/found them to be sometimes a PITA as teenagers.
Modern parenting seems exhausting to me. I hear babies in strollers screaming and I just want to pick the poor little thing up. Most cranky babies are so easy to coax into a better mood if you will just Pick.Them.Up. Please!
The tribal part we never had. DH and I joked that some sort of commune arrangement would have been ideal, but finding another like-minded couple or two to share a house with seemed like an impossible dream. Too late for us now. We have told the kids though, that once we're retired, we will be happy to work something out with them and their families. I think our own parents missed out on a beautiful opportunity.
50yo, 5'3"
CW-125, part calorie counting, part transition to primal
GW- Goals are no longer weight-related
[QUOTE=LauraSB;1036767]We did a lot of primal stuff, I guess, cosleeping, baby wearing, non-punitive discipline. At the time we just thought we were slackers who were way too in love with our kids. I don't remember thinking it was hard. It seemed easier, hence the slacker thoughts. The kids don't seem to be ruined. Teachers, coaches and bosses *love* them, even tho DH and I find/found them to be sometimes a PITA as teenagers.QUOTE]
Same, here, almost exactly!
My four are 9, 12, 14, and almost-16 currently. Discipline is a "natural consequences" kind of thing, but never "punitive". For ex.: once, my youngest hit her next-older sister and left a bump. Her "punishment" - to sit beside the couch in the living room and hold an ice pack on her older sister's bump until it subsided, with no sass and no breaks, AND to have to watch whatever that injured sister wanted to watch on video as a distraction. You have to know that the injured sister is a special-needs kid and at 12 is still in love with Dora the Explorer and watches the same episode repeatedly... But I think this is entirely appropriate because it simply accurately addressed remediating the thing that my youngest had caused. I never yelled or anything. But I did double-check with my youngest, just in case there was a self-defense thing happening, as my special-needs kid used to be a hitter as a very young child; in this particular case, not.
I tell my oldest that the reason she is so damn happy is because she was the Most Kissed Baby in the World, and I really mean it. I did use strollers, though. I had four kids in six years, and even though I did use a backpack and all, carrying TWO, one in front and one in back, makes grocery shopping HARD. And when you have a special-needs kid with a coordination disorder on top of developmental disabilities, sometimes you just do what you have to do to keep them safe (and with you) in public spaces.
As far as dangerous things like fire: I let them have at it as soon as I believe they are physically and behaviorally ready to control themselves. Like knives - my special-needs, bad-coordination kid gets plastic lettuce knives and adaptive (contained) choppers. The oldest two have been professional chef-knife safe for several years now, the youngest is coming along nicely (graduating up from serrated grapefruit knives and paring knives and the like). My SIL FREAKS OUT when she sees my kids with sharp knives, but mine almost never have accidents with them, or do stupid stuff, seriously. A combo of developmental readiness, good skills teaching, and calm attitude (on the parental part) does the trick with almost everything.
Well, that and knowing that you won't be at the evening's fire at our firepit if you swing any burning sticks around such that you fling glowing embers into our woods... (natural consequences - we have wooded acreage all around our house) If you can control yourself in that way, then you get to play with the fire.
I have never read that Continuum book - I'll have to look it up.
I am kindda not into having half-dozen kids to make sure a couple would survive past age 3.... I have one and only, so I'd go with modern approach.
My Journal: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/forum/thread57916.html
When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.
Extended nursing, co-sleeping (still at 6 and 3), respond to crying, no physical punishment, baby wear, homebirthing... I try to do things as natural as possible. Follow the attachment parenting philosophy.
As far as "dangerous" things go... I have high anxiety about freak accidents happening so I am a helicopter mom in that aspect but I do keep a pair of scissors at the table with paper/glue/crayons for free use.
Earthy Mama's Journal
"Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food" ~ Hippocrates


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Jonathan B. Forman
Alfred P. Murrah Professor of Law
B.A., Northwestern University, 1973
M.A., Psychology, University of Iowa, 1975
J.D., University of Michigan, 1978
M.A., Economics, George Washington University, 1983
- Email: email@example.com
- View Professor Forman's Scholarship: http://works.bepress.com/jonathan_forman/
- Link: Professor Forman's Recent Articles and Personal Web page
- Link: Making America Work, Urban Institute Press 2006 (offsite, opens in a new window).
- Link: Nonprofit Organizations: A Compendium of Student Seminar Papers (Jonathan Barry Forman, ed., 2009)
- Link: Law and Economic Justice: A Compendium of Student Materials (Jonathan B. Forman, ed. 2008).
- Link: Elder Law: A Compendium of Materials (Jonathan Barry Forman, ed., 2004)
High-resolution press photo (opens in a new window).
Professor Jonathan B. Forman teaches individual income tax, corporate tax, pension law, nonprofit organizations, and tax procedure.
Prior to joining OU in 1985, Professor Forman was an attorney and editor of Tax Notes in Arlington, VA. He began his law career in 1978 as a law clerk for Judge Robert J. Yock of the U.S. Court of Claims in Washington, D.C.
From 1979 to 1983, he served as a trial attorney in the Tax Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. In 1983-84, he was tax counsel for U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan.
Professor Forman is the author of Making America Work (Urban Institute Press, 2006), and he has more than 300 other publications. In addition to his many scholarly publications, Professor Forman has published op-eds in Barron's, the Dallas Morning News, the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Washington Times, the Daily Oklahoman, Pensions & Investments, the Journal Record newspaper of Oklahoma City and Tax Notes.
Professor Forman was the Professor in Residence in the Internal Revenue Service Office of Chief Counsel for the 2009-2010 academic year, he was a founding member of the Internal Revenue Service Advisory Committee on Tax Exempt and Government Entities (2001-2003), and he was a delegate to the 1998 and 2002 National Summits on Retirement Savings. He has also testified before the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, the U.S. Department of Labor's Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans, and the Oklahoma Legislature. He also served as a member of the board of trustees of the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) from 2003-2011.
Professor Forman was admitted to the District of Columbia Bar in 1978 and to the Oklahoma Bar in 2003. He is a fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel, a fellow of the American College of Employee Benefits Counsel, a fellows program associate of the Employee Benefit Research Institute, a fellow of the TIAA Institute, and a member of the National Academy of Social Insurance. He is also active in the American Bar Association, the National Tax Association, and the Association of American Law Schools, and served as a member of the board of trustees of the American Tax Policy Institute from 1998-2003.


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ADEL - Trying to get the most grain per acre is something that is not new to growers.
But the ways growers go about doing that could soon be changing as Stine Seed Co. looks for what it calls "the next big thing."
David Thompson, national marketing and sales director for Stine, said the company has been experimenting with 12-inch corn rows, equidistant plant spacing and corn genetics able to withstand 50,000 plants per acre.
Article Photos
-Messenger photo by Larry Kershner
This 20-foot, 20-row corn combine head was used to take in Stine's 2012 12-inch row harvest. The head was designed by Marion Calmer, of western Illinois, who owns a patent for an innovative gear box that allows for two separate gathering chains, one for each side.
-Messenger photo by Larry Kershner
A VIEW OF THE combine head at work shows the challenge of harvesting a 12-inch corn row, with little wiggle room to manuever. However, this field configuration allows for combining in any direction, since plants are between 10 to 12 inches apart in a grid pattern.
-Messenger photo by Larry Kershner
THIS SPECIALLY BUILT corn planter is 60 feet long and plants 60 rows of 12-inch corn. It was commissioned by Stine Seed and assembled by Bauer Built in Paton. The planter was on display at the 2012 Farm Progress Show in Boone.
He said, the results showed it's an experiment worth pursuing.
"As a company we have always been a little ahead of the curve in terms of planting with higher-than-average populations," Thompson said. "Harry Stine, our founder, is a farmer himself and he believes whole-heartedly that this is the way the industry is going to go.
"We're very excited about it."
Stine Seed has been working in 30-inch and narrower rows for more than 15 years, while at the same time experimenting with genetics that perform well under high plant populations.
During the 2012 growing season, the company planted 2,500 corn acres in 12-inch rows at its research fields in Dallas County, using Stine 9733 BT3 Pro seeds - along with a specially-designed planter for such narrow rows.
Each plant was spaced 10 to 12 inches apart. This plan is opposed to contemporary 30-inch row widths, with seeds being planted 3 to 4 inches apart.
Thompson said with the 12-inch row configuration, plants undergo less stress from competition for moisture and nutrients, since all plants are equidistant from each other.
He said when hybrid corn was introduced in the 1930s, plant populations hovered around the 8,000 plants per acre mark.
Today in Iowa it's quite common to see fields planted at 32,000 to 34,000 plants per acre, a four-fold increase.
Yields in the 1930s were around 37 bushels per acre, while today, 150 to 160 bpa is common with average soil.
Thompson said the data showing the amount of grain per plant has remained constant since the 1930s - with plants yielding about one-third of a pound of grain per plant. Since that number remains constant, Thompson said the only way producers can gain yield is more plants per acre.
"When you chart it out there is a direct correlation between plant population and yield," Thompson said. It takes eight to nine years to develop a new hybrid product, he said.
"If we want to have hybrids that growers will want to plant in 2020, we have to be starting them on that path today and developing (genetics) for that," Thompson said, adding that stalk height, standability and foliage are all factors in developing genetics that will give growers the kind of genetics they need to be successful at planting more plants per acre.
They are developing corn hybrids for higher population planting, designed to grow narrower, with leaves that grow more upward instead of out; and stalks that are shorter.
"From a breeding standpoint, if you can avoid the competition factor, whether weeds or other corn plants, the better off you are," he said.
But how much corn can be planted in one acre?
"If you have 12-inch rows, you have true equidistant plant spacing. You can plant about 43,560 plants per acre, so basically, you'd have one plant per square foot," he said. Stine planted 51,000 seeds per acre, ending up with about 48,000 plants per acre in their final stand. Their seeds were dropped about 10.5 inches apart, so he said they were crowding their own theory somewhat.
"Once you subscribe to the fact that you're only going to get so much grain per plant, and wonder what to do to get to 400 bushel corn, the answer is you have to plant 67,000 plants per acre," Thompson said. "To push yields to where people want to go, you're going to have to have more plants per acre.
"There's just not any other way to do it," he said.
Thompson said Stine planted a specific corn genetic in what he called elite plots last year at variables of 40,000, 50,000 and 60,000 plants per acre.
"This particular product continued to provide higher yields at every step of the way, providing its highest yield at 60,000 plants per acre," Thompson said. "That told us the yield potential for this is unlimited, at least in the range that we've looked at.
"That's what really started the wheels in motion and we thought that if we have genetics that are that fluid and can move that way, then we should be testing that, and understanding that you can only push it so far in a 30-inch row before you just have those plants too close together."
Stine Seed acquired a 60-foot, 60-row planter constructed by Bauer Built in Payton. It featured John Deere twin-row units with experimental brackets.
Stine contacted Marion Calmer from western Illinois when it sought harvest equipment. Calmer has a patent on an innovative gear box design, Thompson said, which operates like a conventional row crop head, but instead of two gathering chains, Calmer's has one per side.
"You're space-limited when you have 12 inches between rows," Thompson said. "You only have so much room for equipment."
Stine used one of the heads built in Calmer's shop, and two heads that were built in its own shop to Calmer's specifications. They were 20-foot, 20-row heads.
Thompson said the yield results spoke for themselves.
"Yields were suppressed because of the drought and heat stress," Thompson said, "but we saw yields that were better than our 22-inch rows, so 12-inch rows were holding their own and in many cases were actually out-performing."
In Stines' Perry field, combine monitors were reading in the mid-200 bpa.
"They had an extra inch of rain that we didn't get here," Thompson said, "so yields were better there across the board than (in Adel), but 250 was significantly better than most people were seeing in that neck of the woods."
Those numbers, he said, don't seem extraordinary, but taking into account the kind of growing conditions grain producers faced this year, and understanding that it worked in a year like we just experienced, Thompson said the company tested "the bottom."
"If it can work there, it should be able to provide greater returns when you have better conditions," he said "We believe the theory works and yet we don't want to give growers the impression that we need to push everybody toward 12-inch rows tomorrow.
"The test we did here involved only one hybrid, and we have more genetics coming out of that lineage, so as time goes on we'll see more of that similar strain of genetics coming forth.
"But there aren't very many types of genetics on the market today that growers can take out and plant at 50,000 plants per acre. The industry is not there yet."
He said producers thinking about narrower their rows should consider the direction the industry is going, and think far ahead of the game, since equipment to change over is expensive.
"We're in the beginning stage of developing a good body of data to demonstrate what we've seen and to be able to demonstrate what we think the potential for this is," he said. For a lot of growers, this has already been on their minds, but even the equipment isn't there yet to make it happen.
Equipment companies and genetics need to work together to make this concept work, he said.
"As we look at the data and how it all lays out from start to finish, it becomes nearly impossible to argue where this thing is going," Thompson said. "Everybody's saying it all makes sense, but somebody has to move it forward.
"There are a lot of players involved. It's a great concept, but we haven't sold a lot of equipment or seed at this configuration. It's coming, though."
Thompson quoted company founder Harry Stine, who said the four-fold increase in plant population over the last 80 years has happened "almost by accident."
"No one understood what this correlation was, but if you look at where we've gone in 80 years, and now think about what we can accomplish in the next 20 years, we're excited about it. It's generating a lot of conversation."
Thompson said that not all producers are believers right away, but that it's OK.
"We're doing things so that we can have the products for the next decade; we're trying to see the future," he said. "With commodity prices as they are today, growers are definitely looking at more alternatives.
"The rate of return (on 12-inch rows) is pretty good, so if (growers) can get an extra 4 to 5 bushels of corn per acre, spread over the farm, it's looking pretty good."


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If you're staying at a hotel in Ann Arbor and looking for a way to get downtown for "The Puck Drops Here" on New Year's Eve, there could be a shuttle waiting for you.
Golden Limousine International has announced plans for a $10 roundtrip shuttle service from local hotels to the outdoor block party and festivities on Main Street the night before the Winter Classic hockey game in Ann Arbor.
A lighting ceremony at 8 p.m. will kick off the New Year's Eve event, which will include live music and a "puck drop" (instead of a ball drop) at midnight.
"This event puts Ann Arbor on display both locally and nationally as the wonderful community it has always been — a city with a local, intimate feel to it, while offering big-city education, events, theater and sporting events," said Golden Limousine President Sean Duval, adding his company is thrilled to participate.
Shuttles will be leaving from the Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest (East Shuttle), Hilton Garden Inn Ann Arbor and the Sheraton Ann Arbor (South Shuttle) and the Holiday Inn Ann Arbor (North Shuttle). Continuous pickups will begin on New Year's Eve at 5 p.m. and returns will end at 2 a.m. on New Year's Day.
Tickets can be purchased at http://www.goldenlimo.com/puckstop.
The Ann Arbor Convention and Visitors Bureau also has put together a list of New Year's Eve dining and entertainment options for visitors to check out.
Read more about parking and transportation options for the Winter Classic game at Michigan Stadium on New Year's Day.
Ryan Stanton covers Ann Arbor city hall for The Ann Arbor News. Reach him at email@example.com or 734-623-2529 or follow him on Twitter.