text:
don't cd without checking for errors
be more specific than "something"
|Deletions are marked like this.
|Additions are marked like this.
|Line 40:
|Line 40:
|read something < etc/mysomething
|read somevar < etc/somefile
|Line 42:
|Line 42:
|read something < "${BASH_SOURCE%/*}/etc/something" # If you want an absolute pathname
|read somevar < "${BASH_SOURCE%/*}/etc/somefile" # If you want an absolute pathname
|Line 57:
|Line 57:
| read something < etc/mysomething # Using pathname relative to PWD
read something < "$PWD/etc/something" # Expand PWD if you want an absolute pathname
bundleDir=$PWD; ...; read something < "$bundleDir/etc/something" # Store PWD if you expect to cd in your script.
| read somevar < etc/somefile # Using pathname relative to PWD
read somevar < "$PWD/etc/somefile" # Expand PWD if you want an absolute pathname
bundleDir=$PWD # Store PWD if you expect to cd in your script.
read somefile < "$bundleDir/etc/somefile"
How do I determine the location of my script? I want to read some config files from the same place.
There are two prime reasons why this issue comes up: either you want to externalize data or configuration of your script and need a way to find these external resources, or your script is intended to act upon a bundle of some sort (eg. a build script), and needs to find the resources to act upon.
It is important to realize that in the general case, this problem has no solution. Any approach you might have heard of, and any approach that will be detailed below, has flaws and will only work in specific cases. First and foremost, try to avoid the problem entirely by not depending on the location of your script!
Before we dive into solutions, let's clear up some misunderstandings. It is important to understand that:
Your script does not actually have a location! Wherever the bytes end up coming from, there is no "one canonical path" for it. Never.
$0 is NOT the answer to your problem. If you think it is, you can either stop reading and write more bugs, or you can accept this and read on.
Accessing data/config files
Very often, people want to make their scripts configurable. The separation principle teaches us that it's a good idea to keep configuration and code separate. The problem then ends up being: how does my script know where to find the user's configuration file for it?
Too often, people believe the configuration of a script should reside in the same directory where they put their script. This is the root of the problem.
A UNIX paradigm exists to solve this problem for you: configuration artifacts of your scripts should exist in either the user's HOME directory or /etc. That gives your script an absolute path to look for the file, solving your problem instantly: you no longer depend on the "location" of your script:
if [[ -e ~/.myscript.conf ]]; then source ~/.myscript.conf elif [[ -e /etc/myscript.conf ]]; then source /etc/myscript.conf fi
Acting on a bundle
Sometimes scripts are part of a "bundle" and perform certain actions within or upon it. The user may unpack the bundle anywhere; ideally, the bundle's scripts should work whether that's somewhere in a home dir, or /var/tmp, or /usr/local. The files are transient, and have no fixed or predictable location.
When a script needs to act upon other files it's bundled with, independently of its absolute location, we have two options: either we rely on PWD or we rely on BASH_SOURCE. Both approaches have certain issues; here's what you need to know.
The BASH_SOURCE internal bash variable is actually an array of pathnames. If you expand it as a simple string, e.g. "$BASH_SOURCE", you'll get the first element, which is the pathname of the currently executing function or script. Using the BASH_SOURCE method, you access files within your bundle like this:
cd "${BASH_SOURCE%/*}" || exit # cd into the bundle and use relative paths read somevar < etc/somefile read somevar < "${BASH_SOURCE%/*}/etc/somefile" # If you want an absolute pathname
Please note that when using BASH_SOURCE, the following caveats apply:
$BASH_SOURCE expands empty when bash does not know where the executing code comes from. Usually, this means the code is coming from standard input (e.g. ssh host 'somecode', or from an interactive session).
$BASH_SOURCE does not follow symlinks (when you run z from /x/y, you get /x/y/z, even if that is a symlink to /p/q/r). Often, this is the desired effect. Sometimes, though, it's not. Imagine your package links its start-up script into /usr/local/bin. Now that script's BASH_SOURCE will lead you into /usr/local and not into the package.
If you're not writing a bash script, the BASH_SOURCE variable is unavailable to you. There is a common convention, however, for passing the location of the script as the process name when it is started. Most shells do this, but not all shells do so reliably, and not all of them attempt to resolve a relative path to an absolute path. Relying on this behaviour is dangerous and fragile, but can be done by looking at $0. Again, consider all your options before doing this: you are likely creating more problems than you are solving.
Another option is to rely on PWD, the current working directory. In this case, you can assume the user has first cd'ed into your bundle and make all your pathnames relative. Using the PWD method, you access files within your bundle like this:
read somevar < etc/somefile # Using pathname relative to PWD read somevar < "$PWD/etc/somefile" # Expand PWD if you want an absolute pathname bundleDir=$PWD # Store PWD if you expect to cd in your script. read somefile < "$bundleDir/etc/somefile"
To reduce fragility, you could even test whether, for example, the relative path to the script name is correct, to make sure the user has indeed cd'ed into the bundle:
[[ -e bin/myscript ]] || { echo >&2 "Please cd into the bundle before running this script."; exit 1; }
You can also try some heuristics, just in case the user is sitting one directory above the bundle:
if [[ ! -e bin/myscript ]]; then if [[ -d mybundle-1.2.5 ]]; then cd mybundle-1.2.5 || { echo >&2 "Bundle directory exists but I can't cd there."; exit 1; } else echo >&2 "Please cd into the bundle before running this script."; exit 1; fi fi
If you ever do need an absolute path, you can always get one by prefixing the relative path with $PWD: echo "Saved to: $PWD/result.csv"
The only difficulty here is that you're forcing your user to change into your bundle's directory before your script can function. Regardless, this may well be your best option!
If neither the BASH_SOURCE or the PWD option sound interesting, you might want to consider going the route of configuration files instead (see the previous section). In this case, you require that your user set the location of your bundle in a configuration file, and have him put that configuration file in a location you can easily find. For example:
[[ -e ~/.myscript.conf ]] || { echo >&2 "First configure the product in ~/.myscript.conf"; exit 1; } source ~/.myscript.conf # ~/.myscript.conf defines something like bundleDir=/x/y [[ ! $bundleDir ]] || { echo >&2 "Please define bundleDir='/some/path' in ~/.myscript.conf"; exit 1; } cd "$bundleDir" || { echo >&2 "Could not cd to <$bundleDir>"; exit 1; } # Now you can use the PWD method: use relative paths.
Why you can't just use $0
It's not possible to find the location of a script reliably in all cases. Common ways of finding a script's location depend on the name of the script, as seen in the predefined variable $0. But providing the script name in $0 is only a (very common) convention, not a requirement.
The suspect answer is "in some shells, $0 is always an absolute path, even if you invoke the script using a relative path, or no path at all". But this isn't reliable across shells; some of them (including BASH) return the actual command typed in by the user instead of the fully qualified path. And this is just the tip of the iceberg!
Your script may not actually be on a locally accessible disk at all. Consider this:
ssh remotehost bash < ./myscript
The shell running on remotehost is getting its commands from a pipe. There's no script anywhere on any disk that bash can see.
Moreover, even if your script is stored on a local disk and executed, it could move. Someone could mv the script to another location in between the time you type the command and the time your script checks $0. Or someone could have unlinked the script during that same time window, so that it doesn't actually have a link within a file system any more.
(That may sound fanciful, but it's actually very common. Consider a script installed in /opt/foobar/bin, which is running at the time someone upgrades foobar to a new version. They may delete the entire /opt/foobar/ hierarchy, or they may move the /opt/foobar/bin/foobar script to a temporary name before putting a new version in place. For these reasons, even approaches like "use lsof to find the file which the shell is using as standard input" will still fail.)
Even in the cases where the script is in a fixed location on a local disk, the $0 approach still has some major drawbacks. The most important is that the script name (as seen in $0) may not be relative to the current working directory, but relative to a directory from the program search path $PATH (this is often seen with KornShell). Or (and this is most likely problem by far...) there might be multiple links to the script from multiple locations, one of them being a simple symlink from a common PATH directory like /usr/local/bin, which is how it's being invoked. Your script might be in /opt/foobar/bin/script but the naive approach of reading $0 won't tell you that -- it may say /usr/local/bin/script instead.
Some people will try to work around the symlink issue with readlink -f "$0". Again, this may work in some cases, but it's not bulletproof. Nothing that reads $0 will ever be bulletproof, because $0 itself is unreliable. Furthermore, readlink is nonstandard, and won't be available on all platforms.
For a more general discussion of the Unix file system and how symbolic links affect your ability to know where you are at any given moment, see this Plan 9 paper.


text:
by Bonnie Irene
Model: Bonnie Irene
Photos: Melissa Mall
Difficulty: Easy
Simple, stretchy, swift and easy, a shrug is a great piece for summer. Throw one on to ward off the evening chill or to add a little garden party charm to a plain top. Worked all in one piece, the Swift Shrug is ready to go as soon as you finish off and weave in the ends!
Size: One Size
Finished Measurements: 28″ wide x 16″ deep
- Caron One Pound [100% Acrylic; 826yd/755m per 16oz/453g skein]; less than 1 skein
- H/8 (5.00mm size) hook
Gauge: 24 sts/17 rows = 4″/10cm in patt.
Rnd 1: Ch 60, sl in first ch to make a loop. Ch 2, dc in each ch around. (60 dc) Join rnd.
Rnd 2: Ch 2. *FPdc in next st, BPdc in next st. Repeat from * around; join rnd.
Rnd 3: *Ch 2, sk FPdc, sc in the BPdc. Repeat from * around.
Rnds 4-24: (or desired sleeve length) *Ch 2, skip sc, sc in ch-sp. Repeat from * around.
Turn work to begin flat portion.
Rows 25-96: (or desired back width) *Ch 2, sk sc, sc in ch sp. Repeat from * across: do NOT join rnd. Turn.
Rnds 97-117: (or to match first sleeve length) Working around once again, *ch 2, skip sc, sc in ch-sp. Repeat from * around.
Rnd 118: Ch 2. Dc in each sc and ch-sp around. Join rnd.
Rnd 119: Ch 2. *FPdc in next st, BPdc in next st. Repeat from * around; join rnd.
Finishing: Weave in all ends. Enjoy!
About the Designer
Bonnie Irene is a college student stretching her finances through crafting. She likes to crochet, bake, draw, sew, sculpt and weave as well as other things: check out her projects at her blog and shop for her handmade wooden buttons in her Etsy Shop.
Pattern & images © Bonnie Irene. All rights reserved.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
IP Management Tool - Minimum Requirements
Maldwyn Morris maldwyn at ripe.net
Fri Feb 16 15:41:53 CET 2001
Hi, Following a presentation of an IP Management Tool by Guy Vegoda at the last RIPE Meeting Tools BOF, interest was expressed in the development of an Open Source version of such a tool and I agreed to use the lirwg list to try and draw up Requirements for this. Hopefully this can be refined into something that we can then begin writing Specifications for. Please remember that these are *Requirements* - i.e. what the users want the tool to do. Please confine remarks to this area and avoid mixing in the *Specifications* - i.e. how those requirements will be met - which we will come to, in good time. It should also be emphasised that we would at this stage like to concentrate on _minimum_ requirements for a simple tool, such that it would be useful to a large number of LIRs. I think we can use these Minimum Requirements to produce something that may or may not include more advanced features as well, knowing that we would at least have covered the basic needs. Comments on this process and the document are most welcome, and we would also like a good name. Thanks to Guy Vegoda, Leo Vegoda and Nigel Titley for their help in drawing up this document, and especially to Guy for presenting his tool. Cheers, Maldwyn Morris Software Manager RIPE NCC -- Minimum Requirements for an IP Management Tool ---------------------------------------------- 0. Introduction Guy Vegoda presented an IP Management Tool at the Tools BOF at RIPE 38 [1]. This document is an attempt to specify the minimum requirements for a similar tool, with the aim of producing an Open Source version for anyone who wants to use it. Below, I address 1. General Points about the project, 2. The Requirements themselves, 3. External Constraint that must be considered, and 4. A list of References. 1. General Points Name: Let's use IPMT ( IP Management Tool ) as a placeholder for now. Users: We will target as users 'The Hostmaster staff of Local Internet Registries which are Customers of the RIPE NCC and who need to manage their IP Allocations and Assignments and the requests for same that they send to the RIPE NCC' [phew]. We will call one of these people a 'LIRHostmaster' and their organisation an 'LIR'. It may also be useful to other people in other organisations to do other things, but that will not influence the requirements. Open Source: We will release this software under the LGPL licence [2]. We use this instead of GPL [3] because this means we will remain able to using non-GPL'ed libraries, should that prove necessary. The RIPE NCC is happy to support this project, but of course its Open Source nature means anyone else can use the code to begin their own Open Source project. We are also happy about that. IPV6: We would be foolish not to consider the possibility of using this tool for managing IPV6 addresses and writing it such that this is possible, but we think it will be useful even if it does not and do not consider IPV6 support a requirement. 2. Requirements General functionality: IPMT should provide the LIRHostmasters with list, create, update, and delete access to information regarding their LIR's IPV4 allocations. These actions must be undoable where necessary. Basic validity checks will be performed on all input. IPMT should provide the LIRHostmasters with list, create, update, and delete access to information regarding their LIR's IPV4 assignments. These actions must be undoable where necessary. Basic validity checks will be performed on all input. IPMT should allow the LIRHostmasters to receive requests for IPV4 assignments from the customers of their LIR and allow them to process them. IPMT should allow LIRHostmasters to send well-formatted email requests for new IPv4 assignments to the RIPE NCC and allow the LIRHostmasters to receive and process responses from the RIPE NCC. IPMT should allow LIRHostmasters to send well-formatted email requests for new IPv4 allocations to the RIPE NCC and allow the LIRHostmasters to receive and process responses from the RIPE NCC. User Interface: LIRHostmasters should be able to conveniently access IPMT functions from a wide range of Desktop Operating Systems, possibly including non-modern, non-Unix-like ones. A GUI interface is the minimal acceptable convenience level. A less-convenient interface to IPMT for more complex functions and administration is acceptable. 3. External constraints The RIPE NCC only accepts requests for new IPv4 Assignments and Allocations via email to hostmaster at ripe.net and replies only via email [4]. IPV4 Assignment requests must be in RIPE 141 format [5]. Requests for new IPV4 Allocations have no special format. LIRHostmasters handle customer requests for Assignments via telephone, email and web pages. IPMT must have access to the RIPE DB [6] or a local mirror thereof. 4. References [1] http://www/ripe/meetings/archive/ripe-38/index.html [2] http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/lesser.html [3] http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html [4] http://www.ripe.net/ripencc/mem-services/registration/status.html [5] http://www.ripe.net/ripe/docs/ripe-141.html [6] http://www.ripe.net/ripencc/pub-services/db/
[ lir-wg Archives ]


text:
NEW YORK – The Americans have a 7-1-1 record in the Presidents Cup, and it looks even more lopsided on paper.
Consider the options of the two captains.
This is the final week for players to earn a spot on the teams before Fred Couples and Nick Price get two captain's picks.
If nothing changes in the U.S. standings, Couples will have to choose from among Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson, Jim Furyk and Steve Stricker, if he can persuade Stricker to take a break from his semi-retirement. And that list doesn't even include 20-year-old Jordan Spieth. Whenever a guy starts a season with no status and is headed to the Tour Championship, odds are he's playing pretty good golf.
For Couples, that's a nice problem to have.
International captain Nick Price has a short list that doesn't resemble a "Who's Who" as much as a "Who's That?"
Move past Tim Clark at No. 11 and his choices include Thongchai Jaidee and Kiradech Aphibarnrat. There are three Aussies, just not the names you're used to seeing — Marc Leishman, Brett Rumford and Marcus Fraser. There's George Coetzee and Brendon de Jonge, both from southern Africa. And don't overlook Hiroyuki Fujita of Japan, who this year became the only player to miss the cut in all four majors.
What binds them is not the contrived International flag under which they hope to play. It's that none has competed in the Presidents Cup.
"There's a lot of rookies," Price said Tuesday morning.
He wasn't talking about potential picks, but players already on the team — Branden Grace and Richard Sterne, Hideki Matsuyama of Japan and Graham DeLaet of Canada, who is holding down the 10th spot going into the Deutsche Bank Championship.
The International team has not looked this outmatched since 1998 at Royal Melbourne, the year one of its players (Carlos Franco of Paraguay) tuned up for the matches by going through Q-school. Another (Joe Ozaki) only made the team because his big brother (Jumbo Ozaki) decided not to play.
What happened?
They gave the Yanks their biggest spanking in team competition. It was such a rout that when Price won the clinching point, the staff was still clearing breakfast off the tables in the clubhouse.
"If you look back at Melbourne in '98, and the draw in South Africa in '03, our guys played their (tails) off," Price said. "That's what we need."
The Presidents Cup needs a new winner, even if that means new faces. It needs emotion, which has been missing since Chris DiMarco ran screaming into the arms of Jack Nicklaus after making a putt on the final hole in 2005.
It needs one of the most distinguished characters in golf breaking a club over his knee in despair.
"That really was embarrassing for me," Price said.
Yes, that was him.
The Presidents Cup in South Africa was so tight in 2003 that Price knew every point — every half-point — could be the difference. Playing against Kenny Perry, he twice rallied from a three-hole deficit. On the final hole at Fancourt, Price missed a short birdie putt to halve the match and snapped the putter in two as he walked off the green.
No apologies were necessary, though he still offers them.
"A freak reaction," Price said. "But I'll tell you what it's turned into. A guy phoned me from South Africa and said, 'Tell us about the time you walked off the green and broke your putter in front of (captains) Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player.' It was totally unintentional. But it showed how much I cared."
Price still cares enough to challenge PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem over the points structure.
Unlike the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup, there are five matches (instead of four) in the team sessions, and thus 32 points available for the week instead of 28. The idea is to have more players on the course. Nice thought, but is this supposed to be like Little League with the emphasis on participation?
Price realizes the Americans have greater depth. Playing for fewer points gives him a better chance for a close contest. Even when the Americans had better players in the Ryder Cup a few generations ago, it always was close because there were fewer points available and Europe could hide its weaker players.
Finchem rejected the proposal presented to him by Price and former captain Greg Norman.
"I understand his thinking," Finchem said a month ago. "But I think we have a nice history that's built up already in the Presidents Cup. I increasingly feel like unless it's broke, don't really mess with it. And the Presidents Cup has been very, very successful."
Successful by what measure?
The fact the Americans have lost only once in two decades? That the last three cups haven't even been close? One more blowout and this will be bordering on a biennial exhibition, if it's not already.
"I was listening yesterday to the European coverage of their tour, and the guys are already talking about the Ryder Cup next year," Price said. "Obviously, the Ryder Cup will be there (at Gleneagles). But I wish we could hear that about the Presidents Cup. The only way that's going to happen is if it's closely contested."
Even if that means having players hardly anyone knows.


text:
Care of Wool Blankets & Products
To clean Pendleton blankets, we recommend dry cleaning. This method best maintains blanket size, hand and appearance. We have tested our wool blankets using different care methods. When washed, the blankets experienced significant shrinkage, even with the mildest care methods.
Go to Article >>
Rise Of Pendleton Trade Blanket
Over the many generations since Native Americans began trade with Europeans, few items have become more closely identified with indigenous American cultures as has the American Indian trade blanket. An American Indian trade blanket is a commercially created machine-woven blanket produced for the American Indian market.
Go to Article >>


text:
Gifts any book lover will appreciate
Shopping for a book lover? If you've already given plenty of books over the years, you might be looking for options that don't simply contribute to their ever-growing library.
For bibliophiles, reading is an immersive experience, so gifts that help set the stage for peaceful reading sessions, like candles or a bottle of wine, are a great idea. You can also choose practical options, like bookmarks and bookends, that can be used on a daily basis. If you don't know the recipients' taste, a gift card for e-books and audiobooks is ideal.
How to choose gifts for book lovers
There are many gift options for bibliophiles worth exploring, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the choices. However, you might find it easy to narrow down options if you know if the recipient prefers e-books or physical books.
Gifts for Kindle readers
If you're shopping for an Amazon Kindle user, consider giving an Amazon gift card that allows them to choose a book themselves. Amazon gift cards are available in physical form, or they can be delivered digitally via email or text.
Kindles also provide access to audiobooks through Audible, which requires a membership to access its extensive listening catalog of audiobooks, podcasts and Audible Originals. Audible Gift Memberships, which are delivered electronically, start at $15 and run as high as $150.
If you don't want to get a gift card for the book lover, consider accessories to upgrade their reading experience. A Flippy Soft Lap Stand allows for hands-free reading and has onboard storage options. It's made with a slip-resistant suede cover to prevent Kindles from sliding off. The soft, lightweight lap stand has three viewing angles for e-readers and tablets to make for easy reading. Alternatively, protective Kindle covers are affordable, practical gifts. The popular Finite Stand Case for Kindle Paperwhite is made with premium synthetic leather and has a built-in kickstand. The portfolio-style case is available in over 20 colors and patterns.
Gifts for readers who love physical books
Some readers are still partial to physical books, and it comes as no surprise that many of them boast large personal libraries. For these readers, look for gifts that augment their bookshelves.
Bookends never seem to go to waste in a booklover's home, and they can be used on virtually any shelf or desk. Shikaman Metal Bookends, which spell out "book" in block lettering, have non-slip bottoms to stabilize sprawling rows of heavier books. They are available in four colors to go with a variety of color schemes.
If you are looking for a bigger gift or if your bibliophile just moved, a bookcase is a great option. The Sauder Barrister Lane Bookcase draws inspiration from card catalogs of yesteryear. It's sustainably made from engineered wood and recycled materials, and it is available in five finishes.
More best gifts for book lovers
A top reads bucket list
Enno Vatti Top Reads of All Time Scratch-Off Poster
This colorful scratch-off poster features the top 100 reads of all time, which includes titles like "The Great Gatsby" and "Fight Club." Once readers finish each book on the poster, they can scratch off the gold foil to reveal a unique icon or badge.
Sold by: Amazon
A set of magnetic bookmarks
Rather than using index cards or old receipts, readers can hold their place with magnetic bookmarks. The slender design of this five-piece collection won't break the spine of books or damage pages.
Sold by: Amazon
A literary tea collection
Rejects from Studios Novel Teas
This novelty English Breakfast gift set snagged the #14 spot on Oprah's Holiday List in 2019. It comes with 25 individually-tagged tea bags that feature literary quotes from authors and their literary works.
Sold by: Amazon
A reading journal
"Reading Journal: For Book Lovers" by Potter Gift
While Goodreads is a convenient way to keep track of books you've read, many readers enjoy logging titles the old-fashioned way. This hard-bound reading journal has 160 pages with plenty of writing space to share thoughts about each book: good, bad or otherwise.
Sold by: Amazon
A refreshing jar candle
Yankee Candle Mediterranean Breeze Large Jar Candle
If a book lover you know can't enjoy as much beachside reading as they'd like, this Yankee Candle is the next-best option. Mediterranean Breeze features a warm, seaside fragrance profile with notes of soft citrus blossoms and amber. It burns for as long as 110 to 115 hours.
Sold by: Amazon
A personal library kit
Knock Knock Original Personal Library Kit
This create-your-own library kit includes classic circulation paraphernalia, including a date stamp, checkout cards and self-adhesive book pockets for 20 books. It's a popular choice for bibliophiles of all ages.
Sold by: Amazon
A wine subscription
It's easy to dive into a good book with a fine glass of wine. WineAccess Club is a wine subscription service that carefully curates shipments to appeal to a wine lover's distinct palate.
Sold by: WineAccess
A cozy throw
Koolaburra by UGG Bella Faux Fur Throw
This bestselling throw by Koolaburra by UGG keeps readers warm and cozy no matter where they read, whether it's in bed, on the couch or perched in their favorite reading chair. The throw is made with soft, synthetic Micromink and comes in five colors.
Sold by: Kohl's
A book about card catalogs
"The Card Catalog" by the Library of Congress
Even if you're shying away from giving books, this title belongs in every bibliophile's collection. Written by the Library of Congress, it details the history and origins of the card catalog. The book, available in hardcover, includes more than 200 full-color images from archives.
Sold by: Amazon
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text:
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Exploring and Understanding Rockets and Satellites (1967)
The table of contents show how facinating the words were. But it also had some great illustrations.
Posted by John Sisson at 3:58 PM No comments:
Labels: 1960s, 1967, School text
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
The line forms here for trip to Moon (1952)
This is a piece of ephemera from Popular Science August 1952 that connects to one of my favorite 1950s Children's books (I know they all seem to be my favorites): Rocket Away (1953). I blogged about this book on August 12, 2009.
If you had to pick a center of "space culture" and thought in the early 1950s I am not sure that the Hayden Planetarium at New York's American Museum of Natural History would be the first place to come to mind. However they had a number of exhibitions and planetarium talks that kept the possibility of manned space flight in the public eye. They also hosted in 1951 one of the first space conferences. It was their 1952 conference at the Hayden that led to the publication of the Collier's articles.
But one of their best early publicity efforts was their reservations for the first space trips. This application was available at the Planetarium, in numerous articles like this one from Popular Science and in Rocket Away. By this 1952 article over 24,000 people had signed up for a space flight. In fact Rocket Away was basically a non-fiction book about their exhibits and planetarium show. This illustration from Rocket Away was showing one of the models they had in their lobby.
The Popular Science article showed some of the other exhibits that helped excite children about space flight.
Posted by John Sisson at 9:47 AM 1 comment:
Thursday, March 24, 2011
New Reader's Digest Treasury for Young Readers (1963)
As usual I find space art hidden in the oddest places. During the early 1960s space flight was all about our American heroes. While Scott Carpenter was the first astronaut it was John Glenn who was our first "space hero." Reader's Digest created this anthology of articles for children to read including this article about John Glenn.
This particular one is very beautiful as John Glenn's ship achieves separation.
Luckily he returned home safely.
Posted by John Sisson at 1:30 PM 2 comments:
Monday, March 21, 2011
Adventure Bound (1956)
Arno Joseph Jewett; Marion Edman; Paul McKee. Adventure bound. Boston : Houghton Mifflin, x, 598 p. ; 25 cm.Reading for enjoyment no. 7. 1956
This article about life on other planets is also an interesting inclusion in a school textbook.
Posted by John Sisson at 1:03 PM No comments:
Labels: 1950s, 1956, School text
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
My Weekly Reader (1960-1966)
And of course the best part of My Weekly Reader was that you got to take it home, so I have been luckily enough to rediscovery some child's stash that survived these 50+ (!) years
Posted by John Sisson at 5:33 PM 16 comments:
Monday, March 14, 2011
Quaker "Space Flight to the Moon" (1953)
One of my favorite early set of space flight images are those from the back of some cereal boxes. In 1953 Quaker Oats featured "Space Flight to the Moon" on the back of Puffed Rice and Puffed Wheat Cereal.
These were three dimensional images you could cut out and assemble for your own space dioramas. While I do not have all 8 parts I would like to show off images of the series that I have found or I own. Note all description include an exclamation point!
Number one was the "Space Port!"
Number two was "Rocket Ship...Away!"
Number three was "Stopover at Space Island!"
Numbers four was "Passing Space Liner!"
Number five was "Wing Repair in Outer Space!"
Number six was "Target -- Moon!" and number seven was "Landing on Moon!"
Number eight was "Exploring the Moon!" As a long-time reader of the backs of cereal boxes as I ate breakfast, I can only image how these pictures sparked imaginations.
Posted by John Sisson at 12:17 PM 4 comments:
Labels: 1950s, 1953, premiums, Punchout book
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
About Moon and About Rocket (1964)
However that is not an excuse for not showing you some cool pictures.
Posted by John Sisson at 2:43 PM 1 comment:
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Maybe I'm missing something here but I can't seem to put abstract classes anywhere but in the same package as the class that extends it.
For example, I create 2 classes like this:
package abstracttest.testpackage2; public abstract class testAbstractClass { abstract void testMe(); }
package abstracttest.testpackage1; import abstracttest.testpackage2.testAbstractClass; public class MainClass extends testAbstractClass { @Override void testMe() { throw new UnsupportedOperationException("Not supported yet."); } }
Looks perfectly valid to me, however, Netbeans reports this error "method does not override or implement a method from a supertype". Why?
If I move the abstract class into the same folder as the mainClass it works! What's this all about?


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Promaxima - Full Power Rack
|Article number:
|Delivery time:
|4-6 Weeks
Full Power Rack
- Double laser notched uprights w/laser engraved numbering system for exact bar location
- 2 - Stainless steel heavy duty lock-on weight bar catches.
- 2 - Stainless steel heavy duty lock-on adjustable safety catch arms.
- Weight plate storage
- 1 - Single-grip chin up stations.
- Upper and lower band attachments.
- Laser notching allows for quick and easy bar catch and safety bar adjustments.
- 2 - Vertical weight bar holders
- Resistance band storage and weight collar storage
- 3" x 3" Heavy wall steel frame tubing
- 3 - Stage durable powder coat finish
- Single or double landmine
- Dip attachment
- Technique trays
- Lock and Dock spotter stands
- Lock and Dock adjustable bench
- Platform
- Platform Logo
- Platform Ramps
- Multi-Grip Chin-Up Station
Our lock-on angled bar catches use 4 massive case hardened lugs to lock into the laser notched uprights. This design prevents wear on the uprights by spreading the weight over four seperate laser notched holes instead of the industry standard two holes. We also add an ABS protective layer that prevents damage to the uprights powder coat finish. The unique placement of our bright red spring loaded locking pin allows the user to adjust the bar catch with one hand and finally a stainless steel wear surface ensures years of worry free weight bar racking.
Pro Maxima's safety bar attachment incorporates all the great features of our angled bar catch into a safety bar attachment that gives the user a much needed form of protection during heavy lifting when a spotter is not available.
We offer three platforms to choose from depending on your lifting preference and facility design. From the durability of a hard laminate to the solid feel of oak or the simplicity of solid rubber, we have what your looking for. Logo designs also available for an additional cost.


text:
Which lint roller is best?
Also called a lint remover, a lint roller is a tool used to get rid of lint, hair and debris from upholstery, clothes and other surfaces. Most have a roll of sticky paper attached to a handle you can use to collect lint or other fibers with ease. Some come with refills or are reusable, while others are designed to deodorize fabrics.
The best lint roller for households with pets is the ChomChom Pet Hair Remover.
What to know before you buy a lint roller
The primary purpose of a lint roller is to remove pet hair, debris, dander, dust, lint and other debris from surfaces such as upholstery, clothes and rugs. However, you can also use them for other things, including to:
- Spot clean upholstery or furniture
- Clean the inside of a purse or backpack
- Get rid of glitter inside drawers or on solid surfaces
- Pick up dead insects from the windowsill or corners of the room
- Remove dust from delicate lampshades
- Pick up crumbs, sand and debris from inside the car
- Collect lint or hair from curtains or blinds
- Remove fuzz from coat pockets
- Brush a cat or dog with it to remove excess hair
Here are the most common types of lint roller:
- Adhesive lint roller: Sometimes called a tape roller, these have a roll of adhesive paper or sticky tape wrapped around a hard plastic or cardboard barrel. They work by rotating over a surface to pick up lint and debris. They usually require refills or are one-time use.
- Reusable tape rollers: These look and work the same way as other tape rollers, but they're reusable, and don't require refills. You do need to clean them after every use, though.
- Lint brush: These have small bristles that can collect hair or lint from clothes, furniture, carpets and other textured surfaces. Some are foldable, automatic or have a rechargeable battery. Others are manual and require you to pick up the gathered debris after use.
- Fabric shavers: Commonly known as fabric defuzzers or lint shavers, these are electric and use a rotating blade to collect lint and hair. They can also remove any pilling from the fabric.
- Lint roller mop or sweeper: These have a long handle that makes them convenient for collecting and removing lint or debris from surfaces without having to bend down.
- Rubber lint collector: This type uses static electricity to collect hair and debris. Similar to a sweeper, it requires regular emptying.
Reusable lint or tape rollers require refills to work. Some come with refills, which can last for several weeks or months. Others require a separate purchase.
Since most tape rollers come in a standard size, nearly any brand of refill should fit without an issue. However, if you're using a specialty tool, it's a good idea to check the dimensions or get refills from the same brand.
Some manufacturers list how many sheets each refill includes. Others mention how long the refill lasts, on average. For reference, a 60-sheet refill can last up to four months with daily use.
What to look for in a quality lint roller
Head size
Most traditional lint rollers have a head width of 2 to 5 inches. Smaller ones are more portable and can reach tight spaces, such as in between couch cushions or around corners. However, they require more frequent replacement or cleaning. Larger heads can pick up more lint and hair per sweep, but they don't fit into smaller spaces as easily.
Sticky roller mops or sweepers generally have a much larger head size that let them cover more ground compared to handheld devices. These range from around 8 to 12 inches, on average.
Handle length
The handle length depends on the type of tape roller.
For example, handheld tape rollers are usually 6 to 9 inches long. This makes them ideal for spot cleaning household furniture or clothes. Since they're on the shorter side, these aren't recommended for bigger projects.
On the other hand, lint roller mops usually have a handle that's between 2 and 4 feet long. Some also have an extendable handle for reaching hard-to-reach areas such as under the couch, table or chairs. They can cover a lot of floor space quickly. Due to their size, they can also miss smaller areas.
Keep in mind that the smaller the handle, the more portable it is.
Some tape rollers have deodorizing properties. This makes them great for those who want to eliminate unpleasant odors from clothes, upholstery, sheets, comforters, rugs or other household items.
Others are scented to make whatever you use it on smell nice. For example, the Gain Scented All-Purpose Lint Roller comes with scented sheets that leave a pleasant fragrance behind.
Usually, the scent or deodorizer is already on the sheets. Sometimes, though, they come with a spray that's attached to the roller.
How much you can expect to spend on a lint roller
Most cost $5-$20. The main distinction in price is the type and how many refills are included.
Lint roller FAQ
Can I use a lint roller directly on my pet?
A. Yes, as long as your pet doesn't mind the feeling of being brushed with one. Avoid using it on the animal's face, though. Also, only use a handheld roller that doesn't have chemicals or scents.
How do you clean an adhesive tape roller?
A. Put it in warm or room-temperature water and add a few drops of liquid dish soap. If needed, use a microfiber cloth to remove any debris or lint from the roller. Then let it air dry completely so you can use it again.
What's the best lint roller to buy?
Top lint roller
What you need to know: This reusable roller is designed to remove pet hair and debris on furniture and clothes.
What you'll love: Made specifically for pet owners, this eco-friendly roller uses a brush to collect hair, lint, dust and other debris. It has a waste compartment that's easy to empty.
What you should consider: The storage compartment is small.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top lint roller for the money
Scotch-Brite Lint Roller Value Pack
What you need to know: This set comes with five adhesive rollers and the option to buy six refills, making it perfect for those who need multiple rollers for their home.
What you'll love: It can pick up hair, debris and lint with ease. It has an ergonomic handle that makes it comfortable to use as well. The sheets are easy to tear off once used.
What you should consider: It's not adhesive enough to pick up tiny particles such as dust.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
What you need to know: With a 4-foot extendable handle, this adhesive mop roller is ideal for removing hair, lint and dust bunnies from the floor.
What you'll love: Lightweight and adjustable, this roller mop works well on many different surfaces, including hard floors, rugs and furniture. The head width is 6.3 inches and can easily fit under furniture. It comes with 30 sheets.
What you should consider: Removing the adhesive sheets can be tricky.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Angela Watson writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved.


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Maine's Civilian Conservation Corps camps arose quickly, only a month after President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the enabling legislation on March 31, 1933.
Young men -- ages 18 to 25, single, unemployed, and in good physical condition -- and some World War I veterans were eligible to sign up for the outdoor work.
The CCC recruits arrived from several weeks of "boot camp" at places like Fort Williams in Portland.
The military conducted the training and administered the camps, which resembled military establishments.
But the Maine Forest Service or National Park Service directed the work the men did.
The enrollees who arrived at the Jefferson CCC camp when it opened in June 1933 were World War I veterans.
Until September 1935, 389 (V) Co. served the "Bonus Army," named for veterans who had been pleading with President Franklin Roosevelt and his predecessors for bonuses due them from World War I service.
The Jefferson camp was one of four Bonus Camps in Maine. One at Beddington also lasted until 1935. The other two, at Kokadjo and Seboomook operated for a few months in 1933.
The goal of the CCC was to put young men to work doing jobs that would benefit the environment and the community at large.
It was also to help support the families of those men.
Enrollees earned $30 a month. They were to send $25 of that home to their families.
Like the other Forest Service-run camps in organized towns, Jefferson focused on tree and plant disease control.
From October to April, enrollees did Gypsy Moth control. In warmer months, they were responsible for controlling white pine blister rust.
The CCC men also surveyed and worked on eradicating European spruce sawfly.
In the unorganized territories further north in Maine, the Forest Service camp enrollees concentrated their efforts on forest fire prevention, carrying out a variety of tasks such as clearing brush and building roads and trails for firefighting equipment.
When the tasks a CCC crew was assigned were too far from the camp to make travel reasonable, they built side camps where the enrollees could live while working in the area.
CCC men from Alfred built a side camp at Sebago to do gypsy moth control there in the winter.
CCCers also built a lunch ground at Sebago Lake.
Most camps had about 200 men enrolled. They lived in dorms, military style.
A newspaper report from Alfred in 1933 noted, "The camp is under strict discipline."
Men were awakened at 5:45 a.m., had breakfast, then training exercises, followed by work from 8 to noon and 1 to 5.
But their lives were not all work. They had time for recreation and education in the evenings.
Here, enrollees at Jefferson have Christmas dinner at the camp in 1933.
Many of the CCC enrollees reported the food was good and plentiful, a relief for those who had struggled economically before enrolling.
The camps also offered sports activities, various types of recreation, and educational programs.
In the winter, men skied, snowshoed and skated. Most camps had pool tables and card tables. There were track teams, baseball teams, boxing.
Men went home for visits, or to nearby towns to the movies
A number of CCC young men earned high school diplomas or certificates of completion of work, and received training in various job skills.
At first, CCC enrollment was to be limited to six months. Soon, however, the program was extended to two years.
Therefore, the crews at the camps were not static, with men leaving and others arriving.
Each new group had to be trained in the necessary work skills.
The outdoor work continued from summer to winter. Besides shoveling snow, the Jefferson men worked in the winter removing Gypsy Moth nests from trees.
One of their work assignments was in Togus.
The men sometimes rode in the back of an open pickup truck the half-hour from Jefferson to Togus, regardless of temperature or weather conditions, then worked outside all day, and rode home again in the back of the truck.
Work tasks varied over time.
While the Jefferson camp was engaged in disease and pest control, it also undertook a project at state-owned land in Augusta where men cleared ravines, planted trees and created a park.
The Augusta project was the beginning of what was to be an arboretum.
Crews also built foot trails, footbridges, hand rails, picnic tables, benches, and an artificial pond.
The CCC members from Jefferson who worked on the project were part of the Bonus Army World War I veterans.
Forest Service officials selected camp locations based on heavy pest infestations.
In Alfred, as in the other southern Maine Forest Service camps, the men did gypsy moth work in the winter and white pine blister rust work in the summer -- and took on other tasks as the need arose.
Here, men from the camp are cutting diseased apple trees.
The Alfred camp began June 1, 1933, at Ft. Devens, Massachusetts, but moved to Maine by the end of the month.
D. L. Moody was superintendent of the Alfred Camp.
While the military was in charge of running the camps -- food, shelter, discipline -- the Forest Service determined what work the men did and each camp had a trained entomologist and other technicians on staff.
Moody worked for the Forest Service. He is shown with a "pet" crow that appeared in several photographs of the CCC camp.
Men from the Lewiston CCC camp, which operated from June 1933 to May 1937, also were primarily involved in insect and disease control.
Here, however, they are shown working on a road at Bear Mountain near Waterford to improve access to the Forest Service Fire Tower there.
The Alfred CCC crew helped clear roads during snow storms and engaged in other emergency work.
During the Flood of 1936, they helped with sandbags along the Saco River, repaired roads, hauled drinking water, and cleared debris, among other tasks.
Men at other camps also did flood control and repair work in 1936 and helped clear debris and open roads after the Hurricane of 1938, as well as doing other hurricane-related jobs.
Gypsy moths were quite prevalent in Maine in the early to mid 1930s.
Thirty of the Alfred CCC members went to Sebago during the winter to remove moth egg masses with the goal of making life more pleasant for camps and individuals on the lakefront.
Henry B. Peirson, State Forest Entomologist from 1928-1956, is shown in a tree in Alfred, doing gypsy moth control work.
Gypsy moth eradication could be challenging as men shinnied up trees or climbed ropes to get into the upper limbs, then soaked egg masses that were on the bottom of the branches with creosote.
While CCC men removed gypsy moth egg masses in the winter, they also surveyed the areas in which they worked for white pine blister rust problems.
White pine blister rust is a fungus that spreads from currant or gooseberry bushes, known as ribes, to white pine trees and back. It grows on the pine needles, then spreads to circle the tree, eventually killing it.
Part of the CCC task was removing currant and gooseberry bushes that grew within 900 feet of white pine trees.
Among their other accomplishments, the CCC camps in Maine performed tree and plant control disease work on 331,397 acres and tree insect pest control on 770,585 acres.
They spent 245 man days on tree preservation.
CCC crews also treated 13,861,782 gypsy moth egg masses, destroyed 352,239 brown tail moth webs and destroyed 270,230 weeviled white pine tops.
The men destroyed 679,512 ribes in white pine blister rust control and collected 1,840,031 spruce sawfly cocoons.
And, as one former CCC enrollee said, "The CCC had a tremendous influence on my life providing me with experience I could not have got elsewhere."
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First of all I started with tracing issue. I have checked server CPU and disk utilization using NMON (tool name is important here). There wasn't any problem with CPU utilization – or at least this is what I was thinking at that time. Tracing was enabled with level 12 (bind and wait) and it generate 2 GB of trace file for 30 min work. First I decided to limit trace level to 8 and give it another try. In the meantime, I double-checked with Oracle community on Twitter (thanks @CaryMillsap and @MartinBerx) that there is not any know Oracle bugs related to trace and performance. Changing tracing level from 12 to 8 solve issue – I mean there no difference between process running with trace and without trace and also limit size of the file to 130MB from 2 GB (don't ask ?)
In next step I focused on analyze differences between run times on two systems. It is quite easy to do with trace files and I was hoping for short solution.
My first surprise was that profile of SQL in both trace file were almost identical – there was not OS calls (waits) and query spend whole time on CPU. Execution plan were same and amount of data was same as well. Elapsed time for both executions was different and was equal to wall clock time recorded in process logs. To clarify my finding I will focus now on one UPDATE statement.
When I compared elapsed time with CPU time for EXEC db call I have seen a huge gap between both values – on faster system ratio between CPU time / elapsed time was around 60 % and slower one around 37 % - remember there is no OS calls (wait events)
According to all my knowledge if there is no OS calls CPU time should be equal to elapsed time with probably some difference related to measurement or rounding. If there are differences, there is a huge chance that Oracle process was per-empted from CPU and was waiting in CPU queue. Well according to NMON stats system was utilized in 30 % only so why Oracle process was to wait in queue if there are lot of CPU's free ? So maybe NMON is reporting system utilization it in wrong way and server itself is overloaded ? That question had to be answered.
I was lucky enough and I had a chance to run Oracle processes on idle server when no one else was connected. I got small LPAR with one core and 4 logical CPU's as AIX SMT was enabled. I created a small test
declare a number; begin for i in 1..100000 loop select count(*) into a from dba_users; end loop; end; /and I was surprised with results. I doesn't trust nmon output anymore so I run topas observing CPU utilization – it showed around 63 % of utilization for my session ! why not 95 – 100 % ? there was nothing else running there ?
I was even more surprised when I checked trace file – here is output formatted by tkprof for query I was looking at
SQL ID: 821zd9kr9k4yr Plan Hash: 3759210642 SELECT COUNT(*) FROM DBA_USERS call count cpu elapsed disk query current rows ------- ------ -------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Parse 1 0.00 0.00 0 0 0 0 Execute 100000 1.66 2.73 0 0 0 0 Fetch 100000 53.75 86.03 0 4200000 0 100000 ------- ------ -------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- total 200001 55.41 88.77 0 4200000 0 10000055.51 / 88.71 * 100 % = 62.5 %
Hey ! Dude where is my CPU time ? Did my process spend 33 s in CPU run queue ? on idle box ?
I needed more data and at that stage I had three hypothesis – Oracle bug, configuration problem or SMT option. I had funny feeling that SMT option is related to these results somehow but I checked MOS looking for bugs and asked Twitter friends to run same test on other system. (@MartinDBA confirmed my findings - Thanks for your help).
Next step was to disable SMT option and I learn that AIX is so nice that you can do it online. I rerun my test – Bingo – topas is showing 95 – 98 % of CPU utilization for my Oracle process and trace file is confirming it
SQL ID: 821zd9kr9k4yr Plan Hash: 3759210642 SELECT COUNT(*) FROM DBA_USERS call count cpu elapsed disk query current rows ------- ------ -------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Parse 1 0.00 0.00 0 0 0 0 Execute 100000 2.69 2.78 0 0 0 0 Fetch 100000 85.08 88.33 0 4200000 0 100000 ------- ------ -------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- total 200001 87.78 91.12 0 4200000 0 10000087.78 / 91.12 * 100 % = 96.3 %
This is what I was looking for. Based on both observations I was sure that there is no bug's in tracing functionality for this version of Oracle (126.96.36.199) and I was sure that Oracle process can spin CPU to almost 100 %. There was still question – why there is a huge gap in cpu to elapsed time with SMT enabled. I start looking for IBM documentation and bugs and after some time I found that page - Understanding Processor Utilization on Power Systems - AIX and this picture (linked from IBM wiki page)
So for new PowerPC 7 if your process is running 1 sec on logical CPU (thread) CPU utilization (user plus system) is 0.63 sec only. If you compare this one with no SMT enabled (or previous version of CPU) you can learn that if process was running for 1 sec on logical CPU it used to be reported as 1 sec of time used by CPU in user and system mode.
How tools are calculating CPU utilization for one process for 1 sec ? you need to divide CPU time used by this processes by 1 sec. So for pre-powerpc 7 or for power pc 7 without SMT
1 s on cpu / 1 s real time * 100 % = 100 %
For powerpc7 with 4 SMT
0.63 on cpu / 1 s * 100 % = 63 %
Have I seen this number before ? Yes this is CPU time taken from trace file divided by elapsed time ! My mystery has been solved – 63 % is now 100 % at least for that version of AIX and Oracle.
Where is a problem ?
If you are using Cary Millsap Method-R methodology to diagnose performance problems you need to remember that unaccounted time for trace files will be impacted by this feature/bug/you name it.
I think this post will be updated when I will have more details.


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CNS – The Felix Chevrolet showroom and neon roof sign in downtown Los Angeles may be local landmarks, but the Los Angeles City Council has declined to designate the site as a historic cultural monument.
The Cultural Heritage Commission recommended the sign be designated a cultural monument to protect it from being torn down. But the city Planning Commission made no similar recommendation, and on Oct. 10 the City Council declined to act, in effect rejecting the proposal, which had been opposed by the dealership's owner.
"We built the sign and we maintain it," said Darryl Holter. "We've never made any plans to demolish the sign, or do anything with the sign or the showroom. What we're trying to do is keep the business going and look to the future."
Holter said the designation could pose an unnecessary burden on the family in the event the business is ever sold.
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Councilwoman Jan Perry, whose district includes the dealership, opposed the historic-sign designation because they believed it could impede major development projects along the Figueroa corridor.
Charlie Fisher was one of the people who sought to protect the showroom and roof sign.
"The showroom and the sign are the true historic icons of this property. They are a history not only of (dealership owners) Winslow B. Felix and Nick Shammas, they're also the history of the Tupman brothers who preceded them with their Ford dealership."
The property is the oldest of three notable auto showrooms in Los Angeles, according to city officials. The others are Lou Ehlers Cadillac on Wilshire Boulevard and Casa de Cadillac on Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks.
The council's three-member Planning and Land Use Management Committee could not reach an agreement Oct. 2 on whether the showroom and sign are historic, and sent the proposal to the full council without a recommendation. The Cultural Heritage Commission had recommended approval of the designation.
The commission called the showroom at Jefferson Boulevard and Figueroa Street an example of "mid-20th century modern commercial architecture and monumental neon-signage design." The property also reflects the growth of the auto industry in Los Angeles, the commission found.
The dealership was designed by Richard King in 1920 as a showroom for Tupman Motors. The building was remodeled in 1946 and sold to Nickolas N. Shammas, the owner of Felix Chevrolet, 12 years later. Holter is Shammas' son- in-law.
The neon roof sign, designed by Wayne E. Heath, was added in 1959, and costs about $1,300 a month to maintain.


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retro (sort of) cordless phone, I had to feature it here. Okay, the design is kind of space age, and you punch in rather than dial the numbers, but it still brings back memories of busy signals and party lines.
Disclosure: I did not receive a sample or monetary compensation for this post. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
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Wednesday, April 25, 2012
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Wow! Everyone is generally so quiet here, but you all come out of the woodwork when someone says they are quitting their job. Thanks to you all. It feels pretty good after going back to work to help the transition of Jefe going back to school (and let's face it, supplying insurance) that I can pursue what I devour daily. I wish I could spend time visiting everyone's wonderful sites, but I guess I've got a new job and I'm sure you are all crafting awesome stuff.
Tis' the season People, and the gerbil is already running, thinking about my line up of gift classes, but I wanted to add some techniques that students could absorb while learning to craft a professional looking gift item. Forget Anthropologie.
I got an idea when I grabbed these the other day.
Right? I know, shameful, but Jefe caught my Orla Kiely ones on fire. Living in a house of my size, I am a lover of beautiful utilitarian objects, so I'm not sure what took me so long to see these needed to go.
Simply crafting an oven mitt seemed boring, so I got excited with thoughts of adding the improvisational technique of strip piecing. So here are my Strip-Pieced Oven Mitt class sample, a pair of strip-pieced oven mitts. The class will offer an optional Christmas stocking too (thanks Sue Perry for that idea).
Face it, who really needs another junk gift.
I always have a problem making just one of anything. If humans had three hands I would for sure have made three.
I learned something about quilting oven mitts after I was done with these. Less is more. Once I had them cut I spent some time with my seam ripper to make them less quilted and more fluffy. I can get my quilting on with the stocking samples I guess.
All said they are lovely and ready to go.
I've also added a zip pouch class to the same day. It's been way to long since I've taught this class and I love to make them.
It's pretty much endless what you can do with combining patchwork and a zip pouch, but I think my favorite part is picking out the coordinating fabrics for inside and out. So with respect to time we'll be doing just that.
I remade my extra large "Good Girl" and "Dirty Girl" travel bags.
These are perfect for friends that travel and need to keep track of their clean and dirty skivvies. You can even toss them in the wash.
And my favorite, Add Zip to Your Pillow Class is there too.
Tomorrow brings aprons.
What are you crafting/gifting this season?
I've got one space left in my Whole Cloth Quilt Workshop that starts this Thursday and two for the awesome Psychedelic Baby Block Workshop on Saturday. I'm pretty excited to see what people design with this versatile block.


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|The persuasive appeals:
Pathos names the appeal to emotion. Cicero encouraged the use of pathos
at the conclusion of an oration, but emotional appeals are of course more
widely viable. Aristotle's Rhetoric contains a great deal of discussion
of affecting the emotions, categorizing the kinds of responses of different
demographic groups. Thus, we see the close relations between assessment
of pathos and of audience.
Pathos is also the category by which we can understand the psychological
aspects of rhetoric. Criticism of rhetoric tends to focus on the overemphasis
of pathos, emotion, at the expense of logos, the message.
| Sample Rhetorical Analysis:
Antony, addressing the crowd after Caesar's murder in Shakespeare's play, manages to stir them up to anger against the conspirators by drawing upon their pity. He does this by calling their attention to each of Caesar's dagger wounds, accomplishing this pathetic appeal through vivid descriptions combined with allusions to the betrayal of friendship made by Brutus, who made "the most unkindest cut of all":
Related Figures Sources: Arist.1.2.5, 2.1.8, 2.2-11
Enter | Search the Forest
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Gideon O. Burton, Brigham Young University
Please cite "Silva Rhetoricae" (rhetoric.byu.edu)


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A family history blog covering the surnames of Glover, Fredrick, Watt, Graf and more. Take a genealogy journey with me.
06 December 2010
Advent Calendar: Santa Claus
After my list was complete I would anxiously wait until Santa came to town and we could go visit him. One year, I was 7, we went to the Village Hall to see Santa. I was ready, I had my list in my head. I sit on Santa's lap and notice his wedding ring. Where had I seen that before? I remember it looking familiar to me. Next, I noticed his white eyebrows. Weird, they look painted on. I told Santa what I wanted and went on my way believing I would get at least one thing from my list. Santa had been pretty good to me in the previous years.
Later that day I was playing at home and the doorbell rang. I don't remember if I answered the door or not, but I do remember standing at the bottom of the stairs and coming to the realization that the man at the door was Santa! He didn't have his Santa suit on, but there were those stupid painted eyebrows! And now I knew why the wedding ring looked familiar. The man at the door was a friend of my dad's. My dad taught high school and this man was a teacher, too. It was at that moment that I knew there wasn't a Santa Claus. I remember asking my parents, later, if there really was a Santa. They were reluctant to tell me, but being stubborn (yes, I admit it) I wouldn't give up and they finally admitted to it.
So, Mr. Wright next time you play Santa, please wash your eyebrows!
5 comments:
What a great story!! It's funny but I have absolutely know memory of when I realized Santa wasn't real - I guess it wasn't a big traumatic discovery for me. You were not only stubborn but smart to put all the piece together :-)ReplyDelete
Ya, know, it is those little details in life that can lead to major discoveries! LOLReplyDelete
Cute story, well told.
Thanks Diana and Carol. I am enjoying reliving the childhood memories about Christmas.ReplyDelete
My favorite Santa memory was one year at my grandpa Hull. I have told the story so many times over the years, I think my age changes with each telling. Let's say I was a youngster. My grandparents lived in a very small community, Old Field, MO. Their house was next to the one room school house, building also used for a church. One night we were visiting grandpa and Santa came by after the school program. Oh, my grandpa always gave silver dollars to the grandkids. I wish I could remember what I spent them on, I know I save several until I was a teenager.ReplyDelete
I remember silver dollars. I wish I still had a few. Thanks for sharing your Santa memory.ReplyDelete


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Rear end collisions are extremely common.
In fact, drivers are more likely to experience a rear-end collision more than any other type of accident on the road.
According to recent data from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), there were roughly 1.7 million rear-end collisions in just one year alone. Of those rear-end collisions, the NTSB estimates that 17,000 resulted in fatalities and at least a half a million resulted in injuries.
But what happens after a collision has occurred?
Do I Need An Attorney?
If you or have loved one have been involved in a rear-end collision, you may be eligible for legal recourse.
That's why the first course of action you should take is to discuss your case with a licensed rear ended attorney or seek a free case evaluation.
Why You Need An Attorney After A Rear-End Collision
There are many logistics to consider after an auto accident. Auto insurance claims, police reporting, personal injury, medical bills, and reading up on auto accident statues are just a few of the issues you have to deal with after a rear-end collision.
However, this is not an easy task especially if you're working full-time or under copious amounts of stress.
This is where an experienced attorney comes in.
Your personal injury lawyer will take care of these logistics and then some.
Among the aforementioned tasks above, your rear-end collision attorney will also handle the following issues for you:
Handle billing disputes with your car insurance company.
make sure that your insurance company is in possession of all your current medical records.
Increase your owed monetary settlement by negotiating your claim with your insurance company.
Apply full knowledge of legal procedures for rear-end collisions.
Can I Handle This Myself?
Hiring a lawyer is especially critical if you have been severely injured in a rear-end collision, severely burned from a collision, or experienced either brain or spinal trauma as a result. These are known as "hard injuries", and these should be addressed by a licensed attorney.
However, some motorists choose to handle their insurance or legal claims on their own if they injuries are considered "soft injuries" or injuries to soft tissue only. Soft injuries from rear-end collisions typically include:
Minor collisions that do not result in serious permanent injury.
Bruising or minor contusions.
Muscle strain during the collision.
While it's tempting to handle these issues on your own, when left unattended, soft injuries can develop into more serious issues later on.
This is especially true in the case of whiplash, the # 1 most serious soft tissue injury drivers experience. Whiplash can eventually manifest into long-term back problems and cognitive issues if left untreated.
That's why it's always recommended to consult with an auto accident attorney immediately after a rear-end collision.
Why go on it alone when you can have an attorney on your side fighting for every penny you deserve?
If you've recently been involved in a rear-end collision, do not hesitate to have your case evaluated by a team of experienced auto accident attorneys. Time is of the essence and you can not afford the possible long-term consequences of any car accident.


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Welcome to Lee's Useless Roman Numeral Converter. (Formerly Lee's Useless Arabic to Roman Numeral Converter (briefly), formerly Lee's Useless Decimal to Roman Numeral Converter.) This CGI script was created as a learning exercise. Simply enter a number or Roman numeral in the appropriate space below and click the appropriate Convert button. The number/Roman numeral you entered and its equivalent will be displayed. For now, this script is limited to positive numbers less than 4000.
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When a breeding wolf dies, its sex and the size of its pack can determine whether that pack continues, according to research published July online by the Journal of Animal Ecology.
In 2012, biologists at Denali National Park and Preserve noted a drop in wolf sightings following the death of a breeding female from a pack that lived along the Denali Park Road. This was one of several instances where the death of an individual wolf from legal trapping or hunting sparked widespread attention in recent years.
"This isn't the first time we have noticed that the loss of a breeding wolf can affect the fate of the pack. We thought it would be valuable to systematically look at what happens to the pack and population following the death of a breeder," said author Bridget Borg, a University of Alaska Fairbanks biology graduate student and National Park Service biologist.
Borg's research looked at changes in wolf pack fate, reproduction and population growth following the death of breeders.
"Given the park's current low wolf densities and small average pack sizes, we are concerned about harvest of wolves from packs that reside primarily within the park," said Don Striker, Superintendent of Denali National Park and Preserve. "The death of a breeding wolf could harm the packs that provide the greatest opportunities for park visitors to see a wolf in the wild, either through a lack of reproduction or the loss of the entire pack."
Gray wolves typically live in packs consisting of the parents and their offspring from one or more years. Turnover among young members of a pack is common as they leave to search for mates and start packs of their own. Breeding members typically spend more time in the pack and act as "social glue."
Borg and other park researchers and collaborators from UAF and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game examined data collected on 70 packs during a long-term study of wolves in Denali National Park and Preserve. They found that although breeder death preceded or coincided with 77 percent of the cases where packs were no longer found, the death of a breeding individual did not always lead to the end of a pack. In about two out of three cases where a breeder died, the pack continued.
"It appears that the sex of the breeder that was lost and the size of the pack prior to that loss were important factors explaining pack fate following the death of a breeder," Borg said. "The probability of a pack continuing was less if a female died or if the pack was small prior to the death."
Borg's data also suggests that the death of a breeder has a greater influence on a pack if the wolf died during the pre-breeding or breeding season.
"We noticed that human-caused mortality rates were highest during the winter and spring, which correspond to the pre-breeding and breeding seasons for wolves," said Laura Prugh, co-author and wildlife ecologist at the UAF Institute of Arctic Biology. "Harvest may lower the odds of pack survival because of this timing, especially when pack sizes are small."
Surprisingly, higher rates of breeder mortality and pack disruption did not correspond to lower population growth, indicating that the wolf population was resilient to loss of breeding individuals at a population level, according to the authors. They suggest that wolves may compensate for the death of breeders in a variety of ways, such as rapid replacement of breeders or increased reproductive success the following year.
Although breeder loss appeared to have little effect on Denali wolves at the population level, the loss of individuals may be important at a local level.
The researchers note that rates of denning and successfully raising pups decreased for packs in which a breeder died or was killed but the pack remained together. The wolf packs that successfully raise pups near the park road tend to be those seen most often by tourists.
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"What Prophets and Apostles Teach about Chastity and Fidelity," Ensign, Oct. 1998, 38
What Prophets and Apostles Teach about Chastity and Fidelity
The following statements from some of the Lord's prophets, seers, and revelators reaffirm the Lord's commandments concerning chastity and fidelity.
President Gordon B. Hinckley: "Challenging though it may be, there is a way to apply traditional moral principles in our day. For some unknown reason, there is constantly appearing the false rationalization that at one time in the long-ago, virtue was easy and that now it is difficult. I would like to remind any who feel that way that there has never been a time since the Creation when the same forces were not at work that are at work today. The proposal made by Potiphar's wife to Joseph in Egypt is no different from that faced by many men and women and youth in our day.
"The influences today may be more apparent and more seductive, but they are no more compelling. One cannot be shielded entirely from these influences. They are all about us. Our culture is saturated with them. But the same kind of self-discipline exercised by Joseph will yield the same beneficial result. Notwithstanding the so-called "new morality," notwithstanding the much-discussed changes in moral standards, there is no adequate substitute for virtue. God's standards may be challenged everywhere throughout the world, but God has not abrogated his commandments.
"The violation of his commandments in this, as in any other age, brings only regret, sorrow, loss of self-respect, and in many cases tragedy" ("With All Thy Getting Get Understanding," Ensign, Aug. 1988, 2).
President Gordon B. Hinckley: "Pornography is the literature of the devil. Shun it. Stay away from it. Lift your sights and your minds to the higher and nobler things of life. Remember, 'wickedness never was happiness' (Alma 41:10). Sin never brought happiness. Transgression never brought happiness. Disobedience never brought happiness" (Brigham Young University devotional, 17 Oct. 1995).
President Ezra Taft Benson: "If you would be happy and successful in your early association, courtship, and home-building, conform your lives to the eternal laws of heaven. There is no other way" (So Shall Ye Reap [1960], 106).
President Ezra Taft Benson: "The plaguing sin of this generation is sexual immorality. This, the Prophet Joseph said, would be the source of more temptations, more buffetings, and more difficulties for the elders of Israel than any other" ("Cleansing the Inner Vessel," Ensign, May 1986, 4).
President Ezra Taft Benson: "Do not be misled by Satan's lies. There is no lasting happiness in immorality. There is no joy to be found in breaking the law of chastity. Just the opposite is true. There may be momentary pleasure. For a time it may seem like everything is wonderful. But quickly the relationship will sour. Guilt and shame set in. We become fearful that our sins will be discovered. We must sneak and hide, lie and cheat. Love begins to die. Bitterness, jealousy, anger, and even hate begin to grow. All of these are the natural results of sin and transgression.
"On the other hand, when we obey the law of chastity and keep ourselves morally clean, we will experience the blessings of increased love and peace, greater trust and respect for our marital partners, deeper commitment to each other, and, therefore, a deep and significant sense of joy and happiness" ("The Law of Chastity," BYU 1987–88 Devotional and Fireside Speeches [1988], 51).
President Ezra Taft Benson: "Decide now to be chaste. The decision to be chaste and virtuous need only be made once. Make that decision now, and let it be so firm and with such deep commitment that it can never be shaken" ("The Law of Chastity," New Era, Jan. 1988, 6).
President James E. Faust: "The responsibilities involved in the divine life-giving process, and the functions of our body, are so sacrosanct that they are to be exercised only within the marriage relationship. Those who do not accept and meet those responsibilities, for any reason, as well as those who do, should never depart from the law of chastity if they wish to be truly happy. All members of this Church seeking eternal joy and peace are expected to and will wish to come to the marriage altar free from sexual transgressions chaste and pure" ("The Sanctity of Life," Ensign, May 1975, 27).
President Spencer W. Kimball: "Sin is still sin and always will be. We stand for a life of cleanliness. From childhood through youth and to the grave, we proclaim the wickedness of sexual life of any kind before marriage, and we proclaim that every one in marriage should hold himself or herself to the covenants that were made.
"In other words, as we have frequently said, there should be total chastity of men and women before marriage and total fidelity in marriage" ("The Time to Labor Is Now," Ensign, Nov. 1975, 7).
President Spencer W. Kimball: "My beloved youth, he is not your friend who would rob you of your virtue. She does not love you if she tempts you or yields to you. Such is your enemy. To require the yielding to passion, and gratification, yet to profess love, is to lie; for we never exploit one whom we love" (in Conference Report, Sydney Australia Area Conference, 1976, 54).
President Harold B. Lee: "To some it may seem old-fashioned to speak of virtue and chastity, honesty, morality, faith, character, but these are the qualities which have built great men and women and point the way by which one may find happiness. … These are the qualities which are the anchors to our lives" (Stand Ye in Holy Places [1976], 3–4).
Elder Neal A. Maxwell: "The world seeks to control the diseases flowing from sexual immorality but without honoring the principles of fidelity and chastity. The world in its wisdom constantly seeks to accommodate the natural man, while gospel wisdom constantly urges us to put off the natural man. (See Mosiah 3:19.) This is a pivotal point, and it makes all the difference!" ("The Inexhaustible Gospel," Ensign, Apr. 1993, 71–72).
Elder Neal A. Maxwell: "Do not, my young friends, expect the world to esteem the seventh commandment—chastity before marriage and fidelity after. Some people in the world will fret genuinely over the consequences of its violation, such as staggering and unprecedented illegitimacy and marital breakdowns. However, sexual immorality per se will still not be condemned by the secular world, as long as the violators have any commendable qualities at all, or as long as they are, in some respect, politically correct. We will have to keep the seventh commandment because it is spiritually correct, not because we will get much support from society's other institutions" ("The Pathway of Discipleship," address given at Brigham Young University, 4 Jan. 1998).
President David O. McKay: "No one can transgress the laws of chastity and find peace" (Gospel Ideals [1976], 473).
President David O. McKay: "Infidelity and sexual immorality are two principal evils that threaten to weaken and to wreck present-day civilization" (Gospel Ideals [1976], 487).
President Thomas S. Monson: "Some find it difficult to withstand the mockings and unsavory remarks of foolish ones who ridicule chastity, honesty, and obedience to God's commands. But the world has ever belittled adherence to principle. When Noah was instructed to build an ark, the foolish populace looked at the cloudless sky, then scoffed and jeered—until the rain came" (in Conference Report, Apr. 1967, 5).
Elder Russell M. Nelson: "When you marry, you and your eternal companion may then invoke the power of procreation, that you may have joy and rejoicing in your posterity. This divine endowment is guarded by your Creator's law of chastity" ("Self-Mastery," Ensign, Nov. 1985, 31).
Elder Dallin H. Oaks: "The power to create mortal life is the most exalted power God has given his children. Its use was mandated in the first commandment, but another important commandment was given to forbid its misuse. The emphasis we place on the law of chastity is explained by our understanding of the purpose of our procreative powers in the accomplishment of God's plan.
"The expression of our procreative powers is pleasing to God, but he has commanded that this be confined within the relationship of marriage. President Spencer W. Kimball taught that 'in the context of lawful marriage, the intimacy of sexual relations is right and divinely approved. There is nothing unholy or degrading about sexuality in itself, for by that means men and women join in a process of creation and in an expression of love' (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball [1982], 311).
"Outside the bonds of marriage, all uses of the procreative power are to one degree or another a sinful degrading and perversion of the most divine attribute of men and women" ("The Great Plan of Happiness," Ensign, Nov. 1993, 74).
President Boyd K. Packer: "The rapid, sweeping deterioration of values is characterized by a preoccupation—even an obsession—with the procreative act. Abstinence before marriage and fidelity within it are openly scoffed at—marriage and parenthood ridiculed as burdensome, unnecessary. Modesty, a virtue of a refined individual or society, is all but gone" ("Our Moral Environment," Ensign, May 1992, 66).
President Marion G. Romney: "'Thou shalt not commit adultery.' … The violator of this commandment suffers a loss second only to the loss suffered by him who kills. With the loss of the Spirit of the Lord, which always accompanies adultery, comes a diminution of the power to choose between right and wrong. Lying, loss of self-respect, and disloyalty are bosom companions of adultery. If we are seriously interested in being successful in any endeavor, we shall avoid every type of immorality as we would avoid the plague" ("A Glorious Promise," Ensign, Jan. 1981, 3).
Elder Richard G. Scott: "Within the enduring covenant of marriage, the Lord permits husband and wife the expression of the sacred procreative powers in all their loveliness and beauty within the bounds He has set. One purpose of this private, sacred, intimate experience is to provide the physical bodies for the spirits Father in Heaven wants to experience mortality. Another reason for these powerful and beautiful feelings of love is to bind husband and wife together in loyalty, fidelity, consideration of each other, and common purpose.
"However, those intimate acts are forbidden by the Lord outside the enduring commitment of marriage because they undermine His purposes. Within the sacred covenant of marriage, such relationships are according to His plan. When experienced any other way, they are against His will. They cause serious emotional and spiritual harm. Even though participants do not realize that is happening now, they will later. Sexual immorality creates a barrier to the influence of the Holy Spirit with all its uplifting, enlightening, and empowering capabilities. It causes powerful physical and emotional stimulation. In time that creates an unquenchable appetite that drives the offender to ever more serious sin. It engenders selfishness and can produce aggressive acts such as brutality,abortion, sexual abuse, and violent crime. Such stimulation can lead to acts of homosexuality, and they are evil and absolutely wrong" ("Making the Right Choices," Ensign, Nov. 1994, 38).
President Joseph F. Smith: "Teach that the law of chastity is one of the most vital importance, both to children, and to men and to women. It is a vitally important principle to the children of God in all their lives, from the cradle to the grave" (Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. [1939], 273).
President John Taylor: "When a man takes to himself a woman that properly belongs to another, and defiles her, it interferes with the fountain of life and corrupts the very source of existence. … This thing is not to be trifled with, but is of the greatest importance; hence the necessity of the sealing powers, that all things may be pure, chastity maintained, and lasciviousness be rooted out from among the saints. Why so? That we may have a holy offspring that shall be great, and clothed with the mighty power of God" (Deseret News Weekly, 8 Apr. 1853, 102).
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin: "Live above the curse of immorality that is plaguing the earth. Rise above the squalor of pornography, obscenity, and filth. Be virtuous and chaste. Uphold your young sisters in the gospel by respecting their budding womanhood and protecting their virtue. Always conduct yourselves according to the commandments of God when you are with them. You want your girlfriends to remain clean and pure. Just as you surely would protect the chastity of your own sister in your family, likewise protect the virtue of your sisters in God's family" ("Live in Obedience," Ensign, May 1994, 40).
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin: "[A] distinctive characteristic of the gospel is the adherence to the Lord's law of chastity. From ancient times to the present, the Lord has commanded his people to obey the law. Such strict morality may seem peculiar or outdated in our day when the media portrays pornography and immorality as being normal and fully acceptable. Remember, the Lord has never revoked the law of chastity" ("Fruits of the Restored Gospel," Ensign, Nov. 1991, 17).


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Sony Pictures Television (SPT) Networks, Asia brings back The Amazing Race Asia for a fifth season. Hosted by Allan Wu, the Amazing Race Asia Season 5 is looking for couples or pairs (with pre-existing relationships) who are ready to face different challenges as they race around the world.
Contestant Requirements:
1. Aged 21 years old above.
2. Must have valid passports.
3. Must be a citizen or resident of Asia.
4. Physically and mentally fit.
5. Must be outgoing, adventurous, and socially savvy.
6. At least one member must have a driver's license and can drive automatic transmission and manual transmission.
You can access the application form here: www.axn-asia.com/TARA
Interested applicants would need to fill up the online application form on their website
and will have to submit a three (3) minute audition video online
AXN was home to the previous four seasons, with the most recent edition concluding in 2010, and will now air season five. The show will debut in its fifth run on AXN in late 2016. Ten teams chosen from across the Asia-Pacific region will compete for a chance at the winning crown and US$100,000 in cash.


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Over 4,500 kids and families filled the Cedar Springs Public School campus Thursday, June 24, for a free afternoon of food, fun, games and prizes. It was the kick off event for Maranda's line up of summer park parties, and went off without a hitch.
"It was a beautiful day and a beautiful event," said Maranda. "Thousands of families joined us for a day of free fun. It's such an honor to work with an amazing team of volunteers, interns, co-workers and corporate partners." WOOD TV8 and WOTV4 sponsored the event, and worked with Cedar Springs Area Parks and Recreation to make it happen.
The fun started at 11 a.m. with a free lunch for kids, and the other activities kicked off at noon. The stage rocked all afternoon with great entertainment from local kid performers including martial arts sensation Mariah Moore, Next II None and Dance Central. The Cedar Springs Park Party also showcased a fun new attraction—the ropes course! Other activities included the climbing wall, Super Slide, Dixie Twister, and bounce house. Tables and booths were set up all over the campus with free activities, prizes and information. The Cedar Springs and Solon Fire Departments were on hand to keep the kiddies cool with their fire hoses, and Rockford Ambulance, the Kent County Sheriff Department mounted unit, the Cedar Springs Police Department, and the City of Cedar Springs were all on hand to let kids explore their vehicles.
"It was a great day, great weather and a lot of fun to see so many families out and enjoying the activities, entertainment and free items," said Parks and Rec director Amanda Gerhardt.
She noted that they learned from the last party and made a couple of changes. "We tried to improve upon a few things from 2008, such as more shuttle busses and a clearer line and system for the free lunches," she explained. She said that they served just under 2,000 lunches. People parked at some of the surrounding schools and were shuttled on school buses to the grassy area between Cedar View and Cedar Trails by school bus drivers.
Some people complained about the long lines for the high profile rides. But Gerhardt said that's to be expected. "We saw lines at all the events, which is to be expected at an event like this or even at places like Michigan Adventure or Cedar Point, but we saw them moving quickly and kids being able to participate," she said.
Gerhardt was grateful and thankful to all the volunteers who helped and participated in the event, including The Cedar Springs Department of Public Works, who helped set up and clean up the aftermath.
"It is amazing that within one hour of the event the area looks almost back to normal," she said.
Gerhart was honored that Cedar Springs was chosen twice to be host for a park party. "We appreciate WOOD TV8 and WOTV4 for choosing Cedar Springs and hope they will do so again in the future," she said.
More pictures…


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IBM on Monday launched its latest Power7 processor, which adds more cores and improved multithreading capabilities to boost the performance of servers requiring high up time.
The Power7 chip has up to eight cores, with each core able to run four threads, IBM said. A Power7 chip can run 32 tasks simultaneously, which is quadruple the number of cores on the older Power6 chip. The Power7 will also run up to eight times more threads than Power6 cores.
Power7 chips will run between 3.0GHz and 4.14GHz, said Ross Mauri, general manager of IBM's Power Systems unit, during a press event in New York on Monday. The chip will come with four, six or eight cores.
The chips are being made using the 45-nm process technology. The company has made memory-level improvements that should enable the processor to execute tasks faster.
Power7 systems will deliver twice the performance of older Power6 systems, but be four times more energy efficient, Mauri said. The systems will run operating systems including AIX and enterprise Linux offered by Red Hat and Suse.
The new chip also has TurboCore technology, which allows customers to crank up the speed of active cores for performance gains. The technology also puts memory and bandwidth from eight cores behind the four active cores to drive up the performance gains per core.
The company also launched four Power7-based servers. IBM Power 780 and Power 770 high-end servers are based on modular designs and come with up to 64 Power7 cores. The IBM Power 755 will support up to 32 Power7 cores. The company also launched the 750 Express server. The Power 750 Express and 755 will ship on Feb. 19, while the Power 770 and 780 will become available on March 16.
In addition to boosting performance, the Power7 servers can save more energy, IBM said. A technology called Unique Intelligent Energy allows parts of a system to be switched off to reduce power drawn. The technology also allows the processor clock speed to be cranked down on a single server or across a pool of multiple servers, which can reduce power consumed.
IBM representatives declined to provide server pricing, but said it would be competitively priced. The servers will deliver better performance and bang for the buck than existing Power6 systems, said Rod Adkins, senior vice president of IBM's Systems and Technology group.
IBM officials called the chip the "world's fastest processor," but emphasized that system performance will be measured by the ability to deliver "intelligent" performance.
"As we conceived this Power7 system... raw performance was a given. What you will see is a tremendous focus around ... intelligent performance," Adkins said. A mass of data will flood servers as computing expands to devices like mobile devices and smart meters, he said. This data will need to be collected, processed and analyzed on the fly. For example, collecting data will allow utilities to instantly analyze energy usage patterns, and new ways to acquire energy from multiple sources.
Readings from devices like smart meters and sensors could create billions of transactions and petabytes of data, most of which will be unstructured, Adkins said. That will also drive the need for patterning, analytics and prediction capabilities, and IBM has tuned its software stack to take advantage of the highly threaded, high performance scalable architecture of Power7 systems, Adkins said.
In addition to optimizing applications like Websphere and Lotus Domino, the company also worked with SAP to tune applications for multithreaded execution on Power7 cores.
The chip is aimed at industries that require servers with high up time, such as the financial or electric industries, IBM said. The chips is designed for Internet, database or analytical workloads that process a large number of concurrent transactions, the company said.
Emeter, a software company that writes applications for smart meters connected to grids, said the Power7 systems are scalable and able to analyze data faster than their predecessors. Such systems will enable the company to read smart meters faster and provide flexibility to introduce new forms of billing, like charging customers based on electricity usage at different locations.
Rice University has seen the Power7 systems deliver faster computational yields for data analysis related to its cancer research, said Kamran Khan, vice provost of IT at the university. The 128 cores in Power7 systems are able to process data faster, which is critical in research areas including genomics sequencing and molecular dynamics, Khan said.
IBM's Power7 launch could set off a new battle in the high-end microprocessor market where it competes with companies like Intel, which offers the Itanium chip, and Sun Microsystems, which offers the Sparc chip.
Intel is expected to launch the latest version of the Itanium chip code-named Tukwila on Monday. The Itanium chips go into high-end servers offered by Hewlett-Packard, which competes with IBM in the server space.
During the third quarter of 2009, IBM was the leader in server revenue with 31.8% market share, with HP in a close second with a 30.9% market share.
The Unix market -- including hardware and applications -- is considered to be flat or falling with the onslaught of x86 servers into the server market. During the third quarter of 2009, Unix server revenue declined by 23.4% compared to the third quarter of 2008, according to IDC. But Adkins said that as data collection increases, the need for faster and reliable Unix servers will grow.
"The Unix market is a pretty sizeable and healthy market," Adkins said. The market is expanding to the tune of billions of dollars, and Power systems will continue to rule the space, he said. IBM is providing more aggressive pricing options for Unix servers, which could put Power7 systems in competition with servers in "traditional" areas, Adkins said.