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Category Archives: Thought and Opinion
Adventures in Hollywood Part One
It's 4:00 am and I am sitting in a hotel room somewhere in the heart of Hollywood, California. It's a small room with an even smaller bathroom next to it. One with no more than a stand-up sink and shower with the barest of essentials.
There is no food in this hotel room to speak of and the only drinking water is what comes from the bathroom spigot. An option even the most renegade of Hollywood notables would want to reconsider. It's a private and cramped space to spend the next few days but one that will do very nicely.
After all, it is only me.
For the better part of the last hour I've been seated at a round table next to the door listening to the sounds of an empty, portable refrigerator hum its docile tones while outside, the beeping from a garbage truck with its transmission in reverse welcomes in a new LA morning.
I've spent most of the last twenty-four hours either in the air, on a bus in highly congested LA traffic (what they say about it is true) or walking many miles as a junkie East Coast tourist just taking it all in. In between checking emails, sending texts, running to baggage carousels and Flyaway buses as well as finding time to eat, the day was a complete whirlwind.
During this trip I will finally meet a few of the people I've been conversing with online for the past several years. Amazing people I've interviewed and written about several times during that span, but ones who's own existence is known to me only through emails and telephone conversation. It's going to be exciting and surreal at the same time.
Of course, somewhere along the way I'm also going to find time to write, which is another one of the main reasons I'm here. This trip is a nice retreat to catch up on some articles I've been meaning to get to while at the same time getting into the real meat of a few new stories! I am looking forward to sitting in a Hollywood coffee shop and letting others hear the sound of my laptop keys clicking away while I busily write down my thoughts and emotions.
And right now there are certainly a lot of them!
Reflections of 2014
Well, here we are. The end of another very productive year of writing and creativity.
One thing I'll always remember about 2014 is that it was definitely a year of transition and change.
From a blog standpoint, 2014 was also surreal. Go Jimmy Go had more than 29,000 visitors from 139 different countries this year. Many of them from countries I never knew existed before. It boggles my mind thinking that people from such far off, distant lands managed to stumble across my articles – even if it might have been by accident.
You may have noticed that the frequency of my regular rants have gone down this year. The reason for that is because I've been focusing most of my efforts on GuitarWorld.com and aXs.com articles. If you like, you can click on the links I've highlighted to see what I've been up to!
One of the surreal interviews I did this year was with "GRL" – an all-girl group put together by Pussycat Dolls founder, Robin Antin. The five member outfit released two insanely hooky songs and videos this year; one of which featured rapper and celebrity music awards host, Pitbull.
I was asked to do a last-minute phone interview with all five of the girls at one time. No small task considering that they only gave me fifteen minutes to talk, but we somehow managed to make it work. We talked about their music and tour plans as well as what they like most about the creative process. Although the conversations were brief and kind of all over the place, I really got the sense that these girls were on the brink of something really special. Jetting to exotic locations; hanging with celebrities; recording songs and filming music videos. Man, they were living the life!
Then a month or so later – shortly after my article was posted, it was revealed that one of the members of GRL; singer Simone Battle, had committed suicide. Initial reports suggested that she had been severely depressed over money-related issues and decided to take her own life.
On a similar, yet no less tragic personal note, I also lost one of my best friends in 2014. Nathan Brown and I had been compadres ever since we roamed the halls of Easton High School in the mid 1980's. Dreaming about (and often forming) short-lived bands that we thought would take over the world.
Sadly, none of them did.
But that never stopped Nathan and I from having late night conversations about our musical goals at a local diner. Actively discussing everything we intended to do once we "made it" – usually over coffee and cheese french-fries. Nathan was the best man at my wedding in 1995 and someone who always knew how to make you laugh. In short, he was one of a kind.
As life would have it, the two of us started to lose touch with each other towards the end of the 90's. Although we eventually reconnected at a Thin Lizzy concert three years ago, we never really hung out again or talked like we used to. It was always a case of "maybe someday". Yeah, there would always be a someday — right?
Unbeknownst to me, Nathan died suddenly on August 9th, 2014. And even though we hadn't really seen each other in nearly 15 years, the loss is still real and raw and has really put things into perspective. No longer am I just the shy, teenaged kid in high school with endless possibilities. Back in the 80's, the year 2000 seemed like an eternity away. Now, the 80's feel that way.
Which reminds me of a picture I saw the other day. One that really hits home about 2015. See if it does the same for you.
The fact is, there's a time limit to this thing called life and our job is to make the most of it!
I hope that you've found my articles and interviews this year to be beneficial and had as much fun reading them as I had writing them. And I do hope that you'll be along for the ride with me in 2015 because, as the saying goes – the best is yet to come!
Here's wishing you all the best the New Year has to offer!
Birthday Reflections At 45
Today is October 5th, 2014: My 45th birthday.
Wait a minute. Wasn't it just yesterday that I was reminiscing about my life on my 44th birthday?
I swear, time is going by WAY too fast. I am now officially half-way to 90. A staggering accomplishment if I do say so myself.
I'm grateful every day for all of the blessings in my life: a loving family, friends, good health and being able to do something I really love to do – write.
I'm not sure if I'll make it to be a nonagenarian but what I do know is that for each year that goes by time seems to be going at breakneck speed – and I don't think I like it.
Case in point: my daughter turned thirteen this year. And although there have certainly been a few teen drama moments that have tried my patience, I still find myself always thinking that in five short years she will begin building a life on her own.
Slow down.
2014 has been a year of firsts for me. This year saw me achieve some monumental interviews. Pipe dreams for the kid who played guitar endlessly throughout high school in his upstairs bedroom. I've had the pleasure of interviewing Joe Perry (Aerosmith), Slash (Guns N' Roses), Ted Nugent, Steve Vai and Don Felder (The Eagles) among many others.
I've also had the once in a lifetime opportunity of attending Jim Peterik's book release event in New York City where I got to see him perform an intimate acoustic set for an audience of about thirty people. I sit here now with a smile on my face recalling how the music he made with the band Survivor got me through my own teenage drama in the 1980's. When times were tough, I knew I could always find solace in songs like "I Can't Hold Back," "High On You," "The Search is Over," "Is This Love," "Man Against The World" and "In Good Faith".
Jim's music was so influential to me that at my high school graduation party my friend Nathan Brown and I set up an impromptu jam session. Out on my parent's patio, Nathan and I set up his drum set and I plugged in my guitar. Then for the next two hours — to the delight
chagrin of those in attendance, the two of us jammed along to the entire "Vital Signs" album while it spun on my mother's worn out turntable.
For me to now sit in a small club and watch Jim Peterik do a few of those same songs in 2014 was nothing short of incredible.
Slow down.
As I think of that post graduation party I am suddenly reminded that 2014 was also a year of loss. Nathan Brown and I had been the best of friends when we roamed the halls of Easton High School. Dreaming about (and often forming) short-lived bands that at the time we thought would take over the world. I still remember all of those conversations we had late in the night talking about everything we were going to do once we "made it". Nathan was the best man at my wedding in 1995 and someone who always knew how to make you laugh. In short, he was one of a kind.
I always thought that our bond of brotherhood would be inseparable, but life sometimes has a funny way of throwing a wrench into even the best of circumstances. Sadly, towards the end of the 1990's and the start of the 21st century, the two of us lost touch. Although we would eventually reconnect at a concert three years ago, we never really hung out again like we used to. It was the usual case of "maybe someday". Yep, there would always be a someday — right?
Ironically, on September 11th of this year, Nathan's name popped into my head for some reason. Suddenly, "someday" was today! I decided to do a quick Google search on him to see if maybe he had a Facebook or something so that I might reach out to him. But when the first hit came back from the search engine, my heart just sank.
It was his obituary.
Nathan had passed away suddenly in his home on August 9th. He had already been gone for more than a month. His final service was already over and I am still devastated for not being there to at least say goodbye and pay my respects.
Please….Slow down.
As I begin to celebrate my 45th year on this bouncing ball my heart is heavy but I'm feeling optimistic. There's a big world out there just waiting to be explored. Family and friends to love, books to read, articles (and books) to write, music to create and new dreams to find.
But my real wish on this October 5th is to have the strength to seize each day and then slow down. I still want to enjoy those big moments, but now I want to savor the small ones just as much. I've realized there's only so much time we are given here in this life.
And I plan on making the most of it.
I Wanna Go Back
"I wanna go back and do it all over, but I can't go back I know."
"I Wanna Go Back" was a song written thirty years ago by Danny Chauncey, Monty Byrom and Ira Walker for their band, Billy Satellite. It was the band's debut single and peaked at #78 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
But it wasn't until two years later when Eddie Money covered the song on his 1986 platinum album "Can't Hold Back" that a then seventeen-year old
boy man finally stood up and took notice. For me, the song resonated about innocence lost and the longing for the impossible: a return to a much simpler, less complicated time. Of course in 1986, I had no experience in such matters and absolutely no desire to return to anywhere. Every day for me was new and exciting.
Here's what a typical week for me was like in 1986:
It was the summer when I got my first real car. A 1973 Toyota Corona. A laughable clunker when I think about it now, but it was my Rolls Royce then.
Weekly guitar lesson: Shredding on everything from AC/DC to Zeppelin.
Dreams of being a rock star: Heck, it even says so on my yearbook picture!
High School: Which started out every morning with Concert Choir and also included Music Theory and Art in addition to the mandatory English and Math.
"I recall hanging out on Friday night"
Friday always…ALWAYS meant going to the mall and perusing through the latest album releases at the record store. I'll admit, I was also one of those habitual bachelors who passed by the Orange Julius in hopes of seeing a gaggle of cute girls. Then using the last fifty cents of my lawn mowing money trying to obtain the high score on Centipede in the arcade and if I was lucky, one of those "out of reach" girls would be playing a game right next to me. {SIGH}
"Back then I thought that things were never gonna change"
So, thirty years after Billy Satellite originally released it, what was it that made me think of the song this morning? I suppose it was the culmination of everything that's been going on in the world in recent days. Here are just a few examples. Take your pick:
1. Terrorist attacks throughout the world.
2. Elected representatives voting their party rather than the people they're supposed to represent without fear of repercussion.
3. The media's never-ending quest to fear monger the weather and make the slightest storm out to be doomsday.
5. Neglected and abused animals, women, children and veterans.
But despite what your local newspaper, talk radio or favorite extreme Facebook group might say, the real problem with this world isn't the fault of one particular country, political party or extended forecast. Rather, the real problem is we, the people. We're the ones who are to blame for the mess that we're in. And nothing showcases this example better than The Walking Dead. Yes, that's right. The zombie show.
In a post-apocalyptic world where it's just humans and undead walking around, the humans can not seem to overcome their own desire for power and greed in order to survive. Instead of pulling together for a common purpose (like finding out what caused the apocalypse or better still, how to cure it), they'd rather build loyalties and fight skirmishes with both humans and zombies in order to pillage whatever they can and gain an advantage. The undead themselves are actually just pawns in their cruel game. Is it too far-fetched to believe that if this happened it real life, that's the way we would react?
The answer to fixing our problems is so simple, so why can't we do it? It all starts (and ends) with US.
People often wonder why I still have a fascination with 80's music, Godzilla and breakfast cereal and I could ramble off a dozen examples of why I think it's cool or how delicious a bowl of Lucky Charms is. But perhaps the most accurate reason is because it reminds me of a much simpler time. A time when I didn't have to care. At least, not as much as I do now.
Sure, I know now that things will never be the same but…..I wanna go back.
Sealed With a KISS
As an early member of the KISS Army, all I can say is that I did my duty. So don't blame me.
Ever since the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame opened its doors in the mid 80's, I joined my fellow brethren in bitching and moaning for KISS to be inducted. And over the years, I've painfully watched as other artists and bands (many deserving, most not) walk through the Hall's hallowed doors while Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss were unjustly ignored.
Regardless of whether or not you like their music, there can be no denying that KISS deserves a place alongside The Beatles, Hendrix, U2 and (gasp!) ABBA.
In the 1970's KISS was literally the biggest thing on the planet.
Consider this:
1. You NEVER, EVER saw them without make-up. It was big part of their schtick and one that they took very seriously.
2. They were SO huge that each member created their own solo album and released them all simultaneously.
3. Dolls were made in their likeness.
4. They were in movies, on television and in comic books.
5. Kids (like me) dressed up like them for Halloween.
I remember being a naive eight year old reading the TV guide when I noticed that one of the members of KISS was going to be in a movie that was coming on. Can you imagine my horror when I turned on channel 4 to discover that my hero was actually actress Jean Simmons in a black and white movie. I thought they had spelt Gene's name wrong.
But that was the kind of impact KISS had. We read about them, listened to their music, bugged our parents to buy their merchandise. Most of all, we wanted to be them. When the "Dressed To Kill" album came out, I thought they were cool. When the "Alive" album came out, I wanted to be a rock star.
Late last year, it was revealed that the band would finally receive their long overdue induction into the Hall. Euphoria ran amok in the KISS Army, while tears of joy ran down the faces of the now middle-aged fans who had dreamt about seeing their beloved four original members reunite in make-up for one final soiree.
But alas, then came the shit storm.
For some reason, whether it was monetary, too much trouble or (most likely) that they simply just continue to hate each other's guts, the band has announced that they will not play in any line-up at their hall induction. Kind of ironic when you consider that it was Simmons and Stanley (the only two original members still with the band) who have bemoaned the Hall for decades for not accepting them.
Over the years, original members of the band have written tell all books and released ho-hum records. Their induction was the one thing fans wanted most and the only thing that would make KISS relevant again. It's sad to think that these guys can't put aside their differences for just one night.
After finally getting their long overdue reward, wouldn't it have been cool for KISS to put on an induction performance the likes of which have never been seen before? Maybe do it and then announce your retirement during your acceptance speech and seal the band's legacy with the ultimate rock moment? Sadly, we'll never get a chance to see anything now.
Gene Simmons once declared that KISS is a band that's unlike any other. In light of what the band has done to the legions of fans who finally got them into the Rock Hall of Fame, I'd say he got that right.
It's A Miracle
I was never one of those people who was really big into miracles but in light of this morning's circumstances, I might have to reconsider.
Here in the northeast, we've just finished digging out of the latest winter storm. One that dropped another eight inches of snow on a tired area of the nation longing for spring relief. Anyone who says snow is beautiful has obviously spent more time riding a sleigh than standing behind a shovel, and I spent much of last evening doing the latter; digging and snow-blowing a manageable path to get my car out for work the next day.
As usual, I left my house at 5 am this morning. The drive in to work was just as it always is after a snow storm: a slippery mess. But I always try to be cautious when it comes to driving in snow/ice conditions. I even have one of those little indicator lights in my car that alerts me when the car is slipping around.
The route I take to work travels eighteen miles on a normally busy highway. I'll admit I was a bit concerned about the road conditions there, but was pleasantly surprised on my arrival to discover that the surfaces were completely clear for the most part.
I was driving along in the slow lane at a moderately reduced 35 mph, behind cars doing a similar rate of speed. It wasn't long before I came upon a car ahead of me that had its four-way flashers going indicating that the driver was in some sort of distress and going extra slow. I slowly moved over into the passing lane to get around him and in retrospect, that was probably my first mistake. For instead of moving back over to the slow lane after I had passed the car, I chose to continue driving in the passing lane a little longer, a lane which had suddenly started to slow down.
It was at that moment that some knucklehead in the slow lane decided to move over into the passing lane and cut me off. Now, this is a maneuver I've experienced countless times in the past and one that would require me to hit my brakes to slow down in order to avoid an accident. On a warm spring day this could easily have been achieved, but obviously not in the beginning of February and on the morning after a snow storm.
In my attempt to slow down, I encountered some black ice on the road and immediately knew that there was going to be no way to avoid a collision. Although I was able to reduce speed I still struck the back-end of his car doing about 25 mph. Loud enough to hear the dreaded "THUD!" and knowing that damage was going to be done.
As our cars separated, I noticed through my windshield that the back-end of his car had suffered no damage at all following the fender bender. I realized that even though he was negligent for cutting me off, I would ultimately hold responsibility for the accident because I had rear-ended his car. As if that weren't enough, to add insult to injury, the damage was going to be limited to just my car.
We both slowly pulled off of the highway. All the while I was not only thinking about the safety of the driver, but also about the extensive damage that had been done to my car. I saw visions of police officers arriving at the scene and endless calls to claims adjusters in my future, not to mention the fact that I was also going to be late for work. I clicked on my hazard lights and slowly got out of the car.
That's when something I still can't explain happened.
I looked at the front end of my car and there was not a scratch. Huh?? After hitting his car at 25 mph and hearing the dreaded WHOMP, there was not even a mark. Not a scratch, dent, ding or split in the bumper. Both cars had zero damage. It was almost as if I had rear ended a pillow.
The other driver and I stood in the cold glare of our four-way flashers dumbfounded over what had just happened. As big semi trucks and snow plows trudged by us in the early morning hour, we both knew that what had experienced could not be explained.
We both shook hands and exchanged phone numbers in case something went wrong, but I don't think it will. It certainly wasn't a miracle in a sense of turning water into wine or having a life long disease suddenly being cured, but it does make you think.
Sometimes even in the throes of the worst winters, good things happen.
My Thoughts on The NFC Championship
I wanted to write this post well before tonight's NFC Championship; lest anyone think that I might be one of those phony bandwagon fans who only jump on board when a team is doing well and then disappears when the wheels fall off the bus. That's hardly the case with me. I've been an east coast Seattle Seahawks fan for thirty years.
That's right, I said thirty years.
It all began back in the early 80s. I was one of those disappointed Philadelphia Eagles fans lost in the wilderness and looking for a new home after a bitter, painful defeat at the hands of some dude named Plunkett and the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XV. Ok, I'll admit I was one of those creeps who ditched the ship when it sank, just like the ones I opened this post talking about. But in my defense, I was only twelve years old at the time and didn't know any better.
Yeah, let's go with that.
It was a cold Monday night a few years after that Super Bowl when I first saw the Seattle Seahawks on television. At the time, I had absolutely no idea who they were. They had some left-handed quarterback (Jim Zorn), a wiry, fast as lightning receiver (Steve Largent) and this rookie running back from Penn State named Curt Warner. A "hometown" connection.
I couldn't even tell you the team that they played that night. All I remember is that the Seahawks lost the coin toss and started the game out with an on-side kick. An on-side kick!!! Something almost unheard of in the NFL.
The Seahawks wound up getting the ball and scoring on that drive….and the seed was planted.
As you can imagine, the 1980's were a time before the Internet and satellite football games became common place. So getting to see my new team was nearly impossible. About the only time I ever saw them on TV was when they played against the Eagles or New York Giants, and considering that the Seahawks were in the other conference at the time, those games were even rarer.
The Seahawks actually almost made it to their first Super Bowl the first year of my fandom, but lost to (ironically enough) the Oakland Raiders in the conference final. But this time, instead of ditching I stayed a fan. Reading updates in the newspaper about loss after loss. Some years good. Some years, very bad.
In 1992, we were so bad that we were awarded the #2 overall pick in the NFL. A time when we were in dire need of a quarterback. We wound up with a bust named Rick Mirer, while the New England Patriots got this guy named Drew Bledsoe (the "parent" QB to Tom Brady).
More years of mediocrity would follow, but I stood tall.
I was there when Seahawks owner Ken Behring tried to move the team out-of-town to California in the dead of night. That attempt failed and Behring would eventually sell the team to Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. With Allen on board, the team hired Green Bay Packers coach Mike Holmgren and a slew of other talent, planting the seed for a run to greatness that came to fruition in 2005.
During my time as a 12th man there has only been one low point, and that was Super Bowl XL against the Pittsburgh Steelers. As any fan of the NFL will tell you (and even Steeler fans too, if they're honest), the referees decided that game. For me, it was stinging. Imagine waiting 23 years for a shot at a Super Bowl and then being cheated by a bunch of turds in pinstripes.
The thing is, in the NFL there are no guarantees and the days of dynasty left once the salary cap was initiated. You only have so much time to make a run before players and coaches leave for other pastures. Unfortunately, that's what happened to my team following that "defeat".
It's taken eight years for the Seahawks to get back to the NFC Championship game. Eight long, often-times miserable years. But I never lost hope. I watched as Marshawn Lynch caused an earthquake with one of the greatest runs in NFL history and knew that the stars were aligning again….
I even took a weekend 2,856-mile trip to Seattle by myself two-years ago just to see them play the Atlanta Falcons. The first time I was ever a part of the 12th man.
They lost.
I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am for this game. I've even been having dreams at night this past week where the game is on and I am sitting around checking the score. Every time I looked, the score was changing. Thankfully, we were winning.
I don't know what's going to happen when it's all over. Hopefully, dreams do come true. But all I can ask is that the refs let it be settled on the field. And may the better team then kick the sh$t out of the Patriots or Broncos.
Go Hawks!
Grammy Nominated Comedian Ron White Gets 'A Little Unprofessional'
He's sold more than 14 million albums (both solo and with the Blue Collar Comedy Tour) with all four of them charting at #1 on Billboard. He's one of the top grossing stand-up comedians in America today and has already earned himself two Grammy nominations.
Make that three.
Comedian Ron White has recently received a third Grammy nomination for his RIAA Platinum-certified Comedy Special, "A Little Unprofessional".
Filmed in Austin, TX at the legendary Paramount Theatre, 'A Little Unprofessional' shows White's comedic nature on full display. He takes us on a journey from the airport at LAX to a vacation retreat in the French Riviera and along the way, discusses adventures from his youth, sports, music and of course, his own sexual prowess. Whether he's casually taking a sip of his scotch or lighting up a cigar be warned: no one is immune to White's hilarious anecdotes.
In addition to the full "A Little Unprofessional" special, the DVD also contains the entire first season of White's popular "Rontourage" fan program, which features behind the scenes footage of White and his troops traveling across America. Through these shorts, we're able to get a first-hand glimpse of what it's like for the entertainer backstage, on the tour bus and interacting with his fans at meet and greet events.
One of the biggest hidden treasures of "A Little Unprofessional" has got to be the bonus feature live performances of White's amazing wife, Margo Rey. Although Rey herself is not spared from White's stand-up material, she showcases her awe-inspiring vocals in a hybrid mixture of pop, jazz and R&B that can only be described as Organica.
The thing that sets Ron White apart from all other stand-up performers today is his unique ability to impose empathy on his audience. Sure, you laugh hysterically at his stories and facial expressions, and may even at times feel a little bit sorry for him. But deep down, the real reason we enjoy him so much is because there's a little bit of Ron White in each of us. Somehow, we can all relate to everything he talks about during his routine.
White's performances don't just make us laugh with him, they make us laugh at ourselves. And in times like these, that's certainly a good thing.
For more on Ron White, check out his official website by Clicking Here.
Three Things I Think: 2014 New Year's Edition
Well, here we are. Five days into the brand new year. Have you made any resolutions for 2014?
This year, I resolve to continue a healthful regimen of diet and exercise as well as devote more time to my music, reading and writing. Then of course, there's also a need to spend more quality time with family and friends.
I spent much of this past week compiling a list of things I can do to help me achieve these goals like starting a journal, doing a few writing prompts and downloading guitar exercises online.
It was then that I decided to make another list. Not things for me personally to achieve, but wishes for us as a society. Things I hope are gone by the end of the year that would make the world as we know it a much better place.
So, without any further adieu, here are the three things I think we need to get rid of by December 31st, 2014….
3. Reality Shows
I know it's never going to happen, but is it too much to ask that they tone them down a bit? I mean, "The Voice" literally just got over a few weeks ago and I've already seen commercials promoting the next "season" which starts in February. I always thought "season" in TV vernacular meant years and not months.
Then there's "American Idol", "Biggest Loser", "The Bachelor/Bachelorette", "So You Think You Can Dance" and "X-Factor". Oh, and let's not forget "Dancing With The Stars" which seems to run non-stop all year long. If we could just get rid of one of these shows in 2014, I'll be a happy camper.
2. Crappy Music
I may sound like an old fuddy-duddy for saying this but I don't care. New music today sucks. You can't turn on the radio dial without hearing the exact same terrible songs over and over. Auto-tuned vocals, blasé beats and cliche' lyrics are the norm these days. Whether it's Taylor Swift's latest man problem, Justin Bieber's threats of retiring or Miley Cyrus's twerking, it never seems to go away.
This June will mark the 30th anniversary of the very first concert I ever attended: The Scorpions and Bon Jovi. This is relevant because three decades later I can still remember exactly where I was, who I was with and the music I heard. Better still, Bon Jovi; the band that was just starting out at that time and literally got booed off of the stage in favor of the Scorpions, was the highest grossing tour act of 2013.
There's something to be said about having longevity in music. Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Tom Petty, Billy Joel, Elton John, The Rolling Stones. Some of these artists have been doing their thing for more than a half-century.
Call me old-fashioned, but somehow I don't think that we'll still be talking about Taylor Swift, One Direction, Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus 50 years from now. And even if we are, I'll thankfully be long gone by then.
And now, the #1 thing we need to get rid of by the end of 2014….
1. Naming and Fear Mongering about Winter Storms
I don't know what part of the country (or world) you come from, but here in the great Northeast the weather has changed dramatically over the last year.
And no, I'm not talking about global warming and an increase in heat waves, rainfall or snow accumulations. I'm talking about way the media has decided to hype up their weather forecasting coverage by fear mongering about "apocalyptic" storms.
An apocalyptic event should be one like a Category 5 Hurricane, an F-5 Tornado, an earthquake, volcanic eruption or a horrific Tsunami. Not one where the region gets blanketed with three inches of snow causing slower than usual commute times to work on a Monday morning.
Don't get me wrong. I'm grateful that we're given advance notice about pending hurricanes and nor'easters. But it seems that lately every passing front that goes through between the months of December and March qualifies as Armageddon.
Here are just a few quotes I've heard regularly on television weather forecasts (emphasis added because the meteorologist added it in their own reporting).
"It's going to be the coldest air in FIVE years folks!" — (Wow! That's certainly a long time ago.)
"Stay tuned and I'll tell you when to expect the COLDEST air we've had in TWENTY YEARS on NBC news at 11." — (Beg pardon, but what was the weather like 20 years ago? Yep… cold!)
"Winter Storm Hercules is bearing down, blanketing our area with as much as a foot of snow in some of the higher elevations." — (Hercules? Oh, please!)
Since when have we become such a watered down society that we now have to name every single storm regardless of cold temperatures, ice and snow? I don't know about you, but in my forty-four years of existence we've always had just one name for this type of phenomenon:
Reflections of 2013
Well, here we are. The end of another very productive year of blogging. One that saw more than 170 articles, interviews and semi-regular rants from me on everything from Spider-Man to politics. It sure has been an amazing journey these last twelve months.
This year, I decided to shift my focus away from the rant and more toward the interview side of things and the results were beyond my wildest expectation. So much so, that if I had to describe what this year has been like for me in a single word, it would be surreal. Surreal in the sense that I never would have ever thought I'd have the opportunity to speak to some of the people I did.
Let's take a quick look back at a few of the most memorable moments of 2013:
Those who knew me growing up in '87 and '88 know that I'd often spend countless hours after school listening to the likes of REO Speedwagon, Foreigner, Night Ranger and Styx. Twenty-five years later, I had the pleasure of speaking with Kevin Cronin (REO Speedwagon), JY Young (Styx) Brad Gillis (Night Ranger) and Jeff Pilson (Foreigner).
Then there's Ted Nugent, Sammy Hagar, Susanna Hoffs (The Bangles), Mickey Thomas (Starship), Michael Sweet (Stryper), Lita Ford, Dave Stewart (Eurythmics), John Waite, Carmen Electra and Andy Summers (The Police).
Like I said… surreal.
Lou Gramm (Foreigner) released his autobiography this year and told me all about it (plus he spilled the beans on the origin of the band's monster song, "Hot Blooded"). Then there's Bobbi Brown , infamous for her role in Warrant's "Cherry Pie" video and the "Ex-Wives of Rock". She released a tell-all book about the debauchery of the LA music scene in the late 80's that was just killer.
Inspirational People
There were no shortages of inspirational people in 2013. People who are either faced with personal challenges and overcome them or those who see something wrong in the world and make it their personal mission to do something about it. Of all the interviews I do, these are the ones that are the most special.
Guitarist Jason Becker discussed his life, music and living with ALS in "Not Dead Yet"
Following the recent economic downturn, filmmaker Paul Blackthorne took us on a trip cross-country in This American Journey and made us reconsider our own way of thinking.
Director Angelo Lobo exposed the problems that exist within the U.S. divorce industry in Romeo Misses A Payment.
Actress and 2007 Miss Georgia Teen USA winner Jena Sims discussed her film work and Pageant of Hope Charity; for kids who are facing challenges and ones who normally wouldn't compete in pageants.
And this year, I not only interviewed a truly inspirational person, but was also fortunate enough to write not one, but TWO books with her as well. Michele Quinn
Women Who ROCK!
I love interviewing ladies who prove that they can go toe to toe with the "big boys" and this year was no exception. In 2013, I interviewed the members of Vixen: Janet Gardner, Share Ross, Roxy Petrucci and Gina Stile. I had planned on interviewing founding member Jan Kuehnemund, but she sadly passed away on October 10th.
Other ladies who rock interviews included guitarists Maxine Petrucci and Lindsay Ell.
I hope that you've found my articles and rants this year to be beneficial, and had as much fun reading them as I did writing them. Feel free to comment on some of your favorites below. And I hope you'll be along for the ride in 2014 because the best is yet to come.
Here's wishing you all the best the new year has to offer!


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Catcher Jared Price delivered a go-ahead two-run single in the eighth, lifting the Barons to the 9-5 victory at Chattanooga in the first game of the final series of the regular season.
Alas, the Barons gained no ground on Jacksonville. The Suns won a 1-0 pitching duel in Huntsville to maintain a 2-game South Division lead with four games left.
Price had three hits while C.J. Retherford had four. The Barons also got home runs from John Shelby III, Dayan Viciedo and David Cook. Shelby homered in his first at-bat after being sidelined a week.
The win was the fifth straight for Birmingham.

subset: commoncrawl


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Member Since: June 03, 2013
July 29, 2013 at 12:47am
Jesus weeps.
My heart breaks for the lost opportunity this nation had. We could done much to solve world hunger over the last 20 years out of the beautiful charity in our Christian hearts through humble, individual generosity.
Instead, our "leaders" chose to increase corporate giving (tax) and entitlements (freebies) to the point of nonchalance and individual servitude.
This can't bode well.
In reply to the story Survey Underscores 'Elusive American Dream' and 'Deteriorating Economic Security'
July 29, 2013 at 1:32am
AllPeopleFreePeople responded:
July 29, 2013 at 7:19am
soybomb315_II responded:
July 28, 2013 at 10:24pm
Congratulations to the new parents! Prayers and blessings over the new addition to your family! So beautiful to see the importance of a child's birth to a family! Great perspective, especially in this day and age.
There is hope!
July 28, 2013 at 9:50pm
Oh, and…you might appreciate this. It's a different, well stated perspective to consider. Not sure if I agree but it is worthy of consideration.
July 28, 2013 at 9:27pm
Preach it, Ma'am! The world needs to hear your voice. Stand tall til the end, Sister! Your momma and daddy are proud….no doubt of that!
Not only can the libs go to hell, they can kiss your Southern azz on their way there. God bless 'em.
July 23, 2013 at 6:11pm
Thankfully, MODERATION, is here to p1ss on everyones's parade!
In reply to mcsledge's comment on the story Did God Really Create the Universe and Mankind?
July 23, 2013 at 5:28pm
Nah….no confusion.
God did do it! And he always will. That is all.
July 23, 2013 at 4:45pm
SMACK….you're! haha! Hi Mom!
July 23, 2013 at 4:40pm
But YIKES did not mean to take on too much.
I'll own my minimal part. My point in surfacin' is only to say…..what happened with "the chosen" lately is exactly what happened a few months ago. Not sure how the drama unfolded as I was gone for a few months.
Glad your back.
July 23, 2013 at 4:26pm
Didn't read the articles or the comments…but, yes, yes He did!
In reply to the story Did God Really Create the Universe and Mankind?
July 23, 2013 at 4:16pm
You might know me……and simultaneously disown me. Understood.
I might be a trouble maker.
Not seeking acceptance. Just saying hello.
July 23, 2013 at 3:58pm
IRL, I am the most out and blatant about it (Atheist) diesel dye-kit you ever saw. In so far as I am left alone to be who I am and to believe as my conscience dictates, I am an absolute gray-man, blending into the scenery wherever I go.
Good Lord, Girl, I've got much to speak to this. Respond if you want to hear it. Hugs.
July 23, 2013 at 3:20pm
And LPHP, my original premise stands (despite your lesbian theatrics)….. the very fact that this country was founded on religious principles allows you to, not only be lesbian, but have the free speech to biotch about being so here.
Good luck with all that…..snap!
July 23, 2013 at 3:15pm
. I also do it as a way of holding up a mirror to people such as Glock21Pro and yourself who may believe they have the god-given rights to pester, hound, wheedle, cajole, and harass me until I convert to their own form of religious practice. You do not have such a right, BTW. In so far as I am so harassed in the name of religion (or sexuality) IRL, I am the most out and blatant about it (Atheist) diesel dye-kit you ever saw. In so far as I am left alone to be who I am and to believe as my conscience dictates, I am an absolute gray-man, blending into the scenery wherever I go.
Oh poor, Lesbian! You mistook my questioning that I am trying to get you to change or care, in any way, about your lifetstyle. Thanks for your fantastic labeling, by the way!
July 23, 2013 at 3:09pm
So cute, LPHP, to ignore my posts entirely. I am hurt. (sarc)
Are you the female? LMAO (Do you know how ironic it is to rational, non-"lesbian" thinking people how gays mirror the male/female roles? You do realize one of you is faking their gender. In which case you just want to be who the rest of us actually are?) Anyway…… Keeping it private and respectful and all…..
Maybe you and your mate are the exception, female/female. I just genuinely hope your "monthlys" are at different times!
July 23, 2013 at 2:25pm
Crickets all around.
I'll take that as…..I am, indeed, PROFOUND.
July 23, 2013 at 1:45pm
I'm curious, BOOGER and RJJ, why do you accept terms of silencing your (presumed) heterosexuality at the expense of your religion?
July 23, 2013 at 1:41pm
Too funny, GLOCK. Similar thoughts but one of us (you) used "spellcheck" on "flipside".
In reply to the story Sen. Ted Cruz Issues Major Gay Marriage Warning for Pastors and Christians, Alike
July 23, 2013 at 2:23pm
GLOCKU responded:
July 23, 2013 at 1:37pm
Um, LPHP, you advertise your bedroom activities every time you post. Your posts (meaning, your thoughts) stand on their own merit.
On the flipside, unlike sexuality, if religion remained private, this country would never have become what it became.
July 23, 2013 at 1:28pm
Sorry about that, SWIMMER, missed the flippers part of your comment. Agree with your overall assessment. They can't run distance or swim without flippers. I'm going to have to research this further to understand how this is different than weightlifting competition.
In reply to Imswimmer328's comment on the story CrossFit Founder Unabashedly Discusses His Politics: 'I'm a Rabid Libertarian'
July 23, 2013 at 1:20pm
Oh the tangled web…. The result of accepting homosexuality into American culture will have implications far beyond what those accepting it today ever imagined. That is how sin weeds its way into mainstream.
As as aside, BLAZE, please hire, at the very least, a proofreader. I would hope that Pastors are much like Christians.
In reply to the story Sen. Ted Cruz Issues Major Gay Marriage Warning for Pastors and Christians, Alike
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Posted by Mark on July 12, 2003 at 19:44:13:
In Reply to: Peach Tree Losing Leaves posted by R J Salberghi on June 28, 2003 at 07:53:38:
Did you get an answer to this problem? I have the same issue with many branches with no leaves at all. The branches with leaves look fine. I have no fruit set this year at all.


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UPDATE | Roth slams the door on Buetow in race for Central Ward seat on Bainbridge council
Wayne Roth has prevailed with a stunning margin of victory in the race for the Central Ward seat on the Bainbridge Island City Council.
Opponent Arlene Buetow anticipated a joint Election Night party at the Treehouse Cafe Tuesday night with fellow candidates Dick Haugan and Dee McComb, who were also supported by the political action committee dubbed "Common Sense Bainbridge."
But the party quickly turned quiet when the results showed a sweeping loss for the candidates and their supporters who had gathered in Lynwood.
The first vote count released by the Kitsap County Elections Division on Election Night put Roth in the lead with 61.4 percent of the vote.
Roth was excited by his lopsided victory.
"I'm a little incredulous, but the margin seems to be so large, I mean, it's not even close," Roth said.
"Well, I'm thrilled. I'm really looking forward to joining the council and the work of my colleagues," he added. "I so enjoyed the campaign. I just had so much support from the community. That has all been so much fun."
Buetow could not be reached for comment. A call to her cell phone went unanswered, and an employee at the Treehouse said the gathering that featured Buetow and her fellow candidates, as well as Gary Tripp, founder of Common Sense Bainbridge, was breaking up just after 9 p.m. on Election Night.
The first vote tally was 3,144-1,970 in Roth's favor.
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Get an overview of this hotelHotel in Cedar Rapids with free breakfast and indoor pool
Collect 200 points
Simply enter your Nectar card number when prompted. Your points will be credited 30 days after you return from your trip.*Offers may apply
Situated in Cedar Rapids, this hotel is within 1 mi (2 km) of Noelridge Park and Rockwell Collins. Lindale Mall is 1.7 mi (2.7 km) away.
Hotel Features
This smoke-free hotel features an indoor pool, a 24-hour fitness center, and coffee/tea in common area. Free continental breakfast, free WiFi in public areas, and free self parking are also provided. Additionally, a business center, a meeting room, and dry cleaning are onsite.
Room Amenities
All 85 rooms provide conveniences like refrigerators and microwaves, plus free WiFi and flat-screen TVs with cable channels. Premium bedding, coffee makers, and free local calls are among the other amenities available to guests.Information missing or incorrect? Tell us!Opens in a new window
La Quinta Inn & Suites Cedar Rapids1220 Park Pl Cedar Rapids IA 52402
Hotel Amenities
Hotel Amenities
La Quinta Inn & Suites Cedar Rapids features an indoor pool and a 24-hour fitness center. A computer station is located on site and high-speed wired and wireless Internet access is complimentary. This hotel offers access to a business center and a meeting room. A complimentary breakfast is offered each morning. Event facilities measure 962 square feet (87 square meters). This Cedar Rapids hotel also offers coffee/tea in common area, laundry facilities, and dry cleaning/laundry services. Onsite self parking is complimentary.
La Quinta Inn & Suites Cedar Rapids is a smoke-free property.
- Total number of rooms - 85
- Number of floors - 3
- Number of buildings/towers - 1
- 24-hour fitness facilities
- Conference space size (meters) - 87
- One meeting room
- Computer station
- Free WiFi
- Free wired high-speed Internet
- Conference space size (feet) - 962
- Smoke-free property
- 24-hour front desk
- Business center
- Free breakfast
- Coffee/tea in common areas
- Dry cleaning/laundry service
- Elevator/lift
- Express check-in
- Express check-out
- Laundry facilities
- Safe-deposit box at front desk
- Free self parking
- Indoor pool
Family Friendly Amenities
- Family Hotel
- Indoor pool
- Free Wi-Fi
- Laundry facilities
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Cribs/infant beds (complimentary)
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi , Free wired high-speed Internet
Free self parking
Room Amenities
- Connecting/adjoining rooms available
- Free cribs/infant beds
- Coffee/tea maker
- Free WiFi
- Hair dryer
- Iron/ironing board
- Desk
- In-room climate control (air conditioning)
- Phone
- Free local calls
- Private bathroom
- Premium TV channels
- Premium bedding
- Microwave
- Refrigerator
- Daily housekeeping
- Shower/tub combination
- Free toiletries
- Cable TV service
- Flat-panel TV
Where to Eat
Guests are offered a complimentary continental breakfast each morning.
Nearby Things to Do
Recreational amenities at the hotel include an indoor pool and a 24-hour fitness center.
- Golfing nearby
To make requests for specific accessibility needs, complete the "Special or Accessibility Requests" section of "Trip Preferences" when you book your hotel.
- Accessible bathroom
Hotel Policies
Check-out time is Noon
Payment types
- Pets stay free
- 2 per room
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on hotel policy.
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card or cash deposit are required at check-in for incidental charges.
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges. Special requests cannot be guaranteed.
Service animals exempt from fees/restrictions
No rollaway/extra beds available
24-hour check-in
Pets allowed (no fees)
Optional extras
- A pet fee will be charged
- Rollaway beds are available for an additional fee
Hotel Name
- Baymont Inn Cedar Rapids
- Baymont Inn Hotel Cedar Rapids
- Baymont Inn Cedar Rapids Hotel
- Baymont Inn & Suites Cedar Rapids Hotel Cedar Rapids
- Baymont Inn And Suites Cedar Rapids
- Cedar Rapids Baymont Inn
- Baymont Cedar Rapids
- Baymont Inn & Suites Cedar Rapids Hotel
- Quinta Inn Cedar Rapids
- Quinta Cedar Rapids
We should mention
The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation.


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Wild West Tour On Tap For IMCA Mods
MYTON, Utah — The fifth edition of the EQ Cylinder Heads Wild West Tour will take IMCA modified drivers to six tracks in as many states this season.
The schedule features a dozen events, with the series opening with a return to Aztec (N.M.) Speedway April 22-23, followed by a visit to Desert Thunder Raceway in Prince, Utah, May 20-21.
Midweek action will combine the Wild West Tour with the new Evenson Law Office Ironman Chal¬lenge Series Battle Mountain (Nev.) Raceway June 15-16. The tour travels to Sweetwater Speedway in Rock Springs, Wyo., July 15-16.
The series will finish the season with visits to Fairgrounds Speed¬way in Cortez, Colo., Aug. 12-13 and Atomic Motor Raceway in Atomic City, Idaho, Sept. 16-17.
EQ Cylinder Heads provides a $3,000 point fund, which will be paid to drivers who finish the the top-10 in points. National, ButlerBuilt Western Region, Allstar Performance State and special series points will be awarded at all events.
Feature winners with car counts of 40 or more entries earn $1,000 and become candidates for 2011 or 2012 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballots. Series events with fewer than 40 entries pay $750 to win.
The champion of the series will earn as many as 20 bonus points, applied toward 2011 national and re¬gional standings, and will be eligible to qualify for the Harris Auto Racing Race of Champions at the 2012 IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals.


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I don't know what kind of turbo Kanye West was on last night, but I want some. After performing a 2 hour set at a packed Air Canada Arena in Toronto, Yeezus met up with hometown hero Drake at a club to, as it turns out, listen to some more of his music. Personally, I'd think that after playing "Blood On The Leaves" every night for 2 months straight, one might want to switch it up a little, but I don't know, fuck it? I was exhausted after just watching the Yeezus Tour, so props to Ye for having enough energy (drugs) to turn up.
Not to be outdone by even himself, Kanye even made the incredible decision to hang from the ceiling because Grey Goose. Prior to this act of #WorstBehavior, Kanye removed the red Nomad x Been Trill T-shirt he had been wearing to reveal that—yes—he was wearing his own tour merch. So, to recap, we've got Yeezus, in his own gear, listening to his own songs after performing his own concert. All of these things combined to create easily one of the top 5 Instagram videos of the year, even if the #1 spot will forever belong to the gawd Scott Storch. In what was already a banner year for Kanye, he just proved once and for all that he is indeed the biggest rock star in the world right now.


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What's Local Now
Whenever possible we like to you use local farmers to supply the ingredients for the amazing dishes we prepare here at Ashten's. We feel it's important to support the local farmer and all the hard work they do....besides it just tastes better! So what we would like to do is let you know what ingredients we are currently using from local farms. Look for them on the menu and Support our Local Farmer!
What's Local Now;
- Summer Squash
- Field Tomatoes
- Garlic
- Lettuce
- Herbs
- Bok Choy
- Hot House Tomatoes
- Cheese
- Chicken
- Beef
- Pork
- Eggs
- Mushrooms
- Peaches
- Berries


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Acasia Thai Restaurant
755 Memorial Parkway, St. Luke's Hillcrest Shopping Plaza, Lopatcong Township
908-387-0200; acasiathairestaurant.com
Stepping foot inside Acasia Thai Restaurant you'd never in a million years guess it was a Blimpie's in a past life.
The transformation is dramatic for the restaurant that debuts Monday in the shopping plaza.
Owner Tim Panngam and his cousin Paul Panngam say the only things that remain from the shop's former life are the walls and bathroom doors.
Walking in, your eyes will rake over the copper tiles that line the wall behind the restaurant's eating bar. The tin ceiling and wall-sized panoramic views of Thailand that cover the walls make a visitor feel transported. The place is finished with decorative ceiling fans, red drop lights and votive candles on the dark wooden tables.
"We definitely wanted a modern feel," Tim says, describing the renovations as "quite an undertaking."
Flavor: Tim says the menu features 99 percent authentic Thai food encompassing different areas of the country. The 1 percent accounts for a few fusion menu items. Expect curries, fried rices and noodle dishes at Acasia.
Team effort: It's the first restaurant venture for Tim, a 14-year resident of Phillipsburg. But his cousin Paul, a native of Thailand, has been cooking Thai food in New York City restaurants for 18 years.
Paul cautions that folks new to Thai cuisine shouldn't fear the spice level. "Thai food doesn't mean hot. We can make it the way you love it," he says, adding the food is cooked to order.
Tim adds that nearly every dish can be made vegetarian.
What's in a name? The name of the restaurant hails from the small plant from Thailand used as a spice in cooking, Tim says. It's pronounced "A-ca-see-ya."
Insiders eat: Thai Summer Roll (lettuce, shrimp, mint leaf and Somen noodle wrapped in a rice paper roll and served with tangy-sweet tamarind sauce) — $6.95; Papaya Salad (shredded young papaya tossed with sliced tomato, green bean, chopped garlic, chili, pounded peanuts, lime juice and fresh lettuce) — $7.95; Tom Kha Soup (vegetable broth seasoned with coconut milk, galangal, onion, lime juice and chili oil) — $4.95; Chili Basil Sauce (stir-fried with onion, bell pepper, basil and hot chili paste - served with your choice of chicken, pork, vegetables, beef, shrimp, squid, whitefish filet, New Zealand mussels, salmon steak, Long Island duck) — $9.95-$16.95; Old City Dry Noodle (a dish from the old Thai capital city of Sukhothai, thin rice noodles blended with toasted garlic, lime, peanut, scallion and cilantro) — $9.95-$12.95 depending on protein; Mango Sticky Rice (coconut sticky rice made with coconut milk and fresh mango) — $6.
Wine recommendations: Chef Panngam recommends the following wines for those wishing to sip while they dine at this BYOB. There is a $5 corkage fee.
— White wines: Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay
— Red wines: Shiraz, Merlot, Malbec or Pinot Noir
To go: The restaurant offers takeout and delivers within a mile of the restaurant for a $10 minimum. There's also a 50-seat bar at the restaurant's main counter that offers another option for single diners, in addition to tables.
Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday (closed Sundays). A dinner menu is available all day. A lunch special with entree and appetizer runs 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Extras: BYOB, vegetarian


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NEW ULM - Prior to Monday's nonconference girls soccer game against Hutchinson, New Ulm head coach Jonathan Johnson told his team that he wanted an early goal and for them to not let up in the scoring.
He got both wishes as Bridgette Brown scored 45 seconds into the match and the Eagles coasted to a 6-0 win over the Tigers at the Martin Luther College Soccer Complex.
"That was kind of the plan, I said we need to get in there quick and score and we need to score often," Johnson said.
Article Photos
Staff photo by Steve Muscatello
New Ulm's Nicole Moldstad (right) gets the ball past Hutchinson defender Mckenzie Ketcher during the first half Monday at the Martin Luther College soccer complex in New Ulm.
For more photos of this event go to cu.nujournal.com
Brown and Martha Balge had a goal each for the Eagles (3-4), who travel to Worthington for another nonconference battle Tuesday.
Lydia Schoof and Nicole Moldstad completed the scoring for New Ulm with two goals each and Balge also had an assist in the game.
New?Ulm goalkeeper Claire Boeder wasn't tested too many times, registering just two saves in the shutout.
After starting out slow this year with a 1-4 record, New Ulm has now won two straight and Monday's win was the first shutout for Boeder.
All in all, it was a pretty good day for the Eagles.
"They played super, a lot of really good passing, receiving was good, we still need to work on receiving the ball a little bit, but all in all it was a good game," Johnson said.
After Brown's goal put the Eagles up early, Moldstad scored with 11:51 left in the first half and two minutes later, Schoof scored her first goal of the game to give New Ulm the 3-0 lead at halftime.
Although the Eagles were comfortable with the lead, Johnson said it didn't mean they could take the foot off the gas pedal.
"I told them don't let up, we still had 40 minutes to play yet," Johnson said. "I said I really wanted to get a shutout for Claire so I wanted everyone to pick it up a notch and keep playing hard, and they did."
Balge made it 4-0 and Moldstad's second goal of the game pushed the lead to 5-0. Schoof added her second goal of the game with 16:24 left.


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Press Release: Endangered Missing Person From The 6th District [PHOTO UPDATED]
Tik Lam a 72 year old male from the 800 Block of Locust Street was last seen at his residence on Tuesday, November 13, 2012, at approximately 4:00 PM. Lam suffers from dementia. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Lam is asked to call Central Detectives at 215-686-3193 or call 911.
Height: 5'4
Weight: 125 LBS
Hair: Gray
Eye Color: Brown
Last Seen Wearing: Blue flannel shirt with a black vest , jeans and black sneakers


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Syracuse, NY - A town of Salina man should find out today how much of the rest of his life he'll be spending in prison for a double murder, attempted murder and carjacking.
Martinous Hudson, 28, might never again be free as he could face more than 100 years if maximum consecutive penalties are imposed by state Supreme Court Justice John Brunetti.
Hudson was convicted May 10 of two counts of second-degree murder in the fatal shootings of 17-year-old Lavonna Hamilton and 24-year-old Maurice Miller. He also was convicted of attempted second-degree murder in the shooting of 24-year-old Eric Bellamy.
Authorities said the three victims had been riding around in a vehicle. Hudson was doing drugs together early the morning of Aug. 6 when he began ranting, pulled a gun and opened fire on his companions.
The shootings took place in the 100 block of West Glen Avenue.
Hudson also was convicted of first- and second-degree robbery charges for stealing a car at gunpoint from a 73-year-old man outside an apartment complex in the 100 block of West Seneca Turnpike as he fled.
Hudson told police he was high on PCP - known on the street as "water." But in trial, he claimed it was Bellamy who shot and killed Hamilton and Miller before Hudson managed to disarm and shoot Bellamy.
The guilty verdict from the 10 women and two men was a rejection of that claim and the defense contention that Hudson was too intoxicated on drugs to be held accountable.
Senior Assistant District Attorney Melinda McGunnigle is expected to ask Brunetti to impose maximum consecutive penalties.
Hudson could face 25 years to life in prison for each of the two murders plus up to 25 years for the attempted murder of Bellamy plus up to 25 years for the carjacking.
Return to syracuse.com for a report on the sentencing.


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Gloves and MittensBecause frostbite isn't pretty.
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Enumclaw edges Auburn Riverside in overtime | Girls Water Polo
The Enumclaw High School girls water polo team beat Auburn Riverside 6-5 on Monday, April 30 in overtime.
Scoring for Enumclaw:
Allie Larrea - 4
Katie Larrea - 2
Enumclaw goalkeeper Megan Lesmeister had 10 saves.
Scoring for Auburn Riverside:
Kate Wallen - 3
Karlee Rogers - 1
Marissa Rydzewski - 1
The Hornets are 9-0 in league play, 15-1 overall, and play Peninsula on Thursday, May 3.
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Get ready to dance in the Dome
The electronic music craze has made its way to Syracuse University's annual block party.
DJ Kaskade, who was named DJ of the year in 2011 by DJ Times, will headline Friday's show in the Carrier Dome.
The Chicago-born DJ is considered a leader in electronic dance music, up there with Tiesto and David Guetta.
Last month, Kaskade performed in front of a crowd of 160,000 at the Ultra Music Festival in Miami.
Indie rockers Cold War Kids, from California, and Saratoga Springs-based indie pop duo Phantogram will also perform.
WHAT: DJ Kaskade headlines Syracuse University Block Party.
WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Friday.
WHERE: Carrier Dome, Syracuse University campus.
TICKETS: $30 for general public. Available at ticketmaster.com.
MORE INFORMATION: syr.edu, kaskademusic.com.


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Kris Joseph expects to shed a tear. Scoop Jardine believes he will remain relatively stoic.
A few things are certain today when Syracuse meets Louisville in the final Big East game for both teams.
For starters, plenty of people will watch.
Carrier Dome officials said Friday that more than 30,500 tickets had been sold for the game, which will be televised by CBS at 4 p.m. from the Carrier Dome. Joseph and Jardine, along with Brandon Reese, Matt Tomaszewski and Nick Resavy will be honored before the game during Senior Day festivities.
The Orange, at 29-1, can become the first Syracuse team in school history to reach 30 wins during the regular season. SU can also reach 17 Big East wins, a feat no other conference team has matched. The Orange, too, can keep its unbeaten record in the Carrier Dome intact this season.
Both Syracuse and Louisville already know their Big East Tournament destinations. SU, the top seed, will play next Thursday at noon. Louisville, the No. 7 seed, will play at 7 p.m. on Wednesday. Neither team will learn its opponent until next week.
The last time these teams met, on Feb. 13 in Louisville, the Orange escaped with a 52-51 win to end the Cardinals' seven-game series winning streak. SU scored the last six points of the game and Dion Waiters' steal beneath the Louisville basket sealed it for the Orange.
C.J. Fair led the Orange in scoring on a night devoid of offensive beauty. SU shot 34.4 percent in the game; Louisville shot 34.7 percent. The teams combined to convert 6-for-34 from 3-point range, SU was 1-for-15 in the 3-point category.
The Orange, with the Big East's No. 1 seed already secured and a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament likely, has nothing but pride and a few records to play for today. But self-satisfaction has fueled the Orange all season.
"We just want to keep getting better every game," Fair said. "We don't need to rest any guys. We've had a lot of rest this week. And no good team wants to lose any game. So we're going to go out there and play our best."
No SU team has ever won more than 31 games. None has won a staggering 30 times during the regular season.
SU players, their mantra the tried and true "One game at a time" this year, have managed to exceed everyone's expectations, except perhaps their own. Fair said players met during the preseason and agreed they could become an elite national entity.
And that's precisely what happened. SU spent the past three months ranked no lower than No. 3 in the Associated Press poll.
"With the core of guys we've got, with the bond we've had from the first day," Waiters said, "I can honestly say, the year we're having, I envisioned it."
"Some games were pretty close," SU center Baye Keita said, "but we still pulled them out. At the end of the season, nobody's gonna remember we won by one, by two, by five. The only thing they're gonna remember is the number: 29-1. So I'm happy for it."
Keita and the rest of his teammates are happy for their seniors, too. SU coach Jim Boeheim often talks about the importance of the Orange walk-ons. Those young men provide daily practice competition for SU's starters.
SU fans today will reserve their biggest applause for Jardine and Joseph, two players who will leave Syracuse with more than 100 career wins. Jardine, the fifth-year point guard, has scored 1,202 points and recorded 588 assists in his SU career. Joseph, the small forward, has 1,406 points and 604 rebounds to his credit.
Jardine and Joseph expect the day to be emotional, especially because it will be witnessed by family members. But SU's seniors, both big keys to this Orange season, also understand the numerical impact a win over Louisville will make on the SU record book.
"As far as them two, they know there's a place and time for everything," C.J. Fair said. "I know they're going to keep it business. At the back of their mind, yeah, they know it's going to be their last home game, but their careers aren't going to stop there. I don't think there's so much pressure on them to perform their best game ever. We've got a long way still ahead of us."
Donna Ditota can be reached at 470-2208 or email@example.com.


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Group IA: Alkali Metals
Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cs are all groupThose elements that comprise a single column of the periodic table. Also called family. IA elements, also known as the alkali metals. The seventh member of the group, francium (Fr) is radioactiveDescribes a substance that gives off radiation‐alpha particles, beta particles, or gamma rays‐by the disintegration of its nucleus. and so rare that only 20 atomsThe smallest particle of an element that can be involved in chemical combination with another element; an atom consists of protons and neutrons in a tiny, very dense nucleus, surrounded by electrons, which occupy most of its volume. of Fr may exist on Earth at any given moment[1]. The term alkali is derived from an Arabic word meaning "ashes." Compounds of potassium as well as other alkali metals were obtained from wood ashes by early chemists. All the alkali metals are soft and, except for Cs which is yellow, are silvery-gray in color.
Lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, and cesium have a great many other properties in common. All are solids at 0°C and melt below 200°C. Each has metallic properties such as good conduction of heatEnergy transferred as a result of a temperature difference; a form of energy stored in the movement of atomic-sized particles. and electricity, malleability (the ability to be hammered into sheets), and ductility (the ability to be drawn into wires). The high thermal (heat) conductivity and the relatively low melting pointThe temperature at which a solid becomes a liquid. Also called freezing point. (for a metal) of sodium make it an ideal heat-transfer fluid. It is used to cool certain types of nuclear reactors (liquidA state of matter in which the atomic-scale particles remain close together but are able to change their positions so that the matter takes the shape of its container-metal fast breeder reactors, LMFBRs) and to cool the valves of high-powered automobile engines for this reason.
Some general properties of the alkali metals are summarized in the table below. All these metal atoms contain a singles electronA negatively charged, sub-atomic particle with charge of 1.602 x 10-19 coulombs and mass of9.109 x 1023 kilograms; electrons have both wave and particle properties; electrons occupy most of the volume of an atom but represent only a tiny fraction of an atom's mass. outside a noble-gasA state of matter in which a substance occupies the full volume of its container and changes shape to match the shape of the container. In a gas the distance between particles is much greater than the diameters of the particles themselves; hence the distances between particles can change as necessary so that the matter uniformly occupies its container. configurationThe 3-D arrangement of atoms about a chiral center in a molecule., and so the valence electronIn a neutral atom, any of the electrons found in the highest occupied shell as well as any electrons in incompletely filled subshells of lower shells. is-well shielded from nuclear charge and the atomic radii are relatively large. The large volume of each atom results in a low density—small enough that Li, Na, and K float on water as they react with it.
Properties of the Group IA Alkali Metals
| Electron
| Usual
Oxidation State
| Radius/pm
| Ionic (M+)
| 60
| 95
| 133
| 148
|Ionization Energy/MJ mol–1
| Density/
g cm–3
| Electro-
| Melting
Point (in °C)
| 179
The atoms do not have a strong attraction for the single valence electron, and so it is easily lost (small first ionizationA process in which an atom, molecule, or negative ion loses an electron; a process in which a covalent molecule reacts with a solvent to form positive and negative ions; for example, a weak acid reacting with water to form its conjugate base (an anion) and a hydrogen (hydronium) ion. energy) to from a +1 ion. Because they readily donate electrons in this way, all the alkali metals are strong reducing agents. They are quite reactive, even reducing water.
Weak attraction for the valence electron also results in weak metallic bonding, because it is attraction among nuclei and numerous valence electrons that holds metal atoms together. Weak metallic bonding results in low melting points, especially for the larger atoms toward the bottom of the group. Cs, for example, melts just above room temperatureA physical property that indicates whether one object can transfer thermal energy to another object.. Weak metallic bonding also accounts for the fact that all these metals are rather soft.
That the chemistry of alkali metals is confined to the +1 oxidationThat part of a chemical reaction in which a reactant loses electrons; simultaneous reduction of a reactant must occur. state is confirmed by the large second-ionization energies. Removing the first electron from the large, diffuses orbitalA mathematically defined region of electron density around one or more atoms; a wave function that defines the properties of a particular electron in an atom or molecule. is easy, but removing a second electron from an octetA stable set of eight electrons in the valence shell of an atom. Each noble-gas atom has an octet. in an M+ ion is much too difficult for any oxidizing agentA chemical species that accepts electrons in order to oxidize another species. In the process the oxidizing agent is itself reduced. to do.
Two other elements are found in group IA. Hydrogen, although many of its compounds have formulas similar to the alkali metals, is a nonmetalAn element that is not a metal; such elements include hydrogen and those in the upper right of the periodic table. and is almost unique in its chemical behavior. Therefore it is not usually included in this group. Francium (Fr) is quite radioactive, and only small quantities are available for study; so it too is usually omitted. Its properties, however, appear to be similar to those of Cs and the other alkali metals.
Chemical Reactions and Compounds
The element lithium combines violently and spectacularly with water, as shown in this video:
Hydrogen gas is given off, which propels the the lithium metal across the water as it reacts. If the excess water is evaporated, the compound lithium hydroxide (LiOH) remains behind. LiOH is visualized by phenolphthalein indicatorA substance for which a physical property (such as color) changes abruptly when the equivalence point is reached in a titration., which turns pink as LiOH, a baseIn Arrhenius theory, a substance that increases the concentration of hydroxide ions in an aqueous solution. In Bronsted-Lowry theory, a hydrogen-ion (proton) acceptor. In Lewis theory, a species that donates a pair of electrons to form a covalent bond., is produced. Thus the equation for this reaction is
2Li(s) + 2H2O(l) → 2LiOH(aq) + H2(g)
The elements sodium, potassium, rubidium, and cesium also combine violently with water to form hydroxides. The equations for their reactions are
2Na(s) + 2H2O(l) → 2NaOH(aq) + H2 (g)
2K(s) + 2H2O(l) → 2KOH(aq) + H2 (g)
2Rb(s) + 2H2O(l) → 2RbOH(aq) + H2 (g)
2Cs(s) + 2H2O(l) → 2CsOH(aq) + H2 (g)
Since the alkali metals all react with water in the same way, a general equation may be written:
2M(s) + 2H2O(l) → 2MOH(aq) + H2(g) M = K, Li, Na, Rb, or Cs (1)
The symbol M represents any one of the five elements.
In addition to their behavior when added to water, the alkali metals react directly with many elements. All combine swiftly with oxygen in air to form white oxide:
4M(s) + O2(g) → 2M2O(s) M = Li, Na, K, Rb, or Cs (2a)
(Li2O is lithium oxide, Na2O is sodium oxide, etc.)
All except lithium react further to form yellow peroxides, M2O2:
2M2O(s) + O2(g) → 2M2O2(s) M = Na, K, Rb, or Cs (2b)
(Na2O2 is sodium peroxide, etc.)
Potassium, rubidium, and cesium are sufficiently reactive that yellow superoxides (whose general formula is MO2) can be formed:
M2O2(s) + O2(g) → 2MO2(s) M = K, Rb, or Cs (2c)
Unless the surface of a sample of an alkali metal is scraped clean, it will appear white or gray instead of having a silvery metallic luster. This is due to the oxide, peroxide, or superoxide coating that forms after a few seconds of exposure to air. The following movie shows how a freshly cut piece of lithium is shiny, but dulls to gray when exposed to oxygen in the air. The video also focuses on another important property of alkali metals: they are soft, and easy to cut, compared to other metals.
A dull gray oxidized cylinder of lithium metal is cut, revealing a shiny silvery surface. After 1 minute, the surface has dulled, and after 10 minutes, the cut surface has returned to the dull gray of the rest of the lithium metal. Since the alkali metal is lithium, the only reaction with oxygen that occurs is:
4Li(s) + O2(g) → 2Li2O(s)
The alkali also combine directly with hydrogen gas to form compounds known as hydrides, MH:
2M(s) + H2(g) → 2MH(s) M = Li, Na, K, Rb, or Cs (3)
They react with sulfur to form sulfides, M2S:
2M(s) + S(g) → M2S(s) M = Li, Na, K, Rb, or Cs (4)
These oxides, hydrides, hydroxides, and sulfides all dissolve in water to give basic solutions, and these compounds are among the strong bases.
The peroxides and superoxides formed when the heavier alkali metals react with O2 also dissolve to give basic solutions:
2NaO2(s) + 2H2O(l) → 4Na+(aq) + 4OH–(aq) + O2(g)
4K2O(s) + 2H2O(l) → 4K+ + 4OH– + 3O2(g)
Both of the latter equations describe redox as well as acid-base processes, as you can confirm by assigning oxidation numbers. The peroxide and superoxide ions contain O atoms in the unusual (for O) –1 and –½ oxidation states:
Therefore disproportionationA reaction in which a single species (molecule or ion) undergoes both oxidation and reduction. (simultaneous oxidation and reductionThat part of a chemical reaction in which a reactant gains electrons; simultaneous oxidation of a reactant must occur.) of O22– or O2– to the more common oxidation states of 0 (in O2) and –2 (in OH–) is possible.
The alkali metals also react directly with the halogens, for instance with chlorine, forming chlorides,
2M(s) + Cl2(g) → 2MCl(s) M = Li, Na, K, Rb, or Cs (5a)
Below is an example of the reaction of Na with Cl2
A piece of sodium metal is added to a flask containing chlorine gas. Initially no reaction takes place, but when a drop of water is added, sodium and chlorine react, violently flaring up and producing so much heat that sand is needed in the bottom of the flask to absorb the heat and prevent the glassA solid material that does not have the long-range order of a crystal lattice; an amorphous solid. A glass melts over a range of temperatures instead of having the definite melting temperature characteristic of crystalline solids. from cracking. This equation for this reaction is:
2Na(s) + Cl2(g) → 2NaCl(s)
with fluorine to form fluorides, MF:
2M(s) + F2(g) → 2MF(s) M = Li, Na, K, Rb, or Cs (5b)
and with bromine to form bromides, MBr:
2M(s) + Br2(g) → 2MBr(s) M = Li, Na, K, Rb, or Cs (5c)
Below is an example of K reacting with Br2
In this video, potassium, which is stored in inertUnreactive. Used to describe coordination complexes that exchange ligands slowly or an electrode in an electrochemical cell that serves only as a surface where reaction can occur and is neither consumed nor added to during reaction. mineral oil due to its high reactivity, is placed in a beaker of liquid bromine after the protective layer of mineral oil has been removed. The potassium reacts explosively with the bromine. The container is covered during the whole process to prevent reactants and products from entering the environment. The chemical equationA representation of a chemical reaction in which chemical symbols represent reactants on the left side and products on the right side. for this reaction is:
2K(s) + Br2(g) → 2KBr(s)
Sodium and potassium are quite abundant, ranking sixth and seventh among all elements in the earth's crust, but the other alkali metals are rare. Sodium and potassium ions are components of numerous silicate crystal lattices seen in the Earth's crust, but since most of their compounds are water solubleAble to dissolve in a solvent to a significant extent., they are also important constituents of seawater and underground deposits of brine. Sodium chloride obtained from such brines is the chief commercial source of sodium, while potassium can be obtained from the ores sylvite (KCl) or carnallite (KCl•MgCl2•6H2O).
Both sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) ions are essential to living systems. Na+ is the main cationA positively charged ion, attracted toward the cathode in an electrolytic cell. in fluids surrounding the cells, while K+is most important inside the cells. Na+ plays a role in muscle contraction, and both K+ and Na+ play a role in transmitting nerve impulses. K is more important than Na in plants, and it is one of three elements (K, P, N) which must be supplied in fertilizer to maintain high crop yields. K is especially abundant in trees—wood ashes from kitchen fires (potash) were the major source of this element as recently as a century ago, and they still make good fertilizer for your garden. Wood ashes contain a mixtureA combination of two or more substances in which the substances retain their chemical identity. of potassium oxide and potassium carbonate, the latter formed by combination of K2O with CO2 produced when C in the wood combines with O2:
Na compounds are obtained commercially from brine or from seawater. When an electrical current is passed through an NaCl solution (a process called electrolysisA process in which a reaction that would otherwise be non-spontaneous (reactant-favored) is forced to occur by passage of electric current.), Cl2(g), H2(g), and a concentratedIncreased the concentration of a mixture or solution (verb). Having a large concentration (adjective). solution of NaOH (caustic soda or lye) are obtained:
Na+(aq) + 2Cl–(aq) + 2H2O(l) Cl2(g) + H2(g) + Na+(aq) + 2OH–(aq)
This process is described in more detail in the section on electrochemical cells, but you can see from the equation that the electrical current oxidizes Cl– to Cl2 and reduces H2O to H2. NaOH(aq) is used as a strong base in numerous industrial processes to make soapA salt of a fatty acid produced by the saponification of fat., rayon, cellophane, paper, dyes, and many other products. Lye is also used in home drain cleaners. It must be handled with care because it is strongly basic, highly caustic, and can severely burn the skin. A second important industrial use of brine is the Solvay process:
CO2(g) + NH3(aq) + Na+(aq) + Cl–(aq) + H2O(l) → NaHCO3(s) + NH4+(aq) + Cl–(aq)
The Solvay process is an acid-base reaction combined with a precipitationThe formation of a solid within a solution, often by the combination of cations and anions to form an insoluble ionic compound.. The acid anhydrideA substance that reacts with water to form an acid or a base. A substance from which water has been removed., CO2, reacts with H2O to produce H2CO3. This weak acidAn acid that ionizes only partially in a given solvent. donates a protonThe positively charged particle in an atomic nucleus; its mass is similar to the mass of a hydrogen atom. to NH3, yielding NH4+ and HCO3–, and the latter ion precipitates with Na+. The weakly basic sodium hydrogen carbonate produced by the Solvay process can be purified for use as an antacid (bicarbonate of soda), but most of it is converted to sodium carbonate (soda ash) by heating:
2NaHCO3(s) Na2CO3(s) + H2O(g) + CO2(g)
(The Δ in this equation indicates heating of the reactant.) Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) is used in manufacturing glass and paper, and in some detergents. The carbonate ion is a rather strong base, however, and detergents containing Na2CO3 (washing soda) have resulted in severe chemical burns to some small children who, out of curiosity, have eaten them.
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Preparation of Documents
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Proper preparation of the required documentation for each government agency within Nevada is important to assure timely licensing. Each document must be prepared in accordance with required standards, and specific information and/or additional documents must accompany each filing. If any portion of the application or documentation is incorrect or incomplete, then the filing will be returned to the applicant, requesting such corrections, and the process will start over. This can be very time consuming, to the applicant. BCN has prepared hundreds of documents for filing within Nevada, and you can be assured of proper preparation. We can draft the documents for you, and have them forwarded directly to you for signature, or if possible we prefer to meet with you to review and sign the applications. When providing service to our out of the area clients, we can fax or utilize overnight delivery to forward required documentation for review and signature prior to filing.
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NASA workers at Kennedy Space Center, in Florida, have completed draining the 15-story external fuel tank of Space Shuttle Discovery in preparation for testing a faulty fill-and-drain valve on the shuttle orbiter that is used to pump fuel to the space shuttle main engines.
The crews are in the process of filling the tanks with helium gas to remove the last of the toxic rocket fuel.
This evening NASA engineers hope to begin evaluating and testing the liquid hydrogen fill and drain valve in the shuttle's main propulsion system by opening and closing it.
This morning's launch attempt was postponed after an indication that valve failed to perform as expected during fueling of the shuttle's external tank Tuesday afternoon, NASA managers said today.
NASA is targeting Discovery's next launch attempt for no earlier than Thursday 11:22 p.m. CDT, depending on the results of the valve tests. The weather forecast calls for a 70 percent chance of acceptable conditions at launch time.
The valve is located on the rear of the Discovery orbiter and is used to fill the liquid hydrogen portion of the 15-story external fuel tank, Shuttle launch manager Mike Moses said Tuesday night. "It is also part of the plumbing used to feed the fuel to Discovery's main engines," he said tonight during a press conference at Kennedy Space Center, in Florida.
NASA engineers think the valve may be sending back bad signals and could be working properly, Moses said, but it will take two days to remove the super-cold rocket fuel so engineers can inspect and study the problem.


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Another season is in the books, and this time, it was a memorable one. After an abysmal 4-8 record in 2010, Greg Schiano and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights were able to come back strong and finish 9-4 in 2011. Predicted to finish last in the Big East, the Scarlet Knights once again were on the last step towards a BCS birth when a season finale loss to Connecticut kept the Knights at, yet again, a mildly meaningless bowl game. Now, don't get me wrong, a 9-4 year after a terrible (and seemingly cursed) 2010 is a huge step forward. A bowl win is all a Rutgers fan wanted for so many years, and now we have some, 5 in a row to be exact. For Greg Schiano, meeting the goal of winning bowl games has made him a household name in the college football landscape. With that said, when goals are achieved, expectations are raised. Now, it is time to prove that his belief in Rutgers Football is warranted.
After showing again and again that they have the talent and coaching to get to the next level, it is time to look ahead to next season to see if 2012 can finally be the year the Knights have been looking for. How many times will a dropped pass, false start, or early out of conference loss be an excuse for Rutgers? How many times are they going to get this close to the mountain top, just to finish 4th in their conference? And finally, how many times are the Knights going to have the opportunity to control their own destiny and squander it down the stretch?
It has been a path of highs and lows for Rutgers fans in the Schiano era. First, you are blessed with players like Ray Rice and Kenny Britt who now score NFL touchdowns at will, along with a player like Devin McCourty who quietly became a first-round draft pick and Rookie Pro Bowl selection. Then, the wall hits, the wall that hits any coach trying to get a team from the basement to the ceiling. The wall of inconsistency. Inconsistency not only in execution on the field, but in recruiting, personnel, and play calling in particular. Rutgers went from a prolific pro-style offense, to losing the next big thing (Tom Savage), to wasting a year on the Wildcat (sorry, Sanu), and now back to taking small name players and turning them into big names. Lets get this straight, many of the best players out of Rutgers were not big recruits, and still, the big recruits that do come to the Banks of the Old Raritan are usually overrated or turn themselves into busts by investing into their ego instead of the "F.A.M.I.L.Y" mentality that Schiano praises.
My point? Ray Rice was a converted cornerback that was wooed away from Syracuse and turned into a running back. Kenny Britt was a 3-star recruit out of Bayonne who somehow stayed out of handcuffs for 3 years in New Brunswick. Mohammed Sanu was a 2-star athlete out of South Brunswick who did not play his senior season due to age restrictions (he was 19 in the fall of his senior year). Steve Beauharnais was a no-name early signing who turned himself into a star linebacker after only a year of college ball. Khaseem Green was a struggling safety who Schiano made into the Big East Defensive POTY at outside linebacker.
So you ask again, my point? My point is that Rutgers isn't your typical program. Rutgers takes small name guys that "buy into the system" and turns them into useful, well coached players that somehow sneak onto and sometimes flourish on NFL rosters. Rutgers doesn't need 5-star recruits that contribute right away, and doesn't need preseason recognition to make themselves feel better. Rutgers needs consistency. Luckily,with this group of players and coaches, consistency may not be the only thing they get, they may get exactly what they need to finally make it to a BCS game in 2012.
Let's take a look at the reasons to be optimistic about Rutgers Football in 2012:


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BAY MINETTE, Alabama — Baldwin commissioners plan to vote on a measure Tuesday that could add $478,000 in annual flood insurance premium savings for county residents.
In 1995, Baldwin joined the Community Rating System sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to get better flood insurance rates for county residents with homes inside or outside low-lying areas.
The program is designed to enhance public safety, reduce property damage, protect the environment and keep money in communities when floods occur. By exceeding the guidelines for the National Flood Insurance Program, counties earn points in 18 categories. When counties pay extra attention to stormwater management, mapping, open space preservation and stricter regulatory guidelines, they score more points.
The scores place counties in categories from 1 to 10, with the lower ranks getting the highest discount rates. Properties in special flood hazard areas get the steepest discounts and those in non-hazard areas also pay less.
Baldwin currently ranks a 7 with a 15 percent discount in rates, but those numbers could improve if proposed modifications in the county's plan go as expected, according to Nancy Mackey, a county planner.
County CRS programs get recertified annually, and have visits from FEMA representatives every five years. At the Baldwin visit in December, Mackey said, officials realized the county had already passed the requirements for level 7. Modifying the plan would make residents eligible for up to 20 percent discounts in flood hazard areas and 10 percent in non-hazard areas, according to Mackey.
Baldwin's flood hazard areas are located in the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta, along Weeks Bay, Bon Secour Bay, Perdido Bay and on the Fort Morgan peninsula, according to a FEMA map.
About 17 percent of the county's population live in areas designated as floodplains by FEMA. From 2001 to 2006, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, people developed 1,413 acres in the county with 23 percent of that property located in floodplain areas.
Mackey said residents in the county currently have 9,783 flood insurance policies in force providing some $2 billion in coverage. County residents have collected about $204 million in claims over the years.
If modifications go as expected, premiums could drop by another $256,000 annually, Mackey said.
One challenge, officials said, is keeping all the components of the CRS plan in place. Building inspections, for example, play a role in the scoring process. County Building Officer Mike Howell said an audit of his department included a questionnaire about the number of inspectors for the area covered. Recent personnel reductions left about four inspectors to cover all county areas — three less than his department had a year ago. He said removing some of the flood hazard area in the county where there were no houses helped reduce the total area, as did cutting out municipal territories where cities have their own inspectors.
"We are working to ensure we don't lose any CRS rating," he said.
Mackey said a presentation about the program would be posted on the county's website, and the official rating could be completed by FEMA in a few months.


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HOUSTON, Texas, Sept. 12, 2012 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Houston based technology firm, Softway Solutions (www.softwaysolutions.com), is ranked number 40 on Houston Business Journal's Houston Fast 100 list. The Houston Fast 100 is ranked by two-year growth and a minimum of $1 million in revenue. All of the companies on the list are headquartered within the Houston metropolitan area and have been doing business for at least five years.
The sold-out event was held on Friday, Sept. 7 at the Hilton Houston Post Oak. Mohammad Anwar, the president, and six of his associates who attended the Houston Fast 100 event were pleasantly surprised by their ranking. Softway Solutions landed on the list at the number 40 spot because of its 2009-2011 growth rate of 116 percent.
Anwar's excitement to be in the top 100 companies turned to joy when he realized Softway was in the top 50 companies. Khalid Hakim, operations manager, said he and the other associates "had huge smiles on our faces when the announcer started calling out the top 50 companies and we still had not heard our name yet."
Anwar, who makes it a point to recognize and appreciate individual employees for their hard work, said, "The employees are the reason for our success and the reason we received this award." The firm posts a record growth rate number for the years 2010 through 2012, with Anwar estimating it to be more than 200 percent.
Besides their own, another company's name sparked pride and excitement for Anwar and his associates: Potentia Energy. Potentia Energy topped the Fast 100 list in the number one spot with an impressive growth rate of more than 19,000 percent. Softway Solutions and Potentia Energy are neighbors in the same office building and do business together. Three years ago the Softway team redesigned Potentia Energy's website and continues to regularly maintain the site.
Being ranked number 40 after nine years in business signifies a turning point for Anwar and his team. The past nine years of experience has allowed Softway Solutions to evolve from being just a contract software company to a full fledge product and solutions engineering firm that builds technology products/solutions with a multifaceted approach. Anwar is positive about what the future holds for Softway, saying "next year, we will break the top 25!"
Being a product and solutions engineering firm is what sets Softway Solutions apart from its competition. It has three departments that specialize in the areas of Creative Marketing, Web and Mobile and Multimedia that are seamlessly integrated to operate as a well-oiled machine. Together, the three departments offer clients complete turnkey solutions that seamlessly integrate all of the different mediums of digital media. Many of its competitors opt to approach digital media development using pre-packaged, "off-the-shelf" systems, which can hinder the flexibility, lessen the adaptability to the client's requirements and result in unmet needs.
Contrary to its competitors, Softway Solutions' approach to customized digital media development results in all of our clients' needs being met by one service the first time around. Its team of skillful programmers, developers and designers are able to employ a variety of tools and methods to ensure that every individual request is not only achieved but, also, in-line with the expectations and goals of the client. The comprehensive and complete solutions Softway Solutions builds is the reason why it is one of the most flexible and fully encompassing strategic digital solutions firms in the industry. More: www.softwaysolutions.com .
Softway Solutions Experiencing Record Growth, Now a Houston Fast 100 Company
HOUSTON, Texas, Sept. 12, 2012 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Houston based technology firm, Softway Solutions (www.softwaysolutions.com), is ranked number 40 on Houston Business Journal's Houston Fast 100 list. The Houston Fast 100 is ranked by two-year growth and a minimum of $1 million in revenue. All of the companies on the list are headquartered within the Houston metropolitan area and have been doing business for at least five years.
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Hunters this season would benefit from a change in the weather pattern, Larry Reynolds said.
"The weather this November has sucked," he said. "We started great, but the last three weeks, have slowed down.
"Hunters are starting to use the word 'stale.'"
Many of the cold fronts since early November have come from the Pacific rather than the


text:
Twihards, now you can download lotsa of Twilight applications for Android and FREE! Here are some screenshots that I have downloaded for my android device! Just go to Market & Search! It's FUN & ENJOY!
1. Eclipse Puzzle
2. Twilight Find It
3. Eclipse Movie Game by Game House
4. Twilight Memory Quest by Game House
5. Twilight Soundboard
6. Twilight E-Book
7. Breaking Dawn Countdow…
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