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Best Of :: Shopping & Services
It's not a crime to want to look your best, particularly if it's a special occasion and there's a certain ex to impress. This is where the makeup-wielding wizards at Gee Beauty come in. Their signature "Red Carpet" service (for $60) includes 35 minutes with an artist who uses the company's beauty line to even out your skin tone, enhance your eyes, and contour better than a Kardashian. And by "better," we mean "more natural looking," because the mantra here is to emphasize each client's God-given attributes. It's why the "Secrets From the Chair" service ($125) is so great: For one hour, one of the friendly Gee gals teaches you her insider tips and tricks so you can be the pro. Then, two weeks later, you get to come in for a complementary followup where you apply your own makeup under their expert guidance. Plus, this Bal Harbour shop's beauty boutique and salon can shape and tint your brows and lashes ($20 to $35) to help round out your fabulous look.
"Today I'm going to chill in an igloo" is a phrase you probably never anticipated saying in Miami, but thanks to the Carillon Hotel & Spa, you really should. During a sultry, humid South Florida summer, cooling your blood inside an ice sculpture reinforced with three arctic mist "experiences" (in menthol, mint, and eucalyptus scents) actually sounds like a damn good way to spend a day. To do that, you'll need some serious cash: $295 to be exact. That's how much a day pass costs for Carillon's 70,000-square-foot world of relaxation and rejuvenation. But considering all the outlandish benefits that come with that pass, it seems like a bargain. You get a 50-minute tailored massage from a therapist, more than 40 fitness classes to choose from, pool access, and use of all the regular spa facilities. Try a Caribbean Monsoon (a "rain experience") or stare at the starlit ceiling and let all your worries melt away in the herbal laconicum — a warm ceramic room infused with herbs and private seating niches. There's even mindful relaxation therapy to get your brain as chill as your muscles via a soothing massage on vibrating sound tables that retune brainwaves.
Readers' choice: The Standard Spa
A short sampling of Miami's rankings in various national surveys last year: the seventh worst traffic in America, the fifth least affordable rentals, and the fourth worst place for recent college grads to move. Is it any wonder that last year, real-estate blog Movoto ranked Miami the third most stressed place in the nation? That's why you need a glorious, 50-minute massage, stat. And no one in Miami does it better than Lapis, the spa at the historic Fontainebleau resort. Soft music plays in the background while guests slip into a soft robe and rubber slippers. Before the rub begins, guests can take in the other considerable amenities, such as a swimming pool and a warm waterfall. Lapis offers various treatments, but perhaps the one that will give your muscles a workout is the "weekend warrior rehab," a combination of deep-tissue massage mixed with hot stones to "ease pain, tension, and improve mobility and range of motion." Those 50 minutes of heaven cost $165 — a hefty investment, but think of how Miami's national rankings could change if we all took a few minutes for a legit massage. America's number one Zen city, here we come.
Readers' choice: The Spa at Mandarin Oriental
Miamians aren't known for being wallflowers. So why shouldn't our fingernails match the personality of the city that birthed the Golden Girls, Tony Montana, and "surfbort." If you're looking to take that vivid loudness to a whole new level, there's one spot in town that can turn your nails into a work of art: Miami's freshly minted Vanity Projects. The salon, which was previously a pop-up during Art Basel, recently opened a full-time shop in Little River — its first outpost after establishing its street cred in Manhattan. It's easy to see why Vanity has received genuine art-world love: These guys can draw just about anything you want on your fingers. Tribal prints and talking lips? OK. Comic book heroes and attitudinal cats? Sure, why not? Vanity Projects offers custom colors, gel or regular polish, and a seemingly endless supply of inspiration for your nail art designs. Starting at $30, their work is generally priced per nail.
Wanna look like Christie Brinkley at 61 or Halle Berry at 48? Facials — lots and lots of facials — are the answer. Perfect skin doesn't come from over-the-counter creams, no matter what Big Cosmetics might want you to believe. To look firm and glowing into your later years, professional skincare is a must, and Leelou Salon and Spa is all about pampering your pretty face. Betsy, the resident facial queen, starts by analyzing your unique epidermis and adjusting as needed — because skin rarely stays the same. Try a $95 customized facial and lie back while she cleans, scrubs, extracts, masks, massages, and moisturizes your outer layer. Products and equipment are as fancy-pants as anything celebs use, and the private rooms have a spa-like vibe with soft lights and Zen tunes. You'll walk away feeling refreshed, relaxed, and, most important (particularly in Miami), ten years younger.
Not many cities boast more options than Miami for a nip, a tuck, or whatever other bit of appearance-boosting magic you're looking for at the hands of a skilled surgeon. So where to get that boob job, chin lift, or butt enhancement? When talking about serious knife-work on your body, we suggest you start with "skill" as the first and really only criterion. That's why you'd be hard-pressed to find a better man for the job than Dr. Gabriel Salloum at the Miami Center for Plastic Surgery in the Design District. The center's decor is inviting and handsome, and so is the young surgeon himself, with a seductively smooth face and warm brown eyes that hint at your own aesthetic enhancements to come. More important, though, Salloum is a Vanderbilt honors grad who completed his residency at Miami Beach's Mount Sinai Medical Center and has fast earned a reputation for his techniques. For good reason, online reviews for the center rave about the professionalism, courtesy, and effectiveness of Salloum and his staff — the doctor with "gentle hands" who performed a "perfect" breast repair and provided "the nose that should have always been on my face." Consultations are typically free, and prices vary based on the procedure.


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Repair the end of the axle housing?
Discussion in '1973-1991 K5 Blazer | Truck | Suburban' started by 77fixer, May 10, 2003.

subset: commoncrawl


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Whale Facts and Behaviors
Hawaii's humpback whales put on quite a show, from breaches and tail slaps to head lunges and spy hops.
Name that move
You don't have to be on a boat to spot whales. On a clear day, you can often see whale spouts as far as a mile off shore. Just look for the white puff hanging in the air contrasted against the dark ocean. Keep a pair of binoculars handy as you head to the beach or tour around in your car. For prime viewing locations and tips for each island see the links below.
Here's a list of the most common whale behaviors seen in Hawaiian waters.
Blow or Spout
Adult humpback whales surface every 7 to 15 minutes to breathe, but can stay submerged for up to 45 minutes. Calves must rise to the surface every three to five minutes.
Head Rise or Spy Hop
Look for a head rising out of the water. Some believe the whale might be checking out what's going on up top. They might be as curious as you are.
Tail Slap
Put your camera on video and hit "record" when you see a whale raise its tail fluke out of the water. Then get ready for several slaps.
Pectoral Slap
Humpbacks slap the water with one or two pectoral fins. Some believe this is a communication signal to other whales.
Head Lunge
If you see a whale lunge forward with their head raised up above the water, it's a competitive display of strength.
Peduncle Slap
This is a sight to see. Whales throw their peduncle (the part connecting their tail and body) up above the water and bring it down with a mighty slap.
Fluke Up Dive
Like a snorkeler getting ready to dive down, the tail rises up in an upward arch and then slowly rolls underwater to head for the depths.
With a burst of strength, the whale uses its tail to launch itself out of the water and then lands back onto the surface with a spectacular splash.
Humpback Whale Facts
Scientific name: Megaptera novaeangliae
Type of whale: Baleen
Hawaiian name: Kohola
Weight 40-45 tons
Length 45 feet
Life span: 40 - 60 years
Gestation: 10 - 12 months
Hawaii's Humpback Whale Population
The estimated pre-whaling population of humpbacks in Hawaiian waters was 15,000 to 20,000. Thanks to strong legislation and the efforts of dedicated organizations such as the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, these gentle giants are making a come back with an estimated 12,000 whales migrating to Hawaii every year.
To explore deeper, click on the links below.
Cultural Significance of Whales in Hawaii
To learn more about whale watching on each island, browse the links below:
> Kauai Whale Watching
> Oahu Whale Watching
> Molokai Whale Watching
> Lanai Whale Watching
> Maui Whale Watching
> Hawaii Island Whale Watching
> Whale Watching with Flip Nicklin
To learn more about Humpback Whales in Hawaii and about the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, visit http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov


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Two colors, operational amp. Burr-Brown OPA2134 for black color, and JRC MUSES8920 for red color
Two colors, operational amp. Burr-Brown OPA2134 for black color, and JRC MUSES8920 for red color
VentureCraft Go-Dap X
Portable Amps item created by jacksonchansf, Aug 27, 2012
- Average User Rating:
- 4/5,
Recent User Reviews
"VentureCraft Go-DAP X - First portable DAC/Amp supporting multiple flavours"
- 4.0/5,
Pros - Supports iDevices, Android 4.1+, and PC Audio. Manufacturer configurable
Cons - Non-intuitive user interface. Integrated DAC/Amp, therefore can't mix 'n match. Default base output impedance of 47 ohm
This review is somewhat different from my other reviews as my Go-DAP X was personalised to my requirement. This service is offered by VentureCraft of which many other Go-DAP X owners have taken advantage of. Therefore this review may not necessarily be completely applicable to the base Go-DAP X model.
IntroductionThe Go-DAP X was released last year around early October 2012 & was the somewhat more universal version of the Go-DAP 4.0 which was iPhone 4/4S specific.
Back then, the Go-DAP X was the first portable DAC/Amp that officially supported not only Apple's iDevices but also Samsung Galaxy S3's (and subsequently Note's) iteration of Android. And as such it also supported USB Audio for PCs, & notebooks.
The X actually sports two DACs, AKM AK4353 & PCM2902C Stereo Audio Codec with USB interface. The AKM is used for iDevices whilst the PCM2902C for USB Audio (Android 4.1+ Jelly Bean & PC Audio).
My particular Go-DAP X's amp was customized by VentureCraft. Instead of the base offerings of OPA2134 or Muses8920, both with output impedance of 47 ohm, mine was customed to use the LME39860 OpAmps & headphone impedance out to 10 ohm. This by default also meant my power output per channel jumped from 80mW/ch to 130mW/ch (for iDevices & 150mW/ch for USB Audio).
The Go-DAP X also sports a 2200mAh battery which can be used to charge the iPhone during play mode. It could also be used to charge Android phones (or other USB devices) but would be in battery-mode only during such purposes.
Other Features
There's is also a bass boost option for iDevice transports, and a 3D surround sound simulation.
As with the Go-DAP 4.0, there's an optical out to use the Go-DAP X as a DDC. The optical output seems to lock to 48kHz sampling rate.
Sound Signature
As I use the X primarily with my iPhone, the following applies to the AKM AK4353 DAC. This DAC seems to have proven itself as it has been used by VentureCraft for their past Go-DAP 4.0, the Go-DAP X, as well as their Go-DAP DD. The DAC is able to retrieve quite a decent amount of detail but present it in a subtle form instead of flat "wham-in-your-face" impact (which may grab one's attention at first but then loses the ability to present a depth imaging perception nicely). Soundstage is also quite nicely presented with sufficient width.
The original amp in my X was the base OPA2134. Possibly it wasn't burnt in well enough but it sounded somewhat grainy. The LME49860 OpAmp option was much smoother to my ears and to my preference. Possibly (most likely) due to the 47 ohm to 10 ohm mod, the bass of the LME49860 also extended deeper with a smooth layered rendering. The mids are lush although possibly somewhat less detail than dedicate multi-component DAC/Amp stacks. Meanwhile the trebles are airy but not bright.
I particularly enjoy pairing the X with my FitEar MH335DW which is known to be a warm & bassy IEM. The 10 ohm output impedance actually tapers off the bass but still in a controlled manner. I've tried other amps with a 22 ohm output, or the original X with 47 ohm and the roll off with those setups were too much but with the X it was perfect to my ears.
On the other hand, if a user has a somewhat more neutral ear/headphone and seeks a little more bass, there is a bass boost option which will fill in the bass very nicely and naturally. I'd like to stress that at least to me (who generally doesn't use EQ or bass/treble boost), this bass boost isn't gimmicky to me. It adds subtly without sounding artificial.
ConclusionAs a portable package that can be used with not only iDevices but with Android Jelly Bean (4.1+) and PC Audio, not to mention it can be used as a portable battery for iPhones and other small USB-charged devices, it's hard to fault the Go-DAP X. Naturally the sonics cannot be compared to other dedicated multi-component stacks (which cost a lot more and are larger and less portable), however it's a neat portable integrated DAC/Amp for those who want a step up from audio straight out of the portable phone.
Edit: VentureCraft actually seem to have the Go-DAP X with LME49860 by default now as their base OPA2134 stock seems to be running low. However their LME49860 versions are still at 47 ohm. Therefore one has to explicitly request them to mod OI down to 10 ohm.the wizard of oz and kosimov like this.
User Comments
To view comments, simply sign up and become a member!


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This group of students will be the first to take in entirety our new curriculum. Although most off the first two years of courses have been officially approved by the CSB/SJU Curriculum Committee, two are awaiting approval in Fall 2012. In addition, the structure and courses for the last two years won't be approved until March 2012. Nevertheless we are presenting them to help both students and faculty/staff in understanding course selection.
Select the links below to find four year plans you can print. These will help you determine which courses you need and when you could take them.
Four Year Plans


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Hi, I'm new here.
I am an artist specializing in portraiture and the human figure.
I have extensive knowledge of oil painting, pastel, charcoal and graphite. I also have intermediate knowledge of lithography.
I have extensive knowledge of human artistic anatomy (that is the skeleton, muscles, and outward appearance of humans)
My art history knowledge mostly lies in the Renaissance, specifically the Northern Renaissance.
I have studied the materials and techniques of the old masters. (so I can tell you how things might have been done in the 1800s back to the ancient egyptians)
I have a quite extensive library of art books as well as access to the electronic resources of the largest art library in the country, so what I don't know or can't remember, I can probably find pretty easily.
A couple more really specific things:
I know the style and technique of Flemish master Peter Paul Rubens inside and out.
I have extensively researched and written a paper on Bosch's "Garden of Earthly Delights" (not an easy task, I might add)
I have studied some of the history of abstract and non-obective art but I know little about the technique, if you need to know how these artists work please ask someone else. I am a representational artist.
That's all, I think.


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Deering® Banjo Care Cloths
Made in the USA, these cloths will help keep your banjo in peak playing condition. The pink cloth has wax in it for the wood surfaces, the white cloth has a strong anti-tarnish substance, and the grey/white combo is for daily use. The white interior will clean off the light tarnish of daily playing while the grey cloth is a soft flannel with nothing on it to use as a wipe down cloth after each playing session.
- White Cloth: For Tarnish Cleaning Nickel and Chrome
- Grey Cloth: For Polishing Gold Chrome and Nickel
- Pink Cloth: For Finish Waxing
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ProPik Thumbpick
Equipped with a smooth-wearing plastic tip, the Metal-Plastic Thumb Pick has great tone, requires no break-in, and eliminates that annoying grinding sound ordinary plastic thumb picks are prone to make.The pick is made of Delrin plastic for durability and steel for a flexible fit. Available in Lefty.
*Please select your size*
Deering 5-String Banjo Strings - Light Gauge
Greg Deering knows what makes a banjo sound great. He chose the gauges for our private label string sets to meet the demands required of any playing style. These banjo strings will work great for 5-string long neck banjos and 5-string parlor banjos as well.
End Type: Loop
ProPik Fingerpick
Vintage Style Picks offer great tone and comfort. Inspired by popular picks made in the 20's this vintage style pick has a more comfortable fit! Just bend to fit.
Our ProPiks are Nickel-Silver and are Blade Style #1.
Sold in single quantity. Please enter number of desired picks.
Nylon Banjo Strap
This 2″ Deering nylon banjo strap comes with leather end attachments so that it can be easily attached to your banjo.
Comes in black, brown, or tan.
Designed for: Goodtime Banjos
Goodtime Banjo Armrest
A brand new armrest design for Deering Goodtime banjos that is flat and rides lower to the head, thus being very comfortable to the player. This armrest is very easy to install and comes with two specially made j-hooks and installation instructions in order to attach it to your Goodtime Banjo. Requires a Goodtime 9/32 T-wrench for installation.


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Queens Of The Stone Age announce more tour dates
Listen to Queens of the Stone Age on iHeartRadio
Queens of the Stone Age are extending their "...Like Clockwork" tour.
The band is set to finish the trek's current leg this Thursday in Las Vegas before heading through Australia with Nine Inch Nails in March. And now they've added another road trip through North America set to start April 12th at Coachella in Indio, California.
The outing will include a few other festival stops as well, including gigs at the Hangout fest in Alabama and Sasquatch! in Washington state.
Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme will most likely be hoping that these upcoming shows go smoother than the band's recent stop in Florida. Fan footage on YouTube shows once concertgoer climbing on stage during "The Vampyre of Time and Memory" and running toward the singer.
New Queens of the Stone Age tour dates:
April 12 -- Indio, Calif. -- Coachella
April 15 -- Portland, Ore. -- Keller Auditorium
April 17 -- San Francisco, Calif. -- Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
April 19 -- Indio, Calif. -- Coachella
May 6 -- St. Paul, Minn. -- Roy Wilkins Auditorium
May 7 -- Milwaukee, Wisc. -- The Riverside Theater
May 9 -- Chicago, Ill. -- Aaron Ballroom
May 13 -- Kansas City, Mo. -- Starlight Theatre
May 14 -- Tulsa, Okla. -- Brady Theater
May 16-18 -- Gulf Shores, Ala. -- Hangout Music Festival
May 23-25 -- George, Wash. -- Sasquatch! Music Festival
Photo Credit Getty Images


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The Abomination in My Garage
The Abomination is the Bike that Should Not Be. It is too horrible to contemplate. It is Evil, and it is Wrong. That is why it has been sitting there, gathering dust, for so long. Look away…
The Abomination can only be viewed safely one piece at a time.
-Seriously. To view this motorcycle in it's entirety is to risk brain damage, or at least serious injury to your sense of aesthetics. To ride it is even worse. Though I never thought I would say this, I think I have finally found a Bad Motorbike.
It wasn't born that way, mind you. Oh no. In it's infancy, it was a 1979 Yamaha XS650 Special; one of Japan's first forays into the motorcycle cruiser realm. Yamaha took a perfectly wonderful copy of a Triumph Bonneville and tried to make it into a "factory custom". The 16″ rear wheel and slightly raked front end, the peanut-shaped fuel tank and stepped saddle all represented baby steps towards what we would eventually call the "Yama-Hog", or Virago.
I'm told these were comfortable, stable, and well-behaved on the street. It was only when you tried to ride them fast on twisty two-lanes that they began to exhibit bad manners.
Why then, did my good friend Anonymous try to force one into the guise of a vintage road racer?
Well, it was the same combination of financial and relationship factors that endangers the mental wellbeing of many old racers when they get married and start a family. They sell the racebike(s) to make a down-payment on a house, and then sit and mope around said house every race weekend, while the wife picks out wallpaper patterns and carpet swatches.
It is a miserable period in their existence, and it sometimes breeds an unreasoning desparation. So it was for poor Anonymous.
He picked up the XS650 in bone stock trim for next to nothing. It had all the usual vintage Japanese motorbike maladies: Dead battery, gummed up carbs, and all periodic maintenance items due at the same time. Somebody had "moved on" in their life, and left the poor thing in storage. But the price was right, and he was without a hobby for the moment, so he smuggled it home and hid it under a tarp in his garage.
He began to scheme and scrounge through all the bits and pieces collected throughout a long and illustrious amateur racing career. The fairing from an old BMW, spare clip-ons from another old racebike, a boat-tail saddle from an old Harley Davidson Superglide, all of these were blended together into a Thing which, to his fevered imagination, represented an entry into the wonderful world of Vintage Road Racing!
It doesn't look any better from this side…
Next came hours of drilling and safety-wiring. For those of you mercifully uninitiated, this involves breaking many tiny drill-bits in the process of boring holes in assorted nuts, bolts and your oil drain plug, through which you then thread mild steel "safety-wire". Then you must twist those strands together and route them in a complicated and arcane practice known only to racers and aviation mechanics. This is done ostensibly for safety reasons, but I suspect it is really intended to assert the absolute authority of tech inspectors.
But Anonymous was determined to feel the thrill of the racetrack again, so he persevered. Through all the fabrication and innovation, all of Mr. Murphy's interruptions, he pressed forward towards the objective. Do I even need to tell you that Anonymous is a fellow Marine?
Finally the day came, when he found himself at Brainerd International Raceway. With The Abomination on a trailer, towed behind the family mini-van, he registered to race. I have no idea whether or what he told his wife. But there he was, ready to whack that throttle and feel that rush, once again.
Although they received many strange, even pained looks from the inspectors, they passed tech on the first try. It probably hurt too much to examine so closely. They recognized my friend from races past, and could see the mad conviction in his eyes. In a rare moment of mercy, they let him go… Anonymous suited up and readied himself for the first practice session.
The Abomination ran well on 100+ octane race gas. It bellowed through it's "economical" Mac two-into-one header. With nothing more to do, Anonymous twisted the grip and blasted through the gears down the long straightaway, headed for turn one.
He never told me exactly what happened next. Every time I ask, his face turns white, and his eyes get that thousand-yard stare. But he tells me this is definitely NOT a racebike, and I should never try to use it in anger.
I took it off his hands with the trade of a .22 caliber Browning Buckmark target pistol. I hadn't used that in a long time anyway, and I was curious as to what I could do with such a crazy collection of machinery, all safety-wired together.
In the early years, I started it up once in awhile, just to annoy the neighbors. But I have never ridden it in it's current configuration. Anonymous' reaction was enough for me.
Someday, I will take The Abomination apart, and sell all of it's racy bits to finance The Resurrection. I don't know if it will be a Street Tracker or a Bobber. My tastes prefer the former, but the bike's chassis begs the latter. For now, I test my fortitude by going out and looking at it, even sitting on it, once in awhile. Yes, it hurts. But that which doesn't kill us, makes us stronger.


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November 29, 2004
Vigil to Support the Pending 9/11 Commission Reform Bill
Please join us in a vigil to show support for the pending bill known as the "9/11 Recommendations Implementation Act." Congress will be going back to Washington on Monday, December 6th, and we need to urge them to pass this bill.
Who: 9/11 family members, friends and all who are interested in making our county safer.
When: Daily, from 12 noon to 1:00 pm beginning Wednesday, December 1, through Sunday, December 5.
Why: We are holding a vigil to ensure that when Congress reconvenes on December 6th, they will vote on the 9/11 bill.
• New York City, Ground Zero, at Church and Liberty (walk north on Church to the middle of the block)
• Boston, at the 9/11 Memorial, Boston Public Gardens, Corner of Arlington and Newbury St.)
• Los Angeles, at Fire Station 88, 5101 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Sherman Oaks, California
*If you are unable to participate at any of these three venues, we encourage you to set up a vigil in your hometown at a time that is most convenient for your group, even for only one day. For help in planning a vigil in your hometown, to add your hometown location to our list, or for further information on the events listed above, please contact:
Mary Fetchet at firstname.lastname@example.com (New York and other locations)Carie Lemack at email@example.com (Boston)Rev. Bill Minson at firstname.lastname@example.com (Sherman Oaks, Calif.)
The 9/11 Commission identified the problems that contributed to our government's failure to protect us on 9/11. They made recommendations to correct those problems. Yet Congress left for Thanksgiving recess without enacting legislation based on those recommendations. Every day that we delay aids the terrorists since our intelligence network is still dysfunctional. President Bush and Speaker Hastert must act NOW to turn these recommendations into legislation.
Please forward this message to everyone on your email list so that all who are interested in making this country safer can participate in New York, Boston, Los Angeles or their hometown.
Sincere thanks,The Family Steering Committee for the 9/11 Commission


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Umbro Cruz Azul 2009/10 Official away long sleeve shirt in white/blue. Features embroidered Cruz Azul team badge and Umbro logo. Anatomically-placed, ventilating mesh. Screened on sponsors in front,back and on the sleeves.100% polyester.
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Address: 1640 E. Washington Blvd.
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Phone: 1-800-945-7291
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Prostate cancer is cancer that occurs in a man's prostate — a small walnut-shaped gland that produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm.
Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men. Prostate cancer usually grows slowly and initially remains confined to the prostate gland, where it may not cause serious harm. While some types of prostate cancer grow slowly and may need minimal or no treatment, other types are aggressive and can spread quickly.
Prostate cancer that is detected early — when it's still confined to the prostate gland — has a better chance of successful treatment.
Prostate cancer may cause no signs or symptoms in its early stages.
Prostate cancer that is more advanced may cause signs and symptoms such as:
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any signs or symptoms that worry you.
There is debate regarding the risks and benefits of screening for prostate cancer, and medical organizations differ on their recommendations. Discuss prostate cancer screening with your doctor. Together, you can decide what's best for you.
It's not clear what causes prostate cancer.
Doctors know that prostate cancer begins when some cells in your prostate become abnormal. Mutations in the abnormal cells' DNA cause the cells to grow and divide more rapidly than normal cells do. The abnormal cells continue living, when other cells would die. The accumulating abnormal cells form a tumor that can grow to invade nearby tissue. Some abnormal cells can break off and spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body.
Factors that can increase your risk of prostate cancer include:
Complications of prostate cancer and its treatments include:
If you have signs or symptoms that worry you, start by seeing your family doctor or a general practitioner.
If your doctor suspects you may have a problem with your prostate, you may be referred to a urinary tract specialist (urologist). If you're diagnosed with prostate cancer, you may be referred to a cancer specialist (oncologist) or a specialist who uses radiation therapy to treat cancer (radiation oncologist).
Because appointments can be brief, and because there's often a lot of ground to cover, it's a good idea to be prepared. Here's some information to help you get ready and what to expect from your doctor.
Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions can help you make the most of your time together. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For prostate cancer, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask other questions during your appointment.
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may allow more time later to cover other points you want to address. Your doctor may ask:
Whether to test healthy men with no symptoms for prostate cancer is controversial. Medical organizations don't agree on the issue of screening and whether it has benefits.
Some medical organizations recommend men consider prostate cancer screening in their 50s, or sooner for men who have risk factors for prostate cancer. Other organizations advise against screening.
Discuss your particular situation and the benefits and risks of screening with your doctor. Together, you can decide whether prostate cancer screening is right for you.
Prostate screening tests might include:)
PSA testing combined with DRE helps identify prostate cancers at their earliest stages, but studies have disagreed whether these tests reduce the risk of dying of prostate cancer. For that reason, there is debate surrounding prostate cancer screening.
If an abnormality is detected on a DRE or PSA test, your doctor may recommend tests to determine whether you have prostate cancer, such as:
When a biopsy confirms the presence of cancer, the next step is to determine the level of aggressiveness (grade) of the cancer cells. In a laboratory, a pathologist examines a sample of your cancer to determine how much cancer cells differ from the healthy cells. A higher grade indicates a more aggressive cancer that is more likely to spread quickly.
The most common scale used to evaluate the grade of prostate cancer cells is called a Gleason score. Scoring combines two numbers and can range from 2 (nonaggressive cancer) to 10 (very aggressive cancer).
Once a prostate cancer diagnosis has been made, your doctor works to determine the extent (stage) of the cancer. If your doctor suspects your cancer may have spread beyond your prostate, imaging tests such as these may be recommended:
Not every person should have every test. Your doctor will help determine which tests are best for your individual case.
Once testing is complete, your doctor assigns your cancer a stage. This helps determine your treatment options. The prostate cancer stages are:
Your prostate cancer treatment options depend on several factors, such as how fast your cancer is growing, how much it has spread and your overall health, as well as the benefits and the potential side effects of the treatment.
For men diagnosed with very early-stage prostate cancer, treatment may not be necessary right away. Some men may never need treatment. Instead, doctors sometimes recommend active surveillance.
In active surveillance, regular follow-up blood tests, rectal exams and possibly biopsies may be performed to monitor progression of your cancer. If tests show your cancer is progressing, you may opt for a prostate cancer treatment such as surgery or radiation.
Active surveillance may be an option for cancer that isn't causing symptoms, is expected to grow very slowly and is confined to a small area of the prostate. Active surveillance may also be considered for a man who has another serious health condition or an advanced age that makes cancer treatment more difficult.
Active surveillance carries a risk that the cancer may grow and spread between checkups, making it less likely to be cured.
Radiation therapy uses high-powered energy to kill cancer cells. Prostate cancer radiation therapy can be delivered in two ways:
Side effects of radiation therapy can include painful urination, frequent urination and urgent urination, as well as rectal symptoms, such as loose stools or pain when passing stools. Erectile dysfunction can also occur.
Hormone therapy is treatment to stop your body from producing the male hormone testosterone. Prostate cancer cells rely on testosterone to help them grow. Cutting off the supply of hormones may cause cancer cells to die or to grow more slowly.
Hormone therapy options include:
Hormone therapy is used in men with advanced prostate cancer to shrink the cancer and slow the growth of tumors. In men with early-stage prostate cancer, hormone therapy may be used to shrink tumors before radiation therapy. This can make it more likely that radiation therapy will be successful.
Side effects of hormone therapy may include erectile dysfunction, hot flashes, loss of bone mass, reduced sex drive and weight gain.
Surgery for prostate cancer involves removing the prostate gland (radical prostatectomy), some surrounding tissue and a few lymph nodes. Ways the radical prostatectomy procedure can be performed include:
Discuss with your doctor which type of surgery is best for your specific situation.
Radical prostatectomy carries a risk of urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. Ask your doctor to explain the risks you may face based on your situation, the type of procedure you select, your age, your body type and your overall health.
Cryosurgery or cryoablation involves freezing tissue to kill cancer cells.
During cryosurgery for prostate cancer, small needles are inserted in the prostate using ultrasound images as guidance. A very cold gas is placed in the needles, which causes the surrounding tissue to freeze. A second gas is then placed in the needles to reheat the tissue. The cycles of freezing and thawing kill the cancer cells and some surrounding healthy tissue.
Initial attempts to use cryosurgery for prostate cancer resulted in high complication rates and unacceptable side effects. However, newer technologies have lowered complication rates, improved cancer control and made the procedure easier to tolerate. Cryosurgery may be an option for men who haven't been helped by radiation therapy.
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill rapidly growing cells, including cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be administered through a vein in your arm, in pill form or both.
Chemotherapy may be a treatment option for men with prostate cancer that has spread to distant areas of their bodies. Chemotherapy may also be an option for cancers that don't respond to hormone therapy.
Biological therapy (immunotherapy) uses your body's immune system to fight cancer cells. One type of biological therapy called sipuleucel-T (Provenge) has been developed to treat advanced, recurrent prostate cancer.
This treatment takes some of your own immune cells, genetically engineers them in a laboratory to fight prostate cancer, then injects the cells back into your body through a vein. Some men do respond to this therapy with some improvement in their cancer, but the treatment is very expensive and requires multiple treatments.
No complementary or alternative treatments will cure prostate cancer. However, complementary and alternative prostate cancer treatments may help you cope with the side effects of cancer and its treatment.
Nearly everyone diagnosed with cancer experiences some distress at some point. If you're distressed, you may feel sad, angry or anxious. You may experience difficulty sleeping or find yourself constantly thinking about your cancer.
Several complementary medicine techniques may help you cope with your distress, including:
Discuss your feelings and concerns with your doctor. In some cases, treatment for distress may require medications.
When you receive a diagnosis of prostate cancer, you may experience a range of feelings — including disbelief, fear, anger, anxiety and depression. With time, each man finds his own way of coping with a prostate cancer diagnosis.
Until you find what works for you, try to:
You can reduce your risk of prostate cancer if you:
Choose a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables. Avoid high-fat foods and instead focus on choosing a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Fruits and vegetables contain many vitamins and nutrients that can contribute to your health.
Whether you can prevent prostate cancer through diet has yet to be conclusively proved. But eating a healthy diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables can improve your overall health.
Exercise most days of the week. Exercise improves your overall health, helps you maintain your weight and improves your mood. There is some evidence that men who don't exercise have higher PSA levels, while men who exercise may have a lower risk of prostate cancer.
Try to exercise most days of the week. If you're new to exercise, start slow and work your way up to more exercise time each day.
Talk to your doctor about increased risk of prostate cancer. Men with a high risk of prostate cancer may consider medications or other treatments to reduce their risk. Some studies suggest that taking 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, including finasteride (Propecia, Proscar) and dutasteride (Avodart), may reduce the overall risk of developing prostate cancer. These drugs are used to control prostate gland enlargement and hair loss in men.
However, some evidence indicates that men taking these medications may have an increased risk of getting a more serious form of prostate cancer (high-grade prostate cancer). If you're concerned about your risk of developing prostate cancer, talk with your doctor.
The latest treatment options. Mayo Clinic surgeons have been performing and perfecting the radical prostatectomy procedure for decades and have contributed significant advances in the understanding of robotic prostatectomy technology and techniques.
Mayo Clinic's proton beam therapy facilities are under construction in Arizona and Minnesota. Proton beam therapy using intensity-modulated pencil beams will permit more-precise distribution of radiation therapy with fewer side effects.
Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., and Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., are ranked among the Best Hospitals for cancer by U.S. News & World Report.
Men with prostate cancer who seek care at Mayo Clinic have access to a full range of treatment options. Your care team determines which treatments are most effective in your specific situation and works closely with you to choose the treatments that meet your needs and preferences.
Mayo Clinic doctors offer special expertise in several treatment areas.
Mayo Clinic surgeons are extensively trained and experienced in performing radical prostatectomy. Research shows that doctors who perform many prostate surgeries and work in medical centers that care for many men undergoing prostate surgery generally provide superior outcomes.
Mayo Clinic offers all types of radical prostatectomy surgery, include robotic prostatectomy.
Mayo Clinic radiation oncologists are experts in planning treatment that targets prostate cancer cells and spares as much nearby healthy tissue as possible.
Mayo Clinic offers the latest in radiation therapy techniques, including:
Mayo Clinic works with hundreds of insurance companies and is an in-network provider for millions of people. In most cases, Mayo Clinic doesn't require a physician referral. Some insurers require referrals or may have additional requirements for certain medical care. All appointments are prioritized on the basis of medical need.
At Mayo Clinic, urologists form a multidisciplinary team with experts in radiation oncology, oncology, pathology and radiology to care for people with prostate cancer. Other experts are included as needed.
For appointments or more information, call the Central Appointment Office at 800-446-2279 (toll-free) 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mountain Standard Time, Monday through Friday or complete an online appointment request form.
For appointments or more information, call the Central Appointment Office at 904-953-0853 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday or complete an online appointment request form.
For appointments or more information, call the Central Appointment Office at 507-538-3270 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central time, Monday through Friday or complete an online appointment request form.
See information on patient services at the three Mayo Clinic locations, including transportation options and lodging.
Mayo Clinic doctors and scientists are leaders in prostate cancer research. Areas of focus include innovating diagnostic techniques, discovering and perfecting treatment options, understanding ways to improve quality of life, and analyzing long-term follow-up data.
For decades, Mayo Clinic has been compiling a database of men who have had surgery for prostate cancer. Researchers use this information to monitor outcomes, search for trends, determine effective treatment and ensure overall quality of care.
Cancer research is conducted in coordination with the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center. The Mayo Clinic Cancer Center receives funding from the National Cancer Institute and is designated as a comprehensive cancer center — recognition for an institution's scientific excellence and multidisciplinary resources focused on cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
See a list of publications by Mayo Clinic authors on prostate cancer on PubMed, a service of the National Library of Medicine.
Original article: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prostate-cancer/care-at-mayo-clinic/why-choose-mayo-clinic/CON-20029597
Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below.
Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit organization and proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission. Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised.
A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.


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Discover a selection of top forums crowd moms on the internet. Come to share your passion on forums crowd moms and meet other fans of crowd moms. Then, why don't you create your own forum of crowd moms ?
We serve moms with kids at all ages & stages of life. Our goal is to encourage & equip moms by strengthening their relationship with Jesus, their kids, & each other.
#moms, rock, serve, kids, ages, stages, life, goal, encourage, equip, strengthening, relationship, jesus
Updated to Soulful Entertainment Therapy. This forum was created for people to mix and mingle with people from all walks of life. It is for the Grown and Mature crowd who doesn't entertain drama and nega
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A group of kindred moms who come together to uplift and encourage each other to be anxious for nothing and cast our cares upon Him.
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A sharing and support forum for non traditional mothers of children.
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#1 chat rap forums an all-age forums and chat room aimed at the hip hop crowd. Home of the ballers, pimps, playas, thugs, gangstas, and much much more.
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FCLV Moms will provide surrogacy and egg donation resources and support. Weekly we will have questions answered by the staff of The Fertility Center of Las Vegas.
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Connect with other women/moms from all over the world by registering to our forum. We have dozens of message boards, graphic section, blogging section, scheduled chats, contests, and other activities. Make lifetime friends, share advice, get support,
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A crowd sourcing forum for Phase II survey participants to contribute to and learn from
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A friendly place for moms to trade tips on balancing motherhood with an executive role
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U.S. buyers: Receive free First Class shipping with delivery confirmation. On packages valued $50 or over, insurance and/or signature confirmation will be added.
International buyers: I am happy to ship anywhere in the world and have included the price of shipping in each listing. Packages valued under $50 are sent First Class International without delivery confirmation or insurance at my own risk. Packages valued $50 or more will ship Priority International at a higher rate to cover actual insurance costs. If your package values $50 or more, please wait for an invoice before sending payment.
Shipping labels are computer generated and will state the exact value of your package on the customs form.
International buyers will be responsible for all VAT taxes and should be aware of what can and can not be shipped into your country before buying. Check with your local customs office for more information.
Celebrating Summer ~ JULY SALE ~ Clearance Time
Through the end of the month, enjoy a 20% savings on select items in my eBay store.
Great service included with every purchase. Have a happy and safe summer!
To start shopping, click here. Thanks for visiting A Genuine Find!


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Log in
Last week the Kalamazoo Gazette had an article "Of Giraffes and More: Fielding Questions on the Reference Desk." The reporter had asked several of our reference staff for the most interesting question of the year. What a challenging question to ask our staff AND what challenging questions they have answered!
As reported in the article, we had a record number of questions last year: 192,580 to be exact and patron assistance in all categories, included reference questions, is up about 20% so far this year. We too are experiencing the national trend of an increase in library use in all categories during challenging economic times.
Some had predicted a decline in the need for reference assistance at public libraries with home internet access and the advent of websites like Google and Wikipedia. That is not happening at KPL, nor at libraries generally. Business is booming! Patrons need help defining their search strategy and finding authoritative sources.
We can help. Our staff has reviewed many, many websites, selected the best ones, and arranged them in 49 categories or topic guides. We continually add new categories and add additional resources to the current ones.
Come visit soon…..or go to our website or call or email with your reference questions.
Posted by Ann Rohrbaugh at 02/19/2009 04:30:33 PM |
Books for: Kids, Teens & Tweens


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The Brevard College women's basketball team hits the road once again to take on Tusculum in a South Atlantic Conference bout at Pioneer Arena in Greeneville, Tenn. Tuesday evening at 6 p.m.
Schedule Notes: BC (0-3, 0-2 SAC) gave Newberry, who was voted No. 1 in the SAC Preseason Coaches' poll, fits Saturday, but fell victim to two late three-pointers while the Wolves escaped the Tornados with a 62-58 victory. The Tornados saw three players register double figures while sophomore Katie Williams produced a career-high 19 points, including an 8-of-11 showing at the free-throw line. Junior Taylor Hiatt continued her hot start with an 11-point effort while freshman Madison Lenox exploded for 17 points. With the loss, BC fell to 0-3 for the second consecutive season. The Tornados have been battletested in the early stages of the 2013-14 campaign while playing three Division I schools in exhibition games. BC traveled to Western Carolina Nov. 2 before playing consecutive games at Furman and Coastal Carolina, respectively. The Tornados wrap up a stretch of playing five of their first seven games on the road.
Tornado Youngins': The BC roster consists of 10 underclassmen, including four freshmen. Chezney McJunkin is the lone senior on the squad while Hiatt and Jennifer Martin are juniors.
Taylor Triples: Junior Hiatt paces the team with six three-pointers while sitting second in the conference in three-point percentage (60). The Mount Airy, N.C., native has hit a pair of 3's in every game this season. She also leads the team in minutes (94).
No Foul Play Here: The Tornados lead the conference by committing only 16.7 fouls per game, while Tusculum sits last in the SAC with 25. Saturday, BC committed a miniscule 12 personal fouls compared to Newberry's 25. BC has visited the charity stripe 82 times in three games, while six Tornados have hit at least seven free-throws this season.
Lenox Legit: Freshman Lenox has enjoyed a solid start to her career as a Tornado while she leads the team with 12 field goals made. The Raleigh, N.C., native is tied for second on the team in free-throws made (nine) and tied for third in total rebounds (11). Lenox averages 23.3 minutes per game while contributing 11.3 points per outing. She is tied for the team lead in steals with four.
Same Ole Starters: Tusculum (0-3, 0-2 SAC) has started the same five players in every game this season. Senior guard Nequoiah Anderson leads the team and sits seventh in the league with 15.3 points per game. Junior Blakeley Burleson (13.0) and sophomore Shynese Whitener (11.3) average double figures while junior Brianna Mitchell hits a solid 90.0% of her free throws.
2012-13 Recap: The two teams split last season while each won at home. Tusculum squeaked out a 61-60 victory Feb. 2 while Shelby Wolfe chipped in with 11 points. BC exacted revenge with a 60-56 victory March 2 in its season finale.
Series History: The Pioneers lead the all-time series, 9-1. Tusculum swept the season series from 2007-2011.
Livestats: http://tusculumpioneers.athleticsite.net/livestats/wb/xlive.htm
Audio: http://player.empirestreaming.com/wsqlradio
Video: http://www.tusculumpioneers.com/video.asp


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'"We had a lot of chances to win," Connolly said. "But we didn't stay aggressive enough. We just sat back and tried not to lose the game. When you do that, other teams are going to come after you."'
Dallas 4, Buffalo 3
December 13, 2001 Submitted by
Via: Sportsticker


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Now that you have a year of college behind you, you may be feeling more settled into the routine of your college life at Barnard. Sophomore year can be an exciting time. There are many choices before you and many more opportunities than were available to you as first year students. And there are decisions that you need to make—what major should I declare? does study abroad fit into my overall academic plans? where do I want to study abroad? what internships should I apply for? are there fellowships I might be interested in (see Fellowships link to the right)? The prospect of having to make these decisions can be overwhelming, but isn't it better to have choices than not to have them at all?
Before you forge ahead to make these decisions, it is just as important to look back and reflect on the journey that you have traveled so far. It is likely that you have felt at least at some point over the course of the past year that you have never been so challenged before by the professors, as well as the students, and by the readings and writing assignments in your classes. Take the time to appreciate all that you have accomplished in just a year in college—all the new knowledge and skills that you have acquired during this short time and the growth that has already occurred in you. You may find the "Sophomore Self-Assessment" document to the right under Resources for Sophomore Students helpful as you reflect upon your first year and continue to explore your interests in the coming semesters.
Sophomore year is a time for you to take ownership of your academic study by declaring a major during the spring term. Deciding on an academic discipline based on an evaluation of your abilities and interests may not always be simple. However, there are many people at Barnard, including your class dean, who can engage you in constructive conversations that can help you to arrive at this decision. Both in the fall and spring semesters, each department or program will hold its own meeting to introduce you to the faculty and to apprise you of the major requirements as well as research and other opportunities within the department. I will also hold class meetings each semester. These meetings are a time when you will come together as a class to hear about some of the important tasks you need to accomplish this year and about how to apply for the many opportunities open to you.
We have designed a "Sophomore Experience Program," a collaboration of different offices around the College, to help you make the most of your sophomore year. You should use this year to continue to explore your personal, academic and career interests. There are many of us within the College who can help guide you in this exploration, but you will need to play an active role—whether it's attending programs specifically designed for sophomores or seeking the advice of faculty members, academic advisers, deans or others on and off campus. You won't know what will spark that interest or passion in you unless you put yourself out there and avail yourself of the many resources the College and the city have to offer. Come out for as many of the programs listed on the "Sophomore Calendar" as your schedule will allow. The time you take to attend these events will be time well spent.
I look forward to meeting many of you over the course of this year and to being on this exciting sophomore year journey with you. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me by email at email@example.com or to make an appointment with me in the Dean of Studies Office, 105 Milbank Hall, by visiting my online calendar.
Christina Kuan Tsu
Sophomore Class Dean


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The Civil War and American Art
November 16, 2012 – April 28, 2013
- View slide show and comments
- Buy the book
- Watch the video trailer
- Listen to the podcast with commentary by exhibition curator Eleanor Harvey
- Check out the exhibition galleries on Flickr
- See selected artworks in historical context with our timeline
- Attention Educators! Download our Teacher Guide
- Watch webcast presentations from the symposium Effects of the Civil War on American Art
- Attend exhibition-related public programs
- Go behind-the-scenes with the museum's blog, Eye Level
- Who is talking about the exhibition?
- See if the exhibition is visiting your hometown
The Civil War and American Art examines how America's artists represented the impact of the Civil War and its aftermath. Winslow Homer, Eastman Johnson, Frederic Church, and Sanford Gifford—four of America's finest artists of the era—anchor the exhibition. The exhibition follows the conflict from palpable unease on the eve of war, to heady optimism that it would be over with a single battle, to a growing realization that this conflict would not end quickly and a deepening awareness of issues surrounding emancipation and the need for reconciliation. Genre and landscape painting captured the transformative impact of the war, not traditional history painting.
The Civil War and American Art includes 75 works—57 paintings and 18 vintage photographs. The artworks were chosen for their aesthetic power in conveying the intense emotions of the period. Homer and Johnson grappled directly with issues such as emancipation and reconciliation. Church and Gifford contended with the destruction of the idea that America was a "New Eden." Most of the artworks in the exhibition were made during the war, when it was unclear how long it might last and which side would win.
The exhibition also includes battlefield photography, which carried the gruesome burden of documenting the carnage and destruction. The visceral and immediate impact of these images by Alexander Gardner, Timothy H. O'Sullivan, and George Barnard freed the fine arts to explore the deeper significance of the Civil War, rather than chronicle each battle.
Eleanor Jones Harvey, senior curator, organized the exhibition.
National Tour
The exhibition travels to The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, N.Y. (May 27, 2013–September 2, 2013).
A major scholarly catalogue, authored by Harvey and published by the museum in association with Yale University Press, focuses on the coming of age of American art during the Civil War. It is available for purchase ($65 hardcover, $45 softcover) in the museum store, through the museum's online shop, and in bookstores nationwide.
Go behind-the-scenes with the museum's blog, Eye Level
The Civil War and American Art: A Confederate View, April 25, 2013
A Civil War Wikipedia Edit-a-thon!, March 14, 2013
The Civil War and American Art: Six Questions for "Materialist Poet" Dario Robleto, March 12, 2013
Harvard's Drew Gilpin Faust on the Language of War, March 7, 2013
The Civil War and American Art: A Ride for Liberty?, February 21, 2013
The Civil War and American Art: "The Alphabet is An Abolitionist", January 29, 2013
Picture This: American Art's Civil War Podcast, December 11, 2012
The Civil War and American Art: Cotopaxi, America's "Moral Compass", December 4, 2012
War and Paint: Art of the Civil War November 15, 2012
Revealing Homer in A Visit from the Old Mistress November 8, 2012
The Civil War and American Art: The Power of Images November 1, 2012
Public Programs
November 16, 2012, 10 a.m., Symposium, Effects of the Civil War on American Art
November 17, 2012, 1 p.m., Gone with the Wind
December 1, 2012, 5 p.m., 21st Century Consort: Music for Civil War
December 6, 2012, 6 p.m., The Civil War and American Art Gallery Talk
January 24, 2013 at 6:30 p.m., Film, Red Badge of Courage
February 2, 2013, 3 p.m., Talk and book signing with James H. Johnston
February 7, 2013, 7 p.m., Panel Discussion, Emancipation Proclamation in Art and Records held at the National Archives, Constitution Avenue and 7th Street NW)
February 9, 2013, 3 p.m., The Strangest Friendship: Unpacking the Poetry of a Civil War Veteran
February 15, 2013, 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., Civil War and Patent Office Building tours
February 20, 2013, 4 p.m., Conservation talk
February 28, 2013, 7 p.m., Seeing War; Representing War with Drew Gilpin Faust
March 9, 2013, 11:30 a.m., Civil War family day
March 13, 2013, 4 p.m., contemporary artist symposium, Why the Civil War Still Matters to American Art
April 3, 2013, 6 p.m., The Civil War and American Art Gallery Talk
April 5, 2013, 7 p.m., Talk with David Blight
April 21, 2013, 2 p.m., Victorian Dance Ensemble
Educational Initiatives
The museum produced a curriculum guide (PDF, 20MB) for educators to use in their classrooms, and to prepare for a visit to the exhibition. A special exhibition-related videoconference will be offered for 9th- through 12th-grade teachers and their students. The program combines interactive videoconferences and classroom activities to prompt discussion of the Civil War conflict as seen through the art of the period. The spring series begins February 12, 2013. The museum also offers two Civil War: A House Divided tours, part of the museum's Artful Connections series, for 7th- through 12th-grade teachers and their students.
Several educational events are offered in conjunction with the exhibition, including school tours and professional development programs. Advance registration for both programs is required.
December 1, 2012, 10 a.m.–1 p.m., The Civil War in American Art workshop for teachers ($10)
January 15, 2013, 4:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m., Evening for Educators ($25)
In the News
The New York Times, May 30, 2013, "When Painters Showed the War in More Than Blue and Gray" by Ken Johnson
New Yorker, June 3, 2013, "The Seething Hell: Portraying the Civil War" by Peter Schjeldahl
The New York Times, Disunion blog, February 5, 2013, "America's Moral Volcano" by Eleanor Jones Harvey
C-SPAN3, American History TV, American Artifacts: The Civil War and American Art, Part 1 and Part 2 with Eleanor Jones Harvey
The New York Times, January 11, 2013, "American Eden, After the Fall" by Holland Cotter
Antiques and the Arts Weekly, January 11, 2013, "The Civil War and American Art" by Stephen May
The Free-Lance Star, January 10, 2013, "Arts: Nation's schism on display in D.C." by Clint Schemmer
The Independent, December 24, 2012, "American nightmare: the art of the Civil War" by Adrian Hamilton
WETA, December 18, 2012, exhibition review with Bill Dunlap and Janis Goodman
The Washington Post, November 25, 2012, "'Civil War and American Art' puts the battle in the background" by Philip Kennicott
Associated Press, November 23, 2012, "Smithsonian gathers best art of Civil War era" by Brett Zongker
Smithsonian, November 16, 2012, Around the Mall blog post
The Modern Art Notes Podcast, November 15, 2012, Tyler Green's interview with Eleanor Harvey
The Diane Rehm Show, November 13, 2012, Eleanor Harvey discusses The Civil War and American Art
The Civil War and American Art is organized by the Smithsonian American Art Museum with generous support from the Anschutz Foundation; Ludmila and Conrad Cafritz; Christie's; Sheila Duignan and Mike Wilkins; Tania and Tom Evans; Norma Lee and Morton Funger; Dorothy Tapper Goldman; Raymond J. and Margaret Horowitz Endowment; Mr. and Mrs. Raymond J. Horowitz Foundation for the Arts; Wolf Kahn and Emily Mason Foundation; Joffa and Bill Kerr; Thelma and Melvin Lenkin; Henry Luce Foundation; Paula and Peter Lunder; Margery and Edgar Masinter; Barbro and Bernard Osher; Walter and Lucille Rubin Foundation; Patricia Rubin and Ted Slavin; Holly and Nick Ruffin. The C.F. Foundation in Atlanta supports the museum's traveling exhibition program, Treasures to Go. This exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities.


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State Patrol wants to drive home "don't drink, don't drive" message
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) --The State Highway Patrol is urging Ohioans not to drink and drive during the holidays.
The patrol says troopers will be out in full force and on the lookout for drunken drivers during the Christmas holiday and the week leading up to New Year's Day.
The patrol's superintendent, Col. Paul Pride, says an increase in impaired driving can make that period one of the most dangerous times of the year on Ohio's roads.
A year ago, seven people died between Christmas and New Year's Day in crashes related to drunken or drug-impaired driving. Troopers arrested 92 people for operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs during the two-day Christmas period last year.


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Worlds Apart Set to Screen at the Irvine International Film Festival
Cogswell College is pleased to announce that Worlds Apart, an animated, short film produced under the umbrella of the Project X class, is an Official Selection of the Irvine International Film Festival. The festival takes place from January 12 to 15, 2012.
The Irvine Film Festival (IIFF) celebrates the power of individual expression and diverse points of views. IIFF is dedicated to bringing to Orange County the finest films from around the world. Our objective for this competition is to promote and encourage screenwriters, directors, editors, cinematographers, producers, actors and all artists who use the language of film to express themselves. IIFF will offer a unique opportunity to view films that are rarely seen, to become familiar with global issues, enhancing public awareness and participation. IIFF is dedicated to bringing stories to our communities that challenge people in every part of the world, because films have the power to reach across cultures, languages, to influence millions of people in the language that everyone can understand.
Project X is a one-of-a-kind, project-based class at Cogswell College that is run like a professional animation production studio using teams of skilled artists and sound designers. Students worked tirelessly for three semesters to produce a studio-quality short film. During production they are supported by a massive collaborative effort from faculty, staff, visiting artists, industry professionals and alumni. The two short animations produced thus far have won awards around the globe.
"The hours are grueling, aesthetics standards are very demanding and we treat the artists like professionals and not students," said Michael Huber, Director of the Project X course. "This total immersion creates an environment conducive to quality, camaraderie and the highest production value. We believe it's the best way to learn."
Click here to visit the Irvine Film Festival website.
November 22, 2011


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- 5 Rocket Stocks for Gluttonous Turkey Day Gains
- Time to Sell These 5 'Toxic' Stocks
- 5 Earnings Short-Squeeze Plays
- 5 Must-See Charts
- 5 Stocks With Big Insider Buying
5 Rocket Stocks to Buy as Mr. Market Climbs - views
BALTIMORE (Stockpickr) -- Ugh, I wouldn't want to be Larry Summers this morning. The former Treasury secretary set off a rally in stock futures yesterday, when he withdrew his name from the Fed Chairman job. The market has voted: Investors hate Larry Summers.
>>Why Wall Street Got Apple Wrong
But don't worry too much about Larry. It's probably safe to say he's got a thick skin.
Instead, investors should be paying attention to the market's reaction. As I write just ahead of the open this morning, equities are pointed at some serious follow-through this Monday. That's a big deal after a technically-significant bounce that slingshotted stocks 1.98% higher last week.
And it's creating some buying opportunities this week. To make the most of them, we're turning to a new set of Rocket Stocks.
>>5 Stocks Ready for Breakouts
For the uninitiated, "Rocket Stocks" are our list of companies with short-term gain catalysts and longer-term growth potential. To find them, I run a weekly quantitative screen that seeks out stocks with a combination of analyst upgrades and positive earnings surprises to identify rising analyst expectations, a bullish signal for stocks in any market. After all, where analysts' expectations are increasing, institutional cash often follows. In the last 214 weeks, our weekly list of five plays has outperformed the S&P 500 by 88.85%.
Without further ado, here's a look at this week's Rocket Stocks.
2013 has been a stellar year for shares of oil service giant Schlumberger (SLB). Since the calendar flipped over to January, SLB has rallied more than 25%, beating the broad market's impressive pace by double digits. As oil prices linger on the high end of their historic range, SLB is well positioned to keep ticking higher.
Schlumberger provides must-have services to national and supermajor oil firms as well as smaller E&Ps, offering up niche services like seismic surveys and well drilling and positioning. In a nutshell, SLB's job is to pull oil out of the ground as efficiently as possible. Oil firms turn to Schlumberger because the tasks they need to accomplish are too nuanced or proprietary to pull off in-house. So as long as the company continues to pour cash into R&D for drilling technology and software, the firm should continue to score lucrative contracts.
Some of Schlumberger's most attractive opportunities right now come from overseas. The firm is one of the largest oil servicers in Russia, a key growth market in the years ahead. It's also got an important presence in smaller oil markets, where it's a big fish in a small pond. A big scale and stellar reputation should guarantee Schlumberger an attractive piece of the oil pie for years to come.
It's been a challenging year for Yahoo! (YHOO), but you wouldn't know it from this stock's price action. Yahoo! has rallied more than 47% year-to-date, buoyed by major changes in the firm's structure -- and conspicuous leadership from CEO Marissa Mayer. But Yahoo!'s new logo is a good metaphor for the transformation at the company: The new logo was announced with much excitement, but most users probably wouldn't have noticed it otherwise.
>>5 Stocks With Big Insider Buying
Arguably paying too much for Tumblr, and still lacking a real unique selling proposition the new Yahoo! looks way too much like the old Yahoo!.
But while this stock built a reputation for being a dot-com era dinosaur, investors neglected the fact that this stock has had a really attractive business all along. Despite some big missteps, Yahoo! remains one of the biggest destinations on the internet, and all those eyes on its Web sites contribute to hefty net profit margins from operations.
Yahoo!'s cash position has been a blessing and a curse for investors in the last few years. A brilliant investment in Alibaba has contributed to a cash and investment position of more than $7.6 billion at last count, covering more than a quarter of YHOO's market cap. While that does help to reduce risk, Yahoo! either needs to figure out internal investments that yield meaningful rates of return, or give the money back to shareholders.
Just don't underestimate this stock's potential in 2013; Yahoo! may be a dinosaur, but at least it's a T-Rex.
$20 billion grocery store chain Kroger (KR) has seen some surprising upside of its own this year: shares have climbed 50% since the first trading day in January. That performance may seem surprising for a 130 year old large-cap grocer, but this stock's rally has been predicated on out-executing the competition for years now.
>>6 Stocks Rising on Unusual Volume
Kroger operates more than 2,400 supermarkets, 750 convenience stores, and 325 jewelry stores under a handful of popular brands. Those marquees include Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Kwik Shop and Turkey Hill in addition to the firm's namesake chain. An ongoing acquisition plan for Harris Teeter stands to add another powerhouse grocery chain to KR's portfolio this year, adding even more separation between Kroger and its most well known competitors.
The grocery business is characterized by paper thin margins and zero competitive advantages. Kroger changed that by offering fuel as loss leader to pull in customers at around half of its locations. While many peers have copied that strategy, the existence of gas infrastructure at such a large percentage of its locations gives Kroger some built-in advantages. In many cases, rivals don't have the option to add fuel to as many of their own stores. From there, huge private label presence on Kroger's shelves help spur bigger margins than the rest of the industry.
With rising analyst sentiment in Kroger this week, we're betting on shares.
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters
As badly as short sellers want to hate on Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (GMCR), betting against the multiyear rally in this $12.7 billion beverage stock has been about as wise as eating from a box with a skull and crossbones on it. And as a bull market continues to lift all ships, Green Mountain's ship is going to keep floating above the others.
>>5 Earnings Short-Squeeze Plays
Green Mountain owns Keurig, the brand of beverage brewers that use self-contained K-Cups to make coffee, teas, and other drinks. While Keurig's "fad" status has certainly helped tip the deck against GMCR, the fact remains that the firm has done most of the hard work in getting Keurig machines accepted by consumers. With brewers essentially ubiquitous at this point, the firm is able to make money on its cash cow: the K-Cups.
Keurig's individual-serving cups have big margins and a big installed base. With huge convenience and the relatively large sunk cost that consumers have put into their Keurig machines, it's a sticky business with big switching costs. Consumers who buy a Keurig are much less likely to spend the money on a competing brand of proprietary coffee pods.
I've said before that GMCR is far from cheap right now. But its momentum trajectory is showing few signs of fizzling out, especially as direct competitors such as Starbucks (SBUX) continue to sell K-Cups of their own. Don't bet against GMCR in September buy this Rocket Stock instead.
Polaris Industries
Last, but certainly not least, is Polaris Industries (PII), the power sports equipment manufacturer. In short, Polaris makes toys -- toys for grown ups. The firm's namesake brand manufactures ATVs and snowmobiles, and it also owns storied motorcycle brands Victory and Indian, and GEM light electric vehicles. With more than 1,650 dealers in North American alone, Polaris owns a significant chunk of the power sports industry, churning out more than $3.2 billion in sales last year, and net profit margins approaching 10%.
Economic recovery is fueling a boom market for Polaris' vehicles, especially now that rates continue to hover near their historic floor. Borrowing money is cheap, and that means that financing a motorcycle or ATV has become more affordable than ever before. With relatively low acquisition costs, buying one of Polaris' machines is a lot easier to stomach than many other recreation options, and so sales continue to look attractive this year.
Financially, Polaris is in solid shape. The firm carries nearly $280 million in cash and investments on its balance sheet, easily offsetting $107.6 million in total debt. PII is well positioned to run over any economic hiccups in the foreseeable future -- and with rising analyst sentiment in shares, we're betting on this name this week.
To see all of this week's Rocket Stocks in action, check out the Rocket Stocks portfolio at Stockpickr.
-- Written by Jonas Elmerraji in Baltimore.
>>5 REITs That Call Bernanke's Bluff
>>5 Stocsk Under $10 Set to Soar
>>Why Wall Street Got Apple Wrong
Follow Stockpickr on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.
At the time of publication, author had no positions in stocks mentioned.
Jonas Elmerraji, CMT, is a senior market analyst at Agora Financial in Baltimore and a contributor to TheStreet. Before that, he managed a portfolio of stocks for an investment advisory returned 15% in 2008. He has been featured in Forbes , Investor's Business Daily, and on CNBC.com. Jonas holds a degree in financial economics from UMBC and the Chartered Market Technician designation.
Follow Jonas on Twitter @JonasElmerraji
Follow Jonas on Twitter @JonasElmerraji


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Driveline, Engine & DME Tuning
Talk about driveline improvements, NA tuning and DME tuning your E46 BMW here. This includes diffs, intakes, exhausts, chips, software and OBD tuning.
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Bav Auto Power Programmer- Does It Work
Looking to possibly purchase this based on fanatics reviews, has anyone used this, what differences did you see/feel, would it work better in combination with exhaust work and a CAI???
Thanks Guys
I did do a search and didnt find conclusive evidence
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For sure, did you notice any increased off the line power??
Any difference in fuel mileage?
How is the ease of install on the sprint booster,and how do you change settings?
Do you have any other mods?
Thanks for the response man!!!
Registered User
Yes- its notable- but it makes a big difference- the pull is far better- ya I've done a bunch- throttle body spacer, CAI, Cat-less headers to highline exhaust, Bavauto power programmer, sprint booster, bilstein/H&R sport springs, m3 competition package seats and steering wheel, ZHP shift knob... Ac upper strut, all merle hd/ poly bushings ... Sitting on M6 rims 19x9 19x9.5 (265)- basically knowing its never going to be an M I went with as much power as I could but made it a handling machine- off/on ramps usually at 55-65 mph - if you need more advice hit me up!
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I heard doing headers will unleash alot of power in these cars, where did you get your headers from.....im very happy to see it will pull alot better with the power programmer.........Im looking at doing an AFE CAI, what kind do you have?? as well as the CAI i wanted to do a magnaflow custom catback setup.... i would hope to gain around 10-12 HP for my effort
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As far an on/off ramps............i have a 2003 330xi, the AWD makes them a huge blast, i hate when ppl are in front of me.........do you use premium fuel??
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Brea, CA
Posts: 4,181
My Ride: M3
Sounds like you have some great plans for the car! I would highly recommend the aFe Intake, we have sold many of them and our customers have been very happy with the sound and performance. Add that to an exhaust and programmer like the Conforti Shark Injector and you will have a nice little boost in power and a lot funner car to drive!
Blake email@example.com|(714) 582-3330 ext. 8011
We Specialize In:BMW Brakes | BMW Suspension | BMW Parts | BMW Exhaust Experts | BMW Tail Lights |
BMW Wheels | BMW Intake
Hours: Mon - Fri 8:00am - 6:00pm / Saturday 8:00am - 5:00pm (PST)
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: San Diego, SF Bay Area
Posts: 107
My Ride: 330i SuperVeloce
yes AFE, gold foil too! yes to ebay header, but they can be improved upon with a little finishing, no to AWD. personal preference. yes too shark or Bavauto, yes to sprint boost.
I'm putting 200cell cats after my headers, helps keep things semi-legal, clear up O2 sensor issues, and saves the planet, in my mind.
for the modder who is starting off, these reflashes are fine, you can always go bigger/more expensive, too. but that'll do fine.
lightweight flywheel is good to. NEXT!
Custom carbon roof. 1st ever on an E46 sedan with a sunroof! ...probably.
not recomended. unless you know what you are doing. and if you think you know what you are doing, you already messed something up.
drive safely! (sprint booster makes this a little tough.)
Some say, that inside his helmet, there is another helmet. All we know is...
Check out my interior: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=1055263
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: St Louis, MO
Posts: 3,008
My Ride: 01 330x-xi
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: N/A
Posts: 624
My Ride: N/A
WTF happened in this thread....
BTW, there are dyno charts on BavAuto's site for this product. For a 3.0L on 91 octane (no mention of other mods) they got 1.9 ft/lbs of torque and 3.4 hp.
I must be the only one not wanting to spend that much time above 6K RPMs with the stock oil pump nut.
Last edited by Drewfus2101; 09-24-2012 at 07:53 AM.
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: San Diego, SF Bay Area
Posts: 107
My Ride: 330i SuperVeloce
Some say, that inside his helmet, there is another helmet. All we know is...
Check out my interior: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=1055263
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 815
My Ride: 328Ci, 325i, M3 ZCP
While I can certainly recommend the Shark Injector, a custom tune is always the best option.
Personally, I would recommend waiting to do any kind of software flashes until you have "the basics" down, as all the N/A mods kinda "stack" on top of another.
1) true CAI (Dinan CF), or if you can't find one or make one, the AFE Stage 1 is probably the best of the "RAM Air intakes"
2) Headers (Supersprint is the best but most expensive IME), you want ideally equal length mandrel-bent tubular stepped headers; having them coated by SwainTech is worth the money (huge decrease in underhood temps, and containing the heat improves the scavenging effects of proper equal length headers)
3) Header-back Exhaust (with headers, I have found that the RE DMS is the best choice, at least of those I've tried)
4) Underdrive Pulleys (TMS/RE/etc, frees up some rwhp/rwtq by reducing parasitic losses, makes power throughout the Rev Range but peak power will likely only just break into double digits; does seem to scale somewhat as overall power increases)
5) Lightweight Flywheel + Clutch (works in essentially the same way as the pulleys, giving you more of tthe power you are already making;makes eengine speed much more responsive during shifts, whether dropping or while blipping throttle)
6) More Aggressive Differential (could be a 3.15, 3.23, 3.38, 3.46, or even 3.64; essentially a torque Multiplier, each gear willbe shorter and you sacrifice top speed for acceleration, so finding a balance is key which for me (non-M) is the 3.23ish; HIGHLY recommended is to go for an LSD, and while the more "basic" 3-clutch types work fine, I have tried all different kinds and havingdone so, I run OS Giken LSD's on every car tthat has an LSD, with a few clutch plates WPC treated for smoother lock-up)
7) UUC EVO3 SSK + DSSR + Transmission Bushings + Diff/Motor Mounts (the SSK/DSSR, and I recommend the ZHP knob as well, don't make power but they do greatly improve the "fun factor"; UUC "Race" trans mounts w enforcement cups pretty much eliminate the transmission movement and are very beneficial when shifting under heavy load or under high lateral acceleration; the motor and diff mounts/bushings (AKG/UUC/BW/TMS/PF) keep the rest of the drivetrain taut, for example the engine is not able to flex anywhere close to as much as it does w stock bushings, and while it MAY result in +1-2rwtq (no clue, never dyno'd them to see) the primary benefit is having all the drivetrain components much more "locked together", working much more in sync; NVH increase isn't that bad for me, with AKG 75D/UUC Race + Enforcers, and even with TMS/BW Solid Bushings/Mounts (Diff/Subframe/Transmission/etc; engine w semi-solid) it's still streetable though the increase in NVH may be excessive to most)
8) Heat Reduction via Coatings/Wraps/Blankets/Shields which when used strategically will decrease IAT (for example, I ran a Dinan CF long tube CAI w AFE ProDryS cone filter, modified AFE Stg1 Heatshield w "traditional" insulation on the inside and outside as well as Gold Foil applied as best as possible to the outside which acts as a thermal barrier by reflecting heat; the MAF housing was wrapped w the Gold Foil, the intake "boot" ie the intake tubing between the TB and MAF was replaced w Samco Sport multi-layer insulated silicone tubing, and the Hamann CF Foglight/Brake Duct Surround + TMS CF Brake Cooling Kit were slightly modified to direct a good portion of air right into the AFE filter; lastly, I used some 14GA high quality aluminum and essentially extended the AFE Heatshield downward by mocking up the shape w cardboard and then having a machinist friend cut it perfectly and even score the "fold lines" after which I painted it with black "high heat rresistant" paint, put rubber U channel moulding around the entire thing to eliminate the sharp edges, and did the same insulation + gold foil as on the AFE Heatshield... The results were much better than anticipated, but I had also replaced all coolant lines w Samco Sport insulated silicone, the radiator was upgraded to the Zionsville aluminum w integrated expansion tank, the front end was "sealed up" to prevent air from going anywhere but through the radiator, and the PWM-controlled fan mounted as "pull" usinga CF shroud aallowing me to somewhat insulate the exposed sides of the rad/expansion tank)
9) "Air Scoops" like AFE can be effective but the gains aren't substantial (I had the same friend who Machinedtthe Heatshield extension look at the "scoops" and he had a set made by the next day after taking measurements, which have nearly 3x thearea of the commercialones, are made of fairly tthick aluminum (which have since been treated by SwainTech), and are much better shaped to the kidney grills; another friend and fellow BMW enthusiast had been learning how to properly make things from carbon fiber (very experienced w fiberglass already) and has the equipment needed to produce hand-laid dry CF items, which he did for himself and I many times (very high quality CF, I guess I should say was as it's been a year, for $75/m*2 bought in bulk of 75m*2 or more ffrom his supplier), including the aforementioned rad/fan shroud, but also a pair of "improved" intake snorkel things (ICR thename, but tthe piece above the radiator, very front top of engine bay, that moves air from the "scoops" to the factory airbox); trial-and-error resulted in a piece that has far more internal space due to a more gentle curve radius, and the "neck" is huge compared to stock while also "dipping" lower, enough that the airflow is routed to the cone of the true CAI; he Machined a hole in the Heatshield, I put the U/C channel moulding around said hole, and the "neck" of the piece extended thru, curving slightly and therefore keeping it as well aimed as possible at the filter; the "arm" was a separate piece from the main section, like the OEM, so that if either of us changed to a different intake from the Dinan, it could be swappedffor one that much more closely follows the OEM piece; we designed, but (at least so far) have not actually made, a version VERY similar to the GruppeM E46M piece in appearance, where it's a single huge piece and the "neck" actually functions as most of the Heatshield and the entire top cover... His '05 330Ci ZHP still has the Dinan carbon fiber intake, tho, so no changes have been nnecessary beyond what he's done thus far)
10) Camshafts are the best of the NA mods that don't involve digging into the bottom end, and I have found that despite the common belief otherwise, the gains are present across the powerband, increasing significantly at around 4k+, but NO loss in torque in fact the torque delivery is MUCH smoother and notably flatter on my M3 (328Ci is now TS SC'ed, has been for long enough that I ddon't feel confident in my memory regarding the differences aside from the broader observations already stated; since this isn't about the S54, though, I will use my friend's 330Ci ZHP as the basis for my comparisons (one of my best friends since childhood, he has beenbig into BBMW since not long after myself, and we basically modified our cars "together", consequently the extent to which his is mmodified is at least equivalent to mine in most areas, although his ZHP is naturally aspirated vs my 328Ci FI, and while both cars retain nothing of their original suspension, my stronger focus on track use vs his focus on having an extremely high performance Street car that is fully ready for the 2-4 yearly track days (he does more autocross, as he recently said that he is trying to catch up to me in terms of driving, and feels that autocross will help form a solid foundation with regard to control and "technical" driving) so where I run JRZ RS Pro's/Pillow-ball Mount Camber Plates/Bearing mount TMS Adj RCA's/a mix of solid+semi solid+Delrin (AKG's highest durometer "levels") bushings and mounts/ME "Race" 1pc Front Tower Brace + Rear Tower Brace w Full "X" bracing for both the subframe and the differential/a 28-clutch OS Giken 3.23:1 LSD/CF CSL roof w less than 2lb of insulation+the Alcantara Headliner/etc, his setup consists of KW Clubsports (actually my "old" ones, sold to him very cheap w just a few K miles)/Vorschlag Stg2 camber plates/standard mount TMS Adj RCA's/AKG+RE+TMS poly or Delrin bushings and mounts/ME 1pc "Race" F+R solid tower braces without the X braces/custom 3-clutch 3.46:1 LSD/CF sunroof delete panel/etc)... Regarding the cams, he's had a few sets: originally, he kept the ZHP cams but did a full "head job" (porting/"polishing", intake+exhaust port and manifold matching, +1mm intake and exhaust valve sizing, hand fitted valve seat polishing, entire interior surface lightly smoothed to eliminate hot spots and I suppose improve flow, etc) while upgrading the entire rest of the valvetrain w 1pc Inconel oversized valves (1/3rd lighter than stock, approx), stiffer springs, titanium retainers, etc. This was when he and I both repaired/upgraded our VANOS systems w Beisan parts, him for his ZHP and me for my M3, and also upgraded the oil pumps w VAC parts and replaced the CCV w the cold climate versions/new SAP's w Samco Sport silicone hoses as well/removed and cleaned ICV's (neither needed replaced at all)/he removed his TB and replaced w a Dinan BBTB (after further machining to smoothen airflow, match the IM to the BBTB, and "razor edge" the butterfly plate) and we replaced the OEM ITB's on mine w the VAC BBITB's (I would not recommend unless you are or know a highly talented machinist as OOTB the fitment was bad and there were multiple other issues; however, he was able to fix the assembly to even better than "how it should have been", making fitment perfect, perfectly sized runners/throats, no "sticky plates", etc; he's been on thellookout for an M3 and we're going to attempt to make CF ITB-IM spacer to mostly eliminate heat transfer into the TB's, likely won't make noticeable power but should improve consistency + greatly reduce the cooldown time), replaced a number of other hoses w Samco, this is when we tapped the fuel rails for -AN Fittings and swapped the stock lines for double walled SS braided lines all the way back and the same for brake lines (same exact size and length for the brake lines, but instead of SS only at the end, now they are entirely), and upgraded the fuel pumps on both to 270lph units. The gains weren't big, but the much lighter valvetrain + flowbenched head (much improved breathing) + BBTB + further reduced IAT + perfect VANOS had a profound impact on the attitude of the car, and power below the curve was greatly improved while top end showed a lot of potential but limited by the ZHP cams/6500rpm Redline. Next the ZHP cams were swapped for Schrick 272's, both cars had the injectors upgraded to higher flow rate Bosch Gen 3, and a second custom Dyno Tune for him (my car was awaiting some parts) made a HUGE difference! The torque curve was flatter, idle quality wasn't adversely affected, but from about 3300-3500rpm to the new Redline of 7100rpm, it pulled ferociously. GB got us the ATI dampeners, so I could run my M above 8500/significantly increase Redline for 328Ci, and it allowed him to finally take advantage of using Underdrive Pulleys and a lightweight flywheel/clutch assembly which he'd held off on due to the few horror stories about running both without the damper. THUS, custom pprofile CatCams (I believe they're around 282 intake), a stage 2 semi-organic clutch and 8.5lb flywheel (total weight of around 21lbs) w new TOB and Delrin clutch pedal bushing, UUC Race transmission bushings w enforcement cups, EVO3 SSK+DSSR and new Delrin bushings AKG 75D diff/AKG engine mounts, Zionsville oil cooler (both of us; upgraded lines), VAC Ultralight Underdrive Pulleys (and the rest of the pulleys not ubderdriven he Machined custom lightweight ones out of billet for both of us), and after discussing how often he drove the car vs worked on it decided to follow my lead and switch to Titanium valves (extremely light, but Ferrea aren't cheap). This is the heart of his current setup, and while he's waiting for his OS Giken 3.35:1 diff, he's putting down some impressive numbers. He's strongly considering even more aggressive cams, around the 288-292 range, and with yet another Dyno tune, along with a carbon driveshaft and lighter brakes (currently ST60 355 and ST40 348) and wheels (currently HRE 3pc forged 19x8.5 and 19x10) he should be able to pull on E46M's...
11) UNSPRUNG WEIGHT! The more you lose, the more you benefit, in every aspect of the car's performance from acceleration to braking to handling to comfort.
11.1) Lighter Wheels, square setup for more neutral handling unless you have extensive enough suspension mods and enough power to benefit from staggered (18's are the sweet spot for comfort/handling and weight/cost; APEX ARC-8 are a grea, iinexpensive, lightweight but strong wheel. 18x8.5f and 18x9r shaves weight, and with 245's front and 255's rear, gives you a wider contactpatch; if youhhave the money, Volk/BBS/J-Line and others make quality forged lightweight 19s)
11.2) Lighter and More Powerful Brakes, starting with Wilwood on the lower end of the price scale and going to AP Racing and PFC at the higher end (I have AP Monobloc 6P/355mm J-hook and 4P/348mm J-hook 2pc Floating Rotors and it dropped over 10lbs a corner despite the increase in size and IMMENSE increase in capacity; Brembo aside from the GTR's and StopTech aside from the Trophy aren't worthwhile IMO/IME; Wilwood Dyna-Lite, AP Racing Radi-CAL, and PFC are what to get; stainless steel brake lines and a quality fluid, I prefer Motul RBF600, are beneficial regardless of the brakes themselves; slotted rotors are the best type, avoid drilled)
12) VANOS repair/upgrade via Beisan
13) SS Clutch Line + CDV Delete
(Temporary Sig)
- DPE - Volk - BBS - OE CSL - JRZ Race 4Way -
- M-Tech II - RE - AP Radi-CAL -
- Hotchkis - AFE - AKG - KW CS 4way -
- TMS - OS Giken - SS V1 - Vorsteiner - Recaro - Focal - JL - MORE! -
-00 328Ci Topaz 6MT ZSP/ZPP/HID (Street) ESS TSE2+ 2980lb
-01 325i TiAg 5MT/ZSP/ZCW (Street) Track Susp/Brk/Whl 3102lb
-06 M3 AW/IR 6MT/ZCP/HID (Dual-purpose) NA Fully-Built 2810lb
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