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- Research
- Open Access
- Open Peer Review
A new manual method for assessing elbow valgus laxity
© Yasui et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2012
- Received: 13 January 2011
- Accepted: 19 March 2012
- Published: 19 March 2012
A screening of ulnar collateral ligament insufficiency is required for overhead throwers, since secondary pathologic changes result from an increased elbow valgus laxity. We developed a new manual method for assessing elbow valgus laxity and investigated the reliability of this method and its correlation with ultrasonographic assessment.
We defined elbow valgus laxity as the difference between the shoulder external rotation angle (ER angle) measured with the elbow in 90 degrees flexion and that measured with the elbow in extension because ER angle measured with the elbow in 90 degrees flexion includes elbow valgus laxity and ER angle with the elbow in extension does not include it. ER angle measurement with the elbow in extension involved the use of a custom arm holder. Three examiners each measured elbow valgus laxity by the new method in 5 healthy volunteers. Intraobserver and interobserver reliability was evaluated by calculating the intraclass correlation coefficient. We then assessed 19 high-school baseball players with no complaints of shoulder or elbow pain. Elbow ultrasonography was performed with a 10-MHz linear transducer with the elbow in 90 degrees flexion, and the forearm in the neutral position, and the width of the medial joint space at the level of the anterior bundle was measured. Elbow valgus laxity assessed by ultrasonography was defined as the difference between the medial joint space width with gravity stress and that without gravity stress. Increased elbow valgus laxity assessed by both our method and ultrasonography was defined as the difference between the laxity of the elbow on the throwing side and that on the contralateral side. Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) was calculated to evaluate the relationship between increased elbow valgus laxity obtained by our manual method and that by ultrasonography.
Intraobserver reliability ranged from 0.92 to 0.98, and interobserver reliability was 0.70. The increased elbow valgus laxity assessed by our method was significantly correlated with that assessed by ultrasonographic assessment (P = 0.019, r = 0.53).
Elbow valgus laxity can be assessed by our method. This method may be useful for screening for insufficiency of the ulnar collateral ligament.
- Interobserver Reliability
- Ulnar Collateral Ligament
- Baseball Player
- Valgus Stress
- Elbow Pain
Overhead-throwing athletes risk ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury due to tremendous elbow valgus stresses during the late cocking and acceleration phases of the throwing motion. These valgus forces at the elbow have been estimated to be as high as 64 to 120 N m [1–3]. Repetitive stresses can cause attenuation or tearing of the UCL, resulting in UCL insufficiency [4–6]. This condition causes elbow pain during throwing, as well as other secondary changes, including ulnar nerve symptoms, medial epicondylitis, olecranon osteophytes, osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum, and loose bodies [7–10]. Therefore, accurate evaluation of elbow valgus laxity is important for diagnosing UCL insufficiency. Imaging studies, such as stress radiographs and ultrasonograms, have been used to evaluate elbow valgus laxity [11–16], and diagnostic methods such as arthrography, MRI, and CT arthrography are used to diagnose UCL injury [17–19]. However, evaluating elbow valgus laxity solely by using existing physical methods, such as the elbow valgus stress test, is challenging, because adequately stabilizing the humeral rotation at the required elbow flexion angles is difficult [1, 20].
When the shoulder is external rotated with the elbow in 90 degrees flexion, valgus stress is imparted to the medial elbow. The UCL restrains valgus stress from 30 to 120 degrees flexion, and valgus instability is most apparent from 70 to 90 degrees flexion [1, 2], therefore, increased elbow valgus laxity from UCL insufficiency affects the shoulder external rotation angle (ER angle) with the elbow in 90 degrees flexion. In our previous cadaveric study, transection of the UCL increased the measured ER angle with the elbow in 90 degrees flexion, although the glenohumeral joint condition was not changed [21]. In contrast, measurement of the ER angle with the elbow in extension includes less elbow valgus laxity, because bony articulation provides stability, particularly during extension [22, 23]. For the reasons stated above, we surmised that elbow valgus laxity can be assessed by comparing the shoulder ER angle when the elbow is at 90 degrees flexion with that when the elbow is in extension. To confirm whether our method is reliable, we aimed to (1) investigate the intra- and interobserver reliability of the assessment of elbow valgus laxity by our method and (2) evaluate the correlation between the elbow valgus laxity determined by our method and that by ultrasonography which can accurately assess elbow valgus laxity by measuring the medial joint space of the elbow during gravity [14] or valgus stress [12, 24].
New method for assessing elbow valgus laxity
ER angle was measured with a posteriorly directed force on the anterior aspect of the shoulder to stabilize the scapula consistently by one examiner and another examiner placed the digital inclinometer. The end range of the ER angle was defined as the point of cessation of rotation or when scapular movement could be appreciated. We defined elbow valgus laxity as the difference between the ER angle during flexion and that during extension, because the ER angle measured under flexion includes any elbow valgus laxity [21].
Intra- and interobserver reliability of our new method for assessing elbow valgus laxity
To determine the reliability of our method, 3 physical therapists well trained in measuring the ER angle with the elbow in extension assessed the elbow valgus laxity in 5 volunteers (2 men and 3 women) using our method. Informed consent was obtained from all subjects. The mean age of the subjects was 33.6 years (range, 26 to 46 years), and they had no history of shoulder or elbow pain or trauma. Four subjects were right-handed, and 1 was left-handed. The 3 examiners each measured the ER angles with the elbow at 90 degrees flexion and in extension bilaterally and calculated the accompanying elbow valgus laxity 3 times at 1-week intervals. The intra- and interobserver reliabilities of our assessment method were evaluated by using the intraclass correlation coefficient (SPSS version 13.0, SPSS, Chicago, IL).
Correlation with ultrasonographic assessment
To confirm that the difference between the ER angles during flexion and extension does in fact represent elbow valgus laxity, the correlation between elbow valgus laxity as assessed by our manual method and that by ultrasonography was evaluated. Institutional Review Board approval was obtained before we began the investigation, and written informed consent was obtained from subjects and their parents.
Nineteen male high-school baseball players with no complaints of shoulder or elbow pain and no history of injury volunteered for the study. The average age at the time of study was 16.4 years (range, 15 to 17 years). The average duration of their active participation in baseball was 8.2 years (range, 6 to 10 years). Sixteen subjects were right-handed; the remaining 3 were left-handed. Four subjects were pitchers, and the remaining 15 were fielders; none of the subjects had general joint laxity, according to the system of Carter and Wilkinson [25].
To accurately determine elbow valgus laxity, the subjects were relaxed and measurements were performed both with and without gravity stress. Without gravity stress, the examiner passively held the subject's arm at 60 degrees of shoulder external rotation. None of the subjects experienced elbow pain during the examination. Ultrasonographic measurements were made with electronic calipers. Elbow valgus laxity assessed by ultrasonography was defined as the difference between the medial joint space distance with gravity stress and that without gravity stress.
A single well-trained physical therapist (A.T) who was blinded to the subject's throwing side then used our new assessment method to measure the ER angles during flexion and extension in all subjects. Measurements were obtained 3 times, and the mean value was used in calculations of elbow valgus laxity. Both ultrasonographic assessment and manual assessment were blinded assessment regarding the throwing side.
Increased valgus laxity was calculated by comparing between dominant side and non-dominant side. Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) was calculated to evaluate the relationship between increased elbow valgus laxity obtained by our manual method and that by ultrasonography (STATISTICA version 6.0; StatSoft Inc., Tulsa, OK). A P value of less than 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.
Intra- and interobserver reliability of new manual method for assessing elbow valgus laxity
The intraobserver reliabilities (based on the interclass correlation coefficient) for each of the 3 examiners that used our manual method for assessment of elbow valgus laxity were 0.92, 0.95, and 0.98. The interobserver reliability was 0.70.
Correlation with ultrasonographic assessment
Most elbow injuries in throwing athletes are overuse injuries [15, 26, 27]. Repetitive valgus stress can cause attenuation, tearing, or insufficiency of the UCL, as seen in throwing athletes. Therefore, evaluation of elbow valgus laxity is important during medical examinations of both symptomatic and asymptomatic throwing athletes to prevent overuse injuries in the elbow joint. However, current physical examination methods, such as the elbow valgus stress test, are poor tools for diagnosing increased elbow valgus laxity [1, 20], especially asymptomatic elbows; stress radiography or ultrasonography have therefore been used for this purpose [11–16].
Stress radiography of 40 uninjured professional baseball pitchers revealed that the difference in the medial joint space opening between stressed and unstressed elbows on the throwing side was significantly greater than that on the contralateral side (0.32 ± 0.42 mm) [11]. However, the authors reported that this small difference likely would be almost unidentifiable if manual orthopedic laxity tests alone had been used.
Ultrasonographic assessment of the UCL in college baseball players showed that the medial joint space was significantly wider on the throwing side (2.7 mm) than on the contralateral side (1.6 mm; P < 0.01) [14]. Similarly, ultrasonographic assessment of the elbow under valgus stress revealed widening of the medial joint space on the throwing side (4.2 mm) compared with the contralateral side (3.0 mm; P < 0.01) in asymptomatic major-league baseball pitchers [12]. As these previous studies show, ultrasonography can be used to quantitatively assess elbow valgus laxity by measuring the width of the medial joint space, and even asymptomatic baseball players have some acquired laxity.
Our present study showed the high level of intra- and interobserver reliability of our new manual assessment method. In addition, in the high-school baseball players that we evaluated, the difference between ER angle with the elbow in 90 degrees of flexion and that with the elbow in extension was correlated with the widening of the medial joint space measured by ultrasonography. These results suggested that elbow valgus laxity can be assessed manually and reliably by our new method.
Various physical examination methods are used to diagnose UCL insufficiency, including the recently developed "milking maneuver" [2, 28] and "moving valgus stress test" methods [6]. Although perhaps useful for diagnosing symptomatic UCL insufficiency, these physical assessment methods are pain reproducing tests and cannot be used to diagnose asymptomatic UCL or measure the degree of laxity. Even asymptomatic UCL insufficiency may cause secondary pathologic change. In contrast, our manual assessment method may be useful for detecting increased elbow valgus laxity during medical examinations of asymptomatic throwers because our method is not a pain reproducing test and can measure the degree of laxity quantitatively.
A limitation of our method is that it requires a custom arm holder and digital inclinometer for measuring the ER angle with the elbow in extension. We currently are evaluating modifications to this method in order to accomplish manual assessment of elbow valgus laxity without the need for a customized arm holder. Another limitation is the subjects of this study were asymptomatic high school baseball players, therefore, with the validity of the results in symptomatic sportsmen needs to be determined. However, as reported by Sasaki et al. [14], the width of the medial joint space is generally increased to a certain degree in symptomatic baseball players, as compared to asymptomatic baseball players; we believe that assessment of elbow valgus laxity in symptomatic baseball players by our method will be higher, as compared to asymptomatic baseball players. Another limitation of our study is that the subjects in the reliability assessment study were considerably older than those in the ultrasonographic assessment study (mean ages, 33.6 and 16.4 years, respectively). Because shoulder range of motion decreases with age [29], the reliability of our method in younger subjects may differ from that presented here.
The results of assessment of elbow valgus laxity in baseball players by our new manual method were correlated with ultrasonographic data. Our new method likely will be useful for screening of asymptomatic UCL insufficiency, especially in throwing athletes.
The authors thank all the subjects who volunteered for this study. We also thank the orthopaedic surgery staff and rehabilitation staff of the Doi Orthopaedic Clinic, Takatsuki Red Cross Hospital, Veritus Hospital, and Daiichi Towakai Hospital for their efforts in data collection for this study.
Authors' Affiliations
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This article is published under license to BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.


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oh well
So today I decide to try to do something about the fact that I'm not good at being around people I don't know. My sister is hanging out with these same guys again, so I go over and sit with them for a while. It was nothing important, it was just a small personal victory of not being too shy or antisocial to do it. Turns out they're all total fucking idiots, but that really isn't the point. At least I can now make the decision to not hang out with them anymore because they're complete morons, instead of allowing the decision to be made by fear. It's something, at least.

subset: commoncrawl


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Content Writer
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Overall Responsibilities:
Content Writers take complex information and communicate it clearly, concisely, and accurately without relying on technical or corporate jargon. With a unique cross-functional perspective, content writers juggle a variety of writing projects, such as Help Center content, Product Requirements Docs, how-to guides, training docs, troubleshooting content, FAQs, and product announcements. You'll work with Program Managers, UX researchers and designers, Engineers, and Product Managers to determine which new product features need documentation, then create document plans, draft content, and resolve issues with existing documentation to keep it up to date.
Top 3 daily Responsibilities:
1. Understand complex technical documentation and translate into user-friendly language fitting for a Help Center
2. Write, publish, and maintain high-quality proactive education and help content, such as FAQs, articles, product and project-related communications.
3. Update internal and external Help Centers to reflect product updates and new feature integration in a timely manner
Additional Responsibilities:
- Organize existing documents, identify documentation holes, and spearhead efforts to fill them in
- Collaborate with product and content experts, and build strong relationships with stakeholders
- Work with learning strategist to design and develop product knowledge training documentation modules to be published both on and offline.
- File localization requests for Help Center content
- Work with internal knowledge management team to confirm agent workflow and updates
- Work cross functionally with training team to ensure new content is reflected in agent training deck
- Identify user needs, use cases, metrics, and feedback mechanisms to focus priorities
Required Skills:
- BA degree in English, Journalism, Writing, a related field
- 2-4 years of experience in a Hardware Technical Writer role
- 2-4 years of experience researching and writing effective documentation in a web production environment. Must provide writing samples
- Experience working closely with engineering and product management teams as part of the software development process
- Content management systems and support tools experience
- Intermediate to advanced html and CSS skills
- Passion for learning and documenting new technologies
- Track record of problem solving and innovation
- Experience designing material for a contact center audience. Translating technical or troubleshooting concepts into content that can be used in training.


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Allsorts Youth Project relies on the support & commitment of our community volunteers in order to offer our services.
Our volunteers all self-identify as LGBTU and come from a wide range of backgrounds, giving the young people who use our services a huge, diverse group of LGBTU role models.
"I enjoy helping out knowing that the young people have diverse role models and people they can trust and will understand what they going through."
Our volunteers help the staff to run the supportive space for young people. At our groups young people can access information and support, meet other LGBTU people and take part in a range of activities designed to promote their well-being.
The Allsorts volunteers are a friendly & helpful bunch who try and meet up outside of drop in a couple of times a year. We also have our own (closed) Facebook group where we post information about our groups, what you might be expected to cook that evening & any other information that might be interesting to you as volunteers.
"I can honestly say that being a community volunteer is one of the best things I've done, in terms of both being involved in the LGBTU community and also on a more personal level."
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"On a personal level, there's no better reward than seeing the young people get involved in activities, build new friendships and feel free to explore their sexuality and/or gender identity, within a supportive, non-judgmental and safe environment."


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AKAI MPC STUDIO INSTRUCTIONAL DVDs (3)
The Akai MPC STUDIO is a fully integrated hardware/software system that allows you to construct and create songs using the classic hardware controls and pop-up LCD display that has made the MPC a known name in the world of music production, while incorporating an intuitive software program for sequencing on your computer. Along with legendary controls, the MPC MPC STUDIO features Akai's exclusive MPC software with 128-track sequencing, instant mapping and real-time adjustment of VST plug-ins, and a 3GB+ sound library that will vastly expand your production capabilities to your Mac or PC In this instructional series we covered every feature from how to set it up with your Mac Or PC to loading all the samples, creating a beat and sequencing the pattern, to using it as a plugin and much more. Just follow along with this step by step lesson pla, on 3 DVDs and you can't go wrong. We cover it all to make it easy for you to learn the best way to use the AKAI MPC STUDIO for your musical production.


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Actress Ashley Judd announced on Twitter Wednesday that she has decided not to run in Kentucky's 2014 Senate race, ending speculation that the film star would make a Democratic bid to replace Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
Here are her tweets:
Democrats are likely breathing a sigh of relief at the news. Although Judd's potential switch to politics has gotten considerable buzz in recent weeks, national and state Democratic leaders have privately suggested that she would have sunk the party's already-slim chances of winning in deep-red Kentucky.


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Tracking Impacts and Outcomes For a Better Future
We have worked together with public/private schools, afterschool programs, colleges and other programs that measure educational achievement outcomes.
Selected Projects
The Atlantic Philanthropies evaluation is a large-scale advocacy evaluation of the School Discipline Reform Initiative, composed of 51 grantees across the United States. The grant-making portfolio includes grassroots organizations, state-based legal advocacy groups, national social justice and education reform campaigns, and federal initiatives that span both the education and juvenile justice sectors. Tasks include policy and media scans, literature reviews, extensive grantee interviews, secondary data analysis, case studies, and synthesis of a diverse array of grantee documents. Goals of the project are to help the Foundation understand and articulate their impact, lessons learned, and ongoing needs in the field.Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City annually serves more than 3,000 young people across the five boroughs matching youth between the ages of seven and seventeen with adult mentors. Expected outcomes include academic achievement, a positive mindset, and avoidance of risky behaviors. Philliber Research and Evaluation is tracking these outcomes in a sample of 500 program participants and a comparison group of 150 similar youth. In addition to working directly with youth, Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City helps youth agencies strengthen their mentoring programs through technical assistance and professional development workshops. Philliber is documenting the impact of this assistance as well as outcomes for youth.Children's Aid Society/Carrera Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programs offer sex education, job club, academic assistance and other youth development interventions. Philliber conducted a random assignment evaluation in six New York City sites and six sites in other cities across the United States. Philliber continues to evaluate Carrera Model Programs supported through CAS's Adolescent Sexuality Training Center.Children's Home + Aid in Chicago has been awarded a five year grant from the Office for Adolescent Health to replicate the Carrera Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program in Chicago schools. The project is based on the Carrera model with a goal to help young girls and boys not only develop their sexual literacy but also to help them develop personal goals and a desire for a productive future. Philliber is evaluating the implementation and impacts of the program using a random assignment design.The Harlem Children's Zone works to create significant, positive opportunities and outcomes for children living in a 24-block area of Central Harlem by helping parents, residents, teachers, and other key stakeholders create a safe learning environment for youth. The initiative, which began in 1997, supports children's intellectual, emotional, and physical growth from the time their parents are pregnant until the children enter college or the labor force. Philliber Research and Evaluation has evaluated some of the programs of the Harlem Children's Zone since its inception.Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America (LEDA) identifies promising low-income public high school students and works to develop their leadership and academic skills to enable them to obtain entrance into the nation's top colleges. Philliber Research and Evaluation is documenting the success of their efforts. Philliber created two databases to keep track of the Scholars and to help with Scholar recruitment. Philliber also produces reports on the outcomes of each Scholar cohort.Parent Services Project trains ECE professionals to ensure that family support and family-centered care are guiding principles in programs that serve children and families. Philliber conducted formative evaluation of two early childhood education (ECE) courses. One course focused on training ECE professionals in issues surrounding providing optimum services to Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/ Transgender (LGBT) parents and their children. The other course, Stronger Together, prepares ECE professionals to fully incorporate family support principles in their work. The objective of these evaluations was to measure effectiveness and to provide feedback for curriculum improvement leading to national replication.StriveTogether, a national organization promoting academic achievement through community partnerships in more than 90 communities has contracted with Philliber to:
-Prepare a document summarizing the available data on the relationships of noncognitive competencies to academic outcomes;
-Show the results of this research and the measures it uses across the Strive cradle to career continuum of academic progress benchmarks;
-Identify competencies that are the most malleable at each life stage of the Strive continuum, including interventions that have been shown to enhance those competencies; and
The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving After-School Initiative supported academic enrichment programs in five middle schools. Philliber surveyed students and tracked test scores on an annual basis.-Identify practical measures with good psychometric properties that might be used by the Strive communities.The Kansas City Freedom School Initiative worked with Philliber to evaluate the impact of Freedom Schools on educational enrichment and cultural awareness, parental involvement, intergenerational leadership, community involvement, and social action. This evaluation included various program sites.The New York City Student Success Collaborative is a new organization comprised of educational and nonprofit leaders across New York City. The goals of the organization are to, first, use research methods to gain insights into the types of programs that are producing student gains in social emotional competencies, and secondly, to examine which social emotional competencies are associated with students' academic success and, thirdly, make recommendations for "best practices" in the area of social emotional education. Philliber is helping execute these goals over a five-year period by assisting agencies in collecting longitudinal data from the young people they serve on these competencies and their relationships to academic achievement.The State University of New York (SUNY) Ulster also known as Ulster County Community College (UCCC), serves over 11,000 credit and non-credit students each year with over 45 different courses/programs in a two-year institution. Philliber contacted over 3,500 former, current, and prospective students to assess the interest in potential new services: 1) accelerated on-campus and accelerated on-line courses (approximately five to eight weeks rather than the standard 15 weeks); 2) classes during "off-peak" times, specifically before 10:00 a.m. and after 2:00 p.m.; and 3) student housing on campus.The W.K. Kellogg Foundation/Brighter Futures Initiative Partnership Project is designed to demonstrate the value of simultaneously aligning state, municipal, and local service systems and enhancing the capacities of state government and a major urban center to strategically improve the quality of early childhood services for disadvantaged children and their families. The two year project began in July, 2010. Philliber Research and Evaluation tracked how the Partnership is enabled the participants to achieve successes they could not attain alone.
Other Past and Current Projets


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Thanks to Mark Coppin for sharing today's free apps and the exciting news about iOS 7!! Check out the information below:
Info from Mark:
I am so excited about the latest release of iOS7 that came out Friday. It now has Switch Control built into the operating system! Now we have switch accessibility features built into the operating system and it is amazing! There are also other accessibility features that have been added or updated. Here are some of the accessibility features of iOS7 –
iOS 7 Accessibility Features
– Full Featured Switch Access for Switch Users – Amazing!!!! Can even use your head movement to control the switch scanning (the built-in camera detects your head movement). You can also use your screen as a switch.
– Accessibility have moved to the top part of the menu
– Enlarged Cursor for VoiceOver
– Handwriting recognition in VoiceOver
– Guided Access now support VoiceOver
– Disable the Volume Button in Guided Access
The amazing Luis Perez has several YouTube videos on the new accessibility features of iOS7. Check them out. – http://www.youtube.com/user/lfperez72/videos?sort=dd&shelf_index=0&view=0
There are also a lot of really cool free apps that are available today! Remember to download as soon as possible before they go back to paid.
Great app for creating animated activities – Toontastic Jr. Shrek – https://appsto.re/i6xW7vW
An evaluation app for SLP's – SLPMxS – https://appsto.re/i6xQ3jQ
A unique story writing app – InfiniScroll – https://appsto.re/i6xQ8FW
An app for struggling writers and spellers – Writable – https://appsto.re/i6xQ86w
A behavior app to teach people to control their behaviors – Post Incident Learning – https://appsto.re/i6xQ9V8
The Human Body by Tinybop – https://appsto.re/i6x42Zs
Slide – https://appsto.re/i6xW4f9
Abacus for Kids – https://appsto.re/i6xQ9dT
Numbers Memory Match! Numbers and Counting Game for Kids – https://appsto.re/i6xQ8xC


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Family Vacation Food
Dutch Oven Chicken Supreme
1/2 c. nonfat yogurt (or sour cream)
Cut chicken into large pieces and pre-cook. Measure flour and salt into a gallon-sized zip-top bag. Combine preserves, mustard, and yogurt in a zip-top bag.
Preheat DO for 10 minutes with 10 coals below and 14 coals above.
Shake chicken in plastic bag with flour and salt until coated. Melt butter and oil in DO. Place chicken in single layer in the DO. Spread preserve mixture on the chicken and bake.
Bake for 30-45 minutes, rotating DO 90° and lid another 90° every 15 minutes to prevent burning.
When warmed throughout, sprinkle the almonds on top.
4 tubes refrigerator biscuits (totaling 40 biscuits)
Preheat DO for 10 minutes with 9 coals below and 15 coals above.
Liberally spray inside of DO with cooking spray. Arrange biscuits on end in concentric circles. Jam them all in there. Dot with butter pats, but don't drench.
Bake for 30-45 minutes, rotating DO 90° and lid another 90° every 15 minutes to prevent burning.
(Edit: I neglected to mention that the following recipe is courtesy of Alton Brown, from the Good Eats show entitled "Going Dutch.")
17 1/2 ounces bread flour, plus extra for shaping
1/4 teaspoon active-dry yeast
2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
12 ounces filtered water
2 tablespoons cornmeal
At-home Prep
Measure dry ingredients into large ziplock bag. Measure cornmeal into small ziplock bag. Measure extra flour into small ziplock bag.
One day before:
Whisk together the flour, yeast and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add the water and stir until combined. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow to sit at room temperature for 19 hours.
Day of:
After 19 hours, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Punch down the dough and turn it over onto itself a couple of times. Cover with a tea towel and allow to rest 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, shape dough into a ball. Coat hands with flour if needed to prevent sticking. Sprinkle the tea towel with half of the cornmeal and lay the dough on top of it, with the seam side down. Sprinkle the top of the dough with the other half of the cornmeal and cover with the towel. Allow to rise for another 2 to 3 hours or until dough has doubled in size.
Oven baking:
While the dough is rising the second time, preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Place a 5-quart Dutch oven in the oven while it preheats. Once the dough is ready, carefully transfer it to the preheated Dutch oven. Cover and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and bake another 15 minutes or until the bread reaches an internal temperature of 210 to 212 degrees F. Transfer the bread to a cooling rack and allow to cool at least 15 minutes before serving.
Outdoor coals:
Heat charcoal in a chimney starter until ash covers all of the coals. Place 20 to 24 coals on a Dutch oven table. Set a 5-quart Dutch oven on top of this rack and allow to preheat during the last 30 minutes of the second rise. Carefully transfer the dough to the Dutch oven and cover with the lid. Place 20 coals on top. Bake for 45 minutes or until the bread reaches an internal temperature of 210 to 212 degrees F. Transfer the bread to a cooling rack and allow to cool at least 15 minutes before serving
1 10 oz. bag mini marshmallows
1 box chocolate cake mix; prepare as directed
6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
Mix cocoa powder and brown sugar in a baggie large enough to hold them in addition to the water. Mix the wet cake ingredients in a small ziptop bag and put into a cooler with the whipped cream.
Line the bottom and sides of a 12" DO with foil. Mix the water, cocoa powder, and brown sugar together and pour into the DO. Add marshmallows and spread them out evenly. Pour cake mix over marshmallows. Sprinkle chips over batter.
Bake with 8 coals on bottom, 14-16 on top for 60 minutes.


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Every actor or makeup artist needs certain tools to create the perfect face for a production. The first thing to consider is the makeup itself. There are two main categories of stage makeup: cream-based makeup and cake makeup.
Cream-based makeup contains oil and can come in cream or stick formats. It's also known as greasepaint. In general, it's easier to apply cream-based makeup evenly than cake makeup. It's a heavy makeup and can cause people with sensitive skin to develop acne after wearing it for a few hours. It's also harder to remove than cake makeup.
Cake makeup comes in powder form, which you must mix with a little water before applying to your skin. While cake makeup tends to be gentler on the skin, it's also challenging to apply without streaking. Cake makeup is easier to remove than cream-based makeup.
Either type of makeup should have a high-pigment content. The pigment is important in stage productions, because actors often perform under bright lights. These lights will reveal imperfections. Makeup with a high-pigment content can conceal blemishes or other skin conditions.
In addition to a foundation, actors will need rouge, shadow and highlight makeup, a pencil liner, mascara, eye shadow, lip color and powder. Most actors and makeup artists will use a translucent powder, though some will choose a powder that matches the color of their foundation. That covers the basics. For special effects, actors may need additional makeup including an adhesive called spirit gum, blood makeup, crepe hair (for false beards) or gelatin.
Other items that should be in every actor's makeup kit are various makeup removers. Many actors use cold cream to remove makeup. But a full makeup kit could also include spirit gum remover, an astringent, moisturizer and eye cream.


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Coppelia - by Southern Youth Ballet at the Congress Theatre on 29th November 2014
The following Review provided with kind permission by Georgina Daly
From a ship's cannon on stage (Pineapple Poll) to farmyard frolics (La Fille Mal Gardee), Southern Youth Ballet has continually raised the bar in its productions for local young dancers.
But rarely has the company presented such a well rounded and crisp production as it did with this year's Coppelia. Youthful enthusiasm was matched perfectly with the precision of the more mature dancers giving a blend of precise and exhilarating entertainment. And all this from a 40-strong company with dancers as young as eight years old.
Among the more mature dancers, it was refreshing to see again Dan Harrison and Eddie Davis who have danced with the company before. Both still in their teens, both of them are showing signs of becoming major dance talents.
Lorena Perez never ceases to amuse as the crotchety toymaker, Dr Coppelius. She is a stalwart of the Company having danced the lead role of Swanhilda herself for SYB some seven years ago.
The story is simplicity itself. Swanhilda is enjoying the harvest festival with her friends and hopes that Franz (Harrison) and Hans (Davies) will join them. But Franz has spotted a beautiful girl (Coppelia) sitting in the windows of the toymaker's house and longs to meet her. There are a lot of misunderstandings and adventures in the toyshop before Coppelia is revealed to be a doll. The 'doll' was danced by nine year old Abbie Beresford-Wong from Brighton.
SYB broke with tradition in casting a professional dancer – guest dancer Yuriko Evans – in the role of Swanhilda and we were rewarded with a display of charm, technique, mime and ballet dancing that was delightful to watch.
Once again Liz Buckland and her team triumphed on stage as did the musicians in the pit with the orchestra conducted by Kenneth Roberts, leader Lisa Wigmore. And once again Southern Youth Ballet proved it is a 'must see' part of the winter entertainment calendar.


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British Cycling performance director Dave Brailsford paid tribute to Victoria Pendleton ahead of her Olympics swansong in the velodrome.
Pendleton bids to sign off with a second gold medal of London 2012 in the women's sprint that would make her Britain's most successful female Olympian with three gold medals.
Sir Chris Hoy also goes for gold in the men's keirin knowing victory would see him climb above Sir Steve Redgrave as Britain's most successful Olympian with six gold medals.
"We're phenomenally proud of them," Brailsford told BBC Breakfast. "They've been the backbone of British track cycling for a long time.
"This could be the very last competition for Vicky so it's quite a sad day for us in that respect. I do think she deserves special mention. She has worked so hard in the last three years to bring herself up to this level of competition."
Brailsford is understandably pleased with Britain's medal haul going into the final day of track cycling competition, with five track golds and one bronze already in the bag.
"It's been great so far. We've three medals available today and we're ready for them. I hope by the end of today we might have three more."
Laura Trott is the third British rider eyeing a gold medal as she completes the omnium, and Brailsford also singled her out for praise.
He added: "Laura is a bundle of energy. She's got this contagious enthusiasm. She's a brilliant bike rider and it would be great if she can finish off the job today."


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Our bright & airy bistro offers coffee & casual dining in a friendly environment whilst our South facing courtyard garden is the perfect spot for dog walkers & their four legged friends! Under the guidance of head chef Marcus our kitchen team work throughout the day to provide breakfast, light lunches & homemade treats for you to enjoy. Fresh fish features on our lunch menu as well as seasonal salads, soups & our popular deli sandwich! Simply turn up & we will get you a table as soon as we can.
Breakfast served 8.30am – 11.45am Monday – Saturday, from 10am on Sunday.
Lunch served 12pm – 2.30pm Monday – Thursday & Sunday, until 3pm Friday & Saturday.
Friday Night Fish & Chips from 6pm – 8.30pm


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|Make your wireless connection worry free. Allow our support team to assist you with your Internet-required wireless devices. With WIFICareTM, we'll set up your router's wireless security and ensure all wireless devices are connected and operating.
|Ensure your peace of mind the next time you need a service call or to replace your equipment. The NetCare protection plan provides protection against everything – no questions asked.
|Receive the benefits of WIFICareTM and NetCare for less, with a bundled package that combines the services of both. Get all of the WIFICareTM support you need as you set up your wireless security and devices, while feeling secure in the knowledge that you're protected against service repair and equipment replacement costs in the case of an emergency.
|The perfect plan for cottage owners and travelers. Put your connection into "sleep mode" for up to six months of the calendar year, for only $7.95/month.*
*Plus $3.95 Monthly Network Fee and $19.95 Reactivation Fee.
|Don't have enough data? We've got you covered. Choose one of Netset's Data Plus Packages to increase your monthly data allowance by 100 to 500 GB. To purchase Data Plus go to our member portal by clicking here. *Note: Data plus is a monthly recurring fee. Unused data will not be carried over to the next billing period.


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Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration of the Government of Belize.
The Department of Agriculture's aim is to provide an environment that is conducive to increase production and productivity, promoting investment, and encouraging private sector involvement in agribusiness enterprises in a manner that ensures competitiveness, quality production, trade and sustainability.
Agriculture News and Updates
- Climate-Smart Agriculture in Belize Country Profile
- Agriculture Census Update
- Ministerial Meeting for the Central American Agricultural Council of SICA
- World Food Day 2018 a Success
- Ministry of Agriculture Concluded its Regional Summer Camp for Youths Engaged in Agriculture
- Packaging Materials Act No. 34 of 2017
- Press Release
- 54TH Annual Meeting Caribbean Food Crops Society
- The National Agriculture & Trade Show 2019
- The National Food and Nutrition Security Commission


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Ponsonby post
One of the founders of Newsnet Scotland GA Ponsonby wanted a news site to continue with his citizen journalism after Newsnet was passed on to Derek Bateman. We created a site based on the Washington Post, with support for embedded videos and podcasts and a video directory.
We built the site on the Content Management System Joomla (Ver 3.3) with a template created by us. Commercial Joomla extensions were use to provide video and audio embedding and display, as well as a front page news ticker. The site also hosts Googgle advertising to help cover its running costs.
We continue to supply hosting and maintenance services for the site.


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July 17, 2009 by webmaster
Browned, drained and crumbled.
8 sliceswhite bread
1 poundbulk sausage
1 1⁄2 cupshredded cheddar cheese
2 1⁄2 cupsmilk
1 teaspoonmustard
1 cancream of mushroom soup
Browned, drained and crumbled.
Grease large, flat baking dish.
Completely cover bottom of dish with bread slices, allowing them to rise along sides slightly for crust. Spread cooked sausage to cover. Spread cheese to cover.
Mix eggs, milk and mustard; pour over casserole.
Refrigerate overnight (it doesn't really work if you don't)
Next morning, preheat oven to 375.
Mix soup and milk and cover casserole.
Bake for l hour 15 minutes or until completely set.


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David Ghedini
How to Enable or Disable Root login via SSH
This post will cover how to enable (or disbale) Root login via SSH.
It's always best practice that any machine on the internet not allow direct Root login via SSH.
To allow Root to log in, we need to update our sshd_config file located at /etc/ssh/sshd_config.
To update this file, we need to switch over to Root:
[admin@blanche ~]$ su root Password: [root@blanche ~]#
Go to the /ect/ssh directory:
[root@blanche ~]# cd /etc/ssh [root@blanche ssh]#
Now, let's edit our sshd_config file using vi:
[root@blanche ssh]# vi sshd_config
Look for the following section (about 1/3 of the way down):
#LoginGraceTime 2m PermitRootLogin no
Hit "i" to insert and then change the value for PermitRootLogin from no to yes.
Hit Escape and then :wq! to save changes and close the file.
Finally, still as Root, we need to restart SSHD using /etc/init.d/sshd restart.
[root@blanche ssh]# /etc/init.d/sshd restart Stopping sshd: [ OK ] Starting sshd: [ OK ]
Exit your session, open a new terminal and confirm you are now able to login as Root:
login as: root root@blanche's password: Last login: Mon Jun 28 16:21:53 2010 [root@blanche ~]#
To prevent Root log in, simply set to (or change to) PermitRootLogin no in your sshd_config
Posted at 04:20AM Mar 02, 2011 by David in Linux | Comments[2] | Tags: centos linux | Export to: |
Posted by werwerwer on January 04, 2014 at 12:33 PM CST #
Posted by Ruben Schade on December 15, 2014 at 10:53 PM CST #


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The Americans Seasons 1-6 DVD Special Features
Actors: Sarah Paulson, Dylan McDermott, Connie Britton, Evan Peters Jessica Lange
Language: English
Boxed Set: Yes
Number of discs: 18
Condition: New
Region: Region Free
Weight: 1.5 kg
Format: Support both NTSC & PAL
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
DVD Release Date: 2017
The Americans Seasons 1-6 DVD Photos
The Americans Seasons 1-6 DVD Overview
Paige meets Gabriel and learns that he has been a hidden member of the Jennings family throughout her lifetime. She tells Pastor Tim that she has found a purpose and then decides to end her relationship with Matthew. Philip and Elizabeth follow Ben to Mississippi to obtain a sample of the pest-resistant wheat,The Americans Seasons 1-6 DVD which they give to Gabriel to take to the USSR, although only after finding out about Ben's other girlfriend. Elizabeth steals a file from a psychiatrist containing the names and addresses of Soviet dissidents. Dennis and Stan meet with Sofia, who works for TASS, again. Agent Wolfe tells Stan about the CIA's decision on Oleg, and Stan tells a highly edited version of the story to Renee. Oleg views the KGB files of his mother's captivity at a labor camp. During their goodbyes,The Americans Seasons 1-6 Philip asks Gabriel if Renee is "one of us", but Gabriel scoffs at the idea. Gabriel then tells Philip that he was right to want to keep Paige out of spying.


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Ultra-Pure Lamp Oil 64oz
Brand: Lamplight Farms
Product Code: 5768
Availability: 3
Product Code: 5768
Availability: 3
Price: $14.95
Lamplight® has been creating indoor lighting solutions, like Ultra-Pure® Lamp Oil, for almost five decades. Specially designed for use in oil candles and lamps, its smokeless formula makes it ideal for use indoors.
- Sootless, Smokless
- Odorless
- Clear Color
- 99% Paraffin Oil
- For use in oil lamps and oil candles
Write a reviewYour Name:
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The battle of the sexes always seems to get particularly fraught when it comes to whether men or women are the better drivers.
But men have some new ammunition to add to their argument as they are more likely than women to take a perfect driving test, new figures reveal.
There's not much in it though - 1.3% of men ace their test first time, compared to 1% of women.
Proportion of first time perfect passes (2012/13)
The statistics, which were released under the Freedom of Information Act, show of the 651,037 people who took their first driving test, just 7,381 managed a perfect test. Of those, 4,172 were men and 3,209 were women.
Overall, just under half of people pass their driving test first time.
First attempt pass rate
The figures show the best performing parts of the Britain are all in Scotland, with 9.8% of women in Arbroath making a perfect test, and 8.3% of men in the Isle of Mull.
It should be noted though, that only 12 people took the test on the Hebridean island, meaning only one managed a perfect test.
Arbroath was also the best in Britain overall, with 6.6% of all people who took their first test passing with no errors.
Highest proportion of perfect first time tests
The best performing place in England was Melton Mowbray with 4.6% of learners passing first time with no faults.
Who do you think are the best drivers?
Can you manage a perfect pass on our driving theory quiz?


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Restaurants are one of those businesses where service component affects the overall experience of customers. Apart from flavorsome gourmet meals, fancy environment and smart staff a lot more can be done in terms of customer service. Even in a negative economy, experience is a high priority for customers, with 60% often or always paying more for a better experience. As a result, 81% of companies with strong capabilities and competencies for delivering excellent customer experience are outperforming their competition. Today's customer is outspoken and does not hesitate to voice his discontent. A dissatisfied customer will tell between 9 and 15 people about their experience. About 13% of dissatisfied customers tell more than 20 people. This calls for through measures to be taken for serving the customer in as much agile, efficient and exceptional way as possible. The icing on the cake would be to optimize resource utility and profitability while doing so.
The key is to differentiate yourself in a crowded marketplace. There are several hindrances that the hospitality sector comes across, in achieving the fore mentioned. The root is lack of automation and mobility. It starts with the customers having to wait for their credit cards when they have been taken to the central POS for payment processing. They would not want to lose sight of their cards, fearing fraudulent practices that are so common these days. Today's savvy customer has higher expectations about how the businesses they frequent are protecting their personal information. Also, it leads to tables being occupied for a longer time, causing other customers to queue up outside the facility.
Another issue is that of manual practices involved in order taking i.e. - handwriting an order, walking up to the POS counter and re-keying it. This may prove to be a strain center on so many levels. It is prone to errors, inefficiency and delays in food service operations in absence of appropriate tools. There may be shortage of staff during peak hours. Lack of quick real time communication between waiters and the kitchen may end up in delays leaving the customer, hungrier and impatient than ever. This delay tends to be maximized in cases where customers are to be served by the pool, in a nightclub, in a stadium or at a cocktail bar.
Our "Online order taking and management" solution brings forth a quick fix for all the above stated issues. The solution automates the order taking and payment process, which brings agility of operation and frees up the staff for attending multiple customers. It renders maximum utilization of staff time with minimum efforts. The solution runs on a variety of wireless handheld devices such as android tablets or windows mobile computers. These devices are powered by an application that works seamlessly with central server and system. As the staff enters order directly into Motorola mobile device, they are cutting down time spent at the table. Also, orders are instantly sent to the bar/kitchen via. Wireless LAN. Errors due to sloppy handwriting are completely eliminated. Order accuracy increases and the wait times are brought down significantly.
The application is designed in a menu/forms based format that has updated listings and details of menu, orders, proceedings in the kitchen, food composition, seating arrangements, staff details etc. Armed with this information and the handheld system the servers become experts on every item on the menu. This enables them to answer even the most specific questions from the guest. Also the customers get to review their order.
Central alert manager can notify all staff about exceptions for ex: if a dish is not available, with alerts on the handheld devices. Also, the kitchen display system monitors the timing of orders.
The tableside payment facility brings the POS counter to the customer. A snap on card reader or a mobile printer (for payment made by cash) is connected to the mobile device via. Bluetooth and the necessary transactions are made. This results in increased credit card security and satisfaction of customer as all the transaction is taking place in his presence. Also, the facility management need no longer hassle with storing the credit cards that customers accidently leave behind. As the payment process is quick, table is vacated for the next guest, slashing waiting time for other customers.
The handheld mobility solution assists room service staff as they can be notified in seconds as to when a particular order is ready and where it has to be delivered. Customers can sign to accept delivery and authorize a tip right on the screen of the mobile computer.
Our solution delivers a major additional edge in the form of data analytics. Business decisions are based on customer preference, visiting time, repeat customers etc. Data collected through the solution gives clear visibility for marketing operations, enabling authorities to come up with offers like "discounts on time of the day" or "reward coupons for loyal customers".


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Melissa Araujo 3 Way Asymmetrical Dress, American Apparel Knee Highs & One piece Bathing Suit and Lita Jeffrey Campbell Shoes
Photos by TrichesTadiello
In the spirit of Halloween and Dark Shadows, I am having a new giveway!! This is the time to show that girls have many faces and needs, so I am giving away the Melissa Araujo 3 in 1 Dress from my Slate Collection. Let' s keep this short and simple, you all know what to do:
1. Follow me here at blogger
2. Follow me on Twitter
3. Follow me on Facebook
Leave a message here that you have followed all of the instructions. The winner will be announced by November 15/12. Good luck to you all. Feel free to share this with everyone! * The dress size is xs-s* Also, what is everyone thinking of dressing up as for Halloween? I am always a black cat, this year will be no different. Meow grrrrr.
So glad to announce the WINNER: MoiMinnie. Thanks everyone for participating!


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Find the perfect hotel in Abington using our hotel guide provided below. Search for the cheapest discounted hotel and motel rates in or near Abington, MA for your personal leisure or group travel. Discover the best Abington, Massachusetts hotel and motel rooms. Browse the Abington area hotels to find the perfect lodging! Please use the provided map of the Abington hotels. Coordinating a group? Get Abington Group Hotel Rates
The Abington center is about 4 miles south of South Shore Hospital and 7 miles southeast of Boston's Children's Museum.
How should we direct your call?


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Donate to the Physicians Committee
Please support our mission to advocate for ethical research and education, end cruelty to animals in labs and classrooms, and promote lifesaving nutrition policies and practices. Your gift today is tax-deductible.
Physicians Committee membership starts at $20, and includes a subscription to our quarterly journal Good Medicine.
If you register for monthly giving today, your gifts will be MATCHED for all of 2019!
*To qualify for the match, you must continue giving monthly for six months or more.
If you prefer to phone in your gift, please call 202-527-7304 between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. ET.
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Here's today's list of apps out for your mobile pleasure.
1. Mad Doc Geometric Puzzle (iOS, Android)
2. Cleen (iOS only) The fastest way to clean up your photo library – with just swipes.
FDG Entertainment released Tower Boxing, a vertical endless runner style game for free on both the iOS and Google Play/Android platform this week. You play a boxer who punches buildings from either the left or right sides of the structure by tapping the screen. You collect coins as you avoid the cement deck outcropping which crunches the boxer and terminates the session. The FDG team used a pixelated visual style and Tower Boxing is deceptively difficult which may make it addicting. (more…)
You had to know a stupidly funny movie gently described as a cult classic like Sharknado would create a video game to sync with debut of the movie sequel Sharknado 2: The Second One on the SyFy channel today at 9PM EST. The press release for the Sharknado video game landed in our box yesterday. The Sharknado game offers an endless runner style game mechanic. (more…)
Do you cringe when you hear the latest policy decisions announced by your government? Do you scratch your head wondering what, if anything, were your elected leaders thinking when they formed these policies? Are you convinced you can make better decisions to benefit the greater good? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions then you are eligible to buy Democracy 3, a political simulation game out now on the IPad for $9.99. (more…)
Free Lunch Design, the folks behind Icy Tower 2, released the 2nd episode to Dark Nebula, a fun labyrinth style puzzle game on the iOS, Android and Blackberry platforms. Created with highly polished extremely sharp HD graphics most puzzle lovers will really enjoy Dark Nebula 2. The iOS and Blackberry versions of Dark Nebula Episode 2 costs $2.99 while the Android version comes free with ads. Consumers can pay $2.99 to remove the ads in the Android version.
You guide the shiny metallic looking ball through the labyrinth by tilting your mobile phone or tablet. The core game play resembles episode One's game play with some new twists.
The Free Lunch Design team has added new elements like a colored light ball that orbits your metal ball and smashes dangerous elements like creatures that look like they compete in Robot Wars.
Rating: We give Dark Nebula Episode 2 a rare 5/5 balls.
Popcap/EA released Plants vs Zombies 2 on the iOS platform this evening for free with in app purchases which aren't cheap. So far it seems to be more of the same game play with new plants, new zombies and new worlds like ancient Egypt.
Casual Connect Association's Indie Prize named Lost Toys, from San Francisco based Barking Mouse Studio, the Most Promising Game of the Year. Barking Mouse calls Lost Toys "a meditative puzzle game" and reminds us of The Room, a puzzle game Apple Named Game of the year last year. (more…)
We met the folks from Portland, Oregon based indie game studio ClutchPlay Games who introduced us to their fun and entertaining arcade game called Little Chomp which takes place in a land called Chompwood Kingdom. (more…)
NY based Large Animal Games released Color Zen, another great puzzle game for the iOS and Android platforms back in June but we missed the launch thanks to an alien abduction. :O)
Large Animal Games uses three key ingredients in Color Zen: bright colors, geometric shapes and relaxing ambient music. You merge like colors together by drag them into each to flood the screen with that color. The Color Zen player aims to flood the screen with the border color. The game plays brilliantly. The game doesn't keep score which helps with the relaxation factor. Puzzle lovers will enjoy Color Zen.
Color Zen costs $0.99 and you can buy different color packs at various price points.
Color Zen on Google Play $0.99
We came across many great games at Casual Connect San Francisco, a casual games trade show this week including Mosaique, a puzzle game from Winning Blimp. You must clear all tiles in each level by rotating the cursor around the play area and shooting (the tiles). Clear blocks of the same color.
Mosaique iOS Puzzle Game Download $0.99
Mosaique Android Puzzle Game Download $0.99
You will need to pay attention to the shot gauge which you charge by clearing tiles of the same color but if the gauge falls to zero the game ends. If the gauge hits 100% you can clear tiles of any color. Mosaique perplexes us, in a good way. Puzzle lovers will enjoy Mosaique which costs $0.99 and can be played on iPhone, iPad and Android devices.