text:
No. 2 Women's XC Ready for NCAA Championships
Terre Haute, Ind. – The University of Arizona Wildcat No. 2 women's cross country team will wrap up the 2013 season on Saturday at the NCAA Championships. The race will take place on Nov. 23 at the Wabash Valley Family Sports Center in Terre Haute, Ind. The UA women will begin the 6,000-meter race at 1:15 p.m. EST. The men did not have a team or any individuals qualify. The women's team earned a sixth-place finish at the 2012 NCAA Championships. The best finish in program history came in 1980 when the UA women took second place overall.
Arizona will compete against Arkansas, Butler, Colorado, Dartmouth, Florida State, Georgetown, Iowa State, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Providence, SMU, Stanford, Virginia, Vanderbilt, Villanova, William & Mary. Those teams earned automatic bids for either finishing in first place or second place at their respective regionals. BYU, Cornell, Indiana, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Oregon, Penn State, Princeton, San Francisco, Syracuse, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin earned at-large bids.
In the final U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches' Association (USTFCCCA) national poll before the NCAA Championships, the Arizona women fell to No. the country despite winning the NCAA West Region by a margin of ten points. Four other Pac-12 schools join Arizona in the national poll. Colorado moved up to No. 5 in the country. Stanford is No. 12, Oregon is No. 17 and Washington is No. 20.
On the women's side, the Wildcats will run sophomore Kayla Beattie, junior Stephanie Bulder, sophomore Molly Callahan, junior Nicci Corbin, junior Hanna Peterson, senior Elvin Kibet, freshman Maria Larsson and senior Erin Menefee.
On Nov. 15, the UA women won their first NCAA West Regional since 1998. Senior Elvin Kibet led the women's team; she took eighth place in the 6K with a time of 19:39. Sophomore Kayla Beattie finished just behind Kibet, also clocking a time of 19:39 and taking ninth place. Freshman Maria Larsson's time of 19:43 was good for 10th place overall. Junior Nicci Corbin finished in 12th place with a time of 19:54. Junior Stephanie Bulder was the final scorer for the UA women; her time of 20:39 was good for 45th place.
The USTFCCCA announced the student-athletes that earned all-region honors and Kibet, Beattie, Larsson and Corbin each earned accolades for for their work at the NCAA West Regional. A total of 450 student-athletes earned the distinction by finishing among the top 25 individual finishers at one of the nine regional sites across the country. The USTFCCA also announced the Coaches of the Year. Head coach James Li was named the West Region Women's Head Coach of the Year.
At the 2013 Pac-12 Championships on Nov. 2, the UA women continued their undefeated season by winning the first conference title in program history. The Wildcats won with 69 points while Colorado earned a runner-up finish with 75 points. Elvin Kibet (second place), Beattie (fifth place), Corbin (sixth place), Larsson (24th place) and Peterson (32nd place were the five scorers for the Wildcats. The UA women also earned a point in the annual Territorial Cup Series by finishing ahead of Arizona State. The men's team took eighth place overall and were led by Collins Kibet (17th place) and Macaluso (24th place). They conceded a point to Arizona State on the men's side.
The women's squad entered the Wisconsin adidas Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 19, as the No. 3 team in the nation. Competing against a loaded field, including Providence who was No. 1 at the time, No. 8 Arkansas, No. 9 Michigan State and No. 28 Iowa State. The Wildcats won with a total of 117 points. Arkansas' tally of 136 points was good for second place, giving the Arizona women a comfortable margin of victory.
On October 19, sophomore Kayla Beattie led the first-place team; she took seventh place overall in the 6,000-meter race and posted a time of 19:56. Freshman Maria Larsson's time of 20:07 was good for 15th place. Junior Nicci Corbin finished in 18th place, clocking a time of 20:09. Senior Elvin Kibet was the fourth finisher for the Wildcats, taking 21st and posting a time of 20:12. Junior Hanna Peterson's time of 20:41 was good for 56th place and she was the fifth and final scorer for the Wildcats. The UA women's team won their fourth race out of four races this year. They did not field a team at the Thunderbird Classic.
On the men's side, junior Lawi Lalang made his season debut and took 13th place in the 8,000-meter race. It was only the second time in his career he did not earn a first-place finish in a cross country race.
Junior Thomas Valente led the men's team with time of 24:48.5 in the 8K, taking first place among Division I competitors. Only two women ran for the Wildcats, freshman McKenna Gaffney and junior Daylee Burr. Gaffney finished in fifth place overall among Division I competitors while Burr finished in seventh place.
The UA women won at the Roy Griak Invitational on Sept. 28, claiming a first-place finish as a team in their third-straight race this season. In her season debut, Elvin Kibet led the way for the Wildcats with a second-place finish. The women had four finishers cross the line in eighth place or better and won with 48 points. The men's team was led by Collins Kibet who took 24th place individually while the team finished in 10th place overall.
The men's and women's teams dominated the Dave Murray Invitational on Sept. 20. The Wildcats hosted the meet at the Dell Urich Golf Course. Freshman Collins Kibet won the men's 4.25-mile race and the men's team also earned a first-place finish. On the women's side, freshman Maria Larsson won the three-mile race and the entire squad took first place in the team competition as well.
At the George Kyte Classic, the UA women's team won the Division I section with a score 33 points. Beattie took first place and Larsson took second place to lead the Wildcats in the 5,000-meter race. The men's squad earned a third-place finish in the Division I section with 73 points. Collins Kibet led the way for the men, taking fourth place in the 8,000-meter race on Sept. 7.
For continued coverage of Arizona Wildcat men's and women's cross country, visit ArizonaWildcats.com and follow @ArizonaTrack on Twitter.
XC Women Take Second At NCAA ChampionshipsNov 23 '13
Green Advances to NCAA ChampionshipsNov 11 '17
Pac-12 PlaylistTODAY | 7:00pm PTLive
TOMORROW | 5:00pm PTLive
Airing on:
- Pac-12 Network
- Pac-12 Oregon
TOMORROW | 7:00pm PTLive
Airing on:
- Pac-12 Network
- Pac-12 Los Angeles


text:
Students can complete the Environmental Biology program coursework in approximately two to three years depending on the pace of coursework that they choose. By following these two steps, students can plan on completing the program requirements at a pace that meets their professional needs.
Look up the Environmental Biology program requirements, course descriptions and Graduate School policies and procedures in the catalog.
Students should consult their adviser and the course schedule each semester to determine how they will fulfill the program requirements; the program director contact information is located at the bottom of the Environmental Biology homepage and students' academic advisers are indicated on their letters of admission. These faculty members can assist in planning a program of study that is based on a student's professional and career goals. All students must consult with their adviser before signing up for any final research project.
At the Graduate School at Hood College, students have the opportunity to work closely with faculty who can assist in the pursuit of academic and professional goals. Students are encouraged to get to know their faculty advisers and course professors to make the most of their graduate school experience.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
English sports fans are always good value.
English sports fans are always good value.
Parmi | #1 draft pick | Jake King is **** | Big Bash League tipping champion of the universeCome and Paint Turtle
I mean just look at that offside. Absolutely ****ing pathetic.
World Scrabble Champion 2014. National Scrabble Champion 2009, 2015.
Author of Word Addict
Countdown Series 57 Champion
King of the Arcade
ECB - you are a complete ****ing disgrace, #FTECB
Do you remember the game against SA a few WC's back when we were drop-goaled out of the tournament by some bloke whose name escapes me and they just didn't have a clue how to stop him? Seems similar, in a way.
C'est tres confortable pour Francois!!!!!!!!!
Wales team is beautiful, they deserved to beat the Boks too. Lovely outsiders for the trophy.
England seems to miss Armitage badly, but they didn't look that impressive in the group anyway.
And just as I'm typing, 2nd try. Lol.
The referee's right arm will drop off at this rate.
Line the ****ers up at Gatwick. I'm sure the French will supply some fruit.
Some beautiful stuff from France here tbf.
Well this cup was fun while it lasted I guess.
Why couldn't the **** France have turned up today?
We are lost
We can never go home
England need to just run it now.
No more drop goal attempts.
1) Ross is Boss.
2) See point 1.
Leading the charge against nuances being used in posts.
Overrated XI M Bracewell, Burns, Rahane, Don Voges, Bairstow, Alecz Day, Donovan Grobelaar, Luke Ronchi, Faulkner, Dan Christian, Permaul
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)


text:
Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories
The Princeton Review has once again placed Niagara University among the best colleges in the northeast.
Niagara is one of 226 institutions The Princeton Review recommends in its "Best in the Northeast" section of its website feature, "2014 Best Colleges: Region by Region," that posted Aug. 5 on www.PrincetonReview.com.
"Recognition of this manner is a testament to the outstanding quality of Niagara University's students, faculty and staff, and certainly speaks to the depth and breadth of the entire Niagara experience," said the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., NU president. "We take particular pride in this honor, knowing that student feedback comprises such a significant portion of the evaluation process. Therefore, this recognition reinforces that our students are very pleased with the high quality of education that they are receiving at Niagara University."
Niagara joins SUNY Buffalo as the only colleges from the Buffalo-Niagara region to appear on the list.
"We're pleased to recommend Niagara University to users of our site as one of the best schools to earn their undergrad degrees," said Robert Franek, The Princeton Review's senior VP/publisher. "We chose these as our 'regional best' colleges mainly for their excellent academic programs. From several hundred schools in each region, we winnowed our list based on institutional data we collected directly from the schools, our visits to schools over the years, and the opinions of our staff, plus college counselors and advisers whose recommendations we invite. We also take into account what students at the schools reported to us. Only schools that permit us to independently survey their students are eligible to be considered for our regional 'best' lists."
The 226 colleges chosen for its "Best in the Northeast" list are located in 11 states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont, and the District of Columbia. The Princeton Review also designated 155 colleges in the midwest, 124 in the west, and 138 in the southeast as best in their locales on the company's "2014 Best Colleges: Region by Region" lists. Collectively, the 643 colleges named "regional best(s)" constitute about 25 percent of the nation's 2,500 four-year colleges.
For this project, The Princeton Review asks students attending the schools to rate their own institutions on several issues - from the accessibility of their professors to the quality of the campus food - and answer questions about themselves, their fellow students and campus life. Comments from surveyed students are quoted in the school profiles on The Princeton Review website.
Student comments in the profile on Niagara University include:
"(Niagara offers its students) a friendly learning community (and an education that) is very focused on service and the Vincentian tradition."
"There are also many resources available to us and various classes that are truly staples to helping us with real world situations within our careers."
"Their education program puts you in the classroom in your first year!"
"(Professors are) fantastic and very approachable and knowledgeable."
"There is so much that the school offers: concerts, game nights, movie nights, ice skating, fitness programs."
"Hiking and running along the gorge right across the street is an absolute pleasure throughout the seasons."
"The typical student owns 10-plus purple shirts, is very friendly to everyone, (and) likes to be involved in any/every way possible."
The Princeton Review (www.PrincetonReview.com) is an education services company known for its test-prep courses, tutoring, books and other student resources. Headquartered in Framingham, Mass., the company is not affiliated with Princeton University.
Founded by the Vincentian community in 1856, Niagara University is a private liberal arts university with a strong, values-based Catholic tradition. Its four academic divisions include the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Education, and Hospitality and Tourism Management. The university also maintains an Academic Exploration Program that provides a learning environment for students who are undecided about their major. As the first Vincentian university established in the U.S., NU prepares students for personal and professional success while emphasizing service to the community in honor of St. Vincent de Paul.


text:
Photo and accompanying text contributed by Richard Telford
Grace is caring for a little bird that was stunned after flying into a window. Here under the shade of the grape pergola is an opportunity to care for and play with a wild creature. Each year we prune these vines and train them to the pergola wires. We watch them grow and extend their summer shade over the sun facing windows, and we keep an eye on the developing grape harvest.
Photo and accompanying text contributed by
aqua nike free runners reviews
Kai, 2½, is delighting in a rare summer storm while his father observes erosion control measures. The chains of ponds observed in some stable streams have been replicated here. Rocks have been laid across this diversion channel to slow the flow and catch sediment, and branches laid across the staggered outflow to spread it across the grassed gentle slope in the background. Kai is playing, and learning without trying.
Photo contributed by Richard Telford
Social animals survive and thrive by observing and interacting with each other and their environment. By penning geese with newborn goslings on the lawn in front of the home office we can understand their behaviour and hear any alert calls warning of predators.
Photo and accompanying text contributed by David Holmgren
Clare finds a quiet space as she harvests salad for a shared community meal. This is also a time for observation and reflection. Clare helped develop an organic market garden at Northey Street City Farm . Observation and learning from the world around us are really only truly valuable if they "reconnect us to the wonder and mystery of life through practical interaction." [David Holmgren]
Consider a plant with leaves that, when used as a poultice, has the ability to radically speed up wound healing. When eaten they boost the immune system, while the seed heads produce the digestive aid psyllium husk. Where could we find such a remarkable plant? Often within metres of the back door. It is plantain, a plant we usually dismiss as a 'weed'. However in Norway it's known as groblad , and in the Isle of Man as slan lus , both translating as 'healing herb'.
Photo and accompanying text contributed by
nike free haven 3 2012 presidential candidates jsfrtVbHj1
See The Weed Forager's Handbook for more.
Net proceeds from the Permaculture Calendar tithed to Permafund - supporting permaculture projects internationally
The Tennessee Electronic Library (TEL) is a virtual library that you can access from your home pc, your school library computer lab, or your iPhone – anywhere with an internet connection. TEL provides access to over 400,000 electronic resources, including magazines, scholarly journals, podcasts, videos, e-books, test preparation materials, federal census records, Tennessee primary source materials, and more!
All types of not-for-profit libraries participate in TEL and benefit from the wide range of information TEL databases offer, including homework help to new readers, consumer health information, business resources, leisure reading suggestions, current event essays, academic and civil service test preparation help, and genealogy and family history sources. Over 1.2 million searches are performed each month across the various TEL databases. Since 1999, the Tennessee Electronic Library has been dedicated to providing equal access to this expansive collection of electronic resources for all Tennesseans.
TEL is administered by the
nike air max doha qatar currency
, a division of the Tennessee Department of State , Tre Hargett, Secretary of State.
The mission of the Tennessee Electronic Library is to provide convenient and equitable access to library and information resources for all citizens of Tennessee to enhance the quality of their everyday lives, the depth of their educational experience, and the economic prosperity of their communities.
The Tennessee Electronic Library (TEL) began as a project spearheaded by the Tennessee Library Association and Tenn-Share, a resource sharing organization composed of over 450 libraries and information agencies of all types in Tennessee. In May 1997, Tenn-Share published "The Tennessee Electronic Library: A Proposal for Delivering Information Resources to Local Communities".
In 1999, the Tennessee Electronic Library was created by the Tennessee Legislature. Rep. Matt Kisber, D of Jackson, and Sen. Ward Crutchfield, D of Chattanooga, sponsored the bills in the House and Senate respectively. An intense lobbying effort on the part of the entire library community in Tennessee, especially Tenn-Share, TLA, and FOTL, succeeded in convincing local representatives and senators to vote for the creation of TEL. Bills in both houses were approved unanimously.
All library groups working together are responsible for the success of this effort. Because we all worked together, we have a Tennessee Electronic Library.
Specifically, the researchers claim they were able to break the homegrown hash function "Curl" that IOTA was using as part of its digital signature scheme to secure user funds.Further, the researchers were able to demonstrate how an attacker could then forge a user's digital signature and use it to steal funds.
Fortunately,IOTA has since fixed the bug in question. Furthermore, while the hash function was breakable, IOTA's co-founder Dominik Schiener stated that forging users' digital signaturesis extremely impractical due to the network topology and the way the wallet is structured.Real-World Applications for IOTA
IOTA didn't make it to the #11 spot on coinmarketcap.com without having some real-world use cases. Here are a few companies that currently use IOTA:
nike air jordan eclipse black/metallic gold z7m89qJNf
, a blockchain-based nanopayments company, announced a partnership with the IOTA Foundation to replace Bitcoin as the company's settlement network.
REFUNITE partnered with IOTA to trace families thathave been separated during times of crisis:
IOTA and REFUNITE intend to explore access to critical information and the increasing opportunities that arise from a more connected world.
CarPass ,a company that guarantees correct mileage on your odometer by creating a "digital twin" of your car on the blockchain, partnered with IOTA to use MIOTA asits underlying cryptocurrency. CarPass initially used Ethereum for the transactions, but after realizing the potential in IOTA, they instantly switched over.
There are two main options for storing IOTA. The first is to download the wallet from IOTA'sgithub and install the node on your computer. Since you need to perform some work in order to send a transaction, you would need to run a node on your computer in order to send transactions on the IOTA network.
The other option is to use an exchange wallet, but do so at your own risk. Remember that if an exchange goes down or gets hacked, you will lose access to your MIOTA. The exchanges that currently support IOTA trading are Binance , Coinone, Bitfinex, and OKEX.Conclusion
IOTA is definitely at the forefront of cryptocurrency. With its state-of-the-art Tangle technology enabling instant and free transactions, it's the main candidate for the emerging IoT market. Having partnerships and use cases in the real world serves as a proof of concept for IOTA's vision. As the amount of smart devices increases every year, the number of use cases for IOTA will only grow, so it is natural to assume the currency's price will also rise.
"Indignation" opens and closes with a nurse administering pills to an aged Mrs. Anderson (nee Olivia Hutton). It is ripe throughout with hints of her fraught childhood. Repeatedly, Olivia is called a slut and her worth called into question by nearly every character, both male and female. She possesses an obvious determination to overcome her darkness but a second nervous breakdown, after accidentally meeting Marcus's mother, proves nature stronger than nurture in this instant. All of that is to suggest that perhaps Olivia is the one who deserves to be indignant. This film, as with the 1950s, provided no space for that.
It rushes to a finish that feels incomplete after taking such pains to be slow to the point of excruciating. Marcus, in voice over, attempts to wrap up the whole affair with a love bow that betrays the complexity of the relationship. "Indignation" the film does manage to introduce audiences to characters that seem worth continuing to get to know. Luckily inquiring minds have "Indignation" the novel to turn to for that.
"Indignation" is now playing in San Diego at Landmark Theatres Hillcrest .
The last thing I expected to find in Poland was a hot Jewish scene. I had to rub my eyes to believe what I was seeing. Travelers of all religions, ages, cultural backgrounds, and nationalities flocked to Jewish-related sites eager to explore a world that was all but eliminated when Nazi Germany murdered 3,000,000 Jews,…
nike free run sockless sneakers
There is plenty of conversation around the term "Jewish millennials" and what they want out of their jobs, their lifestyles, their philanthropy, their spirituality. A big focus of "the establishment" (older generations that hold positions of power in Jewish organizations) is how will this next generation of Jewish people embrace and engage with their Judaism,… Read More »
They've tried strongly-worded statements. They've tried private meetings with the prime minister. They've tried negotiations, protest and prayer. But for the past five years, despite broad internal consensus and consistent pressure, the American Jewish establishment has been unable to persuade Israel's government to create an equitable space for non-Orthodox prayer at the Western Wall. The… Read More »
A bipartisan group of lawmakers is calling onPresident Donald Trump to appoint a White House liaison to the Jewish community. Reps. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., and Doug Lamborn, R-Colo., are asking members of Congress to sign a letter to the president. Rosen and Zeldin are Jewish. "While it is still… Read More »


text:
Meet thousands of Short Hills singles through one of the best Short Hills online dating sites. Matchmaker.com has great instant messenger and live video Short Hills chat service for our members. Short Hills dating has never been easier with our show interest feature that will allow you to break the ice with attractive local singles.
Matchmaker.com has some great services for Short Hills singles looking for a longer term relationship. Besides our great Short Hills chat product with live video matchmaker users can send email messages to people in the area. The Short Hills dating scene can be hard to find the right person at times; however, we are here to help and our Short Hills online dating service is free to register.
Short HillsJoin Now Free!
Short Hills Girls | Short Hills Men | Short Hills Gay | Short Hills Lesbians
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
More Short Hills Links:
Short Hills Personals | Short Hills Speed Dating | Short Hills Chat | Short Hills Singles | Short Hills Love
Senior Dating | Catholic Dating | Christian Dating | Muslim Dating
Black Singles | Asian Singles | Latin Dating
Try our Short Hills dating service today. Matchmaker.com is one of the oldest Short Hills online dating services on the Internet and has brought thousands of couples together from the area. Test drive our Short Hills Chat room with one of the best online communities for the Short Hills single person. Also, keep in mind that we have a huge member base of Short Hills singles and that we also cater to members of the many backgrounds.
Still not convinced that matchmaker is the free Short Hills dating service for you? Once you've filled out the quick registration process you will be to see full size photos and profiles of thousands of Short Hills singles. Did you know that free Short Hills dating is a few clicks away? Find love and romance in Short Hills at matchmaker today!


text:
This morning is full of Android Market goodness. Earlier, we found out that Sony Ericsson launched its own Android Market channel, and now, joining T-Mobile and AT&T, Sprint is giving customers the ability to charge apps to their monthly bill (What is going on, Verizon?). Sprint started rolling out this feature on April 7, and should be done by the 14th. If you still haven't received it, you should be getting it by tomorrow (except for HTC Hero and Samsung Moment users, who will not be given this treat).
Worried parents, or those who simply would not like this option, can opt out of this feature, and Corporate Liable customers will actually be systematically opted out. It will take as little as a visit to Sprint.com, or a call to Customer Care, to change your "opt in/out" status, so there should be nothing to worry about if this is something inconvenient for you. Those that decide not to take part on this will still be presented with the option upon purchasing an app, but the transaction will not go through successfully.
Well, if you are on Sprint, hopefully this has rolled out to your device, as it is definitely a very convenient option to have! Those that have received it, please let us know what you think of it. Is anyone opting out?


text:
Aqua Maxi Dress
Added May 12, 2013
by zsyzu
Placentia, Calif...
This is my first maxi dress. I used Burdstyle's 5/2013 #123 pattern. I struggled with the bust portion of this dress. The two and a half dot rating for skill level was a bit deceiving or I was just having problems understanding Burdastyle's instructions. I ended up having to rip seams open and figure out how to do the draped bodice portion on my own really. But a bit of a challenge helps you grow. Once I got past the bodice portion everything else was easy.
I like how this dress flows in a nice breeze and it won't be last maxi dress.
6 Comments Sign in to add a post
Aug 3, 2013, 12.20 AMby ♡ Anna ♡
Great result! I am struggling with the same pattern. I could not figure out how the buste pieces fitted together. Would you have any insights to share???
1 Reply
Aug 3, 2013, 01.44 PMby zsyzu
Thank you! Yes. I abandoned the instructions for the bodice and did what I thought might work. I sewed the bodice fronts and the inside lining right side together. Then I gathered the edges that would be sewn to the front straps and then sewed it to the straps. I had to rip everything apart after trying to follow the instructions before i did what I did and then it was easy after that. I hope that helps you.
May 26, 2013, 07.50 PMby asperge11
1 Reply
May 30, 2013, 11.40 PMby zsyzu
Thank you!
May 25, 2013, 12.13 PMby Couture Academic
Beautiful dress! Congrats on finishing such a complex design for your first maxidress…very impressive. Don't worry, we ALL struggle to understand BurdaStyle instructions, it's not just you trust me :)
1 Reply
May 30, 2013, 11.41 PMby zsyzu
Thank you! I'm glad I'm not the only one that finds Burdastyle instructions a bit hard to figure out sometimes!
May 24, 2013, 10.33 PMby Mary Athey
this is gorgeous on you. the fabrics so lovely and you've done a cracking job with this pattern x
1 Reply
May 24, 2013, 11.41 PMby zsyzu
Thank you Mary. I'm glad you like it!
May 24, 2013, 06.10 PMby The Tropical Sewist
love your fabric placement – gorgeous dress!
1 Reply
May 24, 2013, 11.42 PMby zsyzu
Thanks so much. It's wonderful to hear from someone who's as skilled as yourself. I've admired your work for the last few years!
May 24, 2013, 02.13 PMby liliv-1
It's a great dress, this style is very nice on you. I have made a similar pattern from issue 7/2009 and I like it a lot!
2 Replies
Add to Favorites 5 people added it


text:
Here at the Valley Harvest Inn we serve a complimentary continental breakfast every morning from 6am - 9:30am.
Daily Items Can Include:
Fitness Room:
Our fitness room includes the following equiptment:
We are attached to a Full Service Family Restaurant.
They are open from 7am-10pm every day.
The Mission Room
We have a large multi-use room that can hold up to 50 people.
Our pool and jacuzzi are ADA complient and we even offer a self operated handicap lift to help you get into and out of our pool.
Basic Pet Policies:
Once you arrive at the hotel the front desk clerk must see your pet/pets and will give you a Pet Policy form to sign.
Thank you and we look forward to welcoming your four legged friends!


text:
Photo by Patrick Cullina.
Here's another sight-seeing item to add to your holiday list – the Winter Red winterberry holly (Ilex verticillata 'Winter Red') that's brightening the Gansevoort Woodland with clusters of lively red fruits.
The variety of holly that's typically associated with the holiday season is English Holly (Ilex aquifolium). The variety on the High Line–Winterberry holly–is a deciduous species that can be found growing in many parts of the Northeast. It tends to be found in moist areas like the edges of bogs, though is quite adaptable to other landscape conditions.
The fruit, which is found only on female plants, emerges green, then brightens to red in autumn as it ripens. The plant's leaves typically turn gold towards the end of October, then fall to reveal the striking red fruit that's visible right now on the High Line. In order to produce the fruit, though, a male plant is necessary for pollination (for 'Winter Red,' we suggest a variety called 'Southern Gentleman').
Later in the season, birds will begin to pick the softening fruit from the branches, which should make for some great wildlife watching.
Patrick Cullina, High Line Vice President of Horticulture & Park Operations, tells me, "We have just a few plants in the southern end of the Line, but it's an under-appreciated species that we like, so you'll see more of them next year."
Section 2 will have another winterberry variety called 'Red Sprite' that bears more compact fruit that the current species.


text:
Automotive Services
Equifax empowers the automotive market to make better, more efficient business decisions by leveraging powerful innovation to deliver unrivaled consumer and employment insights. We equip automotive lenders with comprehensive consumer credit, employment and income data integrated with additional demographic and industry-leading information sources, ensuring they acquire and retain the customers who will drive business forward.
As our partner, automotive companies can rest assured that the best technology innovations and regulatory compliance expertise are deployed on their behalf. This applies to not only our automotive lending expertise, but also within our suite of employer services designed for optimizing your workforce and enhancing HR efficiencies.
Position yourself to capture new opportunities, mitigate risk and turn differentiated insight into a competitive advantage. Learn how our solutions help you navigate your business more profitably across the customer and employee lifecycle.
Equifax provides best-in-class solutions for your particular automotive needs:
Be informed about new opportunities using up-to-date, verified and detailed information regarding the automotive market, consumers and the vehicles they seek. Learn More >>
Increase the speed of business with information that helps you make faster, more profitable and compliant lending decisions. Learn More >>
Account Management
Maximize customer value with intelligence that identifies opportunities to create or expand relationships. Learn More >>
Prioritize opportunities for recovery. Learn More >>
Business Intelligence
Gain deeper insight into your share of the industry as well as how your employment trends compare, and uncover opportunities to expand your customer base. Learn More >>


text:
In the Family section...
In the Integrity section...
In the Products section...
By Cathe
I've been playing with old Reader's Digest books a lot lately in various craft projects. I had my sewing machine out on the dining room table today and I thought it would be fun to try to sew inside a book and create pockets.
A book of pockets can be used for organizing collage items, stuffing secrets into or for something as practical as organizing monthly receipts for various purchases. Make several and you can have a library of books for keeping track of so many things. Surprise someone special with a pocket-sized book full of notes, photos and mementos.
Gather together three pages and feed them under the sewing machine foot, stitching the top section of the pocket. You won't be able to feed the pages all the way to the inside crease due to the bulk of the book, but go as far as you can and stop, remove book and clip threads. You can sew your pocket top edge straight, at an angle, low or high.
Trim away the area of the sewn pages just above the stitching.
Gather three more pages behind the pocket section and stitch beginning at the top of the pocket edge down to the bottom right corner, pivot and continue stitching as far into the center of the book as possible. Remove book and trim threads and your pocket is complete.
Using a craft knife, remove several pages behind the sewn pocket pages before repeating to create another pocket. This will keep your book from being too bulky when pockets are filled.
For a receipt book, label each pocket with the month of the year.
What would you keep in book page pockets?
I've been thinking of a creative way to put together recipe books for my girls. Using this idea I'll label pockets as sections as in traditional recipe books/boxes and put the recipes on nice cards. Thank you for sharing!
I love this idea, but am visually having a hard time as to how you sewed the pockets together.
I am excited to do this for a month long road trip I will be doing this September! I plan to make a pocket for each day and fill it with different items from the state we visit on that day! :)
That is just awesome. I am going to have to remember that when I see a box of them for sale.
Absolutely bloody brilliant.
Thank you so much for sharing, I loved doing this. As for not being able to sew all the way to the inside crease, I just added a strip of colorful washi tape from the top of the page to the bottom to fully close the pocket and secure the threads. Practical and pretty.
Love this. I have a dayly calender whith one card for evry day of the year i a box. Once th year has gone I begin from the beginning on the same card from the last year. This makes a never ending kalendar and I can read what I did last year. I think I will makea pocket book instead whith one book for every month.
This is amazing. My mind is blown and coming up with so many ways to expand on this theme. The Container Store has these great labels you can write on with a regular pen and fully erase later. I'm thinking I need to start looking for more cool old books to make some pockets, label, and get organized. Thank you for posting!
This is fabulous! Thank you for sharing it with us. I'm going to try it today :)
This is a wonderful project. I think I might use your ideas with a twist for one of my projects! Love it. And, yes I agree that maybe the slant of the pocket pages should be higher on the outside to keep the contents from falling out when you open the book up... other than that it's a great idea!
Am I reading this correctly - the first three pages are the "front" (half page) of the pocket and the next three pages are the "back" (full page) of the pocket? Then remove several pages before moving on the next pocket?
Lol, can you tell sewing is not one of my strengths?
A great way to collect birthday cards throughout the year and save them in monthly pockets! Love this idea!
Excellent suggestion Annie! That makes perfect sense.
Sallie, cut out pages behind the sewn pocket, just a few between that and the next pocket you will sew, eliminating bulk in the final stuffed pocket book.
You could also use this in place of the envelope method of budgeting your money. Just label the different pockets "food," "car payment," etc. and then you could put your cash in there. Plus in the off chance of an attempted burglary, they would never find your cash in a book on a shelf.
Really clever idea and it makes me wish I was better at sewing.
One question though: wouldn't you want the slant to go the other way so the taller edge is on the outside? Looking at the photo above it looks too easy for contents to slide out with the short edge away from the spine. Have you found this to be an issue?
So u cut all the way through the 3 pages u sew ? There's no back on the pocketed page? Trying to get it cuz this is a neat idea.
super cool ..will link up some pics and a post once I get my mojo going and see if I can actually complete some projects today.
more pics would help me out. :)
Wonderful! Love the angled pockets.
OH thank you so very much this wonderful idea! I've seen this before but it was in days before blogs and I had completely forgotten about it! Would it be alright if I share this on my blog once I've made some. I will link back to this page in order to show where I got my inspiration from. Thank you!
@ S....I believe she is saying when you are finished with one pocket and you go to grab the next three pages to make another pocket...try just completely cutting out a few pages before you begin the next one. Once you have completely cut out a few pages...pick up the three pages and begin your next pocket. I hope this helps you.
Like everyone else, I agree... awesome idea! Wondering if you have a suggested for a sewing machine? I'm itching to get sew happy on various projects from paper to fabric. Thanks again for this great DIY!
Great idea.. Not so great when you try the project out.. Had me swearing in vein at myself! Maybe you just have to be a crafting Jedi to complete this one :D
Regarding step 4 (clarification requested)...
Once you make pockets and begin filling them, the book will bulk up fast and not close well. If you begin by sewing one pocket at the front of the book, remove several pages behind that. Then make a second pocket and again remove more pages behind that one. And so on. By removing several pages between pockets you allow more room for items stuffed into those pockets and a better chance the book will fit nicely back into the bookshelf.
Hope that helps!
PS. Thanks for the great response to this project everyone!!
Happiness is when clever ideas are so freely shared. such a simple yet great leap of imagination is Admirable. and Inspiring . this has made my day- thank you! i will never look at discarded hardbacks the same way again.
what a great idea......I can hardly wait to see what else you do with them
Can you clarify step 4?
What an awesome idea!! You are amazingly creative!
What a wonderful way to use something you have on hand and repurpose it into something so practical and unique! You always amaze me with your abundant creativity, Cathe. :)
Fabulous!!! Love this idea and can't wait to try it for myself. I think this would make a really cool scrapbook.
I love the 'pockets' idea! Using the Reader's Digest's books are wonderful, since they're already beautifully decorated too. I like to use them for recipes, somewhere to stash magazine 'inspiration' clippings... endless ideas! I have my 4H kids use them for presenting their 'projects' for Fair too.
this is such a wonderful idea! thank you. i am going to make one for a scrapbook.
What a fantastic idea! Organizing receipts is an on-going ordeal, and this is a way to use an old book, file the receipts, and put the book in its place on a shelf, where it will be ready and waiting for the next round of receipts.
This is a wonderful idea! Thank you so much for sharing such great directions.
Thank you so much for sharing your technique. As I read the title I was unable to imagine how to sew pockets in a book. Now I know I can do this. Your ideas and creativity are endless Miss Cathe. Blissful...
What a fabulous idea! I have a collection of Reader's Digest books too, and I'm always looking for ways to use them! Some of mine have the prettiest marbled end papers. I like to remove the covers and use for binding my own journals.
Well, depending on how much time you had ::
Persoanlly, I'm going to take an old book and transform it into happiness :: I'm going to make 1000 paper cranes out of an old paperback that I'll use to decorate our library. I'm going to try to do this in 100 days! ;-)
Now that I use an ebook, I have books I can use. Looks simple enough. Going to give it a try.
Absolutely Awesome!!! No if I can just find some of those books!!!
So love this idea. Will give it a try today, but will use a love novel that I have finished reading. That way each time I add something to the pockets, it will bring back memories of the book. Thanks,
So cool! I think I would use it for birthday cards. I could also store paper ephemera, with the correct label; in order to corral the mess.
What a great idea. I have quite a few books with interesting covers that would be perfect for this. A few gifts to have on had for sure.
Thank you for sharing.
I would like to make this a keepsake book to put Ephemera in from my trip to Paris! I have to many ticket stubs and little drawings, it would be perfect! Thanks! This is going to be perfect!!
Love this Cathe! I have a stack of those books too because the covers are so cool. You are amazing. Hope your house has aired out!
This is awesome, Cathe! I am an Altered Book Artist and have used pockets for pictures and all kinds of fun stuff, but it has never crossed my mind to make a whole book of pockets and use them for a practical purpose. I'm having one of those, "why didn't I think of that?" moments! :) Thanks for the great idea. It's brilliant!
I have a stack of books ready for crafting, sitting right next to me on the couch. I've taken the covers off some, I've decoupaged the pages to things and sewed miles of cut out hearts and circles into garland. but never thought of anything close to this! Oh goodness, I'm headed to the sewing machine right now!
Wow, I love this idea! I have several old books I could use in this way. I think I'd store photos in the pockets or maybe mementos from outings and trips. Great idea!! I'll add a link to this to my Book Crafts article at Squidoo. Thanks!
What a fun project! I cannot wait to go hunting for some readers digests to use.
We'll review your submission within the next few days.
Type the code shown
Looking for more great ideas? Visit our Green Choices blog for eco-friendly tips and activities to try with your family.
Every year, millions of plastic trigger bottles end up in landfills. Concentrated refills use less packaging, decrease shipping impacts and reduce waste. Small green choices can make a big difference.


text:
USO and Sesame Street Launch New Military Families Tour
The longest running tour in the history of the USO hit the road again this week when the Sesame Street/USO Experience for Military Families kicked off its latest adventure at the Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. Between now and November the tour will stop at 65 military installations around the country and put on more than 235 shows. The tour features Elmo, Rosita, Cookie Monster, Grover, Honker and Katie, a new character created specifically for the tour to help children of military families deal with the challenges of relocation. Get a closer look at the fun everyone had at the tour's inaugural show by clicking through the photos below. And be sure to stop back by SesameWorkshop.org throughout April, month of the military child, to learn more about the way our organization supports the families of the brave men and women who serve our country.


text:
Joe Vellano NFL Draft 2013: Pro-Potential ProjectionsMarch 14, 2013
|285 pounds
|Key Stats
|Six sacks, 14 tackles for loss and one interception in 2012
When NFL draft prospects share similar sizes, styles of play, levels of production and skill sets with established NFL players, it's impossible not to draw comparisons between them. These comparisons can be used to project how college stars will transition to the next level.
In this video, we compare Joe Vellano to Dan Klecko, who most notably played for the New England Patriots.
Stay tuned to Bleacher Report as we continue the Prospect Comparison Series, in which we compare the 2013 NFL draft's top 300 prospects to current and recently retired NFL players.


text:
Used 2013 Ram 1500 ST
Upfront Price $18,614
This well maintained 2013 Ram Quad Cab 1500 Express has it all!! Fully equipped with cloth seats ..... HITCH ....... BENCH SEAT ........ BEDLINER!! This one is a must see!!! At Bergstrom of Kaukauna, we are proud to offer a high quality selection of pre-owned vehicles at competitive prices. Call us today at (866)939-0130 to speak with one of our knowledgeable sales representatives and schedule a test drive. STOP TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We believe that every Bergstrom Kaukauna guest deserves complete peace of mind when it comes to owning their vehicle, regardless of whether that vehicle is new or pre-owned. That's why we have created the Bergstrom Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle Promise. Every Bergstrom pre-owned vehicle is 123-point inspected, reconditioned and certified to never have been deemed salvaged, flood-damaged or lemon law


text:
Apple Srinagar Service Center-address, contact number, email ID, phone number and other details like rating and review is available here.
If you are looking for an Apple authorized service center in Srinagar, Apple iPhone Srinagar Service Center, Apple iPad Srinagar Service Center, Apple iPod Srinagar Service Center, Apple Mac Srinagar Service Center and Apple Srinagar Customer Care Number. So for this purpose, we are sharing full information including list of Apple service centers in Srinagar, addresses, emails, and contact phone numbers with the official website provided by Apple, Inc.
As this post, you can get full details related to Apple authorized service center Srinagar , Apple Srinagar repair center, Apple Srinagar service center location, Apple check points Srinagar , Apple Srinagar Authorized Repair Center List. There is 1 service center, providing after sales services for Apple iPhones, iPod, iPad, Mac Computers, Beats and accessories. You can check its detail below.
Apple Srinagar Service Center Contact Details
If you are an Apple customer and are facing any type of technical problems with your Apple products and accessories. So, kindly contact at the Apple service centers of Srinagar listed below:-
Contact Details of Apple Authorized Service Center in Srinagar:
Apple Srinagar Service Center Name: Infahs Cybernetics India Pvt Ltd
Apple Srinagar Service Center Address: Level-1, Landmark Complex, Karan Nagar, Srinagar, Jammu And Kashmir 190010, India
Apple Srinagar Service Center Number: +91-194-2485251
Important Links of Apple Service in Srinagar:
Find a Apple Authorized Resellers
Find a Apple Authorized Training Centres
In addition to service center locations, the customer representatives of Apple are also available in the assistance of you through customer help desk, where you can get your all answer regarding all Apple products ranging from computers and mobile phones. If you want to contact the Apple Customer Care Number Srinagar , then Click here…
Customerserviceaddress.com is sharing the all details and information of Apple service center Srinagar along with the lists of full contact details of addresses, phone number, fax number, email with official web page provided by Apple, Inc.
You can Visit on Customer Service Address website to finding the customer care and service support information, addresses for all other Indian brands, companies, institutions and many more. You can also search a service center and customer care service number in your area as convenient as possible.


text:
Children's National Health System offers the only comprehensive Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) program for young girls and teens in the Washington, DC area. The Polycystic Ovarian service ensures young women have easy access to all of the necessary specialists in pediatric gynecology, endocrinology and nutrition to help them effectively manage PCOS.
The PCOS service is coordinated by renowned endocrinologists at Children's National and an obstetrician/gynecologist with expertise in pediatric gynecology who practices at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. This partnership allows us to monitor a young woman's reproductive health over time and during her transition to adult care. And as an adult, she has the option to see an obstetrician/gynecologist who knows her medical history.
PCOS appointments can be scheduled for the second and fourth Tuesday of every month by calling 202-476-3440.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, also called Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or PCOS, is indicated by a hormonal imbalance and often runs in families. The exact cause, however, is unknown. Signs of the condition and severity of symptoms vary for every young woman, and may include:
Your child's doctor may refer your daughter to our team when PCOS is suspected or after the condition is confirmed. Our team can help with the diagnosis, treatment and coordination of related care, and we do not require a lab test from patients to come to see us.
The PCOS service is located in the Division of Endocrinology, and meets with patients on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month. For the convenience of families, a patient sees several specialists during a single visit. This means you don't have to travel to the hospital as often, but expect to stay at the appointment for a few hours.
We listen to and work with each patient individually to develop a program to manage their PCOS and related health conditions. One goal is to reduce the likelihood of complications or illnesses, including diabetes, which is associated with an elevated level of insulin.
Because diet and healthy lifestyle habits can benefit patients, the service has a dedicated nutritionist, Erika Davies, who specializes in PCOS. Our team can also consult with specialists from the more than 40 disciplines at Children's National to ensure your daughter has the most appropriate care.
Our physicians are also leading research to advance knowledge in the recognition, diagnosis and treatment of gynecological conditions affecting young women, including polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Research aims to better recognize the condition and understand how PCOS specifically affects adolescents. To learn more about our research efforts, please speak with a member of the PCOS team or your child's primary care physician.
As well, families are encouraged to visit the website for Children's Research Institute on the upper floors of Children's National, to read about our current studies and clinical trials. With research at the hospital, we are able to successfully and efficiently translate positive research findings into practice for the benefit of patients.


text:
The Nobel Prize in Physics 1918 was awarded to Max Planck "in recognition of the services he rendered to the advancement of Physics by his discovery of energy quanta".
Max Planck received his Nobel Prize one year later, in 1919. During the selection process in 1918, the Nobel Committee for Physics decided that none of the year's nominations met the criteria as outlined in the will of Alfred Nobel. According to the Nobel Foundation's statutes, the Nobel Prize can in such a case be reserved until the following year, and this statute was then applied. Max Planck therefore received his Nobel Prize for 1918 one year later, in 1919.
Your mission is to arrange an amazing laser party!
Read more about the Nobel Prize in Physics.
All you want to know about the Nobel Prize in Physics!


text:
Where is PDN?
If you are the first person who can correctly tell us where this photo of PDN was taken you will win a free PDN coffee mug and be entered into our monthly drawing for a free 3 month subscription. Please leave your name and phone number when you comment.


text:
Craig Smith - THE STOCK MASTER
Hi everybody.
I am a composer and professional musician based in England. I currently play keyboards for Freda Payne, Tavares, The Three Degrees, The Crystals and The Platters and have recently toured with The Four Tops and The Temptations. My music production work is used for websites, film and television. I also create backing tracks for a number of acts and singers.
Please feel free to get in touch anytime.


text:
What could be causing early puberty in girls? Expert clarifies reader question.
In the post, Hormones in Milk: Are They Causing Early Puberty in Girls, we wondered, what is causing early maturity in girls? Based on what Dr. Ann Macrina indicated, it could be any of several factors.
One of our readers wrote in asking for clarification from Dr. Macrina: "Dr. Macrina indicated it could be any of several factors – better nourishment, higher body weight and some even suggest exposure to chemicals. Does Dr. Macrina mean chemicals like pesticides and herbicides?"
Dr. Ann Macrina answered:
Exposure to chemicals and their effects on onset of puberty currently is a very active area of research. These chemicals include those found in pesticides (DDT, DDE, endosulfan, for example), or plastics used as food containers (BPA), and other plastics including those manufactured for flame retardance (BPP). This is by no means a complete list, but the concern is that these chemicals are structurally similar to estrogen. If they bind to the estrogen receptor in the body, these chemicals might mimic or block the actions of estrogen. Chemicals such as DDT were banned from use decades ago but are still present in the environment. Bisphenol A (BPA) has been shown to leach out of plastic containers especially with repeated use. However, it is difficult to quantify individual exposure to these chemicals and correlate that with outcomes like earlier age at puberty. Some researchers report earlier onset of puberty when animals are given high doses of these chemicals, but that is not the same as low-dose environmental exposure. Also, many of these chemicals have been in the environment since the 1960s, yet the age of puberty continues to decrease. A recent study examined girls who lived near or far from agricultural regions where pesticides were used. The scientists could not detect a difference in blood levels of the pesticide chemicals.
In my original blog, I was referring to any chemicals that might mimic the actions of estrogen in the body. There are many conflicting studies, and it is not clear if the level to which people are exposed contributes to earlier onset of puberty. Based on the historical data before these chemicals were used, body weight consistently was around 100 pounds at the onset of puberty. The fact that it is still around 100 pounds implies that body weight has more of an influence on timing of puberty than typical exposure to these chemicals. However, it is important to understand how these chemicals act in the body, and research in this area continues.
Do you have a question? Let us know!
"Female" by Mark Morgan is licensed under CC BY 2.0.


text:
© ® The Nobel Foundation
IPCC honoured with the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize
Phone: +41-22-730-8208/84 e-mail:
Based on experimental research, crop yield responses to climate change vary
widely, depending upon species and cultivar; soil properties; pests, and pathogens;
the direct effects of carbon dioxide (CO2) on plants; and interactions
between CO2, air temperature, water stress, mineral nutrition, air
quality, and adaptive responses. Even though increased CO2 concentration
can stimulate crop growth and yield, that benefit may not always overcome the
adverse effects of excessive heat and drought (medium confidence6).
These advances, along with advances in research on agricultural adaptation,
have been incorporated since the Second Assessment Report (SAR) into models
used to assess the effects of climate change on crop yields, food supply, farm
incomes, and prices. [4.2]
Costs will be involved in coping with climate-induced yield losses and adaptation
of livestock production systems. These agronomic and husbandry adaptation options
could include, for example, adjustments to planting dates, fertilization rates,
irrigation applications, cultivar traits, and selection of animal species. [4.2]
When autonomous agronomic adaptation is included, crop modeling assessments
indicate, with medium to low confidence6,
that climate change will lead to generally positive responses at less than a
few °C warming and generally negative responses for more than a few °C
in mid-latitude crop yields. Similar assessments indicate that yields of some
crops in tropical locations would decrease generally with even minimal increases
in temperature, because such crops are near their maximum temperature tolerance
and dryland/rainfed agriculture predominates. Where there is also a large decrease
in rainfall, tropical crop yields would be even more adversely affected. With
autonomous agronomic adaptation, crop yields in the tropics tend to be less
adversely affected by climate change than without adaptation, but they still
tend to remain below levels estimated with current climate. [4.2]
Most global and regional economic studies not incorporating climate change
indicate that the downward trend in global real commodity prices in the 20th
century is likely to continue into the 21st, although confidence in these predictions
decreases farther into the future. Economic modeling assessments indicate that
impacts of climate change on agricultural production and prices are estimated
to result in small percentage changes in global income (low confidence6),
with larger increases in more developed regions and smaller increases or declines
in developing regions. Improved confidence in this finding depends on further
research into the sensitivity of economic modeling assessments to their base
assumptions. [4.2 and Box 5-5]
Most studies indicate that global mean annual temperature increases of a few
°C or greater would prompt food prices to increase due to a slowing in the
expansion of global food supply relative to growth in global food demand (established,
but incomplete6).
At lesser amounts of warming than a few °C, economic models do not clearly
distinguish the climate change signal from other sources of change based on
those studies included in this assessment. Some recent aggregated studies have
estimated economic impacts on vulnerable populations such as smallholder producers
and poor urban consumers. These studies find that climate change would lower
incomes of the vulnerable populations and increase the absolute number of people
at risk of hunger, though this is uncertain and requires further research. It
is established, though incompletely, that climate change, mainly through increased
extremes and temporal/ spatial shifts, will worsen food security in Africa.
Table of contents
IPCC Homepage


text:
Academy Approves GRAMMY Category Amendments
As it continually evolves its Awards process, The Recording Academy today announced amendments to eligibility rules in the Best New Artist category, the Classical Field, and for Recording Academy-produced performances. These new guidelines will go into effect immediately for the upcoming 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards on Feb. 13, 2011. The total number of GRAMMY categories remains 109.
"Every year, we diligently examine our Awards process to ensure that it remains relevant within the current musical landscape," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. "These eligibility amendments recognize present trends in music and our Board of Trustees continues to demonstrate its dedication to keeping The Recording Academy a pertinent and responsive organization in our dynamic music community."
Eligibility Amendments
Best New Artist
New artists have at least one chance to compete in the Best New Artist category, provided that the artist has not already won a GRAMMY. The current eligibility requirements state that the artist must have released, as a featured performing artist, at least one album but not more than three; and the artist must not have been entered for Best New Artist more than three times, including as a performing member of an established group. Any previous GRAMMY nomination for the artist as performer precludes eligibility in the Best New Artist category (including a nomination as an established performing member of a nominated group).
These rules remain in effect with the following exception: If an artist/group is nominated (but does not win) for the release of a single or as a featured artist or collaborator on a compilation or other artist's album before the artist/group has released an entire album (and becomes eligible in this category for the first time), the artist/group may enter this category in the eligibility year during which his/her/their first album is released.
More and more, the first release of a new artist is as a featured artist on someone else's album, or the new artist may release a single long before the release of his/her/their entire first album. By current rules, if the other artist's album or the new artist's single receives a nomination, the new artist may never have the opportunity to compete in the Best New Artist category. With this change, each artist will have at least one opportunity to enter in this important and highly visible category.
Classical Field — Eligibility Of Special Releases
The current rule states that all entries in all fields and categories must be previously unreleased and newly recorded. For purposes of eligibility, The Academy defines "newly recorded" as product that has been recorded within five years of the release date and not previously released. The only categories that allow entries not newly recorded are: Best Historical Album (intended specifically for older recordings provided they are straight reissues), Best Compilation Soundtrack Album, Best Recording Package (if package is new), Best Surround Sound Album, and Best Album Notes (if notes are new).
This rule remains in effect with the following addition: Multi-disc (boxed set) releases in the Classical Field that contain 100 percent previously unreleased material, employ a single artist or ensemble only, and contain the work of a single composer only will still be allowed if more than 51 percent of the whole was recorded more than five years previous to the release date.
As the bicentennials of several big-name composers approach, there are more multi-year projects in which a single artist or ensemble is recording a complete cycle of a particular composer's works (i.e., complete string quartets, complete symphonies, complete flute sonatas). Rather than releasing one disc at a time as they are recorded, the artists and/or labels are choosing to wait until the cycle is complete and release a multi-disc set. These projects may run 10 or more years and may constitute what is essentially the life's work of the artist. Such efforts should be eligible for GRAMMY consideration in the eligibility year within which they are released.
Producer Of The Year, Classical
The current rule states that a minimum of three separately released recordings are required to qualify for entry in this category. A multi-record set of a single work is considered one recording. A maximum of five albums, released for the first time during the eligibility period, may be listed.
In parity with the Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical category, the new rule changes the minimum number of albums for Producer Of The Year, Classical from three to one. (Minimum track entries for Classical are not necessary, as almost all Classical albums have only one producer or a team that works on the project as a whole.) A producer must have production credits for 51 percent or more playing time of the album in order for it to qualify. If the album is self-produced, production credits must include at least one recording for a different artist. Minimum qualifications may be satisfied by combining a producer's solo efforts with his/her team efforts. Producers may enter as a team only if they have worked together exclusively during the eligibility year. Not more than six recordings may be listed on the final ballot. (If more than six are entered, the producer will make the final decision in consultation with awards staff.)
This change was made in fairness to classical producers, to remain consistent with the other producer category, and in recognition of classical production realities. Currently, the Producer Of The Year, Classical category requires a minimum of three separately released recordings for entrants to qualify. In the non-classical category, one album or six tracks is all that is necessary to qualify.
Recording Academy-Produced Performances
In recent years, performances on GRAMMY telecasts have been made available for commercial purchase via online digital media stores such as iTunes. According to current general guidelines, these digital releases may be submitted for GRAMMY consideration. To maintain the integrity of The Recording Academy and to be completely impartial in our Awards process, all GRAMMY telecast performances — and all performances recorded during any Recording Academy, Latin Recording Academy, GRAMMY Museum, GRAMMY Foundation, or MusiCares event — are ineligible for GRAMMY consideration. Any such submission will be deleted during the verification process with notification sent to the entrant.
These changes were voted on and passed at The Recording Academy's recent semiannual Board of Trustees meeting. The Trustees of The Academy, along with Academy senior staff, Chapter Regional Directors, Executive Directors, and Chapter Presidents, met with agendas designed to strategically chart the course of The Academy.


text:
Safety Rail/Highway Tips & Rules
In most states, motor vehicle laws read:
"Whenever any person driving a vehicle approaches a railroad grade crossing and signals indicate an approaching train, the driver of such vehicle shall stop within fifteen feet from the nearest rail of such railroad and shall not proceed until he can do so safely."
The driver must treat the crossbuck as a yield sign and the motorist must stop whenever automatic signals are activated.
A driver is obligated to:
- Not exceed the speed limit.
- Be able to stop within an assured clear distance ahead.
- Drive with reasonable care in all circumstances.
Railroad Rules and Special Instructions
The engineer and train crew also have responsibilities at crossings, which generally include the following:
- Ring the bell.
- Blow the whistle one-quarter mile from all public crossings, or as whistle signs indicate.
- Keep the headlight on bright.
- Proceed at rates consistent with timetable speed or the safety of the train.
- Observe all bulletins and rules.
Operation Lifesaver
To increase motorists' awareness of the law, the railroad industry, through the Operation Lifesaver Program, has been working with law enforcement agencies to help prevent highway-rail collisions. OL stresses the importance of issuing citations in both accident and non-accident situations when the motorist:
- Does not slow down.
- Does not look.
- Tries to beat the train.
- Does not stop for signals.
Safety Tips at Highway-Rail Crossings
- Anytime is train time – trains can run on any track in either direction.
- Use extra caution at night – don't overdrive your headlights at night or in bad weather.
- Watch out for the second track – two tracks may mean two trains – make sure all the tracks are clear before crossing.
- Don't get boxed in – don't let traffic or gates stop you on the crossing.
- If your car stalls or stops on the crossing for any reason, get yourself and any passengers out and away quickly.
Remember: At crossings, trains can't stop quickly or steer out of the way. You can!


text:
Gwen Stefani Spends Beach Day with Kingston & Zuma!
Gwen Stefani covers up as she takes her adorable sons Kingston and Zuma, and their little pup to the beach for a birthday party on Saturday (May 18) in Marina Del Rey, Calif.
The 43-year-old No Doubt frontwoman was surrounded by pals at the beach birthday bash, including her band mate Tony Kanal with his wife Erin and their daughter Coco, 2.
"Which @NoDoubt song best describes how you're feeling RIGHT NOW? Share the song title + why for the chance to get a RT." the band's Twitter account recently tweeted.
30+ pictures inside of Gwen Stefani taking her boys to a birthday party on the beach…


text:
2010 Honda Insight EX Earns Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) TOP SAFETY PICK Award for 2009
The 2010 Honda Insight EX earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) 2009 TOP SAFETY PICK Award, the organization's highest honor. The annual award recognizes vehicles that do the best job of protecting vehicle occupants involved in front, side, and rear crashes based on ratings in IIHS tests.
"Fuel economy and safety have always been part of Honda's DNA," said Erik Berkman, vice president of corporate planning and logistics. "The Insight EX is a great example of an affordable vehicle that receives a high rating for safety."
Honda operates two of the world's most sophisticated crash test laboratories with the objective of developing the highest level of safety design and technology. The Tochigi, Japan, facility was the world's first indoor omni-directional car-to-car crash testing facility and the Honda R&D America's Raymond, Ohio, development center performs testing on all U.S.-developed models.
For more information and downloadable high-resolution images of the Honda Insight and other Honda vehicles, please visit www.hondanews.com. Consumer information is available at www.honda.com.


text:
Elinor Ostrom delivered her Prize Lecture on 8 December 2009 at Aula Magna, Stockholm University. She was introduced by Professor Bertil Holmlund, Chairman of the Economic Sciences Prize Committee.
The Prize in Economic Sciences 2009
Copyright © Nobel Web AB 2009
On 27 November 1895 Alfred Nobel signed his last will in Paris.
Try to save some patients and learn about human blood types!
Discover the 2012 awarded research on stem cells and cell signalling.


text:
Taxpayers are picking up about 80 per cent of rising costs, with police retirement plans in desperate need of reform, a thinktank said.
Total costs now stand at £2.5 billion a year, the equivalent to £1 in every £7 of total police expenditure, the Policy Exchange said.
Taxpayer contributions more than doubled from £951 million in 1995-96 to £1.9 billion in recent years while police officer contributions fell from 31% to 23%, the report said.
The report recommends a move away from a final salary to a career-average scheme and a raising of the standard retirement age to 60.
Edward Boyd, author of the report, said: ''Police officers' pensions have become increasingly unaffordable for taxpayers.
''A growing pensioner population, primarily down to increased life expectancy coupled with only minimal changes in the retirement age, has increased costs substantially over the last decade.
''The more we have to pay for pensions, the less police forces have available to spend on hiring officers to fight crime.
''We desperately need a new police pension scheme fit for the modern world. Without reducing costs, police officer pensions will become unaffordable for taxpayers and for officers themselves.''
In 1995/96, pensions cost less than £1 billion. By 2009/10, the bill had risen to almost £2.5 billion, the report said.
Rising life expectancy was singled out as a significant reason for spiralling costs.
The data claims two police authorities are supporting the costs of more retired police officers than active and deferred members combined.
In 2009/10, each household in England and Wales was paying £612 a year on policing. Of this, £83 - or £1 in every £7 - was spent on police officer pensions, up from £52 per household a year in 2001/02.
The report says police pensions are the most generous as a proportion of their pay compared to other public sector workers, excluding the judiciary.
Police officers have already been told they will have to pay an average of an extra £1,000 a year into their pension under Government plans.
More senior officers, such as mid-range superintendents, face an increase of £2,800 a year while new constables face paying £349 more as annual police pension contributions rise between 1.5% and 4%, depending on rank.
Home Secretary Theresa May said last year there needs to be a ''fairer balance between what employees pay and what other taxpayers contribute towards a public service pension''.
Anger has been building in frontline policing since former rail regulator Tom Winsor said the most wide-ranging analysis of forces' pay in 30 years showed more than £1 billion of savings should be made.
Prime Minister David Cameron has said there is a need for major change regardless of economic challenges.
But a report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) found crime rates could jump as one in 10 police officers is axed under Government spending cuts.
Visit the Telegraph Retirement Service for expert advice on finding what steps you need to take in order to fulfil the retirement lifestyle you desire.


text:
All last year, Lynne Nieto kept wondering if this would be the last birthday, the last Christmas, the last anytime she and her family would spend with her husband, Augie. That feeling began to dissipate, as it did for their son, in the wake of a breakthrough in research to fight ALS, which has plagued Augie for an amazing seven years now.
Lynne Nieto shared her renewed positive outlook during an emotional appearance at the seventh annual Bash for Augie's Quest, held last Friday at the JW Marriott in Los Angeles. That evening, it was announced that the event raised $1.452 million for ALS research, which eclipsed last year's total of $1.3 million. Today, the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) announced that the Bash raised more than $1.6 million. All told, Augie's Quest has raised $32.3 million since 2006.
Those funds have had a major impact in the research of ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Last year, ALS Therapy Development Institute (TDI) announced that it reached an agreement with Biogen Idec and UCB Pharma to jointly investigate a potential treatment for ALS. The two pharmaceutical companies are looking into an anti-CD40L antibody as a potential therapy for ALS. The breakthrough is partially due to the $23.1 million that Augie's Quest has given to ALS TDI in the past six years.
So there was plenty to celebrate at the Mardi Gras-themed event, attended by, among others, Lou Ferrigno, who is competing for MDA on the current season of "The Celebrity Apprentice." Nancy O'Dell of "Entertainment Tonight" served as the emcee, and comedian Tom Papa showed why he is a true professional, getting funnier throughout the set, mostly about life as a husband and a father.
Several health club owners were in attendance, including Curves co-founders Gary and Diane Heavin, who donated $100,000 to Augie's Quest plus offered the use of their private jet for an outing that was up for auction.
"The Bash was better than expected, and once again it showed tremendous support for what we all believe in when it comes to Augie's Quest," Augie said in a statement released today. "We're making progress in finding treatments and cures for ALS."
For more on this year's Bash for Augie's Quest and an interview with The Atlantic Clubs founder Pat Laus, who has spearheaded the Clubs for the Quest initiative, click on our video of the event.


text:
Jt on sony. Com: lilly was not at all sure we could just "set ol' dan free" like that. I told her dan was a huge invisible rat with magical powers. That seems to have shut her up.
This land is a lovely green
It reminds me of my own home
Such children I've seldom seen
Even in my own home
The sky so bright and clean
Just like my home
Kind people as have ever been
Won't you take me back to my own home
Jump up behind me my love
Jump up behind me
Old dan can bear us both
Jump up behind me
We follow this road 'til we reach the sea
Jump up behind me
We'll catch the tide and set dan free
Jump up behind me
I've been in this world awhile
And I've seen a lot of country
Many days and many miles
All various and sundry
I've had my way and I've had my fun
And I've had my chance to run free
Burning hot beneath the sun
Freezing cold and wintry
Repeat chorus
I know now
Only one thing matters in these days
One thing, true love
Love and love alone
True love
I came out of a dream last night
Thought I was back in my old home
Mom and dad were both still alive
And the babies not yet born, no
Felt like a festival
Felt like a christmas morning
Felt the darkness fall away
Even as the world was turning
Lyrics taken from http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/j/james_taylor/jump_up_behind_me.html


text:
Reviewed By Michael R (Bar Nunn, WY) Reviewed for a 2003 Ford F-250 —5/8/2008 8:48 AM
I installed the rotors with hawk superduty pads. There was and instant increase in braking ability and decrease in stopping distance. They dont squeal or shimmy and seem to be a good heavy duty brake rotor. The pricing seems to me almost equal to the stock rotors. I am very satisfied.


text:
Rex Ryan might not be ultimately blamed for what the New York Jets failed to accomplish on offense this season, but he remains culpable for their wildly botched Tim Tebow Experiment.
Sunday's 28-9 loss to the Buffalo Bills marked the end of the Jets' season and another silent afternoon for Tebow, who shuffled onto the field for only one snap in the defeat.
Quarterback Mark Sanchez struggled again -- perhaps for the last time in Jets green -- but Ryan told reporters he never considered putting Tebow under center.
"No, I made the decision. It was my decision to stay with Sanchez," Ryan said. "I was the only one who made that decision. It's on me, and obviously it didn't work out the way I wanted it to."
Relive every game this season online and on-demand with enhanced viewing features, including the "All-22" coaches film. Get NFL Game Rewind.
Ryan spun the same broken record he has played for the media all season, saying he believed Sanchez "gave us the best chance to win."
"If I thought Tebow would have helped us win the game playing quarterback or defensive tackle," Ryan said, "I would have played him."
It has been clear for months that the Jets possess zero faith in Tebow. New York never figured out how to use him, and it never will. The on-field portion of this humiliating sideshow finally -- mercifully -- has ended.
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.


text:
Exclusive Under the Dome Sneak Peek: Will Junior and Big Jim Ever Reconcile?
Jul 1, 2015 5:42 PM EDT
The more things change, the more they stay the same on Under the Dome. After last week's mind-boggling season premiere, the residents of Chester's Mill are right back where they started: under that dome. And it's safe to assume that Big Jim (Dean Nor… Read more


text:
It's no secret that cotton acreage took a big hit in 2007 in the upper Southeast, with much of the reduced acreage going into corn. On the sandier, lighter soils characteristic of the region, the next hit may come from root-knot nematodes.
Nematodes are soil-borne microorganisms that require a live plant host to survive. Root-knot nematodes produce specialized feeding structures in the roots of cotton and other host plants, causing changes in the plant cell. These changes produce swelling around the nematode, causing galls or knots.
These galls are both a blessing and a curse for cotton farmers. A blessing in that they make identification of the problem simple. A curse in that by the time the damage is recognized, cotton is likely to have reduced production and quality.
Root-knot nematodes, despite their distinctive galls, or knots, can still be difficult to diagnose, because they tend to not be uniform in a field, instead usually appearing in clusters spread sporadically throughout the field.
Veteran North Carolina Crop Consultant Danny Pierce says root-knot nematodes, like insects, are a numbers game for farmers. He started consulting in 1981 and has now spent over 25 years working the predominantly sandy soils in and around Goldsboro, N.C.
"Root knot is the major nematode problem on cotton in the sandy coastal plain of eastern North Carolina where I work. Ninety percent of this root knot problem I see is in cotton following cotton. This problem is easily detected by taking nematode samples prior to planting. The North Carolina Department of Agriculture will analyze these samples for three dollars each. This analysis gives you how many root knot per 500cc's of soil and recommendations," Pierce explains.
"In our area of North Carolina, this problem is more severe on sandier soils with the same populations of nematodes. For example, 300 root knot nematodes per 500cc on deep sandy soils is more of a problem than 600 root knot on loamy sand with clay close to the top of the ground. Even with twice the population of nematodes in the loamy sand, this population will have less of an impact on the cotton plants than the lower population in deep sand. Keep this in the back of your mind when interpreting reports."
The proliferation of corn acreage in North Carolina may ratchet up the root-knot pressure even more. Prior to the onset of modern corn hybrid varieties, corn wasn't considered a good host for root-knot nematodes. Now, the newer, more prolific corn varieties on the market are an ideal host for root-knot nematodes, leaving many upper Southeast growers with some challenges for 2008.
Across the board in the Southeast, corn acreage was up. Much of that corn proved to be poorly suited to the lighter, sandier soils that dominate the upper Southeast. As a result, many growers are likely to go back to other, more productive crops — primarily cotton.
In many ways breaking the cotton after cotton rotation with a year of corn will benefit the next cotton crop. Unfortunately, reducing root-knot nematodes will not.
Corn is typically not damaged by root-knot nematodes, giving growers a false sense of security when planting subsequent crops. Though not damaged by the microscopic worms, cotton is an ideal host plant for three of the four major species of nematodes that attack row crops in the Southeast (M. incognita, M. arenaria, and M. javanica).
Concern over the potential buildup of root-knot nematodes following corn is not confined to the upper Southeast. The furor over ethanol has spurred corn production nationwide. In Arkansas, veteran Plant Pathologist Terry Kirkpatrick says, "Everyone these days seems to love corn — including nematodes. As we move corn acreage into former cotton acreage, we'll see an increase in root-knot nematodes," he says.
Though management practices may vary a bit from one part of the country to the next, in North Carolina, Pierce says growers who have done the proper surveys and determined they do have root-knot nematodes in the soil have five options for management:
• Telone II — This is a very effective nematicide, but since most of the cotton I work on is no-till or strip-till this is not an option. It does not fit into this agronomic cropping system.
• Avicta — This is a relatively new seed treatment, but does not work well on moderate to high populations of root knot. It is very user friendly and growers love it.
• Temik — This systemic insecticide/nematicide has been the standard for decades. Higher rates are used as a nematicide, but do not work well on moderate to high populations of root knot.
• Resistant varieties — There are very few cotton varieties that are resistant to root knot. This resistance is fair at best and many growers don't like other characteristics of these varieties.
• Rotation — This is the best and only cost effective control of moderate-high populations of root knot.
Of these options only the last one is really cost-effective and viable, according to Pierce. A root-knot resistant soybean variety works great for this rotation, he says. With the cost of production of cotton so high, and even higher where root knot populations are moderate to high, and yields lower than normal in these nematode infested fields, this is the only cost effective option," Pierce adds.
"High yields of cotton are a necessity for profits, but are next to impossible in these fields. Planting a root knot resistant variety soybean will almost always bring the root knot populations down to a very low level. Cotton can then be planted the following year. The recent high prices of soybeans and low prices of cotton have made this an even more attractive nematode management practice, the North Carolina crop consultant says.
North Carolina State Plant Pathologist Steve Koenning adds, "Seedling diseases and plant-parasitic nematodes account for the greatest yield losses in cotton, although occasionally other diseases may impact yield. The root-knot, Columbia lance, reniform, and sting nematodes are increasingly responsible for cotton yield suppression. The primary tactics for management of these nematodes are the use of nematicides, and cultural practices such as rotation. Resistance to nematodes in cotton is generally lacking, although cultivars tolerant to some of these nematodes has been identified."
The increase in winter wheat acreage in the Southeast in the fall of 2007 is a good indicator that at least some percentage of the land that went from cotton to corn may now go to wheat and double-crop soybeans. That combination would be a huge benefit to subsequent cotton acreage.
While cotton acreage is down across the Southeast, the long-term future for exports looks good and few doubt that cotton will make a return to the Southern scene. When it does, a good way for growers to take maximum advantage is to reduce root-knot nematode populations in their fields, starting with the 2008 crop.
e-mail: [email protected]


text:
Buh Bai Linden Lab! \o/
Model and Photographer
Linux Tutorials - Linux Tools - Linux Games - Linux Downloads - Linux Scripts
Lighting a match in the dark web
Secondlife fashion and entertainment
Sheree Honeyflower, secondlife, social, reviews, exploring, fun, sexuality...
Second Life Fashion shown the fancy way.
Piper's Treasures...
Life, love & other adventures in Second Life®
weirdo manner to talk about anime.
News and Views on Social VR, Virtual Worlds, and the Metaverse
Film Reviews
Servicing the world
All about Clemens P. Suter Books, Paintings, Travel.
Styling since 2010
Laughter and randomness from the grid and that other realm of real life by Lady Leena Fandango
fashion, decor, and more
L I F E - Ups, downs, bumps and all !
All about Event, Fashion Show, Fair or Hunt Around SL.
Covering News from Waterbank and extended communities inside Second Life
Musings on the Second Life of Silky Serene by Silky Serene and maybe others
Han Held's virtual world blog, opensim, SL, etc
Shopaholic Extraordinaire
A virtual girl's guide to Second Life fashion!
broadcasting without permission from an attic somewhere in Berlin [about the metaverse - naturally!]
A Second Life Blog ❤ by AmandaMagick ❤ Don't Hide Your Magick!
Living Virtually
A personal journey around the metaverse
Second Life Blog about Role Play Fashion and Fantasy Styles
Ein Avatar in Second Life
Corvi's meanderings in Second Life
Camper + Otter + Cow = Adventure!
A weblog sort of thing by a Second Life Resident (yeah, I know)
Scared of Technology but learning to like it
the musings of one who has found her voice - and maybe is making sense after all!
fashion and other stuff from my second life
Secondlife, Modeling, Mesh, Fashion
Second Life, OpenSim & Sansar
The website of author Huckleberry Hax
miscellaneous thoughts about the art of Second Life...
a sometimes intrepid exploration of a virtual world
Real Me. Digital Life. Virtual Spaces. Second Life.
A blog of advice and musings on life in Second Life
Your Virtual Magazine
The adventures of a virtual time traveler
Second Life, virtual worlds and virtual reality


text:
The updated Windows, which was signalled at the end of May, should soothing traditional computer users, many of whom were unsettled by Microsoft's shift towards a new "tile"-based interface that works best on touch-enabled devices. Since few people had touch based screens this innovation was largely pointless and just hacked off people who wanted to find their software quickly.
Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer quietly told a developer conference in San Francisco that he had received "a lot of feedback" from users. For those who do not speak Ballmer, "feedback" means complaints. He decided to put it in coffee terms.
"Why don't you go and refine the blend here? Let's remix the desktop and your modern application experience. Let's balance them better," said Ballmer, summing up user er feedback.
Ballmer also promised a "rapid release cycle" for Windows in future, abandoning its previous policy of making new versions of Windows every three years, in an effort to match Apple and Google.


text:
The 2004 U.S. cotton crop was one of the best ever in terms of white grade and micronaire. But the average fiber length of the crop did not measure up in the eyes of many end-users.
And now there is a concern that if U.S. cotton producers keep producing low-staple cotton for the export market, their cotton will sell only when prices drop to the point where it's economical for foreign mills to use it.
This problem did not exist five years ago, noted Mike Stevens, Swiss Financial Services. "For 40 years, we supplied our domestic mills with the type of cotton that our contract called for. That time has passed. Our domestic mills are in a decline and will probably never come close to where they were five years ago. And now the cotton grown for the contract — 33 and 34 staple — is in oversupply.
At the same time, the new world market is ramping up its spinning technology and calling for a longer fiber of 35 and 36 staple. "The 33s and 34s have gone begging and found a home in the futures market that gives a premium to the middlings and strict middlings at 34 staple."
The discrepancy between what the world wants and what U.S. growers are encouraged to grow "is really weighing on this contract."
Doddridge, Ark., scientist, cotton producer and ginner Hal Lewis agrees that the cotton producer's primary interest in quality today is in trying to avoid one of the CCC loan schedule's many quality-related discounts. Meanwhile, the schedule's scarce number of premiums means "you sure aren't going to get any money for quality."
Cotton producers "all speak a common language," says Lewis. "It's called money. And if you put the money there, we'll grow it. We don't do this for fun."
One problem is that not everybody is on the same page when it comes to rewarding quality. On April 15, spot market quotation for the south Delta was 59.90 cents for a 41-4 cotton with a staple length of 36, compared to 58.65 cents for the same cotton with a staple length of 34. The market seems much more interested in color grade, where spot prices can range as much as 10 cents from high to low.
Many in the cotton industry touted the quality of the 2003 U.S cotton crop. Not Lewis. "When I look at the data from the classing office, it says the quality isn't worth a damn."
According to reports from the Agricultural Marketing Service, it appears that most of the 2003 crop will fall below 35 staple.
As of the end of February, average staple for the 2003 crop exceeded 35 at only three classing offices; Phoenix, Visalia and Corpus Christi. In Phoenix, 80 percent of all cotton classed was at 35 or higher; Visalia, 98.6 percent was 35 or higher; and Corpus Christi, 71.6 percent was 35 or higher.
The classing offices with the highest percentage of cotton at a staple length of 34 and below were Lubbock, at 78.5 percent; Macon, 63.9 percent; Abilene, 62.4 percent, and Birmingham, 58 percent.
Figures are not complete for the 2003 crop, but staple should be a little higher than 2002's U.S. average of 34.3. As of the end of February, staple length had increased or stayed the same as 2002 for all U.S. classing offices except Memphis, which dropped from an average of 34.5 to 34.2.
Katie Van Winkle, data analyst, fiber quality, at Cotton Incorporated, believes U.S. cotton breeders are making improvements in fiber quality, after lagging behind in the late 1990s, as new technologies were genetically engineered into existing lines.
"Micronaire has also trended upward, and we're finally getting over the hump in getting that back down. Meanwhile the strength of U.S. cotton has shown consistent improvement every year."
But staple length, on average, has a long way to go, according to Van Winkle, who says the goal for average staple should be 36. Van Winkle also mentioned short fiber content and uniformity as two distinct measurements "that give an indication of how uniform length is and how processing will run. However, USDA does not report short fiber content on the bale."
Van Winkle adds that low- and medium-quality cotton is still very desirable cotton under certain circumstances. "There are mills that will buy our cotton at the quality we have now, and they're happy to get it at a discount. That pool is not a huge pool. We can't grow 18 million bales of it. In general the international market prefers a longer staple, lower mike and higher strength."
Van Winkle said that seed breeders with private companies and those with the cotton breeding program at Cotton Incorporated are fully aware of the need for higher staple. But growers must be compelled to purchase new varieties with long staple, meaning they must yield as well as or better than shorter staple varieties and/or pay off with higher quality.
Changes in the CCC loan chart to award premiums to growers for high staple are also needed. O.A. Cleveland, professor emeritus, Mississippi State University, noted, "The CCC loan schedule is telling us we need to grow discounted cotton. With two of three bales now going overseas, that's got to change. It's going to be difficult from a tradition standpoint, but that's exactly where we're headed. We've got to step out and take a leadership role and get that done."
When asked when the cotton industry needs to raise its average staple, Van Winkle thought a moment, then said, "Yesterday. If foreign mills can't get the quality cotton they want from us, they will go somewhere else."
Cotton producers are also aware of the increasing precariousness of the export market. "In five years, we have gone from consuming two-thirds of our cotton here and exporting one-third to consuming one-third and exporting two-thirds. We're dependent on these exports to bail us out right now," said Marianna, Ark., cotton producer and ginner Larry McClendon.
"But within every country that we sell to, there is an inherent desire in that country to be self-sufficient in food and clothing. In the back of their minds they are saying, 'I'm going to buy this cotton today, but in two to three years, we're not going to be doing this.'"
Senath, Mo., cotton producer Charles Parker is concerned enough about longer staple length requirements of the export market that he is planting the bulk of his 4,000 acres of cotton this year in varieties which foreign mills have identified as having desirable quality. At one gin in 2003, these varieties produced at staple length of 36.5 plus; strength, 31.7; and mike, 4.2.
"I don't want to grow the discount-type cottons," Parker said. "I think you're better off if you have something that is more desirable. I think the whole industry sees that this is the way it's going. And to stay in business, that's what we've got to do."
e-mail: [email protected]