text:
Transparency International
The Trent Lowe / Jonathan Vaughters Dispute – Some Background Facts
(Note for the avoidance of doubt I am not the author of this: Martin Hardie)
The Contract and Mr Lowe's Health Issues
1) On or during August 2007, Mr Lowe, as the Rider, and Slipstream Sports LLC ("Slipstream Sports"), as the Employer, entered into a Rider Contract ("the Contract"), whereby Slipstream Sports would employ Mr Lowe as a road rider, under the terms set out in the Contract.
2) In July 2008, Mr Lowe was selected by Slipstream Sports to ride the 2008 Tour de France. Prior to the race commencing on 5 July 2008, on around 3 July 2008, Mr Lowe undertook a blood test (as a part of a health check required under the UCI obligatory medical monitoring programme mandated by the UCI Safety Regulations).
3) The results of the blood test indicated that Mr Lowe was unfit to race at that time. The blood test result was reported to the UCI as required by the relevant UCI medical monitoring procedure (UCI Abnormal Health Result Procedures). Mr Lowe was, despite that test, still required by Slipstream Sports to take part in the race. Before he rode the Tour, Mr Lowe was not given a physical examination by Slipstream Sports.
4) Following the conclusion of the 2008 Tour de France, Mr Lowe's health began to deteriorate.
5) On around 12 December 2008, Mr Lowe and Slipstream Sports entered into a further contract ("the Second Contract"), on materially the same terms as the first Contract.
6) In 2009, Mr Lowe's health continued to deteriorate. Mr Lowe was severely fatigued and suffering from various fevers, viral infections and chronic fatigue.
7) In April 2009, Mr Matthew White, then a sports director of Garmin Slipstream Sports (the then Slipstream Sports pro tour team) instructed Mr Lowe on behalf of Slipstream Sports that Slipstream Sports required Mr Lowe to undertake fitness tests upon his return to Valencia on 17 April 2009.
8) By email dated 16 April 2009, from Mr White to Mr Lowe, Mr White, on behalf of Slipstream Sports, referred Mr Lowe to Dr Del Moral, saying, so far as relevant, as follows:
His name is Luis Garcia Moral, we called him el Gato or el puto madre.
His telephone nu -mob -669XXXXXXX
The address is – Complejo Deportivo Cultural Petxina. Paseo de la
Petxina nu 42. Valencia
9) At no time did Mr Lowe request this referral.
10) On 17 April 2009, Mr Lowe attended Dr Del Moral.
11) Mr Lowe was unaware of Dr Del Moral or his professional reputation at the time that he visited him.
12) On about 12 June 2009, Slipstream Sports informed their employees, by email, of its policy, dated 28 May 2009, concerning the involvement of non-staff medical personnel during team events ("Team Event Policy").
13) Mr Lowe subsequently visited Dr Del Moral, for his third quarterly medical monitoring program health check-up, which included the UCI quarterly blood tests, and for testing for a number of things, including Epstein Barr disease, parasites and other parameters that the doctor felt relevant to the rider's health.
14) Mr Lowe kept Mr Vaughters fully informed of the results of his test and the doctor's recommendations. By email dated 13 June 2009, from Mr Lowe to Mr Vaughters and copied to Mr White, Mr Lowe said as follows:
… I am waiting on some results from some tests that I have just done and have a few appointments here this week. My sports doctor here agrees with your idea also that I likely have residual fatigue hanging over me.
I will keep you updated with the latest results and my plans.
15) By email dated 13 June 2009, from Mr Vaughters to Mr Lowe, Mr Vaughters said, so far as relevant, as follows:
Other than the anemia (which isn't really the case anymore) your blood tests are fine. Honestly, your tests last year were more worrying.
16) By email dated 18 June 2009, Mr Lowe sent a copy of his third quarter UCI test results to team doctor, Dr Prentice Steffen. The June 2009 health check was in conformity with the requirements of the third Quarterly Health check mandated by the UCI rules, in that it consisted of a sports medicine interview, a clinical medical examination and a blood test. At no stage did Dr Del Moral prescribe or discuss the use of prohibited substances or practices.
17) By email dated 19 June 2009, Dr Steffen responded to Mr Lowes' email dated 18 June 2009, commenting on the blood test results. Dr Steffen attached, to his email dated 19 June 2009, a copy of the blood test result reported on by Dr Del Moral. Mr Vaughters was copied into this email. A copy of the blood test results with Dr Steffen's handwritten annotations were placed on Mr Lowe's medical files, which at that time, were held by Dr Steffen. Dr Del Moral's name appears prominently on the test results directly below the handwritten annotation of Dr Steffen.
18) The results of the blood test were abnormal within the parameters of the UCI Medical Monitoring Program. In such cases, the UCI requires that the team re-perform the tests within a 10 day period.
19) Subsequently, on 28 January 2010, Mr Lowe had another abnormal blood result. On this occasion, Mr Lowe was instructed to, and did, undertake a subsequent blood test on or about 9 February 2010. Both blood tests results were reported to the UCI in conformity with the relevant UCI medical monitoring procedure.
20) There is no suggestion that any of the results of the above health test results were due to doping.
21) During the years 2009 and 2010, Mr Lowe continuously suffered health problems. During that time, in relation to the health checks required by the obligatory medical monitoring programme:
- Paragraph 2.2: Mr Lowe never had a pulmonary function test with Slipstream Sports, although he was issued TUE's on a 2007 test in years 2008 and 2009.
- Paragraph 3.1: Mr Lowe never had this urine stick test.
- Paragraph 3.2: Mr Lowe never had a clinical examination in this period, only ever blood, save for the examination in paragraph 22 below.
- Paragraph 3.3: The only years Mr Lowe did this with Slipstream Sports were the 2009 test with Dr Del Moral, and with Dr Steffen in June 2008, as described in paragraph 26 below.
- Paragraph 3.4: Mr Lowe never had this physical examination in his 3 years with the team.
22) In the first year Mr Lowe joined the team, in 2008, Dr Steffen conducted the physical examination in January. In each year, Mr Lowe did the required cardio testing stipulated by the UCI. The only physical examinations conducted, during this period (2008 – 2010) were by Dr Steffen in January 2008, and by Dr Del Moral in June 2009.
23) The UCI Cycling Regulations, Part 13, provide, so far as relevant, as follows:
'13.1.006 For the purposes stipulated in article 13.1.002, the Team shall set in place and implement a prevention and safety programme that includes at least the programme of required tests and the risk
prevention programme set out below.'
'13.1.007 The Team Manager shall be responsible for the organisation and implementation of these programmes. The Team doctor shall be responsible for the medical aspects.'
'13.1.008 The Team shall not oblige or allow any cyclist to participate in cycling events if he has been judged unfit by the Team doctor or if it learns in any other way that he is unfit.'
'13.1.009 The Team and the Team doctor shall help the cyclist to seek medical assistance.'
'13.1.010 Each Team shall appoint as its Team doctor one single doctor who holds a sports doctor's licence.'
'13.1.011 In the event that the Team doctor learns of any facts that in his view render the cyclist (even temporarily) unfit to participate in cycling events, he shall declare the cyclist unfit and shall inform the Team Manager. The duration of the period for which a rider shall be deemed unfit shall be determined by the Team doctor. This decision and the declaration of unfitness shall be made in writing and added to the rider's medical file.'
'13.1.013 Riders must undergo the medical tests listed in the "Programme of obligatory tests for UCI medical monitoring" drawn up by the Medical Commission (MC) and approved by the UCI President.
This programme will also set the procedures for the implementation of this section. The programme is obligatory for the parties concerned on the same basis as these regulations and is subject to the sanctions set out in the latter.
The programme and its amendments shall come into force as from the moment that the Teams are notified.'
'13.1.014 The programme of obligatory test must include a check-up when a rider first joins a Team. Subsequently, examinations are carried out every two years, every year and every quarter as shown in the table in the programme.'
'13.1.015 Within the context of medical monitoring, each examination shall include a physical examination by a sports doctor and the specific examinations stipulated in the table in the programme.'
13.1.016 The examinations shall be carried out in such a way that their results are known and provide a basis for assessing the fitness of the cyclist before the end of the period in which they must be carried out.
13.1.017 The obligatory tests shall be carried out at the Teams' expense.
24) During the 3 years Mr Lowe was contracted to Slipstream Sports, and despite his health complaints, he raced in excess of 160 days competitive racing as follows:
Race days with Slipstream Sports:
2008 83
2009 53
2010 30
Total 166
25) Between April 2010 and August 2010, , Mr Lowe emailed Mr Vaughters, several times, seeking to meet with him to discuss this and other matters relating to Mr Lowe's health and future with Slipstream Sports. Mr Vaughters and Mr Lowe did not meet.
26) By email dated 19 April 2010, Mr Lowe gave Mr Vaughters a detailed description of his training/health status, so far as relevant, as follows:
Hi JV,
How are you?
I thought it would be appropriate to give you an update of what I have been up to the last six months with regards to my health, my training, and my mindset.
As you know, I struggled last season from what I believe to be chronic fatigue stemming largely from overtraining. It was a very challenging period for me, as an athlete and a regular guy. Turning this around, returning to health and, ultimately, being competitive at the highest level of the sport has been my primary focus for many months now.
I have been working very closely over the past while with a Canadian guy by the name of Rob Grace with my recovery and preparation. Since beginning this process we immediately saw a measurable improvement with my blood tests. Attached is a summary of these test and as you can see, my hemoglobin/hematocrit, testosterone have all improved significantly.
During this time my training and racing load has increased and at the same time, we have sustained the increased blood levels. This is a very positive trend. Last year my tests show a much reduced levels in my blood values. During this time my weight has been reduced by about 5kgs and my testosterone has increased and remained steady at that increase, which had not been the case for me in past.
If I relate this to my performance, this time last year I was unable to even finish races at the level I am racing at, let alone contribute the amount I have been to the teams success. Recovering from chronic fatigue is taking time. However, I feel the significant gains I've made in such a short space of time portend good things for the future. I have also learned that it is simply not just a matter of getting the blood tests looking so good. And perhaps why chronic fatigue is so poorly understood in the medical world. I am under no illusion that you expect and require a higher level of performance from me. And I expect that from myself also. I am learning this is a process and one that has forced me to mature as a rider and a person. I am doing everything I can to ensure that each day, I maximize the ability for me to recover and improve and be my best for the team and myself as a rider. If the process requires a slow boil, then that is what I must do.
In the long term what I am learning now by coming through this process will make me a far better athlete in the years ahead. I am highly motivated to have everything in perfect order as soon as I can. Hence me investing my own money on treatments, having Rob with me full time, and logging training days of up to 10hours of work a day (on and off bike combined) between races to continue building on this positive momentum.
I will continue my work with Rob and whilst in Europe he has been treating many riders on our team at their own expense. His skill set is beyond that of anyone I have ever worked with before. Should you be interested to know something about his methods please let me know. I highly recommend them.
I seem to hear plenty of criticism about my body weight, as I have stated I have lost a large amount of weight since seasons beginning.
Furthermore I have been working with various dieticians regarding this.
How I eat these days is significantly different for my body than it was before getting this illness. I have learned how eating can effect hormonal changes, sleep rhythms, optimize recovery, and other things like this. Getting skinny at this immediate time is not the goal.
Restoring maximum health and building form will bring on my optimal race weight. Give the trajectory I am on now, it is just a question of time.
My most recent skin fold test performed by the team physiologists showed I was approximately 1.6% body fat above the leanest racing ideal. I am close.
It is important to me that you understand and acknowledge how I am going about things this year. My motivation and dedication to this sport are unquestionable. JV, I want to be and am going to be a damn good bike rider. I appreciate your patience, your interest, and the help of the team during this time.
Hope all is well,
27) By email dated 2 May 2010 from Mr Lowe to Mr Vaughters, Mr Lowe advised, so far as relevant, as follows:
Hey JV,
How are you?
I am in Denver now till the 23rd, please let me know if you would be interested in catching up.
28) Mr Vaughters did not reply to Mr Lowe's email dated 2 May 2010.
29) By email dated 27 May 2010 from Mr Lowe to Mr Vaughters, Mr Lowe advised, so far as relevant, as follows:
Hey JV,
I appreciate you must have a ton going on right now. I am around Denver till early next week, I would really like to meet up with you if there is any possibility. I can meet you where ever is most convenient.
Please let me know.
30) Mr Vaughters did not reply to Mr Lowe's email dated 27 May 2010.
31) By email dated 1 August 2010 from Mr Lowe to Mr Vaughters, Mr Lowe advised, so far as relevant, as follows:
Hi JV,
> I am in Denver and would really like to meet up if you are around?
> I can meet you where ever is easiest.
> Please let me know if you are about.
> Trent.
32) By email dated 3 August 2010, from Mr Vaughters to Mr Lowe, Mr Vaughters responded, so far as relevant, as follows:
Yeah, I am here until the 10th of September. I should be more
available after the 11th of August.
33) Despite, however, Mr Vaughters' response in his email dated 3 August 2010, Mr Lowe's subsequent telephone calls to attempt to set up a meeting were ignored by Mr Vaughters.
34) By email dated 20 August 2010, from Mr Lowe to Mr Vaughters, in accordance with Article 2 of the Contract, Mr Lowe had informed Slipstream Sports of his intention to ride with another team in 2011. Mr Lowe advised, so far as relevant, as follows:
Hi Jonathan,
I apologize for hounding you with emails and calls to meet up, but as you know, I am in the final year of my contract with Slipstream Sports. We are here in late August and I feel I cannot wait any longer. After much thought and consideration, I have decided to ride for another team next year. This is an opportunity that I am extremely excited about and is, I believe, a fantastic step in the right direction for my career.
I would have preferred to discuss my career with you in person, and again, I apologize for dropping a bomb on you in such an impersonal manner, but I believe that waiting any longer would be unfair to the team that has been so good to me. If I haven't said it before, let me reiterate that it has been a pleasure working with you and your organization for the past three years. Things have really come a long way in a short amount of time and I hope that I had something to do with that success.
As an aside, we have known each other over five years and I consider you not only a boss, but a mentor and friend. If you have any interest at all, I would like to meet you for lunch, tea, or a glass of wine. You name the time and place, I'll be there. And I'll buy!
Thanks for everything.
Talk soon,
35) Mr Vaughters did not reply to this email.
The Contract Payment Dispute:
36) In or around November 2010, Mr Lowe attended a training camp for a cycling team management company Pegasus Sports. At that time Pegasus Sports had no title sponsor for its cycling team. At the time of his attendance at the camp he appeared at all times in his Garmin Transitions clothing. Mr Lowe did not advertise or authorise any advertising by him for any cycling sponsor at the Pegasus training camp. At no time has Mr Lowe ever been paid by Pegasus.
37) Mr Lowe's contract with Slipstream Sports was due to expire on 31 December 2010. At no time between his attendance at the Pegasus training camp and the end of his contract, did anyone at Slipstream Sports ever raise with him any possible breach, or termination of his contract with Slipstream Sports.
38) In accordance with Article 3 of the Contract, Mr Lowe's remuneration for December was due on 31 December 2010.
39) On or around 4 January 2011, Mr Lowe had not received his remuneration for the month of December 2010, including payment of the bonuses earned by him in 2010. By email dated 4 January 2011, from Mr Lowe to Mr Vaughters, Mr Lowe said, so far as relevant, as follows:
I am writing to inform you that I have not been paid for the month of December 2010. Furthermore owing to me is the provision of 2,000USD in bonuses earned at the Vuelta a Murcia. Can these please be paid with my final paycheck without delay?
40) By email dated 4 January 2011, from Mr Vaughters to Mr Lowe, Mr Vaughters responded, so far as relevant, as follows:
I'm sorry to inform you, but you were photographed riding non-sponsor equipment at another team's training camp, without written permission from any representative of our team; therefore your contract has been terminated.
I don't like ending things this way, but I feel that my softness on these topics has lead to abuses of my generosity. Sorry again and best of luck with your new projects.
The Contract had expired on 31 December 2010. By the above email, in substance, Mr Vaughters was asserting that Slipstream Sports had terminated the Contract, without any prior notice of default, after the Contract had already expired, on the grounds that Mr Lowe had attended a training camp in November 2010 without Slipstream Sports' permission, and that this was a breach sufficient to entitle Slipstream Sports to terminate Mr Lowe's employment under the Contract. Mr Lowe says that Slipstream Sports had no entitlement to terminate the Second Contract in this manner, or for those reasons, or at all. This was the first substantive communication from Mr Vaughters to Mr Lowe since Mr Lowe's attempts to contact Mr Vaughters in April 2010.
41) By email dated 6 January 2011, from Mr Lowe to Mr Vaughters, Mr Lowe said, so far as relevant, as follows:
The main reason I signed up to ride for Slipstream Sports in the beginning was their position against anti-doping, and how this could support my career in my personal quest for clean cycling. It was very disappointing when team management sent me to such a questionable doctor for unknown means of preparation, less than 18 months into my time with the team. As soon as I understood what was going on here I could not distance myself enough, for my personal benefit and that of the team. We both know the falling out I had with Whitey over this, and we both know that I have never doped.
I have kept my end of the deal and kept this stuff quiet and out of the public eye. I would expect that you keep your end of the deal here and pay my salary and bonuses. I would be happy to speak with you directly, lets sort this out. Please send me your contact phone number if you wish to speak.
42) By email dated 8 January 2011, from Mr Vaughters to Mr Lowe, Mr Vaughters responded to the above email so far as relevant, as follows:
One, you never told me about this, and now you are using this to blackmail me, despite the fact that YOU WILLING BROKE YOUR CONTRACT.
Two, think about how ethical you are being here. This is 18 months ago, and you never said a word to me. Now that you find that you broke your contract, you dig this up. I am disappointed you didn't say something to me, as I would not have wanted this. Did you see Luis? Did you see him when you were on Discovery.
You went to this Doctor. Did he recommend EPO, or did he just do a blood test, because we needed one done to try and figure out what was wrong with you?
Let me know what exactly happened, and I will deal with the situation from there.
43) In a further email, on the same day, 8 January 2011, from Jim Barlow, Vice President of Finance, Slipstream Sports Sport, to Mr Lowe, Mr Barlow advised, so far as relevant, as follows:
The $2,000 USD Bonus you earned in 2010 will be paid with our January, 2011 Rider Payroll. This will constitute the final payment from Slipstream Sports to you.
No payment was received.
44) Following the exchange of emails between Mr Lowe and Mr Vaughters, Martin Hardie, an adviser to Mr Lowe, spoke with Mr Vaughters on behalf of Mr Lowe.
45) On or around 12 January 2011, Mr Hardie, during a phone conversation with Mr Vaughters, denied to Mr Vaughters that Mr Lowe was intending to blackmail Mr Vaughters or Slipstream Sports, and any belief Mr Vaughters had to that effect was misconceived.
46) On 12 January 2011, at the request of Mr Vaughters and Mr Lowe, Mr Hardie wrote by email on Mr Lowe's behalf to Slipstream Sport's legal adviser, Mr Matthew Pace (of Herrick Feinstein LLP), saying, so far as relevant, as follows: :
Matthew Pace
Herrick, Feinstein LLP
New York
Dear Matthew
I am writing on behalf of Trent Lowe at the request of Jonathon Vaughters.
Trent recently wrote to Jonathon seeking payment of his salary for the month of December 2010. Jonathon has refused to pay Trent on the alleged basis that he willingly broke his contract with Garmin by allowing his image to be used to promote equipment other than that approved by Garmin.
This appears to be the core issue. The alleged breach concerns the fact that Trent attended a training camp for his new team, Pegasus, in Australia in December 2010. Pegasus is a pro cycling team management company and not a sponsor.
Firstly, some background. Trent informed Jonathan that he had signed for a new team for 2011 in August 2010. I also corresponded with Jonathon by email about this in or about September 2010. In that email advised Jonathon that I had put Trent in contact with the new team. Jonathon informed me that he had no problems with this as he would have had difficulties retaining all of the riders on his 2010 roster as a result of the merger with Cervelo.
Secondly, in relation to the training camp and the alleged breach, I can inform you firstly that there are no photos of Trent publicly available, nor did Trent or anyone else authorise any photos of him to be made publicly available in which his image was used to promote non Garmin sponsored equipment. At the training camp in question Pegasus did not give permission for any media outlets to take photos of the team, its2011 riders or its 2011 equipment. In fact I understand from the team management that they insisted that no photos be taken at the training camp so as not to cause any problems for riders during the period in which they were still officially contracted with other teams. There are photos of the Pegasus training camp on cyclingnews.com. These photos were not authorised to be used for publication by Trent or by Pegasus. In any event in none of these photos does Trent appear in non Garmin sponsored equipment. In fact he appears only in a Garmin jersey. That is the only image appearing of Trent in relation to the training camp actually promotes Garmin and no other company. This image is available for you to view here: http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/photos/pegasus-prepares-for-season-2011/149961
Thirdly, Trent attended the training camp as a volunteer in order to train with other riders, who were all contracted to teams other than Pegasus at the time, and who all wore clothing provided by the teams that they were contracted to at that time. This was obviously done in order to respect the riders' existing contractual obligations. His contract with Pegasus began on 1 January 2011. Thus there is no question of Trent working for any other team during December 2010.
Jonathan has raised with me issues relating to Trent's performance during the time he was contracted to Garmin. I do not believe that these issues are related to the issue of the outstanding payment. However, if we cannot resolve this issue on the basis set out above, we are happy to put the issues concerning Trent's performance, his health and the management of those things by Garmin on the table for debate. However, if this was to happen we do not think this would be to the advantage of Garmin.
Jonathan has alleged that Garmin terminated Trent's contract on the basis of the allegations set out above. Clearly notice of this termination (if in fact this is the case) should have been given to Trent. This was never done. In these circumstances there is no basis for Garmin not to pay Trent.
At the present time Garmin has not paid Trent his salary for December 2010, the portion owing on his outstanding bonuses for 2009, and various expenses for his attendance at a charity event in September 2010. Trent seeks immediate payment in full of all these items.
In all of the circumstances set out above Trent is willing to waive his right to receive interest under the CPA/AIGCP agreement approved by the UCI on the late payment of his salary for the month of December only on the basis that Garmin undertakes immediately to make that payment within 7 days.
Failing that Trent will have to consider what other legal options are open to him in relation to the breach of contract by Garmin in respect of his salary and the other obligations owed by Garmin to him under his contract.
I look forward to resolving this matter with you without further delay.
47) Following this letter dated 12 January 2011, on about 14 January 2011, Mr Hardie had a telephone discussion with Mr Pace which was subsequently followed by further email correspondence. Mr Hardie and Mr Pace discussed a number of issues, including the circumstances of the Pegasus training camp, the contractual provisions said to have been breached by Mr Lowe, and including potential causes of action relating Mr Lowe's health issues, and Slipstream Sports' management of Mr Lowe's health and medical treatment. Mr Pace advised Mr Hardie that he would seek instructions in relation to the outstanding wages and bonuses.
48) By email dated 19 January 2011, Mr Pace advised Mr Hardie, so far as relevant, as follows:
I am just following up to see if you were able to find sometime for me to talk to Trent. Please advise. Thanks.
49) By email dated 19 January 2011, Mr Hardie replied to Mr Pace, so far as relevant, as follows:
I just got into the office and was going to write to you.
As I have said I need to sit Trent down first and go through things with him. I have made this clear to Jonathan. I should be able to do that when I get back from Adelaide next week. I also spoke to Trent about this today and told him that we should do this next week as a priority.
However having said all this, Trent is increasingly frustrated by the outstanding payment issue. We need to keep this separate and I don´t want you to use him talking to you as leverage in relation to that. I have made it clear to Jonathan and to you that we do not believe he has breached his contract. The best you could argue is that he advertised for Pegasus by attending their training camp. But Pegasus is not a sponsor but a management company. Hence you are bound to fail on that argument. I would like you to get instructions today and undertake to pay Trent his outstanding salary immediately. That way I can get him feeling more positive about sitting down and talking and we can all cooperate on the others issues.
Can we resolve this today?
50) By email dated 20 January 2011, Mr Hardie advised Mr Vaughters, so far as relevant, as follows:
I am trying to be open and honest with you.
I am also trying to keep Trent from blowing his lid and going public. I have made it fucking clear as to when and how he will talk to you. Just tell me now if you will pay him or not and when. If not I will let him do what he likes and you can deal with that without me helping. It is really quite fucking simple. I don't know why you are being such a scrooge about paying him.
… As I said I am being open with you but stop making excuses re paying Trent and then maybe you will get some cooperation.
51) By email dated 20 January 2011, Mr Hardie advised Mr Pace, so far as relevant, as follows:
You were going to get back to me this week with an offer.
If you are not using the interview issue as leverage on the contract issue please stop stalling on the contract and insisting on an interview before I have even gone through it with him.
Would you seriously advise your client to be interviewed without going through the issues with them first?
I suspect if the breach of contract by garmin is not resolved this week you will find that trent will be instructing lawyers to sue.
Do you think this will be useful to your client?
To reiterate you undertook to make an offer last week. You have not done that. Trent wants to be paid. Some good will would go a long way.
52) By email dated 22 January 2011, Mr Hardie advised Mr Pace, so far as relevant, as follows:
I have just been told jv is issuing a press release regarding trent on sunday.
Can you confirm this?
This will obviously change the situation
53) By email dated 22 January 2011, Mr Pace advised Mr Hardie, so far as relevant, as follows:
No I cannot confirm this. I do not know what you are talking about. Sorry.
54) On 23 January 2011, in a press release, Slipstream Sports said, publicly, as follows:
It has just come to the attention of Slipstream Sports' board of doctors that in April 2009, Mr White referred former rider, Trent Lowe, to Sports Institute of Valencia to Dr Luis Garcia Del Moral
Slipstream Sports has an explicit internal policy that all medical referrals are approved by our medical staff. In this instance, this vital rule was broken, as a result, the board of Directors has dismissed Matt White.
We want to make it clear that we are parting ways for one reason and one reason only, because this vital rule was broken.
55) By email dated 23 January 2011, Mr Hardie advised Mr Pace, so far as relevant, as follows:
I have consulted Trent on your offer. He is not prepared to accept your offer as once he has calculated bonuses it is about $15000 below what is owed to him.
If you are [not] in [sic] willing to settle this we will instruct lawyers to prepare an action for this breach and the other matters I have previously raised with you regarding Trent's health.
I am sorry that it might come to this.
56) In an interview on the Bicycling website, on 23 January 2011, Mr Vaughters is reported as saying, so far as relevant, as follows: :
I learned of the event about 10 days ago and flew into Australia to tell Matthew directly he was being released"….
We made a promise to all our riders and to the world when we started this team. We live, every day, by the standards we have set for ourselves. We cannot allow this vital team rule to be broken.
In that report, Bicycling says that Mr Vaughters had:
…… learned of the move from Lowe".
57) Subsequently, Mr Vaughters has been quoted on other websites, including Cycling Weekly, Velonation.com, VeloNews, Cyclingnews and other web-based sport sites. On the Velonation website, Mr Vaughters was quoted as saying:
I don't know why Trent Lowe decided to bring this up after so many months, you'll have to ask him that. In fact he never told me directly he emailed me and said it. I haven't actually been able to speak with him because he won't answer his phone.
58) By email dated 24 January 2011, Mr Hardie advised Mr Pace, so far as relevant, as follows:
'Sorry Matt if jv keeps tweeting it will get worse
Tell him I'm in the bar downstairs if he wants to talk'
59) By email dated 24 January 2011, Mr Pace responded to Mr Hardie, so far as relevant, as follows:
'My client does not want to talk to u.
We will not pay 15.
What number will ur client accept?'
60) By email dated 24 January 2011, marked "Without Prejudice", from Mr Hardie to Mr Pace, Mr Hardie, said, so far as relevant, as follows:
Dear Matthew
24 January 2011
Re: Trent Lowe v Slipstream Sports
I am writing to you as Trent's personal advisor in this matter. I have stopped in a town between my home and Adelaide in order to do this.
As I have stated previously I have informed both you and Mr Vaughters that I would meet with Trent Lowe this week to go through the issues with him in detail before providing you the details or allowing you to interview him.
We note that Mr Vaughters is continuing to make public statements that misrepresent Trent's position in relation to this.
We also note that you have dismissed Matt White on the alleged basis that he referred Trent to Dr Del Moral without the authorisation of the team Doctor of Slipstream Sports, Dr Prentice Steffen.
We also with to note that we have already raised issues with you relating to Slipstream Sports duty to protect Trent's health under his contract. Slipstream Sports also has obligations under the relevant UCI rules in relation to this.
Given the haste with which you have proceeded Trent proceeded this morning to review all of the documents relevant to the matters we have been discussing in order that he is fully prepared to go through all of the relevant details with me.
In doing so we have noted that both Mr Vaughters and Dr Steffen had knowledge of Trent's visit to Dr Del Moral for a blood test in June 2009. We also note that Dr Prentice authorised that visit for the purposes of the blood test. Both client Mr Vaughters and Dr Steffen have the same documents in their possession. We note that Mr Vaughters has refrained from mentioning the blood test in the media.
We believe this raises significant issues.
This morning I spoke with Counsel in Melbourne Victoria and intend tomorrow to instruct solicitors to instruct Counsel to commence drawing a Statement of Claim to be filed in the Supreme Court of Victoria against Slipstream Sports.
We have also had discussions with Counsel regarding the issues we have previously discussed with you and mentioned above as well as those set out below.
As a result of those discussions and the documents Trent has reviewed with me to date we believe there is a basis for Trent to commence an action against Slipstream Sports inter alia on the following grounds:
1. Breach of Contract in respect of the unlawful termination of Trent's contract and the non payment of wages and bonuses owing to him;
2. Breach of Slipstream Sports' duty to protect and respect Trent's health under his contract and the UCI rules;
3. Breach of fiduciary duty owed by Slipstream Sports to Trent;
4. Negligence on the part of Slipstream Sports and Dr Steffen in respect of the above mentioned duty and the management of his blood testing results;
5. Breach of confidence by Slipstream Sports and Mr Vaughters;
6. Defamation by Mr Vaughters in respect of media and twitter statements he has made in the last 24 hours.
In all of the circumstances we believe these matters raise significant issues which will give rise to a substantial sum of damages and compensation in the Victorian Supreme Court's equitable and common law jurisdictions.
We wish to make it clear that to date we have refrained fro making any public comment on this matter. One reason for that is that we do not wish to jeopardise the jobs and careers of Trent fellow professional cyclists.
Furthermore we are concerned to ensure that any outcome should be productive both for cycling, Trent's former team mates and serious anti-doping action.
Obviously we are of the view that Slipstream Sports' actions in respect of their duty to respect and protect Trent's health over the time he has been with the team has had an affect on his results during that time. We are also of the view that the manner in which this matter has been handled by Slipstream Sports in recent days has seriously compromised Trent's future career prospects.
We reiterate that we had stated to you and Mr Vaughters on a number of occasions that we would provide you details of all the matters concerning this situation during the course of this week.
Given our desire to not allow further damage to be caused to cycling or to Trent or possibly Trent's former team mates we are still willing to discuss these matters with you in a realistic and meaningful manner in order to achieve a just outcome for Trent, the other riders, the team and for the anti-doping movement.
I look forward to discussing this matter with you as soon as possible.
Martin Hardie
61) By email dated 24 January 2011, Mr Pace responded to Mr Hardie, so far as relevant, as follows:
I made u a reasonable offer yesterday. Your response was unreasonable. We will not engage in the type of negotiations that you are proposing. If you want to resolve the breach of contract issue respond to me with a number below $15k as I said yesterday and we will continue to negotiate, Otherwise, we have nothing further to discuss. You should be aware that we will protect ourselves to the fullest extent of the law against you and Trent for any false and slanderous statements made by either and both of you.
62) By further email dated 24 January 2011, Mr Pace advised Mr Hardie, so far as relevant, as follows:
'What offer to negotiate? You are not negotiating…only threatening. We do not negotiate like that. What is your offer? Our last offer was [subject to without prejudice privilege] Please advise.'
63) By email dated 24 January 2011, Mr Hardie responded to Mr Pace, so far as relevant, as follows:
'How do I put a figure on Trent's career? That will take time and serious negotiations. …
We need to agree that you immediately stop the media comments … the more this is played out in the media it only multiplies exponentially.'
64) By email dated 24 January 2011, Mr Pace advised Mr Hardie, so far as relevant, as follows:
'What proposal have you made for resolving this?'
65) By email dated 24 January 2011, Mr Hardie advised Mr Pace, so far as relevant, as follows:
That you stop talking publicly, that I examine the documents and interview trent and then we meet to discuss a resolution.
66) After a further exchange of emails, by email dated 24 January 2011, Mr Hardie advised Mr Pace, so far as relevant, as follows:
I am trying to salvage this mess and Trent's career. Jonathan has damaged it severely with the way this has been handled. I cannot let this carry on. We asked for time to sit down and do this properly. Slipstream couldn't wait and now have created a disaster for everyone.
I would like to get a plan of action in place as soon as possible.
67) By email dated 24 January 2011, Mr Pace advised Mr Hardie, so far as relevant, as follows:
I have spoken to my client. They are still open to resolving the breach of contract issue between Trent and Slipstream Sports. I would be happy to talk to you tomorrow to resolve this issue. Please let me know a time that works for you to talk.
If you would like to resolve this before then, I suggest that you provide me with a dollar amount and any other terms under which your client is comfortable settling the matter and we will respond accordingly.
68) By email dated 25 January 2011 from Mr Hardie to Mr Pace, Mr Hardie again set out Mr Lowe's position, saying, so far as relevant, as follows:
To reiterate our position we believe we have grounds to commence an action on the following and any other relevant basis:
1. Breach of Contract in respect of the unlawful termination of Trent's contract and the non payment of wages and bonuses owing to him;
2. Breach of Slipstream Sports' duty to protect and respect Trent's health under his contract and the UCI rules;
3. Breach of fiduciary duty owed by Slipstream Sports to Trent;
4. Negligence on the part of Slipstream Sports and Dr Steffen in respect of the above mentioned duty and the management of his blood testing results;
5. Breach of confidence by Slipstream Sports and Mr Vaughters;
6. Defamation by Mr Vaughters in respect of media and twitter statements he has made since Sunday 22 January 20
We note your offer to settle the breach of contract issue.
As previously advised we cannot just pull a figure out of the air. However, without even going into 2- 4 above your clients actions since Sunday have had a severe impact upon Trent's career prospects.
Having said that if you are serious in settling this matter we would require at least a public apology to be made by Slipstream Sports to Trent along with an acknowledgement of the fact that Slipstream Sports has had documents in its possession since June 2009 giving them notice of Trent's consultations with Dr Del Moral. We would require that statement to be made this week to put an end to the damage being caused to Trent's reputation. Of course we would require the right to approve or reject the terms of that apology and statement.
We would also require an undertaking by Slipstream Sports to enter into proper and serious negotiations concerning an agreement to pay a reasonable sum in compensation of the above mentioned claims. We would envisage that such a settlement to be paid to Trent of which he would donate a portion to a charity of his choice. If I was forced to pull a figure out of the air I could not envisage it being less than 500,000 Euros.
However, in order for us to nominate a figure we would require a reasonable amount of time to properly anaylse all the relevant documents and to seek advise from our Counsel and expert consultants in relation to the abovementioned claims.
We would expect that we agree upon these terms by 6 pm Wednesday 26 January Melbourne time.
Failing that Trent will take the necessary steps to protect his reputation by making a public statement in relation to Slipstream Sports' knowledge of Trent's consultation with Dr Del Moral in June 2009 and his expressed willingness to allow you to interview him this week in relation to all of the events concerning his visits to Dr Del Moral. Along with that he will also instruct lawyers to prepare proceedings against Slipstream Sports in relation to the abovementioned matters.
I am happy to discuss this matter with you tomorrow.
69) In a press release dated 26 January 2011, Slipstream Sports said, publicly, as follows:
We have been in discussions with Trent Lowe and his advisor regarding the possible settlement of a proposed breach of contract threatened by Trent in connection with his rider agreement with Slipstream Sports (which expired on December 31, 2010). In the course of these negotiations, on January 24, 2011, Trent, through his advisor, made it known that there was new information relating to Dr. Luis Garcia Del Moral. At this time they threatened to publicly expose certain information relating to Dr. Luis Garcia del Moral unless Slipstream Sports acceded to their demands, which included a payment of €500,000 to Trent.
Upon receiving this new information we immediately conducted an internal investigation and found a PDF attachment to an email sent by Trent to Slipstream Sports team doctor, Dr. Prentice Steffen, copying Jonathan Vaughters in June 2009. The PDF attachment was a copy of Trent's UCI quarterly health check blood test conducted in June 2009 and it contained the name of Dr. Luis Garcia del Moral in the letterhead of the results. Neither Dr. Steffen nor Jonathan Vaughters noticed del Moral's name on the letterhead in June 2009 and, at the time, neither Dr. Steffen nor Vaughters were aware that Trent had visited del Moral. In fact, Slipstream Sports was not made aware of any interaction with del Moral until Trent disclosed the information on January 6, 2011. The test results were forwarded to the UCI, as is protocol with quarterly health checks.
It is critical to note that this blood test was a 3rd quarter UCI health check test, a procedure mandated by the UCI to ensure the health of the riders, and not an anti-doping measure. This health check has nothing to do with the biological passport or ASDI. UCI health check blood tests may be done at any laboratory of the rider's volition and do not have to follow any of the handling guidelines that anti-doping tests must.
The PDF was not discovered in our original investigation as that investigation was focused on the referral made by Matt White. It is also important to note that blood tests in Spain do not require an order or attendance from a physician and that there does not seem to be any violation of team policy by Trent Lowe in connection with the performance of the mandated UCI blood tests. The only violation in team policy was the separate issue of the referral, which Slipstream Sports addressed on January 23, 2011
Slipstream Sports is committed to putting processes in place that help underscore our values and as a result we have put a new policy in place for UCI quarterly health checks, effective immediately.
We are sharing all of this information in the interest of transparency. We welcome additional information from Trent and will act accordingly, as we have throughout this process, if and when he decides to provide it.
Following are details of the timeline surrounding Slipstream Sports and Trent Lowe:
January 6, 2011: Trent Lowe emailed Jonathan Vaughters regarding a contract dispute surrounding December 2010 payment. It is Slipstream Sports's position that Lowe violated the terms of his contract with Slipstream Sports and, as a result, Slipstream Sports did not pay him the remaining installment of salary and bonuses due under his contract for December 2010.
In that email, Trent also stated that Matt White had referred him to Dr. Luis Garcia del Moral, which was the first time that Slipstream Sports became aware that Trent had been referred to del Moral.
Jonathan Vaughters immediately responded to Trent asking him for details about the situation which Trent did not respond to.
Several attempts were made by Slipstream Sports to reach Trent both directly and through his advisor, Martin Hardie, to obtain information about the referral and neither opted to provide that information.
Simultaneously, Slipstream Sports also continued to try to settle the breach of contract dispute, but to this date a settlement has not been reached. Slipstream Sports has consistently maintained that the contract issue was and is entirely separate from the referral issue.
Slipstream Sports investigated the referral claim, which ultimately resulted in White's dismissal on January 23.
January 24, 2011: Trent Lowe's advisor, Martin Hardie, contacted Slipstream Sports claiming to have a new communication between de Moral and the Slipstream Sports organization.
The details concerning this are discussed above.
Again, we are sharing all of this information in the interest of transparency. We welcome additional information from Trent and will act accordingly, as we have throughout this process, if and when he decides to provide it.
70) On or around 26 January 2011, Mr Vaughters is reported to have made, in an interview with James Startt of Bicycling.com, among other things, the following statements about Mr Lowe and Mr Hardie:
1. 'I wouldn't say it's not blackmail.'
2. (Mr Lowe had) 'probably raced 30 days in the last two years'
3. 'It was made clear to us by his representative he was requiring 500,000 euros or they would come forward with information that would show that (Garmin team doctor) Prentice Steffen and myself were aware of this rider's relationship with Dr. Del Moral.'
4. And actually Trent has never answered the question whether he saw Del Moral or not.
71) On 27 January 2011, Mr Hardie, released the following statement to the press:
We note the material in the press relating to Trent Lowe. We note that this material is factually inaccurate and we reject the allegations made. We will make a further statement after we have had an opportunity to discuss these matters further with Slipstream Sports. We look forward to resolving these issues as soon as possible without any further damage being done to cycling and peoples careers and reputations.
In summary:
1. Mr Lowe has, at no time, made any demand for payment other than for payment of his contract remuneration.
2. In his email dated 6 January 2011, Mr Lowe was demanding only his December payment, (withheld by Mr Vaughters on a disputed basis), and referring to his past loyalty to the team, and asking that he and Mr Vaughters sort out the dispute (on the December payment).
3. The reference to 500,000 Euros in the letter dated 25 January 2011 from Mr Lowe's adviser to Slipstream Sports' legal adviser, was a (without prejudice) estimate by Mr Lowe's adviser, made at the request of Slipstream Sports' legal adviser, as to the extent of Mr Lowe's claims against Slipstream Sports, set out in paragraphs 1-6 of the letter dated 25 January 2011 (relating to issues of health, medical management, defamation, and other matters, listed in that letter).
4. Mr Lowe's claim in the letter dated 25 January 2011 was for a public apology and a public acknowledgement that Slipstream Sports had in fact had knowledge of the visit since June 2009 and that they agree a procedure by which a fair sum could be agreed to compensate Mr Lowe for his losses in respect of the issues mentioned in the preceding sub paragraph. No demand for payment was made by Mr Lowe or Mr Hardie in return for the non disclosure of any facts or information.
We share this in the interests of transparency.


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Sunbutter Hummus
A twist on classic hummus, this recipe substitutes Sunbutter - sunflower seed butter - for the tahini.
Total Time: 5 minutes
For as long as I can remember, I've been a fiend for sunflower seeds. Which is why I'm kicking myself for not trying Sunbutter sooner. Sunbutter is almost exactly like peanut butter or any other nut butter – but it's made with sunflower seeds instead of nuts.
I first heard of it a few years ago when my friend, whose daughter is allergic to peanuts, started sending Sunbutter sandwiches to school as a substitute for peanut butter. And because I'm being kind of a weenie about introducing nuts to my own child, I bought some Sunbutter to see how she liked it.
She loves it – and so do I. This Sunbutter hummus might be the first of several Sunbutter recipes you see around here, because it's kind of got my wheels turning. Sunbutter oatmeal cookies? Sunbutter no-bakes? Sunbutter, cheddar, and apple tortilla wraps? I must try them all. And then some.
(Note: I realize it sounds like it, but this is not a sponsored post! The Sunbutter people know nothing of me. I'm just kind of obsessed with the stuff right now.)
This recipe is simply an adaptation of my favorite classic hummus recipe. Instead of tahini, I used Sunbutter. And then I sprinkled the top with salted, roasted sunflower seeds.
I loooove this hummus. It still tastes like the real deal, but the sunbutter and sunflower seeds give it an unmistakenly sunflower-seed vibe. We dip carrot fries into it, spread it on rosemary crackers, and use it as a sandwich or wrap spread. And my toddler has been known to just eat hers plain by the palm-full.
And because I'm using Sunbutter on so many other things, I'm much more likely to have it in the refrigerator than the tahini it replaces. Bonus!
Sunbutter Hummus
Yield: 2 cups
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
A twist on classic hummus, this recipe substitutes Sunbutter - sunflower seed butter - for the tahini.
- 1 can garbanzo beans (aka chickpeas) drained, liquid reserved
- 1/4 cup [url href="http://www.sunbutter.com/products-creamy.php" target="_blank"]creamy Sunbutter[/url]
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- ½ teaspoon salt plus more to taste
- Olive oil and salted roasted sunflower seeds for garnish
- Add everything except the liquid from the garbanzo beans into your blender or food processor.
- Pulse, adding a tablespoonful of bean liquid at a time to help get things moving. Continue pureeing for a minute or so until completely smooth.
- Scoop into a bowl, top with sunflower seeds and a liberal drizzle of olive oil, and serve.
- Keeps refrigerated for 3 - 4 days.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a portion of the proceeds. More about this here.
19 Responses to "Sunbutter Hummus"
Well, the SunButter people know about you now (hee hee). Actually I blog for SunButter and I'm always looking for new recipes, which is how I found this post and your lovely blog. (And your Pinterest page, which delightfully zapped up about an hour of my time: it's all good!) Anyway, so happy you've discovered the product. As a fellow mom, I'm eager to try the hummus recipe on the gaggle of kids who end up at our house after school.
Keep baking with SunButter, please, I can't WAIT to see what else you create!
(PS/ of course if you'd ever like to guest blog for SunButter, we'd be honored.) Take good care, looking forward to following you!
I love sunbutter. It has such a unique flavor. Super yummy. This is a great idea! Will have to try it!
I am a huge fan of sunflower butter! I tried it about this time last year after giving up nut butters for Lent… it's seed butter, so its okay, right? It's my favorite!
Mmm, I love Sunbutter as well! They have it at my school cafeteria and I love stirring it into my oatmeal 🙂 so good! I've been wanting to make Sunbutter cookies as well with those rainbow chocolate-covered sunflower seeds from Trader Joe's! I love that you added it to hummus – I would've never thought of it, but it sounds so good.
I've yet to try sun butter, but will definitely be picking some up this week. Cannot wait to try this out. I love hummus and finding different varieties is fun and provides some variety. Awesome recipe!
This looks awesome! In my cookbook,there's a recipe for PB Hummus! I love SFSButter, too, and can see this would be awesome!
We do Sunbutter sandwiches for preschool, too! Nora doesn't have a nut allergy, but her school is nut-free. Good stuff.
I'm pretty nuts about sunflower seeds, so pretty sure I would love this!
We have been loyal fans of a particular store-brand, tahini-free hummus for years, and it is a huge staple of my daughter's diet. Seriously, we go through at least a tub per week. So… After making this recipe, my daughter actually said, "can we stop buying the stuff from the store and just make this one from now on?" What!? I almost fell over! This recipe is so simple, but truly fantastic. You empowered a 4.5 yr old and her mom to kick a major store-bought hummus habit! Thank you so much!
seiko セイコー
Pingback: Celebrate Hummus Day with these 10 Creative Hummus Recipes! | I Eat Grass


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I was exchanging emails yesterday with a soldier who helped keep me safe in Iraq and we were talking about the ways that our time there changed our lives. I won't presume to give his answers for him, but for my part, I told him that since I've come back, I've refocused my career on two key issues: helping veterans get the support they need and deserve; and helping call attention to the plight of Iraqi civilians, especially the ones who risked their lives to help Americans.
That's why I keep harping on the Iraqi refugee crisis and why I wrote an editorial for today's newspaper on the subject. It also let me share, in an oblique way, one National Guardsman's happy news.
The cause of Iraqi refugees gains traction
Efforts in Congress would accelerate the pace of admissions for Iraqis who face danger for assisting Americans
An Oregon National Guard soldier who served in Baghdad three years ago finally succeeded last month in getting his wife -- an Iraqi he met on the base there -- to the United States. Now the couple is settling into a new life in Oregon.
It's a happy outcome for them, but they drove a long, hard road to reach this point. For months, the soldier pulled out every stop, calling on the staffs of Oregon senators and representatives, friendly journalists and immigration counselors. His wife fled Iraq's horrors for Jordan, where she hoped she would be safe until her visa arrived. She was in limbo for at least
six months, unable to come to the United States and unwilling to go home to Iraq, where she and her family faced the risk of assassination.
Today, she is one of the lucky few. Other Iraqis who worked on the same operating base in east Baghdad have been killed, as have many other Iraqis who served as interpreters, vendors, drivers and local fixers for the Americans occupying their country.
Americans of all political persuasions are awakening to the dimensions of the humanitarian crisis that is gripping Iraq, beginning with those who are in jeopardy because they cast their lot with the United States. Yet efforts to increase the flow of refugees to this
country have languished, apparently because of bureaucratic obstacles in the Homeland Security Department. Yet Iraqis who want to escape the violence in their country have fewer options, as Jordan and Syria have clamped down on Iraqi immigrants.
Democrats like Rep. Earl Blumenauer, Republicans like Sen. Gordon Smith and even such members of the current administration as Ambassador Ryan Crocker say this country should do more to help Iraqi refugees. On Wednesday, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice named a special coordinator for Iraqi refugee issues, which is a welcome step. Yet overall progress is maddeningly slow.
Blumenauer and Smith each have sponsored bills that would increase the number of Iraqis who would be admitted to this country and streamline the process for getting them here. The Smith bill, co-sponsored and spearheaded by Sen. Edward Kennedy, will be attached to the defense appropriation bill that's under discussion this week.
The Bush administration has vowed to admit 7,000 Iraqi refugees by the end of the month, but it won't manage even to admit 2,000. Sweden, by contrast, took in 9,000 Iraqi refugees last year and expects to admit more this year. These efforts don't begin to meet the needs unleashed by the war and turmoil in Iraq. An estimated 2 million Iraqis have fled the country and another 2 million have been uprooted from their homes within the country.
The United States bears a heavy obligation for this upheaval. Congress would do well to push aggressive refugee guidelines into law, and the president would do well to sign them. It's the least we should do.


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PRIVATE, QUIET, SPACIOUS AND LUXURIOUS. Here at Annabelle Motels, you cannot help but relax, unwind and enjoy your time here in our beautiful... More Info
THE PERFECT BASE TO DISCOVER THE STUNNING WEST COAST. Modern and spacious, The Fitzherbert Court Motels are the perfect place to stay and... More Info
Quality accommodation surrounded by attractive gardens. Free wireless internet. 18 ground-floor units,smoke free. 400 metres to town... More Info
FREE Wi-Fi The Shining Star Beachfront Chalets are nestled in native gardens with an exclusive walkway to the beach. It is ideal for... More Info
Self-catering spacious accommodation 2 bedroom units sleep 5/6 Studio units that you can spread out in sleeps 2 - 3. Cottages sleep 4 these... More Info
Welcome to Heritage Highway Motel. We offer 14 quality 4 star units comprising 9 studio units, 2 x 1-bedroom units and 3 x 2-bedroom units. $5... More Info
IN THE HEART OF HOKITIKA WITH EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR A HASSLE FREE STAY. Free Wifi. Whether you are here for a business visit or a relaxing... More Info
Luxury accommodation, restaurant and bar in Hokitika. Located just 3-minutes from Hokitika township and set on an elevated terrace amid... More Info
Free Wi-Fi 60 mins PRE BOOKINGS WILL BE WELCOMED WITH A WARM ROOM IN WINTER En spreken hollands We are an older style complex, family... More Info
Situated 30 metres above sea level. The Lodge offers spectacular views of the ocean and Southern Alps. This very peaceful location is a great... More Info
Hokitika Motels (Self-Contained) - Accommodation. If you are looking for comprehensive travel information for Hokitika Motels (Self-Contained) including Motel and Motor Lodge, you will find it here on AA Travel.
Motel accommodation is great for independent travellers. If you like to have the option of cooking your own meals, doing your own laundry and having the essential comforts of a home while staying in Hokitika, motels are the best form of accommodation. There is a huge variety of motels all around the country, from the top of the North Island to Stewart Island, and a range of prices to suit most budgets. You'll find motels in main cities, along main travelling routes and near popular tourist attractions, as well as in off-the-beaten-track scenic locations. Most motel units have self-catering facilities with fully equipped kitchens. They also have a phone, TV, tea and coffee-making facilities and a private bathroom. They have made-up beds with all bedding supplied, and car parking. Breakfast (at an additional cost) can usually be ordered the previous night for delivery to the unit if required.
Hokitiki is a crafty town and a wonderful place to buy pounamu (jade). It is also the only known place in the world where the Ruby Rock (Goodletite) is found.
The Arahura River, which enters the sea eight kilometres north of Hokitika, is a traditional source of pounamu and still yields a large proportion of the Coast's continuing supply. Several shops in Hokitika sell expertly crafted pounamu jewellery and sculptures.
No visit to Hokitika is complete without a walk along the wild and driftwood-strewn Hokitika Beach where you can feel the power of the Tasman Sea. Following rainfall, try fossicking for pieces of pounamu that have been washed up on the beach. Hokitika Beach is also a great place to take in a magnificent West Coast sunset.
Hokitika is the last town with banking and pharmacy facilities until Wanaka. Visit the i-SITE for more information.
Choose your accommodation from hotels and self-catering motels, bed & breakfasts, holiday parks with budget accommodation, campervan and campsites. Some accommodation is beachfront, and it is possible to find a pet friendly establishment, if you ask when booking.
Hokitika: Hokitiki is a crafty town and a wonderful place to buy pounamu (jade). It is also the only known place in the world where the Ruby Rock (Goodletite) is found. The Arahura River, which enters the sea eight kilometres north of Hokitika, is a traditional source of pounamu and still yields a large proportion of the Coast's continuing supply. Several shops in... Read MoreFull Info Photos


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For anyone still standing a week after 2013's one-two-three punch of Mardi Gras parades, the Super Bowl, and more Mardi Gras parades, Kid Rock will play the New Orleans Arena Thursday, February 21. The Los Angeles-based hard-rock act Buckcherry opens.
Kid Rock last performed in New Orleans on the Acura Stage during the second Sunday of the 2011 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Trombone Shorty guested with the Southern rap-rocker for that set, and Kid Rock returned the favor with an appearance on Shorty's late-2011 album For True. A look at Trombone Shorty's latest posted tour schedule shows he doesn't have any gigs elsewhere that week – and, in fact, he'll be spending the second week of March 2013 as a featured artist on Kid Rock's "Chillin' The Most" cruise – so odds are in favor of an appearance from the horn player February 21.
Kid Rock's latest album is Rebel Soul (Atlantic), released at the end of November.
Kid Rock and Buckcherry play the New Orleans Arena Thursday, February 21. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday, December 8 at ticketmaster.com and all Ticketmaster locations. Charge by phone at 800-745-3000.


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Capturing all the mystique and spectacular nature of the Alps, along with one of its best restaurants, Peppers Rundells Alpine Lodge, Dinner Plain is where bonding and inspiration are found.
Located just 10km from Mount Hotham, this alpine retreat delivers an authentic lodge experience, with venues suited for both private meetings and lavish events.
The lodge comfortably accommodates between 6 and 85 guests.
Peppers Rundells Alpine Lodge is flexible enough to cater for a diverse range of requirements for intimate meetings, conferences, seminars and trade presentations.
All of the dining and catering options at Peppers Rundells Alpine Lodge offer an exceptional food and wine experience to guests.
Peppers Rundells Alpine Lodge can accommodate delegates in single or twin rooms, with an additional group of self-contained Chalets a few steps from the main lodge for larger conferences.
(Operating hours are Monday to Friday 8am until 5pm AEST)
For more information including venues and room capacities, download the Peppers Rundells Alpine Lodge conference kit:


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This olive tapenade is one registered dietitian Danielle Paciera has
been making for years. She suggests varying the recipe by adding
anchovies, artichokes or figs.
Rosemary Tapenade
Makes 16 servings
1 clove garlic, minced
2 cups pitted mixed black olives such as brine-cured Kalamata olives
1 tablespoon capers, drained
1-1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 sprig rosemary
1/4 cup nicoise olives
In a food processor or blender, blend garlic, olives, capers. Add lemon juice and herbs and blend to desired consistency. (I like mine smooth but traditional tapenades are chunky). Add olive oil and black pepper and blend briefly. Garnish with rosemary sprig and nicoise olives and serve with crudites.
Per serving: 55 calories, 4 grams fat, 1 gram saturated fat, 280 mg sodium, 2 grams carbohydrate, 0 fiber, 0 sugar, 0 protein.


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Binghamton, NY (WBNG Binghamton) Water system repairs will affect water service on portions of Conklin Avenue tomorrow.
The city of Binghamton advises residents from Telegraph Street to 122 Conklin Ave. should not use the water service between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Oct. 8.
Using water during that time could damage meter, pipes, appliances and clothing in the washing machine.
Water may have discoloration or cloudiness if used during the interrupted hours.
The city of Binghamton says they will not be responsible for any damage caused by the use of the water service during this time period.
The water department will flush all transmission lines after the work is completed, the city said in a statement.
The city is urging residents to check their cold water supply before using any water in their home. It may be necessary for residents to run cold water to clear their service.


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County of St. LouisCounty of St Louis, Sct.
State of MissouriMissouri,
To the Shriff of St. Louis CountyâGreeting.
We command you to attach
John Muchale
by his body and him safely keep, so that you have his body before
the Judge of our Circuit CourtCircuit Court , now in session at the City of St. LouisCity of St Louis, within and for the County ofCounty of St Louis
St. LouisCounty of St Louis, on theforthwith then and there to testify
and the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy, now pending in our said Circuit CourtCircuit Court , between
Mary AnnMary Ann steel plaintiff and Wm WalkerWilliam Walker os
defendant wherein the said Mulhall
has heretofore been summoned on the part of the said plff
City of St. LouisCity of St Louis, this 25 day of august
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty 6
JohnJohn Ruland RulandJohn Ruland Clerk, C. C.


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Connie Sureck, teen department supervisor, invited Christopher "Pokes One" Cook to "tag" a column in the teen room using graffiti artwork. During the day he teaches special education at Shaw High School in East Cleveland; however, his artistic passion comes out when he is teaching classes on graffiti.
Cook graduated from Cleveland Heights High School and earned a bachelor's degree in art with a minor in education. He said hip-hop has been an important part of his life and his artwork is his way of giving back.
"Graffiti is one of the four pillars of hip-hop with dancing, rapping and Djing. This is the visual part of hip-hop. Santina's (Protopapa executive director of the Progressive Arts Alliance) mission is to teach hip-hop in a traditional education setting. I'm all for that. Teaching kids is really rewarding for me because they're drawn to it and keep it forever."
He said it's important to teach the foundation of hip-hop. Teenagers may listen to the music and wear the clothes but they don't understand the history.
"I like to show them where it really came from," he said. "People don't necessarily see graffiti outside of vandalism. Here they get to see it in a different setting and its not as intimidating or provocative. The kids see me working hard, doing my thing."
He also teaches them difference between art and vandalism.
Sureck said, "We're celebrating the arts this month and wanted to do something different for teens. This organization does exceptional work. It's nice to have different people come in."
For more information on library programs visit mcdl.info. For more information on the Progressive Arts Alliance visit paalive.org.


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This is a quick and quiet, all-in-one machine that can fit anywhere in the work area or office. This machine has Auto fax / Telephone switching for receiving faxes and voice mails on one line. Another nice feature is the caller ID and adjustable distinctive ring tones users can set. Each Brother MFC 8480DN toner cartridge will eject Thermal pigments for resistance to water and smudging and allowing users to handle projects immediately after being printed. This printer also contains a LCD Display for easy print selections and navigation and can broadcast up to 366 locations. And with Direct Photo Printing, documents and photographs can be printed directly from your Smart Phone with a downloadable application for your cell. It also has 300 programmable speed dial numbers, 20 workgroups, and can broadcast to 390 locations to help efficiency around the office.
To help lower operating costs, affordable fax cartridges are available in Compatible cartridges and drum units. Our Brother Compatible TN-650 Laser Toner Cartridge for the Brother MFC-8480DN is designed to meet, or exceed your expectations of the Genuine Brother name-brand product at a fraction of the price. Our Brother MFC-8480DN compatible Cartridge is designed to give you optimal print quality, with longer than normal page yields. Purchasing our Brother compatible TN-650 Toner Cartridges offers you the greatest value in comparison to the Brother OEM Brand. We also include a 90 Day Money Back Guarantee on every product.


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WASHINGTON -- The U.S. military is fully committed to its mission in Afghanistan and has no plans to change its strategy despite recent deadly violence that has shaken already fragile relations between Americans and their Afghan partners, the Pentagon said Monday. Officials conceded, however, that after the killings of two U.S. officers inside the Afghan interior ministry on Saturday, the U.S. is not ready to allow its advisers to return to work at the Afghan offices.
NATO, France, Britain and the U.S. pulled their advisers from the ministries after the shootings, which remain unsolved.
Navy Capt. John Kirby, a military spokesman in Kabul, acknowledged that tensions are high but said the situation may be calming a bit -- at least in terms of protests. He said fewer protests have occurred in the past two days, and less violence.
Two U.S. military officers were gunned down Saturday in their Interior Ministry office, and nine Afghans were killed Monday when a suicide bomber rammed his car into the gates of a NATO base in eastern Afghanistan.
The remains of the two officers will be flown to Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, officials said Monday. They identified the two officers as Army Maj. Robert J. Marchanti II, of Maryland and Air Force Lt. Col. John D. Loftis, of Kentucky.
White House press secretary Jay Carney said the violence will not speed up the timeline for troop withdrawal. He answered questions about whether the war is worthwhile, given its unpopularity both in the United States and in Afghanistan, by pointing to President Barack Obama's rationale for expanding the war early in his presidency.
"The No. 1 priority, the reason why U.S. troops are in Afghanistan in the first place, is to disrupt, dismantle and ultimately, ultimately defeat Al Qaida," Carney said.
The job is not complete, Carney said, although he did not list any specific benchmarks that have not been met.
Violent incidents like those during the weekend "are isolated incidents, which does not, of course, mean they're not terrible," Carney said. "But the overall importance of defeating al-Qaida remains. And that is why we need to see -- to continue to focus on that, to continue the process of, and the implementation of the president's objectives: transferring security lead over to the Afghans so that American troops can come home."
State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland praised Afghan President Hamid Karzai's efforts to calm the situation.
"This is a relationship that is very important to both of us," Nuland told reporters. "And we need to stay committed to it and not let the enemies of a peaceful, stable, increasingly democratic Afghanistan get the upper hand in this situation."
About 40 people have been killed in protests and related attacks, including four U.S. soldiers, after NATO troops inadvertently burned several Qurans in a trash fire last week. U.S. officials have apologized for the burning of the books.
On Monday, the United Nations also scaled back its operations, moving its international staff from an office in the northern city of Kunduz that was attacked during protests Saturday, the organization said in a statement.
Pentagon press secretary George Little said the U.S. is taking "the long view" and that officials believe that the Afghans are committed to stemming the violence. The important thing, he said, is to sustain the progress that has been made against insurgents in the country.
By Robert Burns, AP national security writer


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Rounding and Estimation
Learn to lasso numbers with an estimation round-up! Rounding and estimation are tools that can help kids add or subtract large sums quickly. And it's a skill that they can use in everyday activities.
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Reptile owners, do you like to brag about your bullfrog, teach people about turtles or show off your striped whipsnake?
If you answer yes to any of these questions, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry needs your help.
The museum seeks reptile and amphibian owners of all ages to share their expertise at the museum's 26th annual Reptile & Amphibian show. Exhibitors have the chance to field questions from the public about their animals, which are often misunderstood.
The show, which will be held Sept. 1-3, features more than 100 exotic animals, including alligators, captive-bred snakes, lizards, turtles and more.
You can volunteer as an exhibitor, handler or both. For your time, you'll receive a commemorative 2012 Reptile and Amphibian Show T-shirt.
Take note that animals must be in good health and condition, and they will be inspected prior to the show. OMSI reserves the right to refuse exhibition if it deems an animal is unfit.
If you want to participate, complete the registration and animal list forms available on the show's website by Aug. 17.
Event set-up will take place on Aug. 31 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., and OMSI will offer training sessions in August, prior to the show. New exhibitors and handlers must attend one of these meetings in order to participate.
Call 503-797-4642 or email email@example.com for more information.


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MOBILE, Alabama – Demetrius Ringold, Arthur Gibbs and Natalie Morgan, three suspects charged in the murder of a Citronelle man, all pleaded not guilty during an arraignment in district court Thursday.
In Natalie Morgan's first appearance before a judge since her Wednesday arrest, Mobile County District Judge Jay York ordered her bond set at $100,000.
Morgan faces one count of felony murder in the death of 51-year-old Alton Starnes Jr. on Aug. 9, which is a different charge than the actual violent commission of the crime.
According to Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Wright, Morgan was the driver of the van that picked up Starnes before he was taken to another location and strangled to death.
"It was Natalie Morgan that lured the victim into the vehicle," Wright said.
Demetrius Ringold told deputies with the Mobile County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) that he and Arthur Gibbs robbed and strangled Starnes, then threw his body onto Prine Road, according to a report by MCSO.
It is still unclear how all the pieces of that night fit together and what relationship the two men had with Morgan.
Ringold and Gibbs face one count each of murder and bond amounts for the two men were set Monday.
Because of a prior rape conviction, a judge ordered Ringold to be held without bail for failing to notify authorities of an address change, violating the state's sex offender law.
Gibbs' bond amount was set at $250,000 and according to his defense attorney Jeff Deen, his family is unable to pay it.
All three suspects remain in Mobile County Metro Jail awaiting preliminary hearings on Sept. 11.


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Does anyone remember Ninja Hattori Kun? I don't know if it was ever released outside of Japan, or what the US release name is, but remember playing on my NES, with a cartridge imported from Japan. I really wish I can get it on VC.
Here's the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6n1l1...eature=related
Current Wii titles: Wii Sports, Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Super Mario Galaxy, Metroid Prime 3 Corruption, Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Pre-ordered).
Virtual Console: Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. : The Lost Levels, Super Mario Bros. 3, Legend of Zelda, Legend of Zelda: Adenture of Link, Bonk 2, Kirby's Adventure


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Canal Side Cabins
31 Canal Street PO Box 77 Grand Lake Stream, ME US 04637
(207) 796-2796, 888 796 2796
Grand Lake Stream is a unique place in today's busy world. Imagine a small lakeside village, nestled in the woods, which has remained unchanged for generations. We are an all year facility with an array of activities and Registered Maine Guides. We are proud to offer traditional Guiding in Grand Lake Canoes. Fly Fishing for Landlocked Salmon in the famed Grand Lake Stream to traditional Smallmouth Bass fishing. Excellent hunting opportunities. All types of fishing, hunting and recreational opportunities. Fly fishing and casting instruction. Rates are per person, per night, based on double occupancy. Lodging Tax included.
Prices start at $42.00 per person per night


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Please specify your availability for each of these dates.
Please complete one application for each ensemble. The applicant's name below will be the contact person for your group.
* Required Field
List group members' names (minimum 3)
Please indicate the dates for which your ensemble would be available (check all dates that apply):
Oct. 11, 2015:
Please acknowledge the terms of the San Francisco Symphony Community of Music Makers Liability Release and Media Waiver: THE MEMBERS OF OUR ENSEMBLE ARE AT LEAST 18 YEARS OF AGE, HAVE READ, UNDERSTAND AND AGREE TO ALL TERMS AND CONDITIONS CONTAINED HEREIN, INCLUDING AGREEING TO THE RULES, REGULATIONS AND GUIDELINES OF THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY'S COMMUNITY OF MUSIC MAKERS PROGRAM. THE MEMBERS OF OUR ENSEMBLE AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND MEDIA WAIVER: In consideration for participation in the San Francisco Symphony's Community of Music Makers program, participants agree to assume all risk of personal injury, loss or damage to his/her person or property. San Francisco Symphony may revoke the privilege to participate in this adult education program for reasons of misconduct, nuisance, or similar behavior by participants. The participant agrees to hold harmless and indemnify the San Francisco Symphony and its directors, officers, members of the board of governors, employees, agents and volunteers from any and all claims, actions, injuries or damages which may be sustained or caused by participation in or connection with these activities. We hereby give our consent to grant the San Francisco Symphony ("SFS"), or any entity approved by the SFS, to take photographs, motion pictures, digital images, sound recordings, and/or DVD/video tapes of us, singly or in a group, for the purpose of marketing, public relations, documentary production, broadcasts, and informing constituents and the general public of the activities of the Community of Music Makers program. SFS may publicize the Program using clips of all or part of the Interview via television and radio (including commercials and promos), the Internet (audio-visual and audio-only), home video products (in any format now known or hereafter devised, including but not limited to as bonus material in a home video product) and promotional material sent as a streaming email montage to promote the Program. SFS shall be under no obligation to actually use Subjects' names, voice likeness, and/or biographical information. We grant SFS, or any entity approved by the SFS, permission to interview us and to use our interview or likeness in any and all of its publications and in any and all other media, whether now known or hereafter existing, controlled by SFS for news and promotional purposes related to Community of Music Makers and all initiatives of the SFS. We agree that the rights granted hereunder shall include the perpetual, worldwide right of SFS to edit, telecast, cablecast, webcast, rerun, record, publish, reproduce, use, license, print, distribute or otherwise exploit, in any manner and in any medium or forum whether now known or hereafter devised in whole or in part. Without limitation, we will make no monetary or other claim against SFS for the use of the interview or the broadcast of our voices and/or the publication or use of photographs, motion pictures, digital images, sound recordings, and/or DVD/video. This release is for San Francisco Symphony use only and does not grant permission for program participants to use photographs or recorded media of other participants, San Francisco Symphony events, concerts, employees or concert hall property, whether for semi-public/public consumption or personal gain. Participants are responsible for their comments and information posted to the World Wide Web, as provided by law. All film or digital files created are the sole property of the San Francisco Symphony and may not be used without written consent of an authorized representative of the SFS.
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The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has announced that regulations for this fall's deer gun season have been set. The big change is that 5,800 fewer deer gun licenses will be available to the state's hunters. The reduction is the same amount Game and Fish presented to deer hunters during a recent session of Advisory Board meetings held at eight locations within the state.
That means only 59,500 deer licenses will be issued this fall. It is the lowest number of licenses to be issued since the 1983 season. Hunter success was 63 percent in 2012 and just 52 percent in 2011, well below the long-term average.
"We managed 70 percent-plus success for 15 to 20 years prior to 2008," said Randy Kreil, Wildlife Division chief. "I'd like to have everybody get one deer license and a 70 percent success rate, but nature and weather doesn't always work perfectly."
Article Photos
Kim Fundingsland/MDN
The number of deer gun hunters in North Dakota will be reduced again this fall. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has determined that 5,800 fewer licenses will be issued in 2013 than were issued for the 2012 season.
A series of harsh winters is cited as a primary reason for a decline in the state's deer population. However, other factors are known to contribute to the trend of fewer deer. A return to the high numbers of deer in past years may no longer be possible.
"We are concerned about loss of habitat. Without habitat you don't have that base for wildlife to exist," explained Kreil. "We're seeing a tremendous amount of habitat being lost in this state."
Habitat such as shelter belts and native prairie and wetlands are increasingly giving way to higher farm prices. Energy development, particularly in western North Dakota, has impacted wildlife habitat too. It means less room for wildlife, deer included.
"We know that 150,000 deer licenses a few years ago was way too many," said Kreil. "I'd like to be able to meet the demand of about 100,000 people who want to deer hunt each year, 90,000 to 100,000 want to go deer hunting every year. Unfortunately, there are a lot of factors out of our control. We have a lot of unknowns and uncertainty as we move forward for deer hunting in this state."
Game and Fish has established "management goals" for deer populations in each deer gun hunting unit in the state. Current deer populations are below management goals in 34 of the state's 38 units. Additionally, mule deer numbers in western North Dakota have declined so much that no doe permits will be issued for the second consecutive year.
"We do see some reason for optimism for mule deer," remarked Kreil. "The spring mule deer survey did show positive trends, with numbers up 15 percent over last year. Any increase in mule deer is welcome at this point."
Kreil cited a closed mule deer doe season in 2012 as a possible contributor to the slight increase in mule deer numbers this year. He also thanked deer hunters for their understanding and patience in dealing with fewer licenses. For some it will mean staying at home this fall.
"The fact that we have 5,800 fewer permits means a lot of people this year will go without any deer license at all. Last year 25,000 in the first lottery didn't get a license," said Kreil. "This year we anticipate the same situation and a number of people will sit out the deer gun season. We know deer hunting is important to people and I will say deer hunters are understanding of the situation."
North Dakota's deer gun season opens Nov. 8 at noon and continues through Nov. 24.


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TRENTON — FEMA has opened three disaster recovery centers in Morris, Essex and Union counties today to provide assistance to Hurricane Irene survivors, according to local authorities.
The centers are located at:
• Parsippany PAL Building: 33 Baldwin Road
• Cranford Community Center: 220 Walnut Avenue
• Fairfield Community Center: 376 Hollywood Avenue
All centers will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week, until further notice.
Visitors can receive information about state and federal disaster assistance, get help completing applications for disaster loans for home and business owners, receive referrals to voluntary organizations to help with immediate unmet needs, and learn how to reduce costs of future disaster losses.
Residents are encouraged to register before visiting a center, either online, here, or call FEMA's toll-free number, 1-800-621-FEMA(3362).


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Rainfall predicted between 1 and 3 inches for areas in the region this week is putting emergency management officials - already reeling from the effects of flooding after Tropical Storm Irene - on edge.
Meteorologists call this week's weather pattern a warm-air advection - when warm air moves in over cold air.
"It's getting caught up and doesn't have enough energy to push all the way through," said National Weather Service Meteorologist Vasil Koleci.
As a result, rain is predicted throughout the region through Thursday.
On Sunday, storms caused flash flooding in some areas. It came at a time some people in Montgomery County were still cleaning up from the effects of Irene.
The National Weather Service in Albany issued a hazardous weather outlook for several counties, including Fulton, Montgomery and Hamilton counties, with a flood watch expected to be issued at some point later today.
The most heavy and persistent rainfall across the western Adirondacks and Mohawk Valley is expected Wednesday with at least 1 to 3 inches of rain possible by Wednesday night.
"We're going to get showers this afternoon, nothing heavy," Koleci said. "We're going to see rain develop after 3 a.m."
As a result, some areas are looking at an additional 1 1/2 to 2 inches of rain.
"We may put out a new flood watch," Koleci said. "The small creeks are usually the ones that rise the fastest. We're keeping a close eye on them."
In Johnstown Sunday, that's exactly what happened with flash flooding caused by a small stream that feeds into the Cayadutta Creek.
It's not an identified creek, but many locals call it Caleb Creek.
"We had an extraordinary amount of rain in a very short period, and that's different than what we're supposed to get this week," said Johnstown City Engineer Chad Kortz.
People should be alert, he said.
"Because of all the rain and saturated conditions, every area is just as susceptible as the next," Kortz said.
Johnstown Fire Chief Bruce Heberer said the department performed 27 pump-outs Sunday until 12:30 a.m. Monday.
He said if the rain comes slowly this week, the small bodies of water in the city can usually handle it.
"With everything being so saturated, anything is possible. I think the bigger danger is if we get
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any wind. The roots are so saturated we could have trees going down," he said.
He said the heaviest flooding Sunday night was on Water and Fulton streets, as well as Washington Street.
Heberer advised people to keep catch basins near their homes clean and clear, and if they have open drains in the basement, make sure they're closed.
He also asked residents to keep the department informed.
Gloversville Fire Department Capt. Robert Davis said the banks of the Cayadutta Creek overflowed Sunday and firefighters performed several pump-outs and replaced manhole covers.
"They kept being pushed out by water coming out of them," Davis said.
Motorists are asked not to drive over manhole covers in that stage because then they must be replaced.
"We're always concerned," Davis said of the creek.
He said the Fire Department has readied all of its pumps and is prepared for any flooding this week.
Dwight Schwabrow, director of emergency management in Montgomery County, said a small creek flooded Sunday afternoon and evening near St. Mary's Cemetery and caused mud and debris to wash down the driveway and onto a small road known as Old Route 5.
"It came over the creek and made a heck of a mess on the bottom," he said. "There were spots in Amsterdam that were flooding along West Main Street."
Schwabrow said if the county gets hit with a heavy downpour, "we're going to have some issues."
"That particular afternoon, it was just the volume of water that fell in a short period of time. If we don't get a lot like that, then I think the small creeks and rivers will handle it," Schwabrow said.
Additionally, Koleci said, there are areas of the Mohawk River that are higher than usual, though with the lock system damaged, the river is low in some areas.
It's not at flood-warning stage yet, but meteorologists are watching, he said.
On Sunday and Monday, rainfall counts available for Fonda equaled 2.41 inches, 1.86 inches in Palatine Bridge and 1.10 inches in Fish House.
Counts for the Glove Cities and Amsterdam were not available from the weather service.
Amanda Whistle can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com


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WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Rep. Frank A. LoBiondo (NJ-2), of Ventnor, today announced that the Bargaintown Volunteer Fire Co. in Egg Harbor Township was awarded $64,273 in federal funding for the purchase of new portable radios.
This is the volunteer fire company's third federal grant under the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP) -- awards of $44,820 (2004) and $43,368 (2006) were previously announced.
So far, 106 of New Jersey's 2nd Congressional District fire and rescue organizations have received more than $15.5 million since the program began in 2001.


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Tire Protection
January 25, 2013
Q: I have a travel trailer that is parked under a metal RV carport. The ground under the trailer is gravel. I have big heavy metal tracks that the tires sit on. I was wondering if the metal will deteriorate the tires when not used.Sigrid Wharam, Lanett, Ala. A: The idea behind placing something under... Read more »
Power Problem
January 24, 2013
Q: I have put two 6-volt golf cart batteries in my trailer and that has made a big difference in making everything work better. The other thing that seemed to help was to solder all the crimp connections in the system regarding my solar panel. We have a 26-foot travel trailer. When the trailer is plugged... Read more »
E-Z Lube Service
January 21, 2013
Q: Our travel trailer has E-Z Lube axles, and this appears to be a great thing as many fifth-wheel and travel trailer advertisements make a point of telling a potential purchaser that they are installed on the unit being advertised. However, I have not been able to find any information on how often the... Read more »
Tire Wear
January 18, 2013
Q: I have a couple of questions relating to the type, style and brand of tires that would be recommended for our pickup truck. We have a Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Duramax diesel that we use to pull a 35-foot Keystone Montana fifth-wheel with a gooseneck hitch. Our first set of aftermarket tires are the... Read more »
Truck Sag
January 14, 2013
Q: I tow a 35-foot Open Range fifth-wheel with a 2011 Ford F-250 four-door crew cab powered by a 6.7L diesel. When I hook up the trailer the back of the truck sags about 4 inches. The trailer is level when towing and when I make turns there is ample clearance between the truck bed and the trailer. My... Read more »
Battery Drawdown
January 9, 2013
Q: I have a 2009 Skyline Malibu 24-foot travel trailer and have been careful not to leave the shorepower connected for more than four days at a time for fear of "cooking" the battery. I disconnect the battery at the end of the season, take the battery in the house and put it on the battery charger... Read more »
Slideout: In or Out?
January 1, 2013
Q: We leave our fifth-wheel trailer at the campground for extended periods of time because we have a yearly camping spot. My question is, should I leave my slideout room extended, or retract it each time before we head home? There are times the camper sits empty for two weeks at a time. Some of our camping... Read more »
Delaminating Sidewall
December 31, 2012
Q: We have a 2005 Jayco Eagle 281RLS fifth-wheel trailer and have noticed an area at the front, left-hand corner sidewall, just behind the front cap, that appears to be delaminating. My question is whether or not this is repairable. The area is 3 feet by 2 feet in size and it is noticeable when looking... Read more »
Intermittent Trailer Brakes Tip
December 30, 2012
Q: In the Oct. 2012 issue, Dave Arrasmith of Warsaw, Mo., talked about having intermittent trailer brakes. I had a similar problem with my 2002 Montana fifth-wheel. After lengthy troubleshooting I found the problem to be in the brake wiring that goes through the axles from one side to the other. After... Read more »
Water Heater Failure
December 28, 2012
Q: We have a 2009 Fleetwood Formula toy hauler with a 10-gallon Atwood gas-only water heater. Last year during a trip we noticed water coming out on the floor from the water heater area and found the water heater dripping from the bottom, not the fittings. This messed up our trip due to keeping the water... Read more »


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Health and Wellness Coach Toni Britt will host Jersey City's first "Healthy Happy Hour" on Friday, February 28 to educate people on staying in shape and eating better.
"The program will include zumba, yoga, along with live chef demonstrations, massage therapy, health and wellness coaching and a fresh juice bar," said Britt.
"Healthy Happy Hour" hopes to inform members of the Jersey City Community on health and wellness services and possible health risks that can result from lack of exercise and poor dieting.
Mary McLeod Bethune Life Center, 140 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Jersey City, will host the event from 6 to 9 p.m. Call the center at (201) 547-4565 for information.