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Shamshad develops RFID systems in Java for the supply chain and mining industries. He can be contacted at [email protected]
An RFID system consists of an antenna and transceiver, which read data transmitted by a transponder via radio frequency (RF). The combined transceiver and antenna are called the "RFID reader." The transponder, referred to as the "RFID tag," is an integrated circuit containing RF circuitry. It transmits data when it comes within the electric or magnetic field of the antenna. The antenna transmits data to a processing unit where it is manipulated according to whatever business needs. The reader is connected to the processing unit or a computer's communication port.
Commands are sent from the computer to the reader, which then activates the transponder. The transponder's response is read by the reader, which transmits the data to the PC's communication port.
In this article, I examine how you use the Java Communication API to send commands to and receive responses from the Texas Instruments S2000 Micro Reader (see Figure 1). The TI S2000 Micro Reader (see http://www.ti.com/rfid/docs/products/ evalKits/RI-K2A-001A.shtml) is an intelligent module providing RF and control functions to read and program TI-RFID transponders. It is equipped with a Serial Communications Interface (SCI) that can be directly connected to a PC. The computer's communication port in this case is the RS-232 serial port.
Micro Reader Communication Protocol
At the outset of RFID development, it is important that you understand the communication protocol involved in sending signal commands from PCs to micro readers, and from micro readers back to computers. Figure 2 presents the byte sequence and its meaning for sending commands from PCs to micro readers.
The "Command Field" (see Table 1) defines the mode in which the micro reader operates and determines the operation that is to be carried out in the transponder. Depending on the setting of the relevant bits, the corresponding information specified in the Data Fields will be sent to the transponder (or not). Thus all functions of each particular transponder type can be executed. Tables 1(a), 1(b), and 1(c) describe the available settings for the PC-to-micro reader communication protocol.
If bit 5 (Power Burst II) is set for, say, programming and locking (see Figure 3), the micro reader automatically operates in single mode. Thus, users are enabled to validate the programming or lock response before a further cycle is started. If bit 2 (FBCC calculation) and bit 6 (Data) are set, the micro reader automatically calculates a 2-byte BCC over the data to be sent to the transponder and adds it to the protocol. When bits 2 and 6 are set, the PC must not send the 2-byte FBCC to the micro reader. Bit 4 (Power Pause Duration) is for future use and must not be set when addressing standard TI-RFID transponders.
If Command Field (2) is not present, standard TI-RFID write timings are used and wireless synchronization is switched on/off according to the status of input line WLSC. Also, the settings specified in Command Fields (1) and (2) are only valid during the execution of the current command (see Figures 3 and 4).
The BCC field, see Byte N+4(3) in Figure 2, is a 1-byte value of the Longitudinal Redundancy Check calculation (XORed bytes) for the preceding message. The calculation is performed on the entire message, excluding the Start-Mark. Figure 5 is an example of the BCC calculation.
Tables 2(a), 2(b), and 2(c) describe the micro reader-to-PC communication protocol. In most of the cases, you are mainly interested in the data embedded in the transponder. The data sent by the micro reader to the PC is sequenced as described in Table 2(a). In Table 2(a), the BCC field is a 1-byte value of the Longitudinal Redundancy Check calculation (XORed bytes) for the preceding message. The calculation is performed on the entire message excluding the Start-Mark.
The TI transponder protocol needs to be sent by the PC to the transponder via the micro reader. For simplicity, I only consider the read operation of RO and W/R transponders; see Figure 6. Figure 7 illustrates the transponder response for read only and read/write transponders, while Figure 8 presents the read/write transponder data format.
The Java Communications API
The Java Communication API provides a means to communicate with the outside devices via serial or parallel ports. Classes and interfaces are packaged in the javax.comm package. Classes and Interfaces in the javax.com package are:
- Interfaces: CommDriver, CommPortOwnershipListener, ParallelPortEventListener, and SerialPortEventListener.
- Classes: CommPort, CommPortIdentifier, ParallelPort, ParallelPortEvent, SerialPort, and serialPortEvent.
- Exceptions: NoSuchPortException, PortInUseException, and UnsupportedCommOperationException.
Listing One is a Java program that reads an RFID tag. The steps it implements to read RFID tags via serial ports are:
- Identify the port to which the reader is attached to the PC.
- Open and claim the ownership of the port.
- Resolve port ownership contention between multiple Java applications.
- Create an OutputStream associated with the port.
- Write the stream of data to the port. The stream of the data must conform to the PC-to-micro reader protocol. After the data is successfully written to the port, the reader switches into one of the modes as specified in the data field of the stream.
- Register an event listener to the port.
- Specify an event type: notifyOnDataAvailable().
- The event type calls the interface method serialEvent().
- Within the serialEvent method, the RFID tag data is read. When the tag is in the reader's field, it transmits data to the reader, which in turn, transmits to the PC via serial port.
- The data is formatted and converted into the hexadecimal form.
Listing One can be divided into three functional parts:
- Open and take the ownership of the communication port, COM1, to which the reader is connected; see the code excerpt in Example 1.
- Sending commands to switch the reader to one of its operating modes. In Listing One, a command is sent via the serial port to switch the reader to "continuous normal mode," where the reader continuously reads whenever a tag comes to its field. The code:
outputStream =
- sends the command to the port by writing the bytestream detailed in Table 3.
- Register an event listener to the port, specify an event type, and handle the event. The tag data is read when an RFID tag comes in the field of the reader. This makes data available at the port of the PC. Availability of the data triggers the notifyOnDataAvailable() event, which is listened by the serialEvent() method where the data is fetched from the reader to the PC.
Figure 9 is a sample read sequence upon running Listing One.
The Java program I present here lets the reader operate in continuous normal mode by sending bytes of stream. The data read by the RFID reader is transmitted to the PC via serial port. Once the data is available in the processing unit, it all depends on the application as to how those data are manipulated.
/* Sample java code to read an RFID tag */ import java.io.*; import java.util.*; import javax.comm.*; public class RFIDTagRead implements Runnable, SerialPortEventListener { static CommPortIdentifier portId; static Enumeration portList; InputStream inputStream; SerialPort serialPort; Thread readThread; //Array consisting of SOH, length, command, data, BCC static byte[] bytearray = {0x01, 0x02, 0x09, 0x32, 0x39}; static OutputStream outputStream; static int n =0; public static void main(String[] args) { //Enumerate a list of available ports portList = CommPortIdentifier.getPortIdentifiers(); // Identify the ports. I connected the reader with COM1 while (portList.hasMoreElements()) { portId = (CommPortIdentifier) portList.nextElement(); if (portId.getPortType() == CommPortIdentifier.PORT_SERIAL) { if (portId.getName().equals("COM1")) { System.out.println("The port is: " + portId.getName()); RFIDTagRead reader = new RFIDTagRead(); } } } } public RFIDTagRead() { try { //Open the COM1 port and name it MicroReader with timeout 2000ms serialPort = (SerialPort) portId.open("SimpleReadApp", 2000); } catch (Exception e) {System.out.println("Port Error");} try { outputStream = serialPort.getOutputStream(); // Write the stream of data conforming to PC to reader protocol outputStream.write(bytearray); outputStream.flush(); System.out.println("The following bytes are being written"); for(int i=0; i<bytearray.length; i++) System.out.println(bytearray[i]); System.out.println("Tag will be read when its in the field of the reader"); } catch (IOException e) {} // Set Serial Port parameter try { serialPort.setSerialPortParams(9600, SerialPort.DATABITS_8, SerialPort.STOPBITS_1, SerialPort.PARITY_NONE); } catch (UnsupportedCommOperationException e) {} try { //Register an event listener object to the port serialPort.addEventListener(this); } catch (TooManyListenersException e) {System.out.println("Too Many Listeners"); } //Specify an event type. On data availability, triggers serialEvent method serialPort.notifyOnDataAvailable(true); try { //Associate an InputStream object with this port. inputStream = serialPort.getInputStream(); } catch (IOException e) {} //Start a thread to handle the time-to-read the tag readThread = new Thread(this); readThread.start(); } public void run() { try { Thread.sleep(56); } catch (InterruptedException e) {} } //This method is called by notifyOnDataAvailabe() public void serialEvent(SerialPortEvent event) { switch(event.getEventType()) { case SerialPortEvent.BI: case SerialPortEvent.OE: case SerialPortEvent.FE: case SerialPortEvent.PE: case SerialPortEvent.CD: case SerialPortEvent.CTS: case SerialPortEvent.DSR: case SerialPortEvent.RI: case SerialPortEvent.OUTPUT_BUFFER_EMPTY: break; case SerialPortEvent.DATA_AVAILABLE: n++; //to count the number of readings System.out.println("The reading description of RFID Tag" + " " + n); //array size must not be less than the number of bytes to be read byte[] readBuffer = new byte[20]; // to store the read data int numbyte = 0; try { while(inputStream.available() >0) { // Read the RFID data and store in the byte array numbyte = inputStream.read(readBuffer); System.out.println("Number of Bytes read: " + numbyte); } } catch (IOException e) {} if( readBuffer[0] == 1) /*check if start bit is detected */ { int length = readBuffer[1]; // Identify the Transponder type switch(readBuffer[2]) { case 12 : { System.out.print("RFID is RO:" + "\t"); break; } case 13 : { System.out.print("RFID is R/W:" + "\t"); break; } case 14: { System.out.print("RFID is MPT/SAMPT:" + "\t"); break; } case 15: { System.out.print("RFID is Other:" + "\t"); break; } } // Write the actual tag reading in Hexadecimal for( int m = length+1; m > 2; m--) System.out.print(Integer.toHexString(readBuffer[m] & 255)); } System.out.println(" "); System.out.println("\t" + "Read Sucessful"); System.out.println("----------------------------------"); break; } } }Back to article


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subset: commoncrawl


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Thirty-two months after Steven Russo, a popular Seneca Valley High School math teacher, was gunned down at his home, investigators have identified his suspected murderer.
But state police will never arrest 46-year-old Richard Laszczynski — the presumed killer.
Laszczynski, who apparently spent the better part of his life battling mental demons, blew himself up last month with a homemade bomb at his Hampton Township home, authorities said.
An autopsy ruled the June 27 death a suicide caused by a "blast injury to the head and neck," according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner's office.
"It appears he may have had something to do with his own death, while making bombs at his house," said one investigator who did not want to be identified.
But the source also seemed to leave open the possibility that Laszczynski's death by explosive could have been accidental.
"He had a past history of problems," the investigator said, declining to elaborate.
Those problems — psychological, pathological or whatever, say friends — also may have contributed to his criminal past.
Laszczynski in 1994 was convicted of the armed robbery of a post office in Warrendale. While serving time in federal prison, he would later become a jailhouse informant for prosecutors investigating a triple murder in Virginia.
More recently, he was arrested last fall after attacking his wife and stepson with a hammer and knife, Hampton Township police said.
But before Hampton officers could get there, the highly intoxicated Laszczynski used the same knife to intentionally cut himself on the side of his face, according to court documents.
The assault and endangerment case that was pending against him in Allegheny County Court now is awaiting formal dismissal, upon his death.
"He was a suspect in the Russo homicide," Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger said of Laszczynski on Wednesday. "But our investigation is still ongoing."
While state police suspected Laszczynski almost from the outset of their investigation, they never publicly named him or anyone as a suspect in the slaying.
Russo, 48, was shot in the head Nov. 24, 2010, inside the log cabin-style home in Lancaster Township that he shared with girlfriend Heidi Smith.
Russo's daughter, one of his two children, found her father's body when she came to visit him at his Route 19 home the day before Thanksgiving, police said.
Police during the investigation obtained numerous search warrants. They simultaneously got court orders that kept those warrants sealed, arguing that public disclosure of the material could jeopardize their probe.
But at least some of those court papers were unsealed with Laszczynski's death. In some of the documents is evidence suggesting why police suspected him of killing Russo.
"I think it's pretty obvious," Goldinger said. "He was the former boyfriend of (Russo's) live-in girlfriend."
The motive was an age old one.
"We believe it was just jealousy," said state police Cpl. Daniel Herr. And a lot of rage.
"He had some real anger issues," Herr said of Laszczynski.
Heidi Smith, 43, of Beaver County, a second grade teacher at Mars Elementary School, briefly dated Laszczynski while she and Russo lived together in 2009 and 2010 at their Lancaster Township rental home.
Smith declined to comment on Laszczynski's suicide or investigators naming him as a suspect in Russo's murder.
However, in an interview last fall with the Butler Eagle, she revealed that she long believed Laszczynski killed Russo.
She described Laszczynski as a "selfish sociopath" and a "monster."
So convinced of his guilt, Smith wore a wire and secretly recorded conversations in hopes of getting incriminating statements from Laszczynski to aid the police investigation.
Goldinger declined to comment about those surveillance techniques. However, he acknowledged that Smith "cooperated with police from the very beginning."
It was Smith's decision to end her short-lived relationship with Laszczynski. But he was not so ready to walk out of her life for good. He made sure he kept in touch with Smith, whether she liked it or not.
She admitted to the Butler Eagle that in the days leading up to Russo's killing she received "disturbing" text messages from Laszczynski. She would not disclose their contents.
While the messages worried her, she acknowledged that she never conveyed any concerns to Russo.
On the morning of the Russo's killing, Smith left for work about 7 a.m. Russo had the day off due to the Thanksgiving holiday school recess.
Police believe Russo was killed between 7 and 10:30 a.m. with a small-caliber gun.
Investigators quickly ruled out burglary or robbery because the house was not ransacked and nothing was apparently stolen — not even Russo's wallet.
At her lunch period about 11 a.m., Smith said she sent Russo a text message. He didn't immediately respond, which was out of character.
Soon after, she got a text from her neighbor, telling her that police helicopters were flying over the house.
Her principal granted her request to leave and she sped home. She was met by scores of police cars and troopers.
"I ran up to a bunch of police standing by the door," she told the Butler Eagle. "I yelled, 'Where's Steve?' One of the police blurted out, 'Steven Russo is dead.'"
Within an hour, Smith was question by the police. She provided investigators with Laszczynski's name, and why she believed they should look at him as the killer.
Police then brought Laszczynski in for an interview. But any hope of getting a statement ended quickly when he asked to speak to his attorney.
Laszczynski's attorney, Carl Parise of Pittsburgh, did not return telephone calls left his at his office or his home Wednesday.
Laszczynski's wife, Heather McClain, also could not be reached for comment.
Police acknowledged that Smith was quickly ruled out as a suspect based on her cooperation and a solid alibi.
About as quickly, Laszczynski went to the top of the list of potential suspects. Goldinger would not say how many names ever made it on that list.
But police admitted it was a short list.
"(Laszczynski) was the only suspect," Herr said.
During the more than 2˝ years of investigating the case, police have methodically collected evidence and conducted countless interviews.
"Our family got frustrated as time went by and there still was no arrest," Jayme Russo, one of Russo's three brothers, said Wednesday.
It also did not help, he said, that police did not share much about their findings with the family. But the Russo clan never lost confidence in police.
"Sometimes we'd like to know more," said the 49-year-old Jayme Russo of Butler Township, "but the police have a job to do. Besides, whatever they did, it wasn't going to bring Steve back."
Since the killing, the family has met regularly with Trooper Randy Guy, the lead investigator, and Patricia McLean, the lead prosecutor, to get updates about the investigation.
Only recently learning of Laszczynski's suicide, the family hastily arranged a meeting with Guy on Tuesday at the state police barracks in Butler Township.
Tuesday, purely coincidental Jayme Russo assured, was his late brother's birthday.
"We didn't know if (Laszczynski) was a prime suspect," he said, "but we kind of had an idea."
Not surprisingly, police provided the family with few details about their case against the suspect or what Laszczynski's sudden death means for the investigation.
"The investigation doesn't end just because he died," Goldinger said. "We're still going to try to prove he was the one."
He noted that police are "very close" to solving the crime once and for all.
"We're waiting for tests to come back on one more piece of forensic evidence," Goldinger said. He would not elaborate.
For the Russo family, Laszczynski's death gives no comfort.
"It's the worst thing that could have happened," Jayme Russo said. "It leaves a lot of unanswered questions.
"We would have liked to have seen this go to trial and get some of those questions answered. But now there's probably a lot we'll never know."


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SACRAMENTO — A California state senator wants Gov. Jerry Brown to consider alternatives to a zero-water allocation for agriculture, which he said would be devastating to farmers and the state's economy.
Sen. Jim Nielsen, R-Gerber, told the governor the state's 80,500 farms and ranches earned a record $44.7 billion for their output in 2011 and that their productivity would be affected by a denial of water from the State Water Project.
"Given your family's roots in the North State, you know the importance of farming and its significance to the region and the state economy," Nielsen, a rancher, told Brown, whose family owns ranchland in Colusa County.
"Water is a scarce resource, and California is suffering from an historic drought," Nielsen wrote. "All users must share the scarcity equally. This is a much more equitable way to divide the allocation of water for the benefit of all users – farmers and residential."
Should the no-water policy go into effect, farmers will not be able to water their trees, crops and livestock and dairy and cattle herds would be reduced, Nielsen told the governor. As a result, consumers still recovering from the recent recession will face higher prices at the grocery store, he wrote.
The senator plans to work with those affected by the shutoff and wants Brown to hold "collaborative meetings" with farmers and others "to present constructive alternative solutions to zero supply," Nielsen spokeswoman Nghia Nguyen said in an email.
The state Water Resources Control Board has already approved a petition by project water users to temporarily forgo a requirement that enough water be let out of storage to meet fish standards, chairwoman Felicia Marcus said.
However, the state must be certain that enough water remains in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta for salinity control, Marcus said.
"If salinity control were lost, water in the Delta would be too salty for any uses in the Delta or for export, so it is in everyone's interest that the projects figure this out, which is what they are now doing," she said.
The State Water Project announced in late January that most agricultural customers would get no deliveries in 2014 if dry conditions persisted and that Sacramento Valley water districts with long-standing water rights may only get 50 percent.
As expected, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation followed suit in late February, announcing it expects to have no water available for farms without senior water rights either north or south of the Delta. Senior rights holders along the Sacramento River are slated to get 40 percent.
Sen. Jim Nielsen: http://district4.cssrc.us
Gov. Jerry Brown: http://gov.ca.gov/home.php
State Water Resources Control Board: http://www.swrcb.ca.gov


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CLEMSON, S.C. – Tiger starter Daniel Gossett threw a complete game five-hitter as Clemson defeated the Duke baseball team 7-0 Friday evening at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
Gossett (3-1) allowed just one hit through the first seven innings and faced the minimum in six frames. The Tiger right-hander struck out three and did not issue a walk.
Duke starter Trent Swart (2-1) suffered his first loss of the season. The Blue Devil lefty allowed five runs, three earned, on 11 hits in 5.1 innings of work while striking out three. Third baseman Jordan Betts was 2-for-4 with a double and a single to lead the Blue Devils, while Matt Berezo, Chris Marconcini & Jeff Kremer recorded Duke's remaining hits.
Clemson was led at the plate by center fielder Thomas Brittle, who was a perfect 4-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. The Tigers scored at least one run in each of the final six frames and had three players – Steven Duggar, Garrett Boulware and Jon McGibbon – go 2-for-4 in the game.
The two teams battled through three scoreless innings before Clemson put a run up in the fourth. A third inning leadoff walk did no harm, but the Blue Devils were not as fortunate in the fourth as Clemson again put the leadoff man aboard. Designated hitter Shane Kennedy began the frame with a single, but was gunned down on a terrific throw from right fielder Kremer as he tried to advance to third on a McGibbon base hit. Following a Tyler Krieger popup, Brittle registered his eighth RBI of the season with a single to put the Tigers on top, 1-0.
Swart started the fifth with a pair of groundouts before a two-out rally put the Tiger up 2-0. Second baseman Steve Wilkerson doubled down the left field line to extend the inning, followed by a Boulware RBI single.
Betts registered Duke's first hit of the game in the top of the fifth, lacing a one-out single to centerfield. The Blue Devil third baseman would advance to second on a wild pitch, but Duke was unable to bring him around.
Clemson opened up the game with a three-run sixth as the Tigers took advantage of Duke miscues to plate two unearned runs. Brittle singled for the third time on the day and advanced to second on a Blue Devil error. Left fielder Tyler Slaton followed with a base hit of his own and the pair would score on a throwing error charged to Betts the following batter. Clemson's final run of the inning crossed the plate on a Duggar RBI single, bolstering the Tigers' lead to 5-0.
Clemson added a sixth run in the seventh on a Krieger RBI single, then plated its seventh and final run in the eighth.
Duke's best scoring chance came in the top of the eighth as Betts lead off with a double to deep left and Berezo reached on an infield single. Following a Mark Lumpa sac bunt, Gossett got a fly out to shallow center before freshman Kenny Koplove laced a screaming line drive back up the middle that found its way straight to Gossett's glove.
Duke and Clemson are set for a doubleheader Saturday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium, starting at 12:30 p.m.


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Sorry about the delay in response, everything is coming along...i should have something to show soon.
Ratt: if your interested you can send me all the parts you want anno'd...i will be sending some stuff out this week
Sorry about the delay in response, everything is coming along...i should have something to show soon.
Ratt: if your interested you can send me all the parts you want anno'd...i will be sending some stuff out this week
Originally Posted by Mongoose
Sent you a PM
any chance to just buy a raw body? no rail no anno pm me if so
I bought ZERO's pre-order spot, how long before body and rail become available?
Mongoose...did you get my parts?
Pm's have been sent out.
I don't suppose there's an update for us 'Goose?
On a slightly off topic note, I just remembered about the foregrips you were designing, whatever happened to those?
Funny thing you bring them up.....we just finalized three designs.....im in the process of having prototypes done and then i can find out how much they will cost. Good news is i will not be having a pre order this time...but i will offer the option to reserve one.Originally Posted by Wrathbringer
i will be starting a "interest" thread to see how many i will be making
How are the bodies coming? Ready to anno yet?
Still looking for a body update. One week bump.
We briefly talked about them at Top Gun. Trust me, he's just as anxious if not more to get them in. I have 2 bodies on orders as well.
Still, he could let the rest of us know that. You would think that these small run folks would learn from each others mistakes, and update people when they ask to be. Silence about one product when directly asked while you're pimping the next thing you're making doesn't look good.
Sorry, been extremely busy with the holidays and with the start up of this business.Originally Posted by Daze
Everything is moving along.....had a bit of a delay with the slugs but we are back on track.
This will be our last PRE ORDER.......from now on all products will be made first.
That's probably a good idea, considering what's going on with PTP. Anyway, I got my parts from you today, and got them all together. She looks BEAUTIFUL!!! I'll get some pics posted when I put her in for MOTM. Thanks for all your help!
I'm glad you like it..." you have my vote"Originally Posted by Ratt
Would it be possible to get a barrel and and X-Valve done??
Thank you. Glad to hear everything is moving along.Originally Posted by Mongoose
Barrel yes. valve, only if you break it all down including the lock pin......and there is no warranty given on the valve.Originally Posted by Ratt
NOW WOULD BE A GOOD TIME TO DOUBLE CHECK MY LISTS IN THIS THREAD AND MAKE SURE YOUR ON THEM IF YOU HAVE PR ORDERED A BODY.....If your missing on the list or i have the wrong info please let me know ASAP
I will update the lists with the feednecks that have been ordered
The List of Body designs will be made in this order:
1. Noxious
3. Toxic
4. Syclone
5. Helium
this list is based on the total amount ordered for each design.
The second and final run on these designs will be done later and there will not be a pre order
The total number of bodies made will match the number of rails that have been made.
NO MORE WILL EVER BE MADE "of these designs"
Thank you everyone for your patience, once again we would like to provide you with the highest quality product possible.
My body on the list all good
Just dont forget the Rail that you should have for me waiting for the bodies to finish up..
Got itOriginally Posted by lil'Greg
got it thanksOriginally Posted by Daze
Looks good to me
Let me know when you are close to anno as I am thinking of sending a rai in and doing one body and rail in the venom red
You got itOriginally Posted by Swamp Thing
everything looks good
I'm looking forward to seeing these come out, in fact I think I'm more excited than I was about christmas :P
EP body Gloss Black and # 5Originally Posted by Mongoose
Thanks Christian. Your products are pure seks
My info looks good.
noxious body #11
toxic body # 5


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In Orleans: Ethan Allen celebrates its eightieth year
by Richard Creaser copyright the Chronicle 9-26-2012
ORLEANS — As Ethan Allen Manufacturing Inc. entered its eightieth year in business, company Chairman, President and CEO Farooq Kathwari felt it only appropriate to celebrate the occasion in Vermont, where it all began. Mr. Kathwari's first stop was at the Beecher Falls facility, followed by an afternoon reception and tour of the Orleans plant on Tuesday.
"To be around for 80 years, either by plan or by accident, you have to reinvent yourself," Mr. Kathwari said. "One challenge was to figure out how to maintain manufacturing in the United States in the face of the pressure of globalization and commoditization."
Ethan Allen has weathered two great economic calamities: the Great depression of the 1930s followed by the Great Recession of 2007. It has done so by rising to the challenge and adjusting to changing market conditions, Mr. Kathwari said. The most recent challenge involved rethinking the model used in manufacturing in America.
Where once assembly lines churned out hundreds of identical pieces, one after the other, a visit to the workshop floor today reveals dozens of different models and styles of furniture in various stages of assembly. The change reflects a recognition that American-produced goods cannot compete with the low-cost mass manufacturing capabilities of Southeast Asia.
To meet that challenge, Ethan Allen adopted a custom order model. Rather than mass producing items in anticipation of sales, the plants would be retooled to respond to specific orders from customers.
"Each piece that comes off the line is already sold," said Don Garrett, vice-president of manufacturing. "When we make each piece we know the name of the person it is going to. That creates a powerful connection between us and the consumer, because it isn't going to go into a warehouse on top of a pile of stuff."
Switching to a custom model realizes certain efficiencies that enhance the company's bottom line, Orleans plant controller Chet Greenwood said. No longer is the company paying to build and then warehouse items in the hopes of selling them.
"Everything is built to order and then shipped to the end consumer," Mr. Greenwood said. "Inventory that sits in a warehouse is dead inventory, and dead inventory hurts your bottom line."
Today's Ethan Allen is supported by the three pillars of investment in infrastructure, the production of high quality goods and a high quality of leadership, Mr. Kathwari said. All three elements have proven critical in ensuring the company's success through difficult times.
At the core of those three elements are the people behind the products, Mr. Kathwari said. Maintaining a good relationship with the workforce involves applying a long view of the company's future.
Ten to 15 years earlier the quality of production had slipped at the Orleans plant, Mr. Kathwari told an assembly of the factory's 360 workers on Tuesday afternoon. Uncertainty about the future of the plant was doubtless a contributing factor, he said.
"If people are worried about the plant closing it affects you," Mr. Kathwari said. "If affects you mentally and it affects you financially. I understand that."
Since the change to custom order production, the quality of work coming out of Orleans is the best on the East Coast. That is a reflection of confidence in the company and the direction it is heading, Mr. Kathwari said.
"Every time I come here I see people I have seen and known for many, many years," Mr. Kathwari told the Chronicle. "No company can afford to lose that level of experience and knowledge. Longevity is fostered by treating them with the dignity they deserve whether it is through better working conditions or a decent wage. It isn't rocket science."
Operating within the constraints of the American corporate climate is not an easy task, Mr. Kathwari said. Corporate taxes are among the highest in the world, while labor and energy costs are equally troublesome. Overcoming these barriers is something that Ethan Allen has sought to do internally.
"If we are to wait on the state or the country to come to our aid we will be waiting a long time," Mr. Kathwari said. "So we do what we must to ensure that we are as competitive as we can be."
Ethan Allen's Vermont operations are almost entirely oil free, Mr. Kathwari said. A cogeneration facility at the Beecher Falls plant provides electricity and heat that supplies the majority of the needs of that plant. Wood waste generated both on site and trucked in from Beecher Falls provides heat for the Orleans facility.
"Two years ago we used 250,000 gallons of oil to heat this plant," Mr. Greenwood said. "Last year it was none. We won't always have that mild a winter, but we are taking steps to keep the costs we can control under control."
Today nearly 70 percent of Ethan Allen's products are manufactured in the United States. Though outsourcing remains a prickly issue, it is a necessary evil to balance the profitability of the company, Mr. Kathwari told the Orleans plant workers.
"If it wasn't for that plant in Mexico or that plant in Honduras, Orleans would be a very different place today," Mr. Kathwari said. "We would have no profits if we manufactured everything in the United States."
One promising trend is that, even as Ethan Allen has withdrawn its presence from Asia, it is generating business in the Far East. The company now has 73 retailers in China and furniture manufactured here in Orleans is being shipped to consumers in China, Mr. Kathwari said.
"Who would have imagined that five years ago?" Mr. Kathwari asked.
The margins on American manufactured furniture remain slim, but improved efficiencies have helped to increase profitability at the Orleans plant by 30 to 40 percent over the last two years. Switching from two shifts to one has helped increase that profitability, Mike Worth said. He is the regional operations manager for the Orleans and Beecher Falls facilities.
"We got rid of the second shift because of all the overhead costs that go along with it," Mr. Worth said. "We're doing more volume now on one shift than we used to do on two."
The investment in specialized computer numerically controlled (CNC) machines has allowed the plant to quickly adapt from one product line to the next. While it is still necessary to switch out the cutting tools and drills to match each piece, the process has inherent efficiencies and greater precision.
"We used those lean years to invest in new technology to help us get to that next level," Mr. Worth said.
Several area legislators took part in the tour of the factory on Tuesday. Representatives Duncan Kilmartin, Bob Lewis, Mike Marcotte and Vicki Strong joined Senator Bobby Starr in commending Ethan Allen for its continued commitment to providing employment for their constituents.
"I know you provide a lot of good jobs for a lot of good people," Mr. Starr told Mr. Kathwari. "I know that if we work together we can keep this place going for another eighty years."
contact Richard Creaser at [email protected]
For more free articles from the Chronicle like this one, see our Featuring pages. For all the Chronicle's stories, pick up a print copy or subscribe, either for print or digital editions.


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Strong, functional, and as durable as you can ask for, Stanleys DWMT86328OSP Deep Socket is a real bargain! Proudly featured are its knurled beauty rings that provide a firmer grip surface, reducing hand slippage. This allows you to hold fasteners in place more securely. Made of chrome vanadium steel, this Stanley Deep Socket is hard, tough, and never brittle. So when facing repair tasks, either minimal or extensive, worry no more about bending and breaking! With its superior quality make, you also have the rust-resistance advantage. This Stanley DWMT86328OSP is a 6-point socket with a 17 mm socket size and a 3/8" drive size. With thicker walls, it does not flex, which dramatically reduces rounding bolts heads and slippage over the fastener corners. The socket edges are angled back a few degrees which provides more contact area inside the socket and makes it really easy to slide over a fastener. This little man is an indispensable tool for mechanical work involving components, big and small. Fill your tool box with only the best tools! Anyone who has professionally worked with sockets and wrenches knows that Stanley produces the best bang of the buck when it comes to the finest tools in the biz!
|Mpn #
|Shipping Dimensions
|4.5" x 5.0" x 0.9"
|0.25 lbs.
4.5 out of 5 rating is our rating for PlumbersStock, we got that rating because we have lots of experience and great people with expertise in plumbing. BUT WE WANT YOUR HELP. This product doesn't have any reviews yet, and we don't want to write our own reviews. It is more valuable to us that the customers get to share their experience with our products. Please, if you have any experience with this product, take a moment to share and help someone else who is trying to make a decision. Thank you!


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The Park Ridge Police Department is pleased to announce that Officer Robert Evans recently received the Cook County Sheriff's Police Award of Valor. Officer Evans, along with law enforcement officers from across the region, were recognized at an awards ceremony held on December 10, 2013 at Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills. Officer Evans received this prestigious award for his actions during a disturbance call in October 2012. After responding to this call, he located a woman who was attempting suicide by hanging. Officer Evans immediately cut the woman down, determined that there was no heartbeat or respiration and that the victim's body was lifeless. He immediately called for further assistance and began chest compressions and emergency breathing. Officer Evans' efforts reestablished the victim's heartbeat and her breathing. The victim regained consciousness as PRFD paramedics arrived on scene several minutes later. The victim was transported from the scene to Hospital and recovered.
Officer Evans' quick actions, professionalism and his commitment to duty helped give this woman another chance at life. The men and women of the Park Ridge Police Department are extremely proud of his efforts and thank Sheriff Thomas Dart for recognizing his life saving efforts.


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Grains are stated in dollars per bushel or hundredweight (cwt.) except feed grains traded in dollars per ton. National grain report bids are for rail delivery unless truck indicated.
(USDA Market News)
Feb. 7
Pacific Northwest: Bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat, delivered by unit trains and barges to Portland during February ended the reporting week on Thursday, Feb. 6, at $775-7.1075, mostly $7.0625. Bids were 22.25 to 32.25 cents per bushel higher than Jan. 29 bids for February delivery of $6.6850-6.8850. White club wheat premiums for this week ranged from 50 to 60 cents, mostly 53 cents per bushel over soft white wheat bids compared to last week at zero to 50, mostly 25 cents.
One year ago bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat and white club wheat for February delivery were $8.55-8.7650, mostly $8.6575.
Nearby bids for U.S. 1 Soft White wheat began the reporting week on Jan. 31 at the weekly low of mostly 6.9075, before moving higher to mostly $7.02 on Feb. 3 and to the weekly high mostly $7.2125 on Feb. 4. Bids fell to mostly $7.13 on Feb. 5 and ended the reporting week Feb. 6 at $7.0625.
Several exporters were not issuing bids for nearby delivery. New confirmed export sales of white wheat this week were limited to Japan. Forward month bids for soft white wheat were as follows: March $775-7.17, April and May $7.0225-7.17 and August New Crop $6.4425-6.6925. One year ago, forward month bids for soft white wheat were as follows: March $8.65-8.7650, April and May $8.70-8.80 and August New Crop $7.8225-8.1725.
Outstanding U.S. white wheat export sales as of Jan. 30, for the marketing year beginning June 1, 2013, and ending May 31, 2014, totaled 971.7 thousand MT compared to 979.9 thousand MT on Jan. 23, 2014, and 993.7 thousand MT one year ago. Outstanding white wheat export sales for the 2013-14 marketing year were to the following countries in 1000 MT: South Korea 302.8, Japan 236.0, Philippines 115.7, Guatemala 53.1, Thailand 48.0, Colombia 20.0, Nigeria 19.2, Taiwan 11.1, Burma 4.4, Vietnam 2.6, Mexico 2.2, Malaysia 1.4, Canada 1.0, Hong Kong 0.5 and total unknown 153.7.
Accumulated white wheat export shipments as of Jan. 30, in 1000 MT for the 2013-14 marketing year, totaled 2717.6 compared to 3138.9 one year ago.
Outstanding U.S. barley export sales as of Jan. 30, for the marketing year beginning June 1, 2013, and ending May 31, 2014, in 1000 MT, totaled 37.9 compared to 49.7 on Jan. 23, and 1.8 one year ago. Outstanding barley export sales for the 2013-14 marketing year in 1000 MT were to the following countries in 1000 MT: Japan 35.8, Taiwan 1.3 and South Korea 0.8. Accumulated barley export shipments as of Jan. 30, were 120.8 thousand MT compared to 121.0 one year ago.
Bids for U.S. 2 Yellow Corn delivered to Portland in single rail cars were not available. Bids for U.S. 2 Yellow Corn truck delivered to the inland feeding areas of Yakima, Wash., and Hermiston, Ore., were also not available. Bids for U.S. 2 Heavy White Oats for February delivery were $265, steady compared to Jan. 30 noon bids.
(USDA Market News)
Feb. 6
Prices in dollars per cwt., bulk Inc.= including; Nom.= nominal; Ltd.= limited; Ind.= indicated; NYE=Not fully estimated.
Mode Destination Price per cwt.
BARLEY - U.S. No. 2 (46-lbs. per bushel)
Truck Petaluma-Santa Rosa NA
Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock NA
Fresno-Tulare-Corcoran-Coalinga $10.50
Colusa County NA
Yolo Country NA
Rail Any origin
Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock NA
via Union Pacific and BNSF NA
Tulare - via Union Pacific NA
CORN - U.S. No. 2 Yellow
Truck Petaluma-Santa Rosa $10.35
Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock $10.80
Los Angeles-Chino Valley NA
Fresno-Tulare-Corcoran-Coalinga NA
Solano County NA
Rail Single Car Units via BNSF
Chino Valley $11.45
Los Angeles $11.45
SORGHUM - U.S. No. 2 Yellow
Rail Los Angeles-Chino Valley
via BNSF Single $11.87
OATS - U.S. No. 2 White
Truck Petaluma-Stockton-Modesto-Turlock NA
Los Angeles-Chino Valley $15.50
WHEAT - U.S. No. 2 or better - Hard Red Winter
(Domestic Values for Flour Milling)
Kings County 13 percent Protein NA
Los Angeles 12 percent Protein $15.15
Los Angeles 13 percent Protein $15.48
Los Angeles 14 percent Protein $15.81
Truck/Rail Los Angeles 11-12 percent Protein NA
Los Angeles 12 percent Protein $15.48
Los Angeles 13 percent Protein NA
Los Angeles 14 percent Protein NA
WHEAT - U.S. Durum Wheat
Truch Imperial County NA
WHEAT - Any Class for Feed
Truck Petaluma-Santa Rosa NA
Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock NA
Fresno-Tulare-Kings $11.75
Colusa County NA
Imperial County NA
Truck/Rail Los Angeles-Chino Valley $14.75-15
Prices paid to California farmers, seven-day reporting period ending Feb. 6:
YELLOW CORN, U.S. No. 2 or better
Sacramento $8.50 OC del locally


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Kanye West and Jay Z may be feuding.
This is terribly upsetting ... to someone. Maybe.
There has been speculation on the Internet -- the place from where all wisdom comes -- that West is upset because Jay Z and wife Beyonce didn't come to his wedding to Kim Kardashian last month.
During his June 7 performance at the X Games Austin, West suspiciously changed the lyrics in "Cold" to exclude his BFF and former collaborator, according to Radar Online.
West usually raps "Lucky I ain't had Jay drop him from the team." But in Austin, West left "Jay" out of the line.
He also left Jay Z's name out of "Blood on the Leaves," in which he typically taps, "I don't give a damn if you used to talk to Jay Z." He instead said "I don't give a damn if you used to talk to (silence)."
Oh no!
Radar has reported that insiders have said Beyonce refers to Kardashian as a "scandalous social climbing whore" behind her back, and Jay Z blew off the big wedding, calling it a "circus."
Tony Hicks provides celebrity commentary for the Bay Area News Group. Contact him at Facebook.com/BayAreaNewsGroup.TonyHicks or Twitter.com/insertfoot.


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Sponsored by Music
The Cathedral Choir of Luther College, conducted by Dr. Jennaya Robison ('96), will be in your area soon as a part of their annual Midwest Tour. The concert program will include choral masterpieces by J.S. Bach, Hassler, and Ralph Vaughan Williams. At the heart of the program is Estonian composer's Ēriks Ešenvalds' "Stars" for choir, water-tuned glasses and Tibetan singing bowls. Favorite works by Olaf Christiansen, F. Melius Christiansen, Moses Hogan, Z. Randall Stroope, and others are included in an eclectic program suitable for listeners of all ages.
We hope you can join us for one of these performances and enjoy the Music of Luther College presented by Cathedral Choir and Dr. Jennaya Robison. If you miss any of these events, you can watch the Tour Homecoming Concert LIVE on April 9.
Questions? Contact kittha01, Eric Ellingsen


text:
Wal-Mart on Lincoln Avenue in East Stroudsburg and Route 940 in Mount Pocono.
Perkins on Route 209 in Stroudsburg and Route 940 in Mount Pocono.
The Lehigh Valley Mall in Allentown is about 30 minutes from Stroudsburg, off Route 22 on MacArthur Road. The mall has 117 stores including Macy's, JC Penney, and Strawbridge's.
The Rockaway Mall in New Jersey off Interstate 80 is about 40 minutes from Stroudsburg. The Steamtown Mall in Scranton off Interstate 81 is approximately 45 minutes from Stroudsburg. It contains 102 stores including Boscov's and Montgomery Wards.
The Stroud Mall, Route 611 in Stroud Township The mall contains 58 stores including Bon-Ton, JC Penney and Sears.
The Viewmont Mall in Scranton approximately 45 minutes from Stroudsburg. It has 66 stores including JC Penney, Kaufmann's and Sears.
The Wyoming Valley Mall in Wilkes-Barre off Interstate 81 or Route 115 is approximately 60 minutes from Stroudsburg. It has 90 stores including Bon-Ton, JC Penney, Kaufmann's and Sears.
The Crossings Premium Outlets, Route 611, Tannersville
Foxmoor Village, Route 209, near Marshalls Creek
Barrett Township: Along Route 390 you'll find specialty shops, diners and grocery stores.
Blakeslee Corners: At the intersection of Routes 940 and 115 in Tobyhanna Township you'll find restaurants, specialty shops and banks.
Brodheadsville: Along Route 209, near the junction of Route 115 in Chestnuthill Township you'll find specialty shops, fast food restaurants, diners, bowling, a family fun center and grocery stores.
Coolbaugh Township: On Route 196 you'll find a grocery store and specialty shops.
Delaware Water Gap: Along Route 611 you'll find restaurants, cafes and specialty shops.
Downtown East Stroudsburg: Mainly on Crystal, Courtland and Washington streets you'll find restaurants, specialty shops, cafes, a drug store and a cinema. Also on Lincoln Ave. you'll find K-Mart, Wal-Mart, a grocery store, a wine and spirits shop and several restaurants.
Eagle Valley Corners: Along Route 209 in Smithfield Township you'll find specialty shops, restaurants, bowling, movie rentals and a grocery store.
Effort: Near the intersection of Route 115 and Old State Road you'll find diners and a grocery store.
Marshalls Creek: Along Route 209 near the intersection of Route 402, you'll find a grocery store, specialty shops and eateries.
Mount Pocono: Along Route 611 you'll find specialty shops, cafes, a cinema and an ice cream stand, a movie rental shop, diners, fast food restaurants and a grocery store. On Route 940 you'll find a K-Mart, Wal-Mart, fast food restaurants, specialty shops, drug store and a grocery store.
Downtown Stroudsburg: Mostly on Main Street, which is also Route 611, you'll find galleries, antique shops, specialty shops, teen-oriented stores, banks, clothing shops as well as cafes, restaurants and bars. There is a grocery store on Third Street. Visit www.stroudsburg.net for a list of stores and eateries and their phone numbers.
Along Route 611: From Stroudsburg through Tannersville to Mount Pocono you'll find grocery stores, specialty shops, restaurants, fast food restaurants, banks and movie rental shops, furniture stores and craft stores.


text:
Create a mosaic stepping stone! This kit contains enough colorful stained glass to cover the stone, 12 in. plastic octagon mold, design ideas and templates.
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This was a project for my grandson (10 yrs.) and myself to do together for a pathway at our mountain home. I wanted to start him and his brother (7), who used the Inspiration Stone Kit, on filling in...[more]
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text:
- Home >
- Designers >
- Alexander McQueen >
- Clothing >
- Sweats
Alexander McQueen Sweats
Rebellious British label
Now designed by Mr McQueen's long-time collaborator, Ms Sarah Burton, Alexander McQueen men's collections are characterised by immaculate tailoring and a dark, dramatic edge. We like the sharply tailored suiting as well as the stylish casual options.
- Cutting-edge British label
- Great for Savile Row-inspired tailoring
- Look out for the famous skull motif
Alexander McQueen
- Product view
- Outfit view


text:
January 15, 2012
To view the entire blog post, click on the title of the post, and you'll be taken to the blog post itself.
This is a list of the blog posts mentioning the CCK11 keyword or tag harvested from the list of blogs submitted by participants.
[Browse all Blog Posts]
Consider commenting on participant's blog post to create a new discussion here. To view the entire discussion thread, click on the title of the post, and you'll be taken to the blog post itself. Or view the list of all discussion threads.
These are individual comments posted today to the discussion threads (for new discussion threads, see the list above).
If you use the CCK11 tag on Twitter, your Twitter posts will be collected and listed here (note that harvesting only started Friday morning).


text: Moodle is the University's Learning Management System (LMS). It contains activities and resources to support teaching and learning in an online environment. In this workshop, participants will learn how to set-up and navigate a Moodle Course site as well as how to add resources such as files and links to web pages.


text:
DEAR CAROLYN: I met a guy in 2011 and we fell madly in love. At the time he had a girlfriend and she was pregnant, but I was OK with it! She found out and started sending me insulting messages to which I never responded (except once when she mentioned my mother!).
At the end of 2011, I broke up with the guy because I wanted him to be a good father and boyfriend to the baby and lady. In 2012, the lady befriended me and we sort of became close. I've always had contact with the guy and he promised me that one day we will be together.
Now they broke up and the guy asked me to give our relationship a chance. How and when do I tell her I'm planning on giving my relationship with the baby daddy/ex-boyfriend a chance? - S.
ANSWER: You tell her as soon as you're ready for her to dump you - and to recognize you befriended her as a convenience while you waited for her child's father to come back on the market.
I suggest also waiting until you're ready to see that, even though she obviously has or had some maturity issues of her own, her dim view of your character will be dead-on accurate - that is, if you proceed with your plan to claim the spoils of not just waiting for this little family to fail, but also actively helping it fail by staying romantically in touch with this [choke] "baby daddy" throughout. (Since when did noncommittal parenthood become cute?)
So when you're ready to face the reality of being that person, then go for it. If you're not ready, then please take a hard look at who you've become, and how you can turn that around.
DEAR CAROLYN: I've been in a relationship for 10 years. We split up a year ago and I moved on, but he didn't and wanted to try again. I did, too.
I think the time apart did worlds for us, but now I see an old problem creeping back in: We define our future differently. He wants to continue our two-city commute and stay together. I can only do that if I feel like I have two homes.
He has helped to shape ours here (new place, buying furniture together), but he won't change anything at his. I feel like a visitor there and just know this will be a replay of why we parted.
I've tried everything but an ultimatum. It's not my style nor do I think it'd be well-received. I'm out of ideas and falling out of love again. I do love him, but I love feeling like I'm home with him wherever we spend our time more. Thoughts? - NOT SO SURE NOW
ANSWER: I never want to be the messenger of shouldas - useless things, usually - but this one's glaring: Before you gave this relationship another shot, while you were still discussing it, was the time to draw this line.
It's not impossible now, it's just harder because you don't have the natural, unspoken leverage afforded to you by the open question of whether you'd get back together. Now you have to spell out your terms, including the consequences of not getting what you want, and that does put you uncomfortably close to an ultimatum.
You still need to talk about it - it is a deal-breaker, right? - so take care to frame it not in terms of consequences to him (lobbing an ultimatum), but of consequences to you (articulating a need).
Start by taking responsibility: "I should have recognized how important this was to me before we got back together. I've helped leave one of our past problems unresolved."
Then state the need: "I love you. I also love feeling like I'm at home. I still don't feel at home at your place - there's zero imprint from me."
Then state the significance: "This is starting to affect my feelings for you."
That's it. The unspoken question you're asking here is, "Will you do this because it matters to me?" where an ultimatum would ask, "Will you do this because I'm taking hostage something that matters to you?"
It's not about the substance of what you're asking; one half of a couple is always free to ask and the other half is always free to say no and both are free to decide how to handle the relationship based on the outcome of this exchange. What's relevant is the difference between asking him to give to you, and threatening to take from him. The former stays on your side of the line, the latter crosses it.
DEAR CAROLYN: Is it ever permissible to comment on how nice a woman's breasts look, especially when about 3/4 of them are exposed with low-cut dresses or bikini-type tops? (Single gals only.)
ANSWER: No.
Email Carolyn at firstname.lastname@example.com, follow her on Facebook at facebook.com/carolyn.hax or chat with her online at noon Eastern time each Friday at washingtonpost.com.


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- Dec 26:
- Jefferson Parkway pushes slowly forward a year after courtroom drama
- Mar 6:
- Superior woman launches petition against Jefferson Parkway
- Feb 28:
- Sierra Club: Jefferson Parkway one of 50 'worst' projects
- Dec 31:
- Jefferson Parkway land swap completed following legal 'roller coaster'
- Dec 27:
- Federal court reverses itself, lifts injunction blocking Jefferson Parkway land swap
- Dec 26:
- Federal court blocks Jefferson Parkway land swap days before $10M deal's deadline
- Feb 15:
- Environmental groups sue feds over proposed Jefferson Parkway land swap
- Dec 19:
- Superior files lawsuit for study of Jefferson Parkway impacts
The stage appears set for development of the controversial Jefferson Parkway to move forward after a federal district court judge on Friday dismissed a consolidated lawsuit seeking to block a land swap intended to provide the last piece of needed right-of-way for the project.
The elaborate land deal involves the trading of a 617-acre parcel near the southwestern corner of Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge, known as Section 16, for a 300-foot-wide transportation right of way on the eastern edge of the refuge that runs parallel to Indiana Avenue in the area.
Completion of the deal is critical to acquiring the necessary right-of-way to build a high-speed toll road through the area, a road the Jefferson Parkway Public Highway Authority--an entity representing Broomfield, Arvada and Jefferson County--says will nearly complete a regional beltway around metro Denver.
The deal first landed in federal court late last year when the town of Superior sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which is in charge of the wildlife refuge and is seeking to add Section 16 to its acreage. Superior is claiming an insufficient environmental review had been performed.
The refuge was formerly part of the Rocky Flats nuclear weapons facility and Superior has disputed the service's findings that the land swap would have "no significant impact" on the natural or human environment. Town officials have expressed concern that any construction in the area could disturb plutonium that accumulated in the soil on the site during the decades it was an active nuclear weapons plant.
That suit was later consolidated with similar suits filed by the City of Golden and by environmental groups WildEarth Guardians and Rocky Mountain Wild.
U.S. District Judge Philip A. Brimmer addressed the plaintiffs' combined concerns in a 96-page opinion and ultimately ruled that the land swap deal meets the legal standards needed to proceed.
"The Court finds that the Fish and Wildlife Service complied with the Administrative Procedure Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, Rocky Flats Act the Endangered Species Act and the Refuge Act in approving the Jefferson Parkway Public Highway Authority's proposal and upholds the Dec. 2, 2011 Decision Notice and finding of no significant impact," the ruling reads, in part.
For proponents of the parkway, Friday's ruling could not have come too soon.
The deal included multiple federal agencies and local governments, and after it was delayed twice previously, Highway Authority interim director Bill Ray earlier this month expressed concern it might fall apart if held up any further.
This past Thursday was viewed as a critical deadline for money to begin changing hands in the $10 million deal, and a ruling for the plaintiffs may have derailed it entirely.
"There had to be a time limit on it, and to the judge's absolute credit he knew that and gave his opinion in a timely fashion," Broomfield mayor Patrick Quinn said Saturday.
Quinn, who along with Councilman Greg Stokes, represents Broomfield on the Highway Authority's board of directors, read the ruling Saturday morning. He said he was impressed by the depth of the analysis.
While preliminary design work for the highway has been done, Quinn said he is primarily concerned with getting financing squared away for the land swap, and that he will then look forward to what he feels will be a very positive project for transportation and economic development.
"As I've stated several times, the Jefferson Parkway is in (Broomfield's) comprehensive plan and our transportation plan," he said. "I think there is plenty of open space and protection around it so that development takes place where we want it to, so it's a positive thing."
The plan's opponents reacted to the ruling by reaffirming their contention that not enough assessment has been done to prove construction of the highway will be safe. They vowed to carry on their legal fight against it.
"This ruling opens the door for more sprawl and unplanned development along the Front Range, and at a time when open space is critical to our quality of life and the prosperity of our communities," Rocky Mountain Wild conservation director Josh Pollack said is a news release. "The highway won today, but in reality, our wildlife, our clean air, and our future generations have lost."
WildEarth Guardians and the Rocky Mountain Wild intend to appeal the judge's decision and seek an emergency injunction from a federal appeals court, according to that news release.
Debra Williams, a trustee for the town of Superior, said she was alerted to the judge's ruling Saturday morning. And, while she had not yet read the opinion in its entirety, she stands by the need for a more stringent environmental assessment of the area before the highway is built.
"I'm not seeing an environmental impact statement, and until I see that I am not convinced that it is safe to build anything on that property," Williams said.
She said the town's environmental lawyer is reviewing the ruling and city officials are considering their next steps.
"It's disappointing, but--no pun intended --it's not the end of the road," Williams said.
Contact Camera Staff Writer Joe Rubino at 303-473-1328 or firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Boaters, canoeists and kayakers anxious to hit newly-thawed rivers and lakes across the southern part of the state should consider the potential danger of cold waters, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Boaters, canoeists and kayakers anxious to hit newly-thawed rivers and lakes across the southern part of the state should consider the potential danger of cold waters, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
With daytime temperatures rising into the high 60s this weekend, many boaters and paddlers may be coaxed to the water. "Even though the air is warm, it's important to remember that water temperatures may still be in the 40s or lower," said Kara Owens, DNR boat and water safety specialist.
Cold water can have immediate and catastrophic effects on the human body, Owens said. Falling into icy water causes an involuntary gasp reflex. It takes less than a half cup of water in the lungs to drown. The shock of sudden entry into the water can also cause cardiac arrest, even for people in good health.
Life jackets provide important protection. A life jacket will not only help keep a person's head above the water, but will retain body heat and make the wearer more visible to rescuers.
"A little planning and foresight can mean the difference between a fun day on the water and mishaps and tragedy," Owens said.
The DNR recommends these safety tips for boaters, canoeists and kayakers:
·Wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket. Even good swimmers need to wear one.
·Wear a wetsuit or drysuit when paddling in water colder than 70 degrees.
·Don't boat or paddle alone. Boating safety increases with numbers.
·Never load beyond the labeled capacity of watercraft.
·Keep an eye on the weather and go to shore if the wind picks up.
·Don't go out in any watercraft after drinking alcohol. The effects of alcohol are more dramatic while balancing in a boat than while standing on dry land.
·Tell someone about trip plans and what time to call 911.
·Take a boating safety course offered by the DNR or a canoeing safety course offered by the American Canoe Association, American Red Cross or other public service group.
·If a boat or canoe tips, try to reboard or stay with it until rescuers arrive. Most watercraft will continue to float, even after capsizing and filling with water. Drowning often occurs when the victim tries to swim to shore rather than face the embarrassment of being rescued.


text: Automatic Temperature Control for Freeze Protection ApplicationsGPT-3 Trace ControlThe patented and patent pending GPT–3 Freeze Protection Thermostat is engineered to fit in between electromechanical thermostats and high-end general purpose single and multiple channel temperature controls. It offers performance features that cannot be provided by simple electromechanical thermostats while providing lower cost and operational simplicity when compared to the high end products. The GPT–3 is ideally suited for cost sensitive applications that would otherwise go unmonitored. The computerized GPT–3 has a calibrated adjustment for setting the control temperature between 41° and 77°F (5° and 25°C). This range is ideal for freeze protection applications without being so wide that accidental maladjustment could prevent freeze protection. GPT–3 features enhance heating system safety and reliability without sacrificing either operational simplicity or energy efficiency. For example, the GPT–3 monitors heating cables continuously so damage occurring during the summer months is alarmed when it happens rather than waiting until heat is needed. Both constant wattage and self-limiting heaters are accommodated. The GFEP uses digital filtering to minimize false trips. Although preset for 30 mA, the GFEP can be set to trip on currents as high as 120 mA to avoid nuisance tripping on longer cable runs. The GPT–3 checks the GFEP for proper operation any time that it is tested or reset. The GFEP and heater cable are both tested automatically every 24 hours for proper operation and freedom from ground leakage for an extra margin of safety. Normally, the GFEP must be reset manually after being tripped. However, some critical service applications, such as fire sprinkler protection, consider a ground fault condition of secondary importance. The GPT–3 can be set to meet this requirement by resetting automatically. The GPT–3 checks its control temperature sensor. Upon detecting a failure, it prevents heater operation. A second sensor checks the temperature at the far end of the cable when using a self limiting heater. Upon detecting sensor failure, the GPT–3 alarms the fact and continues heater operation. The GPT–3 checks its contactor and alarms stuck or open contacts. A contactor failure causes uncontrolled heater operation. The GPT–3 has features making it simple to install and easy to operate. It automatically selects operating voltages of 120, 208, 240 or 277 volts. The temperature sensors are NEC Class 2 devices that can be located up to 2,000' (610m) away from the GPT–3. The NEMA 3R rating provides location flexibility as does its -40° to 136°F (-40° to 58°C) operating temperature range. The nonmetallic enclosure features a lockable transparent cover which prevents tampering while displaying GPT–3 operational information for operational personnel. SpecificationsGeneralArea of useNonhazardous locations ApprovalscULusControl Range41° to 77°F (5° to 25°C)Dead band2°F (1°C) Electrical Supply120, 2080, 240 or 277 volts auto-selected Heater load30 amps maximumAlarm relayIsolated SPDT 1 amp class 2 contactIndicatorsSupply (green)Power suppliedHeater (yellow)Call for heatGFEP (red)Ground fault occurring or has occurredContactor failureFault (red)Temperature sensor failurePower-on self-check failureGFEP Setting30 mA default, 60, 90, 120 mA selectable ResetManual default, automatic selectableAuto-testEvery 24 hours (estimated)Heater MonitoringChoicesSelf-limiting default, constant wattage selectableNo powerHeater failureAlarm relayContactor failureGround fault or GFEP failureTemperature sensor failureTemperature limitsOperating-40°F to 136°F (-40°C to 58°C


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Technology has made it easier than ever to track your activity levels, your sleep cycles, how you spend your time, and more. The self-trackers who near-obsessively capture and analyze their own data are part of a growing "Quantified Self" movement.
Interested in giving self-tracking a try? Self-tracker Peter Zandan, an executive at Hill+Knowlton Strategies who headed up a panel on Quantified Self this year at South by Southwest, helped us curate this list of apps and devices to get more data feedback from your daily life.
If you're just getting started, the most "mainstream" self-tracking devices are the Fitbit, Jawbone UP, and Nike Fuelband. Apple's getting in on this wristband-tracking market with its iWatch, which is expected to come out at the end of this year.
For heart rate monitoring devices, Garmin and Polar both make options that self-trackers like.
Food monitoring apps include MyFitnessPal and MyPlate. "[These are] great for folks who want to do more than count calories," Zandan said.
If you want to dig a little deeper, these self-tracking devices, apps and systems might teach you something that you don't know about yourself.
23andMe: A DNA analysis service that provides information and tools for you to learn about your genetic traits, disease risk and ancestry; you mail a saliva sample for laboratory testing.
Talking20: Amino acid testing to monitor what is happening in your body over time; you mail small blood samples and receive digital results.
Moodscope: An app that allows you to track your mood each day using an online card game; look at scores over time and share with friends.
Zeo: A comprehensive sleep monitoring system that includes a lightweight headband, bedside display, online analytical tools and email-based personalized coaching program.
Equanimity: An app that provides reminders and feedback for your meditation practice; it includes a timer, journal for note-taking and historical graphics.
Technology is making it easier than ever to measure our every move. Wearable sensors let users gather data on everything from daily computer keystrokes to nightly sleep cycles. The self-tracking movement could change the way we live and work.
NPR's Elise Hu met someone who's tracking his every step.
NOAH ZANDAN: I'm starting my Nike plus watch that is going to measure how far and how fast we walk using GPS and this pod that's on my shoe.
ELISE HU, BYLINE: Noah Zandan measures each move he makes down to the most granular details.
ZANDAN: And if I show you my phone here, you can see I've got nine different self-tracking apps - everything from habits to running to fitness, sleep.
HU: The 30-year-old entrepreneur is part of a growing movement known as Quantified Self, a community of self-trackers that wear devices to measure themselves constantly.
GARY WOLF: The practices of using numbers to reflect on ourselves is quite old. And it's when these established practices meet these new technologies that you get the Quantified Self.
HU: Former Wired editor Gary Wolf started the Quantified Self community in 2008.
WOLF: What's new are some of the technological tools, the cloud analytics, the small sensor technologies, the computing that's coming very close to us and is in our phones.
HU: Devices that you can now carry or wear make it possible to measure how much REM sleep you get each night, your peak productivity time at work, what goes in your body, and what comes out.
ZANDAN: So there is a guy in California that's been tracking his poop for the last year, and he was actually able to diagnose himself with Crohn's disease before his doctors, because of tracking his stool sample for the last year.
HU: Most people aren't monitoring themselves that closely, but more Americans say they are self-tracking. Fourteen percent in the 2012 Pew Research survey on Internet in the American life said they use websites, a computer program or an app to track their health. That's more health trackers than there are Twitter users.
SONNY VU: It's hard to establish new habits, right? But you can't even get there if you don't have anything quantified to work with.
HU: Sonny Vu's company created the first blood glucose meter for mobile phones. Makers like Vu say the movement is spawning a whole new industry of companies that want to teach users what to do with their data.
VU: So what I think is going to happen and is happening, is you have a number of these apps and web services that are using artificial intelligence, using crowd sourcing information, using experts to deliver personalized health coaching, fitness coaching or whatnot; and on the medical side, decision support services for patients and care providers. This will be a new industry - you know, automated coaching, automated decision support.
HU: Noah says the constant feedback has changed the way he lives and maybe how long he will live.
ZANDAN: And I actually have an app on here that's - that will tell me what I'm going to die and tell me how long I'm going to live, based on my daily habits. And if I improve my habits, which it sends me an email every day with what habit I should improve, like drink more water, I can see my life expectancy increase on my iPhone.
HU: Just knowing details about ourselves doesn't always translate to better living. If it did, bathroom scales would have done more for those with weight problems. But devoted self-trackers say the end goal isn't necessarily changing themselves, but knowing themselves.
ZANDAN: It's not just giving the data so I can improve, it's giving the data so I can understand.
HU: Paving a way to better understanding - one carefully counted step - at a time.
Elise Hu, NPR News, Austin. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.


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P-W stays unbeaten in CMAC with win over Redskins
It was a special night for the Saranac boys basketball team Friday night as the Redskins hosted Pewamo-Westphalia for their third-annual Pink Out game.
Like in years past, te event brought out a large crowd of community members who showed their support for the fight against breast cancer.
On the court, Saranac struggled against the No. 7 team in Class C as the Pirates earned a 71-25 victory.
With the win, P-W remains in first-place alone in the Central Michigan Athletic Conference standings (12-0) heading into its game on Tuesday against second-place Laingsburg.
Pirate coach Luke Pohl said he was happy with his teams play as they came out and pushed themselves hard.
"We just push the kids everyday," he said. "Not so much to go out and play versus the opponent, but against themselves. We just want to go out and get better.
"Tonight we got after it and played well."Along with pacing his team with 20 points Friday night, P-W junior Nick Spitzley scored the 1,000th point of his career and moved into fourth on the Pirate boys basketball all-time scorers list.
The Pirates jumped out to an 18-5 lead in the first quarter against the Redskins. Saranac freshman Branden Smith scored all five points in the opening period for his team.
After extending their advantage to 44-12 by hafltime, the Pirates outscored Saranac 18-5 in the third to take a 62-17 lead into the final quarter.
Lane Simon finished with nine points for P-W.
Saranac was paced by John Kinsman, who finished with eight points, while Smith chipped in with seven.
P-W (15-1, 12-0 in CMAC) will travel to Laingsburg on Wednesday.
Saranac (1-15, 1-11 in CMAC) will head to Portland on Wednesday night to take on the Shamrocks of Portland St. Patrick.


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Pets often tell a story without spoken words.
The Uffda Fund for Animals had an information booth at the 2013 Cando Chamber of Commerce Farm and Home Expo yesterday. It was a great venue for capturing the attention of a lot of folks wandering around the armory, signing up for the usual door prizes, noshing on snacks offered at various booths and partaking of the catered meal. I daresay the Uffda booth would have won the prize for most visited, not because of tasty treats, or a gorgeous decorated display. No - it was all due to Honey and Lily.
Honey is a dear little gray tabby and white six month old kitten. She was abandoned in Cando and brought in to Uffda two weeks ago. Initially frightened and wary of people, it took Honey very little time to warm up and become a veritable purrpot. She was chosen to represent the other Uffda critters in need of furever homes. She spent the afternoon curled up in a carrier, tolerating many hands stroking her soft fur.
Lily,a two year old Springer-Heeler cross, has been in a furever home since she was a small pup. She and her seven siblings were discovered in 2 plastic totes left on a gravel road near Perth. The person who allegedly found the 7 week old puppies and brought them to Uffda may indeed have been the one who put them there in the first place. We'll never know the truth of that tale. Lily and her sisters and brothers were all adopted quickly so our Tote Pups had new beginnings. Lily is the best friend of Kylee, a soon-to-be three year old toddler. They obviously adore each other. Lily entertained everyone with her patient begging for popcorn.
The volunteers who peopled our booth were all great at relating the Uffda statistics and talking about why we do what we do for the animals. But it was the unspoken words of Honey and Lily which really told the story of animal rescue.


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What is the school board hiding?
With the beginning of the fall semester, why does the Jeffco school board now find it necessary to employ a sheriff's deputy to keep the public out of earshot of its mumblings at its open-to-the-public study sessions?
What is it trying to hide?
Russell W. Haas
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GRINNELL, IA—Jeffrey Sachs, director of The Earth Institute at Columbia University, will address the Class of 2010 at Grinnell College's 164th Exercises of Commencement, on Mon., May 24, at 10 a.m. on Central Campus.* The Earth Institute supports scientific research, education, and the application of research to advance nine interconnected global issues: climate and society, water, energy, poverty, ecosystems, public health, food and nutrition, hazards, and urbanization. As director of The Earth Institute, Sachs leads large-scale efforts to mitigate human-induced climate change. For more than 20 years, he has been in the forefront of the challenges of economic development, poverty alleviation, and enlightened globalization. Considered to be the leading international economic advisor of his generation, Sachs also serves as special advisor to United Nations Secretary-General. In 2004 and 2005, he was named among the 100 most influential world leaders by TIME magazine. The author of hundreds of scholarly articles and books, Sachs wrote bestsellers "Common Wealth: Economics for a Crowded Planet" and "The End of Poverty." Prior to joining Columbia where he is also professor of sustainable development and professor of health policy and management, Sachs was director of the Center for International Development at Harvard University. If inclement weather, the May 24 commencement ceremony will be held in Darby Gymnasium.
Grinnell College, which annually confers B.A. degrees on more than 350 students, is a nationally recognized, private, four year, liberal arts college located in Grinnell, Iowa. Founded in 1846, Grinnell enrolls 1,600 students from all 50 states and from as many international countries in more than 26 major fields, interdisciplinary concentrations, and pre-professional programs.


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Engaging coloring books to foster creativity in children – includes bonus "Draw Your Own" page.
Bestselling series of coloring books for adults offers highly detailed illustrations on premium paper – relax and color.
Hide and Seek by Wilkie Collins
Dover Publications Price: $14.95
click here to see this book
Table of Contents for Hide and Seek


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Carrie Underwood is pregnant.
Don't look at me.
Underwood and husband Mike Fisher are expecting a baby, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The country music star and the professional hockey player announced the big news Monday with a Labor Day pun and a dog photo.
"In honor of 'Labor' Day ... Ace & Penny would like to make an announcement. Their parents couldn't be happier!" Underwood posted on Twitter and Instagram, with a photo of her with the couple's two dogs. One dog wore a shirt saying, "I'm going to be a big brother," while the other's said, "I'm going to be a big sister."
Yeah ... how do you think Carrie Underwood would react of she went into labor and another dog came out?
Right ... gross. Anyway, Fisher -- who is a center for the NHL's Nashville Predators -- tweeted, "We haven't picked names yet but it's looking like Fly is gonna fly. #boyorgirl #flyfisher," he tweeted.
Hockey players are deep.
The announcement reportedly caused some confusion among fans, who wondered whether they were having a baby or getting a new puppy. Fisher clarified they're having a baby, "but maybe another dog too."
It will be the first child for Fisher and the former "American Idol" champ, who married in 2010.
Contact Tony Hicks at Facebook.com/BayAreaNewsGroup.TonyHicks or Twitter.com/tonyhicks67.